#How much emotional distance does going through Surrogacy lead to?

[coochiequeens]

I hate how conservatives are using these cases to fuel anti choice rhetoric but no one should be able to tell a woman to undergo a medical procedure

When you contract for a blue all-wheel drive Ford Flex and the dealership delivers a white front-wheel drive SUV, you can take the dealer to court and force him to deliver the agreed upon vehicle or pay damages.

But what happens when a same-sex couple contracts for a healthy baby boy, but tests reveal the baby has Down syndrome or is a girl? Can the surrogate mother be forced to terminate the pregnancy or pay damages for failing to deliver? What if the couple change their minds and decide they don’t want any baby. Can they force the mother to abort even if she wants to adopt?

These are not hypothetical questions but real situations that are common in the growing $6 billion surrogacy industry. They are the types of questions inevitable when human life is turned into a commodity, which is what commercial surrogacy does. They are why Congress should ban the enforcement of some items in surrogacy contracts nationwide.

Recently, a surrogate mother in Sacramento, California, contracted with a gay couple to deliver a baby boy. Then doctors discovered she had breast cancer. The mother wanted to deliver the baby early at 25 weeks so she could begin chemo treatment to save her life.

But this was not what the couple had contracted for. They had paid for a full-term baby and did not wish to accept a premature baby. So they asked the mother to abort the baby, a common clause in California surrogacy contracts. California courts do not have the power to force surrogate mothers to abort their babies, but they can find the mothers in violation of agreements, which can lead to loss of payments and medical insurance. The couple threatened legal action when the mother refused to abort.

When she offered to adopt the child, the couple again refused, because they didn’t want their DNA “out there.” The mother went ahead and had the child delivered at 25 weeks, at which point under California law, the couple automatically became the legal parents of the child. The mother had no rights. The couple reportedly refused life-saving care for the premature infant, who then died. The baby was cremated at the couple’s request.

Other mothers have fled California. One had a great relationship with her contracting couple until doctors discovered the child had a cleft lip and palate. The contracting couple asked her to abort the baby but she refused. The couple then offered the mother an extra $10,000 to abort the baby, but she again refused. Finally the mother fled to Michigan, a state where surrogacy contracts are not enforced, and she had the baby, which was adopted by another couple.

Commercial surrogacy contracts are inherently dehumanizing. In addition to often containing clauses about when a child should be aborted for not meeting contractually bargained for expectations, they also often direct surrogate mothers on how to live, including dietary, travel, and even sexual restrictions. Failure to behave as the contract directs can lead to financial penalties.

If a woman wants to serve as a surrogate for a couple she must be free to do so. There need be no criminalization of surrogacy. But when a state enforces contracts on the bodies of women, that is unnatural and inhumane and should not be condoned.

Surrogacy is a multi-billion dollar business. Congress has the power to regulate it, and should ensure that courts do not participate in its abuses.

I did a Google search on cleft palate surgeries and the best age to correct it is between 8 and 10 months. So the purchasing parents wouldn't even have to wait a year to get it fixed. I don't know their motives but as someone past 40 I will say that before social media and Instagram parents took things in stride. And yes I do have quite a few teachers in my family so I have heard about families of children with disabilities.

[doof-doofblog]

"I'd Like To Talk To Somebody About Reporting A Mortgage Fraud!"

Tuesday 1st December 2020

Hello again everyone! We're finally into December, the count down to the Christmas episodes starts now!! I'm sure we're going to be in for an eventful Christmas! I'm really looking forward to seeing everything unfold! What are you guys most looking forward to? Ian getting his comeuppance and being attacked? Finding out who it was who attacked him? Or the reveal of Mick's childhood abuse? Either way, it's a going to be a roller-coaster full of emotions I am sure!

Let's make a start with the blog following last night then, the episode begins with Max minding his own business, getting everything prepped in the restaurant, as Ian makes his way in - INSTANTLY you can see the smug look on his face!! You can see he's going to enjoy himself putting Max in his place! Max seems surprised to see Ian standing there watching him, questioning whether he has other things better to do - such as getting the money he owes him - instead of standing there. However as soon as Max mentions his money, Ian is quick to inform Max that he's not letting him boss him around anymore, and what's even more of a blow, is that he won't be selling the Vic! Max looks completely and utterly confused and asks whether Ian has actually had some knock on his head, it's then that Ian really smugly grins and warns him that he won't be receiving a penny from him unless he wants the Square to know about his rendezvous with Linda, simply blackmailing the poor man! Max is absolute shock and disbelief as Ian grins and walks out the room, I'm quite saddened to see how these two partners - considering they became civil and started to support one another during a brief time, have come to this!

Meanwhile, at the Carter apartment, all the decorations that Linda had put up to surprise her husband are still hung up around the living room. As she walks into the kitchen with little Ollie, Mick is seen sprawled across the sofa, it looks as he's asleep. As Linda is getting her things together, little Ollie looks over to to his Dad, and in such a gorgeous sweet voice asks his Mum "What's the matter with Daddy?" - Is this the first time we've ever heard Ollie speak?! If so, he is so adorable! I'm sure we all have our own favourite child actors on the Square, I have to be honest, mine is Ollie - he's just an adorable little boy and such a cute little actor!! But of course all the young actors in EastEnders are fantastic! As Ollie questions his Mother, Linda simply explains that the young boy's Dad is just tired. As they both leave the room, once again the camera is focused on Mick and he slowly opens his eyes after hearing his son and wife talking about him.

At the Cafe, Tiffany and Keegan are enjoying their breakfast as they talk about how many missed calls she had from Stuart and Rainie the previous day. Tiffany seems to be a lot more understanding than Keegan is as she assures her husband that it's mainly because the couple are excited about becoming parents, it's something they have longed for for so long. Suddenly Rainie enters as Tiffany is about to chow down on a vegetarian breakfast, Tiffany pleads to her to at least let her eat her hash brown before talking about periods again - but Rainie is quick to apologise for how she acted, it was completely out of order and unnecessary. She questions the redhead whether things are still okay between them, Tiffany assures her that everything is fine and nothing has changed, Rainie seems surprised to hear this - as after Ian revealed to Whitney what Tiffany had gotten involved in, she was sure things may have changed. However, Tiffany reassures her that things are still set in stone for her to be her surrogate, only as Rainie leaves the Cafe, Whitney enters and as they both their separate ways, they both clock each other. It's then that Whitney approaches her younger sister and informs her that they need to have a serious talk.

Meanwhile, at the laundrette, as Linda is busy doing the washing, Max enters - once again Linda appears a bit cold when it comes to his appearance. Max warns her that they have to discuss what happened the previous night, even though Linda is just insistent that it was a kiss and it didn't mean anything, he tells her the very important piece of information that it just so happens that Ian saw them in their embrace. Linda looks in shock and a bit of fear that the worry sinks in that Ian could say something to someone, even Mick.

At the Branning household, Whitney has brought Tiffany and Keegan over to Jack's to discuss Tiffany's promise to Rainie. Whitney is stunned to hear that they have been offered £10,000 to have their baby! Tiffany is adamant that she wants to go ahead with it, considering that the money they've been offered with help pay for her course and Keegan's new stall on the Market. However when Whitney asks whether it's legal - I'm sure Stuart and Rainie both informed Tiffany that everything would be above board and they'd get the right paperwork they'd need - however, I have done a little bit of research. Whitney reveals that Tiffany's age is in fact 17, the legal age of someone to become a surrogate is the "Adult Age" of 18. However, even though it's legal for someone to be surrogate at the age of 18, the preferred age is between 21 and 45. With Tiffany being so young, there may be more complications down the road that they all might face, even though Tiffany may be fit and healthy. The main reason why they consider 18 to be too young is because of 3 main reasons :- the persons emotional maturity, their physical maturity and whether they've had a previous pregnancy. I'm not saying that this is in Tiffany's case, but that is what the research I have found states, I'm sure EastEnders will handle this storyline in a really touching and careful way. As Whitney and Jack still voice their concerns to the teenager, she leaves the room feeling incredibly frustrated.

Back at the laundrette, Linda is fretting whether Ian will leak the news about her and Max to the community. She informs Max that her husband hasn't been the same for weeks and if he found out that they'd kissed for a second time, it would absolutely destroy him. Max tries to calm her down and informs her that he will take the rap for it, he explains that he'll tell Ian that he came on to her instead, so that she won't be looked down on by her neighbours, plus it would be a way of saving her marriage to Mick. He promises that he'll sort it and he'll take care of Ian and informs her not to worry. Linda is incredibly thankful to Max as he leaves her in search for Ian. Meanwhile, as Callum is walking alone down the road, DI Thompson confronts him after jumping out of his car, it looks as if he's been parked up for some time waiting for Callum to make an appearance. He corners Callum as he informs him that the police department have put him under review because of the anonymous 999 call which they still have no leads on. It looks as if Thompson is blaming Callum because he used his ID, to which Callum recalls him mentioning it would be okay, but from DI Thompson's point of view, he said he wouldn't report Callum, but it looks as if things have made a really dark turn and Thompson is now trying to get his own back on Callum. But he thinks fast on his feet and reveals that if he was going to take him down, Callum was just drag him down with him as he wouldn't be able to answer any questions they would have, in response Thompson punches Callum really hard and deep in the stomach, only he picked the wrong timing as Stuart witnesses everything from a distance and informs Thompson to back off and leave his young brother alone. Callum begs his brother to leave it, he informs him that Thompson is in fact his boss and he'll only get into trouble if he did anything. Only as Thompson says that he can do whatever he likes, Stuart takes his chance and wallops him right in the nose! (Deep down, I was cheering - YES STUART!!!!!!!!!) - Callum is stunned to see his brother assault his own boss, but let just hope he hasn't made it 10x worse for his younger brother.

At the park, Keegan approaches his wife as she's sat alone at a picnic table, he questions whether she's okay, but she reveals to him that she is sick of being treated like a child. Suddenly Jack approaches them from behind slowly, Keegan notices him first and then Tiffany turns to see her Uncle. Jack explains that he's not there to argue with them, he admits that they can make their own choices in life and agrees that they are both now adults making very important and life-changing decisions, however he does drop the bombshell to them that Rainie can't pay them the amount she's offering, as it would be illegal. Much to the young couple's shock, he reveals that they only amount they'd get is "Reasonable Expenses" - now I've done a bit more research to this to try and explain what that means. If they go through with the surrogacy through the proper channels, once Rainie's and Stuart's baby is born, a court will decide how much Tiffany and Keegan will get - in the UK there is no standard figure, but on average the amount between £12,000 - £20,000 is the accepted rate for surrogacy. Jack does also explain that obviously the devastating motion of giving a baby up once giving birth to it is one of the hardest things to go through. He worries whether the young couple will end up like himself and Denise. Tiffany and Keegan both reassure him that they both will be okay. With this information, he politely leaves them to it to discuss the situation more.

Meanwhile, at the Vic, Bobby shows off the lovely, glistening, shiny, blue Lucy Beale Award to Sharon, she gushes over the sparkly vibrant award and informs the young teenager how beautiful it is. Suddenly Kathy makes an appearance and whispers to Sharon whether a certain something has arrived, as Sharon motions her to the back of the pub, Kathy informs her Grandson to stay put as she has a surprise in store for him. As she disappears to the back, Bobby begins to go through everything that needs to be done for the night's event, informing Sharon that the food needs to be chilled and then questions her whether she has everything prepared on her phone. As Sharon promises the young teenager that everything will go according to plan, Kathy appears from the back with a huge cheque for  £20,000! Bobby is but dumbfounded as he compliments it being a bit big, but Kathy reassures him that it looks exciting and professional! Suddenly as Ian appears behind the bar, Bobby is excited to show him the reveal of the Lucy Beale Award, however his Dad only comments on the colour, and very disrespectfully says that he would've gone for a silver colour instead of blue, much to Kathy's irritation and Bobby's disappointment, it absolutely baffles me how Ian is not more supportive towards his son, he's literally shown no interest in his son's charity, in his own daughter's name. Ian looks incredibly smug once again as he informs Sharon that he's managed to have words with Max and that he won't be selling the Vic, Sharon appears to be very happy and very proud of her friend - oooh I can't wait till she discovers the truth about everything. As things carry on, Ian happily places a delivery into the freezer, although whilst in there, the door slowly closes behind him and we can see a hand on the door's handle. Max! - Sorry, but even though I am glad that this is happening, locking someone in a freezer is incredibly dangerous. Of course, Ian has no idea how he's managed to get trapped inside, he bangs the door and calls for Sharon's help, but Max just grins and allows him to carry on yelling for help.

Outside on the Square, Shirley and Tina catch Linda as she's leaving the laundrette, they ask her whether she managed to get through to Mick the previous night. Linda devastatingly informs them that Mick showed no interest in their evening together and she didn't even manage to get a word out of her husband. They look in defeat as Linda walks away, Tina is still lingering onto hope of the idea of getting the Vic back for Mick, but Shirley is eager to get any information she can on Ian, she pleads to her sister that if she knows any information at all she needs to spill the beans if it gives them any chance of getting back in the Vic. Even though Tina promised her boss she wouldn't say anything, something tells me that Tina will have no other choice but to reveal what Ian did to his Mum to the papers. I'm sure Kathy has no recollection of informing her colleague about Ian's wrongdoings, but how will she react if the news became public?!

At the Prince Albert, Callum and Stuart are sat talking about their previous encounter with DI Thompson, Callum seems to be stressing even more now that Stuart has had to interfere, but in all due respect, Callum was sticking up for his little brother, no matter who it was that punched him, he would've done the same to anyone! Callum informs his brother that he followed his advice on trying to get the bug from the Arches back, but the devastating truth is that Phil got there before him. Luckily Phil doesn't yet know who planted it, but Callum really needs to start treading carefully. Stuart informs his brother that they need to put a stop things before anything else gets out of hand, Callum is already up to eyeballs in it, how much worse can things get for him?! He tells his brother to leave him to it, and leaves the bar, but something tells me that Stuart is just wanting to help his brother and somehow, someway he will find a way of finding a solution to help his younger brother.

Meanwhile, back at the Vic, Max has still trapped Ian inside the freezer. Ian is calling out for Sharon, Tracy, anyone who could potentially be listening. Suddenly, Ian starts to panic - and as he does so, he starts to have flashbacks of locking poor young Dennis on the boat and him screaming for help. Max smugs and laughs as he can hear Ian screaming at the top of his lungs, Ian's breathing becomes raspy and he starts panicking for his life (GOOD!) - He realises that this is exactly what young Dennis must've gone through. He lets out one last cry for help and Max slowly opens the door, Ian is hunched against the floor as Max places his foot against Ian's throat, he questions how long it would've taken for someone to realise he was actually stuck in there, no one would've noticed him! Ian begs Max for his mercy and pleads to let him go, but before he does, he warns Ian not to say a word about him and Linda to anyone, plus he'll get him the money he is owed, otherwise he'll do what he should've done a long time ago and finished him off. Ian nods to the agreement/warning and Max removes his foot, insulting him before he leaves.

Back at the Carter's, Mick is now sat up and fully awake, he hears footsteps approaching the living room and Tina pops her around the corner, happy to see her brother looking a bit more alert. She looks around the room and notices all the decorations that Linda has put up from the previous evening, she questions whether they had a late night. Mick softly reveals to his sister that he wasn't feeling in the mood and that the truth is, he went to visit the old children's home from their childhood. Tina is surprised and questions him why he went there, he explains simply that he needed something, something in his head told him to go there. Tina seems to realise and understand what her brother is saying, she explains that it was possibly like being in the Vic, having a family around him and if he's having those feelings, maybe visiting a property can make you think about old times and maybe relive memories. Mick nods and confirms to his sister that she's absolutely right, but of course - that's not all the truth really is it, we all know the main reason why he visited that place - Tina cocks her head and tells her brother to leave it with her, she'll be able to sort something. What the hell is Tina thinking of doing?! We know she's determined to get the pub back in the Carter's name, but how will she be able to get Ian to sign it over to them?!

Returning to the Vic, Ian is sat alone with his hands stroking around his neck, he appears to be in a world of his own as he recall's Max's words. Sharon makes her way into the living room and approaches the laptop in front of her, ready to sort out the charity account for Bobby's charity. As she looks at her phone, she comments on how small the writing is on her phone and asks Ian to read out an account number for her, as he does so, little Albie begins to cry and Sharon has to leave to see to her young son. Only as she's absent, Ian takes a swift look at the laptop screen - what is looking at exactly? As Sharon returns, he is looking very shifty and looks completely on edge as she starts to get to work on the laptop.

Meanwhile, at the funeral directors, Stuart has caught up with his wife, who appears to be looking at baby items on the internet. Stuart begins to worry as she mentions about the extravagant baby items she's found, she looks at him with concern and questions whether he still wants to have a baby. Stuart reassures his wife that that is all he wants right now, more than anything - but truth be told is that he made so many mistakes with his daughter, Zara, he's scared he might make the same mistakes. Rainie then takes it upon herself to reassure her husband that he's brilliant with young Abi, and that any child would be lucky to have him as their Dad. She also confesses that she too is terrified about becoming a Mother, she recalls watching her sister, Tanya, having a children and remembers the feeling of distraught that she wouldn't be able to have children of her own, but now with Tiffany and Keegan's help, their wish is becoming true, and softly and gently, the husband and wife share a kiss. Although, unbeknown to them, whilst they're having this deep discussion, Tiffany and Keegan are having a discussion of their own. Tiffany informs her husband about all the videos and articles that Whitney has sent her in warning to being a surrogate, it's then that Keegan drops the bombshell that he thinks that Jack and Whitney are right. Tiffany is devastated to hear that her husband has changed his mind, he informs her that in the first place, they were only doing it for the money, and now they know that they might not even receive it, and that he fears her giving birth to a child and falling in love with it is inevitable. He voices that the first baby they would have together, deep down, he'd want it to be their own. Tiffany asks her husband whether he never mentioned this before, but eventually reveals that to her it is also a big relief. It looks as if they may no longer want to go through with the surrogacy - only how will they be able to tell Stuart and Rainie?! They're going to be heartbroken! Does that mean they'll need to find another surrogate?!

The final scenes of this episode show Tina is scooping popcorn into separate bags at the Prince Albert whilst Kathy is revealing everything that has happened during the day involving Ian and Bobby. She's happily informing her about Bobby's effort into putting on an Award ceremony in the name of his deceased sister, and also informing her disappointment in her son, Ian, about his response to Bobby's hard work. Commenting on how Ian criticized the award itself because of the colour, she voices that she wishes Ian would be more supportive of his son, but it looks as if Ian will never change his ways. Tina is silent as Kathy reveals all this information to her, but also nods and acknowledges Kathy's words. She then agrees to attend the award ceremony to show Bobby some support. But as Kathy leaves the building, Tina grabs her mobile phone and quickly dials a number, it looks as if she's either called the police or possibly another newspaper declaring she wants to speak to some to report a mortgage fraud! Is she finally going to reveal the truth about Ian?! Meanwhile, as she's doing this, Ian and Sharon are upstairs of the Queen Vic watching television, however Sharon has fallen asleep on the sofa with the laptop open. Ian looks over and decides to sit himself next to Sharon and take a look for himself how much the charity has raised - we can see that the charity has raised a whopping £20,137.00! Only Ian goes and stoops the absolute lowest he can get - he transfers £20,000 of that amount into Max's account! He's only gone and stole money from his own daughter's charity!! How on Earth can he stoop so low?! Something tells me though that he will get his comeuppance for doing this! Bobby is going to be absolutely devastated when he finds out (It wouldn't surprise me if he does attack his Dad!)

Something also tells me that, now Max has had money transferred into his account, he will see where that money has come from. It won't say "Ian Beale" but instead "The Lucy Beale Foundation!" - so he will know full well that Ian has transferred it from the charity account into his -  I hope that Max isn't accused of stealing it, as that would be another huge twist in the mix and another reason for Max to go after Ian! If Max's notices in time, I'd like to think he'd to the decent thing and either put the money back into the right account or let everyone know that it was Ian who gave it to him!! This is a very interesting cliff-hanger, and I'm really intrigued to see how it's all going to unfold! I apologise for this blog being so late, but tomorrow I will post another blog following tonight's episode! Thank you all for reading, please feel free to leave any comments or opinions on the current storylines, I'd love to hear your thoughts and I'll always respond! Thanks again folks and enjoy the rest of your evening! Love you all! xXx

[enchantedsugden]

all i can do to keep you safe, is hold you close (hold you close)

ao3 link

“Robert, this is GBH, you could go to prison.” There’s a silence and Aaron searches his husband’s face, the daunting reality of it all seeming to finally sink in. Aaron doesn’t know why though, didn’t the police tell Robert this, when they told him he would get charged?

“Robert?” Aaron asks, calmer now, softer, he is feeling anything but calm but he doesn’t want to keep ranting. He’s fuming, fuming that Robert has put everything they have on the line in one moment of rage, but deep down he knows it was only because his husband loves him, wants to protect him. He takes a deep breath, arguing just isn’t going to do either of them any good.

“Robert” he pleads again, softly touching his husband’s arm and Robert looks up slowly. Aaron pulls on his arm and leads him to the sofa, “sit down for a minute yeah? I’ll put the kettle on.”

“No.” Robert says and Aaron turns around frowning “Aaron, don’t do this” Robert looks frustrated and he’s shaking his head.

“Do what?” Aaron replies, he knows he sounds impatient, feelings of anger blossoming again.

“Suddenly acting all sensible, when you’ve been angry all day, better let everything out now.” Robert says, looking Aaron straight in the eye as if to challenge him.

“You know what- yeah, yes I am trying to be the sensible one here unlike you and your actions that got us into this mess in the first place.” Aaron hisses, he can’t help it, he isn’t really angry it’s all just from sheer worry but it results in him lashing out like this.

Robert just can’t go to prison he can’t, Aaron feels sick at the thought that there’s this high possibility that he’s going to-

“I just- I saw red when I saw him and I couldn’t stop myself.” Robert says and Aaron gets it of course he does, he hates Billy, hates what he’s done to him and now he’s trying to ruin him again. Aaron can’t stand the distance between him and Robert anymore and goes to sit next to him. Robert doesn’t look up but there’s a soft “I am so sorry.”

Aaron feels his heart breaking, it was Christmas only two days ago, why can’t things just stay good- how was any of this even happening. He looks at his husband’s face, there’s still a haunted look on there and Robert finally meets his eyes.

“Rob” Aaron sighs, he gets one arm around the older man’s waist and Robert looks surprised and Aaron wants to cry at that, he doesn’t want Robert thinking he’s too angry to comfort him. His husband gets the message and falls into Aaron’s arms, buries his face into his neck. Aaron rubs at his back slowly, and he feels Robert starting to relax ever so slightly.

“Robert, I’m not angry well-“ he tightens his grip, needing to ground himself and Robert. “Well I am kinda – but more so just frustrated- but it’s done now and I am here ok, so we’ll deal with it together.” There isn’t really anything else he can say because Robert had been there for him hadn’t he? It made him sick how the tables had turned now, but that meant that it was up to Aaron to stand by Robert, trying to calm his husband’s worries even though he was drowning in his own.

There’s no reply from Robert and Aaron kisses his shoulder, his husband still wearing his jacket. “I am not angry Robert” he says, means it “I am here, I promise.” He feels Robert nodding now, “I am scared” he whispers, its barely audible what with Robert’s face still hidden in Aaron’s neck but the younger man hears, clearly and it breaks him. He’s scared as well, so scared and he isn’t sure if he’ll be able to hide it from his husband. He’s scared of losing him but he’s especially scared for Robert himself and how the hell he will cope- if he will cope at all. God Aaron just feels so sick, he is about to drown in even more horrible visions, ones of Robert getting beaten up, ones of him visiting his husband and the older man looking worse each visit- when his thoughts are interrupted- 

“I am not strong enough.” He hears and Aaron needs to grip Robert tighter again to make sure he doesn’t fall apart at that. Robert’s so strong, stronger than he realises but he isn’t made for prison, Aaron knows he isn’t, it’s hell for everyone even if you are a fighter, and his husband isn’t one of those, god knows how he managed to beat Billy up.

But voicing Aaron’s own worries about Robert (not) coping in prison to his husband isn’t going to help either of them, Aaron just needs to stay strong and be Robert’s rock right now. “Listen to me ok?” he squeezes the older man’s shoulder to get him to look up, Robert does and his eyes are red-rimmed, Aaron struggles through all his feelings and reaches out to hold his husband’s face in both of his hands.

“Listen- you’re going to be ok, we both are. You’ve got me and I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe ok?”

Robert nods but Aaron isn’t sure if he believes him, isn’t even sure whether he believes it himself, of course he’ll do everything he can but how exactly? by getting the best lawyer- or is he already thinking ahead, meaning he’ll do everything he can to protect Robert in prison, by using contacts so Robert won’t get beaten up? He gulps at it all, tries to smile and Robert is still looking at him.

“Why don’t we got to bed yeah? It’s been a long day- I’ll clean up here.”

Robert nods and then frowns, “it’s still early though and Liv-“ he sounds stressed again, panic evident in his voice and Aaron presses a hand to his chest. “I know- but we can just talk and nap or something?” Aaron can’t help but feel so out of his depth and he just wants to hold Robert, his husband looking warn out from today’s events. He also just wants to go upstairs, a change of scenery or something like that, the Christmas tree and all the lights not fitting in with the current mood.

Aaron reaches for his husband’s face again, “you go up I’ll follow ya in a bit.” Robert looks at him intently, eyes searching, Aaron gives him a lingering kiss, tries to pour all the love and care possible into it, “I will be up in ten minutes, I’ll make us a drink and leave Liv a text saying we’re upstairs and you’re ill or something- before she comes home to nobody downstairs.” He rambles.

“You’ll have her thinking all sorts.” Robert says almost grinning and Aaron rolls his eyes, watches his husband go upstairs. He blinks back the tears that start forming almost straight away and pushes himself to get on with the tasks so he can get back to holding his husband.

  :::

  When he gets into their bedroom he finds Robert curled up on Aaron’s side of the bed, when he comes closer he can see how Robert’s eyes light up at the sight of him and they smile at each other softly albeit sadly.

He crawls next to his husband, has to push him back slightly, the both of them now occupying just a small part of the bed.

“When I go to prison-“ Robert starts and Aaron gulps “When I go to prison, it’s going to be fine yeah? I’ll do my time and I then I get out and we can forget about it all.” It sounds so simple and Aaron wishes it was, but the both of them know it isn’t this simple, and it never will be, if Robert ends up in prison, the worst case scenario, the days will be endless for the both of them. How is it ever going to be ok is what Aaron wants to scream but he reaches out and starts combing through Robert’s hair.

“We will just wait until we know more yeah?” he says gently and Robert nods “they will probably ring me to come in tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there with you.” Aaron replies, because he feels guilty- hates that he wasn’t there with Robert this afternoon, he was so overwhelmed with anger and confusion, along with arguing with Marlon and Jessie that he just let his husband do all of it on his own.

“Thank you.” Robert whispers. They let the comfortable silence linger on, Aaron still combing through Robert’s hair, knows it calms the older man down. That’s what’s important now, he needs to keep his husband grounded, shield him from his worries while he hopes that he can do the same for his own.

Suddenly Robert’s eyes widen and he looks at Aaron. “Rob?” Aaron stammers-

 “Seb- this can fuck up everything, we might not get to see him at all anymore- and our surrogacy plans, Aaron I am so sorry.” Aaron sees tears gathering in his husband’s eyes and feels every need to stop it even though everything Robert just said isn’t far fetched at all and it terrifies him.

“Robert, Rob- it won’t ok? We’ll work it out like we always do. Please stop apologizing.”

“I wish I could turn back time but I was just so mad-“

“I know, I know.” Aaron kisses his husband’s forehead and sighs, “your tea is getting cold” there just isn’t really anything else to say, and Aaron just wants to change the subject, refuses to think too far ahead. Robert frowns but he goes to sit up, sips his tea, and Aaron mirrors his actions.

The older man sniffs and then asks if he’s told Liv the truth, Aaron shakes his head “maybe we should wait until we know more, we don’t have to worry her just yet.”

Aaron squeezes Robert’s hand who’s looking lost in thought again, probably thinking about how he’s letting his family down and Aaron can’t have that, not when he did it all to protect him.

“I am here ok, whatever happens.” He sounds like a broken record but he just needs his husband to know.

“It’s all I need- I love you.”

“I love you too.” Aaron replies, kissing Robert’s forehead again.

  ::

  It had been a weird day for the both of them. After their emotional talk the night before they had been quiet all day, Aaron making sure Robert was doing well, considering- pushing him to do other things rather than just sitting by his phone all day but Aaron had felt himself starting to get wound up again all day. That’s why he’d been planning on clearing away the Christmas decorations, the whole festive mood having pretty much disappeared anyway and it gave him something to do. He couldn’t stop the gnawing worry but didn’t want to lash out at Robert. It had taken practically everything to keep himself from punching Billy when he showed up earlier knowing that that wasn’t going to help the situation.

It was coming up to half three when Aaron decided to make a start on taking down the Christmas tree, his husband was pacing up and down in the kitchen phone in hand.

“You’d think they would have rung by now.”

“They will soon enough.” Aaron had mumbled in reply, because yes of course they both wanted to know what was going to happen but Aaron decided he knew already: Robert was going to prison and he’d really rather live in ignorance for a little while longer, the thought of his husband getting locked up too much to cope with.

Suddenly he hears Robert speaking and he watches his husband on the phone, feels his heart sinking- because this is it, isn’t it? He tries to keep himself steady- maybe it won’t be the worst case scenario, he is aware that his husband sounds fairly light, which is weird. He keeps going-

 “Well thanks for letting me know- yeah, okay- thanks.”

Aaron frowns at his husband who’s coming towards him, wearing a slightly bewildered expression on his face.

 “Well you can stop putting the decorations away, cause Christmas isn’t over yet.”

“What?” he asks, can’t help but sound annoyed because why is Robert trying to be funny (and failing) when-

“The charges have been dropped.” It’s all Robert says and Aaron feels as if he’s woken up from some kind of horrific nightmare, out of all the possible outcomes he didn’t see this one coming whatsoever. He stares at his husband, can feel a soft smile forming on his face because he’s so ridiculously relieved, he gets to keep Robert here, in their home.

Robert’s staring back at him, the same relief visible on his face and Aaron can’t help himself and all but throws himself into Robert’s arms, he feels his husband steadying him by holding on to his waist and then moving his hands to rub at his back.

“God Robert, I didn’t-“

“I know.” Robert mumbles holding Aaron even tighter in reply.

Aaron let’s go of him, reluctantly putting some space between them but only to grab Robert’s face in both hands, the older man is still smiling and Aaron smiles again, the relief almost overwhelming.

“Right promise me, don’t do something this stupid again.”

“I won’t” Robert grins.

“I am serious Rob- I swear, I thought everything was about to fall apart.”

Robert’s face turns serious and he nods, "I know.” He sighs, seems to contemplate something, his expression now something in between mischievous and serious. “If you promise me to believe that your problems are mine- although I won’t do something like this again, honest.”

Aaron rolls his eyes “I know, I believe you- and yours are mine.”

Robert nods, looking all serious again, “thank you- for yesterday, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You never have to thank me Rob- it’s what I am here for isn’t it.”

Aaron leans in, presses a soft kiss to his husband’s lips. Robert’s not going anywhere, he won’t have to find out what coping alone in prison will be like and Aaron’s so grateful, grateful that they get to go into the new year happy and together, always together.