~December 31, 2025 New Year's Eve Party ~ Fixed Future

Darien scooped her into his arm, with some difficulty, and began to shove through the crowd.

Reginald jumped out of the way, and followed after a slight pause.

Reaching the car, after desperate struggling through crowds, Darien managed to open the door and place Diana in the passenger seat, rushing round to drive. "Don't worry, we'll get there."

Lucia turned to Ferderico. "I'll owl the family."

"And I'll go to the hospital." Ferderico replied and they went their separate ways.

_______


"Darien..." Pain. "Darien... please go faster...."

Darien sped through the streets like a drunk with road rage.

"Going as fast as I can..." He swerved down a side-street, taking all the shortcuts he could remember.

"Be - he... careFULL," Diana added. The pain was unimaginable.

"You told me to hurry!" Darien protested, veering onto the next street.

"Darien PUL-eeese!" Diana screamed. She did not want to have another baby.

"I'm trying!" Darien dodged a couple of cars, and kept on going.

"Nearly there love, hang on." He raced down the streets, skidding slightly as he rounded the bend, letting the wheel slide through his fingers for a second.

Two more corners to go...

Diana needed to focus on breathing. Just breathe. Breathe. "DA-rien."

"Just breathe, hang in there...remember all the stuff they said in those classes-" He shut up as he ignored a red light and shot across towards the hospital.

"Nearly there!" He almost yelled, triumphant.

Until a bus pulled out in front.

Swearing, he slowed and hit the horn repeatedly.

"Oh MY," Diana gasped. She needed to breathe, breathe.

The bus slowed, and began to pull into the centre of the road.

Darien gave up on the horn and jerked the wheel to the left, heading onto the pavement.

He slipped around the bus, narrowly avoiding some pedestrians, and back onto the road within the space of a few seconds.

"Darien WHAt are you DOing?" Diana closed her eyes.

"Driving." Darien replied, jerking the wheel aggressively as he pulled onto the street with St Mungos, and slipped into a free parking space.

Barely looking for traffic, he jumped out, slammed the door and ran to get Diana.

"Darien... this isn't... isn't supposed.... to be happen... ing." Diana said with concern. "It's too.... early."

"It'll be fine, people have premature babies every day." Darien assured her, though he wasn't positive himself.

Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her out of the car and kicked the door shut, carrying her in his arms. There was a click as it locked and he began to stumble towards the dark shop window that hid St Mungos.

Diana wrapped her hands tightly around Darien's neck. Oh the pain. She hoped that the baby was alright.

Darien staggered to the shop window and barged through it, shouting for help.

Healers soon responded, and moved Diana to a trolley. "It'll be alright." He told her, grabbing her hand.

"Darien," Diana gasped. "Don't leave me."

"I won't!" Darien ran alongside the trolley, still hanging on to her hand.

"I'm here."

Diana didn't want to do this alone. "What's wrong with me?" she asked the healer.

"You're having a premature birth." The Healer stated bluntly, as others rushed around, dragging the trolley into a small room.

"Will they be okay?" Darien asked anxiously.

"It's very likely." The Healer continued with his work, preparing instruments at one side.

"Just keep breathing, it'll be over in no time."

"I..." But Diana nodded and continued to focus on breathing.