Caught In A Name

CHAPTER FIVE

Wait?!? What?!?

Nicomaine turned her head in Richard's direction so suddenly that she nearly slid off of her seat. Their eyes connected and he winked! Wait? Did he actually wink? Or was that my imagination? Then Richard reached for her hand and squeezed it, as if asking for her to trust him, once more. Well, this guy really knows how to play the husband role to the hilt. Damn him! Because quite honestly, whenever he touches her, she feels this inexplicable warm current. Starting from the point of contact straight to her nether regions! Fuck my life!

Richard turned back to his brother and explained. "Charmaine. It's a combination of both our names. It's a common enough name but not overly used."

Daniel nodded in affirmation, mumbled "that's a sweet name" as he finally turned and looked straight ahead while the chopper finally gained purchase from the ground.

Nicomaine was used to travelling by air but never in a helicopter. Her job (well, used to be her job) required her to travel regularly; wether by land, by air or by sea. In fact, she probably spent most of her life travelling rather than staying in one place. But, there was something about the helicopter that just made her nervous. Maybe it's the size of it or the noise that it makes? Who knows? One thing's for sure though. She doesn't like this feeling.

"What's the matter?" Richard asked with concern. He's been silently observing Maine since the chopper took off and she's been looking paler and paler by the minute. Plus, she's actually holding on to his hand tighter and he could feel her palm sweating. "Maine? Tell me what's wrong?"

"I don't know. It's not like I've never flown before. I'm just really nervous" Nicomaine answered, her voice shaking and her breath coming out in spurts.

Richard moved closer to Nicomaine and transferred his hand around her shoulders. He could feel her tiny frame, underneath all the bulk of clothes she's wearing. And she's unmistakably shaking. He placed reassuring squeezes to her shoulder and gently pulled her towards his side (where she fuckin fits perfectly. Damn!) to share his body warmth with her. Well that was the initial intention anyway. But as their bodies came in contact, even with the barrier of their clothing, Richard felt a part of him (the one between his legs), gave a twitch of life! Mother fucker! What the hell does that mean? He was so surprised with his body's reaction, that for a minute, he forgot where he was. But then, Maine's hyperventilation brought him back to the present. Focus hot shot! Focus!

"Hey, hey it's alright. It's just going to be a short ride. Why don't you close your eyes and sleep for a bit" Richard encouraged. "Unstrap Charmaine and I'll take care of her while you doze off" he added.

Nicomaine couldn't help the nervous giggle that came out when Richard referred to her baby by the name he chose. It's just odd hearing the baby be called an actual name. She's always referred to her as baby girl.

"Are we seriously standing by that name?"

"Why not? It's a pretty name. And I think it suits her" Richard replied with a smile as he looked down at the baby. To his surprise, "Charmaine" was looking straight up at him with what appears to be a smile on her face. "Look. She's smiling. She likes it too."

"That's gas. She's trying to pass gas or probably pooping" Nicomaine scoffed with a dismissive wave.

"Oh. Well it looked like a smile to me" Richard replied with a huff.

"Relax big boy. You're probably right. It could've been gas or it could've been a real smile" Nicomaine placated as she fully unstrapped the baby carrier. "I'm quite surprised she hasn't screamed yet because of the noise. She usually doesn't like loud noises" she explained. Then she turned to her baby. "But you're cooperating today aren't you baby. My sweet sweet baby girl. You've been through so much and you're only over a month old. I promise you, I'll make it all up to you when this is over. I swear on your..." Nicomaine stopped herself before she continues to spill her secrets. For a minute, she forgot where she was and who she was with. "Charmaine" always had that effect on her.

Ever since that cold night when Nicomaine started running for her life, with this little baby in her arms, it has always been this little being who had pushed her as far as she can go. Who had given her the strength she needed even if her body was ready to give up. This baby that she will protect with her life because she made a promise that night. The reason why she's been running away for the last 33 days.

Richard watched Maine withdraw into herself. At first, it made him nervous because her facial expression transformed into the same expression she was wearing when they first laid eyes on each other on that moving train. Right before he lost consciousness. It was the face of determination, of resolve and of purpose. Richard was debating wether he should bring her back to the present when "Charmaine" gave out a little squawk. Really Faulkerson? A squawk? What is she? A bird? There's really no other way to describe it though. Well, according to an alpha male such as him, that is.

Nicomaine refocused on the baby in her arms as "Charmaine" (sheesh! It still feels weird to call her that!) is now starting to get quite upset. Her cries getting louder and louder.

"I'm sorry baby. Okay, hang on. I'm just going to get you something to eat. Or wait. I think you need your diaper changed first. Whew! I can smell it" Nicomaine babbled on as she fully unstrapped the baby carrier, pulled "Charmaine" out and laid the little baby on the seat. "Uuhhhmmm. Mr. eeerrrr, Rich...eerrr uhhhmmm RJ? Could you please hold her while I grab her stuff from my backpack?" She handed "Charmaine" to the scared shitless looking man beside her, without preamble, as she rummaged through her packback on the floor. "Charmaine" by now was full on crying!

Richard extended his hand straight out leaving the crying baby dangling in between. He tried to soothe her by swaying her back and forth but his action seemed to make "Charmaine" a lot angrier because her cries became louder than before. Sheesh! Who knew a tiny being can make that much of a sound.

Unbeknown to Richard, his brother was silently observing him from the cockpit. Daniel saw the way the younger man held the baby like it's some sort of a wild animal. It actually looked like Simba being held by the monkey in the animated movie The Lion King. Yes! That's exactly how it looked like. As he watched his younger brother look more awkward by the minute, several questions popped into his head. What the hell? Seriously, is that his child or what? What the fuck is he doing?! Until finally, he just couldn't help himself.

"What the hell are you doing RJ?" Daniel asked incredulously.