Title: Our Crazy Family
Category: Romance, Family, Angst
Rating: M
Setting: Alternate season 3 and onwards. It's really its own universe
Summary: Sequel to 'Our Secrets'. Cuddy and House get to know their daughter while dealing with their new roles in life.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the TV show House MD. Nor do I own any rights to any idea
Authors Note: This story is a sequel to my other story 'Our Secrets'. I strongly suggest that you go and read that one first for this one to make sense. This first chapter takes place basically straight after the final chapter of 'Our Secrets'. Hope you enjoy. Chapter One
"Shouldn't you be eating a salad or something?" He asked her. "What kind of girl are you?"
Max smiled and bit down on a chip. "The kind that puts taste before looks. Not that it makes much difference to me."
"You've got good genes," House smirked, wiggling his eyebrows slightly.
"Is that your way of taking credit?"
"Yep," House said as he reached out and stole one of her chips.
Max didn't seem to care and instead leaned back in her chair and continued eating.
House watched her carefully as he went back to eating his own sandwich. Even though he'd only known her for a few days…or well, knowing she was his daughter for a few days (he'd actually known Max for several months now) it felt like he had always known her. He couldn't explain it. It wasn't something he could rationalize in his own mind but it was what it was.
House suddenly noticed a few hushed voices and whispers coming from people around them. He narrowed his eyes and glared at an orderly who quickly looked away and tried to pretend that he hadn't just been staring.
Max looked at House and frowned before she turned to look at some people around them.
"Guess there's some new gossip around," Max muttered.
House turned to her, "You bothered by it?" He asked.
Max thought for a moment and chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. Then she shook her head quickly. "I guess I kind of expected it would happen. I mean it's not every day they see the grouchy head of diagnostics having lunch with Cuddy's lovable, extremely pretty, smart and best assistant ever." She paused and smirked.
"Yes," House sighed and rolled his eyes "Cause that's what they're talking about. Us having lunch together."
Max leaned closer to him and replied in a lower voice. "What else would they be talking about?...Unless someone's already told everyone that I'm actually your daughter. Add that to the fact that there are still rumors going around about you and Cuddy's pregnancy…."
"Kay, I get it." House sighed in agreement.
Max sat back in her chair and flicked her hair off her left shoulder. "I wouldn't have thought the gossip mill would bother you so much." She stated.
"It doesn't." He replied. "But it's not just about me now is it?"
"Aww" Max gasped dramatically and sarcastically as she placed a hand over her heart.
House rolled his eyes again.
The two of them continued to eat their lunch and talked about trivial things while ignoring the looks and whispers happening around them. It was clear that Max's identity was no longer a secret. Not that they would have been able to keep it a secret for long after House's team had found out. As for Cuddy being pregnant and her baby being House's, well that secret was out as soon as Cuddy had fallen in his office and there was no point in trying to deny it now.
House just secretly hoped that the rumors would die down eventually and that everyone would just get bored and find something else in their lives to talk about.
"You know," Max began thoughtfully. "Now that I'm not preoccupied with keeping a big secret anymore, I think I might ask Chase out."
House coughed a bit as he was mid-bite into his sandwich when Max spoke. After a few spluttered half chokes, he managed to swallow and after he had he narrowed his eyes at his daughter in annoyance. Max was laughing, clearly enjoying the response that she got.
"You are not going to ask Chase out," House said firmly. "And if he asks you out you will say no."
"Geez, I'm sorry," Max said in a sarcastic tone as she rolled her eyes.
House had to admit to himself that she looked so much like her mother when she did that.
"Did that sound like I was asking for your permission?" Max continued. "Cause I really wasn't. You do know you can't stop me from dating anyone."
House glared at her in response and Max just smiled back.
"That look might intimidate others…it won't work on me."
House's expression soften and he had to fight within himself not to smirk proudly at her. There weren't many people who could go toe-to-toe with him in a sparring match of words and wit. Actually, there were probably two people in his life. One being Wilson (though not too often) and the other being Cuddy. Now he could add Max to that list. Which shouldn't be surprising? After all, she was Cuddy's child. Well, his and Cuddy's child. If anyone was going to have a chance of besting him in any way it was going to be her.
Before House could say anything he was interrupted when Cuddy herself walked over to them. Cuddy was smiling, still blissfully happy about having Max in their lives. House didn't even think the gossip, whispers, and various looks were getting to her.
"Hi," Cuddy said as she sat down next to Max. "Are you two busy?"
"Yep," said House, waving a hand at his almost eaten sandwich. "Absolutely swamped."
"No," Max said quickly. "Why?"
"I've just got off the phone with HR," Cuddy explained. "We have a meeting with them in half an hour."
House let out a long low groan of disapproval.
"That was fast. You'd think they'd at least wait a few days for you to get settled after falling." Max said. He voice had a hint of annoyance to it. She folded her arms over her chest.
"Actually," Cuddy began. "I called them and asked for the meeting."
"Why?" House groaned again.
Cuddy turned to him and looked at him with a serious expression. "Because I want everything out in the open. I don't want to have to tiptoe around waiting for the board to do something because we've lied about all this."
"How is it their business?" House asked.
"Because I run this hospital, and you're one of my employees. There's actual policy in place forbidding such…relationships. We were going to have to see them eventually. I just moved things along."
"Do I need to go?" Max asked.
Cuddy turned to her and sighed softly. "I'd like you to be there. I think if we all go we can just get everything sorted more quickly."
"Yeah, of course," Max said with a nod.
"Okay, well you two have fun—" House began to say as he pushed his chair back and stood up.
"-You're going to House," Cuddy told him.
"-But mooooooom!" House moaned.
In front of him, Cuddy gave him a stern look while Max was grinning in amusement.
To Be Continued…