"Mam, I do understand, but I need you to help answer some questions. Moira was frantic. She was babbling uncontrollably, her body shaking involuntary like it had gone into spasm. Paddy held her tightly to prevent her from suddenly braking free and charging into the house or what was now left of it. How many people are in the house at the moment?"

"Three. Cain Dingle, Moira's partner, Adam Barton, her son and Aaron Livsey, he's...Paddy struggled to find words strong enough to describe the unusual, but deeply loving bond he and Aaron shared. My surrogate son, he lives with me."

"And do you know where in the house they were?"

"The living room. Moira whispered. We left them in the living room. She rose unsteadily to her feet, leaning on Paddy for support. The roof had already fallen in in there. My son, Adam, he was looking for...for Aaron."

"So as far as you were aware they were all conscious when you left?"

"We don't know about Aaron? Cain told us to wait out here and that he would get them both outside, but then the...the roof-"

She didn't need to finish that sentence as the evidence of the wreckage was still ablaze before them. Thankfully at that moment she heard a gruff but familiar voice emerging from the flames through the dense smoke.

"MOIRA! WE'RE HERE. WE'RE OKAY. ALL OF US ARE HERE."

Moira finally broke free of Paddy's loosened grip and ran towards the billowing smoke.

"I'M HERE, SO IS PADDY AND THE AMBULANCE. ARE YOU ALL OKAY?"

"YES...yes we are fine."

Cain lowered his voice as they arrived in front of her carrying, or more like dragging, Aaron between them. He had barely lowered him to the ground, when unabashedly she threw her arms around his neck.

"You're okay. I am so glad you are okay."

She mumbled joyfully as she squeezed him tightly making his limited breathing even more restricted.

"Of course we're okay. Cain smiled as he embraced her tightly. Hard as nails us three."

He quipped half-heartedly.

"And I am alright too."

Adam drawled sarcastically, shaking his head in disbelief as he sat himself on the floor beside Aaron and gripped his hand. Paddy took the hint and kneeling down beside him, he wrapped his arms around him tightly.

"Thanks Pads. He mumbled shyly. Are we going to go to the hospital? Aaron's unconscious, he has been for a while, since the first blast. I couldn't find him when the flames first started and his head is bleeding."

Adam couldn't hide the panic from his tone.

"And that is what we are here for."

The paramedic who had been trying to question Moira interrupted. With the help of her partner they loaded Aaron into the ambulance and Adam jumped in without hesitation.

"I'll go with him. Adam settled down beside him, tenderly stroking his thumb over the back of his hand. I can call you if there is any change."

"Don't be soft lad. Cain chastised him almost caringly. We'll meet you there."

The ride to the hospital was only a short one, made quicker by the blaring and flashing of the sirens. The paramedic that had seated himself in the back to keep an eye on Aaron did his best to reassure Adam by keeping up a constant commentary about the positive state of his vitals, but Adam had only eyes for Aaron and when they finally arrived and the guy shut up he got the feeling he hadn't even been heard.

The ambulance screeched to a sudden halt outside the main entrance to A and E. Adam jumped as he realized that he had to allow the guys in to do their jobs. Reluctantly he let go of Aaron's hand as out of nowhere his mum, Cain and Paddy arrived at his side.

"Is he okay?"

Paddy managed to choke, somewhat out of breath as he had sprinted to keep up with Cain and his mum as they'd crossed the car park.

"No change. You need to go and tell his mam. She wanted you or Cain to call by if you had the time, she asked us to tell you that earlier but we got a little distracted. He mumbled sheepishly. And I need to call Victoria. I was meant to pick her up from town earlier-"

"Don't worry. I called Andy he knows what happened. Adam breathed a huge sigh of relief, as his mum smiled at him knowingly. Let's just focus on him shall we?"