By your side (Rúben Dias)

Chapter Five

Rúben didn't know what to make of Maddie's reaction. All the colour in her face was gone and he feared she would pass out. So, she doesn't want to keep the baby?

"Maddie, talk to me. Please".

"Of course, this had to happen. I can't move on".

"What do you mean? Move on from what?"

"The weeks...I'm not sure the baby is yours, Rúben".

He finally got it. She had slept with Rob until the end of their relationship. And Rúben slept with her two days after that ended. They used protection that first time, before getting tested. Rob could have slept with more people and passed any diseases to her. But when they were both sure there was nothing to worry about, she just expected the pill to do its job. But it didn't. So now she couldn't know who the father was. Great.

"I'm in a good position financially", she started to say. "And, honestly, I think I'm the right age to be a mum. I'm terrified but I feel ready too, you know? So I'm keeping it".

Thank God, thought Rúben. "I'm glad that's what you decided. We need to start thinking about what to do. Where to live and all that".

"Rúben, didn't you listen to what I said?"

"Yes, you said you're keeping the baby so we have to get ready".

"I don't know if you're the father".

"And I don't care if I am".

Rúben misunderstood the tears he saw in Maddie's eyes. She wasn't sad, she was relieved and grateful. She had been scared of the baby not being Rúben's and having to become a single mum. She could do it. Of course she could. She had nothing but respect for all the women who raised children on their own and she wouldn't be fully alone either. Her parents would help. But having Rúben by her side...she didn't want the baby to be the reason they didn't give their relationship a chance. But she also already knew the baby came first. All her decisions will be based on what was best for her child.

"You don't have to do this. We could wait until it's possible to do a DNA test...".

"Maddie, I'm not waiting. Whether that baby is mine or not, I'll be the father, ok?"

"I can't force you to raise someone else's child...".

"How are you forcing me to do anything?", he laughed. "It's my decision. I took it".

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me. But also know that if we find out you're not the father, you can walk away from this mess".

"Ok. But get in your head I won't".

Maddie took a step closer to Rúben. She was feeling too much. Her heart racing and her mind thinking of too many possibilities. But she believed Rúben. So she held his face with her hands and made him lean down so she could kiss him. She had never kissed someone so tenderly but it was her way of letting him know how much all of this meant to her. Of saying the things she didn't know how to put into words.

"We need to book you an appointment at the doctor's. I'll go with you", told her Rúben after their kiss.

"We can wait a couple of days. There is no hurry".

"The sooner, the better. I need them checking you're doing ok. That you're both doing ok. There are risks...".

She nodded. "I'll try and get an appointment for this week, ok?"

The next day, Rúben picked Maddie up after training to take her to the gynaecologist. He was so happy when he found out about her being pregnant. But the wait until the appointment terrified him. What if there was something wrong?