Without You

forty-nine.

'You're not going to be here for Sophie and Joe's engagement party, are you?' Demi asks cradling Charlotte against her shoulder as Wilmer sits with his back against the headboard.

'I'm not sure. I'll try get back for it but I can't promise anything.' He replies and she nods her head.

'Okay.' She says quietly. She walks over to the window while Charlotte whimpers causing her to sigh.

'I'm going to go through to the nursery and see if the rocking chair will settle her; you may as well watch the movie on your own.' She says causing him to shake his head.

'No. Stay here.' He replies. He quickly leaves the room and she stares out the window whilst gently rubbing circles on Charlotte's back.

'What are you doing?' She asks turning round to see him making his way into the room carrying the rocking chair.

'Making sure you can watch the movie.' He replies placing the chair by the side of the bed.

'You're amazing.' She says smiling at him. Making her way over she kisses his cheek before sitting down on the rocking chair and settling Charlotte against her chest and beginning to rock slightly.

'Comfy?' He asks as he drapes a blanket over her causing her to smile.

'Mhmm...' She replies. Getting back into bed he smiles as she continues to rock slightly and Charlotte begins to settle down.

'You can put the movie back on if you want?' She says glancing over at him.

****

'I'm going to try put her down.' Demi says smiling slightly as she glances down at Charlotte who's fast asleep on her chest; the movie finished ten minutes ago and Wilmer is lying on his side facing her.

'Okay.' He replies. He watches as she slowly gets up off the sofa and makes her way round to the bassinet.

'Shhh... You're okay.' She whispers as she lowers the infant into her bassinet.

'Does she feel warm to you, Wilmer?' Demi asks placing her hand on the little girl's head. Climbing out of bed Wilmer makes his way to where she's standing and placing his own hand on Charlotte's forehead.

'She's a bit warm. Maybe it's just because she's been snuggled up to you for a few hours. We'll keep an eye on her.' He replies and she nods her head. Sitting down on the edge of the bed she sighs and gazes over the side of the bassinet.

'How was your lunch with Laura and Mila?' Wilmer asks sitting down beside her.

'It was good; it was really nice to talk to them actually.' She replies resting her head on his shoulder.

'We're going to be okay, Dems. We've been through things much worse than this.' He says and she nods her head.

'I know... I just- I love you.' She replies.

'I love you too.' He says.

______

'Wilmer, wake up.' Demi says, panic filling her voice as she glances down at Charlotte who's lying on the bed in front of her.

'Wilmer.' She says reaching her hand out and slapping it down on his chest.

'What the fuck...' He mumbles sleepily.

'Something is wrong, Wilmer. She's so hot, she won't latch on and she screams every time I touch her. Something is wrong.' She says, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stares helplessly down at her baby girl.

'Has she got a rash or anything?' He asks running his hand over his face and sitting up.

'Not that I can see.' She replies beginning to unbutton the little girl's sleepsuit.

'I know, baby. I'm so sorry.' She almost whispers as she lifts Charlotte into her arms causing the little girl to start screaming.

'There's no rash.' She says and he his head.

'I'll go phone the out of hours hospital.' He says climbing out of bed.

'What's wrong, baby girl.' Demi whispers as she places Charlotte back down on the bed causing her screams to fade into whimpers.

'A summer rain is passing over and it feels like a dream. I could run and look for shelter but you hold onto me.' Demi begins to sing softly.

****

'A doctor is going to phone us back in a few minutes, how's she doing?' Wilmer asks making his way into the bedroom where Demi is now pacing around with Charlotte cradled against her shoulder.

'She's so warm, Wilmer. I don't know what to do.' Demi admits running her hand down the little girl's back.

'Why don't I take her for a bit?' He suggests and she shakes her head.

'She's only just settled and I need you to speak on the phone.' She replies.

'What do you think is wrong with her?' She asks quietly and he can sense the fear in her voice.

'I'm not sure, nena. Let's just wait to hear what the doctor says.' He replies. Suddenly the phone rings causing them both to jump and Wilmer instantly answers it as Demi watches on.

'Speaking... There's no rash. Okay, thank you.' Wilmer says. Placing the phone down on the bed he turns to face Demi who's biting her bottom lip.

'The doctor wants us to go straight in and get her checked over just to be on the safe side.' Wilmer says.

'O-Okay.' Demi replies quietly.

'She'll be okay.' He says as tears fill her eyes and she stares down at the baby in her arms.

'I can't lose her, Wil.' She mumbles.

'We won't lose her.' He says softly.