The Legacy (52 page)

Adagio locates Ian and Isabelle. They are in the family
room playing a video game with a couple of other children.
Satisfied that they are doing all right, he goes in search of Ingo
and Phillip. He finds Phillip sitting on the front porch with
Mali while Ingo plays basketball in the driveway with a couple
of other boys at the party. After talking with Maria and Phillip
for a moment, Adagio heads back into the house. Then he
stops. Unable to help it, he stands just inside the screen door
and listens to Phillip’s conversation with Mali. Normally he
wouldn’t do such a thing, but it is the conversation that makes
him stop.

“I hate my dad. He doesn’t love me or even care, so why
should I care about him?”
“I’m sure your father does care,” Phillip says, his voice
compassionate. “And you can't possibly believe their breakup
had anything to do with you.”
Mali’s eyes are filled with doubt and her heart is closed to
any other option. In her mind it
is
all her fault. She is sure her
actions caused her father to leave. And now her mother is
alone. Mali will never be able to forgive herself for that. She
remains quiet for some time, then looks at Phillip intently.
“You are lucky to have parents that love each other so
much.”
Phillip is thoughtful before speaking again.
“Mali, I really do think that your dad cares . . .” When
Mali opens her mouth to interrupt, he puts a hand up to stop
her. “But, if he doesn’t, then it is his loss. Your mom still loves
you and she’s still here for you. That's all that matters.” Pausing
again, he meets her intent stare. “Trust me, it really will be
okay.” He looks down at his hands a moment before lifting his
eyes to hers again. “God also knows what you are going
through, and He will never leave you alone, either. Believe me,
I know.”
As Mali looks into Phillip’s eyes, she sees the truth of his
words reflected there and wonders what has happened in his
life to give him so much faith. “I believe you.”
Phillip places his hand over hers, the boyish grin that is so
much like his father’s lighting his face. “Okay, that’s enough
serious talk for now. It is time to go and chow down on some
serious food.”
Mali smiles and nods and Phillip stands, helping her to
her feet.

Adagio quickly and quietly moves from the door before
they enter, thinking he has never felt more pride in his son than
he does at this moment.

Adagio enters the kitchen just as I am breaking up
another bag of ice.
“Let me do that for you,
amore
.”
“Thank you,” I huff, handing him the bag. “It’s all yours.
This is the third bag and my hands are freezing.”
Moving close to me, he says in a low, seductive voice, “I
could warm them for you if you’d like.” He presses several
warm kisses to the back of my neck, producing goosebumps
over my entire body.
“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.

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.