People gasped at the scene in front of them and everybody started to state their opinion, their voices making quite some noise.
"Order! Order in the courtoom!", Judge yelled, knocking down his hammer few times.
As everybody slowly started to quiet down and get back to their places, Matthew knew he had to react NOW.
"Your Honour, I'd like to ask a delay for tomorrow."
Judge nodded "I was about to suggest the same thing, Mr. Cooper. Will you be calling Miss", he pointed at Nicole "as a witness?"
Matthew turned around to look at the sisters who still held each other, not moving. Still clucthing to her little sister's shoulders like she will dissappear if she lets her go, Nicole nodded.
Matthew couldn't help but smile a bit "Yes, I will, your Honour."
"Very well. We will continue tomorrow at 11."
"THIS IS NONSENSE!", all of a sudden Heart's voice was heard. She tried to launch herself at Nicole and Atlantis, but her lawayer held her back "You CAN'T POSSIBLY REMEMBER THAT DAY!"
"What day, Miss Phillips?", Judge's serious voice was heard.
All blood drained from Heart's face once again. She said too much.
"Miss Phillips, I asked you a question. If you don't reply, I will have to punish you."
Heart stayed silent, her face in complete shock, her eyes looking around like she doesn't know where is she anymore. Her lawyer finally managed to push her back into her seat and that was when Judge had enough "Miss Phillips, your behaviour will be considered when I will bring my decision on this case. We will continue tomorrow at 11. This court is dismissed for today", he said and kicked his hammer on the desk.
Hank and Jake went forward to take away Heart and Paul. It was than when Nicole's eyes met Heart's. Before anybody could even react or move, Nicole stepped closer to Heart, never letting go of Atlantis "You will pay for this, you witch. You've ruined my sister's life, my life and lives of our parents. I swear, you're not getting out of this", Nicole's voice was determined "I will destroy you with my testimony tomorrow, you will pay for everything you've put my sister through."
"Are you threatening me?", snapped Heart.
"No. It's not a threat", Nicole smiled "It's a promise."
"Come on!", smirked Hank, feeling quite a pleasure of seeing Heart being cornered. The woman will finally get what she deserves. With a help from Jake, he took both Heart and Paul back to the prison.
"That woman is insane", grumbled Loren.
"I couldn't agree more", commented Robert E.
Once Heart was out from the courtroom, Nicole relaxed a bit. She still held Atlantis tight and close to her, like she will never let her go.
Atlantis looked up at her and for a moment, silence prevailed.
"You got so big", whispered Nicole and kissed her sister's forehead. "I never lost hope. Never. Even when Mum and Dad gave up, I always believed that I will find you one day."
"Mum and Dad", Atlantis whispered "Are they…are they…", she couldn't utter the word. Nicole nodded.
"Yes, they are alive. I was the one who saw the article in the newspapers, but I didn't want to tell them anything until I was hundred percent sure. I am sorry, I was scared that they couldn't stand another dissapointment", Nicole whispered, her tears rolling down freely down her cheeks. Atlantis gently wiped them.
"I couldn't remember anything, but the moment I saw you and heard your voice…I remembered everything. How you tried to save me", she clutched to her sister and Nicole hugged her back, kissing her hair.
"It's all right, Atlantis. I am here now."
For few more moments, sisters just held each other, unaware that everybody was looking at them.
Matthew tensed at the sheer curiosity that bursted out from the townsfolk and he quickly said "Grace, can I ask you to fix some meal for us to bring home? St. Louis is far away from here", he looked at Nicole "You must be hungry and tired."
Nicole eyed him suspiciously; having her sister snatched away from her in such an early age made her not to trust people whom she saw for the first time. Matthew understood the look as he was probably the same with Colleen and Brian bringing their friends home or falling in love. That's probably something what big brothers and sisters do; worry about their siblings. Especially if their childhood wasn't easy like his and Nicole's.
Still holding onto Atlantis, Nicole said "And you are?"
"Matthew Cooper."
Atlantis looked up at her sister and wanted to explain, but in a second, Nicole loosened her grip on her and gave her hand to Matthew "Mr. Cooper…I don't know how will I ever thank you for publishing that article and bringing me my sister back", her voice shivered.
"Calling me Matthew would be a good place to start", Matthew accepted her hand and smiled. Nicole nodded, managing to smile back.
Matthew looked at his family "Why don't we all go and get some food at Grace's? Than later on we will sit down and talk. Lets give them some time alone, shall we?", and with those words, he and the Sully family left the courtroom.
As the doors shut behind them, Nicole looked at Atlantis "You got a good lawyer. And with my help, we will shut down that woman forever."
Atlantis softly smiled "Matthew is so much more than just my lawyer", she couldn't help but chuckle at raised eyebrow on her sister's face "I'll tell you everything. And there is someone else whom I'd like you to meet", she saw interest in Nicole's eyes and smiled "But, later. Matthew is right, you must be deadly tired and hungry. Come on, lets get something to eat", she took a deep breath in "I still can't believe that you're here, Nicole!"
Her sister smiled through tears and they hugged each other as they started to walk toward the doors of the courtroom. There will be time for all the talk and explanation. For now, they were back together, side by side and it showed once again that sisterly bond is impossible to break.