The Legacy - The Legacy Saga

The Legacy - Part 20

 I know I am young, but I do know what true love is. My knowledge doesn't come from any experience of my own, but it is the result of the lessons ingrained in my twelve-year-old heart from watching my parents. Their love is real; it's what heaven is made of. I'm grateful that my father has set the example for me to follow.

Phillip St. John's journal

Eighty-six

Salt Lake City

Six years later.

With my husband's arm around me, I kneel on the cool grass and place a large bouquet of red and white carnations next to the tall granite headstone. The morning sky has been cloudy, the weather dreary, but now the sun's rays are bursting forth and the day is starting to warm. Adagio gives my arm a comforting squeeze as I reverently brush my hand across Jessica's name. It has been four years since she passed away, but kneeling in front of her grave now, it feels like it was only yesterday.

I had been devastated when I received the call from a mutual friend and was told that Jessica had a stroke. Adagio immediately made arrangements and our family flew back to be with her. Sadly, our time together was short. Jessica died a week later and I was crushed.

Jessica's family flew in from Australia and helped me with the funeral. I've kept in touch with them through the years and was glad to see them. Since Jessica had informed her family years ago of the contents of her will, everything was settled. Still, nothing could, or will, ever compensate for her loss.

We decided to sell Jessica's clothing boutique. Since our home is in Italy, it would have been too hard to try and keep it. Wendy Wang, a friend I'd made while working at the boutique, bought the shop. I was happy with the way things turned out, and I couldn't think of a better person to buy the business. Wendy worked for Jessica for years and loved her very much. I knew the shop would be in good hands.

In the week that followed, we boxed up most of Jessica's personal belongings and sent them to her family. I kept some things that were very sentimental to me. I also kept the house because I couldn't bear parting with it. There were so many wonderful memories for me there, I couldn't possibly sell it. And now I'm glad I didn't. Every time we come back to the beautiful old home, I feel closer to Jessica, and the memories we shared in the home always warm my heart.

Wiping my tears, I sigh as my thoughts return to the present. "Oh, how I miss you, Jessica! I love you so much. You brought more joy to my life than you could ever know." I smile. "Then again, you probably do know."

* * *

When Adagio stands, he helps Cisely up and she moves into his arms. Holding her close, he blinks back tears of his own. He still misses Jessica too, and often reflects on all he'd learned from her. He will always love her and be grateful for her mothering ways.

Pressing a gentle hand to Cisely's face, he brushes back a wisp of her auburn hair, continually in awe of her beauty. She is thirty-six now and hasn't changed at all. Her brown skin is still satiny smooth, and there isn't a line on her face. "Are you all right?" he asks softly.

She looks into his loving eyes and smiles. "I'm fine."

Keeping his arm around her, they walk back to the car. As he opens the door for her, Cisely turns and gazes across the cemetery once more at Jessica's grave.

 * * * 

I love you, Mama. Drying my tears, I get in the car, keeping my gaze on the grave until Adagio is in.