OKAY AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO PUNCH ME, READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END OKAY? OKAY. THANK YOU.

Chapter 40- Later

Demi

It's been three months since we got Mac back. A few days after the incident at the hospital a hearing was made and we were given full custody of Mackenzie Lovato, something that could never be taken away from me. Nick and I have been doing great, and every day I see him growing into the father role more and more. It's fascinating to watch Nick around her. He's caring and gentle and always laughing with her. It's like everything is finally falling into place.

~*~

"Just make sure you eat the lunch I packed for you and the snacks that are in your backpack." I fretted, smoothing Mac's clothes down as we stood in the front of the school. "And make sure you call me if you don't feel good or if you're scared okay?"

Mac nodded and giggled as she pulled away from me a bit, "Okaaay mommy."

Nick squatted down beside me so he was eye level with Mac and opened his arms, "C'mere squirt." Mac laughed and threw herself into Nick's arms, hugging him tightly as he rubbed her back, "You're gonna do fine, don't let your mom freak you out. I love you."

"I love you too daddy." She smiled, and kissed him, then kissed me and hugged me one more time, "I love you mommy."

I let out something between a sob and a laugh as I hugged her tightly and kissed her hair, "I love you too baby girl, always."

With one last grin Mac followed the other kids into the school. I took a deep breath in through my nose and Nick wrapped his arms around me, his lips at my ear, "She's gonna be fine babe. You and I both know that."

I leaned back into his chest, "I know she is, but I'm not gonna be. She's growing up! This isn't okay!"

He laughed and took my hand, leading me back to his jeep, "It's part of life." He said, opening the door for me and helping me in. Then he got in on the other side and raised an eyebrow, "In blink of an eye she'll be in high school, then college, then have job and having kids herself."

I let out a low moan and leaned my head against the window, "What am I supposed to do all day now? Huh? I mean, she's my life."

Nick shrugged and smiled, "When's the last time you wrote or went to the studio?

I wracked my brain, "Uh.. I can't remember."

He grinned, "Well there you go! I think your fans have waited long enough... let's write something!"

I smiled back, feeling the familiar itch in my fingers for a piano or guitar, "Okay... let's go."

~*~

"That chord doesn't sound right." I said, listening to Nick as he wet through a progression for the song we were working on.

"What do you mean?" He said, furrowing his brow, "It sounds fine."

I shook my head and leaned over, positioning his fingers on different strings, "Try now."

He went through it again and used my suggestion and nodded his head, "Okay you win, that sounds a lot better."

I smirked and kissed his lips, then looked back at the lyrics I was trying to sort out, "Which sounds better... 'Before we knew the other was ever there'... or 'Before we knew the other was even there."

Nicko pulled his lips in and looked up at the ceiling, "Before we knew the other was ever there."

I nodded and wrote it in then began to play softly on the piano, humming the rough lyrics to myself. We went on like this for a few hours, asking each other for suggestions and working through lyrics and chords. It was so easy with Nick, everything was easy with Nick. I loved the way he put his entire focus into his work, and the way he could smile softly when something soundly really good. Eventually, we got a rough cut and I handed Nick a piece of paper.

"What is this?"

I shrugged and bit my lip, "It's a duet."

He raised his eyebrows, "You want to do a duet as your first song back?"

I smiled, "I want to do a duet with you. It doesn't have to be a single, but we can release it as one. I've just missed making music with you baby."

Nick smiled and put down his guitar, motioning me over. I got up and straddled his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing our mouths together. He rubbed his hands down my back to my butt, giving it a quick squeeze before he gripped the bottoms of my thighs and stood up, carrying me to the huge couch we had in the music room. I laughed against his lips as he tripped a little bit and sent us sprawling onto the couch but quickly stopped one Nick kissed me hard again. I knotted my hands in his hair and began to breath heavily as the air in the room became overheated. Both of our hands roamed the other's body, kissing each other sloppily. Nick moved his head down my jawline, pressing his mouth down my neck and down the valley of my breasts, moving his body between my legs and letting me feel his weight.

"God I love you." I whispered, hugging him to me tightly.

He pulled away a bit and kissed me gently, looking me deep into the eyes as he pulled away, "I love you too Demi."

~*~

I waited anxiously outside of the school with Nick, watching the doors with rapt attention. Just as I went to tell him I was going inside, the doors burst open and kids began to pour out of it. I craned my neck, looking around for Mac but frowned when I didn't see her.

"Where is she?" I asked Nick, panicking.

"I think they come out my grade babe, just relax."

I remained tense and my jaw stayed clenched until I spotted Mac, running towards me. Just in time, I knelt down and caught her in my arms and swung her into the air.

"How was it baby girl?!" I said, smiling hugely.

"Good!" She said, holding onto me tightly, "I like school mommy!"

Nick leaned in and kissed her temple, "That's great sweetie."

Mac leaned away from me and reached for Nick, holding his big shoulders as she spoke to him, "It was really fun! I colored a really pretty picture."

He smiled, "What did you learn about?"

She shrugged, "Lots of kids don't know the ABC's, but I know them. I didn't learn anything."

I smiled and took Nick's free hand as we began to walk back to the car, putting Mac in her booster seat before driving off. She chatted the whole time, and Nick's hand rubbed my thigh, smiling at me knowingly as if to say 'I told you so.' Once we got home Mac ran straight in and began playing with her toys while Nick pulled me into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around my neck and kissing on my neck.

"What did I tell you?" He murmured, "She's fine."

I rolled my eyes and pulled his face to mine, running my fingers over the stubble on his cheeks as our mouths stayed roused together, "I know... you told me so. I was just irrationally worrying again."

Nick smiled, "I love you and your irrational worrying."

I smiled back and raised an eyebrow, "Easy for you to say, you're the most rational person I know."

He shook his head, "I'm completely and utterly irrational when it comes to my feelings for you."

"Is that so?" I rubbed his sides, "I can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

He chuckled and leaned his forehead against mine, kissing my deeply before he pulled away with a smile, "Definitely a bad thing."

Before I could answer, another voice rang out, "Momma?"

I wriggled out of his arms, "Duty calls."

He grabbed my hand, "Let's go on a date tomorrow."

"What?" I giggled, "Why?"

He shrugged and touched my hip, "We can get Dallas and Maddie to watch Mac, or your mom. We haven't been on an official date in a while." I opened my mouth to argue, "Chinese takeout doesn't count." Nick added, raising his eyebrows. "Come on. We can dress up, get a limo. It'll be fun baby."

I bit my lip and shyly nodded, "Okay."

"Okay?"

I nodded and pecked his lips, "Okay."

~*~

I nervously looked into the mirror ad smoothed out my dress. It was a deep red, coming up above my neck with metallic beading. I put on various jewelry but kept the ring Nick had given me even though it didn't match. I checked my makeup one last time, then walked out, taking the stairs one at a time in my louis vuitton heels. Nick was waiting at the bottom for me, and didn't hear my heels so he was still staring at his phone. I cleared my throat and his head snapped up, his expression morphing from questioning to awestruck, his mouth falling open a little bit as his eyes wandered down my body.

"Wow."

I smiled and looked down at my dress, "Is it too much?"

Instantly he shook his head, "No of course not. I mean... you look..." Nick met my gaze, "Breathtaking."

I smiled, feeling like a teenager on her first date as Nick held out his arm for me to take, "You look very, very handsome yourself." I commented, admiring his black suit.

"Thank you... but I'm afraid I'm going to be heavily outshine by you, my love. I can't take my eyes off of you."

I blushed deeply as he opened the door of the limo for me, "I love you."

He got in and pecked my lips, "I love you too."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer as the driver pulled away, loving the feeling of his lips on mine. We maddest for most of the ride, Nick's hand often getting dangerously close to my thigh before I would smack it away with a playful smile. The ride was about twenty minutes, but it felt short, so when Nick pulled away I pouted and grabbed his jacket.

"We're here Dems, did you want to stay in the limo all night?"

I shrugged, "I wouldn't necessarily be against it."

He chuckled and took my hand, helping me out into the warm Los Angeles air. There were a few paparazzi and I graced them with a smile as we walked up to the doors of the restaurant. It was well known for it's amazing food, and it's insane price.

"You didn't have to take me here." I whispered, "It's so expensive babe."

He chuckled and shrugged, "You know you're worth it to me."

I blushed again and followed the hostess to our table once Nick gave the name for our reservation and smiled as Nick pulled the chair out for me. It was quiet tonight, which explain the lack of paps, but Nick seemed to have a knowing aura about him, as if he was waiting for something.

"What are you thinking about?" He murmured, stroking his thumb across my hand.

"Nothing much..." I mused, "Just about how much I love you."

He bowed his head and smiled before peeking up at me, "As per usual... Do you have an idea of what you want?"

I shrugged and glanced down at the menu, "You mean besides you?" I snapped the menu shut and smirked, "Pork medallions... You?"

He chuckled, "Actually I was thinking the same thing. Water with lime?"

I raised an eyebrow, "You remember."

"Of course I do." He seemed insulted as he put his menu, "I remember everything."

I shrugged and smiled as the waitress came over, "Hello my name is Diane and I'll be your server tonight, what can I get you?"

"Two waters with lime, and two order of the pork medallions?"

She laughed at our replicated orders, "How long have you guys been married?"

I blushed and shook my head, "We're not married, just... We've known each other forever."

"My apologies." She murmured, and smiled at Nick, "That'll be right out."

We mostly exchanged small talk, most of it was flirtatious as I rubbed Nick's leg with the heel of my toe. It was fun going out for a change, dressing up and having him only have eyes for me. The meal came and it was absolutely delicious. Once dessert came, I was nearly dying to have him home and in bed with me.

"So... there's a reason I wanted to ask you on a date tonight." He said, as I took a bite of the cheesecake we'd ordered.

"And what is that?" I smiled playfully.

He took a deep breath and stood up, walking over to me and taking my hand. My eyes widened as he dropped down to one knee, smiling at me nervously.

"Demi... Over the past few months, I couldn't stop thinking about this. I couldn't stop thinking about spending the rest of my life with you. Whether it's when I see you with Mac or when I wake up next to you or when you do that thing when you snuggle closer to me when your feet are cold." He cut off and cleared his throat, opening a small black box I hadn't seen him take out, "Will you, Demetria Devonne Lovato, do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world and say yes to becoming my wife?"

I swallowed hard as I felt tears coming to my eyes.

"No."

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

IM SORRY BUT THERE'S GOOD NEWS! THERE'S ANOTHER BOOK!!!

OKAY DON'T HATE ME PLEASE BUT I HAVE IT ALL PLANNED OUT OKAY?

THE BOOK IS CALLED:

'REMEMBER'

AND IT'S ON MY PROFILE RIGHT NOW SO GO FIND IT AND READ IT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T NOT KNOW, RIGHT?

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-Rachel