An hour or so later and after a 3 course meal, Marlon's present to the couple, the guests were seated awaiting the speeches.
It was Jackson who got to his feet first, tapping his fork on the side of his glass to get the room's attention.
'I'm gonna share something with you all. I don't think Aaron is going to approve of me telling you this but what the hell, I didn't exactly have time to prepare a speech and anyway he might be unhappy but what can he do about it, we're married now...wow didn't think I'd ever hear myself say that, it feels...amazing...A lot of couples talk about their most memorable moment being the first time they kissed or even the first time they did, uh, more than kiss.' Wiggling his eyebrows at an embarrassed looking Aaron he continued. 'But the thing that really sticks out for me is the first time Aaron fell asleep in my arms. Now we all know tough guy Aaron, that's the persona that he likes to portray to the world most of the time and that is a big part of who he is. We'd been together a few weeks and things were going pretty well...well at least I thought they were, it wasn't so easy to tell with you babe.' He looks at Aaron to see him nodding. 'Anyway the night after his Grandad's funeral I stayed over with Aaron at Paddy's place and as usual I fell asleep pretty much as soon as my head hit the pillow.'
'You got that right' chips in Aaron
'But for some reason that night I woke up about an hour later and there he was...his head was resting on my chest and my arm was around his shoulders. I'm pretty sure that was when I first started to realise that I was in love with him because that's my Aaron. The Aaron I get to see that nobody else does. Yes he is tough, I know that as well as anyone and I love him for it, but in that moment and many since I got to witness his vulnerability and feel a closeness that I'm so lucky to share with him.'
Aaron rolled his eyes as Jackson's words were met with 'Aahs' by the women in the room but Jackson could tell from the sheepish smile that reached the blue of his eyes that any slight embarrassment he might caused was instantly forgiven.
'And on that note I'll hand you over to the man himself; they're all yours babe.' As the two swapped positions Aaron felt the little slap on the bum he had become accustomed to through the years.
'Well you all know how much I love to prove people wrong' Aaron began 'and I think I've done enough talking for one day so all I'm gonna do is relish the fact that I have . At some point in the last four and a half years I know all of you in this room have at the very least thought, if not said it to our faces, that me and Jackson wouldn't last, especially after...what happened.'
After four years Aaron still didn't like to talk about the accident that had nearly cost his life as well as Jackson's. Sure he hadn't been physically hurt but he knew now what he had spent so much time pondering as Jackson had lain unconscious and when he'd tried to get him to leave. Looking down at the face beaming up at his from the seat beside him he knew there was no way he could have lived without him; that without this man his life would have been meaningless.
'So I guess what I'm trying to say, on behalf of me and my husband' a comment which was met with cat calls and wolf whistles from around the room as Aaron pulled Jackson to his feet beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist 'is ha ha ha ha, we showed you didn't we?'
With that a wave of laughter spread around the marquee and Paddy also rose to his feet. Lifting his glass he exclaimed 'To Aaron and Jackson!'
'Aaron and Jackson' chorused the guests and as the glasses clinked the newly-weds lips met.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
The speeches over the DJ who had been setting up in the marquee was heard for the first time over the microphone.
'Ladies and gentlemen please join me around the dance-floor for Aaron and Jackson's first dance as a married couple.'
As the guests pulled back their chairs and made their way across to the dance-floor Jackson turned to a bewildered looking Aaron.
'What? I never organised this.'
'I know that was my contribution. I'm sorry I know you don't normally do dancing but well I thought seeing as this is our wedding day it may be the only chance I get. You don't mind do you?'
Aaron thought about it for a few seconds before grabbing Jackson's hand and leading him towards the assembled crowd 'Well I suppose just this once I can make an exception...you better have chosen a good song though.'
'Like you don't already know what it's gonna be.'
Stopping in the middle of the polished floor, Aaron turned to Jackson. 'You know I have no idea what to do right?'
Slipping Aaron's arms around his waist Jackson moved his to encircle his lover's neck. As the first notes of the song drifted from the speakers Jackson whispered in his ear 'There's nothing to it.'
Hearing these words of encouragement and instantly recognising the song Aaron's tense expression loosened. It wasn't the type of song he would have listened to normally but having heard it in a film the words had struck a chord with both him and Jackson, though neither had said anything until Aaron had found Jackson downloading it a few days later.
Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms
There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
The couple who had remained locked in the same position, looking into the other's eyes and swaying gently from side now shifted so their foreheads touched.
A window breaks, down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
As the final line was heard and the music faded Aaron's arms moved from Jackson's waist. One hand gently stroking the back of his neck the other tugged slightly at tight curls as they kissed once again to the sound of applause from their friends and family.
xoxoxoxoxo
Disclaimer- Emmerdale, Aaron & Jackson belong to ITV not me unfortunately. The song is 'Feels Like Home' by Chantal Kreviazuk (If you haven't heard it before I urge you to look it up, it's a beautiful song and the words seemed to fit with the boys story)