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

Chapter 48: Of Babies, Family and Music

There are many things I've learned over the years, true love after a lifetime of searching, being broken time and again and it's thanks to Nikki that I learned true love. Together really, we learned, it took me longer than it should have to learn with him it was actual LOVE and how to be a partner and I learned of the importance of family, my own family I'd have with Nikki and our extended family i.e. making a family, two bands or three counting Steven Adler formerly of Guns( you will find out what happens there in time)...but bringing all of us together. And sure, I found my passion for Aerosmith and music again.... Really, as I have said many times it all goes back to my muse, my heart Nikki Sixx.

Now on with the show: the months after Josephine's birth were good ones, tinged with bitter-sweet especially when the first anniversary of Nikki's overdose hit. It killed us both, but we got thru it and were surrounded by so much love and support, meaning we were not alone. I should mention my Honeybee had a good birthday; our extended family continued to thrive. And Steven Tyler and Vince Neil eloped just after New Years, taking us all by surprise but they were happy and that's what mattered. We were happy for them of course. My daughter grew daily it seemed, Nikki taking photos all the time and quite frankly myself. And I'd surprised him with the Dark Room, I built him for Christmas, this earned me many kisses and a night of passion once Josephine was put to bed of course.

As for Aerosmith & Mӧtley Crϋe? Well during the months before Mick and Brad's son was born, ground work and dates were laid out for a co-headlining tour with both bands to take place ONLY after Brad had recovered enough and dates started the end of August of 89'.....in any case where you will find us is March 14, 1989 and we'd be on our way to the hospital to meet the newest member of our family....

"Another new family member, God Joe I NEVER imagined ALL of us would become one big family nor did I ever think I'd have one of my OWN. It's amazing how far we've all come, you and I especially. I wish time would slow down though, I mean Josephine is 4 months old, she sits up.... she smiles, she's got your smile and I love that, and she'll start crawling before we know it." Nikki sighs tearfully, squeezing my free hand which I've held since we left the house, and I can never get over how it feels. Josephine, meanwhile, seems to be taking things in making happy sounding noises making my heart melt.

"Neither did I Nikki and baby I very much agree with you. And our little girl is growing up too fast, too damn fast and by the time we go on tour, she'll be even closer to being one, ONE. I cherish though every moment, you and she come first honeybee, always."

"I feel the same Jo-Jo Bear...." Nikki pauses a moment before continuing glancing fondly at our daughter making sure she's ok before continuing. "I feel I don't tell you often enough how much you mean to me, how much I love you and truly appreciate everything you do, and I got thru the anniversary of my overdose because of you, you grounded me, you were there.... you are always there and always will be."

"Nikki..." choked now, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Nothing more is said, we don't need words.... we at last arrive at the hospital, secure Josephine in her carrier and me carrying it while my husband shoulders her baby bag and we soon find what room Brad, Mick and their son is in....

We find its just Mick beaming at the scene before him: Brad who is holding their son murmuring sweetly to him and if I've learned anything by now, Mick KNOWS shit which is why he responds without looking up with, "Knew you were coming, if you're wondering the others have already been. Sides..." Here Mick smirks, "I could smell licorice and lavender from Nikki..., "Mick's tone softens, and I heard your little angel there."

Brad rolls his eyes at his husband, but his tone is fond, "Forgive Mr. Rude here.... why don't you guys take a seat?" We do so, me helping Nikki get settled first before handing him Josephine who'd started getting fussy. Wanting to be held and she calms once in Nikki's arms, and I can't help but smile at the sight. "I know that look Joe, Mick looks the same way at me. the look of love and wonder."

"Its fucking amazing." I state, matter of fact my arms wrapped around my family.

Mick looks at us and smiles, looking at us and then his son and partner with tears in his eyes, "Meet our son.... we decided to name him, Robert Nikki Mars." Nikki's jaw drops at this and carefully I take Josephine from him....

"Y-You...WHAT?" Nikki breathed out stunned and touched both.

"Kid, you're more than a brother to me...more like a son. We're family Nikki, so we're honored that our son bears your name as one of his."

"Thank you." Nikki breathes out, "Thank you."

"You guys wanna hold him?" Brad asks knowingly.

"Love to man." I state softly, Josephine has just dropped off to sleep and is placed into her carrier and then Nikki, then myself hold little Robert. "He takes after Mick; Brad's lips look like. He's adorable you two."

"Not to mention he's got Mick's natural hair color, mixed with blond." Nikki quips before softening his tone, "But he's seriously adorable. You guys.... have been more like parents to me and I know you're gonna be even more so with your son."

We spend plenty of time with little Robert, Brad telling about his labor and delivery, him, and Nikki trading stories. All of us together as a family and I'd have it no other way......

Before I know it, we're home and Josephine wakes up wailing when we attempt to lay her down, so her diaper is changed with her out fit and now, Now Nikki feeds her...her suckling away.

"Its strange to think a little bit more than a year ago, I was dying.... without my family, with out YOU Joe and now, now look at us.... family of our own and we've a new member in little Robert. It floors me still; they named him after me you know?" Nikki speaks quietly yet tearfully trying to not disturb our daughter, as I fondly brush her hair back before replying with....

"We've all come a long way since we all met and having a family, especially with you Nikki, never ceases to amaze me. As for them naming their son after you? I ain't surprised....it just goes to show, how much you are loved by all of us.... especially me and our daughter."

"Oh Jo-Jo Bear..." Nikki whispers and the way he said it, says it all to me....

It is not long after meeting our extended family's newest member, that Nikki and I will finally have our honeymoon. I wanted it to be a surprise and I hoped that Nikki would love it, turns out of course that he did. It was hard of course for Nikki and I being with out our precious little girl for 2 weeks, we kept in touch with her in our way, checking in constantly with Mick and Brad who kept her and of course Steven, Vince, Tommy Lee, and Steven Adler all helped with Josephine and Robert as well. Now, back to the honeymoon....it will as you will find was everything: hot, passionate, loving, romantic.... you name it.

A/N: Music, babies and family....next the first of three parts dedicated to Joe and Nikki's much anticipated honeymoon, stay tuned!