The Legacy

by ADAMS, J.

  Having taped the boxes shut, I take them downstairs to put them in the back seat of my car. Adagio returns just as I am taking the first one out.

  “Let me get that for you, amore,” he says, taking the box from me. “Thanks. I wasn’t going to take them to the church until later, but I just wanted to get them loaded ahead of time.” I smile. “You know me.”

  “Yes, I know you. You are the most organized person I know.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that, but I do like to get things done.”

  “Well, thank you for always being one step ahead of me.”

  “Anytime.” He snorts and kisses me. I am about to follow him out with the second box when the phone rings.

  “You go ahead and get it,” he says, “and I will come back for that one.”

  “Thank you.” I put the box down and head back into the foyer to answer the phone.

  Fifty-two

  Ciao, Cisely. It’s Velma.” “ Ciao!” I am both surprised and delighted to hear from my cousin. “How are you?”

  “I’m doing great!”

  Picking up on the excitement in her voice, I'm instantly curious. “You sound like you’re doing better than great. What’s happening?”

  “Well, that’s the reason I called. I could let you try and guess, but I’m too excited for that.”

  “I can definitely tell. So what’s up?”

  “I’m getting married!”

  “Really? I can’t believe it! Congratulations, Velma! I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks. I’m so excited I can’t sit still. I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.”

  “I can hear it in your voice. He must be a great guy.”

  “Oh, he’s the best.”

  “Well, tell me about him.”

  Velma sighs softly. “His name is Ted Wright and girl, he is definitely Mr. Right.”

  Shaking my head, I chuckle at the pun.

  “I met him during my nanny job in Florida. We were having lunch in the same restaurant and were sitting across from each other. After five minutes of staring and smiling at one another, he came over, introduced himself and asked me to join him. He was there on vacation for a couple of weeks. We had a great time and went out a few times after that. Then he went back to New York. I liked him a lot, and I never expected to see him again, but I've thought about him over the years. Then three months ago I ran into him at a motivational seminar downtown. Can you believe it? He was visiting a friend here and suddenly there we were, face to face.”

  “It looks like you two were destined to be together. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Oh, Cisely, I can’t wait for you and Adagio to meet him. I know you’ll love him.”

  “I’m sure we will, but of course, not as much as you do.”

  Velma laughs. “Nobody will love him as much as I do. But I guess you feel that way about your husband, too.”

  I sigh dreamily. “Every second of the day and every day of forever.”

  “That definitely sounds like celestial love to me. Oh, by the way, I have two questions for you.”

  “Ask away.”

  “I would love it if you and Adagio could come to the wedding. And if you can, I was wondering if you would be my maid of honor.”

  “I'm honored that you asked me. We would be delighted to come and I would absolutely love to be your maid of honor.”

  “Thank you so much, Cisely. You’re the only person I wanted to ask. You have been such an example to me. I appreciate all the support you’ve given me through the years.”

  Her words make me a little teary. I treasure the good relationship I have with my cousin. “You're an amazing person, Velma, and I'm grateful for your support as well. Thank you for inviting us and for always thinking of me.”

  “You’re welcome. Now we come to question number two.”

  “Okay, shoot.”

  “Well . . . I know it’s a lot to ask, but . . . would you perform at my reception? It would mean so much to me if you would.”

  “I would love to,” I answer, flattered that she asked.

  “Thank you!” Now I know it will be a wonderful reception. You are definitely the most talented person I know.”

  “Oh, I doubt that, but thank you for the compliment anyway.”

  “I’m just speaking the truth. The wedding will be three weeks from tomorrow. Will that be enough time for you to prepare and get arrangements made?”

  “That should be plenty. We all have valid passports and the boys' tutor isn't scheduled to come for another couple of months, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Thank you so much for doing this for me, Cisely.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m just so excited for you.”

  “Me too. Are you sure all of this will be okay with Adagio?”

  “I know it will. And he will be just as happy for you as I am. There’s no way we would miss this.” I smile as Adagio’s arms encircle me.

  “Happy about what, amore?” he whispers against my ear.

  “It’s Velma. She’s getting married.”

  “Congratulations, Velma!” he says.

  She laughs. “Tell him I said thanks.”

  “I will. We’ll call you back as soon as we get the arrangements made.”

  “I look forward to hearing from you. And Cisely?”

  “Mmm hmm?”

  “You’re the best.”

  “The feeling’s mutual. Ciao.”

  I hang up and turn in Adagio’s embrace. “I can’t believe she is really getting married,” I say, slowly caressing his arms, feeling the solid muscles through his shirt.

  “I think it is wonderful she has found someone. She is a special lady. I think she has some of your strength.”

  “Sometimes I don’t feel very strong, but I try.” I caress his face. “The wedding is three weeks from tomorrow. She invited us and asked me to be her maid of honor.”

  “That's great. You mean more to her than you know. It is good that you two have each other.”

  I nod, pondering the truthfulness of his words. Thinking back on the next to nonexistent relationship we had when we were younger, I never could have guessed she and I would be so close now. “She means a lot to me too and I feel pretty honored. She also asked me to perform the music at the reception.”

  Adagio's smile widens. “Even better. You know how much I love hearing you sing.”

  “I know. And I love singing for you.”

  When he draws me even closer, I press my face in the hollow of his neck, breathing in his cologne. The masculine scent is intoxicating and always fills my senses with nothing but him. Of course, just being with him has the same effect. “We should be able to get everything arranged in time, shouldn’t we?”

  “If I start right now.”

  He tightens his embrace. I never tire of being in his arms. “Well, maybe you’d better get going.” Drawing back a little, I give him a coy smile. “I’ll save your place.”

  He presses a light kiss to my lips. “You promise?”

  Drawing his head down, I whisper, “I promise.”

  Fifty-three

  After dinner is done and everything is put away, I make myself comfortable on the veranda and gaze out across the land. This is my favorite place to sit and ponder things. There is a slight breeze in the air. It carries the scent of the rose bushes I planted a few years ago that are now in bloom. How well I remember undertaking the project. It was the first time in my life I’d ever planted anything, and the feeling of satisfaction I felt after accomplishing the task was priceless.

  When the roses finally began to bloom that year, I would awaken twice a week to find a single red rose in a small vase sitting on my bedside table. Adagio told me he wanted me to thoroughly enjoy the fruits of my labors. When the weather changed that year and the roses were no longer blooming, Adagio made a trip to the flower shop once a week, bought a half dozen roses and placed them by the bed every Monday. And every year since then, he has continued thi
s ritual. His love never ceases to amaze me.

  Gazing down at the roses, I again ponder my life and how far I have come. If someone had told me ten years ago that I would one day be living in Italy and married to a painfully handsome Italian man, I would have considered that person out of his or her mind. Then I probably would have offered the person a drink to help them regain their sanity, because that was how I always handled things back then. A drink and an occasional drug to go with it could cure anything. Thinking about that part of my life always makes me shudder. Back then, I never could have fathomed living such a life now.

  Sighing deeply, I gaze out at the beautifully colored sky, grateful for these times of reflection. I need to remember where I've been and how far I have come, and even though the past had been painful, I will never let myself forget. I can't, because every trial I overcame served to bring me here, sharing my life with a man I love more than life–a man I can't imagine not being with, one that I could never be without.

  I turn and smile as the object of my thoughts comes through the doors.

  “I knew I would find you out here,” Adagio says, leaning down and kissing my lips. Grabbing a chair, he pulls it close to mine, then takes my hand.

  “You know, I think Italy has the most beautiful sunsets in the world,” I tell him. “I know I haven’t been all over the world, but I still think so anyway.”

  “I think you are probably right. However, any sunset I get to look at with you is beautiful.”

  I smile, squeezing his hand. “Thank you, my love. You know, you should be a poet. You always say just the right things. I could see you doing greeting cards.”

  “Sure,” he says with a chuckle. “Whatever you say, amore. If I say the right things, it is only because you bring out the romantic in me. Besides, my words of love are reserved for you and you alone.”

  “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  Adagio gently pulls Cisely from her chair onto his lap. Holding her close, he closes his eyes, resting his forehead against her chin. He never tires of being near her, never tires of touching her. He sometimes feels like he was born to love her, the feelings are so strong. Breathing deeply, he inhales the soft scent of her perfume.

  There are no words to describe Adagio's feelings for his wife. She has become a part of him, a part of his very soul. So much so that whenever he is away from her for one thing or another, he literally feels like he is missing a part of himself.

  Adagio's thoughts shift to Ingo. He still misses his friend, even after all this time. He will always miss him. But would he change anything if he had the power to go back?

  No, he wouldn't.

  Not if it meant he wouldn't have Cisely.

  It had been Ingo's time to go, and things worked out the

  way they were supposed to. Adagio knows he shouldn't, but sometimes he wonders if the love he and Cisely feel for one another ever pales in comparison to what she and Ingo shared. He briefly wonders who she loves more. If Ingo were still alive . . .

  He quickly steers his mind away from the 'what if' thoughts. None of it matters. Cisely is his wife now. She's his.

  Cisely’s silky voice draws him from his thoughts. “I’m really looking forward to the wedding.”

  “I am as well. Velma deserves to be happy.”

  “She is definitely reaping the blessings. I’ve never heard her sound so alive. I could hear in her voice how much she loves him.”

  “Well, he must be a great guy. I look forward to meeting him.”

  “Me, too.” She places her hand on his cheek, letting her fingers travel over the soft stubble covering his jaw. “If he is even half as wonderful and amazing as you are, she’s got it made.”

  “Now who should be writing greeting cards?”

  “I was just returning the earlier compliment.”

  “Thank you, amore.”

  “You're welcome. And speaking of cards, we should go shopping this week for one, and wedding gifts.”

  “We can go any time you want.”

  “Maybe I’ll even pick up a couple of new outfits for the trip. Would you mind?”

  “You don't even need to ask. Buy anything you want. Do you need a dress for the reception too?”

  “No, she’s having them made.”

  “Well, I hope she doesn't have them made too pretty,” he says with a sigh.

  “Why do you say that?”

  Smiling slyly, he answers, “Because we wouldn't want you to outshine the bride. Then again, it really doesn't matter what you wear, because you won't be able to help it.”

  She grins, kissing him. “You really are amazing, you know that?”

  “So are you, angel.”

  They sit for a few moments longer, watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon and Adagio ponders his earlier comment. Holding his wife in his arms, the sunset truly is more beautiful because he is watching it with her. Her presence always enhances his enjoyment of even the simplest things.

  Fifty-four

  Adagio and Cisely spend some time with Ingo and Phillip before getting them ready for bed. After stories are read and they are settled for the night, Adagio heads over to the restaurant for a few moments to speak with the manager on duty about their upcoming trip. His staff is very capable of handling things without him and he usually never worries about anything when he and Cisely need to leave.

  As Adagio sits behind the desk in his office, he can’t help speculating a little about their upcoming trip back to the states. He had taken the family to North Carolina for a vacation a couple of years ago and they visited with Velma while they were there. During the weeks of preparation for that trip, he’d kept the hope that maybe Cisely’s family’s hearts had softened and he would finally get to know them, but his hope had been futile, just as hers had been. He couldn’t believe how they shunned her, despite her efforts to reach out to them. It angered him to see her hurt, and watching her strive to make peace with her family had been very painful. Not only would they not talk to her, they wouldn’t even acknowledge her presence. He just couldn’t understand how a family could be so cruel and heartless.

  Remembering the sadness that filled Cisely’s countenance when she could make no progress with them causes his heart to ache for her all over again. Adagio has always thought it a little sad that he doesn’t have family living himself, but having family members who don’t even want to associate with you is much worse. He hated to see his wife in pain, and though she put on a brave front while they were there and tried to hide it, she couldn’t hide it from him and it broke his heart.

  Maybe things will be different this time, he hopes silently. Miracles do still happen.

  Thinking about Cisely produces a sudden strong need to be with her. He quickly finishes up and heads back.

  I am sitting at the piano playing a soft ballad when Adagio returns. He takes a seat next to me on the bench and watches my fingers as I play. After finishing the tune, I ask, “Did you get things taken care of?”

  “I did. And I am sure everything will be fine. I think they are used to our little trips by now.”

  “I'll have to find something else unique to bring back for those guys.”

  Adagio chuckles. “You mean, more unique than those cans of potted possum you brought them the last time we went.”

  I snort. “They were pretty surprised, weren't they?”

  “Surprised is an understatement. The reactions varied from Sam's 'Awesome!'” words of 'Hmmm, interesting,' to Alonzo's

  “I know. I'll definitely have to think of something good to top that.”

  “I am sure you will come up with something.” He presses his hand to my face, brushing my hair back, exposing my neck to his soft caress. “So, did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?”

  I smile shyly because he asks me this frequently, and it never fails to remind me of how lucky I am to have him. “Yes, but if you want to tell me again, it’s okay.”

  He leans closer, softly brushing his lips against m
ine. “Sei bella, baby, and I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Drawing me closer, our mouths merge as we drink in the flavor of one another, our instant passion and longing for each other growing steadily. After a few minutes of drowning in his heated kisses, I finally pull back a little and read the burning desire that is almost always present in his emerald eyes. He lifts me in his arms and I continue to kiss him as we make our way up the stairs to our bedroom. As soon as the door is closed, we let passion have its way.

  Afterward, I lay with my head against Adagio’s chest, looking into his eyes. For me, the intimacy we share is always indescribable, the emotional intensity never fading.

  He caresses my face softly and smiles. “I told you on our wedding day I would never tire of making love to you. I still feel that way.”

  I touch his lips, sighing dreamily. “So do I.” Looking at him quietly for a few moments, I marvel at the emotions churning inside me. Even after all this time, they still feel new. Everything inside me desperately wishes I could tell him how completely I love him, how the strength of it burns within me, but I again come to the conclusion that there are no words to describe my feelings. No words are good enough. I continue to stare into his eyes.

  He returns my gaze in silent adoration, and the complete love in his eyes brings tears to my own. It is almost more than I can take.

  “Promise me we will always have this. Promise me that no matter what we go through in this life, we will always have these times, these moments, and they won't ever fade.” I touch my fingers to his lips. “Promise me.”

  Adagio silently stares into my eyes for another moment, then presses his mouth to mine and kisses me with so much passion, I melt in his arms. Clinging to him, my love borders desperation. When he parts his lips from mine, the same emotion is there in his misty eyes.

  “I promise, Cisely,” he finally says, resting his forehead against mine. “We will always have this. With everything in me, I promise.”

  Fifty-five

  Asheville, North Carolina Looking across the reception hall, I watch Velma and her new husband shaking hands and hugging their guests. The two absolutely glow as they accept heartfelt congratulations from friends and loved ones. Since neither Velma nor Ted have parents present, they decide to forgo a formal receiving line and just mingle and greet everyone, and the place is full of well wishers. The hall is decorated in ivory and peach colored hues, from the floral arrangements adorning each table in the hall, to the beautiful four-tiered wedding cake. Everything is lovely and romantic.