“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch.  16 (PG-13, S): Jocelyn and Matthew Talk,   November 28, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace

(An original fiction copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace;  all rights reserved)
[(1) top right, story logo] 

[I will illustrate my story using my dream cast of --Richard Armitage for Matthew Drake, Kate Beckinsale for Jocelyn Burrows, Brenda Blethyn for Aunt Madge, Michael Crawford for Michael Ferguson, Gina McKee for Marcia Glass, James Frain for Vicar Nelson Marshall, Shirley MacLaine for Lucretia Baldridge, and others.] 

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “Lost & Found” is love story with mature themes (D for drama and S for sensuality) of love and relationships.  Most chapters will be PG or PG-13. However, if you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings I provide, then please do not read that chapter.  This is my disclaimer.

Recap from the previous installment:   As the December holidays in London were upon her, a four months pregnant Jocelyn was drawn to attend a reader’s theater performance of the Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol”--about a man who gets a second chance at life, and fitting starring her love Matthew Drake in the title role.  Though she had unexpectedly and awkwardly run into Matthew’s former therapist Marcia Glass, and then Aunt Madge and Michael during the intermission, Jocelyn would not agree to meet Matthew. 

But in waiting out the crush of exiting theatre goers--since she has to be careful not to be jostled or fall in her condition--Jocelyn was caught by Matthew, who instantly strode over to her and took her into his arms. They kissed passionately and adoringly, such that Matthew began to have an inkling about Jocelyn’s secret.  Jocelyn knows that she will have to tell Matthew that she is pregnant with his child.  It is a conversation that she has both longed for and viewed with uncertainty.  But a theatre lobby is too public a place to hold such an intimate discussion.   So Jocelyn and Matthew say farewell to Marcia, Madge, and Michael and head out for a bite to eat--to talk.

“Lost and Found”, Chapter 16 (PG-13, S) Jocelyn and Matthew Talk

After taking a taxi from the theatre the early evening of Friday December 19th, the now confident and recovered Matthew [(2) right]   and Jocelyn arrive at and enter a small and cozy French café.  They have much to discuss about and much to repair in their relationship.  Matthew senses Jocelyn’s unease--his intuition heightened as he gazes at her, by a hopeful perception gained from embracing her in the hotel lobby--such that not even a whisper could pass between then--that only needs her confirmation.

They sit in a booth off to the side and private.  After placing their orders, they look soulfully, longingly, and lovingly at each other.  Matthew holds Jocelyn’s hand, gently stroking it as if he will never let it—or her—depart from his life ever again.  Of course, Jocelyn and Matthew are about to have the most important conversation of their lives.  And its outcome will impact both of their futures.

Jocelyn:  Smiling shyly, Jocelyn sighs sincerely.  “I’m glad to see you looking so well, Matthew.”

Matthew:  “And you Jocelyn, you look well.  I’ve missed you.” He sighs agian.  “We parted so … abruptly—just as we were starting to develop our relationship.”  Matthew gazes lovingly at Jocelyn [(3) right]--and Jocelyn returns his adoring gaze.

Jocelyn:  “Yes, I feel that way, too, Matthew.”  

At first, Jocelyn smiles at Matthew.  But then she lowers her eyes, remembering the rebuke she received from Matthew’s Aunt Madge--for Jocelyn making love with Matthew four months ago.  Jocelyn’s face reflects the hurt she felt then, and that she feels now.  Matthew sees her face saddening and guesses the reason for it.  His voice softens further to soothe her.

Matthew:  “Jocelyn, Aunt Madge is very sorry now about how she over reacted about us.”

Jocelyn:  “Yes, she told me at the intermission when we ran into each other unexpectedly.  It was quite a coincidence that we would both be at the same performance of your play.”

The corners of Matthews mouth rise ever so slightly, beginning to curl into a endearing smile[(4) right], thinks Jocelyn.

Matthew:  “Haven’t you heard, Jocelyn?  There are no coincidences.”   

Jocelyn:  With a small smile, Jocelyn sighs.  “Yes.  I suppose that I shouldn’t have gone to your final performance today since I’m going home to the States after the New Year, but I wanted to get a glimpse of you one last time, Matthew.”

Jocelyn doesn’t want to presume that just because she and Matthew kissed, that they can build a life together.  Except, that is exactly Matthew’s viewpoint.

Matthew:  “Why are you leaving Jocelyn?  Now that we have found each other again, won’t you stay?”

Jocelyn wants to stay in England, and with Matthew, but she feels that her pregnancy might be too much responsibility too soon for him--even though he seems fully recovered.  So Jocelyn demures. 

Jocelyn:  “I would like to stay Matthew, but I have to go home because …”  Jocelyn stops herself.  How does she tell him that she is pregnant with his child?  But, it turns out, she does not have to.

Matthew:  “Jocelyn, I know that we only knew each other for five days and that we only shared our love with each other twice.  But, we started something beautiful together and I want us to be a couple, Jocelyn.”  Matthew sees the tears in Jocelyn’s eyes that mirror his own tears.  “Besides, won’t it be easier for you to stay in England if you have a partner, me, as you await your baby’s birth?  Our baby’s birth?”

Jocelyn:  Jocelyn gasps.  “Hhh!  But how did you …?”  Jocelyn looks at Matthew searching, longingly, and lovingly.

Matthew:  Enfolding her in his arms he says   “You forget, Jocelyn, that I had ...  I had a wife and child before.”  Matthew says with a wavering voice as he tears up thinking about the tragic death of his family over two years ago.  “I remember what it’s like to kiss and to hug a pregnant woman.  Please don't leave me.” 

Then, of course, Matthew kisses Jocelyn sweetly, then tenderly, then adoringly, then passionately.  And, Jocelyn responds to Matthew, sweetly, then tenderly, then adoringly, and then passionately.  They pull back from each other with a renewed hope about their futures, together.  Matthew tentatively places his hand upon Jocelyn’s pregnant stomach. And Jocelyn covers his hand with hers. 

At just starting her fifth month, Jocelyn is still not that far along to feel the baby move. But it won’t be long.  So for now,  Matthew lightly caresses Jocelyn’s tummy for the precious gift it carries--their child.  In a little while their meals arrive, but they are not hungry—they are too focused on each other and what the future will bring.

Matthew:  “Why don’t we put our food in to go boxes and take them back to my flat where we can talk more privately while we eat.”  He also thinks, where they can share their love with each other.  Jocelyn nods at him and so they leave to go to Matthew’s home.

***

After walking into Matthew’s flat and putting their food in the fridge for now--neither of them have an appetite--Matthew guides Jocelyn over to the couch in front of the fireplace and they sit down together.  The open floor plan and high ceilings give this two bedroom loft flat the feel of spaciousness.   While its painted burgundy brick walls and wood and leather furniture definitely have a masculine feel to them.  It is still only 6:00pm.

Jocelyn keeps the conversation light at first--because though Jocelyn has been alone with Matthew before, obviously due to her pregnant condition--she is still a lady, especially mindful of her position as a mother to be, and the great responsibility that entails.  So Jocelyn compliments Matthew upon his home’s décor. 

Jocelyn:  “This is a nice flat, Matthew.  Have you lived here long?” Jocelyn truly does like what she sees.

Matthew:  “About a month.  I moved out of Aunt Madge’s flat above the flower shop once I had recovered completely--and I was getting so much voice over work.  The hours were strange and it would wake her up when I got in around 1 or 2:00am in the morning after a recording session went late.”

Jocelyn:  “I see.”  Jocelyn bites her lower lip and asks hesitatingly.  “Was it hard for Aunt Madge to …well … to let you go?”  Jocelyn asks him sheepishly.  Considering how Aunt Madge behaved toward the thought of Matthew having a girlfriend, Jocelyn guesses that she did.

Matthew:  “A little bit.”  Matthew winces. “But with my doctors declaring me fully recovered, Aunt Madge had to legally rescind her guardianship over me.” Matthew states sanguinely, but he has relished his new found freedom.  “And she has Michael now to keep her company. So I am no longer her constant focus.” 

Jocelyn: “Well, good for you.” 

Jocelyn nods her head and squeezes his hand as she leans into the crook of Matthew’s left arm.  Then Matthew turns more toward her and caresses Jocelyn’s face with his other hand, tracing the silhouette of her face as he slowly draws his index finger down her cheek.

Matthew:  “Jocelyn?  Why didn’t you try to contact me before now?”  The hurt Matthew felt at losing Jocelyn--his feelings of abandonment--bubble to the surface.

Jocelyn:  She pauses.  “Oh Matthew, I’m so sorry.  I guess … I guess that I was afraid what Aunt Madge would do.  And, she made me feel so guilty for falling in love with you—and for making love with you.  So, I thought that I would damage your recovery if I tried to see you again.”

Matthew:  “But Jocelyn, you’re the reason that I have recovered. Don’t you know that?”  Matthew kisses Jocelyn lovingly and she responds lovingly to him.  “Jocelyn, I’ve wanted to thank you for a long time now. You helped me get back to the man I am now.  Only you saw the man in me and not my illness nor its deficits as others did.  Your faith in me and your love helped me find my way again.”

***

Matthew kisses Jocelyn again-- and this time more passionately since they are alone in his flat, and they will not be interrupted.

Matthew:  “I love you with all of my heart, Jocelyn.  Please marry me and be with me always, Jocelyn.  Be my wife--and I will be your husband.”  His kisses move down her neck.

Jocelyn:  Caught up in the dream of having her Matthew back again--but this time it is reality—she says  “Matthew, I love you with all of my heart.  Yes, I will marry you.” 

Matthew and Jocelyn kiss and caress each other until their bodies needs for each other overwhelm them [(5) right]. Matthew stands, and offers his hand to Jocelyn.  She takes his hand and stands also.  Holding her hand, Matthew guides Jocelyn to his bedroom where they begin to undress each other.  

When Matthew is only in his briefs and Jocelyn is down to her slip, she stops him from lifting her slip off of her body.  With Jocelyn now being over four months pregnant--and plump due to it--she is a little shy about how she might look to him.  Jocelyn has always had womanly curves.  But now, she is also starting to have a pregnancy belly.

Jocelyn:  “Matthew, I’m … shy.  I look different now that I’m pregnant.”  Jocelyn unconsciously holds her tummy.

Matthew:  Matthew caresses her face.  “Jocelyn, you look even more beautiful to me because you are pregnant!” 

Then Matthew sits on the side of the bed and he gently pulls Jocelyn to him as she stands within his loving embrace.  Matthew’s kisses move down Jocelyn’s body from her lips, to her neck, to her fuller and rounder breasts, then to her plump abdomen—where their baby sleeps and grows.  Matthew gently wraps his arms around Jocelyn and pulls her even closer to him as their lips kiss again, and again, and again, and again.

Jocelyn:  Jocelyn gazes at Matthew lovingly as he wishes, hopes, and dreams come true.  “I love you Matthew, make love with me.”

Matthew:  “I love you Jocelyn, make love with me.”

 
***

Matthew and Jocelyn lie down on the bed almost naked together--Jocelyn keeps her lace and satin slip on for modesty--and they embrace each other tenderly.  Jocelyn has never been pregnant before—let alone, made love while pregnant.  So, she is not sure what she will physically be able to do.  And Matthew senses Jocelyn’s hesitancy—and the reason for it, him having been a husband to a pregnant wife before.  So, he wants to soothe her and calm her fears.

Matthew:  “Jocelyn, we’ll make love gently.”  The deeply timberous sound of Matthew’ voice soothes Jocelyn already.  He caresses her face and kisses her lips sweetly.  “You don’t have to worry that you or the baby might be harmed.”

Jocelyn:  “Thank you Matthew.  I want to make love with you so much.  I just don’t know how with my being pregnant.”

Matthew:  “We’ll take things slowly.  And if something doesn’t feel right for you, or you feel unwell or in pain, we can stop.  My Darling Jocelyn, having you in my arms again feels so right and so wonderful.”

Jocelyn:  “Yes Matthew, I feel whole again lying in your arms.”

Matthew and Jocelyn kiss tenderly and sweetly for some time.  Then, their kisses and caresses move over their bodies.  Matthew and Jocelyn’s legs and bodies intertwine.  But still making sure not to put any pressure upon her abdomen, Matthew does not lay over her.   But Matthew adores Jocelyn completely, tenderly, adoringly.  And Jocelyn sighs with the pleasures Matthew is giving her. 

Jocelyn:  “Oh Matthew, Matthew, my love.”  And she kisses him adoringly and caresses him, sliding her hand down his neck to his strong shoulders and arms.  He is so powerful, yet he is so gentle with her.

Matthew:  Now Matthew sighs with the pleasures of Jocelyn’s intimate touches on his body.  “Jocelyn, Darling, ahhh!”

Then,  slowly and gently and passionately and adoringly,  Matthew and Jocelyn make love as they kiss and caress each other again, and again, and again, and again.  Jocelyn is overwhelmed with the loving raptures that she is sharing with her Matthew.  She has only felt like twice once before--with her Matthew when they conceived their precious child.   Jocelyn and Matthew  tenderly cling to each other in sweet adoring rapturous love for several moments after.  Then Matthew gently rolls he and Jocelyn onto their sides.

Jocelyn:  Then, when she finds her voice again, Jocelyn gushes.   “Oh Matthew, my love.  Our lovemaking is so wonderful and beautiful.  I’ve never known such joy as I feel with you.”    She cuddles next to her Matthew, continuing to kiss him sweetly.

Matthew:  “I know my Darling Jocelyn.  Our lovemaking is joyous and beautiful.  I love you so, Jocelyn.

Jocelyn:  I love you so, Matthew.”

Then, as lovers in love do, Matthew and Jocelyn kiss and cuddle until they fall asleep in each others’ loving arms.

To be continued with Chapter 17

“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch. 16  References for Wattpad, Nov. 28 2014 Gratiana Lovelace

1)      “Lost & Found” title graphic representing Matthew is an artistic blurring of a portrait of the Spooks character Lucas North (as portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage) found at http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Spooks/Spooks9/album/episode2/album/slides/2_199.html

2)      Matthew image is Richard Armitage in  a 2012 Promo pix #20 by Robert Ascroft Jun2613 via ania_Grati-hi-res-shrp-drkn; ihe full image can also be found at https://www.facebook.com/113665221991270/photos/a.564220586935729.1073741826.113665221991270/612801112077676/?type=3&theater

3) Image representing Jocelyn is a cropped portrait of the British actress Kate Beckinsale found at  http://ibelievedress.com/Public/Uploads/Products/20130115/Gorgeous%20Kate%20Beckinsale%20High%20Neck%20Evneing%20Party%20Cocktail%20Dress%20Knee%20Length%20Celebrity.jpg

4) Matthew image is Richard Armitage in a 2012 Promo  was found at https://www.facebook.com/113665221991270/photos/a.564220586935729.1073741826.113665221991270/612808255410295/?type=3&theater

5) Matthew loving Jocelyn image is Richard Armitage and Shelly Conn in 2010’s Strike Back found at https://gratianads90.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/sb1epi3_pix106jpdanilvmkgdec2411ranet.jpg

“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch. 16 Images for Wattpad, Nov. 28, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace

http://gratianads90.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/blostfoundch16wattpadimages_nov2714gratianalovelace.jpg