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

Chapter 192: Home is Wherever You Are (End of Tour) Part 1

The word 'Home' has many meanings but none so precious as my husband Nikki & our children & now grandchildren....and this was ESPECIALLY true when I surprised Nikki & Josephine on that memorable date of August 5, 2005. Course as it's been said many times (worth it, more than by the way), Nikki IS & WAS my home....and my children, again bears repeating. But my point here is I missed my husband & oldest daughter fiercely, course I was so fucking proud of them both, but I wanted to surprise them because I'd do anything to make them happy. I remember I had to include Josephine's then boyfriend, because I knew what it was, how it felt to be without your other half. He & Josephine were learning how to be a couple still, navigating that.... fame & What is to come one day down the line for them.

The days & weeks passed quickly after August 5, days filled with more shows for Josephine & husband's band...nights of passion (once the kids were in bed & door locked), days of soundchecks.... chaos & family. Hunter 2 weeks after the 5th sadly had to go back to his parents, it was hard on him & Josephine.... but he went back to do some work with Queen. He'd told Josephine, "My Empress, you have my heart, my life always....and as you've taught me, no matter where I am at in the world, I will find my way to you & never let you go..." Not gonna lie, it got me misty. But of course, they kept in touch with one another......and then came Amara's birthday which was on September 5, 2005...her 13th, 13th! Nikki and I had another teenager on our hands, my oldest clone.... smart as hell, having skipped grades & as she told Josephine.... she would indeed graduate high school early.... but that day was an off day, & Nikki & I both made it special...as always. Then came my birthday, my 55 then.... Another day off, a day where thanks to family...whom insisted, was me & Nikki. Him romancing me, finding my favorite foods.... a picnic in the hotel room, and of course some serious sex. It was more than just sex, it was HOME.... He was HOME. And where you find us is 2 days later i.e. September 12, 2005 & getting ready to celebrate the end of the 'Red, White & Crϋe' tour at a restaurant that had been rented out for the occasion, extended family...my family, everyone all together. Abd me holding my precious rainbow Storm, surrounded by Amara, Tony, James & Frankie....

"Daddy? Where mommy an' Josey?" Storm asks, those little eyes which are the perfect blend of mine and Nikki's stare up at me wide and I soothe her once her little lips begin to tremble.

"Hey, shh sweet rainbow.... They had to get cleaned & ready for tonight. They, no lie is coming & they know how much you love and miss them.... promise."

"Ok daddy. Wuv ew..." Thankfully my youngest is now calm, my heart melting as she burrows into my chest. And in the next moment, the door opens and two of the most beyond beautiful voices & the owners of those voices come into view....

My honeybee, as always dressed to kill. I mean when the hell doesn't he look good & I, as Nikki often says of himself, am one lucky bastard. He always makes me feel like a teenager, heart beating wildly out of control & then Josephine, a female version of my honeybee. She is already so grown up, really coming into her own.... stubborn as fuck like Nikki, talented, and really lights up the room & now she is on the edge of being 17 in a few months......again 17 & already has her own career with her brothers & sisters right there with her....

Storm has now excitedly run straight for Nikki, who picks her up laughing....and he is even more beautiful when he laughs....

"Mommy! Missed ew an' Josey....i sad, but daddy hep me fee betta." Nikki looks to me, look knowing.

"Daddy really is the best." Reverently, he says. I shake myself out of my stupor & greet him with a kiss.

"You look amazing Nikki..." Softly.

"Dat wight!" Storm exclaims, making us all chuckle as I turn to Josephine.

"I just wanted to tell you, how proud of you I am. Your first tour and you killed it, then again, you've always done so since I taught you..." Feeling Emotional now. Josephine gets misty, she of course knows & Storm decides she wants Josephine & then she must make her rounds with her other sister's and brothers & at last we are on our way....

Nikki & I cuddle in the car, no we don't need words as we watch over our children. Storm is of course, secure in a toddler seat close to us, but Nikki & I listen to their exchange, the excitement they have for the evening....and more....

They are all so close to one another, which is what I had always secretly dreamed of once upon a time. A dream that I never ever thought would come true, but it DID, and it HAS. It all goes back to that one night....one moment, almost 20 years ago that changed everything in an instant, well really it was of course Nikki. It's always been him, always will be him.... he risked his life, he did it despite any risks or pain, or 'death', he did it for ME. He bore our children & gave me the six greatest gifts besides his heart......

Amara, Josephine, Tony, Frankie talks about the upcoming Queen Tribute everything from setlist, to stage set up, to song arraignments & everything in between. Storm chimes in, helping in her own special little way......They talk about Josephine playing with Alice & celebrate Amara following in Josephine's footsteps with school....and I feel now, Nikki lean against me.... squeezing my hand & he & I now look at one another......

"I feel you.... god, I feel you...Joe..." Nikki whispers.

"Nikki.... i can never.... get over, how FAR we've come....and come together. Such highs, such lows....and YOU, we are here because we both gave each other than chance when no one else would. And look at our children, each of them beyond beautiful...have been thru so much, done so much at such young ages and man, it never ceases to amaze me, they don't & you gave me six of the greatest gifts besides your heart Nikki...they are made from OUR love......and I am thankful every day that I met you that night about 20 years ago....." Nikki answers me with a kiss & that says it ALL to me......

Before we know it, we've arrived & we all go in the back way to avoid photographers & are greeted by our extended family & Steven of course must attempt to take the piss....

"Fashionably late as usual Perry..."

I cut him off smirking widely, glancing at Nikki to see the same expression as I say silkily, "---So you're really saying I'm more fashionable than you...."

"You WISH." Steven Huffs.

I cup a hand to my ear, "---What was that? Dye your hair pink again?" Steven Pales, I turn to Nikki. "---I mean you heard it didn't you Nikki?"

Nikki's smirk widens, "I Sure did."

"You two are evil..." Steven shudders, exaggerating the gesture.

"Oh! Dat why ew call Unka Pink!" Storm pipes up, giggling as we all laugh, including Steven....

This right here? I would suffer a thousand lifetimes to get to where I am now & I meet Nikki's gaze, getting lost in his eyes & he feels it too....

A/N: Part 1 done & there will be part 2! BUT in any case, the tour for the Crue is done, but there is so much more to come!