Another filler chapter. I've been wanting to add more moments for Lily and Iain, and decided that a snow themed chapter would be the good idea to add one.


Chapter 21

As a child, Lily loved the snow.

It was the perfect excuse to wear her fluffy mahogany coat with the tartan green fabric on the inside. The snow was the perfect opportunity for her mother's mug of hot chocolate to warm her blood, making her feel refreshed. Winter weather was also a breath of fresh air, with the snow making the scenery feel magical, as if Lily was living a real-life fairy tale.

It was also another reason why Lily also wished she was a bird as a child. Since their bodies become puffier like their coats, their bodies heat can warm the air between their feathers, so they never feel cold. It also allowed the birds to huddle together within a tree branch, finding easy access to shelter. Lily felt that way, she would have been able to help others keep warm, also providing comfort and being within good company.

Looking at the weather now, sadness threatened to take over. How long will the next snow fall take? Weeks? Months? A year?

Would she be around to see the next snow fall?

"Lily?" she turned around to find Iain with two mugs of hot chocolate.

Wrapping her cold fingers around one of the mugs, Lily inhaled as she felt the blood rushing back into her fingers the moment her hands touched the mug. She carefully placed her lips on the rim of the mug, allowing the aroma of the cocoa intoxicate her senses. How did she not realise Iain had gotten better at making them?

"Thank you," Lily smiled at him, before turning to the window, "It looks amazing. I can't take my eyes off it. Not for one minute."

"You sure you're not an Ice Queen?" Iain snorted to which Lily giggled, "Sorry I, destroyed the moment."

Iain and Lily were both careful to avoid the word 'death' as well as other words that associated with it. When they made plans to go travelling together, that was a promise to each other. A promise that they will do whatever they can to survive cancer or die trying. It felt strange that goal was put into place, but Lily couldn't believe that it's now in place, even with the treatment. It was also a motivator for her to not give up, to do all she can to secure that future.

But mentioning the word 'death', it would have destroyed all ounces of hope the two of them shared about their future.

"How did you get this tasting amazing?" Lily asked him, "This is the best I've ever tasted."

"Hey," Iain glared at her, "I can do wonders for this!"

"Iain?"

"Your mother gave me the recipe," Iain admitted.

"She really likes you," Lily giggled, "She wouldn't give it to just anyone."

"I'm charmed," Iain smiled, before grabbing another chair beside her, "You're not feeling cold either, are you?"

"No," Lily admits, "I wished I was, another sign of feeling normal. I wish I could go out there, but being told, 'Don't put your health at risk'."

"It's not fair," Iain wrapped an arm around her, as the two watched the snow fall, "But let's remind ourselves this. It'll be over."

"Yeah," Lily smiled at the snow, before standing up to walk to the sofa.

Iain followed her over to the sofa, as he pulls his hat down to cover his ears. Looking at Lily, pulling her own hat down and taking her phone off the coffee table. It was a quiet day for the two of them, their next chemotherapy session was tomorrow, and Gem was currently working a long day before going out with Rash. Just the two of them in the flat, not a single sound was made. There wasn't much on the television either, it was times like this the two wished they were at work.

"I don't mind putting something random on," Lily suggested, "Gives us something more to look at."

"You can do," Iain smiled, pulling her in his arms, "Maybe there's something decent."

"If not, should we watch more of Riverdale?" Lily suggested, "Maybe it could be something to do on quiet days."

"Please tell me you haven't been watching episodes when I'm not around," Iain glared at her, "We promised we'd watch them together."

"Oh, like you haven't broken that vow yourself!" Lily complained.

"I haven't!" Iain argued back, "And the fact that you don't trust me is insulting."

"Then how come the Arrow season 1 boxset has a disc from season 2?" Lily crossed her arms, smirking when Iain couldn't give a response, "Busted."

"Okay one time!"

"Iain?"

"Alright three," Iain muttered under his breath, "It was your fault in the first place, you kept egging on for more episodes."

"We had the night and the next day off," Lily reminded, before she couldn't stop herself.

Iain couldn't blame her, it was funny how easy it is to get caught up on something, they had to debate on it. It was those silly arguments that the two of them enjoy, making them feel like an ordinary couple. Not once was the word 'health' mentioned within that argument. It was a welcome distraction for the two as they began laughing together with their own silliness.

"How did this all start?" Lily giggled.

"Not a clue," Iain chuckled, as he felt Lily's arms wrap around him, snuggling closer, "Let's see what's on."

Iain grabbed the remote, flicking through the channels. Already everyone was talking about one thing only. With schools closing due to horrible conditions, children were spotted going toboggining, taking part in races. Snowball fights were started as people were covered in snow, whilst snowmen were also built.

"At least others are having fun," Iain chuckled, "Some of the snowmen looked well presented. That can't have been easy."

"I never built one," Lily whispered, to Iain's shock.

"Never?"

"My father made me study on snow days," Lily explained, "He made me study with books that we have so that I don't fall behind when school closes."

"That's no childhood," Iain mentioned, "So you never once made a snowman?"

"No," Lily mentioned, "It would have been nice to build one."

Iain felt torn. On the one hand, he knew he'd be taking a huge risk with both his health and her health. They've been told not to take any unnecessary chances with their health. If he decided to take Lily out into the snow, they could be putting themselves at risk of seriously becoming ill. That was the measures Connie put them through with the Christmas party, when the flu outbreak had hit the ED.

However, looking at the window, Iain knew that it would be a while before the next snow fall. Months, years, maybe. Their lives are now completely different because of their illness, not to mention the next snow fall, they won't see as they'll be in a different country. So why should Lily miss out of the opportunity to build a snowman.

With that in mind, Iain quickly jumped out of the sofa. He knew that they could take a warm shower once they got back in to feel warm again as well as a change in clothes. Walking over to the coat rack, he found his and Lily's coats and scarfs. He walked over with Lily's coat, placing it next to her, to her confusion.

"What's this?" Lily asked him, taking her coat.

"We're going outside," Iain smiled at her, "You're going to build your first snowman."

"What happened to don't take any risks?" she asked him.

"What happened to last chances?" Iain asked her back, "When will you have this opportunity again? This time next year, we'll be out of the country. We could have Sam and Ethan posting photos of them out in the snow and where could we be?"

"We could be in Australia, swimming with sharks," Lily hinted.

"Snow doesn't happen in Australia," Iain chuckled, "And you have a point, we could be anywhere."

Lily couldn't believe Iain was suggesting something that crazy, but the madness didn't come from his suggestion. Or the decision to ignore what Iain had said about not risking going out. Or that Iain never seemed to stop surprising her.

It came from Lily not wanting to object the crazy suggestion.

"You're a terrible influence," Lily smiled as she slid her arms into the sleeve of her red coat, "But a welcome one."

Iain smiled at her, as she pulled her boots on. It was amazing to see her being excited over something that was completely small, like the weather. All comments aside, the two both knew that it could rain even during the summer, but snow only happens during cold periods. Not to mention that they haven't seen a single snow fall last year, so this is a special moment for the two.

When Lily made her first step onto the snow, she felt her feet sink to the ground. How many inches did the snow reach onto the back garden? The snow felt as soft as a pillow, fluffy as well. If it wasn't so cold, Lily would have happily spent her entire life outside. Cold air was just as refreshing as it touched her flustered face. It was a perfect haven to see Iain out as well.

"Right," Iain grinned, "First thing we need is a massive ball of snow. Help me push some into a ball, we can use that for the base."

Lily smiled at him, kneeling to help him out. It feels nice that Iain is teaching her how to do something practical. Feeling the cold snow on her knees, Lily picked up more snow, adding it on to the snowman, making the base as high to her waist.

"Okay, do we need another one for the middle?" Lily asked.

"For someone who has never built one, you know your stuff," Iain smiled at her, "Yeah, I'll work on the middle. If you could, make a ball half the size of the base. Make sure you have holes in for the eyes, nose and mouth."

Lily went to a patch and collected snow just for the head. Eager, she found a good amount of snow, scooping it up from the ground and rolling it into a ball. She quickly noticed the green grass trail that she was leaving behind. Ignoring this, she lifted the ball, smiling when she saw a slightly smaller ball, resting on the base.

"How did it take you a short time?" Lily asked, so close to dropping the ball and smashing it.

"I spent my snow days building snowballs," Iain smirked, taking the snowball before Lily could drop it, resting it on top of the middle base, "Perfect."

Iain took a step back, amazed by the work of art he and Lily had created. He can see the facial features that Lily had created from the head of the snowman. Grabbing his phone from his trouser pocket, he smiled as he took the photo. Taking a good look, he felt proud of their teamwork.

Iain's focus was cut short, when he felt something knock him forward on his back. Stepping forward to avoid falling into the snow, he turned to face Lily, standing as if butter wouldn't melt. Oh, he knew what she just did, her face may spell out innocent, but the snow on her glove spelt guilty. Another giveaway was that she had another snowball in her hand.

Iain wasn't going to let Lily get away with that!

"You're going to wish you never did that!" Iain declared, picking up snow from the ground.

Only for Lily to catch him off guard with another snowball, causing his snow to fall on the ground.

"Funny, I wish I had a third snowball," Lily laughed at him.

"Oh," Iain took a deep breath as he picked up the snow he dropped, "You're asking for it now."


Iain settled himself down on the sofa after a warm shower, determined to keep himself and Lily warm after their fun hour out in the snow. Noticing Lily had gone into the kitchen, he put on the television, hoping to put on the latest episode of Riverdale, ready for them to watch together (Although he suspect that she broke their promise as well). Hearing the kitchen door open, he smiled when he saw Lily walk into the sitting room, two mugs of hot chocolate in hand.

"Thank you," he smiled at her, chuckling at himself, "I know next snowball fight, I can call on you for reinforcements."

"Yeah," Lily smiled, "Sorry for that. I couldn't resist."

"I could tell," Iain laughed, "You can be a big kid when you want to be."

"I spent most of my childhood looking at the snow, wishing I could join in," Lily sighed, "All I wanted was to have fun as a child. But I was forced to make school a priority. I guess I'm trying to make up for the childhood I never had."

Iain felt his heart sink for her, it can't have been easy for her to miss out on all the fun things that he took for granted as a child.

"Anyway," Lily turned to him, "What's your excuse?"

Iain laughed at Lily breaking the sad moment, "To be honest, I never grew up. You have so much more fun being childish."

Lily giggled at him, moving herself to be closer to him. The warmth she felt from him, relaxed her gently. She felt his heartbeat, beating to the regular rhythm, taking her mind off all the stresses that have been occurring in her life. The drumbeat, was relaxing her, taking her to a calming realm of paradise.

"Iain," Lily whispered, "Can we have more moments like today? When we can feel as if we can do anything?"

"We will do," he whispered back, wrapping his arms around her, "Whether we get better or are still fighting, we will do. I promise."

"You broke the last promise," Lily reminded him, "To be honest, so did I."

"I knew you couldn't resist Riverdale," Iain smirked at her, "Please don't spoil anything to me. Promise?"

"Only if you keep those episodes of Arrow hidden from me," Lily smiled into him.

"I promise," Iain smiled, hugging her into him, kissing the skin from the top of her head, "I promise."


The duvet felt so warm, that Lily was scared that once she untangled herself, the cold air could hit her again. She can feel her blood travel all around her veins and arteries, keeping her body warm. Her pillows also provided a sense of warmth towards her skin as she rested her head against them. Another source of body heat came from the contact from her finance's hand, allowing them to share each other's body heat.

Just like how the birds share their body heat against the cold.

"This is a random question," Iain whispered, "Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"That is a random question," Lily giggled turning to face him, "Why do you ask?"

"It was something I've seen on television," Iain explained, "Basically there's this person and when they die, they can pass on and reincarnate into another person. It's like the happiest day in one family is the saddest day for another."

"Makes sense," Lily whispered, "I was once told this one phrase, 'A flower doesn't grow without a little rain.' Sometimes if given the chance, new and improved discoveries are uncovered by the generations that are left behind."

"I'm never religious," Iain mentioned, "But I sometimes wonder what would happen if anything were to happen. Would we go somewhere? Or would we be reborn as something else?"

"Like our spirit is passed on to someone else," Lily smiled, moving closer to Iain, "It sounds like people could never die."

"It doesn't even have to be another human being," Iain explains, "Which means that you and me, we could become birds."

"So now the idea of being a bird is appealing?" Lily smirked at him, "Okay, what convinced you?"

Iain didn't answer her, but Lily knew what he meant as he pulled her into his arms, allowing her to rest her head on his chest. She listened carefully as she took in his steady heartbeat, beating for every time she took a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Not failing to notice she was drawing with her finger a pattern on the back of his neck which was like the pattern he was drawing along her spine.

"Lily?"

"Yes?"

"If there is any time you want to feel like a little child," Iain whispered, "Let me know, and we'll find something together."

"Thank you," Lily smiled, rest her hand on his cheek, kissing the side of his neck, before his soft lips.

Even though Lily felt happy with moments like this, there is still a glint of sadness within the environment. With Iain's heartbeat soothing her, allowing her to fall asleep gently and within a loving environment and the warmth of the duvet hugging the two, Lily knew that these moments are the happiest moments of her life.

Sadly, for Lily, she knows one thing about these moments.

They have to end somehow.


I hope you enjoyed this short chapter!