Молчаливая ночь [with w_cat]

When they left, Cally at last knew she could go to bed and sleep. Gigi’s even breathing was an answered prayer. From now on, she’d be able to hear it every night, and listen without fear that her little girl would be taken away from her again. Everything will get better, she thought. I know it now.

[822] As she fell asleep, her last thought was that when Gigi saw that the big package with Santa’s present was missing from under the Christmas tree, she could honestly tell her that Santa Claus had come and taken it away.

[823] The recessional was about to start when once again the side door of the cathedral opened and Officer Ortiz entered. This time he was not alone. He bent down to the small boy beside him and pointed. Before Catherine could get to her feet, Brian was in her arms, the St. Christopher medal he was wearing pressed against her heart.

[824] As she held him close, she said nothing, but felt the silent tears of relief and joy course down her cheeks, knowing that he once again was safe, and firm in her belief now that Tom was going to make it, too.

[825] Barbara also did not speak, but leaned over and laid her hand on her grandson’s head.

[826] It was Michael who broke the silence with whispered words of welcome. “Hi, Dork,” he said with a grin.

[ 827 ] Christmas Day

[828] Christmas morning dawned cold and clear. At ten o’clock, Catherine, Brian, and Michael arrived at the hospital.

[829] Dr. Crowley was waiting for them when they got off the elevator on the fifth floor. “My God, Catherine,” he said, “are you okay? I hadn’t heard about what happened until I got here this morning. You must be exhausted.”

[830] “Thanks, Spence, but I’m fine.” She looked at her sons. “We’re all fine. But how is Tom? When I called this morning, all they would say was that he had a good night.”

[831] “And he did. It’s an excellent sign. He had a very good night. A lot better than yours, that’s for sure. I hope you don’t mind, but I decided it was best if I told Tom about Brian. The press have been calling here all morning, and I didn’t want to risk his hearing about it from an outsider. When I told him, I started with the happy ending, of course.”

[832] Catherine felt relief rush through her. “I’m glad he knows, Spence. I didn’t know how to tell him. I couldn’t be sure how he’d take it.”

[833] “He took it very well, Catherine. He’s a lot stronger than you might think.” Crowley looked at the medal around Brian’s neck. “I understand you went through a lot to make sure you’d be able to give that medal to your dad. I promise all of you that between St. Christopher and me, we’ll make sure he gets well.”

[834] The boys tugged at Catherine’s hands.

[835] “He’s waiting for you,” Spence said, smiling.

[836] The door of Tom’s room was partly open. Catherine pushed it the rest of the way and stood looking at her husband.

[837] The head of the bed was elevated. When Tom saw them, his face brightened with that familiar smile.

[838] The boys ran to him, then carefully stopped just inches from the bed. They both reached out and grasped his hand. Catherine watched his eyes fill with tears when he looked at Brian.

[839] He’s so pale, she thought. I can tell that he hurts. But he is going to get better. She did not need to force the radiant smile that her lips formed as Michael lifted the chain with the St. Christopher medal from Brian’s neck and together they put it on Tom. “Merry Christmas, Dad,” they chorused.

[840] As her husband looked over their sons’ heads and his lips formed the words I love you, other words sang through Catherine’s being.

[841] All is calm… all is bright.

English source.

genre:

Триллер

Authors:

Mary Higgins Clark

Book title: Silent Night

Annotation

A Christmas suspense story. When a young mother from Kansas travels to New York to be with her seriously ill husband at Christmas, her young son sees another woman steal his mother's wallet, and follows the thief into the subway. Thus begins a journey that will change all of their lives.

Русский источник.

genre:

Детектив

Authors:

Мэри Хиггинс Кларк

Book title: Молчаливая ночь

Annotation

Повесть «Молчаливая ночь» — небольшая не только по объему, но и по времени действия. Основные события умещаются на семи часовом отрезке в канун Рождества, но накал страстей столь острый, что книга прочитывается на едином дыхании. Ординарные люди, ощутившие чужую беду, как собственную, пытаются сделать все от них зависящее, чтобы вернуть в семью потерявшегося мальчика по имени Брайан.

Translators:

Михаил Генин