Without You

forty-three.

'And when you're older we'll take you to Disneyland to meet all your favourite characters and I bet mommy will be more excited than you. Maybe we'll go for your first birthday; I'm not quite sure we'll have to speak to mommy about that.' Wilmer says as he changes Charlotte's diaper. Leaning against the doorframe Demi can't help but smile as she watches them.

'Your mommy is special, you know? She loves you so, so much and she has wanted you for such a long time. We are going to give you a life full of happy memories and we may have our moments when things aren't perfect but you're always going to be loved and you're always going to be safe with us.' Wilmer adds leaning down and kissing the top of Charlotte's head.

'Morning...' Demi says softly as she finally makes her way into the room.

'H-How long have you been awake?' He asks glancing over his shoulder at her.

'Long enough... You're amazing with her.' She replies and he shrugs his shoulders.

'Not as good as you.' He says.

'You are. I love watching you with her.' She replies resting her head on his shoulder and glancing down at Charlotte.

'What time are your parents getting in at?' He asks.

'They land at 3.' She replies and he nods his head.

'I'll go to the airport and pick them up.' He says causing her to smile.

'Thank you.' She replies as he reaches down and lifts Charlotte into his arms.

'Do you want to go see mommy while daddy makes some breakfast?' He says kissing the top of the little girl's head before passing her to Demi.

'I'm not that hungry, babe.' Demi replies causing him to raise his eyebrows.

'Demi? You have to eat.' He says causing her to sigh.

'I'm just not hungry.' She replies.

'I know that's not true; this is all because of how you feel about yourself and I'm not going to let you go back to that place.' He says and she glances away from him as tears fill her eyes.

'I know this is hard but you need to eat, nena. Charlotte and I need you here with us.' He adds as she bites her bottom lip.

'I hate the way I look.' She says quietly.

'You look beautiful.' He replies and she shakes her head.

'You keep saying that but you've not seen me without a baggy shirt on.' She says glancing down at Charlotte.

'Then let me see.' He replies.

'No. I can deal with me hating myself, I don't want you hating me either... I'm not the same way I was when we got married.' She says flinching slightly as he rests his hand on her hip.

'You had a baby a few days ago. You carried her inside you for 37 weeks, of course your body isn't exactly the way it was when we got married but you're still you. You are still my Demi; the strongest person I've ever met and that hasn't changed. Really don't like the way you look? You can change that once you get cleared to work out but y u don't have to starve yourself, Dems.' He replies taking a deep breath she holds Charlotte out to him.

'Take her.' She says quietly. Taking the newborn back into his arms he watches as Demi slowly pulls her shirt over her head leaving her in only her pyjama trousers and a white nursing bra.

'It looks horrible.' She says biting her bottom lip as tears stream down her cheeks.

'Do you know what I see when I look at you?' He asks and she shakes her head.

'I see the woman I love, the woman who gave birth to our daughter. I see the place I used to rest my hand and feel Charlotte kicking underneath it. I see the place that held our daughter before either of us could. I see beauty in its purest form, the beauty of life.' He says reaching out to wipe her cheeks. Dropping her shirt by her side she moves until her head is resting against his chest and his free arm wraps around her waist.

'You're beautiful.' He whispers kissing the top of her head.