A loud whistle and puffs of the smoke embraced the sleeping depot of Colorado Springs. The sun still didn't rise from behind the Pike's Peak and the chillness of the night still flew around through the winter's wind.
"Where are we going again, Auntie Nicole?", little Matthew looked at his Aunt. His little face was protected by a scarf and a cap, but still the top of his button – like nose was glowing red. Nicole smiled warmly kissing the tip of her nephew's nose.
"To St. Louis. You're going to meet your grandparents there", she answered, slowly bouncing the little one on her arms, sending child to giggles "Do you remember what I told you? What's your Grandpa's name?"
"James", little boy replied with a grin.
"Very good! And your Grandma's?"
"Helene", child's smile grew wider and his Aunt pressed a kiss to his baby – soft cheek.
"Ah, they're gonna love you, my little darling", Nicole whispered, holding tightly to the little one. It was still amazing to her that she actually held Atlantis' child in her embrace. Years and years of self – guilt nearly consumed the young woman and she swore that she will never give up on trying to find her beloved little sister. And God has been good to her; not only did she find Atlantis, but also discovered that she is an Aunt to the most sweetest, cutest little boy who stole her heart from the very first moment he looked up at her with those big brown eyes, so identical to hers and Atlantis' eyes.
She looked over her shoulder to see Dr Mike hugging Atlantis. Nicole's face warmed at the sight of the Sully family. Even though it was very early in the morning, plus a cold December dawn, they were all here to wish them a safe and good trip. Even Katie was here. There was absolutely not a chance for her to stay at home as she wanted to say bye to her little friend. She was half asleep though in Sully's arms now, her brown curls peeking under her soft – pink cap while she stubbornly mumbled "I'm not sleepy."
"You have a good trip and don't worry about anything", Michaela said, gently caressing Atlantis long hair.
"Thank you, Dr Mike", whispered Atlantis, hugging her doctor back "For everything."
"You send us a word as soon as you come to St. Louis ", Sully said and Matthew nodded. They hugged each other, stirring Katie up just for a moment, but enough to repeat her "I'm not sleepy" line. Matthew and Sully smiled at the little girl and Matthew gently picked up his little sister in his arms. Nesting in her big brother's arms, Katie looked at him and whispered "I don't wanna sleep. I wanna go with you, Matthew."
Matthew's heart broke because for the first time ever since she was born, he couldn't fulfill her wish. Securing her scarf closer to her little face, Matthew kissed Katie's soft cheek "I'm sorry, Katie, but you can't go with me now. I have to finish something, but I will make it up to you as soon as I get back."
"Tea party?", all of a sudden Katie was almost wide awake. Matthew smiled and nodded "Tea party it is", he couldn't help but smile.
"And you'll dance with me for New Year's Eve?", she wanted to know.
"Absolutely", Matthew gently squeezed the tip of her little nose and Katie smiled for a moment.
"I will still miss you", she whispered and hugged her brother. Matthew tightened his hold on her and whispered "I'll miss you too, Katie. But I'll come back soon."
She pulled back and looked at him "Promise?"
Matthew smiled again and kissing her little fingers, he nodded "Promise."
"All aboard!"
Another whistle was heard as the wheels of the train slowly started to turn and the engine pushed the mighty locomotive forward. With one last glance at their family, Matthew and Atlantis followed Nicole and little Matthew into the wagon, waving to the Sullys until they couldn't see them anymore.
They settled down in the wagon, Nicole slowly rocked her almost asleep little nephew who fought the slumber because he wanted to watch through the window and see the scenery they were passing by. But, the soft humming of his Aunt's voice as she sang him a lullaby and gentle rocking of her arms lulled him to sleep in the matter of few minutes.
The wheels of the train turned, covering miles, bringing closer the closure for Atlantis. She gazed outside the window at the endless fields. The sun shyly started to pick up its sleepy head far on the horizon while the last stars faded away on the sky and the thin pale moon disappeared.
She looked over at Nicole and small smile curled up her lips; her sister was also dozing off with little Matthew softly snoring in her arms. Atlantis got up and took her little son from Nicole's arms. Placing him down on the seat next to Nicole, she covered him with his small blanket. A child let out a deep breath, snuggling into the warmth of the blanket and Atlantis gently caressed his soft brown hair. For a moment, she pressed her face gently to her son's cheek and relaxed. Their torment was finally over. Paul couldn't hurt her or her little sunshine anymore, and neither could Heart. Dr Mike worked patiently with little Matthew for all this time and consequences of what he endured were almost gone, he was more relaxed around new people, didn't panic easily, even his nightmare subsided. However, Atlantis knew that it will take more time for her son to heal completely. One thing was for sure; she was determined to ensure a good life for him. She wanted to see her little darling playing and laughing, run around with other children, grow up happily.
And it was possible now.
She fixed the covers of the blanket around her son's shoulders, tucking him in and slowly went back to her seat.
Matthew looked at her as she sat down. His right hand hugged her and she laid down her head at his shoulder, taking a deep breath in.
"You all right?", he silently asked. Feeling her nod, Matthew kissed her hair, causing her eyes to close and a small breath of relief escaping her lips "Get some sleep now", he whispered and tightened his hold on her. His fingers gently caressed her long hair, the gentleness of his touch and the safety of him being close lulled her into sleep.
xxxxx
The sun was high up on the sky when Atlantis stirred from her slumber, her eyes slowly fluttering as she tried to wake up. She looked around, not knowing where is she…yet, something seemed familiar.
The smell of cacao reached her nostrils as her eyes opened fully. She was in the unknown room, laying in the bed. Things around here were foggy and the voices she heard were somewhat distant, but warm and even though she didn't recognize them, something inside her told her that she is safe here.
Slowly, she got up, noticing that she is wearing only her nightgown. She looked around as she tiptoed from the room, following the voices.
She could hear female's voice singing Christmas carol as she neared the doors at the end of the hallway. Slowly, she opened them, not knowing what to expect, yet her curiosity getting the better of her…
The room was warm, the fire was burning in the fireplace shining on the people who sat in front of the Christmas tree.
"Look, Daddy! I drew you, me, Mummy and Atlantis!", little girl exclaimed. Her brown hair was picked up in two pigtails, red ribbons danced on her head as she got up from the floor with a paper in her hand.
Nicole.
"Let me see that", a man smiled, picking up little girl in his arms.
Atlantis gasped as she recognized his face. It was the same face like on the photo Nicole showed her.
It was her Father.
All of a sudden, two warm hands hugged her and Atlantis was surprised to feel peaceful like never before.
"Welcome home, my little Atlantis", warm female voice whispered in her ear and as she slowly pulled back, Atlantis felt the sobs raising up from her lungs at the sight of a woman in front of her.
"Mum…", the tears flew down her cheeks, mixing with her smile "Oh, Mum!"
xxxxx
Her eyes fluttered and behind her eyelashes she took in the picture in front of her; Matthew, Nicole and little Matthew were having some breakfast, the smell of the cacao reached her nostrils…bringing her home.
Her sister looked up at her and smiled "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah", whispered Atlantis, noticing something warm on her. Looking down, she recognized Matthew's coat and realized that he covered her with it while she was sleeping. Fully awake now, Atlantis smiled thankfully at the love of her life. He was feeding little Matthew and her heart warmed at the sight of him being so gentle to her son. Looking back at Nicole, she accepted the cup of cacao from her sister and smiling, she said "I dreamed about Mum and Dad and you and me…back on Christmas Eve."
Nicole smiled "Just a bit more…and that dream will come true."
Taking a sip of warm cacao, Atlantis let the feeling of love and safety totally encircled her senses. She was finally happy.
xxxxxx
A loud whistle broke the silence, stirring Atlantis from her slumber. She opened her eyes to see the wagon was covered in dark. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see her sister and her little son sleeping peacefully.
"Dreamed again?", Matthew's voice reached her ears and she inhaled the comforting scent of him, snuggling closer to him.
"Kinda…", she took a deep breath in "I can not wait to see them…Sometimes it still feels like I am dreaming all this…"
His lips traced her hairline and gently touched her eyelids. She sighed silently and with her fingers caressing his cheek, she accepted his kiss. Love warmed her heart as she got lost in the tender touch of his lips on her lips…
None of her dreams would be possible if she didn't meet Matthew. It was him who helped her to stand up on her feet, heal her wounds, fight for herself. It was Matthew who took her hand and lead her outside the darkness she fell into long time ago. It was Matthew who gave her hope for a new tomorrow…
It was Matthew who helped her to walk the wires of her life, no matter how dangerously high they were…
xxxxxx
The doors of the train opened and the whirls of the snow falling from the sky danced around Atlantis' face. She held her little son closer to herself as she heard her heart thumping louder with every step she made.
Her child giggled as the snowflakes fell onto his little face; he looked up at the sky and reached out his chubby little arms to catch each one of the white things that fell down.
Atlantis slowly got down from the train, following her sister as they stepped on the ground of St. Louis depot. She could feel Matthew's palm gently holding her back as they walked.
"Oh, my God!"
That voice…
Atlantis looked up, freezing on her steps.
Was she dreaming?
"We…Mathew and I kinda let our parents know that we're coming", Nicole's whisper was heard "Horace wired them", Nicole's voice drifted off and in next moment, she gently took little Matthew from her sister's arms.
Atlantis barely heard her sister's voice, barely felt her son leaving her arms, barely felt Matthew's palm gently pushing her to move forward to two people standing only few steps in front of her…
The air left her lungs, a lump grew in her throat as all of a sudden two pairs of arms hugged her. Two pair of hands shivered as they held tightly onto her and Atlantis felt the whole world started to spin as the tears ran down from her eyes and she sobbed loudly, clutching to two people in front of her.
Her parents.
She was home!