“Thanks.”
“Finn will be here later as well. He’s spending time with Christine.”
“That will be good for them both. How’s being newly mated going?”
Joe looked at Fran in surprise. “You want me to tell you about sex with your dad?”
Fran screwed his nose up. “Not that part, but there’s more to mating than sex.”
“There is. Seriously, your dad is literally my dream, he’s perfect. I know I'm a lot younger than him and well, you, but I want to make him happy.”
“Just be yourself,” Fran told him, then grinned. “I can tell you all his secrets if you want.”
Joe laughed. “And I can tell you all of Jake’s.” He paused. “I don’t know if you know, but Jake was nineteen a few weeks ago, the day before Finn was kicked out actually. I’m pretty sure only my parents and I wished him happy birthday or brought him presents.”
“Thanks, I’ll do something for him.”
Just then the bathroom door opened and a pale-looking Jacob slowly walked out, using the walker.
Fran rushed to his side, helping him to the bed as Joe turned the bed covers down.
“Here you go, babe, climb in.”
“Thanks, Joe, Fran,” Jacob said. “Pretty sure I’ll be asleep soon.”
“You will, don’t fight it. Hopefully, I’ll be back before you wake up.”
“If not, I’ll be here keeping you company,” Joe added.
Fran bent down and kissed Jacob. “Sleep well.”
Jacob happily kissed him back. “See you later, sweetheart.”
“You will,” Fran said, smoothing the covers out and watching as Jacob fell straight to sleep.
“See you later, Joe.”
Joe grinned. “You will indeed.”
Fran left the room quietly laughing.
He was walking down the stairs when he saw his smiling father walking through the front door. “Hey, Dad.”
“Franny,” Frank said, pulling Fran into a hug as soon as he was at the bottom of the stairs. “How is Jacob?”
“Exhausted. He got up and showered and is now fast asleep in bed with your Joe watching over him. How’s mated life?”
Frank’s smile got even wider. “Wonderful. Joe is amazing. Caring, funny, loyal, charming, and so much more.” The smile fell off his face. “That’s not to say I loved your mother any less, this is just different.”
Fran touched his arm. “I know Dad and Mum would have wanted you to be happy, and I like Joe.”
“She would and thank goodness. Anyway, why are you down here, is something wrong?”
Fran shook his head. “No, I wanted to pop into the hospital and check on Rose while Jacob was asleep. I told him I’d be back as soon as I can.”
“Bless Rose. Robbie said she might not last much longer.”
“That’s why I’m popping in. I’ll catch up with you later and we can have a proper natter.”
