CHAPTER 43
I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS, THEY ALL BELONG TO ITV1
A/N:THANKS for all your kind reviews...The references in this chapter that refer to LAST TIME...Ben...and Dr Carter...all feature in my original story...YOU HAVEN'T LOST ME...I NEVER HAD YAH!...just in case some folk are not familiar with these references...those having read from the beginning will know...it was a turning point for Aaron xx
The Doctor stood in the family room with Paddy and Chas, " So how is she..." enquired Paddy soothenly, the Doctors face was grim, " Mrs Rhodes is VERY unwell...it seems the meds she is on are JUST NOT working anymore...OR...that she is NOT taking them properly...either way, we have noticed SHE should have come in for a medical check up 3 weeks ago...SHE missed her appointment...", Chas grabbed Paddy's arm, " Hey, that was when we HAD the bother with little Jack...SHE had other things on her mind...", the Doctor tilted her head, " even so...YOU said earlier she has a son...", Paddy shook his head, " yeah Jackson...HE'S on his way...but it might be a while he was in Blackpool..." he and Chas glanced at each other, before Paddy asked, " IS there something you are not telling us doctor..." The doctor thinly smiled, " Look...the next 12 hours are going to be crucial...we HAVE administered stronger drugs...but they need to get through her body...lets just say it WOULD be best if he were here...as soon as possible..."
It had taken a fair while through heavy traffic...but finally the lemon yellow camper van drove up to the A&E entrance to Hotten general, Aaron turned from the wheel, " you go in to see what's happening...me and Jack will follow as soon as I found somewhere to park THIS", Jackson looked shellshooked still...and the journey was a barrade of swear words and frustration...but now he was here...and he were scared...JUST like last time.
Jackson hurried up the corridor...HE knew the way to intensive care...he knew from last time...that boxing day night when she'd fell ill after coming home from Aunt Polly's.
It was Paddy who saw him first, " Jackson!...", Jackson was frantic now, his eyes all wide with panic, " WHERE IS she Paddy...is she...", Paddy grabbed the lads arm, and pulled him to the window, where both could view Hazel hooked up to the machines, Jackson sighed in frustration, " NOT again Paddy...I can't DO this again...", Paddy put an arm around him, for comfort and support, " HEYYY...she's gonna be fine...SHE pulled through last time didn't she...she will again...", Jackson felt the tears welling up, " BUT...but what if she...WHAT have the doctors said..."
"Only that her heart rate is slow...that's why they've sedated her..." told Paddy, Jackson nodded understanding, " THAT'S what they did last time..." sniffed Jackson, Chas then appeared at their side, " Hey Jackson...has Paddy filled yah in love...", Jackson nodded...still staring through the glass, Chas turned to Paddy, " Aaron not with him...", Paddy shrugged...but Jackson shook his head, " parking the flipping van...he and Jack will be here in a bit...", he faced them wiping away his tears, " you twos can get off if you like...THANKS for staying with her..."
Chas smiled at him, "WELL...she is family now...now that you and my Aaron are together like..." she felt awkward just standing there...then had an idea, " HEY...WHY don't I take Jack home with me...a hospitals the LAST place he'll wanna be, won't it!"
Jackson nodded agreeing with her...and pulled her a half smile, gratefully, " cheers Chas...that'll be great...", suddenly Aaron and little Jack were upon them, Aaron instantly came to Jackson's side at the glass, " What's the...", Jackson turned, " I'm gonna stay with her...your mum's gonna take the little man home wit her...", Jack was trying to get his dad's attention, Jackson stooped down to him," daddy why are you sad...is it because we left Blackport..."
Jackson smiled at him, " it's Blackpool!...and I AM sad about leaving it...Nana Hazel's not well...she has to stay here for a while...NOW...I want you to go home with Chas and be a good boy...CAN you do that for mah...", Jack shook his head...as Chas came and took his hand, "come on Jack...let's see what I can cook yah for yah tea a...", Aaron pulled a face, if it was anything owt she'd normally serve up...Jack would need a caste iron stomach, Jackson kissed his son and stood up...Aaron patted the boys head...as Chas led him away...Paddy turned, "IS it all right if...", Aaron turned, " Yeah go Pads...I'M here now...I'll give you an update later a...", Paddy pulled BOTH the boys into a hug...and was off after Chas and Jack.
Aaron turned and faced Jackson...he was looking through the glass again...in DEEP thought...Aaron bit his lip...and focused his own blue eyes on to Hazel's fragile form, "Deja vu!" Jackson suddenly told, Aaron turned to him removing his cap, " mate...she'll be okay...YOU just wait...she'll be ordering them nurses around in NO time..."
"I hope so..."breathed in Jackson, Aaron looked down to Jackson's hand...then slowly slipped his hand into it.
"Deja vu..." Jackson smiled, without looking at him, Aaron nodded, " I remember when this last happened...well...I wasn't here was I...but I remember wanting TO BE HERE...for yah..."
Jackson turned his head to him, " you were..."
"NO I wasn't..." told Aaron a little solemly, " I were at home WATCHING some stupid DVD with Ben..." he faced Jackson, " I wanted to come that night...when yah called Paddy...but..."
Jackson squeezed his hand, " I know..."
"No you don't...I...waited until Ben had gone to sleep...and I tried to call yah...I left yah that message...on yah voicemail like..." told Aaron.
Jackson stared through the glass, " I know..." he then focused his brown eyes on to him, "...and I was SO chuffed that you did...I didn't expect it..."
Aaron smiled at him...then focused his gaze down to their linked hands, " I came the next morning though...and YOU were dozing..." he nodded his head, toward the family room, " in THAT room over there..."
Jackson briefly glanced over at it, " Yeah...I was pretending to sleep...You were SO cute watching mah..."
Aaron looked up, " you were PRETENDING to sleep...as if...you were deado...until Paddy came in with them coffees..."
They both stared through the glass again...and again Aaron looked down to their linked hands, " IT was then I knew..."
Jackson turned to him, "knew what..."
Aaron came over all embarrassed..." I were doing this...MY hand in YOURS...I knew then that...I...I loved you... for the first time..."
Jackson faced him...he was smiling...KNOWINGLY SMILING., " I know..." he said gently, "until Dan came, and SPOILED the moment..."
Aaron sighed, " he SURE did...I remember wanting to cave in his smug face..." he could see Jackson's disapproval in his facial expression, "...BUT I glad I never...Jackson WHAT i'm sorta trying to say is...I'M HERE FOR YAH NOW...unlike before...I'M HERE now...", Jackson smiled and pulled Aaron closer to him...both faced the glass in deep thought...until a familar face said;
" Mr Walsh...", Jackson turned to see Dr. Carter...the medic who treated his mother last time, Jackson was urgent in his tone, " any news...is she gonna..."
warmly smiled at him, " Hazel will be fine...we have had to alter her medication...AND you are gonna have to make sure she takes it...your friend Mr. Kirk brought in her meds...let's just say she's NOT been taking it regular enough..."
Jackson pulled her a frown, " WAIT...are YOU saying SHE caused this herself...!", Aaron turned to him, " No Jackson...SHE'S just saying yah mums forgetting to take it...YOU KNOW what's she's like..."
Jackson lowered his gaze...shaking his head, " I know...I'm just abit stressed out, that's all..."
Aaron looked up to , " can WE go in there now...", Dr Carter went inside and had a word with the nurse checking her chart...on returning she smiled with a nod, " 5 minutes...once we've taken her off sedation...she'll be moved to the ward tomorrow..."
Aaron let Jackson go into the room...he watched as his partner took his Mums hand...and stood with her... turned, " YOU can go in too, if you like..."
Aaron shook his head, " nah...I'm gonna let him have this 5 minutes to himself...tell him I'll be in the family room waiting for him..."
Aaron laid back on the couch...and stuck his feet over the arm of it, he sighed out...WHAT an END to their holiday...he just couldn't believe they were here again...so soon after Jack...he smirked to himself...HE needed to take out shares in the NHS...after all, HE'D spent a lot of time in it...Jackson was then at the doorway...he smiled at him...and then came toward him...he lifted Aaron's legs...and then sat there with them over his lap...after a moment of silence, Jackson turned, " So...do you wanna go home or...spent another night in that camper van..."
Aaron smirked...and turned, " a camper van ALL to ourself...now THAT'S an offer I CAN'T refuse!"
Jackson swung away Aaron's leg's...and they both stood...then taking Aaron's hand...Jackson lead the way back down the corridor...
xx
TBC...
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