Page 94 of Rejection and Redeemed

“Want us to stay?” Ezzy asked.

Fran shook his head. “No, as long as you don’t mind me borrowing your e-reader, Finn.”

“Nope, knock yourself out. We’ll come back later and check on you both,” Finn replied.

“Thanks,” Fran said.

“Yes, thanks,” Jacob added on another yawn.

Frank dropped a kiss on Fran’s head and everyone patted Jacob before leaving the room.

“My laptop is just there,” Jacob said, waving tiredly at the bedside table, “if you want to watch a film. I have most of the subscription services on there, so you should find something you like.” Jacob wiggled to get comfy before taking Fran’s hand.

“Thanks,” Fran said, lifting his hand and kissing Jacob’s knuckles. “Rest now, babe, I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“’Kay,” Jacob whispered and fell asleep.

Fran watched him for a moment, wishing he had a notepad and pencil so he could draw Jacob, when the door softly opened and Joe walked back in, carrying something.

“Your dad said you like pencil drawing. I had this new pad and my pencils in one of my bags. I thought you might like to use them,” Joe offered quietly.

Fran smiled at him. “Thank you. I was literally just wishing I had a pad and pencils.”

“And now you do. I have all sorts of pencils in this case, I’m sure you’ll find ones you like,” Joe said, putting them on Fran’s lap. “If you need anything just yell.”

“I will, thanks, Joe.”

And with a smile, Joe left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Fran stared at the closed door for a moment. He couldn’t believe how much he liked Joe and how seamlessly he had fitted into the family and their band of friends. And for him to lend Fran his drawing equipment was touching. Fran shook his head wondering what would have happened if he didn’t like Joe. Thankfully he didn’t need to continue that thought.

Fran put the pencil case beside him and one-handed opened the A4 sized drawing pad. He then opened the pencil case to see what he could use. He only drew in grey and was pleased to see all the pencils were ones he liked. He picked one up and, looking at Jacob, started drawing.

After drawing a sleeping Jacob, Fran drew his wolf, both his original brown wolf and then his stunning silver wolf.

Some time later, Fran realised he would have to buy Joe a new drawing pad as he had drawn a lot of pictures. After drawing Jacob, Fran drew Finn’s white wolf, then Joe’s.

The door softly opened and Frank and Joe walked in, both carrying food trays.

Fran looked at the trays in surprise.

“It’s dinner time,” Frank told him. “We told Clairmont we’d bring dinner up and eat with you and Jacob.”

Fran smiled. “Perfect, but Jacob’s still asleep.” He closed the drawing pad and put it next to him.

“No, Jacob was asleep,” Jacob piped up. “But he woke up when he smelt dinner. He also has no idea why he’s talking in the third person.”

Fran, Joe, and Frank laughed as Jacob sat up.

Fran nudged his shoulder. “Nutter.”

Jacob grinned as Joe walked around the bed and placed the tray on Jacob’s lap, before taking a plate and leaving one for Jacob. He sat on a chair by Jacob’s side.

Jacob looked at Fran who now had a tray on his lap. Frank sat by his son.

“Thanks for bringing us dinner and joining us,” Jacob said. “I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.”

“You needed the rest,” Frank replied. “Never apologise for needing sleep.”