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 EIGHTEEN
~TD~Diana~TD~
"Mrs. Clairmont!" I stumbled out, but she raised her hand and I shut my mouth, feeling like I was being slightly reprimanded. I was so not ready to be meeting Matthew's mother. My eyes were red-rimmed and swollen from crying and there was blood on my shirt. My coat was removed in the ambulance as it had even more traces of Matthew's blood on it, and one of the Paramedics gave me a bag to put it in along with Matthew's personal effects. It was safely being held onto by Hamish.
"It's alright dear," She comforted, stepping forward and squeezing my shoulder with her elegant hand, affectionately.
I nodded mutely, once again appraising her elegant and imposing presence. Ysabeau Clairmont did not have one strand of hair out of place or a wrinkle in her suit. Even her hands were pristine, a manicure in a ruby red colour, adorning her nails. My eyes shifted down to myself and I shook my head. I was a mess. Blood stains and dirt from kneeling next to Matthew on the ground, were present on my clothes. I tugged the hair-tie out of my hair, in an attempt to re-do the pony-tail. I could at least attempt to look put together.
"Matthew Clairmont is my son, and this is his wife." She stated to the nurse, her hand gesturing towards me in acknowledgement. "I'd like an update on his condition, please." She rattled off with unwavering superiority. I stood dumbfounded, my mouth gaping like a fish at the way the nurse tripped out of her chair as she rose to greet her.
"Of course, madam." The nurse replied, shakily. I smirked slightly, at the nervousness Ysabeau seemed to evoke in her as she clattered away on her keyboard.
Ysabeau Clairmont had a manner about her that was intimidating but she did it with grace and politeness. I waited as the nurse continued to view the information on her screen.
"He's still in surgery. Dr. Edward Kelly is overseeing things and will give you an update when he can." She fumbled.
"Thank you. Now is there a reason you couldn't have been as accommodating to my daughter-in-law?" Ysabeau challenged and Gallowglass snorted behind us at the look on the nurse's face.
"I'm, I'm sorry," She stuttered. "A lot of people say they are a relation when they aren't." She prattled off.
"Understandably, but I am assuring you. Now please inform us the moment you have new information." She finalized before turning to me.
I raised my gaze to meet hers. "I'm so sorry, I would have called but I didn't know your number." I nattered off.
"Diana, I'm assuming?" She clarified, and I nodded as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders, leading me over to some chairs.
I fell into the seat awkwardly, and tried to adjust myself when Gallowglass spoke up. "Eric Gallowglass, ma'am. I work with Matthew." He introduced, holding out his large hand.
"Pleasure." She smiled, returning the gesture before sitting beside me. "You were on site when the accident happened, I take it?" She queried as Gallowglass and Hamish took as seat as well. The chairs were set perpendicular to each other, so we sat in a small 'L' like formation.
After the introductions were made, Gallowglass and Hamish started to relay what had happened earlier that day.
~TD~
…
"We've got to reinforce this bracket before we can build up!" Matthew informed, pointing out a section on the blueprints. Hamish, Gallowglass and Marcus took note where Matthew was pointing and nodded their agreement.
Peter Knox tried to argue, "It's fine as is, I designed it this way. You need to be building faster!" He complained.
"And if we build up without those reinforcements, you run the risk of instability." Matthew explained, a clear sense of logic in his tone. It was taking a lot for him to keep calm. "The building could collapse." He added, his voice moderate so as not to offend, but firm; in order to make his point clear.
"Could? Could?" Peter called in annoyance. "You don't know that for certain and it's a minor thing anyway!" He challenged.
…
"At this point, I looked at Gallowglass, then Matthew and knew Peter wasn't going to understand." Hamish interjected.
"I shook my head as well and looked at Hamish. We knew there was no reasoning with the bastard. Sorry, arse." He corrected, mumbling that last part.
"It's alright, you can swear in front me, I'm not that delicate." Ysabeau interjected. "Please go on." She added, looking to Hamish to continue.
…
"I understand what you're saying Peter, but I think we need to listen to Matthew. We can't risk safety for quicker construction. Think of the liability, or the lawsuits." Hamish negotiated.
"You're all bloody idiots!" Peter insulted.
Matthew walked away, his agitation at the man building to a point where he just wanted to hit him. Peter was willing to risk people's safety to get things done sooner, and as he removed himself from the conversation, the idiot's voice was loud and carried to where he was standing, some twenty feet away.
"You don't think I know how things work on a site?" He fumed. "I know what this shit does!" He argued, moving to a control panel. "This crane for instance." He went on touching the buttons and levers that moved the large machine into action. Only he wouldn't listen to the complaints from Hamish, Marcus and Gallowglass to leave it alone and continued to handle the nobs, and all to prove his point.
It felt like the next moments moved in slow motion as the load the crane was holding was released and before they could understand what was about to happen, it was falling from the rigging that held it. Gallowglass charged towards Matthew, urging him to move. But it was too late. A few of the steel rods that had been held in the bundle, escaped and Matthew tripped, falling back. His hard hat protected his head but a steel rod pierced his torso while the rest of the load seemed to land on his left arm.
His groans of pain echoed around them, but Gallowglass was a fraction too late to pull him to safety.
…
"I fell to my knees beside him then, trying to see what the rod had pierced and then the blood." Gallowglass interjected as Ysabeau pulled some Kleenex from her purse, handing one to Diana and taking one for herself.
"You did what you could." Hamish comforted before relaying what happened next.
…
"YOU GODDAMN ARSE! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Gallowglass shouted, turning to face Knox.
"Get the fuck off my site! Now." Hamish ordered, his voice low and menacing and like the rat he is, Peter scuttled off.
Meanwhile, Marcus was on the phone with paramedics, relating what had happened when Gallowglass ran past him after seeing to Matthew. Hamish was with him now, and tried to keep him calm.
"Where are you going?" Kit hollered from a distance as he jogged over to the scene from the other side of the site.
"Diana!" He shouted, and he was gone.
…
When Hamish finished, Ysabeau posed a question in a calm tone. "This Peter Knox, he's fired I hope?"
"Yes, ma'am." Hamish confirmed. "I called the owner and told him what happened."
"Good. Now," Ysabeau replied, turning to face Diana, who had fresh tears on her cheeks after listening to the events that led to Matthew being in hospital in the first place.
"Diana?" Ysabeau called softly.
"Yes? Sorry." She apologized, wiping at her cheeks.
"It might surprise you to know that I'm well informed of yours and Matthew's relationship." She relayed, a kind smile on her face.
"I, um…" Diana started, her brows wrinkling and her eyes darting around. She was trying to find the appropriate reply, but was at a loss. "I am surprised, actually." She declared. "Matthew hasn't mentioned that he's told you about me at all, and I certainly didn't expect to be meeting you like this." She looked up, finally meeting Ysabeau's eyes. "I mean…" She trailed off, looking down at herself. "I have his blood on me." She added, pulling at her soiled shirt.
"If ya don't mind my asking, Mrs. Clairmont," Gallowglass interjected. "But does Matthew call you often? He doesn't mention you very much." He posed, his eyes meeting hers.
"Well, we uphold an old tradition. It's something he started with his father actually and it's carried over to me as well. The art of letter writing." She informed. "I get a detailed letter from Matthew every month, only I got his latest last week. It's only the first week of March, so he was early and eager to share." She explained, covering Diana's clasped hands with one of her own. Her sad blue eyes met Ysabeau's once more.
"He's such a good man, he didn't," Diana hiccupped through her crying, "He didn't deserve this." She finished.
"Thank you for saying so, and no one deserves this, sweetheart." Ysabeau comforted. She stood and pulled Diana into her arms for a hug, where the faint hint of watery eyes could be seen on Ysabeau's visage as well.
She was trying to be strong for Diana. Of course, she was worried about her son, but from the basic details that were relayed to her on the phone, he never lost consciousness; was coherent and talking, and he would be rushed into surgery immediately.
"Clairmont?" A voiced echoed. Ysabeau, still with her arm around Diana, led her over to the man in question.
"Matthew Clairmont's family?" He confirmed and Ysabeau nodded.
"I'm Dr. Edward Kelly." He introduced. "Matthew's out of surgery, but we had to remove the steel rod with care. No vital organs were damaged, but there was some muscle tearing that needed some sutures." He relayed, going over his notes.
"And his arm?" Diana piped up.
"Thankfully, it was a clean break. So, it should heal within six to seven weeks." Dr. Kelly informed.
"Can we see him, please?" Diana rushed out.
Dr. Kelly nodded, "The nurse will give you his room number as soon as he's settled. He's just woken up in recovery, and will be transferred shortly." He explained. "He's going to be groggy and may slip in and out of sleep for a bit. But don't be too shocked by his appearance when you do go in, he looks worse than he actually is." He smiled reassuringly.
"I wanna see him!" A voice broke in, and all their heads turned to see Kit standing there.
Ysabeau felt Diana tense slightly under her arm when Gallowglass spoke up. "You can wait with us; Diana and his mother will be going in to see him first." He stated with clear intent, as his gaze settled on the small man.
"Of course, thank you Dr. Kelly." Ysabeau stated, turning back to the doctor and holding out her hand for a shake.
"You're welcome. I'll see you in a about an hour, when I check in to see how he's doing." He relayed in parting.
After a small talk between the four of them, and a lingering Kit; Gallowglass and Hamish said they would go and get everyone some coffee, while Ysabeau and Diana went to see him first. Once Ysabeau shared the room information with Gallowglass, he signalled at Kit to follow them and leave Diana and Ysabeau alone. Hamish handed Diana the plastic bag with her coat and Matthew's personal effects.
As they waited for the elevator, Diana couldn't stop crying, the fresh tears were a sign of relief that he was okay. A glance to her left and she noted a few on Ysabeau's cheek as well.
"You should go in and see him first." Diana smiled, looking to Ysabeau when they reached the door to his room.
"We'll go in together, sweetheart. It's fine. Really." She assured, coaxing Diana to go ahead of her.
~TD~Matthew~TD~
I could feel a haziness around me, and couldn't seem to push through the fog that surrounded my vision. Then I heard her voice, talking to someone else.
"And Tabitha wouldn't let go of him, it was the cutest thing." Diana stated. Her comment was followed by the giggle from another.
"He always wanted a pet growing up, but our apartment building didn't allow them." I heard my mother retort.
It was then that I remembered the construction site, Knox; then pain. The chronic beeping broke through the haze, and my eyes fluttered open.
"That damn cat got hair on everything." I murmured quietly.
"Matthew!" Diana called and then she was in my view. Her sweet, heart-shaped face showed the remnants of her tears.
"Mon Coeur." I smiled, lifting my right hand to cup her cheek, my thumb brushing at the wetness still present.
"You're okay? Are you in pain? Can I get you something?" She rattled off and I heard a small giggle.
"Mum?" I posed when she approached from the other side of the bed.
"You've had quite the day." She smiled, and I held my right hand out towards her so she could grasp it.
"Glad to see you're okay." She smiled, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "You had your 'wife' worried." She teased and my eyes moved to Diana in surprise.
The blush that spread across her cheeks was adorable. "I didn't say that, Gallowglass did!" She argued.
"Did someone say my name?" He hollered entering the room and I laughed. But that small utterance hurt.
"Damn, don't make me laugh." I groaned, my right hand pressing into my left side gently.
"Poor baby." He teased. "Don't think you're getting outta work just because of a little impalement." He taunted, handing my mother a coffee before offering one to Diana as well.
"I wouldn't dream of it." I replied sarcastically. "Feel like I should return the favour to Knox, no?" I jested.
"He's been fired." Hamish added, trailing in after him and handing Gallowglass what appeared to be his coffee. I noticed Kit followed him as well, but stayed back.
"How do you feel?" my mother queried, her warm hand pushing back the hair on my head.
"Sore. Can't move much, at the moment. And, I'm really tired." I tacked on, running my hand over my face. "So, what's the diagnosis look like?" I posed, turning to Diana.
"It was a clean break," She explained, her hand tracing over the cast on my left arm. ", and some torn muscle where the rod pierced you, which they fixed up in surgery" She added.
"You just worry about healing now." My mum interjected.
The doctor came in to do a check and relayed that everything went smoothly and I could probably be discharged soon if I was feeling okay. As long as there would be someone with me. Diana spoke up and said I would have twenty-four-hour care and I winked at her.
"Will he have to change the dressing on his wound?" Diana posed.
"Yes, the nurse can send you home with a few dressings and be sure to clean it each time as well." He informed.
By the time 7:30PM rolled around, I was back at my apartment. It took longer than I wanted to get Kit to leave. After hearing from Hamish about the comments he'd made about Diana, there was no way I was going to invite him to my fucking apartment. Hamish said his goodbyes at the hospital, and told me to take the week to rest. He had a meeting with the owner in the morning and he would let me know what was going to happen next.
Except for the tenderness in my side, I could walk okay, just not briskly. Marthe, mum's housekeeper was at my apartment waiting for us when we arrived, bags in hand. Once inside she unpacked said bags to stock up on groceries I was lacking, and insisted on cooking everyone a proper dinner. Gallowglass joined us and kept everyone laughing, even though it made me sore.
I was ordered to rest, and had a set up on the couch with pillows under my arm and my feet. The only missing piece was Diana. I called her over and she cuddled into my right side, but it took some cajoling on my part. She was worried she was going to hurt me.
"I need to get some clothes from my apartment." Diana announced suddenly and I noted that she was still wearing her blood-stained shirt. Her eyes met mine sadly.
"I'll take ya, Lass. After dinner we'll go, then I'll drop ya back here?" Gallowglass offered. He'd gotten in the habit of bringing his truck to work on the days we knew Knox would be there. She nodded at him in thanks when Marthe announced dinner was ready.
Marthe made a superb meal and there were no left-overs in sight. Then again, Gallowglass ate a few plates worth, piled high.
She refused to leave one dish unwashed, and once the kitchen was set to rights again, she and mum bid their farewells. I promised mum I would call with more regular updates, instead of just letters though, to alleviate her worries.
TD~Diana~TD~
After dinner, Gallowglass kindly brought me to my apartment so I could pack some clothes and discard my shirt. There was no way I was going to get the blood out of my coat, but I was just thankful it was the ugly grey one and not my pretty, sky-blue wool coat.
When we were on our way back to Matthew's, my cell phone went off, and the call display showed it was Sarah.
"Hello?" I called, when I picked up.
"Diana! Goodness dear, you're hard to reach." She laughed.
"Sorry, it's been a really rough day." I started. "Was there something you needed?"
"Tabitha has been a wreck; we were hoping we could do a video call with Matthew." She admitted.
"Can it wait? Ummm…" I trailed off, as I felt new tears threatening to fall. The reminder of what had happened this afternoon fresh in my mind once more. Although, I don't know that it ever really left.
Seeing him lain on the ground as he was, not moving and groaning in pain was still etched on the back of my eyelids.
"Diana? Honey what's happened?" Emily echoed down the line.
"Matthew had an accident at work today," I confessed and I could feel Gallowglass's gaze on me.
"Is he okay?" Sarah asked in worry.
"He will be." I informed. "There was a mishap and he got impaled by a steel rod and his arm is broken." I relayed.
"Oh, by the goddess!" Sarah called.
"You said, he'll be okay though, right honey?" Emily interjected.
"Yes, he's home now and resting. I was just at my apartment to get some clothes. I still had his blood on my shirt." I cried, pulling at the offending fabric. I still hadn't removed the stained garment.
After a few more hurried words of encouragement, and reassurances that Matthew was going to be okay, I hung up with Sarah and Emily.
Gallowglass had lowered the volume on the radio when my call came in, but now he turned it off. "I'm really sorry, ya know." He offered.
"Sorry? For what?" I asked in confusion, turning my attention towards him and wiping at the last of my latest tears.
"That I couldn't pull him to safety. I was too late." He finished. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him swipe a hand over his face, and for the first time ever, I saw a fragile crack in the big Gael's persona.
"It's not your fault." I contested. "If there is anyone to blame it's Knox." I reiterated.
"I was so close though, Lass." He admitted as he swiped at his eyes one more time.
When he pulled in front of Matthew's apartment building, I turned to face him. "Don't do that to yourself. You'll go crazy. Especially if you start the 'what if' scenarios." I reasoned. "It happened. He's okay and Knox will be the one that has to answer for it." I finished determinably.
"Alright, Lass." He smiled. "You get yerself up to bed then, and just take care of him." He smiled, back to his old self.
"Promise me you won't blame yourself." I challenged, when I hopped from the cab of the truck.
"Cross my heart and hope ta die, stick a needle in -."
"ALRIGHT!" I cut him off with a laugh. "I got it." I giggled, pulling my bag from the floor and waving before closing the door.
Back in Matthew's apartment, I lugged my bag to his bedroom, but didn't see him there. Nor in the living room when I first entered.
"Matthew?" I called, moving back down the hallway.
"We're in here, Love!" I heard and followed the echo of his voice.
"Where's 'here'?" I posed. A door opened and Chris stepped into the hall from a room I had not been in before.
"What are you doing here?" I called in surprise as he moved back into what appeared to be Matthew's office.
"I have some really good news actually, and wanted to tell you in person." He smiled as Matthew waived us in.
"How come I've not seen this office of yours before?" I posed. "Is this where you write your letters to your mother?" I teased, sauntering up to him as he sat behind the desk.
"She told you about that?" he asked in surprise, his right arm moving around my waist.
"Of course, she did. How else was she to explain how she knew ALL about me!" I laughed.
Matthew leaned back in his desk chair while Chris took a seat in one of the proffered chairs in front of the desk, and I followed suit.
Matthew and I waited for Chris to explain his news and why it required an in-person visit.
"So, I was waiting for some test results last week and they finally came in today." He began. "Originally, when I got the diagnosis, we were unsure of a few things and the new tests would take a few weeks to process. Those were the results from today." He clarified.
"So, what's the good news?" I probed.
"They fucking mixed up my test results." He exclaimed. "Some guy who is now in stage 2 of thyroid cancer was told he was cancer free, while I was told I had cancer." He finished.
"Are you saying you don't have cancer? Like at all?" I asked in disbelief.
A slow smile spread across his face and he nodded. "Exactly. So-,"
Matthew cut him off, "Wait, what about the fainting spells at work?" He interjected.
"Apparently it was just exhaustion from working too hard, and staying late. I actually haven't had any fainting spells since the beginning of January." He confirmed.
"Chris!" I called, the shock finally wearing off.
Pulling him out of his chair I hugged him in relief and again a new set of tears filled my eyes before spilling over.
"I thought this was happy news, no tears!" He chided, teasingly.
"They are happy. Really." I blubbered.
"If that's your happy sweetheart, I'd hate to watch Titanic with you!" Matthew laughed, and I smiled at his joke as he pushed himself up from his chair. A loud groan of protest at his movement caught my attention, and I moved to help him.
"I'm okay." He supplied, rounding the desk. "Chris knows all about my busy day." He joked. "I'm really happy for you Chris, but fucking sucks for the other guy." He added, reaching a hand out to shake. He returned the gesture before an awkward silence surrounded us.
"I have one more bit of news to announce though, and it's good news, so don't worry but it means I'll be moving." He declared.
"What? Why?" I fretted as I felt Matthew slip his arm around my waist, tugging me closer to him.
"I got tenure, at Yale." He smiled. "And the drive is over an hour and half. I can't do that on a daily basis." He explained.
"Hence the move." Matthew supplied.
"Yeah, but I don't start until like mid-August, so it's not like I'm leaving tomorrow." He added.
"I'm sorry. I'm happy for you really, it's just this whole day has gone from one extreme to the other, emotionally and I'm so drained." I admitted. "I'm happy for you. Really. Yale is a fantastic opportunity." I smiled; my eyes wet with tears.
"Well, I'll get out of your hair. I just wanted to tell you in person. Sorry man, about the accident and all." He added, as he and Matthew shook hands one last time.
I stood still, my arms around Matthew's torso, although gently. I was worried about hurting him with a simple hug. His arms came around me and I tucked my head under his chin.
"Sarah called me." I relayed.
"Is Emily okay?" He murmured against my hair.
"Apparently Tabitha needs some attention and they wanted to video call with you." I laughed.
"Tomorrow." He stated. "Let's get to bed, Love." He announced. "It's almost 10:00PM." He reasoned.
"I need a shower. Do we need to change your dressing?" I posed, as he led me out of the office before turning off the light and closing the door.
"No, we'll worry about it tomorrow. I can't get it wet yet anyway." He added.
"I could be your nurse, give you a sponge bath." I wheedled.
"As much as I would love that, I need sleep right now." He added, kissing my cheek.
I showered quickly, washing off the days grime, before pulling one of Matthew's t-shirts. When I walked into the bedroom, I noticed he was on the opposite side of the bed tonight.
"Why are you on my side?" I teased.
"Because my left side is the one with the hole in it and I still want you to cuddle with me. So, it's the right side for you!" He smiled, pulling back the blankets.
"Please, don't joke about your injuries." I stated sadly.
"I'm really going to be okay, Love." He promised as I cuddled into his side, my head on his shoulder as his eyes met mine.
"But it was a completely avoidable accident in the first place." I retorted angrily.
"Shhhh…Sweetheart. Come here," he crooned, wrapping his arm around me firmly. His hand trailed along my arm, back and forth as my fingers played with the edges of the bandage that covered the side of his left hip.
"I love you, Mon Coeur." He murmured.
"I love you, Matthew." I replied.
"OH!" I called suddenly.
"What?" He replied in alarm.
"Your mother is fantastic!" I smiled, and he laughed.
"Oh, don't make me laugh." He smiled as his lips met mine, sweetly.