Chapter 4
Daniel was allowed to leave hospital in a couple of days and Aaron couldn't wait to have his little brother home. He'd called Social Services when he got home, He was visited the next day by a Social Worker, who went through all the legal paperwork, He feared the mention of Drug Running on his criminal record would be mentioned, but after statements from both Paddy and Chas, that he was forced into it after being kicked out of his father's home, and the fact that it was so long ago and only a minor offence, for which he'd only recieve a caution, the social worker soon agreed that Aaron could officially become Daniel's guardian. His little brother's reaction when he broke the news still made him well up. Daniel's little face had lit up, and he threw his arms around Aaron's neck, hugging him tightly, and called him "the bestest big brother in the whole world".
Aaron was in the spare bedroom now, decorating it for Daniel's arrival, with help from Paddy.
"He is going to be ok here isn't he Paddy? I don't even know what he likes. Apart from dinosaurs. What if I mess this up and he gets taken away from me?"
"That's not going to happen, Aaron. You are his legal guardian. He'll be fine and you'll be fine. Plus, you've always got me and your Mum. Never be too proud to ask for help, If there's something you need to know, you just have to ask, I'm not going to think for one second that you cant cope and neither will your Mum I know you don't act it, but you've got a sensible, responsible head on your shoulders Aaron."
"So I've got two heads then?" Aaron joked "The sensible one and the head-case one."
"You're not a head-case, Aaron. Daniel will love living here. No-one's going to take him away from you. You are going to make some mistakes, everyone does, Nobody's perfect at this parenting thing you know."
Aaron sighed "Yeah I know, I'm just…scared, I don't want to see him go into care Paddy."
"He won't. Now come on. These walls aren't going to paint themselves!"
After three long hours, and a full-scale paint war, (which Paddy started), both men had finished decorating the room and Paddy had finished decorating Aaron.
"When's the bed coming Paddy?" Aaron asked for the fifth time that day
"Aaron, relax, Everything's going to be ok. The room will be ready for Daniel when he comes home."
"This paint better come off! I've gotta meet Jackson in an hour!"
"Stop whining you big girl!"
"I look like the Incredible Hulk!"
"Well, you certainly have his sparkling personality." Paddy laughed
"Fuck you, Patrick!"
"Oi, That's another thing you'll have to stop. Don't want Daniel swearing at Pearl now do we?"
Aaron laughed at the comment and walked into the bathroom to get ready to meet Jackson.
Jackson was waiting for Aaron in the warm Woolpack. He smiled as his flustered boyfriend entered the pub and sat down beside him. "You ok?"
"Yeah. You want another drink?"
Jackson nodded and Aaron ordered the drinks, he asked Jackson if they could sit somewhere where they would be left alone. They both sat down and Jackson looked at Aaron, worried he was about to get dumped.
"Look Jackson, There's something I need to tell you, It's really difficult to explain but just stay with me ok?"
Jackson nodded and listened to what Aaron had to say. Aaron had started crying halfway through the story, and Jackson wrapped his arms protectively round his emotional boyfriend.
"So you've got a brother?"
Aaron wiped his eyes and nodded "Yeah. I'm taking him in Jackson, I'm going to be looking after him. It's either that or he goes into care and I'm not letting that happen to him."
"Good. I'm pleased for you, well not under the circumstances obviously but you know what I mean."
Aaron nodded "Yeah. He's going to be a huge part of my life now. I've gotta bring him up. I'm all he's got. This is going to change me so much. But just promise me now, you aren't going to turn your back on me? I need you more than ever. You need to help me with this."
"And I'll be there, Aaron." Jackson smiled, kissing his boyfriend delicately on the cheek.
TBC