unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 43

The first four weeks of my daughter's life were spent within the walls of Ruby's parents home. Ther would be a flurry of visitors to see the newborn that usually slept within Ruby's arms or her small bassinet that was moved from room to room. 

I spent time going between Ruby's home to spend time with her and Maddy or at work earning money to raise my daughter. I would venture home to retrieve some of my belongings rather than wearing the same clothes days in a row. My mother wouldn't question it, she was still disappointed I was not listening to her words of wisdom and finishing my application to university. 

I hoped she would get over herself and come and meet her granddaughter in person or even just bring my sister Joy over to meet her niece. I thought with their ages so close, they would be able to grow close. 

One afternoon I was in need of some more clean clothing, I had driven back to my home with Maddy in her car seat. Ruby and her mother had ventured out to enjoy a mother and daughter afternoon together, Ruby had been stressed enough as a new mother and needed some space to relax. I happily offered to take my daughter out of the house.

I carried Maddy in her car seat, not wanting to wake her and see my mother standing in the path leading to the front door. "Otis darling, welcome home." She greets with a smile on her face. "Have you come to your senses yet?" She asks me, as I shake my head.

Coming to my rescue was Jakob stepping out of the front door and placing his hand on my mother's shoulder. "Jean, please." He mentions, which makes my mother sigh.

"I'm sorry darling, I just had so much hope you would go forth with your studies rather than stay in Moordale." She instructs.

"Sorry to disappoint," I say emotionless. "Would you like to meet your granddaughter or continue to be a bitter old woman because I'm no longer taking instructions from you?"

"She would like to meet her." Jakob mentions, which my mother responds by nodding her head. My mother's downfall was that she couldn't admit she had done anything wrong when she made a mistake. "Shall we go inside before we all catch a chill?"

I follow Jakob and my mother inside my childhood home, heading towards the living room and setting Maddy down on the couch, her diaper bag on the floor beside her. I pull back the cover that was on top to hear a gasp from my mother. "She's beautiful darling!" She chimes.

The sudden burst of noise wakes up Madison, not enough to make her cry but to reveal her grey eyes. Ruby and I were still debating whether she will receive her brown eyes or my blue eyes, either we were hopeful for. "Do you want to hold her?" I ask.

My mother agrees excitedly, holding out her arms as I carefully get Madison out of her car seat. I hand her over to my mother who is careful to hold her. She wore a fluffy pink onesie that had been gifted from Anwar. "Didn't know you were able to make a decent looking baby." There is the joking tone of Ola walking into the living room and taking a closer look at my daughter.

"Thank you?" I say undecided on whether that was a compliment or an insult. 

The statement makes Ola burst out laughing. "Where's Joy?" I ask curiously.

"At daycare." My mother asks interacting with her granddaughter. "If I had known you were coming home I would've kept her to meet your daughter."

I nod in understanding as Madison is handed around the room to both Ola and Jakob. "What does Madison mean?" Jakob asks, he had always had the belief that children had to be named after strong meanings.

"The Son of Matthew," I answer. 

Jakob nods quickly before looking back down at my daughter. "If she's anything like her parents she will be headstrong and nothing will hold her back." He refers to Ruby getting her way no matter the consequences and my drive to be successful eventually. 

"I hear Eric's parents have met her." My mother mentions handing me a cup of tea.

"Yeah, Ruby and I took her over just last week. They absolutely loved meeting her, especially Eric's sisters." I explain. "Eric is visiting most days to spend time with Maddy."

"She got your quietness," Ola mentions, having Maddy fall asleep in her arms.

"Makes it great getting a good nights sleep," I explain with laughter.

"That will change when she is a toddler." Jean mentions. "I remember you not being able to stay still and once you started talking, well we couldn't get you to shut up."

There is a twinge of red that appears on my face, making Ola laugh. "How is Ruby?" Ola asks. "Must be different being a mother."

"I think she's handling it well, obviously is stressful when Maddy decides to scream at the top of her lungs," I explain. "I help out as much as I can."

"Your father mentioned he was coming over to England to meet her." My mother mentions.

"Yeah in a month or so, flights are expensive at the moment," I reply to my mother.

Returning back to Ruy's parent's house, I see Ruby pacing in the small entryway covered by glass. When she sees me return with our daughter I see a look of relief on her face. "Thank fuck you're back!" She gushes taking Maddy from my hands.

"All is well, darling," I say giving a quick kiss to her cheek before taking in my bag of clean clothes and diaper bag. "I have a shift tonight at work, are you going to be alright with Maddy?"

I see Ruby standing there blushing while holding Maddy in her arms close to her chest. "I'll be alright, my mum has the evening off to help out with my dad and her."