The Secret Millionaire
I have nothing to do with either show
The knock at the vicarage door was unusually early, Ashley was no stranger to visits from his congregation so when he opened the door to a man in paint splattered overalls grinning madly at him he was shocked to say the least
"Morning Gov, got the keys?"
"Keys?"
"To the community centre, need to take a quick look then I'll go get the paint and then I can get started"
Ashley stood for a moment, once again his guardian angel seemed to be sitting on his shoulder making what previously seem impossible now entirely possible "Who's organised this?"
"Don't know Gov, just got told to be here today and if you asked to say not to worry it's all paid for, so can I have the keys?"
Ashley silently handed the keys over, he just wished he knew who was being so good to him and too generous
At the hospital Hazel and Aaron had arrived to collect Jackson who was sat eagerly awaiting their arrival he was all packed, he had his appointment for Physio the following day and he'd even remembered to ask his mam to buy some chocolates for the nursing staff which he handed to them on the way out, he walked slowly out of the ward, down the corridor and out into the summer sunshine
Once back in Emmerdale Aaron was wanting Jackson to take it easy, to maybe take a nap but Jackson wanted to stay in the bar and enjoy socialising again with the residents that have all been so good and friendly to him, he'd stashed Chas's shoes in his room, had unpacked and returned downstairs where his mam and Chas were waiting with a welcome pint for him Aaron had questioned if drinking was a good idea Jackson had rolled his eyes reminded his boyfriend that he wasn't on any tablets that would be affected by alcohol and that he was only having the one
Whilst sitting in the bar Jackson was approached by numerous people all asking after his health and spending a few minutes talking with the builder this made his mam smile she knew her son could fit in with any one and the fact that people wanted to know how he was getting on gave her a warm glow she was jolted out of her thoughts by her phone ringing it was a school in America that specialises in helping children with difficulties either physical or mental to reach their full potential they had a position waiting for her in their arts department she looked over at her son she knew he was safe and well on the way to a full recovery so accepted the position she would leave in a couple of days
Hazel told her son of her plans hoping that he wouldn't feel like she was abandoning him, he hugged her, reassured her that that wasn't the case and even paid for her ticket back to America, he was hoping to avoid the talk his mam had planned for him but he knew better at some time she was going to ask him when he was going to tell Aaron the truth, the truth be known he had no idea
Aaron was sat at the bar he couldn't take his eyes off the builder scared in case whilst he wasn't looking something else awful would happen, he made sure that the builder stuck to just one pint and after a hour had shepherded him into the back room, once there he'd took him in his arms and kissed him, the thrill of the builders lips against his own once again fuelling his need for the older man, he kissed his boyfriend hoping to convey in actions all the things he wasn't comfortable yet in saying, he was falling in love with the builder
Acouple of days later whilst Aaron was at work Jackson took a slow walk down to the community centre the door was open and he poked his head in to check on the progress of the redecoration, he was surprised to find it almost finished the painter his mam had been recommended certainly knew his stuff everything looked fresh and clean the paint working to make everything look brand new, he didn't want to disturb so left without the painter ever knowing he was there, he walked past the church from the lytch gate he looked up at the church roof, it only needed the flashing doing and that would be finished, he walked up the grave yard, he didn't know but Adam had been watching him and had followed
"I hope you're not planning on climbing that ladder, if you are I want time to emigrate because Aaron's gonna go ballistic " the young farmer smirked at Jackson
"No I wasn't, but you could, I'll hold the ladder all that's left is to hammer down the flashing, could you do that for me?" the builder questioned
The young farmer looked at his friend, the answer was easy "Okay"
Aaron had seen the ladder resting against the wall of the church, he swore if Jackson was on that roof he was gonna kill him himself he sprinted up the path and found the builder at the bottom holding onto the ladder as Adam climbed down
"Just what the hell do you think you're playing at " the mechanic panted
"I'm off" the farmer walked away he didn't want to witness the argument he felt sure was about to erupt between his two friends
"Thanks Adam" Jackson replied but his eyes never left those of his boyfriend standing in front of him
"You certainly know how to scare a person" Aaron was serious as he spoke to his boyfriend, he then gathered him in his arms and hugged him
"I don't like leaving things unfinished " the builder sighed "But I said I wasn't going back on that roof and I don't break my promises, especially to you" he lifted his head and smiled
The two men walked back up to the Pub, Jackson was getting tired he'd been to the hospital with his mam that morning then having had a walk about he found that he really needed a lie down before he and Aaron took Hazel to the airport to catch her flight back to America that evening, he was too tired to tackle the stairs so opted for a rest on the sofa in the back room, he'd no sooner laid down than he was asleep snoring softly
The Airport was busy, people milling around saying their farewells to loved ones leaving the country, Jackson was used to his mam jet setting around the world but as he stood with her in departures he found this time harder than most, was it because of the accident or was it something else he didn't know but as he looked about he felt tears blurring his vision
Hazel was saying goodbye to Aaron and Chas who'd tagged along to see her new friend off, once they had hugged the two walked away leaving mother and son to have some private words
"Come here son" Hazel held out hers arms to Jackson
"I'm going to miss you mam" Jackson choked out
"No you won't you'll be too busy with that young man of yours, but do me a favour Jackson"
"Anything "
"Tell him the truth before it's too late " Hazel was almost pleading to her son
"I will mam but I'm so scared of losing him "
"You will lose him if you don't tell him the truth, Jackson he loves you anyone can see that but if you keep lying to him how's he ever going to trust you"
"You're right mam I'll do it tomorrow"
"That's My good boy" Hazel kissed her son, waved to Aaron and Chas and then disappeared through the gate to board her flight