By your side (Rúben Dias)

Chapter Fifteen

Season over, time for holidays. Their first holidays as a little family and Rúben really wanted them to spend that month in Portugal. He always spoke Portuguese to Ingrid. It was easy too because Maddie was a Spanish teacher and the languages were similar, so she didn't feel left out. But he wanted his daughter to be a part of his culture too. So he invited everyone to his house in Portugal.

"We've been speaking", said Alicia, looking at his husband and at Rúben's parents. "And we thought you could do with a day off of being parents".

"What do you mean, mum?"

"That we'll look after Ingrid next week on whatever day you choose so you can have a day just for the two of you".

"That sounds great, thank you", said Rúben but Maddie was frowning.

"But we'll miss her", she said.

"Well, sure. But I know where we can go and we won't be far. If it gets too much, we can come back and see her for a bit. But this will also prepare you for the little trips you have to do for work. You can't take her on those".

"I know...".

"Honey", Alicia took her daughter's hand. "I get it's hard but you deserve to have a nice romantic date in this beautiful city. We'll look after her well. You know that. And it'll be good for her too. One day, she'll have to go to kindergarten and school...Rúben's parents know more people here that have small kids so she can interact with them. She'll be fine".

"I know she will. It's not that...".

"I know", her mum said, completely understanding her doubts. "But trust me. You need this".

So they planned what to do on that day out. Well, Rúben planned and Maddie worried.

"Don't you want to spend a day just with me?", he asked, hugging her from behind and kissing her neck. "When no one interrupts us...".

"So that's why you like this idea so much".

"I love Ingrid with my whole life. You know that. But I loved you first".

"Keep going. I like where this is going".

Rúben shook his head. "And as much as I want her to see where her dad comes from, she doesn't care. She's still too young but you aren't. And I want to share this with you. I want to show you the food, the views, ...and I want to show you off".

"And then we come back here", she started, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And we have some alone time".

"Without being interrupted by a baby crying".

"It sounds pretty good".

"And then the rest of the time here we spend it with our beautiful daughter, who won't even notice we're gone because her grandparents will be spoiling her".

After giving a thousand kisses to Ingrid, Maddie and Rúben left to go sightseeing. Rúben couldn't take his eyes off her. Or his hands.

"I cannot believe this is real".

"What?"

"You being here with me. You being my girlfriend. You being the mother of my daughter. You just don't get how many times I daydreamed about this".

"Well, it's real, Dias. Very very real".

They kissed in the middle of the street, not caring about who saw them. Not caring about anything other than each other.

"I booked a table for us to have lunch at this place I like".

"Rúben, you should have told me. I'm not dressed for a date in a restaurant".

"You look perfect", he said, looking her up and down. Maddie was wearing a beautiful yellow summer dress and some nice sandals. "And it's all very casual. Don't worry".

Maddie felt like a teenager on a first date again. Rúben made her feel like that all the time. He brought the best in her and made her so happy. Being a parent was tough. The first few months especially. But having him by her side made everything so much easier.

After lunch, they went for another walk and ended up at the beach.

"This is where I kissed a girl for the first time", said Rúben.

"It's quite romantic. You were already charming the ladies when you were a teen".

"I tried. But now I only need to charm you".

Maddie leaned forward and kissed him. "I consider myself charmed".

"Good. Should we go back now? It's getting dark".

Rúben got up and took Maddie's hand to help her do the same. And then they walked back home holding hands and feeling so content. They both missed Ingrid but kept getting photos and videos from their parents showing them what a great time she was having.

"She ditched us for the grandparents. No loyalty these days".

"We'll get her back tomorrow. But now...I just want you".

Maddie woke up at 6.30, which sounded horrific for a holiday morning. But she couldn't wait to see Ingrid again so she left the bed immediately. Her mum was in the kitchen with Ingrid, giving her some breakfast.

"My baby".

Hearing Maddie's voice made Ingrid go crazy. She started to babble and to move her arms...like she always did when she saw Rúben. Maddie thought it felt nice to be the one who got that reaction for once.

"So you actually miss me when I'm gone", she joked, taking the baby in her arms and hugging her tightly. "But I missed you more".

"She was an absolute angel, honey".

"I'm glad she didn't give you a hard time".

"Not at all. And...you look good. Refreshed. Had fun?"

"I did", she said, blushing. "I'm just so lucky, mum. I sometimes have to pinch myself because it feels like the best dream".

"It's what you deserve. Do you want to finish feeding her?"

"Yes. Go back to bed, mum. It's too early".

Maddie helped Ingrid eat the rest of her food and instead of taking her to her crib, she took her back to bed with her.

"Lie down here with daddy?"

Ingrid loved the plan. The way she laughed every time she saw Rúben was adorable. She kept trying to reach him and when she finally did, she started to touch his face and woke him up.

"What...hey", the smile on his face seeing Ingrid by his side was also something Maddie would never forget. "What are you doing here? You're not old enough to sleep in a bed, are you?"

"She'll take a little nap in between us this morning. I missed her so much".

"Me too".

And soon Ingrid fell asleep on her dad's chest. When he saw her sleeping, Rúben allowed himself to sleep too. Maddie, however, didn't fall asleep again. Looking at his two favourite people was a much better plan.