Chapter 41
CHAPTER 41
A fter breakfast the following morning Fran took Jacob to see the rooms that would be theirs.
At the moment, the three rooms were all still bedrooms.
“So this room will stay our bedroom,” Fran said, opening the door.
“Wow, Fran, this room is stunning. Are all the rooms in the castle this big?”
The room was decorated in deep purple. There was a massive four poster bed off to one side, with tables either side. There was a large window that seemed to open up onto a balcony. In front of the window was a large seating area, with two sofas and a couple of chairs around a large coffee table in the middle.
Along another wall was a large fireplace with a dining table and chairs.
Fran laughed. “Yeah, there are a few smaller rooms, and there is a lovely room upstairs that would make a perfect artist studio for Joe and myself.”
“Do you need permission to use it?”
Fran shook his head. “Nope, Uncle Berni won’t mind. Let me show you the other two rooms.”
Fran led Jacob out and into the next room. “This could be our lounge, that wall there can be knocked through to access the kitchen. A door will also be knocked through there so we can get to the bedroom.”
The room looked the same as the bedroom and just as large, but decorated in soft yellow.
“Once it’s delivered, we can move your mum’s furniture in after this has been cleared out,” Fran told him.
“We can fix it up with yours as well, as this room is for the both of us,” Jacob replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed, his walker next to him.
Fran sat beside him. “We can look at the other room later. It looks exactly like this one, but will be gutted and a kitchen built in there. We can put a dining table between the two rooms as well. If you have any design preferences, we can let the builder know.”
Jacob shook his head. “Not really. I’d like an oven I don’t have to bend down to access, but apart from that, I’m happy with anything.”
“Me too,” Fran grinned. “We’re both easily pleased.”
Jacob nodded. “I’ve learnt to be happy with anything really. As long as it has everything you need, it’s all good.”
Fran looked at Jacob and took his hand. “You no longer just have to settle for anything. You know that, right? If there’s something you want, we can look at getting it.”
Jacob looked at Fran for a moment, searching his eyes, and saw the truth reflected in them. “Okay, you asked for it.”
Fran grinned. “Is it something weird like a life-size Darth Vader or TARDIS?”
Jacob laughed and shook his head. “Well, it wasn’t either of those, but it might be now. No, I’ve always wanted a grandfather clock. What about you?”
“Oh, I love them. We can totally get one. I always wanted an old fashioned writing bureau. I know there are a couple in the castle, but I always wanted one of my own.” Fran said wistfully.
“Then we will find you one,” Jacob promised. Not that he would have to look far, one of the pieces of furniture that came down his mother’s line was a lovely antique writing bureau which would be perfect for Fran.
Jacob moved his hand and placed it around Fran’s neck, pulling him gently forward so he could kiss him.
Fran wrapped his arm around Jacob and moved closer. Kissing Jacob was amazing, everything he had ever dreamed of, but even through the kiss Fran could tell Jacob was tired.
He slowly drew back and rested his forehead against Jacob’s. “Can you make it back to our bedroom?”
Jacob nodded and stole a quick kiss before pulling back. “Yep, I can. What time are you off to work today?”
“I was going to go in after lunch, but I can stay here if you need me.”
Jacob took his hand. “I will always need you. But your patients need you as well. Go do your thing this afternoon and I’ll chill in our room.”
Fran stood up then helped Jacob up. “Remember, you need to shift this afternoon, but not alone.”
“I remember. I also remember your uncle’s restrictions.”
“It won’t be for long, just until you feel better.”
“I know and truthfully I can’t do much at the moment. I’ll leave it until this afternoon before I try and shift. Joe should be around so he can come with me.”
As they were chatting, the two men moved to Fran’s bedroom.
“I like your room.”
“Our room. It looks a little impersonal at the moment, but once we both put our stuff in here, we can make it perfect,” Fran replied, looking round the room.
“We can indeed,” Jacob said, walking to the sofa and sitting down. His breathing was a bit laboured but he was pleased he had seen more of the castle, even if it was only two of their new rooms.
Fran came and sat down beside him. Jacob pulled Fran into his side so Fran was leaning against him, and he wrapped an arm around Fran.
Jacob sighed. “I can see us here a lot, chilling out after you having a hard day at work and me a hard day at college,” he said, kissing the side of Fran’s head.
“Sounds perfect,” Fran replied, kissing Jacob’s cheek before leaning his head on Jacob’s shoulder.
“I might come downstairs for lunch today, then I’ll be downstairs already for when I shift.”
“That makes sense,” Fran said, picking up Jacob’s other hand and linking their fingers together.
“Plus, the fact I can see more of the castle,” Jacob said, grinning.
Fran laughed. “Soon we can show you the secret tunnels and priest holes.”
“I seriously can’t wait.”
Just then there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Fran called out while sitting up.
The door opened and Joe stood in the doorway grinning. “Morning.”
“Hey, Joe, come on in,” Fran said to him.
“Thanks,” he said, walking in and closing the door behind him. “How are you feeling, Jake?”
“Not bad. Fran and I started looking around what will be our new suite.”
“It’s exciting, isn’t it? Frank is currently talking to the builder about what he wants done,” he replied, sitting in a chair.
Fran frowned a little. “Don’t you want to talk to the builder too? Don’t forget it will be your suite as well.”
“It’s all good. Frank knows I'm literally happy with anything. I can’t cook, so it makes sense for your dad to decide on the kitchen. He’s taking me to his house tomorrow to show me his furniture and stuff so we can decide if we want to move it over or buy new pieces. Don’t worry, Fran, I’m having input as well, your dad insisted.”
Fran nodded and smiled. “Good, just make sure you don’t give in to Dad too often. You need to keep him on his toes.”
Joe laughed. “I can do that. So, your dad said you were off back to the hospital after lunch. I can sit with Jake and be with him when he shifts later.”
“Hey, don’t I get a say in this?” Jacob mock protested.
“No,” both Fran and Joe replied at the same time, looking at each other and laughing.
Jacob shook his head at them, pleased that they both got on. He hated to think what would have happened if they took a dislike to each other. “It looks like there is about an hour until lunchtime. Who fancies walking downstairs with me? That way I can rest first and have lunch with you all.”