Prodigal Son – Chapter 3
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV.
-O-
Jackson was putting some clothes into the washing machine when Aaron walked into the kitchen.
"You got anything for the wash?" Jackson asked.
"Yeah, just a mo!" Aaron disappeared and then, moments later, reappeared with a few soiled garments, which he handed to his husband.
"It must be love," Jackson smirked, "Who'd have thought I'd ever be content to wash your smalls!"
Aaron gave Jackson a disdainful look, "For better, for worse, wasn't it? I suppose my smelly undercrackers counts as the 'worse' bit."
Jackson chuckled as he threw the clothes into the machine and pushed the button to start the cycle, "Aww, look babe, our 'intimate apparel' going round together, how sweet!"
Aaron raised his eyebrows, "Have you always naturally been a div? Or did you need to practice at it?"
Jackson ignored Aaron's attempt to wind him up and pulled his ever-loving into an embrace, "I must have been a natural...I married you for starters!"
Aaron was prevented from coming back with another smart remark as Jackson's lips suddenly crashed into his. The kiss held and deepened and they soon started to become aroused.
Jackson broke the kiss and gazed longingly into two blue eyes that had captured his heart from the moment he first saw them, "I say we introduce our pants to each other upstairs...the ones we've got on, I mean."
Aaron teased Jackson's crotch with his fingers and found a hard bulge there, "I think your pants would look good on the bedroom floor...on top of mine!"
Jackson did not answer but he just silently took Aaron by the hand and led him up the stairs.
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The weeks passed. Aaron was back working full time at Dingle Motors, while Jackson was picking up lots of building work, sometimes by recommendation and other times by receiving telephone requests for quotes. It seemed that Hazel's idea about advertising his services on the side of his van was paying dividends. Declan Macey was also keeping him busy on his many properties in the village and Jackson's high profile as a local handyman would often lead to people asking him to do other jobs.
Aaron's relationship with his mother was a bit strained since she had made her announcement about Eden coming to stay. He still frequented the Woolpack but only shared a few brief words with Chas over the bar when she was serving. Jackson tried his best to be a peacemaker, as was his way, but Aaron continued to be unhappy about the situation and had still not mellowed by the time that Eden actually arrived. Chas felt it best if Aaron and Eden met in the back room of the Woolpack, she did not want a slanging match in public. She knew that Aaron would meet his brother at some point as there was no way that they could avoid each other in a small village, so she decided to get them together in private so that they could air their differences.
Aaron had, unsurprisingly, wanted Jackson to accompany him to the meeting. The younger man, at first, refused to have anything to do with the arranged soiree. However, Jackson's persuasive powers won out and Aaron found himself sitting, stoney-faced, opposite the object of his mistrust. Jackson was still amazed at how much Eden reminded him of his husband, although he knew the likeness was only skin-deep. Chas sat in a corner of the room as she intended to referee the event. There was bad blood, but she was hoping that none of it would be spilt.
"Eden," Chas began, "You've got something to say to Aaron and Jackson, haven't you?" She looked at her younger son, nodding in Aaron's direction and encouraging him to continue.
"Yeah," Eden said. He hesitated and clasped his hands firmly together, as if praying that Aaron was not going to jump up from his seat and flatten him! "I'm really sorry for what I did...making a pass at you, Jackson, and saying that it was your fault. I lied and I just wish I hadn't done it."
Aaron continued to sit in silence, he looked agitated and it gave Eden the impression that he was possibly a dormant volcano about to blow at any second.
"Why did you do it?" Jackson decided to speak for both himself and Aaron.
"I dunno!" Eden looked sheepish, "I mean, I fancied you but I knew you were out of bounds...I suppose I wanted something forbidden. I was an idiot, Aaron had been so good to me and I messed it all up. I could have had a brother in my life and now...I've lost him. That's my biggest regret."
Aaron could hold his tongue no longer, "That's BULLSHIT!"
"AARON!" Chas could see that her refereeing skills would soon be needed.
"Don't 'Aaron' me, mum! He's just full of it," Aaron adopted a whiney tone, " 'I've lost my brother over it'...what did you expect? That I'd just say 'OK, I'll have Jackson four days a week and you can have him the rest'?"
"NO! What I'm trying to say is, I screwed up the chance I was given. We could have become close and I would have liked that. But, I had to go and revert to type and try it on. I'm always doing that, even with..." Eden suddenly stopped: he felt that he was saying too much.
Aaron picked up on Eden's meaning, "Your stepfather? It was you that came on to him, wasn't it? That's why you wouldn't call the police. He didn't rape you, did he? You were a willing participant...why would you do that?"
"I was in trouble," Eden looked shame-faced and on the verge of tears, "I thought I could blackmail him to get some money. I was in debt to a loan shark and the interest was racking up. That's why I stole from the Woolpack...to pay this loan shark off. I was desperate!"
"Why should I believe a word of this?" Aaron sneered, "You've always told a pack of lies before...why should I think you're telling the truth now?"
"He IS telling the truth," Chas cut in, "Just before he stole that money, a bloke came into the pub looking for him, a right nasty-looking character he was. Eden was out but this thug said he'd be back later. I told Eden about it afterwards and he turned as white as a sheet. If only he'd told me he was in trouble I could have helped him."
Aaron looked at Eden, "Why didn't you tell Mum you needed the money? You could have saved yourself a load of hassle."
"I know that now," Eden replied, "But I hadn't long found my real Mum again...it didn't feel right, turning up on her doorstep and saying 'Hi Mum, I'm your long-lost son. By the way, you couldn't lend me five grand, could you?'"
"So you decided to pinch the money instead?" Aaron raised his eyebrows.
"I know it was stupid, looking back. But I'd never known a proper family life before and I realise now that if I'd have asked for help I would have got it. That's why I'm so sorry that I've messed up and lost the chance of being part of a close family: one that sticks together regardless," Eden's tears rolled down his cheeks and, for once, Aaron could almost believe that they were real and not 'crocodile tears' like before.
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That night, Aaron was already in bed as Jackson was undressing.
"Do you believe Eden's account of events?" Jackson asked as he slipped into bed beside his partner.
"I don't know," Aaron said with feeling, "It sounds quite feasible, but he's lied and cheated so many times. I don't know if I'll ever believe another thing he says."
"If you could believe him, do you think you could build some bridges?"
"I'll have to think about it. My Mum seems to believe his story and she did see this loan shark character turn up looking for Eden," Aaron looked pensive, "At the end of the day he IS my brother, God help me!. But, if he steps out of line just once more, I'll kill him, especially if he messes my Mum around again."
Jackson drew Aaron into a hug and kissed him, "I'm so proud of you, babe."
"Why?"
"You've grown up," Jackson had a look of love in his eyes, "At one time you would have decked your brother as soon as you walked into the same room as him, but you listened to what he had to say. Why don't we all go out for a drink one night? We could see if Eden behaves himself and it would please your Mum. I know she won't give up on him but then, I suppose a mother's love is unconditional."
"That's not a good idea," Aaron was apprehensive, "I don't know if I will be able to spend an evening with my darling brother without wanting to punch his lights out."
"Look, babe, all I ask is that you think about it. I know, deep down, you wish that Eden could have been a better brother to you...I think you owe it to yourself to see if it might work out."
"You amaze me, Jackson. My brother came on to you and nearly drove a wedge between us and yet you're still willing to give him another chance. You are an incredible bloke, do you know that?"
Jackson gazed into Aaron's blue eyes, "I'm nothing special," he said, modestly.
"Yes you are," Aaron smiled at his husband, "You're the most special thing in the world to me! My life is nothing without you. You know when you said we should have a proper church ceremony?"
"Yeah, you said you'd think about it."
"Well, I've thunk!" Aaron chortled at his deliberate mispronunciation, "I know it means a lot to you and I'd do anything to make you happy...so, let's do it!"
Jackson frowned, "It's not just for me, you know, you've got to really want it too."
"Get up!" Aaron indicated that he wanted Jackson to get out of bed and stand up.
"What for?" Jackson asked, although he did as he was requested without questioning his partner any further.
Aaron also stood up and faced his lover, then took his hands and went down on one knee in front of him.
Jackson let out an "Oh!"
"Jackson Walsh, would you make me the happiest man alive by consenting to marry me, in church?" Aaron had such an earnest look on his face that Jackson was left in no doubt about his seriousness and it made the tears well up in his eyes.
"Of course I will!" Jackson said, with a catch in his voice, he was so overcome with the emotion of the moment.
Aaron stood up to look Jackson in the eye and he saw the tears forming, "Awww give us a kiss then, you daft sod!"
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Aaron's mind was in turmoil. The next day, at the garage, he could not concentrate on his work. Cain picked up on his mood and spoke to him, "Where's your head today? I know there's not much in it but you might have at least brought it with you!"
Aaron sneered, "Oh, very funny...you are SO hilarious."
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Cain gave Aaron his usual fixed stare.
"It's Eden," Aaron said, as if that was explanation enough.
"Oh, the prodigal son," Cain smirked, "What's he done now? Stolen another wad of cash from your mother?"
"No, nothing like that, he reckons he's a reformed character. But, I don't know, I want to believe that he's being honest but I can't trust him...not after last time."
"Well, he's a Dingle alright!" Cain was in the mood to talk seriously for a change and Aaron was grateful for that, "None of us are perfect and all I can say from my point of view is, if the family hadn't given ME second chances, I wouldn't still be alive to tell the tale! You'd just have to test the waters and give him a bit of rope...he'll soon hang himself with it if he's not on the level."
Cain's wise words were still reverberating around Aaron's head when he called into the Woolpack at lunchtime. Chas was serving behind the bar. She smiled at him as he approached, "Usual?" she asked.
"Thanks, Mum," Aaron did not return Chas' smile, but he was not hostile, "I thought Eden would be helping you to pull pints. Where is he?"
"Down at the Jobcentre. He wants to get a job and pay for his keep."
"So he's not working here then?"
"No!" Chas exclaimed, "He's got a lot of ground to make up and I won't be letting him near the takings for a while. Diane wouldn't stand for it anyway, I'm lucky she's at least agreed to let him stay after what happened the last time."
"Why did she? Agree to let him stay, that is?"
"She knows how important it is to me...she's a mother herself so she understands where I'm coming from."
"Why did he have to be such a slimeball?" Aaron's frustration bubbled to the surface, "He could have been a good brother to me and he went and ruined it. I could have had something I've never had in my life before, but he had to go and throw it all away."
Chas smiled to herself. Aaron had just, uncharacteristically, opened his heart. She knew that, if Eden was being sincere about keeping his nose clean, there was a chance that Aaron might come round.