DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS...THEY BELONG TO ITV1
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews...and comments...Chicky babes and Leanne thanks for the PMs...had problems with me laptop...infact it's binned...I have a nice new sparkly one now...sorry for the delay, I've also spent 6 days in hospital for a minor op...then contracted MRSA!...hope you haven't forgotten what's gone on before...but the last chapter saw Aaron and Jackson get married, then as they got back to the pub for the reception...Sarah and Jeff were back...xx
CHAPTER: 10
In the Woolpack, Jackson and Aaron both stared at Jeff and Sarah...Jack was in Jeff's arms, Sarah approached Jackson and smiled, " you didn't have to put on a party for us..." she joked trying to lighten the building atmosphere between the two couples. Hazel stared between her son and her grandsons mother, waiting for what Jackson had to say...but with his hands in his trouser pockets he nodded his head towars the pubs exit, Sarah and Jeff knew this ment go somewhere private, and headed out the doors, Jack was still in Jeff's grasp, Betty turned toward Pearl as she nibbled on a twiglet, " so whose that then..." she, trying to pump Pearl for information.
Hazel approached her son before he followed them out, " they've come for him...haven't they..." she asked tearfully...trying to either will him...or hoping for Jackson to put her straight, all she got in return was a sad smile, and a tapping of Aaron's arm, letting him know to follow him out.
When the boys had gone, Chas turned, " so...who are them pair again...", Hazel went to the bar and looked up to Bob, " pour me a large one will yah...I'm gonna need it..."
Jackson and Aaron had led Sarah and Jeff back to Dale head in silence, the early evening starting to fade it's light, once inside Jack was allowed to play upstairs, as Jeff and Sarah sat in the lounge, Jackson still casually had his hands stuck in his pockets, he focused on both of them seriously, " YOU PICK your moments don't yah...", Sarah looked up, " Jackson...we're back...it's as simple as that...", Jackson raised his eyebrowes, " back...how...for a visit..."
"no..." told Sarah, " we're sorted out everything in Spain...we flew home earlier today...now...now we've come for Jack...", Aaron who was sitting quietly until now, looked up, "so...you'll saying NOW YAH BACK Jack lives with you!...don't think so love, Jackson will you tell them...", Sarah pulled a face at him, " and what's this got to do with you...", Jackson answered for him, " it's his business because HE'S me legal partner...same as Jeff is to you..."
Sarah and Jeff glanced at eachother, Jackson rolled his eyes at them, " in plain english, we're married..." he said with his trademark sarcastic tone, " so in theory, he has just as much rights over Jack as Jeff has..."
Aaron couldn't help giving Jeff a smug smirk, Sarah shook her head, " so when did all this happen..." then, like she was seeing the suits on the boys for the first time, she came to realise, "oh...how silly of us...suppose we should offer you are congratulations...but this doesn't change things Jackson...Jack is coming home with us..."
Jackson bit his botton lip, and slowly dropped on the sofa next to Aaron, " please...not tonight...not tonight", Jeff couldn't help to add his input, " why not...if it's yah...wedding night...or whatever you call your thing...why would you like a child around"
Sarah glared at her husband, even she would admit Jeff lacked any tact at times, she turned and faced them, " look...thank you...Jack was clearly NOT happy in Spain, and it was the right decision to bring him home..."
"AFTER YOU FLAMING LOST HIM!" spat Aaron, Jeff turned, " look let's not argue over this...that's all in the past..." he went and took hold of Sarah's hand, "we have patched things up...", Jackson was staring into space trying to get his head around what was happening...deep down he knew the score...he had no power now...Jeff and Sarah were home...Sarah stood and waved around her, "you've done him proud Jackson, got a little home for him set up...but...but Jack belongs with me Jackson, it's ME whose had him since he was a babe...and I miss him so much it hurts..."she had tear in her eye, " all those nights in Spain...2 months...I couldn't bare it...but...i'm home now...", Jackson finally looked up at her, " so...what's the plan...are you just gonna snatch him away now..."
Sarah nodded, " yes...but it's not snatching...it's about belonging...look...here take this...", she leaned across and handed Jackson a piece of folded paper, that she had taken out of her handbag, "this is where we are staying at the moment ...it's only rented...but as before...you and...Aaron can come and take Jack out tuesday nights...", Aaron's heart sank for Jackson, " tuesday nights..." whispered Jackson, " I only get one day with him...after...after 2 months of feeding him...clothing him...getting him settled into a new school...a school he loves...he's got a new routine...I...we keep him safe..."
Sarah sadly smiled, " HE'S very adaptable as you've noticed...now...can we just...pack him a bag...it's no use going on and on about it...we're just covering old ground", Aaron stood and shook his head, "no...please...don't do this to him...", Jeff stood as well, " look let's not make this harder than it has to be...think of Jack..YOU BOTH KNEW this was only temporal...we told you that in Spain!", Aaron glared at him, " oh don't WE know it...", Jackson slowly went to the stairs and went up, Sarah followed him, Jack was on his bed when the bedroom door opened, Jackson came in and instantly sat with him, " Jack...looks like you're going home with Mummy tonight..."
Sarah smiled and kissed her son, " I've really missed you..."
"I've missed you too Mummy..." told Jack, Sarah warmly grinned, " well...we are gonn do ALL your favourite things...", Jackson was already packing a small holdall with some of Jack's clothes, Sarah was aware, but she kept Jack occupied, even she didn't want to unsettle the little lad...once he'd finished, he done up the holdall and placed both of his hands on his son's shoulders, " Jack...go and get some of your favourite toys yeah...", Jack excitedly jumped off the bed, and went around his room collecting toys and books, Sarah mouthed a sorry...but Jackson was too choked up to respond.
When they were all downstairs, Jeff did up Jack's coat, as Jackson stood there in a stoney silence, Aaron bent down to Jack and kissed his forehead, " see you soon little mate, "Jack smiled back at him, " bye bye Uncle Aaron...I'll see you tomorrow...", Aaron had to stand up, the poor lad thinks he was only going away for the night, Sarah looked up to Jackson, " I'll call yah...get some tuesday's organised...", Jackson nodded in acknowledgement, and went and opened the front door, Jeff walked out, Sarah turned back to them, " bring Jack out to us in 5 minutes...so you can say goodbye...", she then walked out leaving Jackson staring at his son, Jack looked up at him, " daddy you look sad...I'm going to be one whole dark", Jackson lifted his son and held him tight, then he had to pass him to Aaron, he was starting to sob, and he didn't want Jack to see him so upset.
Aaron carried Jack out and walked him down the path to the waiting car, on opening the back door, Jack jumped inside next to his packed holdall, Sarah glanced at Aaron,then nodded to Jeff...and they drove away,Chas then was approaching from the direction of the pub, "Aaron...what's going on love..." Aaron ingored her, then ran back to the house and went inside...he was fuming at Jackson, " why Jackson why...why just let him go...you didn't even put up a fight!", Jackson slumped into the armchair, " there's nothing I can do Aaron..."
Aaron nodded, " yeah there is...YOU go to your solicitor tomorrow and YOU get him back...", Jackson looked up to him sadly, shaking his head, " Aaron...I didn't want to...disappoint you...I went to see him last week...", Aaron nodded, " Yeah...you were finding out where you stand you...", Jackson nodded at him, " Sarah's right...I have a cat hells chance mate...Sarah would win...that's just how it is...I mean...NOTHING is set in stone but...THE odds are against me...and FOR them", Aaron slumped to his armchair in dispair, "then...that's IT...a night a week...after all this time...THAT'S what you get..."
Aaron bit his lip and stood...he knelt down to Jackson and cupped his partners face, " do you want to do it...what we said...in bed weeks ago when nobody could overhear us...do you...want to do it..."
Jackson shook his head, " Yeah...I don't WANT to...I'll go SEE my solicitor one more time...if there's NO chance...then yeah...we have no other choice...if we want to be ALL together..."
AS ALWAYS PLEASE REVIEW...THEY ARE ALL WELCOME xx