Hiya everyone, thanks for the amazing reviews for both the newest fics- it means a lot to me. Hope this chapter is okay-it's kinda short and more of a filler than anything.

But read, review and enjoy!!!!

"Ear infection- You have an ear infection. Take these every day for 7 days and the dizziness and nausea should pass. But get some sleep!"

"Thanks Abby." She holds out a bottle of pills. I thank her again and go into the locker room feeling bone tired.

"Hi Sam, how are you?" Neela sips a cup of coffee and looks at me over her medical journal. I shrug and pull on my coat.

"Not too bad. Bit weird without Luka at home."

"Yeah I bet. Guess what…Michael is coming home in 3 weeks!"

"Oh wow, I bet you're both really excited." She nods energetically.

"I'm going out there for Christmas too. That's if he's not home by then of course but I've got the time off already."

I smile and say goodbye, thinking only of the bath and bed for the next few hours.

Me and Luka are taking Alex to New York at Christmas to see the tree and to go skating and all the stuff I always wanted to show him but never had the time or money. He's so excited I wish we hadn't mentioned it to him til nearer the time- we have another two months of his excited chatter about learning to skate and buying warmer coats.

I push open the front door and drop my bag on the floor, collapsing into the armchair.

"Mom?" Alex calls from his room. "What's for dinner?"

"Pasta. Do you wanna make it?" I call wearily back, knowing I'm going to fall asleep any second.

"Okay. How was today? Any gross people?"

"The people up in ICU had a man with maggots in his mouth." I say, and know without opening my eyes his facial expression.

"COOL!" I shake my head.

"How come you're so…weird?"

"And you aren't?" I reach out and swat him gently, still with my eyes shut. He giggles and tickles my foot and I pull away finally opening my eyes.

"Want pizza?" I ask.

"Yeah!!!" he rushes off to find the pizza menu and call up for a chicken, sweetcorn and double cheese 9inch. The guys at the shop must know him so well by now.

Ten minutes later the doorbell rings and Alex gets it whilst I find my wallet. When I get to the door it notice it's a new delivery guy. Alex is talking to him about his board which is propped up against the banister.

"…That's an awesome suspension! Can I have a go?"

"Maybe another time buddy." He replies, smiling at me. He looks about 22 and a bit rebellious.

"Can you go and cut it up Alex." He nods and carries the precious pizza into the kitchen.

"How much is it?" I ask.

"That's seven dollars please. Sweet little brother you've got there."

"He's my son." I hand him a ten dollar bill and smirk as he flaps for my change, blushing.

"I'm sorry. But you sure don't look old enough."

"I wasn't." I smile and shut the door. Wandering into the kitchen I ruffle Alex's hair as he manhandles the pizza cutter.

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I lie in bed at 2am wishing with all of my heart that when I open my eyes Luka will be there, asleep next to me.

I peel open my lids and almost cry as I see the achingly empty pillow, unblemished by a sleeping head.

He rang last night and we spoke for over an hour. I cried.

Lying back into the pillow I feel hot tears prick my tired eye lids and feel so stupid. I've never let myself get this attached to someone, I'm always ready for loneliness but this time I forgot to put up the barriers and I fell in love like a teenager.

I look at the picture propped up on my bedside table, of Alex and Luka fishing. Softly I trace his face with my finger and fall asleep, dreaming of him.

To see you when I wake up is a gift I didn't think can be real.

To know you feel the same as I do is a threefold utopian dream.

You do something to me that I can't explain.

So would I be out of line if I said I miss you?

I see your picture;

I smell your skin on the empty pillow next to mine.

You have only been gone 10 days

But already I'm wasting away.

I know I'll see you again whether far or soon.

But I need you to know that I care.

And I miss you.

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"…Do you know when you're gonna be coming home?"

"I don't know. Dad is still the same, on the edge of everything."

"Alex's is worried you won't be home for Christmas." I voice my fears of it being another empty Christmas promise.

"Sam, I'll be back for Christmas. It's not for another two and a half months."

"Good." I slump into an armchair, humming a tune I remember from the radio. Softly, I hear Luka singing the words.

"I'd give up forever to touch cos I know that you feel me somehow, you're the closest to heaven that I've ever known and I don't wanna go home right now." He stops. "Iris by the Goo Goo dolls. It's in your collection."

"Luka, I miss you." I feel so close to tears, the lump in my throat prevents me from speaking above a whisper but I hear him whisper back.

"I've never missed someone more in my life."

I end the phone call literally sobbing. I gotta stop this, I sound so stupid crying down a phone.

Alex walks in, frowns and walks back out. I don't blame him; there are only so many tears one kid can see.

Go on, review. Pretty please with a jelly tot on top. And sprinkles. And chocolate sauce. And a glass of milk/apple juice. And a party popper. And a party hat....

Okay, it got silly. But review please xxxxxx