After one hour, everyone went home but Robert stayed at the hospital with Aaron. Robert slept in the chair next to Aaron's hospital bed. But after a few hours he woke up when he heard a faint whisper, he opened his eyes and saw Aaron moving around in his sleep and muttering something but it wasn't very clear what he was saying.
Robert sat up and held Aaron's hand "Sshh Aaron, calm down babe. I'm here" Robert tried to calm his husband but Aaron woke up screaming.
"Robert!" Aaron cried out, he was panting and sweating.
"It's okay babe, I'm here. It was just a nightmare" Robert said in a soft voice and rubbed Aaron's back.
"Oh Not again" Aaron sighed as his breathing levelled out.
"What happened?" Robert asked.
"He shot you" Aaron started to cry "It was like, you swapped places with me" Aaron looked at Robert.
"He can't hurt us, he's going back to prison" Robert wiped away Aaron's tears with his thumb "The doctor said that you can come home tomorrow".
"You're still wearing your pyjama bottoms?" Aaron's lips curled into a half smile.
"I didn't have time to change" Robert chuckled.
"Andy's jacket looks good on you" Aaron chuckled.
"I've only been wearing this for a few hours and I'm starting to miss my leather jacket" Robert smiled.
"Are you hurt?" Aaron asked when he noticed the blood on Robert's trousers. His voice was full of concern as he worried that Robert could have also been hurt as he fought with Gordon.
Robert followed Aaron's gaze and he saw the large blood print on his leg "Only a few bruises and the cut on my head from being hit with a lamp. But no, that blood's yours." Robert said when he heard the concerned tone in Aaron's voice.
"Let me see" Aaron nodded at Robert so that he would show him the injury on the back of his head. Robert turned his head slightly so that Aaron could have a look at the slit that was under his hair. Aaron moved away Robert's blood splattered blonde hair with both of his hands, he saw the large cut and that it had been stitched up.
"One of the doctors stitched it up whilst you were asleep. He wanted me to go into another room but I didn't want to leave you" Robert then turned back around to face Aaron and he saw the worried look in his husband's eyes "Don't worry Aaron. I'm fine, honest" Robert held Aaron's hand.
"I'm so sorry Rob" Aaron sighed.
"For what? You didn't hurt me" Robert wiped away Aaron's tears.
"Didn't I? It's because of me that you and Alyssa could've been killed. I couldn't even protect you from my own... I couldn't protect you from Gordon" Aaron said with a defeated tone in his voice.
"You did protect us. Non of this is your fault" Robert stroked Aaron's cheek.
"He whispered something into her ear, I could tell that it terrified her. And I think I know what he said to her" Aaron shivered.
"I think that I do too. But don't think about that, it will just bring back bad memories" Robert knew that Aaron was thinking about everything that Gordon had put him through.
"He wanted to kill me and you, and he wanted to..." Aaron bit the skin under his lip.
"Aaron, don't do that to yourself. We're all fine. Al is safe, you're safe and I'm safe. He's going to be locked up again he won't be coming after any of us ever again" Robert stood up and sat on the hospital bed and he hugged Aaron.
"We're going to have to go to court again aren't we?" Aaron asked as he held on to Robert.
"Yeah, but everything will be ok. I promise you that we'll be safe again. You'll be safe again" Robert cooed into Aaron's ear as he held him for what felt like hours.
At 11:00am the nurse walked in to give Aaron some more pain relief and he was told that he could go home. At 2:30pm Cain came back to the hospital with some clothes for Aaron and Robert, and then he drove them back to Home farm. Robert helped Aaron out of the car and into their house and sat him down on the sofa before going into the kitchen to get Aaron something to eat and drink. Robert was aware of the fact that Chas and Moira had come around and cleaned up all of the blood that was on the carpet of Alyssa's bedroom. Robert made Aaron a bacon sarnie and a strong cup of coffee. He then walked back into the living room, he handed Aaron his sandwich, he placed the mug of coffee on the coffee table and he watched Aaron eat.
"You need to eat too" Aaron said when he noticed Robert watching him.
"No I'm good." Robert waved away Aaron's words of concern.
"Robert" Aaron put the sandwich back onto the plate and then he placed it to the side of him "What's wrong?" Aaron placed his hand on Robert's knee.
"You were so scared when you were fighting with him. I saw it in your eyes" Robert placed his hand on top Aaron's hand "You're covered in cuts and bruises"
"I was scared, but the thought of you and Alyssa being put in danger scared me more then Gordon did". Aaron said in a soft voice "Cuts and bruises fade over time".
"You have nothing to be afraid of. I'll always be here to protect you and Alyssa." Robert reassured Aaron.
"I'll always be scared that I won't be able to protect my family" Aaron sighed "Is she okay?"
"Al is fine. She's just a little shaken up" Robert said softly.
"So that's two kid's bedrooms that he has crept into. I'm just glad that we got there before he did anything to her" Aaron remembered the constant fear and dread that he had to deal with when his father would abuse him when he was a bad kid.
"I wouldn't let him lay a finger on her. She will never go though anything like what you went through" Robert moved closer to Aaron and put his arm around him.
Aaron rested his head on Robert's shoulder "What would I do without you ay?" Aaron asked.
"You'd be shooting a wall with a nerf gun" Robert tried to lighten the mood.
"I'll be gentle with you, but Cain will want to have a go at firing bullets at you and so will Zak, Charity, Mum and Liv" Aaron smiled.
"It's a good job that I can climb trees then" Robert smiled.
"That won't stop my uncle. He'd just climb up the tree after you, and I'll have to stand on the ground below the tree. Ready to catch you if he pushes you off of a branch." Aaron chuckled.
"Andy would be laughing his head off if I fell out of a tree and you having to catch me" Robert laughed.
After Aaron had finished eating he and Robert both stood up to start Aaron's physio. Robert had to hold Aaron's wrist's and Aaron held onto Robert's wrist's but he concentrated on walking forwards slowly as he starred at his feet. For a few minutes Robert slowly guided Aaron around the downstairs of their home. After a thirty minutes Robert slowly let go of Aaron's wrist's and he took a few steps back. Aaron had both of his hands on the small table behind him to hold him up.
"Aaron, if you can't do it just tell me" Robert worried that Aaron was trying too hard to push himself to walk on his own.
"I need to try" Aaron pushed himself up but he still had one hand on the table.
"Okay. Just take small steps. Slowly, I promise that I'll catch you if you fall" Robert held out his arms ready to catch Aaron and to encourage his husband to try and walk. He had originally heisted to let Aaron try to walk on his own because he was still very weak and Robert knew it. But he knew that Aaron would not be told that he could not do something.
Aaron hesitated but he put one foot forward and he had both arms out sideways to help balance himself. Aaron looked down at the floor to watch his feet.
"Small steps Aaron!" Robert bent his knees slightly but he still held out his arms for Aaron.
Aaron wobbled a little and Robert's heart jumped into his throat, as he took a sudden step forward to catch Aaron if he lost his footing. Aaron regained his balance, and he looked up at Robert to show him that he was okay. Robert nodded at him to show that he understood. Aaron looked back down at his feet and he took a deep breathe, he was scared that he would fall and that Robert would think that he was weak. Aaron slowly lifted his foot and took another step forwards, but his legs could not take the strain and he fell.
Robert lunged forwards and caught Aaron as he fell "I've got you babe" Robert held Aaron up.
Aaron gripped Robert's upper arms as Robert caught him. "Argh God! Robert" Aaron felt a sharp pain coming from where he had been shot.
"I think that's enough for today" Robert moved one of his arms from Aaron's back and put it under his legs "Put your arms around my neck" Robert wrapped one arm around Aaron's back. Aaron knew what Robert was trying to do, so he complied with Robert's request by putting his arms around his husband's neck. Robert scooped Aaron up and carried him into the living room, he laid him down on the couch.
"Thanks babe" Aaron said in a defeated tone.
"Does it hurt?" Robert asked as he crouched down next to Aaron.
"A bit. It hurt when I fell" Aaron turned his head to face Robert.
Robert stroked Aaron's hair "Tell me if it get's worse".
"I will" Aaron gave Robert a weak smile.
"Are you sure that You're okay?" Robert was not convinced by Aaron's efforts to put him at ease.
"I'm fine Rob" Aaron reassured. However deep down Aaron was not okay, he felt weak and he felt that he was letting Robert down. He was still in pain but it was bearable enough that he could hide it from Robert.
"Alright. Do you want me to get you anything?" Robert asked.
"Can I have a pillow and a blanket please?" Aaron asked.
"Of course you can. I'll be back in a minute" Robert kissed Aaron on the forehead as he stood up and walked out of the room.
After his husband had left the room Aaron moved slightly and placed his hand against the wound on his waist. He winced when he felt another sharp jab of pain in his side. He shed a few tears when he thought about the desire that Gordon had to kill him and Robert. He then remembered what he had gone through as a child, that fear towards his own father remained even when he was safe at home with Robert. Gordon used to creep into his bedroom as a child to punish him, Aaron could not shake the thought from his head that Gordon had done it again, he broke into his home and watched Alyssa as she slept.
As Robert began to walk up the stairs he looked into the living room so that he could see if Aaron was alright 'I wish that he didn't hide his pain from me' Robert thought as he walked up the stairs to fetch Aaron his pillow and a blanket. Robert walked into his and Aaron's bedroom, he opened the closet and he pulled out a blanket "He's been through too much." Robert whispered to himself "He's trying to hide it, but I know that he's still in a lot of pain". Robert picked up the blanket and pillow and walked back downstairs and into the living room. He kneeled down next to Aaron and put the blanket over him. Aaron lifted his head and Robert slid the pillow underneath it "Is that more comfortable?"
"Yeah, thanks babe" Aaron smiled at Robert.
Robert stroked Aaron's cheek and then he handed him the TV remote. Robert then walked to his office to get some work done but he could not concentrate so he did some research into what murders think when they commit their crimes and how to get them the maximum sentence. After a few hours later the front door opened and Alyssa ran in.
Alyssa ran into the living room and saw that Aaron was lying on the sofa "Daddy!" She ran around and hugged Aaron.
"Ah!" Aaron exclaimed when Alyssa squeezed him tightly around the chest, she had accidently pressed her elbow on Aaron's gun shot wound.
"Sorry daddy!" she quickly let go of Aaron and moved back.
"It's okay princess" Aaron smiled at his daughter "I'm just a little delicate at the moment".
Lisa then walked into the living room with Belle "Hiya Aaron Love." Lisa said.
"How are you feeling?" Belle asked.
"Hi, I'm better then I was. Thanks for looking after her" Aaron smiled at Lisa and Belle.
Robert then walked in to check on Aaron when he saw Lisa, Belle and Alyssa. "Daddy!" Alyssa ran at Robert and he hugged her.
"Hi Al, are you ok?." Robert asked as his daughter hugged him tightly "Hi Lisa, hi Belle" Robert said when he saw Lisa and Belle smiling at him and Alyssa.
"Hiya Robert. How's your head" Belle asked.
"It's okay now, one of the doctors stitched up the cut" Robert smiled.
"I see that you have our Aaron well taken care of" Lisa looked back at Aaron and then at Robert.
Before Robert could say anything Chas walked in "I've brought a movie for us to watch and I've ordered a pizza" Chas then saw everyone.
"Hi mum" Aaron said.
"Hiya Chas" Robert said as he let go of Alyssa.
"Hey you two" Chas smiled at Aaron and then at Robert.
"Do you want us to have Alyssa to stay at ours again tonight?" Lisa asked.
"Is that okay with you?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah it's fine. Both of you look like you need the rest" Lisa smiled and then walked out of the house with Belle and Alyssa.
"So what have you two been up to?" Chas asked as she sat down in the armchair.
"I haven't been able to do anything really" Aaron looked at Robert.
"We did a few minutes of physio but Aaron found it hard to walk without me holding onto him." Robert said as he sat on the arm of the sofa behind Aaron.
"I did fall and Robert had to carry me back in here." Aaron sighed.
"Are you ok?" Chas was concerned that her son had hurt himself.
"I'm ok. I just don't have the strength to walk on my own yet" Aaron reassured his mother that he was alright, but Robert was not convinced however he stayed quiet so he did not worry Chas.
"Good because... I have a good movie here, and I want to spend some time with the both of you" Chas opened the plastic bag to retrieve the DVD that she had brought.
"I don't know mum. You have a very different taste in movies compared to me and Robert" Aaron knew that his mum would have brought a romance film or something with vampires in. Aaron then remembered what film saga his mum loved "Oh no" he muttered under his breath.
Chas then pulled out the DVD and held it up "One of the greatest movies of all time" Chas grinned as she got up to put the DVD in the player.
"Psst, Robert" Aaron whispered.
Robert lowered his head to listen to what was about to say "Yes Aaron" Robert whispered.
"Her favourite films are: all of the Twilight movies, The note book, Aladdin, and Magic Mike" Aaron gritted his teeth.
"Really? The notebook?" Robert whispered.
"Just be glad that she's not drunk and singing a whole new world. Or making you watch Magic Mike on your twenty-sixth birthday" Aaron shuddered as he spoke.
"She made you watch Magic Mike?" Robert raised both eyebrows.
"She tried to persuade me to watch it with her. I just wanted to watch a horror movie." Aaron closed his eyes tight.
"Did you watch it?" Robert asked.
"I locked my bedroom door and I climbed out of the window and hid at Adam and Vic's place for a few hours. I was so happy when I saw you there. Adam put Wrong Turn on and I cuddle you because you got scared, I remember you trying to climb over me because you were so scared. I had to hold you to stop you from escaping" Aaron said "You were lying on my chest and I kissed you so that you calmed down. Do you remember?"
"Yes I remember. What happened when you got home?" Robert asked.
"I walked in on her when she was very drunk, dressed as a Rabbit again and singing along to Aladdin. That has scarred me for life" Aaron said and he noticed that Robert was giggling.
Chas then turned around and smiled "Aaron do you remember when we watched the first Twilight together?" Chas asked.
"Uh yeah, I remember. But I don't remember all of it" Aaron tilted his head to the side.
"That's because you fell asleep before it got to the best part" Chas sat down in the armchair. The pizza arrived and Chas paid the guy, she walked back into the living room and place the food on the coffee table.
"Mum, did you have to order all of this food?" Aaron asked when he saw the four boxes of food that Chas had bought.
"I had a coupon and I never waste a good deal" Chas said as she grabbed a big slice of margarita pizza.
"Here we go" Aaron sighed, he sat up and picked up a potato wedge from one of the boxes.
Robert moved from the arm of the couch, to lying on the sofa so he was directly behind Aaron. Robert was lying on his back and he was looking at His husband. Aaron looked over his shoulder and saw Robert behind him "I need a hug" Robert said in a pouty voice.
Aaron lied down against Robert "be gentle with me" Aaron smiled as Robert put one arm around him and there fingers intertwined.
"Always" Robert whispered.
"Are you team Edward or Jacob?" Chas asked.
"Err" Robert looked at Aaron "Which one's which?" Robert whispered to his husband. Chas did not notice because her gaze remained fixed on the TV.
"Jacob is the wolf, Edward is the vampire" Aaron whispered.
"Err. Team Jacob" Robert did not practically like the movie, but he knew that Chas wanted to spend time with her son and him.
"What about you Aaron?" Chas asked.
"Uh, team Jacob" Aaron hated the movie but he wanted his mum to be happy.
"I'm team Edward. Of course, he's very sexy" Chas said. She did not see the awkward look on both Aaron and Robert's face. "Give me a man that glitters in the sun like diamonds any day. I wouldn't kick him out of bed". Chas knew that this would make Aaron feel uncomfortable but she did not notice that Aaron was pretending to gag and Robert was giggling.
After watching the movie for an hour Chas looked over at the couch when she realised that Robert and Aaron had been quiet for a while. A warm smile grew across her face when she saw that Aaron and Robert were both asleep. Robert was holding Aaron, they were holding hands and both of their foreheads were touching.
Chas stood up from her seat and turned the television off. She turned around and walked over to the sofa with a blanket "Aaww. Sleep tight boys" Chas said as she carefully put the blanket over her sleeping son and her son in-law. Chas then picked up her belongings and walked out of the house. Locking the front door behind her and drove back to the village.
Robert stirred from his slumber when he heard the door lock and a car drive away. Robert looked around the room, he noticed the all of Chas's stuff had gone, therefore signalling that his mother in-law had gone home. Robert smiled when he saw that his husband was fast asleep. Robert moved up slightly so that he would be more comfortable, he was very careful not to wake the sleeping younger man. Aaron groaned in his sleep before he unknowingly placed his head on Robert's chest. As he slept Aaron moved his hand and placed it on Robert's chest. "Even when you're asleep, you're so beautiful." Robert whispered so that he did not wake up Aaron. Robert moved his own arm and loosely clasped Aaron's wrist that was on his chest "Oh Aaron. What do you do to me? You've been hurt so many times, but you always manage to come out on top. You're my wonderful guardian angel. I would be lost without you". Robert planted a soft but long kiss on Aaron's head causing Aaron to groan again in his sleep. Robert broke the kiss but he did not want to close his eyes. He was happy to just watch Aaron sleep and observe the small flickering of Aaron's long eyelashes as he dreamt "I love you so much. You have everything I need and could possibly want, you're everything to me. My beautiful Aaron." Robert smiled as he held Aaron close and closed his eyes to go back to sleep. His mind was at ease now that Aaron was safe once again. Robert reminded himself of his promise to be there for Aaron and to protect him. Robert would do anything within his power to keep his husband safe.