Two Days Later – Second Chance and A Surprise
"Sit down you'll wear a hole in the carpet."
Jackson had been pacing round the lounge for a good half an hour or more, to say he was nervous was an understatement.
"I can't believe he is coming here. It's been years. Remind me why I am putting myself through this."
"Because he's your dad. And everyone deserves a second chance."
Hazel placed her hands on his shoulders and encouraged him to breathe normally.
"No. He is the homophobic idiot who punched me."
"You forgave Aaron."
"Yeah, well I love him and he is hardly homophobic. Dad was so embarrassed by me he walked away and started a new family."
"It really wasn't like that."
Hazel tried to reassure him, but her comforting fell on deaf ears.
"I beg to differ. Jackson already had a half brother and there was another on the way by all accounts. Lets hope they're 'normal' ey."
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Shall I get it then?"
Hazel enquired as Jackson had finally collapsed onto the sofa.
"Yes. No…I mean sure."
"You'll be okay son. She gave him a fleeting hug. Gerry. Hi. How are you?"
"Fine. And you?"
"Me? Couldn't be better. Jackson has some good news to share with you. Come in and sit down."
He sat on the arm chair as far away from Jackson as possible, he didn't take off his coat and he could barely look him in the eye.
"Has he? Lets hear it then."
"Dad I know it is very unlikely you will want to hear this, but I couldn't go through with it without telling you first. It wouldn't be fair not to give you a second chance."
"Oh yeah."
"I have been with this lad called Aaron for a while now and to say we've been through hell is putting it mildly."
"And?"
"I have asked his mum's permission to marry him."
"You've what?"
The anger that had been brewing under the surface suddenly exploded.
"Now Ger-"
"Don't Hazel. I thought you might have grown up, seen sense or whatever. What you do…what you say you are it's disgusting. You're no son of mine."
"Out. Get out of my house. Now."
None of them had heard the front door.
"Who the hell are you?"
Gerry spat as he rose to his feet.
"Aaron, but I don't need to ask who you are. Jackson told me you are an idiot."
"Aaron. Jackson tried to restrain him as he squared up to his dad. He isn't worth it. He's meant nothing to me since the day he left. If he still has a problem with who I am he can leave. It's what he is good at."
"Just go before I make you."
"Fancy yourself as a bit of a hard man do ya?"
"Just try me."
"Gerry. Stop it."
"Aaron please don't."
"Yeah, you listen to lover boy."
What happened next none of them had been expecting. It all happened so fast that Aaron didn't even realize Jackson no longer had hold of him.
"I'm your son you ignorant prick. I'm not soft, weak, disgusting or any of the other things you called me. I am finally happy. Jackson barged passed Aaron, literally steaming, and punched his dad square in the jaw. So you can leave now."
He leered at him as he lay on the floor shaking and bleeding.
"Jackson."
"What?"
"It's over. Take a breath."
Aaron snaked his arms around Jackson's waist, holding him upright.
"I need to walk or something."
He could still feel the adrenalin surging through his veins.
"No. Sit. Try and relax."
None of them took the slightest notice of Gerry as he managed to stand using the coffee table for support.
"I doubt I'll be seeing him again."
Jackson joked to ease the tension.
"See the thing about this is I don't understand why he was here in the first place."
"Anyone for a brew?"
Hazel made herself scarce.
"I thought you weren't speaking to him."
"I'm not. Well I wasn't I just…"
Aaron was desperately trying to keep a straight face as Jackson stuttered and flapped.
"I believe you wanted to ask me something?"
He tried to sound nonchalant, but knowing he'd heard the conversation Jackson decided to have a little fun of his own.
"Ask you something? Nope I don't think I did."
"You sure?"
"Yeah definitely sure."
"So there was nothing you asked my mum for?"
"Nope not that I can think of. Aaron actually looked disappointed. Wait. There was a small thing."
"What was that?"
"Her permission to do this."
Shaking uncontrollably, Jackson dug in his jeans pocket and pulled out the box he had shown to Chaz earlier, then holding onto the sofa for support he got down on bended knee.
"What are you doing?"
Even though he knew it was coming, he was sure his heart had stopped beating.
"Aaron I know this is probably not where you saw your life heading, but after all we have been through we are still together and I love you more now than that first day you ever came into Bar West and my life. I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone, but you changed my life and continue to. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes. Definitely. I love you."
Tears flowing he threw himself on top of Jackson pinning him to the floor and clashing their lips together forcibly.
"Can I come in now?"
Hazel interrupted their moment as she called from the kitchen.
"Sure. Any chance of that brew?"
Aaron teased.
"Yeah, if you make it yourself and you make us one whilst you're at it."
Hazel replied with a wink as she enveloped him in her arms.