By your side (Rúben Dias)

Chapter Ten

Baby shopping was fun...but expensive. Really expensive.

"She's going to wear this twice and look at the price!", said Maddie, annoyed.

"Honey, I don't think you need to worry about money", added her dad, pointing at Rúben with his head.

"I know. But it's just so stupid and such a waste. And not everyone is as lucky as us".

"How about this?", started her dad, getting her attention. "She'll wear this just a couple of times like you said, so it'll all be in perfect condition when she's too big for it. You could donate it somewhere. Or organize another event at the academy so more people do the same".

"I like that idea".

Rúben had always loved Maddie's selflessness but it was in moments like that one that he felt so proud to be worthy of her love. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world and yet, her outside beauty was no rival for how beautiful she was on the inside.

But he wasn't the only one who appreciated that. Rob did too. And when he saw her walking around the shopping centre, he couldn't stop staring at her big belly.

"What are you looking at?", asked Tom, who made an excuse to be able to approach Rob without his daughter and Rúben noticing.

"When did she get pregnant?"

"Nothing related to Maddie should concern you anymore. You lost her and now she has someone who truly values her and will be a good father to her child. A happy ending for everyone".

"Is he really the father? Because that's a big belly. So unless she was also cheating on me, the numbers won't lie".

"Don't you dare put my daughter's honour in doubt. That baby is Rúben's and thank God she didn't get pregnant until she got away from you".

"That better be true. But I'm going to find out. Just so you know".

"Do you really want to mess with me and with a guy who earns millions?"

"Should the police be threatening decent civilians?"

"Where is the decent civilian? Stay away from her".

Rob huffed and left, but not before looking at Maddie again. He was going to find the truth.

"Was that...".

"Yes. Rúben, I need to ask you because it didn't even cross my mind but now Rob put the idea in my head and I need to know the truth".

"What did he...".

"Are you the father of my daughter's baby?"

Rúben paled and that was enough for Tom, who sighed.

"So you knew and still accepted to pretend you are?"

"Yes. I...", Rúben was ready to defend himself but there was no need.

"My respect for you is even bigger now then".

"Thank you".

"Maddie doesn't know this so don't tell her, please", Rúben nodded. "But my brother, her uncle, is adopted. He doesn't know I know either. He got in a little bit of trouble years ago and I wanted to help. But by checking his records, I found the truth. My parents adopted him when I was a baby. He was 7 so he obviously knew those weren't his biological parents. But I swear to you no one would have guessed. I never suspected. And he's always been my brother. And will always be. Though I now get why he always smirked when people said we looked like each other. I guess people see what they want to see".

Rúben laughed too, happy Tom got it. "Maddie has given me a lot of chances to leave. When we found out...it was tough for her. But it was never tough for me. She was honest from the beginning, letting me know this was a possibility but I just don't care. That'll be my daugther, no matter what a DNA test says".

"I get it. And you'll be her dad. You'll be the one changing her diapers and holding her when she cries. You'll be there when she graduates from school or when someone breaks her heart and she needs a hug, but all you want is to punch the bastard who hurt her. That's what matters".

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice Maddie coming back from the bathroom.

"What are you doing here? And why are you crying, dad?"

"I'm getting soft with age. We were just talking about the baby and I can't wait to meet her, you know?"

Maddie hugged her dad with a big smile on her face. "My ankles can't wait until this pregnancy is over either", she giggled. "And she'll be obsessed with her grandad. Might win an award for the most spoiled baby in the world".

They kept walking around the shopping centre picking up some more clothes for the baby.

"Dad, you have to try that Greek frozen yoghurt place! They have this pistachio syrup you'll go crazy over".

"Ok", he said, following his daughter who turned to face them with a smirk on her face.

"And while you pick what you want to order, Rúben has time to Google if pregnant women can eat Greek yogurt".

"You're so funny", said Rúben, rolling his eyes.

"He googles everything. It's so cute".

"I probably would've too when your mum was pregnant but we didn't have tiny phones with all the information in the world in them".

"See?", told her Rúben, raising his eyebrows.

"Don't be moody", cooed Maddie. "I love how much you care".

Tom's smile was back after seeing his daughter hug the man who loved her so much. She'd be fine by his side. And the baby would be too. That took so much anxiety off his system.

But there was something that they needed to sort out before the baby's arrival. So he approached Rúben while Maddie was busy ordering their food and whispered to him.

"We'll have to deal with Rob, Rúben".

"Leave it to me. I know what to do".