Matthew stepped out of the clinic and looked around toward Bray's store. No sight of Heart. As he looked toward the bridge, he noticed her walking over it and ran to catch up with her. The fact that she just ran off from him confirmed his suspicions; whatever Atlantis had gone through, Heart had a saying in it. Now he was sure of it. He still remembered how she treated Atlantis back when he first met them. Obviosuly, it only turned worse.
It was in the middle of the meadow when he caught up with her. She was startled to see him, but Matthew didn't buy any of her circus acts. She couldn't play innocence anymore.
«I said that I wanna talk to you,» he firmly said.
«Said?» Heart raised her eyebrows «No. You shouted, young man. And I dissaprove such tone. You oughta be ashamed of yourself! I am old enough to be your mother!»
If he hadn't seen the fear that flashed in Atlantis' eyes just few minutes ago, Matthew would accept this criticism and apologize for his behaviour. However, not this time.
«I don't think that you realize the seriousness of the situation, Heart. Atlantis is very sick and beyond that – she has been mentally and physically abused, as well as the boy! And you're gonna tell me exactly what happened, and you're gonna tell me NOW,» said Matthew, highlighting the last word.
«I don't need to explain myself to you!»hissed Heart. «That is none of your business!»
«You're wrong. It is my business.» That reply from him hit the nerve in Heart and she stared at him, gritting her teeth.
«It is none of your business. You're not her relative. Or her husband.»
«No,» said Matthew. «But I am her lawyer.»
«What the…», Heart gasepd, only to lift her chin, «You can't do anything. Atlantis is in no shape to go before court, let alone ask for legal help.»
«Well, lets leave that to Atlantis to decide, shall we?» Matthew didn't allow her to win this fight.
«She'll never listen to you, only me!» hissed Heart.
That was the last straw for Matthew's patience. He stepped a bit closer to Heart, and staring into her eyes he sternly said, «If I find out that you hurt Atlantis or her son in any way, I will personally get a restraining order to keep you away from them until the whole truth is out. Is that clear?» And without waiting for an answer, Matthew turned around and went back toward the clinic, leaving Heart totally speechless.
~*~
«Mummy! MUMMY!» Cries full of fear could be heard and Atlantis gasped.
«, that's my son, I gotta go get him,» she tried to take off the blankets, but couldn't do it. Her strength abandoned her.
«Sssshhhhh, dear, don't move. I'll go get him. You just lay here,» tried to sooth her. She was out before her patient could protest. Atlantis knew how scared her son became of people he didn't know. She listened to the doctor's steps and when she heard the door opening, she exclaimed loud enough for her son to hear her, «Matthew, it's all right. This lady will bring you to me. Don't be scared, baby. Come with her, Mummy is waiting for you.»
Michaela noticed how pale the child turned when she opened the door and she could swear that he was about to scream, judging his facial expression. That was when Atlantis' voice was heard, and the little boy hesitated for a moment, before he accepted Dr. Mike's hand.
All of Atlantis' senses were directed to the doorway, and when Dr. Mike showed up, carrying her son, she broke down in happy tears.
«MUMMY!!!!» her son mirrored her happiness and flew toward her. Atlantis welcomed him within her arms and tightly hugged him.
«Oh, my baby!» she sobbed, kissing his soft hair. «Are you okay, sweetie? Are you okay?»
The child clung to her, silent but happy to be in his Mum's embrace.
Dr. Mike decided to give them a moment alone.
«I'll be downstairs if you need me, Atlantis,» she quietly said. Atlantis nodded at her, thanking her with her eyes. She held onto her child, warm tears rolling down her cheeks. She had been so worried for her son.
«I was scared, Mummy,» whispered the boy.
«Ooooh, my baby, why? Mummy is fine. Sssshhhhh,» Atlantis tried too sooth her child.
«I was calling for you for days and you didn't wake up,»sobbed the little boy.
Atlantis closed her eyes, blinking her tears away. She knew that she had been unconciouss for a while and assumed that her son was beside her all the time.
«I am okay now, honey. Mummy was just sleeping. Sssshhhh, don't cry, my angel, don't cry,» she whispered, gently rocking her son in her arms.
Matthew took the last steps along the hallway where the recovery room was. He heard soft sobs coming from Atlantis' room and recognized little Matthew's voice. Carefully, he crept toward the door, trying to hear their conversation.
«Grandma told me that you are sleeping, but I could always wake you up. Even when Pa hit you. But, I couldn't now.» The little boy's words broke Matthew's heart.
Swallowing hard, Atlantis kissed her son's forehead, «I am awake now, Matthew. And I feel much better. Dr. Mike's been taking good care of me. I will be up soon, and we will go fishing,» she gently smiled, wiping the tears from her son's cheeks.
«Brian's brother told me he will take me fishing,» beamed the child.
«Matthew?»Atlantis breathed in disbelief.
«Nooooo, Brian's brother!,» giggled the boy. Atlantis bit her lower lip, barely holding her tears back.
«I know, honey. His name is also Matthew,» she softly explained, moving a hair from her little boy's forehead.
The child tilted his head to the right a bit, looking at his Mum, confusion written all over his face. «It is?»
As his Mum nodded, little Matthew asked, with a child's innocence, «Why, Mummy?»
Atlantis couldn't lie to her son. He worshiped her, he was so attached to her and to discover one day that she lied to him, would break his heart. Atlantis knew that very well.
«Because I wanted to remember him forever,» she explained, trying not to cry. «He's the only one who made me feel special.» Swallowing hard, she added «And I like him.»
«Me too,» her son nodded in agreement. Atlantis couldn't hold back the smile that crept up on her lips.
«Oh, really, you do?»she tickled her little boy and the child giggled with delight. «But, that's going to be our little secret, okay, Matthew?»
«Okay,» giggled the boy. As his Mummy tickled him even more, he shrieked with laughter, «Okay, I promise!»
Matthew felt his eyes filling with tears. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, breathing hard.