The next couple of weeks went by in a bit of a blur for Dec,he had been pretty consumed with plans for the last two episodes of Saturday night takeaway.He breathed a huge sigh of relief once the florida finale was done and dusted and he could maybe get back to some kind of normality,although he realised it would probably be quite a while before anything in his life could be considered 'normal' again,whatever that is!

As promised,he spoke to Ant every day,both of them happy to hear each others voices,the calls had soon become the highlight of both of their days.

Ant was having good and bad days which was to be expected.Dec,forever keen to keep his spirits up,regaled Ant with silly stories and rubbish jokes but was also serious when wanting to reassure him how well he was doing.

"I watched you on the takeaway final" Ant announced one day during their phone conversation.

"Really?" Dec was surprised "I'm not sure that was such a good idea" he knew Ant hadn't watched the previous weeks episode where Dec had to present by himself for the first time ever,but was now extremely worried that the fact he'd watched the finale would have just been too much for Ant and was a bit taken aback that it was even allowed in the rehab facility.

"I just wanted to see you do well,I knew you'd smash it,I just wish I could have been there with you" Ant replied

"Next year you will be" Dec was absolutely sure of this "did you like the acts and their songs?I chose them especially for you"

Of course he was referring to the blues brothers 'everybody needs somebody' and the Rembrandts 'I'll be there for you' which had been a part of the show,

"I thought you had" Dec knew Ant was smiling as he spoke,even if he couldn't see it "it meant so much to me and so do you,you're getting me through this and keeping me strong"

"I will do my best to keep you strong every day for the rest of our lives" Dec promised "I owe you that"

"Thank you" Ant whispered "I'll talk to you tomorrow"

They both looked forward to their daily phone calls as it was their only means of communication at the moment,but it was so hard for them as they were so used to seeing each other every day,even when they weren't working.They both missed each others physical presence so much,that they could almost feel their arms ache for one another.

During one phone call,Ant announced that his court date had been postponed until the 16th April so he could complete his intense phase of therapy.

"Do you want me to be there?" Dec asked "you know I will be if you want me to"

"It's ok" Ant replied "it's already going to be a media circus as it is,I don't want to put any of my loved ones through that,especially not you,I've put you through enough already,I'll be ok"

"I really don't care about the media,I'm pretty used to it anyway,please don't try and be brave alone if you want me there" Dec said concerned

"Honestly Dec,I just want to get it over and done with,you being there would only feed the vultures,I really don't want that for you"

"Ok" Dec agreed feeling slightly deflated,wanting desperately to support Ant but knew it ultimately was his decision "I understand but I'll talk to you before and after court that day ok?"

"Of course" Ant assured him "I'll want to talk to you that day of all days"

The day of the court case soon arrived and Dec and Ali sat down to watch the news.Dec had just spoken to Ant before he left rehab,wished him luck and told him he loved him and was thinking of him.

He was also keen to see how his best friend looked,hoping he'd look healthier than when they last met and with visible signs that he was on the road to recovery.

What he actually saw shocked him to the core!

As Ant climbed out of the car,Dec let out a disbelieving gasp

"Oh my God,he looks so ill" he mumbled more to himself rather than Ali

"He is ill baby,but he'll get better" Ali tried to convince him

"I thought he was doing so well" Dec cried,tears flowing freely down his worn out face "he's lost so much weight,he looks so frail and gaunt,he never had sunken cheeks before,he's obviously not eating well,and I know he's been crying a hell of alot,I know he gets those red patches on his cheekbones when he cries,I've seen it often enough"

Dec was absolutely devastated "I wish I could just give him a hug"

"You will be able to soon" Ali softly comforted him while rubbing his back.

They watched the rest of the news article,listening intently to Ants statement outside the court before he was driven back to rehab.

"So proud of him" Dec whispered

"Yeah me too" Ali replied.

Ant had promised he'd call Dec as soon as he got back to rehab,so Dec waited on tenterhooks,willing his phone to ring.When it finally did,he answered immediately.

"Hi Ant,how are you feeling?" Dec was so worried by his friends sad and frail appearance but he didn't want to make his concern too obvious,so he trod carefully.

"I'm ok,glad it's over" Ant replied

"Me too" Dec answered "now you can concentrate on getting better without that hanging over your head"

"Yeah,onwards and upwards" Ant smiled.

"Ant,are you eating ok?you look like you might have lost a bit of weight?" Dec tactfully mentioned.

"I'm trying to,I just don't have much of an appetite these days" Ant said sadly "eating just makes me feel sick"

Decs heart sank at Ants words,this was the last thing he needed just as he was working so hard to deal with his addiction and get his life back together.

"Pal listen to me" Dec said slightly sternly "please try to eat,you need to keep your strength up to fight your illness,even if you're not hungry or don't fancy anything,you have to eat or you'll just keep on getting weaker"

"I know" Ant replied "I just can't help it,maybe it was the stress of the court case,it's been on my mind constantly for the last month,maybe now it's over,I'll get my appetite back"

"I hope so" Dec whispered "I wish I could give you a hug,I miss our cuddles so much"

"Me too" Ant agreed "I wish I could hug you too,I miss you so much,talking on the phone just isn't the same"

"No it isn't,maybe they'll let me visit you soon?they did say that could happen eventually didn't they?in the meantime I'll save all of those hugs up that we've missed,I've got a million cuddles waiting with your name on them" Dec said.

Ant was smiling "can't wait for that,I'll ask about arranging a visit,see if it's allowed yet,I would dearly love to see you"

"Me too,let me know what they say as soon as you can?" Dec was cheered up no end at the thought of seeing Ant very soon and prayed the facility would allow it.

"I will go and ask now and call you back,love you" Ant stated breezily

"I love you too" Dec replied and they hung up.He felt so excited at the thought of seeing Ant soon but didn't want to get his hopes up too much in case they said no,but he couldn't help himself,he wanted to see Ant so desperately.

Eventually Ant rang back "we're on,you can come on Friday this week and they said you can spend the whole afternoon, please tell me you can make it?" He sounded so happy.

"That's great" Dec practically screamed down the phone "of course I can make it,I can't wait to see you"

"There is one catch Dec" Ant informed him slightly hesitantly "they want you to sit in on one of my therapy sessions,that's the deal if they allow you to visit"

"That's fine" Dec smiled "you know I'll do anything to help you"

"They can be pretty grueling" Ant warned "usually I get very emotional and cry alot"

"That will be two of us then" Dec giggled "I think we're both pretty used to grueling and emotional by now,I'll deal with it"

"Can't wait to see you" Ant said

"Me too" Dec replied "I'll talk to you tomorrow,bye mate,love you"

"Love you too Decky,bye" Ant said and they both hung up,feeling so happy about their impending meeting.

Both of them longed for Friday to come around and it soon did.That Morning both Ant and Dec were so excited at the thought of seeing each other very soon.

Dec was allowed to stay from midday until 5pm.He couldn't wait,he knew they would have lunch together when he first arrived,followed by an hour with Ants therapist,then they'd have the rest of the afternoon to just spend together.

Dec drew up at the rehab facility at 11.30,he cheekily thought maybe they'd let him squeeze in a little bit of extra time with Ant if he turned up slightly early.He giggled to himself knowing the fact he was early let alone on time would surprise and amuse Ant as he was so well known for his lack of punctuality!

He climbed out of the car 'nice place' he thought to himself as he studied the outside of the building.

He picked up the bag of goodies from the passenger seat,he'd been out and bought all of Ants favourite treats and snacks that he could think of in the hope it would get him eating again.

He'd also brought a mountain of get well cards that he'd asked close friends and family to send to him,hoping it would lift Ants spirits and remind him just how loved and supported he was.

Dec also brought his own special card with him.It had taken him ages to choose it and he'd spent a long time writing a very special message inside.

He walked into reception and smiled at the pleasant looking lady at the desk,noting the name Jenny on her badge

"I'm here to see Anthony Mcpartlin,I'm Declan Donnelly"

"Of course Mr Donnelly" Jenny smiled "we've been expecting you" she stood up and gestured to Dec

"Follow me please sir"

Dec followed her down a long corridor until they came to the last room on the right

"This is Anthonys room" Jenny smiled "just knock,I know he's waiting for you"

Dec thanked her and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.He didn't know why he felt slightly apprehensive,it was his best friend he'd come to see after all,must just be the stress of the last few weeks he told himself and being out of his comfort zone,after all he'd never been in a rehab facility before!

He knocked three times and as the door immediately swung open,Ant stood there with the hugest grin on his face.

Any doubts Dec had immediately disappeared and he couldn't get into the room quick enough,dropping the bag on the floor and throwing himself into Ants arms.