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

Chapter 170: A Family Reunion Part 1 (Nikki Perry-Sixx)

If anyone, anyone deserved a damn break it was my oldest daughter: Josephine. That was ESPECIALLY true 2003 and true in general.... I mean she'd been thru SO much in her then 15 years, everything from kidnapping to death with everything in between. November 14-December 14 Josephine was in a coma...my BABY was nearly taken but she is like me, stubborn as fuck and fought. She gave it hell and at last she awoke on December 14. 2003. She, my poor girl, had nightmares and not just ones of what had put her in her coma, but she also dreamed of the one she would indeed come to see or rather HE would become her soul mate: Hunter Freddie Mercury. It would happen, ironically or maybe not so much ironic but would happen just after Josephine's 16th birthday and her life would be once again forever changed, however it was for the better. Before all that came, would come Elyssa's trial and THAT god.... the pain my oldest daughter was in, that Amara was in......my family. It kills me, but what you will find here after my daughter's awakening at LAST is a reunion, a reunion with our family at large. It was bitter-sweet, emotional.... you name it, and as always, you'll see.

December 15 now and I can't get over, well Joe & I can't that our oldest daughter is ALIVE, she is AWAKE and now.... Now, at last our entire family is coming and it will be a beyond emotional reunion. Right now, its just the three of us: Joe, my self and a crying Josephine whom we try to comfort.... sharing time before everyone comes.

"Honey, I know you hate feeling like you made everyone sad.... Yes, we were, we have been. When one of us is hurt, we are all hurt. But none of these is your fault. You saved your sister's LIFE, Josephine. You protected your father & I, honey you are a hero. And never ever doubt how much loved you are, how special and how very much we've all missed you. Its gonna take time, doesn't matter how long for things to get better and we will be with you every step of the way." Carefully I hug her, still being mindful of her injuries which although healed or healed enough...still cause her pain. Joe, meanwhile, is on Josephine's other side...holding her hand.

She is JUST like me, feeling like she's the problem.... the burden, hating...HATING to make people especially the ones she loves hurt in any way. It took me a lifetime before I learned that I am NOT a problem (though I have my moments), that I am never alone, that I am SPECIAL. Still like me, she always has carried the trauma.... Perhaps it will always will. But I am SO beyond proud of her. How the hell could I NOT be? I mean, she's got the biggest heart...she's always going above and beyond to help us and take care of us. Not to mention she's insanely talented, she's got so many dreams......just like ME. Josephine, we've got you.... I've got you. We're gonna get thru this, together....

Josephine raises her head finally, as she had been not really looking at me nor Joe, takes a shaky breath and says, "I-I know mom. I know.... I still hate this. But like you and dad always say 'Never are you alone.... we'll get through this together.' "A small very water smile before she shifts her gaze to Joe and back to me, "---I've really m-missed everyone...everything SO much." She finishes in a sob and I and Joe carefully hug her staying like that, doesn't matter how long what DOES is we are able to do so.

"We've got so many things to tell you Josephine..." Joe starts, "Good things..." Joe looks at me, tears in his eyes before looking at our daughter, "Starting with.... look down sweetheart and tell me what you see?" She does so, eyes going wide.

"---This...is mom's blanket."

"Your ma & I figured this was a way we could always be with you.... help you." Joe tells her. More moments follow, each one precious because my oldest is awake, more than that ALIVE & then everyone arrives in tears.... armed with all sorts of things for Josephine including I know the song she wrote that Mӧtley recorded for HER.

Places are found to sit for everyone, and naturally mine and Joe's children are closest to us and their older sister and give us our time......and my youngest miracle Storm IMMEDIATELY wants her sister, naturally.

"Help me hold her please..." Josephine's voice cracks and of course I'd do ANYTHING she asks, as quickly and carefully as possible with Joe's help, Storm is placed by her oldest sister's side.... Josephine of course holding her little sister with our help and GOD Josephine's words. "---Sweet little rainbow, I know it's been hard without me around. And you've missed me, God have I missed you. I miss taking care of you, singing to you and just everything. You've gotten so big, 5 months old now." Josephine pauses choking out in a sob, trying so hard to calm herself for Storm's sake I can tell. Storm fusses holding tightly to Josephine's hand and Josephine soon enough calms enough to go on, "---I know you've felt all the sadness, maybe not quite understanding why but knowing something was wrong, that I wasn't there in person. I need you to know Storm, I dreamed about you.... i Dreamed about everyone and I would do what I did to help bring you into this world....do what I did to save Amara.... YOU.... repeatedly. When you love someone, you fight for them.... You die for them; you live for them Storm. And know sweet rainbow that no matter what, or where I am at in the world I will find my way to you.... same goes for EVERYONE here that I love and have missed so much more than I can ever say."

One Stevie Adler-Lee tearfully pipes up saying, "Storm had your bee-bee with her.... Your parents figured it was a way for you Josephine to like to be with her. It helped calm her down a lot when we took care of her. And though you know, I can't tell you how much you've been loved and missed. Life lost its spark, you're a huge part of everything, everyone's lives...your family Josephine."

Storm coos in agreement with him, and God am I touched, and I can tell Josephine is....

"I thought so with Bee-Bee...." Josephine muses before her look changes to being lost again. "I-I am sorry.... that I put Athena and Persephone in danger...and Bobby too...."

"Hey, its NOT your fault and Athena is the one who called 911, she knew something was wrong with you.... She got help. And you ain't got a damn thing to be sorry for." Tommy says seriously. "Sides from What she told me she tried to sneak back in and help but got caught." Tommy adds.

"He's right kid....and you didn't ask for this. Bobby was and is ok...." Mick intones, tearfully, a sight that gives anyone pause. "---He and the girls.... Everyone has been more worried about YOU. All of us are behind you, right there with you always.... Remember that."

Everyone echoes similar sentiments, and I Notice that Storm has fallen asleep and carefully, she is placed in her carrier by Joe, Josephine every watchful.

Joe & I are side by side, Storm close.... surrounded by all our children.... surrounded by our family and I clear my throat....

"We've got so much to tell you honey....to show you, we want you to know the GOOD things we've done for you....to see you smile if only for a moment. I love you so much, so much and I am so proud of you for being so strong, so brave and giving it hell."

Stubborn as Fuck......you're like me Josephine, feeling guilty for hurting anyone you care about even though you know it ain't true, that it ain't your fault. You keep fighting baby, I know you will and just wait till you see what we've done for you. I'd do anything to see you smile, to hear your laugh......I love you sweet bee, I love you....

A/N: A Family at last ALL reunited. There will be more to come soon!