Chapter Nine
When Kurt wakes up alone in their bed again the next morning he feels disappointed. Diane fell asleep next to him last night without letting him close to her and it seems like she's doing everything to avoid his company. He knows it's his fault and he will try everything to make it right by her, but first he needs to focus on solving this matter between Miranda and him.
Once he can prove Kenny is his and the matter is settled, Diane will have no other choice but to accept his son and they can focus on adjusting to the new situation together. He wants to believe that their marriage is strong enough to survive this, simply because he loves her and he knows Diane loves him back, even if she has trouble showing it under the circumstances.
He changes to a pair of jeans and a shirt and goes downstairs to find the rooms empty again. He walks into the kitchen and looks for a note in vain, but one thing is different than the day before, he finds fresh coffee in the pot, so he pours himself a cup and sits down at the table. He's starting to get used to the fact that his wife has left for the day once more, when he hears the key turn in the lock and the barking of Justice from the hall.
"Good morning," Diane greets him from the doorway.
"Hey, I thought you left again," he says, trying to not sound disappointed, since she obviously was just out walking Justice.
"I didn't and I don't plan to," she steps inside the kitchen, pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down next to him.
"I'm glad you are here," he ventures a smile, hoping she'd return it when the ringing of his cell phone from the living room interrupts their moment, so he walks over there to get it.
"McVeigh," he answers the call.
"Mr. McVeigh, it's Tanya."
He's surprised to hear from Miranda's sister so soon again.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if we could meet sometime today. I need to talk to you in person."
He can hear how the woman is nervous on the other end of the line, but he's tired of getting confused by her and her sister on a daily basis.
"Why?"
"It's about Kenny, I can't talk right now, but there's a coffee shop next to the supermarket where we met the other day, could you meet me this afternoon at three?"
He knows he cannot say no, he needs to hear whatever she has to say, so he doesn't question her anymore.
"All right."
"I'll explain everything."
"I'll be there," he promises before he ends the call and walks back to the kitchen.
"Who was it?" Diane is still sipping her coffee as Kurt sits back next to her.
"Miranda's sister."
"What does she want?"
Kurt realizes he never told Diane about Tanya's call in the heated conversation they had the previous day
"She called me yesterday, to tell me she was sorry for lying to me, and now she wants us to meet this afternoon."
"I want to go with you."
Kurt couldn't be more stunned hearing Diane's reply.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. It looks like these women are playing some kind of a game with you. I want to be there to meet her in person, see what she's really up to."
If they weren't so distant he would actually kiss her right now for looking out for him like this, but all he is allowed to do now is to accept her unexpected support, trying to hold back his smile.
"All right. The meeting is at three."
"Thank you."
"No, I thank you for caring," he looks into her eyes, trying to win her back this way at least for a short while, like a few minutes ago when the call interrupted them.
"Of course I care, I just cannot help wishing it was a nightmare," she stands his gaze for a few seconds, before she looks at her mug again.
He has to stop himself from touching her. It would be so easy to just put his hand on hers that's lying close to her on the table.
"I'm sorry, also for bringing Will into it, I didn't know who else to call."
"It was odd to see him again after all this time," she lifts her gaze and he can see the pain in her eyes that the mention of her ex partner caused.
"Maybe you should try to bury that hatchet, it's been months," he suggests, even though he knows it's not his place to interfere. Diane and Will have known each other for long enough to be able to solve their problems if they really mean to.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"All right, so what do you want to do until the afternoon?"
He wants to use this moment of peace between them to his advantage, but the way she hides her eyes from him again doesn't promise anything good.
"I have some work to do," she replies what both of them know is only an excuse, but he has no choice but to accept it.
"I see. I was hoping we could finally spend some time together."
"I'm sorry."
"That's okay, I'm going to make us some lunch. What would you like to have?"
"Whatever you feel like cooking," she replies with a smile, showing she appreciates that he's taking care of her like that.
"Would you at least have breakfast with me before you start working?" he gives it a last try and this time he doesn't have to be disappointed.
"Of course."