This was one of the chapters that I wanted to post last month, however I felt as if it was too rushed.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter 19

When Iain discovered Lily's secret of being just as disorganised as him, it was the biggest surprise of his life. But Lily's skills of being disorganised is useful sometimes since whenever Iain want to find something, it was right in front of him. Just like the notebook she left from the night before her first chemotherapy session.

Iain opened the notebook, trying to take in what to expect from the drugs entering his veins. Nothing. Of all the things Lily leaves out, she leaves the impact that life changing treatment would have to his health. He was still unsure if the treatment would be painful, or how long he would be in the hospital for, or would he be alone during the treatment?

"Iain?" he quickly rested the notebook, the moment he saw a glimpse of Lily, who was holding onto a box, struggling to carry it.

"Hold on," Iain jumped up to support Lily with the box, looking at it, "Maybe there was a reason you never go to Switch On. It's the middle of November."

"I know," Lily smiled, as they set the box aside, "But if you're not going to sleep before your first chemo session, at least make yourself useful and help me decorate a tree."

"Gem will go nuts if she sees the tree in the middle of November," Iain argued, taking in every word he just said, "Actually, forget I said that! Where are we putting this?"

"I was hoping over there," Lily smiled, pointing to the spare corner, "Plenty of space."

Cal hated himself for thinking it, but it was funny seeing his little brother limping following his little workout on Sunday. Ethan tried to limit moving around as he felt as if his limbs suddenly turned to stone overnight, making movement very slow. It was clear that Ethan is genuinely unfit, as he was clearly not used to the intense workout.

Deep down, Cal doesn't want his brother to give up on this. Sure, he was more tired. Sure, he was struggling to move around. Sure, he was going to be in pain for a while. But Ethan would one day become accustomed to the pain that he wouldn't notice it anymore, he'll be a lot fitter (especially considering he'll be running a ten-kilometre run as well), and he'll be interacting more with others as well.

"Any advice for sore muscles?" Ethan groaned, looking through a patient's notes.

"Do more of what you're doing," Cal smirked, "You'll get used to it. When's the next training session?"

"We've arranged it for tomorrow," Ethan sighed, "Hopefully my muscles will feel better."

"Tomorrow?" Ethan and Cal looked up to see Alicia opposite the nurse's station, "You've haven't forgotten we were supposed to be going to the cinema tomorrow night?"

"I've spoken to Sam," Ethan sighed, "We'll be training in the morning. We'll have time for the film."

"So, it's with Sam again," Alicia frowned, "Why do I sound worried?"

Cal knew Alicia had a problem with Sam spending time with her boyfriend, but she had nothing to worry about. Sam was helping Ethan, and Ethan was making a lot of time with Alicia as well. Ethan and Sam needed each other more than ever; they have a mutual ground with what's been going on. A lot of people all were in awe with Ethan and Sam becoming fast friends, showing that in the hardest of times, everyone can be brought closer together.

"Alicia," Ethan growled, "Sam's my friend, and you don't see a problem with me being best friends with Lily! Now, there's a problem with me being friends with Sam?"

"That's different!" Alicia argued, "Lily is ill!"

"So, it was you who upset them last week?"

Ethan, Cal and Alicia turned to see Sam and the new paramedic Ruby behind them. No one knew how long the two were around, but it looked as if Sam heard a little bit of their argument.

And judging by Sam's facial expression, she did not like hearing what Alicia had to say about her friend.

The corridors felt quiet, spacious and empty. The grey floors were as shiny as the windows displaying the gardens, whilst the walls were decorated in a horrible, mustard shade of yellow. It looked hideous, revolting, ugly. Was this supposed to be the corridor to provide comfort to people going to be going through?

Iain couldn't understand how.

Lily and Iain walked out of the scary corridor and entered a waiting room, which looked more appealing than the horrid walls. With the baby blue walls, and the navy seats along with a pile of magazines, resting on a white coffee table. The two walked over to the reception desk to talk to the receptionist.

"Hello," she smiled at the two, before noticing looking at her computer, "Can I take a name please?"

"Lily Chao," Lily smiled.

"Iain Dean," Iain followed her.

"Okay," the receptionist looked up to the two of them, "If the two of you would like to come with me, we can get you both settled in."

Gem could have sworn blind she was dreaming last night.

Yesterday, before she left for her night shift, she left Iain and Lily having their usual debate over the nonsense television programme that they were both getting into. It was typical how a television show that had the four main characters being teenagers can have a major impact on a couple of adults.

But the strangest thing was, when Gem returned home from her night shift, she could have sworn she saw a Christmas tree in the corner of the sitting room, in the middle of November.

Walking past the sitting room and entering the kitchen, Gem turned on the radio, already dancing along to the sound to Ed Sheeran, moving to the beat of the music, ensuring she doesn't miss a single beat as she opened the fridge, taking the jam out, resting it on the table, closing the cupboard, grabbing the bread, sticking it into the toaster, turning the toaster on, before stopping to catch her breath.

Maybe she should ask Sam to train her as well as Ethan, if she was getting tired already.

Gem was interrupted by her thoughts when she heard the door knock. Strange, she wasn't expecting anyone to visit. And Iain and Lily are off to their chemotherapy session, so why would someone come to visit them?

Gem walked over to the door, before opening it.

Only, she didn't expect to see who she was facing.

Surely, this woman…she couldn't be.

"Lily's your daughter?" Gem asked, startled.

"You must be Iain's sister," she worked it out as well, "That means that my daughter, she didn't tell me everything."

Lily didn't realise that some areas are okay with unisex areas, which worked well for her having Iain beside her. She didn't know why she felt so easy this time compared to the last session. Maybe it was down to knowing what to expect from the last time, or knowing no one was going to be having words with anyone (She was worried Sam was going to have a go at Iain at the worst possible time), or that this time, Iain is right beside her.

"We meet again."

Lily and Iain froze at the voice as they turned to the girl beside Lily.

"Hi," the girl with the pink hair smiled, "Lily, isn't it?"

"Hi Cinda," Lily smiled, "How are you?"

"About to have the most uncomfortable drug entering my system," Cinda joked, before noticing Iain, "Sorry, forget I said that! It's not uncomfortable at all."

"It's alright," Iain reassured her, "You must be Cinda. I've heard about the bass player in the band. My sister wants to learn."

"Your sister's got taste," Cinda smirked, before softening towards the two, "So, this means you're facing cancer as well?"

Lily and Iain looked at each other. It felt nice to have some banter around between cancer patients, it felt to them as if they weren't scared, or saddened, or annoyed that their lives have been impact on the treatment they would need to have, in order to survive.

It felt natural.

"Yeah," Iain sighed, taking Lily's hand, "But we can get through this."

"Yeah," Lily smiled as the nurse walks in with his observational chart, "We will."

"I didn't upset them!" Alicia insisted to Sam, "They were already distraught and who can blame them?"

Alicia couldn't believe what Sam was accusing her of! She would never upset anyone intentionally, and to be accused by Sam Nicholls (Of all people) was painful. Alicia felt as if the day went well, and that she made sure Iain and Lily felt as if they had a friend who would look out for them. There's no way, Alicia could have hurt someone. She wouldn't, especially if they had cancer.

"That's odd," Sam growled at her, "Because Lily told me on Saturday that someone went to see her and Iain! The pair were just having a casual argument over some stupid television show they were getting into when they were greeted by a friend!"

"Alicia," Cal pleaded with her, "We know you had something to do with them getting upset. Please just tell us what happened?"

"There's no need," Sam explained, "Lily told me that someone just straight away took over even the manual of tasks. Lily and Iain were forced to sit down, in their own home. It made them feel as if they couldn't look after themselves."

Alicia froze when Sam explained that. How? What? She didn't mean to upset anyone, she honestly thought she was doing a nice thing. Her grandfather was ill with cancer and he was grateful for the additional help he received. Alicia thought she was helping Lily and Iain, making the two feel comfortable. Instead she ended up taking charge of things, making the two feels, feel, feel.

"Oh my," Alicia breathed out, "I didn't mean to. I was only trying to help."

"Sometimes, just being there is enough," Cal reassured her, "I know you meant well Alicia, but it must have come out in a different way to Lily and Iain."

"But Lily's hair fell out," Alicia found that tears were forming in her eyes, "When we saw them, she was wearing a woolly hat."

"Lily and Iain made the mutual decision to shave it off," Ethan explained, "Lily's hair was falling out, so Iain made the decision to shave off bits of his hair to match," Ethan snorted at the memory, "He's basically making everyone else look bad."

"You only saw the cancer," Ruby sighed to Alicia, "A friend with cancer, is still a friend. Like my cousin, he's battling leukaemia but he refuses to let his illness define who he is. Sometimes, he's able to joke about it. Some may find it distasteful, but for Luke, it's a way of feeling normal."

Alicia looked at the new paramedic. She's only been here a couple of days, but she was confident and calming. Her non-judgmental approach seemed to have settled everyone down.

"Maybe you should have looked at Lily's finger, since Iain asked a question to her the night before," Ethan mentioned to Alicia, "They may not be a normal couple now, but let's be honest. They were never normal in the first place."

Iain had to admit; this didn't feel so bad so far. The main assumption he made that it would only be an hour having drugs through his veins were out the window. There was so much he didn't realise about having chemotherapy, especially checking for bloods and the observations as well. It felt and it did make him feel comfortable that the nurses wanted to make sure that he, Lily and Cinda were all safe.

"Why do these adverts keep popping up?" Cinda complains, setting her phone down, "It's the middle of November!"

"Christmas lights are on," Lily smirked at her, "Some people like to be early."

"You've done all your shopping already, haven't you?" Iain snorted.

"I'll put my hands up and admit I have," Lily sighed, "I've also done the people on your list as well. So, no need to worry."

"Those parcels were ordered by you," Iain chuckled, "Yeah, I'm not taking you to a switch on again."

"I thought you two were grown up," Cinda complained.

"Have you've read the Christmas Carol?" Lily asked her.

"Bah!" Cinda groaned, "Humbug!"

Lily and Iain couldn't hold it in, the pair found themselves laughing at her. It seemed to Iain that Cinda had warmed to the two of them just as they warmed to her. It was hard to believe that this pink haired girl was battling cancer as she didn't seem sad, or scared, or annoyed. She seemed to be taking everything into her stride, which made the experience more comfortable. Iain doubted they would have gotten along if it weren't for the news that they were all battling cancer.

It was as if they were brought together due to a mutual enemy.

Neither one of them said a word for a few hours.

It dawned on Gem that whilst Lily had told her mother that she had cancer, she failed to tell her the full story. Judging by the reaction on Mrs. Chao's face, Gem could really see her mother was deeply hurt by the secrecy. Gem suddenly thought about her own mother and the decision that she and Iain had made in not telling her about the cancer.

What would happen if she were to find out some other way?

"I'm really sorry about what has happened," Gem whispered, handing her a mug of tea, "I didn't know Lily never told you about what was happening."

"I've messed up completely," Mrs Chao whispered, "She's my daughter. Why did she feel the need to keep something like this from me?"

"Lily was clearly scared," Gem reassured her, "She did mention that Iain was the first guy she fell for that she wasn't sure you and her father would."

"That shouldn't matter," Mrs Chao explained, "I'm sorry Gem, but Lily's right. Iain wouldn't have been my first choice for my daughter's partner."

Gem was secretly hurt that Lily's mother would say that, when she first met her, she seemed okay that Lily was seeing someone, happy even!

"But that shouldn't matter to Lily at all," she sighed at Gem, "I don't have a say in who Lily goes for, and I shouldn't have a say at all. The only people who should say that Lily and Iain should be together, is them," Gem smiled at this statement, "I'm just hurt that Lily never told me! Oh God, she was losing her hair! I should have been there for her!"

"She chose to shave it off at the end," Gem whispered, taking her hand, "Iain stood by her side when she did it. In fact, he went and done it as well."

"I don't think your brother would be the one to just stand by and watch," Mrs Chao smiled at her, "Cancer or no cancer, he would have braved the look with her. How is he coping anyway?"

"The first session was today," Gem explained, "That's why he and Lily weren't in. I didn't know that you knew."

"I wish I did," Mrs Chao sighed, "I do want to thank you. You've not only helped support me, but you've also helped my daughter as well in the darkest of times. You're a strong lady, and I have a feeling, Iain is proud to have you as his little sister."

Gem felt the tears starting to fall from her eyes, it was so lovely to hear someone compliment her on her courage, her kindness, her heart. Gem thought that she would never be able to please anyone, she made so many mistakes before, it was unbelievable. Never in a million years, did she hear anyone telling her that she's doing a good job. Suddenly, the confidence begun to rise, and Gem has only now just noticed it.

"Thank you, Mrs Chao," Gem choked up.

"Gem," she squeezed her hand, "Please, Li-Na would do just fine."

"Okay," the nurse sat down with Iain and Lily, "Just to let you two know, you'll both be ready to go home. Iain, it is important that you inform us of any side effects such as sickness, so that we can provide the medication for you for the next time."

Lily and Iain both nodded at the statement, knowing that they were able to provide something for Lily after she reported to him that she felt sick during the treatment. The pair were unsure over how they were going to get home, knowing that they've walked it to the clinic, now they need to see about booking transport to get home.

Lily's phone suddenly went, and she froze when she saw the message from Alicia.

Sam told me what happened. I'm sorry for what I did, that was the last thing you and Iain needed Xx

How did Sam work out it was Alicia who visited the two? It didn't matter as Lily was secretly annoyed with the paramedic for interfering when she pleaded with her not to say anything. The trust she had given to Sam and she betrayed it by going off at Alicia. That was why Lily never told her who it was. Was anyone else there to witness this? Lily seriously hoped not.

"You okay?" Iain asked her.

"I need to have words with Sam," Lily frowned, "I told her what happened, and she flipped at Alicia! I told her she meant no harm!"

"Hang on," Iain questioned, "How did she work out it was Alicia? I thought you kept the name anonymous?"

"I did," Lily whispered, the fear building up.

"Don't panic," Iain reassured her, taking her hand, "You heard what the nurse said. It's important to look after yourself. How about, when we get home, we'll put on those tree lights, put Netflix on and snuggle on the sofa?"

"No thanks," Lily insisted, "I'd rather watch Dara goes 8 Bit! I really want to watch those players fail."

"Sounds alright to me," Iain smiled, pulling her into his arms, when he noticed a car pulling up beside him as the door opened, "Although I think we'll be having some visitors."

Lily pulled away from Iain as the confusion rose within her. Carefully turning herself around in Iain's arms, she came face to face with the woman in question. Her eyes were filled with sadness, something Lily hasn't seen since her father passed away.

"Mother?" Lily whispered in her mother tongue, unable to picture her mother looking at her.

"Daughter," she sobbed in Chinese, running to her daughter, stroking her face and taking a glance at Iain, "I know about Iain. Why didn't you tell me?"

Iain froze when he heard his name. The pain in Lily's mother's eyes, it was clear she worked out that he was ill as well. How did she find out about this? He thought that they were both extremely careful about it! The fear has now risen in his veins now…

…only to relax when he felt his future mother-in-law wrap her arms around him.

Just a warning about the next chapter, it'll be another Christmas chapter as I'm aiming to continue with the story. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.