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

Chapter 124: Start Spreading the News (Nikki Perry-Sixx)

I am finally.... Finally, recovered enough to be released. I never thought it would happen. It's been hell, it's been heaven....and really, it's been everything. This has served as hard as it's been for my husband & I, it made our love & marriage stronger. It's because of HIM, I am HERE.... alive, he saved me.... He saved Frankie, our youngest daughter & our sons: James & Tony. Every step of the way he's been here....and it will always be so. And our family, God.... I can never get over how it makes me feel, I will spend much needed time in the most special of places: Boston. However, right now.... right HERE, I am holding with my beloved Jo-Jo Bear's help our youngest angels. They've been brought in, fed, burped & any moment our family will arrive....

"Hey, I feel that way too..." Softly, Joe's voice breaks me out of my reverie. "I know that look. My love for you & that we have for each other is even stronger....and our marriage stronger. And we've both saved each other, no lie." Joe echoing my thoughts perfectly & I note the angels in my arms are I swear hanging on to their father's every word, their little gazes wide-eyed & they are making the most adorable cooing noises.

They feel the love.... Tony, James, Frankie.... we are always surrounded by love, we are never alone & I love you three so much just like I love your older sisters so much & I have missed them so much....and I can't wait to see them, have us all together & I know you three feel the same way....

"That's.... oh Joe....so true....so true...." I murmur before speaking to my babies. "Any moment now, your older sisters will be here and our family. I've waited a lifetime for this & its thanks to daddy that I have THIS...."

I hear noises now, and I feel myself smile.... the murmurs of our family, the sounds of tears & chief among those voices: Josephine & Amara.

"Mommy it twue?! Ew and babies.... leave petal' (hospital)?" Amara asks, excited & hopeful both & as always right beside her older sister. Josephine, meanwhile, looks anxious.... happy, yet sad too which breaks my heart. She is happy, but the sadness I see in her eyes....it breaks my heart, so much like me & I can tell she is struggling with her emotions, with what she believes to be her fault....me having been in the hospital essentially these past 2 months.

"Its true honey.... you & your sister come here & see Daddy, me and your siblings..." Softly, my voice edged with concern for my oldest & I whisper to Joe, trying to soothe the triplets who are getting fussy, "I know what's bothering Josephine, I can see it, Joe. I wanna talk to her."

Joe sighs, eyes filled with worry I can tell. "Ok Honeybee, I can see it too." He whispers back, both girls carefully manage to give their father & I hug, 'kissies' to Tony, James & Frankie & it takes a bit of time, but they are soon soothed gradually drifting off to sleep and Tommy helps Joe with putting my youngest together in a bassinet....

Once that is done, Joe is right at my side after having made sure our sons & daughter were all ok.... kissing me & placing Amara on one side & crying Josephine on the other whom I carefully pull closer to me.

Joe was right, everyone brought whole stores worth of stuff for all five of mine & Joe's children, OUR children.... our worlds & naturally for us too. I'd have it no other way.... STILL, right now everyone senses the mood & everything else can wait. What matters is right now, I am helping my daughter.

"Josephine...." I began softly, her hanging her head. "Come on, look at momma please? I want to talk to you...." She slowly brings her eyes to meet mine & it's like looking back in time thru a mirror, "---I can see it honey, you can't hide it from me.... i know you're feeling lots of emotions: you're happy, I am finally going to be with you & your siblings.... with daddy & not be in the hospital anymore. Yet, you are sad, still feeling it's your fault even though you know it isn't. And I know baby it's been hardest on you my having been asleep for so long, for being here struggling. Remember I know exactly what you're feeling. Everything all together is so overwhelming; I've been there & have felt that way so many times. Even now, I feel like you do at times, but you know something?"

"W-What momma?"

"I remember that I am not alone, that it's OK to have bad days.... bad moments, to feel how I feel. I have you, I have daddy.... Amara, Tony, Frankie & everyone here. They have me, you have me.... we all have YOU." I paused for a moment, running my fingers through her wild hair so much like mine. "---We are still healing, we're gonna get there TOGETHER."

"Ok mommy, thank you & I love you." Josephine whispers, but I can tell she is seriously absorbing my words.

"I love you too."

Tommy catches my gaze winking & I roll my eyes playfully before looking knowingly at Joe & he grins......Tommy ever the goofball, but I can see it coming he's doing it to make Josephine laugh....to break the tension.

"Hey Josephine? I will let you dye my hair PINK if you want. Personally, I think I'd look awesome." Steven Adler-Lee shakes his head laughing fondly at his husband's declaration. 

Josephine tries so hard not to laugh, but quickly gives in. Thank you, Tommy, Thank you.

One Steven Tyler sighs dramatically, "One time & I Ain't lived it down since."

"You Ain't gonna either." Joe Snickers. Tyler grumbles, but good-naturedly.

"Hey, you could always write a song?" Joey Kramer pipes up, grinning. He would of course, as you all know. More ribbing followed this statement, I remember that very well. 

Joe kisses me, leaning over carefully.... kissing our oldest daughters on their foreheads & checking on our sleeping children....

"We've got the best fucking family in the world." He whispers in my ear.

"We really do, we really do Jo-Jo Bear." I whisper back.

There would be more laughter, more tears.... ones though of joy. The gifts, from everyone distributed.... all of us trading stories, taking pictures of ALL children present, my own of course naturally most of all. It was everything, just that feeling being thankful to be alive & to have a family. A family, I never thought I would have nor wanted, but as it has turned out....one that I very much needed. Its never ceases to amaze now, or it didn't then.... how that feeling of togetherness felt/feels.

If you're wondering: I would end up being released from the hospital 2 days after this, this the most memorable of days......and you will next find my family & I in a place I love very much all because of JOE: Boston.

"And now we live here.... we have, but really my 'favorite' or most loved home is YOU Nikki. It always has been, same for our children and now grandchildren." Joe's earthy browns, sparkle his words bringing tears to my eyes which gently I can feel him now thumb away.

"Home Sweet Home.... always & forever Jo-Jo Bear."

"Always & forever Nikki.... always....and every time you call me that, its like the first time."

"Same here, being called 'Honeybee'.... i AM your dearest Honeybee." I whisper.

"As I am your dearest Jo-Jo Bear...." Softly Joe's lips capture mine & like every time we kiss, the world around us disappears....

Next here in our tale, we'll have already been settled in Boston for a few days....

A/N: Tears, laughter & Family. Next chapter, Perry Family & Co in Boston!