Chapter 25
They picked up the lunch basket that Grace had prepared for them and went back to town, where little Matthew eagerly awaited them sitting in the back of the wagon, his legs waving through the air, his face lit up with a smile. Atlantis felt the tears of joy in her eyes as she watched her son being so happy – she knew who had done that. Over the weeks they were in Colorado, despite all the hard times they endured, Matthew was still able to keep her little son away from all the heartaches.
With Matthew's help, she climbed up in the wagon and her son immediately moved toward the front seat, hugging her with his small arms around her neck and leaning his soft face on her left shoulder as he stood behind her. Atlantis warmly smiled, caressing her little son's hands as Matthew sat down beside her and started their way toward the homestead.
«Mommy, I won in hide and seek again!» exclaimed little Matthew making both grown ups smile.
«You did?» Atlantis looked at her little one.
The child eagerly nodded. «Yeah! Sammy and Katie were trying to find me each time, but they never could. I hid very well and I found them every time! I think that Sammy might be a bit angry at me,» giggled the boy.
«Honey, you should let them find you sometimes,» chuckled Atlantis.
«Why?» little Matthew asked, totally confused.
«Yeah, why?», Matthew joined in the charade, barely holding back his laughter at Atlantis' facial expression as he spoke.
«Well… because they're girls,» Atlantis shook her head.
«So?» her little son still didn't have a clue what is that his mom was talking about, and Matthew bit his lower lip in order not to laugh.
«You have to be a gentleman sometimes,» Atlantis replied, playfully poking Matthew in his upper arm, her lips curling up in a smile as she noticed his struggle with laughter.
«Aaaaaahhhh, Mommy, but that's boring!»little Matthew groaned making both Atlantis and Matthew laugh out loudly.
The rest of the trip went by with little Matthew's chattering about his day spent with Katie and Samantha. Eventually, Atlantis pulled him on her lap and held him close to her the whole time, hugging him tightly. While the little boy talked and giggled, Atlantis looked at Matthew. He was her strength, her better tomorrow; he gave her will and hope that life could be a beautiful thing. He noticed her silence and looked up at her. He could read every emotion in Atlantis' eyes, and it touched his heart deeply. There was hope inside those hazelnut brown eyes, a hope for a better life, there was so much gratitude for everything he did and most of all, there was unconditional love for him shining in every happy tear that appeared on her long eyelashes.
The homestead showed up in front of them, and little Matthew wriggled his way out of Atlantis' lap and jumped from the wagon, running to see the animals. Atlantis couldn't hold back a chuckle at her son's happiness, and as Matthew helped her down from the wagon, she hugged him tightly around his neck.
«Thank you for bringing my son back,» she whispered and knew that Matthew understood what she meant with those words. His childhood was taken away from him by his own father and Matthew didn't want that to happen to her son.
Matthew hugged Atlantis back, knowing exactly what was she thinking.
«You're welcome,» he gently replied, closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of her hair softly brushing against his cheek.
He slowly kissed her hair and they walked toward the house. As they reached the threshold, Matthew scooped Atlantis in his arms causing her to yelp in surprise.
«Matthew!» she looked at him, her cheeks flushing with bright red colour as she realized what he was actually planning to do.
As his lips touched her forehead, Atlantis closed her eyes, a sigh escaping her. He carried her across the threshold, but didn't let her go once they were inside the house. As she opened her eyes, she got lost in his blue eyes that watched her warmly. He didn't say anything at first, but his eyes said enough.
«Matthew» Atlantis whispered. The feeling of him so close to her made her blood boil. He gently put her down, never breaking eye contact.
His fingertips slowly traveled down her jaw line, causing a shivering breath escape from her. She leaned in, wanting to feel his lips on hers, and he gladly accepted it. The kiss was gentle and long before the passion overtook them and Matthew pulled Atlantis closer to him, getting lost in their love…
As they slowly pulled away from each other a few minutes later, heavily breathing, Matthew leaned his forehead against Atlantis'.
«I don't wanna rush you into anything, Atlantis. I know that you're still married and probably won't think about doing that again for a long time after you get divorced. But…» he slowly caressed her back and felt her shiver with pleasure in his embrace, «... I want you to know that I never will take advantage of you. I'll wait for you as long as it takes…»
His voice caressed her heart like the most beautiful melody, and as she looked up at his blue eyes, he gently added, «I will never stop loving you, Atlantis. I wanna raise Matthew with you and grow a big family with you, my angel…Will you marry me?»
A sob escaped Atlantis', and as the happy tears burst from her eyes, she felt a smile taking hold of her lips and nodding, she mumbled, «Yes!»
Matthew's whole face lit up with a happy smile, and he picked her up from the ground, whirling her around as they both laughed . The minute they stopped, Matthew leaned down and placed a loving, deep kiss on Atlantis lips, her tears leaving wet tracks on his cheeks. He kissed away each tear she shed.
«Sorry, I don't have a ring right now,» he whispered.
«Never mind. My finger isn't going anywhere,» joked Atlantis and they both chuckled.
Matthew gently ran his hands through her beautiful long brown hair and staring deeply in her eyes, he whispered, «I love you, Atlantis. I love you so much.»
He leaned down and she breathed, «I love you too, Matthew» before his lips brushed against hers, slowly and gently at first, causing her whole body to tingle with excitement and love. Carried away with passion, Atlantis pressed herself closer to Matthew's body, causing his hold on her to tighten and her heartbeat sped up. Her lips moved a bit over his lips, and in next second, his tongue entered her mouth, deepening their kiss and Atlantis nearly lost her balance. She moaned silently, her hands getting lost in Matthew's dark blonde hair…
«Mommy!! You gotta come to see this!» little Matthew's voice was heard from far away, startling both of them.
«That kid of mine has the worst timing ever!» Atlantis couldn't help but laugh.
«Even worse than mine,» Matthew chuckled.
As Atlantis looked at him questioningly, Matthew explained, «I lost track of the number of how many times I walked in and interrupted Dr. Mike and Sully.»
As this sent Atlantis into laughter, Matthew hugged her around her waist with one hand and said, «Well, you know what they say: 'Like Father, like son'.»
Atlantis' eyes filled with tears as she heard Matthew's words. His eyes spoke volumes to her. She knew that he already accepted little Matthew as his own child.
«I mean it, Atlantis. I wanna be the Father to your son, I will never neglect him, I promise you that,» Matthew determinedly said.
«Oh, Matthew,» Atlantis mumbled through sobs, «I know that. Because of you, my son is happier than ever. I don't know how I can ever thank you for that.» Atlantis' voice drowned in tears and she hugged Matthew tightly. He hugged her back and they just stayed like that for a while. As they slowly parted and looked at each other, little Matthew's giggles were heard again, «Mommy!!!!!»
Matthew raised one eyebrow. «He's improving. I was planning to kiss you… didn't kiss you yet.»
At those words, both he and Atlantis laughed and sharing a quick, gentle kiss, they went outside, hand in hand to see what it was that occupied their son.