Chapter 49

Days went by under the blue sky of the Colorado Springs. Summer faded into the fall carrying colorful leaves along with it. Kids of Colorado Springs were happily running across the little bridge toward the school house.

At hearing two silent sighs from the couch placed near the window, Atlantis smiled as she slowly finished doing the hair for Mrs. Williams. Her eyes stopped at the vision of her son and Katie kneeling on the couch, their little noses pressed against the window and she barely suppressed a grin when she heard that question over and over again.

"Why can't we go to school?", pouted little Matthew.

"Yeah. We're big enough", Katie commented sadly.

Both Mrs. Williams and Atlantis smiled at two little ones. They still had two more years before they start going to school, but they were both so impatient to go right now, especially with fall coming to town and all the older kids going to the school every day, hanging around the school house, talking and playing.

"Nobody wants to play with us, they say we're babies", huffed little Matthew.

"What about Samantha?", Atlantis raised one eyebrow as she slowly put in another pin in Mrs. Williams' hair.

"Yeah, I guess she's okay", little Matthew replied as he continued to stare through the window again.

Atlantis shook her head, still smiling. For a minute, silence laid over the space until the doors opened. Atlantis looked up and smiled lovingly, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of her beloved husband. Blood ran faster through her veins making her feel warm despite the gush of cold wind that came inside as Matthew opened the doors.

"Brrr, it's getting really cold outside!", he commented, quickly closing the doors, than nodded at an older woman sitting in the chair "Good morning, Mrs. Williams", he placed his left palm at Atlantis' waist and leaned down giving her a short peck on lips, mesmerized by the twinkle in her chocolate brown eyes as he murmured "Good morning" to her. She whispered "Good morning" back, the sound of her voice sent warmth up and down his spine. To calm his racing heart, he glared at the window and smirking, asked "School blues again?", Atlantis followed his eyes and smiled again; the kids were so into staring at the school house that they didn't even notice Matthew coming in.

"If they continue this way, I will have to talk to Mrs. Slicker about allowing them to attend some classes from time to time", Atlantis joked. Looking back at Matthew, she asked "Slow day at office?"

Matthew nodded "Yeah, I thought to take these two to Grace's for some breakfast. Will you join us when you finish?", he asked.

"Yeah, I should be done in about ten minutes. You go on, take them, I'll join you as soon as I finish here", she smiled at him.

Matthew nodded and glared at the kids again. Slightly frowning, he joked "They didn't even see me coming in. Gotta say that they're worst than Brian when he got all fired up for school", he put an index – finger on his lips silently asking his wife and Mrs. Williams to be quiet and as they both nodded, he sneaked toward the couch and startled the kids. Both little Matthew and Katie gasped and than squealed when they saw who frightened them and they hung themselves immediately on Matthew's neck and shoulders, hugging him. He laughed and picking them both up, carried them toward the doors. Atlantis stopped her work for a second to open the doors for him, her eyes catching his crystal blue orbs that sparkled at the sight of her. He gave her a short, but loving kiss, lingering just for a tiny second until the wind picked up again. Checking the kids' little coats, Atlantis smiled and whispered "See you soon."

It took another ten minutes to finish Mrs. Williams' hair and the older lady got up from her chair, admiring young woman's work "It is beautiful, Mrs. Cooper, thank you", she smiled and after paying, she gratefully accepted Atlantis' help to go down two stairs once they exited.

"Thank you, Mrs. Williams, come again", Atlantis greeted her and went back inside to clean her brushes before she goes to Grace's café.

But, the second she came inside, nausea hit her and she closed the doors, pressing a palm to her lips. Closing her eyes, she leaned on the doors, trying to normalize her breathing. This was already fourth morning in a row that she felt poorly, yesterday she woke up before the dawn, thinking that she will throw up. She went outside so she wouldn't wake up her husband and son and as soon as she felt a cold morning air, she felt better.

Pouring some water, she washed her face, deciding against drinking it a bit. The mere thought of putting any drink or food in her mouth made her stomach turn around. First day she thought that she ate something bad…

But now…

Now she wasn't so sure.

As she dried her face with a small towel, Atlantis caught her reflection in a mirror on the wall and as having a will of her own, her left palm gently touched her belly.

'Could it be?'

The feeling that washed over her was hard to describe. Atlantis felt excitement at the thought of it, happiness and concern with a touch of fear…She wasn't sure anymore is she still able to have a baby after how her ex husband treated her during her pregnancy. Dr. Mike examined her few months ago and said that she was perfectly healthy, but still, she couldn't reason with worry that grew inside her. Yet, the thought of having Matthew's baby… 'Perhaps with his blue eyes and that smile too', she mused, subconsciously touching her flat stomach again. Happiness bubbled inside of her.

'Is it possible?'

Swallowing, she smiled at her reflection, chasing bad thoughts away, her lips creating a happy smile as she tried to imagine a perfect little baby boy or girl with Matthew's sparkling blue eyes. She could see its face and her eyes shone with happy tears. Quickly, she looked around for her coat and silently deciding that she'll go to see Dr. Mike soon, she closed the doors and went toward Grace's café.

As she stepped down on the street, Atlantis heard somebody greeting her and as she looked up, she saw Teresa and Jake smiling at her. She smiled back "Good morning."

"Good morning, Atlantis. You're going to Grace's?", asked Teresa, holding her shawl closer to her neck as the wind played with the leaves picking them up from the ground in a magical dance.

"Yes, I am", replied Atlantis.

"We are going too", she smiled as they all continued toward Grace's café.

"How's business going?", asked Jake. Atlantis still remembered his reaction when she said that she will do hair for women of Colorado Springs and smiled at the memory. During time, she and Jake came to an understanding and he became kind as soon as he realized that she won't be taking in his customers.

"I can't complain", Atlantis admitted and smiling, she added "Katie and Matthew are so eager to start the school, Mrs. Slicker, I'm afraid that you might find them one day in a classroom without even knowing about it."

Teresa smiled "Well, that's wonderful to hear that they're looking forward to school so much. And if they come some day, don't worry, it will be perfectly fine."

They reached the Grace's and Atlantis swallowed hard as the scent of the food hit her with nausea again. Somehow she said goodbye to the Slickers and looked around for Matthew and the little ones.

She smiled at the sight in front of her; Katie paraded around the table, pouring some water from her little glass in Matthew and little Matthew's cups. Atlantis tiptoed and slowly sat down beside her husband, enjoying watching Katie so into the role of a host. Matthew leaned toward his wife and whispered "I promised her a tea party."

"No talking at the table, Matthew, until tea is served", Katie stated seriously, shooting her big brother a look.

"Right, sorry", Matthew accepted, pulling on an apologetic look "Can I still have some sugar in my tea?"

Katie shook her head "No, it's not healthy. Here, have some honey", she handed him a little cup which was empty, but Matthew played along and took a little spoon pretending like it's full of honey, dig into a little cup with it, than placed it in his cup.

"You sound more and more just like your Ma", Atlantis smiled at the little girl and earned herself a big grin from Katie. Moving over toward her, Katie placed a little cup in front of Atlantis and asked "Is chamomile fine for you?"

Atlantis nodded "Just what I need."

"Honey?", Katie asked.

"No, thank you. No sugar either", smiled Atlantis.

"See? Atlantis knows that it is good to drink chamomile tea without sugar or honey, Matthew", Katie criticized her big brother causing him to nod, pretending to be ashamed.

"Yeah, I guess I should follow her example", Matthew winked at his wife daring her to smile.

She did and commented "Well, it's good when you have upset stomach."

Something in her tone of voice told to Matthew that she wasn't joking about this. As Katie went toward little Matthew to pour some more "tea" in his cup, Matthew took in his wife's facial expression "You all right? You look kinda pale", he said, his brow slightly creasing with worry.

It never ceased to amaze her how insightful was he. He could tell when she was sad, worried or didn't feel good without her uttering a word about it.

"It's probably nothing, I just feel a bit poorly. I must have ate something bad", said Atlantis.

"You should go to see Dr. Mike", Matthew seriously said.

Atlantis nodded "I will."

"We'll go after the breakfast, I think she's free this morning, no patients", Matthew said. Seeing that Atlantis tried to protest, he shook his head and said "No argue, we're going. Or do you want me to go crazy from worrying?"

Her heart melted and Atlantis leaned her forehead on Matthew's forehead, closing her eyes to feel the light touch of his lips on her lips the very next moment. She silently sighed, accepting the kiss. As he slowly pulled away, Atlantis nodded "Okay, I'll go."

xxxxxx

Michaela was sitting behind her desk and read the newest medical journal she got two days ago when the doors opened. Looking up, she smiled "Atlantis, Matthew, good morning. What brings you here?"

"I'll take the kids upstairs", Matthew said and giving Dr. Mike a peck on her cheek for good morning, he ushered Katie and little Matthew through the doors, leaving Atlantis and Dr. Mike alone.

As the doors of the backrooms closed, Michaela looked at her daughter – in – law. Noticing her pale face, Michaela asked "Are you all right, Atlantis? You don't look so well."

Taking a deep breath in, Atlantis slowly started to talk "I don't know, Dr. Mike. I don't feel well lately", as she collected her thoughts about how she felt, Atlantis was more and more sure about her condition. The symptoms were there; nausea, change of mood, an urge to cry for no reason and craving for the strangest food combination. The tears filled her eyes under concerned look of Dr. Mike "I feel weird, changing mood, sick for already few mornings", she looked up at Michaela's eyes and could see that the words dawned on her "I am not sure, Dr. Mike…and I know that you said that I am all right, but I am so scared. I want this more than anything, but…", by now, tears started to roll down Atlantis' cheeks. Michaela quickly hugged her, feeling happiness bubbling inside of her at the possibility…

"Don't be scared, Atlantis. Come on, lets have a look."

Atlantis obeyed, went beside the curtain and laid on the examination table while Dr. Mike took the needed instruments.

She barely breathed while Dr. Mike examined her. Not from the fear, though…happiness and impatience overwhelmed her…what if she was pregnant?

The doors of the backrooms opened and closed and in a moment when Dr. Mike stood back up, Matthew showed behind the curtain, his face worried. Atlantis sat on the examination table and both looked at Dr. Mike. Michaela smiled widely and confirmed "Congratulations. You're pregnant, Atlantis."

Atlantis gasped, big smile dancing on her lips as her eyes stopped on Matthew's face; just for a second he was speechless, frozen, surprised…than she witnessed the most beautiful transformation of the face of a man she loved with whole her heart; his face practically glowed with smile and happy tears shone in his eyes as he mumbled "Ma…are you sure?"

"Absolutely", Michaela nodded, smiling happily.

"Oh, my God!", Atlantis gasped with smile, her palms joining in front of her mouth as she blinked away happy tears. She looked at her husband again and whispered "Matthew..."

He came closer to her and smiling, he mumbled "We're gonna have a baby!", in next moment, he picked her up from the examination table so quickly that she squealed in surprise and holding her tightly in his arms, he exclaimed happily "ATLANTIS, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A BABY!", he swirled her around, kissing her hair as she held tightly for him, both of them laughing. When he stopped and put her down, Matthew kissed her face and lips and Atlantis accepted the kiss, their tears of happiness mixing. Lingering on her lips, he whispered "I love you, Atlantis. I love you so much!"

Crying and laughing at the same time, Atlantis silently mumbled "Oh, Matthew, I love you too! So much!", and with those words, their lips melted together greeting the little life their love created.