Page 120 of A Doctor for Daisy

“Then what is the problem?” his mother asked.

“You don’t get it,” he said, running his hands through his hair. “But I’m going to tell you. You and me, this was the final straw. You have to come to terms with the fact that this is my life and these are my decisions and I’m smart enough to make the right ones. If you don’t agree with them, then I’m sorry. But we need to not talk again until you apologize for what you did, not only to me but also to Daisy. If you can’t do that and mean it, then you might be losing the child you were hoping to protect.”

“Theo, wait,” his mother said. She was crying now and he couldn’t help it. He had to stand by the woman he loved. He knew he’d have his sisters’ support and his father’s.

“The next step is yours, Mom. You know where I stand and I’m not changing my mind.”

He hung up after that, and though it was hard to do, he knew it was the right thing.

He gathered his stuff and left the office. He’d do work later tonight, but he had other things that were more important in his life.

He texted Daisy he was on his way home and she said she’d meet him there.

At least she wasn’t making him wait.

He was barely in the house twenty minutes later when Daisy came in through the garage door.

He took one look at her face and saw the tears and went to her.

“I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“I’m the one that is sorry,” she said. “I’m the one that left and I’m the one that said what I had. You didn’t do anything.”

He hoped this wasn’t a trick question. He hadn’t done anything other than tell her what his mother did. He felt there was no winning in that situation. Hiding it or explaining it.

“I did something this time,” he said. “Let me tell you before you say anything else.”

He went on to tell her about the conversation he’d had with his mother. What he’d said to her and how he was done talking to her until she apologized.

All it did was make Daisy cry even more. “I feel horrible,” she said.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I was so hurt by what your mother did and didn’t stop to think that you had defended me last night and are again right now. I don’t want you to choose between your family and me.”

“Youaremy family,” he said. “That is what I want you to see.”

“I talked to my bosses at work today. And Heather. They saw me upset and wanted to know what was going on. They all pointed out they’d been in my shoes. Poppy and Rose have similar situations with their mothers-in-law.”

“And they are happily married,” he said, smiling. He owed the Bloom sisters for their help today.

“They are,” she said. “They made me see that. And that when you find the man that is right for you, he will stand in your corner. You did that. I didn’t have to ask, but you did it anyway today. I’m sorry you felt you had to do that though.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “It was a long time coming. It’s not like I’m disowning my family. Harmony and Erica will be on my side. My father for sure. Hell, even Jerry might be. But I’m not looking for anyone to be on my side but you. You’re all I care about.”

“I am on your side,” she said. She hugged him tight. “I hate that I let my insecurities get to me again.”

“Listen, Daisy. We all have insecurities. And we all are going to have them most of our lives even when we say we don’t want to anymore. It’s what makes us human. Just know you are never alone. It seems to me, your friends and coworkers are always going to be there, but I want you to know I am too.”

“They are and will be,” she said. “My mother might be too.”

“Really?” he asked, pushing her hair from the side of her face and tucking it behind her ear. “Did you talk to her?”

“I called her last night when I was upset. Heather wasn’t home. I don’t know why I did it. It could have backfired in the worst way and upset me more, but it didn’t. She listened to me. She didn’t give me advice, but she was there. She told me to be strong and do what felt right to me. She asked questions that made me think about us. When I hung up I did. And I felt better.”

“Then it was almost a turning point for you and your mother,” he said. “I’m happy for you.”

“I’m happy for me too. Maybe me standing my ground with her made her think about her actions.”

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