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

Chapter 133: A Retrospective II (1995-1998) Part 2 (Nikki/Joe)

-Nikki-

1997, where do I BEGIN to start about this year? But yeah, start I will. 97' meant new albums released by Aerosmith (9 Lives) & Mӧtley (Generation Swine). Aerosmith's album was released before my band's, some big hits off that & it is noteworthy that the song 'Pink' was included in it (You know the story behind the song aka hair dye prank). My band's album was more of a departure from the sound we were known for & critics HATED it. But I say my band has been more the people's band than anything else. I guess my point is, it didn't bother me what shit got said about it. WE were proud of it, Mӧtley I mean and most of all? Joe, my beloved Jo-Jo Bear was proud of me & still is of course. And I can never get over what that means to me. I also relished sharing in Aerosmith's accomplishments with 9 lives. I remember Joe said, "The joy I get from seeing the look in your eyes, your smile says it all to me. I know you're proud of me Nikki, I can never tell you how fucking much that means to me."

In addition to band work, i.e. the albums, awards shows, photography (with Aerosmith & my own, as well as my children growing, thriving & learning new things daily, which I will get a bit more into here shortly), 1997 was also a huge year or anniversary of my first 'death' via Heroin overdose. God, how the fuck had it been 10 years at that point? It was so bitter-sweet, it was hard to get thru, but I had Joe, I had our children....and family & that helped more than words could ever express. And I wouldn't have been alive, then or today at this moment if not for Joe.

Ah yes, my amazing children.... I want to get back to what 1997 meant for them. It meant more than just Josephine turning 9 that November.... Tony, James & Frankie turning 2, 2!! Amara turned 5, my babies.... god they were growing too damn fast for mine & Joe's liking. Course, we cherished every moment.... but Amara, well she'd started learning guitar the previous year with Joe teaching her just like her older sister & 97, saw her learning even more & learning from Mick and Brad as well.

I'll let Joe take the reins for this next part here.... but first, now I cuddle more into his embrace listening to the sound of this heart & now those beloved lips part & that voice I love so well sounds out....

-Joe-

"Oh HONEYBEE...." I begin getting choked up, lost in the memories. Those bitter-sweet, painful memories and never have I been gladder than when Nikki & I found our way back to one another. "Time had passed by then so fast, same is true today. I remember 97' well, it marked 10 fucking years since I nearly lost you forever. 10 years since we both realized we were in love with each other, that we deserved to be happy with each other, that I learned what it meant to LOVE, to fight for YOU. If you leave or had, I could only follow baby. It was hard marking 10 years, but I thanked God everyday then and NOW that I can get kiss your eyes & thank God, we're together Nikki."

"Oh Joe, my Jo-Jo Bear......i know, I know. I feel the same way, if it wasn't for you saving my life then and when I had the triplets I wouldn't be here in your arms at this moment in time......and one of the most beautiful moments I could never forget was the way you held me that night of Dec.23, 1997....it was just you & I, me sobbing....i couldn't stop, and you just HELD me all night....in more than just body, but heart."

"I would do anything for you, no matter what....no matter what..." I whisper.

I always have & always will, do anything for Nikki...for our children, for my grandchildren.... fucking always.

I should mention that 1997, tail end roughly never minds the exact time.... that 'Armageddon' would begin film production. It would be a huge summer block buster when it debuted Summer of 98'....and on that note, that leads us now into 1998....

1998: As I've mentioned, Armageddon would be released Summer 98', the end of June to be a BIT more exact. And when the movie had been in production, Aerosmith was asked to write an anthem. And we delivered, or rather I delivered one 10 years in the making...., 'I don't wanna Miss a thing.' The song I'd been writing on & off for years, the one I'd dreamed about written for MY beloved muse: Nikki Perry-Sixx. It meant and still does to me more than just being Aerosmith's 1st number 1 song, it was the ultimate love song, about mine and Nikki's love.

The song, well I will tell you I wanted Nikki especially to listen to it first and well the actual debut, well unofficially but officially to me would be performed at mine & Nikki's 10th wedding anniversary reception aka our wedding vow renewal. On that course, he'd heard the song, but it marked Aerosmith's first performance of it. I surprised Nikki with it, wanted to...no needed to, one surprise among many I'd planned for our 10th anniversary. Speaking of said anniversary, I'd began planning it after James, Frankie's & Tony's 3rd birthdays. And their birthday? God, talk about epic. Smash cakes, glitter, chaos....and their little personalities on full display. James, who looks like both Nikki & I, along with his brother Tony, aka Joe Jr * as Nikki calls him* started a cake food fight among themselves. Frankie joined in, cackling gleefully as she one upped her brothers...her grin and actions adorable and just like Nikki. But they had so much fun, giggling together....and they even got their older sisters in on the action. Josephine also leads a charge to prank one Steven Tyler, again epic and not to mention priceless.

But ah yeah, back to the 10th anniversary wedding vow planning. I'd dreamed previously years before about it, so I recreated the dream but the dream...ah the sweetest dream would never do.... but a path.... a path that led Nikki to me, us in the matching suits. A white carpet rolled out, scattered with Blue rose petals...our friends & family gathered, our children involved with the ceremony.... a reception, a honeymoon afterwards. It was all perfect, all for my heart....my soul, my lover....my EVERYTHING: Nikki-Perry Sixx.

I haven't given TOO many details, but as always you will see....

I'd also like to tell you, God 98'.... the memories. It was more than just movie premiere, more than Aerosmith's first number 1....it was more than work, it was life, above all it was my husband & our children. It was everyone growing, thriving.... having their moments but not being alone. And this was the year my oldest daughter turned 10, 10! She was getting older, growing more...so damn smart & talented.... only taking more & more after Nikki. Amara would turn 6 and her and Josephine were always to be found practicing together & Josephine would teach Amara somethings.... both asked questions of Nikki & I, about music...the music industry, band stuff and I knew in my heart where it would ultimately lead them. Nikki knew too. I am so proud of them, of ALL my children.

Now, where you next find us.... well, I'll let my beloved Honeybee take the reins, but I will tell you that it will be May 10, 1998 & 10 years since we became forever one....

A/N: Part 2 of the retrospective chapters and up next: Nikki & Joe's 10th wedding anniversary and oh I am SO beyond excited to write it all!!