CHAPTER 64 of 65
I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS, THEY ALL BELONG TO ITV1
A/N:THANKS for all your kind reviews and thoughts of the last chapter, not long now before we say goodbye to this 'universe', but still...there is one more chapter to enjoy first :) xx...
PS: thanks for those who read my 'prequel chapter' it was milling around in my head and just wanted to be told!...I sort of have got two more one shots I want to do...so if I have time, I MIGHT write them...SO SORRY about the wait here, since it's been a while since 63 was uploaded...hope it is worth the long wait...sorry the emotions are running amock again!xx
Aaron Livesy woke up...he lifted his head off the pillow, and smiled as he saw little Jack sleeping in the centre of the bed, but Jackson was not there...he had got up, Aaron glanced toward the clock, and saw that it was still early, 6am...Jackson must had gone out on a run...it was light out, and Jackson seemed to enjoy his early morning runs.
He turned his attention back to Jack, and again smiled at the boys sleeping form, the lad wearing his favourite smurfs pyjamas...was this morning going to be the last time he was going to be having breakfast with them...he dreaded to think...and forced himself out of the bed...
On coming down stairs, he removed his own pyjamas top and slung it on the side, as he started to make himself some breakfast...his belly was doing flipflops, so he decided just to go for the cereal this morning.
Once he was sat at the table with his cereal and a brew, the back door tapped, who the hell was knocking this time of day, Aaron pulled open the back door and Chas was standing there with a big grin, " Morning kid!"
Aaron waved out his hand as Chas pushed herself inside, " blimey! you're up early...have tou shit the bed or something..."
Chas turned, " THAT'S a nice way to greet yah mother ...is there a brew going spare for me...I'm gasping me...", Aaron stick the kettle on again and turned to his mother, " so WHAT brings you round so early..."
Chas sat herself down at the table, " I saw Jackson was out on a run, and thought...MAYBE you're be up as well..." Aaron just stared at her, Chas nodded her head, "...OKAY!...I was worried about you...it's a big day today...and i'd expect NONE of yahs got any sleep..."
Aaron sat at the table and looked up at her, " Jackson never...he just tosses and turns...and then gets up at 5 and goes for a run...has been for a few weeks now...", Chas placed her hand on top of her sons on the table, " look kid, HE'S just worried about whats going to happen..."
Aaron snapped his eyes up at her, " I DO KNOW THAT!...it's just...like I said yesterday...WHAT if it all goes wrong...what...what if HE decides to..."
Chas tilted her head when Aaron stopped in midflow, " what if he decides what...that he'll leave yah..."
Aaron's face went pale, " he might...he might not be able to cope...he's built his hopes up SO much mum...what if it all comes crashing down today...what if SHE wins..."
Chas bit her lip, "he won't...he loves yah...HE'LL never leave yah..." she then looked up with a smile, "...because if HE did...then I'd bloody kill him!...and he knows that!"
Aaron smiled sadly, then went up to make his mum that brew, Chas turned her head to the window to see Jackson heading toward the house, she watched as Aaron was busy making the brew, and she slipped outside.
Chas folded her arms in the early morning sunlight, as Jackson stopped ahead of her and panted...
"pushing yahself there, arn't yah..." she said, raising her eyebrowes, Jackson place his hands onto his knees, then stood up straight, his vest was soaked, the sweat pouring from his face, "KEEPS me fit..." he said with a smile.
Chas shook her head, " that's good...so... THIS running lark is not an excuse to put distance between you and my Aaron then..."
Jackson glanced to the window, he could see Aaron was inside...he could hear Jacks voice, and Aaron was making him his breakfast, " NO!...why would I wanna do that..." hissed Jackson, pulling his eyebrowes together.
Chas sighed, "look, love, I'm not accusing you of owt...it's just, Aaron's starting to feel abit..."
"abit what...come ON Chas, spit it out...what's wrong with poor lickle Aaron...", Chas didn't like his tone, " excuse me...but I won't be spoken to like that...and...", she glanced to make sure Aaron hadn't notice them talking, " ...MY Aaron has done NOTHING but worry over you...trying to take yah mind off things...HE'S worried sick that YOU are gonna be leaving him..."
Jackson shook his head at her, " what...why would he think that...", Chas leaned forward, "well JUST maybe, you are pinning your hopes on getting Jack for good SO much...you are not preparing yahself for the worst...EVEN if you don't wanna go bear thinking about it..."
Jackson closed his eyes and slid down the wall, so he was crouching down, Chas looked down at him, " I think you two are gonna need to talk, don't you...because IF things DON'T go your way...HE doesn't think he'll know how to handle yah..."
Aaron was then at the doorway, " hey!...WHAT are you two whispering around out here for...WE'VE got a big day to prepare for..."
Chas instantly came forward, " I'm gonna leave you to it son...I'll see you later, when we get to court..." she then glared toward Jackson, and nodding her head toward her son, before walking off...Aaron was feeding Bonnie, the dog was jumping up and down all excited outside her kennel, Jackson looked at him, before disappearing inside to grab a shower.
Hazel was around at 9...and was keeping little Jack entertained in the lounge, Jackson came through and plonked himself on the sofa, he was already dressed up in his suit trousers and white shirt, he lifted up his foot, and pulled his shoe on, "so...I saw Chas earlier...she says she was round here earlier..." Hazel pryed.
Jackson raised his eyebrowes, " yep!...sticking her nose in again where it's NOT wanted...", Hazel nodded in agreement, " well SHE would...her type are ALWAYS sticking their noses in...", Jackson did up his laces and sat back, turning his head, " she were WORRIED about Aaron...you know...if it ALLLL goes tits up today, and WE don't get Jack..."
Hazel shook her head at him in disbelief, " NOW listen here...WHY would you go be thinking that...COURSE you are going to win...you ARE...that lovely little fella is gonna to be stopping with you..."
Jackson looked down to his hands in his lap, " yah...but..." he looked up at her, " WHAT if he doesn't mum...WHAT if Sarah gets him...Chas is just worrying about how Aaron would cope with me, if that happens..."
Hazel leaned foward, lifting her hand, " well POOR little Aaron...SEEING as it's not his son that's future is at stake here..."
Jackson shook his head at her, " mum..."
"and lets FACE IT...like you said the other day...it might be HIM that will lose you the case...with HIS past!" she said flippantly.
Jackson looked up to see Aaron at the foot of the stairs, he was justing staring at them open mouthed...his suit neatly pressed...as well as Jackson's suit Jacket, he had in his grasp, Jackson was realising that AARON had heard every word, he bolted up from the chair...but Aaron chucked the suit jacket onto the chair, and stormed out the back door...not uttering a single word...
Hazel rolled her eyes, " well...THAT'S very mature of him...", Jackson snapped his neck round, his face raging at her, " WILL YOU KEEP THAT MOUTH OF YOURS SHUT!" he then picked up his jacket and pulled it on, he turned to her, before stepping out the door, "just get Jack ready will yah...WHILE I go find Aaron..."
Aaron was puffing away on a ciggy at the cricket pavilion, his heart was racing...HOW could they talk about him behind his back...had he heard right...WAS HE a risk that Jackson could lose the custody case.
WHAT was it about his past, that was such a risk...
the drug running...the violent streak...the general bad boy image...
ALL that was in the past...when he was a 17 year old lad...he was now a 20 year old young man, he had matured so much in such a short while...he wasn't that angry lad any more...well most of the time...he still had his moments.
Jackson was coming across the sunlit field toward him...that's ALL he needed.
"I thought you'd COME here..." told Jackson, Aaron leant upon the verander rail, "AM I THAT predictable..."
"MOST of the time...you have these habits you stick too...NOT that I'm complaining mind...IT makes my life a lot easier..." told Jackson...he looked up at him, hands in his trouser pockets.
Aaron closed his eyes as he said what he was about to say, " WOULD your life be a lot easier WITHOUT me..."
Jackson was apalled, " what...HOW can YOU say THAT!"
Aaron opened his eyes, and stared down to him, he was filling up, he couldn't help it, " I heard yahs...talking about me...IT'S ME who will ruin this case for yah...YOU might lose Jack to Sarah...and it's gonna be ALL MY fault...you're all gonna be blaming me!"
Jackson shook his head at him, " NO Aaron!...it's not like that..."
Aaron was shaking with emotion now, " IT IS!...and you are right...maybe you should just DO this on yah own...you might stand a better chance anyway..."
Jackson stepped up on to the verander, his tone turning forceful, " STOP THIS NOW!...I WANT you with me...I NEED you with me!"
Aaron discarded his cig butt, and turned to him exhaling, and loosening his tie " nah you don't...You'll be fine...JUST fine...", and with that Aaron ran off again...Jackson went to follow, but he had to be realistic, at a glance at his watch it was nearly time to go to court...he was feeling completely torn now...ON A DAY OF ALL DAYS!...
But Jack had to come first...his son had to come first...watching Aaron disappear up the field, he turned on his heel, and headed back towards the village.
Hazel was waiting outside Dale head with Jack, Chas had joined them, again all down up like she was off to a party...Jackson slowly made his way up to them and looked at nobody in particular, "so WE all ready to go..."
Chas looked around, " where's Aaron..."
Jackson met Hazel's gaze...and only said, " ASK her..."
Hazel was getting abit flustered now, " what...but IT WASN'T just me was it...I'm sorry Jackson, but LITTLE JACK comes first...HE'S the important one...SORRY to put my lovely grandsons needs first!"
Jackson pointed toward the fiesta, " JUST SHUT that GOB...and get in the car mum!"
Chas, although was abit confused of exactly WHAT had gone off, sniggered discreetly, she'd NEVER seen Jackson tell his mum off like that before...it was a bit of a novelty.
Hazel, face like thunder went and got in the car with Jack, Chas grabbed Jackson's arm, "So...WHAT was all that about...and WHERE'S Aaron..."
Jackson shook his head at her, and then rounded to the drivers door, " ARE you coming Chas..." Jackson asked bluntly, " ...suit yahself..." he ended and jumped in the car, "WAIT..." Chas didn't like the idea of going WITHOUT Aaron...BUT surely Aaron would head to the court...what ever had gone on with them , SURELY Aaron wouldn't let him down...Chas sat in the back with Hazel and Jack with her fingers crossed...Jackson looked toward the vacant passenger seat next to him...the frustration of that morning close to mind...and then he started the engine.
Aaron sat on the hill, and could see the car leave the village, heading down the narrow county lanes...he stood up and wiped the grass stains from his backside, and slowly made his way down the hill...his mind was in a dizz...he could swing for himself for running out on Jackson like that...
He made his way back towards the village, Dale Head in his sights...
In the Family proceedings Court, in Leeds, Jackson came through the glass doors into the foyer, Hazel was behind him, hand in hand with Jack, Chas was behind her, Jackson pointed to the benches, Little Jack was dancing around holding his crotch, " I WANT a WEEEEE!"
" take a seat...Jack wants the toilet...then I'm just gonna go find Jane..."
Hazel plonked her arse down on a bench and sighed to herself, Chas bit her tongue and quickly sat next to her, " SO...are you now going to tell me what's gone on..."
Hazel turned her head to face her, " look love, you are just going to have to ask Jackson about it...IT'S not up to me to say..."
Chas pointed her finger at her, " YES, but YOU DO know what's gone on...and Jackson's mad at yah over somemit...now I'M asking yah Hazel...no, infact I'M telling yah...I wanna know WHAT'S gone on!" she hissed.
Jackson stood at the cubicle, waiting for Jack to finish going to the loo, he glanced at his watch, and wiped his hand over his face, " have yah finished..." he called.
"Yeah...and I've shaked my willy..."
Jackson smiled, " good lad...now flush that loo...we NEED to be going..."
The toilet flushed, and Jack came out...he looked up to his dad, " daddy...where's me uncle Aaron..."
Jackson pointed to the marble sink, " go wash yah hands...", Jack stood at the sink and jumped up and down to reach, so Jackson lifted him up, so he could wash them, "BUT you said me uncle Aaron will be waiting for us here..." Jack wailed.
Jackson manouvered his son to the dryer...the lad stretched out his hands from where Jackson held him, " he'll be along...JUST you wait...", he felt bad lying to his son...WHAT if Aaron never showed up...and NOW that seemed the more likely...
Out in the foyer, Jane was present with her case notes, she turned to see Jackson approach her from the gents with his son in tow, " Jackson...I just needs a to see you before we go in...nothing to fret over, just routine..." told his solicitor.
Jackson looked toward his mother, she and Chas seemed like they were having words, he went over to them with Jack, " Oi...STOP yah bickering, and WATCH Jack...I've got to go in with her..." she nodded toward Jane.
Hazel put on a smile, and held out her hand, " come on my little darling...shall we see if we can count them buses again...", Jack nodded...but the lad seemed alittle preocupied...Chas turned her head away, and made for the coffee machine...she flipped out her mobile from her handbag and called Aaron...the call went to voicemail, " Aaron...it's me love, give us a call will yah...we'll be going in soon...look I KNOW what's gone on...and Hazel HAD NO right to say what she said but..." she smiled down the phone, " just be given us a call yeah..."
"Excuse me...OR are you actually going to be using THIS machine or what!", Chas turned, and pulled a scowl...it was THAT Sheila, " yeah I AM Actually...SO YOU can wind yah neck in love..."
Aaron, meanwhile, was outside Dale head feeding Bonnie, he petted her, and rubbed her mane effectionately, " you all right girl, are yah...good girl...", Bonnie watched as Aaron stood up and went inside the house, then proceeded to eat her meal.
Dale head was deathly quiet, he stared about the untidy lounge, there was magazines slung all over the place, and Aaron had managed to nearly trip over a toy Darlek, " exterminate..." the toy grated, interrupting the silence, Aaron shot a glare at it, " you can shut yah trap!"
Aaron made for the stairs, and went up...he was about to go into the bedroom, when he glanced towards Jack's room...he went inside and looked about him.
The room was typical of a young lads room...there was toys everywhere...books...the cheeky monkey had also drawed on the walls in crayon...HE'D have to have word about that...
His face fell...was it worth it...Jack might not be back...
Aaron slumped onto Jack's bed...a Transformers duvet, and Smurfs pillows...he never was good at matching things up...
He sighed, and put his head into his hands...he just wanted to cry out in frustration...he'd had just gone and ruined everything...NOT that it would make any difference if he was there at the court...not with his past...his past would do nowt to help Jack's benefit.
He looked up to the clock...it was nearly 12...it was nearly time...his eyes focused on a photo on the side next to the clock, a kiddies frame...but inside it was a picture of him and little Jack...Bonnie was between them...
He half smiled at it, thinking about that day Jackson had taken it...Jackson had vowed that day that NOTHING could happen to tare their family apart...the FIGHT in him!...and he now asked himself, where was his fight...he was just sitting here on Jack's bed feeling sorry for himself...he stood up and bolted from the room...
Aaron raced up main street toward the vets surgery, Paddy was just coming out the door with his case, Pearl was behind him harping on about a call out...he looked up, eyes widening in surprize, " AARON!...but I thought you were all at the court..."
Aaron was getting all working up, hands rubbing over his shaven head, " Paddy!...you've got to drive me to Leeds...please Paddy you've GOT to get me there..." he wailed.
Pearl turned, flapping her neck scarf, " but Paddy's got a call out...he can't be going anywhere NEAR Leeds..."
Aaron stared at Paddy, his eyes were now welling up...and his face looked tortured in pain, "PADDY Pleeease..." he begged.
Paddy rarely had seen Aaron beg...in fact...WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME he had seen him beg...
Paddy nodded toward the car, " jump in...", Aaron did so, quick as a flash.
Pearl looked up, "but what about that CALL out..."
Paddy shrugged at her, " tell them...I'm running late Pearl, Aaron sounds desparate...and SOMETHINGS gone on..."
With that Pearl watched as Paddy put his foot down, and the car zoomed off, she shook her head removing her specs, " charming..."
At the court, Sheila was giving Chas evils from where she sat opposite in the foyer, Sarah then was back at her side, " so what did your solicitor want..." Sheila asked her, Sarah shrugged as she sat down, " just routine...I see THEY'VE arrived..."
Sheila nodded, " they did about 20 minutes ago when you were with your solicitor, Jackson's just gone in with his...I stayed out of sight...until I needed a coffee..." she glanced to her daughter, " do you want one..."
Sarah nodded, " No...not really...anyway I doubt if I could keep it down..." her face was a picture of nervousness...it certainly WAS a big day...
Sheila sensed this, and smiled, " I hope you've got Jack's room ready...YOU don't want to be going faffing about, when you bring him home..."
Sarah sadly smiled, " didn't want to go jinxing things mum...anyway...we can always let him sleep over Jackson's tonight, and go collect ALL his stuff up tomorrow...",Sheila was waving her hand in disapproval, " NO way...clean break he'll be needing...ALL that junk at Jackson's can be thrown... AND that dog can go...THERE'S no way a filthy flee bitten mutt should be anywhere near that bonny lad..."
Sarah looked at her mother in surprize, " but Jackson says JACK loves that dog of his..."
Sheila shrugged it off, " that may well be the case...I SUPPOSE it could come with us...then it could sort of...run away when Jack's at school..."
Sarah glared up at her, " mum that's not nice...", Sheila shook her head, " don't worry...I can be the one to get it put down at the vets, NOT you..."
Chas was staring at them, when Sarah looked upward, Sheila followed her daughters gaze, "NOW, SHE is a right old slapper...look at her...all tarted all like she out for business...and just THINK girl, your son is being brought up by HER son...the son of a prozzie...I shouldn't wonder that it's HE that pimps his mother out...", Sarah stood and waved her hand at her, "can you shut up now mum...you are doing my head in now..." she walked off, Sheila just raised her eyes and continued to outstare Chas.
Chas glared at sheila from where she stood, she turned to hazel, " there SHE goes again...giving me evils...", Hazel shrugged, " well...who can blame her...the WAY you look..."
Chas snapped her neck round, " AND WHAT'S that supposed to mean...", Hazel looked at her, "WELL you are NOT gonna be doing Jackson any favours, LOOKING-LIKE-THAT are yah!"
"FLAMING CHEEK!" cried Chas, but she cut short a full and out row, when Sarah breezed past them...she was heading to Jack, Hazel went to stand up, but Chas stopped her, " JUST leave them..."
Hazel shook her head at her in disbelief, " WHOSE side are YOU ON!"
"Jackson's of course!...but WHAT harm is it giving them some time a...COULD be the poor cows last chance..." Chas told.
Jackson was then back...Jane went to see if the court was ready for them, so he went up to Sarah and Jack, "allright..." he said politely.
Sarah rolled her eyes at him, " IT'S all right Jackson, I'm not about to do a runner with him!", Jackson nodded, digging his hands into his pockets, " yeah I KNOW that...Sarah i..."
Sarah looked up at him, " what..."
Jackson swallowed, not really knowing WHAT to say, but said, " I just wish...it never came to THIS...that's all...", he then walked back to his mother and Chas, Sarah ruffled her sons hair, "yes..."she muttered to herself, " so do I..."
Jane and Sarah's solicitor, a male one called James, told them the court was ready...Jackson felt his heart sink...Aaron never came...he had known what time it was being heard...but he's failed to show up...did Aaron think this LESS of them...their family..
Sheila had already guessed what had gone on...her beady eyes picking up on ALL the body language, " looks like there's trouble in paradise..." she muttered to her daughter with a smirk.
They ALL proceeded into the court and took their placed around the conference room like table...big and oval.
The same three Magistrates were present...their faces showing no emotion...and nothing to read on, of what they were thinking...or decided.
Jackson looked to a vacant plush seat beside him, he swallowed and sat back...his mum gently rubbing his shoulder supportively.
Sarah sat opposite him, with her mum, both faced toward the Magistrates...THEM also trying to figure out any incline of the 'judges' decision...
Jane looked up and smiled...as did James...the hearing was ready to be started...
Aaron bolted into the foyer, he gazed about the vast chamber...folk millering around, whether they be court officials or public.
He went up to the desk, glancing up at the clock, the receptionist looked up, " can I help you sir..."
"yes, can you..."
"wait one moment sir, I must take this call..."
Aaron was getting frustrated, " OH FLAMING HURRY UP will yah..!" he cried, he then turned and saw his mum, Chas, she had Jack with her, " MUM!"
Aaron hurried over to them both, " wh-where..."
"UNCLE AARON! where have you BEEEEN!" wailed Jack, Chas pointed up the stairs, " they're up there kid...they've only JUST gone in..."
The receptionist woman came over, " please sir...you can't just go..."
Aaron gave her a death glare, " WATCH MAH!" he then marched up the steps to the double doors, Chas just smirked up at him from where she stood with Jack at the foot of the stairs,
... as Aaron coughed nervously,
...and tighten up his tie to the stage it was too tight,
...and knocked on the door...
...and he entered...
PLEASE review...THEY ARE ALL WELCOME!... ..let me know, whether you love it or just loathe it!