I'll Wait For You - Chapter 2
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
-O-
As Robert awoke, he reached over to the other side of the bed, stretched and expected to feel Aaron's warm skin against his fingers. But Aaron's side of the bed was empty and, as he remembered the events of the day before, his tears formed and rolled down his cheeks. He did not know where Aaron had gone. He had asked Chas and all she could tell him was that Aaron had texted, saying that he wanted to get away for a bit to think things over and was staying with Hazel at an unknown address in Newcastle. Robert had been surprised that Chas had actually been quite sympathetic.
Robert rolled over onto Aaron's pillow and took a deep breath: he could still smell Aaron on the bedclothes: the combination of his fiancé's natural scent mixed with the deodorant that he always wore. His tears rolled down onto the pillow and he wished that Aaron was still with him. He had not expected Aaron to get so upset about him buying them a flat, but, with the benefit of hindsight, he could understand why Aaron was finding it hard to trust him. He resolved to put things right, to tell Aaron again that he loved him and promise to always include him in decisions that affected them both: just like couples should. He was not giving up on his baby, not after all they had been through together.
When he went downstairs, Chas was in the back room of the Woolpack.
"Morning, Chas," he greeted her.
"Morning, Robert. There's cereal and fresh milk if you want breakfast."
"I'm not hungry thanks."
Chas looked at Robert and her heart went out to him. At one time, she couldn't have cared less whether he lived or died, but now she could see how much Aaron meant to him and she wanted to help, so she decided to reveal her son's whereabouts, "I've had another text from Aaron," she said, "he's given me Hazel's address in Newcastle. He's gonna kill me for telling you without his permission, but you can have it if you want."
Robert looked at her in disbelief, "You'd really help me?"
"Look Robert, I know my son. Either he'll do a runner or punish himself, rather than face his problems. I don't want him cutting again. I know he confides in you and I'm sure he loves you, deep down, so you're the only one who can get through to him. I don't know what this latest row is about and I don't want to know, all I care about is my son's welfare. You need to speak to him, sooner rather than later. It will never get sorted otherwise."
Just then, Liv appeared, "You still here?" she gave Robert a dirty look.
"Where else would I be?"
"Now you've driven my brother away, I thought you'd sling your hook," Liv was being obnoxious, "He doesn't want anything to do with you anymore."
"Liv! That's enough!" Chas scolded her. Liv huffed and left the room again.
Chas looked at Robert, "Take no notice of her. She's jealous that you spend so much time with her brother, she feels pushed out."
"She needs to grow up," Robert had little time for Liv.
"For once, I agree with you," Chas replied.
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Robert soon found himself on the A1(M) motorway with his sat-nav programmed with Hazel's postcode in Newcastle. He was just passing Durham on the middle lane when the car in the slow lane suddenly cut him up: pulling across to his lane in front of him and making him swerve to his right. He was aware of hitting the central reservation barriers and the car spinning out of control as a following lorry clipped his car and sent him off the road, across the hard shoulder and down a grassy bank. Then, he passed out.
Aaron was sitting in the living room in Hazel's house when his phone rang. He saw that Victoria was calling and she jumped in as soon as he answered, "Aaron, where in God's name are you?"
"Why, what's up?"
"It's Robert: he's been in a car crash!" Vic was in tears, "He's in hospital."
"Oh God! How is he? Is he in Hotten General?"
"No, in Durham."
"Durham?" Aaron was taken aback, "What the hell is he doing in Durham?"
"He was on the way to see you apparently: he said something about you being in Newcastle with Hazel."
Aaron suddenly had a feeling of déjà-vu. Thoughts of Jackson's accident suddenly flashed through his mind and he felt guilty that another boyfriend had been involved in a car smash and, in Aaron's own mind, he was responsible.
"He's asking for you, Aaron. When can you get here?"
Aaron snapped out of it to answer Vic, "I don't know how long it takes to get to Durham from here...but tell him I'm on my way."
Aaron was thinking the worst as he drove to the hospital. Had history repeated itself? Would he see Robert lying immobile in his hospital bed? Would he be paralysed?
On arrival, Aaron was directed to the ward that Vic had told him about and he found Vic and Adam sitting by Robert's bed. To his relief, Robert was sitting up and taking notice. He had cuts and bruises and was waiting for the results of x-rays. Vic and Adam took a break to get some drinks, so that Aaron and Robert could chat in private.
"What happened?" Aaron asked, the tears welling up in his eyes as he took Robert's hand in his own.
"Some idiot cut me up on the motorway," Robert replied, "next thing I knew, I was in here."
"What were you doing on the motorway?"
"I was coming to see you."
"How did you know where...oh wait...I suppose my mum told you where I was?"
"Don't blame her: she worries about you...like I do!"
Aaron looked serious. It had dawned on him that he would be lost without Robert. For all his faults, this guy loved him deeply and, all of a sudden, he couldn't imagine a life without him, he gripped Robert's hand more tightly, "I'm sorry I went off on one...again! The reality suddenly hit after the party. It all became very real."
"You got cold feet?"
"Yeah, I suppose I did. Why am I so stupid? I'm really sorry..."
"Shhh! Don't be sorry," Robert looked close to tears, "It's me that should say sorry. You were right! I should have discussed it with you first: before going ahead. You make a lot of sense, if we are a couple, we should reach decisions together. I'm just so used to being the big man...taking charge and sorting things out by myself. But, if you'll take me back, I'll never do that again. I won't blow my nose unless I've checked it with you first!"
Aaron chuckled, "There's no need to go that far, you Muppet! Just remember that you've got me to consider in future and that my opinion counts too."
Robert looked at Aaron fondly, "Does that mean the engagement's back on?"
"What do you think?" Aaron leaned forward to kiss Robert. Their lips met, but Robert winced.
"You okay?" Aaron's face was full of concern.
"Yeah, I am now. Just a bit sore, that's all. Can you get my jacket out of the locker for me?"
Aaron retrieved the requested garment and Robert rummaged through the pockets until he found the thing that he was looking for. He held Aaron's ring between his forefinger and thumb, "Here, this is yours," he said.
Aaron put out his hand so that Robert could slip the ring back onto his finger where it belonged. Aaron leant in to kiss Robert again, only this time: he just gently brushed his lips against his lover's, so as not to hurt him.
Robert knew that Aaron was being gentle with him and he was touched, "Love you, babe," Robert cooed.
"I love you too, baby," Aaron answered. It was the very first time that Aaron had used a term of endearment and it was music to Robert's ears.
Vic and Adam came back from the coffee machine just as Robert was placing the ring on Aaron's finger and watched the whole thing through the window. Vic was beaming from ear to ear: her boys were happy again.
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Later on, the hospital found no internal problems on the x-rays so they discharged Robert. Robert's car, however, was a write-off so Aaron drove them home in his car, not that Robert would have been in a fit state to drive in any case.
Robert gingerly climbed into bed that night and Aaron helped him. He had his man home again where he belonged and, as they lay with their heads on the pillows, Aaron looked at Robert adoringly.
"Robert?"
"What babe?"
"Are you going ahead with that flat?"
"I thought that was a touchy subject!"
Aaron turned on his side and propped himself on one elbow, his muscular bicep bulging as he shifted position. Robert always loved Aaron's fit body and had to fight the urge to jump his bones, given that he was feeling quite delicate.
"No, seriously Robert. I'd like for us to move in there."
"I thought you were mad at me for buying it behind your back. We don't have to buy it. I don't suppose I'll get the deposit back, but..."
"Shhh!" Aaron put his finger to Robert's lips and Robert kissed it, "I've had time to think. Yes, I was mad at you for buying it without consulting me, but I was thinking, I'd live anywhere...as long as I'm with you."
"Oh Aaron, you are so special to me and I'll always include you in everything I do from now on."
Aaron gave Robert another of his gentle kisses, "You are so special to me too. When I heard you'd been in a car crash, I felt like my heart had been pulled out of my chest and stamped on."
Aaron was hesitant, he was still thinking about Jackson's accident, but he knew that Robert had said some cruel things about his relationship with Jackson in the past, so he did not want to mention his name.
Robert picked up on Aaron's uncertainty, "What's up, babe? Are you thinking about when you ran away? Was it good seeing Hazel again? She was Jackson's mum, wasn't she?"
Aaron could see that his fiancé wanted to talk openly about his ex-boyfriend, but he was still doubtful about the path that the conversation would take, "When I came to the hospital to see you, all I could think about was Jackson's accident. I was terrified that you'd end up like him: paralysed...and it would have been all my fault again." Aaron's lips trembled and his suppressed emotions came to the surface and the tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Awww! Come here," Robert pulled Aaron to him and stroked his hair, making him feel better. "What happened to Jackson wasn't your fault. Neither was my accident. You can't keep blaming yourself Aaron: I don't know what I'd do if you harmed yourself again...or worse! I realise now that I can't live without you. You're absolutely everything to me."
Aaron took comfort from Robert's heartfelt speech, "Robert, promise me something."
"What?"
"You'll never say anything bad about Jackson again, or about me."
"I promise you Aaron, you're my world now and I'll never do anything to put that at risk again. You've been to hell and back and that's partly because of me. But, I want to put that right. If you want to talk about Jackson, then go right ahead. I know he was a huge part of your life and you can trust me and talk to me...about anything. I'll always be there to listen, give you support, no matter what. You've got me, babe...for good."
Aaron lifted his head to look into Robert's eyes. He could see sincerity and compassion in those eyes, "You're not as bad as people make out."
"Thanks. But you bring out the best in me! Kiss me again."
Aaron furrowed his brow, "I don't want to hurt you."
"I know, but it's worth the pain!"
"You hard lad!" Aaron chuckled as he pressed his lips to Robert's.
"Mmmm!" Robert moaned. He had found heaven in Aaron's kiss.
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Aaron and Robert came downstairs the next morning. They shared breakfast and Chas could see a change in them, as if they now fitted together. Robert was making heart eyes at Aaron and she could see how smitten he was with her son. Aaron also looked different to usual: it was obvious that he adored Robert. She vowed right there and then not to come between them anymore. The one thing that she wanted above all else was for Aaron to be happy and content and she could see that Robert was a good influence on her son. She could not believe at one time that she would let Robert Sugden anywhere near her son, yet here there were, sharing breakfast together.
"Where's Liv?" Aaron was concerned about his sister, as always.
"You know her," Chas replied, "She'll lay in her pit until midday if I let her."
Aaron thought that Chas was probably being diplomatic and keeping Liv and Robert apart, but said nothing. Then there was a knock at the door and she went to answer it. When she returned, she was carrying some letters in her hand. "This one's for you," she passed one of the letters to Aaron, "I had to sign for it."
"Thanks," Aaron tore open the envelope and a cheque fell out onto the table. He pulled a letter from the envelope and read it. "It's from dad's solicitor: it says he left me some money in his will." He picked up the cheque and looked at it, "Thirty grand."
"That's good, isn't it?" Robert said, but immediately regretted it when he saw the look on Aaron's face.
"Good?" Aaron had a face like thunder, "What's good about it?"
Aaron threw the cheque on the table again, "I don't want his dirty, filthy money...you can have it." He stormed out of the room, leaving Chas and Robert looking at each other, open-mouthed.