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

Chapter 150: Josephine & Amara's Surprise Part 2 (Amara Rain Perry)

Shock, I think is the word.... a GOOD shock.... here we are at a surprise party at our favorite & THE most special place on earth: The Rainbow Bar & Grill. This party is for my older sister Josephine & I, and everyone is here. There are tears, especially after Uncle Pink's (aka Steven Tyler's) words. After lots of hugging, well of course we all are now sitting down to eat. A feast of our favorite burgers, onion rings & Milkshakes....and if I KNOW our family, the surprises are FAR from over....

"Sooooo......how are you girls feeling after the other night?" Aunty Joey asks eagerly of my sister & I; I share a look with Josephine....... who smiles, that same smile dad has mixed with momma's enthusiasm.

"It's like the greatest dream ever! And I like to appreciate even more what you guys do, like love it even more. It doesn't feel real, but it IS ya know?" Very animated, I gesture with my hands.

"How does the song go.... The sweetest dream would never do.... cause I'd still miss you baby...., well the best dreams ARE this....US. Everyone wants a piece of us & strangers still make me nervous.... but I'm not alone in this.... neither is my sister, NONE of us are." Josephine's tone emotional, and I can see the sheen of tears. She pauses a moment before talking some more, "---Everyone here is right behind us, we've learned & are what it takes...what people will say.... but on stage? All that disappears & all I could think of was what my parents have told me, their voices in my head....it REALLY helped and means SO much."

That's my sister! My older sister, I've always ever since I can remember looked up to her...where she goes, I follow. She reminds me so much of mom, but she's got some dad in there too. She's just larger than life....and I don't think she truly knows or maybe she does. You can't hide things from her.... with tonight being the exception.

Our parents, have tears in their eyes...everyone is touched.... there are more tears, more laughter......we're having the time of our lives......and then even MORE surprises....

We've eaten, laughter.... tears & chaos....and more surprises it seems are in store for Josephine (she is & will always be Josey to me), as Dad & mom get not only my attention and my older sisters, but everyone's.

"I can think of no greater honor, no greater celebration than celebrating two very special girls' debut.... what makes it even more special is, this night is shared with ALL my children, my family....my husband. I mean my little girls aren't so little, none of my children are. Each & everyone is a gift.... a perfect gift and right now, Amara.... Josephine, I need you to close your eyes...we have some very special things for you both and one more thing: I am honored to be your mother, and you are both so very loved." Mom, leaning against dad & he looks so happy, so proud and I am so fortunate he is my mother...and that my father, is my father. Same goes for my older sister, my younger sister & brothers. We close our eyes now, and I reach for my older sister's hand & I feel Josey hold tight to my hand....

'I'm here, I've got you.... I love you & you're my hero Josey.'

After what feels like forever & it's killing me not to peek by the way.... we're told to open our eyes & my sister stare at one another in shock before looking to our parents, our family....to find:

Two guitars, I KNOW these guitars.... they're dad's, from his collection....and there are two guitar straps, one with my name...one with my sister's. More gifts follow such as mom's old stage gloves for me, refitted with lace. Josephine also gets a pair.... then there is new guitar picks & then our dad turns to Josephine, catching my eyes & oh I SO know what he's about to give her....

"Josephine, I know how much it meant to you the other night.... wearing my old leather jacket, I wore all those years ago for 'Angel' & Your Ma's old scarf.... so..." Dad trails off with a wide, watery smile as the jacket is placed on my older sister & Mom arranges the scarf in her hair, "---We want you to have these, just another way we'll always be with you." Josephine is wide-eyed in shock....in tears & is speechless. So am I, next thing I know I blink & our parents are hugging us...along with our brothers & younger sister.... all of us together, surrounded by love & family....

'You are never alone.... You are always surrounded by love, by family. It's the best place to be...it took me SO long to learn that, to believe that I'd deserve that. But here I am, here WE are...' I hear momma.... hear his voice in my head.

'We didn't used to be family.... like one big family, weird as it may seem for me to say that. One fateful night....one fateful meeting between your ma & I, changed EVERYTHING & we didn't know it...' I've heard dad say this all the time.

To my surprise, Uncle Mick.... Our family alien, as he is often called, gently breaks us out of our reverie, and he shares a look with Momma & WINKS.

To those that don't know Uncle Mick, that would seem weird.... him smiling, being playful as momma says. But the alien has a heart....and a wicked sense of humor & the best Uncle ever....

"Amara, Josephine.... your mother told us, it's also been your dream to share the stage with Mӧtley Crϋe. Its of course your party, BUT Vince, Tommy, I & of course your mother Nikki talked.... we would love to make that dream come true tonight..." My jaw drops, looking from Uncle Mick to Mom, to Tommy, To Vince & then at my speechless older sister...Josephine. I couldn't talk right now if I tried......

"Oh my god.... wow.... wow...." Josephine stammers, looking at mom. "Is.... Is he serious mom?" Tone hopeful.

"Very....and we ARE. Now we'd be honored, I would especially like to share the stage with you & your sister. So would you like to...."

"Share the stage with our mother & the Crϋe? YES!" I cut him off excitedly. Dad & Mom both laughs. "---Josey?" I ask my older sister.

"Best dream ever, YES!" A wide smile, DAD's smile spreads across her face...her look pure mom.

"Hell, yes dudes!" Uncle Tommy, bouncing in place & as always twirling the drumsticks, he carries, exclaims.

"Language drummer!" Uncle Mick teases Uncle Tommy, because he sounds playful. Uncle Tommy just bounces in place even more. 'He's always been the human equivalent of the energizer bunny, but a heart of gold & a good friend.... family. Time was, where I'd NEVER in a million years thought I'd say that but it's true.' It is something he's always told my siblings & me when we've stayed with him & Brad.

"I don't ever want this night to end....and I love sharing the stage with you Amara, I love you...." Josey leans in to whisper to me.

"It won't end Josey, we'll always remember....and I feel the same way. I love you too Josephine & if I haven't told you.... you're my hero...." I feel her hugging me tightly, us sharing a moment.

No, you don't always need words.... And how lucky am I? To have Josey as my older sister & Frankie my little sister? and my little brothers? Tony & James? VERY LUCKY. Very proud too I'd say. and proud to have my SO very loved & amazing parents: Joe Perry & Nikki-Perry Sixx that I have. And tonight.... tonight means so much more to share all of this with THEM. 

A/N: Part 2 of Josephine & Amara's surprise party! There will be another part at least, and from Josephine's POV. So, stay tuned!