Disclaimer: I don't own Emmerdale, which is perfectly okay as the people who do own it are doing a fantastic job with it, I'll just stick to the FANfiction.
Author's Note: Random thought that simply popped into my head, so I thought I'd momentarily venture into this fandom. Now, bit of a head's up, I'm American so the dialogue in this might be a little off, and as there's no betas listed for Emmerdale, I had to wing it, so I apologize in advance for any errors. Anyone who spots a mistake as far as dialogue goes, just let me know. So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy.
Thirty-two year old Aaron stood at Woolpack bar nearly halfway through his pint when Adam finally showed up.
" 'Bout time."
Adam ignored the comment to signal for a pint of his own, "I'll get your next one though." He remarked in Aaron's direction, but the mechanic shook his head,
"Naw, you're alright. Only allowed one tonight." He barely got the last word out as he stifled a yawn which earned him a grin and a the sarcastic question if he had trouble getting sleep the night before.
"Last night, this week, this month, last five months." He shrugged.
There was a laugh from his drinking buddy, who also took the opportunity of a drink from the freshly arrived lager, before noting, "Been there, done that…twice, actually."
Aaron shook his head of the thought, "One's good for me."
"You say that now." The farmer assessed the other man for a moment before taking advantage of the moment, "Still think you made the biggest mistake of your life?"
Aaron's eyes instantly met Adam's, the words serious, but after a beat they broke into a shared laugh at what had become a sort of private joke between the two of them. The laugh settle them into an hour long chat , as if this was an everyday occurrence. Moving to the booth in corner the conversation turned to the reason it wasn't.
"So, when's the official move back out there?" Adam fingered the empty glass in front of him before the asking the question despite the fact he already knew the answer.
"Day after tomorrow."
"So…you're okay with uprooting your life again?" He was only met with a shrug. "With Paddy like he is, and your family all here? You sure want to do this again?" He repeated, not doing well in hiding his opinion.
"If I wasn't I wouldn't be moving, would I?" Aaron finally replied, the trace of anger appeared at the end. He sighed not really wanting to repeat this conversation he's had with a number of people already, instead he tried to lighten the mood, "But we'll be back for a visit in a couple of weeks to see Paddy, but he don't know it yet, so not a word from you. Don't want a repeat of the last time I told you a secret." Aaron pointed at his best friend who faked a look of innocence.
The sound of Adam's mobile interrupted any further conversation. Hanging up the call Adam smiled, "Well, that was my cue to get back home. I tell you mate, fourteen year ago, being surrounded by women sounded like a dream, now…" His faced showed signs of a mock grimace.
"Well, you've still got me…"
"Like I said, I'm surrounded by girls."
"Shut up." Aaron jokingly pushed Adam out of the Woolpack, "Give it a few years and your house will be crawling with lads going after your girls," Adam nearly blanched and Aaron shrugged, "Or more girls, ya never know." It was Adam's turn to push.
The pair exchanged good-byes and Aaron made his way to catch the bus. And as he sat alone in the corner of the bus the joke of a question appeared again.
"Still think you've made the biggest mistake of your life?"
Adam had first asked him that just over fourteen year ago after what had since been called by many around him, with a hint of endearment, 'The Jackson Incident' which had come to include all events from Jackson returning his mobile, the attack on Paddy, the coming out in court, and the nearly year long relation with the building that had ensued thereafter. It had been a couple of days after Aaron and Jackson had broken up that Adam had asked him that question, repeating the words Aaron himself had asked after he had come out in court. He had replied he still wasn't sure and Adam had simply nodded in understanding.
Maybe Paddy had been right, all those years ago, his offhand comment that it would have easier if Adam had turned out to be gay as well, but Adam wasn't never meant to be more than his mate. It was a fact Aaron had long since come to terms with, and was now quite grateful for it. Aaron himself had thought or rather hoped, it would have been easier if Jackson had stuck around, had been the be all and end all. Yet Aaron knew better now, his life never had been easy though he hadn't help his own case much. But Paddy had be right on some other points, like the love bit, though Aaron would still not admit it.
As the bus made its arrival into town and towards his stop, Aaron allowed his memories to engulf him, if only for a few moments more. He pushed them aside as he stepped off his bus and made the final walk to the flat. He opened the door quietly knowing it past tonight's bed times. Though the pile of boxes near the door nearly thwarted him from his attempt to not wake anyone. Adam had been sort of right, it wasn't the best timing for a move, but Aaron knew he had made his life so much about himself that it didn't feel right to be selfish this time around. Bed beckoned him, knowing he had an early start the next day but instead of turning to the largest room he turned right entering the quiet room. Aaron cautiously approached the sleeping occupant, peering over to find his now five month old son fast asleep in the wooden crib. The boy's mouth twisted around into a brief smile, causing one to unknowingly smile himself. The mechanic who had sworn on a number of occasions, for a variety of reasons, that he would never have kids was now grateful he'd been roped into this.
He whispered, just audibly, "Definitely not a mistake, you weren't."
"Well, I'd hope not," The sound of the deep voice interrupted accompanied by two arms that wrapped around his chest, causing the smile on Aaron Livesy's face to expand as he was joined by the man who had learned all about the 'Jackson Incident' and everything that happened before and since and stayed despite it all. "How was the night with Adam?"
" 'S alright."
"He still not too thrilled with us moving again?"
Aaron shook his head.
"And you're absolutely sure? I know we've only been here for a year and…"
Aaron spun around, cutting him off at the lips. "I'm sure. Besides working for Ryan just isn't the same as Cain was."
There was the slightest beginning of a sound from the crib and the pair made the way back to their bed before they woke up the infant. As Aaron undressed the cautious question came up,
"You don't think this all has been a big mistake, right?"
Aaron offered a slight smile, "Everything's a mistake," he voice his own personal philosophy, "Just, some are worth making."
So, there's that, didn't come out quite like it sounded in my head, but I'm proud of it and I hoped you enjoyed. I do have more snippets and chapters of Aarron's life that go along with this including to things alluded to her, which I would love to post I would just prefer they were beta'd for dialogue and some content facts. If you think this worth continuing, please let me know, especially if you would be willing to beta.
Alright well reviews make me happy, so I hope to hear from you. Thanks for reading.
xxxNote: I have gone back and re-edited som of the mistakes, but I wanted to go ahead and answer a particular question: the man w/ Aaron is NOT Jackson. I didn't think that would be very realistic, and I did feel the only realistic option would be an OC, but there will be appearances in flashbacks with Jackson. Now the OC is already pretty well outlined, but if anyone has suggestions I'm always opened to hearing them. Now, the other chaptsers will only go up with out a beta if I, or you guys, can talk meinto...and I would really like to post them, but review let me know what you think. Thanks againxxxx