Saviours and Angels – Chapter 1
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DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
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Jackson could scarcely believe it. He had been worried about earning a living once he returned to full fitness, but his fears were groundless. Hazel had bumped into Declan in the Woolpack and, as always, Declan enquired after Jackson's welfare. Hazel informed him that Jackson was improving every day and she was moving out to lodge with Bob, so that Jackson and Aaron could move their bed upstairs and have their house to themselves. She explained that she was feeling a bit like a gooseberry; as she was still living with them after the couple had been married for five months. Declan was pleased that Jackson was recovering so well and decided to call on him later in the day.
Jackson was doing his exercises when there was a knock at the door. He made his way, carefully and slowly, to the door and opened it to find Declan standing there.
"Sorry to barge in on you," Declan smiled at Jackson, "I wondered if you had time for a little chat."
"It's good to see you," Jackson replied, "You'll have to excuse me; I've just been working out so I'm a bit sweaty!"
"No problem! I'm not stopping for long; then you can get back to it."
Jackson offered Declan a seat.
"I see that you're on the mend, Hazel tells me you're nearly ready to run a marathon!" Declan chuckled.
"News travels fast in these parts!" Jackson joked, "Yeah, I'm getting there. The doc reckons I'll be fit enough to start looking for work shortly."
"That's partly why I'm here," Declan took on a serious tone, "When you're ready, I want you to come back to work for me...that is, if you want to!"
Jackson could not believe his ears. He had visions of queuing up at the job centre; so to be offered a job like this was a dream come true. "If I want to? Of course I do! Thanks Declan; mind you, as you know, I don't have transport anymore, plus I'm a bit short of tools."
"Don't worry about any of that!" Declan reassured him, "I've got a Range Rover at Home Farm that you could use; it's got our branding on it, but I'm sure you won't mind that. As for tools, if you give Nicola a list of anything you need, I'll get her to order them."
"That's very good of you Declan," Jackson was taken aback, "but I'd like to be able to pay for my own things!"
"I know you would, but this isn't charity mate! The tools would belong to the business, just like the vehicle. I really want you to work for me; you can build up a collection of your own tools if you like, when you're earning again; what do you say?"
Jackson made his decision in a split second, "Yes please!" He stuck out his hand and Declan shook it, sealing the deal.
After Declan left, Jackson returned to his exercises; he now had a goal to aim for!
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The weeks passed and Jackson had regained his strength and returned to work for Declan. He was kept busy on Declan's properties; there always seemed to be some remedial work to be done on the old buildings in Emmerdale village, plus there was the house at Home Farm estate which often needed attention. Jackson soon settled into a routine and became a respected member of the community; he would willingly do anything for anybody; and everyone liked him. They also accepted that he and Aaron were a couple; their devotion and loyalty to one and other was clear to see and most people were not bothered that they were two guys living together in a partnership. They just seemed to 'fit', both with each other and within the village. Aaron, although looked upon by many as an unruly young man at one time, had changed since he had been with Jackson. He had become friendly and helpful; and most people could see that he had calmed down considerably from his former, teenaged hell-raising days!
Summer rolled around again and Aaron and Jackson returned to Beckindale Farm for their holiday. Ruth and her husband Mike were always so welcoming. One bright morning, they revisited Bridalmere to keep their pact to complete the walk to the tarn now that Jackson felt up to it. After leaving their car in the parking area; where Jackson had previously proposed to Aaron, they set off up the path to the tarn. Jackson took it slowly, with his husband standing by to lend his support if needed, but he was stronger now and, although he was getting tired, he managed to make it all the way to the edge of the tarn. As the couple stood under the trees, taking in the view of the beautiful blue water of the lake and the multi-coloured mountains beyond, Aaron slipped his arm around Jackson's waist and they kissed in silent celebration; they had promised each other that, one day, they would complete this walk together and, now; they had done it! A gold medal at the Olympics would not have been any more welcome at that moment as they stood; alone in that spot, with just the birdsong and the gentle lapping of the waves for company.
"There you go!" Aaron spoke first, "I told you that you'd do it one day!"
"I couldn't have done it without you!" Jackson replied.
"I didn't help you...you did it by yourself!"
"I'm not talking about the walk to the tarn," Jackson explained, "I'm talking about your unswerving support for me these past few months. You've stood by me through it all and I love you more than words can say!"
They kissed, in a public place where anyone could have witnessed it, but they were completely alone in this isolated spot.
Aaron stared deeply into Jackson's eyes, "I've never been this happy! You're so special to me...you know that? I love you, so much!"
They kissed again and Aaron suddenly felt Jackson fall against him and he held him up, "You OK?" he asked.
"Yeah!" Jackson said, trying to stand upright, "I just feel a bit dizzy!"
"Here, sit down a minute!" Aaron's face was full of concern as he settled Jackson down onto a grassy bank nearby.
"I'll be alright!" Jackson could tell how worried Aaron was and wanted to reassure him, "I expect the walk up here was a bit more tiring than I thought."
"You rest up," Aaron sat on the bank beside his husband and pulled a bottle of drink from his rucksack, "Here, have a sip of this!"
Aaron handed the bottle to Jackson and put his arm around Jackson's shoulders. Jackson felt better; just Aaron's close proximity always gave him a sense of wellbeing.
"It's all downhill on the way back," Aaron said, "Maybe it won't be such a slog!"
"Look at me, keeling over like a big girl!" Jackson tried to make light of the situation as he took a swig from the bottle.
"I'll have to stop kissing you; if I make you swoon like that!" Aaron joined in with the light-hearted banter that his husband was trying to engage in; although underneath it all, he was worried.
They sat for half an hour until Jackson felt like attempting the walk back to the car park. They set off back down the trail, but, about half way down, Jackson felt breathless and had to stop for another rest.
"I'm sorry!" Jackson felt that he was spoiling their day out.
"Don't be daft!" Aaron comforted him, "Time's our own; though it does look as if the dark clouds are brewing!" He turned his eyes skyward to stare at the rainclouds that were gathering above.
"We'd best get back then!" Jackson said but, as he tried to stand up, he stumbled and Aaron immediately caught him in his strong arms.
"Come on," Aaron let out a nervous laugh, "I'll give you a piggy-back!"
"You can't carry me all that way!" Jackson protested.
"I'll tell you what I can't do; I can't abandon you here...and I won't!" Aaron was adamant, "I'd carry you to the ends of the Earth if I had to!"
Jackson was touched; his husband never failed to amaze him with his loyalty and devotion. He kissed him lovingly. No words were needed to communicate their feelings for each other at that moment.
They were a few hundred yards away from the car park when the heavens opened. Aaron was still carrying Jackson on his back. He had diligently kept up the piggy-back all the way, but Jackson wanted to climb off and walk the last part of their trek himself. Jackson felt a bit stronger but his legs were still not back to normal, however he was, nevertheless, able to half-walk, half-run back to their car. They jumped inside and looked at each other and had to smile; they were like a pair of drowned rats!
"We'd better get back!" Aaron said as he started the car, "We both need a towel!"
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Paddy was in the kitchen at Smithy Cottage when his mobile phone rang. He saw that it was Aaron calling and answered straight away, "How's the Lake District?" he asked.
"Paddy, something's happened!" Aaron sounded upset.
Paddy could tell that all was not well, "What's the matter?" he enquired.
"Jackson's in hospital!"
"What? Why, what's happened?"
"We got caught in a rainstorm...we'd walked up to that tarn I told you about. Anyway, Jackson got tired and I carried him back to the car but we got drenched! Anyway, when we got back to Ruth's bungalow, Jackson didn't feel well. He couldn't breathe and he was burning up when I put my hand on his forehead. Ruth told me where the nearest hospital was and she insisted on taking us to A&E in her car. They whisked Jackson away as soon as they saw him...he's in a bad way, Paddy!" The little catch in Aaron's voice indicated to Paddy that he was about to cry.
"What's wrong with him?" Paddy's voice was full of concern.
"I don't know! He's still being examined and they haven't told me anything! So, I thought I'd ring you to let you know."
"Don't worry!" Paddy tried to comfort his surrogate son, "I'm sure he'll be OK; Jackson's a fighter! Do you want me to come and keep you company?"
"Would you?"
"Of course I will; no question! I'll pack a bag and be with you as soon as I can. Just tell me which hospital you're at and I'll find it!"
"We won't be home tomorrow as planned; Ruth says I can stay on as she's got a couple of spare rooms; she does bed and breakfast at the farmhouse." Aaron felt relieved. He knew that he could always rely on his 'Dad'. Their bond could not have been stronger if they were blood-related.
As he waited for Paddy to arrive, Aaron paced the floor in the waiting area of the hospital. Ruth had offered to stay with him and Aaron had been grateful for the offer, but he knew that Ruth's son, Aiden, was due home from university so he told her to go home as there was nothing that she could do.
Nobody could help him now; he just had to wait anxiously for news of Jackson!