The formal was absolutely amazing! The music was amazing, the outfits were amazing (I made my old babysitter cry), the people were amazing and even the food was alright! More stories to tell, but I'm off to the after party!

xoxox

Dave watched the doctor reading the charts, waiting and praying for the answer that he'd been wanting to hear the whole time.

The doctor, a small smile on his face, looked up. "I'm gonna miss you, mate".

"So does this mean..." Dave left his voice hanging, unable to find the words.

"You're still very prone to viruses and illnesses, but yes, you can go home", the doctor amended. "If nothing else changes between now and tomorrow morning, you can go home".

"We're home!" Dave called, opening the front door of his house for what felt like the first time in years. "Guys?"

"Hi Dad!" Rachel called.

"Dad, you're home!" Nathan sounded slightly shocked- much like he had the night before, when Dave had announced it to his family.

"Mr Rafter!" Carbo enthused.

"Good to have you back, mate", Ted amended.

"Daddy!" Ruby yelled excitedly, barrelling towards her father. Hugging his legs, she held her arms out. "Up, please?"

"Dave", Julie said gently, but Dave hoisted the little girl into his arms, going into the lounge room and taking a seat on the lounge with her on his lap.

"Guess what, Daddy?"

"What?"

"Carbo and I made cupcakes!"

"Really?" he looked wearily at his eldest son. "Carbo helped?"

Ben chuckled. "Don't worry, Dad, they were a packet mix. I doubt even Carbo could screw them up. ".

"I heard that, mate".

"Want a cupcake, Daddy?" Ruby pointed to the tray teetering with cupcakes, balancing in Sammy's arms. "They're real good!"

Even though he didn't feel like eating, he took a cupcake, taking a small bite. "It is good, baby!"

"Toldja!" Ruby crowed at Ben. "Carbo can make stuff!"

Ben, shaking with unshed laughter, took a cupcake from the tray his sister in law was holding, thoroughly amused by the little girl's antics.

Julie closed the door gently, trying not to make a sound, as she padded towards the bed.

"Hey, you", Dave said softly, making Julie jump.

"Oh my God, Dave!"

"Sorry", he apologised quickly. "I wasn't asleep, don't worry".

Julie, heart still pounding, settled onto the bed beside him. "I've missed this, you know? I've missed having you home".

"Like you've been home", Dave chuckled. "You've spent almost every moment of the day at the hospital with me! The kids, Mum and Ted have had Ruby with them twenty four seven- you've only left to go to work! And even then you were only gone for an hour or two".

"I didn't want to leave you alone". Julie hung her head and Dave put his arms around her.

"You'll never have to be alone, you hear me?"

She simply nodded.