Diana and Matthew meet at Oxford as Diana returns to teach history and research manuscripts at the Bodleian for a new book. Jealousy and mystery hinder their romance but their desire is made real. (All Human) NO VAMPIRES/NO WITCHES/NO DAEMONS. First story in a few years. Keeping it simpler by not adding the supernatural aspect.
Desire Made Real
By Goode Girl
DISCLAIMER: All rights to Deborah Harkness. Just borrowing the characters.
Chapter | NINE
Classes were almost over for this quarter, as Christmas break was set to begin tomorrow. Which also meant that my wedding to Matthew was approaching. I was sitting at the desk in my classroom waiting. A few students wanted some one on one time to go over some details and questions for their papers, before handing in their final versions at the end of Christmas break. When it was 4:45PM, I was hoping no one else would trickle in. I'd given a window from the time class ended at 3:00PM until 5:00PM for anyone to either stay after class, or stop in and see me. My focus was on my laptop as I reviewed notes. I'd taken them that morning at the Bodleian. My attention was broken when there was a rough knock on the door. After standing in preparation to greet one of my students, I looked up to see Matthew. He was leaning against the door frame, a small bouquet of lilies in his hands, and a wide smile on his face. "Matthew!" I called excitedly, running over to him. His arms wrapped me in an embrace, before he pulled back slightly to hand me the flowers. "Thank you." I praised, smelling the flowers. "I wanted to meet you before you left, thought we could get your luggage and you could stay with me tonight, so we can sleep in before our flight to France tomorrow." He explained. I nodded in approval as I led him into the room. "We can't leave now?" He asked, leaning against the desk, pulling me to lean against him. My arms went around his torso as I leaned my head on his chest. "I gave them until 5:00PM, so I'll leave then. If someone shows up after 5:00PM, then that's their fault." I replied.
We arrived at our departure gate at the airport moments before boarding. It was only an hour flight, but Matthew insisted on first class. Shortly before take-off, we were buckled in and I rested my head against Matthew's shoulder as he held my hand, firm in his. "Matthew?" I mumbled, turning my eyes to meet him. "Yes, Love?" He replied, bending to kiss me quickly. "I'm scared." I confessed. He turned, as much as he could with the belt at his hips, his eyes searching mine. "About the wedding, marrying me?" He asked worriedly. "No, no, if anything, you and the wedding are what I'm sure of." I reassured, my hand moving to cup his face. "I'm scared of…" I trailed off. "Sarah?" He offered, putting his arm around my shoulders. I nodded in the affirmative. "You will have to talk to her, but you don't have to be alone, Mon Coeur." He comforted. "You'll stay with me, no matter what she says?" I queried. "You're stuck with me for the rest of your life, no matter what, Love." He confirmed. Matthew's eyes searched mine, and he raised his hands to cup my face before firmly, locking his lips to mine. I don't know how long we kissed, but we reluctantly pulled away when the overhead speaker came to life, the pilot announcing our take off.
My thoughts throughout the flight were on Sarah. I loved her, of course I did, but she could have an acid tongue when she wanted. Not realizing how her words could cut. After she hung up on me and Matthew, leaving us on the line with Emily, she'd called again a few days later, and tried to convince me to change my plans. I couldn't understand why she felt I needed to. I was thirty-three years old, I wasn't rushing into things as a naive young girl. Suffice it to say, she was harsh in some of her comments which resulted in me hanging up on her. I'll never forget her saying to me, "You're throwing your life away Diana! Your parents would not want this for you! You have a life here, and I cannot accept this." She challenged. My reply cut just as deep. "You don't know what they would have wanted Sarah! They're dead, so don't speak for them!". I admonished before ending the call there. I hadn't spoken to her since, but Emily had been in contact. She shouldn't have been apologizing on Sarah's behalf.
"It's so beautiful out here." I commented, taking in the views of the countryside as Matthew drove us to Sept-Tours. "I don't really get to take it in, as I'm usually behind the wheel." He laughed. "I could drive for a while." I offered, reaching my right hand over to rest on his thigh. "No, it's fine love." He replied, glancing at me and winking before holding my hand in his. We were driving in silence for a little while, a classical radio station on in the background, when I felt Matthew slip his hand up my thigh, squeezing gently. I cuddled against his arm, resting my cheek against his bicep. "I love you." I stated plainly. "I love you, darling." He reciprocated. We were half-way to Sept-Tours, and I was getting antsy and nervous. Matthew noticed my fretting and just plainly asked. "What's wrong, Love?" He posed, glancing from me to the road. "I think…" I began. "No, I know, once we arrive, we're going to be ripped apart." I admitted. "Your mother will pull me one way to get my take on the decorations, and they'll want to have me put on the dress to make sure it fits properly and if not that, Marthe will want to know about the food, and that's not including Sarah and Em!" I wailed in exasperation. Matthew pulled off the main road, and up a small hidden lane. We were shrouded in a small forest encampment. After turning the car off, Matthew unbuckled his belt, unbuckled mine, slipped his seat back and pulled me into his lap so I was straddling him. "Look at me please." He whispered, resting his hands on my hips in support. My eyes met his before he continued. "If you get overwhelmed, say something. You can be too polite for your own good." He warned, smiling sweetly. "I know but I don't want to be mean, they're working hard to bring this together for us." I whined. "I know love, but maybe.." He started, testing my reaction. "Maybe, I could call Maman, now, as if we're at a rest stop, and let her know to keep things calm." He suggested. I nodded, lamely. "Would that help?" He added. "I don't want her to think I've asked you too, though." I explained. My hands moved up around the back of his neck, playing with his hair. "I'm calling. Sit right there." He ordered, smirking as he pulled his phone from the cup holder.
Matthew took ten minutes to talk to Ysabeau. "Thank you, Maman. She's overwhelmed, with work, and her research, and this is a holiday as well, we don't need that when we get there, please." He offered. "No, she can't hear me, she's using the restroom, but she's fidgety and restless and I want her to relax." I heard him express. "Yes, thank you. We'll see you in just over an hour then. Bye, Maman." He finished, setting his phone back down. "What did she say?" I pressed, moving to lift his sweater up. "She's going to talk to Marthe and Sarah and Em, and after they welcome us, we have the evening to ourselves." He quoted. "But it might be a good time for you to take the initiative to talk to Sarah." He explained. I nodded as I continued to pull his sweater over his head. "What are we doing here, Love?" He laughed. "I'm taking advantage of you, sexually." I teased. "No complaints here, continue on." He smiled, using the lever at the side of the seat to lower the back so he was laying down. His hands moved to the hem of my sweater and pulled it up and over my head. Our hands were frantic, as mine went to his belt, and his to the button on my jeans. I had to open the driver's door, and slip off his lap to get his pants down and mine, before crawling back over him and lowering myself over his erection. "Ohhh, fuck. Diana." He cursed, as I moved over him slowly. He sat up suddenly, latching his lips onto mine, his hands on my back pulling me flush against him. His hair was between my fingers as I scratched at his scalp. He groaned loudly, and our bodies rocked in sync. "Matthew," I moaned erotically, as his hand slipped down to rub my clit, bringing forth a shuddering orgasm. My walls clenched around him and I felt him release moments later. He lay back on the seat, pulling me with him, and we rested long enough to catch our breath. We dressed again and were getting settled to get back on the road when a thought hit me, and I giggled. "What?" He pressed, looking both ways before pulling on the main road again. "The car rental company is so going to want to get this car detailed now." I laughed, and he smiled and laughed in response as well.
True to Ysabeau's words, everyone kept clear after greeting us. Even Sarah seemed more amicable then she had been. Taking Matthew's advice, I put out the olive branch and asked Sarah if we could talk in the library, while looking at Matthew. He nodded in response, leaving our bags next to the elevator before following us into the library. "I thought we were talking alone?" Sarah stated snottily. "Sarah, drop the attitude. HE's going to be my husband whether you like it or not." I informed, firmly. "Diana!" Emily called suddenly, rushing over. "I can't believe you Sarah! Why would you do this?" Emily added, admonishing her. "What are you talking about Em, what's going on?" I queried. I felt Matthew wrap his arm around me and mine moved around his waist on instinct. Emily looked to me and Matthew, eyes full of unshed tears. Before she could say anything a new voice rang out in the library. "Diana Bishop! Come here, give me a hug!" The uninvited guest announced. "Chris?" I called in shock. "What are you doing here?" I questioned, not moving from Matthew's side. I felt his grip on me tighten. "He showed up at the house looking for you, and you'd not been in contact since you'd left Yale." Sarah stated offhandedly. "I've been at Oxford, I'm a professor now." I explained, ignoring Sarah.
She seemed rather smug with herself. After all the talk of Matthew and his issues with Gillian and Juliette, I'd neglected to tell him that Chris and I dated briefly at Yale. It wasn't something that even got physical, just fizzled out, at least on my end. We bonded over the fact that he had no living family and I only my aunts. So he'd spend holidays with me and even had come to Madison for one Thanksgiving. "So, who's this?" Chris asked, looking at Matthew and his protective arm around me. "Matthew Clairmont, Diana's fiancé." He introduced with pride, reaching his hand out to shake. "Right, Sarah said you were seeing someone." He smiled. But it was completely put on. I was starting to wonder why he was here when it suddenly clicked. Sarah thought she could deter me from marrying Matthew by bringing an ex-boyfriend around. "Chris, can you excuse us for a few, we need to have a private conversation." I asked, signalling for him to leave the library, and close the door. "Right, sure." He said dejectedly, looking over his shoulder. He seemed to realize that Matthew wasn't following, and chimed in. "Uh, are you not coming man?" He asked quizzically. "No, Diana has asked me to stay, unless you've changed your mind, Mon Coeur?" He questioned, looking to me for direction. "Stay please." I simply replied. Chris left, closing the door firmly behind him and I reared in on Sarah.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I shouted, not hiding any ounce of my anger. "I'm sorry, Diana, I just found out when I saw him pulling up." Emily tried to reason. "You didn't know Em?" I asked. "No, honey, I'm sorry." She confirmed. "Then it's not on you, but you!" I started, pointing my finger in Sarah's face, my rage evident. "Diana, come on, at least keep your options open." Sarah managed. "Are you psychotic? You do know he still hopes something will come of us, but it's never going to happen." I spat. "I'm in love with Matthew, and no matter how many ex-boyfriends or suitors you traipse around me, that's never going to change." I challenged. "How are you so sure of him!" Sarah deadpanned, raising her voice to match mine. "Because I know my own heart." I replied simply. My gaze turned to Matthew, and he looked on sympathetically. We weren't without our pasts, it's expected that we'd both have exes, but Sarah knew and completely blindsided him. "You left him at Yale previously to go to Oxford for your work, you never explored it fully." Sarah urged. "Why are you pushing this?" Matthew interjected. "Can't you see what you're doing to her?" He added, moving forward. The tears in my eyes finally let loose. I stood next to Matthew as he challenged Sarah. "Stay out of this!" Sarah spat. "You put me in this the moment you tried to push another man onto my fiancée. You're so bloody worried about losing Diana, but the only person pushing her away is you!" He argued. "Okay, calm down, everyone, please." Emily stepped in. Sarah turned her back. "Are you okay?" Matthew whispered, looking at my tear stained cheeks. I nodded mutely. "IF you can't accept that this is what I've chosen for my life Sarah, then I won't have you be a part of it." I spoke plainly. My gaze turned to Emily with sorrow. She understood, Sarah was doing this to herself. "So congratulations. You just lost me. And it's your fault." I finished, leaving the library and pulling Matthew with me.
We managed to escape, unnoticed to Matthew's tower and were now in his office, sitting next to the fire. Marthe had moved a sofa next to the fire. Matthew requested one be brought in. I knew it was only so we could cuddle together, rather than sit in separate chairs. "Diana?" He called, cautiously. "Yes?" I replied, my head on his chest. He lay on his back with me cuddled into his side, and we lay comfortably cuddled. "Do you want to talk about Chris?" He asked. I laughed gently before turning my gaze to meet him. "You know you don't have to worry about me going back to him or anything right?" He smiled. "I know that, Love, I mean more about the fact that he's here, and likely will be for Christmas." He explained. "I feel indifferent really. I mean I liked him at school, at Yale." I explained. "But, it didn't become anything close to love." I felt him nod against my head. "But he clearly doesn't feel the same, otherwise he wouldn't be here." He confirmed. "Sarah knew that. I can't believe her, the more I think about it, the more confused I am. I just don't understand why she's so against you." I rambled. "I think I have a theory on that, darling." Matthew admitted. I sat up to look at him and he did as well. Still cuddled into his side, he explained his reasoning. Sarah looked at him as the person taking me away from the only real home I've known. So if he's not around, I would move back to Madison. Logically it makes sense, as the 'why' of her actions. Though it still doesn't make it okay. "I have to say I give Emily a tremendous amount of respect for standing against her." Matthew added. "She's always been an advocate for what I wanted, especially if it went against Sarah." I explained. "Psychologically, Sarah seems to have a fear of losing people. So, the idea of you living with me, marrying me, us starting a life, is like her losing your mom and dad all over again." He finished as the elevator dinged. Marthe stepped out with a cart. "Hi darlings, I've just brought you some dinner." She smiled sweetly. "Thank you. How's everyone doing downstairs, Marthe?" Matthew queried, helping her with the cart setup. "Tense, Matthew. Everyone is upset with Sarah and she's just not budging. I don't understand it." She confessed. "Thank you, for dinner Marthe." I added. "We'll talk about the food and decorations tomorrow alright?" I offered. "Anything for you sweetheart." She smiled. "Anything for her eh? What about me?" Matthew laughed. "You just show up at the end of that isle boy, that's your job!" She jibed.
I was feeling overwhelmed suddenly and out of nowhere, just started sobbing. "Jesus, child, are you alright?" Marthe asked in concern. I couldn't stop. I was frustrated and angry at Sarah for being so closed minded and stuck in an alternate reality. "Marthe, would you excuse us please?" Matthew urged gently. "Of course, you ring me if you need anything. I'll bring up some tea anyway!" She advised, leaving again by the elevator. "Come here, Love." Matthew cooed, pulling me onto his lap. "I'm sorry. I'm just so...I'm just so…" I cried. "I know darling." He comforted.
I was roused from sleep sometime later, but didn't remember falling asleep. My stomach was rumbling. "There she is." I heard to my right. Matthew sat at the end of the sofa, my feet in his lap as he read. "You fell asleep before dinner, it's still warm. Did you want to eat now?" He asked, rolling the cart near as I sat up. I nodded mutely as I sipped at the hot beef stew Marthe had conjured. "Sorry." I mumbled. "Diana, you've been through enough, emotionally. It's no wonder you're exhausted, Love." He comforted, his hand rubbing up and down my back. I ate with gusto and polished off my stew, along with two dinner buns with butter. I noticed Matthew on his phone for a moment as I moved to put the cart in the elevator. "Just leave it there, Love, Marthe is bringing up some tea, she'll take it down." He advised, pulling me over to the sofa and into his arms. I snuggled into his embrace and held on tightly. The elevator dinged, signalling Marthe's return, but I didn't move my position. My hands were playing with the hair at the back of his neck as his hands supported me. One of which was on my ass of course. Matthew suddenly tensed under me and I looked up at him to see his gaze firm and hard on the elevator. Moving my gaze, I saw Chris standing there. "What are you doing here? This is my tower and private rooms." Matthew growled out. I tried to calm him. "It's okay." I whispered, getting him to look at me. He nodded in acquiescence and relaxed back against the sofa as I turned back to Chris.
"What are you doing here?" I managed. "I wanted to talk to you." He offered. "No, I mean here at Sept-Tours, in France." I amended. "Can we please talk in private?" He shuffled on his feet nervously. He should be nervous, he had no right coming to Matthew's family estate. "No. I don't have secrets from my soon to be husband, so say what it is you have to say." I started. "You can begin by telling me, why you are here." I ordered. "Fine, you want the truth? You know how I feel about you Diana. I thought we had something really special." He admitted. "It wasn't what you thought it was Chris." I confirmed. "You brought me home to meet your aunts, Sarah and Emily." He offered. Chris had a satisfied, smug-like smirk on his face at that comment. I was beginning to think that he was under the impression that just because they hadn't met Matthew until now, that he was more special. "No, after me telling Sarah and Em about you not having any family, they extended the invitation for you to join me in Madison on Thanksgiving break." Chris was not seeing this for what it was now and it was clear he misinterpreted it then. "Who invited you here?" Matthew interjected. "Sarah did. She told me that you were rushing into this with...him." He spat 'him' out like it was acid. "Well that's Sarah's delusions." I informed him. "She had no right to invite you to my family estate." Matthew added, as I stood from his lap. Chris stepped back as Matthew stood. His presence was intimidating as Matthew stood at tall six-foot-three. "Look Chris. I'm sorry, for whatever Sarah told you, but this is my life and she just can't seem to accept it. I'm in love with Matthew, and there is no stopping this wedding in two days. So I suggest you look at heading back home, because you are not a part of this." I tried to reason. "What does he have that I don't? Tell me that." Chris argued. Matthew stood firm, his arms crossed in annoyance. "Well, for one, he has me." I smiled up at Matthew and his arms came around my waist from behind. "Chris, look. Sarah lied. She's upset because with me marrying Matthew, I'll be living in Oxford permanently. So she feels like she's losing me. But right now, with her actions and doing what she has with you. She's the one pushing me away. Now please, do everyone a favour and go home." I pleaded, leaving Matthew's embrace and heading to the stairs. I knew there was seventy-five to climb but I just moved up a few and sat down. When will this drama end? Why couldn't everyone just let me be happy? I sat on the stoop, listening for anything more.
"She's really happy then?" I heard Chris pose to Matthew. "She told you herself, mate." He replied plainly. "What is wrong with Sarah then?" He mumbled. "That's something Sarah has to figure out for herself. In the meantime, she's pushing away the one person she's trying to hold onto the most." Matthew explained. "You know, Emily told me you're a geneticist and found the persons who killed her parents." Chris offered. "We did, or rather my lab did." Matthew confirmed. "In another life, we may have been good friends." Chris laughed. "Why's that?" I stood to hear more. "I'm a molecular biologist, so I think our interests are similar." Chris surmised. "Maybe a little too similar, in certain regards." Matthew added a hinting tone to his voice. I smiled at their banter and tried to suppress my giggle. The elevator dinged and I heard Marthe's voice. "Mr. Roberts!" She called angrily. "You were expressly told to stay away from this tower!" She admonished. "I'm sorry, Matthew." She apologized. "It's alright Marthe. Chris was just leaving, and making arrangements to head home as well." Matthew added. I heard the clanking of the tea tray and soft murmurings of Marthe wishing Matthew and I a good night, as she huffily escorted Chris into the elevator. "You can come out now, Love." I heard the smile in his voice. "Was I that obvious?" I retaliated, sauntering up to him. "No, but I know you." He replied cheekily. "Off to bed then?" He suggested, leading me to the elevator. "Sure. But maybe a bath first?" I flirted as he pulled me into the elevator. "Ever fantasize about fucking in a lift?" He smiled, as his lips descended onto mine.