Emmerdale and it's charactors belong to ITV, not me!

"It's Aaron," said Hazel as she looked at the caller id on her phone. She sat looking at it as it rang.

"Aren't you going to answer it?" asked her friend Kay.

Hazel thought about it for a second. "No," she said sending the busy tone. "I don't want to speak to him over the phone. She started to type a text - I'll be home soon, we'll talk then - she hit send.

A&H

Aaron was disappointed when Hazel didn't answer her phone and was about to try again when his phone buzzed, he opened the text and read, he felt relief when he saw it was from Hazel. He sat down and waited for her to come home.

He didn't have to wait long before he heard the front door open, he got up as Hazel walked in, they just stood looking at each other for a while then they smiled. "Do you want a drink?" asked Aaron.

Hazel shook her head. "No thanks love, I've had a few drinks at Kay's, just sit down," she said motioning to the sofa, "I want you to talk to me." Aaron smiled and sat down, Hazel took her coat off and joined him.

"I'm sorry I went off on one earlier, I didn't mean to shout at ya," he said.

"I know you didn't, but I want you to tell me what's wrong."

"It's Luke, he thought we might be going somewhere, and….and the other night we kissed," he looked down, "I know he wanted it to go further, and maybe deep down so did I, but I'm going home on Tuesday and I don't want to start feeling something for him."

"Do you think you could feel something for Luke?" she asked.

Aaron shrugged his shoulder, but he didn't say anything.

"There's something else, isn't there," said Hazel knowing her son-in-law.

"I know it's been some time since Jackson died, but I know I'm not ready for another relationship yet," he paused, "I still want Jackson," he said with tears filling his eyes, "I miss him so much, it hurt's here," he said touching his chest.

"I miss him too love, but you have to move on, he wanted you to move on," Hazel said taking Aaron's hand.

"I should have died with him."

"AARON," shouted Hazel, "I never want to hear you say anything like that again..do you hear me."

"I'm sorry," he said looking down, "do you know what I wish sometimes."

"What," Hazel said squeezing his hand.

"I wish that I had never met Jackson, then he would be okay, probably having a good life with someone else. All the heartache I caused him , all the pain."

Hazel had heard enough. "Now listen to me young man, my Jackson never blamed you for anything that happened to him, he loved you with his whole heart," she moved closer to Aaron," he told me before he died that the best day of his life was when he first saw you in Bar West, because he found the man that he would have spent the rest of his life with, and," she smiled, "I wouldn't have the best son-in-law in the world," she leaned in and hugged him and Aaron hugged her back his tears flowing freely now.

After a couple of minutes they slowly parted and Aaron wiped his eyes. "I'm really sorry about earlier, I don't like it when I lose it," he smiled, "Jackson could always talk me down, he knew me better than I knew myself," he closed his eyes, "I don't think I will ever love anyone as much as I loved Jackson."

"Maybe you won't, but it doesn't mean you won't love again…and you will, I know you will."

"Thanks Hazel, I know I've said it loads of times before, but I don't know what I would do without you," he hugged her again before he stood up, "well I've got on more full day down here, so what are we going to do tomorrow?" he asked.

"Whatever you want," she said.

Aaron thought for a while, then remembered that he and Jackson had wanted to go to Wembley to see England play. "I want to do a tour of Wembley," he said.

Hazel looked surprised. "Really!"

"Yeah."

A&H

Tuesday was soon upon them and Aaron, Hazel and Sam were at King's Cross waiting for Aaron's train.

"You sure you've got everything?" Hazel asked Aaron, they were stood looking at the departure boards waiting for the platform number to come up for Aaron's train.

"Hazel, I've got everything, I didn't fetch that much with me."

"What about money, you need any."

Aaron turned to face Hazel. "I don't need any money Hazel, I'm okay."

Hazel smiled and took his hand. "I know, I just can't help but worry about you…it's the motherly instinct in me."

"I'll be fine Hazel." Just then the platform number came up on the screen. "That's me," he said.

"Take care kid," said Sam shaking Aaron's hand.

"You too and look after her for me won't ya?" Aaron said looking at Hazel who was already crying.

Sam smiled. "I will, you don't have to worry about her."

Aaron smiled, then turned and pulled Hazel into a hug taking care not to knock her injured arm. "Thanks for having me," he said.

"Anytime love, you know I love seeing you, and I'll be up in Emmerdale in no time," they released each other and Hazel kissed Aaron on the cheek. "Say hello to Paddy and your mum for me."

"I will," he picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"I love you kiddo," Hazel said choking on her tears as Sam put his arm around her for comfort.

"Love you too," Aaron smiled then turned and ran towards his platform, just before going out of sight he turned and waved.

Hazel and Sam waved back and watched him till he was out of sight. "Come on, let's get you home," Sam said as he kissed Hazel on the forehead. Hazel nodded then took one last look at where Aaron had disappeared, and smiled.

A&J

Two months later and Aaron was sat in the living room of Smithy Cottage watching c-beebies. He was babysitting Leo for Paddy and Rhona. He had to admit that he loved spending time with his kind of adoptive brother because Leo was such a happy baby, and he was never any trouble.

A knock came at the door and Chas entered. "Hiya love," she said as she sat down."

"Hi mum," he said smiling. Leo looked at Chas and then snuggled into Aaron.

"Still doesn't like me, does he?" said Chas looking hurt.

"Don't take it too much to heart mum, he's like this with most people except me, Paddy, Rhona and Marlon."

Chas shrugged. "It doesn't make me feel any better love, I really want him to like me with him being so close to you."

"He will mum, just give him time," he put Leo on the floor and gave him some toys to pay with, then he sat back on the sofa. "What you here for anyway?" he asked his mum.

"I want to know if you will do me a favour."

Aaron had a feeling he wouldn't like this. "What?"

"It's nothing bad love, I just want to know if you will take me to the station tomorrow."

Aaron looked surprised. "Where you going?"

"I've got a meeting with the brewery in Leeds and it's early morning. I can't get the bus because they start too late…so, will you take me."

"What time?"

"We'll have to leave here about six."

Aaron groaned, an early morning start, but his mum didn't ask him for much. "Okay."

"Thanks love," she said getting up, "I'll get going then, see you in the morning…bye Leo," she said with a smile, but Leo just looked at her then at Aaron, Chas shrugged then left. Aaron smiled at Leo then sat on the floor beside.

A&H

Hazel was just getting ready for work when she heard the phone ring, she knew Sam was downstairs and that he would answer it. A couple of seconds later she heard Sam calling her name.

"Who is it?" she asked as she walked down the stairs to where Sam was holding the phone.

"It's Paddy," said Sam handing the phone to Hazel.

Hazel smiled, Paddy sometimes phoned her to have a chat and let her know what's going on in the village, the stuff that Aaron didn't tell her, the mundane stuff, the everyday stuff that Aaron wasn't interest in.

"Hey Paddy, how are you?"

"Not good Hazel."

Hazel knew immediately that something was wrong. "What is it Paddy?"

There was a pause on the other end of the phone. "Paddy please, what's happened."

"It's Aaron and Chas, there's been an accident."

Hazel dropped the phone.

tbc

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