unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 34

We were able to make it to a twenty-four-hour gas station that sat about an hour away from Moordale. I enjoyed my chocolate ice cream as Otis drank a cup of coffee to keep himself awake. 

"So..." Otis starts awkwardly. "Do you have any baby name ideas for our daughter?"

I give an amused smile as I finish off my ice cream. Crumping the package it came in and stuffing it with other trash I had hidden in the glovebox. "There's a few ideas swimming around in my brain. The real question is, will she have mine or your last name?"

"Well, we're not married, nor in any sort of romantic relationship. She could take yours." Otis offers. I still needed to be reminded of that fact daily. Just because we were having a child together didn't mean we were magically back together. At this point, we were platonic friends that enjoy each other's company in preparations to raise a child together. "I know hyphenating the last nights could be an option. Matthews-Milburn or Milburn-Matthews."

"The second option doesn't sound completely terrible," I say. "But we are not naming her Erica! Just because Eric is friendly one day doesn't mean we're best buddies and I will name my children after him." 

This causes Otis to start laughing. "I won't let you see the massive essay he had prepared for the benefits of naming her after him." He states, causing me to roll my eyes. "But seriously, what would you consider naming her?"

I think for a moment. "I really like the names Madison, Emma or even Sophia."

Otis nods his head before I asked him for his name options. He is caught off-guard I was asking for his opinion. "My only suggestion would be the Greek name Alyssa, which translates to 'noble one' and 'rational'," Otis suggests. "They're not as adorable as the names you picked."

"Well, I'm breathing a sigh of relief you haven't suggested Maeve." I try to keep the mood light, yet I'm thrown a glare in my direction. "What about Madison Alyssa?" I suggest.

"Madison Alyssa Matthews?" Otis suggests adding my last name.

There is a brief moment that I take to think. "I think Madison Alyssa Milburn sounds better actually," I admit. "Either way she will be our little M&M." 

"That's pretty cute, little M&M." Otis agrees with my suggestion on her nickname as I place my hand on my stomach. There she seemed to be excited due to the ideas of names we had floating around. "I was actually wondering how we were going to make this whole thing work, my mother wants me to apply for a school in London."

There, reality had to go and ruin the sweet moment we had as parents. "Well it isn't the best time for me to move with a newborn, I was hoping to use the time to spend with my father," I explain. "I also have my support here in Moordale with my family."

"I know and I promised I'd be there to support you with anything you and the baby need." Otis states rushed. "I can apply for a school closer or even take a gap year-"

I cut Otis off. "With this threat, I got with your mother I know she would fight harder if you took a gap year." I talk reasonably. "You can come to visit some weekends and holidays, it's not a bad thing for you to focus on your career."

Otis uses his hand to tilt my head up in his direction, from my visual I had stuck on my shoes that desperately needed to be cleaned. "Ruby, we're in this together and it will be shocking to know I don't know what the fuck I want to study." There was desperation in his blue eyes. "So fuck it, we're going with the flow until I decide what I want to do and not be forced to become a therapist like my mother."

"But you're so good at the sex advice!" I retort. "Don't give up your dream!" 

"For once I'm not listening to what other people are suggesting that it would be a great career move," Otis explains. "The whole sex therapist thing happened due to an incident and I only went along with it to please a girl, I'm done pleasing other people. I'm putting my happiness first."

"So you're not going to do that Skype session for Noah?" I ask confused.

Otis shakes his head before the gap between us closes. Our lips meet briefly before Otis pulls away apologising. "Stop apologising," I order before grabbing the back of Otis' head and pulling him in for another kiss, using my free hand to shove his shoulder forward, without creating an awkward angle for the boy.

Otis wastes no time kissing back.

That's how we remained for many moments, the hormones flowing through my body were screaming to rip all the clothing off Otis, yet my brain kept reminding me of the image of him kissing Maeve on the lips. That only made me kiss Otis even harder with passion. Remind him what he missed out on.

The passion and urge felt strong between the both of us, yet I pulled away as I was left breathless from the action. Perhaps that was another downside to pregnancy, you got tired after the most mundane activities. "Well..." Otis trails off not knowing what to say. 

"Going with the flow again I suppose," I say trying to catch up on a steady breathing pattern. "Unless that's something that wouldn't make you happy."

He looks at me deadly serious. "That made me extremely happy, that would drive any guy crazy!" He assures me taking a deep breath. "But we're not rushing into anything, I agree with the flow."

I nod in understanding. "Right you still have the psycho ex-girlfriend or whatever wanting to pounce on you," I say getting defensive once more. "Probably best you don't mention this, she might decide to come to murder me."

"No point in contacting her if I have nothing to say to her." He explains. "So does kissing you come as a bonus of the hormones or the flow of our relationship?"

I shake my head. Deciding to have a little fun. "I think it's the hormones, you have a lot to make up for if you're wanting to kiss me again Mr Milburn," I say with a satisfied smirk, watching Otis shift with frustration.

It was clear he was turned on.