Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
Robert and chas were talking in the kitchen. Robert said “I am going to visit Aaron tomorrow are you coming” chas looked at him and answered “no as got to be here as Diane is busy but send him my love and say I will visit soon” Robert says “ok” and goes towards the door but suddenly feels dizzy and falls to the ground. Chas jumps up and runs over to him and shakes him and shouts “Robert, Robert wake up”. Chas starts shouting for help and Diane runs in and says “what's the matter”. Chas says “it's Robert he won't wake up, he just fell and I don't know why” Diane rushes over and shouts “Robert, Robert”. Suddenly Robert opens his eyes and says “what happened?” as he looks at chas and Diane who have tears in their eyes. Diane answers “we thought we had lost you we couldn't wake you up, how do you feel now?”. Robert replies “I feel OK now, sorry for worrying you”. Robert gets up and Diane hugs him and says “are you sure your OK? maybe you need to go to see the doctor!” Robert scoffs and shakes his head. Robert leaves and chas and Diane go back through the bar worrying about Robert. Robert goes out and goes towards the mill to see how the work is going. He arrives at the mill and is surprised that it is done he just needs to get the rest of the furniture in. While he is at the mill Liv comes to the door and looks scared and had red eyes like she had been crying. Robert says “what's the matter?” she says “I can't tell you I promised but I am worried, what if it isn't over? and he does something stupid”. Robert looks at Liv and gives her a hug and says “what's going on, you have been quiet and upset since your visit with Aaron”. She looks at him and says “promise you won't get mad, I am so sorry, I wanted to tell you but he said it was a one off and I believed him please don't leave”. Robert looks and says “Liv you are scaring me just tell me what's going on, Paddy said you had words and you don't want to visit him anymore, it can't be that bad just please tell me”. Liv stops crying and says “Aaron doing drugs, spice to be exact! He was so out of it that's why we argued, but he promised me it was just a one off. But I don't think so as i overheard one of the other prisoners saying that he was dealing for him, I am sorry Robert” she then starts crying again. Robert holds her as she cries and says “thanks for telling me it's gonna be ok”. They both look towards the mill and smile and think Aaron will soon be home and everything will be OK.
Back at the pub after tea Liv had gone round to hang out with Gabby. Robert phoned the doctor and got an appointment for tomorrow morning at 9, then he had his visit with Aaron. He laid down on the sofa and was thinking what he was gonna say to Aaron tomorrow he was angry but also scared as he really just wanted Aaron home and if he was found with drugs his appeal will be denied and he could be in there longer. He started to cry and gets under the duvet and falls asleep.
The next morning Robert wakes up and gets breakfast as he really hungry and Liv and Noah need to be fed so he gets them breakfast and sends them to school. Liv looks at Robert before she goes and says “good luck send my love and tell him not to hate me and tell him I am sorry!”. Robert looks over and walks towards her and gives her a hug and whispers “I will and he could never hate you, you're his little sister and he loves you so don't worry have a good day, We love you”. Liv goes to school and Robert gets in his car to drive to his doctor's appointment. He arrives and parks the car then checks in and waits for his name to be called. The receptionist calls his name and he goes into the appointment. He sits down and the doctor asks him to explain what's going on and he does, he explains that he has been feeling dizzy, backache, being hungry, headache and tired. Doctor looks at him and says “can you do a wee sample” and Robert says “yes! where is the toilet?. The Doctor points to the door and says “through there” and gives him a pee pot. Robert comes out and gives the wee pot to the doctor. Robert sits down and looks around while the doctor sticks a strip in wee pot. After a couple of minutes a nurse comes in with an ultra sound machine and looks at the doctor. Robert looks and says “what's the matter why are you looking at me like that?”. The Doctor looks over and says “I am sorry we are just shocked I don't know how to tell you this so I am just gonna show you, OK? ”. Robert looks between the nurse and the Doctor and nods and then lays down on the bed. After a while the doctor uses the scan and Robert gasps and thinks how is this possible this can not be happening oh my god! what is Aaron gonna say?. The Doctor looks over and says “as you can see Mr Sugden you are pregnant, I would say about 16 weeks I know this is a huge shock so I will give you some time but you need to book in with the midwife for scans and appointments as soon as possible”. Robert just looks at him and nods and says “thank you, I'll be in touch soon”. The nurse hands over the picture of the sonograph and says “congratulations” Robert just nods and leaves the room. When he gets to his car he just cries and thinks how could this happen, what was he going to do and what was he gonna tell Aaron. He starts the car and drives off to the prison for his visit with Aaron.
Robert arrives at the prison and goes through the search and through security and sits down at the table waiting for Aaron. All of a sudden the gate opens and Aaron walks out he looks terrible and he is shaking and looks over at Robert and walks over and sits down and says “hi”. After a while Robert says “hi how are you?”. They talk about Chas, Liv, Adam, Vic and Paddy, then Robert informs him of everything that's gone on. Aaron looks at Robert and says “how's the appeal going?” and Robert can't hold it anymore, scoffs and says “good actually funny you should ask! as I had an interesting conversation with Liv today as she was crying and was upset after your visit”. Aaron looks worried and shrugs and says “what did she say? ”. Robert looks at Aaron and says “what the hell do you think you are playing at?, drugs?, really? if they are found on you, your appeal will be denied”. Aaron looks and says “it's fine! I won't! everyone does it it's no big deal stop being worried and tell Liv to stop worrying too tell her to concentrate on school”. Robert scoffs at Aaron and he says “what?”, Robert looks over and says “school don't be silly I just said she doesn't go she has been suspended, weren't you listening she has a tutor” Robert touches Aaron's hand and calls his name but Aaron isn’t listening. His eyes are heavy and then all of a sudden Aaron pulls his hand away from Robert. Robert says “are you kidding me! you're on something, what is it spice? ”. Aaron just shakes his head “of course not don't be stupid, it was a one off I was having a bad day, but it's all sorted I am fine”. Robert looks at him and scoffs and says “I can't believe you are jeopardising your appeal and upsetting your family over a bad day” Robert takes a breath and says “listen I need to tell you something, I know that you are not doing well but I can't lie to you and this involves you and I know it's the wrong time but there's nothing we can do”. Aaron looks up and shrugs and says “are you kidding me your having a go and now you wanna tell me something you are unbelievable but go on tell me what you need to tell me, is it about Rebecca have u cheated on me? ”. Robert looked shocked and started getting angry and when Aaron looked at him he could see the hurt all over his face but he was just too far to care. Robert takes a moment and looks Aaron straight in the eyes and says “no I haven't cheated, I meant those wedding vows, I love you Aaron no one comes close and no one ever will” Robert keeps looking for a reaction as his words but there nothing. Robert can't believe this happening his beautiful husband is so different and full of anger and but he needs to tell him. He looks around and sees that the visit is nearly up and thinks its now or never. He looks back at Aaron and says “the thing I have to tell you is I went to the doctor as I've been feeling unwell, tired, headaches and backache so I saw him this morning and they told me what's going on, I still can't believe it, but I need to tell you as it involves you and I need to tell someone”. Robert starts to cry and says “I am pregnant we gonna be dad's! Aaron looks shocked then goes to angry and says “you are kidding me! this can't be happening I am in here and you tell me this, I don't know what to say except you are a joke, why would I want this baby, you are a murderer you killed Katie, you tried to kill Paddy and I don't want anything to do with it and we are done, leave and I don't wanna see you ever again, you can't help me and you disgust me I don't want anything to do with you”. Robert cries and tries to reach out for Aaron but he pulls away and calls the officer to say that he is done and he wants to go back to his cell.
Robert gets outside and gets in his car and just cries and thinks what is he gonna do how can he be a single dad. He reaches into his pocket and stares at the picture of his and Aaron's baby.
Robert arrives at the mill. He goes in and looks around it's all completed. He starts to cry and thinks I can't stay here I need to leave. After a moment there is a knock at the door. Robert wonders who that can be. He goes over to the door and opens it and see Rebecca standing there smelling of alcohol. Great he thinks like I haven't got enough problems. He looks at her and says “what are you doing here? ” she says “Vic sent me to look for you as you have been gone ages and she was worried, they all were”. Robert shrugs and says “I am fine! just wanted to be on my own and have a moment but I will see everyone in a bit ok? ”. Rebecca nodded and left. Robert closed the door and sunk to the floor. He kept replaying Aaron's words, he finished with me we are over, how can I do this on my own? After a while he thought I better go and find everyone and sneak my stuff to my car.