CHAPTER 28- Anniversary

Nicko's POV

I stood in the doorway and watched an oblivious Demi turn in the mirror, examining herself at every angle. It was astounding to me how she couldn't see how amazingly beautiful she is to everyone around her. I see the way other guys look at her and as much as it makes me angry it also releases feelings of pride that she's completely gorgeous and all mine. Demi let out a sigh then, and went to upzip the black dress that looked perfect on her.

"Don't even think about it." I said, walking up to her from behind and slowly zipping it back up. "You look perfect."

She sighed, "I didn't know you were there."

I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my hands on her bump, "I know... talk to me baby what's wrong?"

She shrugged out of my hold and went to sit on the bed, "I weighed myself this morning."

I let out a groan and walked over, resting my hands on my hips, "We talked about this Demi."

She sighed, "I know I don't know why I did it I just wanted to know the number."

I set my hands on her shoulders, "Demi. Listen to me. No more weighing. You're pregnant, and bound to gain weight at some point. You're eating enough for two people because your body is growing a baby inside of it. I love you no matter how much you weigh, pregnant or not. Now we're gonna go to dinner, and you're gonna eat anything you want no matter what the calories are, okay?" Demi slowly nodded and I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly. "I love you so much."

She nodded, "I love you too."

I pulled away slightly and smiled, "I was gonna wait until dinner, but I think now is a better time." I felt in my pocket for the tiny black box and handed it to her, watching a smile overtake her features when she examined the diamond ring nestled in the velvet.

"Nik it's beautiful."

I smiled, "It's kind of symbolic, people look at roses and think they're beautiful and perfect, yet they still have thorns. It's the same way with our relationship, people see us together and think we're the 'it' couple, but we have our issues. However.." I leaned in and gently kissed her, "I promise to be there no matter how many times I get pricked."

Demi threw her arms around my neck and buried his face into my chest, "I fucking love you. It's perfect."

I hugged her gently, "Back atcha babe."

Demi rolled her eyes and her fingers trembled slightly as I slid the ring onto them, then kissed her knuckles.

"Okay." She said, taking my hand, "Let's go to dinner."

~*~

Once we got to the restaurant, the paparazzi immediately began yelling and blinded me with their flashes. I parked in the valet spot and got out, shoving the photographers iut of the way. Before I opened Demi's door I turned back to them.

"The woman I love is pregnant. If you have any God damned respect for that you will move aside and not shout. You can get your shot, but if I hear one rude remark I will personally make you wish you chose another profession." They all nodded and I turned to open the door, leaning into the car. "Ready beautiful?"

She nodded shyly and I took her hand, leading her into the restaurant.

"Reservation for Brooks." I told the hostess, and she led us up to the rooftop, where a single table was lit my candles.

"Nik this is beautiful." Demi gushed, and I kissed her temple.

"Anything for you."

We sat and placed our dinner orders, then Demi leaned back in her seat, surveying me as she sipped her water.

"You didn't get a drink." I motioned to the water in front of me but she shook her head, "You know what I mean."

I sighed and leaned forward, "I meant what I said, about being the best dad possible. If that means cutting back or stop drinking altogether, then so be it."

Demi shook her head, "Nicko I don't want you to change for me. I want you just the way you are."

I smiled, "Well I'm driving anyway, so no drinking, plus I'd rather focus on you and how gorgeous you look tonight."

Demi rolled her eyes, and I saw a blush taint her cheeks as she turned to look at the view of Los Angeles. I continued to stare at her face until she looked at me with a slight smirk.

"I swear to God if you say that stupid cheesy line about your view being better than mine I'm going home."

I chuckled and shook my head, "Well it's true, you're more beautiful than any set of buildings." Demi just shook her head and I stood up, offering my hand, "Dance with me."

She looked around, "There's no-" Suddenly, music started and her jaw dropped, "Nicko how did you that?"

I shrugged and smiled, "I wrote this song baby. I recorded it a few weeks ago and have been waiting for you to hear it at the right time."

A huge smile took over her face as I pulled her close to me and we swayed side to side, singing softly in her ear.

"Tell me what you think, Tell me what you feel

Is this a thing of fate, or is it for real?

Is it what you hoped for, What you dream?

Is it somethin strange that you've never seen?

Does it lift you up closer to the light

Or does it send you raging into the night?

When will it begin and will it ever end?

Where the sun sets and never ends.

Where the river bends is a place i've been

The water ain't so blue and the grass, it ain't so green.

The current gets strong, it can pull you down.

You gotta swim hard if you wanna turn around.

But I don't wanna go, baby not with you.

I'm happy right here, now I've got a love that's true

So let's stay awhile, and invite our friends.

No one needs to go, where the river bends."

Demi held me tightly as we danced in slow circles, "Nicko?" She whispered, a soft and thoughtful tone.

"Mmm?"

"Do you want to get married one day?"

I could feel my palms begin to sweat as Demi yet again spoke about marriage. She'd been bringing it up a lot lately and every time it would nearly throw me into a panic attack. Of course I want to spend the rest of my life with her, but marriage? It's a huge commitment and I'm not used to that sort of thing. It's not that I didn't want to marry her, it's just that I didn't want to rush anything.

"Eventually."

She pulled away a bit, "Eventually?"

I nodded, "I mean like it's not really in my five year plan, but eventually I'd like to think so." Demi sighed and pulled away, walking to sit down at the table. "What's wrong?" I asked, following her and sitting down.

"Nothing, forget it." Her tone was emotionless and hollow, and it hurt my heart.

"Talk to me baby." I took her hand and rubbed my thumb over the back of her palm.

She sighed and shook her head, "It's nothing Nik, let's just eat. I'm starving."

We ate in silence, I watched her the whole time but she refused to meet my gaze, looking anywhere but my eyes. Once we were done with dessert she immediately stood up after I paid the check and we walked out. As we waited for the valet I reached for her waist but she stepped aside subtly and crossed her arms. I rolled my eyes and bit my lip as the car pulled up, then opened Demi's door for her and got in myself.

"Are you craving anything that I can get on our way back?"

Demi sighed, "Coffee ice cream."

I nodded, hiding my smirk as I drove off. Once we hit the highway I settled back in my seat and let my hand slip over Demi's knee. To my surprise, she batted my hand away and crossed her legs. I gave her a confused look and she just shrugged.

"I just don't want to be touched right now."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat, "Right." Mentally, I was slapping myself. I never cried over girls, so she didn't want to be touched right now, what's the big deal? My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I pulled into the supermarket parking lot and got out, "I'll be right back."

~*Demi's POV*~

Once Nicko left I immediately pulled out my phone and called Marissa.

"Girl it's your anniversary why the fuck are you not in your bed with your man?" She answered, and I rolled my eyes.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore Mar." I whispered, a lump forming in my throat as I said the words I hoped I never had to say.

"What are you talking about?"

"We just have so many different view points on things. I asked him about marriage and he told me eventually but that it's not in his five year plan. I want to get married Marissa, obviously he doesn't feel the same way."

Marissa sighed, "Dem, he's twenty two years old. Obviously you two are completely in love, and will be for a very long time. But that's the thing, you're the type of person who can't just enjoy the view, you're always looking for goals and improvement. Nicko loves you, and he's not ready for marriage at twenty two years old, and that's completely understandable. But you need to accept that he isn't ready and develop your relationship until he is. You can't get mad at him for his insecurities and the way he feels."

I sighed and leaned my head against the headrest, "Well now I feel like shit. I basically froze him out for the rest of the dinner and now i'm sitting in the car waiting for him to get back with ice cream."

Marissa groaned, "Demi you're always on him about communication yet here you are doing the exact opposite. Come on. You need to talk to him and tell you how you feel because if you don't he'll never know what you were upset about."

I sighed and saw a tall figure approaching the car, "Gotta go, he's here. Thanks babe." I said goodbye and put my phone in my purse. To my confusion, the guy walked to my side of the car and stopped, peering inside.

"Damn that's a nice ass car. Yo! Boys! i got one!"

I could feel my heartrate increasing as I realized the windows were too dark to see me inside.

"Is it locked?" The guy jiggled the handle and I breathed out a sigh of relief once it didn't open.

"Yo get the gear, get the lock open."

I instantly dialed Nicko's number but it buzzed in the glove compartment.

"Wait. Hold the fuck up. Is there somebody in here?" The guy's angry voice sounded and I dropped the phone, my face going white as it made a loud thump. "Shit man get the fuck outta this car NOW." I took a deep breathe and opened the door, they all stared down at me, it was dark so I couldn't see their faces clearly but two of them were african american, the other two were white.

"Oh shit we got a fine ass white girl. Whatchu doin' out here all alone?" One of them sneered, and I felt my blood run cold as he reached to touch a piece of my hair. Out of nowhere a hand enclosed on his wrist and Nicko was suddenly standing in front of me, his shoulders shaking from rage.

"Who the fuck is this white boy?" Ons of them sneered, and the next second he was on the ground, holding his face with a yell. The other guys rushed at Nicko, who easily fought them off and grabbed the guy who almost touched me by the collar as the other's ran away.

"You're so fucking lucky I don't kill you right here right now." Nicko snarled into his face, and kicked him hard in the leg, then punched his side. With one last strike Nicko kneed him in the face and knocked him out. Then, he turned back to me, still obviously trying to get a handle on himself as he gestured to the car. "Get in."

He peeled out of the parking lot, the engine of his BMW snarling as he increased the speed.

"Nicko." I muttered, as the houses and trees zipped by at frightening speeds. "Slow down." Nicko couldn't hear me in his rage, slowly increasing speed. "Nicko!" I yelled, "Pull over i'm going to throw up."

He finally snapped out of it and slowly down dramatically, turning off to the side. I sighed and unbuckled my seatbelt, then climbed over the console to straddle his lap, running my fingers through his hair in an effort to calm him.

"Easy baby, focus on my voice. Just take deep breaths and calm your body. I'm fine, you're fine. It's okay." I whispered, pressing my lips against his forehead and spreading my palms over his cheeks.

He breathed heavily through his nose and nodded, closing his eyes as his hands tightened on my hips.

"That's it, just breathe." He nodded and I leaned down, slowly kissing him, feeling him relaxing instantly underneath me. "I've got you baby."

Nicko broke away from me, resting his head in the crook of my neck as I held him tightly, "I'm sorry." He whispered against my skin, and I shook my head.

"Don't be sorry, I'm glad you came when you did." I assured him, kissing him again, "Now are you calm enough to drive home or do you want me to do it?l"

Nicko shook his head, "No, I'm okay. I can do it." I kissed him one more time and then slid back into my seat. His hand moved, then hesitated, and I grabbed it, pulling it to it's usual place on my inner thigh.

The ride home was quiet, Nicko still drove fast, but he always did. As we walked into the house he followed me into the bedroom, where I kicked off my heels and sat down to take off my makeup. Once I was done I turned to Nicko who was in a pair of boxers.

"Can you help me unzip?" He nodded and walked over, pulling my body to his in a suddenly extremely intimate gesture as his lips pressed firmly on my neck and upper shoulder, his warm hands slowly unzipping my dress. Once it was off of my body I turned around and leaned up to kiss Nicko, letting our tongues dance in a battle that he easily won. I let out a moan as he gripped my ass, gently kneading before walking me backwards towards the bed. My knees hit it, and I fell back, his body instantly covering mine.

"I love you so much." He whispered, and I tried to ignore the twinge of doubt as I panted against him.

"I love you too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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