Another Taxi - Chapter 3
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
-O-
Aaron was helping Jackson to put his clothes on, behind the curtain by the hospital bed. "I can't wait to have you back home again; I've missed you!"
"I've only been in here one night!" Jackson said; then winced as he tried to put his shirt on.
"Here, let me do that!" Aaron carefully fastened the buttons on Jackson's red checked shirt.
"You've still got this old thing!" Aaron joked, as Jackson looked at him lovingly; he counted himself lucky that his husband was there to help him.
"I thought you liked this shirt!"
"I do, I always liked you in this one." Aaron continued, "Anyway, you still haven't told me what the doctor said earlier."
"Well, they thought at first that the turn I had after I got here was due to something called a 'Jacksonian Seizure'; it's a form of epilepsy. But, after they did the scan, they reckon now that it was just down to a blow on the head when I fell."
"Jacksonian Epilepsy?" Aaron looked astonished, "They've actually named a condition after you?"
"Nah! That's what it's called, you div! Apparently, it's a mild form of epilepsy which only affects one side of the brain."
"Can they treat it?" Aaron was concerned for Jackson's welfare.
"It can be controlled by drugs, although they said some people lead normal lives without any medication. Anyway, they've pretty much ruled it out after they gave me the tests; so it looks like I'm in the clear!"
"Well, the next time I'm sick, I'll call it 'Aaron-itis'!" Aaron giggled at his own joke.
"That's what I've got!" Jackson smiled at his husband, "If it means I'm hopelessly addicted to you!"
Aaron leaned in to kiss Jackson's waiting lips. "There's no cure!" Aaron grinned at his partner, "You'll just have to keep doing THAT, several times a day!"
"It'll be a strain; but I'll manage somehow!" Jackson chuckled.
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Aaron was so happy to have Jackson home again. He realised how empty the house had felt without his husband around. At night, he snuggled up to Jackson; feeling content just to hold him close. He felt that everything was going right again and he slept soundly with the love of his life in his arms.
A few days later, Aaron woke up as usual. He had fallen asleep with his head resting on the same pillow as Jackson and, during the night, his head had slipped down to Jackson's chest and he was still embracing his husband.
Jackson kissed Aaron softly on the forehead, "Morning!" he said in a hushed tone.
Jackson reached over to the bedside table and retrieved an envelope, which he handed to Aaron, "Happy Anniversary!" he beamed.
"Thanks, babe!" Aaron sat up and opened the envelope. He took out the card and read the words inside:
"To my one and only Aaron. These past twelve months have been the happiest of my life. Before we met, I just existed, day to day, now, with you, I feel alive! I am so lucky to have found you. You are so amazing and, to me, you always will be. I love you so much. Jackson xxx."
Aaron felt the tears welling up in his eyes but, holding them back, he reached over to his bedside cabinet and produced a card for Jackson.
"Here's yours; Happy Anniversary!" Aaron said, looking a little embarrassed. Jackson was taken aback. He knew his husband so well; and for Aaron to have gone to the trouble of buying him a card spoke volumes about the way he felt about him. He opened the card to read Aaron's words inside:
"To my perfect man. You are my lover, my soul-mate, my everything! I didn't know what love was until I met you. I am so in love with you that I don't know how to tell you, so I just want to say that I'm crazy about you. I'm yours forever, Aaron xxx."
It was Jackson's turn to fight back the tears now. He scooped Aaron into his arms and they kissed passionately; a kiss which emphasized the feeling behind the words that they had written to each other.
"I didn't think you'd remember!" said Jackson, his eyes moist from the emotion of the moment.
"As if I'd forget," Aaron smiled, "...and I've booked us a table at Giovanni's tonight. You like it there, don't you?"
"You know I do! It's where we got back together, remember?"
"Yeah," Aaron had a far-away, misty-eyed look about him, "That was the best meal I've ever had! Just you and me...and do you remember what happened when we got back home?"
"If I recall correctly, you seduced me!"
"Er...I think you've got that the wrong way round!"
They both dissolved into a fit of the giggles as they fell back into the sheets, holding on to one and other, just happy to be together.
Later, the two of them were back at Giovanni's restaurant. They had been given the same table as before, which brought back happy memories for them both. The last time they were here, they had only just discovered their true feelings for each other and now they were celebrating their first anniversary as a married couple. They laughed and joked, happy with each other and with life. After all the ups and downs of their relationship, they felt that they had reached another level...united, bonded and stronger than ever.
Jackson looked at Aaron with a smile on his face. Here was the one person who mattered to him; the one person who made his heart skip a beat whenever he saw him. A lot of people had doubted that they would make it together, but they were compatible in every way...a match made in heaven.
Aaron looked at Jackson and wore an identical smile to his partner's. This lovely guy meant the world to him; his saviour, the person who made him whole. The only one who gave him tingles inside whenever he thought about him. He was 'the one'.
After a lovely evening, the couple returned home and retired to bed.
"Thanks for a wonderful time!" Jackson kissed Aaron fondly and stared into the beautiful blue eyes which always captivated him, "I really enjoyed that!"
"So did I," Aaron stared back into Jackson's big brown eyes, "We should do that again sometime!"
"Yeah!" Jackson sighed, contentedly.
"Do you want me to give you another anniversary present?" Aaron said, as he rubbed his naked body against Jackson's.
"I thought you'd never ask!" Jackson grinned as he kissed the love of his life.
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The weeks passed and Jackson had fully recovered from his ordeal. He was back at work, although Declan had transferred him back to Home Farm to do some work on the estate, so he was living back at home with Aaron.
It was on a bright day in May that Jackson came home to find Aaron sitting in the lounge with a face like thunder. He could see that something had upset or annoyed his husband and he sat down next to him. "What's wrong? Are you going to tell me why you've got a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp?" Jackson asked.
"It's Debbie!" Aaron answered abruptly, "She's selling the garage!"
"What?" Jackson did not believe his ears, "Why?"
"She says it's not paying to be in the motor trade anymore; since the economic downturn. It has been a bit quiet lately; but I never expected this! She and Cameron want to bugger off back to Jersey and settle there. So, that's my job up the spout!"
"Oh babe, I'm sorry!" Jackson drew Aaron into a hug. Aaron took comfort in sharing his news with his other half.
"Guess you'll have to keep me in the style to which I've become accustomed!" Aaron tried to make light of the situation, but Jackson knew how upset he was.
"Well, I've got some news, but I don't know if you'll want to hear it now," Jackson looked pensive.
"No, that's OK; go on, tell me."
"Well, Debbie's not the only one selling up! Declan called me in today for a chat; he's sold Home Farm!"
"Blimey! What's this? A mass exodus from Emmerdale? So, you're going to be out of a job too!"
Jackson took Aaron's hands in his own, "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about; Declan's moving to Ireland and he's offered me a job over there. I said I'd have to think about it and talk to you first. What do you think?"
"Wow! What do you want to do? It's going to mean moving to a different country; are you happy with that?"
Jackson continued to grip Aaron's hands, "Babe, I'd live anywhere, as long as we're together. If I went over there, I'd want you to come with me...would you?"
Aaron mulled it over for a moment and then said, "Yeah, 'course I would! I promised to stick by you; and that's exactly what I'll do. We're married; and that means always being together. We've always belonged together, you and me."
They kissed. Jackson was so proud of Aaron; his love and loyalty always touched him deeply.
"Well, I'll tell Declan it's a deal then, shall I?"
Aaron laughed, "Maybe Debbie's done me a favour!"
"How do you mean?"
"Well, I'd have to hand my notice in; now I won't have to bother!"
"You're still unemployed though, either way," Jackson pointed out.
"Well," Aaron looked on the bright side, "They do have motor mechanics in Ireland, don't they? It's not all horses and carts, is it?"
Jackson chuckled, "I don't think so! But I can't say for sure, I've never been there!"
Aaron Kissed Jackson again.
"What's that for?" asked Jackson.
"You've cheered me up!" Aaron smiled, "I was in a strop when I came home, but now I've got something to look forward to!"
Jackson kissed Aaron back, "You're amazing, do you know that?"
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Two days later, Aaron was at the garage, locking up, when Jackson appeared.
"You're home early;" Aaron looked at his husband quizzically, "Declan hasn't decided to give you the push after all, has he?"
"No, not at all. In fact, I've got some good news...well; I hope its good news."
"What is it? You haven't won the lottery, have you?"
"Sadly, no," Jackson replied, "Come on, let's go inside and I'll tell you all about it!"
They sat in their lounge with mugs of tea and Aaron waited for Jackson's announcement, "Well?" he said impatiently.
"I was speaking to Declan today and I told him that you were coming with me, to Ireland," Jackson began.
"Ha! I bet that was big news!" Aaron said, sarcastically.
"Listen, I haven't finished! I told him that you'd be looking for work. Well, he's got a mate in Ireland who owns a luxury limousine company, you know; chauffeur-driven cars. It's near the property he's buying. Someone's leaving and they've got a vacancy for a skilled mechanic; he's had a word with his friend and he's put your name forward for the job. What do you think?"
Aaron looked stunned. Only a week beforehand, he faced the prospect of being unemployed and now, not only was he moving to another country, but he was also being offered a job when he arrived there! This whole scenario was completely unexpected. "I don't know what to say!" he gasped.
"How about 'yes please'?" it was Jackson's turn to be sarcastic.
Aaron smiled, "Yes please!" he said enthusiastically.
"Good! I'll tell Declan it's all systems go!"
Aaron's kiss on Jackson's lips confirmed that he was making the right decision.
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A few weeks later, Aaron was packing some clothes into a holdall, ready for the trip over the water.
"What are you doing?" Aaron asked Jackson as he noisily dropped his toolbox on the lounge floor.
"I'm just clearing out the van," Jackson explained, "I've sold it!"
"What?" Aaron looked amazed, "I thought we were taking it with us. They do allow you to drive vans in Ireland, you know!"
"Of course I know that, you Muppet! But the new job comes with a vehicle; a Toyota Hilux I think, so I won't be needing the van anymore."
"Oh, I see!" Aaron replied.
"Anyway, all set for tonight?" Jackson was referring to their pre-arranged send-off at the Woolpack.
"Yeah, 'course! Though I'm not one for 'fond farewells' normally."
"I know, but both our mums...and Paddy, don't want us to leave without saying a proper goodbye!"
"They're not the only ones! If I don't have a drink with Adam before we go, I'll never hear the last of it!" Aaron said, grimacing.
That night, in the pub, it seemed that the whole village had turned out to see them. Chas, Hazel, Paddy and Rhona made their usual fuss over them and Pearl looked a little tearful as she spoke to them at length. Even Cain seemed genuinely upset that they were going. Adam covered his true feelings with his usual banter, but both Aaron and Jackson could see how sad he really was underneath it all.
Despite everything, they ended up having a really good time in the Woolpack. Chas would not let Aaron, or Jackson, pay for anything.
The next morning at Dale Head, Jackson looked at Aaron and could see that he was deep in thought. He took Aaron's hands in his own and spoke, "You OK?"
Aaron, who had been miles away, looked at his husband and smiled, "Yeah! Why wouldn't I be?"
"You just seemed a bit quiet; I wondered if you'd had second thoughts?"
"No! No way! I was just thinking about this place, that's all; the house, the village, the people; it's been a big part of my life!"
"If you don't want to go, I'll understand!" Jackson looked at Aaron fondly.
Aaron stared deep into Jackson's eyes, "There's nothing here for me now! My life, from now on, is by your side, somewhere out there!" He gestured towards the window.
They kissed and held each other tightly. "As long as we're together, we'll be OK, I just know it!" Jackson sighed.
A taxi arrived to take them to the airport. Chas, Hazel, Paddy, Rhona, Leo and Adam waved them off and watched them disappear into the distance.
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...and so, that was how Aaron and Jackson came to leave Emmerdale village; in another taxi to take them onwards; towards the rest of their lives...together.
