Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 461: All Night

Dinner lasted for hours. The food was good. The conversation and laughter was even better.

By the time everyone finally began leaving, Genevieve’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

Everyone hugged everyone goodbye, and Genevieve was not left out in the hugs.

Even Josh hugged her before Jamal carried him upstairs because he had fallen asleep.

Soon the house grew quiet. And for the first time since arriving, Genevieve finally had a moment to breathe.

She stood by one of the windows in Dawn’s bedroom and looked outside. A smile rested on her face as she thought about the engagement and dinner.

Genevieve’s chest warmed as she recalled how much Stefan had laughed. He’d seemed very happy and relaxed.

She turned when Dawn joined her by the window.

“You look like you’re going to start crying again soon.”

Genevieve laughed softly. “Do I?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’ve never been this happy.”

Dawn smiled. “Me too. Sometimes I still wake up and wonder if all this is real.”

Genevieve understood exactly what she meant. Because she felt the same way. “I know the feeling.”

“I’m glad you’re here, and you are happy,” Dawn said, then nudged her. “Time to go to bed.”

Genevieve laughed. “I’m not feeling sleepy yet?”

“You certainly won’t feel sleepy if you keep standing here and looking out of the window,” Dawn pointed out.

Genevieve considered that. Then nodded. “Good point.”

A little while later, both women lay on Dawn’s bed.

A tray filled with snacks sat on the nightstand but neither of them touched the snacks.

Genevieve stretched her hand out again and the ring sparkled beneath the bedside lamp.

Dawn smiled. “It’s so pretty.”

Genevieve’s smile softened. “It really is.”

For several seconds neither of them spoke.

Then Genevieve looked at Dawn and squealed. “I’m getting married in a week.”

Dawn burst into laughter. “You are.”

Genevieve sat up then grabbed a pillow and hugged it. “This whole thing is insane, Dawn. How did we get here?”

Dawn smiled. “I have no idea. A few months ago, Ryan was here and controlling our lives. Now here we are. And you’re marrying a man who’s crazy about you.”

“And you’re with Josh’s biological father and your real family,” Genevieve said softly.

Dawn smiled. “Yeah. Your family too.”

They were both silent for a moment as they reflected on the past, and then Dawn cleared her throat.

“Since you don’t seem to be feeling sleepy yet, why don’t we talk about the wedding,” she suggested.

“Yeah. Let’s do that,” Genevieve said excitedly, and the conversation shifted to wedding colors, flowers, music, food, guest lists, etc.

“You know, when Stefan said I’ll be spending the week before our wedding somewhere else, I was upset, but I’m glad it’s here. And with you,” Genevieve said after a while.

Dawn grinned. “Me too. Even after you get married, let’s have sleepovers,” she suggested.

Genevieve nodded. “Definitely,” then she paused her lips thoughtfully, “Perhaps I should ask Stefan to check for a house in Jamal’s estate,” then she shook her head almost immediately. “No. That’s a bad idea. I don’t think he’ll be able to afford it.”

“Stefan is moving out of his apartment?” Dawn asks curiously.

“Yeah. We need a bigger space now that we are getting married,” Genevieve said, then a blush slowly crept into her cheeks as she added, “we want to start having kids immediately.”

Dawn giggled when she saw Genevieve’s blush. “Aww. I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew.”

Genevieve smiled softly.

“So, how many kids do you plan on having?” Dawn asked.

“Lots!”

Dawn burst into laughter. “For real?”

“Yes,” Genevieve said, laughing, “I want a large family.”

“How do you plan to balance that with a career?” Dawn asked curiously.

Genevieve paused at that and her brows pulled together. “I didn’t think about that.”

She looked down at the ring on her finger.

“I think I’ve spent so much of my life wondering if I would ever have a family that I never really thought beyond that.”

Dawn’s smile faded into something gentler. “Well, there is still enough time to think about it.”

“Yeah,” Genevieve murmured.

For several seconds neither of them spoke.

Then Dawn smiled. “For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be a great mother.”

Genevieve blinked. “Really?”

“Really.”

Genevieve looked surprised. “Why?”

Dawn laughed softly. “Because I’ve seen the way you are with Josh.”

Genevieve rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t count.”

“It does,” Dawn insisted.

Genevieve sighed softly. “I hope so. I don’t want to be like my mother.”

Dawn reached for her hand and squeezed it, “You’re better than that.”

“Thanks,” Genevieve murmured.

They were both silent for a little while, then Genevieve changed the subject.

“So, what about you? When do you guys plan to settle down?”

Dawn grinned. “I’m currently undergoing therapy. We will settle down when we are ready.”

Genevieve lay back against the headboard as they continued talking.

Hours passed.

Neither noticed.

The conversations kept changing and neither realized how much time had passed.

Then suddenly Dawn yawned. A huge yawn.

Genevieve yawned too.

Both women stared at each other.

“What time is it?” Dawn asked.

Genevieve grabbed her phone, then her eyes widened when she saw the time.

“Oh my god.”

“What?” Dawn asked, sitting up.

“It’s six thirty,” Genevieve announced.

Dawn blinked. “In the morning.”

Genevieve laughed. “No. In the night,” she said dryly.

Both women stared at each other. Then immediately burst into laughter.

Dawn fell backward dramatically. “I can’t believe I asked you to come to bed to sleep yet we spent the entire night talking.”

Genevieve laughed until tears filled her eyes. “I guess Lucy knew we might not be able to go to sleep, hence she gave us the snacks.”

Outside the window, sunlight was already spilling across the sky.

The world was waking up.

Dawn sat up again and looked at her. A soft smile appeared on her face.

“You know what?”

“What?”

Dawn reached over and hugged her. “I’m really happy you’re here, Genny.”

Genevieve’s chest tightened as she hugged her back. “Thank you, Dawn.”

For a moment neither of them let go.

After a while, they finally pulled apart, “So what do we do now?” Genevieve asked.

“I’m going to bed,” Dawn said as she lay down to sleep.

Genevieve stared at her. “You’re going to bed?”

Dawn pulled the blanket over herself. “Yes.”

“But it’s morning.”

“More reason why I should go to bed.” Dawn closed her eyes dramatically. “I have been awake all night.”

“What about Josh? He wakes up early,” Genevieve pointed out.

Dawn opened one eye. “Since you’re not going to bed and you plan to start motherhood soon, you should start practicing with Josh.”

Genevieve burst out laughing. “You’re terrible.”

Before Dawn could respond, a knock sounded on the door.

Both women turned.

A second later Josh’s voice floated through the door. “Mommy?”

Dawn groaned.

Genevieve immediately covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

“See?” Genevieve whispered.

Another knock followed.

“Mommy?”

Dawn sighed dramatically. “Come in, baby.”

The door opened and Josh stepped inside wearing dinosaur pajamas.

His hair stuck up in every direction. He looked adorable and very awake.

“Baby, come sleep some more. I need to get some sleep now,” Dawn said, patting the space between her and Genevieve.

“I’m wet,” he confessed.

Dawn pointed at Genevieve, “Your aunt will take care of you.”

Josh looked at Genevieve, and immediately she rose, “Show me the way to your room, Jojo.”

“Okay.”

Dawn smiled as Josh turned around and led Genevieve to his room.

The moment they shut the door behind them, she adjusted on the bed.

As she lay there, her thoughts drifted to her shared past with Genevieve.

She thought about Ryan.

And for the first time, she realized she was no longer angry at him.

The realization surprised her.

For so long, every thought of him had come with pain, anger, bitterness, and resentment.

But now?

There was nothing.

Dawn stared up at the ceiling and a small smile touched her lips.

She’d moved on. Not because Ryan deserved forgiveness. Not because what he’d done wasn’t terrible. But because she was no longer carrying him around with her.

He wasn’t controlling her life or her emotions or her future anymore.

The thought settled over her gently and the realization made her chest feel strangely light.

For years she had been surviving. Now she was finally living.

A smile appeared on her face as she thought about Jamal.

About Josh. About her family. And about the life she was building now.

The future no longer felt frightening. It felt exciting.

Her eyes drifted shut.

Just as sleep began pulling her under, the bedroom door suddenly burst open.

Josh came running into the room and Genevieve followed behind him. Both of them were laughing.

Dawn jumped. “Why are you back so soon?” she asked immediately.

“I’ve changed my clothes,” Josh announced as he climbed into the bed.

“Let’s go to bed then,” Dawn said as she pulled him close.

Genevieve smiled as she joined them in bed, and long after Dawn and Josh slept off, she kept smiling as she watched them.