Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 47

CHAPTER 47

“ H ave you thought of what you can do yet?” Emory asked Fran later that afternoon.

“Do what about what?” Robbie asked, walking over and joining them.

“A way to apologise to Jacob.” He went on to explain to his cousin what happened.

“So what are you going to do?” Robbie asked.

“Stop off at the shops on the way home and buy us both lunchboxes.”

“That’s a good idea. I’m sure he’ll love that.”

“I hope so. Not even mated a day and I already have to apologise to him. Some mate I am.”

“Stop that. You’re a good mate and Jacob knows that,” Robbie said.

“I can look at buying him a belated birthday present while I’m there as well. He wants Laura to teach him how to make my favourite foods, so I might buy him something cooking-related.”

“When was his birthday?” Emory asked.

“The day before Finn was kicked out. Joe told me apart from him and his parents, no one else wished him a happy birthday.”

“Now that I think about it, nothing was mentioned about his birthday. You would have thought as Alpha heir, his birthday would have been celebrated, if not by his father, then by others in the pack,” Emory said thoughtfully.

“Nothing would surprise me with that pack,” Robbie said.

“Indeed. Anyway, I have an hour left then I'm off. I’ll catch up with you both later,” Fran said, walking away.

“I’ll talk to Laura when I get back about a belated birthday cake for Jacob and maybe a birthday dinner,” Robbie said.

“That’s a good idea. We can ask Joe about presents for Jacob as well, give him a belated birthday,” Emory suggested.

“Yep, we can.”

Jacob was sitting in his and Fran’s bedroom. After they had fun shifting, Jacob retreated back to their room to rest and wait for Fran to come home.

As soon as he saw Fran he would apologise and tell him he didn’t mean to insult him, of course, Fran could look after himself.

He thought it was typical that he’d managed to mess things up already. Fran could do so much better than him, but now that they had mated, Fran was stuck with him.

He could hear his father telling him what a screw-up he was and how he would fail at being a mate, just as he was a failure at being an Alpha heir.

“Well, the joke’s on you, Dad. I couldn’t lead a pack now even if I wanted to, which I don’t. And I can be a good mate, thank you very much. I just need to remember Fran is older than me and can look after himself,” he said out loud.

He sighed and let his head fall back against the back of the sofa. He couldn’t believe Cresswell would be here in a couple of days and that he had to stand outside and welcome him. At least he was bringing his mother’s furniture with him, so for that alone Jacob would be nice to him.

He was just about to pick his laptop up when the door opened. He looked and saw Fran walking in carrying a shopping bag and smiling.

“Hey, babe,” Fran said happily.

Jacob got to his feet and smiled at him. “Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your afternoon?”

“Better now I’ve seen you,” Fran admitted and pulled Jacob into a kiss.

Not being stupid, Jacob kissed him back and wrapped his arms around Fran. He felt something settle inside of him.

Slowly they pulled back.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” Jacob said quickly. “I know you’re older than me and can look after yourself, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’ll remember for the future.”

“No, babe. It’s me who should apologise. You were just looking out for me and my well-being. I didn’t mean to shut you down or stop you from wanting to care for me. As an apology, I brought presents and something for the both of us.”

“You did?”

Fran nodded and pulled out of Jacob’s arms, picking up the bag he dropped when he kissed Jacob. “I did. Hold your hands out.”

Jacob did as instructed and Fran pulled out two lunch boxes and put them in Jacob’s hands.

“I got one each, so you can have lunch as well,” Fran said, as Jacob grinned.

In his hands were an Iron Man lunchbox and a Dr Who lunchbox.

“I love them,” Jacob told him truthfully. “I’m keeping the Iron Man one.”

Fran grinned. “That one was for you anyway. I also brought you these,” he put his hand inside the bag and pulled out a cookbook and a grow-your-own herbs set. “I thought we could cook together and try out the recipes in here.”

Jacob smiled. “That sounds perfect,” he said.

“I really am sorry about earlier. I’ve spent years thinking about my mate and on our first proper day I mess up.”

Jacob put the gifts down and took both of Fran’s hands. “You didn’t mess anything up. It was just a miscommunication. I’m sorry to say everyone picked up on how I was feeling at lunch. I told them I messed up and how, and your dad said, it was just a misunderstanding.” Jacob suddenly grinned. “Now, I’m sure I promised you that I would strip you naked and make love to you when you got home from work.”

“Actually, I think it was making love until we both forget our names,” Fran pointed out with a grin and playful eyebrow wiggle.

“So it was,” Jacob agreed with a laugh and proceeded to try his hardest to make Fran forget his name. And then it was Fran’s turn to try.

It was late and they were both awake, Jacob wrapped in Fran’s arms.

“Do you think we can do a kitchen raid? I’m surprisingly hungry.” Jacob asked.

“That sounds perfect. Let’s grab a quick shower and then see what delights we can feast on.”

Jacob opened his mouth to say something, but Fran stopped him, with a gentle finger on his lips.

“Actual food, babe.”

“Party pooper,” Jacob grumped as Fran pulled him out of bed.

Half an hour later, they walked into the kitchen.

“Sit here, babe,” Fran said, ushering Jacob to a seat at the island.

Jacob sighed as he practically fell into the chair. “One day, those stairs won’t exhaust me.”

“They won’t. Just be patient. Now, let’s see what we can pilfer,” saying this, Fran walked to the fridge to see what he could find. There were some trays with their names on them. “Laura’s left food for us,” he announced, pulling the trays out and bringing them over to Jacob.

“Oh nice,” Jacob said, pulling the covers off.

“Coffee, tea, or something else?”

“Just water, please, sweetheart.”

Fran got their drinks and came back and sat with Jacob to eat.

They had been eating for a few minutes when Jacob saw the bookcase open and Ezzy and Emory walked out.

“A secret passage into the kitchen, nice,” Jacob said.

“Yep and directly from my bedroom. There are also a couple of priest holes down there as well,” Ezzy told them, pushing the bookcase back. “If you ever need to use it, Mrs Beaton’s book will open it.”

“Good to know, thanks.”

“Are we interrupting? We can go and come back later,” Emory asked.

“Nope, we missed dinner and were hungry. Come and join us,” Fran replied.

“You sit Em, I’ll get the cake and ice cream,” Ezzy said to his mate.

“Cake and ice cream?” Jacob asked.

“Oh yeah, you’re having some as well. I’ll sort the cakes out and then bring the ice cream selection over.

And that’s what he did. The counter was covered in all the different flavour ice creams that were stocked in the freezer, while Ezzy heated up lemon cake for everyone.

“I’ve never had hot cake and ice cream before,” Jacob remarked digging into his.

“Food of the gods,” Ezzy replied grinning.

“If you don’t mind me saying, you both look happy,” Emory stated.

“We are. Everything is sorted and Fran brought me an Iron Man lunchbox, which I’ll be using, plus a grow your own herbs and a cookbook, so we can cook together.”

“I have a Dr Who one,” Fran added.

“Nice. I should get one as well, and Finn and Joe need one.” Ezzy said.

“Don’t forget Robbie and I, we both need one as well,” Emory said, grinning.

“We do. I’ll order some,” Ezzy said. He looked at Jacob. “How do you feel about meeting Cresswell again?”

Fran looked at Jacob. “You’re meeting Cresswell?”

“Yeah. He’s coming the day after tomorrow, bringing my mother’s furniture and updating Berni on everything he’s found out. Your uncle wants me to be outside when Cresswell arrives. Not looking forward to the meeting I admit, but I won’t be alone, so that’s a plus.”

“I can be there as well if you need me,” Fran offered.

Jacob grabbed his hand. “I will always need you. But we’ll see what time he arrives, I don’t want you to miss work because of me. You’ve already missed enough.”

“I can miss more,” Fran replied.

“We’ll see. Joe’s parents are coming to stay at the same time,” Jacob told him.

“I can’t wait to meet them,” Fran said.

“Oh, Jacob, while I remember, do you have a suit for the funeral tomorrow?” Ezzy asked.

Jacob shook his head. “No, I didn’t give that a thought.”

“I thought not. You’re a bit bigger than me or Fran, Robbie has a suit you can borrow. He said he would have it ready for you in the morning.”

“That’s nice of him,” Jacob said, breaking out into a large yawn. “Sorry.”

“Why don’t the two of you head off to bed and we’ll tidy the kitchen,” Emory offered.

“Thanks, Emory,” Fran said, standing up and helping Jacob up.

“Yeah thanks, see you both in the morning,” Jacob said as Fran led him back to bed.