Daddy
"Can I call you daddy?"
House and Cuddy froze, glancing at each other. With House being the leading male role in Rachel's life, the question should have been expected, but it completely threw House for a loop.
Cuddy thought about berating Rachel, but she really wanted to know the answer. In the deepest recesses of her mind, she pictured them as a family, even if House tried to keep his distance.
House thoughtfully continued to put together Rachel's new "big girl" bed. "Can I call you Rachel?" he asked mildly. His heart was beating like a drum, unsure if the situation was one he wanted to be in. The kid becoming attached, and he in turn becoming attached to her, would make it harder to run if things became too much.
Rachel nodded enthusiastically, not understanding the mild sarcasm in House's tone.
House shrugged. "Okay then." He chanced a glance at Cuddy and saw her gooey, soft little smile. "You can call me daddy too, momma." He winked audaciously and tried to hide his smile when Cuddy rolled her eyes.
