Chapter Text
Paddy made his way into the pub, to find Chas, Liv, Aaron and Robert chatting with celebratory drinks, two orange juices and two pints. “What’s all this?” He asked as he approached the four.
“Rob and Aaron got re-engaged,” Liv replied. Paddy looked over at the two, Aaron, who was leaned over the bar slightly, elbow resting on the countertop and his chin propped up. Robert stood next to him, his hand resting on Aaron’s lower back.
“Who proposed?” Paddy asked.
Aaron stood up with a grin painted across his face, “We actually asked at the same time,” he explained.
“Congratulations,” Paddy replied. “I’m happy for yous.”
“Thanks, Paddy,” Aaron replied with a small smile.
“Why don’t you lot grab a table,” Chas suggested. “While Paddy and I get another round in,” she added. Aaron pushed off the bar turning to the booth off to the side, grinning ear to ear. Chas watch as the three made their way to the table.
“Chas?” Paddy question noticing she was stood staring at the three cradling her baby bump. “Chas?” he questioned again this time getting her attention.
“Sorry,” she said clearing her throat and quickly wiping the tears from her cheek. “I’m fine,” she added without being asked.
“What’s up?” Paddy asked.
Chas nodded towards her son.
“Aaron?”
She nodded her head, “Look at him,” she stated. Aaron, facing toward her, and Robert now sat only in the booth after Liv had run off to call Gabby. Grin still painted across their faces, laughing.
“He’s happy,” she replied with a smile. “He’s… happy,” she stated again with a sigh of relief.
“Yeah,” Paddy replied. “I suppose we have Robert to thank for that,” he added. “Who would have thought it, ay?”
“Robert went from a weasel that I couldn’t stand to a decent man, my son-in-law” Chas explained grabbing Aaron and Robert’s pint glasses.
“He has come along way hasn’t he?” Paddy asked referring to Robert. “Liar, cheater….now Dad, husband,” he added
“ After everything that happened last year… Aaron and prison, Rebecca, Seb… he managed to get his life back together and now here they are, back together, engaged, well re-engaged, it’s just I can’t believe it sometimes,” Chas went on placing one of the glasses in front of Paddy. “I don’t mean that in a bad way.”
Paddy smiled, “I reckon they both deserve a bit of happiness, don’t you?”
Chas nodded in agreement after placing the second pint next to the other. “I was thinking the other day, Robert… he as good as one of us ain’t he?” She replied with a smile.
“Yeah,” Paddy smiled.
“Mum,” Aaron called over. “Are we getting those drinks or not?”
“Give you pregnant mum a second,” she replied with a grin as she poured Paddy a pint. “Take those over, love,” she told Paddy about Rob and Aaron’s drinks. Paddy grabbed the two pints and made his way over placing the drinks in front of the men. Chas making her way shortly after with her orange juice and Paddy’s pint. “No Liv?” she asked as she sat down next to Paddy.
“She’s gone over to Gabby to tell her the news,” Robert explained. “reckoned she wanted to get out of here before me and Aaron got too sappy.”
Aaron chuckled, “Apparently she gets enough of us at home,” he added taking a sip of his pint. He noticed his mum was now staring with a big grin on her face.
“What?” Aaron laughingly replied a wiping the foam from his upper lip, placing the drink down.
“Nothing, just happy is all,” she replied. “And I’m so proud of you, “ she added. “You and all, Robert,” she said teary-eyed.
“Mum,” Aaron replied. “Stop it or you’ll have me going in a second.” He added reaching over, Chas taking her son hand before reaching for Robert’s hand.
“Chas,” Robert replied slightly shock at the comment.
“My boys,” she replied softly squeezing both their hands. “I mean it I’m so proud of the both of you.”