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 TWENTY- FOUR
~TD~
The evening brought with it a light sprinkling of rain as Matthew led Diana into the restaurant. It was her 34th birthday, and he was trying to romance her. But it would seem like there were roadblocks being put up at each endeavour.
The first obstacle occurred when they tried to procure their transportation. Diana loves the jaguar and Matthew had every intention of that being the vehicle of choice for their date. When they arrived at the underground parking in their apartment building however, someone had parked just a little too close to the passenger side door and Diana could not get in. Rather than Matthew backing out and allowing her access to the car, they opted to take the Range Rover instead. Diana clearly didn't mind, but Matthew did. He felt it was foiling his plans.
The second happened on their way to the restaurant. They were stopped at every red light, as though some were created just to prevent them from arriving on time to meet their designated reservation time.
The third incident happened once they were seated at their table. Another patron backed their chair out suddenly, bumping into a server who carried a tray laden with drinks. Said drinks then became airborne and a glass of white wine landed all over Diana.
She assured Matthew that she could clean up in the washroom so she left him with a smile. He offered her his button-down shirt to cover the stains on her dress, as he sat in his grey V-neck t-shirt. While Diana was cleaning up, the manager approached Matthew to apologize and informed him their meal would be complementary.
When Diana finally re-joined him at the table, he appeared anxious and nervous.
"Is everything okay?" Diana posed, waiting for him to look at her as she brushed some hair off his forehead.
"I'm so sorry, Mon Coeur!" He announced, rising from his chair to kiss her sweetly and help her into her seat.
She giggled lightly, "Matthew, it's fine, really." She assured him.
"I wanted this night to be perfect, and so far, anything that could have gone wrong has." He whined. Diana couldn't help but smile, thinking he was rather adorable in his frustrations.
"The only thing that matters is that I'm here with you, Matthew." She smiled once more.
"You're really not bothered by this?" He queried, reaching his hand over the table to hold hers. He brushed his thumb across her engagement ring. "I even forgot to bring your birthday gift with me." He pouted.
"Matthew, relax." She chided gently. "Let's just have dinner and you can give me all the gifts you want at home." She amended with a sly wink.
He smiled at her countenance, "Alright, well I'm guessing wine is out of the question." He jested, as she perused her menu. Matthew held the wine list and was viewing it fondly.
"One glass couldn't hurt, plus I'm not pregnant yet." She offered.
"Only if you're sure." He negotiated.
"I'm sure." She comforted as a server approached to take their orders.
…..
Later that evening, Matthew insisted that Diana take a quick shower to wash the spilt wine off of her. She managed to cajole him into joining her in a bath instead.
"Were you really that bothered by the accident at the restaurant?" She posed, running her soapy hands over his back and shoulders as he sat in front of her.
"It's your birthday, Love. I just wanted everything to be perfect, but it's like the world was against us." He laughed cynically at himself.
Diana, wiggled herself around to face him, and straddled his lap while running her hands along his back into the water and up again to wash away the soap.
"Matthew," She began, cupping his face in her hands so his eyes met hers. He looked up at her solemnly, as though he was the reason there were some obstacles to their evening. "The bloody roof of the restaurant could have caved in and it wouldn't have mattered." She announced, her eyes holding his gaze.
As absurd as that sounded, his face still showed shock. "How can that be any better?" He asked in surprise.
"Because, it doesn't matter what happens…" She trailed off, her stare softening, as she smiled gently at him. "As long as I'm with you." She added, leaning forward to press her lips to his.
"So," He murmured against her lips. "We could be in the middle of a hurricane, but it's okay if I'm with you?" He grinned teasingly.
"Exactly!" She giggled. "I mean really, if you'd had a drink spilled on you too, would that have made it even?" She joked.
"I get it, I get it." He brushed off. "I just wanted to have a perfect night with you but it felt like we were being sabotaged, is all." He explained.
"You know I don't need perfect. Just you." She clarified, leaning forward and pressing her lips to his. "I love you, Matthew." She declared, her hands moving over his wet skin and tugging gently at the hair at the back of his head.
"I love you too, Mon Coeur." He relayed, fusing his lips to hers.
With a swift adjustment to her hips, she sheathed his hard length inside her and rocked her hips over his.
"Hmmm…" He groaned, his hands moving over her ass and squeezing gently, while his lips kissed at her neck.
Matthew trailed one hand up her back before cupping the base of her neck and moulding his lips to hers once more. He nipped at her top lip before taking it between his own. She pressed eagerly into the kiss, parting her lips beneath his as her hands gripped at his shoulders and her hips picked up speed. The water sloshed around them indolently as he thrust from below.
"Fuck, I'm close." He murmured, his mouth moving to lick at her neck before kissing along her pulse point to the underside of her ear.
"I'm coming!" She cried out; her body arched causing her breasts to jut out towards his face. He kissed at her tender flesh before sucking a nipple between his lips; his tongue playing with the hardened peak. "Yes!" She hollered as her hips slowed, relishing in the ecstasy of her orgasm.
Matthew released moments later as her walls contracted around him. He freed her nipple from his attentions, tilting his head back as she melded her mouth to his, swallowing the moan that escaped his throat as he ejaculated inside her with a grunt.
The water started to feel tepid and Diana stood from the cooling liquid, with the help of Matthew, before he stood himself. Grabbing a towel, he wrapped Diana up and lifted her from the bath then stepped out himself. Wordlessly, he led her to their bedroom where they made love once more, before cuddling up in bed together and succumbing to sleep.
~TD~Matthew~TD~
I don't know why I was so bothered by the events of Diana's birthday last night, but I was. A simple evening out for dinner should not have had so many issues. I knew it was silly but I still let it get to me. However, it was a new day and unbeknownst to Diana, there was a surprise party happening this evening for her birthday and for Chris as a send-off; at the Diner.
She was under the impression that we were meeting with Amira to finalize details for the party for Chris, which was set to happen tomorrow night. Chris was unaware that it was a party for him tonight as well and just thought it was for Diana's birthday.
There was an aura of worry that surrounded me, hoping everything went off without a hitch. But after last night's abundance in mishaps, the worry seemed palpable. I was roused from my musings when the apartment door opened and Diana walked in.
"Hi, Love. How was work?" I posed, greeting her at the door with a smile.
"Good. Busy though." She relayed, tiredly as a yawn escaped. "Amira wanted to know if we'd come by for dinner tonight at 8:00PM to finalize details for Chris' party tomorrow evening." She added, toeing off her shoes before wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head against my naked chest.
I'd had a shower when I got home and currently only had on a pair of jeans. Encircling her in my arms, I rested my cheek on her head. "Of course, we can." I responded, a sly smile on my face.
Diana took a quick shower to wash the smell of food off of her. I pulled on a black V-neck t-shirt and a pair of socks and Hogan shoes. I heard the shower shut off and Diana traipsed into the bedroom, drying herself. I couldn't help but smile at how beautiful she looked.
Her eyes met mine and she radiated a beaming smile before dropping her towel.
"We're going to be late." I reasoned with a smile as she fumbled with my belt.
"Matthew, I'm ovulating." She clarified; an eyebrow raised in challenge. Without hesitation I pulled off my t-shirt while kicking off my shoes as my pants hit the floor.
I hoisted her into my arms, her legs automatically wrapping around my hips as I lay her back on the bed. Slipping my hand down her torso, I tested her readiness to find her absolutely dripping.
"Fuck, Love. You're so goddamn wet for me." I murmured, pushing the head of my cock between her folds. I watched intently as our bodies joined and her hands moved along my forearms, spurning me on.
"Harder Matthew!" She called out, arching her back as my pace quickened.
"Look at me." I called, and her eyes met mine.
She bit her lower lip as her hands cupped her breasts. Resting my weight on my elbows, my hands curled around her shoulders as I kissed along her tender flesh before kissing at each nipple and laving at them with my tongue.
"Matthew!" She called suddenly, and I felt her walls fluttering around my cock as the orgasm rippled through her. "Yes!" She added, as a few panting breaths stuttered past her lips. "Harder!" She ordered, as my thrusts picked up speed.
Lowering a hand down her abdomen, she reached further down and squeezed at my cock when I pulled out before thrusting back in. It was doubling the sensations on my dick and I felt that my release was imminent.
"Fuck, Diana. So close, Love." I stuttered, stilling my hips when the orgasm finally escaped.
"Come here," She cajoled, pulling me flush against her.
"I'm going to crush you." I reasoned.
"No, you won't; I want to cuddle for a minute." She added, as our lips met sensually.
~TD~
They arrived at the Diner at 8:15PM. Fifteen minutes later than Amira and Matthew had planned. Chris was already there and when they entered, everyone let out a practiced 'Surprise!'.
Diana was shocked and amazed and giggled adorably hugging everyone in attendance. When she rounded the corner into the left side of the diner, she ran into Sarah and Emily's waiting arms.
"I can't believe you're here!" She cried, the emotion getting to her.
"When Matthew called, we couldn't resist. Plus, we're getting a tour of the house tomorrow before the big dinner." Sarah added conspiratorially.
"Big dinner?" Diana posed in confusion.
"We received a call from Ysabeau." Emily chimed in.
According to her aunts, when Ysabeau learned of Matthew's birthday surprise for me, in having Sarah and Emily here; she invited them both to tomorrow night's formal dinner with Philippe. Which I was now worried would be more birthday festivities as well.
More greetings were exchanged and Matthew and Diana were surprised at how polite both Satu and Juliette were being.
"Okay everyone, looky here!" Amira shouted, getting everyone's attention. She tugged on a small rope by the door and sign fell over the windows reading, "Happy Birthday". Everyone clapped and Diana blushed at the attention when Amira tugged another small rope and a secondary sign fell reading, "Bon Voyage".
"Safe travels Chris! And you better visit!" Amira announced while everyone clapped and he ducked his head in embarrassment at the attention.
"Did you do this?" Diana whispered, cuddling into Matthew's side and looking up at him adoringly.
"I may have had some help." He teased, leaning down to kiss her.
Annie approached Matthew and Diana offering to take their dinner order first. Once they'd rattled off their choices, Diana noticed that she kept glancing to her right. She followed her gaze to see a young teenager smiling and blushing just as much as Annie was.
"Who is that?" Diana prodded, noting Annie's visage becoming even more red in embarrassment.
"That's Jack. He just started to help clear tables and run the dishwasher in the kitchen." She relayed.
"You like him, don't you?" Diana teased.
"He's cute, but…"
"But what? Ask him to a movie or something." Diana urged.
"Maybe." Annie finalized, scuttling off to put in their order.
Diana turned back to Matthew, "I need to talk to Chris, you grab us a table? I'll just be a few." She relayed.
"Of course, Love." He smiled, kissing her cheek and palming her ass subtly as she tottered off.
She watched him saunter off to the usual booth he would occupy during lunch.
~TD~Diana~TD~
I had ulterior motives for talking to Chris in private, and pulled him down the hallway near Amira's office for privacy.
"Diana, what's going on?" He asked in worry.
"Nothing's wrong. I just have a project I need some help with." I relayed.
"Alright, hit me with it." He smiled as a figure stepped out of the kitchen.
"Hey Diana! Happy Birthday honey!" Fernando greeted.
"Thank you, Fernando!" I smiled as he hugged me in greeting. "This is my friend Chris," I introduced.
"Hi there." He smiled reaching a hand out in a polite gesture.
"Uhhhh, yeah hi." Chris stuttered, accepting the handshake.
"You have a good night. I'm off, been cooking since 10:00AM. Alain is taking over." He stated before waving goodbye.
I couldn't help but notice how Chris watched after him and just before leaving the hallway, Fernando looked back one more time, meeting Chris' gaze. I smiled to myself at what appeared to be their mutual attraction, before I drew Chris back into my confidence.
"I need help with a DNA sample from Matthew." I communicated, pulling a small Ziploc bag from my jeans pocket. It contained a cotton swab that I'd used on a glass from home after Matthew had used it for a late-night glass of water.
"Okay, you're going to have to explain why." Chris posed cautiously.
I informed Chris of Matthew's history and being adopted while not knowing anything about his birth parents. He gave me permission to look into things but anytime I called for information or any kind of records, I didn't have any names to go with them. I was hoping he had a relative out there that might be in the system. I'd also done one of those home kits from a genealogy website but Chris could run the DNA in the lab before he moved closer to Yale. The results from the genealogy kit could take a few months and Chris could be faster.
He readily agreed and also understood about keeping it private before I re-joined Matthew at our booth moments before Annie delivered our dinner. Sarah and Emily joined us as well and it was nice to be cuddled next to Matthew as we talked and caught up.
"How's Tabitha?" I posed, sipping from my diet Pepsi.
"She's good, but I'm afraid to bring her near you, Matthew." Sarah stated with a laugh. "For fear she won't let go." She added and we all broke out in our own raucous laughter.
"So, you brought her then?" He inquired once we'd calmed ourselves. "When I paid for the hotel, I added an extra cost for her." He explained.
"We did bring her and thank you again for covering the costs, you didn't have to though, honey." Emily offered, tapping at his hand in thanks, as it rested on the table.
I linked my hand with his and lowered them to my lap. We sat in amicable silence for a few moments before Jack appeared and cleared our dishes.
"Thank you, Jack." I smiled. "We haven't met yet; you must do the closing shift?" I offered in kind. "I'm Diana." I finished and he smiled shyly.
"Yes, ma'am." He stated meekly. "Pleasure to meet you." He offered politely and I heard Matthew laugh lightly while murmuring, "Ma'am" under his breath. I squeezed his hand a little harder than necessary to shut him up.
"How are you liking it so far? No one giving you any trouble?" I plied.
"I like it very much, miss. Thank you. And no, no trouble." He finished before scurrying away.
"That one is even more timid and shy than Annie was!" Amira announced appearing in the space Jack had just vacated.
"Sarah, Emily, this is Amira, she's the owner of The Diner." I introduced.
"Lovely to meet you both." Amira smiled, giving them each a handshake in welcome. "I've heard a lot about you, but we never seemed to have met!" She added.
"We've definitely heard about you as well!" Sarah replied.
"It's a great place and the food was excellent. Thank you." Emily added.
"We've got a little surprise up at the counter, so Diana, if you wouldn't mind?" Amira requested.
I stood from the booth, with my hand firmly encased in Matthew's as we went up to the counter where a large three-tiered cake sat with candles ablaze. The crowd started singing 'Happy Birthday' and clapping along with the beat they had set.
"Happy Birthday dear, Diana, Happy Birthday to you!" They chorused and I leaned over to blow out the candles.
"Happy Birthday, Mon Coeur. I love you." Matthew smiled, handing me a wrapped package as Amira took control of the cake to start cutting.
Taking the package in hand, I tore at the paper until a beautifully carved wooden box lay in my hands. My fingers traced the engravings and I recognized they were representing a 'tree of life'. In history, it is a Norse legend, also known as 'The World Tree', and most commonly and simply represents life.
"Open it." Matthew urged as he stood behind me, his hands settled on my waist. I undid the small clasp that was camouflaged in the design of the tree trunk.
It smelled of fresh oak and was a little stiff when it finally creaked open. In the underside of the lid I saw the engraving, 'MDCL'. Matthew clarified that it's his seal. Before his name change to 'Clairmont', he was 'DeClermont', like his father.
"You made this?" I asked in astonishment.
"I did." He confirmed, nodding to the box in my hand to look again.
Nestled on a cradle of blue velvet was a key. Plucking it from its bed, I held it up and looked over my shoulder to Matthew for an answer as to what it was for.
"What does it unlock?" I posed, as he kissed my cheek.
"Our new home."