It was the afternoon after they'd returned from London and Aaron was stood with his Mum in what remained of the downstairs kitchen next to what was now his & Jackson's bedroom.

'So c'mon on then how was it?' Chas chirped.

'Keep your voice down will you; Jackson's asleep he's not deaf.' His partner's physiotherapist had visited the house that morning leaving him so exhausted he'd fallen asleep sat upright in his chair.

'Sorry. Well c'mon then out with it!'

'It was great; we had a really good weekend.'

'Bet it was hard work though? Looking after Jackson I mean.'

'Not this again.' Aaron's good mood was suddenly threatened.

'What?'

'You! I thought that now Jackson's started recovering we'd be done with all this but you just can't help yourself can you? Look how many times do I have to tell you I don't mind helping care for him, in fact the only person who seems to have a problem with it is you.'

'I'm just worried about you that's all, worried that you're taking on too much. Aaron you're still a teenager you should be out having fun not looking after some guy in a wheelchair.'

'Some guy in a wheelchair? I don't believe you sometimes, that's my fiancé you're talking about'

'What?' Chas was completely taken aback and the expression on her face didn't hide it.

'Me and Jackson; we're getting married.'

'You're what?'

'We're getting...'

'Yeah I heard you I just...is it Jackson? Is he pushing you into it? I mean I know you feel guilty about what happened but you shouldn't let him pressure you into something you're not ready for.'

'Who says I'm not ready?' The teenager was fighting to keep his temper now.

'Aaron, marriage is a serious commitment.'

'You think I don't know that?'

'No it's not that I'm just worried that you might be doing it for the wrong reasons; maybe you felt like you couldn't say no.'

'I couldn't...' He smirked as for the second time the assumption was made that it was the older man who had proposed.

'You see that's what I mean. Look I know the two of you have been through a lot together but you can't just...'

'I couldn't say no because I asked him; twice actually.'

'You what?' The baffled look on his mother's face was now replaced by out and out shock.

'I asked him. Once a few weeks ago after we got back from his mate's engagement party but he said no cos...well it was before he started to get the feeling back. Then I asked him again in London this weekend...and he said yes.'

'I don't know what to say.'

'Well I think congratulations is traditional, or how about good for you son?'

'Well that would imply that I'm happy about this.'

'And why wouldn't you be?'

'Because Aaron, you're 19 and Jackson's the first guy you've ever been with; I know you think you're in love now but what happens a few years down the line when the novelty wears off? When you regret tying yourself to your first boyfriend and not getting out there and seeing what the world has to offer. Yeah Jackson's getting feeling back in his hands and arms but he might never walk again. Do you really wanna be stuck as a carer for the rest of your life? I know you don't wanna hear this right now but I'm thinking of you.'

'No you're not.' He was practically spitting the words at his mother now, the anger that had been simmering just below the surface breaking out. 'If you were really thinking about me you'd ask me how I feel before shoving your opinions down my throat...and if you had you'd know that I've never been this made up about anything. You'd be thrilled for me that I'd managed to find the man I love and who I'm certain I wanna spend the rest of my life with at the first time of asking without having to sleep with a load of random guys just to come to the same conclusion. Jackson is gonna walk again; I know he is, but even if he wasn't it wouldn't bother me. He gets me in a way nobody else does and he's done so much for me; he's the best thing that has ever happened to me. Before I met him I was scared, confused and I hated myself. Now, well I may not be ready to start going on any gay pride marches or anything, but I'm comfortable with who I am and I'm happy, really genuinely happy for the first time in my life. '

'It's alright Aaron, calm down.' The unexpected voice in the room caused mother and son to turn in the direction from which it came.

'Jackson. I thought you were asleep; how long have you been awake?' Seeing the man he loved Aaron's tone instantly softened

'Long enough to hear everything the two of you have said.'

'Look Jackson I'm sorry right, but I'm just looking out for my son.' Knowing that she's get nowhere with the mechanic Chas turned her attention to his other half. The man he was apparently intent on marrying.

'I know you are; I've known that since the day after the first night we spent together when you came to quiz me about my intentions. I get that you've got reservations but I promise you I wouldn't have said yes if I wasn't completely sure that this is what I want and what Aaron wants. This may be his first relationship with a man but it's not mine and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that what we have is special; it's not like anything I've ever experienced before. Yeah he annoys me and he's a bit of a chav but I know he'd do anything for me, and I would for him.'

'Just forget it Jackson; she doesn't understand.' Aaron placed a fleeting touch on the older man's shoulder before leaving the room and heading upstairs. His exit quickly followed by Chas' as she made her way wordlessly out of the door.


'We're getting married. Aaron asked me and...'

'He asked you? Again?'

Later that same day, not trusting Chas to keep her mouth shut if the two women met on the street Aaron and Jackson had sat Hazel down, telling her they had some news to share.

'You told her?' Aaron had been adamant that he was fine after the argument with his Mum, insistent that he had expected no different from her.

'No I swear I haven't mentioned a thing.'

'I hope he got down on his knee this time.' Hazel carried on, ignoring the comments of the two men.

'Mum hang on, how the hell do you know about last time?'

'I have my ways...' Seeing the puzzled expression on their faces she continued. 'You were right outside the door; I may be a bit slow on the uptake sometimes but I'm not deaf.'

'I should have known you'd be eavesdropping?' The mechanic muttered under his breath.

'What was that?'

'Nothing.' He looked at his mother-in-law to be with his best innocent expression.

'So anyway what made you change your mind this time?' Once Hazel got her teeth into something she wouldn't give up until she had all the details.

'Well things have changed a bit haven't they? My situation I mean.'

'That's it?'

'Yep that's it. When he asked me before it wasn't that I didn't love him enough to want to marry him I just didn't think it was fair on him, on either of us. Now that I've actually got a life to look forward to I want to spend it with him; god knows why but I can't imagine life without him.'

Although he would never admit it Aaron was determined to at least win the approval of one of their mothers. 'I feel the same...so Hazel is you're worried about me hurting him you don't need to be.'

'I'm not, I'm not saying it's always gonna be a bed of roses, no marriage ever is but I know the two of you will make a really good go of it. I've seen how much you love each other and I'm so proud of you.' Tears ran down her face as she sprang to her feet, embracing first her son then his husband-to-be.

'It's a pity my mum doesn't feel the same.' Aaron continued once they had finally calmed Hazel down.

'You told her before me? Sorry not important right now. What did she say?'

'She basically told us we're making a mistake. That because Jackson's my first boyfriend it won't last.'

'I'm sure that's not what she meant. She'll just be trying to look out for you. It must be strange for her. I mean me, well I knew Jackson was gay even before he did I think.'

'Shut up!' Jackson's comment went unacknowledged by his mum as she continued.

'But you; well you struggled so much coming out not that long ago and, well, look at you...you hardly seem the type to settle down at a young age. I only know you're ready cos I've seen the way you've been since the accident, just give her some time. She'll come around.'


The following morning Aaron was alone on the garage forecourt bent over the engine of a Volkswagen Beetle when the sound of someone making their way up the gravel driveway caught his attention. He straightened and turned, expecting a customer.

'What do you want?'

Chas was stood a few feet away, dressed to the nines as usual despite the early hour. Coming closer she held a small black box out to him. 'I came to give you this?' The mechanic just stared down at it. 'Please just take it Aaron.'

Aaron reluctantly reached out a hand to accept whatever it was his mother was offering it. Opening it he saw a ring. What looked like a women's engagement ring to be precise, gold with a single diamond set on the band. 'Is this some kind of joke?'

'It was my Mum's, it was her engagement ring. Knowing me Dad it was probably nicked but still it was hers. She wore it every day and just before she died she gave it to me...to give to you. She said that when I knew you'd found the right girl I should give it to you.' The last part of the sentence was greeted with raised eyebrows from her son. 'What can I say she never was very good with the details but the sentiment's the same. What she meant was that when I knew you were in love, really in love, I should give it to you. So...it's yours.'

'What am I supposed to do with it?'

'Well I know it's not exactly the ideal gift in your circumstances but I thought maybe you could have it melted down and made into something a bit more...appropriate for Jackson. After all it's not an official teenager. 'Or you know you could just pawn it to help pay for the wedding. I've never been that big on sentiment.'

She waited for a reaction from her son for what seemed like hours as he looked from her to the ring and back again and was about to turn and leave, frustrated that her efforts to show her remorse at her previous reaction had gone unrewarded when she was suddenly pulled into a hug by the overall clad figure in front of her. Surprised but elated by his reaction she returned the embrace and was close enough to hear the whispered 'Thank-you' sent in her direction.


'You realise I'm gonna have to tell my Dad now don't you?' Jackson announced. After his visit from Chas that morning Aaron had insisted they tell Paddy, not wanting the man who was practically a father to him to find out second hand. The vet had expressed his reservations but, after seeing how certain the two young men were, had congratulated them and pledged his whole hearted support.

'Yeah...good luck with that.' The mechanic rolled onto his side to face his boyfriend.

'Oh no no no, you're not getting out of it that easily Mr, you're gonna be right there with me.'

'You think now that I'm making an honest man of you, you can start ordering me around?'

'Uh...yeah I do actually and I happen to know that you'll do whatever I tell you.'

'Oh yeah? Why's that then?'

'Because Mr Livesy, I know that now our sex life is back on track...pardon the pun...you'll be pretty keen for it to stay that way.'

Aaron opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it again. 'See can't argue with that can you?'

The mechanic smiled. 'So how do you think he's gonna take it?'

'Honestly I have no idea. After the way he reacted when I came out I never thought we'd have any kind of relationship again but now, well things will never be quite the same as they were before but we're getting on ok and he seems to have accepted us as a couple.'

'But what if he doesn't accept this?'

'Well that's his problem isn't it? Aaron I'm marrying you whether he likes it or not. Obviously I'd prefer it if he were on board but if not it's his loss.' Jackson paused before continuing, unsure whether to broach the subject he was about to but deciding it was important that he did. 'Anyway as we're on the subject of Dads...'

'Don't even go there Jackson.' The younger man made to get up from the bed where they lay side by side but the fingers of the hand they held his gripped tighter.

'All I was gonna say was have you thought about maybe contacting him?'

'No, why would I? I've got you, my mum, Paddy. He's not a part of my life anymore.'

'But he could be; does he even know you're gay?'

'I dunno. Depends how much attention he pays to the newspapers doesn't it?'

'What do you mean?'

'Well it was in the newspapers wasn't it? After the court case I mean so if he read that then yeah he knows...if not then I wouldn't have thought so. I certainly never told him; I didn't tell anyone until...well you know.'

'Maybe things would be better between you now. You've changed, what's to say he hasn't? Don't you want a shot at a relationship with him if you can do? I mean you told me that when you first came out to Paddy you told him you never wanted to be somebody's boyfriend or fall in love right?'

'Yeah, and?'

'Well now we're engaged. Things change!'

'I suppose.' The teenager's guard dropped as he admitted defeat, temporarily at least.

'You know I'm right; I always am.'

Aaron couldn't help but smile. 'Maybe.' Jackson shot him a look. 'I'll think about it, ok? Let's just get telling your Dad out of the way first.'


'Come on then, spit it out.' Jerry was standing at the foot of the bed where Jackson sat, propped up by pillows with Aaron in the armchair at his side. 'Is it your legs? Are you getting the feeling back?'

'No, well not yet anyway.'

'Well are you gonna tell me or do I have to guess?'

'Well it's not my news really; it's ours, mine and Aaron's. We're getting married.' Jackson accompanied the announcement with a hopeful grin, willing a positive reaction from his father.

'What?' There was a pause before he continued; obviously trying to process the information he's just been given. 'No you're not, you can't'

'We can, well I suppose it's a civil partnership technically but it's basically the same thing.'

'No, that's not happening. I won't allow it?'

'Excuse me?' Aaron spoke up for the first time.

'No son of mine is gonna embarrass me by having some sham of a wedding to another man.'

'That's not really your decision is it?' The younger man rose to his feet, preparing for a confrontation.

'What the hell Dad? I thought we were passed all this; I thought that you'd accepted that this is who I am and that Aaron is who I love. These past few months...'

'These past few months haven't exactly been normal circumstances. I didn't like it, I never have and I never will, but I decided not to push the issue, after all it wasn't like you could get up to much.'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Aaron's anger was building.

Before Jerry could answer Jackson did so for him. 'It means that he can put up with having a gay son as long as I'm not having sex with another man.' His eyes were locked on Jerry, staring him down. 'I bet you were gutted when I started getting feeling back weren't you?'

'Don't be daft'

'Oh what, had a plan did you? What were you gonna do ey Dad? Take me to a lap dancing club, maybe pay for me to have a private session and make me into a real man?'

'Maybe I should, maybe I should have done that years ago then you wouldn't have got these sick ideas into your head in the first place. Well there's nothing I can do about that now but I'll tell you one thing, if you go through with you'll never see Josh again, you hear me?'

If Jackson was thrown he didn't show it, still maintaining eye contact with the man making threats. 'Aaron, go and get my camera will you?'

'Why?' He was reluctant to leave the room with the mood so sour.

'I'm gonna make a video for Josh, explaining to him why his big brother can't be a part of his life anymore because his Dad's a bigot.'

The remark was meant to provoke a reaction and it did as his Dad lunged towards him, pulling his arm back about to swing.

'Don't you dare touch him! '

The outburst was enough to halt his progress and he turned his attention to the teenager. 'Oh yeah what you gonna do you little poof?' As his comment was met by rolling eyes from Aaron, Jerry snapped and went for his son again. He was inches from making contact when he was hauled back by a hand on the collar of his shirt and dragged towards the door before being thrown out of it.

'Don't you ever even think about coming back here again!' Aaron's shout could be heard through the whole village as he slammed the door, his rage only subsiding when he heard the sobs coming from behind him.

Returning to the bed, wordlessly he climbed in beside his partner. Grasping his hand and stroking his cheek he held him until the tears subsided.

'I really thought he'd gotten over all that stuff you know?' Finally regaining his composure Jackson spoke quietly, the hurt evident in his voice.

'Yeah I know. I'm so sorry. You know I'll always be here for you though don't you?'

The older man managed a small smile 'Yeah I know and thank-you for standing up to him!'

'You're not angry then. I know you hate violence...it's just when I saw him go for you I saw red.'

'Of course I'm not, it's him I'm angry at. You know that nothing he said changes anything between us don't you? I love you.'

'I love you too.'