The Legacy (25 page)

As I enter the room, Adagio stands, letting his eyes roam
over me. “Beautiful,” he says softly. I swallow hard, my pulse
quickening at the sight of him standing before me shirtless, his
arms, chest and torso looking like they were chiseled from
marble. His hungry gaze sends a rush of heat through me.

“I love you,” he says softly before drawing me into his
arms and kissing me.
“I love you,” I murmur against his mouth. Drawing back,
I leisurely take in his perfect form, awe filling me. “Do you
have any idea how beautiful you are?”
Looking into my eyes a moment, he replies, “Not until
you looked at me. What you see is the only thing that matters.”
“I feel the same.” I stare into his eyes a long moment,
sharing my thoughts and feelings without words. Tightening his
embrace, he pressed me against him and I surrender my body
and soul to the warmth of his arms and the safety of his love.

Lying in Adagio's arms, I bask in the intimacy we have
just shared. We talk quietly as little Ingo sleeps.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly.
He sighs, pressing his face into my hair. “There are no
words. I have never experienced anything so incredible in my
life.”
I smile. “Thank you, for saving yourself for me.”
“Thank you for making me so grateful that I did.”
Burying his fingers in my hair, he whispers against my lips,
“And I know I could never tire of making love to you.”
“The feeling is definitely mutual.” I kiss him and look
toward the front room. “And I can’t believe Ingo didn’t make a
sound.”
“I can't believe it, either. Maybe he knew we needed this
time.”
“Maybe you’re . . . right.” Ingo lets out a loud cry and we
laugh.
“Let me get him,” Adagio says, immediately getting up. I
watch him walk over to the door and can’t help likening his
body to a Greek statue. He is so masculine, so perfect.
Adagio coos as he picks Ingo up and brings him to me,
placing him in my arms. Changing him quickly, I begin to nurse
him. Adagio slips back under the covers next to me and
watches. “He is growing more handsome every day.”
“He is. He’s such a miracle. All babies are.”
“Does that mean you are willing to go through this
again?”
“I am definitely willing, as many times as I am blessed
with the opportunity.”
He kisses me. “I was hoping you felt that way. I didn't
bring it up before because you just had Ingo and I thought it
might be a while before you would even want to think about it,
but I am glad you do.”
“Well, truthfully, I want as many children as God cares to
send us. And I know you love Ingo like he is your own flesh
and blood, but I do look forward to the day that I can have
your child.”
“I do as well,” he says with a smile.
When Ingo drifts to sleep again, I place him back in his
bed and stand for a moment, watching him sleep, marveling at
how blessed I am. I have a new life with a wonderful man and a
beautiful child. After suffering such loss, I never dreamed I
could be this happy again, that I could be so content.
I sigh as Adagio moves behind me, circling his arms
around my waist. Leaning back against him, we stand for a
moment longer, watching Ingo sleep. Turning in his arms, I
glimpse the renewed desire burning in his emerald eyes. Smiling
lovingly, he lifts me and carries me back to bed.

Adagio watches moonlight sift through the drapes and
fall softly on Cisely’s sleeping form nestled in his arms. He can’t
sleep because he doesn’t want to close his eyes. Not yet.
Drawing back a little, he gazes at her face through the dim
light. He can’t help himself, he just has to look at her. Feeling
her soft warm breath against his skin, he listens to her even
breathing. His gaze roams over her slender curves. If ever there
was a body made for his, it's hers.

And she
is
his! This beautiful, amazing and incredible
woman is his wife, his best friend, and the love of his life. He is
no longer alone. For the first time in his life, he is lying in bed
next to a woman, and his life is completely and irrevocably
connected to another. It is a wonderful feeling.

Heaving a deep sigh of contentment, he draws her closer,
tightening his embrace, soaking in the warmth of her body.
Then he finally closes his eyes and drifts to sleep with her name
on his lips.

tearfully hugs me, then Adagio.
“I’m going to miss you, too. Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. Never

forget you have a home here, both of you. After all, when I’m
gone the house will still be yours.”
“I love you, Mama,” I whisper.
With that one spoken phrase, a river of tears trail down
Jessica's face. “And I love you, my daughter.” She hugs me
again for a long moment, then kisses little Ingo goodbye.
“Take care of her,” she says emotionally to Adagio.
He hugs her again. “I will. I promise.”
I wave at Jessica as we pass through the security gate and
head up the escalator to our terminal. When we finally board
and are settled in our seats, a mental picture of Jessica again
living alone in that large house causes my heart to ache. With
Ingo and I there, she'd
finally had the family she always
wanted, but Ingo is gone now and I am leaving to start a new
life. Turning my face toward the window, I try to discreetly
wipe away my tears, but Adagio sees them. I can't hide anything
from him.
“It will be all right, baby,” he says softly. I know he
understands how hard this is for me.
“I know.” I squeeze his hand. “I’ll be okay.” Drying my
tears, I smile. “I’ll be okay because I am going home with my
husband and little boy today.”
Smiling, he lifts my hand to his lips. “And I am taking my
wife and son home. I could not be happier.”
Tilting my head against the seat slightly, I silently look
into his eyes for a moment, my thoughts turning melancholy.
“I'll bet you never guessed on your way here you would be
bringing a wife and child home, did you?”
Holding my hand between his, he brushes his thumb
across the back of it, meeting my unwavering gaze. “It was an
unexpected blessing.”
“It was for me too.”
We continue to stare at one another, silently conveying
our thoughts. The changes in our lives have taken us both by
surprise and sometimes it is still hard to believe all that has
happened. Ingo will always have a place in my heart, and
though I harbor moments of unspoken confusion, I can't deny
how right my love for Adagio feels. I know everything is as it
should be. Moving forward, our lips meet in a warm kiss, a kiss
born of sweetness and dreams for the future.
During the times of the trip when we are awake and Ingo
is settled, I spend a little time studying a book on Italian, and
with Adagio’s help, I pick up quite a bit. I am grateful for the
words and phrases he has taught me over the past months, but
I had no idea I would really come to need the language one day.
It’s true what they say. Life is full of surprises.

I am awestruck as we turn onto the cobblestone driveway
and pull up in front of the large villa.
It is absolutely breathtaking! The building is covered with
peach-colored stucco and trimmed in white. The main entrance
boasts two white columns with a large potted plant in front of
each. Some of the window terraces are lined with beautiful
flower boxes and the landscaping is amazing. The right wing of
the home is “St. John’s Place.” The left wing and main part of
the building are the living quarters.
“Welcome home,
amore
,” Adagio says as we get out of the
taxi.
I give him a look of astonishment. “This is incredible!”
It's like at a scene from a European travel show.
He smiles and kisses me. “This is your home now, Mrs.
St. John.”
I again stare up at the large building.
My home! I can’t believe
it!
Once Adagio sets our luggage on the porch, he lifts Ingo
out of his car seat and leads me inside.
“Wow!” I whisper as we enter the grand entryway. Above
us hangs a large crystal and brass chandelier. Casting my eyes
down, I take in the beautiful mosaic tile.
“Come.” Adagio loops my arm through his and gives me
a tour of the place. Most everything is updated, but the home
still has a lot of the original decor, giving it a vintage feel, and I
fall in love with it completely. I lose track of time admiring the
paintings, antique fixtures and elegant baroque decor. I still
can't believe this is really my home.

While Adagio checks on things at the restaurant, I put
Ingo down to sleep and unpack my clothes and a few boxes
we'd sent ahead of time. Stacking the empty boxes in the
corner, I start unpacking Adagio’s clothes.

Closing my eyes, I press one of his shirts against my
cheek, breathing in the faint lingering scent of his cologne,
marveling at the rush of emotion it brings. Hugging the shirt to
me, I cast my eyes around the room for a moment. It's not
quite as large as the room at Jessica’s, but it's cozier and the
elegance matches that of the finest hotels.

Adagio’s maid did redecorate the room and I am pleased
with the results. The high, black four poster wooden canopy
bed is draped in sheer ivory netting and covered in burgundy
and ivory-colored bedding. There are multi-color striped square
toss pillows on an ivory sofa in a corner of the room that is
designed as a sitting area. A vase of wildflowers sits on a small
bistro table near a corner window and abstract paintings hang
on the walls. Taking in my surroundings, I look forward with
anticipation to the nights I will share with Adagio in this room
and the memories we will make here.