By your side (Rúben Dias)

Chapter Eight

"Do you have a preference?", asked Doctor Riley when they were getting ready for the check-up. It was time to find the sex of the baby. Finally!

"Not really", said Maddie. "As long as it's a healthy baby, I'm happy. Do you have a preference, Rúben?"

"I guess not. But my mum wants a granddaughter".

"Poor woman had to raise him and his brother. That explains it", said Maddie to the doctor, making her laugh.

It seemed like it took ages for her to confirm the sex of the baby but finally, she looked at them and smiled.

"Looks like grandma will be happy. It's a girl".

Maddie started to cry and Rúben worried about that reaction.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just that finally knowing the sex makes it more real, you know? Like we know so much more about the baby now. About her. And these bloody hormones make me cry all the time".

Rúben kissed Maddie's forehead and looked back at the screen.

The baby was so much bigger now. It really was such an emotional experience to see her, even if it was through a screen.

Rúben's phone started to ring and he excused himself and left the room.

"About what you asked me", started Doctor Riley. "You can do the DNA test next week".

That dampened the mood a bit. "Ok. Thank you".

"Madison, I'm just your doctor but I see the way Rúben feels about this baby. I see a lot of fathers who have no doubt the baby is theirs and care so much less. Or leave their partners alone here, even when doing tests that are quite painful. Rúben hasn't missed a check-up and wouldn't leave you alone at any of them. We had to kick him out once because he couldn't stay and refused to leave".

"I know. That's the issue".

"How?"

"I want this baby to be his so badly. If the DNA proves she isn't his daughter...it'll break my heart".

"Well, we can hope it goes the way you want it. But for now, you know you've got a very healthy baby girl growing inside of you. And your tests are great too. Focus on that".

"I will. Thank you".

By the time Rúben came back, Maddie was ready to leave.

"What did I miss?"

"Nothing. All is good, so we can leave. Who called you?"

"My mum. She couldn't wait to find out".

"Is she thrilled about the news?"

"The screams were a bit over the top but it was cute".

"Must be a family thing".

"Huh?", confused Rúben was adorable.

"Because you're cute too", said Maddie, pecking his lips before getting inside the car.

When Maddie opened the door to the apartment, she was met with the faces of all of their friends and family.

"What are you doing here?"

"Celebrate my granddaughter!!", screamed Alicia, Maddie's mum.

"We didn't plan a reveal party or anything".

"We already know it's a girl, it's fine. We just want an excuse to celebrate the baby again".

Maddie laughed and took her jacket off before joining everyone.

"I hope you don't mind me inviting them", said Rúben, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her cheek.

"No. It's fine. I'm a bit tired but I'm looking forward to eating that cake I saw on the kitchen island".

Everyone wanted to see the bump now it was bigger. And thankfully Maddie was one of those pregnant women who didn't mind people touching the bump...so far.

"Have you thought about names?"

"Not really", answered Maddie, looking at Rúben. "There's still time".

"Yes. And knowing Madison she'll make several lists of names and check which one suits our last names best".

"Our last names?"

"Yes. In Portugal, we give the babies both the mum's and the dad's name. And since we aren't married, I think she should have both our last names. If that's ok with you".

Maddie nodded. She actually loved the idea.

"So Dias Carter or Carter Dias?", asked Maddie's dad. "I quite like the idea of my granddaughter using my last name too. I thought it would disappear from our family since I only have a daughter".

"We'll see when we find the right name", said Maddie and couldn't help but make a face when she moved. Her back was killing her.

"Are you ok?

"Yes. Just tired and my back hurts a bit. It's fine".

"No", said Rúben's dad. "It's been a long day and you need the rest. We'll leave you alone".

"Honestly, I'm fine...".

"He's right", declared Ruth. "You rest now because my beautiful niece needs you to be strong, ok?"

"Ok", said Maddie. And they all left after saying goodbye to her...though they mostly talked to her belly. So they said goodbye to the baby.

Rúben closed the door once they were all out and headed to the kitchen to make some chamomile tea for Maddie.

"Here", he said, giving her the mug. "What else do you need?"

"Can you massage my ankles again?"

"Of course".

He sat down and moved her legs so the ankles were resting on his lap and started to rub the area. Maddie couldn't help but release a big sigh. That felt glorious.

"I spoke to the doctor when you left the room".

"About?"

"The DNA test. We can do it next week".

"Ok".

"Just ok?", frowned Maddie. "Aren't you nervous about this?"

"I told you. It doesn't change anything for me. Obviously, I want her to be my biological daughter. But if she isn't, she'll still be my daughter".

Maddie nodded but deep down, she was insecure about all of this. It was easy to claim all of that. And Rúben proved he cared about the baby, and about her, but...she feared him leaving her if the baby happened to be Rob's.

"I like the last name idea", she said, changing the subject to something easier.

"I think it should be Carter Dias, by the way".

"Why?"

"It's usually how we do it in Portugal. Mum's last name first".

"That's interesting. It's the other way in Spain".

"Yeah. And I'd be happy too if we put mine first but, I don't know. I like it like that".

"I like it too".