Page 84 of Rejection and Redeemed

“That we can. Be good, Franny.”

“Not if you keep calling me Franny I won’t,” Fran muttered, walking away to the sound of Frank’s laughter.

Fran walked into the hospital,saying hello to the staff he passed. He gently knocked on Rose’s door and quietly opened it, poking his head round.

Rose was lying in bed with her eyes closed, but she opened them and smiled at Fran. “I’ve been waiting for you my dear Fran,” she said softly.

Fran sat on the side of her bed and took her hand, her very cold hand. “I told you not to hold on, to go off and see Ike.”

“I couldn’t leave not knowing if you were back to your happy self. But I see light in your eyes again instead of sadness. Is your mate well?”

“Getting better. He was poisoned with silver, and it was tough going while he expelled it from his system.” Fran went on and told her everything that had happened since he last saw her.

“I told you it would all work out well. I’m truly happy for you, Fran, and your father,” Rose said again softly.

Being a nurse for as long as Fran had been, he knew the signs of someone about to die. Rose had all those signs. Her skinhad a slightly pale mottled look, along with her cold hands, her breathing had changed and she alternated between loud rasping breaths and quiet breathing.

“Thank you for coming to see me, Fran. I suddenly find I don’t want to die alone. Will you stay?”

Fran nodded. “You know it,” he said, picking up her hand and kissing the back. “Close your eyes now, Rose, you don’t need to hold on any longer.”

“Such a good boy, Fran, thank you,” the old lady said, closing her eyes with a soft smile on her face.

Fran sat with her, holding her hand as her breathing slowed down and with her final breath her smile widened.

“Ike,” she whispered, as her heart stopped.

There was no need to call a medical emergency, Rose didn’t want to be resuscitated, so Fran sat with her for a while. He sniffed and wiped his eyes before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Robbie.

“I’m glad you were here for her, Cuz.”

“Me too. She was holding on to see me again and making sure I was happy.”

“I bet she and Ike are having a very happy, long, overdue reunion.”

Fran grinned. “Probably. We need to arrange her funeral.”

“Dad already has. I just need to let him know Rose has died.”

Fran stood up and gently pulled the sheet up and over her face, and with a final pat on her hand, the cousins left the room, Robbie closing the door behind him.

“How’s Jacob?”

“Exhausted and sleeping. He had a shower earlier. He hasn’t much stamina at the moment, which is to be expected, and did actually use the walker.”

“If we can get him downstairs tomorrow, we can take him outside to shift, that should help. I’m still waiting for his latesttest results to come back, hopefully they’ll be ready later today. Any idea when you’ll be back at work?”

“Hopefully the day after tomorrow. Jacob and I spoke about me working and he’s good with me coming back. I might do half days for a few days. I’ll go and talk to HR before I leave.”

“It will be good to have you back, everyone’s missed you.”

“That’s nice to know. Thanks Rob. I’ll go see HR then head back to the castle and let Uncle Berni know about Rose.”

“Have you spoken to Jacob about living in the castle?”

Fran grinned. “Jacob mentioned it to Uncle Berni about us moving in. Your dad is getting a suite of rooms ready for us.”

“Yes,” Robbie exclaimed, pulling Fran into a hug. “We’ll have lots of fun.”