This is the second House fic I've written. The first was a Christmas oneshot, so I didn't have to do much research. This one, however, will delve into the childhood of our favorite anti-hero. It will go from birth to age eighteen (and not a day over.) I'm trying as hard as I can to get all the facts straight—if you see some major problems then just let me know. The piece will be 5 chapters long. I know that's pretty short, but I'm not good at keeping up with long pieces. I hope you'll forgive me!
This first chapter deals only with House as a newborn so it isn't terribly interesting. I'm mainly just trying to introduce you to his parents and aunt (who will actually play a pretty big part) and set the tone. Since House is a baby there won't be any thoughts or feelings to write about.
Hope you enjoy!
P.S. The show isn't clear whether House's birthday is June 11th or Dec 21st, but I liked the idea of him having a summer birthday so I chose to go with the June 11th. Hope you don't mind!
Chapter One
It was June 11th, 1959. It was by no means a remarkable day. For billions of people, the hours would come and go just like they always had. The residents of Ohio would drive their cars along the interstate, wave to each other from their suburban stoops, and watch an episode of "The Ed Sullivan Show" before turning of their porch lights and tucking in to bed. But for John and Blythe House, it was the most earth–shattering day the world had ever known.
Blythe House, an attractive woman of twenty-four, held a newborn baby in her arms. The baby squirmed and made gurgling noises, but the new mother just rocked and shushed the little boy until he hushed up. Behind her stood a proud, tall, handsome man of twenty-six. He stood looking down upon his new son with gleaming eyes. He smiled—a rare sight in those days. John House had never been happier than he was right at that moment. Not even his wedding had been such a wondrous event.
The two shining parents were robbed of their special moment when a doctor walked into the room. "He is a beautiful baby, is he not?" asked the white coated man.
"Oh yes." Blythe said, looking down at her son.
"And what name will this beautiful baby have?" The doctor asked kindly.
John answered for his wife, who was still memorizing every inch of her brand new child. "Gregory James House."
"Gregory." Blythe echoed, raising one hand to stroke the soft cheek of the boy. "A beautiful name."
"A strong name," John corrected. "He'll be a marine just like his father." If it had been at all possible, John looked even prouder than before as he said the words.
"Oh hush," Blythe said, annoyed. "He'll be whatever he chooses to be."
John was too happy to argue his point. "I can tell he'll be strong." John said. "All the House men were strong."
Blythe chuckled. "I'm sure he will, sweetheart."
The doctor in the room, having finished charting the boy's information, turned to Blythe. "I need to discuss with you the complications that happened during the birthing."
Blythe's eyes suddenly turned dark. When she spoke, her voice was lower and full of emotion. "The other doctor told me I wouldn't be able to have any more children. Is that true?"
There was a pause as the doctor shifted his weight awkwardly. "I'm afraid so, m'am. The emergency surgery we performed on you made it impossible to carry another child. I'm sorry." The doctor turned and left the couple to process the horrible news.
Blythe cried. The tears did not come sobbing out in an out of control way. They were quiet, running down her face in a personal statement of defeat. John placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We should be thankful we have Gregory, honey, and that he's safe."
She nodded and wiped the tears off her face. "You're right. This is a time for celebrating." As if on cue a boisterous woman bombarded into the room. She was wearing brightly colored pajamas and her hair was flying out of large clip. "John! Blythe! Oh how adorable!" Each word was spoken louder and louder, with the final syllables coming out in a screech of excitement.
"Sarah! How wonderful for you to come." Blythe said in a genuinely kind way. She was hardly ever unkind, and especially not to family.
"What? You think I would miss my—" She stopped, realizing she did not know the gender of the baby. "Well?!" she asked. "Do I have a niece of nephew?"
"Nephew." John answered.
"Ohhhhh!" she let out in another exclamation of happiness. "May I hold him?" After Blythe had nodded the affirmative, Sarah Johnson cradled the babe in her arms with expert experience. "You two can come to me anytime for help. Lord knows I've handled my fair share of newborns." She had handled many newborns—five, in fact. Sarah's kids now ranged from fifteen to three, so it was safe to say she knew her way around babies.
Sarah rocked and cradled and sang him around the room. John and Blythe looked at each other, both with cocked eyebrows. It was unfortunate timing, or possibly fortunate timing, that Sarah happened to glance their way when such faces were made. "Oh dear me, what am I thinking? Taking a babe away from new parents! Here John, you hold him." She handed the baby over to the marine who was not expecting the gesture.
John House held the baby exactly the way he had been showed. John never did anything without figuring out precisely how to do it first, and this included how to care for a baby. He cradled his head and secured the tiny body in his arms. It was then that son's eyes met the father's—and that special connection was formed. He couldn't describe it. In later years he would forget how much love he had felt for the little bundle, and how special it was just to hold him in his arms knowing that it was his own flesh and blood son.
If Gregory House could have seen this scene many years later he probably would not have believed they were his parents. He would claim there was some trick or prank being pulled on him. Perhaps it was a terrible thing, but the truth was that in later years John House never showed his son more affection than he did the first day of Greg's life.
