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

Chapter 185: My Beloved Empress-Josephine (Hunter Mercury)

I've NEVER felt anything like this.... i never imagined this would be ME, kissing the most beautiful, insanely talented.... just my other half & just mere moments ago really, I saw this. It's hard to string my thoughts together.... right now, all that MATTERS is HER, Josephine. Her in my arms, feeling so WARM.... smelling of lavender and raspberries, that sweet-tart scent that is purely her. Her hair, I can't resist running my fingers thru....is wild, untamed & silky. It just feels like home; she belongs in my arms. I see it ALL now, and there is so much....so much I want no need to tell her....

I am in heaven; Josephine feels like heaven to me.... reluctantly, parting for breath. Her eyes glowing that iridescent green.... cheeks flushed, I've NEVER seen a more beautiful sight. She is the only one, to ground me....to be the chaos-order that I need, moreover she SEES me.

I still hold her, I can't let her go...silence reigns for what feels like forever, but it's a peaceful silence till at last those perfect full lips of Her's part....

"You know.... you're my first kiss...." Shyly, emotionally...tears in her eyes. "I-I See...now, what my parents meant.... what love feels like.... what YOU feel like." Josephine takes a deep breath, "---I just want...need....so much.... I wanna tell you. I never imagined anyone, would want ME.... like with all the shit I've been through. That I would be good enough...and I..." I cut her off, with a gentle finger to her lips, her blushing and I can feel myself do the same.

Josephine, oh Josephine.... I feel the same way. I always thought, no one would ever understand. Always shy, always broken.... too smart, too tall.... the son of two legendary rock stars, being bullied.... used it all does stuff to you. We are SO very much alike my darling, we've both been thru similar things. However, the world is wrong about you & I, I never have felt good enough till YOU. I didn't see that I was to be honest, it's you Josephine, my empress you have proven me wrong....and I sense there is something that you are not telling me.... We will get there together.

I am worrying Josephine I can tell, with my lack of response....and I find my words....

"I am sorry to have worried you.... deep in thought, thinking about how much we have in common......we've been thru similar painful traumas. I never felt I was good enough until you....and if I may make another confession...." I take a breath & open, "I, it's been YOU.... always been you since the day we met.... doesn't matter how long it's been. I've never in my life, felt good enough until you.... ONLY you have gotten me to believe that, to believe in myself. And I dreamed.... dreamed about you before I met you...."

Her eyes widen with shock & I reluctantly remove my finger from her lips.... but she holds fast to my hands as if I will disappear, I squeeze them to say...'I am never going to leave you'....

"You WHAT?" Josephine whispers.

"I dreamed you were standing with me in the most beautiful garden, it felt so real.... familiar. We were both still teens I believe, but you had your hair up....it was shining, bright.... we were dressed up; it seemed to be a special place....and I asked you something.... but the dream faded out before I could hear you respond." I tell her, softly & blushing at the same time.

"Wow.... wow.... wow..." Stunned before she shocks & moves me both. "---I dreamed of when you found me last year, that we met.... you calmed me, CALMED me and I never believed it would come true, that you were real.... that it would be and damn it all.... its IS." She says in wonder.

We continue in this vein for a while, confessing to one another and she tells me what I suspected: to do with what happened to her in school, and I no lie wanted to kill those that touched her...attempted to do the unthinkable & rape her. She was afraid, trembling.... but God, was I proud of her for telling me & as much as it hurt her to tell me, she STILL calmed ME & was worried about me...because that is just one of many reasons why I realize how much I love her....

And it seems more time has passed when we realize when knocks sound at the door & the voices of her parents: Nikki & Joe sound out, along with the sweet little voice of Josephine's youngest sister, Storm.

"Josephine? We thought we'd come check on you & Hunter, see how you were doing." Her father Joe's voice.

"Plus, your little sister, refuses to sleep unless she sees you." Her mother Nikki's voice adds on.

Josephine & I share a look, I reach for her......and we both know it will be ok. Now that I SEE the light, MY light....no hiding, no more hiding....

"Hang on...." Josephine says, me helping her get on her feet, never letting go of her. "Come in..." Her parents enter the room, their looks knowing & I dare say they look happy, touched & the adorable Storm Perry reaches for Josephine & I stay close, but give them their space as Storm leaps into Josephine's arms practically, calming.

She really is the heart & soul of her family.... a family that I have been welcomed into. And she is the other half of my heart....

And I slowly, reach an arm out & slide it carefully around Josephine's waist...her leaning into me. Still shy, still learning.... together as we said, together we'll learn. It just feels right.... this...is all so new & I only want more....

"You more than have our blessing with Josephine, I think I speak for my husband & I when I say officially welcome to our family." I gape at Nikki, who shares a look with Joe who echoes Nikki's words.

"I just realized.... tonight, it's been THERE since we met....to have her.... its.... She is extraordinary. I love her." I state quietly, lovingly...proudly all at once.

"I've been so much happier, I see that now.... have felt more like ME. I'm still learning, but mom...dad, I SEE now what you guys meant about love...how it feels, learning...how you learn and all." Josephine says, holding Storm.... a sleepy, but calm Storm & the thought crosses my mind......

What would it be like to have children? With my Josephine? Someday, someday I believe we will, I would love that.

"---Storm, you need sleep, ok?" Josephine tells Storm, who yawns adorably I may add. "Sissy is so very happy, I am.... Hunter & I are together now...." Here she looks at me, "My boyfriend, my absolute best friend who I like love SO much." Tearfully.

"K sissy, night-night Josey...." Storm almost instantly drops off to sleep.

Storm is taken by Her's & Josephine's parents....and it's her & I once again.... Before I know it, it is sad time to say goodbye, Josephine's parents giving us space but looking over us. My parents are doing the same, close behind me.

"This.... has been the greatest night of my life.... i wish I didn't have to leave you Josephine..." Gently I caress her face.

Josephine floors me with the following, "I don't want you to go either.... but you know something? My parents have always told me, you're never truly apart...always, always your hearts are together & no matter what or where I am at in the world, I will find my way to you."

"There you go.... being amazing again..."

"There you go being charming again...." She smiles softly.

"I love you & I'll call you...text too and write letters...." She laughs because I know I said all that at 100 mph but before I can form more words, she kisses me & I take over & I calm....and the world disappears around us....

We leave, after kissing.... Josephine watched until I knew after we faded from view. My parents tell me how happy & proud of me they are.... its emotional, its everything & we arrive home......and I, I think about planning my first date with my Empress Josephine......

A/N: Confessions, blessings from the parents & soon a first date, more to come soon!