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

Chapter 96: Happy 2nd Birthday Amara

I've said this many times and I ain't the only one, but where the hell does the time go? It's often like I've blinked and bam! My children I share with Nikki are grown. I also wished often time would slow down but believe me I have cherished each moment of seeing all my children grow up. I know Nikki feels much the same. And that leads me to: Amara's 2nd birthday. Amara is my twin, save for the eyes and lips.... I remember being so damn glad I made it home in time for her birthday then, it meant a lot to her as young as she was. And how lucky was I? That my beyond amazing partner, my everything gave me her?

And spoiler alert: She too would follow in her older sister's footsteps and learn guitar, I would teach her just as I taught Josephine and it would come to be in time they would teach me something and not just me, but the world is all I will say for now....

But ah yes, Amara Rain's 2nd birthday.... just her, me, Nikki, her unborn siblings and gifts sent by our family at large and where you will find is the morning....mid-morning of September 5, 1994...my precious little girl's 2nd birthday......

Nikki, my poor husband sadly had a rough night with his insomnia, and he didn't get sick but FELT sick and I took care of him despite his protesting I needed rest, and I got him changed into one of my clean sweatshirts and at last it got him to sleep, and he is still sleeping. I'd had my morning workout, showered, checked on my sleeping daughters, including my precious little birthday girl and am lying here in bed with Nikki and I....

Now, I hear a little voice at the door....my voice in miniature as Nikki says, meaning Amara.... Quietly I get out of bed, slipping out into the hall and sure enough....

"Mornin' daddy, it my birday'...." Quietly, before her features show concern, "—Mommy k?" I scooped her up as she began to cry, holding her to me as I tried and soothe her.

"Mommy had a long night princess, he couldn't sleep and didn't feel good, so he ended up wearing one of my special sweatshirts and finally fell asleep. He and your brothers and sister need lots and lots of rest but sweetheart, it will be ok in time...I promise you. And I will take care of mommy, you, your sisters and brothers, ok? Shh.... little bee."

"I Wuwwy..." She whimpers.

"I know honey, I know me too but remember what I said? I've got you; I've got all of you. Gonna take care of everyone. It will be just us; I'll fix your favorite breakfast and dinner for your birthday and cake, and we can do whatever you wanna do today...." I know exactly what she wants to do, I know that it will make not only her feel better, but Nikki especially whom I know will feel guilty as fuck even though NOTHING is his fault, nor could it be.

Amara pouts, her pout reminding me very much of Nikki's. "I take care a' mama an' want birday cuddles an' kissies' an' waffles a Scetti'."

"I thought so princess." I tell her, adding on, "If that's what you want, that's what we will do. Happy Birthday Amara, I love you very much."

"I love you too dada." A precious little hug and speaking of which I feel the arms of my oldest daughter Josephine around my waist and after some moments, we enter the bedroom I share with my husband to find Nikki stirring, opening his eyes with a groan, looking around wildly before settling on us and his eyes fill with tears.

"Joe? Girls....I...." Nikki trails off getting upset, "I didn't miss Amara's birthday, did I?"

I am soon at his side, taking him in my arms as best I can after having placed Amara carefully on Nikki's other side.... Josephine naturally looked after her sister.

"Nikki, baby...you didn't miss anything I promise you and even if you did Amara knows how much you love her. Remember YOU are her mother; you make everything special every minute of every day. She knows how important it is for you to sleep and rest as often as possible, you and our sons and youngest little girl need it. You have NOTHING to feel guilty over babe, nothing.... I can tell you feel that way. If anything, Amara was more worried about you and she told me, what she wanted for her birthday was to take care of YOU, and to get cuddles and kisses...her favorite foods. Nikki, she wants YOU to come first babe."

Nikki is very much touched, emotional.... you name it. Amara gets her birthday cuddles and kisses, Josephine too giving her mother and siblings affection while I make Amara's favorite waffles for her birthday breakfast and then the day flies....

After breakfast, Nikki falls back asleep, and Amara demands to take a nap with her mother and of course I did not have the heart to say 'no' not that I would. In the meantime, Josephine was my little helper helping me prep the gifts, Amara's birthday dinner which happened to be spaghetti & meatballs with Cucumber salad drizzled with Balsamic and I took pictures cherishing every moment. And of course, I took care of Nikki and our little birthday girl.

Before I know it, after Nikki was messaged and less sore...we are all now gathered at the kitchen table, having eaten dinner and I have just lit the candles on Amara's Birthday cake, 2 candles of course.

"Ok, sweetheart.... remember you gotta make a wish." Nikki tells Amara gently.

Amara cocks her head curious at those words and says, "What wish?"

"A wish is like a dream, something very special that you want to come true. Like you, I wished for you.... I dreamed about you. You are very special Amara just like your older sister and your little sisters and brothers," Nikki tears up and God, so do i.

Amara seems to accept these words and closes her little eyes as we sing a round of 'happy birthday' and she blows out her candles with help of course.

"Happy Birthday Princess!" I sniff, "Did you have a good birthday?" I ask Amara, Josephine and Nikki looking on, Nikki looking radiantly beautiful albeit tearful, Josephine naturally sticking close to her mother......

"Uh-Huh Daddy! Ew an' mommy an' sissy make pecial' and.... wait.... where presents?" I chuckled at the end, sharing a look with my husband.

"Well now, we can't forget those can we?" I wink at Nikki before looking into Amara's eyes. "What say we open those presents and then spend some more time together before two little girls have to go to bed?"

"Pease?" Amara says sweetly.

"I think Joe, that sounds perfect." Nikki smiles, and it as always takes away my breath and warms my heart.

Happy Birthday Amara Rain, my little girl growing up before my eyes so fast taking after me. my wish for you is that you will grow to be strong, loving, and do whatever you want in life.... something very much so tells me that you will.

Sure enough, we did indeed open Amara's gifts followed by more family time, bathtime and bedtime and when it was Nikki and I that night? He told me it made him feel so much better, showed him just how very much he was loved by Amara wanting to start her birthday off by taking care of Nikki first. It meant so much to him, still does to this day. Of course, he would still have his struggles, but he knew he wasn't alone that ALL of us would take care of him no matter what.

So, all in all, Amara had a good 2nd birthday and the next day, I took Josephine to school.... Nikki insisting on going despite how tired he was, he did end up resting of course.

Where you next find us is Nikki's fifth month and Our Family having demanded Nikki and I take time for ourselves, that was very much needed, and this is where I shall leave you for now.

A/N: Amara is 2 now!! Next chapter will be Nikki and Joe spending some time, much needed together at the insistence of their family. more to come soon!