I sit cross-legged on the tour bus' sofa, picking at John's guitar. I find the serene view outside the trailer windows very refreshing. It's as though with every move forward, I'm leaving less and less of my old self behind, and it never felt so good.

Journeying with Anthony and the boys has kicked off to a great start. Anthony has shown me so much love and compassion, I feel like I'm finally where I've always wanted to be...with somebody who truly cares about me, and that on a soul level I've made a connection with. The others don't seem to mind me venturing here with them. I've found that they've appreciated my company. As Anthony put it, "My friends are your friends, Zen-Wren."

"Boy, I suck," I said, laughing, resting the guitar down.

"It's just practice, really," John said with a chuckle.

Anthony appears, shirtless as usual, from behind a curtain that divides the main area from the small, compacted kitchen, with an even smaller bathroom nearby.

"If you keep trying I promise it'll be worthwhile," he said, "John could even teach you some things."

"Nah, it's not really my scene," I said.

He eyes me and smiles gently for a moment, then said, "John, you mind giving us a moment?"

John nods. "Sure, but just know there isn't much privacy here," he says, motioning to Chad and Flea on the opposite side.

"It's not that private, I just want a moment with Wren."

He eyes the both of us cheekily, and leaves the area.

Anthony sits on the sofa beside me.

"This is for you," he says softly, handing me a small, red, braided bracelet with a few strands of black and a couple of wooden beads.

"This is so cute," I said, taking it and sliding it on my wrist. "Did you make this?"

He nods cutely, his cheeks turning a light shade of red. "I wanted to make it as like a symbolism of our love, and I threw in a Chili Pepper's sort of funky, rock vibe."

"Well I love it," I said, "you're so sweet. Thank you."

I cuddle him. I feel like each time he holds me, it speaks a thousand "I love you's" more than anything I can express. His embrace is so warm and comforting, I can just fall asleep in his protective, big, meaty, tattooed arms.

"You know girl, we have our first show tonight in Indiana," he says, as we're now lying down on the sofa together.

"I'm excited for you."

"Me too," he said, placing a kiss on my forehead; his kisses are always unexpected. "You melt my heart, absolutely melt it. I'm so happy you're here with me." He rubs my arms, his touch soft and tender.

"I feel the same way, baby," I said, trying to look up at him from my position with my head on his chest.

He smiled and said, "You called me 'baby'."

"Well you are, and," I reach up to peck his lips, "I love you, Anthony. I really do."

He looks down at me, his expression indescribably sweet, lovingly filled with surprise. You can tell that he feels loved; I love making him feel the way he constantly makes me feel.

He brushes some hair away from my face and said, "Baby, I love you too."

I let out a breath. I'm relieved he feels the same way as I do.

"Really?"

He kisses me again and said, "Really. I'm just glad that now we're finally together."

"Finally," I said, touching his big hand with my small one, sort of like measuring our hand sizes, "finally," I whispered once more, kissing his bare peck.