By your side (Rúben Dias)

Chapter Sixteen

"We'll be ok", assured her Rúben.

"But this just feels wrong. That I'm going out to party while you stay with Ingrid".

"It's not wrong. You deserve to have some fun. And you're done breastfeeding her so you can have a drink or two".

"So I'm out drunk while you look after our baby. The scandal!"

"What's scandalous is how good you look in that dress", he told her. "Remind everyone you already have a man at home waiting for you".

She shook her head and finally left. It really felt wrong but ...Ingrid was almost one. And they needed to learn how to be parents and also just people. Maddie knew it was harder for Rúben because he couldn't choose not to travel for work. But it was a struggle for both.

"Ingrid, we have a date night today. You and I. Don't tell mum, but you're my favourite girl in the world".

"Da da da da...".

"I'll take that as you saying the feeling is mutual. Let's give you some dinner".

Rúben fed Ingrid and then they went to the sofa to watch some cartoons. However, Ingrid was more interested in playing with her toys. And, as usual, she ended up hitting Rúben with them. That's why they gave her soft toys. Not for her safety, but for everyone else's. Bernardo had joked about how that was a family trait, since Rúben continued to bully him at any chance he got.

"Ok, little one. Time for bed. I'll sing you a lullaby if you want to. My voice isn't as pretty as mum's but I try my best".

Ingrid laughed and Rúben wondered if he could ever love her more than he did at that moment. It just didn't feel possible. But he thought that the previous week and now his chest tightened even more while staring at her.

"You're the best thing that's happened to me, you know? You and your mum".

He sang her a lullaby in Portuguese. It was probably him being weird but he noticed a difference between her reactions to him speaking in Portuguese and English.

And she soon fell asleep so Rúben went to his bed to do the same. But soon heard the door open...and then he heard a weird noise.

"Maddie?"

"I didn't drink", she said quickly. But Rúben saw she looked at least a bit tipsy.

"Ok", he laughed and followed her with his eyes while she got inside their bedroom.

Seeing she was struggling to remove her top, Rúben got closer to help her out of her clothes.

"It was just one drink but I'm not used to it anymore. I'm a lightweight now. It's shameful".

"You'll survive".

Maddie went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and Rúben waited for her inside their bed.

"I hate that I had a drink".

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Maddie".

"It was because of a guy who annoyed me".

"Who annoyed you?", he asked, sitting up.

"I mentioned Ingrid and he asked why I was out with friends. And I told him because my daughter had a father too and he insulted you".

"Me?"

"Yeah. He was talking crap about you. Saying things like you weren't a real man because you stayed home with the baby while I was out".

"Well, he was a twat", declared Rúben, somehow happy the insults were directed at him and not at Maddie.

"I know. But it annoyed me and I ordered a drink. I didn't want to but he played with my feelings of guilt".

"You don't need to feel guilty. Please know that".

She nodded and finally turned to look at Rúben, who was wearing no shirt. She moved closer and started to touch his bare chest.

"And you are a man".

"I know", he chuckled.

"I mean like a real man. That guy wishes he was like you...my manly man".

"You're hilarious when you flirt while tipsy".

"Why?"

"Your face isn't doing what you think is doing".

"Is it still sexy?"

"Always".

**

They say time flies when you're having fun. So that must have been the reason why Ingrid was turning one year old when, according to Maddie, she had been born last week. How could she be one already? It just didn't make sense.

"They grow up so fast", she sighed.

"Oh yeah", laughed her mum. "You were a baby not that long ago and look at you now having your own baby".

"So you mean in a couple of months she'll go to uni and come back home to tell me she's getting married...".

"Maybe not that fast. But she'll go to kindergarten soon and meet more friends. And she'll talk and walk perfectly and you'll be running after her the whole time. And sometimes hoping she wouldn't talk that much".

"Speaking from experience?", asked Maddie, raising an eyebrow.

"I love talking to you, honey".

The party was great. Small but cute. Maddie wouldn't remember this party anyway so no need to be extra. There would be time for that in the future.

"What are you thinking about?", asked Rúben, hugging Maddie from behind and placing his chin on her shoulder.

"That I don't want her to grow up but also cannot wait to see the woman she will become".

"I can relate to that feeling".

She looked at Rúben's face and...

"The age gap between you and your brother is small".

"Yeah".

"You like that, right?"

"Sure. I think it helped us be so close, why?", he was frowning now.

"Maybe that's what we should do too".

"Are you...".

"I want to have another baby, Rúben. To give Ingrid a brother or sister soon. If you do too. I mean, I kind of need your help. And I don't mean we should start tomorrow but maybe in the next few months...".

"I do. I want that too".

She smiled at him. "So...we're doing this? Baby number two?"

"Yes. Baby number two".