'Jackson! What are you doing here? Aaron not with you?' Relaxing in the back room of the Woolpack between shifts Chas was surprised to see her future son-in-law coming through the door in his wheelchair.

'No he's out on a call out with Cain. I was hoping to speak to you alone actually.'

'Oh god, what's he done now? He's in trouble isn't he? I knew things had been going too well recently...'

'No no it's nothing like that. I mean it is about Aaron but it's nothing bad. I was hoping you could help me out actually. I need some advice...'

'About Aaron?'

'Yeah.'

Chas laughed. 'So you, his boyfriend who he lives with and is choosing to spend the rest of his life with, want advice from me about my son; my son who only talks to me when he absolutely has to?'

'Well ok maybe not about him as such' Jackson paused, unsure what reaction the subject would receive. 'It's about his Dad.'

'Gordon?' She didn't seem angry which he was thankful for. 'Has he been in touch?'

'No. Actually I sort of suggested that maybe Aaron should contact him. It was a few weeks ago, when we first got engaged.'

'Wow. Well I'll give you this you're a lot braver than I am. What did he say?'

'He wasn't particularly keen. We talked and he said he'd think about it...but I don't know if it was just to placate me...and that was before we told my Dad about the wedding, which didn't got too well to put it mildly.'

'Your mum told me what happened. I'm sorry.'

'Yeah well, what she got was the censored version. We didn't want her in court for assault.' He was joking, making light of the situation but it still hurt to remember his Dad's reaction. 'Anyway I'm worried that even if Aaron did mean what he said he might have changed his mind after that.'

'So how can I help?'

'I just wanted your opinion really. Whether it's worth me pushing it? I mean, I think I know how to handle Aaron but he never talks about his Dad and obviously I've not met him. It's just... I don't want what happened with my Dad to stop Aaron having a relationship with his but then on the other hand I don't wanna force the issue if there's no hope for them. So, what do you think?'

'Well...I'm not gonna defend what Gordon did, kicking him out I mean, but...Aaron wasn't the easiest person to live with. How much has he told you about what happened before he came here?'

'Enough for me not to doubt that that's true.'

'Exactly and it wasn't just the things he was getting up to either. I mean, you think he's got an attitude now you should have seen him back then.'

'I can imagine.'

'Right! And Gordon was never the most patient person. But Aaron's grown up a lot since then so who knows...'

'That's not the only thing that's changed though is it?'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean Aaron coming out. Have you got any idea if his Dad knows?'

'Well it was in the paper after the trial so he could have read about it I suppose...'

'That's what Aaron said. Do you think he'd be ok with it?'

'Honestly I don't know. I don't think he was homophobic or anything but...well he wasn't exactly PC. He was the kind of bloke that would call people "puffs" or "fairies, stuff like that, but I don't think it was malicious.' She sighed. 'I'm sorry, I wish I could be more help but it wasn't really something that ever came up. I do know that he wouldn't have had a clue about Aaron though. I mean the way he was, nobody would ever have guessed; not that I'm stereotyping, you're a...well you were a builder and you're gay so obviously...'

'It's ok Chas' He could see his boyfriend's mother becoming tongue-tied and while normally he'd let her sweat a bit for his own amusement he wanted to get back to the house before Aaron did. 'I know as well as anyone that Aaron isn't exactly your typical gay man.'

'That's what I was trying to say.' Chas looked relieved. 'So does that answer your question?'

'Yeah I think so.'

'So what are you gonna do?'

'I'm still not one hundred percent sure but you've given me lots to think about.' The two of them exchanged smiles. 'Right I'll get going then, let you have some peace and quiet before you've gotta be back out there.'

'Yeah thanks, think I'll need it, Alicia's skiving so I'm pulling a double shift.' Jackson turned his wheelchair to go. 'Jackson! I know I had my reservations when Aaron first told me but I'm really happy for the two of you, getting married I mean.'

'Yeah I know and it means a lot, to both of us.'

'I just...well I hope you didn't think it was anything personal, that I didn't like you or anything like that; cos I do. I think you're a great guy...in fact I'm kinda jealous of you.'

'Jealous?' It was Jackson's turn to be surprised.

'Yeah. Me and Aaron, we've never really been close...and I know a lot of that is my fault but still...'

'Aaron loves you Chas, he doesn't always show it but he does.'

'Yeah but he has to love me, I'm his Mum. You he chooses to love; my hard-face faced son let himself fall in love...and I'm glad he did but he wouldn't have done that with just anyone. You've been so good for him and I might have been a bit sceptical at times but I can see how much the two of you mean to each other, and how right you are together.' She cut herself off as tears been to appear in the corner of her eyes. 'Anyway that's enough of me being sappy for one day. Get out of here now you before you ruin my mascara!'

'I love this song!'

It was nine o'clock and, being a Friday night, Bar West was packed as the resident DJ got started. Aaron and Jackson were seated away from the dance-floor so they could hear one another over the booming speakers.

'I know what you're getting at.' Aaron's remark was accompanied by a wilting look in the direction of his boyfriend.

'What? I'm just saying.'

'Uh-huh, well I don't care what you "just say" I'm not gonna apologise for making you leave the crutches at home. We both know I'd have ended up having to carry you home at the end of the night if you'd brought them. It's not like you'd have been able to dance anyway.'

'And why not?'

'Because you're still not that steady on them...and there's no way I'd be up there with you to catch you if you did fall.'

The older man pulled a face but admitted defeat. Aaron was at ease in these surroundings now but he drew the line at dancing. 'Fine well seeing as we can't dance, we can do your other favourite thing...talk!'

Aaron rolled his eyes. 'You and talking eh? What about this time?'

'Well we do have a wedding to plan...'

'Fine by me; come on then, let's plan!'

Jackson was taken aback. He didn't doubt that Aaron was serious about them getting married but he had been sure the younger man would be less than enthusiastic about planning the actual event. 'Really?'

'Yep. Come on then, what's first?'

'Urmmm...' thinking his fiancé would immediately reject the idea, Jackson hadn't really thought it through that much. 'Where? I suppose.'

'Easy; Home Farm. It's local and you and Declan are mates so I'm guessing he wouldn't say no and he'd do it at a good price. Ok?'

'Yeah I guess so.'

'Right then. When?'

'Well I was thinking it still might be a little while before I can walk properly, you know without the crutches, and I quite like the idea of having the ceremony outdoors so maybe spring or early summer next year? May/June time?' He couldn't imagine their wedding being too formal an occasion, neither of them really went in for pomp and ceremony, and seeing as they had both chosen careers which a lot of the time left them exposed to the elements the idea of having an open air ceremony just seemed a natural fit.

'Sounds good to me. So that's it then; you have a word with Declan and we're sorted. Honestly I don't know why people moan so much about how hard it is to plan weddings.' The dim light in the bar hid the devilish twinkle in his eyes.

'Well there's a bit more to it than that.'

'Like what?' Aaron couldn't help but chuckle when he saw the bewildered look on his boyfriend's face; in doing so he gave the game away.

'Very good. You think you're pretty clever don't you?'

'I do as it happens.' He flashed a smug grin in the other man's direction. 'We'll have plenty of time to talk about the other stuff. So unless there's anything else you think we desperately need to decide right this minute I suggest you go to the bar and get the drinks in.'

'Well there is one other thing.' Jackson had sensed the opportunity, with his other half seemingly in an agreeing mood, to raise the tricky subject.

'Oh yeah. Well come on then spit it out or we'll be here all night.'

'Well I was just wondering what you thought we should do about our names?' Spotting the confused look on the teenager's face he continued. 'I know you don't have to but some couples, when they have these ceremonies, change their last names...so they're the same you know. I was just wondering what you thought about that? I mean I'm not particularly bothered about changing mine; it's my Dad's name after all and it's not like I owe him anything.'

'Yeah me neither.'

'That's not the same though, at least you still have a shot at making things right with your Dad!'

Aaron groaned audibly. 'Not this again Jackson.'

'Yes this again, cos it's important. Look I'm not saying you definitely have to go and see him but you need to at least think about it; you did tell me you would.'

'But that was before what happened with your Dad.'

'That's irrelevant. Look they're two completely separate people.'

'Yeah but what if he reacts the same? I don't know if he even knows I'm gay, what if he freaks out?'

'Then we're in the same position we are now. On the other hand, if he doesn't, then at least one of us might have a reason to actually keep our last name.' Jackson looked at his partner with an expectant smile.

'Maybe.'

'That's what you said last...'

'What happened to "you don't have to do it, just think about?" I will do, but in the meantime you can go and get the drinks in before I die of thirst.'

'Such a drama queen...' an expression that earned him one of the mechanic's trademark withering looks. 'It'd be a lot easier if you went you know; someone wouldn't let me bring my crutches and it's a bit of a hassle getting through a crowd of people in a wheelchair, plus they can barely see me over the bar.'

'True but tonight is supposed to be your treat so off you go.' Aaron waved the older man away with his hand.

'Fine! See you in about half an hour or so then!' His sarcasm fell on deaf ears as the teenager was already caught up in his own mind. In truth he knew how long it would take his, for the time-being, still wheelchair-bound boyfriend to get served; in fact he was counting on it. He wanted some time alone to think over their previous conversation.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been sat silently brooding when a female voice intruded on his musings.

'Hi' He looked up to see that the voice belonged to a blonde-haired girl wearing a top that barely contained her somewhat generous assets. 'I'm Charlene.'

'Aaron.' His less than friendly response seemed to go unnoticed as she continued.

'I saw you sitting on your own over here so I thought I'd come and sat hello. I'm here with some mates...' She carried on as he pretended to listen, until he caught her looking at him expectantly.

'Sorry, what?'

'I said do you wanna buy me a drink?' She certainly wasn't lacking in confidence, he'd give her that.

'Well I would but I'm not sure my fiancé would be too happy about that.'

'And where is the lucky girl?' She didn't seem put off by his revelation; the tone of her voice suggesting she viewed it as more of a challenge than anything else.

'Urmmm...' He scoured his surroundings, hoping that for once his timing would be right. 'Ah right there...' He accompanied the words with a nod in the direction of a returning Jackson, looking slightly puzzled by the company his other half was keeping. 'Oh and I wouldn't call him a girl if I were you, he gets a bit touchy about things like that.'

'Oh...' For the first time the blonde seemed to struggle for words. '..right. I'm sorry, I didn't realise!'

'You do know this is a gay bar right?'

'Yeah but I thought maybe...well you don't look gay!'

'Oh yeah?' Jackson was almost at the table now and as he came closer Aaron got up from his seat. 'How about now?' As they met in front of a visibly shocked Charlene he leaned down and kissed the older man; on the lips, lingering, no holds barred. By the time they came up for air she had disappeared from view leaving them alone once more.

'Wow, what was that for?' Jackson was breathless but grinning.

'Just making a point.

'And what point would that be?'

'That I'm not ashamed of who I am. And I'm gonna prove it by going to see my Dad and telling him exactly who that is now.'

'Really?'

'Yep, like you said, what have I got to lose? We don't have any kind of relationship now so the worst thing that can happen is it goes badly and we still don't.'

'That's quite the revelation you've had there! How long was I at that bar for?' Jackson laughed and Aaron couldn't help but do the same.

It was 1.45am, 15 minutes from closing time and the DJ was following the traditional route of playing slow songs to round off the night. The dance-floor was packed with couples; some of whom had arrived together, others which had taken shape during the course of the evening.

Aaron and Jackson were still sat at the same table they had been at since they arrived. Jackson was looking through the empty beer bottles and glasses which were scattered across the top in the direction of the swaying bodies, a fact which hadn't gone unnoticed.

'Right come on then.' The teenager piped up.

'You wanna go now?'

'Nope, well yeah kind of but first we're gonna dance.'

'We're what?' Jackson was sure he must have heard wrong.

'We're gonna dance!'

'You're drunk.' It wasn't a question, more of a statement.

'Yep! But I'm still offering to dance with you right now so you might wanna take advantage while you can. Don't worry I'll try not to drop you, I think I can just about handle the slow songs.' He didn't wait for a reply; standing up he dashed behind the older man's wheelchair and pushed him in the direction of the music. Reaching the edge of the polished floor he put the brake on and walked round to the front, holding his arms out to assist.

Once on the dance-floor Jackson clung tightly to his partner; only partially for physical support. His head rested on Aaron's shoulder as they swayed side to side.

The song changed but they stayed in the same position, moving wordlessly until, when the chorus kicked in, Aaron heard a quiet voice singing in his ear, accompanying the warm breath.

'When I see your face / There's not a thing that I would change / Cos you're amazing / Just the way you are / And when you smile / The whole world stops and stares for a while / Cos...you're amazing / Just the way you are.'

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone for reading and for the lovely reviews. Oh and I'm sure you already know but the lyrics at the end aren't mine; the song is 'Just The Way You Are' by Bruno Mars.