CHAPTER 58 of 65
I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS, THEY ALL BELONG TO ITV1
A/N:THANKS for all your kind reviews with the last chapter, and pleased that I managed to surprise you all, I have to admit, I was was abit unsure how folk may react...Matt's fate has ALMOST always been death, but my mind did waiver a few times in the past...just glad his death was met with pleasure...it really is good riddance to bad rubbish as far as he is concerned! xx - ps: I might update my other fic tomorrow.
Aaron Livesy sat at the breakfast table, his hand beneath his chin...and he stared out in a trance.
Jackson was then at his side, standing over him in his boxers, " Aaron...it's only 6...you've barely had any sleep..." he worried.
Aaron continued to stare out ahead, but he did speak, " I just SEE him...when I close me eyes..."
Jackson placed a hand on Aaron's shoulder, " Aaron...why didn't yah wake me...", Aaron finally looked up and met his gaze, " NO need for both of us to be awake, is there..."
Jackson sat down...he place his hand over Aaron's, " Aaron don't do this to yahself...I told you, IT wasn't your fault...YOU couldn't of known THIS would happen...I DIDN'T!"
Aaron shook his head slowly, eyes watery, " IT was because of ME, them two met!"
"NO...YOU never introduced them...Matt befriended Tom remember...AND you've got to remember WHY he did that...SO he could get closer to you..."
Aaron pulled his hand away, " YOU'LL glad this happened...arnt you...you HATED Matt...I bet you are glad he's dead!"
Jackson was abit taken aback by that remark, and it showed on his gaze, " Aaron..."
Aaron stood up and went to make himself breakfast, " yeah...that's what you are thinking about NOW, arn't you...HE not being able to mess owt up anymore...", Jackson turned to face him, Aaron was getting frustrated with the bread, " Aaron...stop this..."
"now me mate is going to rot in jail...BECAUSE he will won't he...THEM LOT will just make it look like he killed him in cold blood!", the frustration of trying to open the loaf made him finally snap, and he hurtled the loaf to the wall...the thing sliding to the floor.
Jackson bolted up and went and held him...Aaron was sobbing again...Aaron was struggling at first...but finally let himself be held by his loving partner, " I KEEP seeing him LYING there...in that blood...everytime I shut me eyes Jackson..."
Jackson comforted him gently, " shhhh...it's okay...I'M here now...I wish I could take that image away for you...", Aaron tried to pull himself together, rubbing his eyes with his sleeve, " Jack'll be up soon...WE are getting that dog for him..." he reminded.
Jackson shook his head, " hey...we don't have to do ANYTHING today if you don't feel like it...", Aaron pulled away from Jackson, " NO...we can't disappoint Jack...he'll be well upset!"
Jackson half smiled, " and you're not...", Aaron was already taking out Jack's favourite cereal out the cupboard, " No...he's more important...it's HIS day not mine...", Jackson grabbed him, and looked deep into Aaron's eyes...he had to shake him twice for him to return the gaze, "YOU ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO ME...do you hear me Aaron...if you are not up to it...THAT is fine...I'll sort it...", Aaron swallowed, shaking his head, " hah...I need things to take me mind off...I think that dog just might..." he tried to force out a smile...and Jackson pulled him into a hug, "just...just let me know what yah thinking yeah...please don't bottle it all up yeah...", he could feel Aaron shaking his head at his shoulder.
Later on, Little Jack was so excited about getting his pup, he started to jump around Aaron squealing at him about it...Jackson pulled on his boots...and kept his eye on him, always trying to work out what Aaron was thinking...
Aaron slumped to the bottom step of the stairs, and pulled on his own trainers, Jack looked at him, " are you alright uncle Aaron...you look sad..."
Aaron looked up at him, " sad...I'm not sad little mate...I'm all excited about getting yah your dog"
"but you ARE sad...I saw you were crying..." told Jack, Aaron stood up and forced his way to the kitchen...that was the LAST thing he wanted...letting Jack seeing him all weak and girlie!
Jackson stood up, noticing everything, " ARE you alright Aaron..."
Aaron pulled a hand down across his face, and turned, " I think we should tell Jack about WHY I'm upset..." he told seriously.
Jack was looking up at him...his eyes all bambie like...full of curiousity.
Jackson was shaking his head, " hey Aaron I don't think that's a good idea do you..."Aaron was adament, " NO he should know...WHY i'm sad..." he crouched down...and looked up at Jack, Jackson was getting abit stressed...but stopped instantly in his tracks, when he heard what Aaron was saying to his son.
"your little pup died Jack...he got all sick...and he died..." Aaron told gently...full of compassion...Jackson was taken aback...the second time that morning...Aaron could really amaze him sometimes.
Jack was now all sad, "am I not getting my doggie now...", Aaron shook his head, clasping both of Jack's arms, " COURSE you are mate!...there's another dog that needs a home...we are going to collect him instead...he's nice...you'll love him..."
Jack was alittle unsure at first, but smiled at Aaron, " don't be sad uncle Aaron...pups in dog heaven now...", Aaron bit his tongue and stood up, " yeah..." he then went to the back door, "i'll get me car sorted...", Jackson watched him go out...and then turned to Jack, " get yah pumps on little man..."
Jack sat, and put his pumps on, and looked up to his dad, " Uncle Aaron is sad...about me pup dying..."
Jackson shook his head, "yeah he is...THAT'S why you and me have got to look after him mate...make sure he's not sad...so..." he crouched down, and smiled up at his son, "I know what might CHEER him up..."
It was past 2 when Aaron's Ford Fiesta came back into the village, with an added passenger in the back with Jack.
Paddy waited on the forecourt to the garage grinning like a loon, Aaron jumped out followed by Jackson, then little Jack was next out with the new dog.
"BLIMEY...BIT big for a pup in it!" Paddy cried, Jack turned to him smiling, " MY pups dead Uncle Pants...so THIS big doggie needs a home...I think it's his mummy..."
Aaron pulled a frown...the pup was a different breed!...but a face from Jackson let him know to keep it firmly buttoned.
Jackson looked over as Aaron lead the dog over on a lead, Paddy smiled, knowing in an instant whom it reminded him of, Aaron smiled...the first geninue smile that day, " he's well tame...she lets you stroke her belly and owt...I thought you'd look her over at some point...make sure she's okay like..." he explained.
"course I will..." he stared down to the dog, "...not going to be much of a guard dog then..." told Paddy, Aaron pulled him a face as he started to pet the animal around the neck, " It's JACK'S dog Paddy...COURSE it's not gonna be a guard dog IS IT...it's gotta be safe...for Jack"
Jack was over in an instant stroking it with Aaron, Aaron showing Jack how to treat the animal...Jackson came to Paddy's side and they both stood watching them both, " THAT dog is as much for Aaron as it is Jack..." Paddy said, looking at Jackson knowingly.
Jackson nodded with a thin smile, " just hope it's gonna keep his mind distracted...", Paddy looked at him puzzled, " who...Aaron..."
Jackson nodded, "Aaron's gonna be taking the dog and Jack up on the top field to give it some exercise..." he turned and faced Paddy, " I really need to speak to yah Paddah..."
While Aaron and Jack were out on the fields with the dog, Jackson and Paddy went into the Woolpack for a pint, Chas served them at the bar, " SO...where is HE then...", Jackson paid her for the round, " out with Jack and the new dog..."
"SOOO you got it then...best come round and see the cute little pup then..." smiled Chas, Jackson laughed, " well, for 1 it's NOT little, and for 2...it's abit old for a pup..."Chas pulled him a puzzle frown, like mother like son, ..."I'll explain later..."
Jackson joined Paddy at a table, " so, this is ominous..." remarked Paddy, taking a sup of his bitter, Jackson shook his head, " oh Paddah...Aaron were in a RIGHT state last night...", Paddy was all ears...he always WAS when it came down to Aaron.
"do you remember that mate of his...Tom" began Jackson, Paddy shook his head, he did remember, " well...he's only gone and topped his boyfriend..." finished Jackson, now taking a much needed sup of his own.
By the look on his face, Paddy was clearly trying to take it in, " let me get this straight...Tom's killed his...mate..."
Jackson shook his head, " yep...and truth BE known...I'm NOT best pleased...because he's dragged Aaron into it..."
"I don't blame yah...so..." he looked around, keeping his voice down, "so when did you say this all happened..."
"LAST night...we were in bed...", Paddy shook his head, " yeah well...", Jackson waved his hand, " no we were JUST chatting like...then Tom rings him...and GETS him to come round...Aaron said he sounded upset like..."
Paddy leaned forward, face growing serious, " Aaron and...well this kinda thing doesn't bode well together mate...it's going to be messing with his head..."
"IT already IS...he's blaming himself for Tom meeting that creep..." hissed Jackson.
Paddy's eyes widened, " what...OH this is so like Aaron...he's gonna beat himself up about it...can't help noticing though...you said creep"
Jackson handled his pint glass, " HE was obsessed with Aaron...he kept making passes and comments to him...a real slimeball...and THAT'S putting it mildly, part of me is GLAD he's gone...wrong as it may sound...it's no real lose...but as you said, Aaron's NOT gonna see it like that, is he..."
Paddy leaned back, " you'll just have to keep an eye on him that's all...THAT dog should help...keep him occupied..."
"BUT THAT'S not the end of it though, is it Paddah...the Police are gonna want him to go down the station to sigh his statement...HE might be called witness at a trial...ALL this is going round and round in me head Paddah...and I'VE got MORE than enough on me plate..." Jackson cried in frustration.
Paddy shook his head, realising, " Jack, and the custody hearing..."
Jackson looked up at him, " Aaron's gonna have to keep a level head Paddah...IF this tips him...and HE ends up doing something wrong...THAT'S IT for me...Jack'll be going back to his mother...Sarah's already gonna be playing her trump card...ME being smacked one by HIM!"
Aaron was then at the door, but stopped when he heard Paddy and Jackson talking...
Paddy felt for him...he leaned forward, "look...you're just have to try and keep his MIND on the case Jackson...make him see that Jack is MORE important..."
"I'm JUST worried Paddah...I'm worried Aaron will get TOO involved...Tom's his mate...COURSE he's gonna want to be there for him...but I'm just scared that if I say owt...he'll think I don't care...and I do..."
Paddy looked up to see Aaron, " Aaron..." he breathed...
Aaron turned, and walked out the doors, Jackson stood up downing his pint, " NOW i've gone and messed up...best go check he's okay..."
As Jackson stepped out of the pub, he saw Aaron, Jack and the dog walk across the road toward Dale head, Jackson chased after them, " a wait up!" he called out.
On the forecourt, Aaron turned and watched as Jack said, " Uncle Aaron...Bonnie's not gonna fit into his house..."
Aaron could see the doghouse Jackson built set up...made for a little pup...much to big for Bonnie...
Jackson was then at their side, Aaron stared at him...then pushed passed...Jackson closed his eyes...HE HAD MESSED UP...Jack was then pulling on his dads hand, " daddy!...Bonnie won't fit in his home"
Jackson opened his eyes, and looked down to him raising his eyebrowes equizitively, "Bonnie...?"
Aaron then was back carrying a great big Dog kennel...as he led the way, Jack and Jackson followed him round back, where he set the kennel down...the dog was already sniffing around it...tail wagging.
Jackson felt the lump in his throat as Aaron looked up at Jack...his eyes alittle watery..."Do Bonnie a treat little mate...Clyde never complained" he told Jack.
Jack was aready in and out the kennel, trying to show the dog how to use it.
Jackson leaned on the wall next to Aaron...they were silent, before Jackson spoke one word, " Bonnie..."
Aaron shrugged, " that's what we've called it..."
"BUT...", Jackson snapped his neck round to him, " I thought YOU wanted Clyde..."
"don't be a div all yah life Jackson, the dogs a girl...and when me and him went out onto the field...", he nodded his head to Jack , "... I told him about Clyde...and how i used to walk him up there..."
Jackson still didn't get it, Aaron rolled his eyes, " I TOLD Jack a bedtime story once...Bonnie and Clyde...well...MY version..."
"remind me to never let you be telling him bedtime stories again..." Jackson said playfully.
"Jack remembered...and said that the dog should be called Bonnie...I HATE IT...but then again IT'S not my dog is it..."
Jackson swallowed the lump in his throat, " Aaron...about last..."
Aaron shook his head...continuing to watch Jack and the dog, " YOU don't have to be a div and worry Jackson...", he looked up to him, " I KNOW that Jack comes first...I DO know where my priorities lie..."
Jackson hesitated at first...but cupped Aaron's hand into his own, " I know you do...I just WORRY to much...scared I'll be losing him...Jack I mean..."
Aaron shook his head, " nah...WE will make sure HE stays with us...waste of time getting that flaming dog otherwise..." he joked, "...look...Tom's me mate...but MY family comes first...you are more important...and if I never knew that before...I DO now mate..."
Jackson let Aaron's shaven head fall to his shoulder, "Aaron...I want you to be there for your mate...BUT NONE of it is your fault...NOT ANY of it...if it's ANYONE'S fault, then it's Matt's...and look where it's got him..." he rubbed Aaron's shoulder, knowing Aaron was listening to his every word, " I'M sure Tom will be okay...once they see what Matt was like...him trying to throttle him..." he faced him, " YOU be there for him...and I'll be there for you...and as for Jack...we'll both be there for eachother..."
...and they continued to lean there...watching Jack and Bonnie play...
TBC...
PLEASE review...THEY ARE ALL WELCOME!... ..let me know, whether you love it or just loathe it! xx