AARON & JACKSON

-Six Years Later - 1918-

"Halo"


Everywhere I'm looking now,

I'm surrounded by your embrace,

Baby I can see your halo,

You know you're my saving grace.

You're everything I need and more, it's written all over your face,

Baby I can feel your halo, pray it won't fade away…


Jackson lay propped up onto his elbow as he watched his sleeping boyfriend. In his eyes Aaron was perfect, he always would be. Getting in bed the previous night really was a dream come true and something very special; just cuddling together, feeling his warm smooth skin against his own sent what felt like electric charges through his body, that moment was perfect and now watching him sleeping was another perfect moment. He loved Aaron Livesy but he knew Aaron didn't know why, that was something Jackson couldn't really fix, all he could do was love him unconditionally every day and hope he realised eventually.

Jackson watched as Aaron began to smile in his sleep which in turn caused him to smile as he watched; he wondered what Aaron was dreaming about, something nice obviously, maybe it was him being the focus of that smile. Jackson hoped it was. He knew they had a long and possible difficult path to go down before Aaron relaxed there and loved Jackson like he used too, but Jackson wasn't going anywhere and despite everything he was already happy and loving him like before.

In his sleep Aaron had pushed the duvet down to his waist which allowed Jackson's eyes to look over his amazing body, even with cuts and bruises it still was. It took his breath away and he'd laid next to that, him…he couldn't believe it was happening at the time but now he did, he was real and right there sound asleep. Jackson bit his lip to stop his tears from falling. "I love you so, so much" he whispered.

His thoughts moved to the issue of sex and he really wasn't concerned about that. Of course Jackson would love to give him a very intimate wake-up call but their relationship was about so much more than that, he'd realised it would be more than that on the day he met him, love at first sight; it really was. He'd never forgotten that day, how Aaron looked, the clothes he was wearing; what he remembered most though was the way the sun lit up his face, sparkled in his eyes and that cute squint he was forced to do because of the brightness as he looked back up at him, and then there was the smile. Jackson sighed contently, he wanted to make him smile again and to brighten him up because right now he knew Aaron wasn't happy. But he could be and he most certainly would be because Jackson was going to make him that way again, the way he used to be.

Jackson's attentions were diverted from Aaron when their bedroom door began to open slowly and Jak was stood peeking in. Jackson smiled at him and waved him over but placed his finger over his lips to tell Jak to be quiet and he was, he closed the door very quietly and walked over to the bed and climbed up and sat in the middle between both men. Jak smiled up at his dad then looked back at Aaron. Jackson noticed Jak's smile widen when he looked at Aaron and Jackson reached out and stroked his son's hair. His conversation with his dad the previous night was very much at the front of the small lad's mind and he understood it all, he really did, walking in to find another man sleeping next to his dad didn't bother him at all; it made him happy because his dad was happier again.

Jackson motioned for Jak to lie down as he lay back down himself. Jak grinned happily and did so as he carefully got under the covers in between both of his dads'. When he was settled he looked up at Jackson and wrapped his arms around his neck and hugged him tight, Jackson hugged back and after a few seconds he let go and kissed his son on his forehead then rested back, allowing his eyes to close again. Jak turned on his side and watched Aaron sleeping for a few minutes before edging a little closer to him so that his small arm could rest over Aaron's stomach.

Aaron let out a content breath as he opened his eyes, he rubbed them with his free hand then felt a light pressure on his stomach, he quickly looked to his side and instantly his heart melted at the sight, Jak was hugging him and lying in between them both, he smiled warmly at the little lad then his eyes moved to Jackson who was lying awake again with his arm resting over Jak. Jackson beamed happily at his man. "Perfect, isn't it?" he asked quietly.

Aaron smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it really is. I-I never really considered this when I thought about being back here" Jackson just smiled as he listened. "You told him about us I gather?"

Jackson nodded. "I hope you don't mind" Aaron shook his head, he really didn't. "He took it very well, he understands…he's a bright kid, very mature, he knows not to say anything to Nathan it's up to you, Chas or Adam when he knows"

Aaron nodded again and Jackson just watched him. "He loves you Aaron, he thinks of you as his dad too but if you don't want that we can have a word with him"

"Oh no, god no…I was there from the beginning aswell Jackson, yeah I wasn't pleased but I want to be in his life now and I will love him because he is mine, he's ours and if he understands everything and still wants me then I'm not going to deny him that, he has two dads and he's my son…" he told him as tears ran down Jackson's face. "Aww Jackson don't cry" he said quietly with a chuckle.

Jackson sniffled and nodded as he wiped his eyes. "I can't help it, what you just said, well I wasn't expecting at all…at least not yet, I'll never forget this moment, not ever" he told him with a smile.

At the same time Jak began to wake up and when he looked up and saw Aaron awake he jumped up happily and hugged him. Jackson chuckled. "Mind his arm mate" Jak nodded against Aaron's chest in response to his dad's words.

Tears filled Aaron's eyes and he looked over at Jackson with a smile. "Hey little man, I hear you have two dads eh? When did that happen?"

Jak pulled away and sat up. "When you came home"

"And I did, I'm home now and your dad told me about your talk" Jak nodded as he listened to Aaron. "And I'm not your real dad, not like Jackson but none of that matter to me alright, you're my son and I love you"

Jak grinned happily. "It doesn't matter to me either and I love you too"

Jackson let out an audible aww. "Our little family is perfect"

"It really is…and by the sound of it, the extended family are up and about, hey mate why don't you go and play with Nathan for a bit and we'll be down soon" Aaron told him.

"Ok dad" Jak replied happily as he got out from under the covers and crawled along the bed and jumped off and ran to the door leaving them alone.

Aaron lay with his free hand beneath his head and he looked over at Jackson.

"How's your arm?" Jackson asked.

Aaron shrugged. "Bit sore but I can cope with it" Jackson smiled with a nod. "Listen, Jackson I don't wanna break the mood but we have to talk about this…this guy" he sighed. "What do we do?"

"We wait"

Aaron sighed. "That's dangerous Jackson and you know it"

Jackson nodded. "That's why I'm going to the police this morning and don't even bother arguing with me" he said with a smirk.

Aaron chuckled. "I won't, I trust you…you know what's best"

"I do" Jackson grinned. "How did you sleep?"

"Uh yeah good, I forgot how comfy this bed is" he said with a chuckle as he turned to face Jackson again and their eyes locked.

"I was awake earlier watching you sleep and you were smiling at one point" Jackson told him and Aaron smiled.

"I was dreaming"

"About?" Jackson asked curiously.

"Hmm, this tall dark fit builder, he had the most amazing brown eyes I've ever seen in my life" Jackson was grinning as Aaron spoke. "And well he…he saved me and I swore to him that I'm never going to fall again, that I'm never going to shut him out because he's everything I need and so much more, I don't pray but if I have too I'll pray that he never goes away because I've realised now again, that he is my life and just how much I actually do love him…I'm just sorry for everything I've put him through and for the time it's taken me to realise"

Jacksons wiped away his tears and shook his head. "It's alright" he said in a hushed voice.

Tears ran down Aaron's cheeks and he let out a deep breath. "Kiss me Jackson"

"Are you sure?"

Aaron nodded. "I've never been surer about anything in a long time Jackson"

Jackson smiled and moved closer and leaned down slowly, eye contact never breaking the entire time. Jackson's hand cupped Aaron's face as his lips sought his out and they gently touched, both men allowed their eyes to slowly close and they both kissed back softly with gentle slow movements. They were savouring it, their first kiss in six years and it was so much more than what either of them had imagined. In their heated passion Jackson moved lower and started kissing his neck. Aaron groaned in response and swallowed hard, he had decided. "I want you to do more than kiss me Jackson, and don't ask, I'm sure, god I'm sure…make love to me Jackson"

Breathless, Jackson looked up at him and kissed him deeply on his lips again, their tongues swiping one another. Jackson pulled away and nodded and started the slow kiss trail down his body, which lead to their lovemaking, the first time in six years, the day was full of surprises, and it was like all of his Christmases had come at once.

Chas smirked as Aaron walked into the kitchen. Aaron smiled back. "Alright?"

Chas nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine love are you?" she asked, her smirk very much still there.

"Yeah not bad" he nodded as he walked to the kettle.

"Good where's Jackson?"

"Oh he's just in the shower…"

"So how was it?"

Aaron frowned. "How was what?"

"Staying in the bed again with Jackson, what else did you think I meant?"

Aaron swallowed hard. "Oh…oh erm yeah it was fine"

"It's alright love I know what you thought I meant, I accidently heard"

"Oh, erm sorry…" he pulled a wary face.

"Hey don't be daft, I'm pleased for you both, you need each other and I think that was the start for you and Jackson again, I'm really happy for you"

Aaron smiled shyly. "Thanks mum, oh where are the kids?"

"School, they've been gone hours, Adam usually takes them anyway and plus we didn't want to bother you both, we heard you both talking and thought we'd leave you alone"

Aaron nodded. "Cheers"

A while later Jackson ran down the stairs, fresh from the shower and dressed, when Aaron turned to look at him, his heart skipped a beat and his stomach flipped. "You going now?" he asked.

"Yeah, might aswell get it done with then me and you can spend the rest of the day together, maybe go pick up the boys from school?"

Aaron grinned happily. "I'd like that, is that alright mum?" he asked as he turned to her.

"Yeah course love I'll see Adam at lunchtime so I'll let him know"

"Great, cheers Chas" Jackson called to her as he grabbed his jacket.

Aaron walked along the hall and wrapped his healthy arm around Jackson's neck and looked into his eyes. "You were perfect" he said with a smile.

"So were you" Jackson replied with a smile as he placed his hands on Aaron's waist.

"Well I didn't really do much"

"Oh no, you did…you've got good hips" he smirked then winked at his boyfriend which made Aaron chuckle. Jackson moved in and kissed him on the lips. "Won't be long"

Aaron nodded and let him go. "See you soon" he said and turned back to the kitchen, once there the front door closed again. "Right well I better go and get showered"

"Well if you need a hand just give me a shout I'm not going out yet" Chas told him.

Aaron frowned. "Uh, no thanks mum" he scoffed.

"What? Hey I've seen it all before remember! You might struggle that's all, your arm is in that sling for a reason and showering is a task you'll find painful"

"Yeah well thanks for the offer but I'll cope with the pain rather than having you washing me down thanks"

Chas let out a laugh. "Okay love"

Aaron smirked and shook his head as he turned and walked out and along to the stairs.

Lunchtime had passed and Chas had met Adam for dinner and came home already, Aaron sighed as he paced the kitchen. "He's taking his time"

"Might help if I knew where he was"

"He's gone to the police about that guy"

"Oh…right well they might be asking a load of questions"

"Hmm…" Aaron mumbled and walked along to the front door and opened it, he stood out on the step and looked around, no sign of a car. He sighed and walked to the mail box, and pushed away the pin holding the hatch up and it fell and a pile of letters awaited collection. He pulled them all out and secured the hatch; from outside he heard the telephone ringing then seconds later his mum answered it as he flicked through the pile, he frowned when he came across a plain white envelope with his name written in thick black ink. He quickly ripped it open and pulled out the piece of paper. His stomach entered his throat as he read it. You're too late, he swallowed hard.

"AARON!" Chas screamed from the house and he bolted back up the path to the door.

"What is it?"

"That was the hospital…I-It's Jackson, t-there's been an accident"

Aaron's eyes darted around; his breathing was hard and shallow. "I-Is he okay?"

Chas hung her head and shrugged. "They don't know yet"

"I've gotta get down there"

"Well just wait a second, I'll let Adam and Hazel know and I'll come with you"

Aaron nodded quickly he was in a panic. "He has to be okay…mum he has to be…I can't lose him now"

Chas soothed him as waited for the call to connect to the farm where Adam worked. "He will be son, he will be"


TBC…