Chapter 27

Tuesday nights were becoming a regular thing for Lily and Iain.

One week, it was a DC Universe marathon, with all the episodes that the two have all put into chronological order. It was as if there were no continuity errors that needed to be addressed. Perfect, since it removes the need to spend all night arguing over them.

The next week, they were getting caught up in a gaming marathon, something that Iain regretted instantly as Lily was getting better and better. He didn't even need to let her win, she battered him, left, right and centre.

The week after that, they were just sat on the sofa, talking about that shared dream of seeing the world. Spain, Australia, Brazil. That dream was well within reach for the two. They often talked about what they would get up to during their travels. Where would they go? Who were they going to meet?

The one thing that each Tuesday night has for them.

Was that they had little sleep during those nights.

It should have been something that the two were getting used to by now. Spending Wednesdays in Chemotherapy. For Lily, this is the end of cycle three, meaning she had three more cycles left to go after that week break. However, knowing she's going in next week for Iain's final treatment of the cycle, she wouldn't exactly call it a break.

"You're tired?" Iain whispered lying in bed, hand linked in with hers.

"I should be trying to sleep," Lily answered, "But I don't feel sleepy."

"Me neither," Iain turned to face her, "We should be getting used to it. Having that stuff in our blood."

"Just think about it," Lily explained, turning to him, "Normally people having treatment. They have a break between cycles."

"And?"

"We don't technically have that break. We still go to the unit to help each other complete the cycle of treatments," Lily sighed, "In two weeks, you don't have to come in with me. You should have a break from that place."

"Do you really think I'd leave you there alone?" Iain scoffed, "No. I wasn't there for you first treatment, I don't want to miss anymore. Besides, you haven't left me on my own."

"And I refuse to leave you on your own," Lily reached for his arm, "We made that promise. I'm vowing to keep it."

"And so am I," Iain smiled at her.

Cal placed his patient's note over to reception, thrilled that another of his patients have been safely discharged. It felt tiresome, as the patient was mute. It made him think of the time he and Lily, well mostly Lily helped a girl with mute speak up about how she was feeling.

It was times like that he misses her.

He can't wait for her return.

"Cal," he turned to see Louise walking up to him, "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," he smiled, "Just sent a patient home. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she smiled, taking a deep breath, "I just wanted to apologise for yesterday. You were right, Alicia's got nothing to worry about."

"How did you work that out?" Cal looked at her.

"I saw Ethan and Sam in the alleyway," Louise sighed, "Sam was distraught. She misses Iain, he's her best friend, just like Lily is for Ethan. Of course, Sam and Ethan are spending time together. They have that common bond."

"Could you try telling Alicia that please?" Cal muttered, "She still thinks Ethan's going to dump her for Sam."

Louise went quiet after Cal's remark. Deep down, she wished she could tell Alicia the truth about her actions, but she couldn't bring herself to tell her. Alicia's her best friend and now, she's fragile. Convinced that Ethan is going to cheat on her with Sam, despite his reassurances that he wasn't. After seeing the two yesterday, she knew Ethan was telling the truth.

Louise knew that if Alicia keeps doubting Ethan, there's more trouble within their relationship than just Sam Nicholls.

One thing Lily can take from having cancer is that she's making a vow to try and get those corridors painted. That shade of mustard has made her feel uncomfortable throughout her time, which was before she had the burning fluid being pumped into her blood. It made her wonder how many people felt unnerved by it before.

"Ready?" Iain whispered, taking her hand.

"Ready," Lily smiled, squeezing his hand.

The two of them turned to face the doors and walked into the warmth of the unit. It would only take them five hours, but it would be worth it in the long run.

Ethan begun to read up more about the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. This had been one of the main things he wanted to investigate as a child. The fact that planes and ships have mysteriously disappeared whenever they entered the triangle. Ethan couldn't resist looking into it, it was captivating to him.

Unfortunately, he was oblivious to the outside world around his bubble.

Something Sam used to her advantage, allowing her to creep up behind him.

"What you're doing?" Sam called out, causing Ethan to jump, "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"You and Cal are a perfect match," Ethan growled at her, "I was expecting him to do that. You should know better."

"Clearly I don't," Sam smirked, looking at the note, "The Bermuda Triangle? That's the mystery where planes and ships disappear. Did you see the video of the child crying?"

"No," Ethan smiled, "I've always been interested in the biggest mystery. It's the one thing I could never get answers on."

"I always thought it was a myth," Sam mentioned, "Did you look at many cases?"

"Yeah, but with no explanation," Ethan answered.

"Still, it would be perfect to understand this," Sam smiled, "I could try and find out more information and I could let you know."

"What got you interest?" Ethan glared at her.

He's not going to lie; this is the first time anyone's been interested in learning about the Bermuda Triangle. When Ethan mentioned the mystery to Alicia, she just laughed at him which made him feel, well, boring, dull, dorky. It made him feel as if his interests don't matter to anyone else. It didn't matter to him; he always was the geek wherever he goes. But no one else was interested in the things he was interested in.

Then Sam showed interest.

"It was always one of the places I've wanted to see," Sam admitted, "I wanted to disprove the myth about the Bermuda Triangle. I don't think it existed. The disappearances were just a coincidence."

"You sure you want to argue that?" Ethan smirked.

"I'll prove it," Sam declared, "I've got Friday off, so I'll head to the library and I will prove it."

"Good luck," Ethan laughed, "They've got nothing on the subject. I had to find out through ebooks and news articles. Luckily for you, I also have Friday off and Alicia's working, so you should head over to my flat."

"That would be fun," Sam sighed, "But I'm waiting for a parcel coming Friday. Why don't you head around to mine instead? It'd be nice to have some company."

Iain and Lily settled soundly into reception, waiting for their names to be called out. Both knew Cinda wasn't going to be here this week, having to take a break between her cycles. This leaves the two of them having the painful medication being pumped into their veins.

They have found that the treatment seemed to be working slightly. For Lily, she's only found a few occasions that the bugs have decided to give her grief, only irritating her when there's nothing for her to do. For Iain, he's found that the irritating in his airways have ceased slowly, still giving him a few grievances.

Surely, that's a good sign.

It must mean the treatment is working.

Lily watched over to the left, where a young man who appears to be in his early to mid-twenties started fidgeting. Lily knew from experience that it meant only two things. One, he's a relative who have been told to wait for them in reception whilst they have chemotherapy. If that was the case, then Lily felt for him. He was in for a long wait. The sessions normally take four hours and they also need to wait for any side effects.

Or he could be having treatment himself. For the first time.

Lily felt nervous for him. She was nearing the end of cycle three. Three months, three months since she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Four months since she finally got herself seen to. Six months since she first developed symptoms.

Could those three months have made a difference?

Would the cancer have gotten far as stage four if she saw the bugs as something to worry about?

"You're okay?" she turned to face Iain, "You seem nervous."

"How long?" Lily stuttered, "How long have we've been coming here?"

Iain was startled he heard Lily ask that question. He looked around the room, seeing one woman who had to come back for chemotherapy after being told her treatment didn't work the first time. He noticed how unsteady her hands were as she kept moving them around, trying to keep them still. Turning to the other side of the room, he noticed an elderly man who appears to be in his sixties, looking slightly nervous, as if he didn't know what to expect.

It must have been his first chemotherapy session.

It dawned on Iain that there are a few faces that neither he nor Lily had seen before, almost as if they've recently started with the chemotherapy. It dawned on him why Lily was so nervous about today more than ever.

They've been coming here together for around three months.

Over three months since they were both diagnosed with cancer.

Over three months since they've both developed symptoms.

Over three months since they were putting their family and friends under so much worry.

Iain grabbed Lily's hand, letting their fingers interlace with each other's. Making the mental vow not to let go of her hand until they were called up and even once they're up on their feet, he'll reach out and hold her hand again.

He was never going to let her go through this alone.

Never.

Louise smiled when she saw Alicia chirped up following their conversation on Monday. She was smiling again as she looked at her phone during her lunchbreak. It was as if their chat had brought out new feelings and reassured her that everything will work out well in the end.

"You're feeling better now?" Louise smiled, joining Alicia on the table.

"I am now," Alicia smiled, noticing Sam out the window, "I think I know how to help Sam with her feelings."

Louise froze when she heard Alicia make that comment. How to help Sam with her feelings? Was she still concerned about their friendship? Was she still concerned that Ethan would end things with her? Was she really that desperate to keep them apart?

"You do?" Louise asked her.

"Yeah," Alicia smiled, before explaining her plan.

Iain and Lily watched as the nurse walked away after making a note of their observations. Looking at each other, they reached out to take their hands together. They were both determined to enjoy this quiet moment before they experience any pain and discomfort. The fear over having chemotherapy never faded away from the two, even though they've been coming here every Wednesday for the past three months. They felt as if they were in a dark cloud. The only reason that they were able to see clearly through the fog was down to each other.

It was that reason Iain vowed to get through this battle and win. Because he didn't want Lily to remain trapped in the dark cloud.

All alone.

It was why he doesn't want to leave her alone for her chemotherapy sessions. He didn't want her to be in that dark cloud all alone.

And he knew that Lily wouldn't want to leave him alone in that dark cloud either.

Which was why he felt guilty bringing her into the dark cloud with him, knowing she wouldn't benefit from it at all.

Iain begun to turn to the entrance. He wondered if anymore were coming for treatment today. Maybe unlike him and Lily, they preferred to use the same-sex facilities. Maybe they were the only two here in this bay. It seemed empty whenever Cinda isn't around.

Iain suddenly noticed a young man walking through the corridors. He took another closer look at him as he thought he recognised him from somewhere. It was hard to tell where he recognised him from.

The man turned, facing the open doorway to the bay Iain and Lily were him. Iain watched as he took a closer look towards him.

It dawned on Iain suddenly! He met him before his first chemo session. The first time he went out since the cancer diagnosis without Lily!

"Iain?" Lily asked him confused.

"Sorry," Iain turned to her, "But I thought I recognised someone."

"Who?"

Lily was answered when she saw the man Iain was referring to walk into the bay. He saw that there were a few seats and looking, he settled into one of them. Lily was confused, he was the guy that Iain was referring to but how? How come she never saw him in this unit before? Maybe he was recently diagnosed with cancer, or maybe he's looked at other options, but nothing had worked?

"I remember you," Iain mentioned to him, "You were at the coffee place a few months ago with your sister."

"My cousin," he corrected him, "Who won't stop bugging me. It's Liam? Isn't it?"

"Iain," he corrected him, before turning to Lily, "This is Lily. My fiancée."

"I've heard about you," Lily mentioned.

And she did. She remembered Iain asking her about the difference between Acute Leukaemia and Chronic Leukaemia. Lily didn't want to answer the question for him. He didn't need any additional fear about the cancer.

Acute Leukaemia progresses quickly and more aggressively. It was why Iain needed to have immediate treatment, otherwise. Well, Lily didn't want to think about it at all. The bone marrow normally before wouldn't release stem cells until they develop into the three blood cells. But due to the cancer Iain has, the large numbers of white blood cells are released into the blood before they are fully developed. This also caused the red blood cells and the platelet cells to decrease as well. It would explain the nosebleeds that Iain had experienced before.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia, however, progresses more slowly. In those cases, the bone marrow produced too many white blood cells which are not fully developed and do not work properly. Lily didn't want to tell Iain as this wouldn't cause any symptoms within the early stages. It would have been picked up during another test for something else.

She felt guilty when she asked Iain why he asked.

"I've met someone who had Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia for two years."

"I'm sorry," he smiled looking down, "It's been two months and you'll have already forgotten my name. I'm Luke."

Iain and Lily smiled at him as he tried to regain his composure. It was at that moment, his phone started to vibrate. Rolling his eyes, he picked up his mobile phone, sighing when he learned who sent the message.

"I've told Ruby," he groaned, "I didn't want her to text or message. I just wanted the first session to be over with. With no one fussing over me."

Iain looked at Lily nervously. Truth be told, he knew why Luke wouldn't want anyone to accompany him to the chemotherapy session. To go through this scary journey on his own. To ensure that he has some company.

He thought about his relationship with Gem and Lily. Iain will admit, he didn't want either of them to watch as the painful fluid is infused within the bloodstream. Not wanting either of them to watch as he was forced to deal with the side effects of his treatment. Throwing up, weight loss, feeling tired at times. They had their own lives to live. If something was to happen to him then they would have to pick up the pieces and try to move on. They would still have to carry on as normal, as if their lives haven't been ruined by cancer.

Unfortunately, for him, it wasn't an option for Lily to miss out. She had to go to the unit for her own cancer treatment. She had to watch as the nurses take his observations. Infuse the drugs into his blood. Watching him feel ill after each treatment. Lily had to watch as she was going through the exact same thing. It was one of those moments where they understood how much the other was going through.

But he didn't want to abandon her during her treatments. When he was forced to miss the first appointment, he felt ashamed that he missed it. Even though it was crucial he did, how else was he able to support her if he wasn't here? But he still felt as if he let her down by not being there. Iain was scared to leave Lily's side since what would happen if he wasn't? Something could happen and he wasn't there to support her.

Iain understood Luke's predicament, but he also understood Ruby's side.

He and Lily were the only two people he knew seeing things through both sides.

Cal smiled as he saw Sam walking past. She perked up again, coffee cup in hand. It was almost as if what happened on Monday never happened. Cal knew that Ethan had invited Sam to go somewhere with him that evening, so it must have been whatever he did to cheer her up. He felt slightly annoyed with Ethan. He was always the reassuring one of the two. That's why Alicia and Lily both fell for him at one point, he always provided a listening ear. Providing the advice to those who would need it.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Cal wished he was a bit more Ethan himself.

"You seemed distracted," Cal's head snapped up when he saw Sam chuckling at him, "What's the matter?"

"It's nothing," Cal shook his head, looking at her, "How are you feeling now? Any better?"

"Much better," Sam smiled, "I'm sorry about Monday. I can't believe I did that."

"Hey, it's water over the bridge," Cal insisted, "Ethan said you went to see Iain and Lily with him. I never got the chance to ask how they were."

"They're fine," Sam smiled, "They did take a while. I'm not sure why but they were okay. In fact, they did tell us something."

"What did they say?"

"It's not my place to say," Sam smiled, "But it's looking good."

Cal smiled at Sam's statement. This must mean that there is good news for Iain and Lily. But he knew not to get his hopes up for them, it's too early to think about what could happen for the two.

"Anyway," Sam nervously looked at the floor, "Yesterday, you did say something. Something about you didn't want us to happen whilst I was upset?"

Cal blushed when he remembered. Confused as to why he was blushing now. That never happened before for him!

"I didn't want our first kiss to be when you're upset," Cal tried to hide his blush, not noticing others were watching him.

"So how did you want our first kiss to be?" Sam smirked at him.

"Well," Cal laughed, looking at the ground before facing her, "I would have preferred it when you were smiling. Your smile is the most, the most."

"Yes?" Sam hinted, amused, Lily never told her about this side of Cal.

"Most attractive thing I've ever seen," Cal blurted out, embarrassed that he said that "I'm not good at this."

"Would you be up for a drink tomorrow?" Sam tilted her head, "Sorry I don't think Iain paid up on that bet he made with Lily."

"Good idea," Cal smiled, "And a drink would be perfect. Would you like to meet at Hope and Anchor after work tomorrow?"

"That would be perfect," Sam smiled, "I'll see you later."

Cal watched as Sam walked away after her radio went off as she searched for Ruby or whoever it was, she was paired up with today. He was about to turn to the computer screen when he caught a glimpse of a very amused Louise.

"How much of that have you've heard?" Cal asked her.

"Starting from Sam's apology," Louise smirked at him, "So did she really try to kiss you on Monday?"

"I'm not telling," Cal told her, "But it's times like this I wish I was more Ethan."

Louise sighed. Sam's clearly not interested in Ethan. She's interested in Cal.

"It's not Ethan she's into," Louise reminded him, "It's you. And you alone! I've seen those two, Ethan isn't even her type! You are!"

The session was over, and Iain, Lily and Luke had been given the all clear to go home. Lily held on to the increased dosage of anti-sickness tablets she and Iain were prescribed by the doctor. They don't last long but Iain and Lily have both been assured to give them a try as well as taking them three times a day for eight hours.

They already took the first dose before they left the bay.

"How do these mustards walls help?" Luke complained, "They're hideous."

"I'm starting a campaign," Lily suggested, "Change the colour to something warmer and nurturing."

Iain chuckled, before he heard the ringtone again.

"Iain you need to change that ringtone!"

"Trust me, I know you don't like it, but it's not my phone this time!"

Lily groaned when Luke picked up his phone. Not another one who likes Baby Shark!

"Ruby?" Luke answered, "It's went well thank you. Everything went okay, although I've bumped into that guy, we met a few months back. I met his fiancée as well."

Lily and Iain listened in on the conversation. Both are concerned as Gem never calls them during their sessions, always waiting until they get back home. They understood that Ruby meant well, but it isn't fair to have Luke on her mind constantly. How is she coping? She has her own life to live, and this is also adding to Luke's anxiety.

"Yes, I feel fine," Luke sighed, "Ruby, please stop worrying about me. Mum is giving me a lift back; you just focus at work. They need you there."

Lily and Iain thought back to their conversation last night. Were they really being over concerned with each other? Have watching each other go through their nightmare put them in a difficult position? Was it really that unnerving to watch the other go through something so painful when they were going through the same thing?

Are they really being fair to each other?

And to themselves?

"You're alright Nibbles?" Cal greeted him at the pub, "Sam mentioned you two went to see Iain and Lily."

"We did," Ethan explained, setting his pint on the table, "Although I think we may have given them short notice. They did take a while to answer the door and they weren't picking up their phones at first. I think Iain was a bit annoyed, but he never said anything."

Cal suddenly had a funny feeling why it would have taken them too long to answer. But he didn't want to say it out loud, it's none of his business.

"Anyway, I heard someone is going out with a pretty paramedic," Ethan smirked at him, "And that you seemed to have asked the floor out on a date as well."

"What did Louise tell you?" Cal asked him, knowing Louise is a well-known gossip.

"Not much," Ethan teased him, noticing Cal's frown, "All those jokes on me? Consider this payback Mr. Eyes on the Floor!"

"Not a word to anyone!" Cal warned him, noticing Ethan laughing, "I mean it Ethan."

"Sam's clearly special to you," Ethan smiled, "I can see you two settling down together."

Although he hates to admit it, but Ethan might be right about him and Sam. Cal never thought about anyone this way. Sam Nicholls sounds like his ideal woman. Feisty, warm, funny. She's the first person that he was too embarrassed to talk to.

"So, do I," Cal admitted to Ethan, "I can see a future with Sam. I don't want Sam to be doing the chasing mind. Lily will have to put up with Iain's gloating at some point. I can see us together, married, having children, watching them grow. I really like her. I think Sam is the one for me. I can see a long-term future with her."

"I'm glad you've found someone like that," Ethan smiled, taking a deep breath, "I just hope I can be just as happy as you."

Cal froze at that comment. What about Alicia? Had Ethan forgotten about her already?

Cal suddenly remembered what he said to Alicia a few weeks ago. That things in Ethan's life are changing for him now. He is currently trying out new things, meeting new people, focusing on other matters. He only said what he said to Alicia, but he was praying that she would take the hint and realise that what she was doing isn't helping matters but are only making things worse. Ethan didn't need the additional stress that Alicia was adding on.

Cal realised that if Ethan and Alicia are clearly reaching breaking point now! If something else happened, then it would spell the end.

Cal was now praying that Alicia wouldn't do anything stupid to cause more trouble for Ethan.

"What are you looking at?" Lily asked as she set down the two glasses of water in front of the anti-sickness pills.

"It's a tourist hotspot Gem showed me," Iain showed her the screen on the laptop, "Thirty feet high cliff were tourists can safely jump into the sea. It looks fun and it'll be perfect for going to New Zealand."

Iain and Lily each pierced the foil of their respective tablets, letting the pill slide into the palm of their hands. Drawing their hands close to their mouths, they allowed the pill to slide from their skin, reaching their tongues. They then reached for their glasses, allowing the cold water to pour into their mouths. It scared the two of them to realise how in sync they were regarding taking their medication, but it felt nice that they were able to do things in sync with each other.

"You'll have a fun day then whilst I go to the seaside," Lily laughed.

"Wait, you're doing it with me!"

"No, I'm not," Lily exclaimed, "Iain, you know what I'm like with heights. You are not getting me to jump off a thirty feet high cliff."

"Come on Lily," Iain looked at her, "You know I would do anything that I'm uncomfortable with for your benefit."

Lily scoffed at that, "You would not!"

"I would so!"

"No, you wouldn't!"

"Okay," Iain argued, folding his arms, "What does it have to take for you to conquer your fear of heights?"

Lily smirked at him. She knew exactly what it would take for him to convince her to do something at stupid as cliff-jumping. And she knew deep down, he wouldn't do it.

"You go with me to a zoo," Lily smiled at him.

"That's it?" Iain asked her, "A zoo?"

"During the hour where they'll be doing tours of the different species of reptiles," Lily continued.

"Fine by me," Iain agreed, to Lily's amusement.

"When we'll be given the opportunity to hold a snake," Lily finished for him.

"Not a chance!"

"Have fun jumping off the cliff without me then," Lily smiled at him.

"Snakes are lethal," Iain argued, realising that Lily was right, "The venom causes a slow and painful death!"

Lily was about to argue Iain's point when she heard the door knock. Strange, Gem is out with Rash tonight. She even mentioned stopping overnight whilst his parents were away. It's ten in the evening, so they shouldn't really be expecting any visitors at all tonight. Ethan and Sam were also both at work tomorrow, so they wouldn't have come at this time of night.

"I'll get it," Lily mentioned, picking herself up, "This isn't over. I'm still not jumping off that cliff."

Iain scoffed as Lily walked over to the door.

Lily was still confused at who was at the door. Who would come to visit two people at ten on a Wednesday evening? Who would come to see them of all people? Who would come to talk to two people living with cancer at this time of night?

Lily opened the door to reveal her answer.

"Hi Lily," Alicia smiled, "Are we okay to have a chat? I'm worried about Sam."

"Sam?" Lily asked confused, looking at Iain.

"I don't she's coping," Alicia breathed out, "I think she could do with a friend."

Not my best chapter, but I hope you've enjoyed this. I've been nervous about displaying Alicia in a bad light, as I adore her, but the decision to do this was down to who would cause the biggest fall out as I felt a little drama was needed.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter.

Hope you enjoy Christmas Day. Please stay safe!