Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 487: Be Happy

For the first time all morning, the room became quiet after the girls excused her to give her a moment alone.

Genevieve turned slowly towards the full-length mirror.

She stared at her reflection. The white gown. The delicate veil. The tiny bouquet of white roses resting on the dresser in front of her.

She smiled at her reflection. “I’m really getting married.”

The words came out as little more than a whisper.

Tomorrow had finally become today.

She reached up and lightly touched the engagement ring on her finger.

Would this be happening had Ryan been alive? She wondered, then immediately shook her head to dismiss the thought.

A soft knock came at the door. “Is the bride ready?”

Genevieve smiled as she turned. “She is.”

The door opened slowly and Tom stepped inside.

The moment he saw her, he stopped walking. For several long seconds, he simply stared at her.

Genevieve smiled shyly. “Do I look okay?”

Tom let out a quiet laugh, then shook his head. “You look like an angel.”

Genevieve felt her eyes sting. “Thank you.”

Tom walked towards her slowly. “Are you ready to meet your groom? He’s restless.”

Genevieve laughed quietly. “Yes, I am,” then she looked at him with a serious expression, “Before we go I’d love to thank you for letting me stay…”

“Nobody let you stay,” Tom cut her off, “this is your home.”

Tom looked at her for a moment before adding. “I hope you realize this is your home and you’ll always be welcome here.”

Genevieve smiled. “I know. Thank you.”

Tom nodded, then smiled warmly. “Thank you for allowing me to stand beside you today. You didn’t have to choose me to walk you down the aisle.”

Genevieve turned fully towards him. “I did.”

Tom raised a brow.

“Because there isn’t anyone else I’d rather have beside me,” Genevieve said quietly, “back then when I was pretending to be Dawn and you reached out often, I was often very curt with you because I was jealous of Dawn and wished you were my relative for real. And now you’re walking me down the aisle. So, the honor is mine, not yours.”

Tom smiled, then, without thinking, he opened his arms.

Genevieve stepped into them.

He hugged her gently, careful not to crease her dress.

“Be happy, Genevieve,” he whispered.

Genevieve closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

A soft knock interrupted them.

Lucy peeked inside with a smile. “Am I interrupting?”

Tom slowly released Genevieve. “Glad you showed up. I was a second away from crying.”

Lucy laughed softly then looked at Genevieve. “Come out already. Stefan is at the verge of coming to get you himself.”

Genevieve giggled immediately. “Really?”

Lucy walked over and adjusted the veil one final time. “Yes. Let’s go already.”

Tom offered his arm. “Shall we?”

She smiled up at him and slipped her hand through his arm. “I’m ready.”

Together, they walked out of the bedroom.

Away from there, Stefan’s hands were clasped loosely in front of him, but Harry noticed the tiny movement of his fingers.

“Nervous?” Harry whispered.

Stefan smiled. “A little.”

Harry nodded knowingly. “Good.”

Stefan looked at him.

“If I could be nervous on my wedding day, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be.”

That made Stefan laugh.

Harry leaned a little closer. “And just so you know…”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t plan to follow the normal order of weddings. They bore me to death.”

Stefan chuckled. “Now I’m even more nervous.”

“As long as you don’t faint, everything will be fine.”

Jamal scowled at Harry. “My job is to make him calm, and you’re making him nervous.”

“Focus on your job while I focus on mine,” Harry said, making Stefan and Jamal laugh.

“Your job today is to wed the couple not give the groom a high blood pressure,” Jamal retorted.

“That’s my role as his mentor.”

Just then, the music softened as the first bridesmaid stepped onto the white rose-lined aisle.

Every conversation stopped.

Every head turned.

Mari walked in first, wearing a flowing champagne dress. She held a small bouquet of white roses against her waist, her smile bright and confident.

Behind her came Emily, graceful and elegant, her dress matching Mari’s perfectly. She walked with quiet poise, though the smile tugging at her lips gave away her excitement.

Dawn came last.

Her smile was gentle, almost glowing, and the soft breeze lifted a few loose curls around her face as she walked.

For everyone seated, the three women were beautiful.

For three particular men, they were the only people in the garden.

Mari’s eyes searched automatically until they found Jax where he was seated beside her parents.

The moment their gazes met, Jax mouthed, Beautiful.

She rolled her eyes affectionately before blowing him the tiniest kiss when she was certain no one else was looking.

A few feet from them, Emily’s eyes had already found Callan.

He hadn’t looked away from her since she stepped into the garden.

His expression softened so completely that Emily felt warmth spread through her chest.

Callan’s lips curved in a slow, proud smile that told her exactly what he was thinking.

That’s my girl.

Emily smiled back before shaking her head ever so slightly, silently telling him to stop staring.

Callan only grinned wider.

Jamal barely noticed the other bridesmaids. The instant Dawn appeared, the rest of the garden disappeared.

She looked so beautiful that for a brief second he forgot they were there for someone else’s wedding.

Dawn raised one questioning eyebrow in amusement.

Jamal placed a hand dramatically over his heart before pretending to collapse.

Dawn bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.

“It’s not your wedding,” Callan reminded Jamal loudly, making everyone laugh.

Harry cleared his throat loudly. “Excuse me.”

Everyone looked towards him.

“Should I just conduct a mass wedding for you all?” He looked directly at Dawn, Emily, and Mari.

Laughter rippled through the garden.

“You can do that after you’re done with mine,” Stefan said, making them laugh.

Soft music suddenly changed.

Every conversation stopped and all laughter died.

Everyone turned towards the entrance to the garden.

Tom appeared first.

He stood tall in his black tuxedo, his arm was linked with Genevieve’s.

Genevieve looked breathtaking in a beautiful satin wedding dress which was designed by Lucy as her wedding gift.

The delicate veil framed her face without hiding her smile.

She carried a simple bouquet of white roses tied with cream ribbon.

Stefan’s heart stumbled the moment he saw her. The entire world disappeared around them.

He no longer heard the music or saw the guests. All he could see was his bride. His best friend and safe place. The mother of his child.

Genevieve met his gaze with a soft smile and her smile widened when she saw the emotion in his eyes from where she stood.

Stefan laughed quietly to himself, relaxing when he saw how excited she seemed.

Stefan’s eyes never left her.

They finally reached the front, and Tom took her hand and placed it carefully into Stefan’s waiting hand.

Stefan held it as though it were the most precious thing in the world.

His thumb gently brushed over her fingers. “You look perfect,” he whispered.

Genevieve smiled. “So do you.”

Harry cleared his throat dramatically, “Ladies and gentlemen, you all know why we are here. So I won’t bore you with the details. I actually decided to do this today because the traditional wedding style bores me.”

The entire garden burst into laughter.

Harry looked at the couple. “So, how about we start by asking the bride to kiss the groom so we can get all that tension out of the way?”