“Oh thank goodness,” Joe said, leaning into Frank’s side, wiping his eyes again.
“His levels are still the same, but hopefully now he’s asleep he can rest and his blood pressure will lower,” Emory said.
“Nice going, Dad,” Ezzy said, leaning to the side and hugging him.
“Let’s just see if it works. At least he’s asleep now,” his father replied.
“What happens if he needs to throw up?” Finn asked.
“It depends on how deep of a sleep he’s slipped into. If it’s a normal sleep he can still vomit. If it’s a deep sedation he won’t, but hopefully, it will settle down now. We can monitor him until he wakes up.”
“While Jacob is resting, I want all of you to go and have something to eat and drink. You don’t need to stay away for long, but you need food, you’ve not eaten today,” Berni told them.
“I’d like to stay, but Ez, can you bring me something up? Pretty sure the same goes for Fran,” Emory asked.
“We can do that,” Ez agreed.
“Thanks,” Fran says.
“Come, friends, let’s away,” Berni said, starting to usher even one out.
Joe looked at Fran. “Do you want me to stay, I can hug you if you want?”
Fran smiled at him. “Thanks, Pops, but go and eat with the others. Have a break for a bit.”
“Okay, but I’ll come straight back,” he assured Fran.
Frank hugged Fran. “Keep the faith.”
Fran nodded and sniffed. “I will.”
“No, you’ll softly cry and think the worst.”
“Maybe. But I’ll try to think only positive thoughts. That’s the best I can do.”
“Fair enough,” Frank said. “Want me to stay?”
Fran shook his head. “No, Joe needs you at the moment.”
“So do you,” Joe said. “You probably need your Dad more than me.”
“We’ll share him. Dad, go with Joe for something to eat, then you can both come back and sit with me.”
“Okay, we’ll eat quickly and be right back,” Joe assured him.
“And make sure we bring you food as well,” Frank added. Then, dropping a kiss in Fran’s head, they both left to join the others eating.
“Do you think what Uncle Berni did will hold?” Fran asked Emory softly.
“If anyone can make it work, it would be your uncle. I mean, Jacob is actually sleeping, and his numbers have started to change for the better, so I’m going to go with yes.”
“Should you not be at the hospital today?”
Emory nodded. “I have the night shift. I’ll go in when Robbie gets back.”
“You should have said, you could have gone and rested. You still can,” Fran said.
Emory laughed. “I’m a doctor, remember? We live on no sleep and coffee.”
