Atlantis didn't feel the coldness that whirled around her in the shape of the snowflakes that fell harder and harder per every minute. When you wait your whole life for something, you are oblivious to anything else when that wish is finally granted. She was certain that she wasn't dreaming now. Everything came back to her. It felt so good, so familiar and so natural to be hugged by her parents. She couldn't let them go, she couldn't make herself do that. She wasn't aware how long were they standing there on the depot, but she didn't care. She was finally reunited with her family. Everything else wasn't important.
Her Father was the first one who slightly pulled away and looked at her. His face was wrinkled, but still warm. He still had moustaches and beard, his eyes were tired because of sadness and pain that her kidnapping caused, but still he shone with the strength and love, and Atlantis suddenly remembered her dream. She knew that it wasn't just a dream, without anybody telling it to her. She still remembered her Dad scooping little Nicole up in his arms, giving her a peck on the cheek as an award for the drawing…and that wasn't in her dream. It really happened in her past.
"Come on, lets go, you will freeze", her Dad spoke and gently caressed his wife's back. That did the trick for the older woman and she slightly pulled away, but didn't let go of Atlantis. Young woman too didn't let go of her parents, she walked between them, nobody saying a word for a while…Her parents held her as they walked and she leaned on them just like when she was a little girl.
Atlantis watched how her feet left footprints in the snow, meddling with other traces…She finally reached the end of the path that lead her back to her home. From now on, she could breathe normally. Smiling, she inhaled a deep breath of fresh winter air and hugged her parents more tightly.
"I dreamed about you last night", she whispered "I dreamed of that Christmas Eve when Nicole drew all of us, remember?"
Her Dad smiled "You used to love cacao."
Atlantis smiled, her eyes filling with tears of joy "I still do."
Her Mum swallowed hard, still not being able to say a word. She just held her daughter closer to herself as if she was afraid that one word would broke the spell and she would find herself waking up from her slumber again, tear strained face, reaching into the darkness for a daughter who was long time gone.
Atlantis looked at her Mum. Her face clouded with worry. Stopping, she paid full attention to the woman who gave her life, who guarded her ever since she was born, even after she was kidnapped. Atlantis remembered how many times she would dream of a soft, warm voice singing a lullaby to her. The same lullaby she sang to her son.
"Mum?", she silently called.
Her Mother looked up hesitantly and Atlantis recognized the fear in her eyes; the same one she battled for years. The fear of this all being unreal, being a dream from which a person wakes up feeling repeated stabs of sharp pain in the heart.
"Mum, it's real. I'm here. I came back", Atlantis whispered.
Slowly, Atlantis pulled her Mum in another hug and that was when Helene Williams broke down. Sobbing loudly, she hugged her long lost little girl and repeated with shaking breaths exhaling her mouth "My baby…my darling baby…"
Atlantis buried her face in her Mum's hair, a lump growing in her throat and the tears breaking her down as well. There was no need for the words to comfort her Mum for she, Atlantis, was the comfort. Mother and child were reunited.
"Mum, I missed you", whispered Atlantis and her Mother showered her face with kisses, both of them crying and smiling at the same time.
Slowly calming down, her Mum gently kissed her forehead and whispered the words Atlantis heard in her dream "Welcome home, my little Atlantis."
xxxxx
A short coach ride took them to the house in the center of St. Louis. Once they entered the hallway, Atlantis' Father looked at the other people who came with them for the first time since they left the train.
"Oh my God, I am terribly sorry!", he mumbled and his wife instantly understood what did he mean. She too glanced at her oldest daughter accompanied by a young blond man who was carrying asleep little boy in his arms "Forgive me, young man, my manners flew right through the window", he extended his hand "My name is James Williams and this is my wife Helene."
"Don't worry about it, Mr. Williams, it's quite understandable due to circumstances", Matthew seriously replied. Shaking Atlantis' Father's hand, he said "Matthew Cooper."
"You're the one who posted an ad", Atlantis Mum breathed out, still not letting go of her younger daughter. Tears filled her eyes again "How can we ever thank you?"
"No need for that, Mrs. Williams, I'm glad I could help", Matthew replied with small, but warm smile.
"Come on in, lets sit down", Helene fussed around her guests, getting into her usual self and James and Nicole couldn't help but smile at that. James looked at Nicole "You must be deadly tired, sweetheart", he warmly said, rubbing his older daughter's back.
"I'm okay, Dad", Nicole replied with a smile "It was worth it."
By now, Helene brought cups and pot of coffee, along with the biscuits to "keep them occupied while she sets up the table for dinner".
"I'll help you, Mum", Atlantis volunteered, getting up. Her Mum smiled at her and they started to leave the room when a little silent voice was heard "Mummy?"
Atlantis silently scolded herself; with all the excitement, she totally forgot about her son.
Nicole watched as her parents both turned to look at the little child and Atlantis slightly leaned down to get her son from Matthew's hands. Readily picking his little arms up, a boy snuggled to his Mummy, his eyelids blinking tiredly as he softly sucked on his little thumb.
Atlantis gently kissed her baby and looking up, she smiled "Mum, Dad…This is your grandson Matthew", looking down at her little sunshine, she softly said "Baby, remember what we talked about? How you are going to meet your grandparents?", as a child nodded, Atlantis smile widened "Sweetie…this is your Grandma Helene and your Grandpa James."
Little boy looked up at two faces in front of him. He was half asleep when they arrived at the depot of St. Louis and now, waking up in Matthew's arms he got curious about new places and new people around him. Hearing his Mum's words, he remembered indeed how she told him that from now on he will have a Grandpa who will teach him many funny things and tell him lots of stories and Grandma who will play with him and make the meals he likes the most. Remembering those words, he shyly smiled at two people in front of him as if he was questioning them about what his Mummy told him. Will they really do all that? For him?
Helene wasn't sure anymore is she smiling or crying. For years, her life was miserable, she felt that she couldn't feel joy anymore…Now, her precious daughter was back…and she had a baby…
"Can I hold him?", whispered Helene, not knowing the nature of the child, but not wanting to discomfort him. Atlantis looked at her son.
"Darling, would you like to go to Grandma?"
Just for few seconds, little Matthew pondered this question. He watched two nice people standing in front of him. His Mummy was here, her Auntie too. And Matthew was here. They were all smiling. He saw his Mummy liked these people. There was no reason why shouldn't he than.
He nodded his little head, still slowly sucking his thumb. Atlantis leaned a bit forward her Mum and passed the little one into her welcoming arms. The moment he settled in her embrace, Helene smiled happily and kissed the boy's soft cheek, both her husband and she crying and smiling at the same time as they looked at the precious little bundle in Helene's arms.
Little boy took an instant liking of these two people as they took him in their warm arms. His Mummy was right, as always.
"We'll go set the table while you two get to know this little fella", smiled Nicole getting up and taking her sister's hand. Atlantis accepted it with a warm smile and they went toward the kitchen.
As they entered the hallway, Atlantis looked around, falling silent. Nicole noticed it and hugged her sister with one arm around her shoulders as they stopped for a while in the hallway.
"Do you remember anything?", asked Nicole.
"Kinda", whispered Atlantis. She looked at the doors around her and the stairs that led upstairs to more rooms. Squinting her eyes, she said "I think that my room was upstairs."
Nicole's smile widened "You're right!", as she said that, Atlantis' face lightened up with pure joy. Looking up as well, Nicole silently added "It is still the same. Mum and Dad didn't change a thing."
Atlantis sighed and her sister gently caressed her back. Trying to light up a mood a bit, Nicole joked "You were never the one who helped Mum in the kitchen, true, but lets see can you remember the way toward the kitchen?"
That did the trick; Atlantis laughed and playfully hitting Nicole's upper arm, she looked around…
She felt the warmth in her heart; the warmth that only a parents' home can offer. Smiling, she pointed at the doors at the left "There?", she glanced at Nicole.
Pretending to be disappointed, Nicole huffed "Smarty pants as always!", but broke to smile the next moment and nodded and two sisters ran toward the kitchen, laughing.
xxxxxx
The stars twinkled brightly at the sky as the snow silently kept on falling. Atlantis stood by the window, gazing into the night.
This day was pure magic. It was like she opened a magician's closet again and asked for a wish…only this time it came true. She was home. She was reunited with her family.
She looked at the people who meant world to her and smiled. Nicole and her Mum were fussing over her little son who was plainly enjoying the attention. He was giggling without a break and Atlantis smiled even more at that. It was still the most beautiful music to her ears - to hear her little boy laughing.
Her eyes stopped on her Dad and Matthew. During the evening, Nicole and she filled her parents into everything – as well as about engagement, and she was so happy to see her family accepting Matthew with so much love. He was the one who actually brought her back to them, it was impossible that they couldn't love him. Still, she was wondering what will they think of him.
But, now, seeing her Father in such a deep discussion with Matthew for a long time already, she relaxed. They hit it off right away. Every now and than, while they talked about the trial, James Williams would squeeze the hand of young blond man in front of him, his eyes shining with tears and gratitude.
"Son, I'll never be able to thank you for what you did", whispered James.
"Mister Williams, really, there's no need for that. I would do all that again for Atlantis and Matthew", Matthew honestly replied.
"I know", Atlantis' Dad nodded, wiping away his tears.
"I think that this little gentleman should go to bed", said Nicole, tickling at little Matthew's side causing him to shriek with laughter. Scooping him up, she looked down at him and asked "What do you say that you sleep with me tonight?"
"Only if you won't tickle me", giggled little Matthew.
"Oh, the temptation, the temptation!", Nicole dramatically sighed as she started to walk out of the room "I'll think about it. Now say good night", she smiled.
"Good night, everybody, I love you all", little Matthew grinned as his Aunt carried him away and broke into laughter once again as she tickled him "Heeey, not fair!", his little voice could be heard.
"We should also turn in, it's late", said Helene "I made a room for you upstairs. Your bed from childhood is in your room, it would be too small for either of you. You two can stay in guest room upstairs, first doors on the left."
"Thanks, Mum", Atlantis hugged her and her Mum whispered "He's a fine man, Atlantis. I am so happy for you", her Mum kissed her forehead as Atlantis' eyes glowed with love and happiness.
xxxxxxx
Closing the doors, Matthew looked at her. Atlantis unlocked her necklace and gently massaged the sore muscle in the nape of her neck. It was a long ride to St. Louis, than such a long day, filled with emotions. It took tool on her, but she was happy.
In next moment, she felt Matthew's fingers softly massaging the sore spot and she was amazed at how he knew where to apply more intensive pressure to relax her muscles. She took a deep breath in as the pain slowly left her neck. As Matthew's hands encircled her waist, she leaned into him, closing her eyes and resting her palms on his hands. Her cheek brushed against his cheek as she leaned into his shoulder and a shaking breath escaped her lips as he placed soft kisses on the gentle skin of her neck.
Her perfume was intoxicated for him and he inhaled a deep breath, his senses getting the feel of the magic she woke up in him every time she would walk by him. Matthew took his time kissing her neck and jaw line, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. Atlantis slightly moved and their lips met…
She softly moaned, warmth traveling up from her toes till her head as Matthew turned her around and pressed her closer to him, his lips never leaving her lips. Her hands joined behind his neck and shoulders and she let out another soft moan as his tongue gently entered her mouth. The way he kissed her…oh, God, she always felt like she wasn't touching the ground! The slow, lazy movements of their lips sent shivers down her spine and her fingertips brushed his neck. She could feel his hug tightening and he deepened the kiss causing her to sneak her fingers into his hair and pull him closer to her. She couldn't get enough of him, ever…
Quite some time passed before they slightly pulled away from each other, both of them breathless from the heat of their love. Leaning her forehead at Matthew's forehead, Atlantis smiled "Can I go to the bathroom first?"
He smiled at those words and teased her back "Nice one, Atlantis. Which man could say no after such persuading", as they both chuckled at their little joke, she stole another loving kiss from his lips and whispered "I'll be right back", and opened the doors of the bathroom..
After she was gone, Matthew looked around for their suitcase. Finding it, he picked it up on the bed and opened it to get their things out. He opened the closet and placed the clothes in, than set few things on a night table beside the bed.
It was in that moment that doors of the bathroom opened and he felt his breath getting caught in his throat at the sight in front of him.
The soft pink long satin nightgown, sleeveless covered Atlantis' body and her long brown hair fell down her back with some soft curls at the end. She nervously smiled, noticing his look. Biting on her lower lip, she watched him coming closer to her.
Her hazelnut brown eyes looked at him as he stopped just millimeters from her. Her breathing fastened up as he whispered "You look like an angel", as his hands touched the bare skin of her shoulders, Atlantis stopped on top of her fingers and met Matthew's lips in long, loving kiss. Breathing heavily, she whispered "I love you."
Matthew let his hands roam down the satin of her nightgown and in next moment, he picked her up in his arms. She hugged him around his neck as he kissed her, slowly walking toward the bed. Her back touched the soft pillows and Atlantis felt a shivering moan escaping her lips as Mathew kissed her again. She trembled under his touch, her heart ached for him. This was the first time they were alone in last few days…
With all the strength he had, Matthew pulled away. His breathing was far away from normal, his hands never leaving Atlantis' waist…He looked down at the woman he loved more than anybody else in the world and whispered "I love you, too", he kissed her lightly again "Don't fall asleep until I'm back", he teased her and she smiled, kissing his lips again before he went to the bathroom.
Few minutes later, he was back and Atlantis snuggled into his arms as he laid next to her. Matthew wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair as she slowly dazed off to sleep.
The clouds moved away and the moon peeked into the room with his light, illuminating the sleeping faces of a man and a woman…guarding them from the Heaven above.