Down to Earth

Chapter 7

"Hey, babe."

Those were Maxence's first words when he woke up from the anaesthesia. His throat was dry, and that was obvious in his voice. Rose gave him some water to drink, and put the cup away. She had called her mother while waiting and talked to the kids to tell them not to worry, that she was watching over their daddy, that he was okay. Beside the kids, Maxence only had Rose as his family. Only her could be sat by his side right now. That's why he wasn't worried, how he had known it was her by his side though he wasn't very awake.

"Hey," murmured Rose in return.

She softly kissed his lips. She took his hand in hers and gently stroked it. He was cold. Much colder than usual. She assumed it was because of the surgery, because of the hospital. But it would get better. Eventually.

"How are you feeling?"

"Strangely, as if I had been beaten and stabbed."

"You're an idiot."

"But you love me."

"I do."

They didn't talk much after that since Maxence needed all the rest he could get for a good recovery. He had to talk to the police when he woke up for the second time. He explained everything that had happened – what he could remember at least – from the guy coming in for a robbery to going to the tool shed as a hiding place until Rose found him there. He fell into another light sleep after that. He was getting tired really quickly because his body was using a lot of energy to fix itself. And when he opened his eyes for the third time, he found a thoughtful Rose stroking the fob watch he had once giving her.

"What're you thinking of?"

"The day you gave me that watch. I still don't know why you did it."

"I can't remember. But it's still a cool watch."

"Yeah."

"Rose?"

"Hmm?"

"There's something I gotta tell you."

"What is it?"

"I can't feel my legs anymore."

"That's probably just because you're numb with anaesthetics and sleep, love."

"That's what I thought the first two times I woke up. But I remember... I've crawled to the tool shed because I already couldn't feel my legs anymore."

"You've been beaten to death, Max. Your body is trying to recover. You'll be alright in a few days."

Rose smiled softly at him, refusing to believe the truth. And yet, Maxence knew what he was saying. He was very clever and had studied sciences. Every sort of sciences. She cupped his cheek, but noticed he looked distracted. He was looking at the watch. As if he was hypnotised by it.