A Leppard's Kiss of Fate: A Def Leppard/Kiss Romance

Chapter 33: Dawn of a New Era 2004 part 1 (Tommy Thayer)

I feel like a broken record saying it, but where the hell does the time go? I mean, it was just yesterday that my daughter Violet was born and then about 2 years later, came Iris. So much has happened since Iris's birth in 1998, I scarcely know where to begin. But I will start with my husband and I, and my family: Joe and I now have been married for going on 9 years....9 years! There was a time when I NEVER could have imagined such, that I'd not only be married but so in love, I fall for Joe more everyday...but I digress.... Joe took me in, saved my life and has been with me thru my absolute darkest moments and then some...I, I mean how he'd found me, it was meant for me to be with him. And he's given me my daughters, Violet Rose Elliot and Iris Willow Elliot, my beloved little girls! Violet, a perfect blend of my husband and I has the sweetest and cutest personality and she and John, Sav and Eric's son are joined at the hip practically, which they and my husband and I find adorable, but also makes Eric smirk with triumph at the thought that someday, we could be in laws with one another. WE ARE IN FACT IN LAWS AND FUN FACT: OUR DAUGHTER IRIS MARRIED NIKKI SIXX AND TOMMY LEE'S SON. 

My little Iris when she was born.... a surprisingly shorter labor than with her older sister Violet. She was born healthy, and she looks like me but has my husband's eyes, lips, nose, and personality. in other words, she is perfect, both my daughters are in my eyes.

As for the rest of my family, kiss and def leppard, the best way to describe it is joyful, close knit and everyone having babies left and right, I wouldn't trade them or my life for the world....

AS for Kiss, 2 years ago my joining Kiss along with Eric full time came to pass. Even though Eric and I both KNEW it was coming, it was still a shock in many ways. It was and is a huge deal and, we moved to Beverly Hills full time only visiting our beloved London for holidays, summer (as we could) and things like that. Thru it all, I had Joe...my beloved, my Angel.

Which brings us to now, Kiss is on the 'Rock the Nation' Tour and luckily its not a long one. We're already a month in and Eric and I are putting on our make-up and costumes, our spouses are coming with our children...oh and of course Paul and Gene are here as well.... I haven't felt good for awhile now, I've gained a lot of weight and I am just now noticing and think it's been going on for quite a while now...

"Tommy? Tommy! Are you ok? ---" Eric trails off worried, which also draws the attention of Gene and Paul.

"Huh?" I respond, desperate to clear the fog from my brain, can't think straight.

"You look pale.... wait..." Eric trails off thoughtfully and then eyes me seriously, "Tommy? Do you think that maybe---" I cut him off?

"Maybe what?!" I snap, but immediately feel guilty and apologize.... but then it clicks, "Oh god...oh god, M-maybe I-I'm pregnant? How the HELL have I not noticed?!!" I start freaking out, but before anyone can comfort me, Joe and my daughters enter the dressing room and immediately notice my state. Tactfully Paul who is already ready, steers my 8-year-old Violet and 6-year-old daughter Iris, away to keep them occupied...though they look so worried. I feel those arms I know so well, wrap around me carefully and my husband being mindful of the make-up I do have on, tilts my chin up...eyes swimming with worry, and then sheen of tears.

"Tommy? Love...what's wrong?"

"J-Joe...I-I am s-sorry, um I-I, well we've been so busy lately and I've been feeling like shit for awhile and, and Eric pointed out I look pale...I've gotten, well gained a lot of weight more than i-I did with the girls...and well I think I might be pregnant." I whisper, as suddenly nausea hits me like a fucking freight train, and someone I think Joe hands me something to puke in, and puke plus the taste of my make-up makes me FEEL worse as I heave and heave...and somehow after 10 minutes I stop. "Ugh...I AM SORRY!!" I wail, feeling guilty about being pregnant and not noticing and scaring everyone.

"Love...Tommy...Look at me...please." Joe pleads with me, "You have nothing to feel sorry for...it's something you cannot help, that neither of us realized...I do believe that...you are pregnant, but i don't think you should go on stage right now...oh god..." I don't hear what happens after that for suddenly I without warning black out......

Next thing I know, I wake up disoriented to the sounds of beeping noises and tears so naturally I freak out...the show! My kids, my husband!!

"Tommy!! Tommy, ladybug it's ok...calm down, listen to my voice...shh, I've got you. I've got you. "Joe, I breathe in and out deeply and it occurs to me, that Joe is gently rocking me back and forth and I still feel like shit, but I focus on my love and in my peripheral vision I spy: Our family, and my beloved daughters who come to stand by their father's side. "The show was canceled, Paul, Gene and Eric are here.... i know you feel guilty about everything, do not my love...and love, I have news." Here my husband brings my hands down to my rounded stomach, "My love, you are indeed pregnant...and it turns out 2 months along and.... you're carrying twins."

"Twins? A-And they are, ok?" I choke out, Joe smiles at me and I know, as gently my hands feel my rounded stomach, my babies...

"Tommy..." Gene begins eyes filled with concern, determination, and care. "Paul and I, and well Eric, we've discussed but thought we'd ask...how would you feel about canceling the rest of the tour? WE think it would be best for you health wise...and schedule the shows for a later time...it doesn't matter when or if it EVER happens, you are more important."

"Well...." I begin slowly, "The tour was only what 2 months anyway? So, we're already half done.... I.... Yes...do it..." I vaguely register someone handing me something to get sick in and once done, I am handed ice water to rinse my mouth out and then a fresh cup of ice water to soothe me. Paul and Gene head to immediately I think cancel the rest of the shows, but Eric brought me figs and apples, and jerky which I suddenly have a craving for and wolf everything down...and FINALLY, Violet and Iris carefully join me in my bed, my husband on my other side, holding my hand as our daughter's talk to me.

"Mummy, we were scared...you get sick, but we love you. Daddy says twins?" Iris asks.

"Yes, poppet twins." My husband answers her.

"Mum? When we go home, you need to rest a lot and, and eat for babies." Violet's look is serious, yet cute reminding me SO much of my husband. "Can Iris and I feel?" I nod gently as my daughters place their hands on my already swollen stomach, feeling their new siblings.

"Thank you, my love, thank you for giving me our daughters and these precious, precious angels inside you, I will take care of you and them...always and forever." Joe carefully leans over to kiss me and then manages to kiss my swollen stomach, our family holding on to one another in this new era we find ourselves in.

A/N: A new era has begun, time has passed and Tommy and Eric have taken their places in Kiss, surprises, family moments and more, there will be a part 2 to this and then the final chapter, the epilogue, stay tuned!!