Life with the Livesy-Walshes – Chapter 1
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DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
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"But, why are they pulling them down?" Aaron had a quizzical expression on his face; he looked to Jackson for an answer. His husband was sitting opposite him at the table in their dining room, looking at the day's mail which the postman had just delivered.
"They're building a new bypass or something, to ease traffic congestion in the city centre."
"But, they can't pull these flats down...this is our home!" Aaron was upset, he had never been as happy as he was at that moment, living in a 'love nest' with his husband; and it seemed to him that the officials who had masterminded the roadways scheme were taking it out on him personally!
"We'll be well compensated," Jackson was, as always, trying to soften the blow, "we could build that dream home we've always talked about. You know I want to build a house on that plot of land we bought on the outskirts of the city."
"Yeah, but a new house will take a long time to build!" Aaron, for once, was being practical.
"When we move out, we'll have to stay in a hotel in the meantime!" Jackson suggested.
"Live out of a suitcase, you mean!" Aaron scowled, "Anyway, what with the hotel and storage bills; it'll cost a fortune!"
"Just as well I'm a millionaire TV personality then, isn't it?" Jackson chuckled, "I'll be doing some of the building work myself, when I get the time, plus I know people in the trade; so it won't be as expensive as it would be for your average man on the street!"
"That's where we'll be; on the street, if you keep spending money on hotels!"
"Don't worry! Everything will be fine!" Jackson was in a philosophical mood.
Aaron looked at his husband and gave up arguing, "If you say so!" he said; but Jackson could see that he was not necessarily convinced!
"Anything else in the post...apart from an eviction notice?" Aaron grimaced.
"Two more birthday cards; and an invite!"
"Invite? Not another of those boring functions where I have to sit all night listening to a load of egotistical TV types brown-nosing each other!" Aaron rolled his eyes.
"No," Jackson did not bother to argue the point, he knew his husband so well. "It's from Brett! He's opening his first restaurant in Leeds and wants us to attend the opening night!"
"Oh!" Aaron suddenly changed his tune and brightened up, "That should be good; when is it?"
"In two week's time, on a Friday."
"Aren't you due in London to film your new 'building restoration' show?" Aaron knew his husband's itinerary well.
"I've only got to go there Monday to Thursday, for rehearsals; then I'm filming it a couple of weeks afterwards. So, that Friday will be free. You're coming, aren't you, babe?"
"Yeah, 'course! Be nice to get dressed up for a change! I hope Brett's laying on the booze!" Aaron laughed.
"Trust you!" Jackson joined in the laughter, "No matter how much money we've got in the bank, you're always after free drinks!"
"Priorities, Jackson, always remember your priorities!" Aaron smirked as he rose from the table.
Jackson also stood up and drew Aaron into a hug and kissed him, "Don't ever change, will you. I love you just the way you are!"
Aaron smiled, "I'll take these!" He grabbed the envelopes containing Jackson's birthday cards.
"Hey! They're mine!" Jackson pouted.
"I know...it's alright, I'm not pinching them!" Aaron explained, "But you're not supposed to open them until tomorrow!"
"Spoilsport!" Jackson tried to grab them back, but Aaron held on fast.
"Not 'til tomorrow!" Aaron had a stern look on his face, although Jackson knew that his husband was only teasing him. He had cheered up after the news about their impending forced move.
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Aaron was awake first the next morning; he propped himself up on one elbow to gaze at his husband; he loved to watch him sleeping peacefully. Aaron was finally happy with life. Two years previously, Jackson had put up the money to start Aaron up in his own business; a car dealership; and trade was good. Aaron now had eight staff working for him; a garage manager, three mechanics, two salespeople and two others who dealt with invoices, orders and salaries. As managing director, Aaron rarely 'got his hands dirty' with the day-to-day servicing of cars, although he did service his and Jackson's cars himself, when they needed it. He had adapted to his managerial role well and Jackson was so proud of him; the way that he had risen to the challenge. Aaron, however, was still happy to sometimes work on cars himself as it was his 'first love'.
Jackson stirred and opened his eyes slowly, then focussed on Aaron's handsome face staring intently at him.
"Morning!" Aaron said softly, as he moved to give Jackson a quick peck on the lips.
"Morning, gorgeous!" Jackson smiled; he could not think of a better way to be greeted first thing!
Aaron took a small, gift-wrapped package form the bedside table, "I got you this; I hope you like it!"
"Oh, you shouldn't have!" Jackson grinned.
"Take it back then, shall I?" Aaron held the present out of Jackson's reach.
"Don't you dare!" Jackson lunged to retrieve the gift from Aaron's grasp. He tore at the wrapping and found a small jeweller's box inside. He gasped when he opened it; for inside was a small silver pendant in the shape of two hearts intertwined, one heart inscribed 'Aaron' and the other one 'Jackson'.
"I thought you might like to add it to your chain!" Aaron said.
Jackson was overcome with emotion, "It's..." he choked back the tears that were threatening to fall.
"Don't you like it?" Aaron was concerned that he had bought the wrong thing!
"Like it?" Jackson regained his composure, "I LOVE IT!" He pulled Aaron to him and rewarded his husband with a passionate kiss.
As they broke apart, Jackson looked deeply into the blue eyes he adored, "...and I love YOU too, so much!"
It was Aaron's turn to look misty-eyed, "...and I love you, babe! Happy birthday Jackson!"
Jackson removed his chain so that he could put his new pendant on it, "I'll never take it off...not ever!" he said, sincerity in every word.
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A couple of weeks later, as they approached Home Farm in Aaron's Subaru car, Jackson spotted a white stretch limo on the driveway, "There's our lift to Leeds!" he smiled.
Aaron pulled alongside the large, imposing vehicle, "Do I get to drive?" he quipped.
"I think you'll find the chauffeur comes with it!" Jackson replied, "I don't think he'll take kindly to someone pinching his job, or his car!"
They climbed out of their car and knocked on the door of the house. Mason answered the door; he was dressed very smartly in an expensive suit, "Hi guys!" he smiled broadly as he hugged both Aaron and Jackson in turn; it was a sign of their close friendship that they always embraced on first meeting. "Brett's just on the phone to the restaurant manager."
"Problem?" Jackson enquired.
"No, not at all, but he's so jittery about tonight! He just wants everything to be perfect, bless him!" Mason chuckled nervously, he was obviously also concerned about their new venture.
"I'm sure it will be fine!" Aaron chipped in, "We're here now; and we know how to party!"
"That's probably what he's afraid of!" Jackson replied.
"Oi!" Aaron playfully punched his husband's arm.
"Mind the suit!" Jackson rebuked him, "Do you know how much this cost?"
"What are you worried about, Mr Moneybags?" Aaron was in the mood for a wind-up, "It's just chicken-feed to you!"
Mason looked at his friends and chuckled; he was in no doubt that Aaron and Jackson had arrived!
The three lads found Brett in the living room. He was still speaking on the phone but acknowledged them with a nod, "Yes, make sure the tape's ready to cut when I arrive; is the champagne on ice? Good!"
Brett finished his call and embraced Aaron; then Jackson, "We'd better get going! I don't want to be late for the opening of my own restaurant!"
"Stop panicking, babe!" Mason took Brett's hands in his own, "Everything will be OK! Come on!"
The four of them sat in the back of the stretch limo. Aaron looked around and soon found a drinks cabinet, "Anyone for a swift one?" he asked as he poured himself a drink.
"Aaron!" Jackson raised his eyebrows, "We don't want to get half-cut before we even get there!" He turned to Brett, who was wringing his hands; he could see how apprehensive he was, "Mate, everything's going to be great, trust me! Where's Sylvia and my mum?"
"They've gone to the restaurant under their own steam," Brett said; he was calmed, as always, by his the presence of his 'angels', "My mum had to go to the magazine office so she's already in town; and Hazel's with her." Brett changed the subject, "By the way, Aaron told me that they're pulling your apartment block down."
"That's right," Jackson grimaced, "but I'm going to build a house on that plot that we bought. Trouble is, we need to move into a hotel in the meantime!"
"No you don't!" Brett replied, as quick as a flash, "You'll stay at our place, won't they babe?" he looked at his husband.
"Yeah, 'course!" Mason agreed without hesitation.
"We don't want to impose on you like that!" Jackson answered.
"Don't be daft!" Brett was not going to take 'no' for an answer! "After all you two have done for us! I insist! Actually, it could do us a favour...we've got to go on a trip abroad next month; you could house-sit for us while we're away!"
"Well," Jackson looked at Brett and Mason, "If you two are sure!"
"That's settled then!" Brett smiled; he knew that he had got his own way, "Stay for as long as you want guys. It will be just like old times!"
"Where are you off to, anyway?" Aaron joined the conversation, having given up on trying to tempt anyone else to a drink from the cocktail cabinet.
"The Middle East!" replied Brett, "I've been asked by a Sultan to supervise the catering for a party at his palace!"
"A Sultan?" Jackson queried.
"Yeah, he's one of the richest men in the world! He's paying me megabucks for the gig!" Brett smiled.
"Jammy bugger!" Aaron said, "I wish I had a talent that someone would pay me for!"
Jackson looked at Aaron and smirked, "Oh, but you have, sweetheart! Only, I don't think that it would be something that would interest a Sultan!"
"Oi, you!" Aaron knew that his husband was winding him up, "It would be a shame if 'someone' spilled a drink down your expensive suit!"
Brett and Mason were giggling; Aaron and Jackson always had that effect on them.
Brett returned to the subject of his trip, "I think the Sultan is throwing a party for his wife."
"Is she a 'Sultana'?" Aaron chuckled, thinking that he had made a very funny joke.
"Yeah, that's right!" Jackson looked totally serious.
Aaron looked at Jackson, still thinking that he was teasing him, "Come on! Stop messing about; you're having me on!"
"No!" Jackson still had a dead-pan expression, "That's what they call them; the wives of Sultans...Sultanas!"
Aaron looked at Brett and Mason, who were laughing their heads off by now.
Aaron tutted, "You guys!" he groaned.
Jackson looked at Aaron with deep affection in his eyes, "Oh babe! You are just priceless!" he roared with laughter.
"What?" Aaron still wondered if his husband was pulling his leg!
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The limo pulled into the street where Brett's new restaurant was situated. As it approached the building, lots of flashbulbs went off; a group of reporters and photographers lined the pavement outside, as well as a crowd of people who had gathered to see the various celebrities that were due to attend the opening of the new venue.
"The welcome committee's here!" Jackson quipped.
"This is the bit I hate!" Brett said; he was still a shy person underneath it all and had to 'paint on' a smile for the cameras. Mason squeezed his husband's hand, "You'll be fine, I'm here; and so are our dear friends!"
Brett gave Mason a quick kiss before leaving the car; he had all the support he ever needed; right there!