Destiny - Chapter 6

-O-

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

-O-

Aaron was pulling his overalls onto his shoulders when Liv walked in. Robert had quickly pulled up his jeans but was still bare-chested. Liv gave them a funny look, "Sorry, have I interrupted something?"

Aaron was a little flushed and he replied without hesitation, "No...we were...er...just getting changed to do the painting."

Liv could see that some painting had already been done and Aaron's excuse did not sound very plausible, but she just smiled knowingly.

"How was the trip?" Aaron asked, desperate to change the subject as quickly as possible.

"Yeah, I had a great time, thanks," Liv could not keep a straight face: she knew that she had interrupted her brother and his lover in the throes of passion, the tension in the room could be cut with a knife. She decided to spare their blushes. For all her mickey-taking, she really did love them both and knew that Robert made Aaron happy: possibly happier than he had ever been in his life.

"I'd better go upstairs and unpack," Liv said as she turned to leave the room.

"Welcome home!" Robert was pulling his t-shirt back on.

"It's good to be back," Liv answered, then left them to it. She had a broad grin on her face as she climbed the stairs, but what she really wanted to do was howl with laughter.

"Wow! That was close," Aaron turned to Robert after Liv had left.

"Yeah, Liv nearly got an eyeful!" Robert drew Aaron into a hug, but Aaron put his hands on Robert's chest, "She's only upstairs, we can't do anything."

Robert ground his crotch into Aaron's, "Awww! You've got me all worked up now!"

"Likewise," Aaron grinned, "but now that our little passion-killer's back, we'll have to be careful."

Robert gave up on his attempts to seduce his lover again: he knew that the risk of getting caught was too great. He would have to wait until the evening, when he and Aaron would be alone in their room. When he thought about the pent-up desire in both of them, he figured that the wait would be worth it. He could make love to Aaron twenty-four seven, given the opportunity. His "dirty little grease monkey" attracted him like no-one else had ever done, male or female. Since Liv had been on her school trip, he had become used to grabbing hold of Aaron at any time of day and had also become used to them having impromptu mad, passionate sex sessions, which they had done in nearly every room in the house. They had done it in the shower in the mornings, on the sofa in the living room and even on the worktop in the kitchen...not to mention losing count of how many times they had consummated their love in the bedroom. But, neither of them were keeping count. They loved each other deeply and the fact that they enjoyed sex together so much was just a bonus. They were virile, aroused young men and their attraction to each other knew no bounds and no end.

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The next day, Adam was at the scrap yard, waiting for Aaron to arrive. He had become used to Aaron turning up late during Liv's time away, as Aaron found it difficult to tear himself away from Robert. The feeling was mutual as Robert could not keep his hands off of Aaron either, so Adam had become accustomed to Aaron rolling in when he felt like it, a cheesy grin on his face!

Adam did not blame his best friend for taking advantage of some privacy, although he would rib Aaron mercilessly about his 'over-active' hormones. Aaron didn't care though: he loved Adam, in a platonic way: there was nothing Adam could say that would upset him. Aaron knew, deep down, that Adam and his wife Victoria were thrilled to bits that he and Robert were a couple. Victoria, in particular, was overjoyed that her brother had found happiness with Aaron: she knew the good effect it was having on him. Just as Liv had seen the positive change in her brother, so Victoria had seen her sibling change into a nicer, calmer person. Robert still had his sassy side, he did not suffer fools gladly, but he had a softer side too. Victoria could see the special way Robert looked at and spoke to Aaron: she knew that he was hopelessly in love and it warmed her heart. She was also pleased for Aaron, one of her closest and oldest friends. There had once been an attraction between them back in the days before Aaron came to terms with his true sexuality, but, like Adam, she had stuck by him through thick and thin. Aaron appreciated Adam and Vic's support and love and he counted himself lucky to have such close friends.

"Nice of you to pop in!" was Adam's greeting as Aaron clumped up the steps into the portacabin.

"Well, I know how you can't do without me, soft lad," Aaron had his usual broad smile.

"Finally escaped from Robert's clutches, have we? He's insatiable!" Adam laughed.

"Oi!" Aaron grimaced, "That's my fiancé you're talking about! If you don't behave yourself, you won't be our best man."

"You haven't asked me."

"That's a good point," Aaron turned serious, "Let's make it official. Adam Barton, could you possibly see your way clear to be best man at my wedding to Robert Jacob Sugden?"

Adam had suddenly turned serious too. He stood up, crossed over to where Aaron was standing near the door and threw his arms around him, "Mate, I'd be honoured."

They drew apart and looked into each other's eyes.

Aaron spoke, "Thanks mate. I talked it over with Robert and you are the only person we wanted, being as you're my best mate and his brother-in-law."

Adam smiled, "Well, you've come the long way round but you've finally arrived. Robert's a good lad, deep down...and he loves the very bones of you. Vic can see how he's changed since you two have been an item. I'm that chuffed for you mate, I really am...for both of you."

"Cheers, pal," Aaron was so pleased to have such support and loyalty from his closest friend. He felt blessed.

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Two months passed and, in that time, preparations were made for Aaron and Robert's wedding. Victoria insisted on planning everything: there wasn't any way that she was going to let anyone else handle the arrangements. She wanted her brother and one of her dearest friends to have a day to remember.

On the eve of the big day, Aaron, Robert, Adam and Victoria went out to a bar in Hotten. It was not a traditional stag do but a party in lieu of one. There were plans for a wedding breakfast and reception at the Woolpack on the day itself, which would include all the Dingles, Bartons and Sugdens, so Aaron and Robert had decided on a low-key affair the night before, away from the village. They had arranged for Robert to stay with Adam and Victoria on the night before the wedding, so Aaron only had Liv for company when he arrived home.

"What are you doing still up?" Aaron asked as he entered Woodbine Cottage and saw Liv in the kitchen.

"I wanted some milk and cookies," Liv answered.

"You need your beauty sleep, ready for tomorrow," Aaron sat on a stool at the breakfast bar, "we can't have a bridesmaid with bags under her eyes!"

"I'll go up in a minute," Liv said, not bothering to come back with any wisecracks.

Aaron picked up on Liv's slightly terse manner, "You okay?"

"Yeah," Liv replied, "I suppose things will change after tomorrow."

"How?"

"Well, once you and Robert are married, you won't want me hanging around: cramping your style."

"Where have you got that from?"

"Well, you'll be together now, for life," Liv sounded unsure of herself, "you'll want time on your own without a teenage girl lurking in the background."

Aaron took Liv's hand in his own, "Listen to me! You're still my little sister and me being married to Robert doesn't change that. Things will be exactly the same as before. Just because me and Robert will have a piece of paper to bind us together, that doesn't mean that everything becomes different overnight. We're still family and nothing changes that, you hear me? Anyway, Robert loves you too, you know, you Muppet!"

"I'm glad you found him, bro," Liv smiled, "I know he can be a pain at times, but I can see what he means to you. As long as he makes you happy, then he's alright with me." She rose from her seat and headed for the kitchen door, "'Night, big bro."

"'Night, little sis...sweet dreams."

Aaron soon went up to bed, but he tossed and turned for a while. Not only was the wedding on his mind, but he was missing Robert. He had become so used to sleeping with his lover by his side: it now felt odd to be sleeping alone. But, he consoled himself that he would be sleeping with his new husband from the next night onwards. He snuggled into his pillow. "Husband," he said softly, relishing the word: the novelty of saying it.

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It was a good turnout at the little church in Emmerdale. Most of the village had turned out to see Aaron and Robert tie the knot. The ladies were all in their finery and Aaron and Robert both looked very handsome in their matching light grey suits. They looked at each other at the altar and smiled. They both thought that the other one looked stunning and were making heart eyes at one and other.

Harriet performed the service. She was only too happy to unite a couple who obviously adored each other.

Adam gave Robert the ring to place on Aaron's wedding finger. He spoke as he slipped it on, "Aaron, I will always be grateful that I found you. People talk about a soul-mate, well, that's what you are to me. I really can't survive unless I have you in my life. Please be with me from this day forward and know that I will care for you, protect you and love you for the rest of our lives."

Adam then gave a second ring to Aaron and he took Robert's hand and placed the ring on Robert's finger, "Robert, my destiny is to always be by your side: I am not complete unless you are in my life. I promise to love and cherish you and to always be yours. I love you so much."

Harriet concluded the service, "Aaron and Robert, you have made your vows in front of God and the witnesses here present. It is with great pleasure that I now pronounce you legally married: you may kiss your groom."

Robert and Aaron embraced and kissed. Adam cheered and everyone clapped and whooped with delight. Chas, Faith, Victoria and Diane all shed a tear of happiness.

All the guests went back to the Woolpack for the wedding breakfast. Marlon had cooked them a nice roast dinner and Victoria had baked a wedding cake. During the evening, there was much hilarity and the Dingles insisted on a session of their 'drink from the welly' game. It was past midnight by the time that Aaron and Robert made their way back to their home at Woodbine Cottage. Liv was staying the night at the Woolpack as Chas insisted that the happy couple should spend their wedding night on their own in the house. In any case, Liv was staying with Chas for two weeks while Aaron and Robert went on honeymoon to Barcelona.

Robert cuddled Aaron to him in bed that night, "Happy?" he asked as he tenderly looked into Aaron's beautiful blue eyes.

"Nah," Aaron mocked, "I've made a big mistake! I could have done so much better than you."

"You monkey!" Robert pulled Aaron to him for a passionate kiss. He knew that his husband was teasing him and he did not expect anything else. Their banter defined them as a couple.

Aaron eventually broke the kiss, "Shouldn't that be 'grease monkey'?"

"Not any more. You're 'scrap yard Sugden' now!" Robert chuckled.

"Yeah," Aaron had a far-away look in his eyes, "I was Livesy, then Dingle, now Sugden. I've got so many names: I'm a very difficult man to track down."

"True," Robert smiled and they held hands, fingers intertwined, "but as long as I can always find you, I could never ask for anything more."

"Love you, Robert," Aaron cooed.

"I love you too, Aaron. My life is complete now."

They kissed again and Aaron snuggled into Robert's warm, protective embrace: he had finally found his way home.