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

Chapter 193: Home is Wherever You Are (End of Tour) Part 2(Nikki Perry-Sixx)

Home, Home Sweet Home is where my Jo-Jo bear & the children we share are. Right now? Chaos, love.... FAMILY.... the sounds of laughter, the kids all having their conversations with one another, us adults doing much the same thing. Now we're settled, food ordered & I feel Joe squeeze my hand.... knowing he feels it too...

"I feel YOU Honeybee..." Words meant only for me. "—This is out 'Home Sweet Home'.... you, our kids...our FAMILY. And here we are, all together & we'll be heading back to L.A soon for a wee bit before going to London. Point is I am SO proud of you Nikki & our Josephine for how hard you guys worked on this tour, for killing it & our kids? Man, they are about to take the biggest stage in the world by Storm...." Joe is cut off & we all share a laugh at....

"I take stage! I take Stage!" Storm who clearly had been listening, chants excitedly & VERY adorably I may add.

"I bet you will Princess..." Joe chuckles. Softly adding, "---I have NO doubt."

"If she turns out like me, well she'd be the most adorable stage crasher ever!" Josephine states proudly, her grin so like her father's on full display. She was referencing her 'crashing' the stage on the Dr. Feelgood tour in 89', when she learned to walk & run both....

Before long the food comes, Storm eats well with Joe, and I assist her as needed.

"Sooooo..." Tommy drawls out at of course 100 mph. "Dudes I understand we have something to celebrate sides the end of the tour? Don't we Amara?" Tommy winks at my second eldest daughter, whose smirk is exactly like mine & she winks at her siblings, especially Josephine whom smirk widens. Of course, naturally everyone's watching the exchange very amused.

"If you know Uncle Tommy, why haven't you told everyone?"

Laughter sounds as Tommy pouts playfully & Josephine slings an arm around her sister, grinning proudly reminding me so much of my husband. "---A chip off the old block, SO proud." Her tone then shifts to more tender, emotional and I see the sheen of tears in her eyes, "---She always has followed me wherever I go, whatever I do, same for all my brothers & Sisters..." Josephine takes a breath albeit shakily. "----She's like wicked smart, she's my.... hero. And she IS ALIVE; it's like literal ride or die. And she wrote that 'Life is Beautiful' song about my 'death', about mom's.... I'd do what I did for everyone here, for ALL those I love."

Everyone is naturally in tears after Josephine's speech, her and Amara sharing a bear hug, all my children hugging.... really everyone getting in on the action and I think to myself:

Josephine is pure me; she's got some of her father's traits.... but she really is the heart & soul of us ALL.

Laughter amongst the tears comes, more sharing moments as a family & then the conversation shifts to the rapidly approaching Queen Tribute.... Storm meanwhile is now in my lap, burrowing into my chest making my heart melt....

"How are you guys feeling about the Concert at Wembley?" Tom Hamilton asks, addressing Josephine, Amara, Frankie, Tony & James.

James answers, looking at Josephine & Amara before addressing Tom & the table at large. "Well like I was super nervous, but Josey & Amara gave the best, advice & feedback & so I figure we got this."

"The five of you do, your dad & I are so proud of you guys. And they do give the best advice, don't they?" I glance fondly at each of them, looking down at my youngest who murmurs her agreement. "---So, you guys narrow down your set?" I ask.

"It was really hard, at first...." Josephine begins, deep in thought. "—But Hunter was I mean....SO amazing, he suggested doing one of my favorites, 'Hammer to Fall', and then 'Who Wants to Live forever' which from what he told me Freddie wrote for Brian. You know one song among many...." Here she looks at Joe & I fondly and naturally we catch her deeper meaning. "---And we all settled more on arrangements & such. Pay tribute but make it our own kinda thing. But, the other two songs, 'I want it All' & 'Killer Queen'."

"Those are amazing song choices Josephine." I tell her.

"Ditto Nikki, all six of our children are beyond amazing." And here Joe whispers to me, "Cause they have the most AMAZING mother in you."

"I'd argue its cause of YOU..." I whisper back, as Joe & I manage to share a kiss......

"Josey has said that the world will find out just what happens when you mix: Aerosmith, the Crϋe & throw some Queen in there. It's something seriously epic." Frankie states, reverence for her sister mixed in her tone.

"We are following her....and we plan on she & I am switching off leads. She'll play the lead on those first songs she mentioned, and I'll take the other two. Plus, we're doing this for more than just the thrill of being on stage...to make our own mark, we're doing this for HER, for the brother we gained in Hunter Mercury cause it means so much to them and therefore so much to US." Amara states proudly, emotionally....and God I am so fucking proud right now, no lie.......

Time passes, Storm ends up falling asleep as Dinner comes to an end & we all linger a bit before heading back to the hotel, where the kids get settled in their rooms adjoined with ours & Joe & I get Storm changed and in her toddler bed while managing to get changed into sleep wear ourselves as he & I sit up in bed, me cuddling him....loving being in his arms, as I rest my head in the crook of his neck & keeping an eye on Storm. It's peaceful, its US....no we don't need words.

Yes, we of course checked on our oldest children, making sure they were safe....and I knew Josephine would take care of them as she always did, Joe and I both knew. And if you are Curious, we'd gone a few rounds that day in the shower.... The doors locked & kids looked after of course.

"What a day, what an evening.... it's something neither of us EVER imagined that we'd have or want but have it we DO." Joe says quietly, running his fingers through my hair.

"Yeah.... Oh Joe, I mean I feel the same way. We're all a big family, we have our children and then just everyone. I can't picture my life any other way." I feel my self tear-up & gently my chin is tilted as I find my gaze being drawn to my husband's.

"WE both know what its like to be without.... without family, without a home. Being told we were trash, believing we were. Oh NIKKI, we gave each other that chance without knowing it when NO ONE else would. Every time I look at you, look at our children.... I am HOME. There is no better feeling than that cause I...." I cut him off initiating our kiss as he quickly takes over as we get lost in each other.

Afterwards, we resume our previous positions making sure Storm is ok & she is looking like the little Rainbow Angel she is....

"I love you...."

"I love you Too Nikki, more than I could ever truly express." Joe says & I feel the warmth, the love.... the sheer love & that feeling of Home Sweet Home.

A/N: We are drawing closer & closer to the end of this book but don't worry there is still more to come before then!