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

Chapter 128: Josephine's Day Out Part 1

My home is my husband Nikki, our children and now our grandchildren. Boston always has been a special place made even more so with the memories I've made here with my beloveds. Such precious memories, especially the ones made when our entire family including our extended family stayed in Boston. How could I ever forget? It was VERY much needed, was very healing...and it was and is everything. That was especially true starting circa March of 95 after all the sheer hell, the pain.... nearly losing Nikki again, the birth of the triplets.... Nikki's coma and what I and my children went thru....

Speaking of precious memories, Josephine's trip to the Boston Museum of Contemporary Art. It was her first time and Nikki's.... we made a day of it. Josephine at first was upset but that was because she realized that her brothers & sisters were too young to come along AND there was the fact that...well, she felt bad that we were going to so much trouble for her. And I remember very well, what Nikki told her (I of course echoed him), "Hey, I want you to remember something Josephine.... Your brothers & sisters are always in your heart and it's OK to do something special for just you. Daddy and I make it a point to do things with each of you as much as we can and family time too."

She calmed after hearing that and so....

Nikki and I spent as much time as we could with our four youngest children: Amara, Frankie, Tony & James before leaving them in the hands of Steven Tyler & Vince Neil-Tyler whom all but demanded to do so and now we've just arrived at the museum & I tell my husband and oldest daughter to close their eyes as I taking each of them by the hand, keeping them close lead them to the steps.....

Springtime now, it being early April.... the air feels, SMELLS FRESH...smells & feels new but what I am LOVING most of all right now is the feel of my beloved Honeybee's hand in mine and in the other the precious little hand of my husband in miniature: Josephine. I can't wait to see their reactions...

"Ok we ready?" I ask, softly/tenderly. Two voices as one gives me a 'yes' & I can't help but smile. "—Open those beautiful eyes." Nikki & Josephine do so, their eyes immediately flying wide open in awe, in shock but they look SO happy, so happy.

"Wow, so this is WOW...." Nikki manages to get out, before then looking at me. "Joe this is amazing, I will treasure this."

"It is amazing and its even better because you and our daughter are here, it was and is worth seeing you smile Nikki." Softly, I get emotional. We shared a sweet kiss & then I turned to look down into my oldest daughter's eyes, those eyes she shares with Nikki. "You love it, Josephine?" I ask, already KNOWING & seeing the answer.

"Yes daddy, this place HUGE! Thank you for bringing me here! I already having the bestest time cause I am with you & momma." Not gonna lie, these words get me misty & I hug them both to me & at last we make our way up the steps, Josephine in between Nikki & I, each of us holding one of her still (for now) small hands & before I know it, we've made our way inside.

Looking around now, hardly knowing where to start.... the excitement, the joy.... the LOVE of being with my family. and of course, on everyone's minds are Amara, Frankie, Tony & James.... i miss them so much, and someday.... we will bring them too & honestly, I can't wait for that....

We take things in, savoring before picking on a direction to go, a starting point & we are off. Josephine is practically vibrating with excitement & we come upon an Andy Warhol exhibit....

"This is so cool!! I got lotsa ideas so far!" Nikki & I chuckle fondly.

"I do too Josephine, I do too..." Nikki's tone shifts becoming more emotional, "But you know my biggest inspirations? That keep me going?" Here Nikki looks to me, glossy eyes from the sheen of tears. Josephine nods, her gaze knowing. "---You, your brothers, sisters and daddy.... we all wouldn't be HERE with out him." Tears slip down his cheeks, his eye liner running & he takes my breath away. And really, I am in much the state he is, as I pull him closer to my side.... kissing him gently, running my fingers along his jaw. Josephine content to let us have our moment and then her next words......

"Cause daddy is a hero; you and he are my hero's momma. And like you always say, when you love someone, you love all parts of them...the good and the bad, like I love all parts of you, just like I know Frankie, James, Tony & Mara' do too." I pull her closer to my other side, hugging her tightly with my other arm....

I NEVER could have imagined that I would be a father and be a damned good one.... nor would I imagine that I'd be a hero to anyone, but I wouldn't trade the feeling I have right now for anything. Nikki & I are heroes in her eyes, in ALL our children's eyes because we're raising them right....it means so damn much to me to hear those words & I see it in Nikki's eyes.... He feels the same.

We all hold each other for a little while longer before hand in hand, heart to heart we continue our tour thru the museum seeing as much as we can possibly see in a day, so many exhibits....and I love seeing things thru my husband's eyes and my daughter's. I mean talk about fucking priceless.... time slows, and each moment lasts forever....

Our stomachs let out simultaneous growls making us all share a look and laugh together.

"Guess it must be lunch time.... where do we wanna grab a bite for lunch?" I ask Nikki & Josephine, the three of us sitting on a bench together with Josephine in between Nikki & I.

Nikki's eyes light up, glowing that iridescent green I love SO much. "Our 'Honeymoon' Restaurant as we call it."

"Oooh, I want that seafood soup!" Josephine exclaims, practically bouncing in place. She is referring to Cioppino, I know that very well.

"Sounds perfect to me......"

"Daddy I just wanted to say I've had the bestest time today with you & Mommy. I can't wait to tell Mara' & babies all about it. And I wanna get them somethings maybe they like...." She pauses a moment before going on, "Like Figs.... Amara likes figs lots & babies.... oooh, maybe stuffed toys?"

"Oh honey, that means so, so much to me and I think we can do that...." I look to her & then to Nikki & it hits me...somewhere I'd love to take them, before we head for our Boston home & the triplets. "Nikki, Josephine? I've had an idea.... there is an Art store I know of; I'd love to get you two some things & for you to see it."

"Joe.... oh Joe, baby you are the most amazing husband.... father.... I mean, today has been magical, and THANK YOU. I love you so much."

"I love you too Nikki and I love you Josephine & I love ALL five of my children so much....so very much."

We lingered a bit before going to our 'honeymoon' restaurant as it was dubbed and of course we would follow through on Josephine's ideas & the ideas I had in mind for my husband & oldest daughter. Healing.... making memories that have lasted a lifetime, Josephine's day out......man, talk about priceless.... talk about love & memories.

A/N: Josephine's Day out, Part 1. There will be a part 2 to this, so stay tuned for more!