"He's laying it on thick, isn't he?" Chas mumbles to Paddy as they watch Gordon put on a show for the court.
"He's me son," Gordon says.
Aaron jumps to his feet, "Don't call me that. I haven't been that in years."
"See! He's just doing this to get back at me." Gordon says dabbing the tears away with a tissue the judge hands him. "He has hated me since he left. He hates the thought of me back with his mum, so he had to find a way to separate us." He dabs his eyes again. "I just wanted to be a good dad."
Aaron rolls his eyes and sits down, grumbling, "Oh come off it."
The judge looks up, "You'll get your chance Mr. Livesy."
Aaron nods and relaxes back into Robert's arm.
"Just breathe." Robert whispers, "You're doing great."
"How can he Robert? He's lying through his teeth." Aaron grits out.
"I know. The court will see that he's putting on a show. Just trust them." Robert says threading his fingers through Aaron's.
Aaron nods and turns his attention back to the man who he used to call his father. He notes how old he looks today, how tired and run down he was. He almost felt sorry for him... almost.
Gordon finishes his testimony and is excused to his seat.
"Court calls Aaron Livesy to the stand." The assistant calls.
Robert stands with Aaron and gives him a small hug. When he pulls back, he looks into Aaron's eyes, "Just tell the truth, yeah? You'll do great."
Aaron nods and walks slowly to the front of the room.
Aaron testifies for an hour. Each lawyer having differing questions and Robert could tell that it was taking a toll on Aaron's mentality.
When he was finally finished, he looked to Gordon, "This is me. The son you said that you loved, but you really HATE. How else would you be able to do what you did and carry it for this long and still deny it to my face?" Aaron spits full of venom. He shakes his head in disgust and leaves the stand.
Gordon is left stunned as Aaron walks back to his seat and into the arms of a waiting Robert.
"You were fantastic." Robert whispers into Aaron's ears. "I'm so proud of you."
Aaron finally lets the tears fall and Robert just held him and rocked him until he was able to control them.
Aaron sits down and is wrapped in a hug from his mum, who was sitting next to him. "I'm proud of ya, love."
Aaron nods into his mum's embrace, "Thanks." He whispers, still unable to find his voice.
"Court requests a 30 minute recess before verdict?" Aaron's solicitor asks.
"Granted." The magistrate says, "30 minute recess for lunch then we will adjourn for verdict."
Aaron sighs in relief and stands up. "I don't think I can eat anything." He says turning to Robert.
"Fair enough. Do you want to try to snack?" Robert nudges.
Aaron shakes his head and turns to leave the gallery, Robert following close behind him.
Once out of the building Aaron takes a deep breath, "I can't stand it." He says.
"What?" Robert says taking Aaron's hand.
"Not being able to breathe." Aaron says as he's starting to breathe deeper and faster. He starts to panic as tears come streaming fast down his cheeks. He starts to hyperventilate because he's crying so hard and he's so panicked because he feels as if he can't breathe. He starts to see spots in front of him and his vision starts to blur. He feels strong arms encircle him and a smooth whisper telling him he's ok and that no one will ever be able to touch him again. Then the voice tells him to breathe like it's breathing and he hears deep, slow breaths come by his ear. He closes his eyes and follows the breathing until he comes out of his panic attack.
"Are you alright?" Chas asks Aaron, but Aaron tightens his hold on Robert and nods.
"I've got him. Give him a moment." Robert says to Chas.
She looks to Paddy, who nods. She looks down to her feet and then back up to Robert. "Ok." She uncomfortably says.
The duo step down off the stairwell and walk down the sidewalk to the closest cafe for lunch.
Robert begins to lean back from the hug, but Aaron grabs him tighter, refusing to release him.
"Things will be easier now. You've let it out." Robert whispers. "I'm so very proud of you."
Aaron nods and wipes his eyes on Robert's shoulder. "Thanks for that." Robert says earning a small laugh from Aaron.
"Let's go get some soup into ya." Robert says pulling back from the hug.
"Yeah," Aaron says, "I'll try."
Robert takes Aaron's hand and they walk slowly to the cafe to meet Chas, Paddy, and the other family that was able to come to the hearing.
Adam meets them at the cafe and immediately hugs Aaron when he sees him. "Mum said you did brilliantly. I'm proud of you mate." He sits in the chair that Moira had saved for him.
"Thanks mate." Aaron says.
"You're brave mate." Adam says.
Aaron nods his head and looks to his lap, "Thanks." He whispers.
Aaron gets a text letting him know that they are needed back at the court.
Robert takes a deep breath and grabs Aaron's hand. He brings it slowly to his lips and gives it a soft kiss. "Just breathe."
Aaron nods his head and stands up. He allows Robert to lead him slowly out of the cafe and back to the courthouse.
"In the case of Gordon Livesy, we find the defendant..."
Aaron takes a deep breath and looks to Robert. "What ever she says, you'll be ok." Robert says.
"Guilty on the first count." The magistrate says, "Guilty on the second count."
The gallery bursts in cheers, but Aaron is so stunned, he's not positive that he has completely understood. He looks up to Robert, "You did it!" He says and pulls Aaron to his feet.
"Guilty on the third count," the magistrate continues.
Aaron stands to his feet and wraps Robert into a hug.
"Guilty on the last count," the magistrate finishes.
"I'm free?" Aaron whispers in Robert's ear, still not believing what he's heard.
Robert pulls back and looks into Aaron's eyes, "You did it! You're free..." Robert says and pulls Aaron back into the embrace, "You're free."