Hi everyone! Thanks for the lovely reviews so far and sorry it's taken me so long to update but thanks to Sam'sWish this chapter finally got written. Hope you enjoy!

Aaron Livesy and Jackson Walsh

Request the pleasure of the company of

...

As they pledge their

Lifelong commitment to each other

In a Civil Partnership Ceremony

At 1.00pm

On Saturday 5th May 2012

At Home Farm, Emmerdale

With marquee reception to follow in the grounds

RVSP by 01/03/2012

'So how surprised do you think people are gonna be? On a scale of one to ten.'

It was a Sunday afternoon and the boys were sat in Dale Head writing their wedding invitations, having finally gotten all the details ironed out. They had decided not to tell anyone other than their parents until now; Jackson saying he didn't want to tempt fate and Aaron happy not to have to deal with people making a fuss.

'Depends I suppose.' Aaron looked up from the invitation he was currently working intently on, having been told several invites earlier that his handwriting looked like that of a three year old.

'On what?'

'On whether they know me or just you.'

'Meaning?' The older man looked intrigued.

'Well I'm...me, so everyone who knows me is probably gonna think it's some of kind of prank. You on the other hand...'

'What about me?'

'Well you're kinda soft aren't you? So your mates are probably gonna expect it from you.' The mechanic had the twinkle in his eye he reserved for teasing of the man he loved. 'Plus you're getting on a bit...'

'Twenty-two is old now is it?'

'Ok maybe not...but you've always been a bit of an old woman since I've known you.'

The last remark earned him a swipe directed at his stomach which he managed to dodge. 'It's not too late for me to change my mind about this whole marriage thing you know.'

'Errr...' The teenager waved a card in his boyfriend's face; the front entirely dark blue except for scrolling silver lettering in the bottom right hand corner reading simply "A & J" 'Yeah I think it is.'

'What's this?' Jackson had just finished his physiotherapy session for the day and Joe was packing his things away ready to leave when he spotted a white envelope with his name on and picked it up. 'Bit early for a Christmas tip isn't it?'

'Yeah right. Does it feel heavy enough to be filled with coppers?' Jackson was sat in a chair by the front window with his crutches by his side.

'Well I'll just open it and see shall I?'

'No no don't...' despite being exhausted the former builder made to jump up from his chair.

'Whoa whoa calm down! You can stay sat down; I won't...even though it does have my name on it. Hang on why can't I open it exactly?'

'You can, just not till Aaron gets back.'

'But he's at work, god knows when he'll be back, I can't wait around here all day you know...other people besides you require my expertise.'

'I just text him actually; he's just finishing up on something then he'll be here.'

'Wait you're not firing me again are you?'

'Paranoid much?' Jackson shot a disbelieving looks towards his friend. 'Anyway why would I need Aaron here for that?'

'I don't know; in case I got angry and went for you. You might need him to protect you.'

'Yeah right, we both know that even before I got the use of my arms and legs back I could have taken you.'

Joe opened his mouth to retort but before he could Aaron came bursting through the front door.

'Sorry sorry, I got here as quick as I could.' The mechanic walked over to where his other half sat, giving him a quick peck on the lips in greeting before settling himself on the arm of the chair and looking expectantly towards Joe.

'Yeah well it's a good job you turned up when you did; I was just about to rough up your boyfriend to prove that I'm more manly than him.'

'Oh yeah?' Aaron smirked and glanced at the two men in turn. 'I can't see it, neither of you are man enough for that.' He put his arms out to steady himself as a shove from his partner in response to his remark almost knocked him to the floor. 'Anyway, he's not really my boyfriend anymore.'

'What?' The carer looked genuinely shocked.

'How about you open that envelope now?' Jackson jumped in.

Not saying another word Joe tore the seal before pulling out the card inside; surprise followed by realisation crossing his face as he read. 'You're getting married?'

'That's the general idea when you have a wedding.'

'Wow! That's...congratulations guys.' Joe practically leapt across the room, enveloping first Jackson then a slightly taken-aback Aaron in a hug. 'I'm so happy for you. So c'mon Jackson, when did you propose?'

'Why does everybody assume it was him that asked me?' Aaron piped up.

'Because you're you.' Jackson looked at the younger man, nodding his head in agreement with their friend's words. 'So you mean it wasn't?'

'Nope Aaron asked me actually.' Once again Joe couldn't hide his shock.

'Awww I always knew you were an old romantic really. Did you get down on one knee with a ring and everything?'

'I did actually...well eventually.' A smug grin was spread across Aaron's face; if there was one thing he loved, other than Jackson of course, it was proving people wrong.

'So where is this ring then?'

'We decided to leave that until the wedding.' Jackson paused before pressing ahead. 'Speaking of which, there's something I, well we, wanted to ask you.'

'Yeah?

' Yeah; well we haven't quite worked out all the details yet but what we do know is that we're each gonna have a best man, so I was wondering...if you'd be mine?'

'Me? Really? But what about all your other friends; I mean I'm flattered but we haven't even known each other for a year yet.'

'True but in that time I've hardly seen any of my old mates; you on the other hand practically taught me how to walk again. So will you?'

'I don't know what to say...' Tears were clearly beginning to well in the carer's eyes. 'Yes of course I will; I'd be honoured.'

'God I thought us gays were supposed to be the emotional ones.' Aaron quipped.

'There is one thing though' Jackson shot a knowing look at his fiancé before addressing Joe once more. 'You need to find a date to bring to the wedding, cos there aren't gonna be any bridesmaids for you to hook up with and the best man dancing alone at a wedding is just tragic...so if you don't well have to set you up with someone in Aaron's family.'

'Oi! That's the family you're marrying into remember.'

'You're getting married? Wow that's...that's great mate; congratulations.'

Aaron had gone alone to see his best friend at Butler's. He had found him in one of the barns and, not knowing what to say, had simply handed the invitation over.

'But?' There was something in the Farmer's voice that made the mechanic doubt his sincerity.

'But nothing, I'm really happy for you.'

'Just spit it out will you, whatever it is.'

'It's just...' Adam wasn't the most eloquent of people but knew he had to choose his words carefully around his mate, whose reputation for being volatile wasn't completely unfounded. 'Marriage; one person for the rest of your life.'

'Yeah that's the general idea.'

'It's a big deal.'

'You think I don't know that?' Aaron was in too good of a mood to let his friend's lack of enthusiasm get to him. 'Look just cos you can't keep it in your pants doesn't mean nobody can.'

'That's not what I meant, but now that you mention it...'

'I'm getting married Adam not taking a vow of celibacy. It's not like I'm never gonna have sex again.'

'Not with anyone new though.'

'Well when you've got it as good as I have you don't really care about that.' The remark was accompanied by a wicked grin.

'Whoa too much information!'

'You brought it up.'

'True.' Adam's scepticism was melting. This playful side to the other man was a rarity, and one that only one person, Jackson, could induce. 'Ok look, if you're happy then I'm happy.'

'I am! We are! And I'm glad you feel that way cos err...I want you to be my best man.'

'Really?'

'Is that a yes?'

'Yeah...yes definitely.'

'There you are; what the hell have you been doing? I was just about to come and knock that door down.'

'Yeah sorry about that; Hazel's out so I was just er...taking care of Jackson.' Aaron turned his face away so Cain didn't catch his embarrassed smile and the redness in his cheeks after his unintentional double entendre, taking the opportunity to check himself over for any tell-tale signs of their lunchtime's activity at the same time.

'Yeah well don't let it happen again. Why is twinkle-toes with you anyway? Can't look after himself yet?'

'I just couldn't resist the lure of your sparkling company Cain.' Jackson quite enjoyed sparring with the older man; especially knowing that, despite the icy glare his words were greeted with, it was all good-natured.

'Uh-huh. So why are you really here? I've already lost 15 minutes work from him because of you today, I don't want you hanging around distracting him all afternoon.'

'Don't worry I won't, in fact as soon as you've opened this I'll get going and leave you grease monkeys in peace.' On Jackson's cue Aaron stepped towards his uncle and held out an envelope which was snatched from his hand.

'What is it?'

'Open it and you'll find out.'

The older mechanic could be just as awkward, if not more so, than his younger counterpart at times. Ignoring his nephew's instruction he tossed the envelope onto a work bench behind him. 'Or you could just tell me so we can get on.'

'Look if you're gonna be like that we can just forget it.' Aaron snapped, his nerves kicking in.

'Fine by me!'

'Alright you two.' Jackson sometimes wondered how the two of them got anything done when they were alone in the garage; they were both as stubborn as each other. 'Aaron...' He nudged his partner with the crutch in his right hand.

'Alright. That...the thing in the envelope I mean...it's your, well it's our...it's...me and Jackson are getting married.' He turned seeking his fiancé's approval to see big brown eyes smiling back at him.

'Married? Seriously?'

'Well I suppose technically it's called a Civil Partnership but to all intensive purposes, yeah we are.' Jackson answered.

'Congratulations.' Cain stripped off the blue, oil-covered plastic gloves he was wearing to shake first his nephew's hand, then his other half's. 'Welcome to the family you; I hope you know what you're letting yourself in for.'

'I think I've got a pretty good idea.'

'Wait, that's it?' Aaron was clearly shocked by the reaction their news had received. 'That's all you're gonna say? No jokes? No mocking?'

'Nope. I'm happy for you both.'

'No lectures about us settling down so young?'

'Do you want me to have a go or something?'

'Of course we don't.' Jackson interjected, seeing that Aaron was struggling for words. 'I think what Aaron means is it's not necessarily what we were expecting from you.'

'Like I said I'm happy for you...I'm also happy for me.' The two younger men exchanged puzzled glances. 'Look I'm the one that has to work with that lump every day. All I know is that before the two of you got together he was a nightmare, just like he was again when you split up before Christmas. These days he gets that big goofy smile on his face and the customer's don't complain anymore...so it makes my life easier. Now can we get back to work please?' With that he turned and walked into the garage.

Alone, Aaron and Jackson looked at one another.

'Wow!' Aaron could hardly believe what had just happened, he knew that was basically as close as Cain saying the two of them belonged together as was possible.

'Yeah!' Jackson was equally gobsmacked.

'I'll guess I'll see you later then.' The mechanic kissed his fiancé before following his uncle inside, throwing back over his shoulder. 'Love you.'

'Love you too.'

'Look we'll just pop and have a quick word with your Mum like she asked then we can head home again. Alright?' Jackson coaxed his boyfriend as they made their way to the front door of the Woolpack.

'Fine as long as it is quick. It's not often we get the house to ourselves. Where is your Mum tonight by the way?'

'Dunno; just said she was going out with Bob, not sure where.'

'Right let's get this over with then.' Aaron held the door open for Jackson to get through with his crutches.

'Surprise!' The loud ring of voices in unison greeted them as they stepped into the pub. The couple looked around to see all their friends and family beaming at them and a massive sign reading 'Congratulations Aaron and Jackson' adorning the front of the bar.

After a moment of silence following the outburst of noise both boys began to laugh, Jackson managing to choke out. 'I can't believe we didn't see this coming. Who's idea was it?'

'Mine.' Hazel's destination for the evening was revealed as she came towards them; hugging her son and future son-in-law in turn. 'Well mine and Chas' actually.'

'Wow the two of you working together on something; that must've been...interesting.'

'Yeah, well that's one word for it so you'd better enjoy yourselves.'

'Oh we will.' With that Jackson grabbed Aaron's hand and dragged him towards the throng of people.

Four hours later the crowd had died down. Aaron was sat at the bar talking to, well being talked at by, his Mum, Gennie and Debbie when he felt a familiar pair of arms snake round his neck. 'Hey you. What's up?'

'Nothing. Just come to say hello. I've barely seen you all night.' Jackson was slurring his words. It was true, they'd got separated early on in the night and every time Aaron had made a move towards his partner there appeared another well-wisher demanding his attention. It seemed in the time they'd been apart the older man had taken advantage of the numerous offers to buy them drinks.

'You're drunk. We should get you home.'

'I'm fine.' Jackson straightened up, closed his eyes and moved his finger in the direction of his nose, attempting to demonstrate his sobriety but in the process sending one of his crutches crashing to the floor.

'Uh huh. Right come on you.' Aaron stood decisively and turned towards Chas. 'Mum, keep hold of Jackson's crutches for me will you?'

'Why?' She didn't receive an answer to her question as before the word had left her lips Aaron had scooped Jackson up, slung him over his shoulder and was moving towards to the door. Seemingly remembering his manners he turned before leaving and whistled to get the remaining party-goers attention. 'Bye everyone and err...thanks for coming. It means a lot to both of us. Right Jackson?' He slapped the older man, who was already half asleep, on the bum to get his attention.

'Yep, thanks everyone!'