Don't Look Back – Chapter 2

-O-

DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV

-O-

Shock was not the word for the look on Aaron's face, "What do you mean; brother?"

"Sorry!" Chas realised that the situation was a lot for Aaron to take in, "Eden got in touch with me...it's a long story and I'll explain it all to you..."

Aaron had a face like thunder, "No! You're winding me up! What are you talking about? I don't have a brother!"

Chas was ready to tell the story, but Aaron was having none of it. He stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

"Aaron!" Chas called after him, but she knew that she was wasting her time. She looked at Eden apologetically, "Well, that went down like a bucket of cold sick!"

"I should go," Eden looked mortified, "Maybe it would have been better for me to stay away; out of your life. I don't want to cause trouble between you and Aaron."

"Don't be daft," Chas reassured him, "Aaron's just being Aaron! I knew he'd react like this and, for once, I can't say I blame him! It must have come as a terrible shock!"

"That's what I mean;" Eden looked at Chas steadily, "Aaron didn't know anything about me until just now...that's obvious! My appearance is likely to drive a wedge between you two and I don't want that. I'll just head off back to where I came from."

Chas looked horrified at the suggestion, "Oh no you don't! Listen, love, I'm glad that you found me again and that we've come to terms with things...you're my son; just as Aaron is, I don't want you to go! Give him time, he'll come round!"

"Well, if you're sure. Maybe I should just stay out of the way for a while so that Aaron can get his head around it!"

Chas smiled, she was glad that Eden showed such understanding and was prepared to accommodate Aaron's feelings.

That evening, Jackson arrived home to find Aaron sitting on the bed in their room in the dark. "What are you doing sitting there like that?" he enquired, "You're not ill, are you?"

"No!" Aaron was being non-committal.

Jackson sat next to his boyfriend, "What's wrong, babe?" he gently put an arm around Aaron's shoulders.

"It's my mum!" Aaron said.

"She's not sick, is she?"

"No...unless you count sick in the head!"

"What makes you say that?"

Aaron looked at Jackson's face in the gloom, "She's just gone and informed me that I have a brother!"

"What?"

"You heard!" Aaron spit out his words, "All my life I've had a brother that I never knew existed! How could she keep that a secret, Jackson? What kind of woman does that?"

"Have you spoken to her about it?"

"No...I sort of went off on one!"

"That's my boy!" Jackson chuckled.

"I'm glad you think it's funny!"

"Sorry!" Jackson realised that Aaron was not in a jovial mood, "What's his name, anyway?"

"Eden!" Aaron frowned, "Only my mother could call her son Eden!"

"I think it's quite classy!" Jackson said.

"I might have known you'd take her side!"

"I'm not taking anyone's side!" Jackson sounded a little exasperated, "But I think you should talk to your mum about it. You don't really know the full story, do you?"

"What's to know?" Aaron was not about to back down any time soon, "She's lied to me all my life; why should I be interested in what she's got to say now?"

"That's a bit harsh!" Jackson was trying to get Aaron to talk about the situation.

"She's gone too far this time, end of!" Aaron threw himself down on the bed, so many thoughts racing through his mind as his head hit the pillow.

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The next day was August 4th; Jackson's birthday. Aaron had arranged a meal out at a restaurant in Hotten, although the situation with his mother and unexpected sibling had rather taken the shine off things; but he was still determined to have a good time for Jackson's sake. In fact, the couple ended up having a really nice time, eating delicious food; washed down with beer. Jackson opted for a steak, while Aaron preferred salmon. Jackson purposely avoided talking about Eden, as he did not want to spoil their evening and he knew that Aaron had gone to a lot of trouble to treat him to a posh night out. Aaron could still be a hot-head and as stubborn as a mule, but that was one of the reasons why he loved him. It made him who he was and Jackson would not wish for him to behave any differently, although he sometimes wished that Aaron would take things a little more calmly and talk about a situation in a rational way.

On arrival back home, the couple retired to their bedroom and Jackson undressed ready for bed. As he sat on the mattress, Jackson spoke, "I really enjoyed tonight, babe, thank you!"

Aaron, who had not yet taken his clothes off, looked at his boyfriend's naked body and smiled, "I've got another present for you!" he said, licking his lips provocatively. He put on some music and slowly peeled off his garments while gyrating to the rhythm of Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face'. Jackson giggled as Aaron performed his striptease, but he let out a gasp of admiration as Aaron whipped off his trousers to reveal a tight thong encasing a bulging package! The sight of Aaron's fit, near-naked body and impressive endowment immediately caused Jackson's own member to spring up!

Aaron crossed the room to his lover and Jackson reached out to caress the material of the g-string which Aaron was thrusting towards him. "Happy birthday, gorgeous!" Aaron laughed.

Without answering, Jackson lovingly removed the thong as Aaron bent down for a kiss, which held and deepened. Their love and trust in one another had grown over the two years of their relationship and they knew that they loved each other completely; beyond any doubt. Jackson moved to lick down Aaron's chest, delighting in the gasps escaping from Aaron's lips. It urged him to continue and use his tongue to tease Aaron. Aaron sought Jackson's manhood with his right hand and, finding the evidence of his extreme arousal; he fondled it gently which made Jackson moan with pleasure. Jackson continued using his mouth and tongue as he worked his way down Aaron's taut stomach to his now throbbing member. Aaron groaned as he felt Jackson's lips work their magic on him and, at that moment, the only feeling coursing through his body was one of total sexual energy. Jackson, his tongue still giving Aaron untold pleasure, let out a gasp as he felt Aaron's hand manipulating him. They were both giving and receiving enjoyment in equal measure, carrying each other away to a spectacular climax of love.

Later, in the afterglow of their lovemaking, they lay entwined on their bed, happy and contented. Jackson stroked Aaron's head and Aaron cuddled Jackson to him; they could not have been any closer if they tried.

"Thanks!" Jackson whispered.

"Was it OK for you?" Aaron asked; eager to please.

"It was awesome!" Jackson sighed. Aaron was everything to him; and the fact that he could share such intimate, passionate times with his boyfriend was just icing on the cake!

Jackson chuckled.

"What?" Aaron asked.

"I never thought you'd do that!"

"Do what?"

"The striptease; I thought you said you'd never do it!" Jackson smiled.

"No! I said I wouldn't do it in front of a load of pervy old men! You're my fella; that's different! You're the only one I'd do it for...I'd do anything for you!"

"You can be so loving and giving," Jackson stroked Aaron's arm, "but there is one thing you could do to please me...I wish you could talk to your mum, just to make it up with her. Can't you cut her a bit of slack?"

"Yeah, OK!"

Jackson looked at Aaron in amazement, "You're agreeing with me? Wow! It MUST be my birthday!"

"Oh, very funny!" Aaron grimaced, "Look, Jackson, you're always right...well, most of the time! I s'pose I should talk to her and clear the air! I can't go round banging doors forever!"

"I'm very proud of you, y'know!"

"Shut up!" Aaron looked embarrassed.

"No, I mean it. You can be stubborn, irritating, pig-headed, stupid..."

"Oi! I thought you said you were proud of me!"

"I'm coming to that! You've changed, babe; and for the better. You'll always be my surly little lad, but I'd like to think that you can make the right decisions when required. That's why I'm proud of you!"

Aaron kissed Jackson again; he knew that his boyfriend was right, as always; and he knew that Jackson loved him; unconditionally, "OK, tomorrow I'm going to have it out with mum. She does owe me an explanation, if nothing else!"

Jackson smiled; his boyfriend was coming to terms with the situation.

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Chas was in the back room of the Woolpack, preparing breakfast, when Aaron appeared. "Morning, love, can I get you anything!" she said, cheerily, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere which had developed between them.

"Can we talk?" Aaron said, tentatively.

"Yeah, 'course we can!" Chas motioned Aaron to sit on the sofa with her. "Listen, love, I'm sorry for springing Eden on you like that. I was hoping to set up a proper meeting but, when you appeared, I couldn't see the point in covering up who he is."

"But, you never told me I had a brother! How could you keep it a secret all this time?"

"He's your half-brother, actually. I'm his mum, but your father is not his father," Chas hesitated before continuing, "I didn't know that I was ever going to see him again...that's why I never mentioned him."

"But, it's important...that I've got a brother! I can't believe you never said anything!"

Chas wanted to get the whole thing off her chest, so she settled down for a lengthy explanation, "Many years ago, I had a fling with a bloke; Grant Butler was his name. I'd split up with your dad and fell pregnant with Grant's baby. Anyway, when he knew I was expecting, Grant didn't want any more to do with me; so he left me. So, there I was, a single mum with a new born baby! I was skint and didn't have anywhere to live. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, Aaron, but I gave the baby up for adoption. That baby, of course, was Eden. He's eighteen now and he wanted to trace his real mum. His foster mum died a little while ago and he found out where I was. Anyway, we had an emotional reunion and he's forgiven me for giving him up all those years ago. It's something I wasn't proud of, so I kept it a secret. I never thought he'd come back into my life, but I'm glad he found me. I just hope it doesn't change things between you and me!"

Aaron listened patiently to Chas' outpouring. He was quietly moved that she had opened her heart, but he was still hurt that she had kept a big part of her life hidden from him.

"Of course it changes things!" Aaron looked at his mother, almost as if he had never seen her before, "Until now I thought I could trust you and now...I don't know anymore!"

"You CAN trust me!" Chas was desperate to make it up with Aaron, "This is the only thing I've ever hidden from you...well; I've hidden it from everyone really. Surely you can see why?"

"What about Eden? He's another son you gave up on!" Aaron was not impressed.

"That's not fair! I know I've not been the best mother in the world; but I couldn't look after him back then. Anyway, I've never given up on you! I won't give up on Eden either; now he's back."

Aaron stood up and headed for the door, ne was still trying to get his head round the situation; "Jackson's waiting for me!" he said, brusquely.

Chas watched her son go. She wanted to say so much more but she knew that Aaron had heard enough for now. But she felt relieved that, at least, they had talked.

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Aaron was still upset about his mother's secret past and his unknown brother; he spoke to Jackson about it at length that night, as they sat propped up, naked, in bed together.

"Why don't you meet him...properly I mean?" Jackson asked.

"I don't know," Aaron sounded unsure of himself, "what would I say to him? He may be my brother, but I don't know him!"

"Well, that will come in time! Do you want to get to know him?"

Aaron mulled it over, part of him wished that things could go back to the way they were before Eden had appeared on the scene, yet, another part of him wanted to try to become close to a new family member, "Yeah, I s'pose so!" he said.

"I'll come with you, if you want," Jackson smiled warmly at Aaron, offering his support as always.

Aaron kissed Jackson.

"What was that for?" Jackson was still smiling.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," Aaron smiled back, "Anyway; do I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?"

"No!" Jackson smirked, "In fact, you can do it again if you like!"

They kissed again and fell into a loving embrace.

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Monday morning arrived with monotonous regularity and Aaron sat eating a bowl of cornflakes in the back room of the Woolpack. Chas came into the room and saw her son sitting there.

"Morning!" she said, smiling at him warmly.

"Where does Eden live?" asked Aaron, not returning Chas' morning greeting.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I thought, as he is my brother, I ought to at least say 'hello'!"

This was music to Chas' ears! It seemed that Aaron was coming around to the idea of having a sibling!

"There's no need to go looking for him, he's coming round this evening! You two can have a quiet chat in here, if you want."

"Right!" Aaron gave his usual non-committal, monosyllabic answer; but Chas just wanted to hug her son at that moment! Maybe there was light at the end of the tunnel, after all!