The Perfect Gift

"Close your eyes. That's it. No peeking."

"Mum this is seriously embarrassing."

Jason had refused to be blind folded when he realized they were going out of the house. Ritual embarrassment is one thing in the house, but in public that was a different issue.

"Quit moaning."

"Can I have a clue?"

"Nope."

"Come on Seth you're meant to be on my side."

"Fine. It will be your dream come true."

Images of Bart floated into his subconscious.

'I doubt it.' "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Mum can I look now?"

"Just one more step. Now. Open your eyes."

"Hospital?Weareinahospital?ExactlywhereIwanttospendmybirthday. Jason turned to face his family, tears welling in his eyes. Ithoughtwe'dbeenthroughthis.Ithoughtyouunderstood."

"We do. That's why we're here."

Now Jason realized his mum wasn't the smartest tool in the box, but this was pushing it.

"Jasmine-"

"Jason!"

"Listen to me. Jasmine today you officially become Jason."

It took a while for that sentence to sink in.

"You mean…really? I'm going to have the operation?"

"That's what you want isn't it?"

"More than anything."

Jason ran at his mum and threw his arms around her neck choking her.

"Right well in less than four hours you will be Jason."

"You're going to do this for me?"

"I would do anything for you because I love you."

"Iloveyoutoomum. He whispered softly in her ear before kissing her fleetingly on the cheek. Ever since they had sent their dad packing their small family unit had grown closer. She'd instantly allowed him to have the blockers and Riyle had moved back in and taken over the running of the pub. What'sSeth'spresent?He'd seemed the only one not to gain anything from the whole sordid affair."

"His was a little easier. We're going to go shopping. Apparently he needs some new clothes."

"Alotofnewclothes. Seth replied with a Cheshire Cat grin on his face. I'mgoingoutwithSineadtonight."

"Yeah? Well congratulations."

Jason couldn't help the relief he felt at hearing Sinead had finally moved on. Maybe that would pave the way for him to sort things out with Bart.

"Sowe'llbebackhereforwhenyoucomeoutoftheatre.Dependingontherecoverytimeyouwillhavetostayinovernight. Jason couldn't disguise his panic at hearing that. Don'tworry. His mum squeezed his hand reassuringly. I'vecleareditsowecanstayoverwithyouifwehaveto."

"Ok. I need to call Bart then."

"Why?"

"I said I'd meet him later for drinks. I don't want him to worry."

"I'm sure he won't."

Heidi grit her teeth, she couldn't cope with any more McQueens.

"Mum they're not all the same. I really care about him."

"I know. It's just-"

"You've had enough of that family to last a life time."

Seth interjected unhelpfully as Jason shot him evils.

"Something like that. But I guess it is only fair I give the boy a chance. I know he cares about you."

"And how do you know that?"

Jason asked confusedly.

"Because I told her."

Bart stuttered nervously as he approached them.

"Bart what are you doing here?"

The butterflies usually dormant in Jason's stomach had started doing cartwheels

"Your mum told me about the op and I thought I should come down and see you. Check you are okay."

"I am now."

Jason smiled, as Bart wrapped his arms around him and held him tight. Seth interrupted their tender moment with a throaty cough.

"Sorry.Justthoughtweshouldsaybye. He pushed in front of Bart and enveloped Jason in his arms. I'llseeyouwhenyou'reoutofsurgery.Takecare."

"I'll be fine."

Jason tried to sound a little more optimistic than he felt as his mum hugged him, blubbering like a baby.

"I'll take care of him Mrs Costello."

Bart tried to comfort Heidi who was squeezing Jason so tightly he was struggling to breathe.

"You better had."

She warned him sternly.

"Mum. Just go. I won't be in theatre for another two hours and that gives me and Bart a chance to talk."

"Well if you need anything my phone is on or you can call Seth."

"They'll be fine, mum. Come on. Everywhere will be shut at this rate."

Seth dragged her forcibly by the hand as she showed no signs of moving independently.

"So…"

Bart smiled at him weakly.

"Why are you here Bart?"

"I told you I wanted to check on you."

"And is that it? You came as a friend to check on my wellbeing."

"No…but yes obviously I want you to be okay…it's just-"

"IknowyouandSineadaren'ttogetheranymore.Whydidyousplitupwithher? Bart mumbled incoherently as he started at the floor. Sorryyou'llhavetosaythatagain."

"Because you were right, okay? You were right. Losing you as a friend made me realize I did want more. I wasn't happy with her because what I felt for her was never enough. It was nothing compared to how I feel for you."

Jason sat in stunned silence as for the first time in their relationship Bart had opened up.

"Don't you mean Jasmine?"

"No. I mean you. I fell in love with you for millions of reasons; in fact the other day I sat and wrote them all down, my point is not one of them was because you were a girl. Look I have the list with me."

He handed her a scrunched up piece of paper which was littered with his untidy scrawl.

"You wrote all these about me?"

Jason wiped the tears glistening in his eyes.

"Yeah every single one. Jase you are the most important person in my life apart from my family obviously. You are my best friend and my soul mate."

"Soul mate ey? Have you swallowed a dictionary or something?"

"No, but I have been in touch with our John-Paul."

"Who?"

"My cousin. He's moved to Ireland and he's getting married next month."

"And what did he say?"

"He told me I was the worlds biggest plonker. If I loved you I should tell you. His fiancé Craig told me the best thing."

"Craig? Your cousin is gay?"

"Oh yeah. Camp as Christmas."

"So what did Craig say?"

"He told me what he had once told John-Paul, when he asked him if he was sure about them, he said love isn't about gay or straight it is about who you fall in love with."

"And?"

"I love you."

"Are you sure?"

"More than anything. It is you that completes me. I tried so hard to forget that and move on, but I was just so miserable. You can ask Tilly, she gave me a right lecture about how stupid I have been."

"Icanimagine. Jason laughed. YouknowIloveyou,Ialwayshave,butthisisn'tgoingtobeeasy.We'llbegoingtodifferentuniversities,meetingnewpeople,howdoyouknowthisiswhatyouwant?"

"I've been accepted into Manchester Uni. I'm going to take a year out though and move with you. I want to start a new life together."

Jason could hardly believe his ears; it was like all his Christmas' had come at once.

"You're serious?"

"I'vealreadypacked. He quipped. IloveyouJasonCostello,withallmyheart."

"I love you too."

"Jason Costello? I'm here to take you down to theatre. And you are?"

The nurse directed at Bart who had perched next to him on the edge of the bed.

"Hisboyfriend. Jason blushed furiously at Bart's confident admission. CanIwaitheretillhecomesoutofsurgery?"

"Not here no, but if you follow us you can wait in the relatives room."

"Thank you."

Bart matched the trolley step for step as it rolled along the winding hospital corridors all the while holding onto Jason's hand.

"Do me a favour?"

"Anything?"

"Call my mum and Seth tell them I have gone in and I love them."

"Of course. I know how much you want this. You will be fine."

"I know."

Jason tried to smile, but nerves had finally kicked in. Bart kissed him tenderly on the lips, oblivious to the medical staff surrounding them.

"Iloveyou. He whispered in his ear as he gave him one last hug. I'llberightherewaitingforyou."

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart."