Saviours and Angels – Chapter 11
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
-O-
This is the final chapter of this story: set two years after the previous chapter.
I have had very positive feedback for Brett and Mason (thank you!); this may not be the last we see of them...
-O-
Aaron and Jackson had lived in Leeds for twelve months. They had sold Dale Head in Emmerdale village and moved to the city as it was convenient for Jackson with his TV work, plus Aaron had obtained a job as a mechanic in a large car dealership in Leeds. Jackson had become a popular television personality and could often be seen 'popping up' on various programmes other than his 'TV handyman' shows.
Aaron was doing well in his job, too. He was a skilled mechanic and well-respected by his bosses. He had really settled down since his younger days and Jackson was very proud of him. The couple were also very close friends with Brett and Mason. Brett, like Jackson, was a popular TV personality and Mason worked 'behind the scenes', helping to promote his boyfriend and dealing with his fan-mail.
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"He's in the papers again!" Jackson said, as he sat at the breakfast table in his and Aaron's luxury apartment in Leeds.
"Who is?" Aaron did not have a clue who Jackson was referring to.
"Our Brett!" Jackson replied. He always used the term 'our Brett' when referring to their TV chef friend.
"What have they written about him this time?" Aaron was still protective of Brett.
"Nothing bad!" Jackson read the news bulletin out loud; "TV chef and cookbook author Brett Frost has announced his forthcoming wedding to his long-term partner Mason Hughes. Awww!"
Aaron looked over Jackson's shoulder at the newspaper, "That's an old picture of him! They took that when he sold a million of his first book; he's on his third one now!"
"They always seem to drag these old photos out of the archives! Look at the one of me that they put in there last week! That must have been taken about two years ago!"
"Yeah, but you don't look any different!"
"Awww! Are you saying I still look young and beautiful?" Jackson fluttered his eyelids.
"Nah! Still as ugly as ever!" Aaron had a cheeky look on his face.
"Oi, you!" Jackson, using his elbow, dug Aaron in the ribs, "Just for that, I won't take you to the awards ceremony tonight!"
"Who else are you going to go with?"
"Dunno!" Jackson feigned a hurt expression, "There are plenty of hot lads in the entertainment industry I could take...I'm sure some, young, hunky, fit male model would love to accompany the Homestyle Channel's hottest property on a good night out!"
"In your dreams!" Aaron chuckled, "You're only a TV handyman, not an Oscar-winning actor!"
"I may ONLY be a TV handyman," Jackson retorted, "But who do you think paid for this place? Brad Pitt?"
Aaron changed the subject, "So, do you reckon we'll get an invite to this wedding, then?"
"We'd better; or there'll be trouble!" Jackson laughed.
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Aaron and Jackson sat at one of the tables in the large function room in a posh hotel in Bradford. A stage had been set up at one end of the room, where the award presentations were due to be made. Jackson was a little apprehensive; he did not expect to win anything and had not rehearsed a speech! It suddenly hit him that he could possibly pick up an award and he did not know what he would say if he had to stand on the podium!
"You OK?" Aaron picked up on his husband's pensive mood; he was not usually this quiet!
"Yeah, I'm fine!" Jackson reassured him with a smile.
As the evening passed, one by one, the winners of each category walked up to the stage to collect their award. All too soon, it seemed to Jackson, the category of 'Best Daytime Factual Presenter' came up. Jackson was stunned when he heard the compare read out the name 'Jackson Livesy-Walsh' as the winner!
"Go on...it's you!" Aaron urged his husband to go to collect his prize. He could tell that Jackson had not taken it all in! However, despite his lack of a rehearsal, Jackson managed to give a good 'thank-you' speech without any problems!
Late that night, the couple had returned to their Bradford hotel room. They climbed into bed together. They had downed several celebratory drinks at the hotel bar! Brett and Mason had joined them for a drink; Brett had been nominated in the 'TV Chef' category, but he had missed out. However, he was not that disappointed as he had been over the moon that his good friend Jackson had won a prize.
Aaron snuggled up to Jackson; he looked at the award which Jackson had placed on the bedside table next to him. "Are you going to carry that around everywhere with you?" he asked.
"I didn't know where to put it!" Jackson replied, "I thought it would be best to have it in view so that I remember to put it in our holdall in the morning!"
"You know...I don't say this enough," Aaron turned serious and seemed a little hesitant, "But I'm really very proud of you, you know?"
"Awww, shucks!" Jackson chuckled.
"I mean it; you deserve it, babe!" Aaron had a look of love which Jackson adored, "You've worked so hard! I know I joke around and take the piss a lot of the time, but you're very good at what you do; and I am so proud to tell people that you are my man!"
Jackson was touched. Aaron rarely let his guard down to show his true feelings and, when he did, it was extra-special. "Come here!" Jackson pulled Aaron to him and was rewarded with a passionate, deep kiss.
"I could always give you another award, if you like!" Aaron had a twinkle in his lovely blue eyes.
"I like!" said Jackson as he pounced on his husband; the heat that they generated could have saved the hotel a fortune on energy bills!
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A few days later, Jackson entered their flat with a big grin on his face, "I've got them!" he said, excitedly.
"Got what?" Aaron had the sort of blank expression on his face that Jackson knew so well. It was an expression which showed that Aaron did not comprehend; and it always made Jackson smile, even though Aaron could be hard work sometimes!
"What I went out for!" Jackson looked at Aaron, wondering if the penny would drop! "Wedding present?"
"Oh right!" recognition crept across Aaron's face, "The cufflinks! Let's have a look then!"
Jackson took a velvet box out of a bag and opened it. Inside were four identical gold cufflinks engraved with initials.
Aaron wore a perplexed look, "Why do they say 'BUM'?" he asked.
"What?" Jackson inspected the cufflinks, "That's 'B&M', you div; for Brett and Mason! As if I'm going to have them inscribed 'BUM'! I'm sure your eyes need testing!"
"Oh!" Aaron exclaimed.
"BUM!" Jackson looked exasperated and tutted; rolling his eyes.
"Well," Aaron drew a line under that little faux-pas, "are you all ready for tomorrow?"
"The photo-shoot, you mean?" Jackson was referring to a session that had been booked for him with a photographer; who was due to take snaps for a magazine spread.
"Yeah!" Aaron answered with a smirk, "I never knew you were such a poser!"
"I'm not!" Jackson defended himself, "It's just that my agent reckons I should do it; for publicity! I'm not that keen to be honest; you know how shy and retiring I am!" Jackson gave a smile which could not hide his sarcasm!
"Hmmm!" Aaron replied.
The next day, Jackson stood nervously in front of a blue-screen background in the photographic studio. The photographer, a good-looking, dark-haired Frenchman called Pierre, fussed around him like a mother hen. Jackson was not taken with Pierre; he was a bit too 'camp' for his liking; plus he was very 'touchy-feely' and kept 'manoeuvring' Jackson into position!
Jackson, at Pierre's suggestion, was wearing a hard hat, a tight, white singlet, short jean cut-offs, a tool-belt and heavy work boots. He looked every inch a 'workman fantasy figure' come to life! As Pierre snapped away, Jackson smiled coyly at the camera, which only served to make him look even cuter!
When the session was over, Pierre suggested to Jackson that he would like to take some further pictures of him, with even less clothes on than he was already wearing! Jackson politely declined the request; he knew that Pierre obviously had a 'pornographic' agenda in mind! He had the feeling; by the look that Pierre was giving him; that he might even like to join him for some 'duo' shots! Pierre, undeterred by Jackson's refusal, gave him his business card and told him to call, anytime, if he changed his mind!
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"How did it go?" Aaron asked his husband on his return home.
"It was OK!" Jackson replied as he produced an envelope which contained some proofs of his day's work.
Aaron sat and studied the photographs carefully and Jackson had to smile when his husband shifted his position to re-arrange himself; he obviously liked what he saw! For a slender guy, Jackson had well-developed pecs and bulging biceps, accentuated by the tight vest that he was wearing in the pictures. In some of the shots, he had removed his hard-hat so that his face was more visible. Either way, with or without the hat, Aaron thought Jackson looked absolutely gorgeous!
"What do you think?" Jackson was keen to know if Aaron approved!
"You look really hot, babe!" Aaron looked at Jackson with a glint in his eye! "You'll be even more popular when these get published in that magazine! What is it they say? Sex sells?"
"They're not that sexy!" Jackson looked embarrassed, "That photographer would have liked to have taken some even more risqué shots, but I told him 'no'!"
"Pity!" Aaron was now openly fondling the bulge in his trakkie bottoms, "I would have liked to have seen some of those!" He leaned across to kiss the object of his desire.
"Why do you need pictures?" Jackson chuckled, "When you've got the real thing!"
Jackson could not resist testing Aaron's excitement by replacing Aaron's hand with his own! He groped Aaron's crotch through his trousers, making Aaron moan with pleasure.
"That photographer, Pierre, would love to meet you!" Jackson said, hoarsely, "I'd love to get some photos of you...maybe you could wear your overalls and slip out of them! I bet he'd be up for it!"
"Dirty sod!" Aaron said, as Jackson kissed him fiercely and fed his tongue into Aaron's willing mouth.
When they came up for air; Jackson spoke again, "Maybe he'd like to take some 'action' shots of us two together!"
Aaron drew back to stare at Jackson, he thought that Jackson was being serious; but his husband could not keep a straight face and burst out laughing.
"Nice one!" Aaron joined in with the laughter, "You had me going there for a second!"
Still giggling, they headed to the bedroom and laughed each other into bed.
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On Brett and Mason's big day, Aaron and Jackson arrived at the registry office in Bradford to attend the ceremony.
The place was packed and many reporters and photographers were lining the pavement outside. Aaron and Jackson had to fight their way through as best they could. However, Jackson had been spotted and one of the TV reporters collared him. He was a young Asian man called Naresh that Jackson had met before.
Naresh signalled the cameraman to focus on Jackson and he began an impromptu interview, "So, Jackson Livesy-Walsh, what brings you here today?"
Jackson wondered what sort of damn-fool question that was, but he bit his tongue, "We're friends of Brett and Mason," he said.
"How long have you known them?"
"About two or three years; I was the one who introduced them in the first place!" Jackson smiled at the camera; something he was now well practiced at!
"Really?" Naresh was distracted by the arrival of Brett himself and broke off the interview abruptly to catch Brett.
"Not at all! I wasn't expecting any thanks!" Jackson said in a sarcastic tone; although he knew that Naresh was already out of earshot!
After stopping to sign for some autograph hunters, Jackson and Aaron managed to get inside the building at last. They settled themselves into their seats.
The couple could see a nervous-looking Mason sitting at the front with Aiden, who was best man. They both turned around when Aaron and Jackson arrived and acknowledged their friends with a nod. Mason's entire family were also sitting near the front.
The registrar, a middle-aged, grey-haired man waited patiently for Mason's partner to arrive. Then, as if on cue, the doors at the far end of the hall opened and Brett walked in, accompanied by his mother, Sylvia. Mason turned his head and smiled, he knew in that moment that his dreams were about to come true.
Brett stood next to Mason and looked at him with a big grin on his face; he couldn't stop smiling! Mason matched his smile and then some. They both looked very handsome and dapper; in smartly-tailored, light grey suits, with white shirts and matching patterned ties of red and gold. The registrar, who had looked a bit stern, suddenly broke into a smile as he started to talk, "May I thank everybody for coming and welcome you all here today to witness the union of Brett and Mason. Mason, please would you place your ring on Brett's finger and say a few words..."
Mason took the ring from Aiden and, taking Brett's hand in his own, he gently placed the ring on his finger and spoke, "Brett, I've often heard people talk of love at first sight, but I never knew what they meant until I first set eyes on you. I am so thankful that you agreed to become my partner; as that love at first sight has grown stronger and deeper with each passing day. I will always want you to be there beside me; I am not complete unless you are with me. This ring is a symbol of my promise to love you, cherish you, and keep you safe from harm, for the rest of our lives."
Jackson turned to look at Aaron, he smiled and slid his hand into Aaron's and Aaron clasped his hand tightly. They silently held hands for the rest of the ceremony, caught up in the sentiment of the event.
The registrar then turned to Brett, "Brett, please place your ring on Mason's finger and say what you would like to say..."
Aiden gave Brett the ring with the ghost of a wink. Brett slid the ring onto Mason's finger and, his voice trembling with emotion, he spoke, "Mason, I never thought I would meet anyone like you. I was so unhappy, but then I met a pair of angels...they know who they are; and they told me I would be happy one day and...they were right! You came into my life and I finally knew what happiness was! I am so incredibly in love with you and that will never change. This ring signifies that I will love you, cherish you and always be there for you. I'm yours, until the end of time."
"Thank you," the registrar concluded the ceremony, "Brett and Mason have sworn their commitment to each other by exchanging vows and rings in front of witnesses. Brett, Mason, you are civil partners in law now and you may kiss your groom."
Brett and Mason embraced and kissed. Their assembled friends and family clapped and cheered. Aaron and Jackson looked at each other and grinned, still holding hands. They were thrilled that their two friends were now married and happy together, just as they were themselves.
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The wedding reception was held in a large hall near the registry office. After a sit-down meal, a disc jockey had been hired to provide the music for the evening. Aaron and Jackson eventually managed to have a quiet word with Brett and Mason, who both looked like the cats that got the cream!
"Say hello to my angels!" Brett said, he had obviously consumed a fair amount of drink and he grinned like an idiot! He also draped an arm across Mason's shoulder; and Aaron wondered if it was a sign of affection, or Brett was actually holding on to his husband for support!
"I suppose, now you're a successful TV personality and author, you'll be moving to a big house!" It was more of a statement than a question on Jackson's part.
"That's right," Brett giggled, "I've put in an offer for a house near where you used to live...Home Farm, do you know it?"
"Know it?" Aaron chipped in, "That used to be Declan's place!"
"Nah!" Brett eyes widened in surprise, "What, Declan who we met at your house that time?"
"That's him!" Jackson replied, "Don't tell me you're buying half of Emmerdale village!"
"Nah!" Brett said, "I'm only buying the house and a bit of ground around it. The previous owner sold off the rest of the land and other properties to raise capital, apparently! I suppose that must have been Declan! The house has been empty for months!"
"Wow!" Aaron looked stunned, "Our Brett; Lord of the Manor!"
"Lords, plural," Mason corrected him, "Don't forget he'll be living with his husband!" Mason pointed to himself and laughed. Brett, still holding onto him, giggled again. They reminded Aaron and Jackson of a pair of giggly schoolboys larking around!
"Well, I hope you don't forget to invite us to the housewarming!" Jackson joked.
"You two," Brett let go of his husband and placed his hands on Aaron and Jackson's shoulders, "Will be at the lop of the tist...what? I mean, top of the list!" Brett nodded in confirmation to himself that he had said it correctly.
"I think you'd better sit him down somewhere!" Jackson addressed Mason.
"Yeah, I think you're right! Come on, sweetheart!" Mason took hold of his new husband and steered him towards the nearest chair!
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After the wedding and reception were over, Aaron and Jackson retired to bed in their hotel room.
"Wasn't it a lovely ceremony!" Jackson said.
"You really are an old softie!" Aaron replied.
"You don't fool me!" Jackson could tell Aaron had also been moved by it all, "I saw that tear in your eye when Brett and Mason made their vows!"
Aaron, for once, did not deny it, "Yeah! It's really great to see Brett and Mason so happy!"
Jackson pulled Aaron to him, "If they're half as happy as we are, they'll be the luckiest couple on Earth!"
"That can't be right!" Aaron looked deep into Jackson's eyes, "That title belongs to us!"
Aaron and Jackson kissed as they had done so many times before...the kiss of angels!