Taxi for Mr Walsh - Chapter 10
The previous chapter was to be the last, but I have had some lovely reviews, asking me to continue (thank you); so here's another chapter...
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
-O-
Aaron had returned to work after recovering from his ordeal at the hands of Wayne Dobson and his sidekick. He realised how lucky he had been to escape with his life; especially as another poor boy had been less fortunate. Cain and Debbie were glad to see him back at the garage, but were worried that he was returning too soon. Aaron assured them that he was fit enough to come back and was slightly amused at Cain's uncharacteristic concern.
Jackson had settled in back at Home Farm Estates. He was very grateful to Declan for allowing him the time off to care for Aaron; but was now determined to throw himself into his job. In fact, he was working long hours; though Declan warned him not to overdo things as he wanted his project manager to be alert at all times.
It was another typical August day in the Dales and the rain was belting down hard! Jackson ran from his van up the path to Dale Head and rushed through the front door in a hopeless attempt to dodge the heavy fall of thundery rain which was lashing down from the heavens.
"Look at you!" Aaron laughed as he set eyes on a drenched Jackson.
"It's not funny!" Jackson shook himself like a dog trying to dry itself, "You could at least get me a towel!"
Aaron, still chuckling, went to get the requested towel and handed it to his husband, "Don't know what you're so worried about, the wet look's all the rage, don't you know!"
"Never mind about me catching my death!" Jackson said, before rubbing his hair vigorously with the towel.
"Well, it's late. Have you eaten?"
"I grabbed a bite earlier, but I'm hungry now."
"I'll fix you something," Aaron said, kissing Jackson's forehead before pulling away, "Yuck, you're all wet!"
"That's why I wanted a towel, you div!" Jackson lunged towards Aaron, but he scarpered into the kitchen before his husband could catch him.
Later on that evening, Aaron was sitting on the sofa, yawning.
"Sorry if I'm boring you!" Jackson smiled at his partner.
"I'm just tired, that's all!" Aaron explained.
The next day, Aaron was just walking across the garage towards the car he was working on, when he stumbled and ended up sprawled on the floor.
"Aaron! Are you OK?" Debbie's voice was full of concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine!" Aaron said, picking himself up and brushing himself down.
"Maybe you should have had a few more days rest before coming back."
"I said I'm fine, OK?" Aaron was adamant; but Debbie was still concerned.
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Jackson arrived home early that day to find Aaron lying on the sofa, fast asleep. He looked pale and tired; and Jackson sensed that something was not right, but did not know what it was.
Aaron roused and saw his husband looking intently at him, "Hi babe!" he said and went to get up, but suddenly sat down again sharply, holding his head, "Oh!" he said.
Jackson was by his side in a flash, "What's the matter, gorgeous?"
"I just felt a bit dizzy, that's all! I'll be OK." Aaron tried to shrug it off.
"You know you don't have to play the hard man with me!" Jackson said; his voice filled with worry, "Tell me what's wrong."
"I don't know really, I feel weak and out of breath; and I've been getting a pain in my sides. I felt dizzy in work today and fell over; Debbie sent me home."
"Right, that's it!" Jackson took control, "Let's get you to A&E, right now!"
Jackson ignored Aaron's protestations and sat him in his van to take him to hospital. After they had waited for a couple of hours Aaron was eventually seen by a doctor. Jackson waited for news, fidgeting nervously while Aaron was being looked at.
After a long, agonising wait; a nurse appeared and approached Jackson. She had dealt with Aaron when he arrived and knew Jackson would be waiting to hear something. "You can see Aaron now," the nurse smiled, "he's in number three, just along there." The nurse pointed towards the row of curtained cubicles next to the waiting area.
"Thanks," Jackson returned the nurse's smile and headed off to see his husband.
Aaron was still lying on the bed in the cubicle and Jackson perched on a seat next to him; taking his hand in his own he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Still tired," Aaron replied, "They want to do some more tests; so they're gonna keep me in overnight."
"Really, is it that serious?" Jackson looked shocked.
"Jackson, they're worried about my kidneys; they reckon my symptoms might be something to do with that, so they want to monitor the situation to see if that's the answer."
Jackson had turned pale; he pulled Aaron's hand to his lips and kissed it, "My poor baby! Did they say you'll recover?"
"Well, they said it's pretty serious, assuming that's what it is, but most people can lead a normal life, with a bit of help, you know; dialysis, that sort of thing."
"Is this all down to that attack? I could kill that Wayne!"
"I don't think they know anything for certain just yet. We'd best wait and see; anyway, that little runt is going to be in prison for the foreseeable; unless you know someone on the inside who can do the job!" Aaron grinned and Jackson was pleased that his husband had not lost his sense of humour.
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Jackson found himself back on regular hospital visiting. It had been found that Aaron had renal failure and his kidneys were damaged; so he needed dialysis to keep him alive. He played it down, in typical Aaron fashion, but Jackson could tell that, underneath it all, he was worried. Aaron was also worried about the effect it was having on Jackson; every time he saw his lovely husband, he could see he wore a concerned frown; even though Jackson tried to put a brave face on things.
"How are you feeling today?" Jackson asked on his latest visit, as he kissed Aaron and sat down next to him.
"Better today," Aaron answered, "They say I should be going home soon."
"That's great!" Jackson was pleased that his husband was feeling brighter.
"Trouble is," Aaron looked serious, "I'll have to have this dialysis for the rest of my life, unless I go for a kidney transplant. But that's going to depend on finding a donor with a suitable match."
"Well, people have it done, don't they? I expect they live normal lives once they've been given a new kidney."
"Yeah, I suppose; but I'm scared, Jackson!" Aaron suddenly let his guard down and looked tearful. Jackson stood up to put his arms around his partner to soothe him; no words were necessary at that moment.
Jackson had a flash of inspiration and called to see the doctor on his way out. He asked a few searching questions about kidney transplants and also asked if it was possible that he could be tested for a match with Aaron. He knew what he wanted to do for the love of his life.
On his next visit, Jackson broached the subject with Aaron, who looked as if he had just had the biggest shock of his young life.
"I can't ask you to do that!" Aaron gasped in disbelief, "I don't want them cutting you about on my account!"
"But I want to help!" Jackson was pleading with Aaron to see sense, "If one of my kidneys could give you a normal life, then I'd happily give it to you; no question."
"But..."
"No buts!" Jackson was determined to bring Aaron round to the idea, "I'm going to be tested and that's final!"
Aaron knew that, if Jackson had set his mind on something, there was no point in trying to change it. He smiled at Jackson, knowing that this man loved him more than life itself and simply said, "OK!"
"You mean," Jackson was taken aback that Aaron had given in so easily, "you'll let me do this for you?"
"Jackson, I love you. If you were in my situation; I'd do exactly the same thing for you. I know there's absolutely no point in fighting you over this; you always did have a stubborn streak!"
"I guess we're two of a kind!" Jackson smiled at Aaron before kissing him lovingly.
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Jackson sat in the kitchen of Smithy Cottage, drinking a cup of tea that Paddy had just made him.
"What time are you going to the hospital?" asked Paddy, setting his own mug down on the table.
"In about half an hour," replied Jackson.
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"Yeah, OK. I'm hoping for some good news. If I'm a suitable donor; I can change his life."
"Aaron will be alright!"
"Yeah," a wry smile played around Jackson's lips, "he's a proper little toughie!"
"Mind you, he's not as tough as he likes to make out!"
"You're talking to me here, Paddy. You think I don't know him by now! I just wish things could go back to the way they were before."
"I know," Paddy smiled encouragingly at Jackson, "But he's got you to see him through. It's a wonderful thing you are trying to do for him."
"I'd die for him, Paddy! He's everything to me." Jackson's eyes filled with tears and Paddy jumped up and put his arm around his shoulders.
"He's so lucky to have you."
"I'm the lucky one! I know he can be a right pain in the backside sometimes, but he is so worth the effort!"
Paddy did not respond to that statement; but his heart was full of love and pride for 'his' two boys.
Paddy waited patiently for Jackson, outside the doctor's office. He was looking forward to seeing Aaron a bit later on, but was desperate to know if Jackson would be the bearer of good news. After a few minutes, Jackson emerged from the office with a broad grin on his face; "They say I'm a perfect match!" he could not wait to tell Paddy.
"That's brilliant!" Paddy pulled Jackson into a hug.
"Let's go and tell Aaron!" Jackson beamed.
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The big day had arrived. Aaron and Jackson were sitting together in their hospital gowns; having a last chat before going down to theatre. Jackson thought how weak and frail Aaron looked; the sight very nearly broke his big heart.
"It's not too late to back out; I wouldn't blame you!" Aaron said.
"No way!" Jackson replied, "This is for you; to make you better! I'd do anything for you; anything!"
"And I'd do anything for you too. I love you!"
"I love you too."
They had a final kiss before going down to be prepared for surgery.
Paddy, Chas and Hazel sat waiting anxiously for news. Having one of their boys in the operating theatre would have been bad enough; but having both of them there meant torture for all of them.
"They will be alright, won't they?" Chas asked, though she knew that Paddy and Hazel could not answer that question any more than she could.
"They'll be fine," Paddy tried to reassure his companions.
Hazel was uncharacteristically quiet; but she was just as worried as the other two.
After what seemed like an endless wait, a doctor appeared and spoke to them. "We've finished the operation; Aaron and Jackson are fine. You can see them in a few minutes; but don't expect too much just now; they're still a bit groggy after the anaesthetic."
Chas and Paddy sat by Aaron's bedside as he came round, "Jackson?" he asked.
"Jackson's fine, love," Chas assured him, "How are you feeling?"
"Like someone's just hit me with a sledgehammer!" Aaron managed a wry smile.
Hazel was with Jackson as he regained consciousness. His first word was; "Aaron?"
"He's OK, sweetheart; you both are," Hazel cupped Jackson's cheek in her hand, "I'm so proud of you!"
"It was nothing!" Jackson replied, "Just something I had to do!"
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A few weeks later, Aaron and Jackson were back at home in Dale Head; getting their lives back on track. They had washed and dressed and were in the lounge one Saturday morning.
"You look well this morning, babe!" Jackson said.
"I feel it!" Aaron replied with a grin, "It's all thanks to you, my wonderful man!"
Aaron threw his arms around Jackson and planted a big kiss on his husband's lips.
"Have you taken your tablet this morning?" Jackson enquired.
"Yes, matron!" Aaron made light of the situation, "Funny how I need pills so that my body won't reject a part of you that's inside me!"
"Why is it funny?" Jackson looked bemused.
"Well," Aaron said with a cheeky grin, "I don't usually have a problem with a part of you inside me!"
"Aaron!" Jackson frowned in mock disgust; he was sometimes taken aback by his husband's outrageous sense of humour!
"What?" Aaron played the innocent.
"You are a naughty boy, sometimes!" Jackson teased.
"You don't often complain!" Aaron pulled his husband to him with a lecherous grin and then gave him a wanton kiss which sparked their passion. Their weekend was about to become a lot more interesting.