Thank you all for being patient and waited for this chapter. I was busy with exams, so I couldn't write it earlier. I hope I wrote it okay, would love to hear what do you think, so please, after you read, press that review button and leave me a word or two. :) The song in the end is Bing Crosby's "Beautiful Dreamer", if you want, listen to it while you read this chapter as it inspired me to write.

Happy New Year, everybody! :)

Chapter 42

Her arm was linked with her Father's arm, happy smile gracing her lips as her heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't remember ever being this happy. Not in her dreams did she imagine that her life would take such a sudden twist, bringing her back everybody she loved dearly. Now today, on her wedding day, her parents and Nicole were beside her. Atlantis was overwhelmed with emotions and took a deep shivering breath in, trying to hold back her happy tears. Her father, sensing his younger daughter's happiness looked down at her and smiled.

"Are you ready?", he gently asked.

Atlantis nodded "Yes", she whispered.

It was a fuss in front of them; Colleen and Nicole were giving the last instructions to Katie and little Matthew about the entrance to the Church. Atlantis couldn't help but smile at serious expression on the kids' faces. They were cute as buttons, they took all this so responsible and were completely into the task that was given to them.

"Okay, you two, it's time", smiled Nicole and kissing both Katie and her little nephew, she ushered them to start walking.

Matthew smiled seeing the children; Katie was so concentrated to walk in the rhythm with "Beautiful Dreamer" that Grace played on the piano that she nearly forgot to throw the rose petals. It needed a slight pull on tail of her dress from little Matthew and her "OW!" to it to snap her out of the trance. She looked at her big brother apologetically, but he winked at her and she knew she was doing okay. She grinned and grabbing the handful of petals, she threw them in the air, smiling even more as they fell back on the ground. Both kids were beaming with pride as they reached the end of the trail and sat down beside Michaela and Sully, grinning from ear to ear at the applause they got from everybody.

Colleen was the next one who walked down the aisle dressed in bridesmaid's dress and than followed Nicole who was Atlantis' matron of honour.

The sound of wedding march filled the air and everybody turn toward the doors to see the coming of the bride.

Matthew felt warmth filling his heart causing it to thump even faster as love ran through his veins at the sight of her… he still couldn't believe how the wheel of luck turned in his case. He was sure that he will remain alone till his dying day, that nothing will break the chain of his darkness. He lost so much in life…yet, now he gained so much. Matthew never took life for granted, it taught him better than that. He knew that he was given a second chance to be happy. He never thought that he will love again, but Atlantis' coming back into Colorado Springs and into his life changed everything. She gave him love he yearned for, she gave him a feeling of peace and belonging and the most important thing of all – she gave him her heart. And now he watched her as she walked down the aisle with her father, dressed in white and he knew that second that it was the most beautiful sight he ever laid his eyes on.

As they reached the aisle, James slowly lifted his daughter's veil and kissed her forehead. Gently, he laid her veil back down and joined her hand with Matthew's hand.

Atlantis stepped up the one stair that separated her from Matthew and looked at him. Her heart was full of love for this man who will become her husband in today. Ever since she laid her eyes on him for the first time several years ago, Atlantis loved him. Sure she was just a teenager back than, but it didn't change the way she felt. Something in Matthew made her feel so safe and comfortable and appreciated…she never felt like that in her whole life. Years later, the boat of life brought her back to him on the seas of destiny and love…They were destined to be together. She remembered her vision and how Cloud Dancing told her that Matthew had the exact same one like she did few years ago…

"The spirits have shown me that Matthew's love will lead you through this. And your love for him and your son. It was their faces that snapped you out. The people you love will stay beside you through every heartache. You saw that just as Matthew did. That is why you two are meant to be with each other."

Wise words that Cloud Dancing told her after her vision made perfect sense. She knew that her new life is starting right here, right now.

He helped her to step up closer to him and as a loving small smile he always reserved just for her graced his lips, Matthew whispered "You look beautiful, my angel."

Moved by his words, Atlantis swallowed hard to hold back the tears in her eyes, but held his palm a bit tighter. The sound of Reverend's voice snapped them both from looking at each other, but even while they listened to him, Atlantis caught Matthew stealing glances at her and she couldn't help but smile, her heart thumping loudly. She never thought that it was possible to love somebody both body and soul until she met Matthew. He filled the emptiness in her life and brought her back to happiness. She knew that she was blessed because she found him.

"Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. Into this holy union Atlantis Williams and Matthew Cooper now come to be joined. If any among you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now or forever hold your peace", Reverend looked at the people sitting, but nobody spoke. Smiling at two young people in front of him, he continued "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do", James said before he took a seat beside his wife

Reverend nodded and looked at Matthew "Do you, Matthew, take Atlantis to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

Matthew looked back at his bride and smiled "I do."

Colleen and Brian exchanged smiles, their eyes full of happy tears.

"Do you, Atlantis, take Matthew to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

Atlantis was unable to hold back her happy tears anymore as she smiled "I do."

"Rings, please", said Reverend.

Nicole and Brian as matron of honour and the best man turned around to look for little Matthew who was carrying the rings. The boy readily jumped down from the bench he was sitting on beside Katie and grinning, he produced two golden rings. Nicole kissed his cheek and both Atlantis and Matthew smiled at the sheer happiness that radiated from the little boy's face. Nicole gave one ring to Atlantis and Brian gave the second one to Matthew.

As Matthew slipped a ring on Atlantis finger, Reverend's voice was heard:

"Bless, O Lord, these rings to be the signs of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other", as Atlantis put a ring on Matthew's finger, he took her hand in his hand and gently kissed her knuckles. With her free hand, Atlantis caressed his cheek. As they both looked at Reverend once again, he smiled at them and joining their right hands, he said "Now that Atlantis and Matthew have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of the rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

"Amen", everybody said.

Reverend looked at Matthew and smiled "You may now kiss the bride."

Matthew slowly lifted the veil from Atlantis' face and for a moment, the world stopped for both of them as their lips joined in their first kiss as a husband and wife. Atlantis's hands encircled around Matthew's shoulders, pulling him closer to her. As the cheers hollered around the Church, they reluctantly broke the kiss and Atlantis leaned her forehead at Matthew's forehead. He leaned down and whispered "I love you, Mrs. Cooper", and kissed her again. She smiled against his lips and as he kissed her again, she managed to steal a second of breath to whisper back "I love you, too, Mr. Cooper."

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea
Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelie;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!