She touched his cheek in wonder. Perhaps this was how women felt when their men came home from war. Sad somehow, and yet more in love than theyd thought possible. "Love me," she whispered.
"I tried not to. It didnt work," he said, pulling her into his arms.
Much later, when Angie could breathe evenly again and the trembling in her body had stilled, she rolled out of bed and went in search of her robe. "Will you come to Mamas with us?"
He grinned. "That would certainly start up the old rumor mill. "
"Please?"
"Where else would I be on Christmas morning?"
Angie laughed out loud. That was how good she felt. "Get dressed. Were already late. " Finding her robe, she slipped into it and went down the hall to Laurens room. She expected to find the girl dressed and awake, chomping at the bit to open presents, but she was sound asleep.
Angie went to the bed and sat down. "Wake up, honey," she said, brushing the hair from her eyes.
Lauren blinked awake. "Morning," she murmured.
"Get up, sleepyhead. Its Christmas. "
"Oh. Yeah. " Her eyes slid shut again.
Angie frowned. What kid didnt jackknife out of bed on Christmas morning?
The answer came fast on the questions heels: a kid who wasnt used to much of a Christmas. She couldnt help thinking of the apartment building . . . of the woman--mother--whod walked away without a word.
She leaned down to kiss Laurens head. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. We have to be at Mamas in fifteen minutes. We open presents early in this family. "
Lauren threw the covers back and ran for the bathroom. They both knew there would be lukewarm water for the second shower and only cold water for the poor third-place loser.
Angie returned to her bedroom. She found Conlan dressed in her fathers old plaid bathrobe, standing by the window. He was holding a small silver-wrapped box. Theyd always had their private Christmas before going to Mamas, but she hadnt expected him this year.
"You got me a present? I didnt--"
He came toward her, gave her the box. "Its just a little something. "
She peeled the foil paper off and opened the white box. Inside lay a beautiful handblown Christmas ornament. A silvery angel with crystal highlights and impossibly faceted wings.
"I found it in Russia last month, when I was interviewing Svetlaska. "
She stared down at the beautiful angel that fit in the palm of her hand, remembering another Christmas morning, so many years ago. Its because Im always thinking of you, hed said, giving her a small wooden shoe ornament hed bought in Holland. It had been the start of a collection. A tradition. Finally, she looked up at him. "You bought this last month?"
"I missed you," he said quietly.
She went to the dresser then, pulled open the top drawer, and dug through her underwear. When she turned back to Conlan, she was holding a small blue velvet box. "I have a present for you, too," she said moving toward him.
They both knew what it was.
He took it from her, snapped it open.
Her wedding ring was inside. The diamond sparkled against the dark velvet. She wondered if he, too, was remembering the day they picked it out. Two kids in love, going from store to store, holding hands, believing in forever with all their hearts.
"Youre giving this back to me?" he said.
She smiled. "I figure youll know what to do with it sooner or later. "
ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Miracle on 34th Street.