The Legacy (64 page)

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

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?”

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.

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.

“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 asks, 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.