The Legacy (54 page)

“You’re right.” She smiles, giving his hand a squeeze. To
Mali, Phillip seems so much older than twelve. Sometimes he's
like an adult trapped in a young boy’s body. And he always has
a way of making her feel important, like she really matters. “I
will apologize to Mom the next time I talk to her,” she finally
says.

After spending another few minutes at the park, they
pack up and head home, taking their time, keeping lively
conversation going. Talking with Phillip is Mali's favorite thing
to do. When they are together, everything seems better.

They are about to enter the house when Adagio opens
the door and smiles. “Another fun afternoon, I take it,” he says
as Mali laughs at something Phillip just said.

Mali heads to the kitchen to wash the empty containers
their lunch had been packed in.
“Well, hello there,” Cisely says, standing at the stove,
stirring the sauce she is preparing for dinner.”
“Hi, Aunt Cisely. Thanks again for fixing lunch for us.”
“You’re very welcome.” Covering the pan, Cisely walks
over to the sink and puts an arm around Mali’s shoulders. “Are
you still enjoying yourself?”
“Definitely. I told Phillip I can’t remember ever having so
much fun. This is the best summer I’ve ever had.”
“Good. We’ll have to have you back next year, if you
would like to come.”
“I would,” Mali says eagerly. “It would be great!”
“I think so, too. I’ll talk to your mom about it in a couple
of months. Maybe we could even get her to come next time.”
“I hope so. I think Mom would really like it here.” Her
expression is suddenly sad.
“What is it?” Cisely asks, squeezing her shoulder.
Mali turns away as guilt over her father leaving fills her
heart. It resurfaces whenever she thinks of her mother being
home alone. She wishes she could make things the way they
once were, that she could take back the things that were said
between herself and her father. If she had only kept her mouth
shut, her parents would still be together. But there is really
nothing she can do now to change any of it.
“Mali,” Cisely presses. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she answers, forcing a smile. “Do you think
we
could go
shopping
tomorrow?
I would like
to
find
something special for Mom.”
“I think we could manage that. I never turn down an
opportunity to go shopping.”
“Neither does my mom,” Mali says with a smile that isn’t
forced.
“We’ll make it a girl’s day and have lunch out. How does
that sound?”
“It sounds like a lot of fun.”
“All right. Why don’t you go and make a list of some
things she might like and I’ll let Adagio know our plans.”
“Okay.” She takes a few steps, then turns back and hugs
Cisely. “Thank you, Aunt Cisely.”
Smiling, Cisely returns her embrace. “You’re welcome.”
Mali grins and heads to her room.

Indulging in our evening ritual, Adagio and I sit on the
veranda,
watching
the
sunset
while
I share
my
plans
for
tomorrow with him.

“It sounds like you ladies are going to have a good time.”
“I hope so. Mali really needs this. I think she’s been
pretty happy here, but I can still tell when the memories get her
down. I hope she can soon heal enough to deal with her
parent’s divorce and move on.”

“She will,
amore
. She is still young and it will take time, but
I think eventually she will be fine.”
I smile, squeezing his hand. “I love you.”
Adagio gently pulls me from my chair onto his lap. “I
love you, too. I love that you care so much about everyone.”
I press a hand to his face, caressing his lips. “You always
give me more credit than I deserve.” Touching my lips to his, I
kiss him slowly, relishing the feel of his arms around me. Each
kiss we share conveys a thousand words and feelings. We
literally merge in every aspect of our life, and it always amazes
us both how well we seem to know each others thoughts, and
how deeply we are connected. That emotional connection
grows stronger with each bit of time that passes.
Adagio draws back slowly, looking into my eyes. “I think
we are due for some time alone.” He gently runs his fingers
down through my long ponytail. “How would you feel about
getting away for a few days after Mali leaves?”
“It sounds wonderful,” I agree. I treasure the time we are
able to spend alone together. “As a matter of fact, I had been
thinking about how much fun it would be to go back to
Tuscany. Could we go there for a few days?”
“We
can
go
anywhere
you
want.
I will make
the
arrangements tomorrow.”
“And I’ll ask Anna if the kids can stay with her family. I
know Sadie and Peter would be happy to keep them, but I’m
afraid it would be too much for her, being so far along in her
pregnancy.”
“I think you are right. Besides, they probably have their
hands full already with little Joshua, even if they won't admit
it.”
“He really is a ball of energy,” I say, thinking of Sadie and
Peter’s two year old son and the miracle he is.
After being married for three years and not being able to
conceive, Sadie had begun to give up hope of ever having a
baby. When she did finally become pregnant, she and Peter
were ecstatic. And now their new little one is due in a couple of
months.
When little Joshua was born, Peter’s mother Helen was
there to help. Sadly, during Sadie’s third month of pregnancy
with the baby she now carries, Helen passed away after a year
long battle with breast cancer. Peter and Sadie still miss her and
occasionally still struggle with her loss, but they are getting
better.
I often visit Sadie and do what I can to help when Peter is
working. When he isn’t working, he is always by his wife’s side.
Since Peter is also Sadie’s physician, she is getting the best care
possible. As far as Sadie is concerned, there isn't a better doctor
than her husband.
“I think I’ll give her a call and see how she’s doing,” I
finally say, drawn from my thoughts by Adagio.
“Mmm hmmm,” he murmurs, as his mouth thoroughly
explores my neck. Sighing, my eyes slip shut as warmth spreads
through me. I press my hands into his hair as his kisses sear a
burning path up my cheek and his lips finally capture mine. We
are lost in one another for some time before he finally draws
back slightly and his raspy voice whispers, “You can call her
later,
amore
.”
I draw him back to me, my desire matching his. “What
about the children?”
“They are playing video games. They will never miss us.”
He smiles against my mouth, then stands, taking my hand in his
and I follow.

The whole house is asleep, but I am awake. For some
strange reason I can't seem to fall asleep, and the harder I try,
the more anxious I feel. I quietly get out of bed, put on my
robe, and go downstairs.

Entering the kitchen, I walk over to the sink and flip on
the under-cupboard light. I take a small glass from the cabinet
to get a drink of water. Taking a few swallows, I set the glass in
the sink, pausing a moment to straighten a framed floral print
hanging on the wall above the sink. I stand motionless for
another moment, trying to figure out why I am so restless.
There
aren't
any
pressing
issues
or
problems
filling
my
thoughts, and for the moment, my mind is basically stress and
worry free. Normally if I can't sleep, these are some of the
reasons, but not tonight.

I move to the patio door and stare out into the night.
Sighing, I walk out onto the patio and down the steps. Standing
on the cool grass, I lift my eyes to the clear sky and gaze at the
stars, marveling at their brightness and beauty. I am continually
amazed by
God's
handiwork
and the
many
undisputed
evidences of His existence.

Keeping my face raised toward the heavens, I close my
eyes and relish the soft breeze gently lifting my hair. Taking in
the sensation, I imagine Adagio's gentle hands caressing my
hair because it feels so similar. Even in nature I am connected
to him. He is the very air I breathe, the life force that keeps me
going. Wrapping my arms around my middle, I try to calm the
sudden
rush
of
emotion
entering
me
as
thoughts
of
my
husband fill my mind. At once, various memories of our life
together slowly consume my every sense. Warm tears fill my
eyes and roll down my face as I relive treasured moments, and
I'm again awed by the life I have been given.

Staring up at the moon, memories the drive Adagio and I
took last week through the Dolomite mountains fill my mind.
We stopped in a few of the small country villages to shop, then
had a picnic in a secluded area. We spent those peaceful
moments eating calzone and cheesecake, and talking about our
children. The rest were spent in each other's arms. Oh, how I
love being in his arms!

Brushing the tears away, I wonder where this strong bout
of emotion is coming from, and why it is hitting me at this time
of night. Lightly pressing a hand over my heart, another feeling
hits
me,
almost
as
if
I'm experiencing
some
sort
of
premonition.
There's another storm coming
, my mind whispers. The
thought isn't as disturbing as it has been before. We have been
through many trials and have always handled them together.
The feeling does however, bring about a sudden need to be
with my husband. Closing my eyes once more, I breathe the
night air in deeply.

When Adagio had awakened and found Cisely gone, he
immediately went in search of her. Now, as he watches her
standing barefoot in the grass, the silky white gown billowing
around her slender form, her auburn hair shimmering in the
moonlight, it is as if he's stumbled across an angel. He opens
his mouth to ask her if she is all right, but the look in her eyes
stops him.