CHAPTER 51

DISCLAIMER: I Do not own Emmerdale or it's characters, they belong to ITV

A/N: thanks for ALL the reviews as always...just to clear a matter up...the small bag in Jacks hand at the end of the last chapter is NOT the bag Pearl gave him...it's the separate one that contained Tom's pills...I'll apologise if I never made this clear in the chapter xx

HOPE YOU ENJOY...xx

Aaron started to panic as he snatched the small clear, EMPTY bag out of Jack's tiny hand, "MINE!" squealed Jack, Aaron nodded and knelt down to him, lowering his voice, so Jackson wouldn't hear from the next room, " Jack...have you...eaten what was in HERE!" , Jack stared back at him with his big brown eyes, that mirrored Jackson's, " ME SWEETIES!" he told.

Aaron shook his head, the panic rising from within him, " NO...they are not..." he hissed quietly, " have YOU eaten them...", Jack shook hid head, now thinking Aaron was playing with him, Aaron stood up and put his hands over his mouth, cursing over and over again...his heart threatened to pump right out of his chest, he then saw Jack's sweets bulging out of his jeans pocket, as qiuck as you could say it, he snatched the paper bag that Pearl had given him, and emptied the contents on to the kitchen counter.

"MY SWEETIES!" cried Jack jumping up and down, then he ran off crying, on the counter Aaron frantically searched through the sweet s Pearl had given the lad, and saw one of the tiny tablets, " 2 more...just 2 more..." he muttered onto his breath desparatley, he then found another...and the last was stuck to a sticky wrapper, just as Jackson came storming in with an angry frown, and waving his hand, "WHAT'S up with YOU...why have you taken his sweets off him...", Aaron quickly flashed a smile, " hey, I was only messing with him..."

"YES...but Jack doesn't see it that way does he...just give them back to him please...", Aaron quickly shoved all the sweets back into the paper bag, and handed it back to Jack, who snatched them off him and ran off, Aaron discreetly had the 3 uppers in his grasp, full of relief that gladly Jackson hadn't picked up on, making his excuses he made for the toilet, and did what he should have done in the first place...flushed them.

Aaron did think the worst...it was hard NOT to...what if Jack had of swallowed those pills...it was TOO HARD to bare thinking about...

The afternoon ended in the village play park, with Jackson pushing his son on the swings, Aaron watched them, and glanced at his watch, " we better be making tracks...it's nearly 4 and you want to take him to see that film remember...", Jackson cheerfully agreed and after helping Jack off the swing, the three of them made their way back to Smithy Cottage, where Hazel was waiting for them, Paddy and Bob were with her.

"thanks for today..." said Hazel to them, " I think Jack really enjoyed himself", Aaron looked at Hazel with a nod that showed a little disappointment...his reasons for it weren't known to Hazel until they had driven back to Hotten and back in her place. On the journey back to Hotten no one took notice of the Ambulance flying past in the opposite direction.

While Jackson sorted out Jack's ruck sack, Aaron pulled Hazel into the kitchen, " he's going through with it" he hissed...Hazel's smile faded, " what...but it's been such a beautiful day..."

"it was...it just hasn't made a blind bit of difference...", told Aaron...making sure they weren't over heard, "HE cottoned on right from the start...what we were up to you know...", Hazel shook her head, " SURELY HE wouldn't...not when it came down to it...would he...", she begged for answers that Aaron couldn't give her.

Jackson then popped his head into the kitchen, " what are you two cooking up now!" he laughed, " or should I ask...anyway Jack's eager to see this film...", Aaron turned, and came forward, " it's been a really good day...but i'm leaving it here...", he knelt down to Jack, " i'm sorry about earlier...with your sweets...just messing with yah lad...", Jack beamed him a smile, " you not coming to see my film, Uncle Aaron..."

Aaron smiled at him, " cartooney like films are just not me style...I'll see you soon..." he stood up, his and Jackson's eyes met, " but...I thought you wanted to come along..." stated Jackson disappointment in his tone, Aaron shook his head, "nah...I've got work tomorrow...and I told Adam I'll meet up with him...I'll call yah..."

Jackson turned his head as Aaron pulled on his jacket, " don't bother..." the disappointment really showing on Jackson's face...Aaron stared at him for a few moments, then he was out the front door, Hazel came forward clapping her hands, " well done son...handled that WELL didn't you"

"HIS LOSS!" Jackson simply said, Hazel shook her head, " I want to shake some sense into you...YOU haven't even thanked him properly for today...HIS idea remember not mine..." told his Mum, Jackson was staring at the carpet, then looked up to his mothers gaze, he was pulling his eyebrowes together, " then why NOT finish the day with us...instead of just going...meeting Adam is just an excuse to get out...HE'S bored truth be told!", Hazel threw her arms up in the air, " I GIVE UP...just MAYBE he thinks it's NOT WORTH seeing little Jack anymore...because as soon as Jeff gets his hands on him...NOR will you...truth be said!"

Hazel then exited up the stairs sobbing...Jackson slumped to the sofa, and put his head into his hands, Jack came up to him with his ruck sack, " daddy...I want to see me film.!" he moaned, tired of waiting, Jackson looked up to his son, their eyes meeting, " I love you son...whatever happens I love you...", Jack didn't understand, and just pulled on his fathers sleeve...Jackson smiled, " COME ON...lets go see this film...and if you're good, Daddy will buy you some popcorn..." Jackson watched as Jack squealed in delight, jumping up and down...could he really ALLOW another man to take his place...

Aaron parked his car across the road from Bar West...he felt quilty...but he just wanted to chill out...all this trying to make Jackson see sense was running him into the ground...he was starting to NOT CARE...why should HE CARE if Jackson DIDN'T...why bother to get to know a child, get attached to a child who would soon disappear out his life...because as soon as Jeff had his claws in...it was doubtful he'd see him anyway...so what was the point.

Aaron stepped out the car, and crossed the road towards the club, he could hear the music thumping out from the inside...even here on the street. Inside Aaron got himself a beer, and observed the crowds of other drinkers...whilst doing do, he thought about his day with Jackson and little Jack...and it made him smile...so lost in his thoughts was Aaron, he hadn't even noticed Greg stroll up to him.

"hey Aaron!...didn't know you were coming in tonight!" Greg told, Aaron shrugged his shoulders from where he stood at the bar, " spur of the moment...you here...with Tom", Aaron hadn't seen his mate Tom since last week...Greg grinned, " HE'S only found a man...!", Aaron was taken aback, " what do you mean..."

"the internet dating paid off!...he got a match..." answered Greg, Aaron was pleased for Tom, at last his lovelife might improve...although he did want to see this guy first to seal his approval...you don't know what wierdo's were hanging around on line just WAITING for nice guys like Tom to mess about.

"that's top!...I'm made up for him mate...", Greg leant on the bar beside him, " if it's nowt to do wit me just say but...have you and Tom fell out", Aaron pulled him a frown, "WHAT...don't be daft, why do you ask that...", but Greg knew something was up, because when he had seen Tom last, and asked about Aaron...Tom said they needed to give their friendship some space.

"so...you and Jackson still going strong then" asked Greg, Aaron shook his head, " fine...never better..." his thoughts drifted back to the man he loved...Greg looked up, raising a questioning eyebrowe, " really..." he asked, Aaron turned " it's...complicated...it's his son...the stepdad wants to adopt him...and believe it or not...but I think Jackson's gonna allow it...", he had finished with a heavy defeated sigh.

Greg was surprized to learn that, " why would he wanna give his boy up...", Aaron turned to him, " he's NOT...NOT in his eyes anyway...he still thinks he'll see him every Tuesday as per...but as sonn as Jeff has a say...THAT will stop...I just feel it...I just need too...", a plan was forming in his mind, " I need to go Sarah...Jack's Mum...I'll wait till Jeff's at work...I'll try and convince her that this adoption is a rubbish idea...", Aaron felt happier...surely Sarah would want Jackson to be Jack's DAD...after all the child was a product of THEIR Conception...not her and smarmy Jeff.

His phone then jingled, he had received a text...Greg turned, " got a message..." he asked, Aaron nodded, and pulled out his phone...

...the text message was from his Mum, Chas...it said...

come home now...x

TBC

As per usual ALL reviews are MOST welcomed...whether you LIKE it...or HATE it! xx