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.
By Goode Girl
The preparations for the wedding were going well. Although tensions were still high because of Sarah, and her refusal to accept my choices for my life. Emily had given Sarah an ultimatum. Either she accepts things as they are, or Emily will be moving out of the Bishop house. She was clear in her admonishments that Sarah was being clearly unreasonable. Everyone, except for me and Matthew, were called to a meeting in the library where they were essentially going to have an intervention. If Sarah didn't change her tune, she'd be asked to leave.
I was laying on Matthew's bed, even though he refers to it as 'our' bed; my mind going over the past few weeks. My thoughts studying the information that the prosecuting attorney against Peter Knox, Gillian Chamberlain and now Juliette Durand, had shared with Matthew. Hamish Osborne was known for his conviction rate but because of the revelation that we no longer needed Gillian's evidence on Knox, she was going to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Hamish informed Matthew, that he was trying to avoid trial and make a deal with all three perpetrators. Knox plead no contest and his sentence was set. Life without parole. Gillian still didn't seem to understand that what she did was wrong and that her actions had legal ramifications. Juliette plead guilty and has to serve six months for assault and battery as well as stalking. My curiosity was peaked though because I wanted to know what the evidence was that Gillian had on Knox.
It was early morning, the day before our wedding, and we were just enjoying being alone. "Matthew?" I mumbled into his chest, as we cuddled under the warm covers. "Hmmm…" He replied lazily, running his fingers over the bare skin of my back. "What was the evidence Gillian had on Peter?" I posed, leaning on my elbow, my hand supporting my head while I looked to him. "Hamish told me the sordid tale, but the gist of it is. Gillian's mother had early onset Alzheimer's and because no one could care for her full time, she was placed in a care facility." He began. "When was this?" I probed. "Roughly ten years ago, from Hamish's research. But when Gillian would go visit her, which was weekly, she often interacted with other patients as well." He continued, my fingers tracing along the planes of his chest. "And?" I urged. "It would seem that one of the other residents she would see was one, Robert Knox." Matthew finished. "Peter's father?" I confirmed. "Yes. Now, Robert Knox was far worse in his dementia and would go on these rants. Gillian had seen them a few times, but it was one time in particular that he regaled her and her forgetful mother about the murder that he and his son committed. So, Gillian recorded it." Matthew ended. "Hence the video clip she showed him in the Café." I added. "Correct." I turned to push myself up and meet his eyes. "Did Robert say in the video why? Why they did it?" I stumbled over my words, trying not to cry. Matthew sat up and pulled me close. "It was a lot of rambling but what Hamish could decipher, Peter was jealous of your father. He was in love with your mother." He stated plainly. "So, he killed my parents because he loved my mother? How does that make sense?" I cried. "I'm sorry, Love." He comforted. "I just, don't understand how someone can hurt someone they love like that." I wondered. "It's the same thing Gillian did to me, running me off the road like she did." Matthew added. "I swear she's gone insane." I retorted. "Hamish has ordered a psych eval on her." Matthew informed. "Really?" I replied in shock. "Yes. On a serious note, he believes she's had a complete break with reality." Matthew added, laying back against the pillows and pulling me against his chest. "Well at least we have the answers we need to close this chapter in our lives." I explained. "I'm glad we got answers, but at the same time, the suffering you've gone through because of it, Mon Coeur. You didn't deserve it." He comforted, kissing my lips sweetly. "Like you deserved to be run off the road? Please Matthew, it wasn't like we asked for it." I replied. "Well no, of course not. But we did know at the beginning how Gillian felt, and we went ahead anyway." Matthew informed. I sat up abruptly. "So, what? This is my fault because we starting dating?" I retorted angrily. "No, no, that's not what I'm saying, darling, look at me, please." He coaxed. "I'm sorry Matthew, my emotions are just all over the place." I cried. "I'm sorry, about Sarah, Love. It can't be easy." He added as I lay back against him, his arms surrounding me. My frustration with Sarah was never ending. "Even Emily can't get through to her." I stated. "She's losing Emily because of her stubbornness." Matthew intoned. We rested in silence and dozed for another hour or so.
We had a late brunch down in the dining room with Ysabeau, Marthe, and Emily. Sarah was staying in her room, and we were all the better for it at the present time. Although that didn't stop Marthe from bringing her a tray. "How are you doing Emily?" Matthew posed. "I'm okay, thank you for asking, Matthew." She smiled politely. "How are you really doing Em?" I pushed, looking over at her as she sat across the table from me. Emily burst into tears and I moved from my seat to comfort her. "I'm so confused Diana, I just don't understand why she's being so stubborn." She wailed. "None of us understand it, Emily." Matthew added, rising from his seat and putting a comforting hand on her back. "I'm sorry. For breaking down like that." Emily corrected. "I think we have been surprised you hadn't let that emotion go until now." Ysabeau chimed in as Matthew and I retook our seats. "Isn't there some way we can help her understand what she's doing, how she's hurting Diana?" Marthe added. "I don't know what we haven't said already." Emily pointed out. "It's psychological. On her end." Matthew intoned. "What do you mean, Matthew?" Ysabeau urged. "Well. After Diana's parents were murdered. Sarah's comfort was Diana. Raising her, guiding her, doing the best she could for her sister. But," he trailed off. "Go on," Emily pushed. "But she's held onto Diana so tightly that now that she wants to live her life for herself, she feels like she's losing Diana. AND, in some ways she is, but not the way she thinks." Matthew finished. "You mean by Diana marrying you, and living with you, Sarah feels she's losing her?" Emily queried in surprise. "To a degree yes." I interjected. "Matthew and I talked about this before, but when it comes to keeping mom and dad's memory alive, I think Sarah has always looked to me for that. Whereas I found them in my work, through history and now teaching." I added. "So, you having a life now means she's losing that tangible part of Rebecca and Stephen that she's been holding on to." Emily clarified. "Exactly, Emily." Matthew confirmed.
We sat quietly for a few moments when the air was breached by a surprising voice. "I'm sorry." We turned our heads to see Sarah in the doorway to the dining room. "Sarah!" Emily called, rising from her seat. "No, Em, please. I feel so ashamed." Sarah interrupted, breaking down, as tears streamed down her face. I looked to Matthew and he nodded in encouragement. I stood from my seat, and without asking, Ysabeau, and Marthe left by the doors to the kitchens to give us privacy. "Do you want me to leave?" Matthew asked. "Please stay!" I begged. "I will, Love." He confirmed. He still gave us space to talk and stood at the back of the room by the window, as Sarah was comforted by Emily. "Diana!" Sarah wailed. "I'm so sorry." She cried. "Just tell me why Sarah?" I urged, holding her at arm's length. "I didn't understand it myself. I just had this overbearing urge of loss." She admitted. "Sarah, darling, look at me please." Emily cooed. She slowly raised her head to look at Emily. "Do you understand now why you felt that way?" She pressed. Sarah nodded frantically. "I didn't, not until just now, when I overheard you all talking but it makes sense, and I'm so sorry, Diana! I love you so much, and I didn't realize what I was doing." She cried. "Okay, it's okay, Sarah." I tried to comfort, hugging her. "Matthew!" She suddenly called and I turned my head to see him approaching slowly. "Sarah," He greeted, politely, yet unsure. "I owe you the biggest apology, I shouldn't have invited Chris, that was wrong of me. I apologize." She stated, as Emily and I stood on either side of her. "No, it wasn't right, but thank you for realizing that it was wrong, and for apologizing." He comforted. "Would it be okay to give you a hug?" She asked shyly, and I couldn't help but smile at that. Matthew seemed surprised but accepted, and Sarah pulled him in for a real hug. It brought tears to my eyes. They pulled away and I moved to stand next to him, my arm around his waist, as his moved his around my shoulders. "You smell good!" She added abruptly, causing us all to roar in laughter. "Cloves and cinnamon, right?" I posed. "Yes, it's intoxicating!" Sarah laughed. "Sarah, I didn't mean what I said in the library." I added. "You haven't lost me." I finished. "I would have deserved it." She informed. "Well, we can move past that now, can't we? You accept that I am living my life. It doesn't mean I won't come home for visits; you know that!" I confirmed. Things seemed to be resolved with Sarah, despite hurt feelings, but now she and Emily were going to work on her sense of loss and how to cope in a healthy manner.
That afternoon, Marthe was busy in the kitchens prepping food for tomorrow, while Emily, Sarah and Ysabeau worked on some simple flower arrangements and decorations. Matthew was the one to suggest lilies, knowing they were my favourite. We were having the ceremony in the ballroom. That seemed insane to think, but yes, the ballroom. Ysabeau had even hired a photographer who worked with her husband so they could both be taking photos. Sophie and Nathaniel Wilson. We were planning an afternoon ceremony with a small reception with music and dancing. It was quaint, but it was just right for us. I was helping Marthe in the kitchens, more like sampling everything. Matthew was being bombarded to help with the decorations because, 'he was tall enough', as they put it; to hang things. I just shrugged my shoulders when he glanced at me, a look of 'help me' on his face. Marthe had settled on the main course for dinner; rack of lamb, as I enjoyed it so much my last time here. Along with a roasted butternut squash with garlic and parsley. Followed by spinach salad with warm brown butter dressing. The only thing Matthew insisted on being in charge of was the wine. He insisted that if we were having lamb, then a Cabernet Sauvignon was the best pairing. Although we were going to have white Zinfandel for the white wine preference. By the time five o'clock arrived, we were all tired and Marthe had still found time to make a lovely dinner. She made a turkey with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and a few different vegetable dishes as sides. Sarah and Emily helped with the prep for those, while Marthe and I concentrated on the wedding food prep. "Okay! Hands down, dinner is ready!" Marthe announced, ushering us out of the kitchen and into the dining room.
It was finally a relaxed setting and the excitement of our nuptials was palpable in the air. "So, are you nervous for tomorrow?" Emily posed, pouring gravy over her turkey before passing it on. "No!" Matthew and I replied in unison. We laughed in tandem at our abrupt response. "Not in the least. I can't wait." I added, looking to Matthew, who just smiled at me. "Diana, I have something for you, that is if you want them." Sarah interjected, as she pulled something from her sweater pocket. She placed the small box in front of me on the table. "You don't have to use them, or wear them, but you should have them." She added. "What is it?" I asked, picking up the box. I opened it slowly and gasped in surprise. "Sarah, really?" I asked, tears coming to my eyes as I stood to show Matthew. "They're beautiful, Love." Matthew stated, his arm coming around my waist as I stood next to him. He turned his attention to Sarah. "We'd be honoured to wear Rebecca and Stephen's rings, thank you Sarah." He stated, with the utmost honesty and thankfulness. "They are engraved." Emily added, and I pulled the rings out to look. "My whole heart…" I read on my mother's ring, turning my attention to Matthew who held my father's. "For my whole life." He finished. "It's…they're perfect. Sarah, thank you." I cried, moving around the table to hug her. "I think we completely forgot about rings!" Ysabeau chimed in. "No, we didn't. I spoke with Sarah about her gift." Marthe chimed in. "Oh, speaking of rings, let me see your engagement ring!" Sarah called, abruptly. I lifted my hand to show her. "It's a 'gold and diamond renaissance ring', circa 1600." I stated, quoting Matthew. "It's stunning, really." Sarah complimented. "Why such an old ring, Matthew?" Emily enquired as I moved to sit sideways on his lap. His arms held me safely before he replied, "As I told Diana. I thought a piece of history for the historian was fitting." He smiled. "It's one of many pieces my family has collected over the years. We keep them in the vault at our bank." Ysabeau explained. "Matthew risked his life getting this for me." I tacked on. "What do you mean, honey?" Emily enquired. "The morning that I got this from the bank vault was the morning I was run off the road." He explained. "I almost lost him before he could really be mine." I admitted solemnly. "Oh, honey." Emily replied. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make things so melancholy." I apologized. I felt Matthew's grip on me tighten. "Well, it's been a long day, and we have a long day tomorrow. Diana, I will show you to your room for the night." Ysabeau declared. "Wait, what?" I called in surprise. Matthew's grip tightened on me even more, if it was possible. "Diana is not staying in any other room, but mine." Matthew stated firmly. "But it's tradition." Ysabeau interjected. "If you haven't noticed by now, Maman, we're hardly traditional." Matthew explained. "Diana, it's one night." Sarah intervened. "I know you're not one for traditions but just this once, please." Sarah asked. I looked to Matthew and I could tell he was against it but one night apart then the rest of our lives. "Alright, but that's it." I conceded. Matthew wouldn't release his grip on me.
Later that night, it was rather windy out and the sounds of whistling could be heard on the air. It was making me restless and I couldn't sleep. After tossing and turning for over an hour, I conceded defeat and tip toed out of my room and down to the kitchens for some warm milk. To my surprise, Marthe was up and about still. "Marthe, what are you still doing up?" I queried as she put a kettle on the stove. "Oh, child, you frightened me." She exclaimed. "Sorry. I can't sleep." I admitted. "Wedding jitters?" She queried. "No, I can't sleep without Matthew." I whined pathetically, moving to the fridge for the milk. "Honey, you know they meant well." She tried to coax. "We're not living in the 16th century. I want to spend my night with Matthew. All my nights. I'll never get enough sleep for tomorrow." I replied, trying not to cry in frustration. "I'll look the other way, Diana. Just don't take the elevator, they'll hear it." Marthe conspired. I smiled at her in thanks and ran off to the stairs, forgetting about the milk. I made sure to check around corners before I finally found the stairs leading up to his bedroom. One-hundred and fifty stairs seemed daunting, but it was what was waiting at the top of that climb that spurned me on. I was a runner after all, so that's what I did, I ran up those stairs. When I got to the first landing, where Matthew's library sat, I checked to see if he was there first and to my surprise, he was laying on the sofa, staring into the fire. Clad in only a pair of black boxer briefs. I was only wearing a silk robe. He still hadn't seen or heard me, so I simply climbed over the back of the sofa, and lay over him. He looked up suddenly. "Diana!" He called in surprise. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?" He rambled. "I couldn't sleep without you and went down to the kitchens for some milk. Marthe told me to take the stairs, they'd hear the elevator. Matthew, I can't sleep without you." I cried lamely. "Oh, Love." He comforted, sitting up and holding me in his lap. "I can't sleep without you either, so sorry but fuck tradition." He laughed. "Come on, up to bed we go." He stated, pushing the button for the elevator. "We can't use the elevator." I replied in fright. "It's being called to my office, and going up to my bedroom. Not the ground floor." He explained. "Besides, you're already practically naked, Love, and if you run up those stairs, I'm going to take you on them." He smiled, cheekily.
We were in a fit of giggles when we arrived at the bedroom. But they suddenly stopped when Matthew moved to the bed. His pupils darkened, taking in my form. Pulling the sash at my waist loose, he pushed the robe from my body. I pulled his black boxer briefs off his hips, and slipped them to the floor. His arms encircled my waist. His palms flush against my back, one in the dip just above my backside, pulling me as close to him as he could before his lips found mine. "I want to take my time with you, Love." He crooned, laying me back on the bed before crawling over me. "I love you, Matthew." I spoke, pulling his body closer. "I love you, Mon Coeur." He replied, his lips on mine once again as his hands caressed my body. I lifted my legs up and around his hips as he settled between my legs. His hard cock was pressed between us and I whimpered at the feeling of him against me. I pulled his head to mine and took his upper lip in mine, sucking gently before his tongue met mine.
"I want to taste you." Matthew mumbled sucking on my left nipple. "Yes, please." I pant as he kisses his way down my abdomen. My eyes meet his as he settles between my legs and kisses my hip bones, sucking gently before moving closer to my pussy. "God, you smell fucking fantastic." he moans bringing his face closer to my glistening heat. "Matthew, please." He smirks at my eagerness before diving in and licking my lips. He spreads my legs even farther apart. Matthew's tongue laps at my clit a few times before inserting one, then two fingers into my slickness. "Yes, Matthew, more…." I cry. He flick's his tongue over my engorged clit while pumping his fingers furiously before adding a third and curling them slightly. My hands are in his hair urging him on. Matthew's so hard that he's grinding into the mattress for some relief. "Come for me." He pleads, my eyes connecting with his as his tongue continues its assault on my clit. Seconds later I feel myself clenching around his fingers. I watch, enthralled as he licks his fingers clean before lapping up my juices. I push him onto his back, crawling up his body. I settle myself above him before lowering myself on his cock. "Fuck…Diana. God you're so tight, Love." He groaned, his hips moving slowly but firmly against me. "You feel so good." I pant as his hands find purchase on my ass. I lean forward, my hands by his head. I move to kiss him, our tongues invading each other's mouths in a tango for dominance. He holds me steady and all of a sudden, I feel him pounding into me from below. "Fuck Matthew. Feels so good, don't stop." I mumble when suddenly he flips us so I'm now under him. He lifts my legs so they're resting on his shoulders, allowing him to slip even deeper into me. We both groan at the new sensation and angle as he starts pounding into me again. "Don't. Stop. Fucking. Me." My words coming out in staccato breaths. "Not a fucking chance." He replies. "I'm going to come." I add. "I'm so close, Diana." I feel the coiling in my belly at my impending orgasm when I feel his thumb on my clit and that does it. My body explodes in the most powerful orgasm. A few strokes later and I feel him come inside me. I pull him down beside me and we cuddle together. "I'll never get enough of you." He mumbles into my neck. "Well, then I guess it's good that you're marrying me, stuck with me then." I smiled, pushing his sweaty hair off his forehead. "With you, my life has a beginning, a middle and an end, Diana." He confesses. "You're all I'll ever want, Matthew." I confess as our lips find one another. The shape of his upper lip fits between mine with ease and I suck gently as his tongue begs for entrance. They meet in soft touches as he cradles my head, molding his lips to mine, sucking on my lower lip and gently nipping at it. We finally pull apart when the need to breathe makes itself known. His forehead is against mine as he cradles me in his arms.
We must have dozed off, because I awake suddenly. The noise of a loud clatter echoing in the room. "It's okay, Love. Just some lightning and thunder." Matthew explains from beside me. I nod in understanding. "What time is it?" I pose sleepily. "Just after midnight. Officially our wedding day." He smiles, leaning down to kiss me. "Thankfully we made it for afternoon, I need sleep." I admitted. "I need a shower; you want to join me?" He asks sweetly, holding his hand out. My reply is to get up on my knees and take his hand. Helping me off the bed, I follow him into the bathroom to see he's already started the water so it has time to warm up. Matthew helps me step under the spray as he steps in behind me. His hands cup my breasts, pulling on my nipples. "You didn't need a shower; you just wanted another fuck." I tease. "Can you blame me? Look at you." He laughs in response. I can feel his hard cock against my back and I turn us so he's now under the spray. No words are spoken as we frantically grope and caress, lips meeting in heated bliss. Tongues duel for position and suddenly I'm airborne. Pushed against the tiled wall. "Fuck me." I pant, my eyes meeting his as he bends slightly to slip inside me. My hands hold onto his shoulders as he lifts my legs around his hips. His hands supporting me, holding my ass. His thrusts are slow and long, not frantic and hard. My hands move to his hair, tugging slightly. My nails scratch gently at his scalp and he growls at that sensation. "I fucking love when you do that." He grunts, his thrusts becoming more erratic. "I know, why do you think I do it." I replied cheekily. He fused his lips to mine in response as he pushed me closer into the wall. Pulling one hand from my ass, he moved it down and his thumb rubbed at my clit in firm circular motions. "Oh, Matthew." I expelled, feeling the coil of my orgasm beginning. "I can feel you're close, Love. Come for me." He panted. Seconds later I felt my body shudder over his as my orgasm ripped through me. "Oh, fuck, feels so good." He mumbled, his thrusts becoming more frantic as he neared his end. "Put me down, finish in my mouth." I ordered. He stopped short, surprised at my comment. I couldn't' help but laugh at the look on his face. "Are you sure?" he questioned, allowing me to slip from the wall as he slipped out of me. "Yes." I stated firmly, moving to my knees and taking his cock in my hands. His eyes rolled back in his head as I sucked him into my mouth. One hand moved to play with his balls and I felt his hands in my hair, guiding me along his length. I trailed my tongue down the underside of his cock before sucking gently on his balls and moving back up over to the head. "I'm coming." He warned, but I didn't stop as he released down my throat. I licked and sucked gently until he had expelled everything. Pulling me off my knees, he kissed me, despite the fact that I just swallowed his come. "I can't believe you just did that; it was so hot." He smiled, cupping my face in his hands. "Hot how?" I countered. "Like porn star hot." He laughed. "Really? We're not making any sex tapes." I declared and he roared with laughter. "I think it would be hot to watch us together, but why just watch when I can have the real thing." He retorted, grabbing the soap and squeezing some into his palms. "You say the sweetest things." I taunted. "I try." He smiled, as his hands moved over my body, 'washing' me thoroughly. We finally fell back into bed at almost 1:00AM. After expelling all of my physical energy and being content in Matthew's arms, I fell into a restful sleep. Thoughts of our wedding flitting through my head.