Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

A moment later Berni shoved a bucket into Fran’s arm as Jacob retched.

“Alright everyone, behind the screen,” Berni ordered.

Everyone except Fran and Robbie moved behind the screens and over to the seating area.

“Frank, let’s go to the cells and have a talk with those three wolves. We’re not leaving until we have answers and the wolf that poisoned Jacob is taken care of.”

“We can do that.” Frank looked at Joe. “If you can stomach it, have dinner with me later?”

Joe nodded. “If I can’t face eating, I’ll sit with you while you have dinner, and we can carry on chatting.”

Frank dropped a kiss on his head. “I would say enjoy your afternoon, but good luck to all of you, especially you Jacob.”

“Yeah, thanks for that,” Ezzy said, to the sound of Jacob filling the bucket.

“We’ll see you later,” Berni said, leading Frank out.

Jacob flopped back down, a hand over his stomach. Fran passed him a tissue so he could wipe his mouth.

“Ezzy, can you grab a wet face cloth and towel please,” Fran called out.

“On it,” his cousin replied.

“And I have this for two more days,” Jacob said, leaning forward and throwing up again.

Fran rubbed his back, thankful he was a nurse and nothing fazed him.

Ezzy carried the face cloth and towel over towards the bed, leaned around the screen, and threw them both at Robbie, then dashed back across the room.

Once finished, Fran helped Jacob settle back down. Robbie handed both cloths to Fran and then the clean bucket, taking the used one to the bathroom so it could be cleaned out.

Fran gently wiped over his face.

“Thanks.” Jacob let out a sigh. “Sorry you have to see this.”

“I’m a nurse, babe, I can cope with all this. I’m more worried about you.”

Robbie returned with the now clean bucket, looking at Jacob. “The antidote seems to be working, there was liquid silver in the bucket.”

“So it’s worth all the pain, the upchucking and potential death,” Jacob gasped out, before using the bucket again.

“No dying. We have secret passageways and priest holes to show you,” Fran said.

“Plus, we’re gonna raise the drawbridge, remember?” Finn said loudly from the other side of the room.

“We are?” Robbie queried in surprise.

“Yep, we’re waiting until mum is out the way and we're going to pull that sucker up,” Ezzy replied.

“I’m in. I’m sure Emory will be as well. But we’ll have to include Dad and Uncle Frank, they’d kill us if we didn’t,” Robbie said.

“We can do that,” Finn added.

“Would anyone mind if I got my laptop so we can watch something while all this is going on?” Ezzy asked.

“We won’t mind,” Jacob said weakly. “You don’t need to stay, honestly, hearing me like this can’t be pleasant and it’s not like I’ll be alone.” Jacob moaned as he made use of the bucket again, one hand holding his stomach.

He felt his wolf pushing forward to help him. We can’t shift, it’s not safe he cautioned.

His wolf huffed, but stayed close.

“We’ll be back in a bit then,” Joe said, as the three of them rushed out of the room.

Jacob looked at Robbie.

“Don’t even think it,” Robbie told him, raising a brow.

Fran wiped Jacob’s face again. “And I’m not going anywhere either.”

“Thanks.”

Fran sighed as he washed out the bucket for what felt like the hundredth time. Robbie wasn’t kidding when he said the next forty-eight hours would be tough and they were only twelve hours into it.

Everyone kept popping in to see them, but the others couldn’t stay for long, not that he blamed them.

He picked up the bucket, another washcloth, and towel, and took them back out to Jacob, thankful that Clairmont had thought to bring up a whole stack of each.

Jacob was currently resting with his eyes closed.

Fran looked at Robbie, who was sat on the side of the bed. “Robbie, you should go to bed, you have to be at the hospital tomorrow,” he said softly.

“I can stay and help,” Robbie replied.

Jacob opened his eyes. “Go to bed, Doc. Fran and I have this covered and your patients at the hospital need you.” As he finished saying this, he made use of the bucket.

Robbie sighed. “I’ll only go on the understanding that if anything goes wrong you’ll phone me.”

“Promise,” Fran said, nodding, and wiping Jacob’s face.

“I’ll check on you in the morning. Poor Emory, he keeps covering for me at the moment.”

“You know he doesn’t mind,” Fran said.

“I know. I’m lucky to have him at the hospital.”

“Pretty sure Ezzy is feeling lucky as well,” Jacob pointed out.

Robbie gave a quick laugh. “True.” He stood up. “If you need anything at all, phone me. If you go a long time without being sick, phone me. And by long time, I mean, like, fifteen minutes.”

“I will,” Fran promised again.

“I would say good night, but it won’t be that, so I’ll just say night.”

“Night Doc, sleep well,” Jacob said.

Fran hugged Robbie. “Night.”

Robbie returned the hug, and with a pat on Jacob’s leg, he walked around the screen and left the room.

“Pretty sure we can pull those screens back now,” Jacob said.

“I can do that. While I’m up, do you need anything?”

“I need a pee bottle please.”

Fran nodded and closed one of the screens up then went to the cupboard and collected a bottle.

“Let me help you move so it’s easier for you,” Fran offered, putting the bottle on the bed and helping Jacob sit on the side of the bed.

Once sorted, Fran unscrewed the top and handed the bottle to Jacob. “I’ll wash this bucket out while you pee. Here’s the clean one,” he said, putting it on the bed next to Jacob.

“Thanks,” Jacob replied, sighing as he did his business. He had just finished when he had to grab the bucket and throw up again, dropping the pee bottle and spilling the contents over himself and the bed. Once he stopped filling the bucket he realised he was wet and, looking down, he saw why. “Fran, I dropped the pee bottle all over myself and the bed,” Jacob said, sniffing.

Fran rushed out of the bathroom and picked up the bottle. “I’ll get you and the bed cleaned up, never fear. Did you pack any spare PJs?”

“Yeah, not sure where my clothes are though.”

Just then the door opened and Clairmont walked in.

“Hey, Clairmont, perfect timing. Do you know where Jacob’s clothes are? We need some clean PJs and some sheets.”

“I put Jacob’s pyjamas in the wardrobe here as I thought they might be needed. I also put extra sheets in there. Francis, if you can help Jacob onto the chair and get him changed and cleaned up, I can sort the bed out. I’ll move the screen to ensure your privacy,” the butler said gently. “I’ll just get your sleepwear and the sheets while you move Jacob.”

“Thanks, Clairmont,” Fran said. “Let me help you stand up, you don’t need to straighten if it hurts too much.”

Jacob gently moved. “I’m so sorry, Fran, Clairmont,” he whispered.

“Hey now, none of that. To be honest, I thought I would have been changing you and the bed sooner than this. I was sure you were gonna barf on the bed and yourself,” Fran told him with a smile, helping Jacob to move to the chair.

“I still might,” Jacob replied with a small grin. “Once everything is all cleaned up, will you go and have something to eat?”

“I’m fine,” Fran said.

“Here is the clean sleepwear. I’ll take this bucket and sort it out, and bring you a bowl of hot water and a sponge so you can clean Jacob up.”

“Thanks,” Fran said, handing a bucket to Clairmont, who took it and walked into the bathroom.

Fran gave Jacob the other bucket then moved one of the screens around, blocking the view to the bed, while Jacob made use of the bucket.

Clairmont was back a few moments later with the now clean bucket, a bowl of soapy water, a washcloth, and a towel.

Fran took them and put them on the floor, while Clairmont took the used bucket out of Jacob’s hands and carried that back to the bathroom to wash it out.

“Can you stand a little so I can get your bottoms off?”

It took time to clean Jacob up as they had to keep stopping so he could be sick.

Fran washed and looked after Jacob, and checked on his stomach while Clairmont stripped and changed the bed. He was pleased he was a professional so he could do what was needed and not perv over his mate’s body.

“The bed is ready,” Clairmont announced. “Can I move the screen?”

“Please,” Jacob replied.

The screen was moved and Jacob sighed as he saw the new sheets. “I really am sorry about the mess.”

“It happens. I doubt it will be the last time the bed will have to be changed while the silver leaves your body,” the butler said matter-of-factly.

Jacob eyed the bed. “I’m not sure I have the energy to move again.”

“Then I shall help you,” Clairmont responded, walking to his side. “Just slowly stand and lean on me, I’ll help you get there.”

Jacob did as instructed and made it to the bed and sat down before making use of the bucket again. “So much liquid.”

“Just remember, this is helping you.”

“I know.”

Clairmont picked up a glass of water and handed it to Jacob. “Wash your mouth out then have small sips.”

Jacob did as instructed, and soon was lying back under the now clean covers. “Can you make Fran go and eat something?”

“I’m not leaving you alone,” Fran protested, frowning.

Just then the bedroom door opened and Christine walked in. She was dressed and looked wide awake.

“Christine, is something wrong?” Fran asked in concern.

She shook her head. “No, I’ve come to help look after Jacob. I thought you might need a break.”

“Thank you, Christine,” Jacob said. “Perfect timing as I’m trying to get Fran to go and eat something and have a rest. But to warn you, it’s not pleasant in here.” As if to prove the point, Jacob threw up into the bucket.

Christine sat on the side of the bed and rubbed Jacob’s back. “I can cope with this. Fran, go and have a break, it doesn’t have to be long, but eat something, have coffee, and take some time. And before you protest, you’d have breaks at the hospital.”

Fran looked torn for a moment, then sighed. “Okay, just a quick one, then I’m coming straight back.”

“There’s food waiting for you in the fridge, Francis. I’ll stay here and help Christine.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back shortly,” Fran said, dropping a kiss on Jacob’s head then leaving the room.

He sighed as he walked down the hall. The amount of pain Jacob must be in was mind blowing. Fran was sure if it was him going through the same thing, he would be a blubbering mess by now. He admired Jacob’s strength.

Walking into the kitchen, Fran went straight to the sink and gave his hands a good wash. After drying them he walked to the fridge and, opening it, saw two plates of food: one with rolls, the other little bites of various foods that had been taken away earlier.

Looking at the plates, he realised how hungry he was. He took them out, put them in the side and made himself a coffee.

He glanced at the time and saw it was just after three in the morning. Fran shook his head, it felt a lot later than that. He needed to make sure he didn’t have too long a break so Clairmont could get to bed.