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

Chapter 179: The Season of Hope and Change

Where does the time go? I used to do decades ago, never ever pose that question and ever since the night Nikki and I met back in 86' which was 18 years ago, I have. Because whether I knew it, time had meaning, and TIME does have meaning still and to hope......It's been a week or a little over a week since Josephine ended up at what had been one of her absolute favorite spots and then became the place where she VERY nearly lost her life. Still, she'd had that wicked panic attack...and was SO tired.... But then fate, fate had its plans. Josephine met Hunter Freddie Mercury, son of the two very legendary members of Queen otherwise known as Freddie Mercury and Brian May. In that instant things had already started to change. Neither Josephine nor Hunter realized, at least not fully.... However, I and Nikki and Hunter's parents did and hope.... We had hope, and I for the first time in so long saw the spark of hope in Josephine's eyes and already things are starting to change for the better for her. That day, she'd come home and slept till dinner and then after dinner.... starting to take care of herself. She's been talking to Hunter, on the phone.... texts and even has already exchanged letters with him. And of course, there are signs of sparks of another kind...and it's the season of hope and change. The holidays are here and its December....

I feel soft full lips on my own, and I feel myself smile into it and I hear my precious little Storm in the background here in our kitchen make happy noises as Nikki and I end up parting for breath....

"I know that look...." Softly, "Thinking about time and how things are starting to change for the better with Josephine and all." How lucky am I? My soulmate....my absolute soulmate. Nikki adds on, "Storm's ok if you're wondering and the rest of the kids are probably gonna be in here soon, they'd been jamming." Again, how lucky am I? Nikki and still very much in tune with one another, knowing what one another is thinking......no we don't always need words.

"Nikki.... god, you're made for me..." I begin emotionally, before softening my tone. "---And yes, she's already starting to take steps of taking care of herself. Josephine is starting to get back to herself and there are sparks between her and Hunter. It just feels like hope.... change, good ones which Josephine especially deserves as do all our children. Nikki, she's got a career now.... song writing, producing, her music career.... Alice hired her as his lead guitarist and so many other facets. Amara is right behind her, or rather there with her.... the triplets too headed that way already and then Storm...." I pause a moment, smiling as Storm makes grabby hands for me as I scoop her up, her precious little laugh filling the air. "---Is right there with them, already doing amazing things.... something new and different every day. We just have the most amazing children.... guess what I am trying to say is the other day.... we're all starting already to really thrive."

Storm burrows into my chest more, looking up at me with those eyes she gets from me and Nikki, and I melt, and I pull Nikki too me, feeling him and its just the three of us, in this the most beautiful of moments......

Before I know it, our five other children enter the kitchen, and we all get started on dinner.... laughter, tears.... hearing about one another's day and again I blink, and we are all sitting down, eating and talking with one another....me, as always touching some part of Nikki and LOVING being with my family.

"Um Dad? Mom, Hunter's parents invited me to their house and for dinner and all tomorrow is that ok?" Josephine asks, a bit nervous but there is a slight blush adorning her cheeks.

"It's more than ok sweetheart with your ma and I." I reassure her as she relaxes.

"Exactly, and I can tell you're a little nervous.... I promise you; it'll be ok. Just be you, that's all you need to do. Sides you deserve to hang out with a friend." Nikki adds on to what I am saying. Nikki turns to me, and I know exactly what he's about to ask, "---In fact, I think it's only fair and would be awesome if you invited Hunter over to our house. Something tells me, it would be ok with him and his parents."

"Ok, I'll call and let him know. And thank you both so much." Josephine smiles, SMILES and I can't get over it.

"WE SO want details!" Frankie chimes in, eagerly practically falling out of her chair.

"Frankie I am very sure we will get those details." I grin at my daughter before looking to her oldest sister, "And Josephine? You're very welcome sweetheart."

"Frankie we like have that group chat thing, so we'll be in the loop for sure." James says winking at Josephine, who winks back.

Tonight is a good night.... I can't get over this, all of us together and the fact that Josephine is happy tonight. She is already doing so much better than she was, true she has her moments and likely will, but.... I know where she is destined to be or rather with whom. Naturally I feel Nikki, squeeze my hand us sharing a look now.... He of course knows what I am thinking.

The kids have a lively discussion of Hunter, asking a lot of questions and Storm joining in her own little ADORABLE way with her older siblings. They all share such a close bond with one another......

There is more laughter, conversations with each other and before I know dinner is consumed, dishes are washed and we all gather in our living room, Nikki and I cuddled together with our precious rainbow Storm whom all but demanded in her way, not that Nikki nor I would EVER say 'no'.

"I was thinking, I know Hunter and his parents said I didn't have to do anything nice as a thank you.... but, well I made sure that they weren't allergic to raspberries and all. Cause I thought of making that Chocolate & Raspberry cake to bring. And cause I know how much everyone loves it, I'll double it so we can have one too." Josephine says softly, gaining our attention as she and her brothers and sisters get fully settled.

"See? This is why you are amazing Josey....part of it, cause you're always thinking about others. You've got such a big heart." Tony, my youngest 'twin' son, muses.

"Well, I figure it was a small way to show my thanks." Josephine, "Cause its never trouble when it comes to your family/friends." True words have never been spoken. Nikki and I looking upon our oldest daughter proudly, our gaze extending over all six of our children.... How the hell could we NOT be proud?

"That was such a beautiful family evening." Nikki says softly, "Those eyes I love and know so well, glowing as I get lost in them and him as I always do. "---Course they all are in one form or another."

"It was Nikki, it was, and they were.... still are." Softly, "It was the season I've said many times over the years of change and hope. Those were the greatest gifts or part of them that year. Josephine and Hunter, already had that connection which would only deepen the more they saw one another."

"Oh Jo-Jo bear, you're so right. And they remind you SO much of us ya know?" Nikki's eyes fill with tears, "---The parallels of being lost.... broken and finding one another, meeting by fate.... falling in love, their hearts knowing before they did."

"Honeybee...." I whisper, unable to say much more but naturally Nikki knows my true meaning, as I feel him gently caress my cheek us together just like this here in this moment......

A/N: An Evening with the Perry's and Josephine has an invitation to the Mercury's for dinner. More to come soon!