'Can I ask you a question?' Wilmer asks as he sits opposite Demi; it's been a few days since the funeral and he's decided to stay for a little bit to help the family out in any way he can but mostly to keep an eye on Demi.
'Of course.' She replies.
'Does he see her?' He asks gesturing to Penelope who's fast asleep against Demi's chest.
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'Who Luke?' Sh asks and he nods his head.
'No. He was never involved throughout the pregnancy, kids just wasn't part of his life plan... He's never met her and I don't think he's got any intentions of meeting her any time soon.' She replies.
'Oh I'm sorry...' He says softly and she shrugs her shoulders.
'His loss; I have given him chance after chance to be in her life but I'm not going to force him. Don't get me wrong I would love for her to have her dad in her life but I know I can do this on my own, I don't need him.' She replies glancing down at the little girl.
'I know it would probably be easier if he was around but you're doing a pretty awesome job without him.' He says causing her to smile slightly.
'Thank you... Things between me and him would never have worked out in the long run, I don't know why I stayed with him for so long.' She admits before sighing.
'I would say I regret being with him but I could never regret something that gave me someone so beautiful, so perfect. Someone who's brought so much joy to my life in the few short weeks she's been on this earth.' She admits using her finger to gently stroke the baby's cheek.
'Demi, can you go get milk?' Madison asks, her eyes red from crying as she makes her way into the living room holding an empty milk carton. Demi glances down at the sleeping infant before reluctantly nodding her head.
'Thanks.' Madison says making her way back into the kitchen.
'Do you want me to go?' Wilmer asks and Demi shakes her head.
'It's okay. I could do with getting out the house for a bit.' She admits.
'Fancy some company?' He asks.
'Sure, that would be nice.' She replies.
______
'You okay?' Wilmer asks as Demi begins to drive the short drive to Target.
'I don't know.' She replies quietly.
'It's perfectly understandable if you're not, nena... You only gave birth a few weeks ago and you've just lost your mom. It's okay to admit that you're not okay.' He says and she bites her bottom lip.
'They need me... Penelope needs me.' She mumbles glancing in her mirror at the baby who's sleeping peacefully.
'And you've done a great job at being there for them but who's there for you? Who's there when you need to break down?' He asks causing her to sigh.
'You were here.' She replies quietly.
'I'm not always going to be here, Demi. I need to go back to work next week.' He says and she shrugs her shoulders.
'I'll be fine.' She replies.
'I know after the break up we promised we'd stay in touch and that never really happened but I want you to know you can phone me at any time, Dems. I don't care whether it's three in the afternoon or three in the morning, if you need someone to talk to just pick up the phone and I'll happily listen.' He says and she smiles slightly.
'Thank you. It means a lot to know I still have you to talk to... I've missed you.' She admits. .
'I've missed you too. What are your plans? Do you think you'll head back home soon?' He asks and she shrugs her shoulders.
'Probably not soon... Maddie still needs me around I think and I don't want to go back to an empty house where it's just me and Penelope.' Demi replies.
'I get that...' He says.
'Do you know if I'd never come here to give birth I wouldn't have got to see my mom before... I wouldn't have got to say goodbye.' She says quietly as she pulls into a parking space.
'Seems like little Penelope was a blessing in more ways than one then.' He replies smiling as she once again glances in the mirror at her daughter; she's a natural mother just like he always knew she would be.
