Wise After the Event – Chapter 6
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DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
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Robert seemed excited when Aaron arrived home.
"What's got into you?" Aaron asked as he kissed his lover in greeting.
"You're looking at the new owner of Home Farm," Robert was grinning from ear to ear.
"What?" Aaron did not understand.
"I'm still a director of Home Farm Estates and Chrissie wants to buy me out. Instead of her giving me cash, she is going to let me have the house and grounds, in lieu of money. So, my darling fiancé, we will now own our home and also it will be our marital abode once we tie the knot!"
"That's fantastic!" Aaron embraced Robert and they kissed passionately.
Aaron drew back and looked closely into Robert's eyes, "What about your business?"
"Chrissie is including the Home Farm part of the business in the package. I've got plans to expand once I'm in total control. Plus, I want to expand the scrap yard side too. I was thinking of using that spare field that borders onto the Robblesfield road as a new base for the scrap business. I could get a proper brick-built office erected there and we can have a much bigger yard."
"Hold your horses," Aaron could see how excited Robert was and it made him smile, "You haven't even got the house yet and you're talking about expansion!"
"Sorry, I've just got so many ideas buzzing round in my head. I just want to build a life for us and provide for you."
Aaron kissed Robert and took his hands, "I told you a long time ago, your money means nothing to me. I'm happy that you want all this, but I'd be just as happy if we lived in one of those pokey flats that Rakesh built. As long as I'm with you, I'd live anywhere."
"Do you know, Aaron, you are the most level-headed person I've ever met. I know you'll keep my feet on the ground, I need you and I love you, babe: I always will."
"And I'll always love you too, gorgeous. Wherever we live, that will never change."
Robert held his forehead against Aaron's, "Have you thought about planning our wedding?"
"No, I haven't. Have you got any ideas?"
"I wondered if you've considered Las Vegas?"
"What?" Aaron looked shocked, "That's in America!"
"I can see you were good at geography in school."
"Smartarse!"
"But, I'll want my family there and so will you," Aaron was thinking about the practicalities, "Suppose they can't afford to travel all that way?"
"We've got the money to pay for their flights," Robert was obviously sold on the idea, "I know you wanted it low-key, so it will only be Chas, Jason and Liv from your side and Diane, Doug and Vic from mine, plus Adam as best man of course."
Aaron thought about it, "Well, I suppose it would be okay. But, the rest of the Dingle clan might be a bit put out."
Robert was not going to be deterred, "I've thought of that. We can have a blessing over here so that everyone can be included if they want. I've spoken to Harriet and she said we can have a blessing in the church afterwards, after we are married abroad."
"Sounds like you've got it all planned. Don't I get a say in all this?" Aaron looked a little annoyed that Robert was taking control.
Robert knew that he was acting like a steam roller and he decided to reign himself in, "Babe, I'm sorry! I'm getting carried away. It's just that I so much want to be married to you that I've gone ahead with the planning. But, I promise you, if you feel uncomfortable with any of this, then you can veto it. If you don't fancy Vegas, then we won't go. This will be your special day and I want it to be a day you'll remember...for all the right reasons!"
Aaron was touched that Robert was including him in the decisions. The old Robert would have forged ahead without respecting Aaron's wishes, but his man had changed. All Robert wanted was for Aaron's happiness and nothing else. He kissed his lover, then drew back to look him in the eye, "Las Vegas sounds perfect. I hope we don't have to dress up in Elvis costumes though?"
Robert chuckled, "There's no need to go that far!"
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The next day, Aaron and Robert sat Chas and Jason down in the back room of the Woolpack and told them of their wedding plans.
"Las Vegas?" Chas sounded shocked, "I don't know if we can afford that!"
"No problem," Robert smiled at them, "we're going to pay for the flights and accommodation."
"I've always wanted to go to Vegas," Jason said and then he looked at Chas, "we haven't made any plans ourselves. Do you fancy getting hitched over there?"
Chas thought about it, "Well, we'd already be there for Aaron and Robert's wedding, so I suppose it would make sense."
Jason looked at Robert, "Are you sure you want to pay for mine and Chas' tickets? I can pay myself, out of my savings."
"You can have the flights as a wedding present from us," Robert nodded at Aaron to include him in the offer.
"Well, if you're sure. Thanks," Jason smiled.
"That's great, two weddings for the price of one!" Aaron chuckled.
"Yeah," Jason joined in the banter, "A BOGOF deal!"
They all laughed.
"I've checked out some chapels over there that do same-sex weddings," Robert said, "but they do all weddings, so we could have both our ceremonies at one venue if you want."
"Sounds perfect," Chas was sold on the idea.
Robert was pondering dates, "I think there are some vacancies next month, I don't know if that's too soon for everyone."
"Bring it on!" Jason replied, "I've got some leave booked next month and I can extend it a bit if I'm getting married."
Robert was grinning. He wanted to get married to Aaron as soon as possible and things were looking hopeful.
"How are you feeling Mum?" Aaron asked, "Will you be okay to fly in your condition?"
"Yes, I'll be fine, love," Chas replied, "I had the ultrasound this morning. I'm expecting a little boy."
"Wow!" Aaron looked stunned, "I'm going to have a little brother!"
"Mind you, I'm starting to show now, so I'll have to find a wedding dress that hides the bump!"
"You'll look beautiful anyway," Jason looked at Chas affectionately.
Aaron and Robert looked on with smiles on their faces. Aaron, in particular, was so happy to see his mother settled and content.
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Robert arrived home one evening to find Aaron in the kitchen. Aaron had put a quiche in the oven and had prepared a salad.
"Are you trying to cook again?" Robert remarked with a smirk as he kissed his lover.
Aaron knew that Robert was trying to be sarcastic after Aaron's previous failed attempt.
"Marlon made a quiche," Aaron replied, "all I've had to do is put it in the oven for the required time and get the salad ready. I don't think even I can make a cock-up of washing and cutting a lettuce!"
Robert laughed, "You're a trier, I'll give you that. Since when did you become so domesticated?"
Aaron pulled Robert to him, "Since I found someone who was worth the effort."
They kissed, but Aaron pulled away before they became too passionate, "Time to take the quiche out. That's the only thing in danger of getting burnt...and you know what I'm like!"
They sat and ate their evening meal and chatted about their day.
"I've just signed a very lucrative contract with a multi-national company, based in Leeds, to host their seminars and events at Home Farm," Robert said, excitedly, "we're in the money now, babe."
"Wow! That's amazing," Aaron looked at Robert fondly, "Bernice and Gabby have moved out and are living in the village: so we're alone at last. Well, almost. I know Liv is living with us but she's away seeing her mother at the moment, so we've got the place to ourselves for a little while."
"Yeah," Robert took hold of Aaron's hand, "now you've got me alone...you will be gentle with me, won't you?"
"Muppet!" Aaron replied with his usual disdainful look, but his expression changed to a smile when he produced a little box from his pocket. He opened the box to reveal a ring.
"Oh, Aaron, I told you I didn't want you spending money on me."
"Robert, listen to me, gone are the days when you can tell me what to do. I'm wearing your ring and I want you to wear mine."
Robert watched as Aaron took his hand and slipped the ring on his finger.
Robert was touched, "Oh, it's beautiful. I'll treasure this forever. Thank you, gorgeous."
"Babe, there's no need to thank me. I should be thanking you: for saving my life," Aaron drew Robert into a kiss.
When they parted, Robert looked down at his hand. He could scarcely believe that he was wearing Aaron's ring. He realised the significance of it: Aaron was his life now and that ring symbolised all his tomorrows with his man by his side. He was so happy that he thought he would burst!
Aaron was just about to suggest a very early night when his mobile phone rang. He took the call while Robert took the dirty dinner plates to the kitchen. When Robert returned, Aaron told him about the conversation that he'd just had with the builders who were constructing the brick-built office block on the new scrap-yard site. "Some timber has been stolen from the builders compound on the site," Aaron explained, "he was just clearing it with me to buy some more."
"What a pain!" Robert said with a disgruntled look on his face, "Hold on, I've got a contact in the security business, it sounds like we need CCTV."
"Yes," Aaron replied, "give me the number and I'll ring them. I'll get security arranged on site. It will be important once we start filling the place with anything of value."
Robert looked at Aaron fondly, "Quite the little businessman, aren't we?"
Aaron thought that Robert was being sarcastic, "Are you taking the piss?"
"NO!" Robert replied, he realised that he might have sounded patronising, "I'm being serious. I'm pleased with the way you've handled this new project. You've organised all the planning consent with the council, supervised the workmen building the new offices, sourced the large crushers you'll need for the bigger yard and sorted out the access road to the site. You've done it all by yourself, babe...and I'm that proud of you."
"But, Adam's been a part of it too," Aaron said.
"I know, but he's been running the scrap business while you've been getting the new place up and running...I'm still incredibly proud of my man."
Aaron realised that Robert was paying him a massive compliment, "Aww thanks, gorgeous."
"Come here," Robert pulled Aaron to him for another kiss.
Aaron took Robert by the hand and looked into his eyes, "As you once said to me...upstairs, now!"
Robert remembered the remark that he once made in the Woolpack in the early days of their relationship, "Yeah, I did say that, didn't I? You didn't need much persuasion, as I recall."
Aaron giggled, "Get up those stairs now, Sugden! Before I throw you across the table right here and have my wicked way with you."
Robert giggled, "and I thought you were going to be gentle with me?"
Aaron laughed, but did not answer: he just pulled Robert towards the stairs with a sinful smirk on his face. Robert knew that expression of old and that he was in for a very enjoyable evening.
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A month soon went by and Aaron, Robert and their nearest and dearest soon found themselves in Las Vegas. They arrived late in the day and the glittering lights on the clubs and casinos reminded Aaron of the funfair that Chas once took him to when he was little. Robert noticed the look on Aaron's face and smiled. He was like a kid at Christmas and he knew that he had been successful in making Aaron happy. He would keep it that way...for good.
They booked into their hotel for the night, ready for their wedding the next day. Chas and Jason were staying at the same hotel, as were Victoria, Adam, Diane and Doug. They went out to try their hand at one of the casinos and Robert had a big win on the roulette wheel. Aaron, in jest, called him a "jammy bugger" and lost his own money, but he was having so much fun that he didn't really care.
The next day, they went to their wedding chapel and Chas and Jason were married first, with Doug acting as best man. Then, it was Aaron and Robert's turn with Adam doing the honours as best man this time.
Robert placed the ring on Aaron's wedding finger as he said a few words, "Aaron, this ring symbolises my love for you, my commitment to you and my never-ending devotion to you. You are my life now and I will forever cherish the connection we have as friends, lovers and soul mates."
Aaron then placed his ring on Robert's finger and spoke, "Robert, I give you this ring along with my heart. You have helped me to come to terms with all that was wrong with my life and you have put it right for me. I'll always be by your side from this moment on. I love you now and I always will."
Everyone clapped and cheered as Robert and Aaron kissed. They had found each other and they would keep one and other for all time. Nothing could ever break them after all that they had been through.
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The months passed and Chas gave birth to a healthy baby boy: Eden.
Aaron was over the moon to have a baby brother and he doted on him, as did Liv. Robert was always there for his family, like a pillar of strength, supporting them and providing for their every need. Aaron and Adam's scrap business went from strength to strength, with the pair as managing directors and Victoria as a secretary to run the office. Also, Sam Dingle was taken on as a night watchman.
In addition to all that, Robert's astute business acumen in running Home Farm Estates made them very wealthy. Aaron and Robert were all set for a very happy and successful life together: they had finally found their way home to each other.