[color=darkred][b]Chapter 12[/b][/color]

«I thought I should get started on fixing the barn's roof before the winter starts,» said Sully as he took another bite of his meat loaf.

"Sounds good," nodded Michaela. Noticing Horace walking over to the café, she asked, "Did letters arrive today? Anything from Washington?"

"Nope, still nothing," was his reply.

"What's in Washington?" Colleen wanted to know. Michaela and Sully shared a look with each other.

"I just contacted one of my colleagues," replied , smiling at her daughter. "I've been expecting an answer, but still nothing."

"Oh. Well, if it's a medical case, perhaps I can help?" Colleen tried to find out more.

"Oh, no, it's nothing, really. I just asked him about a case we worked on together a long time ago," Dr. Mike tried to get out.

"What was it about?" this time, Brian chimed in.

"It was a psychiatric problem, and I read about some new research, so I was just interested in knowing more." Dr. Mike quickly sipped on her coffee to avoid further questions. It seemed like the children were done asking, and they all carried on with their lunch.

Worried that the kids might continue with questioning, Sully decided to come to Michaela's rescue. He pushed his plate away and taking a cup of coffee, he looked at Matthew.

"Matthew, I got those tools you needed to borrow for fixing the house. They're in the back of the wagon, we can get them after we're finished with lunch."

"Thanks, Sully," nodded Matthew. "I just need to get some supplies from Loren and will come to pick up the tools as soon as I finished that."

Before Sully could say anything else, little Matthew asked curiously, "What are you fixing?"

Matthew looked down at him and smiled, "Ah, some fences broke, and there are some things in the house that need to be fixed, too."

"Can I help you?" the child smiled hopefully.

"Well, I think we should have to ask your Mum first," Matthew winked at the little boy, a smile showing up on his lips as he looked at Atlantis.

"Can I go, Mummy, pleeeaaaseee?"

"Oh, darling, you can't do big men's jobs yet, and Matthew wouldn't finish any of his work if he would have to watch you all the time," Atlantis tried to explain to her son, but Matthew interrupted her, "It's fine, Atlantis, really."

"Are you sure?" she felt her cheeks flushing from the warmth that was coming out of his blue eyes. She knew she had already lost the battle; here she was, receiving a plea from the two most important men in her life – how could she say no?

Letting out a defeated breath, she simply nodded, "All right, but only if you promise that you won't disturb Matthew while he works, okay?"

The child was about to confirm that he would behave, but that was when Katie jumped in with a suggestion, eager to help her friend, "You can come as well and look after him while Matthew works!"

"Katie…," Sully looked at his daughter, but the little girl was so excited about her helping her friend that she didn't even notice the tone of her dad's voice.

If her cheeks could get even more red, Atlantis was sure that it was happening right now. "Oh, Katie, I don't think that I am still up to it…," she hopefully looked at Dr. Mike, but Michaela simply shrugged, saying over her cup, "Don't see why not, as long as you take it easy."

Sully looked bewildered at his wife, but her only response to his look of disbelief was to take a long sip of her coffee.

That caught Atlantis off guard, and her eyes searched Matthew's, even though that was the last thing she wanted to do because she knew; if she took one look at those eyes she loved so much, she wouldn't win this battle.

And she lost it. Big time – because what she saw in his eyes and on his face showed her that he liked the idea. Smiling nervously she nodded, causing her son to squeal happily and clung tightly around her neck, hugging her like he would never let go. She let out a small laugh, hugging her little darling back.

~*~

Sully closed the wagon, making sure the supplies that Matthew just brought from Loren's store wouldn't fall off during the ride.

"All set,"Sully firmly said, joining his wife on the porch of the clinic.

Atlantis stood beside Dr. Mike, nervously fidgeting with her shawl as she watched Matthew picking up her son from the ground and putting him on the wagon, making sure that he was secured on his seat. Her vision got blurred from tears as she watched how Matthew treated her child – like a father would treat his son.

Her eyes stopped at the front of the wagon and the horse who was stomping his right front foot on the ground, eager to start with the ride. She was about to spend a day with Matthew; alone, at his home…Was she ready for that?

As he made sure that the little boy was safe in the back of the wagon, Matthew smiled at the child and turned around. A wave of warmth flushed over him as he looked at the young woman that stood beside Dr. Mike and Sully on the porch. He felt such peace as he took in her beautiful face, and he stepped toward her, simply asking, "Ready?"

One word from him was enough for Atlantis to forget everything else. She slightly nodded and slowly stepped down from the porch. Feeling him by her side, she wished that time would stop and make her feel always safe and protected like she felt around him.

And it was then when a thought entered her mind and she quickly turned over to look at Dr. Mike and Sully.

"Please, don't tell my mother where are we."

Michaela creased her eyebrows, but softly smiled and nodded. So did Sully.

Atlantis cast a thankful glance at the two of them, and holding Matthew's hand as she was still too weak, she reached the wagon. Gritting her teeth in order to send the pain away from her ribs, she accepted Matthew's help when she started to climb onto the wagon. As she sat down, she let out a small breath of relief and shyly watched as Matthew sat down beside her. He clicked his tongue and snapped the reins a bit, causing the horse to move.

Michaela watched the wagon drive away, swallowing happy tears. Sully's hand moved around her waist and he whispered, "What was that all about at the café? I thought that she shouldn't have to move that much just yet."

"Oh, Sully," whispered Michaela, one tear rolling down her cheek. "Who could take a better care of Atlantis than Matthew?" She looked at her husband and he smiled lovingly, kissing her gently.

~*~

It all looked like a dream, too good to be true. Even though it was the end of October, the day was sunny and not too cold. Listening to her son's chattering and Matthew's voice as he patiently answered millions of questions that the little boy asked him, Atlantis allowed herself to finally relax - after so many years. She leaned in her seat, closing her eyes, feeling the fresh breeze on her face. Could life really be so simple and beautiful like it was now?

She was taken back from her thoughts by the laughter beside her and opening her eyes, she saw that Matthew was holding her son on his lap, allowing him to hold the reins together with him. The child was delighted as he directed the horse down the road that led toward the homestead.

"That's good, just hold them tight and don't slap them too hard, all right?" Matthew looked down at the child and the little boy happily nodded, fully concentrated on the task that was given to him.

It was then when Matthew looked at his left side and asked, "You all right? We can stop a bit if you're in pain." His voice was concerned.

"No, I'm fine, thanks," whispered Atlantis. Matthew nodded, but couldn't look away from her. She felt the blood coming up to her cheeks full force from his intense stare and she quickly glanced at her son. Smiling at her child's squealing and giggling, she said, "You sure got a way with him, he can't stop talking about you." The words were out before Atlantis even realized what she had just said. Upon hearing her voice, she felt her breath caught in her throat. If only being so close to him wouldn't make me so nervous, perhaps my tongue would stay put, she cursed herself for being so bold.

"He's a good kid, Atlantis," was Matthew's reply and she felt her eyes stopping on his face once again. That was when little Matthew's voice was heard as he happily exclaimed, "Look, Mummy! I can do it! Horse listens to me!"

Atlantis smiled through happy tears and lovingly caressed her son's brown hair. Matthew couldn't help but smile too as he watched the pure happiness shining on Atlantis and the little boy's face; it was all that they deserved – to be happy.

The horse relaxed a bit as he turned left and Atlantis looked up only to have her breath taken away by the sight in front of her. They arrived at the homestead.

Matthew helped the child to stop the horse and jumped down from the wagon. Turning back, he pulled the little boy in his arms and took him down from the wagon. The child immediately ran toward the chicken coop and barn to greet his animal friends that he met few days ago.

Atlantis watched as her child ran around the chicken coop and then inside the barn, laughing all the way. It was so unbelievable to her to see him happy like this. How could she ever take him away from here?

Inhaling a sharp breath, she swallowed hard. It would be hard but she had to do it. She didn't want to see anybody getting hurt, especially not Matthew. He deserved happiness and a new life, he deserved to have a peaceful, happy life without having to glance over his shoulders – and that was something she wasn't able to give him, no matter how hard she wanted.

"Atlantis?"

The sound of his voice reached her heart through the veil of her dark thoughts and she looked at him. She slowly got up and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself before she started to get down. His hands rested on her waist, and he put her down safely, she barely even noticed the pain as she stepped onto the ground. Unable to stop her tears, she saw the questioning look on his face and mumbled through tears, "It's just…" She swallowed hard. "He's so happy here. I never gave him that."

Matthew watched as she broke down in tears and tried to get away from him. But he held her back by not taking his hands off her waist. Instead, his arms encircled her in a hug and he leaned her face on his shoulder, allowing her to cry it all out. He knew that she needed that. Like him, she'd swallowed too many tears and too much pain over the years – and he wanted to let her know that he'd be there for her whenever she needed him.

"Ssssshhh, it wasn't your fault," he whispered to her, but Atlantis shook her head. Pulling her face away from his shoulder, she mumbled, "No, Matthew. I should have tried harder."

"Why don't you tell me everything and let me help you?" he asked, but she shook her head.

"I can't drag you into all that mess,"she mumbled. As more laughter was heard from the barn, Atlantis took in a shivering breath. Matthew noticed that and slowly, he said, "Maybe it's time that you include the law into all that."

"I could never afford that; Heart owns all the money. I couldn't pay for the lawyer…" Atlantis sighed. She wanted to take that step so many times, but knew that she couldn't.

"You don't have to." At these of Matthew's words, she looked at him totally stunned, "Matthew, there is no lawyer on this world who would take a case for free," she tried to reason with him.

"I would," Matthew declared firmly.

"What? But, you aren't…" Atlantis tried to say something but Matthew interrupted her.

"That's probably one thing my sister didn't tell you. I studied law in Denver, and I am working as a lawyer for already one year and a half," he talked seriously and his heart jumped as he saw a sparkle of hope shining in Atlantis' beautiful brown eyes. "Let me help you, please."

"Matthew, no; I couldn't ask it from you to defend me for free," Atlantis tried to protest, but Matthew didn't want to give her that chance. "You aren't. I am offering that to you. This little boy and you deserve to be free and live happily, without fearing the next day, Atlantis. Tell me what happened to you and your son. Let me help you, Atlantis, please. Please, give your son and yourself a chance for a new life," he pleaded with her, never looking away from her eyes. "Please. Let me be your lawyer."

Swallowing the sobs that were choking her, Atlantis mumbled, "Oh, Matthew." As tears rolled down her cheeks, she nodded.

Letting out a breath of relief, Matthew smiled, "All right. Come on, let's go inside and you can tell me everything."

"What about your job?" she asked. "I don't want to hold you back."

"Job can wait. There's nothing more important than this." As he said those words she forgot all the thoughts about leaving Colorado that she had a few minutes ago. "Come on," he said as he put his hand around her waist to help her walking. "Let's so inside."