Page 74 of Rejection and Redeemed
The bedroom door opened and Clairmont walked in and over to the bed. “How is Jacob, my lord?”
“Sleeping peacefully, and holding steady,” Robbie told him.
“That is good news.”
“Are you rested, Clairmont?” Finn asked the butler.
“I am indeed, Fintan. I came to inform you all that dinner is ready. His Grace asked me to let you know.”
“We’ll come now,” Ezzy replied.
“I’ll stay with Jacob,” Fran said, to no one’s surprise.
“I’ll stay as well,” Christine added. “I’ll eat when you all come back.”
“I will be bringing dinner up for Francis, I can bring yours up at the same time.”
“Perfect, thanks, Clairmont,” she replied.
Robbie stood up. “I don’t envision any problems, but ring me if something crops up.”
“Will do, Cuz,” Fran replied.
“I will be back momentarily with your dinners,” Clairmont said, leaving the room last.
Christine moved closer to the bed and sat on the side of it, opposite Fran. Noting the dark shadows under his eyes, his rumpled clothes and messy hair. “How are you holding up, sweetie?”
Fran sighed, a deep from-the-depth-of-his-soul sigh. “Dealing. Glad he’s resting and sleeping, worried about the damage that has already been done and worried that when he’s better he’ll go back to not liking me.” He whispered the last part.
“Oh sweetie, that will never happen. I bet you anything this will bring you closer together.”
“You think?” Fran asked hopefully.
“I don’t think, I know.”
Fran laughed.
“Aubrey told me they’ve asked you to move into the castle. Are you going to?”
“I’d love to, but I need to see what Jacob wants. I have a house, so I’ll see where he feels more comfortable.”
“We can live here,” Jacob said softly.
Fran gasped. “You’re awake.”
Jacob opened his eyes a crack. “I think so. My eyes don’t seem to want to open fully though.” He replied, his voice gritty and weak.
Fran gently stroked his pale face. “Then go back to sleep and the next time you wake up they’ll open fully, and you’ll feel better.”
“Okay, mate,” Jacob said and promptly fell asleep again.
“Well, that sounded hopeful,” Christine said, smiling at Fran. “And not just because he called you ‘mate’ either.”
“Yeah,” Fran said, looking at the monitor. “His readings are nearly back to normal.”
“I get the feeling this night shift will be easier than last night.”
Jacob wokeup to the sounds of Christine reading a story. He lay there, eyes closed listening for a while.
