Finally managed to get round to writing an update of this after a horrible writer's block! Enjoy! x
Chapter 8
"Dan? Time for bed mate. You can finsih your game tomorrow." Aaron smiled, turning off the playstation.
"Aw I wanna stay up a bit longer! I want to see Jackson!"
"How did you know Jackson was coming over?"
"I heard you talking to your mummy. He's coming over. Please can I see him Aaron?"
"No mate it's late enough, Look, I promise you can see him tomorrow ok? Now come on, I'll read you a story, yeah?"
Daniel looked disappointed but nodded his head. Aaron took him upstairs and helped him to get ready
"Can you tell me a story about a dineysaw?" Daniel asked as he jumped into his bed and lay down.
Aaron looked uncomfortable but tried to stop Daniel noticing. He never really had much of an imagination, and felt almost embarrased at having to make something up off the top of his head. He sighed and looked at Daniel. "Ok...Well there was a dinosaur caled..." He stopped mid-sentence as relief flooded through him. Daniel was already asleep.
"Thank god" He whispered, Pulling the covers over Daniel and making a mental note to go to Hotten tomorrow to buy some books about dinosaurs.
"Goodnight little man. Love you." Aaron smiled, as he left the room and quietly closed the door.
eeeeee
With Daniel sound asleep, and Paddy out for the night with Marlon, Aaron set about getting things ready for his night in with Jackson. For some reason he always felt he had to make an effort for Jackson, even if they werent leaving the house. He crept upstairs and chaged into a tight fitting blue shirt and dark jeans. He stared at himself in the mirror and shook his head. He pulled off his outfit and raided the wardrobe yet again to find something else. He was bored of the black jumper/blue jeans combination too, which left him very little to choose from. Eventually, although still not happy with his choice, he settled on a pair of black trousers and a green button up t-shirt.
He sprayed on a small amount of aftershave and just about made it down the stairs when there was a knock at the door. He pulled it open and Jackson smiled at him "You look great"
"You dont look too bad yourself!" Aaron laughed as he stepped to the side to let Jackson in.
"Been busy, have we? Jackson asked, noticing that the place was almost spotless, and noticed the already laid table.
"Well, you know me..Perfectionist and all that. Even made you dinner. Aren't you lucky!"
"I will be if i come away without food poisoning! Should I put some music on?"
"Yeah, but keep it on a low volume. It's Dan's first night sleeping here and I don't want anything freaking him out. I wanna ease him into things slowly."
Jackson smiled and pulled Aaron into a spontaneous hug.
"What was that for?" Aaron asked when the hug finally ended
"You're just so..."
"Jackson, dont you dare say it. I mean it!"
"Cute!"
"Ugh I HATE you. you know I can't stand that word!"
Jackson laughed and sat down at the table. "So, what's for dinner then?"
"Nothing much. Just Pan-fried chicken stuffed with red pepper cous cous and wrapped in parma ham, served on a bed of home-made savoury rice with wilted spinach. Dessert is a Mango and Pineapple custard, served with a a malibu liquer. Wine choice is either pinot grigio or sparkling chardonnay."
Jackson stared at Aaron, who was looking at him with a serious expression on his face.
"Erm.. sounds good, Aaron..."
"Just kidding! It's only a curry!" Aaron laughed, as he served it up for himself and Jackson. "Drink choices are a beer or nothing."
Jackson sighed and started laughing "No offence, but thank god."
"You dissing my cooking?"
"Yep. What you gonna do about it?"
eeeee
"Ugh, Aaron, that was amazing. Couldn't eat another thing."
"Hmm. Just as well. there is nothing else!"
"Charming. Playstation?"
"Nah. I've been playing spongebob all day with Daniel. Probably got carpal tunnel or something. DVD?"
"Yeah go on then. Stick one of Paddy's on. Could do with a good scare."
"Well there is a mirror over there...OW! What the hell was that for?" Aaron asked when Jackson whacked him across the head with the sofa cushion
"You started it! Anyway, DVD!"
"Dawn Of The Dead?"
"Sounds good."
Aaron set up the DVD, and was just about to play it when he heard a familiar shout
"AARON!"
Aaron dropped the remote on the floor and raced up the stairs to Daniel. He walked into the room and turned on the light. Daniel was sitting up in bed sobbing.
"What's wrong little man?"
"Make it go away Aaron. Make him go away. He's going to hurt me like He hurt my mummy and daddy..." Daniel sobbed, burying his head into Aaron's chest
"Daniel. Sssh, it's ok. You just had a nightmare mate. It's over, It's gone. Nobody is going to hurt you. I promise."
Daniel nodded and wiped his eyes. "Do you promise Aaron?"
"I do. The nightmares will go away mate. They can't hurt you, ok, Always remember that. Nothing can hurt you, because I'm here and I'm going to look after you, ok? I won't let anything or anyone harm you."
Daniel nodded again and lay down in bed. "I love you Aaron."
"I love you too little man." Aaron smiled, kissing his brother on the forehead "Should I leave your nightlight on?"
Daniel nodded and snuggled down further under the covers. Aaron flicked on the light and left the room again. Jackson was standing at the bottom of the stairs, with his arms held out. Aaron fell into them gratefully and sighed.
"He ok?" Jackson asked
"He had a dream about the accident. Jackson, what if the nightmares don't go away? What if I can't stop them? I just promised him I'd make them go away. What if I can't do this?..."
"Hey, you are the strongest person I know, Aaron Livesy. All children have nightmares, all children are going to have the occasional bad dream, there's nothing you can do to stop them, but they will go away. All that kid needs is you. You can't wrap him up in cotton wool Aaron, and you are going to make mistakes, Its all part of how you learn."
"You always know the right things to say to me, you know." Aaron smiled, pulling away.
"Yep. That's what I do best." Jackson smiled, kissing Aaron softly.
TBC