The Legacy

by ADAMS, J.

  “Later,” I breathe.

  “I’ll hold you to that,” he says with a smile that instantly thaws my frozen hands.

  I sigh, taking another bottle of pop from the fridge. “So, did you find the children?”

  “Yes, and they are all behaving themselves.” He empties the ice into a large pitcher on the counter, then leans back against the counter, folding his arms. “I just witnessed something amazing. Well, I did not actually see it, but I heard it.”

  “Oh? What was it?” I turn and give him my full attention.

  “Well, Phillip and Mali were sitting on the front porch visiting.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Mali was expressing her feelings about her father. She is very angry with him. And apparently she blames herself for his absence. She thinks it's her fault that Paul left.”

  “Oh, that poor girl! Why would she think such a thing?”

  “I don't know, amore. But I could hear the anger and hurt in her voice. Phillip did his best to comfort her. I was very proud of him. He reminded her that not only does her mother love her, but God loves her as well.”

  I'm surprised. “Really? Our Phillip?”

  “Our Phillip,” he says, smiling.

  “Do you think it made a difference?”

  “I think it did. It definitely did to me. Our son will be a great man one day.”

  I smile. “He’s always been very perceptive to the feelings of others. He takes after you in that and many other ways. He is going to make someone a wonderful husband one day. After all, he is learning from the best.”

  Adagio grins, kissing my cheek. “Thank you, amore.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “What else can I help you with?”

  I scan the kitchen counters. “All that’s left to take out are the two trays of vegetables.”

  “I think I can handle those.” Adagio heaves an arrogant sigh, flexing his muscles a little.

  I chuckle. “I’m sure you can, but let me know if you need help. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

  Feigning indignation, he reaches for the larger platter and walks by me, pretending to trip and lose his grip, making my heart jump. He laughs and I swat at him with a dish towel as he heads out the door. I shake my head and laugh. How I love that man!

  Later in the evening, I finish the last of the packing. I'm actually able to fit all the extra things we are taking back home into our suitcase. It seems no matter where we go, we always manage to take back twice as much stuff as we bring with us. I suppose it always helps to pack light in the first place.

  Having that taken care of, I slowly wander through the large house, taking in every detail, letting the memories wash over me. Looking back, I could never have guessed how coming to stay with Jessica would change the course of my life. Thinking on all that has happened, I can hardly take it in at times.

  Sitting on a wooden bench in the hallway, my mind drifts back as it has so many times before, to the dream I had before coming to Utah the first time I'm still amazed at how similar the things that Adagio's mother told him were to the things spoken by our son in my dream. Just as I was told that I would face times of sorrow before receiving blessings beyond measure, Adagio had been told literally the same thing pertaining to his own life by his mother. Looking back over the years, I can see that those things have come to pass several times over. Even still, the trials have been few, and the joys definitely outweigh the sorrows. I wouldn't trade any of the experiences I've had because they each had a part in shaping my life.

  My eyes move to a framed picture of Adagio and me. It sits on a small table by the bench. We'd had it taken when we came back for a visit last year. There is also a copy of it in Italy in our bedroom. I lightly run my fingers across the glass, my eyes fixed on my husband's face. I can't help smiling as ponder all we've gone through together and how our marriage came to be. Our love is as constant as the day is long, and I know it will always be, because the love we share is a rare one. It is a gift. Of this, I am certain.

  Leaning back, I close my eyes and let my thoughts once again drift back to the morning after our wedding. I stood looking through the balcony door of our suite, wrapped in a long, thick bathrobe. I was still reeling over the fact that I was Adagio's wife, and the happiness enfolding me was indescribable. As I gazed out at the large buildings scattered all over downtown, I was freshly amazed at the course my life had taken. It's almost as if I had lived multiple lives. The life I lived before coming to Salt Lake had in part consisted of terrible choices, which brought both pain and misery. The life I'd lived since moving here had been full of joy, then grief unlike anything I had ever experienced.

  Then Adagio claimed my heart and now a new life had begun. Though I was moving away, I would always love this city, and I am sure Adagio probably loved it just as much. It would forever be a special place for us because it was here that we had both lost someone we loved very much. I lost a husband, he lost a best friend and brother, and subsequently we found an even greater love in each other.

  Turning my head to the side, my eyes slipped shut as Adagio pressed a warm kiss to my ear and softly said, “I feel like a new man with you, amore. You have totally changed my life.” He sighed, tightening his embrace a little. “Being with you like this feels like home, like this is where I was always meant to be.”

  Turning in his arms, I looked into his eyes, pressing a hand to his face. “I feel the same.” I was thoughtful for a moment. “You know, the first time you held me in your arms and kissed me, it was as if everything made sense, like the pieces of my life suddenly fit. It was an amazing feeling.”

  Pressing his lips lightly to mine, he whispered, “Our love is amazing. And our life together will be as well.” He released a breathy sigh before fully claiming my mouth with his.

  As my thoughts return to the present, I am again grateful for my life. I have the love of a good man, and I have my children. I can't ask for anything more. And I know that no matter what trials come in the future, we will continue to make it through them. We will face them and survive. Of this also, I have no doubt.

  “What are you doing, amore?” Adagio's loving voice breaks through my pondering.

  I look up and smile. He is standing before me barefoot with his hands in his pockets. I silently let my gaze roam over him a moment, admiring the way the jeans and t-shirt fit his lean, muscular form. Other than the graying at his temples and the length of his hair, he hasn't changed.

  “Just remembering,” I finally answer.

  Sitting next to me on the bench, he draws me into his arms. I hold one of his strong hands in mine and relax in his warm embrace. His lips graze my brow. “Good memories I hope.”

  “Very good memories. This house and city are filled with them.”

  “It is always nice to come back.”

  “It is,” I agree. Closing my eyes, I snuggle deeper in his embrace. “But it will be good to get back home.”

  He sighs, resting his head against mine. “I miss home as well.”

  “Well, everything is packed, except for what we will need in the morning.”

  “I am guessing the suitcases are probably bursting at the seams.”

  “Just about. But at least I didn't have to sit on them this time. That's progress, isn't it?”

  “That is progress,” he agrees with a tired chuckle. “I think I will turn in now. Are you coming?”

  “I'll be there in a moment, okay?”

  “Okay.” He kisses me, then stands and stretches.

  As I watch him walked away, I am again full of gratitude for his love. We share the same life force and are connected in a way that can never be explained. And I don't know where I would be without him.

  Standing in front of the open bedroom window, Adagio stares up at the stars in the night sky and waits for Cisely. As always, he has enjoyed their time in Utah, but he really is looking forward to returning home. He reflects on their decision to have Mali come and stay with t
hem for a month and feels sure they made the right choice.

  He hates to admit it, but deep down, a part of him is angry at Paul for what he has put his family through. Adagio and Paul have never been as close as Cisely and Wendy are, but they had been friends. Adagio always enjoyed the times he and Cisely spent with Wendy and Paul in the past, and he had felt he knew Paul pretty well. Now, as he contemplates their friendship, he realizes he didn't know the man nearly as well as he'd thought. He will never be able to understand how Paul could leave his family. How could he give up a wonderful life with the people who loved him so easily? Nothing is worth that, not even another pretty face, no matter how bad things are at home. True, Adagio has never walked in anyone's shoes but his own, and he was never present in Wendy's home to know what went on in their daily lives, but he does know this: no one, and absolutely nothing will tear his family apart. He won't let it. Cisely and their children are his life. And his wife, the woman who holds his very soul in the palm of her hand, is worth everything.

  “ Siete gioia della mia anima, amore. You are my soul's joy,” he whispers into the breeze softly blowing through the window. “My soul's delight.”

  “And you are mine,” Cisely whispers behind him. Adagio slowly turns and she smiles at him, and he is completely warmed by the love he sees in her eyes. “Ti amo,” she whispers, opening her arms.

  “Ti amo,” he breathes, moving into her embrace.

  Eighty-eight

  Treviso, Italy Do you two have everything you need?” I ask, straightening the back of Phillip’s collar.

  Phillip checks his backpack once more. “I’ve got the water, sandwiches, and cookies.”

  “And I have the cups, napkins, and apples,” Mali says, closing her bag.

  “Then I guess we’re ready.” Phillip puts his arms through the straps of his backpack.

  Following them to the door, I smile and wave as the two leave for their outing. It seems a picnic in the park every few days has become Phillip and Mali’s favorite past-time.

  Mali has been in Italy for two weeks now and I can already see marked changes in her. She is thriving in her new surroundings, and being away from the crowd she hung around at home has made a definite difference. The young girl’s countenance has softened, making her even more lovely. And the smile that now graces her face after being unhappy for so long warms my heart.

  I call Wendy regularly to keep her updated on her daughter. The few times Wendy has talked to Mali, she can tell how much her daughter has changed just by listening to her voice. I know Wendy misses Mali, but having her in Italy with our family has been worth the heartache. Mali needed this change. She needed to be away from the problems she’d had to face daily. And she needed to think about something else besides her father.

  We hope that Mali being here will somehow help her shed the unnecessary guilt she's carried around since the divorce. She has never said anything, but I can sense her feelings of guilt, I just have no idea why. As I watch her blossoming more and more each day, I hope the young girl will continue on the path of healing. Having faced my own set of trials growing up, I understand how traumatizing life can be for a twelve-year-old, especially one dealing with an unstable home life.

  “Where are you, amore?” Adagio approaches me from behind and wraps his arms around my waist.

  “I was just thinking about Mali. I was also thinking of how blessed our children are to have both their parents. There are so many kids out there in the world facing the same trial Mali is.”

  “It is a sad situation. She seems to be doing a little better now.”

  “She is,” I agree. “I'm so glad she came here. I think it has helped her more than she realizes.” I reach back and press a hand to his face. “I want our children to always feel secure, to know that regardless of what happens in our lives, nothing will ever tear our family apart.” Closing my eyes, I soak in his closeness. “They need to know that.”

  “They will,” he says with a husky sigh, pressing a kiss to my ear. He tightens his embrace gently. “I promise you, angel, they will.” He holds me for another moment before drawing back and taking my hand. “Come with me.”

  “All right.” I let him lead me upstairs.

  When they enter their bedroom, Adagio pulls Cisely across the room to face the large, gold framed family photo hanging over the fireplace in the sitting area. He moves behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Pressing his cheek against hers, he says, “Each and every time I look at this picture, I am freshly reminded of my goal, and that goal is forever, amore.” He points to the picture. “This is everything to me, Cisely. Everything. Nothing with ever stand between me and my family. Nothing but death will ever separate us, and I hope that will not be until we are old and gray. And even then, I hope the separation will not be very long. I mean, I know realistically, I will probably go before you, being almost ten years older, but the separation would still be hard. It is hard to even think about.” He presses his face into her hair, inhaling deeply the floral fragrance of her shampoo. “I need to be with you too much.”

  Closing my eyes, I absorb my husband's words, my heart taking hold of the promise in them. “I think God knows we wouldn't be able to stand being apart. He knows I would be lost without you.”

  “And I would be lost without you as well.” He tightens his embrace, and pressing his lips to my ear whispers, “You are mine forever, baby. It is what I want more than anything. It always has been and it will never change.”

  Turning in his arms, I echo his sentiments. He kisses me then, and all other thoughts are abandoned as I am swept away in the security of his arms and the safety of his love.

  Phillip and Mali sit underneath an iron gazebo in the park, eating their lunch, watching people come and go. The sky is a brilliant blue and the warm weather is the perfect temperature. A slight breeze fans their faces, rustling the leaves on the trees. They couldn't have picked a more wonderful day for a picnic.

  “I can’t believe I’ve been here for two weeks already,” Mali says, brushing her hair back from her face.

  “Neither can I. Time is passing pretty quickly.” Phillip

  pauses, smiling. “You are having a good time, aren't you?” She smiles back. “Oh, yeah. I can’t remember ever having

  so much fun. And I really love visiting Venice and going on the

  gondola rides.”

  “So do I.”

  “I think by the time I go back home, I will know lots of

  Italian.”

  “I bet you will, too,” Phillip agrees, not wanting to think

  about her going home just yet.

  In the two weeks Mali has been in Italy, she and Phillip

  have grown very close. They share a love for both reading and

  food, as well as music and dancing. Mali occasionally spends

  time with the rest of Phillip's siblings and they have become

  good friends, but there is a special bond between her and

  Phillip, a connection that is unexplainable.

  Every now and then, Phillip can sense when Mali’s

  thoughts are on her father, and at those times the sadness

  inevitably returns. He is perceptive to her feelings and within

  minutes, he usually has her smiling again and thinking about

  happier things. Mali told Phillip she has never had a friend like him before. And until Mali, Phillip never had anyone he could truly call a friend besides his brothers, his sister, and his parents. For this reason, he hates the thought of her leaving.

  He will miss her more than he can say.

  When the two finish their lunch, they take a walk through

  the park. After a few minutes, they stop, pull some bread from

  Phillip’s backpack and feed the pigeons. This is another one of

  their favorite things to do.

  “So, are you excited about going back to school?” Phillip

  asks, breaking another slice of bread into small pieces. “N
ot really.”

  When Mali says nothing more, he asks, “Why? Do you

  not like school?”

  “I like it okay, I guess. But I would love to have tutors at

  home like you guys.”

  “I'll admit I love it too. It is the only thing we have ever

  known. But what about your teachers?” The sudden darkening

  of her eyes catches him off guard. “What is it?” he asks,

  touching her arm.

  “Nothing.” She shakes her head slightly. “I will have new

  teachers this year, so everything should be fine.”

  “What was wrong with the ones last year?”

  “Nothing,” she says, dropping her eyes to the grass. Deciding not to press the issue, he changes the subject.

  “Mama and Papa have decided to throw a barbecue for you this

  weekend.” He smiles when a wide grin lights her face. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Your mom and dad are so cool!”

  “They are. I'm pretty lucky.” As Mali's head lowers,

  Phillip lifts her chin with his finger, adding, “So are you. You

  have a great mom.”

  “I know. And I feel really bad about the way I treated her

  before.”

  “I think she knew you were having a hard time.” “I know. But I still should have been nicer.”

  Phillip squeezes her hand trying to offer what comfort he

  can. “You can tell her that when you get home. And tell her

  you love her. Since you can’t change the past, all you can do is

  start now.”

  “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.