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

Chapter 47: The Perry Family Part 2

I find myself waking, hours later...unsure of the time but am now starting to panic realizing Nikki is not beside me and before I can out of bed, I calm upon hearing Nikki's voice on the baby monitor, followed by the most adorable cooing noises and I take a moment to listen:

"There my little Josephine, all nice and clean and fed. I bet money Daddy is listening right now, I just wanted him to sleep a little bit more. Its MY way of taking care of him." More cooing noises follow, "Aw you agree with me, don't you? You're just the most precious little girl. Let's go see Daddy huh?"

I sit on the edge of the bed attempting to smooth out my sleep hair when Nikki holding our daughter appears in the doorway...

"I heard you Nikki, and baby that's sweet of you letting me sleep in. I missed you."

"I missed you too." Nikki carefully then hands Josephine to me, who curls up on my chest, staring at me wide eyed as my husband joins me, leaning carefully against me.

"I panicked when I woke up and you weren't there.... I...." I confess or start to before gently Nikki cuts me off.

"Hey, its ok, I know you know I didn't mean to make you worry. I feel the same when you're not at my side, but we are always together even when apart."

"I love you." I whisper.

"Love you too." Softly, "—Any ideas for dinner? I know you gotta be hungry, so am I." Nikki asks, as I gently rock Josephine.

"I'll take care of dinner Honeybee, you and Josephine relax....and in fact, anything you want me to fix I will. I'd say you've more than earned it."

"Joe, I am SO beyond grateful to be YOURS.... thank you for always taking care of me and now our daughter.... but well, I'd love your panzanella and maybe those grilled lemon & rosemary chicken breasts?" Nikki's voice ranges from awed and loving to hopeful.

"You got it Nikki, now lemme help you downstairs and get you and Josephine settled." Nikki and I share a kiss, him taking Josephine from me as I help them downstairs and into the kitchen, Nikki wanting to be near me as he places Josephine lovingly in a bassinet as I get started on dinner and I feel tears come to my eyes....

I can't get over this, me with a family of my own. Something I've always wanted deep down but gave up on for a time. Nikki, my honeybee, changed all that the moment we met. Granted our first meeting wasn't a good one, nor our second meeting....and there was something about him....it was HIM all along. It took me FAR too long to see that I did and DO have a heart and that it belongs to my other half. Its amazing how far we've come the both of us, going from drug addiction to alcoholism, abusive partners......going thru sheer hell to NOW. And sure, we may have our moments, but we've learned to be open and honest with each other, to be partners in the truest sense of the word and here I AM, here we are.... together, making new and precious memories with our newborn daughter, me savoring it all....

Nikki sings to Josephine and we talk while I fix dinner and by the time I plate everything, Nikki softly tells me......

"She just fell asleep. Big day for her."

"Aw, she's asleep? So adorable I tell ya babe."

Nikki smirks quipping fondly, "So you're saying we're adorable too then?"

"Damn right!" I quip back aiming a grin at my husband, claiming his sweet lips before sitting next to him, Josephine within easy reach of us both as we eat and watch over her, Nikki groans taking the first bite...eyes rolling in the back of his head. "I take it you love it honeybee?" Knowing well the answer.

"Hell yes, specially cause it made by you..." Nikki's next words get me misty and make me melt, "I taste the love, I really do."

"Nikki..." I whisper, my husband reaches over and grabs my hand and squeezes it gently. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Dinner is delicious, and Nikki despite my protests helps clean dishes and the kitchen with me after we're thru eating, all the while making sure Josephine is doing well and she is, her little hands fisting her baby blanket...sleeping peacefully.

After everything is done, we move Josephine and her bassinet into the living room and Nikki and I cuddle on the couch, me running my fingers through his hair.

"How are you feeling baby?"

"Sore, tired but happy. Just contented right now." Nikki then sighs and with voice full of tears which alarms me says, "Do you still find me attractive?"

"Hey, look at me Nikki..." Softly, and Nikki does so, "---YES, HELL YES. Honeybee, you look beautiful, in all shapes and forms. Believe me you." I gently wipe away his tears.

"I don't know what I'd do without you..."

"Me either baby, but we won't EVER find out. Now, why don't you relax here with Josephine, and I'll go get laundry and bills sorted and all then come right back to you and if you need me, Honeybee then you need only call my name." I caress Nikki's cheek.

"Y-You sure?"

"Yes Nikki, I've got you and I've got her." With that I kiss him, pouring all my love and longing into it and before I leave to take care of things, I check on Josephine still sleeping away and whisper to her, "Sleep well sweet girl, mommy and daddy love you so much."

It doesn't take me exceptionally long to sort laundry and bills, thankfully and it especially doesn't take me long because I am just eager to be with my family, my precious family and upon re-entering the living room, I find the tv on and Nikki changing Josephine's diaper.

"She took a little cat nap I guess, she's still sleepy though. She started fussing." Nikki tells me hearing my footsteps as I then join him and finish helping him with Josephine who coos, giving the cutest little yawns too curled up against Nikki's chest. "---This has been the best day, our first day as a family of three in OUR home. And too, I can't wait to give her, her first bath here!" Softly to excited.

"You know, you are an amazing mother." Recently my tone shifted to tender, "And I couldn't agree with you more Nikki and to think there are many more days like this to come. I love you and Josephine so much."

"We love you too Joe." My husband's eyes are glowing....

Our first day as a family of three, as I've said many times over the years, was so special. Yes, it was our first then and that feeling wouldn't change for the other children Nikki and I would go on to have or rather will. That day we brought Josephine home, was truly the perfect day and man, giving her, her first bath that evening and putting her to bed? Talk about priceless! At first Josephine didn't know what to make of the little washcloths, baby shampoo and the water, but after some moments she started to make happy sounding noises especially once Nikki told her, "You'll love it I promise, sides' gotta have your hair looking as fabulous as mine."

When you next see us, some time will have passed, and our extended family would gain a new member in Mick's and Brad's son and well you will see....

A/N: Part 2 is now done. Much more to come in this story! Stay tuned!