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

Chapter 178: Destined Meeting

-Joe Perry POV-

The day that Josephine met one Hunter Freddie Mercury, changed EVERYTHING for Josephine and for the man that was Destined to be mine and Nikki's son-in-law. Neither of them saw it then, but I and my beloved Honeybee DID and so did Hunter's parents: Freddie Mercury and Brian May. I remember Josephine calling Nikki and I, I could hear her fear in her voice.... the uncertainty, her being too much in her head and a spark of what sounded like hope. She didn't hear it, realized it then but she would come to. I remember too, how worried Nikki and I were for her, but we stayed right by her side....we came running and while she and Hunter got to know each other (which both VERY much needed), The couples i.e. me and Nikki and Brian and Freddie talked about our children naturally and made conversation but oh we listened and both of our children knew that. Now, you'll see what my now Son-in-Law thought of Josephine.... but one last thing: Nikki and I are and were forever grateful for that day and for Hunter, because he got her to SEE ultimately that she was the most special, talented you name it MIRACLE and to learn to LOVE....and that they were destined for one another.

-Hunter Freddie Mercury POV(Surprise!!)-

Josephine Nicole Perry.... I see in her a kindred spirit. We've got so much in common with one another and she.... truly never have I met anyone like HER. She doesn't know or see how SPECIAL she is. She is the first REAL friend, bar extended family I have ever had, and she has the biggest heart I can tell....and a larger-than-life personality. I've again NEVER known or met anyone like her....

"----I love so many things: playing my guitar, being on stage.... drawing, painting, CREATING. I write songs, I wrote one for Mӧtley as well as my father's band, Alice Cooper, you name it and I design outfits, and I just have so many passions and ideas that I just wanna go for. I especially love to read too ya know. Oh, all kinds of books! Like Historical fiction, Science, Art books and even math books. I just love learning all kinds of new things. I really love being outside, like in a garden.... or just somewhere peaceful." Josephine goes from shy to exuberant to wistful as she's just answered my question of what she loves to do.

Those eyes, filled with such pain.... sadness, yet determination and a spark of something I feel as if I should know. Still that smile.... small, watery but still a smile.

"If I may make a confession?" I question shyly, Josephine freezes a moment before her eyes widen with surprise as I say, "—I saw you perform on MTV's Icon Awards for Aerosmith a few years ago and too I have heard the song you wrote. And too we have a lot of common interests, I thought I was the only one....one of the few that enjoyed science, numbers.... books and the like AND of course music. You get it...."

"Wow.... you...saw that? and the song? And just, wow......" Josephine stammers before her tone turns emotional, "---No one outside of family understands, the pressure of being apparently smarter than like everyone else. The 'tortured' genius has been tossed around with me, but more often I have heard how she can't be that smart.... she's a whore, too tall.... too 'full figured' but I figure that they don't know me, they all want a piece, but they don't, and won't own me. It hurts, depending but I do all that I do because I feel free on stage because too it's my way of giving the world the middle finger."

"I did and you have fans you know, plus you are just AMAZING...." I confirm before adding on noting her blush, "I know just how you feel." We walk some more, me telling her of my hobbies and she listens not judging and we just get to know one another, time ceasing to exist.

Next thing I know....is I can tell our parents or rather mine want to talk to us.... specifically, Josephine, so I whisper.... her following my gaze.

"They want to get to know you my parents and I suspect yours want to meet me more properly."

"I figured." She answers, "I can tell you as far as my parents go.... if I trust you and I do, then they will...." She trusts me, she trusts me.... something like me, that I don't do easily outside my family. She still looks so worn out, far too worn out to be so young.... nervously, brushing a lock of her untamable hair back....

"Hey.... you're gonna be ok...." She starts looking at me, "---I can tell YOU they already like you, no love you for what you've done for me." Josephine doesn't say anything else, but I can tell she hears me as we make our way over, with her sitting next to her parents and me next to mine and across from Josephine.

"We wanted to thank you for helping Josephine.... Not many would have done so. Your parents told my husband and I a lot about you. Just thank you." One Nikki Perry-Sixx says. "It means a lot to us." He adds.

"I just felt that I had to..." Quietly, "And the only thanks I need is just her being my friend." My eyes meet those of her parents before landing back on Josephine's.

"Still thank you." Joe Perry says her father. "If she trusts you so, do we." His tone kind but implying not to break said trust. Which I'd never.

"Hers is a gift, I'd never break." I reply feeling a strange sensation.

We talked some more, Mum and Dad asking Josephine questions about music and all sorts of stuff. Her parents eye me approvingly, but there is a deeper meaning behind their gazes. Then we get to....

"I would gather naturally your parents' bands are #1 in your book.... but would it be too much to hope that Queen is at least in your top five darling?" Dad teases, winking at her and Josephine grins albeit tiredly but still it's like the world stops then starts again......

"Of course..." Proudly and silkily at the same time, "---If you're all right with it, Queen shares the no. 2 slot with my Uncle Alice Cooper."

"Fred..." Mum shakes his head, playfully at Dad who rolls his eyes at mum but it's honestly part of what dad calls their 'love language'.

"Oh, I like you! It's an honor then....so you know Hunter here sings and plays piano if he didn't tell you..."

"Dad..." I groaned.

"What? It's true, you know I am proud of you...ALL of you." Dad ends up seriously, emotionally.

"He is rather like me; in that he is shy though you'd never know." Mum tells Josephine.

"Well either way, I know HE and you are amazing at what you do I can tell." Is her reply and my jaw drops.

"How...."

"I am around musicians and singers all the time, I can see one from a mile away. I tell you Hunter Mercury, all that you're feeling...that you feel, put that into what you love. Music makes you FEEL. All that shyness, use it and It can disappear once you hit that stage And I'd love to hear you sometime."

Suddenly I start humming one of my favorite Queen songs....' Under Pressure' and Josephine picks it up singing, my jaw dropping before I find myself joining with her and the world disappears around us....

Sadly, it's time to go for now separate ways, and neither of us wants to leave and I feeling bold give her my phone number and she gives me hers and she gives me hers and her address explaining....

"So, we can hang out and well I've always found writing letters helps get things out and all as well."

I take those things from her, like I've been given hope.... golden hope and a handshake parting doesn't seem like enough, but we hug, and I find myself breathing in her scent of Lavender and something tart and sweet.... raspberry perhaps and we part both of us blushing and before I know it, she leaves with her parents looking back until they are gone....

I could never forget this day.... forget her Josephine Nicole Perry....my first real friend outside family I've EVER had.

A/N: Things are changing for both Hunter and Josephine, changing for the better. More to come soon!