Alternate Universe FanFic. Borrowing the characters from ADOW to create my own new story with a completely different plot, and events. Canon couples and always Matthew/Diana HEA.
Summary: Diana lives in New York and works at her local hot spot Diner, and after numerous failed first dates, decides to forgo the dating scene for a while. That is until a rather attractive construction worker named Matthew Clairmont walks into The Diner and catches her eye. He becomes a welcome regular among all the staff, especially Diana.
NOTE: Thanks to Shawna for her editing help, suggestions and ideas!
DISCLAIMER: All rights to Deborah Harkness. Just borrowing the characters.
THE DINER
By Goode Girl
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
~TD~
The rest of the week at the Bishop house was spent healing. Not only Emily from her head wound, but the relationship between Diana, Chris, and Matthew was at a new stage. Diana still had some questions for Chris, but they could wait until a later time. For now, he needed to focus on getting the help he needed while dealing with his cancer diagnosis, as he still awaited results from new tests.
Sunday morning, Matthew and Diana decided to head home after a hearty brunch. Both had things to do before work again the next morning. Goodbyes were bittersweet and some tears were shed, but the one that seemed to have the hardest time letting go, literally, was Tabitha. Matthew had walked around the house for what felt like an hour, cuddling with her and talking to her in French. But each time he tried to pry her from his shoulder, she would meow piteously and everyone would laugh once more.
"Oh, poor Matthew." Emily sighed with a smile, as he returned to the living room. Tabitha still clutching to him. Sarah nodded her agreement from her seat in the arm-chair as she sipped from her coffee.
He sat down beside Emily and looked to her for help. "We're going to have to do this fast if we want to leave today." He laughed as Tabitha purred, while scratching her head against Matthew's light stubble.
"Oh Tabitha, you little drama queen!" Diana called, when she entered the house after loading their bags into the car. Matthew was otherwise occupied, clearly.
"She won't let go, look!" He called, trying to pry her off, but her claws reached out, hooking into his sweater, so he pulled her back into his arms, shaking his head once more.
Diana walked over to them, and signalled for Matthew to stand. "When I do this, you run out that door you hear me?" She ordered, a small smile still on her face.
"She's going to cry," He whined, and Diana couldn't hide her smile.
She leaned up; her breath hot on his cheek. "I'll make you feel better in the car," she whispered before running her tongue along the shell of his ear and then pulling away. He gasped before looking down to Tabitha and then Diana; who salaciously licked her lips suggestively.
"Right, do it." He replied, running his hand over Tabitha's fur once more.
"Ready?" Diana posed, eyeing him. "Don't look back at her!" She warned and he nodded.
Diana reached for Tabitha and without warning, she pulled the snarky feline from his chest and Matthew hurried out the door. Tabitha tried to get free to follow but Sarah stood, taking her from Diana's arms.
"Safe drive, okay?" She smiled, kissing her niece on the cheek, while Tabitha's cries got louder.
"We will, don't worry. If she gets too fussy," She began, nodding to Tabitha who was whining, "We can do a facetime call with her." Diana suggested, before leaning down to hug Emily. "Then she can at least see him." She added, nodding to the door where Matthew had just exited. "Wait until tonight, but I left her a gift on the bed upstairs. You'll know it when you see it." Diana explained, kissing at Tabitha's head one last time.
Chris stood at the door and Diana hugged him before heading out to the Range Rover. He was going to leave after lunch. Matthew started up the car when he saw her coming.
"Was she okay?" Matthew queried, once she secured her seat belt.
"She whined, but she'll be fine." She declared, running her hand along his bicep affectionately. "Besides, I left one of your t-shirts for her, she'll love it." She giggled.
"Not the one you wore in the hotel room, right?" He teased, waggling his eyebrows.
"No," She laughed.
"I didn't want to make her cry though." He pouted.
"You're such a sucker for her, aren't you!" Diana teased.
"Can't help it, it was rather cute how she attached herself to me." He smiled, pulling out of the driveway.
~TD~Diana~TD~
Two hours into the drive, we stopped for a quick lunch at some mom n' pop type restaurant. Matthew really did have an aversion to fast food, and avoided it like the plague. When we got back on the road, we were going through some winding roads that seemed mostly scenic and had minimal traffic. I started biting at my lip, nervous about following through on the promise I'd made when trying to separate him from Tabitha.
"I can hear you thinking," He teased. "What's bothering you?" He posed, reaching over and gripping my knee before running his hand up my thigh, teasingly. He'd pushed the sleeves up on his sweater and my fingers traced along his exposed forearm.
"I really don't want to cause an accident," I began, moving my hand to his thigh before gently squeezing at his prominent bulge. "But I did promise to make you feel better," I wheedled.
His head swiveled in my direction and a sly smile spread across his face as his hand moved over mine. "We could park somewhere, for a few." He suggested, "Then we can both partake." He added and I nodded enthusiastically.
Leaning over he kissed me quickly before surveying the area around us. He noticed a sign and pulled into a campground, and upon further inspection it seemed to be deserted. He parked the car behind some large trees and brush before putting the car in park and turning off the engine.
"Get in the backseat." He ordered.
I climbed over the center console while he left through the driver's side door before joining me. My hands moved to his belt before he had even settled in the seat and his head fell back against the head rest, a loud groan escaping his lips when I lowered my head, sucking him down my throat.
"Jesus," He panted as my hand jerked and stroked what I couldn't fit in my mouth.
His hands pushed back the hair that fell in my face before he trailed one down my back, cupping my ass and massaging at my jean clad behind.
"Undo your jeans," He panted, after trying and failing to slip his hand down the back of my pants.
Pulling off him, I undid the button and lowered the zipper before standing. I hunched over and pushed them down and off, along with my panties before reaching for his cock again. Matthew trailed his hand over my ass and smacked at it a few times, before slipping a few fingers between my pussy lips.
"Argghhh…." I hummed around him at the sudden but welcome intrusion.
"Fuck," He growled. "Lay back, lean against the door." He asked, slipping his fingers from inside me.
While I got into position, he licked my juices from his fingers before pushing my legs apart. He leaned forward and flicked his tongue over my clit, before slipping his fingers back inside of me, humming against my aroused sex. The vibrations surged through me and I thrust against his face, seeking my release.
"Please." I murmured; my breathing laboured.
"What do you want, sweetheart?" He teased, slipping his fingers out of me once more.
Our gazes locked while his tongue brushed at his fingers, tasting me. I reached for his hand pulling it towards me and savoured the last trace of my essence from his long digits.
"Bloody hell," He whimpered as his other hand stroked his cock, diligently.
Lowering his head once more, he slipped his tongue past my lips while this thumb pressed firmly into my clit and within moments I was arching against the door as I released onto his awaiting tongue.
Pushing him against the seat, I straddled him, before lowering myself over his straining erection. Matthew's head fell back and I kissed along his neck, flicking my tongue over his Adam's apple before pulling his lips closer. I sucked his top lip between mine this time, and he pursed his lips into the kiss before his tongue flicked and teased me.
I gyrated over him as our hips thrust in tandem. "I'm so close, Diana." He gasped, as I clenched my Kegel muscles, like I knew he liked.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, I'm gonna come." He repeated, as his thrusts became more erratic.
He moved a hand from my ass, to press his thumb into my clit, and I clenched my legs around him as the orgasm swelled and overflowed before waning. Moments later, he grunted as his own release was reached.
I started laughing as we came down from our highs. "What the hell are you laughing at, woman?" He smiled, a satiated and lazy grin on his face.
"You…" I giggled some more. "You grunted…like huugghhhh…" I imitated, laughing raucously now.
"That's funny is it?" he teased and I nodded.
"I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you, just the sound you made!" I clarified, kissing at his pouting lips.
"Come here," He teased, pulling me flush against him as he returned the kiss. "I love you," He murmured, kissing me sweetly once more.
"I love you, too." I smiled, pushing his hair back from where it fell over his forehead.
"We better get going, it's almost 3:00PM." He reasoned, and I nodded before climbing from his lap.
~TD~Matthew~TD~
Diana wanted to be dropped off at her apartment, and though neither of us wanted to spend the night apart, we knew we had too. After not being home for almost six days, there was likely food rotting in the fridge and stacks of mail to attend too. Not to mention the laundry. I think every sweater I brought with me was covered in traces of Tabitha.
When we breached the city line, I pulled into our local supermarket so we could each stock up on a few things. Upon entering the store, I grabbed a cart when I noticed Diana reaching for a hand-held basket.
"What are you doing?" I posed in confusion.
She looked at me sarcastically, "This is for putting your shit in that you're going to buy." She taunted, waving it at me, a sweet smile on her face.
"So is this," I laughed, rolling the cart forward a few inches then back in a repetitive motion. "You telling me you're getting so much we can't share?" I reasoned.
"Fine, I guess, but don't give me your cooties." She goaded, walking further into the store.
"Goodness you're adorable." I muttered, following after her.
We meandered around produce, and the meat sections, each adding to our stock, before grabbing some various dairy products.
"I want potato chips." She called, skipping ahead to the isle. I smiled at her giddy attitude, following behind dutifully. I knew I would follow her anywhere.
…
After dropping Diana off at home, and making out in my car for another twenty minutes, she finally went up to her apartment, albeit reluctantly. I knew if I followed her up, I wouldn't want to leave, and she even forbade me from helping her with her groceries to stave off the temptation to do so. It didn't help my need to follow her, that my car currently smelled like sex.
Walking into my apartment was strange. This sense of loneliness washed over me, and I couldn't shake it. I kept busy though. From chucking the rotten food in the fridge, and throwing on a load of laundry, I completed simplistic tasks like filtering through my mail. When I finally crawled into bed a little after 9:00PM, I couldn't seem to get comfortable. Just as I would doze off, I would subconsciously reach for Diana, and woke myself when my arm didn't find her.
"This is fucking ridiculous." I mumbled into the dark before pushing the blankets off.
Packing a bag with my work gear and few things for the week, I pulled on some jogging pants and a sweatshirt before walking the few blocks up to her apartment. Using the set of keys she gave me, I let myself in the building, and snuck into her apartment. I left my bag behind the couch and kicked off my shoes. Setting an alarm on my phone to wake me in the morning, I walked quietly into her bedroom. She was fast asleep and clutching a pillow in her arms. Shucking my sweatshirt, I crawled into her bed, and slipped the pillow from her grasp. She woke immediately.
"Matthew?" She mumbled, her tired eyes finding mine.
"Hi, sweetheart. I couldn't sleep without you." I murmured, kissing her cheek.
"What time is it?" She yawned, hugging me at the waist as her sleepy eyes closed in contentment.
I kissed at her nose sweetly. "Almost 11:30PM." I confirmed, "Come here," I added, as she cuddled into my chest.
Finally feeling complete, I succumbed to the exhaustion of the last few days. No felines to get in between me and my girl either.
…
The following morning, I woke before my alarm. Rolling over in bed, I buried my face in Diana's hair as my arm moved over her waist.
"I have to go in early, Love." I stated, kissing at her neck.
"No, morning cuddles." She whimpered and I laughed gently.
"Just for a bit." I agreed as she turned in my arms, burying her face in my neck.
When my alarm finally rang out, I pulled back reluctantly. "Have to get up now." I supplied, kissing her firmly.
"Fine." She retorted. "But I wanna watch you get dressed for work!" She demanded adorably, sitting up against the headboard slightly.
"I have to take off what I'm wearing first." I teased, tugging at the tie on my sweat pants.
"Yeah, that's the point!" She giggled; arms crossed in front of her.
After a quick strip tease, and a few lingering kisses, I pulled on my work gear and made plans to meet her back here after work. With one last, long savoury kiss to her sweet lips, I had to run up the block to the work site. I almost forgot I was supposed to be there twenty minutes early to sign off on the paperwork for my absence from work last week.
~TD~
Diana had the luxury of sleeping in later than Matthew and knowing he rushed out early, he didn't get his morning coffee. Walking into work an hour earlier than necessary, she smiled at Amira and told her a cliff notes version of the last week's events, including most of the details regarding Chris.
"Matthew rushed out this morning and didn't even get coffee, so I thought I could bring up a tray for him, Gallowglass and I guess his foreman?" She posed, filling the disposable cups before snapping on the lids.
"Wait a moment Diana, and you can take this up to him too." She offered.
Diana secured the cups in a cardboard tray as she waited for Amira.
"Take this as well," She urged, shoving a few containers into a bag, with plastic cutlery.
"What is it?" She asked, peering into the bag.
"Scrambled eggs, bacon, and a few bagels." She rambled off.
"You don't have to do that!" She announced.
"I know, but after him trudging here during that storm, fixing my wall. It's just a little something."
"Thank you, he'll love it, and there's enough for a few of the guys he works with." She smiled before taking her parcels and walking up to the work site.
When Diana passed the gate at the construction site, the security guard in the make-shift booth called out to her.
"Ma'am? Can I help you?" He posed.
"I'm looking for Matthew Clairmont? I'm his girlfriend, have breakfast for him and a few of his co-workers." She explained as he eyed the coffee tray in her hands.
"Would you like a coffee? I brought four." She engaged, holding out the offering.
"Thank you." He stated, taking the presented cup. "But you need to put this on." He added, handing her a hard hat.
Her hands were full and she couldn't put it on. "Come closer." He posed and as she stepped forward, he put the hard hat on her head for her. "You'll find him in the main office, that trailer over there." The guard relayed, pointing to a rectangular box-like building to the right of the gate.
Walking off in the direction he had pointed to, she marched up the few wooden stairs and knocked.
"Yes?" A man answered, his Scottish accent thick.
"Hi, I have breakfast for Matthew, and you I guess." She fumbled, as the door got pulled open.
"Diana? What are you doing here, Love?" Matthew called, taking the coffee from her.
"Hamish, this is Diana, my girlfriend." He introduced and with a hand free, she reached out to shake his offered one, in greeting.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hamish." He smiled, accepting the coffee handed to him by Matthew once their introduction was complete.
Her eyes met Matthew's. "Well you left in such a hurry, you didn't even get your morning coffee, so I went in early to the diner and-,"
Hamish cut her off. "Wait, wait, you're 'diner-girl'?" he interjected.
"What? Hamish, I've never called her 'diner-girl'." Matthew laughed.
"No, not you, Kit." He explained. "Come in out of the cold, dear." He added, stepping back and closing the door once she was inside.
"What do you mean, Kit calls her 'diner-girl'?" Matthew interjected. He was getting angry, as he crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance.
Diana moved closer and pulled at his arm so she could slip her hand into his.
"When we have morning coffee breaks. Usually you and Gallowglass, along with Marcus go off on your own." Hamish began, "Well, I walk the site, checking in with each crew and a few times now," He paused before continuing. "I hear him going on with some of the other guys, complaining about the," He turned to Diana ", and forgive me but these are his words." He warned. ",'The little bitch has ensnared him with her magical'…" He trailed off and ran a hand over his face.
"Magical what?" Matthew prodded, his grip tightened slightly on Diana's hand and she stood silent.
"Magical cunt." He spat out.
"That little shit head." Matthew mumbled.
"I'm sorry," Hamish added.
"It's not your fault you overheard something." Diana tried to alleviate.
"If I hear him talk like that, I'll be introducing him to my fist." Matthew grated.
"Calm down, Matt." Hamish urged. "I've written him up twice now, for talking like that. Doesn't matter that there are no females on this site, it's defamatory." Hamish explained.
Diana had been silent throughout this exchange.
"We have other issues with Kit, from what he's done to a good friend of mine, and clearly his affection for Matthew." Diana interjected.
"Affection?" Hamish posed; the confusion clear in his tone.
"Kit is in love with Matthew." Diana confirmed.
"Shit, I didn't realize he was-,"
Diana cut him off. "Gay? Yes, and that's why he talks about me like he does. Jealousy." She clarified. "It's not like Matthew will ever return that affection but he's gotten in the habit of just being an ass." She finished. "I need to get to work." She added, turning to Matthew.
"Thanks for breakfast, Love." He replied, leaning down to kiss her, but their hard hats clacked. He pulled away laughing before pulling the hat off her head. "Come here," he murmured, fusing his lips to hers.
"I'll see you at lunch?" She posed, as he placed the hat back over head.
"Might be late, Knox is due to be on site today." He expressed with exasperation.
"I'm so tired of that ass." Hamish interjected, digging into the eggs and bacon.
"Well, I'll have your food ready, and Gallowglass too." She expressed. "Just text me when you're on your way." She added, before leaving the trailer and then the site.
~TD~Diana~TD~
When the lunch rush hit, Amira informed me that a new employee would be starting today. She'd hired her last week while I was away. She was graduating high-school this year and only had class until 11:00AM, so she could start at noon.
"Diana!" Amira called, and I turned to face her as she stood at the end of the counter. A slight young woman stood next to her; strawberry blonde hair pulled up into a ponytail.
"Hi!" I smiled. "I'm Diana." I introduced, holding out my hand.
"Annie," She retorted shyly, returning my gesture.
"Annie is going to help out with clearing tables, filling drinks, helping at the register." Amira clarified.
"Perfect, well, welcome to the team!" I added as the bell jangled on the door.
"And she can help seat customers too." Amira interjected as we all turned to see who had just entered.
Matthew and Gallowglass stood before us and I moved forward.
"Hey Lass!" Gallowglass greeted, picking me up in a hug.
"Hi," I giggled, as he set me back down. "I have your lunch ready, come sit." I stated as Matthew wrapped his arm around my waist before leaning down to kiss me sweetly.
"Annie!?" I called and she rushed forward.
"Yes?" She smiled, a blush covering her cheeks. I noted how she eyed Matthew as he took his seat.
"Aren't you adorable!" Gallowglass smiled at her. "I'm Gallowglass." He introduced holding out a hand.
"Annie." She murmured; her eyes cast down shyly.
"That's Matthew." He added and Matthew smiled at her as well with a small wave.
"Can you get a pitcher of water and black coffee?" I posed and she hurried off.
"When did she start?" Matthew added, as I stood beside him, his arm around my waist.
"Just today." I confirmed. "Let me grab your lunch." I finished, walking away.
I watched with interest as Annie tended to the register and when Matthew and Gallowglass paid, she turned beet red.
"Goodness she's a shy one." Amira commented, helping me to clear a nearby table.
"She'll adjust." I offered.
The rest of the afternoon went on as normal, and when 3:00PM hit, I went for my last coffee break. When I returned to the front counter to start a new pot of coffee, the bells on the door jangled loudly as it was jerked open abruptly.
"DIANA!" Gallowglass shouted and I rounded the counter. He had blood on his work vest and was still in his hard hat.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Amira run past me, "What's going on?" I asked in worry.
"Matt's been hurt, you have to come now!" He urged. Amira reappeared, shoving my coat into my arms as she untied the apron from my waist, pulling it off.
"Go, don't worry about tomorrow, just call me with an update!" She soothed, and I nodded numbly.
"What happened?" I shouted as I ran alongside Gallowglass up to the construction site.
"Knox happened." He replied.
"You know what I want to know, don't fuck with me!" I spouted as we reached the gate.
I could see a small crowd of workers had congregated around a prostrate form on the ground and I started over.
"MATTHEW!" I screamed as the crowd parted. I fell to me knees beside him.
His left arm was trapped under what looked like steel rods and one had punctured him, just above his left hip. "Why is this still on him! Get if off!" I shouted. "Get it off!" I repeated as tears formed in my eyes.
"I tried, Lass, but we need to get the crane to move it, it's too heavy of a load." Gallowglass relayed.
"Then take them off one by one you assholes, stop standing around!" I ordered, moving to pull a rod from the stack myself.
"She's right, come on, let's move them." Hamish interjected as hands grabbed the poles from my hands.
"See to Matthew, dear. The ambulance is on the way." Hamish conveyed and I nodded numbly, before reaching to take his hand in mine.
"You're going to be okay." I cried, as my other hand pushed his hard hat off. I wasn't concerned with the fact that his blood was saturating my coat and shirt.
"Fuck, it hurts." He murmured, tears welling in his eyes.
"Look at me." I ordered, and his gaze met mine. "What happened?" I added. Sirens could be heard in the distance and before I knew it, I was being asked to step back so they could tend to him.
"You go with him." Gallowglass ordered and I nodded.
Once the last of the steel rods were removed the paramedics could assess his injuries.
"Looks like a break." One of them called, "Let's get him on the stretcher." Another commented. They had to move extra carefully because they didn't want to remove the rod from his abdomen yet, and they also couldn't have it jostling around. It could cause more internal damage. Once he was stabilized, they loaded him into the ambulance, and I followed.
It felt like time was moving in slow motion as I was told to stay in the waiting room of the hospital's emergency ward. I couldn't stop pacing, waiting for some kind of update. Gallowglass and Hamish ventured in some time later and they told me what Knox had done. I was fuming at the asinine behaviour of the prick and when I couldn't take it anymore, I went to ask the nurse at the desk.
"What is your relation to the patient?" She asked snottily, her fingers clacking on the keyboard.
I rubbed at my head in frustration, my eyes meeting the nurses. "Please, he was impaled on a god damn steel rod and his left arm was trapped beneath a pile of those rods! Tell me something!" I wailed, fresh tears streaming down my face as I broke into a sob.
I felt Gallowglass's hand rubbing at my back, trying to calm me down. "Come on, Lass! This is Matthew Clairmont's wife, give her a bloody update!" He pleaded from behind me.
An aristocratic voice cut through the tension, "My, my, I wasn't aware my son had gotten married." I heard.
I spun around, gasping in shock. The woman standing before me was imposing but elegant. Her hair was perfectly coifed and not a wrinkle could be found in her tailored Chanel suit. It matched the Chanel No. 5 I could smell coming off of her. She eyed me intently, one eyebrow raised. It was only then that I really processed her words from a moment before, 'my son'. "Yo..you're…" I stuttered out; my mouth still agape in surprise. With her next words, I quickly pieced together who stood before me.
"Ysabeau Clairmont. Encantada." She greeted.