Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Abigail stirred in her sleep when she felt someone's breath fanning her cheeks. When she opened her eyes fully, she almost gasped.

Josh was right there, leaning over her face, his big brown eyes were wide and shiny, and a huge smile stretched across his face.

Abigail's heart skipped. "Baby," she whispered, startled. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Josh giggled, his curls bouncing. "I'm happy to see you. I thought yesterday was a dream. But it's not. We are still here, and you are really here. Daddy is real too. We are a family."

Abigail's chest melted. She reached over, stroking his hair gently. "Yes, baby. It wasn't a dream."

Josh pulled back as Abigail sat up, "Where's Daddy? Can we go see him now?"

Abigail smiled softly. "Of course. But give me one moment to freshen up, okay? We don't want your daddy catching me unfresh."

Josh nodded, hugging Lucy the panda to his chest while Abigail slipped out of bed. She picked up the cosmetic bag she'd brought with her and went into the bathroom.

In the bathroom, she splashed cool water on her face, brushed her teeth, then smoothed her hair until it shone. She reached for her lip gloss, pressing her lips together until they gleamed. She stared at her reflection for one last second, her cheeks glowing pink as she recalled the kiss they'd shared last night, then hurried out.

Josh's eyes lit up the moment she stepped out. "Mommy, you look pretty!"

Abigail grinned and blew him a playful kiss. "Thank you, baby. Now let's go find your daddy."

He hopped off the bed, took her hand, and together they opened the bedroom door.

They both froze.

Right outside the door, Jamal lay on the floor with a pillow under his head and a blanket covering him. His arm rested over his chest as if guarding them even in his sleep.

Abigail's throat tightened. Her heart swelled at the sight. He had slept there to keep watch over them.

At the sound of the door, Jamal's eyes fluttered open and he sat up immediately as though looking for any sign of threat.

He blinked when he saw them, then smiled. "You're up."

Josh dropped to the floor beside him right away and hugged him. "Good morning, Daddy!"

Jamal chuckled, ruffling Josh's curls. "Good morning, buddy. Did you sleep well?"

Josh nodded eagerly. "Yes! But I couldn't wait in my sleep to wake up and see you."

Both Jamal and Abigail laughed at that, their eyes meeting with warmth.

Abigail leaned against the doorway, her voice soft. "Did you sleep well?"

Jamal stretched, standing up slowly. His gaze lingered on her. "I did. And you look really pretty."

Abigail's cheeks burned red, and she lowered her head, shy but smiling. "Thank you. I believe I've embarrassed myself enough in front of you," she said, making Jamal chuckle.

Before he could reply, she asked, "Have you heard from Tom? Or Callan?"

They all turned in the direction of the living room when the sound of the front door opening carried through the hall.

Voices followed.

"I don't think they're up yet," Jamal heard Tom.

"I will go find out," Lucy replied.

Jamal's eyes lit up instantly, excitement rushing through him. "Speak of the devil. They're here."

He hurried down the hall, and Abigail and Josh followed closely behind.

In the living room, Lucy stood just inside, looking around the place. Jamal didn't hesitate. He went straight to her, pulling her into his arms in a tight embrace.

Tom rolled his eyes. "Even when you've got your own woman now, you won't let mine be," he murmured making Lucy and Evelyn laugh.

"Mommy, look. It's them. Lucy, Tom and grandma Evelyn," Josh whispered loudly to Abigail excitedly, remembering them from the videos Jamal had shown them the previous day.

"Yeah. It's them," Abigail whispered, staring at them with a smile but not sure what to do.

Evelyn, standing by Tom, chuckled and turned toward Abigail. "Come here, child. Give me a hug."

Abigail's lips curved, and she walked quickly into Evelyn's arms. Evelyn's embrace was warm and strong, her hand patting Abigail's back in comfort.

"It's good to finally see your beautiful face, Dawn," Evelyn whispered.

Tom crouched down to Josh's level with a playful smirk. "Everyone else is hugging and leaving us out. How about you give me a hug too?"

Josh giggled. "Okay!" He stepped into Tom's open arms, and Tom swept him up high, hugging him close as Josh laughed against his shoulder.

"My Jam. You look so stressed out. I'm glad you can come home now. I've missed you," Lucy said, kissing Jamal's cheeks as she let him go, then she turned to Abigail with soft eyes.

Abigail smiled as their gaze met, and Lucy reached forward, kissed Abigail's forehead, and held her hands. "It might have taken twenty years to get back to you, but I always knew you belonged with me in my heart the very first time I saw you. I'm so happy to have you back, Dawn. I'm so sorry for what you went through. I can never be sorry enough. But I want you to know… you have a mother and friend in me."

Abigail's eyes blurred with sudden tears as she embraced Lucy tightly. She felt so much love for Lucy even if she was only meeting her now. She might not remember Lucy, but her heart seemed to and her whole body eased in Lucy's arms like she was finally home.

When Lucy pulled back, she turned with a grin to Josh. "You my darling pretty boy are my grandchild because I love both your parents as I do my biological kids." She plucked him easily from Tom's arms and showered his little face with kisses until he squealed with laughter.

Jamal turned to Tom then, clasping him in a strong embrace. "Thank you for coming through for me. Like always."

Tom chuckled, his voice rough but fond. "You'll never admit it, Jamal, but you've always been my first child. And I'll never abandon you."

When Lucy finally set Josh down, Evelyn ruffled his curls, smiling. "He reminds me of Jamal when he was a little boy."

Lucy laughed. "Yes, he does look like Jamal."

"Alright," Tom said firmly, pulling the focus back. "Now that we're done with the pleasantries, we have to leave now. Immediately."

Jamal frowned. "I just woke up. I haven't showered or had breakfast yet."

"You can do both on the jet," Tom said, waving a hand. "I don't want any of you spending another minute in Westend."

"Yeah. We can breathe safely only after you're back home in Ludus," Lucy said with a nod.

"Go get your stuff, kids," Evelyn urged them.

Without another word, Jamal and Abigail hurried off to grab their bags from the bedroom.

Soon they were all piled into the large black SUV and heading to where the Jet was waiting.

On the way, Jamal looked at Tom. "Callan has arrived at Ludus. And we are working on Ryan being transferred to Ludus."

Tom gave a small nod. "I spoke with Harry. I know about everything. The fire and the article Abigail released too."

Abigail's cheeks heated, and she looked down. "I'm sorry… for causing trouble."

Lucy reached over, touching her arm gently. "Sweetheart, it's alright. After being quiet for so long, you had every right to cause trouble. Don't worry, Tom and Harry will clean up whatever comes from it."

Tom gave Lucy a dry look. "Thank you for the vote of confidence, baby."

Lucy grinned. "You're welcome, darling. I did marry a very capable man, after all," she said, blowing him a kiss and he laughed.

Evelyn looked at Abigail. "Anything else we should know, darling? Now is the time to say it."

Abigail shook her head quickly. "No… nothing."

"She received a call from her Governess," Jamal said, and Tom raised a brow.

"She was alive all these years?"

Abigail nodded, then told them what her governess said about the fire and the reason she didn't reach out to them.

"Well, we can't change the past," Evelyn said, though she wished the governess had done things differently.

"Try not to cause any more troubles. I know you want him to pay, but we all have to be carried along so there wouldn't be any problems," Tom advised.

She nodded, her voice low. "I promise."

Josh listened to them, wondering what was happening and where they were all going but he didn't say a word or ask any questions.

Wanting to ease the tension in the car, Jamal leaned back with a small smile. "By the way, we spoke with the Bees last night. They hit it off with Abigail."

Lucy laughed warmly. "Of course they did. They know Dawn is their big sister. We've prepared your room, Dawn. And Josh's."

"Her room?" Jamal asked with a slight frown.

"Yes. You didn't think she's moving in with you, did you? You're not married yet. And she needs to be established with her family and settle in before you both get married," Evelyn said firmly and Jamal scowled, while Abigail smiled softly.

As much as she would love to live with Jamal, it warmed her heart that the Hanks were making a place for her in their home and showing her she was part of the family as Jamal was.

She wasn't solely Jamal's responsibility. Her own family was taking responsibility for her and she also wanted to get to know them all and be part of them as a Hank and not just as an extension of Jamal's relationship with them.

"But…"

"There are no buts, Jamal. You both can continue your relationship. You're welcome to visit and stay over as always, and she's free to visit you and sleep over. But she's living with us until you both get married," Lucy said, and Abigail grinned.

"Why are you smiling?" Jamal asked, displeased that she seemed happy when he wasn't.

He'd been looking forward to them returning to his condo together.

"You like the plan, don't you?" Lucy asked Abigail, grinning, and she bobbed her head.

"That settles it," Evelyn said with approval.

"Tom, say something," Jamal said, and Tom scoffed.

"Even your own girlfriend is happy with the decision and you want me to take your side? Against the Hank ladies? You have a lot to learn, Jamal," Tom said with a tsk.