by Mynx, Sienna
Aiden shook it off and tried to focus. He picked up the folder before him and read the lines on the spreadsheet. Maybe he should take them to breakfast. No, he would take them all to breakfast. Yes, he could call and offer.
The phone in his coat pocket vibrated. He smiled to find her number flashing on the display screen. “Ah…there she is.” He opened it, and pressed it to his ear. “Morning, Beautiful.”
“Morning,” Daisy coughed.
Aiden’s brows drew together. He sat forward in his chair. “Daisy?”
“Need you to meet me at Mango Grove Children’s Hospital off Pine Street in one hour. Ask for… ask for… ask—” she sneezed and sniffed. “Dr. Macey… the test… it’s time.”
“Are you okay? You sound weird.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then let’s not—”
“Aiden, we have to. It’s time. Just go there. Okay?”
“But—”
“And Aiden, Pete will be there, so take the test but don’t start anything. I can’t take it today, seriously. Let’s just get this over with. We can have dinner tonight.”
“I wouldn’t do anything.”
“Right, of-course you wouldn’t.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “Just go. I’ll see you there.” She hung up.
Sick? She was sick? Aiden dropped the phone inside his coat pocket pushing the chair back. She wanted him to meet her in an hour. Maybe he should go to her house first and make sure she was okay. Either way, he agreed it was time to get this blasted test out of the way because it stood between him and the new life he desired.
“A moment,” Donovan said, balancing on his cane as he wobbled forward to block Aiden's escape. “We need to speak.”
“Not now.”
“Now.”
Aiden paused. He looked back to Donovan. Years of friendship had given him liberties that no one else had. He tried to tolerate the old-man’s constant needling in the past weeks and he tried to understand that it came from a place of understanding that even Daisy didn’t have. But now his fuse was short, and he was beginning to see less of a need to have to try. “What’s on your mind, Donovan?”
“We aren’t done. There are other matters.”
“We’re done when I say we’re done,” he said, with his voice tight with restraint.
“It’s about your new investment, Clara Andrews. Remember her?”
“Clara who?”
“Daisy Johnson’s old business partner. You paid her a small fortune to help destroy your girlfriend’s business.”
“That’s not what I did.”
“Close enough, according to Clara. She was the reason for its success.”
“Bullshit. What’s the point?” he snapped.
Donovan smirked. Aiden hated that smug look in his eyes. He warned him against it, and Daisy hadn’t necessarily forgotten it all. Then there was Pete’s broad. He hadn’t quite worked out how he would handle it when Daisy discovered she was in town, thanks to him. Lately, he juggled more damage control issues with this relationship than he did with keeping the IRS off his books.
“She’s looking to collect, Aiden. Very ambitious, that one is. Daisy wants to sell Jahi and Clara is holding tight to her remaining shares."
"What? I have her shares," Aiden snapped.
"She didn't sell all of them. She's also gone around me and submitted a new proposal to your board. It discloses details on the R.O.I, for Serenity. It’s actually pretty good.”
“Wait. Back up to the part where she's trying to shake Daisy down."
"She knows your girlfriend is in a legal bind. She's an opportunist, like us Aiden."
"How is it she held on to shares and you didn't advise me of this?"
Donovan hesitated.
"She gets nothing, Donovan. Not a fucking dime."
"She's entitled—"
"To shit!" Aiden snapped. "That's Daisy’s company. Have her sign up documents that make it clear. And don't pay her anything else. The bitch has gotten all she is going to get out of the deal."
"Aiden, she went to the board. They like her. I like her. You need to meet with her and see what potential she has."
"I own the fucking board!" he shouted. The others gathered, all cast their eyes their way. Aiden didn't care. "Fix it, Donovan, and don't bother me with Clara Andrews again. Make her disappear.”
“Aiden.”
“Fire the bitch. I want the money back and her out on her ass.”
Donovan narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because she betrayed Daisy, and that bitch won’t work for my company in any capacity. Nullify the deal.”
“She delivered on what you asked. She’s been paid. Think of the legal ramifications.”
“You heard me!” Aiden lowered his voice. “Things are going good with Daisy; I want it to stay that way. You want it to stay that way. I've changed," he said, making his threat clear.
“You've what?” Donovan asked.
“Changed.”
Donovan smiled. “You have to be joking.”
“I won’t have Ms. Andrews around my company upsetting Daisy. Daisy will run the Arizona deal. So get rid of her. Don’t act like you don’t know how.” He walked around Donovan who gripped his sleeve.
“You can’t just throw people away, Aiden. That’s part of the problem and the reason you hired a man like me.”
Aiden lowered his gaze to the place of contact and Donovan released him.
“Fine, I’ll take care of it. Care to tell me where you're headed now, in case I need to reach you?”
“Mango Grove Children’s Hospital. It’s where the DNA test will be today.”
“It's time to find out if ‘change’ is really needed,” Donovan said.
“What does that mean?” Aiden asked.
“There’s a chance she isn't yours.”
“No chance, friend. This one is a sure thing. Amy’s mine. Daisy confirmed it last night.”
“I see.” The skepticism in Donovan’s voice was the final straw. Aiden stepped in close, his face only inches away when he spoke. “Things are going to change. For instance, being the new man I am, I don’t think I will need your services as much.”
Donovan frowned. He stepped back on his cane, visibly shocked. Aiden smirked. “I think you might want to consider early retirement. Yeah, let’s have that talk when I return. Shall we?”
Aiden walked out, keys in hand. He felt taller than life. Change was good, especially with the woman you loved.
****
“Mama. Mama?”
Daisy wiped at her nose. She’d chosen a large round pair of designer sunglasses to cover her red-rimmed eyes. Janette kept fussing with her, touching her forehead and offering her tissues. And Amy, from the moment they entered the hospital doors, had been clinging and cranky.
She couldn’t fault her child though. This was the same place where she had her shots just a month ago. Her memory was like a steel trap. She wanted to leave. For all the fussing and nagging the two of them pummeled her with, it was her cold that was most debilitating. Daisy felt trapped between feeling hot, then chilled, and an increasing need for air and space. She was so weary that her vision blurred several times, causing her to blink rapidly to remain upright.
“Mommy, I wanna go, now!”
“One second, baby… please,” she said, trying to fill out the last section on the form. She wrote with her hand shaking and the pen drying of ink every few letters She sucked in a ragged breath and coughed, turning away from a daughter who she didn’t want to make sick.
“C’mere, Amy. Sit down… right here,” Janette ordered. Amy dropped her head; her naturally dark brown locks were pushed from her face with a pink headband. Tiny pink gemstones pierced her ears. She wore a jean skirt and vest over a pink short-sleeved shirt. Obediently, she went to the seat on the other side of her aunt.
There were more questions on the form than necessary. Hell, she was there to get answers, not give them. Daisy signed the final
sheet, wiping her nose with a tissue.
“Pete! Nina? Over here!” Janette exclaimed.
Daisy’s hand froze. Pete wouldn’t. Nina? He bought her here? She’d decided last night to let it go. Pete’s past or current loves weren’t that important, just enlightening. But that was considering a few things. First and foremost that he had left Nina and come here in search of her. Even if they weren’t together or would never be, it validated what they had been.
Her eyes lifted to the happy couple. Pete stood there in faded jeans, a white tee and a fatigue jacket with a hoodie. His hand held Nina’s. He smiled at Janette, never looking Daisy’s way. Nina, however, locked eyes with Daisy. Boldly.
They walked over toward Janette. Eventually, when they stopped, Daisy broke eye contact. If she hadn't, Nina would have seen the rapid emotions stampeding over her heart. For the first time since she claimed Peter Doyle as hers in the tenth grade, had she ever had a true rival. Sure, girls were jealous and some even prettier offered goodies, but Pete was always one hundred percent hers.
However he and Nina hooked up, she could see it clearly. Their connection was solid. She sniffed. Her face was feverish and her hands weak. She was so miserable and so frustrated that she wanted to cry. Instead, she closed her eyes and forced herself to deal.
“Hi, Daisy,” Nina said, her voice clearer than the others. Daisy looked up once more. She returned her gaze to the clipboard.
“Am I supposed to fill out something?” Pete asked, with a nervous chuckle over the icy silence that lingered.
“Hi Pete!” Amy grinned. Her daughter slid down out of the chair and ran to his open arms. Pete picked her up, peppering her cheek and nose with kisses. “Mmmm. Gummy bear.”
Amy laughed. “I not a gummy bear.”
“You sure about that? You’re soooo sweet!” He blew air bubbles into her neck, tickling her side.
“So you’re Amy?” Daisy heard Nina speak.
“Hi.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Amy. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Amy, sit down,” Daisy said. Her voice was dry and rough. She sniffed, continuing to scribble. She could feel the stares of them all. “Now.”
Pete lowered Amy, who walked back over to her seat.
The silence between them thickened. Janette cleared her throat. “Ah, yeah, Pete. They have your form up there. Daisy gave them your name.”
Daisy sneezed. She rose without speaking and walked past the couple, tossed the clipboard and pen at the nurse, and then walked out. “Watch Amy for me. I need air,” she mumbled. In the hall, she closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath. Her head ached, her chest burned and her sinuses clogged. The fever seemed to be in her blood and it cooked her bones. God help her. She’d give anything to just climb back in her bed and pull the covers over her head. She removed her sunglasses and wiped her eyes.
“Not feeling well?”
It was Aiden. She knew before she looked up. There was such a cooling relief that went through her at the sound of his voice. He smiled. Hands in his pockets, he was sharply dressed, tidy, not a spec of lint on him. Daisy relaxed as he drew nearer all handsome with green eyes and perfectly groomed hair. Unguarded manly appeal and inherent strength was so palpable for her that it draped off his shoulders like a warm blanket. For the first time, she believed he would make things right. She walked straight to him and he reached for her hand, drawing her into his arms. He hugged her, took on her burden and her lungs cleared, allowing her to breathe.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she sighed, resting her face against the fine threads of his silk tie.
“You’re warm. I can feel it. Daisy, are you okay?”
“Tired… just a little tired. That’s all,” she moaned.
He kissed the top of her head. “You should be in bed.”
“Don’t. I’m contagious.” She tried to break away.
“I don’t care,” he said as he lifted her chin and kissed her. He gave her a devilish smile and she shook her head, having the first laugh of the day. Aiden's palm stroked the side of her cheek. She thought he wanted to say something. He looked as if he might. But then it passed. He dropped his hand and squeezed hers.
“You ready?”
She sniffed. “Yeah, yes.”
He led her back inside. Nina was seated across from Janette and Amy. Pete stood at the receptionist window having things explained to him by the nurse. When they walked in, Amy looked up first. Her daughter's eyes lit like a light bulb.
“Daddy!” she yelled. Every head in the office turned. Daisy was unable to stop any of it. Amy was out of her chair and running straight for him. In the wake of her achy head and cold ridden body, she forgot this one problem. Amy called Aiden daddy.
She wasn’t surprised to see the shock and hurt in Pete’s eyes. She wasn’t the least bit surprised when that shock turned into rage. Aiden, however, seemed unaffected. He swept Amy mid-leap into his arms. Despite her weight, he threw her up and caught her. She roared in giggles and hugged his neck tightly. “Look. Look what I bought. Show them daddy. Show them your trick.” She revealed the gold coin.
Aiden adjusted her in his arm and had the coin roll between his fingers and then disappear. Amy laughed and hugged him again.
“Daddy? You told her that he was her father?” Pete asked, stepping toward them.
“Don’t. Not here,” Daisy stammered.
“Don’t? Why the hell would you—”
“Pete.” Nina stood. Daisy cut her eyes over to her. “Let it go,” she said firmly.
He stepped back, but everyone knew it required much restraint on his part. Pete glared between Daisy and Aiden. He nodded the way men do when the bell is rung to break away from a fight. He went over to sit next to Nina. Daisy and Nina’s eyes met once more and they both turned away in disgust.
“Aiden,” she touched his arm, speaking softly. “Put her down. You have to sign a consent form.”
He did as he was told. He placed Amy on her tiny feet, pulled the coin out of her wild curls and put it in her hand. Amy giggled, running over to Janette to show her what she claimed to be her “treasure”.
Aiden gave Daisy a sly smile that meant something she couldn’t read. He went to the nurses' cubicle. Sneezing into her tissue and just not caring, she found a seat and lowered into it. She watched Amy dancing around. She ran over to Pete with the coin wanting him to touch it.
“Sit down, Amy,” Daisy said.
The nurse appeared at the side door. “Amy Locke,” she called, looking over at their group.
“That’s me, mommy! I’m right here,” Amy said, waving at the nurse before running over to Daisy. Pushing her way between her legs, she eyed the nurse from across the room.
The nurse smiled. “Want to come with me?”
“No,” Amy said shaking her head.
“Amy, you're a big girl, right?” Pete asked.
Amy shook her head no. He winked. “Sure you are. Bet they got candy for you too.”
“We have lollipops,” the nurse said.
“Really?” Amy looked back at Daisy. “Do they?”
“If she says so.”
Amy shrugged. She reached behind her and took Daisy’s hand, forcing her to rise. “You come too, mommy.”
Daisy rose, allowing Amy to pull her along. “I’ll be right back, daddy!” she called out to Aiden.
He turned and winked at her.
“C’mon, mommy. They’ll give you candy too.”
They were led to an exam room. Amy was immediately placed on the exam table that looked so inviting to Daisy that she nearly stretched out over it.
“You okay? You look sad,” Amy asked.
“Mommy’s fine. Can you be a big girl for me?”
“I don’t want a shot,” Amy said, shaking her head.
She rubbed her hand. “It’ll be okay sweetie. I promise.”
****
Aiden passed the nurse the consent form and then turned. Pete, Nina and Janette
all stared. He took a seat on the opposite side of Janette and smirked at Nina.
“You haven’t won yet, playboy,” Pete hissed.
“Won? Who says this is a competition, Petie-boy?” Aiden smiled.
