Without You

fifty-two

'Hey, sleepyhead.' Wilmer says smiling as Demi stretches her free hand above her head.

'Mm... What time is it?' She asks.

'A little after four. You two have been sleeping for like three hours.' He replies and she glances down at Charlotte who's fast asleep on her chest.

'I've missed being able to do this with her.' She says softly.

'Did she nurse okay?' He asks.

'Yeah... She nursed for around an hour.' She replies smiling.

'That's good.' He says.

'You're supposed to go to New York tomorrow, what are you going to do?' She asks glancing up at him as he moves to sit on the arm of the chair.

'They're going to film as much stuff without me as they can then when I get out there they'll film my stuff.' He replies.

'You're not going?' She asks.

'Of course not. I wouldn't leave you to deal with this on your own...' He says.

'Obviously I wish this didn't happen but I'm glad that it did while you were still here.' She admits.

'Me too. I would never have forgiven myself if you had to go through this on your own.' He says kissing the top of her head.

'Did you have lunch?' She asks and he nods his head.

'I brought you a sandwich and a cookie.' He replies gesturing to the table causing her to smile.

'You're amazing. Do you want to take her for a bit?' She asks. He smiles and reaches down to transfer Charlotte into his arms.

'She was given her antibiotics whilst you both slept so she's had that doze and she'll get another doze later.' He says as Demi reaches for her sandwiches.

'Really? I can't believe I slept through it.' She replies.

'You must've need the sleep.' He says keeping Charlotte cradled against his shoulder as she continues to sleep peacefully.

'Is your mom away home?' She asks and he nods his head.

'She left after we had lunch.' He replies.

______

'Hi, sweetheart... How are things?' Dianna asks as Demi holds the phone to her ear and glances over at Wilmer.

'Hey, mom. All the results came back and she's got viral meningitis.' Demi replies.

'Oh my goodness... Do you need me to come out there? I can be on the next flight I can get.'

'No, it's okay. She's being treated and they've said she's going to be okay.'

'Oh my babies... How are you doing? That must have been so scary for you?'

'It's definitely not been easy but we got her to the hospital on time and she's going to be okay... Could you maybe come out when Wilmer heads to New York? He's not going until she's 100% better but if you could come then that would be great.'

'Of course I can. Just give me a date and I'll book a flight, okay?'

'Thanks, mom.'

****

'Do you know I think this has made me realise that I definitely made the right decision giving up NCIS. I don't want to be that far away from both of you and any future children.' Wilmer says.

'I know you love the job but if I'm being  honest I'm glad you aren't going to be travelling between LA and New York. I like having you at home.' Demi admits and he nods his head.

'I did love the job but I love you and Charlotte more. If I kept the job up you'd basically be a single parent and I don't want that. We're doing this together; I don't want to miss out on her growing up.' He says.

'What do you think of when you think about how things will be in five years time?' She asks.

'I think we'll be in a nice house with a beautiful garden and our amazing children; I hope we'll have another by then but if we don't then that's quite alright as well.' He replies causing her to smile.

'I think I'll at least be pregnant in five years time. I was thinking we could maybe start trying when Charlotte is like two or something?' She says.

'Sounds perfect to me.' He replies.

'I don't think I could've got through the past year without you.' She says.

'I wouldn't have wanted to go through the past year without you.' He replies.

So it turns out that this is actually the last chapter. The epilogue will be up either tonight or tomorrow morning.