Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
F ran woke up and gave a full-body stretch. He loved this bed and this room. He thought about his house and how happy he had been there. He would love to move into the castle, but he had to consider what Jacob would prefer. Would he want to stay living in the castle or moving into Fran’s house? Fran was happy with either option, but he would prefer it if they could live here. He imagined the fun they could all have together, and if there was one thing Jacob needed, it was fun.
Fran then thought about his father. He meant what he said. He had no issues with Joe being younger than he was, as long as he and his dad were happy, that was all that counted.
Fran looked at the time and gasped. He couldn’t believe he had slept the morning away. He jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, he walked into the wardrobe and saw some clothes waiting for him. He dressed, brushed his hair, and quickly walked to Jacob’s current room, opening the door gently in case Jacob was still sleeping.
He heard Finn softly reading to Jacob and Ezzy and smiled to himself. Walking softly to Finn’s side, he said softly, “Hey, family. Sorry I slept so long.”
Ezzy waved his apology away. “You needed sleep, never apologise for that. Jacob hasn’t woken up since having the new pain meds, and as far as we know, Uncle Frank and Joe are still getting to know each other.”
“Thanks.” He looked at Jacob softly, a smile forming for a moment. “Has he been restless?”
“No, he seems to be sleeping well,” Finn replied.
“If you two want to go off and do something else, I can take over,” Fran suggested.
“We’ll stay as well,” Ez said. “Clairmont will be bringing food in soon.”
Just then the door opened and the butler walked in carrying a tray, Joe following.
“I have lunch for you all, make sure you eat,” he said, putting the tray on the bottom of the bed.
“Thanks, Clairmont,” Finn and Ezzy said.
“I’ll be back to collect the tray later.” And with that, Clairmont left the room.
“Welcome back, Joe,” Fran said, looking at the young man.
Joe blushed. “Hi,” he said, joining them around the bed.
“So do we get to call you ‘Uncle Joe’?” Ezzy asked, laughing.
Joe grinned. “Pretty sure you can stick with Joe.”
“What, you mean I can’t call you Papa?” Fran asked him, grinning.
Joe snorted. “I mean if you want to, but Joe works just as well.”
“Welcome to the family, anyway,” Fran said to him. “Have a seat and while we all eat lunch we can grill you.”
Joe laughed, before he sobered and looked at Fran. “Are you really okay that I’m your dad’s mate? I mean, I am younger than you.”
Fran walked over to Joe and pulled him into a hug, which Joe happily returned. Pulling back, Fran said, “I’ve been hoping my dad would one day find his mate. I really don’t care how old you are, all I ask is that you treat my dad well.”
Joe nodded. “Your dad is literally my dream mate, I promise to treat him as the special person he is.”
“Thanks, he really is special,” Fran agreed.
“Plus, you know if you don’t treat him well, we have a lot of priest holes we can lock you in,” Ezzy put in, grinning.
Everyone laughed at that.
Finn leant forward, a look of mischief on his face. “How much would Aubrey kill us if we raised the drawbridge?”
“It actually rises?” Joe asked in excitement.
“Technically it can be, but it’s not been raised in my lifetime or Robbie’s. I actually don’t know when it was last raised,” Ezzy said thoughtfully. “But when Jacob’s better and Mum isn’t home, let’s do it.”
“I’m in,” Jacob said softly.
Everyone looked at him.
Fran smiled, moving closer to him. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
Jacob looked at him and nodded. “You got more sleep, good, and I don’t feel that bad.”
“I did sleep. I know you got Robbie to make sure I did.”
Jacob grabbed his hand. “It wasn’t because I didn’t want to see you, or any other negative thoughts you might have had. You were tired after working yesterday. I wanted you to have a decent sleep without having to look after me.”
“I know,” Fran said. “Thank you for that. Joe’s just returned and Clairmont has brought lunch. Want me to help you sit up?”
“Please,” Jacob replied, and Fran helped him sit up as Joe and Finn moved the pillows around to make him comfy. “Thanks. What’s for lunch?”
“Beef rolls, mini pies, sausage rolls, chicken nuggets, sticks of vegetables, and some cheeses and dips,” Ezzy said, taking the covers off and having a look.
Jacob looked at Fran. “What can I have?”
Looking over the selection, Fran said. “How about starting you on a beef roll and seeing how things go?” He picked up a roll and put it on a plate before handing it to Jacob.
“Thanks. As we eat, Joe, you can tell us about your mate,” Jacob said with a grin.
Joe blushed and busied himself by putting food on this plate, then sat in a chair by the bed. “Frank is just perfect. We chatted about stuff, had breakfast, shared a few kisses and chatted some more. Once Frank finishes moving back into the castle, I’ll be moving into his rooms. Apparently, I’m to become a Lord.”
“You are,” Ezzy said. “As dad is the Duke, that title passes to Robbie. Both Robbie and now Finn are Marquesses. As a second son like me, both Uncle Frank and I are Lords. Fran here is The Honourable.”
“I’m a Marquess?” Finn asked stunned, forgetting that he already knew that.
Ezzy nodded. “Yeah, the male partner of a titled man never used to get a title, but then cousin Louis changed that when his younger brother Nathan married his Julian, they are both now princes. The King issued a royal decree, giving gay partners titles.”
“And here I was hoping Finn would be a Marchioness.” Jacob grinned.
Finn snorted. “That makes me sound like a boat,” he said, sitting back down with a plate of food.
Fran filled his plate and then went and sat next to Jacob on the bed.
“Do we get to christen you then?” Ezzy asked with a laugh. “I’m sure I can find a bottle of something and crack you over the head with it.”
“Or we could just pour something over his head,” Joe suggested.
“Wait, cousin Louis? The King is your actual cousin?” Finn asked in shocked amazement.
Ezzy nodded. “Yeah. They come and stay a few times a year. While he and the family are here, they’re completely normal people.”
“As opposed to what, aliens?” Joe asked.
Everyone laughed as the door opened and Berni and Frank walked in.
Joe saw Frank and a smile lit his face. Happiness shone in his eyes as the two men walked over to the bed. Frank touched Fran’s shoulder before standing next to Joe and dropping a kiss on his head.
Joe held his plate out. “Food?”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Frank replied, taking a sausage roll.
Ezzy waved his hand to the tray. “Help yourself, Dad.”
“Thank you, son,” Berni replied with a grin and swiped the beef roll off Ezzy’s plate, making them all laugh.
“Nice, Dad,” Ezzy fake grumped out.
“You all sound happy in here. How are you feeling, Jacob?” Berni asked.
“The same. Well, that’s not true, I feel really weak, but that could be because I’m just lying here,” Jacob admitted.
Fran looked at him in concern. “You are? You should have said something, I would have phoned Robbie or Emory.”
Jacob shook his head. “That’s why I didn’t say anything, they have sick people at the hospital to look after.”
“But you’re sick as well,” Joe pointed out. “Maybe you should be in the hospital.”
Jacob shook his head. “I’m fine here.”
At that moment Robbie came rushing into the room carrying his doctor’s bag.
“Rob?” Ezzy asked, seeing him first.
They all turned to look at him as he walked closer to the bed.
“The results are bad aren’t they?” Jacob asked softly.
“They’re not the best,” he admitted. “You were poisoned with silver.”
Gasps were heard around the room.
Fran scooted closer to Jacob and took his hand. “How bad is it?”
“I ran additional tests and it shows the silver has caused some damage to your heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.”
“That’s why I feel so weak,” Jacob guessed.
“It is, yes.”
“Can you get rid of the silver and fix Jake?” Joe asked, putting a hand on Jacob’s arm.
“Hopefully. Thankfully, the hospital keeps good research records and I found an antidote. Not gonna lie, Jacob, this is going to make you sick, really sick, as you expel all the silver from your system. The next forty-eight hours will be tough.”
“But there’s more, isn’t there?” Jacob summarised looking at Robbie’s expression. “You said my insides were damaged. Am I still going to be alive in forty-eight hours?”
Gasps were heard again from the others.
“Yes you will be,” Fran told him.
Robbie sighed and rubbed a hand down his face. “I honestly don’t know. The silver’s been in your system for days. What I do know is I will do everything I can to keep you alive.”
“Should Jake not be in a hospital, be in acute care, or something like that?” Joe asked in concern.
“Not if he doesn’t want to. Fran, Emory, and I can look after him just the same here as at the hospital.”
“No, I want to stay here, but I need you all to leave then. If I’m going to get really sick, I don’t need everyone witnessing it,” Jacob told them.
“There’s no way I’m leaving you,” Fran said hotly. “I’m a nurse and your mate, I’m staying.”
Jacob looked at Fran, giving him a small smile. “I’m sorry for how I treated you at the lodge. But just think, if I do die, the fates will give you a mate who is worthy of you.”
“You’re worthy of me! And as for the lodge, it’s all forgiven and forgotten.” Fran rested his forehead against Jacob’s. “We’ll get through this.” He finished, giving Jacob a quick kiss and pulling back.
“And there’s no way we’re leaving you. We can get screens to put round your bed if needed, but we’re not leaving now, when you need us the most,” Finn said.
Jacob felt tears come to his eyes at the support. “If you’re sure, just remember this is gonna suck.”
Just then, Clairmont and another footman walked in carrying some large free standing screens. The butler was also carrying a couple of plastic buckets. “You might be needing these,” he said, as the screens were positioned near the bed and the buckets on the bedside table. “I’ll clear all this away, chances are none of you will be wanting food anytime soon.” He collected all the plates and put them on the tray before picking it up.
“Thanks, Clairmont,” Berni said. “James.”
“We’ll need to keep Jacob supplied with water,” Robbie added.
“Certainly, my lord,” he replied, and then the two men left.
“Let’s put the screens around the bed,” Frank said, waking over to one and bringing it closer. Joe jumped up to help him open it and stretch it out as Finn and Ezzy did the same for the other one.
“Jacob, apparently this acts quickly. Don’t fight it, the silver needs out of your system. I can’t give you more pain medication as you’ll bring that up as well. I’m going to detach all this and inject the antidote directly into you.
Fran, we’re going to have to monitor Jacob’s stomach in case the stitches rupture, with all the vomiting that’s about to happen.” Robbie said, working on removing the leads from the IV. “Okay.” He looked at Jacob. “We’ve got this. You’ve got this. Also remember your wolf will try and shift to stop the sickness. Whatever you do, do not shift.”
Jacob nodded and took a breath. “Okay, Doc, let’s do this.”
Robbie pulled the syringe out of his bag, took the cap off and injected the antidote into Jacob via the cannula.