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

Chapter 146: An Iconic Tribute Part 3

I could NEVER forget the night of the 2002 Icon Awards if I lived to be a million. NO ONE for that matter could.... The surprise of seeing them on that stage then & OWNING said stage.... i let my pride, my reaction.... I didn't care who heard. Nikki was much the same as me that night, it's only natural because they are our daughters after all. I remember Aerosmith, Nikki.... We had no clue that Josephine & Amara were going to pay tribute to not only the band, but Nikki & I. I can't express properly in words how much that meant, how much it still means. Seeing my oldest daughters, the way they interacted with the audience, with each other & always they'd look up to the balcony to see their mother & I especially. I knew of course they were talented, but that night...it was on a whole other level. They traded leads.... Amara handling my solo for 'No More, No More' beyond.... well beyond someone of her years. She made it her own.... her signing backing with her sister...and Josephine? I'd heard her singing around the house, but this night. Holy Shit, the voice that came out of her.... never had I heard her sing like that. And she sang, 'Angel'......God, Nikki & I cried so much during that performance, so VERY moved by it all. And if all that wasn't the most epic surprise.... Josephine & Amara introduced Aerosmith.... but those words, those words meant especially for me, for Nikki.... god, I mean.... touched my soul.

And they as you know, joined us on stage...joined Aerosmith for the first time, they performed with us & that is where you will find us.... altogether.

I've dreamed of these many times.... especially since I first taught both my oldest girls' guitar: us sharing a stage together, not gonna lie. Dreams.... can't compare to my current reality....

Josephine & Amara flanking me.... moving around but always coming back to me as Aerosmith continues their set......

Steven wrapping an arm around either of my daughters.... sharing a mic, them both grinning ear to ear....so happy. Josephine & Amara are on cloud 9. And I am so proud of them, beyond proud as I am of all five of my children. Watching them now, its like watching pasts versions of Nikki & I on stage & God do I love that. Speaking of Nikki, I catch his eyes now.... i see the sheen of tears, but especially the love....

'Nikki.... I wouldn't be the man I am today.... If I hadn't met you that fateful night all those years ago, neither of us would be here. I am proud of us....and I am so proud to be YOURS & of the children we share. I only fall more in love with you, how the hell can I not? And look where we are, that I AM.... sharing a stage with OUR true legacy, our oldest daughters.'

And I swear now I can hear him answer in my thoughts....

'Everyday you save me.... every day, I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for you. And Jo-Jo Bear? I too am so fucking proud of US and our children.... I love you. I love you.'

'I love you too no lie.'

The spell is broken, but not truly as the show goes on.... We all of us are connected.

My daughters are killing it...and I can't keep the smile off my face, not that anyone could blame me. They smile too, they are so happy....and the way they look, like Nikki & I.... god it hits me hard in a good way. The best way....

Before I knew it.... The show is over, and with my girls' hands in mine we all take our bows and then the curtain drops.

This night will be remembered forever, I will always treasure this night because I got to share it with my daughters, with Nikki & all our children. Guitars taken carefully & in one move I hug Josephine & Amara too me, as we slowly make our way to the dressing rooms...and I know Nikki will bring Tony, James & Frankie backstage here soon.

"You girls gave me, your ma & millions the surprise of a lifetime. I am so damn proud of you two," I can feel the onset of tears, feeling so many emotions.... chief among them love & pride for my children.

"It was Josey's idea..." Amara starts proudly "---Course we'd been planning to 'gift' you something, so she came up with this. And we got Uncle Alice, and Uncle Tommy...And Aunt Stevie to help & look after us."

"Hmm SO this is why you spent so much time at Tommy's place." I muse before tightening my hold on my daughters, "Josephine takes after your ma...always coming up with the best ideas." I note Josephine hasn't said anything, which concerns me.... Especially once I see the tears, I share a brief look with Steven, Tom, Joey & Brad who understand. Turns out, they of course understood how emotional...how much it meant, especially to Josephine AND it turns out too they would come up with the idea to pay tribute to Josephine & Amara, celebrating THEM. of course, they ran it by me & Nikki....

I Sheppard my daughters quickly to my dressing room & Amara stays close but let's Josephine & I have a moment....

"Honey? Sweet bee? Talk to me.... i promise you its OK, it will be & I KNOW exactly how you're feeling right now." Here Josephine looks to me wide eyed & it takes her a moment to find her voice as I hug her.

"Dad? It.... It just feels like a dream.... I wanted....to do this for not just Aerosmith, but you & Mom. Its.... It's just emotional, I...I...it means so much and...."

"Josephine, it's been your dream to be a rockstar, yours & then your sister followed you. Let me tell you, you've been a rock star always...and especially once I taught you guitar and tonight? Tonight, you showed the world that you are A rockstar. You taught me something...and I could never forget this night, and I know how much it means to you & it is THAT that makes it mean so much more to me & Your ma. So, in other words, I know exactly what and how you feel at this moment. Honey, I am so damn proud of you, proud of Amara.... you went out there in front of a crowd of hundreds & by extension millions at home watching & you did what your ma has told you, you gave the world the middle finger.... you girls killed it. And it touches me & your ma so much that you did this, that both of you did. You made one of MY dreams come true tonight, sharing a stage with my daughters & someday I feel I'll do the same with Frankie, James & Tony."

"Thank you daddy....I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart."

"Can we do a group hug?"

"You bet sweet bee...." It is at these words Amara joins us & we all hug one another & it seems more time has passed than we realized for I hear knocks at the door & the voices of my Honeybee & our three youngest....and I can't help but smile, as the door opens....

What I will leave you here is: the night of the Icon Awards was one of the best nights of my life. After all, how could it NOT be? And to think it all started on fateful night Nikki & I met....

A/N: Bit of a cliffhanger, but I promise it will be worth it. And there will be a part 4, so stay tuned!