Without You

fifty-one.

'Charlotte has viral meningitis.' Dr Kahn says as he sits across from Demi and Wilmer.

'M-Meningitis?' Demi asks and Dr Kahn nods his head.

'Now I know that sounds absolutely terrifying but we've caught it early; Charlotte has already received antibiotics which is a great start. We'll continue to give her the antibiotics via an IV and hopefully you'll have her back home soon.' Dr Kahn says.

'Should I have noticed it sooner?' Demi asks quietly.

'No. There was no reason for you to notice this earlier. You done exactly what you should have done.' Dr Kahn replies.

'What happens now? Will she be okay?' Wilmer asks.

'Charlotte appears to be responding well to the antibiotics which is a good sign. I'd suggest trying to get her to nurse as often as you can and just cuddle her. Depending how well she continues to react to the antibiotics you could have her home in two weeks time.' Dr Kahn replies and Wilmer nods his head.

'Okay, thank you.' Wilmer says.

****

'You heard Dr Kahn; she's going to be okay.' Wilmer says as they make their way back to Charlotte's room.

'She's got meningitis, Wilmer.' Demi replies quietly as he pulls her against his side and kisses the top of her head.

'And she's being treated for it. We got her here on time and she's going to be just fine.' He says as they reach the room.

'We could've lost her.' Demi mumbles as she stares in the window and watches Sobeida cradle the little girl in her arms.

'But we didn't... Come here.' Wilmer says. He wraps both his arms around her and sighs as she instantly begins to sob.

'I've got you.' He whispers running his hand up and down her back.

'I-I-' She mumbles, her hands are clutching Wilmer's shirt as he pulls his head back to look at her.

'Hey... Breathe, nena. Copy my breathing, okay?' He says. He breathes deeply and she stares up at him; her eyes are wide with panic as her hands remain clutching his shirt.

'That's it.' He says as she begins to breathe deeply. It takes a few minutes for her to finally calm down enough to form a sentence.

'You okay?' He asks. Shaking her head she sighs and leans against his chest.

'Do you want to go cuddle our baby?' He asks and she nods. They make their way into the hospital room and Sobeida instantly places Charlotte in Demi's arms.

'Hi, baby girl.' Demi whispers.

'What did the doctor say?' Sobeida asks.

'Viral meningitis; they said we caught it early enough though and she should be fine.' Wilmer replies and Sobeida sighs.

'Oh my goodness. Why don't you two go get some lunch and maybe see if there's somewhere you could try get some sleep?' Sobeida suggests and Demi shakes her head.

'I think Demi's going to try get some sleep here with Lottie.' Wilmer replies grabbing a cover and carrying it over to Demi.

'You should go get some lunch with your mom.' She says as he places the covers over her.

'I don't want to leave you.' He replies and she shakes her head.

'We'll be okay; she actually seems a bit better.' She says kissing the top of Charlotte's head.

'Okay. Will I bring you something back? A sandwich maybe?' He asks.

'Sandwich sounds good... You know what I like.' She replies. He gathers some of his stuff and gives her a kiss before leaving with his mom.

'Just you and me now, baby girl.' Demi whispers running her hand down the little girl's back. It's been a scary few days and she can't even bear to imagine how things could've turned out if they hadn't brought Charlotte to the hospital when they did.

_____

It's a little over 45 minutes later when Wilmer returns to the room. Placing the sandwiches on the table he smiles slightly as he notices Demi curled up on the chair with Charlotte fast asleep on her chest. Making his way over to her he kisses the top of the hair and tucks the covers around them both. It's the first time since Charlotte got admitted that he's seen both her and Demi completely settled.

'I love you both.' He whispers moving some hair out of Demi's face.