Twenty Four Hours Later – Moving Day

"Aaron. Aaron come and look."

"Give me a sec. Toast is burning."

He snaked his arm round Jackson's waist, as he handed him a burnt piece of toast a smile played across his lips. It looked like most of the village had turned out to help them. His Uncle Zac had brought the van, Cain and Ryan had obviously taken the day off work, Adam had roped in Scarlett, Hannah and Holly to give them a hand, even Victoria had managed to crawl out of her pit despite it being her day off and his mum and Hazel were stood on the front lawn arguing as per usual.

"We might get it all done today after all."

Jackson smiled.

"You think?"

Aaron replied sarcastically as Jackson started blubbering.

"What's up now?"

He asked half annoyed and half amused.

"It…it's nnnnothing. Just all this. I am so happy."

"If you keep this up I am going to call it off. Pull yourself together 'cos I am letting everyone in."

"So where do you two la-"

Zac's offer of help was interrupted by Hazel nearly steamrolling through him, sniveling and flapping hysterically, similar to how Jackson had been a few moments earlier. Chaz trudged in her wake a look of something close to disgust on her face.

"He is moving four doors away, not to the other side of the world."

Aaron couldn't help but laugh, she'd never really mastered the whole maternal thing, but he soon stopped as Hazel enveloped him in a death grip, kissing every inch of him she could reach as he tried to pries her off, much to the amusement of the onlookers.

"Right. Well Uncle Zac do you have the van?"

"You're not driving."

Chaz interjected.

"I know. We are meant to be packing stuff at his house, but it looks like Mugging's here will be doing most of that."

Jackson waved his hand dismissively at Aaron as his mum had started him crying again.

"I'll drive for you if you like?"

Ryan offered.

"Yeah, that'll be great."

"And where do you want us?"

Victoria gestured at herself, Scarlett, Hannah and Holly.

"If you don't mind packing you're welcome to help me at the house, or if you prefer you can stay and unload here or failing that you can help Adam make drinks."

"Why am I making the tea?"

Adam scowled.

"I think he's trying to say you're a liability."

Cain teased.

"Yeah 'cos I'm the one sat on my backside blabbering."

"He's allowed to. He's is moving today. Aaron justified. And the longer he can keep his mum out of our way the better. Plus I want something drinkable later."

He whispered.

"So kitchen it is then."

Scarlett smiled as Victoria and Hannah rolled their eyes at her.

"I'll help you pack if you want?"

Holly offered. She couldn't bare another minuet alone with Scarlett discussing nails, hair and makeup.

"Sure, but there is a lot of heavy stuff."

"I'm not scared of lifting I have helped out on the farm and I am not especially bothered if I brake a nail."

"Great you're hired. Adam you can stay and unload 'cos Jackson will need a hand this end. Aaron shouted instructions left, right and centre and he was surprised to see them being followed. Jay. Jay. I'm going to yours. If there is anything I'm not sure about I'll call."

"Yeah okay. See you in a bit."

He wrapped his arms around Aaron's neck and pulled him in for a kiss. A series of 'Awwws' and wolf whistles erupted around the room causing Aaron to blush furiously.

"Right. Lets get going people."

Arriving at Jackson's house Aaron was not impressed to discover Jackson's clothes still in the wardrobe and all his CDs, DVDs and trinkets still on shelves.

"He was supposed to have packed some of this."

Aaron complained.

"To be fair you didn't give him much notice."

"True, but I offered to help him last night and he came back this morning."

"Well he probably had other plans for last night."

Holly winked suggestively as she nudged him playfully.

"Yeah, sleeping. We haven't done much of that lately."

Aaron conceded.

"Sorry. Holly mumbled guiltily. Adam mentioned you are seeing a counselor. How's that going?"

"Better than expected. How about yours?"

"Slowly, but it may be going somewhere."

"That's great. He attempted to fill the awkward silence without sounding too patronizing. You know I don't think he's even got any boxes. I swear it is a good job I love him."

Aaron blushed as he realized who he was talking to.

"Yeah it is."

Holly smiled shyly.

"Viv's got boxes if you fancy a trip to the shop."

"No. I've got a better idea. You start sorting up here and I'll get the boxes, that way we'll be done quicker."

"Deal. And Holly?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for doing this. I can't be easy, for Vic either I suppose."

"It's not, but we're mates aren't we? And mates help each other out."

"I know. I just…thanks."

"No problem. I draw the line at underwear. I see enough of Adam's at home."

"I promise no underwear. You can start downstairs when you get back."

"Great. See you in a bit. To Aaron's surprised and possibly her own, Holly wrapped her arms round him and kissed him on the cheek. I won't be long."

Two hours later having packed and then repacked Zac's van, Holly was shattered and Aaron was gunning for Jackson.

"What's the hold up? Jackson sang chirpily down the phone. We still have to unload this end."

"Hold up! I'll give you hold up."

Aaron screeched down the phone; spit flying everywhere, so Holly intervened before he had the chance to get into a rhythm.

"We're on the way now. Put the kettle on, we're gasping."

"Cheeky sod."

Aaron cursed him fluently under his breath.

"Right. One final check. Loverboy's waiting for you."

Holly teased.

"Yeah well if he'd done some packing he wouldn't have had to wait so long."

Aaron grumbled.

"I am sure he'll make it up to you."

"It'll take more than a cup of tea."

"I bet he has biscuits too."

"He better. Aaron huffed. Right. That's the lot."

"Don't forget the keys."

"I won't. It's time to go home."

They breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you excited?"

Holly finally plucked up the courage to ask on the walk back to Smithy.

"More nervous. Aaron replied honestly. But it was my idea, so it will certainly be interesting."

"Well everyone is right for a change."

"About what?"

"Paddy. He really would have been proud of you."

"You think?"

"After everything you've been through? You've really turned your life around Aaron. You were like a son to him."

Holly squeezed his shoulder comfortingly as tears welled in his eyes and he turned his back on her.

"I hope you're right."

As they walked through the front door at Smithy Aaron was slightly peeved to find everyone lay about in their lounge and not a cup of tea in sight.

"It's good to see you're all hard at work."

"The car's only just got here."

"Yeah what took you so long?"

Jackson had the grace to look guilty, but Holly had to restrain Aaron to prevent murder.

"You hadn't sorted or packed anything and you didn't even have boxes, so don't you dare give me 'what took you so long?' and what happened to our tea?"

He fumed as he stood before Jackson, his hands firmly on his hips.

"Adam's on it. Sit down. Relax."

Grabbing him round the waist in a rugby tackle, Jackson pulled Aaron onto his knee, squeezing him tightly he kissed him all over the head until he surrendered and settled into his arms.

"Get a room you two."

Cain sneered.

"We will later. Jackson winked. When we've unpacked."

"We best get a move on then. Aaron offered his hand to help Jackson to his feet. Right. Adam, Ryan, Cain and I will unload. Jay you and the girls can unpack and sort. Any comments, complaints, questions or suggestions? No one uttered a word. Good. In that case get moving."

"I like this new masterful you. It is very sexy. Aaron flushed as Jackson slapped his backside flirtatiously just as the girls happened to walk past them giggling hysterically. Ey, it could be worse. I could have been talking about…"

As Jackson whispered in his ear, Aaron literally turned the colour of beetroot.

"Yes maybe later. Right now we have unpacking and you know…stuff to do."

He mumbled awkwardly.

"Are you helping us or what?"

Cain hollered moodily.

"Y…yes I'm coming."

"Well that will be the intention."

Jackson teased.

"Don't. I have to go."

Aaron tried to desperately escape his clutches as he was attempting to shower him in kisses once more.

"Why?"

Jackson whined.

"Because if you keep distracting me we won't get to test our new bed."

"We have a new bed?"

"Since mine was only a single and I thought we'd need a bigger one I swapped it with Paddy's this morning."

"And you're okay with that?"

"I changed the sheets."

"That isn't what I meant."

"I know. But he left me the house so I am guessing it is mine."

"Of course it is. I just wanted to check you were okay."

"I am or at least I am getting there."

"It's a step forwards."

"Are you okay with it?"

Jackson could sense Aaron was disappointed with his reaction, although in fairness he had no idea how he was supposed to react in this situation.

"Aaron look at me. He tilted his chin, so he had to look at him directly. I think it is great and Paddy certainly won't have minded."

"Great. Aaron smiled shyly. So shall we get on with things?"

"Definitely."

Jackson managed to return his smile.