Without You

fifty.

'Shh... Mommy's got you.' Demi whispers as she paces around the tiny hospital room with Charlotte cradled against her chest.

'Do you want me to take her for a bit?' Wilmer asks and Demi shakes her head.

'It's okay.' She replies quietly. They've been at the hospital for just over six hours and the doctor has checked Charlotte over and they've taken blood to be tested.

'She's going to be okay.' He says softly as she bites her bottom lip.

'You heard what that doctor said? Meningitis.' She replies and he shakes his head.

'He said there was a possibility that it is meningitis but that doesn't mean it is. She could have virus, Dems. Something that maybe needs some antibiotics to help her fight it.' He says standing up and making his way over to her.

'I'm so scared.' She whispers as he wraps his arms around her and pulls her close to him.

'She'll be okay. We're in the best place for her now, aren't we?' He says as there's a knock at the door and Dr Kahn makes his way into the room.

'Mr and Mrs Valderrama? We'd like to perform the lumbar puncture on Charlotte now.' Dr Kahn says and Wilmer nods his head as Demi's arms tighten around the baby.

'You don't have to stay in here if it's going to be too difficult for you, Dems. I can stay with her.' Wilmer says kissing the top of Demi's head.

'I'll wait outside.' She replies quietly.

'Amy would you like to show Mrs Valderrama to the relatives room where she can get a cup of coffee?' Dr Kahn suggests glancing at the nurse who nods her head. Leaning down Demi kisses the top of Charlotte's head as tears stream down her cheeks.

'Mommy loves you, baby girl.' Demi whispers before passing her to Wilmer.

'I'll come get you once it's over, okay?' Wilmer says and Demi nods her head.

****

'The procedure is all done.' Amy says making her way into the relative room where Demi is walking back and forth.

'I-Is she okay?' Demi asks and Amy nods her head.

'She's a little bit sleepy from the sedation but I think she could do with a cuddle from her mommy.' Amy replies. Nodding her head Demi quickly thanks the nurse before rushes to the room where she finds Wilmer cradling Charlotte in his arms. Glancing up at her he sighs before reaching his free hand out for her to take; it's clear he's been crying and she can't help but cuddle into him as he wraps his arm around her waist.

'I'm sorry you had to do that on your own... I just- I couldn't.' She says quietly.

'Don't apologise. I wouldn't have wanted you to see that, nena.' He replies as she leans down to kiss the top of Charlotte's head.

'Was it bad?' She asks and he nods his head.

'It was horrible to watch. She didn't feel a thing obviously because she was sedated but it was just horrible.' He replies. She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head against his chest as tears stream down her cheeks.

'I-I know we keep saying she'll be fine but this is awful. I hate not knowing what's going on. I can't stand being unable to help her. I feel like I'm failing her.' She admits as he brushes his thumb against her hip.

'You're not failing her; you are doing everything you can for her. Dr Kahn says maybe when she comes around you could try feeding her.' He says and she nods her head.

'Okay.' She replies quietly. Suddenly the little girl whimpers and stirs in Wilmer's arms causing them both to look down at her.

'Oh hi, little lady... Do you want to go see mommy? I think she needs a cuddle.' Wilmer says smiling. He passes the baby to Demi, quickly wipes his eyes before wrapping his arms back around his girls and rests his head on Demi's shoulder.

'Hopefully when the results come back for this we'll have answers.' He says and she nods her head.

'Hopefully.' She replies leaning against his chest.

So just a warning that this story is coming to end; I'm thinking there's probably 4 chapters and an epilogue left before it finishes.