Why won’t he look at me?

The father of my child has been absent for 8 years, before we had her we were together for 6 years. He cheated on me and has a son that is 4 months younger than my daughter. But now after home having 5 other children with the other woman (his wife). He wants something to do with mine. Which is great! But he won’t even talk to me or even look at me, I have to talk thru his wife, to set anything up. And advice on why he can’t take control of the situation, since he is the father? I don’t mind going thru her but, I feel like we all should have a relationship.