Chapter 375: Balanced
Dawn sat in the den with Tom and Lucy after she freshened up, her hair loosely tied back and her body wrapped in soft comfort.
The lights were dimd, the curtains half drawn, and the television played quietly in front of them.
A movie was on. It was an old soap opera. Lucy had picked it. Tom leaned back with his arm stretched across the back of the couch, relaxed in a way Dawn had already learned ant he was ho in his spirit.
Lucy sat on the other end of the couch with her legs resting on his thighs while she sipped from a glass of grape juice.
Dawn tried to focus on the movie, but her phone buzzed softly in her hand. She glanced down and smiled when she saw Mila had sent her a picture of Josh laughing.
She’d spoken to him after she freshened up earlier, but seeing a picture of his happy face ward her heart.
When she saw a voice note was being recorded, she took out her earbud from her pocket and connected the phone to it.
After the voice note had been downloaded she played it. She grinned when she heard Josh’s laughter before he spoke.
[Mummy, I’m having so much fun here. How are you? I miss you.]
Dawn recorded her own voice note, [I miss you too, pumpkin. I’ll co see you tomorrow. I’m glad you’re having so much fun.]
Dawn was still staring at the picture of Josh when a ssage from Genevieve popped up on the screen.
Genevieve >: I’ve gotten the ashes now. I’m on my way to the airport now. I’m going to Westend.]
Dawn let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and typed back.
Dawn >: Will you be okay on your own? How long do you plan to stay before you co back?"
She looked up briefly at the movie, just in ti to see a teenage character cry dramatically. Lucy sniffed and dabbed her eye.
"I’ve seen this movie several tis yet I cry every ti I see it again. Why?" Lucy muttered.
Tom chuckled. "I’d love to hear the answer myself. Let
know as soon as you get it."
Lucy kicked his thigh playfully.
Dawn smiled at their easy back and forth, then looked back at her phone.
Genevieve >: Stefan is driving
to the airport. He’s booked a hotel for
to stay when I get to Westend. I’ll be there for so days. I don’t know, it depends on my discussion with the lawyer.
That made Dawn relax a little.
Dawn >: Good. I’m glad he’s so supportive. Have a safe trip. Let
know when you arrive.
Dawn took off the earbuds and set the phone down just as footsteps approached.
A gentle knock sounded at the door of the den, and one of the housekeepers peeked in with a smile.
"Sir, ma’am," she said politely, "the security at the gate just announced that the Perrys are here."
Lucy’s face lit up instantly. "Let them know at the kitchen that they should the table at once."
Tom was already standing. "Finally we can have dinner."
Lucy elbowed his side playfully as they headed for the door. Dawn followed behind them.
They stepped into the living room just as the front door opened.
Lucas walked in first, tall and warm, his arm wrapped firmly around his wife’s waist. Amy leaned into him easily, giggling at sothing he said. Behind them was their daughter, Miley, tall for her age, with bright brown eyes and a curious smile.
"Aunt Lucy!" Miley said happily, rushing over to embrace Lucy.
"You sll so good," Lucy said, pulling back to sniff the air. "What are you wearing? It’s so nice?"
Miley grinned. "It’s called Miley. I own it. It’s a new perfu collection made just for
by grandma Garwood for my eighteenth birthday," she said excitedly, referring to the mother of her mom’s late best friend, whom she’d been nad after.
Lucy giggled and looked at her twin brother, "How is Mom going to beat this? Miley’s mom keeps outdoing herself."
Lucas laughed. "She gave up last year after Mrs Garwood got Miley a car."
Miley smiled. "No one needs to beat anyone. I love all my grandmothers equally. Grandma Garwood gives
from the abundance she has, and grandma gives
also from what she is. All their gifts are equally appreciated."
"What a thoughtful young lady," Lucy said, grinning at Miley.
Miley flicked her hair, "I’m sweet like that," she said, making them laugh, then she turned to Dawn, who was standing at the side with a smile.
"Oh, my gosh! Dawn!" She exclaid dramatically as her face broke into a wide grin and she stepped forward. "I’m Miley."
"Yeah. I recognized you from the picture on your dp. It’s so nice to et you." Dawn smiled and held out her hand without thinking, but Miley ignored her hand and hugged her.
Dawn hugged her back easily since she had co to understand that the mbers of the clan were all huggers.
"I’ve been wanting to see you forever," Miley said and her mother laughed.
"Forever being what... one day? We only got back yesterday."
"Still counts. Besides I’ve been wanting to see her long before we got back," Miley said seriously, making everyone laugh.
Introductions were made properly then. Dawn greeted Lucas and Amy, both of whom smiled warmly at her and embraced her.
"So this is her," Amy said softly, her eyes kind. "It’s really good to finally et you."
"How are you able to keep up with all the nas? I’m certain you’ve t over a dozen people already," Lucas said with a grin.
"I can keep up. I’m smart," Dawn assured him with a smug smile.
Tom clapped, "Now that’s Hank pride," he said, holding out his fist for a bump, and Dawn giggled as she fist bumped with him.
They all moved toward the dining room together, the house filling with chatter and laughter.
As they settled around the table, Lucy smiled at Amy. "I didn’t even get a chance to ask you at the office. How was your anniversary trip?"
Amy’s smile turned soft and dreamy. She glanced at Lucas. "It was wonderful as usual. I had him all to myself."
Lucas leaned over and kissed her lip. "You always have
all to yourself."
Miley raised a brow at her Dad. "When do I get to have you all to myself?"
Amy laughed. "You’re just jealous."
"I am!" Miley said boldly. "I’m part of the family too. You should let
tag along on your anniversary trips."
Lucas raised a brow. "And ruin our romance?"
"I can sit far away," Miley argued. "Very far."
Amy snorted. "Like you don’t enjoy staying with your grandparents. It’s the only ti you get to be with them."
Miley smiled. "Okay, fine. I do enjoy it. But it’s not fair that you get to have Dad all to yourself for two weeks."
"She’s my wife. It’s fair," Lucas said as he leaned in again and kissed Amy’s forehead this ti.
"Hey!" Miley protested. "I want a kiss too. I think I’m just going to get a boyfriend so I don’t have to ask you anymore."
Lucas laughed and kissed her forehead too. "There. Balanced."
Miley smiled smugly. "Fair."
Her parents laughed. "Like we don’t know you have a boyfriend already."
Dawn, Lucy, and Tom watched the family drama with amusent.
"I don’t," Miley said defensively. "That’s my ex anyway. You can ask Brenda and Bella."
"What’s that? Your fifth ex?" Amy asked and Miley shrugged.
"Not my fault that I have such perfect males in my life and can’t settle for less as result," she said sweetly.
"Then maybe you shouldn’t get into a relationship in the first place until you’re sure he is perfect like the males in your life," Lucy suggested.
"So tis we have to get in to know, you know? Look at Dawn and Jamal for instance. Or you and Uncle Tom. How would either of you have ended up with them if you didn’t get into it with them?" She asked with a grin.
Lucy and Dawn exchanged an amused look. "I guess there are no secrets in this family," Dawn muttered.
Lucas laughed out loud. "Welco to the madness."
"Hello, family! Anybody miss ?" Jamal asked as he walked in with his jacket and tie in hand, looking tired.
Dawn’s eyes lit up when she saw him, and Lucy smiled to herself when she caught Dawn’s expression.
"We weren’t even expecting you. Who invited you?" Tom asked, and Jamal chuckled as he stopped by Tom’s chair to stuff a steak from his plate in his mouth, before going to et Dawn.
"My precious, I missed you," he said, kissing her lip before going to greet Lucy. "My Queen, I missed you. It’s good to have you back in Ludus," he walked over to et Lucas and bowed dramatically, "Hello, Cousin Lucas. Welco back from your trip," he said then smiled at Amy, "You look lovely," he greeted politely, then grinned when he got to Miley. "You got prettier in my absence. I should leave more often," he said, and she giggled as she rose to embrace him.
As Jamal took the seat beside Dawn, Tom raised a brow. "You had a special greeting for everyone but not ?"
"Who are you?" Jamal asked, making everyone laugh.
Dawn watched Jamal as he interacted with them, and sothing warm spread in her chest.
She smiled as she imagined being married to Jamal and hosting the rest of the family in their ho as they’d hosted Jamal’s friends the other day.
Having every mber of the family together. The crowd, the chaos, the laughter. She loved it, and she was happy she belonged here.
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