The Legacy (66 page)

Phillip takes Mali home and they stand on the front porch
for a while, holding one another.
“I don't want the night to end,” he whispers, tightening
his embrace a little.
“Neither do I,” she says, relishing the feel of his arms
around her. She looks into his eyes. “I look forward to the day
when we won't have to say goodbye to each other.”
Pressing a kiss to her brow, he buries his face in her hair.
“So do I,” he murmurs, then sighs. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. More than words can express.”
“Soon the day will come when you will be totally mine.
On that day there will be no more holding back, and I will be
able to fully show you how much I love you.”
Mali felt warmth spread through her. Pressing a kiss to
his lips, she whispers, “I long for that day as well.”

Surrounded by family and a few close friends, Phillip
and Mali pledge their love to each other and are married on our
veranda, continuing the family tradition. As Adagio and I
witness our son's union, we are deeply grateful that another of
our children has found happiness.

Looking over at Ingo and his wife, I feel a deep sense of
contentment.
They
are
doing
well and seem very
happy.
Watching Ingo for a moment, I can't help thinking of how
much he looks like my first husband. He has his father's looks
and mannerisms, and I can see why his wife immediately fell in
love with him.

I smile, glancing over at Sadie and Peter. They are so
good together. It's obvious how much they adore each other,
and I am grateful to have them in my life.

I feel the absence of Anna and her husband, Mario, and
hope all is well with them. Mario underwent hip surgery last
week and isn't able to travel. We are all disappointed that they
can't be here, but they are in everyone's thoughts.

I look over at Wendy, saddened that she is still alone, and
I hope she will one day find love again. I know Wendy still
hopes for that as well, but she seems happier now than she has
been in years, which makes me happy.

All the way around, life is good. I finally turn, meeting
Adagio's loving gaze, and sense his contentment in the life we
share as well. He lifts my hand to his lips, silently conveying his
love for me. I return the emotion with my own adoring gaze
before turning my attention to our son and his bride.

Phillip gazes into Mali's eyes as they are pronounced man
and wife. And when he kisses her, those words penetrate his
heart. He has longed for this day since he was twelve, and now
that it is really here, it is everything he'd hoped for and more.

Mali sheds tears of joy as she contemplates that she is
now Mrs. Adagio Phillip St. John the second. After everything
that has happened in her life, she never thought she could be so
happy or so blessed. She loves Phillip with all her heart and
soul, and she is thankful that he never gave up on her.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the two are showered
with hugs from family and friends. Wendy and Mali share a
long and emotional embrace. Finally releasing her, Wendy hugs
Phillip.

“Thank you,” she whispers tearfully. “Thank you for
loving my daughter, and for helping her to realize how worthy
she is of being loved.”

Adagio and I stand and wait until the last of the hugs are
given. Then it is our turn. Adagio takes Phillip's face in his
hands and presses a kiss to his forehead. Then looking into his
eyes, he says, “I am so proud of you, son. You are a good
man.”

Tears quickly fill Phillip's eyes. “My goal has always been
to be like you, Papa.”
“You are a better man than me, son.” Adagio then
embraces Mali and says, “Welcome to the family, Mrs. St.
John.” He moves back, touching her face. “We have always
considered you a member of our family. Now it is official and I
could not be happier.”
“Thank you,” Mali says, smiling through the tears. “I feel
the same.”
Phillip reaches for me and I move into his embrace.
Nothing is said between us, for no words are needed. He
knows my heart just as I have always known his.
Drawing back, I press a hand to his face. “I love you so
much.”
“I love you too, Mama,” he says back with emotion.
“And I love you, my daughter,” I say, hugging Mali.
“I love you too.” She smiles. “I guess I can't call you
Aunt Cisely anymore.”
I grin. “Cisely will do just fine.”

After the wedding, we head over to the restaurant for a
wedding brunch. Adagio had posted a flier two weeks ago
informing customer that we would be closed today. He offered
to pay the kitchen crew for working, but Sam and the rest of
the employees insisted on doing the reception for free, offering
their services as a wedding gift to Phillip and Mali.

Phillip can't keep his eyes off Mali, anticipating the time
when they will finally be alone. When the festivities finally die
down, he takes his bride's hand in his and announces, “We're
grateful to all of you for being here to help celebrate our
marriage, and we want to thank you for all you've done to help
make this day so special.” He grins slyly. “But now it's time for
my wife and I to hit the road.” After some laughter, he adds,
“We will see you all next week.” And with that, he picks up his
grinning bride and carries her out of the restaurant, laughing as
they move through the cheering crowd.

As they pass his parents, he hears his mother tell his
father, “He is definitely your son.”
Phillip smiles as his father laughs and pulls his mother
close, saying back, “Exactly!”
The newlyweds change and ride the train into Venice to
stay for the night before flying to Greece.
When they reach their suite, Phillip puts Mali down to
unlock the door. As soon as they are inside, he pulls her into
his arms and kisses her more passionately than he'd ever
allowed himself to before. Mali clings to him and he feels both
dizzy and deliriously in love.
Parting his lips from hers slightly, he whispers, “I love
you so much.”
“I love you too,” she whispers back just before he picks
her up and carries her into the bedroom. And when the door is
closed, he teaches Mali what it means to be loved by Phillip St.
John.

Adagio and I visit with our children and Wendy, and talk
for the rest of the afternoon. As it grows late, we finally say
goodnight and return to the main part of the house.

I change
into
a
gown,
replaying
the
events
of
the
afternoon in my mind. It was a beautiful ceremony and I am so
happy for Philip and Mali. The two have traveled a long hard
road, but they made it, and I am sure their love will be stronger
for it. I absently rub my leg for a moment just below the knee
before picking up the brush to run it through my hair.

“Is it bothering you,
amore
?” Adagio asks, entering the
bathroom at that moment.
“A little,” I answer with a smile. “No more than normal.”
He takes the brush from my hand and places it on the