In Absence of Keen Judgment:
A House/Cuddy Tale
Story Title: In Absence of Keen Judgment
Story Summary: When one takes away the medicine, the trials, and the blonde wenches who walk in at odd hours, they are left with the bare bones of the pair. In that moment, in the small window, in the absence of keen judgment, something might just change. House/Cuddy. Spoilers for Season Five.
Genre: Romance/Friendship
Chapter Focus: #476 of 1000 Themes, "Live to Tell"
Chapter Rating: K+
Word Count: 340+
Spoilers: For "Joy", nothing more yet
Author's Starting Notes: I sat down in front of my themes one day and wrote what is the second part of this "Tears of Joy". I felt that I rather liked the characterization, and the way that turned out. Out of curiosity, I attempted to write another Huddy-ish piece on another theme, "Hold My Hand". It almost turned out okay. I, on that same note, wrote two other pieces in the general vicinity of that time line. Then, I wrote "Live to Tell" which is the opener of this series. It takes place in the episode Joy. I want you to know that these are theme works and are solely written at two times. Draft one on some day, and draft two however many days later I return to it. These go in the order I present them to you unlike some of my other groups where you can read them in any way.
If you like this, check out some of my other themed work by going to my profile and looking at my online works at the bottom. Read and Review.
Time Stamp: Posted January 1st, 2009
Preface
She can see it on those thin lips, can practically imagine them forming the words she longs to hear. For so many years, through so much, she has been looking for them. It isn't much. She is sure that it isn't impossible. Yet, the pursuit has nearly killed her. Now, so close to getting it, she presses on the small chest, eyes glistening, as her voice cracks more and more with each plea.
"Breathe, Joy. Breathe," she urges. The rest of the people be damned; Lisa continues speaking to the baby in her arms. She knows this is her last chance. What will there be after this? More IVF? She does not want to put her body through that again. Further adoption quests? Even more painful than seeing the negative line, she guesses. But, she has not lost the baby yet. She has not lost Joy yet.
When the lungs finally kick in, and the little creature takes its first breath. She does as well -- her first one as a mother. In that instant, she sees it all. She sees the trips to the day care and doctor's appointment, the first haircut and first steps, the long Sunday mornings just watching cartoons; it's all there.
The moments to come flash before her eyes all leading up to the one she longs for with all her heart. That simple moment, the brief second where all attention is focused on other things, when she seems and feels as insignificant as the ground she walks on, her little girl will look up at her and say, "I love you, Mommy."
Lisa isn't sure what she'll do then. Probably cry hysterically, or hug the child to death, but it won't matter, because Joy will be hers anyway. She can nurse the toddler back to prime strength and assure her that she is fine. And, Lisa will do all that and more. She will be the best mother Princeton has ever seen. She has to be, for herself, for Joy, and, for the words she can almost hear already.
© Everything written above belongs to me (FF user, Paint Me a Symphony). If somebody is out there pushing this as their own, they are lying. I may not own House M.D, or its characters, but I do own this.
Oh, and Happy New Year.