So. Its twenty to eleven, and I've been reminiscing about the past year. 2010 went so fast, and I know I sound like my mama when I say things like that, but its true. THis time twelve months ago, I was sitting in a family I babysit for's lounge room, cuddling their eighteen month old. That little girl is now two and a half, a bouncing ball of energy, and the most adorable kid I've ever met. But it puts it into perspective, when you think of it like that. Enough of my ramblings... R&R!

Love Rhyleigh xoxox

"Julie?"

Julie visibly jumped when Dave's doctor emerged from his room.

"He's awake", he reported, "And he's stable. It seemed it was just a virus, probably a small cold, but since he's got virtually no immune system, it turned into something much more. The cancer's spreading fast, and we'd like to start another round of chemo as soon as possible".

Julie nodded. "Can I see him now?"

"Of course". Smiling, he led her into the room.

"Jules!" Dave struggled to sit up, as Julie entered the room.

"Hi darling", she said gently, taking the seat beside his bed. "How do you feel?"

"Like shit", he said honestly. "Where's Ruby?"

"with the kids", Julie replied.

And all of a sudden, it hit her.

It was real. She could lose him. It was that easy to lose him. The doctor had said the cancer was not completely gone; they weren't out of the woods yet. She couldn't lose him. She couldn't lose him.

"Jules", Dave said softly, pulling himself into a sitting position. "Jules, don't cry…"

"I can't lose you", she choked out. "I just can't live without you…"

"I'm right here", he said gently. "I'm not going anywhere".

"I should go and let the others know how you're doing". But still she made no movement.

"They're all at home?"

She nodded. "And they said they'll be here when we got the results".

"And then Carbo lit the candles and Ben told him not to burn the house down and Rachel yelled at 'em. And I got to sit on Jake's lap when we blew out the candles and sang the birfday song, even though I ALWAYS sit on your lap, Daddy!" Ruby's blue eyes were huge, as she rattled off the events of the day that he had missed. "And Granddad gave me the COOLEST PRESENT EVER!"

"Rubes", Sammy said gently. "Inside voice, remember?"

"Sorry". Ruby's voice lowered several decibels and Dave smiled at the excitement radiating off his daughter.

"Mummy, you fell asleep!" she accused, when Julie opened her eyes.

"Just for a minute", Julie protested, yawning hugely.

"Julie". Ted's voice broke through the protests, as he stared at his daughter. "Go home, take care of yourself. We've got things covered here, at least for a while".

"Yeah, we'll take care of Dave, won't we, Rubes?" Chel looked hopefully at her granddaughter and Ruby beamed.

"Yeah! We got things under 'trol here, Mummy".

"Be good", Julie warned, ruffling her daughter's hair before escaping into the quiet corridor.

"Hi, darling". Chel moved her chair closer to her son's bed and Dave smiled weakly, as his older children chatted among themselves. "How are ya, kid? You gave us quite a scare earlier".

"I'm fine".

"Nathan?" Ruby called. "Why does Nanna call Daddy 'kid'?"

"Because Dad's Nanna's kid, Rubes", Nathan said patiently.

"Oh… how old are you, Daddy?"

"Fifty four, Ruby Louise". Dave smiled at his daughter, as her eyes widened.

"You're OLD!"

Rachel dissolved into laughter.

"Say things like that, Rubes, and I won't let you sit on my bed anymore", Dave said playfully, pointing to the colouring book and pencils that littered the end of his bed.

"Fine". Ruby shrugged. "I'll go sit with Granddad".

And she promptly climbed into Ted's lap, leaving Dave bewildered and the rest of the family in hysterics.