LynnEGib: Thanks, I hope that you will like my new chapter!

SylvieTheFanficFreak: Did you also reviewed my story on DQ Forum – Grace's Café? Thanks!! Yes, Matthew deserves to be happy with a woman he loves, and I don't know why, but Atlantis looks PERFECT for that role!

Chacha: Thanks for the kind words, I have so many ideas for this story, so I hope that you won't be dissapointed!

Auslee: Thank you very much! I know that this chapter doesn't reveal much, but we will get there soon!

Chapter 2

Colleen was dumbfounded. Atlantis stopped writing to her almost four years ago and she thought that she would never hear from her again. They stayed in contact for some time, and all of a sudden the letters stopped coming. Colleen tried several times to write to her friend, but her letters kept on coming back to her with a seal that said "addressee unknown."

And even though years had passed since Atlantis' last letter, Colleen could never forget about her friend. She missed her dearly; Atlantis was somebody that Colleen could confide in, knowing that she would listen and try to help, that she wouldn't laugh at her. The only close friend Colleen had here, in Colorado Springs, was Becky…but Becky was gone.

She could never forget Atlantis' letters back in those days; so supportive and comforting. That was what she missed – her friend being there for her. When the first letter came back, Colleen was worried sick that something happened to her dear friend. She tried to find her, Dr. Mike even arranged with Horace that they post a notice in some newspapers across the country, but without succes. It was as if Atlantis had disappeared from the face of the Earth.

Collen's vision blurred. She didn't even realize that tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at the piece of paper in her hands.

"Colleen?"

The young girl gasped, startled by her Ma's voice.

"Ma!"

"Colleen, are you all right?", Dr. Mike asked, worried.

Collen swallowed and nodded. She looked down at the letter and added shrugging,:

"I don't know actually."

also glanced at the paper in her daughter's hands and asked:

"Bad news?"

Collen swallowed hard and a smile lifted up the corner of her mouth:

"Actually, no. Just surprising." She looked back at , "It's a letter from Atlantis."

gasped in surprise,"Atlantis?! But, didn't she…"

"Yeah, I know, she just stopped writing years ago, but now she contacted me again. She lives in London, can you imagine?" By now, Colleen was smiling widely. "Heart is there, too." Looking down at the letter, Colleen held it more tightly between her fingers.

Dr. Mike smiled gently and caressed her daughter's hair.

At that moment, the door of the clinic opened and Matthew stepped in, saying, "? Little Keith just rode into town, said that Mrs. Brown went into early labor. She is at home, she couldn't ride, sent their son to get you!"

"Oh, dear!", Michaela grabbed her medical bag and rushed toward door, "I have to get there immediately!"

"Come on, I'll take you," said Mattheew and briefly waved to his sister,not even noticing the look on Colleen's face.

As the door shut, Collen bit her lower lip. She looked for some paper and a pen on 's desk and sitting down, she started to write a letter to her friend.

~*~

"Mummy, can we go play by the river today?" a little boy asked looking at his mum laying in the bed.

"No, sweetheart, Mummy doesn't feel that well." Coughing, Atlantis caressed her son's hair, "As soon as I get well, I'll take you fishing, okay?"

"Okay, Mummy," he nodded. At that moment, a knock at the door was heard. "I'll get that Mummy, it's probably Grandma."

Atlantis lay back on her pillows, trying to stop coughing. She already prepared herself for welcoming her mum with a brave smile, but instead only her son came back into the room, carrying a letter.

"Letter for you, Mummy."

A small sparkle of hope lit up Atlantis' eyes. She took the envelope from her son and looked at the stamp.

"Who is it from, Mummy?"

A few tears of happiness rolled down Atlantis' cheeks as she saw the stamp of Colorado Springs on the envelope. Opening it and taking out a piece of paper, she whispered,:

"It's from Colleen."

Heart entered the house, surprised that it was unlocked. Atlantis must have been feeling poorly and the little boy probably forgot to lock the doors. But, where did he go?

"Atlantis? Why is the door unlocked, you know how dangerous that…" Seeing her daughter's face, Heart creased her forehead, "Atlantis? Atlantis, what's the matter?"

"Grandma, why is Mummy crying?", little boy looked at his beloved grandmother.

Swallowing her sobs, Atlantis whispered, "She answered, Ma. Colleen wrote back to me."

"Well!", Heart smiled "That's no reason for tears, darling, isn't it?"

"It's not that," Atlantis felt new tears welling up in her eyes. "It's about Matthew."