While Stefan escorted the makeover and her partner to the door, Genevieve went to the mirror.

The luggage box was still open. New clothes lay neatly on the bed. Makeup items were arranged on the table.

The air held the faint smell of powder and perfume.

Genevieve stood by the mirror looking at her reflection. The woman staring back at her didn’t look like her.

It didn’t look like the Genevieve everyone knew. Her blonde hair was hidden. Now it was replaced by a long red pixie curl wig.

Her eyes were no longer blue. The brown contacts made them softer, reminding her of the time she used to pretend to be Dawn.

"Wow..." she whispered as she touched her face, not sure whether she liked the new look or not.

She’d been happy to finally give up wearing the wig and contacts and pretending to be Dawn, but now she looked like a different person once again.

Was she ever going to be herself?

Stefan stood behind her, watching her silently as he tried to read her face to know what she was thinking.

For a moment, he said nothing, then he stepped closer. "You don’t like it?"

She met his gaze in the mirror. "Why do you think I don’t?"

"You don’t look like you do. You are frowning," he said, and only then did she realize that her brows were creased.

She’d smoothened it immediately and sighed.

"She did a good job. But I’m just... I don’t know. I’m tired of looking like someone else. And before you say it, I know this is temporary. I know it’s for my safety. But I was just thinking. That’s all," she said, and he nodded.

"Yeah. I love your blonde hair and blue eyes," he said, "and you can always be yourself when we are alone. Unless you’d love to role-play in this costume. Maybe you can be Viv Kirk the naughty sales clerk and I can be the customer in your shop," he said in a teasing tone as he wrapped his arms around her.

The corner of her lips twitched first, then she giggled. "That’s some idea," she said, rubbing her ass against his crotch. "Maybe I’ll be a sales clerk in a lingerie shop where you’re buying stuff for your wife."

Stefan chuckled, "Not a bad idea," he said, then asked. "Why Viv Kirk?"

She met his eyes in the mirror and a small smile formed on her lips.

"Because I love the name, and I also plan to keep using the passport," she said softly.

He frowned slightly. "Even after all this is over?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes." She turned slowly to face him. "That’s the name I want to go by," she added.

Stefan stared at her then understanding flickered in his eyes. "Is that your way of saying yes?" he asked.

She tilted her head slightly and smirked. "Yes to what?"

"To my proposal."

Her smile deepened. "We both know I never rejected you," she said gently. "I only said I wasn’t ready."

He searched her face. "Let me rephrase the question then. Is that your way of saying you are ready now?" he asked.

She didn’t answer immediately. Her smile faded just a little. "When I heard the explosion, and then saw news..." Her voice slowed and she swallowed, "It hit me how short life is."

Her eyes lifted to his. "I could have died," she said quietly. "Just like that."

Stefan’s jaw tightened.

"And I realized something," she continued softly. "I don’t want to wait until I’m perfect to live my life. I may never be good enough for you or perfect for everybody."

Her voice grew stronger. "I want to do everything. I want to be with you. I want to be there for Dawn and Josh. I want to hang out with you and your friends like we did the last time. I want to work at the foundation with Delilah and Lucy. I want to work at the salon and spa too when I have the chance. I want to do it all," She gave a small laugh as tears dropped from her eyes. "And I want to give my best to everyone."

Stefan’s expression softened and his lips curved as he watched her. Although he wanted to speak, he knew she was done yet. So he remained silent.

"I already have too many regrets, Stefan. I regret a lot of things I’ve done in my life and how I’ve lived so far," Her voice dropped and she shook her head slightly. "But those are things I can’t change. I understand better all the advice I’ve received until now. "I don’t want to add any more regrets to those. So I want to live a happy life with you and do everything I can while I still can. I don’t want to postpone my happiness."

Silence filled the room at first, then Stefan spoke, "I think that’s a very good idea," he said quietly.

She smiled.

"I did a lot of thinking myself when I saw the news. And I planned on bringing it up after we got back home safely," he took her hand and held her gaze for a moment.

"Will you marry me when we get back to Ludus?" he asked.

Her eyes widened slightly. "Immediately?"

He nodded. "Yes. Maybe a week after we get home so we can be settled. A private ceremony," he added.

She shook her head immediately. "No."

He blinked. "No?" he asked. "You don’t want a private ceremony? Or you don’t want to get married so soon?"

She smiled, "I told you I want family. I want everyone there. I want Emily and Callan. I want Delilah there. And Lucy. Uncle Harry and Uncle Tom are helping us with this. That means they care too. I want them there as well. and everyone." Her voice warmed and she squeezed his hand gently. "Including Jamal’s grandfather who is also like your grandfather."

Stefan nodded. "Sure. When I said private I meant just us and family. You made it clear earlier and I heard you loud and clear," he said.

Her eyes lit up. "And I can meet your grandfather first right? I mean a proper introduction?"

"Sure. And Uncle Harry," he added. "I have to properly tell them I’m marrying you."

Tears filled her eyes and a soft laugh slipped out of her lips. "This is... this is really happening, right?" she said.

He smiled. "Yes. It is."

He pulled her into his arms and she held onto him tightly.

For a moment, nothing else mattered.

Then she suddenly pulled back when she remembered something. A small frown forming on her face.

"Oh-oh."

"What?" Stefan asked.

"There’s a problem," she said.

His brows pulled together. "What problem?"

"The engagement ring," she said. "It was in my luggage at I-Global."

Stefan stared at her for a second. Then he shrugged lightly. "We’ll get another one."

She pouted, "I really loved that one and never got to wear it."

He smiled. "You will love the new one I will get you even more," he promised.

"I’ll hold you on to that," she said softly then sealed it with a kiss.