Page 125 of Rejection and Redeemed

Jacob came awaketo the sound of a steady beeping. Why was there beeping? Was he back in the castle hospital room? The more awake he became, the more he realised his head was killing him. Then he remembered running towards Aubrey, trying to protect her from Nidal’s bullet.

He felt someone holding his hand and just knew it was Fran.

“Sweetheart, never get shot in the head, it hurts,” he said softly, cracking his eyes open. The first person he saw was a pale-looking Fran, sitting next to him.

“I imagine it would, babe. Thankfully, you have a hard head and nothing was damaged. You’ll have a headache for a few days, and possibly a concussion, but that’s the extent of it.”

“Sorry if I scared you,” Jacob said. “I couldn’t let Nidal shoot your aunt.”

“I know, babe. You have no idea how grateful we all are that you saved her. But try looking for ways to help people without getting hurt.”

Jacob gave a quick grin. “I’ll work on that.”

“Jake,” Joe said softly from the doorway.

“Hey Joe,” Jacob replied, smiling at him. “You look pale, stressed, and your hair’s a mess,” Jacob stated.

Joe huffed and ran his hands through his hair as he walked to the bed. “What do you expect when you go and get yourself shot in the head? Fran, Frank, and I have stayed here with you all night. Frank has gone to get us coffee.”

“All the coffee, I hope. An IV of coffee will go down a treat right about now,” Fran said.

“Coffee, yes, please,” Jacob said wistfully.

“Nope. Coffee is for normal people who don’t get shot in the head,” Joe responded.

“It’s not like I did it on purpose,” Jacob protested.

Both Fran and Joe stared at him.

Jacob huffed. “Okay, so I did jump in front of that bullet on purpose, but I wasn’t expecting to be shot in the head. I thought it might hit me in the side or something.”

“Maybe see if you can watch more of your mind movie to see the outcome,” Joe suggested.

“Yeah,” Jacob replied. “Can I sit up?”

“You can.” Fran picked up the bed controller from the bedside table and clicked the button to raise Jacob into a comfortable sitting position.

“Thanks, sweetheart,” he said before looking at Joe. “Sorry, Joe, you should have spent last night with your parents.”

“I did while they were here. Finn and Ezzy said they would look after them. I can see them later.”

Frank chose that moment to walk into the room, carrying a tray with drinks and from the smell of it, sausage and bacon rolls. Robbie walked in with him.

“Patching me up again, Doc,” Jacob said with a grin.

“It seems to be our thing,” Robbie replied with an answering grin.

Jacob snorted out a laugh and then winced as pain shot through his head.

“Painkillers for you, my friend, then you can sleep and the next time you wake up the pain won’t be so bad.”

“Thanks, Robbie. Hi Frank.”

“Good to see you awake, Jacob,” Frank said, putting the tray down on the bed table.

“Thanks.”

“Okay, Jacob,” Robbie said, syringe in hand. He injected it in through his cannula. “Say good night.”