Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

C hristine gently wiped Jacob’s face, while Clairmont was cleaning the bucket.

“Thank you, Christine,” he said looking at her.

She smiled gently at him. “No thanks needed. I’m glad I could help.”

“I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through.”

Christine gave a sad smile. “None of that was your fault, but now, we’re both out of horrible situations and somewhere safe with people who care about us.”

“You are indeed,” Clairmont confirmed, walking back to the bed.

“Thanks for your help, Clairmont, but you need sleep,” Jacob told him.

“I’ll stay until Francis comes back,” the butler said, sitting down on the chair. “Would you like a radio or television in here to try and distract you?”

“I wouldn’t say no to a radio,” Jacob admitted.

“I shall find you one in the morning,” he promised.

“We could just set my laptop up, I can get the radio through there,” Jacob said, weakly.

“I know it won’t be for long, but see if you can rest, Jacob,” Christine suggested gently.

Jacob sighed. “I’ll try.” He shifted gently and grimaced, but then settled more comfortably and closed his eyes.

“If you want to go to bed now, you can, you know,” Christine said softly to the butler.

“Thank you, but I can wait until Francis returns.”

“I know Jacob keeps being sick to get rid of the silver, but should he look this pale?” Christine softly asked in concern, holding his hand.

“I’m not sure. We can ask Francis when he gets back.”

Fran finished his dinner, cleared up his things and walked quickly back to Jacob.

He entered Jacob’s temporary room to see Clairmont carrying a bucket into the bathroom and to hear Jacob using the other. He hurried to the side of the bed and saw Christine again gently rubbing his back.

When Jacob was finished, he leant back against his pillows and gave a small smile. “Did you eat?”

Fran nodded. “I did, and I had coffee.”

Jacob sighed. “I’d kill for a coffee. A massive coffee would go down a treat.”

“And then come straight back up, thereby wasting perfectly good coffee,” Clairmont pointed out, walking back to the bed.

“Yeah, but I can dream,” Jacob replied.

As they were talking, Fran looked Jacob over. He was looking pale, too pale. “Clairmont, tomorrow would it be possible for someone to go and buy some water with electrolytes in it? It will help Jacob.”

“I will send someone out first thing, Francis.”

“Thanks.”

“If you want, I can pop out now and get some. Aubrey showed me where the supermarket was and it’s open twenty-four hours,” Christine offered.

“It’s the middle of the night. I know this is a safe place, but I’d rather you not go alone,” Fran replied.

“Then I shall accompany Christine,” Clairmont said.

“Thanks, my wallet’s in my room, help yourself to my bank card.”

“I will be using the house card, Francis,” the butler told him sternly.

Fran looked at his stern expression. “Thank you.”

“We’ll be back,” Christine said, kissing the side of Jacob’s head.

As Jacob watched them leave, he felt tears come to his eyes. One slipped out that he quickly wiped away. So many people looking after and caring for him, this was what a real family looked like. It was something he’d not had since his mother died. He was overcome with emotions.

Fran moved and sat on the bed next to Jacob and put his arm around him. “I’ve got you,” he said softly, kissing Jacob’s sweaty head.

Jacob leaned into him as more tears fell.

Fran held him as Jacob cried, before making use of the bucket.

Fran gently wiped Jacob’s face.

Jacob moved and lay on his side, knees pulled up. “What do you do for fun?”

Fran looked surprised for a moment. “Honestly, not much. Because I was single, I worked a lot, and did lots of overtime, and because of that, I don’t really have a lot of friends. Well, I have friends, but not close ones, except for Rob, Ezzy, and now Finn. But I like reading, drawing, and vegging in front of the TV. What about you?”

“Spending time with Joe. Honestly, he was the one person who made my hellish life better. I could just veg with him. Play video games, not worry about anything I said or did getting back to my dad. But I like reading as well.”

Jacob moved his head and threw up into the bucket.

That was how they spent their time, chatting about themselves, in between Jacob using the buckets and Fran cleaning them out and wiping Jacob’s face.

About an hour later Christine and Clairmont walked back into the room, with the butler carrying two boxes of the water Fran asked for.

“Thanks for these,” Fran said, as Clairmont put the boxes down on the coffee table, opening the box and bringing a bottle over to Jacob.

“I’m going to retire; do you need anything before I go?”

“No thanks, Clairmont. Thanks for your help,” Fran replied.

“Thanks, Clairmont,” Jacob said weakly.

Clairmont nodded and patted Jacob’s leg and with a last night, walked out.

“You should rest as well,” Jacob said, looking at Christine.

“Nonsense. Now, I know your Fran won’t leave your side, so he’s going to sit in that chair and rest while I look after you.”

Fran looked ready to protest.

“Don’t make me use my mother voice,” she said.

Fran grinned. “Okay, but I’m staying right here.”

“As you should. Now, Jacob, try a little of this water,” she said, picking the bottle up and unscrewing the lid.

“I’m too tired to try,” Jacob said softly.

Christine moved around the bed and got closer to his head. “I’ll do all the work, all you need to do is swallow small sips.”

After a few sips Christine took the bottle away and replaced the cap. “Well done.”

Jacob took her hand. “Thank you for being here.”

“Oh, sweetie. I couldn’t be there for my Fintan when he needed me. I know I'm not your mother, but I can help you through this.”

Jacob nodded. “Do you know how the Alpha got on with the men in the cells?”

Christine shook her head. “No, I wasn’t home for dinner. We can find out in the morning.”