The phone call came unexpectedly, as they tend to do in these circumstances. He had been in an accident, that was all they said. Didn't they understand that that was never enough? How many times has Diane laughed at the movies whenever something momentous would happen and suddenly everything would be in slow motion or worse: black and white. It always seemed to her so silly and unnecessary and yet, here she was, putting her phone down, her surroundings fading into the background and losing their colour. Or what was it importance they were losing?
She did not hear Marissa asking if she was okay. She did not hear Adrian come to her with cases, or Maia seeking advice. All she could do was quickly pack her handbag, grab her coat and leave. It wasn't until she was outside and the frosty air slapped her in the face that Diane remembered she also had to breath. One breath at a time she made it to the car and through an unusually long drive to Harbour Hospital.
Silently Diane cursed her brain. It was her asset, the one thing she could count on, no matter the situation, but here she was unable to think clearly, taking longer than she should have to locate the clearly signposted reception desk. Her vision was misted by an oncoming stream of tears she has been trying hard blink back for almost half an hour. Diane must have looking around like a madwoman because soon a nurse appeared by her side, trying to find out who she was looking for. "Look, ma'am, you gotta tell me a name"
"McVeigh. Kurt McVeigh" Diane managed to get out in between looks into nearby rooms.
"Okay. I've got a Kurt McVeigh in Room 108 but you have to be family to see him."
"I'm his..." What does she call him? Husband-who-cheated-and-now-I'm-separated-from-but-potentially-want-to-reconcile-with? "I'm his next of kin" Diane settled on the term used by the nurse who phoned to inform her of the accident. Perhaps it was the most accurate of all.
"You don't sound so certain," the nurse eyed Diane carefully "but it'll do for now. Down that corridor, second left and its the second room on the right."
"Thank you," Diane uttered in return, already making her way down the corridor, which was, as she suspected, nowhere near long enough for her to prepare for what could greet her once she enters the room on the right. Just as she was about to enter, her legs failed her. It became apparent that she won't be able to move until being at least a little more steady, so Diane leaned against the wall and focused on her breathing.
Through a half open door, she could see into the room opposite where a young woman was staring blankly at a gurney on which two legs could be seen underneath the blue fabric. Diane felt a new hot flush of tears threaten to wash over her as images of Will flashed before her eyes. It's been 3 years and still whenever she thought about him she couldn't help but get misty eyed... Oh god she couldn't go through all that again, especially not with Kurt.
"As long as you're out there you might as well come in." Kurt's voice was clear and steady and Diane cursed herself for letting him see her falling apart. She took one last deep breath and walked into his room, treading the ground carefully, almost, if she was honest, reluctantly.
"How long were you watching?" Please let the conversation go anywhere other than the accident, that was the plan. Thank god they were always so good at avoiding the uncomfortable conversations.
"A few minutes." Diane waited for him to say more but of course silence followed. Her cowboy was as stoic as ever. The tension in the room was only interrupted by the steady beeping of the machines attached to Kurt's body. Somehow Diane only noticed them now and the shock and worry must have been so evident on her face that Kurt was prompted to elaborate. "I promise it's not as bad as it looks."
"I certainly hope so because it looks very bad."
Suddenly, Diane lost it. All those tears she's held back since receiving the fateful phone call overwhelmed her and she knelt beside Kurt's bed. "Oh Kurt what were you thinking? You are not 20 years old anymore, you can't just run around and hope for the best! Did you even think about what would happen if you died...what would happen to me?" She did not intend to say those last words but Diane knew not to trust her tongue when overcome with emotion. She took his hand and buried her face in it, soaking up the warm, familiar feeling she realised she sorely missed. She felt safe, protected. Though she would never admit it out loud for fear of one of her friends overhearing and using it against her, Diane liked the feeling of being protected. It was a feeling she didn't realise she needed so much until meeting him.
Kurt wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to dry of her tears and tell her everything will be alright, but the ambiguity of their relationship made him pause, pause long enough for a nurse to come in and interrupt them. "I'm worry but next of kin or not there are still visiting hours," she said. In a second, Diane went from being his Diane to Ms Lockhart, top Chicago lawyer. Kurt observed the change curiously, admiring her professionalism. She stood up straighter, her gaze unwavering, and straightened out her dress. Grabbing her handbag Diane looked at him and after a moment's hesitation kissed him gently on the forehead. "I'll be back as soon as I can tomorrow."
"Looking forward to it." Kurt replied, but Diane was already out of earshot.
