Well, this update is late. I am really getting stuck on what to write for these episodes that go. So, I hope you enjoy this filler chapter especially as there might not be one for today's Saturday as there is no Casualty on. Enjoy :)

He lied to her.

He wasn't on the team that treated Scott. No, he was on the team that tried to let him die.

Lily would have been shocked and ashamed that he didn't heed her advice. But he didn't need to tell her, she was stressed and hormonal enough as it was.

Nursing a glass of Scotch, he ignored a text message from Dylan, asking for a drink.

He wanted to be left alone at the moment but he had heard that Sam had wanted to go out for a drink with Dylan.

The flat was quiet, apart from the occasional barking of the neighbour's dog or the loud TV from next door or even emergency calls via police or ambulance. Maybe Sam and Iain were on call. He hadn't really paid attention to his colleagues' shift times as his own shifts tended to drone on.

The intercom buzzed and he sighed. Please don't tell me Dylan's turned up at my door.

He got up and placed the phone on his ear. "Hello?"

It was late. Eleven at night. Who could honestly want to visit him at this time?

["Oh good, you're up. Open this door and help me with my suitcase, will you?"]

Ethan frowned, pressing the button and heading downstairs to help open the door fully.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, lifting the suitcase with ease.

"Pay the cab, I can't find my purse."

Ethan headed to where the cab was patiently waiting and dug into his pocket to retrieve his wallet which contained a ten-pound note. He handed it to the cab driver and put his wallet back into his pocket, glad that he hadn't bothered to when he first stepped into his flat.

He finally got back upstairs with the suitcase and placed it in front of the sofa, closing the door behind him.

"You look good," Ethan smiled, placing a kiss on Lily's cheek in greeting. "What brings you here? I thought-"

"I'm going to see Iain face to face. Oh and, I'm still on maternity leave remember?" She grinned.

Ethan smiled softly. "Yeah. I'm glad you guys are talking-"

"Is that alcohol?"

Lily pointed towards the left glass on the coffee table and Ethan followed her line of sight.

"Yeah. Stressful day, you wouldn't believe."

"It's not a regular thing, though?"

"Lily, I'm not an alcoholic nor do I intend to be."

Lily smiled. "Well, I miss having a glass of red wine but these two," she began, placing a loving hand on her bump. "make waiting worth it."

Ethan chuckled, reaching his hands out to touch it but he stopped. "May I?"

"Of course, go ahead." Lily smiled, leading his left hand to hover where one of them was kicking. "Can you feel my little football player or my ballet dancer? I wouldn't even mind if their roles were reversed. They are my blessing and that is all I require of them to be."

"Oh wow," Ethan breathed out, the soft kicks vibrating on his hand as if it were magic. "That's so relaxing to feel."

"Until one of them presses on your bladder mid-sleep and you have to roll out of bed at three in the morning."

"Highs and lows of pregnancy?"

Lily nodded. "Exactly that."

"Sit down, please. Don't stand up on my accord," he said, placing decorative pillows behind her back and collecting a footstool from by the table. "Rest your feet. I'm sure you've had a stressful trip."

"I have but I'm okay. A bit tired but I'll survive."

"Water? Something to eat." He headed to the kitchenette. "I haven't made anything to eat but I do have some leftovers that Duffy gave me yesterday after she heard I had another long shift."

Lily shook her head. "I'm fine. You can eat, I did at the airport."

"Okay," he said, sitting beside her instead.

"How's Alicia? She hasn't been answering my calls. I really wanted to tell her the good news and see how she was doing. Last time we spoke, she said something about Rash being why she had a stressful day. That was nearly a month ago."

Ethan paused, watching as Lily drew circles on her bump, a soft smile gracing her lips. He'd never seen her like this.

Lily was always so uptight, only willing to let her guard down around Iain and sometimes, him. She'd rarely smile or laugh but Ethan could agree that motherhood was something that came naturally to the seldom called 'Ice Princess'. Her ice was melting and two little rays of sunshine were the cause of that regardless of who their father was.

"Oh, we barely talk." Ethan sighed. Lying came easily but it was not exactly a lie.

"Why not? I thought you guys were going on dates?"

"Work got in the way."

Lily tutted. "You mean being Clinical Lead got in the way. You've got to make time for the both of you. She won't wait forever."

"What if she was the problem, Lily? Have you ever thought that?"

She frowned. "Wait, did something happen between the both you? What did she do?"

"Oh, nothing." He didn't want to break the bridges that she and Alicia had built. They were now close friends and he knew that if Lily found out, she'd take his side and not Alicia's. And she really needed all the girl pals she could get, especially being pregnant.

"It seems like something."

"We can sort it out. Don't worry. All you have to worry about is putting your feet up."

Lily smiled. "Well, if the offer is up to eat, can you go and get me some pickles? Not just any pickles. Those ones from McDonald's."

"Do you want a burger with that too?" Ethan chuckled, getting up.

"You're a lifesaver. Thanks. And also a large diet Coke. And chips. Ooh, and can you pitch in for a milkshake too? The strawberry one."

"Wow. I wasn't actually serious about the burger. I just thought you wanted the-"

"I'm messing with you. As I said, I've already eaten but these cravings aren't going anywhere."

Ethan laughed and gave her a short but tight hug. "It's nice having you back."

"It's good to be back."

Now with Lily back, there's going to be drama. Also, I got the cravings idea from a McDonald's advert from way back. Hope you enjoyed it.