Matthew was going through his papers, smiling every now and then at hearing little Matthew's laughter from the outside and Atlantis' unsuccessful tries to calm down the excited child. Ever since he woke up, he was thinking about the defense that needed to be prepared for the Court, and after having a short breakfast, he sat down at the table and searched his books.
His thoughts traveled to a conversation from last night, and a smile lifted up the corners of his mouth. The dinner had gone by with little Matthew chattering full speed and Atlantis trying to shut him up by feeding him, which caused the little boy to giggle even more. Matthew was enjoying the dinner so much, he merely watched the two people who brought light back into his heart. He ate silently, only sometimes chuckling at the words little Matthew said to get himself out from going to sleep.
"But, Mummy, I am not sleepy", whined little Matthew, causing Atlantis to scoop him up on her lap.
"Matthew, but your animal friends are already sleeping. If you don't go to sleep now, they'll wake before you," Atlantis tried once again, only to receive a soft grumble from her little son.
"Chickens go to sleep way too early," the child said in his defense causing Matthew to chuckle and almost choking on his food from the laughter. Atlantis shot him a look, pretending to be angry, but she couldn't hide the smile that showed up on her face.
"What if I tell you a story?" Atlantis raised one eyebrow, taking a bite of her own meal. The kid fell quiet; his face showing that he was re-thinking his decision about staying up a bit longer. This offer was too tempting, he finally concluded and exclaimed, "Okay!" sending both grown ups into laughter. He joined them happily, laughing because they were laughing even though he didn't understand why they all laughed. But who cared? It felt good.
Atlantis stood up first and helped her little son to wash his face. After she put his pajama on, she ushered him to go and brush his teeth before bedtime, and promising she'd prepare a story until he came back.
It was then when she realized she didn't have a clue where they would sleep, and the blood rushed into her face. She quickly busied herself with folding her son's clothes, but her facial expression wasn't missed by Matthew. As she came back toward the table to take away the dishes, he stopped her with placing his palm over her hand. She felt the electricity shooting through her body at that simple touch from him. She could feel his eyes piercing through her and seeing every part of her soul, and she knew that he guessed what she was thinking.
As she felt him getting up from the chair, she nearly lost her balance. His closeness had magical effect on her; she'd never felt anything like the feelings Matthew woke up in her.
His hand gently hugged her around her waist and leaning down, he softly kissed her hair. She closed her eyes as she felt him lingering with his lips on her hairline. Letting out a soft, silent sigh, she leaned her face on his chest and heard him saying, "I meant what I said, Atlantis. I would never take advantage of you."
He looked down at her and she lifted her head, trusting him completely.
"You and Matthew take the big bed. I'll sleep over there," he pointed with his head toward the bed that was Colleen's once, and where little Matthew slept when they'd just arrived at the homestead.
Atlantis' eyes shone with love as she watched Matthew's face. "Thank you," she slightly rose on her toes and placed a soft, long kiss on Matthew's lips. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," Matthew smiled at her.
"Hello, Dr. Mike, Sully," Atlantis' voice was heard from outside. Matthew creased his eyebrows as he stood up to see what's going on.
"Good day, Atlantis," Michaela nervously smiled. "Is Matthew around?" She barely finished the question when she saw her oldest son showing up on the doorstep.
"Dr. Mike, Sully," he greeted them with a nod.
"We have to talk." Michaela's anxiety was getting the better of her, and by the look on her face Matthew realized that it was something serious.
Atlantis noticed it too, and she said to her son to go to play and that she would call him for lunch. The little boy nodded and ran off with Sully's Wolf toward the small garden.
Matthew stepped down from the porch, suddenly getting concerned, "Dr. Mike?"
Michaela shared a worried look with Sully, rubbing her palm against the other palm. Sully nodded at her, and looking up at Matthew and Atlantis he said, "Matthew, we've found out something that could affect the whole case."
For some reason, panic started to rise up in Atlantis. Fear threatened to consume her as she heard what Sully just said. "What did you find out?" she heard her own voice ask, barely recognizing it; it was just a shivering echo.
The feeling of Matthew's hand around her waist calmed her down a bit.
"Well, I remembered something that Heart told me years ago, when you first arrived here," explained Michaela. "We didn't want to upset you before we were sure, so we did some investigation and…uhmmm… perhaps you should see it by yourself," she handed Atlantis a paper that looked like an article from the newspapers.
Atlantis took the paper with shivering fingers and looking down at it, she started to read
"A missing childA four year old girl named Atlantis Williams has gone missing. She was last seen in San Francisco. She wore a brown skirt and a green jacket. Her hair is brown and she has white gloves on her hands. Please, if you have any information, contact the local police station or press who would reach her parents…"
By now, Atlantis breath had quickened up abnormally; it looked as if she fell into some state of shock. Her lungs fought for air, and her legs betrayed her.
"ATLANTIS!" Matthew caught her before she fell down on the ground. He sat down, holding her close.
Dr. Mike sprung into doctor mode and checked Atlantis' pulse, reflections and her eyes.
"She's in shock", mumbled Michaela. "We should get her to the clinic."
Picking Atlantis up in his arms, Matthew hurried toward the wagon while Sully went to search for little Matthew. As he laid Atlantis down in the back of the wagon, Matthew looked at Dr. Mike "What does this mean, Ma?"
Michaela swallowed hard. "We checked and… it seems that Atlantis was kidnapped as a child."
A dark shadow flashed over Matthew's face, Michaela could see the whole anger he felt at that moment toward Heart. "We better hurry into town."
By now, Sully was back and quickly jumped onto the front seat. By one click of his tongue he sent the horses into the gallop.
"Mummy?" Little Matthew crawled toward Atlantis who laid still, her eyes closed, her face completely blank. The child looked up at Matthew, being on the edge of tears.
The young man hugged him, "She'll be all right, Matthew. Don't worry."
As the little boy hid his little face in Matthew's jacket and quietly sobbed, Michaela watched as her son's face got a determined expression.
The battle for the truth was about to start.