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Daisy Penelope Bloom, a young American woman living in Liverpool, Britain, across from her best friend Melody Price. Mel's father, John Price, has been away on a year long mission. When he returns, he f...
"Wake up, bitches!" Melody whoops as she smacks John and Daisy with a pillow, knocking them out of their deep sleep. "I took the liberty of going to the store to get some pregnancy tests for you, Daisy. And some liquor to celebrate when it comes back negative."
Daisy bolts upright on the couch, her heart racing. She's been dreaming about the same nightmare for what feels like hours—Alex's hands on her, the weight of his body crushing her down, his vile words whispered in her ear. The reality of the situation hits her like a ton of bricks, and she nods, trying to push away the fear. "Thanks, Mel," she says, her voice cracking.
John groans as Daisy sits up, her warmth no longer pressed against his chest, leaving him with an empty feeling. He stretches, trying to ignore the tightness in his jeans from the way she'd snuggled into him during the night.
"No problem, girly... You're not gonna let her go through that alone, are you, Dad?" Melody asks, her eyes sparkling with a knowing mischief.
John clears his throat, standing up and running a hand through his hair. "Of course not, Mel. Let's get this over with."
Daisy nods, her body moving almost in autopilot as she pushes herself off the couch. The chill of the room seeps into her bones, a stark reminder of the cold reality she's trying to escape. She follows Melody to the bathroom, the bright lights illuminating the stark white walls and making the room feel smaller.
John's hand rests on the small of her back, guiding her, supporting her. "I'll be right outside the door, alright? Just take a deep breath, and whatever happens, we'll figure it out."
"Aye aye, Captain... Wish me luck." Daisy tries to smile as she takes the pregnancy test from Melody's hand. Her palms are slick with cold sweat, and she fumbles with the packaging. She locks the bathroom door behind her and takes a deep, shaky breath, her heart thudding in her chest. The plastic stick feels foreign in her hand as she follows the instructions, her mind racing with a million scenarios. She sets the timer on her phone and sits down on the edge of the bathtub, her knees drawn up to her chin. The minutes tick by, each one feeling like an eternity.
John paces outside the bathroom door, his thoughts racing. He's torn between hope and fear. If she's pregnant, he knows he'll do anything to support her. But the idea of her carrying that monster's child... it's like a knife twisting in his gut. He stops pacing and leans his forehead against the door. "You okay in there?"
"Yeah, just... just waiting for the results."
"Would you like me to come in?" Melody offers from the other side of the door, her voice a lifeline in the suffocating silence.
"Yeah. The timer is almost up... I don't wanna look." Daisy sighs as she moves to unlock the door. Melody and John enter, their eyes fixed on the test on the sink counter. The seconds feel like hours as they all stare at it, willing the answer to appear.
Finally, the timer beeps, and Melody grabs the stick. She looks at the results, her eyes widening before she bursts out laughing. "It's negative, Daisy! You're not pregnant!" The relief in the room is palpable as Daisy lets out a sob, her shoulders slumping in relief.
John wraps his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "It's okay, Daisy. It's all going to be okay now," he murmurs into her hair. Daisy clings to him, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. She can feel the tension in his muscles, his heart beating a frantic rhythm against her chest.
"I have never wanted to cry and laugh as much as I do right now." Daisy's voice is muffled by John's chest, her sobs turning into soft chuckles as she pulls back to look up at him. The relief in her eyes is unmistakable.
Melody grins, setting the test on the counter. "Well, let's celebrate, shall we? I got whiskey for the occasion, but it's too early for that shit. How about some pancakes?" She claps her hands together, eager to change the somber mood.
John helps Daisy stand as he nods. "That sounds great, kiddo. Give us a minute?"
Melody nods and heads downstairs to the kitchen, leaving them in a silence that seems to echo off the walls. John looks down at Daisy, his eyes searching hers for any lingering fear or doubt. "You okay?" he asks softly, brushing a stray tear from her cheek.
"I'm better... Still a bit shaken, but I'm honestly thriving right now." Daisy sniffs, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, John, for everything. I don't know what I'd do without you and Mel."
John kisses her forehead gently. "You never have to find out, Daisy. We're in this together. Now, let's go make those pancakes and pretend the world outside doesn't exist for a few more hours, yeah?"
"And then what?" She hums, leaning into his touch like a needy little kitten.
"Well, then we eat them, obviously. What did you think I meant?" He chuckles, trying to ease the tension with his dad humor.
Daisy playfully rolls her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "You know that's not what I meant, damnit." She playfully swats at his arm, the tension in the room dissipating slightly.
John's smile widens, his eyes never leaving hers. "Well, after pancakes, we do whatever you want. We could watch more trashy TV, go for a walk, or I could show you how to change the oil in my truck if you're really feeling adventurous."
"You really know how to turn a girl on, you know that?"
John laughs, the sound rumbling in his chest, and Daisy can't help but smile. She feels a warmth spread through her, chasing away the lingering fear from the pregnancy scare. "Am I turning you on, pretty girl?"
Daisy's cheeks flush, and she playfully slaps his chest. "You know you are. You're like a knight in shining armor, except with a gun and a badge instead of a horse and a sword. Who wouldn't want that?"
"So you admit you want me?" John teases, a smoldering look in his eyes that sends Daisy's heart racing.
She laughs, pushing him away gently. "You're insufferable, you know that?" She bites her bottom lip and leans against the wall. "When did I ever say I didn't want you?"
John's smile turns into a full-blown grin, his eyes darkening with desire. "Yeah?" He steps closer, the heat between them growing more intense. "Because I've wanted you for a while now, Daisy Penelope Bloom."
"I know." She snorts, trying to hide how flustered and excited she's getting. "I mean, you masturbated to the thought of me. If that doesn't yell, 'I want you', I don't know what does."
John's face reddens, and Daisy's smirk widens. She enjoys poking at his stoic exterior, watching it crack to reveal the passionate, slightly awkward man beneath. He coughs, clearing his throat. "Well, I didn't expect you to ever find out about that. But since we're being honest..."
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