Stories/imagines || Demi Lovato

Not so special day

I have never understood the need to celebrate ones own birthday. Being born is not my own accomplishment, it's something I never wanted. I had zero choice in the matter. If it was to be celebrated at all, it should be all about the mother, surely? I know a lot of people love their birthday and are happy to be the centre of attention but I'm not. Every time my birthday comes around I feel like shit. People tend to find that strange and honestly I don't know why. It's just always been this way. I don't have good memories of my birthday. Not even from when I was little. And so each year, I choose not to celebrate my birthday. I don't do parties, gifts, cake, none of it. It's that time of year once again though.

I lay in bed draped in the sheets. My girlfriend's arms wrapped around my waist. I could feel her breathing against me. Everything was calm. Soft lips pressed against my neck. "Happy Birthday, Baby."
I automatically sighed. "Thank you."
"I got you something." She said in but a whisper. Either to match the mood or because she knew my rules. I had repeatedly told her.
"Demi, I thought we agreed on no gifts."
She gently squeezed me. "I never agreed. You told me no gifts and I just ignored you."
Letting go of me entirely, she sat up and leaned over to the cabinet that rested beside the bed. Pulling open the top draw. I sat up too, watching what she was doing which an arched brow. Returning her attention to me, she kneeled on the bed, a smile tugging at her lips.

Demi held a small gift box out for me. It was wrapped in Tiffany blue and tied with a white bow. "I know you hate today but I still want you to feel special, okay? It's just something small."
Taking the present in my hand, I frowned. The only thing I could think of that she could get me in such a small box is jewellery. Probably a ring. Alarms went off in my brain as I thought of demi buying me a ring. Maybe it wasn't a big deal like she said but what if it was? What if this was an engagement ring? "I've got to get ready."
I threw the duvet off and got up, placing the unopened present off to the side. My eyes remain on my girlfriend as I headed towards to bathroom. She seemed a little deflated. Was that because I hadn't opened the present? I took a long, hot shower. Letting my mind wonder as the water trailed over my skin. I was going to go to work today like any other day and completely forget about the present. Today was going to be treated like any other day. It was sweet of Demi to get me something but I told her no gifts for a reason. And I was kind of annoyed about that. I don't want to celebrate my birth but I don't think she understands that. When her birthday comes around everyone makes a big fuss and I guess she just wants me to feel the same. But it's different when it comes to me. It didn't matter what anyone did I almost always felt the same. Cleaning myself off, I vacated the shower to go get ready for the day. Demi passed me along the way, flashing a smile before disappearing off into the bathroom. As I was getting dressed I couldn't help but keeping looking back to the gift. I was a little curious to open it. But it almost felt like betraying myself. I noticed demi renter the room just as I finished buttoning my shirt, I gave her a peck on the cheek before heading off to work.

Compared to Demi's my job is nothing more that a desk job. But I like it because it was quiet. Today, however, it felt long and draining. Like it was never going to end. Adding to the list of why today was the worst. The upside was that nobody made a fuss. Nobody seemed to care that I was born today and I was grateful for that. But I couldn't help but think of Demi. I was worried she was planning something big. She'd already ignored my no gift rule so who knows. I stayed as late as I could but I was going to have to go home to her soon. Pulling in the driveway, I noticed the whole house was still dark. Maybe she wasn't home yet? I turned off the car and got out, walking cautiously to the front door. Pushing it open, expecting a something but nothing happened. Turning on the lights, It was empty.

"Demi..." I called out.
"I'm upstairs." She shouted back. Dropping my bag, I kicked off my shoes before going to see her. I was met by dim candle light. Demi sat on the bed. Legs crossed. Dressed in a plain night shirt. Her long hair draping down her shoulders. She seemed to be scrolling through her phone.
"Welcome home. How was work, baby?"
"Fine." I shrugged.
"And how are you doing?"
Again I shrugged beginning to remove my clothes. "Okay. Same as any other day. I'm actually a little surprised you didn't have some big night planned though. I was at least expecting a fancy dinner or something."
"You wouldn't have wanted that. So I thought I'd just wait up for you and we can go to bed together. Watch a movie or something."
Leaving myself in nothing but my underwear, I flopped onto the bed beside her. "Thank you."
"Nothing to thank me for, just any other day right?" The palm of her hand drifted over my bare stomach in a slow but steady rhythm. "I think you should open your gift though. It's literally just one thing."
"Demi-"
"Y/N. It's-" She glanced to the clock on her phone. "already past twelve so technically it's not even your birthday anymore." Demi grabbed the gift from where I had left it this morning and placed it upon my skin. "Open it. Please."
Rolling my eyes, I sat up. Pulling on the bow and opening up the box. Inside sat another box. A black velvet ring box. I looked to demi and she smiled. Repeating herself. "Open it."
I pushed up the lid of the velvet box and inside sat a silver ring. A silver diamond ring. Just like I guessed. I didn't know if I was supposed to feel happy or terrified but I was definitely feeling the later. I looked to her with wide eyes.
"Are you asking me to... because I don't think I'm ready for that. It's not that I don't- it's uh....
"Oh god no. Don't be silly." Demi interrupted with a chuckle. "Wasn't what I was thinking at all."
"Really nice to know that this is your reaction to the thought of marrying me."
Her laughter stopped and she shook her head quickly. "I-I didn't mean it like that, I just-"
"It's okay Dem, you don't have to explain yourself to me." I lay back down turning away from her. Twisting the ring between my fingers.
"Y/N..."
"It's fine, Demi."
Y/N... I'm sorry. It's not that I don't wanna marry you it's just, we're still young and I don't wanna rush things. Maybe laughing was a little insensitive but when I bought the ring, everyone said you'd assume it was an engagement ring. I guess I should have made it more clear."

Rolling onto my back, I looked to her. She smiled softly. "I know you don't like your birthday. You wish you weren't born but I'm grateful for you. That why I wanted to give you that ring. It's a promise ring, meant to show you how much you mean to me. And one day, in the future, I may replace it with an engagement ring but for now I just wanted to show you I love you. Oh and by the way I lied about the time. Totally still your birthday, I just knew you wouldn't open your present otherwise."
I held the ring above me, staring at it. She got me a promise ring. It was beautiful. Felt like a little too much but still. It was nice to have someone who genuinely cared about me. I may not like my birthday but I was glad to have spent at least some of it with her.
"Are you mad at me?"
I shook my head. "No. I may actually be happy for once."
"Really?"
"You're the only person who has ever made me feel special or like I matter. I can't be angry at you for that. I may hate my birthday but I love you. Thank you, Demi."
Demi's smile grew as I spoke. "You don't have to thank me, Y/N, for any of this. But I would like just one little thing in return."
"And what's that?"
A familiar smirk spread across her lips. "A kiss."
"Oh!" I smiled, sliding the ring onto my finger before reaching out for her to pull her to me. "I can do a lot better than that."
Demi slowly let her weight fall to me and I placed a quick kiss against her lips.
"I fucking love you." I told her slowly before leaning in once more. Connecting our lips in a soft embrace.