The Student and The Mechanic

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December heralded it's start with snow it lay like a blanket on the roofs and fields making everywhere look frosty and magical, that's how Aaron felt, there was an excitement about this month that he hadn't felt since he was a child that excitement was down to the fact that this would be his first Christmas with Jackson and he was determined to enjoy every minute of it including the shopping although that wouldn't stop him from moaning about it,

Jackson had recently returned from a trip to London it couldn't be avoided so He'd taken the time to do some of his shopping whilst in the capital, He'd been to see his employees and to walk around the latest renovation and it was going to be beautiful, the structure itself was sound and the sympathetic way they were restoring it Jackson could already see how stunning it was going to be when finished, He also called in to the office to see Shirley and at the legal department to collect the documents he'd asked to be drawn up by Cole

"Hi Jackson how are you doing?" it was Penny one of the newest staff members

Jackson sat on the edge of her desk

"I'm fine, but thank you for asking, how are you?, still seeing Cole?"

Penny's cheeks flushed pink and she giggled nervously

"How did you know?"

"It's okay I can keep a secret" he smiled at the moment Cole stepped out of the office

"Jackson, there you are, it's great to see you"

"You too", Jackson got up and walked up to the younger man shaking his hand warmly "Did you get the papers done?"

"Yeah, they're in here"

The two men walked into the office

Jackson read the documents before smiling and with a flourish signed his name and gave them back to Cole

"Right I get them registered and then it'll all be legal"

"Thanks Cole, that's great, what are you're plans for Christmas?" Jackson sat back in his chair and looked at his friend

"I'm visiting family in Canada, you?"

"Well I haven't got anything planned other than spending it with Aaron" he smiled just thinking about his partner

"You really love him don't you?"…. "Sorry, I should mind My own business"

"Hey that's okay, and yes I love him, just like you love Penny out there"

"No I don't" Cole's voice went up an octave

"I've seen the look, I know the look, I have the look every time I look at Aaron, believe Me you love her, the good news is she's in love with you too, perhaps that trip to Canada should be a trip for two"

Jackson got to his feet put his hand on his friends shoulder "Just think about it" and with that he turned and left, he winked at Penny as he passed making her blush again, those two were made for each other, as were two other people Shirley and Ralph, he just hoped that they realised it as well.

Aaron had seen an advert in one of the specialist car magazines, there was a classic VW Beetle for sale it needed some work but Aaron knew it would be a ideal present for his boyfriend so long as he got it at the right price and he could spend his spare time completely stripping it back and restoring it including a new paint job.

Jackson walked into his office without knocking the sight that met him had his eyes popping, Ralph and Shirley in a clinch their lips locked and their arms circling each other, they jumped apart when they realised they were no longer alone

"Oh sorry perhaps I should have knocked" Jackson couldn't help but smirk as the two guiltily looked at the other

After a moment's hesitation Shirley smiled and hugged her boss before nodding towards Ralph

"I know I shouldn't be fraternising with a work colleague but he's more than that, he's going to be by husband" she held out her left hand and Jackson noticed a petite solitaire diamond ring sitting proudly on her finger

"Why didn't you tell Me" Jackson asked as he shook Ralph's hand and kissed Shirley on the cheek

"Only asked her last night boss, couldn't believe she'd said yes, that's why I'm here just came to check I hadn't dreamt it and she really did say yes" Ralph was grinning from ear to ear "I better get going" he went to leave

"No way, get back here, this calls for a celebration what can we do?" Jackson was already trying to think of ways he could help the couple

Those few days that Jackson was away Aaron got a lot done on the restoration of the VW knowing that once his boyfriend returned he wouldn't want to spend so much time at the garage, he stripped the engine, bought new tyres and got in touch with a specialist car re-spray, he also checked the website and chose a private number plate as part of the gift it would all be sorted in time for Christmas, the mechanic just hoped that Jackson would like it, he thought he would as he wasn't into new cars, preferring like he did to keep his old van in preference to buying a new one.

Getting back to Yorkshire and to Aaron became Jackson's priority, as much as he liked to see his friends in London it just didn't have the appeal that a small Yorkshire village had, after being in the capital for three days he'd had enough, packed his small case locked up the penthouse and headed back to the love of his life, he hadn't spoken to Aaron that day knowing that he'd be hard at work at the garage besides in a few hours he'd be able to see his boyfriend, be able to hold him, be able to kiss him and he couldn't wait.

The VW had arrived back following a complete re-spray it was gleaming white all that was left was to put on the number plate but that would wait until the day before Christmas just one week away, Aaron felt the bubbles of excitement popping in his stomach as he looked at his gift to Jackson, god he hoped he liked it, he locked the garage up making sure that no-one could see the VW and walked slowly down the drive not looking forward to another night on his own, He missed Jackson so much, he missed his voice and the fact that he squeezed the toothpaste from the centre, all those little annoying habits he had just made Aaron love him all the more, he looked at Dale Head, their home, there was a light on, how?, Aaron opened the door "Jackson?"

Jackson had snuck in hoping that Aaron hadn't seen him, he turned the heating up so it was toasty and warm for when his boyfriend got home, he'd been waiting for nearly an hour before he heard the front door open, before he heard the voice he loved shout

"Jackson?"…..