The Legacy (63 page)

During the first year of Mali and Jake’s marriage, Jake was
wonderful to her and she was happy. But as time passed, he
changed. He started drinking heavily and stayed away from
home more, preferring the company of his friends over Mali.

Even now, Mali often asks herself why she didn’t leave
him when the drinking began to get out of hand. Truthfully,
she knows why. She had been determined to make their
marriage work so she wouldn’t wind up feeling like a failure.
She had hoped he would change. But her hope had been in
vain. Even after the accident, Jake made no attempt to change.
And since Mali was no longer the perfect looking adornment
for his arm when he felt inclined to spend time with her, he
decided he could do better. A three inch scar had sealed her
fate.

“Hey,” Phillip says, startling her. “Where were you?”
Mali shrugs absently. “Nowhere.”
They finish their lunch in silence.
“Thank you for lunch,” she finally says. “I need to get

back to work.” She stands, turning away from him.
“Okay,” he says, taken off guard by her sudden mood
change. He can literally feel her closing herself off to him again,
and he wonders what triggered it. Still, he isn’t about to let that
happen. He can’t.
“Mali,” he says softly, taking her hand. “I would like to
take you out to dinner this evening. Will you go with me?”
She turns her face away, discreetly touching the scar. “I
uh . . . I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“All right,” he says, a little disappointed, but not willing
to give up. “Well, can I come by and see you later?”
“I don’t know. I . . .”
“I won’t let you shut me out, Mali. I am going to be here
for a while.” He touches her face, staring into her eyes intently.
“And I’m not going back to Italy without you.”

Mali is rendered speechless, not only by the statement but
the intensity of his gaze as well.
Could he really care for me that much?
she wonders
.
She
continues to look into his eyes, doing her best to ignore the
fluttering of her heart. “I won’t make you any promises, Phillip.
Too much has changed.”
“I know.” He caresses her cheek. “And I don’t expect any
promises. But I will make one to you.” He draws her into his
arms, whispering against her ear, “I will never hurt you, Mali.
Never. And if it takes me forever to prove that to you, then so
be it. Because that is how much time I am willing to wait for
you.
Forever.
”

Over the weeks, Phillip and Mali spend a great deal of
time
together
and Mali slowly
emerges
from her
shell,
occasionally covering her scar up enough with makeup to brave
going out in public with him. It is time to reclaim her life, and
she can't do that hiding in the shadows. She also realizes if she
and Phillip are going to have any chance at all, she has to make
an effort and at least meet him half way.

The two spend time taking long walks and drives through
the canyon. They share picnics in the park and go to movies.
Phillip even gets her to go dancing, which is a major step for
her. Other times, they relax in the family room at his place and
simply talk. She know that to Phillip, anything they do is fine.
He just loves being with her. She treasures that knowledge.

Phillip senses Mali's confidence growing little by little,
and each moment he is with her only deepens his love. He
knows this is all taking her far beyond her comfort zone, but it
will be well worth it in the end. He loves her more than he can
say, so for right now, he exercises patience.

He takes things slow, never pushing his affections on her,
leaving each night with only a hug or a kiss on the cheek.
Though everything inside him aches to take her in his arms and
kiss her in a way that would surely betray the passion and
longing he feels for her, he keeps himself in check. They have
become so close again, and have come so far, the last thing he
wants to do is scare her away.

They spend a few days in Arizona with Ingo and his
family and have a great time. Pulling Phillip aside one day while
Mali is shopping with his wife, Ingo tells him how much they
love Mali and hope she'll soon be a part of their family.

Mali finds herself dreaming of a future with Phillip. With
each day that passes, her feelings for him grow until she can't
deny it any longer. She loves him. For the first time in her life,
she truly knows what it feels like to be in love.

When Mali married Jake, she didn't love him. She cared
for him and her feelings grew during their marriage. Had things
been different, she might have fallen in love with him, which is
what she had hoped for from the beginning, but it was not to
be. And deep down, what she'd felt for Phillip when she was
younger had never truly gone away. She is grateful now that it
hadn't.

Phillip also begins to sense Mali's growing feelings for
him. He can see it every time her eyes met his. He just isn't sure
when to begin taking things further. Afraid of moving too fast,
he keeps himself in check, waiting for a sign from her.

Then, out of the blue, it happens.
He and Mali are sitting together on the patio steps,
watching the sunset. Both are silent, each lost in their own
thoughts. Phillip is scheduled to return to Italy in less than a
week and he still doesn't know where things stand with Mali.
He loves her so much, and he can't allow himself to think of
leaving without her, or at least without knowing for sure she is
his. Every moment he has to refrain from expressing his
feelings for her is agony. Still, he waits.

Mali studies
Phillip's
profile
as
a
light
breeze
blows
through his dark, tousled waves. She takes in his every feature–
his strong handsome brow, his olive skin, his deep dimples and
full lips, and his chiseled build. He is walking perfection, and
owning the affections of such an amazing man is unbelievable
at times.

She ponders the love she sees in his eyes whenever he
looks at her. She knows he is doing his best to be patient and
she is grateful to him for allowing her some time. It had been
exactly what she'd needed. Still, with all his patience, she senses
his underlying passion, and the desire that burns in his eyes
when he gazes into hers almost undoes her at times. Never in
her life has she ever felt so loved or wanted.

Sitting with him now, her feelings are so strong, she can't
hold them back any longer. He needs to know how she feels,
and she needs to tell him.

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.

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.”