Calum's PoV

The car ride back was silent. That awful icy atmosphere that makes everyone uncomfortable. Yet I couldn't think of what to say. Poppy had found out the cancer was back again, that is was worse and surgery wasn't going to cure it. She'd need chemotherapy and some cocktail of drugs to try and fix it this time, all whilst trying to mother a newborn baby. I could barely imagine what was running through her mind right now but all I knew was that I needed to cheer her up. I knew she'd hate me for it now but hopefully she'd realise that it was done with good intentions further in the future.

The car pulled up to our house and she whispered a thanks to Sam as we both headed inside to our pitch black home. I could see Poppy hesitating as she always opened the curtains and blinds in the morning, so it should be bright and sunny in our house. As we got in and shut the door, a sneeze was heard from further in the room.

"Nice one Luke." I heard Ashton whisper.

"Ruined it now." Michael hissed.

"Hello?" Poppy asked into our dark living room, which echoed slightly through the hallway. Suddenly the lights flicked on and the curtains were flung open and all our friends were in the front room, with balloons and food and drinks littering the tables.

"Surprise!!" Crystal and Sierra called out at the same time. "Baby shower time!!" Poppy's mouth fell open as she let out a small chuckle. She looked over at me with a suspecting glare but I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. She took everyone in, Crystal holding a small and fragile baby, Michael doting on them both, Ashton and Bex with arms around each other, Sierra and Luke standing together but holding the edges of a badly painted sign that said 'Poppy's Baby Shower'. I nodded and smiled at them all, thanking them without saying the words.

"A baby shower?" She asked me. "You planned this?" I didn't want to take the credit, I'd said she was in need of cheering up without disclosing why and Bex had suggested that they did some sort of party, Crystal claiming the baby shower idea was the best way to go. I'd left the key under the mat and let them know when we were leaving so that they could do everything else and I didn't regret a thing. The place looked amazing; streamers and banners hung around the room with confetti and balloons on the tables, pretty much any type of food and drink available throughout the house. Poppy's eyes had filled with tears as she let out a happy laugh, running into the arms of all her friends one by one. She spent a little longer with Crystal as she cooed over the baby and they talked about baby stuff. Luke walked over to me with an open bottle of beer and thrust it in my hand.

"So, we ever gonna find out why a surprise party was needed?" He sipped his own beer as I took a very much needed gulp of mine. The flood of emotions washed over me once more as the appointment came to the forefront of my mind, but I pushed it back, offering Luke my signature smile.

"Nope." I laughed, walking away from Luke to greet the others as he cursed at my back.

"Thanks for all your help." I said to Bex and Sierra who waved their hands dismissively. "And Crystal, if I can ever pry her away from my wife." I looked over at them both, still engaged in a conversation about breastfeeding, and sighed contently.

"I can't believe you actually found love." Michael nudged me, catching my attention. "Mr Love-Is-A-Scam" I held my hands up in innocence.

"We'll come on, man. Did I ever think I'd find someone like her? She's one in a million." I said instantly, a warmth growing in my chest as I really thought about Poppy and how much she meant to me.

"I know. And somehow she stayed after your long line of fuck-ups." Bex slapped him on the arm and he let out a yell, attracting the attention of the two who were bonding so well.

"Be nice, Clifford." Bex hissed quietly as Crystal and Poppy walked over wondering what had happened.

"You are looking positively radiant, Pops." Michael smiled sweetly over to Poppy as he rubbed his reddening arm. She looked away, embarrassed for a second.

"Thank you." She said "it's so great to see you all. It feels like it's been forever."

"That's because it has." Bex was the one to be blunt this time, receiving a slap on the arm from Sierra. "What? It's true! They got married and went off on a luxurious holiday and left us all to deal with Storm Thomas!" She pointed outside at the very sunny weather, trying to emphasise the fact a storm happened to appear when we were away - as if we had anything to do with it. I heard it wasn't even that bad anyway.

"But they're here now. We all are and we are all celebrating the countdown to this baby making an arrival!" Sierra said cheerfully, clasping her hands together in pure joy.

"58 days now, am I right?" Crystal added in with a grin, everyone cheering at the countdown to baby Hood's arrival. Everyone but Poppy. She stood with her eye-line to the floor, breathing in and out shallower as the moment went on.

"Babe?" I touched a hand on her shoulder, everyone suddenly falling silent as they realised she wasn't happy.

"Nice one Crystal." Bex muttered as I walked in front of Poppy and put my hand under her chin, forcing her gaze towards me. As soon as her eyes met mine she seemed to jolt back into reality, but the fear in her eyes made me know all too quickly what she was thinking about. Not only was she counting down to the baby's due date, but inevitably to a date where she would begin treatment for the cancer being back and how possibly painful this was going to be in comparison to last time. Subconsciously she began stroking her throat.

"I can't do it." Poppy suddenly said in a trance-like state, her hand never moving from her scar.

"What is she- what can't you do?" Crystal asked, clasping a hand in hers. "Is she okay?" Her worried eyes were suddenly upon me and I stammered as I tried to work out what to say.

"I'm sorry guys." Poppy's head dropped again, this time tears beginning to fall as she sobbed into my chest. Everyone cuddled in, offering her support despite not knowing what was going on. "The cancers back, it's worse and my treatment can only start after the baby is born. I'm going to need chemo." And with that the room went deadly silent. Everyone took a step back as their minds tried to find something to say - anything to cheer her up or to end the silence. It didn't work.

"Whatever happens, know that you can call on Michael and I for anything." Crystal began. "If you need someone to babysit, to grab you some food, to just sit with you whilst you adjust. We are here." Crystal began, her words soothing Poppy where she stood.

"Us too. We may not be parents but we will do your housework, groceries, whatever you need!" Sierra added with Luke nodding.

"You've got us all in your corner Poppy. You're the biggest fucking fighter I've ever known. You will beat this again, you'll be a fantastic mum to your kid and you and cal will grow old together. I just know it." Ashton continued. I knew I needed to round it off with something good.

"You know you've always got me, babe, but I know my warrior has got this in the bag. I'll be cheering you on even though I know you'll win. I'm here for anything and everything. For both of you. I love you."