That July night.... that amazing, beyond amazing night of the 2002 Icon Awards honoring Aerosmith where my eldest daughters made their grand debut....as Joe has said many times, I will NEVER forget if I live to be a million. I remember it SO well, it was the surprise of a lifetime. One of the GREATEST surprises of my life! Josephine & Amara OWNED that stage.... playing so far beyond their years. Performing is in their blood, I mean naturally.... but really, it was & IS in their soul. I can't describe how proud I was of them that night (How proud I am of them still...of ALL my children) .... how touched, how much it meant & it meant SO much more because they did it FOR US. They did it not just for Aerosmith, but especially Joe & I. And I cried that night, I cried tears of joy.... just all around emotional.
And it was the surprise of a lifetime for sure, Joe & I had no fucking clue they were going to do what they did...but as we've said, it meant and still does mean so much. The surprises kept coming that night, from Amara playing lead on one song, to Josephine singing the song Joe wrote for me, a song which ended up saving us in part, Josephine & Amara introducing Aerosmith & then SHARING a stage with them......
And where you will find me....and by extension us, is me arriving to Joe's dressing room to join my oldest girls, the triplets in tow....
Tony, James, And Frankie are eager to see their older sisters & their father....so am I & I've just opened the door to find Joe & our oldest girls in a hug & the way Joe SMILES at me, takes my breath.... the way that Amara & Josephine too smile, God, it gets me.
The kids as excited as they are, hang back but still close as Joe greets me & we have our moment....
"Every time I see you Honeybee.... it's like the first time." Joe whispers, caressing my face gently with one of his hands. "---I love you, Nikki."
"Jo-Jo Bear..." I whisper, feeling emotional. "I love you too...." I trail off, as he captures my lips as we share the sweetest & most passionate (not too passionate as there are children present) Kiss. We part for breath & we turn to our children who are all gathered. Tony, James & Frankie surround their older sisters, hugging them & excitedly asking them questions. Joe & I are naturally close to them, and we let them have their time together......and now, I feel my heart wrap an arm around my waist, pulling me close as I lean my head against his shoulder.
Looking at them now....so happy, so excited.... music is in their blood, and not just their blood but their souls.... each of them. and I can NEVER get over how close they all are, it hits hard in GOOD ways. And I am their mother? Man, its fucking priceless. And I am raising them alongside the best man.... best PERSON, lover...husband & father I have ever known: My Joe. I feel Joe now holding me tighter, he FEELS me...he KNOWS. As we always tell each other, 'You don't always need words.'
Tonight.... I mean, it's like holy shit! Josephine & Amara owned that stage...they are rockstars & it means SO, SO much I know to them that they got to live one of their greatest dreams. I am SO proud of them, and it touched MY soul at what they did. I feel that way with all my children & what makes it even more special is I am ALIVE to see it & its thanks to my beloved husband....
I am brought out of my reverie by my two oldest daughters approaching me, and I feel the tears come in earnest.... tears of pride, love...and so much joy.
"I feel that way too momma..." Amara says, sounding SO much like her father.
"You & your sister come here..." I mean to say more but I find myself being hugged fiercely by Amara & Josephine. "Oh girls.... man, you.... both.... I mean.... You tonight, got to live one of your greatest dreams & you OWNED it. I am SO proud of you both, as I am your brothers & sister. And I am alive.... ALIVE to see it."
Their response is to hug me tighter, until....
"Oh mom..." Josephine's voice trembles, "I...I know, I know. But.... You were with US on stage, you & Dad both. I mean.... I thought, and I know Amara did too of advice you've given us, about the meaning behind the songs.... About you guys. I could hear you in my head."
"We are always with you.... always will be." Joe says softly, tearfully before adding on smiling albeit tearfully. "---You girls dressed a lot like me, and you Josephine.....I recognized your ma's scarf, you don't know how much that means to us. Now, we should get home..." Joe's tone turns teasing, and I KNOW why.
"But daddy! We wont be able to sleep! Josey & Mara wont...and...and I'm hungry!" Frankie pipes up protesting,
Joe laughs, "None of us will tonight I'd bet, too excited. But we DO need to rest, and we will see about getting food princess ok?"
"That's better daddy." Frankie smirks, my smirk. Joe looks at me at his eyes dancing......
If you are wondering, the triplets wouldn't last long once we got home (Literally the minute they sat down) & Joe carried each of them upstairs, me joining him of course as together we'd tuck them in. And Josephine & Amara....especially Josephine would be the ones to stay up all night.....
Joe changes into more comfortable clothes behind a screen before long and with the kids' help, I make sure I have all his things & everything gathered. My heart emerges from behind the screen...and I feel my breath hitch, it's ALWAYS been like this & it will NEVER change....and just before we can leave in a car that had been arranged to take us home, Brad pops in.... speaks to our oldest girls for a moment, hugs them & then tells Joe about a quick band meeting.
"Its an idea Steven had in mind." He explains & the way he says it......Student of the Alien aka Mick Mars indeed, I AM VERY sure what just may be coming as I glance at Josephine & Amara & if I am right.... They more than deserve it.
Joe hasn't gone long, he kisses me before he leaves & once he comes back, he whispers, his tone knowing & Amazed both.
"Steven had the idea....to have like a party & celebrate Josephine & Amara's debut & have it at the Rainbow in a few days, since he knows how very much that place means to us. He wants it to be a surprise, Joey, Brad, Tom & I agreed and by the look in your eyes I can see you agree Honeybee."
"Oh JOE, hell yes....and I think, that well.... there's a stage, and I think getting them both new guitars & jamming would be perfect." I smile.
Joe looks at me awed, like only he can. "It's more than perfect Nikki." Joe turns to our children and says, "Let's go home, our home sweet home."
"That's perfect daddy, like perfect.... cause we'll be together." Tony says before adding, "But you always say, momma too.... we're together even when apart, cause we're always connected."
Truer words have never been spoken......
A/N: part 4 of Josephine & Amara's debut done. Next at least 2 parts of Late Night in the Perry household after the show.
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