Christmas was getting nearer and nearer as the days went on and the weather was getting extremely cold.

Graduation day went flying by, and I was glad school was all over with. I knew I had to start finding where to go from here, but it was the last thing on my mind.

My father was getting worse, and it was the attention I couldn't keep myself from. I was fussing all over him, checking if he was okay every two seconds.

I didn't mean to annoy him, even though he had never admitted it. Kyle had to tell me to stop most times, that I was getting too much and stressing him out a little more, but it was hard to stop doing so, he was my father and there was this little part of me that thinks I can help him, that I can make him better. It was stupid to think really.

"Hey, love, hey father," Kyle came bounding into the room with a smile on his face, it was contagious and I found myself smiling at him.

He had a plastic bag in his hands and he took of his coat, his gloves and his scarf before coming forward.

"Kyle," my father croaked as he opened his eyes. "Happy birthday,"

"Thanks, pops," Kyle went over to give my father a hug and pulled away to look at me. My eyebrows raised at him.

"What?"

"Are you going to give the birthday boy a hug?" I smiled and threw myself into his widened arms.

"Happy birthday,"

"Thanks, sweetheart," I gave him a peck on the lips before he lowered me to the floor.

"Aren't you going to spend it with your family?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"I've celebrated my birthday with them this morning then I told them I was coming here to spend it with you and pops," my father cracked a smile and I laughed slightly.

"Fair enough, babe," I pecked him on the cheek before making my way into the kitchen. "Want a cup of coffee?" I called. I heard a duet of yes's before I flicked on the kettle.

I took the two cups into the lounge where I saw Kyle sat next to my father laughing and talking about something.

My father always lightened up when Kyle was in the room. Kyle and my father were extremely close, and Kyle had resorted to calling him pops, and my father didn't mind it at all.

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked as I put the cups of coffee onto the table.

"Nothing, it's boy talk, you wouldn't understand," Kyle stated as I sat next to him and he pulled my body closer. My father chuckled.

"Oh is that how it is now? You get a guy in the house and you gang up on your daughter?" I asked with humour dripping from my words.

"Of course," Kyle laughed at my father. The atmosphere was happy and bright this afternoon and I was enjoying every minute of it.

I snuggled further into Kyle's body and sighed in content. I could feel Kyle's body shake as he laughed with my father. I smiled.

"What you smiling at?" Kyle asked and I hadn't realised I was smiling so broadly.

"Nothing," I looked into his blue eyes as they twinkled.

"Well anyway, I was wondering if you were up for something, pops," Kyle turned his head to talk to my father.

I sat up straighter. Was it okay for my father to go out and do something? Especially in this weather?

"Stop thinking too hard about it, if pops is up for it, it will be fine I promise," Kyle whispered into my ear. I nodded my head anyway, even though I was entirely sure it was the right thing to do.

"Dad? You up for it?" I asked. My father nodded almost eagerly.

"I've been dying to get out of this bitching chair and go and do something," he let out in reply. I smiled at him and nodded.

"Okay then, what have you got in mind?" I asked Kyle.

"It's a surprise, come on, let's go," his excitement was enough to get me up and moving. Kyle helped dad make his way to the car.

He put on his coat, his scarf and a hat. Kyle did the same and so did I.

"Dad, do you want a blanket or anything? Some food? Some water?" I was fussing over him again and I knew it.

"I know it's in your best wishes, darling girl, but I'm fine, honestly," my father replied as Kyle helped him into the car. I nodded my head hesitantly, deciding to let it go.

"He's fine, baby, okay? Stop worrying," I nodded my head again as I also got into the car. Kyle then got into the drivers seat and soon, we were on the road.

I watched as my father gazed out of the window. He was always so calm and collected, it didn't bother him at all, his illness and all. He was just my dad, the way he's always been, and I was glad he hadn't changed.

I just wished it would have been differently, I wished it wasn't too late to cure him.

"I can feel you worrying about me, please, please don't, I'm fine, I promise you," my father took hold of my hand and I saw Kyle's eyes flicker to mine through the mirror of the car.

"Is she bothering you, pops?" Kyle tried to lighten the mood, and it worked straight away.

"Damn right she is," he winked my way.

"We'll kick her out of the car soon if she carries on,"

"Definitely," I smiled at the interaction. Kyle was like the son my father never had. He's always wanted a son.

Kyle looked to me through the mirror again and winked. I poked my tongue out at him and he chuckled.

Soon, Kyle pulled the car in to a parking lot and piled out. He opened the door and helped me out before doing the same for my father.

I looked around and smiled.

"Really, Kyle, an arcade?" He laughed at my reaction and shrugged.

"I remember coming here with my father on my sixth birthday, and I know it's with your father and it's my birthday but I made the most amazing memories here with him, and I want you to do the same," he stated. "Enjoy today, be a kid again, and literally try and forget everything, be as happy as you were when you were younger and spending time with your father,"

"Why are you doing this for me? It's your birthday," I asked but I was moved by the action and the thought.

"Look, to be honest, I just want you to be happy and not to worry so much, that's what I want this year for my birthday, just to see you happy and care free, because I'm sure I can see wrinkles appearing on that pretty layer of skin of yours and I'm a year older, not you," he cupped my cheek as he stated. I leaned into his touch.

"Come on, love birds, let's go!" I heard my dad call a few metres a head. He was almost bouncing, and I could feel his excitement.

"Boys never grow up do they?"

"Definitely not, but it's a good thing for us," he took my hand and led me over to where my father was standing.

We walked at my fathers pace until we were all in the warm building.

It was freezing outside and a little frosty too. I was hoping it would snow at Christmas.

I also couldn't wait until I gave Kyle his present. I also made him a cake yesterday, a chocolate one, his favourite I knew.

Before I could even utter a word to my father or Kyle, they were both off as they both found a machine they wanted to play on. They seriously were still little boys.

The floor was a colourful colour and the building was massive, full of different machines and games. There were a few people in here and there was a constant noise of chatter.

"Cali! Come on," Kyle called from a couple of yards away. I went over to him and he beamed at me.

"Hey,"

"Hey you, now, you're going to have fun today, here, come on this," before I could reply, he pulled me in front of him so I was standing before the machine. Kyle's arms enclosed around my body as I could feel his warmth behind me.

"What do I do?" I asked as I looked at the various buttons and the lever.

"You just press the button here," he pressed the button on the side as his breath tickled my ear. "And then you pull this, and then press this," he stated as he sounded deep in thought. I didn't know whether it was because he sounded so adorable or if it was because all I could feel was his warm breath against my ear and my neck but I couldn't resist, I just had to turn around to kiss him.

I turned around and I crashed my lips to his. He was shocked to say the least, but he soon recovered and began kissing me fiercely.

It was still as good as it was the first time. Fireworks, amazing loving fireworks. I couldn't get enough.

When we pulled away, Kyle panted against my neck.

"Well, okay then," he breathed. I giggled.

"Sorry,"

"Don't be sorry, love, just don't do something like that here, I'm waiting for my birthday present later," he winked before grabbing my shoulders and when I thought he was going to pull me towards him, he actually turned me back around. "Now, where were we,"

"Kissing,"

"Later, baby," he shook his head in exasperation. "We're sticking to the clean version of fun here, okay?" He breathed in my ear and I shivered.

"Okay,"

"Good, now, just press the button,"

After an hour and a half, my father and I were laughing at the fact Kyle couldn't win a prize from one of the machines. He was getting more frustrated as time went on and my father was enjoying every second of riling him up even further.

"Kyle, you're crap at this game," I stated as I continued to laugh.

"If I didn't love you I would have asked you to leave by now," he gritted his teeth as he replied.

"But you do love me,"

"I do but now is not the time to announce my undying love for you, sweetheart, because I am pretty preoccupied right now,"

"A machine over your girlfriend," I tutted but I wasn't mad, I found it even funnier.

"You don't aggravate me as much as this does," he stated, but he was distracted. My father chuckled.

"She hasn't shown her true colours yet, pal," I slapped my dad on the chest lightly and gasped.

"Dad, don't be nasty," I pouted. "Anyway, are you feeling okay? Do you want anything?"

"No, Cali, I'm good, thanks for your concern," he answered, but I knew when I turned my head my father rolled his eyes, especially as Kyle turned his head for a few seconds to smirk his way.

I watched Kyle lean over the machine, and I couldn't help but admire his butt. It was a lovely sight.

Suddenly, I heard a long groan and a thump to the floor, my heart jumped in it's chest, and when I turned my head to the side, my heart must have stopped all together.

"Dad!" I screamed. I dropped to the floor and knelt beside him. My whole body was shaking and I could feel the tears threatening to fall.

"Oh shit!" Kyle hissed as he knelt the other side of my father. He whipped out his phone and phoned the ambulance. "It's alright, baby, don't worry, he'll be fine, I promise," Kyle took hold of my shaking hand as his hand shook too. "Don't worry, sweetheart, don't worry," he cooed before he answered the phone.

I blocked everything out, I tried to feel something, but I just felt numb, and I guess that was better than feeling anything at all.

"Daddy," I sniffed as I began to sob. I stroked his cheek and frantically tried to find a sign of life. I was a mess and I knew it.

"Pops will be okay, darling girl, I love you," his words made me cry even further. The words darling girl, what my father called me earlier today, and his words, those words, I knew I could be okay hearing them, but I just wanted my dad. I just wanted him to be okay, but my faith was falling away as the minutes went by.

Time seemed the most important thing right now, luckily, time was slow, and I welcomed it.

Please, please don't let him go tonight. I wasn't ready to see him leave. I just wasn't ready.

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New update:) this book is coming to a close soon, which I'm sad about:(

Hope you've enjoyed this chapter, I made it quite long. Love you guys!

Vote if you want Cali's dad to stay alive:)xx

So shoutout to an amazing girl with an amazing story!

Every thought of you is an amazing story and you should all check it out! If you haven't then you absolutely must! An amazing romantic story with an amazing author writing it. You'll love it I promise!

If you can't find it, it's in my reading list x