Disclaimer: All rights belong to Fox and David Shore.
Author's Note: First of all, a big thanks to my beta cecilee who patiently went through drafts of this chapter. Second, a big cyber hug to everyone who sent PMs encouraging me to write a sequel to Minor Setback. Here it is…I hope you like it and don't forget to click the "Review this story/chapter" button at the bottom of this page.
***
House limps out of the elevator and sees his son flirting with the candy striper down the hallway. After catching a glimpse of his father, Jake immediately says goodbye to Kaitlin.
"Hey Dad"
"Hey"
"How was the doctor's appointments? Are the twins okay?"
"Yeah"
"And?"
"We went to the Perinatologist. He confirmed that the spawns' heartbeats are fine. There's no cord entanglement so blood and oxygen flow are good too. However, we found a little surprise at the end."
"That's great news! What's the surprise? It's a bit too early to find the babies gender, isn't it"
"Actually, we spotted the spawns holding hands in your mom's womb."
"That's actually sweet. I bet everyone went gaga over that picture."
"Yeah, the Perinatologist actually made extra copies of the sonogram pictures so he'll have a souvenir. Apparently, he has never seen anything like it before."
"I bet mom got a kick out of that too."
"Yeah, your mom got all teary eyes and said that the twins are holding hands to keep each other company."
"That sound like something she would say. But, did they know what cause mom's discharge?"
"After the Perinatologist appointment, we went to her OB/GYN. Keeler has a theory and she ordered your mom to stay off her feet and take it easy for awhile."
"Okay. That sounds reasonable."
"Jake, mom will not be able to come with us to Boston. I think its best that she stays home and rest."
"Of course."
"Your mom said you have a list of stuff that you need for your apartment?"
"Yeah, stuff for the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom stuff."
House hands a key to Jake "Here's the key to my storage place, get what you can use" and hands Jake his credit card "buy what you need."
"Thanks. And Dad, can I borrow your car too?"
House grunts his approval.
"Oh, do you mind if we get one of those small rental truck?"
"How many stuff are you planning to haul with you to Boston?"
"I really want to bring my motorcycle. We can drive the truck one way, drop it off and you can fly back home. That also mean you don't have to drive back home by yourself."
"I thought your mom said you're not allowed to ride the motorcycle until you're seventeen and legally allowed to drive it?"
"Yeah, seventeen is the minimum age in New Jersey but in Massachusetts all I need is a parental consent."
"And which parent will be consenting for you to drive your 'death trap'?"
Jake smiles cheekily and answers "The coolest Dad in the world, which happens to be mine."
***
"Wow! Dinner at Gratella; I'm very impressed" Cuddy says in amazement after House opens the door to the small Italian restaurant.
"Of course, only the best for the mother of my children."
"Greg, you know that no matter how much you (figuratively speaking) 'wine and dine' me, we still can't have sex for at least a week, right?"
"I know. I was there when Keeler made that terrible advice. Anyway, we're here to enjoy a good dinner." Dr. Keeler thinks that Cuddy's discharge is cause by irritation of the cervix which is brought on by sexual intercourse.
"Are we celebrating a special occasion?"
"Nothing special. I just want to take my girl some place she's always wanted to go."
Cuddy smiled at House's response. She is going over her menu when she sees House looking at another table. Cuddy follows House's gaze, thinking to herself that "he better not be ogling at another woman or he won't know what hit him."
"House! Did you take me to dinner so you can spy on our son's date?"
"No, so we can spy on his date. Aren't you curious what he sees in her?"
"Kaitlin is a very nice girl. Most girls her age would rather spend their free time hanging out with their friends in the mall, but she chooses to volunteer in the hospital."
"That just mean she has no friends to hangout with and her parents are too controlling for her to work at some retail store after school."
"Ok, her dad works down in accounting. But, what's wrong with having your kid work at the same place as you do? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. At least her dad doesn't follow her during her dates."
"We're not following them on their date. It's just coincidence that we're here having dinner at the same restaurant. Besides, If our son sees us and thinks that we are planning to follow him, then that might just discourage him from doing anything stupid with her."
"Oh for god sake, Greg. It's his last night in town, let him enjoy it. I think it's romantic that he's taking her back to where they had their first date."
"Schmaltzy! That's what it is. Unless, of course he's breaking up with her then..."
"House!"
***
As Cuddy waves at House and Jake goodbye, she can't help but feel sad. She thinks to herself "It's going to be a very quiet and lonely few days without the boys."
Meanwhile, both father and son begin their five hours drive up to Boston.
"I saw you and mom at Gratella last night. Did you finally pop the question to her?"
"The only one who's ready to pop anything is your mom."
"I'm serious, Dad."
"Your mom has been begging me take her to Gratella for awhile. I also wanted to check up on you and the stripper."
"You see Kaitlin in the hospital all the time and you've never once says hi to her. Why the sudden interest in her last night?"
"It wasyour last night in town, your mom and I wanted to make sure you didn't do anything stupid."
Jake rolls his eyes and says "Don't worry, I'm not marrying the first girl I get involve with."
"You sure about that?"
"Yeah, I have a family tradition to keep up. I need to make sure that she bears at least three spawns of mine before I'll even consider marrying her" Jake replies in a sarcastic tone.
"You learn well, grasshopper. One day, I may let you take the pebble from my hand."
After an hour of driving, House feels a sharp pain on his right leg so he immediately pulls over by the side of the road.
"Dad, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a little leg cramps" as House dry swallows a couple of Vicodin.
"Dad, let me drive the rest of the way."
"Are you sure? This is not my rinky-dink car."
"I can handle interstate driving. We'll switch when we enter Boston."
"Let me know if you get tired or anything, okay?"
Jake nods at his dad.
The rest of the drive is spent discussing and arguing about various topics. First, there was the heated discussion as to whether embryonic stem cell should be clone to grow spare body parts.
Then they argued which one is the better football conference (AFC or NFC), then which one is the better baseball league (American or National), later on the topic turns to the greatest baseball of all time (Babe Ruth or Jackie Robinson). Afterwards, the duo discusses whether Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday has better scat vocalization techniques, then which one is the most talented Beatles (John Lennon or Paul McCartney), the greatest guitarist of all time (no contest, Jimi Hendrix) and whether the night janitor, Lou is a cross dresser or not. The topic of their conversation ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous. One thing for sure, if there's such a thing as a Trivial Pursuit Bowl, these two are force to be reckon with.
As planned, House takes over driving after they get off Mass turnpike. Since they only rented a 10' truck, House doesn't have a hard time finding a parking space. After checking-in with the building manager, Jake is given the key to his place. He is also introduced to a mammoth size student named Jason, who apparently was assigned by Dr. Martin to help him.
Jason brings a bellman's cart with him to help unload Jake's stuff from the truck. House has opened the back door of the rental truck and is sitting by the door.
"Hey dad. I got the key to the apartment so we can start unloading."
"Who's the bellhop?"
"Dad, this is Jason, he'll be helping us unload my stuff. Jason, this is my dad, Dr. House."
House nods and hands him a box.
They decide that Jason will unload all the stuff from the truck to the cart and bring it up. Jake will wait up in the apartment and unload the cart to his room. Of course, House remains on the truck to supervise (and pontificate).
After about half-hour, they have emptied the truck. As they wait for Jake to come down to join them, House strikes up a conversation with Jason.
Jason is about House's height (six foot three) but weighs about eighty pounds heavier than him. House thinks to himself "His neck is about the size of my thigh."
"Hey Justin, do you play football or something?"
"Yes sir, I'm a linebacker for Harvard Crimson. And my name is Jason, sir."
"Of course, you're in med school too?"
"I wish. No sir, I'm still an undergrad. I'll be a sophomore Biology major in September."
"Oh, the undergrad's semester doesn't start until next month?"
"Yes sir, I work at the Dean's office during summer months. My family wouldn't have been able to afford a Harvard education for me (or my sibling), if not for my football scholarship and my job at the Dean's office."
"Are you interested in earning few extra bucks?"
"Doing what, sir?"
"Just keeping an eye on my boy for me."
"I heard he's some kind of genius. And from what I can see, Dr. House, I think your son can take care of himself."
House nods and thinks he actually likes this kid, "I think he'll be fine too. But it'll really take a load off his mom's mind if he has a big brother of sort to watch over him. You know what I mean?"
"Of course sir. I have three younger siblings myself. I'll make sure to keep an eye on Jake."
"Thank you. And if you need a recommendation to med school, be sure to call me" House slips a hundred dollar bill and his business card to Jason.
After seeing both the money and House's card, Jason replies "I will most definitely contact you, Dr. House."
House stays overnight and to make sure that Jake is properly situated. He flies back home to Princeton the following day.
Next Chapter: Back to THE HUDDY Show.