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

Chapter 186: Our First Date Part 1 (Josephine Nicole Perry)

I am so excited....so nervous, I can't sit still if I tried.... because my BOYFRIEND, wow again boyfriend is taking me on our first date. Hunter & I decided to wait till after Christmas & New Years, it now being January 5, 2005.... a week into the New Year. But it doesn't mean we haven't been talking, writing, or seeing one another. IN fact, my parents invited Hunter & his parents over Christmas Eve. We'd had a party, kids.... chaos, love & family, something that is purely US. It went very well, and all the uncles & Aunts were happy I was happy & of course they had to give their 'family warnings'. There were quiet moments to, like Hunter & I am exchanging gifts: he'd got me my favorite chocolate-covered-raspberries, art stuff, things I loved. Truthfully? Those were just bonuses, because he was the greatest gift.... the greatest. I'd made him something special, that brought everyone to tears: A picture I'd drawn of us...what I imagined/saw from my memory for the day we'd met. Christmas Day was a quieter day but no less amazing.... just me, my parents & siblings & New Years Eve, I played a show with Uncle Alice & Hunter surprised me by showing up & we kissed at midnight......

I am dressed to kill, as my sisters have been telling me & at last i finish with my make-up & turn to meet the awed gazes of Amara, Frankie & little Storm, whom is being held by Frankie.

"Oooh pweety!" Storm cutely & enthusiastically says.

I chuckle at her cuteness....

"You look really beautiful Josephine." Amara says, sounding & looking just like dad. She's gonna be 13 this year & I am SO BEYOND GLAD that she is alive & here to see it, that I AM HERE....

I feel so much better now, my sisters making me feel better....and I can't wait to see my boyfriend.... again, boyfriend.... explodes my world in the best way. Heading downstairs now, finding my brothers & Parents waiting.... Mom has tears in his eyes, Dad does too....

"Oh, sweet bee.... damn, you look wonderful." Mom says as he adds voice cracking, "---So grown up. God, I swore I wasn't gonna cry." Mom vainly tries to wipe away his tears & Dad comforts him.

"Nikki...I know.... I know. It's OK to cry, I feel the same way you do." Dad turns to me with mom in his hold, both their gazes locked on me now. "---You really look just like your ma & man I have the most beautiful children, all of you inside & out.... And remember what your ma & I told you?"

"To be me, to listen....be willing to compromise, to remember that I am worthy, more than, to be happy...to be LOVED. And to be willing to LEARN." I state getting choked up.

"Always, and I know like me you get in your head. But Josephine, you've got this...don't rush things, they will I PROMISE you happen in time cause it will feel right." Mom says, "---And you've got your dad's jacket on and my old scarf in your hair, that...means so much." We all share a group hug, me...my parents, my brothers & sisters & then the doorbell rings......I blink & I find myself opening the door, seeing Hunter & damn does he look good!

I blush, so does he as we admire one another....

"Wow..." The way he says it, says it ALL to me.

"'Wow' yourself." I tease, which deepens his blush & those intense eyes of his darken. My parents clear their throats....

"You two be careful, have a good time & don't be out too late. We love you Josephine, so much." Dad says, Mom echoing him....i hug them again & my brothers & sisters, making sure I have my phone...and everything I need in my bag & then FINALLY....

Hunter's lips on my own, together in harmony before parting for breath & my eyes widen as I take in a car, which my brother Tony would drool over....an updated 60s classic.

At seeing my look Hunter explains, "Darling this....is my car. Aunty Roger had given it to Dad ages ago, dad doesn't drive but Rog did it to get under my Dad's skin cause of the row they'd had over 'I'm in love with my car', and Rog locked himself in a closet until Dad gave in or rather mum got Dad to give in to put it on the 'Night at the Opera' album....but anyway, I wanted to surprise you with this and it goes without saying I have my driver's license."

"You.... you've surprised me from the day we met..." I find myself saying, getting emotional. "---That's like the best thing ever." It means so much more to me than words can ever express.... lost & found, no longer so completely broken....and if I have my bad days/nights you are there....

Gentle touches to my face.... right now, we don't need words as Hunter kisses me softly, my eyes sliding shut....

After parting, Hunter's opens the car door for me & we're off.... i am so excited, curious.... you name it, and now I feel him take my hand, with his free one...threading our fingers together, my breath hitching.

"I know you talked, we have about giving me an L.A style education as you'd put it, we'll.... i will confess I'd been over thinking about tonight...." Hunter begins, "—But after my parents gave me advice & especially thinking about you calmed me & so let us just say, I know you will love it."

I squeeze his hand, "I already do, cause I love YOU and it's you I'm with."

"My Empress...." Softly, lovingly.... clearly touched. We keep talking as we head towards our destination, and once close my boyfriend tells me to close my eyes & I do so....and before I know it, I am told to open my eyes as we slow down & stop, and once I do, my eyes go as wide as they can go......

"Wow.... you...you..." I turn to Hunter, unable to find the words that he's brought us to The Rainbow. But of course, he KNOWS what I cannot say right now....

"I decided to bring us here....I know how much this place means to you, you're life was saved here as a child by one whom became family, your parents has their vow renewal reception here for their 10th anniversary & you & your sister Amara were celebrated here for your grand debut....and this place especially means a lot to you because this is where you told me your mum, he took your dad for their first date....and....I..." I cut him off with a kiss, slow at first & then growing more passionate till my lungs beg for air....and I smile, Hunter looking like I've given him the most priceless of treasures.

"Did I ever tell you.... when you smile it's like the world stops?"

I find myself blushing before saying, "This is already one of the best nights of my life, just wanted you to know."

"I love you Josephine & I feel much the same...." Hunter gets out of the car first, coming around to help me, taking me by the hand as we make our way inside & winding up at a more private booth, sitting side by side....and quickly I send off a text message to my parents:

'Guess where I'm at? The Rainbow Bar & Grill it's such a special place. Just checking in, wanting you guys to know we got here safely & that I am Ok. I love you both so much, give my love to Amara, Tony, James, Frankie & Storm.... Also, tell Tony he would totally drool over Hunter's car....' – Josephine.

I look up, towards Hunter his gaze knowing & I find myself getting lost in his eyes, in HIM and I swear I am falling even more for him....

A/N: Part 1 of Josephine & Hunter's first date, more to come soon!