Face to Face

Part 28

He was so pleased to be home. Back amongst the familiar and in the one space he could truly call his own. He'd returned to a decidedly clean and tidy house. The fridge was full and so too the larder cupboard. There was washing out on the line and even the bathroom had been given the once over. Paddy was impressed. Pearl had quietly told him that both she and Chas had offered to help Aaron ready the place for his return but he'd insisted on doing everything himself.

He'd had a string of visitors and Aaron had seen the well wishers in and out and plied them all with cups of tea. He'd hovered in the background but as soon as they were alone he was standing over him fussing. Paddy couldn't make a move without him wanting to know where he was going and why? The young man insisting Paddy do what the doctors had told him to do and take it easy. Well there was taking it easy and there was what you called being wrapped up in cotton wool! Aaron didn't seem to know the difference. Paddy had been both amused and touched at first, but five hours on he was starting to feel too much like a china doll!

He'd fancied a walk to the shop but Aaron had said he couldn't go! That it was too far! Too far? He could spit further than that! So he was still sat sitting on the sofa, his bum numb and his brain likely to suffer the same fate if he didn't get up and do something mentally stimulating soon.

"Aaron if I sit here any longer I'll sprout roots! I'm supposed to be up and about; just not back at work yet."

"So why were you heading towards the surgery door before?"

"Just stretching my legs..."

"No you were going to see if there was anything you could do to help Rhona!"

"Well I could do some paperwork. "Paddy reasoned. "That wouldn't kill me now would it?"

Paddy didn't like how Aaron had responded to that comment, looking away and tensing as is if expecting a physical blow. "Aaron. I'm fine..."

"You nearly died..."

"So did you! It was an awful time and I didn't plan on ever letting you out of my sight again but well that wouldn't have worked now would it?

"That was different!"

"No. I was scared of losing you and I blamed myself for what happened. Does that sound familiar to you?"

Aaron didn't answer, he was scared of losing Paddy, and although he'd told himself he wasn't to blame for his father's actions, he hadn't been able to convince himself of that.

"Ok, so you now, just like I did then, have to grit your teeth and put it behind you. Now how about we take Clyde for a walk?"

They hadn't gone far, just round the village and back and Paddy had to admit he was tired after the short trek. He was soon back on the sofa, mug of tea in one hand and a slice of the lemon drizzle cake Pearl had made him in the other. Aaron was still watching him like a hawk but at least he'd relaxed a little, hopefully he'd chill out a bit more when he saw Jackson, which reminded him, "What time's Jackson coming round?"

"He's not."

Paddy was taken aback by that. He knew for a fact that Aaron had spent a large part of every day, every evening not to mention every night with Jackson since he'd been in hospital. Pearl had got all misty eyed when she'd told him that the two of them were inseparably. She was a hopeless romantic, just like him. "Why not?" He demanded.

"Because you're home and I thought..."

"You can still see Jackson." Paddy didn't want to come between the two of them. He felt guilty enough about all the time they'd spent with him at the hospital, when they could've been off enjoying themselves. "Everything's alright between you two isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Then ring him and tell him to come round after work."

Aaron shifted uncomfortably, "He's been staying over, is it alright if he stays tonight too?"

"Of course it is. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" It had been a light hearted comment but it seemed to have thrown Aaron because he was avoiding eye contact again.

"You really like him don't you?"

Aaron nodded.

"Are we talking something more than just liking him?" Paddy pushed, certain they were.

Aaron shrugged; he wasn't comfortable talking about this not even with Paddy.

Paddy was beaming now, he just couldn't help himself. "You went and did it didn't you? You fell in love! I told you that you wouldn't be able to stop yourself. Was I right or was I right?"

Aaron couldn't help but grin at Paddy's enthusiastic reaction, "You were right!"

"And Jackson?"

"What about him?"

"Does he feel the same way?" Paddy was certain he did, he'd seen the way Jackson looked at Aaron

"I don't know,"

"I think you do."

Aaron shrugged again, "He hasn't said."

"Have you?"

"No!"

Paddy rolled his eyes; it seemed both Aaron and Jackson were a little backward in the coming forward department.

"What if he doesn't feel the same way?"

"He does and you know he does, you're just scared to admit it!"

Paddy was right again, "Ok I'll phone him and..."

"And tell him how you feel?" Paddy asked hopefully.

"No! Ask him to come round tonight!"

eeeeeeeee

"Won't be long." Aaron called over his shoulder to Paddy. As he walked into the hallway the front door opened and Jackson stepped inside.

"Hi,"

The greeting had been accompanied by one of Jackson's heart stopping smiles and Aaron felt his stomach flip over several times. "You're early."

"I couldn't keep away." Glancing into the next room and seeing it empty, Jackson leant in close to Aaron and helped himself to a long leisurely kiss. Finally coming up for air he said, "You going somewhere?"

Aaron couldn't think for a minute, Jackson was so close, intoxicatingly close. Not only did he taste good he smelt good too, shower fresh with just a hint of aftershave. "Just to the Woollie, to get us some cans; keep an eye on Paddy while I'm gone. Don't let him near the surgery!"

"If I can keep you in order I'm sure I can Paddy!" Jackson teased.

Aaron grinned, "I wouldn't be so sure."

Jackson found Paddy with his head in a puzzle book. "You into crosswords then."

Paddy smiled over at the younger man, "No, not really," Gesturing at the book in his hand he frowned and said, "This was all Aaron's idea! The reason being it doesn't involve anything more strenuous than thinking."

"Is it that bad?" Jackson laughed.

"Worse. But you being here should help. "Looking towards the door, Paddy lowered his voice, "Has he gone?"

"Yeah but something tells me he won't be long."

"This won't take long."

Paddy suddenly sounded very serious and Jackson was reminded of the 'talk' he and Chas had had. Seating himself down beside the older man he eyed him expectantly.

"I just wanted to thank you, for being there for Aaron. It's been a difficult time for him and you've got him through it..."

Jackson was embarrassed now and started to protest, "Paddy..."

Paddy waved off the interruption, "All that stuff with his dad, and his mum and Carl last week, I know you helped him deal with it. That and a lot of other things."

"Well that's what you do when you care about somebody. You know that." Jackson added meaningfully.

"Yes, and it comes easily doesn't it? When you love them!" Paddy watched as Jackson coyly looked away. "So you don't regret stopping by that Sunday morning then?"

Grinning, Jackson shook his head and met the older man's mischievous gaze, "I think you know the answer to that."

"I know you've been good for him. That you're the best thing that ever happened to him...and that he knows that too."

Before Jackson could respond he heard the front door opening. That meant the end of their conversation, still he knew Paddy had managed to get across all he'd wanted to. Smiling at the older man he said "Thanks." He'd just been given a much needed nudge in the right direction.

TBC