Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 467: Pirate

A short while later, they arrived at the school. The moment Josh saw it, his eyes widened.

The place looked beautiful with bright buildings, large playgrounds, and colorful gardens.

Josh pressed his face against the window. “Whoa.”

Jamal laughed. “That’s a good sign.”

“Like it?” Dawn asked with a small smile.

“Yes!”

The moment they got out, Josh immediately forgot he had been crying earlier.

He ran toward a giant playground.

“Daddy! Look!”

Jamal and Dawn followed behind him. “Slow down, Josh.” They both called out after him.

The school tour lasted almost an hour.

They visited classrooms, met teachers, saw the art room, music room, library, and the science area.

By the end of it, Josh was practically vibrating with excitement. “I want to come here.”

Dawn smiled. “I’m glad you do.”

Josh nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah!”

When the registration was complete, they headed back to the car.

This time Josh climbed into his seat smiling. A huge difference from earlier.

“Can I start tomorrow?”

Jamal laughed. “We’ll see.”

The moment they arrived at HAJ studios, Jamal drove to HAJ world where the amusement park was located.

Josh lost his mind the moment he saw it.

“DADDY!”

Jamal laughed proudly as unstrapped Josh’s seatbelt. Josh jumped out of the car so fast that Jamal barely had time to grab his hand.

The enormous castle towered above them. Characters walked around waving at children.

Music drifted through the air and the aroma of popcorns, ice cream, and different sweet treats filled the air.

The giant studio lot stretched endlessly in every direction.

Josh spun in circles. His laughter echoed around them. “I LOVE IT!”

Jamal laughed. “More than you love I-Global?”

“Totally,” Josh said, making both Dawn and Jamal laugh.

“I figured you would,” Jamal said with a smirk. He couldn’t wait to share the news with Tom.

Josh pointed everywhere at once. His excitement seemed endless.

Then he took off running. “Daddy, come on!”

Jamal followed immediately, running after him.

A soft sigh escaped Dawn as she slowly followed behind, watching them.

When Jamal noticed how far behind she was, he signaled her to hurry over.

When she finally joined him, he reached for her hand and smiled at her. “I know you’re worried about him. Don’t worry too much. He will be alright.”

They both watched Josh, who was now talking excitedly to a giant pirate mascot.

The sight made them smile.

Dawn turned to look at Jamal. “I hope so. I hope he’ll understand better when he’s older.”

Jamal looked at her. “We’re doing the right thing, baby. There’s nothing for you to feel guilty about.” His voice was quiet and certain. “Yes we took him away from the life he was used to. But we are giving him something better. We are giving him a safe and stable family. And a dependable future.”

Dawn looked back at Josh.

He was laughing now a dancing with the mascot.

A small smile touched her lips.

Jamal kissed her forehead. “Trust me, I’ll make sure he’s fine.”

Ahead of them, Josh waved both arms wildly. “Mummy! Daddy! Hurry up!”

“See? Hurry up, mummy,” Jamal teased and Dawn laughed as she let Jamal pull her toward their son.

Josh ended up loving HAJ Studios even more than Dawn and Jamal had expected.

Within an hour he had completely forgotten about school and his earlier tears about missing Westend.

At the moment, he was standing on a miniature pirate ship wearing a plastic pirate hat while giving instructions to a group of equally enthusiastic children.

“Daddy! We’re looking for treasure!”

Jamal stood nearby laughing. “I sincerely hope you find some.”

“We will!”

Dawn smiled as she took photos of him. The worry that had sat heavily in her chest earlier had eased considerably.

Josh looked very happy and that was more than she could hope for.

Jamal slipped an arm around her waist. “Told you.”

Dawn leaned against him slightly. “Yeah. You did.”

Seeing them together like that, Josh suddenly came running toward them.

The pirate hat nearly fell off his head.

Dawn crouched immediately and fixed it for him. “What’s wrong? Why are you running?”

Josh grinned. “I wanted to tell you I found treasure. And I want to see my pictures.”

Dawn and Jamal laughed.

“Congratulations,” they said in unison before Dawn showed him the various pictures she had taken of him and of them all together.

“Thank you,” he said, then ran away again before either of them could say anything else.

Jamal shook his head. “That boy has too much energy.”

“He gets that from you.”

Jamal looked offended. “Excuse me.”

Dawn laughed but before she could respond, her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen, then she looked up. “It’s time to go. Mari says she is almost done with her meeting.”

Jamal nodded immediately. “You and Mari still have wedding things to do.”

“Yep. I can’t wait for Genny to see what we are organizing for her.”

Jamal chuckled. “You’re enjoying planning this wedding a little too much. Keep some of the excitement for ours.”

Dawn giggled. “Oh, don’t worry. Josh got all that energy from me.” She winked.

Jamal laughed out loud. “Finally the truth is out.”

Dawn giggled. “Two truths can exist.”

“You’ll be okay driving yourself? Sure you won’t get lost?” Jamal asked after his laughter died.

Dawn rolled her eyes. “I’ll survive.”

Jamal laughed. “You say that now.”

“There’s something called GPS, you know? Just worry about keeping up with Josh’s energy, and let me worry about getting to Mari’s office,” Dawn said, and as if on cue, Josh appeared again.

“Daddy! The dragon ride!”

Jamal sighed dramatically. “Perhaps I should be the one planing with Mari so you can keep up with Josh’s energy since he got it from you.”

Dawn laughed and kissed his cheek. “Good luck.”

Then she bent and kissed Josh’s forehead. “I’ll see you later, baby.”

“Okay!” He was already distracted by something else.

“Babe, don’t forget our double date with Mari and Jax,” Dawn reminded him as Josh pulled him away.

“I won’t,” Jamal called back, blowing her a kiss.

She smiled as she headed toward the parking lot.