The Legacy (28 page)

As Adagio listens to the words of the song, they stir his
very soul. To have her singing to him is indescribable, and it
touches him deeply. He can hear her love in every word and
feels blessed to have her as his wife. The last line, “
Just a touch of
yours, and I fly,
” actually describes perfectly how Cisely's touch
affects
him
.

When Cisely is finished, she moves into Adagio’s waiting
arms. “Happy Birthday,” she says once more before pressing a
kiss to his lips.

“Thank you,
amore
,” he breathes. Holding her tightly, he
passionately ravages her mouth for another moment before
drawing back slightly and pressing a hand to her cheek. “I have
never received such a wonderful present. And nothing makes
me happier than listening to you sing.”

“I love singing for you.” She picks up the small wrapped
box sitting on the piano and hands it to him.
“Another present?”
“It goes with the song.”
Opening the box, he looks at her in wonder. “Is this what
I think it is?” She nods and he hugs her. “I cannot believe it!”
he says, taking the mini compact disc from the box.
Cisely had asked one of their friends to come over one
day when she knew Adagio would be gone for a while and had
him record her singing the song she’d just performed for him,
as well as a few others to listen to whenever he wanted.
“I will treasure this always.”
They enjoy the meal Cisely spent the afternoon preparing.
To Adagio, she has always been a pretty good cook, but since
moving to Italy, her skills are even better. He spends a great
deal of
time
teaching
her
how
to
prepare
Italian
meals,
including helping her brush up on what he’d taught her in
Utah. She has managed to master quite a few Italian dishes.

Later, Anna drops Ingo off and I thank her for helping
out. She wishes Adagio a happy birthday and gives him a
present before leaving. He laughs as he opens the box, pulling
out a colorful chef’s apron that is perfect for him.

After I nurse Ingo and get him settled, Adagio blows out
the candles in the living room and helps me take the leftover
food to the kitchen.

“Thank you for a wonderful birthday.” He pulls me close.
"I will never forget it.”
“You’re welcome. I wanted to make it memorable for
you.”
“Well,
you
definitely
did.
And I can't
believe
you
recorded a CD for me. How did you manage it?
I grin slyly. “Oh, I have my ways.”
“Since when did you become so sneaky?”
“Mmmm, it's a recent development.” I kiss the corner of
his mouth. “But it was worth it. You deserve this and much
more.”
Closing his eyes, he touches his forehead to mine. “I have
everything I could ever want. Thank you, baby.”
We spend the rest of the evening tangled up in one
another
while
the
disc
I recorded plays
softly
in
the
background.

I lay awake for a while, pondering the evening. My plan
was a success and I am grateful. Anything I can do for Adagio
is worth it, especially since he has to deal with so much of my
emotional baggage. He is always a comfort to me and never
complains when my nightmares interrupt his sleep. He simply
holds me and tells me everything will be all right. He is a
patient man and nothing I do for him is ever too much.

Asheville, North Carolina
Across the ocean in a government housing complex,
Alton Matthews sits at the kitchen table in the one bedroom
apartment he moved into last week, taking the pills prescribed
by a doctor at the health department. He grimaces as he
swallows them, but not because the pills are hard to get down.
His
painful expression
is
the
product
of
a
sudden
long
reflection on his life and the choices that find him in this
situation.
He has hurt many, many people, causing irreparable
damage that he can never take back. He has done things in his
life that will surely see him in hell, the worst of his acts being so
unspeakable, he can barely think about it. It was horrid and
unforgivable.
Now he is suffering for it.
Leaning back in the chair, he closes his eyes. He had
known he was sick for some time. For years, actually. He'd tried
to ignore it and numb himself by drinking more, but it finally
became too much, and he found himself waking up in the
emergency room one night. Hearing the prognosis shattered
something inside him. It was as if he'd awakened to every sin,
ever misdeed, every evil, hateful, cruel and sadistic act he'd ever
committed.
Psychologists would say he is a product of his upbringing,
and because he was raised in an abusive home it was inevitable
that he would be an abuser himself. The world would say he
can't
help
the
way
he
is–that
because
of
lack
of
proper
counseling and help, he can't be blamed for his acts. They
would allow him to skate through life, taking no responsibility
for his actions because it is not his fault that he turned out the
way he has. None of it is his fault.
But he knows the truth.
He
made the choice to abuse, to
defile, to permanently alter lives. There is no escaping that.
Only now, when his body is broken and his health is
failing, does he truly understand.
Those acts are costing him dearly.

The months have quickly passed and Christmas is fast
approaching. I am especially excited because we will be having
a guest. Jessica is coming to spend the holidays with us.

I thoroughly enjoy decorating the house with Adagio. I've
been feeling a little under the weather, but I still manage to get
out and get the Christmas shopping done and do some of the
baking. When I am too sick to get out of bed one morning,
Adagio is worried. I just smile and assure him I'm fine. I am
actually better than fine because I already have an idea of why
I'm sick. In fact, I purchased a pregnancy test yesterday.

I stare at the positive result through misty eyes, knowing
Adagio will be overjoyed. Opening the bathroom door, I find
him sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting patiently and I smile
through the nausea. “Merry Christmas, my love, we are going
to have a baby.”

His smile is wide as he draws me to him, holding me
close. “This is wonderful!”
“I think so too. I've wanted this so much.”
“So have I.” He caresses my cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” A wave of nausea rolls through me and
I need to lie down.
Adagio helps me back into bed, pulling the covers over
me. “Just rest for a while. Can I get you anything?”
“Maybe a croissant and some juice, if you don’t mind.”
“All right, and don't worry about Ingo. I will take care of
him.”
“Thank you, Adagio.”
“You are welcome,
amore
.” He bends to kiss me before
leaving to get my breakfast.

After taking the croissant and juice up to Cisely, Adagio
heats a bottle of the breast milk Cisely had stored in the freezer
to feed Ingo. Pouring some rice cereal in a bowl, he mixes in
some of the milk, then puts a clean bib on the squirming little
boy and gets him settled in his chair. As Adagio feeds their son,
now six months old, he can’t stop smiling. The thought of
becoming a father for the second time brings him a happiness
that cannot be put into words. Only this time is different.
Though he loves little Ingo with all his heart, this baby will be a
product of the love he and Cisely share, and he can’t ask for a
more wonderful gift for Christmas.

Having been an only child himself, Adagio remembers
how lonely he sometimes felt growing up, and he'd always held
to the dream of one day marrying and having a large family of
his own. Gazing into the face of the precious little boy he is
already blessed with, he believes he is off to a good start.

When the two loves of my life enter the room, I smile.
I'm feeling a little better having eaten something and I am able
to sit up without feeling too bad. Adagio places Ingo on the
bed and sits down, reaching for my hand.

“How are you?”
“I’m better.” For days I have suspected I might be
pregnant, but I dared not hope because I wanted it so badly.
And though I know it is going to be a challenge taking care of
two children so close together, I am ready for it. I love little
Ingo more than I can say, and having Adagio’s child will only
add to my happiness because it will be a part of him.
“I think I’m okay enough to take a shower and get some
things done this morning.”
“Are you sure? I can take care of things for you.”
“I’m sure,” I say, leaning forward to kiss him. “I’ve done
this before, remember?”
“I remember,” he says, touching my face. “But I am here
and willing to do anything I can to make things easier for you.”
“I know.” I urge him closer. “And I love you for always
thinking of me, but I can’t stay in bed all day. I have to get
going.”
“All right, but if you need me, I’ll be here.”
I kiss him again. “Are you really okay with this?”
“I am, Cisely,” he answers, brushing his lips against my
temple. “You have given me a wonderful gift.”