Without You

forty-five.

Eight weeks later.

'I'll rise up, rise like the day. I'll rise up in spite of the ache. I will rise a thousand times again. And we'll rise up high like the waves. We'll rise up in spite of the ache. We'll rise up and we'll do it a thousand times again.'

Leaning against the doorframe Wilmer can't help but smile as he watches Demi sway from side to side with Charlotte in her arms as she sings softly. The past eight weeks have been absolutely heavenly even if they have had their struggles. Quickly taking a picture he smiles and begins to upload it to Instagram; they don't post pictures of Charlotte all the time but they have posted the odd one on Instagram and Demi occasionally includes her on snapchat.

wilmervalderrama : Words cannot describe just how much I'm going to miss these two when I go back to work next week. I have absolutely loved spending the past two months watching you grow as a mother, watching you nurture and love our baby girl makes my heart swell. I love the little family we've created and I can't wait to make many more memories together.

'I know you're standing there.' Demi says softly turning to face him.

'You have no idea how happy it makes me to just watch you with her.' He almost whispers causing her to smile.

'If it's even half as happy as I feel watching you with her then I've got a pretty good idea.' She replies walking towards him. Wrapping his arm around her waist he smiles and kisses the top of her head before leaning down to kiss the top of Charlotte's head as well.

'I was thinking we could maybe go out today and use the gift cards people got her.' Demi says resting her head against his chest.

'Sounds good to me.' He replies.

______

'How long are you going to be in New York?' Demi asks quietly as they make their way into BuyBuyBaby.

'Four weeks.' Wilmer replies grabbing a basket as Demi pushes the stroller.

'Four whole weeks? Great.' She mumbles glancing down at Charlotte who's fast asleep.

'It's just for this season; I'll most likely be in New York four weeks and then home two weeks.' He says causing her to sigh.

'We knew this was how it was going to work until I'd finished this season.' He adds as she rolls her eyes.

'Whatever... Lets just get what we're getting and go home.' She says quietly.

'I'm sorry. I don't want to leave you on your own but-' He begins and she nods her head.

'But it's work and you're contracted; I get it just doesn't mean I have to like it.'  She replies grabbing a new pacifier and placing it in the basket.

'You could come out to New York?' He suggests and she shakes her head.

'I don't want to disrupt her routine. Everything she needs is at the house and I don't fancy having to drag all that to another state.' She says.

'So what? I just don't get to see my daughter for four weeks at a time?' He asks and she glances over at him.

'Now is not the time or the place.' She replies quietly.

_____

'So are we going to have this conversation or not?' Wilmer asks as they make their way into the house. He places his bags in the middle of the living room floor as she transfers Charlotte from her carseat to the small crib by the sofa.

'What do you want me to say? I don't feel comfortable travelling to another state with our two month old daughter.' Demi replies shrugging her shoulders.

'So I've to go weeks at a time without seeing Charlotte, without seeing you.' He says as she shrugs her jacket off and hangs it up.

'That's not my fucking problem. I've told you I don't feel comfortable travelling with our young daughter. I don't want to disrupt her routine by taking her to another state.' She replies.

'Bullshit! You're still punishing me for the whole divorce shit.' He says.

'Fuck you! I am not punishing you for anything. I have clearly stated my reasons. What I don't understand is why you signed up to do this entire season; why not agree to do a few episodes to wrap up your character? It's your fault you're going to be away from home for so long, Wilmer. Don't you dare try to make out this is my fucking fault.' She replies.