Might as Well Face it, You're Addicted to Love (Joe Perry/Nikki Sixx)

Chapter 42: Checking on Our Josephine

The nursery reveal was nothing short of epic. It was beautiful, it was our first...it was everything and a night of passion to accompany it. So, in other words, a perfect and I do mean perfect night. I cherished every moment of Nikki's pregnancy with Josephine, so many firsts for him and me as well...for US and I loved seeing Josephine in an ultra-sound, to Nikki and I it was magical, and it made us even more eager to welcome our daughter into this world. And in fact, about 2 days after I surprised my husband with our daughter's nursery, Nikki would have an appointment to check on our precious little Josephine....

"There.... you look stunning Honeybee." Softly, reverently and trying to will the heat (for now) away. I've just helped my husband finish dressing for his doctor's appointment and he wanted to wear his hair up in a fluffy ponytail and add a bandana...and what I am LOVING is Nikki's blush, I can't help but smirk a little.

"I know that look...later." Nikki smirks back. Nikki has said many times how horny his pregnancy makes him, and neither of us complain and I make sure he is MORE than satisfied. My husband's voice then turns tender, "---Before you, I wouldn't have believed that, with you I SEE that.... you never make me feel anything less than beautiful, than desired, than CHERISHED." Tears gather and then fall, gently I wipe them away, joining my husband on the bed....my eyes never leaving his.

"I could say Nikki you do much the same for ME. Like you, I never knew what love was...what it COULD be, I had no clue but now? Now, I KNOW.... it's YOU. Always has been, I wish it hadn't have taken me so damn long to realize that."

"Jo-Jo Bear, that's in the past now...and like you said, we are always learning and doing it together....and here...." Nikki takes my hand and places it on his swollen stomach, Josephine moving at my touch, "---Is the greatest and most beautiful expression of our love."

"I can never get over that..." I whisper, Nikki and I share a kiss.... Josephine also getting affection and before I know we're off to check on our precious little girl, making sure she and Nikki are doing well and my heart is so full and light.......

During the ride to my husband's doctor appointment, I held his hand with one of my free ones and I just love the feeling of him, and I don't let go. We talked of course about future projects, family and of course our daughter and once more before I knew it, we'd arrived. We opt to go in the backway to avoid not only avoid any photographers, which is the chief reason but also, so my husband says it makes him feel safer and more comfortable.

We check in and we wait, not many here.... maybe one other couple and while my husband and I wait for his name to be called, we discuss potential birth plans...

"I dunno, I mean.... i hate hospitals, I know why I need them.... but Joe, I worry about getting addicted to the pain meds or just being numb....." Nikki rambles, beginning to panic but quickly I calm him.

"I have complete faith in you Nikki, you WON'T get addicted but baby I understand your fears very well. What if it was medically necessary, like a C-Section?"

Nikki exhales shakily, "If it was medically necessary then yes, to make sure Josephine would arrive safely, if we had no other choice." Nikki looks to me, "Could.... we.... maybe try a home birth? I TRUST you, and I don't wanna be around so many people I don't know. And I can go to the hospital after to get checked over and Josephine too."

"We can Nikki, we can honeybee. If that's what you want, then that's what we will do, and it means so much to me...that you trust me to deliver our daughter..." I can't help but get choked up at the end before finding my voice again, "—I'll make sure we have everything we need, and she needs for the birth. I've been reading books and we've taken those classes, so I have faith we can do this, and I heard that maybe a water birth might could help ease the pain...if you wanna try that?"

"Joe Perry, you are beyond amazing. I love you."

"I love you too."

Its not long after this Nikki's name is called and he beams at hearing it, as do I, 'Nikki Perry-Sixx'.... We get the preliminary stuff out of the way, my husband refusing to wear his shoes not that I blame him and wisely the nurse lets it go.

Nikki's doctor arrives moments after I get my husband settled on the exam table, making sure he's as comfortable as he can be and of course I hold fast to one of his hands. Nikki is at a healthy weight, blood pressure and everything looks good...making both of us exhale in relief that my husband is healthy and then comes the magical moment.... we see our daughter on the ultra-sound.

It's beautiful.... its.... the most magical moment for my husband and I, watching as she moves around on the screen, almost looking like she's waving at us. Her heart is strong, and God is it the sweetest sounding music in the world......Josephine is at a good length, and I am in awe, in awe of my daughter and the man carrying my daughter...OUR daughter, my beloved Honeybee Nikki.

And soon we're homeward bound, Nikki murmuring that our daughter is asleep and moments later, so is he and while I of course pay attention to the road and drive carefully.... i turn to my thoughts:

I never thought I'd have THIS, a partner I truly.... truly deeply love.... that I would find my heart and find it in Nikki. That for the first time in my life, I know what love is and it turns out it was Nikki all along. He is my greatest addiction, that will never change....so many firsts with him, and we have a lifetime more of those firsts.... a lifetime together. And he's making one of my biggest dreams, something I've always wanted deep down thinking it would never happen: becoming a father.... BEING one for the first time. My husband, God I am so proud of him for how far he's come, how far we both have and he's carrying OUR child and doing so well, so damn well. How could I NOT be proud? He only grows more beautiful....

Upon arrival home, Nikki is still very much asleep....so I park the car, quickly unlock the door, and then carefully carry my sleeping husband up to our bedroom and as soon as I lay him down, he wakes....

"Mmm.... Joe, we home?"

"Yeah, babe we are, you look like you need more sleep....so let's get you into comfy clothes and all." Nikki nods and smiles at me, as I help change him into his favorite sweats and t-shirt.... bathroom used, hands cleaned and get him settled under the covers and somewhere in this he tells me Josephine is awake and that he is hungry. "---I'll fix whatever you are craving and then we're gonna get you and Josephine some more sleep, ok honeybee?"

Nikki smiles albeit sleepily before telling me he's craving an Italian sub sandwich, chips, olives.... And raspberry lemonade and then he says after I kiss him and before I head downstairs to fix his cravings....

"Thank you, Jo-Jo bear, for everything you do.... for loving me and for well EVERYTHING. and after I eat, I need my cuddles and for you to nap with me."

"I could say much the same babe.... much the same and cuddles and a nap with you? Hell yes, I'd never say 'no' to that. Be back soon Nikki, promise it won't take long."

It didn't take me that long by the way....and after Nikki ate of course the promised nap and cuddles were given. And where you next find us is on my 38th birthday and my husband, will take the reins for that one and that's all I'll say for now....

A/N: Baby Josephine and Nikki are doing well. And next chapter, I will let Nikki take a turn for a chapter in his and Joe's love story. There will be a time skip and Nikki on Joe's September 10 birthday, will be 7 months along and we will be that much closer to Josephine's grand debut.