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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Chapter 3.16: Dear Diary, Matthieu's Project

Dear Diary, I know its been a while since I last wrote. I think this is the longest I’ve ever gone without writing. You would suppose perhaps that after being dumped by Dax, I would have had loads of thoughts and feelings pouring out of me. But that wasn’t the case at all.
At first, I was just stunned and I felt a little numb as if his leaving wasn’t really happening. Then, after he was gone, I found myself brimming to the top with anger again. The rude things he’d said to me (and all of the things I wish I’d had the cleverness to say back to him) kept replaying in my head. The bite of his words still stung my heart and I couldn’t fathom what I’d done to cause him to do this to me. Had he led me on? Or had I read too much into his words and actions?
Finally, I came to the conclusion that if Dax could change his mind so drastically and quickly like that, well, he just wasn’t the person for me. I wanted security and a lifelong partner who wanted a large family. My ideal man would want to plant his roots and lead the simple kind of life I’d always craved. So, maybe, Dax had done me a favor.
30
And that brings me to where I am now. Yes, this is Matt’s house, still looking pretty dreadful. Because my feelings were wounded and I didn’t want to dwell on them, I threw myself into helping him fix up his place.
It isn’t what you think, though. I mean, we’re not an item or anything. We’ve just become very good friends. From the beginning, he was kind to me and he was even straight forward enough to tell me the truth about what a terrible brat I was. Okay, that is my word, not his. He was actually very tactful in the way he told me off.
I’ve found that I have a deep respect for him and I think he feels the same way about me. When I’m with him, it’s almost as if we can read each others’ minds. He’s a serious sort who knows what he wants, but he’s also quick to smile or laugh when the occasion calls for it.
Being near him gives me a sense of surety as if I’m in a truly safe place without judgment. In fact, if I were to let my imagination wander freely, I could see the two of us together romantically. I do think he’s incredibly attractive, but more than that, I am at complete ease when I’m with him.
Except that he hasn’t shown any interest in me at all.


Anyway, this is a slideshow of the inside of Matthieu’s house as I first saw it. It’s pretty ghastly, isn’t it? Whenever I’m in there, my skin crawls, but that also makes me even more determined to dig in and get the place shipshape.

In helping Matthieu with this incredible endeavor, I soon met his family. His father Christophe, mother Helene, his older brother Jules and Jules’ teenage son Xavier. (I have to admit that I have teased Matthieu about being so much younger than his brother.)
From the moment I met them, I felt as if I was an honorary member of the family. The entire Larochette clan was warm and welcoming. His father, brother and nephew are all capable woodworkers, so they began with the windows and doors right away.
27
They also made a small table and chairs for Matt, which, even though the walls were still pretty grotesque, made the dining room feel cozy.
Elliott came over whenever he could to help and admire their hard work.
28
As for Helene and me, we moved all of the furniture into the rooms we supposed they went in, and we also hung lanterns so we could see better.
26
After we saw the sofa and chairs in better light, though, I felt they were beyond what we could work with.
“Don’t worry… some scrubbing and slip covers and the furniture will be just fine,” Helene said.
Looking around me and frowning, I doubted that very much. “Perhaps we should look for some good used furniture?”
She smiled warmly and patted my hand. “Of course, whatever you want, dear.”
What a strange thing to say, I thought. “Well, I think it’s whatever Matthieu wants.”
Putting a hand over her heart as if what I said touched her very soul, she said, “You are just the sweetest thing. Sometimes, I cannot believe you’re real!”
25
“Me either,” I joked but I had no idea what we were even talking about.
“Now, you mustn’t worry about a thing. I know things look drab and dreary right now, but it will all be shipshape in no time.”
“I sure hope so,” I said. “I will feel much better when things feel clean.”
“I always feel the same way,” she agreed.
“Me, too,” Audrey-Ann said as she came into the room.
11
I smiled as she spread a blanket on the floor and sat Laci in the middle of it to play. Yes, that’s how much time has passed. Elliott and Audrey-Ann are happily married and their precocious little daughter is a toddler already.
29
“And how is this sweet darling today?” Helene asked.
“She’s over her cold and seems to be pretty much back to normal,” Audrey-Ann answered as she smiled down at Laci.
Personally, I thought Laci was just about the cutest baby I’d ever seen and I simply adored her. Someday, I hoped my husband and I would fill a house with children to love.

Over the next several weeks, the windows were all replaced but no matter how I scrubbed, the walls and floors didn’t feel clean to me. We were able to stock the kitchen, thanks to the St. Cyr garden. And the kitchen felt a little homier.
30
One evening, after a particular heavy day of work, Matt suggested we walk the path from his house to the beach. Slowly, we lowered our weary bodies onto the park bench and took long sighs of relief.
33
“It’s so beautiful here,” I murmured, pushing my bare toes into the gritty sand. It felt cool and relieved the pain in my feet from working in shoes all day.
“Yes,” he said. He looked from the setting sun, down to his hands, to the sky again, then back to his hands.
31
“Looks like a good fishing spot down that way.”
“Yes.”
38
“Maybe we could try our hand at fishing sometime, then.”
“Yes.”
Wrinkling my nose, I said, “I hope we get eaten by a Blood-Eyed Doom Fish or a Sharkigator.”
“Yes.”
32
Laughing, I said, “Matt! What is it with you this evening?”
He swallowed hard, his cheeks flaming red. “I have some things on my mind, I guess.”
“Oh? Well, if something’s troubling you, I don’t mind listening.”
He smiled a little before answering. “I know that.”
“Good,” I smiled back at him.
Strangely, he abruptly looked away from me. Perhaps this was more serious than I’d first thought.
37
“Don’t you just love evenings like this?” I sighed, trying to put him at ease since he didn’t seem to really want to talk after all. “The sky is painted in pinkish-golds, the air’s cooled off and the ocean just smells divine.”
“Yes.”
Oh brother, were we back to that already?
34
“This bench is really hard. Why don’t we sit on the ground?” he suggested.
“All right.”
Side by side, we sat cross legged on the sand. It was definitely softer and did feel better than the bench.
39
Suddenly, he shook his head and smiled wider. “I’m sorry, Blue. You must think I’m crazy.”
“You do seem distracted.”
36
The sun had gone down and slowly, stars began to light up the night sky, twinkling here and there. I took a deep breath of the salty air, letting it fill my lungs, feeling it refreshing me from the inside out.
40
Slowly, I felt him lean back on his hands, then one of his arms slid behind me, his fingers very close to my rear, but not touching. Gradually, I leaned back, too, partly against his strong arm.
41
As we gazed up toward the sky, he casually asked, “Do you like my family?”
“Oh, yes! I think they’re wonderful. I guess I know where you get it from.”
“Get what?”
He had me stumped. Should I just come out and tell him how great I thought he was? What would he think of such a forward comment? Would it send him running for the hills?
“Uh, I just meant, you’re so sweet and all… you were obviously raised by a loving family.”
42
“I think your family is pretty great, too,” he said. “What…. ummm…. do you think your father thinks of me?”
Just what was he getting at and why was it taking him so long to get there? “I’m sure he thinks you’re very nice and hard working.”
43
On the spur of the moment, he stood, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. Looking into my eyes, he softly said, “And what do you think of me?”
“I – I – ” Let’s just say, I stammered a lot.
” – Because, I love you.”
Feeling weak kneed, my jaw dropped slowly. His hazel eyes softened and seemed to be conveying in them exactly what he’d just said.
“You – love me?”
“Desperately,” he admitted. “And I’m wondering if you could love me, too?”
A stray tear escaped my eye as I realized my heart’s desire was coming true.
44
All at once, we both moved forward, into each other’s arms, our lips touching in a tender but passionate kiss. I inhaled sharply and tightened my grip on his shoulders as he pulled me closer. One hand held me behind the neck, caressing me there, the other hand drifted to my hip.
45
It was almost bewitching, the way his lips united with mine. They were softer than I had imagined, the warmth and tenderness of them awakening a fire within me I’d never felt.
Kisses like this, I was beginning to realize, spoke of something deeper, of new beginnings and bright futures full of promise.
 
 

Kymber Hawke
Kymber Hawkehttps://booomcha.com/
I am a simmer, Rennie garb wearer, author, and dog petter. Judy Garland is my queen, horror movies & classic movies are my jam. INFJ with "Unity Hayes" as a pseudonym. A little bit eccentric, owned by two cats, Cesare & Josie-Pye. 🐱🐱

64 COMMENTS

  1. I did want Blue and Dax together, but I’m not mad with this turn of events. Dax did deserve to experience life on his own, and Im glad that the story turned this way because it shows that the “soulmates” idea of love, isnt exclusively to one person, nor is it exclusively to romantic love. I have been in love with two different men in my life, at different times. And with both I thought I had met my soulmate. Yet, I also fell out of love with both. In the end I did married one of those men, and I have been in and out of love throughout my marriage.
    Anyway, great story. My favorite so far. 🙂

  2. I had to giggle a lot while reading this.
    The girl that expects love declarations from everyone didn’t even suspect that Matt loved her when his mother treated her like her daughter-in-law already!
    I loved this, it was very sweet.

  3. I expected Matt to wait until she expresses her feelings first after she had almost turned him down when Dax was still around. But I’m not gonna complain, it was very sweet and I’m happy it happened at all. 😊

  4. I just had a feeling things were going in this direction. As it turned out, Matt is precisely what Blue meeds, and his mother knew exactly what was bound to happen.😄 Helene is a very wise and sweet woman. Looks like we’ll be hearing wedding bells soon with nooboos to follow.😄

  5. Blue’s new environment and circumstances have been so good for her.
    I’ve never seen her looking as beautiful as she does in this chapter!
    Thank you, Kymber, for making me hate Blue then making me fall in love with her again. Lol!

      • That “making me love her” phrase was the wrong choice of words, but I’m glad you knew what I meant. I also smiled that she’s helping Matthieu with his fixer-upper—that so reminds me of Memphis and Leif!

        • Oh, I didn’t think anything of the way you worded it, so no worrties. 😀 Yes, that is a lot like Memphis and Liev, now that you mention it. 😀 I’m so glad you saw the comparison and that this made you smile.

  6. Aaaw, I will say, Matt is much more right for Blue than Dax. He has some stuff to sort out for himself before he’s ready for a relationship. I love the way you described that kiss – short and sweet 🙂

    • Thank you so much. 🙂 You are so right about Matt being right for Blue. TBH, I hadn’t intended on writing Dax the way he turned out at all. But working with that sim is sooo hard! lol He had his plans and personality! 😀

      • Yes! I hate to keep comparing this to my story, but I love how they’re so similar but in reverse. Their relationship reminds me of how things go in Juliana’s home country…except it doesn’t always take so long lol. But yeah, just doing life together, learning about each other organically, making observations, dwell on them for a time, and then decide have a serious relationship without the distractions of spending money, impressing someone, or trying to woo them. Hmph…I think I could go for this in my own life! LOL I guess Blue would be like Hillary in Monte Vista instead of Juliana in Willow Creek. 😀

  7. Squeeeeee!!! I have this stupid silly smile on my face. Can I just add how I’ve noticed the way you describe kisses? They’re different every time. Haha! I just want you to know that I notice and appreciate the creativity there.

    • You say the nicest things. And you are very detail oriented, it seems, too. 😀 I’m so glad you have a silly smile on your face. I did, too, as I wrote it.

  8. Oh wow, what a confession of love! Matt has a secret fire within him, that’s what I love about those calm silent types! I could never have guessed he’d be so forward (although his initial “yes” answers cracked me up lol)! Go Matt!
    I’m really happy for them, they seem made for each other <3 His family seem all very sweet people too (especially his mom)!

  9. Wow had to laught at Blue when she was thinking Matt didn’t see her romantically. His entire family could see it lol especially his mother! Blue can be a bit oblivious at times can’t she? Matt isn’t as cute as Dax IMO but he’s certainly better for her. A wedding is soon
    To follow.

  10. Oh, it happened! Just what I expected but not the way I expected 🙂 … I thought it would be very dramatical but no, it was sweet and simple. But why not? Life can also be sweet and simple, without extra complications… I just believe you get us used to a very dramtical teenie and maybe Blue has already changed that lot … or maybe this is just a break bevor the tempest? (you don’t need to answer that, ofc!) Anyway, this was lovely. ♥♥♥

  11. Those close ups of Blue’s face just show how gorgeous she is! Matthieu is a very lucky man. I think they’re a good match for each other – doing up the house together with the family seemed to prove that.
    The scene at the beach was incredibly sweet. Though you had me laughing with the terrifying fish names haha.
    Matt’s mother is very wise, I think. She’s lovely and friendly! I love it when the family gets along with the significant other haha.

    • LOL! Thank you so much! 😀 I thought Blue had just about had enough trouble in her life without adding an overbearing mother-in-law to the mix, too.
      I’m so glad you like how things turned out. The fish names… well, I have to sneak my silliness in wherever I get a chance! 😛

  12. Yes. YES!!!
    I am so happy that Blue and Matthieu finally realized that they love each other, and were finally brave enough to say it out loud!!! It was so sweet that they even care about each other’s parents. Matt’s mother definitely knew something was up, even before Blue did. And Matt is seeking Leo’s blessing.
    Even Elliott and Audrey-Ann are married with an adorable little girl (that looks just like Elliott).
    I had a crappy day today, but this chapter helped up me in a better mood!

  13. I’m glad this is working out for Blue. And Matt does seem better suited for her than Dax.
    And hey, now he and his family know she doesn’t shy away from problems, if she undertook to fixing-up if that building!

    • Hahaha! That’s a good point, thank you! 😀 I have a feeling his mother thought Blue was already in. They do seem well suited to each other. 😀

  14. Wow! That confession of love shocked me as much as Blue! It’s all very sudden, but I really like Matt. He’s sweet and kind and mature, and they fit together really well. I am disappointed that Blax didn’t turn out well, but I am jumping on this ship now. I can just picture it, these two living together in that lovely big house (when it’s fixed up lol) with adorable kiddos. And speaking of kids, Laci is so cute!
    Nice chapter <3

    • Thank you, Lila! 🙂 I’m glad you like Matt. I think they fit together pretty well, too. I’m so glad you’re jumping on this new ship! lol 😀
      I thought Laci turned out so cute, too. Well, I think all the toddlers are cute. haha

  15. I see a wedding coming very soon!! Blue is finally going to get her hearts desire and I hope it all works out for them, but let’s be realistic real life is never easy and I know there are going to be struggles coming that are going to test them.
    Loved this chapter.

  16. Fist half as I read, first thought ‘Blue you ninny! Can’t you tell he’s madly in love with you!’
    So happy that Matthieu got Blue sorted by chapters end. 🙂

  17. Okay, I don’t like switching teams, but these two together seem like a wonderful fit! And Mathieu’s mom already had them married, I am sure! lol That ghastly house will be beautiful when finished, and, hopefully, filled with children’s laughter. I tend to agree about Blue’s adventurous side, but then again, she sowed a lot of those wild oats when she ran away. I am sure one of her children will want to be the adventurous kind, since it seems to run in her family! Great, romantic chapter, and I loved it. ♥

    • Thank you, Marj! 🙂 I know what you mean about not wanting to switch teams, but it’s kind of hard not to in this case, I think, because they do seem to be a really good fit. And I also think you’re right about Matthieu’s mother Helene. haha
      As for the house, they will have it fixed up quickly, I think. But in doing so, another issue might come in to play. I wish I could tell you more, but SPOILERS! lol
      That’s a good point about Blue sowing wild oats when she ran away. And yes, adventure does run in the family! LOL 😀

    • Thank you so much, Cathy! 🙂 I appreciate your kind words. They mean so much. This reminds me a lot of Blue’s grandma, too! 😀

  18. Oh, heck yeah! Team!Matthieu wins! XD
    That aside, that was a beautiful scene. I adored how awkward and distracted Matthieu was as he figured out what to say, and how puzzled and cute Blue was. These two are truly a puzzle-piece couple: made for each other. :3

    • Thank you, fluffymao! 🙂 I so appreciate your kind words and am glad you like how this is going. I agree that they’re a puzzle-piece couple – what a great way to put it! 🙂

  19. I still picture Blue as that cute wobbly baby and now she’s grown up! I wish they’d do something with those walls. They are so dark and ghastly.
    I have mixed feelings about their getting together. I think they may be perfect for one another, but what happened to her adventurous side? It all seems so boring, yet peaceful. When I moved to the farm, I so loved the peacefulness of it, so I understand. At the same time, it scared me that I might be lulled into never exploring other things. Just me, I guess.

    • Thank you so much, Jolie. 🙂 I still picture Blue that way, too. Don’t worry about the walls, I think it’s in the next chapter that they have been re-papered, thank goodness. Those walls are pretty ghastly!
      I can see what you mean about having mixed feelings about Blue settling down. I do think her adventurous side will come out now and again in the future because she herself won’t want to be bored. 🙂

  20. This turned out so sweet. I wonder why Blue thought Matt would run. I guess he really shocked her with his admission of love. But maybe he thought she might run too! Seems like everyone found their special someone! I can see why Blue wants what she does given her rough young life. She wants quiet and calm and security.

    • Thank you so much, Audrey! 🙂 I think this turned out sweetly, too. I thought it made complete sense, too, that Blue would want to stay in Winchester and raise a family away from the spotlight. I can’t wait for her to have children! I’m already plotting out Generation 4 a little bit, but even so, there will be an heir poll toward the end of Generation 3. 😀

  21. Ohhh I like it! Matt is a really sweet guy 🙂 I’ll admit I’m a bit bummed that Dax and Blue didn’t work put, but Matt is just as good, if not better for her! I wonder what Dax will think when (if?) he returns from France

    • Thank you so much, Raymond. 🙂 I’m glad you like how this is turning out. I was a bit bummed about Dax and Blue, too, tbh. So I think both she and he deserve a good future. 🙂
      As for Dax…. he will be returning in a future chapter and Cosette will be with him! And… hmmm…. it might get weird. lol

  22. You got me there, Kym. I can’t believe it. I won’t tell you anything, but you will know know when you read my new chapter. Haha.
    I’m so happy for Blue because Matthieu sems to be exactly the guy for her, who’s ready to give her the peaceful, quiet life in a house they will shipshape together and possibly also a loving family. I also think his mother already knew all about his ‘project’ when she had this conversation with Blue.
    It feels weird that Blue had so many guys wanting to be with her and yet Elliott is married and with a child while Dax found his French love. I could have never guessed that things would turn out this way.
    Good for you, Blue. And even better for you, Dax, that your beloved feels the same way.

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