Bluebell140: Let's hope so. Thank you, I feel like it was definitely one of my best.

Bonnie Sveen Fan: I'm glad that the site is up and running again. That's fine, thanks. It's wrong in my story then, but oh well, it is Fanfiction at the end of the day.

casualtyfics111: He is just so lovely, bless him.

Giatrix: You're very welcome. It is based around Cal so I needed to add some Ethan scenes in.

milali: Thank you. This will be the last chapter unfortunately, but I hope you like it.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lily felt sick.

She examined herself in the mirror of the bathroom and slipped her black jacket over the blouse that she was wearing. She exhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a brief second, trying to do what her counsellor had once taught her. Take a deep breath and count to ten. Once she opened her brown eyes again, she felt as if an entire weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.

She could smell alcohol and she wasn't sure if that was her, or whether her mind was playing tricks on her. Was she ready? Of course she was. She was Lily Chao, she could do this.

She left the bathroom and bumped right into Connie on the way out.

"Are you alright?" Connie asked, obviously sensing her nerves. "Iain and I have just been looking for you."

"I'm fine," Lily said and folded her arms defensively. "It just feels weird to be back, that's all. I was just...Taking a minute."

"That's fine," Connie said and placed a hand on Lily's shoulder. "Are you sure that you're ready? I don't want you to push yourself."

"I'm ready," she whispered with a heavy sigh. "I just need a drink."

"A cup of tea, right?" Connie said and wrapped an arm around Lily's shoulder. "Come on, you. Tea first, and then you can get to work. It's your first day back, so it's bound to seem a little scary at first, which is why I don't want you to rush."

"I didn't mean a cup of tea," Lily said, sitting down on the sofa in the staffroom.

"I know you didn't," Connie said, as she began to boil the kettle. "You're doing well, aren't you? When was the last time you had alcohol?"

"I can't actually remember," Lily whispered.

"See?" Connie said. "That proves you're getting better. There will be times when you 'need' alcohol, like today for example. You're scared, you're nervous and that seems like the only possible option, but we've turned that round. You've spoken to me about your feelings and we've turned that alcoholic drink into a lovely cup of tea. I guarantee that you'll feel better after this."

"Thank you, Mrs Beauchamp," Lily said gratefully.

Connie made two cups of tea and carried them over to the sofa. She handed one to Lily and took a seat beside her. The two of them just sat in silence sipping at their tea and reminiscing on how much things had changed. Connie remembered how hard it had been to see Lily at her worst, growing violent and throwing up outside the hospital. None of it had been pleasant and she was pleased to see that Lily was back on track again.

It wasn't until they'd finished their tea, when Connie decided to speak.

"So, are you sure you're okay to come back today?" She asked. "Because I won't mind if you wanted to take another couple of days, or even a week."

"I'm fine," Lily told her. "If I don't go back today, then I'll never go back."

"You're so brave and strong," Connie said. "I've always admired that about you."

"I've learnt from the best," Lily said. "Thanks for the tea, Mrs Beauchamp."

Connie smiled proudly from one ear to the other and she held back her tears, as she said, "I'll come and talk to you later."

Lily's first day back at work hadn't been so bad after all, and Lily wondered why on earth she'd been so nervous. Everyone had been extremely supportive, she'd taken a break when she needed one, and she hadn't had one sip of alcohol. She had to admit that she was proud of herself.

As soon as her shift was over, Lily left the ED with Iain, Connie and Ethan in tow. They'd all been great help and had asked Lily to join them for a celebration at The Hope and Anchor. Lily had been unsure at first, considering that she'd once been thrown out of there and the fact she'd be surrounded by alcohol. Iain had reassured her that things would be okay though but if she wanted to leave, they would.

Before that though, they had to make another stop.

Iain wrapped an arm around her, as they slowly walked towards the graveyard. Lily felt sick again, but she knew that she had her friends at her side. It wasn't just her though, it was Ethan as well, so she turned to face him and gently took his hand in hers.

"Are you okay?" She whispered.

"Yeah. Thanks," he whispered back, as he clutched a bouquet of flowers in his free hand. "Are you?"

Lily nodded and rested her head against his shoulder. Iain allowed the friends to have their moment and gave Lily's back a comforting rub, as they entered the graveyard and made their way towards Cal's grave.

"Do you think he's happy?" Ethan asked, as they stood in front of it.

"Course he is," Lily said. "Death is meant to be peaceful, right? That's why people talk about being in a better place and stuff."

"True," Ethan said and gently nudged her arm. "He'd be proud of you, you know?"

"Really?" Lily asked, and Ethan nodded. "He'd be proud of you too. You're a great brother and a great friend."

"Thanks Lily," Ethan said and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

Lily looked to Iain and smiled for the first time in ages, and Iain reached across to give her cheek a gentle stroke. Connie watched from the side, feeling proud of her staff and wondered if this was a happy ending for them all. She hoped so.

"These are for you, Cal," Ethan said and set the bouquet of flowers down in front of the grave. "We all miss you, bro. Don't party too hard up there, yeah?"

"Well done, you three," Connie said, and pulled Lily in for a hug. "Let's go for that celebration, hmm?"

"Does it ever get easier, Mrs Beauchamp?" Ethan asked, when they started to walk away. "Loss?"

"Of course it does, Ethan," Connie told him, keeping an arm around Lily. "The first year is always the hardest. It'll get better, for you and Lily."

Ethan nodded, hoping that Connie was right. They arrived at the pub just in time, and made their way over to the table that their colleagues were sat at. No one spoke about Cal or asked where they'd been, which they were grateful for. Straight away, Iain sensed Lily's nerves and took a seat next to her. Some of them had alcohol, some of them didn't, but even just the atmosphere of the pub caused Lily to feel uncomfortable.

"Alright?" Iain whispered, and gave her cheek a kiss.

Lily nodded, squeezing his hand gently.

"I'll get the first round," Connie offered. "What do you want?"

"I'll have a beer please, Mrs Beauchamp," Ethan said. "If...If that's okay," he added, suddenly remembering that Lily was there.

"Ethan, it's fine," Lily told him. "Have what you want."

Ethan nodded and Connie turned her attention to Iain and Lily. "And for you two?"

"Coke, please," Iain said.

Not only was he driving, but he didn't want to make Lily uncomfortable.

"Lily?" Connie questioned.

"I um..." Lily's eyes diverted to the pints of beer and the glasses of wine. "I'll have a coke as well, please," she said.

Connie smiled proudly at her and said, "Two cokes, coming right up."

"Well done," Iain whispered in his girlfriend's ear, as Connie headed up to the bar. "Are you okay? We can leave if..."

"I'm fine, thank you," Lily said, leaning against him for safety and comfort. "I'm fine."

And for the first time, Iain actually trusted her. It had been a rocky road and they'd overcome so many obstacles, but things were finally starting to look up. Although he knew that Lily may still have the odd urge to drink every now and then, he knew that she would be okay in the end.

So that is the end of the story, I'm afraid.

I'd gone as far as I could with the plot and I hate to finish it, but I didn't want to drag it on so that it became repetitive. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and the entire story. Let me know what you think and there will be more stories to come from me soon x