Chapter 26

The only thing that they felt, touching them was the cold, wet droplets of water, falling from the sky. The only sounds that the two of them heard was the sound of the footsteps that the two of them were taking towards their friends' flat. The only thing that the two have seen were the blocks of apartments where some of them were awake, others were darkened as people went into a peaceful slumber.

Ethan placed his phone back in his pocket after sending the text to Alicia that he and Sam are going to visit Iain and Lily after work. A part of him was hesitant to mention to Alicia that Sam is going with him, but he decided to tell her, as he wanted to be honest with her. If she found out that Sam was there all along, then she wouldn't trust him again. Sam wasn't Alicia's favourite person now.

Part of him thought it was stupid, he didn't need to tell Alicia who he was going to be with tonight.

"You're alright?" Ethan turned to see Sam, looking at him with concern, "Has Alicia said anything?"

"No," Ethan sighed, "I've mentioned you were coming with me. I'm wondering what she'll say."

Sam felt her heart break on Ethan's behalf. He had given Alicia no reasons to doubt him and the fact that he's trying so hard to try and get Alicia to trust him is sad. Sam wonders why Alicia doesn't trust her; Ethan isn't even her type.

"I don't know why," Ethan mentioned, "I've been best friends with Lily and Alicia had no problem with that."

"Yeah," Sam mentioned, "I can talk to Alicia, tell her she has nothing to worry about."

"Thanks," Ethan smiled, "But we're all adults here. Although, I can't see a way that Alicia will trust me. I feel," Ethan took a deep breath, "Never mind. I don't want Lily to see me worked up."

Sam listened with intent.

She could swear blind, Ethan is starting to doubt his relationship with Alicia.

Iain laid down on the sofa, arms wrapped around Lily as he drew her in deeper. It felt nice for the two of them to do this again, and all it took was for them to just relax and go with the flow. He reached for Lily's cheek, only to freeze when his fingers touched her grey woolly hat.

Knowing how insecure Lily felt about her hair loss, he didn't want to upset her.

"It's okay," Lily whispered, taking a deep breath, before pulling her hat off and resting it on the floor.

Iain smiled at her, admiring the fire in her eyes as she's done this. Feeling the bravery empower him, he pulls his own hat and placed it next to hers. Hearing the laughter, he felt Lily's lips pressing against his, feeling her icy hands brushing against his flustered cheeks. Smiling against the kiss, he's found Lily's other hand climbing under his jumper, before she carefully broke away from the kiss.

She climbed off him, walking over to the door, grabbing the key as she walked past. Determined not to have any unwanted distractions, she locked the door before turning to face Iain, who followed her with intent. Looking at his hand, Lily laced her fingers with his, before pulling him to their bedroom.

As soon as she saw Iain walk past the doorframe, she smiled as he closed the door with his free hand. Noticing that his fiancée is smiling at him, Iain began to smile back as he guided her to the foot of the bed, pulling her close as their lips once again met.

Ethan and Sam smiled at each other as they reached the front door. Ready for them to knock on the door to see either Lily or Iain come in. Both knew Gem was at work so the two have the place to themselves. And judging by the looks of things, they were just about to put on a movie.

Ethan knocked three times on the door.

But no one answered.

Strange, Iain and Lily wouldn't leave guests hanging normally. Unless something happened again.

Sam begun to panic at the thought of that, nodding to Ethan, she knocked the door five times.

Still no answer.

The rain was starting to pour down heavily on them. Why weren't the two answering the door? It was starting to concern the two. Something must be happening for the two not to answer the door.

"Let me give Iain a call," Sam suggested, dialling her phone.

Iain smiled as he felt Lily's cold hands pull his jumper over his head before she pressed her lips against his. Moving away from her lips, he drew his on her neck as he felt hers tickling his cheek. He pulled away, smiling as he brushed his thumb against her flustered cheek. The feeling made Lily giggle as she leaned forward to kiss his lips.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Lily pulled away from Iain, looking at the end table to find her phone vibrating.

"Leave it," Iain whispered, "It's too late to be important."

Lily smiled at him, before leaning closer to Iain, pressing her lips against his own. She leaned closer to him as she felt his arms wrap around her waist.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The pair pulled away from each other, both annoyed that the sound of the second phone. Who was calling them at this time of night? What do they want with them?

Lily reluctantly rolled herself off Iain, leaning on her stomach as she grabbed the cause of those annoying vibrations. Her face frowned the moment she saw the missed call with Ethan's name on the screen.

Lily was about to put the phone aside, until she felt her phone vibrate for the third time.

"It's Ethan," she whispered to Iain, "He's not going to take no for an answer."

Iain felt his head fall to the pillow, annoyed that Ethan had decided now to call them. He felt guilty, this is his friend who was behind the call.

"I'm sorry," Lily whispered.

"Don't apologise," Iain whispered back, stroking her face, "He just took us by surprise, normally he'd be in bed on a Monday night."

Lily smiled as she answered the phone, "Hi Ethan."

"Hi Lily," Lily pressed the speaker on, allowing Iain to hear him, "Is everything okay? Sam and I are outside your door, but no one is answering."

Lily looked at Iain. What do they do now? They can't leave Ethan and Sam outside, not in this weather at least. The two must be freezing outside!

"Everything's fine," Iain answered, "We're just about to get ready for bed. We're coming up now."

Iain quickly hung up the phone. A part of him wanted to tell the two to go home and they'll call them in the morning. But the two must have walked it to the flat, in the pouring rain. It'd be rude of them to turn the pair away. Plus, he knew that Lily would feel guilty if they turned them away.

"I'm sorry," Lily sighed.

"It's fine," Iain smiled, "We have all the time. We'll try it again, with no distractions. At least we know when it'll happen, it'll happen. We don't need to plan anything special."

Lily smiled at him, before sitting herself up from the bed to walk to the sitting room. Even though she didn't mind Iain and Gem seeing her, she still didn't feel comfortable having anyone else see her without a hat or wig, not even Ethan. Placing her hat over her head, she walked over to Iain to hand him the second hat.

"Thanks," he smiled, taking the hat and placing the hat over his head as the two walked to the door.

It was all starting to make sense to her now.

Ethan wasn't normally interested in doing athletic activity. With Lily fighting cancer, Ethan had been missing his best friend. With Lily being off work, Ethan hasn't got anyone to confide to. With Lily fighting for her life, Ethan is constantly worried that soon, he'll lose his best friend to a cruel disease.

But Lily wasn't the only one battling cancer. Iain's also battling the disease as well. And his survival rate is lower than Lily's.

And who was Iain's best friend? His confidant? His ally?

Sam.

Louise groaned to herself. How could she have been so stupid? Of course, Ethan and Sam had been training together. Spending time together. It made sense that the best friends of the couple who had taken time off would be spending so much time together. They became each other's confidant through this difficult time.

Louise suddenly begun to realise that Alicia had got nothing to worry about. She's seen Ethan's friendship with Lily, and there was nothing going on between them, they're more like brother and sister. And Iain torments Sam, just like an irritating brother.

Hearing the doorbell, she walked over to the door.

"Alicia," Louise whispered, seeing her standing by her door.

"Can I come in?" Alicia asked nervously, "I've just found out, Ethan's going out with Sam tonight."

Lily placed the bottle of champagne back in the fridge, mentally kicking herself for leaving it out in the kitchen. Grabbing the two mugs, she carefully placed them both on the coffee table for Sam and Ethan. It was a mystery that the two came tonight, and she felt bad for telling Ethan that it was just her and Iain tonight.

Oh well, things can't be helped.

"Here you go," Lily smiled at the two, "What brings you two here anyway?"

"I did something stupid," Sam sighed, "Ethan thought bringing me here would cheer me up."

"Nothing serious then," Iain chuckled, "You've always done stupid things."

"I tried to kiss Cal," Sam glared at him, "Nothing I've done could top that."

Ethan closed his eyes. He was startled to learn that not only had Sam tried to kiss Cal, but he pushed her away. That doesn't sound like his brother at all. He normally goes after the girls who are vulnerable. But he pushed her away, because she was sad. Maybe Sam was different to the rest.

Maybe Cal was in love with her.

"I don't think Cal rejected you," Ethan explained, "If he tried anything like that, he would be taking advantage of you. I think he cares about you too much."

"He's also admitted to liking you," Lily explained, "He did say you're not like other girls he's been with."

"I don't know," Sam groaned.

"Sam, when he tried it on with others," Lily took a deep breath, "Me included, it just ended up straight to the bedroom. You two haven't even kissed yet and it's been what, three-four months?"

"What are you saying?" Sam asked.

"He has so much respect for you," Lily smiled at her, "He's taking his time to make you feel comfortable."

Sam smiled at the thought. Trouble is, she's been going through a stressful time of it lately. Her best friend is battling cancer. Her new work schedule has changed. Not to mention, she's been dedicating her time to train for a fun run to raise a lot of money to help support people whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Would she be able to manage a relationship as well?

"What do you think?" Sam turns to Ethan, "Should I ask Cal on an official date?"

"You're asking me?" Ethan asked shocked.

Wasn't it always Iain Sam asked for advice?

Louise placed two glasses of wine on her coffee table. Deep down, she had a feeling that Alicia could do with one.

"I don't know what he sees in her!" Alicia gasped, leaning back on the sofa, "They have nothing in common!"

"I think they do," Louise commented.

"What?" Alicia asked her, shocked.

Wasn't Louise on her side?

"Ethan and Sam have one thing in common," Louise explained, "Whose Ethan's best friend at the hospital?"

"Ethan doesn't have a best friend working in the hospital," Alicia muttered.

"Okay," this wasn't working, "Who does Ethan talk to in the ED a lot?"

"Sam apparently," Alicia rolled her eyes.

"Before Sam," Louise asked her.

Louise was starting to think there may be more problems between Ethan and Alicia than Sam. It doesn't look as if Alicia knew Ethan as well as she thought she did.

"I'm not sure," Alicia muttered.

"Think about it," Louise mentioned, "He talks to Lily a lot and she's been off ever since she was diagnosed with cancer."

"What does Lily's cancer battle have to do to Ethan?" Alicia asked.

Louise is shocked with Alicia. How did she feel when it was her grandfather?

"Ethan doesn't have a friend to confide in since Lily," Louise explained, "With Lily being gone, he doesn't have that confidant. Not for a while at least."

"He's got me?" Alicia muttered.

"But you don't know what Ethan has been going through. No one does," Louise knew she was taking a huge gamble, "Sam was upset earlier today and Ethan was checking to see if she was okay. That's why Ethan was going out with her tonight, to cheer her up. He wanted to be a good friend to her."

Lily poured the last of the champagne into the four glasses. Ethan and Sam looked amazed at the discovery of alcohol-free champagne, but why was Lily and Iain drinking it all the sudden?

"We found this at the shop today," Lily explained, walking away with the glass bottle, "I didn't think such a thing existed."

"Nor did I," Ethan smiled, "It's nice to have it mind."

"Yeah," Sam laughed, "So how are things? I heard about last week. How are you both feeling?"

"It's been okay," Iain reassured her before turning to Ethan, "I should have told you. I was feeling nauseous when we were discharged. You're not to blame for it. It was bad timing."

"See?" Sam smiled at Ethan, "It was nothing you've done."

Ethan still felt guilty over what had happened. The vision at that very field still haunts him today, even though Lily and Iain had reassured him it wasn't his fault. Maybe it was because he kept on dwelling on it. After all, Lily and Iain felt ill before but all Ethan had done was think about all the methods that he's caused it.

Maybe Alicia was right.

Maybe he was being selfish thinking about himself throughout the experience.

After all, Lily and Iain's cancer battle wasn't about him.

"Ethan should count himself lucky," Alicia sighed, placing her empty glass on the table, "He hasn't got cancer. In fact, this should teach everyone how lucky they are."

Louise knew this would be a while before Alicia could get her head around what Ethan's been going through. But then again, she never saw Ethan think about the situation or listen to what's been going through his mind. When Alicia pictures the cancer battle, her mind instantly drifted to Lily and Iain, but not about the people surrounding them. Did Alicia think about Gem when she thinks about the pair?

Did she think about what Robyn's been going through, knowing it's bringing back painful memories of Glynn?

Did Alicia think about what Ethan's been going through?

Louise closed her eyes. She knew that if Alicia carried on ignoring Ethan's feelings, then Ethan would walk away from her.

But she couldn't bring herself to tell her best friend the painful truth.

"Are you okay?"

Ethan had kept his eyes focused on the light brown liquid in the Hogwarts mug that he was holding. So much has been changing, and he's been trying to keep up with them. How is he coping with all of this? Something has been troubling him but, in all honesty, he couldn't fathom what it could be.

What is it that's troubling him?

"Ethan."

Taking his eyes off the mug, he turned to face Lily who looked confused at him. How long had she noticed him staring into his mug?

"I'm fine," he shrugged, placing the mug on the coffee table, "It's been a busy day at work."

"I'm sorry," Lily sighed.

"What for?" Ethan asked her, "It's not your fault. Besides, I've found I have a lot more energy now."

"I told you you'll benefit from those training sessions," Sam smiled at him, "Soon, you'll have enough energy to run a marathon."

"I'm promising myself to do more of it once the fun run is over," Ethan looked at her, "You've been a massive help Sam."

"We should do this more often," Sam smiled, "You're getting better. You could beat Iain when he gets better."

Iain and Lily looked at each other, nervously. They haven't told anyone apart from family, Dixie and Ash about their plans to go travelling around the world. Ethan and Sam are both under the impression things will go back to normal once they've recovered from the battle. They haven't even told Connie or Jan, even though there's a chance Dixie may have already told Jan.

In fact, when Lily told her mother, she wasn't expecting her to be understanding, so she was shocked to hear she was jealous of Lily's dream.

"You two okay?" Lily turned to face Ethan, "You've both gone quiet."

Lily and Iain both thought the same thing. If Ethan and Sam both knew that they're planning on going travelling, how would they react? Would they understand? Would they think it's a bad idea? Would they try to talk them into staying?

Would they miss them if they're gone?

"Should we tell them?" Lily turns to Iain.

"I have no idea," Iain answered.

"Tell us what?" Sam asked, confused.

Lily and Iain looked at each other. It was clear that they want to tell their friends but they wanted to make sure the other would be okay to make them aware.

Both of them suddenly thought back to earlier that day. That by making plans to have the night together, they've both put themselves under pressure to make the night perfect. Pressure that they never even had before. All because usually they ended up going with the flow. Something that had worked for the two before.

"Guys?" Ethan asked, confused.

Lily looked at Iain, smiling as he walked over to her. Taking her hand, she smiled as their fingers interlace. Lily suddenly felt warmer as Iain's inner flame passed over to her fingers. It dawns on her; Iain wants her to tells them.

"Lily and me," Iain sighs, "We've made a first plan post cancer."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked him.

"We're going to go travelling once we get better," Lily explained, taking note of Sam and Ethan's expressions.

"What?"

Ethan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Those words are the words coming from Lily Chao. The woman who had a five-year plan in place the moment she left university. The woman who had an ambition to become a consultant before she reached the age of thirty-five. The woman who vowed to become the best doctor and make her family proud.

Now he's hearing that she is vowing to put all those ambitions to one side.

It took him a moment. There are two sides to Lily.

The first one was ambitious, who made plans vowing that nothing was going to get in the way of reaching those goals. But this ambitious woman never knew what was coming around the corner, who she was going to meet and how much of an impact those people were going to have on her life.

The second Lily was in front of him right now. This woman knew that while it's good to have ambition, it is also important to consider that the journey often takes a lot of detours before reaching the destination. This Lily had met people who've made a massive impact on her life, things that have changed her future. This Lily had also learned that it is important to understand that the only person she needs to make proud is herself. But this Lily had also encountered an obstacle that she would never have expected to come across.

Ethan wondered. Had this Lily always been there?

Shocked was one feeling he had to hear this news, but he saw that look in her eye. One he was always envious of whenever he sees that look.

Excitement.

Ethan soon knew, Lily was determined to make a goal to see the world a reality.

And he also knew that Iain is aiming to share that goal.

But the one thing that made Ethan smile the most…Lily said the word "once".

There was no "if" this time.

Lily and Iain hadn't lost hope that they'll get better.

But then he realised one thing.

It means that his best friend will no longer be around.

One way or another.

"Have you decided where you're going to go?" Ethan asked them, nervously.

"No, we haven't," Iain answered, relieved no one has talked them out of it, "Gem asked us that question before. We could go anywhere."

"I think that's the exciting part," Lily rested her head on Iain's shoulder, "Who knows where we could end up."

Sam stayed silent throughout. She's been worrying about things going back to normal quickly. This was the reminder that things will never be the same again. At the end of the day, Iain will always be her best friend. At the end of the day, so will Ethan. At the end of the day.

Iain and Lily will always be known as cancer fighters.

Something that they never classed themselves at being before October last year.

In fact, a year ago today, no one would have expected something this huge to happen, or that it would be two people in love.

A lot can change within a year.

Iain and Lily proved that.

The thought of Sam being upset still played on Alicia's mind.

She couldn't picture Sam Nicholls, twice divorced, blonde paramedic, who was once in the army to be someone who would be upset over something so small. She was always so confident in herself. Arrogant, full of herself, cocky, sassy, confident.

Alicia suddenly remembered that Sam used to talk to Lily and Iain an awful lot as well. Now that they're not in the picture at present, Sam doesn't have anyone to turn to for advice, input or for a laugh.

She doesn't have a friend at work to confide in.

That's why she's been talking to Ethan, another outsider.

Ethan doesn't spend much time interacting with anyone other than at work or at the pub after work. He normally keeps himself to himself, living constantly in the shadow of his older brother. It was down to his sensitivity of being an outsider that appealed to Alicia.

Ethan wasn't one of those guys who would treat her like an idiot.

"You're okay?" Louise asked her, "You look as if you've got something on your mind."

Alicia suddenly realised that without her friends in the picture, Sam is becoming an outsider.

And outsiders often bond with other outsiders.

Sam walked out of the bathroom, still confused over everything.

How did she not realise things would never be normal again?

It was a mystery to consider, no one would have considered how many people have been affected by this.

Sam thought that cancer only had negative consequences, how wrong she was?

"Have you've picked a good-"

Sam was interrupted when Ethan shushed her. Confused, she walked further, smiling when she saw the sight in front of her.

Iain was spread out on one side of the sofa; his legs were tucked in and his eyes were closed. The only sound that she was able to hear from him were the gentle snores as his breathing steadied. The arms were wrapped around a sleeping Lily, holding her like a teddy bear as her arms were wrapped around his waist, and her legs were tucked into his. Her head was resting on Iain's arm, as if it was a pillow.

"They look peaceful," Ethan whispered, "Don't they?"

"Yeah," Sam smiled, "Do you think they're dreaming about the adventure they'll soon be having?"

"I reckon they are," Ethan smiled at her, "Maybe seeing the sights together or just going to the seaside."

"I'd like to see them on water-skis," Sam chuckled, "Neither of them will last."

"I reckon Lily would last longer," Ethan smirked at her, "By a few seconds, but longer."

Ethan and Sam grew alarmed when they heard movement from the sofa. Both placed their hands on each other's mouths, trying to silence each other. Turns out, Lily had stretched her legs to get a little bit more comfortable.

"They could sleep through an earthquake," Sam silently giggled, turning to Ethan, "Thank you for suggesting this. It really helped me a lot."

"It's been a comfort," Ethan smiled, "Sadly, since Lily and Iain are going to be leaving Holby for their travels, you're stuck with me."

Sam smirked at him, playfully punching him on the arm, "I can live with that. Besides, at least they've got the mind set that they're going to beat this."

"There's always going to be hope," Sam smiled at Ethan, "Plus, this has only made them stronger."

Sam smiled at Ethan, before noticing the blanket draped over the armchair. Taking the dark green material away, she carefully draped it over Lily and Iain, wanting the two to feel warm as they're resting in their peaceful slumber. Quietly, she walked back over to Ethan.

Linking her little finger with his.

Alicia knew that Sam must have been feeling lonely without a friend to talk to. With Lily being away, she doesn't have anyone to talk to. Not really.

How foolish must she have been?

Was Sam under the impression that she'll be alone without Lily? After all, Lily is the only person Sam can be girly around. To talk about personal things, things that often trouble her that she couldn't tell any of the lads.

Alicia knew Sam wouldn't want to talk to her, not after the way they've acted towards each other. Sam was rude to her about her visit to Lily, and Alicia still didn't trust Sam. Not now that Ethan had made plans outside of the training session.

It soon hit Alicia.

Sam wouldn't be feeling alone, if she was able to spend regular time with her best friend.

After all, does she have any idea how upset Sam was?

The one part of this chapter I've been unsure about was Alicia's actions. I've wondered, would being uneasy around Ethan and Sam be within her character. I've been thinking about a huge chapter for Alicia which has made me wonder how far she would go, but I adore her and there will be a moment where she will eventually realise there was something wrong with her attitude towards Ethan and Sam.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter.