Chapter 105: The Warmth Left at the Fingertips
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the thick velvet curtains. Thin lines of dust danced over the wooden floor, which still carried the scent of beeswax. On the large four poster bed, Agatha began to move her fingers. She felt the smooth cotton sheet beneath her palms.
"Mmh," Agatha groaned softly.
The sound of a heavy breath came from the right side of the bed. Xavier sat there. He leaned his back against the hard wooden head of the chair. His eyes looked a bit red, but he straightened up immediately when he heard Agatha's voice.
"Are you awake?" Xavier asked. His voice was hoarse.
Agatha turned slowly. She saw Xavier still wearing yesterday's shirt, now with the top buttons undone. "Is it noon already?"
"Almost ten o'clock. Pierre said you should sleep as much as possible," Xavier answered. He reached out and brushed Agatha's forehead. "Your body temperature is normal. No longer hot."
"I feel very hungry," Agatha whispered. She tried to sit up, but weakness still clung to her joints.
"Don't move yet. I have prepared porridge in the kitchen downstairs," Xavier said. He stood and walked out of the room.
Not long after, the sound of Xavier's footsteps returned. Rustle. Rustle. The sound of the hem of his trousers rubbing against the floor. He carried a tray with a white bowl on it. The savory aroma of chicken broth filled the room.
"Let me help you sit up," Xavier said. He placed the tray on the side table, then slid his hand under Agatha's back.
Xavier lifted his wife's body with extreme care. He stacked three pillows behind Agatha's back so that her sitting position was stable. His hand lingered for a moment on the back of Agatha's neck, feeling the blood flow that now felt much calmer.
"Thank you, darling," Agatha said.
Xavier sat on the edge of the bed. He took the bowl of porridge and stirred it slowly. Hot steam rose into the air. He blew on a spoonful of porridge before directing it to Agatha's lips.
"Open your mouth," Xavier ordered gently.
Agatha smiled slightly. She opened her mouth and accepted the spoonful. "Delicious. Did you make it?"
"I only reheated it. Pierre prepared the ingredients before he went to the warehouse to check the medicine stock," Xavier answered. He fed her a second spoonful.
"Xavier, I can eat by myself now. My hands aren't shaking anymore," Agatha protested while trying to reach for the spoon.
Xavier moved the bowl away slightly. "Be quiet. I want to do this. Consider it a punishment for making me almost go crazy last night."
Agatha went silent. She saw the lines of exhaustion beneath her husband's eyes. "I'm sorry. I just wanted this child to be safe."
"I know. But seeing you in pain like that was not an easy thing for me," Xavier replied. He fed Agatha again until the bowl was half empty.
"Ahh," Agatha sighed in relief after drinking a glass of water Xavier offered. "I feel my strength starting to return."
Xavier placed the glass back on the tray. He did not stand up immediately. His eyes were fixed on Agatha's stomach, which was still covered by a thin blanket. He reached out his hand hesitantly.
"May I touch it?" Xavier asked quietly.
Agatha reached for Xavier's hand and guided it over her stomach.
Xavier let his palm rest there. He closed his eyes, trying to feel the life they had just fought for. "He is very strong. I can feel it."
"He is ours, Xavier. Of course he is strong," Agatha replied. She brushed Xavier's hair, which was a bit messy.
A peaceful silence enveloped them. There were no gunshots, no shouting, and no threats from the outside. There was only the sound of birds chirping from behind the window and the steady ticking of the wall clock.
"After this, where will we go?" Agatha asked, breaking the silence.
Xavier raised his head. He looked deep into Agatha's eyes. "I have a small house on the south coast. No one knows about that place. We will stay there until you give birth."
"Without guards? Without family supervision? Mother?" Agatha confirmed.
"Just the two of us. And maybe Pierre if he is willing to come along to watch over you," Xavier answered. He leaned his face in and kissed Agatha's nose.
"Mmh," Agatha closed her eyes. She enjoyed the scent of Xavier's masculine perfume mixed with the smell of soap. "I like that idea."
Xavier moved up onto the bed. He lay down beside Agatha without letting go of his embrace. He pulled the blanket up to cover both of their bodies. Agatha rested her head on Xavier's broad chest.
"Thump. Thump. Thump."
The sound of Xavier's heartbeat felt very soothing in Agatha's ear. She wrapped her arm around Xavier's waist. "You didn't sleep all night, did you?"
"How could I sleep if I kept imagining you would stop breathing?" Xavier murmured. He rubbed Agatha's back in a slow, circular motion.
"I won't go that quickly. There are still many things I want to do with you," Agatha replied.
"What are some examples?" Xavier asked. He kissed the top of Agatha's head.
"Teaching this child to swim. Watching you cook every morning. And maybe... not having to be afraid anymore every time a car stops in front of the house," Agatha answered with a voice that was beginning to sound sleepy.
Xavier did not answer. He only tightened his embrace. He felt as if the outside world no longer mattered. Everything he needed was in his arms at this moment.
"Sleep again," Xavier whispered.
Agatha nodded slightly. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth from Xavier's body spread throughout her own. Within minutes, her breathing became steady. She fell asleep with the safest feeling she had experienced in years.
Xavier stayed awake. He stared at the high ceiling of the room. His hand continued to stroke his wife's hair. He promised himself he would not let anyone touch this happiness again.
A few hours passed without interruption. The sun began to move toward the west, creating long shadows inside the room.