by ADAMS, J.
Sensing her gaze, Phillip's eyes meet hers. His heart drums as Mali takes his hand. Timidly, she presses her free hand against his cheek, letting her thumb slowly caress his lips. He close his eyes, releasing a shaky breath, and marvels at the sensation of her touch.
“I love you, Phillip.” One lone tear rolls down his face. He has waited so long to hear these words from her. Taking her hand from his face, he presses a lingering kiss in her palm.
“I love you, too,” he breathes. “So much that my heart can't hold it all. I can't remember a time when I didn't love you.”
Mali smiles. “I've never been able to completely get over you, you know. I tried, but I couldn't.” She pauses, looking into his eyes. “Maybe it was because I wasn't supposed to.”
Phillip smiles back, marveling that she really does love him. Unable to wait any longer, he gently takes her face between his hands and presses his lips to hers. The second her mouth softens under his, he is lost. Trying to keep his passion in check is futile. Moving his hands from her face, he slides them down her arms and caresses her silky skin before pulling her firmly against him, his arms enfolding her as the kiss becomes heated.
As Phillip's mouth devours hers, Mali is sure she's never experienced anything so intensely right. She feels herself weakening as he continues to weave a kiss unlike any she has ever received. With this one thoroughly overpowering kiss, he has claimed her. She is all his, and he is hers.
Drawing back slightly, Phillip rests his forehead against hers, trying to slow his breathing and his racing heart. No words can describe what he feels being with her this way. He tightens his arms around her, loving the way her body molds so perfectly to his. Moving his lips to her ear, he whispers, “Marry me, Mali. Be mine forever.”
Mali smiles through the tears. “I would be honored to be your wife, Phillip.”
Smiling widely, Phillip kisses her again, his whole being brimming with joy. After another moment, he laughs.
“What is it?” Mali asks with a chuckle.
“I'm just so happy.”
“I'm happy, too,” she says, laughing. “I feel so blessed.”
“So do I.” He heaves a contented sigh, tightening his embrace and presses his face into her hair. “Mama and Papa will be thrilled. They have wanted this for us more than you know.”
Mali snuggles closer. “You're parents are so great. I'm looking forward to being a part of your family.”
“I am as well, which means we need to be married as soon as possible.”
She smiles up at him. “I agree. How's tomorrow?” she asks with a chuckle.
Phillip grins. “If I knew my mother wouldn't have my head, I would. Even tomorrow isn't soon enough.” He trails a finger down her cheek. ”But I guess we should at least give our parents the benefit of a wedding.”
“I suppose you're right,” she says, feigning disappointment.
Smiling, he softly brushes his mouth against hers. Mali wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, savoring the sweetness of his kiss. She could kiss him forever. She sighs, thinking that since they were getting married, she really will be able to kiss him forever. And other than finally giving herself to him fully, she can't think of anything more wonderful.
The next morning, Phillip and Mali share their news with Wendy and she is ecstatic. She cries and hugs them both, grateful for their happiness. She has always felt they were meant to be together and is glad her daughter finally sees it as well.
Phillip calls his parents and tells them he and Mali are engaged. Adagio and Cisely are overjoyed for their son, and they look forward to him bringing their future daughter-in-law home.
“I am very proud of you, son,” Adagio says
“Thanks, Papa. I can't tell you both how happy I am.” “You don't have to. We can hear it in your voice.” “I knew deep down she really loved you,” Cisely adds on
the other extension. “How could she not? You are your father's son, and you're as completely irresistible as he is.” Even though Phillip can't see it, he can still picture the wide grin that is surely gracing his father's face at the moment. “Well,” he says playfully, “I don't know about Papa, but I am pretty irresistible, aren't I?”
“Whatever you say, Mr. Irresistible,” his father says. Phillip chuckles. “I want to thank you both for having so much faith in me, and for helping me through this. I couldn't have done it without you. I love you both.”
Leaning my head against Adagio's shoulder, I wipe my eyes. “We love you too, honey. Very much.”
“And we can't wait to see you,” Adagio adds before our call ends. Hanging up the phone, he pulls me close. “Well, it looks like we have another wedding to look forward to.”
“I can't wait.”
“So, I guess the men will have find things to keep us busy and out of the way while you women go into a wedding planning frenzy.”
“Oh, no you don't. You're not getting out of it that easy.”
Growling under his breath, he presses his face against my neck. “That's what I was afraid of.”
I chuckle. “Oh, you know you love looking at color swatches and picking out flowers. Admit it.”
“All right. If you're going to make me.” Before I can reply, he kisses me, immediately silencing my words, and I eagerly return his affections. Drawing back slightly, he breathes, “Okay, you don't have to make me.”
“I know,” I say triumphantly, claiming his kiss once more.
Phillip takes Mali out to dinner and presents her with a beautiful engagement ring, which his father helped him pick out before he left home. When she leans over and kisses him, he forgets there is anyone else in the restaurant. Then after dinner they go dancing.
Before he takes her home, they stop by an all night diner and share a piece of cheesecake, basking in their love for each other and talking of the future. He leaves her at her door with a kiss that neither of them want to end. And as Mali waves goodbye to him through the living room window, Phillip sighs contentedly, not able to remember ever being so happy.
Ninety-eight
Excited about going to Italy with Phillip, Mali daydreams of the future. Sitting in front of her dresser brushing through her hair, she lets her thoughts flow freely, imagining her life with Phillip, picturing their children, seeing herself growing old with him. She smiles at her reflection, trying to see what Phillip sees when he looks at her.
She is adding a little more foundation to cover the scar better when the doorbell rings. Thinking Phillip has arrived early, she runs down to answer the door, a wide smile lighting her face. However, as soon as she opens the door, the smile completely disappears.
“Hello, baby.” Jake grins at her shocked expression. “Surprised to see me?” He enters uninvited. “I wouldn't exactly say that,” Mali says, annoyed by his usual brashness. Her ex-husband is the last person she wants to see and yet here he is, standing in her home. And nothing about him has changed. He is still as full of himself as ever. “What are you doing here, Jake? No, correction, what do you want?”
He chuckles. “Do I need a reason to come by?” Mali takes a deep breath, tempering her anger. “I haven't seen you since I left the courthouse after our divorce was final. Of course, you have a reason. You have an ulterior motive for everything you do. So, spill it.” His sly smile unnerves her even more. Why she married him, she'll never know. Even his beach-boy good looks have no effect on her the way they once did. Everything about him is repulsive.
“Well, I did hear about your new boyfriend. I came by to congratulate you on actually nabbing someone. Is there anything wrong with that?”
She snorts. He is so predictable it's laughable. “Well, thank you for your heartfelt good wishes. They mean about as much to me as you do.”
Shaking his head, he again chuckles softly. “Ah, Mali, baby, that's what I miss about you. You always gave it to me straight.” He demeanor sobers. “I really have missed you.”
Yeah, I'll bet you have. “What do you want?” she a
sks, all patience gone.
He shoves his hands deep into his pockets, finally coming to the point. “I want us to get back together.”
What?! “You have got to be kidding. What, are you bored with your latest conquest already?”
He looks away. “We decided it wasn't there for us anymore. Besides,” he says, reaching out, touching her hair, “I realize now how wrong I was to let you go.”
Mali recoils from his touch. “I get it,” she says acidly. “You're bored with your new toy and now you want your old one back since someone else is interested in it.” She shakes her head. “You are pathetic, you know that? Even if I weren't involved with someone else, there's no way I would ever take you back. It wouldn't be worth the heartache.”
His eyes move to the scar on her face and he smiles. “No, you are the one who is pathetic. And as far as heartache goes, I'm sure you will have your fair share soon enough. When the poor sap you've managed to get your hooks into finally stops feeling sorry for you and really takes a good look at you, you will wish you had taken my offer.”
“Like you are so great! At least I know he loves me, imperfections and all.”
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that and you might actually convince yourself. But you'll learn soon enough, and by then it will be too late. And my offer will be void.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she clenches her hands, her knuckles turning white. “Get out of my house,” she said with quiet vehemence.
Jake's smile is triumphant. “Don't worry, baby. I'm going. But you just remember what I told you. One day you'll regret not giving us another chance.” And with that, he turns and leaves.
Mali slams the door and leans against it, fighting to calm her nerves. Swallowing against the nausea rolling through her, she heads back up to her room.
Picking up the brush, she starts to run it through her hair again, then stops. She takes in her reflection, squeezing her eyes shut against the tears.
It's not true! None of it is true! she mentally chants over and over again. But as she touches her fingers to the raised line of skin on her cheek, doubt again enters her heart.
Is Phillip's love spurred by pity? She suddenly wonders how she can be sure he really loves her. Will he one day get tired of her and leave in search of someone else? Someone prettier? Someone perfect? Logically, she knows Phillip deserves her trust. He has given her no reason to doubt his love, yet distrust has become such a part of her, she wonders if she will ever be rid of it. She wants a normal life with a family of her own and a man who truly loves her. She had hoped that man was Phillip, but confusion now clouds her thoughts, replacing the hope with doubt.
Oh, why did he have to show up today? Why couldn't he have stayed away, or better yet, disappeared from off the face of the earth?
Walking over to the window, Mali watches the storm clouds slowly darken the sky. Closing her eyes, she presses her forehead against the cool glass. She hates the rain. Her hatred of rain began years ago. Each and every time storm clouds occur, she is reminded of the day Phillip almost lost his mother.
And it had been because of her.
She caused him so much pain back then, and through the years her choices hurt him even more, yet he continues to profess his love for her. How can he love her after all she has put him through?
My life is such a mess. I'm a mess!
A burst of anger fills her, and before she knows it, she is running down the stairs out into the rain. Standing in the middle of the backyard she raises her face heavenward crying, “Why is this happening? I know my life is a mess, but don't I deserve a little happiness?”
Lowering her head, she softly cries, her shoulders shaking as the cool rain mingles with her tears.
She feels so lost.
Phillip taps his hands against the steering wheel, waiting impatiently for the light to turn green. He isn't supposed to be at Mali's for another hour and had been heading to the store when the sudden feeling that she needed him made him do a uturn and head toward her house. He doesn't know what has happened, but he does know she needs him.
When he reaches Mali's house, he knocks hard on the door, his clothes drenched from the short run.
“Mali,” he calls and knocks again. Still there is no answer. Leaning over the side of the porch, he peers through the window, raking a hand through his dripping hair, combing it back from his face.
Where is she?
Thinking he should try the back door, he walks around the side of the house. As he reaches the back, he spots Mali standing out in the yard, soaked to the skin, crying. Hot tears burn his own eyes.
Mali looked up as Phillip draws near. Reaching her, he pulls her in his arms, pressing her face against his shoulder. The desperation of her embrace breaks his heart and he aches to know what happened to cause her such pain. Drawing back, he presses a hand to her cheek. “Let's go inside,” he whispers, wanting to get her out of the rain. She pulls away.
“What is it?” he asks. As she silently stares at him through pain-filled eyes, a feeling of desperation works it way to the surface. “Talk to me, Mali. Tell me what has happened.”
Her bottom lip begins to tremble, her shoulders shaking from both emotion and the chill of the rain. “I can't marry you.” Her voice cracks.
“What do you mean, you can't marry me?” He reaches out for her, but she pulls away. When he tries again and she repeats the action, his frustration grows. “Talk to me, Mali!Why can't you marry me?”
“Because I don't want to commit my heart and soul to you and have you leave me later on when you've grown tired of me!”
Her startling reply renders him speechless.
Where in the world did that come from?
He thought they were past this, having done everything he could to show her she could trust him. Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath to calm himself, then he moves closer and gently takes her face in his hands.
“I know you have been hurt, Mali, and I wish I could take it all away. I wish I could say I understand what you are feeling, but I can't. You have been abandoned twice in your life and I know it hurt you tremendously both times. But I am not Jake, Mali. And I am not your father.” He caresses her wet cheek. “I am a man who has loved you for almost half my life.” His voice cracks with emotion. “And I'll never stop. Because my love for you is the forever kind. It's unconditional, Mali. It's unconditional.”
Mali allows his words to seep into her mind and penetrate her heart. Her head is still tempted to fight with her heart, but when his warm mouth quickly presses against hers, the fight leaves her. With his kiss, Jake's words fade from her mind. As Phillip's arms enfold her and his kiss deepens, she can literally feel emotion stirring in him, and she can no longer doubt his love. It has been there in everything he has said and done. She truly believes he has always loved her, and he always will. His love really is the forever kind.
After drying off, Mali shares with Phillip her earlier conversation with Jake. Phillip tells her he wishes he would have been there. Mali is glad he wasn't because she didn't want anyone hurt. Though if she were being truthful, seeing Phillip laying into Jake would have been rather liberating. Now she just wants to put it all behind her and begin her new life with Phillip. She doesn't want to doubt anymore, she just wants to trust. And she will learn to trust in him, trust in his love and their love for each other.
The two spend the rest of the afternoon talking, just enjoying their time together. Phillip informs Mali he is taking her out to dinner and she quickly changes and does her hair and makeup. On the way, they make a stop at Phillip's place so can change as well.
Phillip cherishes every moment he is in Mali's presence. After dreaming of being with her for so long, just being near her stirs his emotions, and his love for her grows with each passing second. He finds himself giving his arms a pinch every now and again, wanting to be sure it isn't all a dream, that he is really with her and she really loves him. He knows deep down there are probably still a few doubts ingrained
in her and it will take some time to put her fears to rest, but he is determined to do everything in his power to drive away her fears and help her to know with certainty that he will never desert her. He will show her what forever really means.
Having finished eating, Mali reaches across the table and takes Phillip's hand, squeezing it gently. “Do you think we will be as happy as your mom and dad?”
He smiles warmly. “Oh, at least as happy.” He is thoughtful for a moment. “If ever there was a great love story, theirs is it. Mama shared it with me when I was ten, and I've never forgotten.”
“What makes their story so great?” Phillip laces his fingers between hers. “Well, to truly understand how amazing it is, I would have to start from the beginning.”
“You remember that many details?” she asks incredulously.
“I remember every single thing she told me. It was truly incredible the way they came together.”
As Mali observes his awe-filled expression, she longs to know the story that tugs at his heart so. “Start from the beginning.”
He moves his chair closer to hers and takes her hand again. “Well, actually, it all started with my grandmother, my father's mother. Her husband died before Papa was born. She stayed in Venice and raised him alone. She worked hard all her life and managed to put some money away for Papa. After she died, Papa took the money she left him and moved to America. After moving around a bit, he finally settled in Salt Lake City and opened a restaurant here. It hadn't been open a year when an arsonist set fire to the place, burning it to the ground.” Mali's eyes widen. “How terrible!”
“I know. Papa moved back to Italy after that. He bought the home we now live in and opened St. John's Place.”
“Where some the best Italian dishes in the world are created,” Mali says with a smile.
He grins. “My father is an amazing chef,” he agrees. “He always has been.”
“And you take after him.”
He looks down humbly. “I still have a lot to learn, but I try.” When she leans over and kisses his lips, he smiles and clears his throat. “Anyway,” he continues and she laughs as he attempts to get back on track. “A few months after the restaurant opened, my father met Ingo Kelly when he came in for lunch one day. They soon became the best of friends. To Papa, Ingo was the brother he never had and they became very close.
