Without You

forty-seven.

She's been gone for just under two hours when he hears the front door open and she slowly makes her way inside. She places Charlotte's carseat down on the floor and silently transfers her from the carseat to the crib before glancing up at him.

'I'm sorry for being a bitch.' Demi says and he shakes his head.

'You don't have to apologise for anything. What I said to you was uncalled for. You've always supported me with my career and you're far from selfish.' Wilmer replies.

'I'm not punishing you for what happened with the divorce. I just don't feel comfortable travelling with Charlotte. New York isn't home and you'll be working long hours so I'd be left on my own with Charlotte.' She says sitting down on the sofa.

'I thought you'd be home for longer.' She adds causing him to sigh.

'So did I... I don't want to go away and leave you both behind. This isn't how I wanted things to work.' He says.

'I just don't understand why'd you'd agree to this. You weren't contracted in for the this season when you found out I was pregnant so I don't understand why you'd agree to miss so much.' She admits.

'I love that job.' He says and she nods her head.

'I know you do... Y-You told me in Bora Bora that you were going to see if they'd write you out of this season so you would have five months at home with me and the baby.' She replies causing him to sigh.

'I thought if I done this season then I'd be finished before her first birthday which meant that I'd be here.' He says.

'That's fine saying that but did you ever think that maybe I wouldn't be ready for you to leave only eight weeks after giving birth?' She asks.

'You've been doing fine.' He replies.

'With your help. I'm not saying I'm not coping but I just it's be so good to be able to pass her to you in the morning and try get some more sleep after being up all night.' She says.

'I'm sorry.' He replies and she shakes her head.

'You can't change it now. I'll just have to cope on my own, won't I?' She says.

'I'm sorry. We could see if your mom could come over for a bit?' He suggests and she shakes her head.

'No. I'll just need to be fine on my own.' She says.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

'I'll get it.' Wilmer says standing up. Leaning down he kisses the top of her head before making his way to the front door. She hears muffled voices before the living room door creaks open and Wilmer peeks his head around the door.

'We've got a visitor, if you're feeling up to it.' He says.

'Who is it?' Demi asks.

'Laura.' He replies.

'Okay.' She says smiling slightly. He moves out the way and lets Laura into the living room.

'Hey, you...' Laura says smiling as she leans down and hugs Demi.

'Hi.' Demi replies.

'I was wondering if you wanted to go out for some lunch? Maybe do some shopping? I'm meeting Mila in an hour?' Laura asks.

'I'd love to but-' Demi begins.

'We can speak later, nena... Go out for lunch.' Wilmer says.

'I just need to sort my face out.' Demi says smiling slightly.

______

'Everything okay between you and Wilmer?' Laura asks as she watches Demi gently rock the stroller with her foot.

'I don't know... He goes back to work next week and I just don't feel ready for him to be that far away. Lottie wakes up every three hours during the night and we've kinda got this routine where after her 7am feed Wilmer takes her downstairs so I can get some sleep but we can't do that if he's in a different state. We had an argument about it earlier and he called me a selfish cow before I stormed out.' Demi replies.

'Oh... It's hard when they go back to work. How long will he be away for?' Laura asks.

'Four weeks. He'll be away for a total of five months but he gets home for two week breaks.' Demi replies.

'Oh that'll be tough.' Mila says and Demi nods her head.

'You know you won't be on your own though. We'll be here and you've got your family and friends, don't you?' Laura adds.

'I guess.' Demi replies quietly.

'Why don't we go spend some money on the kids? That always cheers me up.' Laura suggests and Demi nods her head.

'Sounds good to me.' Demi says.

_______

'Hey.' Demi says softly as she makes her way into the house pushing Charlotte's stroller.

'Hi.' Wilmer replies. He watches as she makes sure the brakes on the stroller are on before making her way over to him.

'I don't want to lose you.' She says as she sits herself down on his knee and he shakes his head.

'You're not going to lose me. I've been on the phone and they've agree that I can leave before the end of the season. They're going to tweak some things so that I should actually only be out their filming for three months.' He replies.

'I-I don't want you to resent me for this, Wilmer. I know you love that job and now I'm being a selfish bitch.' She says causing him to pull her closer to him.

'Don't say that. I want to be at home with you and Charlotte. This is killing me just as much as it's killing you; I don't want to work in New York while you're raising our daughter on your own in LA.' I don't want to miss her first word or her first step. I want to be here.' He replies as she curls into his chest.

'I don't want to fight anymore.' She says and he kisses the top of her head.

'I love you.' He says.

'I love you more.' She replies quietly.