Every step was like a walk in the dream for the sisters. Years that hung between them, years they spent far away from each other seem to dissapear in a simple linking arm with arm as they walked toward Grace's.
They were greeted by the Sully family, minus Katie and Matthew. Seeing the questioning look in Atlantis' eyes, Michaela guessed young woman's thoughts and said "They're still at Mr. Bray's, Matthew went to get them", she smiled warmly "Grace already packed everything up. What do you think of coming at our place for a lunch?"
Atlantis nodded "That would be wonderful, Dr Mike, thank you so much", she quietly said.
"Don't mention it", Michaela replied with a warm smile still on her lips. She grew to like this young woman even more in last few months. Life wasn't easy on Atlantis, that was for sure, yet she never lost the goodness of her heart. Michaela hoped that things will start to fall into a right place from now. Her sister being back was the first sign of the possibility it could really happen.
It was in that moment that Katie's chattering was heard accompanied with little Matthew's laughter and Matthew's unsuccessful tries to shush the children up as they walked closer toward the small group of grown ups who waited for them.
Atlantis' heart warmed at the sight of Matthew with the little ones. It never ceased to amaze her how good he was with them. It was obvious that kids adored him, Katie looked up to her big brother no matter what was it about; in her eyes Matthew was always right. Atlantis was sure that he was also this protective over Brian and Colleen as they were growing up, even more so considering everything Ethan put them through.
One thing was for sure; Matthew was nothing like his biological Father. Atlantis didn't need to meet Ethan to realize that. The way Matthew cared for her little son spoke volumes. Being a Father came natural to him, the way he held little Matthew while he read him bedtime stor, the way he was teaching him a new thing every single day, the way the duoteamed up against her in their little games…
"Took me quite a fighting to separate them from Loren", said Matthew with a grin.
"Katie?", Sully couldn't help but smile at his little one at hearing what Matthew just said. Katie sighed and hurried to explain "Poppy, Matthew and me were just about to show Mr Bray how could he pull a rabbit right out of his hat when Matthew interrupted us", she slightly pouted at her older brother. Matthew grimaced under her stare, pretending to be hurt.
"Looks to me like I will have to take you fishing to make it up, Katie", Matthew winked at her and in a moment he got Katie's forgivness. His little sister hugged his right leg and looking up, she said with a grin "You're the best big brother in the world, Matthew."
Scooping her up in his arms, Matthew huffed "Yeah, yeah, I heard that before", he still acted offended so Katie decided that a sisterly hug and a peck on a cheek would grant her a smile from her big brother. And as usual, she was right.
"Nicole", Atlantis smiled, looking at her sister "I'd like you to meet Dr Mike and her husband Sully. Dr Mike fixed my hands few years ago."
Nicole's eyes widened in a surprise as she realized that she didn't even notice her sister's hands until now. Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes as she looked down at Atlantis' fingers that were completely normal now "Not even a scar", Nicole whispered.
"Ma's the best doctor in the world", beamed Brian.
"Brian!", Mike gently scolded him, but Nicole shook her head.
"I must say that I agree with this young man. What you did is a miracle, Dr Mike. Thank you", Nicole's voice was silent and cracked with emotions and Michaela knew that young woman was on the edge of her tears.
"I also agree with Brian", smiled Atlantis "He made the best clown alongside Mr Bray I ever saw", she couldn't help but to playfully touch Brian's nose with her index finger and family laughed at the memory.
"A clown?", Nicole asked.
"Yes, when we met for the first time, Atlantis was in the circus and the whole town was participating!", Brian exclaimed, excited to share a story.
Nicole's eyes drifted from Atlantis' face back to her hands. The anger and sadness boiled inside of her…Public humiliation in order to earn some quick money... If Heart was anywhere near her, Nicole could swear that she would strangle her with her own two hands.
Atlantis noticed her sister's look and held her hand tighter "It's all in the past now, Nicole. Plus, I also did some things that didn't have anything to do with my hands."
"Yeah, she taught Colleen and Matthew to walk on the high wire!", Brian spoke eagerly "You should have seen it, it was so much fun!"
Atlantis smiled at Brian and said "Nicole, this is Brian and this is Colleen, my best friend."
Nicole took in the faces of people in front of her. She was lost for words "I don't know what to say to all of you. Thank you for helping my sister when I couldn't", she silently said, one stubborn tear escaping her eyes.
"I wasn't in the circus", pouted Katie.
That did the trick; everybody, including Nicole chuckled.
"Why not?", Nicole asked with a smile.
"She was born few years after that", explained Mike, taking Katie from Matthew.
"Yup, but I already know how to do some tricks, Atlantis taught me", grinned Katie.
Atlantis nodded with a smile and took a deep breath in. Turning around, she saw her son standing right next to Matthew, silently watching at young woman that stood beside his Mommy. Dr Mike's work with him paid off; a child wasn't so scared of strangers anymore, however, he was still very quiet when it comes to meeting new people.
But, his facial expression wasn't tense at all. He studied Nicole with a child curiosity.
Atlantis bent down and gently picked her son up in her arms. Instantly, little boy hugged his Mommy around her neck and pressed his warm soft cheek on her face. Two pair of identical big brown eyes looked at Nicole.
"Nicole… I'd like you too met someone very special. This is my son Matthew", kissing little boy's cheek, Atlantis whispered "Matthew…This is your Auntie Nicole."
Little boy watched the woman curiously and noticed that she had same eyes as his Mommy. Her hair was bit shorter than his Mommy's, but her face was so gentle. He liked her instantly. "You look just like my Mommy", little Matthew stated, smiling.
Tears became too heavy and rolled down Nicole's cheeks as Atlantis gently passed her son into her sister's arms. The moment child hugged her, Nicole let out a silent sob and hugged her little nephew for the first time in her life and held him like she will never let him go.