It had been five days since Robert had left. Aaron and Robert had called and Skyped each other every day and Alyssa would also call Robert. Aaron was trying his best to juggle the business, looking after his daughter and trying to make plans for Alyssa's first Christmas at Home Farm. Chrissie had not told Gordon about Alyssa but she continued to send emails to Aaron and had found more pictures of Aaron when he was being abused. Aaron's nightmares were getting worse every night and he would scream in his sleep. Alyssa had taken to running into her dad's room and shaking him until he woke up. Aaron had brought his daughter earplugs so she did not he him scream or cry because of his nightmares. It was 1:45am on the 18th of December when Aaron woke up because of a nightmare. He grabbed his phone off of his bedside table and he flicked through his contacts until he found Robert's number. He pressed on the number and he held his phone to his ear. Aaron only had to wait a few seconds until Robert answered the phone.

"Hiya, babe" Robert answered.

"Rob, I had another nightmare" Aaron sniffled.

"How bad was it tonight?" Robert asked.

"Bad. I was ten years old and he was filming it. He was shouting at me to stay still and to shut up. He tied my wrists together and he hurt me again. I woke up when he gagged me and sat me up against a wall. He then hit me with a belt" Aaron answered through his sobs.

"Put me one videochat" Robert said.

Aaron put the call on videochat. Aaron held his phone up in front of his face as he brought his knees up and he hugged them.

Robert sat up and he held his phone up in front of him "Hey, Beautiful".

"Hiya, Handsome" Aaron smiled when he saw Robert.

"Another nightmare huh?" Robert asked though it was more of a statement.

Aaron nodded and wiped away his tears "Yeah".

"Talk to me" Robert said.

"Alyssa is being as good as gold, business is booming at the scrapyard" Aaron went quiet.

Robert sensed that something was troubling Aaron "What's wrong, Aaron?"

"I'm still getting emails from Chrissie. And Gordon's been calling a lot" Aaron sniffled.

"What has he been saying?" Robert asked.
"That I'm a naughty boy and that I'm gonna be punished. He threatened you so I told him to fuck off" Aaron scoffed.

"That's my brave Aaron. I'm very proud of you" Robert smiled.

"There's nothing to be proud of. I've destroyed nearly every inch of my body, Gordon won't leave me alone, Chrissie keeps emailing me, I had an argument with my mum and she won't talk to me and I miss you" Aaron started to cry again.

Robert hated to see Aaron cry. He wanted to just scoop him up into his arms and hold him whilst he cried but he could not do that "Don't cry, baby. None of what Gordon did is your fault. You'll make up with Chas, she's just as stubborn as you are. I miss you too, and you're so beautiful".

"There's nothing beautiful about me" Aaron wiped away his tears.

"Take your top off" Robert said.

Aaron did as he was told and then he looked at Robert.

"You have the most beautiful body ever. You're so gorgeous and those scars just prove how strong you are. You're my beautiful Aaron and I love you so much" Robert wanted to cry because he missed his husband and all he wanted to do was hold Aaron.

"When are you coming home? I miss you being with me. I'm afraid that I might have another nightmare" Aaron admitted.

"Lie down and pull the duvet over yourself" Robert said.

Aaron laid down on his bed and he pulled the duvet up. He turned onto his side and he held his phone so that it looked like Robert was beside him.

Robert also laid on his bed and pulled the covers over him "You're the most beautiful man I've ever seen, you're the strongest person I know and you can do anything".

Aaron sniffled again as he tears dripped onto the pillow "Robert?"

"Yes, baby" Robert answered.

"I want you to hold me and kiss my head. I miss you being with me. I know it's only been a few days but I miss you so much".

"I miss you too. I want all of that too". Robert wiped his eyes.

"Don't cry, Rob. Please don't cry" Aaron quietly.

"I can't help it" Robert cried.

"Neither can I" Aaron admitted.

Robert talked to Aaron until the younger man fell asleep. Robert just watched Aaron as he slept. He had watched Aaron sleep before but he did not want to end the call. He watched Aaron sleep for a bit just to make sure that he did not have any nightmares. He ended the call once he was satisfied that Aaron was going to sleep peacefully.

Aaron woke up the next morning and he took Alyssa to school. He did some work at the scrapyard but then he drove to the village. He walked into the Woolpack and he saw Chas behind the bar.

"Mum" Aaron walked over to the bar.

Chas looked at her son and she sighed "Have you come to apologise?"

"Can I talk to you in the backroom?" Aaron asked.

Chas sighed and she walked into the backroom with Aaron. They sat on the sofa "I hope that you're gonna tell me the truth".

"I didn't steal from anyone. I didn't take that money" Aaron said.

"Tell me the truth" Chas demanded.

"Why would I steal from someone when I have enough money to buy the village? I'd lose Alyssa and I'd lose Robert! Why don't you go and ask Ross or Charity? I'm not the only guy with a record!" Aaron stated.

Chas realised that Aaron was telling the truth "You should've said that you didn't do it".

"I did! But you didn't believe me so I've been on my own for three days and I've been dealing with everything on my own. I woke up screaming and crying last night because I had another nightmare but Robert wasn't there to comfort me. I've had to put a smile on and I've had to lie to my daughter when she's asked when's dad coming home! Chrissie has been emailing me pictures, threats, videos and Gordon has been calling me every day. I can hear his voice in my head and I can feel him on me all of the time. I'm scared that I'm going to turn into him I'm scared that I'm going to lose everyone! I'm scared that when he's free he'll come looking for me! I'm always scared and it's killing me" Aaron began to cry.

"Oh, my baby boy" Chas pulled Aaron into a hug and rocked him from side to side. "I'm sorry".

"I'm sorry too, mum" Aaron sobbed.

Aaron cried for a moment before he and his mum dried their eyes and they walked back into the pub. Aaron had a drink and a cheeseburger, he did some paperwork and he called Robert to talk to him. Aaron looked up and he saw Chrissie sat opposite him. The woman looked like she was about to bite his head off.

"I got to go, babe. Talk to you later, love you" Aaron then hung up the phone.

"I heard that Robert has left you. Serves you right if you ask me" Chrissie scoffed.

"He hasn't left me. You blackmailed him and he's gone to protect me and our daughter" Aaron snarled.

"I told Gordon that he left you. He's very happy" Chrissie smirked.

"I bet he is. But he's not going to get to me, Robert won't let that monster hurt me again" Aaron hissed at Chrissie.

"Believe what you want. I've got work to do" Chrissie stood up and she walked out of the pub.

Aaron sat in silence for a moment until he drove to Alyssa's school to pick her up. They went home and Aaron started to make the dinner whilst Alyssa played with her Loombands. Aaron had just put the dinner in the oven when he heard his phone start to ring. He walked over to the island in the canter of the kitchen and he picked up his phone.

"Hello?" Aaron answered.

"Hello, son. I heard that Robert's left you" A sinister voice laughed.

"He's not left me. What do you want?" Aaron bit his lip.

"Didn't I say he'd leave you once he was finished with you?" Gordon insidiously asked.

Aaron shook his head, he was determined to not let the man get the better of him, "That's a lie, he'll come back, you'll see!".

A cackle of evil laughter before his father answered, "You're a naughty boy, son. No one would ever want to be with you, never mind love you!"

A tear started to run down Aaron's face "No, you're wrong!" Aaron could not keep his emotions out of his voice as the words barely make it past his lips.

"I just realised something", Gordon continued "Now that Robert's gone... there's no one to protect you from me. Is there, little boy?"

Aaron's eyes widen with fear "S-stay away from me!" he stuttered.

Gordon laughed on the other side of the line, "Why should I? You belong to me after all, I took your virginity. I can do whatever I want to you!"

Aaron shook his head in anger, the tears pouring down his face as he remembered all if the torment, all if the wretched memories that made him suffer and feel pain like no other. "Stay away from me and my house!" he nearly shouted, "I don't belong to you, so don't you dare come near me!" with those final words Aaron hung up the phone, before Gordon can make a comeback. He could feel himself trembling with fear, shivers ran down his spine when he remembered all of the pain that he had gone through for most of his childhood. Aaron was hyperventilating so he sat on the floor and he cupped his hands over his mouth as he forced himself to breathe.

"Daddy?" Alyssa asked.

"Daddy's not feeling well, Alyssa. I need you to call Granddad Paddy for me please" Aaron said through short breaths.

Alyssa picked up Aaron's phone and she called Paddy. "What do I tell him? I'm scared, daddy".

"Tell him that I'm panicking and that I'm scared. He'll know what to do" Aaron explained.

Alyssa waited for a few seconds until Paddy answered.

"Hello" Paddy said.

"Uh, Granddad Paddy" Alyssa had no idea that Aaron was having a panic attack.

"Alyssa? What's wrong?" paddy asked.

"Daddy said that he's panicking and that he's scared. He's sitting on the floor and his breathing sounds funny" Alyssa said into the phone.

"Alright, Alyssa. I'll be there soon, can you get Daddy a glass of water for me please? Tell him that I'm coming" Paddy said before he hung up.

Alyssa put the phone down and she rushed to get Aaron a glass of water. She put the drink on the island and she walked over to Aaron "What do I do, Daddy?"

Aaron felt like the walls were closing in around him so he panicked more "Go into the living room and wait for Granddad Paddy to come. I'm okay, I just need Paddy's help".

"Okay, daddy" Alyssa nodded and she walked into the living room.

After a few minutes Alyssa heard the doorbell, she ran to the door and she opened it. Paddy rushed in and he looked at Alyssa.

"Where's your daddy?" Paddy asked.

"He's in the kitchen. I didn't know what to do, he's breathing funny and he's looking down" Alyssa answered.

"Okay, go to your room, Alyssa. I'll look after daddy" Paddy reassured.

Alyssa walked up to her bedroom as Paddy walked into the kitchen. The vet looked around the kitchen until he saw Aaron, he rushed over and he sat down in front of Aaron.

"Aaron?" Paddy asked.

"I... can't... breathe" Aaron gasped for air.

"It's alright. You're doing really well, used force yourself to breathe and it'll be over soon" Paddy comforted.

"I can feel him touching me. I can hear his voice in my head" Aaron clawed at his arms.

"It'll be okay, just breathe" Paddy rubbed circles over Aaron's back.

After fifteen more minutes Aaron's breathing calmed, the young Dingle looked up and Paddy saw that he was crying. The vet considered Aaron his son so he was concerned about him. Aaron wiped his eyes and he looked at Paddy.

"Thanks, dad" Aaron slowly exhaled.

"Why did you have a panic attack?" Paddy asked.

"Gordon called me, he knows that Robert's gone. He said that no one's protecting me now and that he can do whatever he wants to do to me" Aaron answered.

"He won't hurt you again, I'm not Robert's biggest fan but I know that he loves you and that he'd never let anyone hurt you." Paddy said in a calm voice.

"He's going to be free in sixteen years. What if he finds me? What if he gets me?" Aaron sobbed.

"Robert won't let that happen. That man will guard you with his life" Paddy reassured.

"I just want Robert to hold me, and tell me that it's all going to be okay" Aaron cried.

Paddy hugged Aaron and he rubbed his back to calm him. Paddy stayed for a while to make sure that Aaron was alright. Paddy had dinner with Aaron and Alyssa and then he had a beer with Aaron. Paddy then drove home and Aaron did some more work whilst Alyssa got ready for bed.

Alyssa walked downstairs at 8pm and she found Aaron in the office. "Daddy, can you tuck me into bed please?"

Aaron looked at Alyssa "Alright, princess" Aaron stood up and he walked over to Alyssa. "Okay, up you go" Aaron picked his daughter up.

Aaron carried Alyssa up the stairs as she rested her head on his shoulder. Aaron carried his daughter to her room and he put her to bed. Alyssa had fallen asleep, Aaron pulled the duvet over Alyssa and he put her toy rabbit next to her. Aaron then crouched down next to the bed and he stroked Alyssa's hair.

"I'm sorry that your dad has gone away. I'm sorry that your granddad hurt me. I'm sorry for everything" Aaron whispered as tears ran down his face.

Aaron then walked to his room and he got ready for bed. He got into bed and he wiped away his tears as he pulled the duvet over himself. He picked his phone up and he called Robert's number. He only had to wait a few seconds before his husband answered.

"Hi Rob!" Aaron spoke into the phone.

"Hey Aaron, how's things going back at the house?" Robert asked.

Aaron fought the urge to tell his husband about the call from Gordon, he decided to instead talk about something else, "Yeah, everything is fine, Alyssa is getting along with the family, and everyone adores. I even caught her and Noah laughing together last time we both went to see mum at the pub!"

Robert, whilst enjoying the fact his daughter is doing well, noticed the hesitation and trembling in his husband's voice, "That's good to hear but, please Aaron, tell me what's wrong!"

Tears began to run down Aaron's face as he realised he has to tell his husband, "I'm scared Rob!" Aaron sobbed into the phone.

"Why? What's wrong?" Robert asked quickly, beside himself with panic.

Aaron took s a deep breath and he slowly exhaled before he began to tell his husband about the call from Gordon. Aaron explained everything through his sobs and he shudders.

"Jesus, that bastard!" Robert cursed "Listen, Aaron. I'll be back, so don't worry! I won't let that old pervert get anywhere near you. I won't let him lay a finger on you again, okay?"

Aaron sniffled "Okay" he said weakly.

"Okay, I've got to go now. I love you so much", Robert said sadly into the phone.

"Love you too, bye!" Aaron replied, as be dried his eyes.

"Bye, baby. Call me if you need me". Robert said in a soft voice.

Aaron ended the call and he curled up in bed. Aaron cried himself to sleep that night; he could feel everything that Gordon put him through. All of the pain, the fear and the worthlessness hit him all at once and he wished that Robert would be coming home soon to be with him again.