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

Chapter 55: (November 15), Happy Birthday Josephine

The next day after our celebratory end of tour dinner, was spent traveling for we were going HOME. God knows that Nikki and I tried to get some sleep.... our daughter too, everyone really did but truly we couldn't rest until we were home which after a day of traveling, we were. Nikki, myself and Josephine were ready to crash, though she fought sleep and just wanted to be held and so she was all night, for all of us ended up sleeping downstairs and we were all together THAT was and is what matters and if you happen to be wondering, at some point on the tour we were surprised though we shouldn't have been our extended family all sent gifts for Josephine's first birthday and that brings us to November 15, 1989 the day my first born turned a year old...a year old, and that hit my husband and I hard, in a good way....and the bitter-sweet and well you'll see.

Poor Josephine the other night, just wanted to be held and so laying down on the couch...Nikki held her the whole night and finally she went to sleep. And we are home, at OUR home and today is the most special day....my little girl's first birthday, a year ago today Nikki gave birth to her.....i delivered her with my own hands and god, do I love being a father.....i hear two of the most beautiful and precious voices at the bedroom door now, I just have woken up and I feign sleep and smile....

"Let's see if daddy's awake little bee, ok?"

"k ma- ma.... down Pease...." Nikki, I gather sets her down, and I hear the door open and tiny precious feet coming my way and precious little hands reaching for mine, "—Dada up, it birday my birday...." I open my eyes, carefully scooping her up tickling her, making her squeal with laughter.

"Something tells me dada is up..." Nikki teases laughing. I finally quit tickling my daughter, her laughter for now fading her smile MY smile on full display as my husband joins us in bed and we cuddle as a family. "---I had to let you sleep in Joe, you looked so peaceful, sides its our daughter's birthday, she woke up just a bit ago and we had some mommy-daughter time for her birthday, now family birthday cuddles.... its early afternoon if you're wondering." Nikki says softly.

"I really appreciate that Nikki, you didn't have to do that, but it means so much that you did....and that all sounds so wonderful, I love moments like these." I say softly, before I feel little arms squeeze me in a hug.

"---Mama say' birday pecial', I pecial dada."

"It IS special and mommy's not wrong. A year ago today, mama gave birth to you. And you our sweet little bee are very special, so special..." My voice cracks growing husky from tears, "—Wanna know a special secret?" A little nod, "I waited so long for you, I'd given up hope and then I found mommy and its HIM that changed everything and he's given me so much, so much and so today is your birthday, we're celebrating that and you princess."

"Joe...." Nikki's voice trembles and I get his true meaning.

"No cwy mama, dada...k? Ew an' mommy mazin'." Josephine pipes up, doing her best to make us feel better and Nikki and I share a look and then a kiss, both of us knowing she is SO right. We're raising her right, something I never thought I'd be good at or that I would love so much. But she is right....and to think Nikki and I, Nikki especially was once so terrified yet it's what we've always wanted, needed....

"You are the sweetest little bee, and since it IS your birthday.... What do you wanna do today? We can do anything you want, family's sent presents over....and daddy and I have some around here." Nikki asks Josephine who is now burrowing into his embrace.

A little pout of the lips, her thinking it through....

"Tar' a bass Pease...."

"Want us to play your favorite then Josephine?" I ask.

"Uh huh dada."

"What about food, your special birthday dinner?"

"Pom-Pom pasta." Josephine fairly beams at that; she means the al pomodoro pasta Nikki is so fond of. "An' owives (Olives)." Meaning she also wants olive tapenade, she loves olives just like me and I already know what I want to fix her cake wise, combining the flavors of chocolate and raspberry especially since raspberry is her favorite.

Josephine's birthday dinner settled, we cuddled a bit more before getting out of bed, me taming my hair and attempting to tame Josephine's before we head downstairs to our studio, Josephine made secure in a little play pen we have for her. She watches on in fascination as Nikki and I tune our instruments, before playing 'Angel', I sing and she claps her little hands in time with the music and I feel quite strongly one day, she will be a musician. Turns out my feelings were very much right....

Josephine is so happy, and we end up playing a little more before she opts to get out of her play pen and then she runs, suddenly seeming determined about something...she is FAST and next thing I and my husband know, we manage to catch up to her, us staring wide eyed as she is using the little training potty we have in one of our downstairs bathrooms.

"Mama, dada I pee! Prise'!" Josephine states proudly.

"We are SO proud of you!" Nikki smiles at her, albeit teary eyed, as I run to get her a fresh diaper and when I return, she is armed with a new diaper....fresh clothes and she is all nice and clean, as we then head to the kitchen....her wanting her birthday kisses which she receives before Nikki places her in her high chair and keeping an eye on her, he and I work together on her birthday dinner. "—That was so adorable, funny.... cute, you name it.... her using the potty like that." Nikki chuckles lowly.

"It was." I agree before I sigh, "Its bitter-sweet too, Nikki she's ONE, ONE now...she's since she was born has been a fast learner...she's just growing up too damn fast."

"I know what you mean Jo-Jo Bear, our little bee is and someday, I wanna give you more children like we talked about. That big family we've always wanted."

"It will happen Nikki, I promise you and truly I feel that it will. You're an amazing partner, and mother....my true other half." Softly. That big family that Nikki wanted as much as I did, well it would happen.

Together he and I work in tandem, talking with Josephine who chatters away about her birthday and anything and everything, so damn adorable I tell ya and before I know it, dinner is ready.... cake included. And of course, everything for Josephine is made bite-sized and or cut to where she can eat it, a bath is likely imminent, but she is loving it....

"Tasty da-da!"

I chuckle, "Glad you think so Josephine. You are enjoying your birthday today?"

"Wes! Ew an' mama make fun and tasty! Wuv ew dada an' mama."

"We love you too sweet bee, more than you could ever know and you're ma and I are so happy you're having a good birthday. Now, you eat up and then we'll have your cake and presents, ok?"

"K dada!"

Josephine did indeed eat up, praising the food in her special little way and she made a huge mess when it came to her cake, many pictures were taken. It was all priceless, so priceless and beautiful. She opened her gifts, or Nikki and I helped her, one of her favorites were from Nikki and I, or two of her favorites: a stuffed raspberry and olive, yes olive. She loved them a lot and refused to let them go that night, I remember that well.

Her birthday, I wish could have lasted forever...it was such a perfect day, a celebration of her. And that feeling of celebration would never change for her, nor her other siblings nor for my husband. And where you next find the Perry family, is celebrating the holidays or rather Christmas in Boston which I surprised my husband and daughter with....Nikki had never seen snow or didn't remember if he had at that point and well, I wanted him to experience that and for our daughter to experience it as well and too, I wanted Josephine to see a place that was and is so special to me and well you will see....

A/N: Josephine is one now, and what a good birthday she had! Next the first of at least three parts dedicated to the Perry Family Christmas, with Joe, Nikki, and Josephine. Stay tuned!