Hi,

I have a lot more time for me due to the lock down. I've not seen my grandchildren in weeks and I'm so at a loss without them, missing them all so much :-(

To keep me sane and help pass all the spare time I suddenly have now, I've decided to do some writing, I'm hoping to finish some stories, but I'm updating this one to start with, I can see there are people reading it in Australia and the USA right now, so there seems to be some interest still (Thank you)

More importantly. ..Keep safe, keep well and keep positive.

I'm more than a little rusty but here goes...

It Takes One To Know One

Chapter 94

Aaron yawned and then snuggled a little closer to Jackson. He was tired but his brain just wouldn't switch off, there was just too much going on in his head right now. Then there were his emotions, they were a little unsettled too. He was happy, excited, a little scared and a part of him was sad...but he wasn't going there, not now!

A faint sigh escaped Jackson's lips causing Aaron to smile and tighten his hold on his boyfriend. Jackson had long since fallen asleep, more or less as soon as they'd got into bed, now he was lost somewhere in his dreams, 'he'd better be dreaming of me' Aaron's smile widened at that thought.

It had to be after one now Aaron decided. If he turned a little he would be able see the bedside clock, but he was so comfortable he didn't want move, not even an inch. Hopefully he'd fall asleep soon, not only did he have work in the morning it was also the very first day of their new life...

This was their first night in their new home! A sense of excitement rose up in his chest yet again, he still couldn't quite believe it, he would probably wake up in the morning wondering where the hell he was. It felt right though, he knew they'd done the right thing moving out of the Smithy. It had been his home, his sanctuary, and it was also where he and Jackson has sown the seeds of their future together. Sadly the time had now come to leave the nest and feather their own. The Smithy just wasn't big enough to accommodate their dream, and so they had made the difficult decision to spread their wings and fly.

They had worried about Cai and Russ' reaction, but the boys had understood their decision and were behind them 100%. They had Paddy, and now that Paddy had adopted Russ too they had a close family unit all their own. They would still see them every day, they might have moved out but they were still part of the family... and always would be.

Aaron suddenly felt a pang of sadness, he'd managed to quash it for most of the day, but it wasn't finding it so easy now, not as he lay in the darkness, distraction free. He realised he was going to have to work through the reason for his sudden change of mood if he was ever to get to sleep. Heaving a sigh he acknowledged he would miss a lot of things about the Smithy, his 'brothers' and Paddy too ... Paddy! Yes Paddy was the real cause of the emotion he was feeling now. Paddy had been... well he had been so many things to him, friend, defender, cash dispenser, voice of reason... father! Paddy had always been there for him come hell or high water, and he knew he always would be, but he would really miss him... for heavens sake Aaron scolded himself, they hadn't moved to the other side of the world, just to the other side of the village in fact. It wouldn't be the same, and he was just going to have to get used to not seeing the older man across the breakfast table. But there was more to it than that, it was just... well he was a little scared he supposed, he knew both he and Jackson had been bolstered by Paddy's support through the trials of fostering. Now they were truly going it alone and it suddenly seemed even more scary without Paddy on hand to offer advice and reassurance. Aaron didn't doubt Jackson's capability but he did doubt his own and ... he was being stupid wasn't he? He could do this... they could do this... together. They could and would! Stifling another yawn Aaron realised his bout of reasoning had left him feeling sleepy, closing his eyes he felt himself slowly drift away...

...

Jackson checked his watch, "I'd better make a move, the sooner I start the sooner I can finish. I should finish the job today, barring any more complications." One thing after another had gone wrong, none of it his fault but it was frustrating all the same.

Aaron sipped on his tea before saying, "Fingers crossed." He really hoped Jackson could sign off on his current job, he'd been working long days and was coming home well and truly knackered, he was in need of some down time. "Fancy pub grub for tea? We could treat ourselves to one of Marlon's specials?" It would save them cooking and a couple of pints wouldn't go amiss.

"Yeah," Jackson liked that idea, they'd stayed in all week, getting their new home just how they wanted it, 'titivating it' as Pearl called it. They'd enjoyed having the place all to themselves but Jackson knew they were both beginning to miss other peoples company. They'd had visitors of course, but nobody had stayed long, just paid them flying visits, family and friends dropping off cards and housewarming prezzies. It was like no one wanted to intrude for too long. That thought set his mind racing, "We should have a party! A housewarming party, what'd you think?"

Aaron was a little taken aback by the idea it coming so out of the blue but it was sounding more and more appealing, "Yeah... yeah I think we should."

"Tomorrow night?"

"Yeah." Aaron smiled, Saturday night was perfect for a party, "I'll ask Marlon to do the food and maybe you could pick up some booze on your way home?"

"I think I can manage that." Jackson flashed his boyfriend a smile before adding, "I can't believe we haven't thought about it before now."

Aaron shrugged, "I think we were too busy waiting for something else to happen."

"You mean Gary ringing with news of a placement?"

"I was expecting a call first thing Monday morning." Aaron admitted unable to keep the disappointment out of his voice."

"Me too."

"You never said!"

"Neither did you. " Jackson grinned.

"No." Aaron laughed, he'd not wanted Jackson to know how he felt and it seemed Jackson was in the same mind where he was concerned.

"We're just going to have to be patient... enjoy the peace of mind while we can."

Aaron nodded his agreement, their first foster child might well cause them headaches and heartache, they should enjoy the current lull.

...

Aaron's mobile had rung just before twelve, he'd pulled it out of his overall pocket expecting it to be Jackson, he normally rang around that time because he was likely to find him on his lunch break. Not today though, Cain had bogged off somewhere on 'a bit of business' leaving him up to his neck in work. Aaron's eyes widened on seeing the callers name, it was Gary Elias. Telling himself not to get his hopes up he tapped at his phone...

As soon as the call ended, Aaron had phoned Jackson, eager to tell him the news. He was excited and a little anxious and knew his boyfriend would be too. Jackson had promised to be home for when Gary visited them later that afternoon telling him he only had an hour or so work left to do. Aaron was grateful for his heavy workload for once, it would keep his mind occupied and make the hours pass faster.

Cain had eventually put in an appearance and after telling his uncle about Gary's visit he had told him to take the rest of the afternoon off. Aaron hadn't needed telling twice and after thanking his uncle he had made for the main road turning right and striding up the hill.

"Oi!" Cain called from the garage door, "I thought you were going home?"

"I am." Aaron replied puzzled by the other man's comment.

"Then you're going the wrong way you pillock!"

Aaron grinned sheepishly, turning on his heels he hurried the other way. His head had been some place else and his feet had automatically taken him along the route he'd walked for years. Brier Cottage was in the other direction, a ten minute walk away. Going that way was still new to him but it would soon become the norm, sooner rather than later hopefully, it was the second time he'd done that now and he hated making a fool of himself... especially in Cain's presence.

Their cottage was tucked down a quiet lane, it stood alone and a little ways back from the road. Their nearest neighbours were in the village itself. Yes it was in a quiet spot but the world was more or less around the corner. Aaron had forgotten it existed until the owner had contacted Jackson asking him to do some repairs. It turned out he was putting it up for sale, it had been used as a second home but due to health issues he rarely stayed there anymore. They had just started looking for their own place and Jackson had, after seeing it, said it would be perfect for them. After paying it a visit Aaron had had to agree, but there was one major problem where it was concerned and that was money. They knew they could get a mortgage but believed the property would be out of their price range. It seemed luck was on their side though because after Jackson told the owner of their interest, he had put a proposal to him. They buy it as it was, at a fair price and seal the deal as quick as all the legalities were settled. The owner wanted a quick sale, needed one, as it would be one less thing for him to worry about in his old age. Jackson knew he could put right whatever was wrong with it and so after thinking it over for a couple of days they had set the ball in motion, and now Brier Cottage was theirs.

...

Aaron had showered and was just giving the place a quick tidy as Jackson arrived home. He'd been beaming as he walked in through the back door, his eyes flashing with excitement. After giving Aaron a kiss he made for the stairs, eager to shower and be ready for when Gary arrived.

Just half an hour later they were sitting in their living room, Gary telling them how much he liked their new home. After chatting about their lives in general and how Cai and Russ were getting on Gary turned serious, "So, are you ready for this? For anything and everything... and a lot more besides?"

After glancing quickly at each other Aaron and Jackson said in unison "Yes we are!"

TBC