This is the final chapter - thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed or favourited. Thank you to xMissWhitneyBexx for the request - I hope you enjoyed it and I'm sorry it took me so long to write it.

Bonnie Sveen Fan, improving Lily's social skills was part of the request, so I really wanted to bring Lily and Alicia together at the end and give them both a happier ending to Avoidable Harm. I'm really glad you like their friendship - and that you found Lily cute, which I don't think many people do. Thank you for your review.

Tanith Panic, thank you for your review. As this is the last chapter, there isn't really time for Lily to regret letting Ethan talk to Alicia, but Ethan won't be falling in love with Alicia in this reality! It would have been nice if Lily and Alicia had bonded in the series too, but perhaps it can still happen!

Louise was standing by the reception desk chatting to Noel, but she broke away as soon as she noticed Lily and Alicia making their way towards the exit. "Alicia, are you all right, babe?"

Alicia gave her a weak smile. "I'm fine, thanks, Louise."

"You never came back to work!" said Louise. She turned aggressively to Lily. "Why didn't you let her come back to work?"

Lily considered telling Louise it was nothing to do with her, but she knew Ethan wouldn't have said that and she didn't want to upset Alicia. "Mrs Beauchamp asked us to write a report of the incident and in any case, Dr Munroe was in no state to work," she said instead.

Louise looked at Lily in disgust. "Don't you ever think of anything but work? Her name's Alicia!"

Lily lowered her head, ashamed. She hadn't meant to say 'Dr Munroe'. It had just happened.

Louise gave Alicia a hug. "It's okay, babe. You're okay now. And I'm serious: you should put in a complaint against her." She sent Lily a venomous look over Alicia's shoulder. "Come on: let's go to the pub. It's just what you need after such a stressful day."

Alicia pulled away, looking upset. "Actually, Lily has been the most amazing support to me today, Louise. Without her, I'd have walked out those doors and never come back. I was considering giving up my whole career, but Lily was the one who talked me out of it. I know we've had our differences, but I don't care anymore. Lily is my friend and I really hope that will never change."

Lily heard Alicia's voice break and put her arm around her. "Of course it won't change."

Louise stared at the two doctors in amazement. "So, are you coming to the pub or what?" she managed at last.

"I… I don't think so," murmured Alicia. "I'm sorry. I'm having dinner with Lily."

"Seriously?" said Louise.

Alicia shrank back slightly and nodded mutely.

Louise shrugged. "Another time then," she said and walked off. Lily wondered in concern if there really would be another time. She hadn't wanted to come between Alicia and her friend

"If you want to go with Louise, that is fine," said Lily, trying to sound as though she really meant it, but she knew she would be sad if Alicia chose to spend the evening with Louise.

Alicia shook her head. "I'll only drink too much and regret it later. I'd rather just be with you. And Ethan, I mean."

Lily gave her a hug. It was a few moments before realised she was hugging Alicia in the middle of reception. Then she realised she didn't care.

"Hey," said Ethan's voice from behind them. He let his hand brush Lily's arm almost casually, but the look in his eyes felt far more intimate. "Are you ready to go?"

"Ethan, I've invited Alicia to stay with me," said Lily. "I don't think she should be alone tonight."

Ethan smiled. "I think that's very sweet of you, Lily. We can have dinner another time."

"I don't want to mess up your plans," said Alicia anxiously.

"We thought perhaps we would all eat dinner together," said Lily. "Then Alicia plans to have an early night, so we will have some time together then."

"Of course, if you're sure I wouldn't be in the way," said Ethan.

"If you are with me, you could never be in the way," said Lily.

"I'm so sorry," said Alicia as she yawned again. "I'm just so tired."

"Please don't apologise," said Ethan kindly. "You've had an exhausting day."

Alicia speared a piece of potato with her fork, then put it down on the plate. "Lily, I'm so sorry. I really don't want to be rude. But…"

"If you are tired, you must go to bed," said Lily. "I'm sure Ethan can finish your dinner. If you come with me, I'll show you to your room."

"Thank you," said Alicia with a grateful smile, but it was the smile of pride Ethan gave Lily that would linger in her memory.

Lily took Alicia into the spare room. "Here you are. I hope you have everything you need. Please ask me if there's anything else you want. I'll give you my spare toothbrush and find you a towel. Would you like a hot bath before you go to bed?"

"I honestly think I'd fall asleep in it," admitted Alicia. "But thanks for the offer."

Lily took her into the bathroom and found a pink toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet.

"Do you have a lot of guests?" asked Alicia in some surprise as she saw the number of spare toothbrushes Lily had.

"No, but I needed a new one and they were on special offer," said Lily. She went to get a spare towel from the airing cupboard and gave it to Alicia. "There you are. I'll put some tissues in your room, but if you are upset, please come and tell me. I want to help and it is not good to be alone when you're upset."

"I don't want to be any trouble," said Alicia, ducking her head.

Lily shook her head. "It is never any trouble to help a friend." She hesitated, then held out her arms. "Good night, Alicia."

Alicia hugged her tightly. "Good night, Lily."

Lily was in Ethan's arms when the text arrived.

"I'd better check that," she said reluctantly. "It might be Alicia. If she's upset and she's worried about disturbing us..." She picked up her phone and looked at it. It was her mother, asking her whether she'd chosen a gravestone for her father.

"Lily?" said Ethan anxiously. "What is it?"

Lily silently passed the phone over and began to cry. "I promised I would do it today, Ethan. I promised! But so much has happened."

"Yes, sweetheart, it really has," said Ethan, gathering her close to him. "You've been so busy looking after Alicia. But you can choose now. The day isn't over yet."

Lily sat up and took the book out of her bag. "I don't know which one to choose."

"Then I'll help you choose," said Ethan. "I mean, if you'd like me to."

Lily wiped her eyes. "But you didn't know him, Ethan."

"No, I didn't," agreed Ethan. "And if you don't want me to help you, that's fine. I'm not going to be hurt or offended. But if it would help, we could talk through all the options together. Or I can sit here in silence and just hold you. Or I can go and sit over there and get some studying done. It's your choice, darling."

"I would like to discuss it with you," Lily managed to say. "I would like that very much."

Lily looked at the picture of the headstone she'd chosen one more time. She fought back tears as she sent it to her mother. "I think that is the right one, Ethan. I believe they would both like that."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and Ethan held her closer to him.

Usually, Lily would have been studying by now, but she didn't want to move. Not when Ethan's arms were around her, holding her so tightly.

She could feel his love in every inch of the arms that encircled her; in the shoulder that pillowed her cheek; in the intensity of his gaze

When Ethan spoke, his voice was slightly husky. "I love you, Lily."

She could feel his heartbeat quickening as she replied: "I love you too, Ethan."

"But we'll take this at your pace," said Ethan firmly. "Until you're ready, it's our secret. And I honestly can't think of a lovelier one."

Lily lifted her head and looked him in the eyes. "But I don't want it to be a secret anymore. I want everyone to know how much I love you."

Ethan went still in her arms. She felt his chest expand as he took in a slow breath. When she met his eyes, she saw love and something more. "I am so happy Lily. I want to tell everyone too. I love you so much and I will do everything I can to ensure you're happy too. I know you won't always be happy because no-one is and you're going through so much at the moment. But I always be here to help you and support you and love you."

"I will be here for you too," said Lily. "I know you can give me nothing but happiness."

"And I know you'll give me the same," said Ethan, and kissed her.

Lily welcomed and enjoyed the kiss, but as his hand trailed down her arm, she gave him an anxious look. "But I'm not used to relationships, Ethan. I don't want to move too quickly."

"Oh, no, of course not!" said Ethan at once. "We've only just got together and you're vulnerable. Perhaps I am too. I haven't had many relationships."

"You were in a relationship with Honey," Lily reminded him.

"But not like this," said Ethan. "I was infatuated with Honey and I suppose I'm infatuated with you too. But I also love you, so wholly and completely, with every part of me. When Honey left me, I was devastated, but I got over it. I don't know how I'd ever get over it if I lost you; if I couldn't see you every day; if I couldn't hold you in my arms and know that, for some reason that it still a complete mystery for me, you love me."

"Yes, I do love you," said Lily softly. "And I will tell you all the items on my list of reasons why I love you if you would like."

Ethan looked at her in surprise, then he smiled. "I actually have a list of reasons why I love you. It looks like another reason why we're perfect for each other. I love your kindness, your respectfulness, your intuitiveness, your empathy… there are so many things to love about you."

Lily's heart was singing. "Really, Ethan? Do I really have all those qualities?"

"All those and more, my darling," said Ethan, his eyes full of love.

Lily gazed at him, unable to believe this was really happening. "Are you going to kiss me, Dr Hardy?"

"Yes, Dr Chao. You really have made me the happiest doctor in the world."