Bombshells - Living Proof
Here is the second chapter. Thanks for the review.
Chapter II.
"Good night Howse" the little girl said, eyes already closed.
"Good night" he answered, draping her comfortably under the sheets. Her name came as a whisper after that.
There, House realized that home wasn't just a person or a place but also a feeling that you couldn't get back once lost. Cuddy's illness had been like a bullet he hadn't seen coming, scattering into pieces the fragile walls built around them. He brushed Rachel's hairs off her forehead, observing her childish features and listening to her calm breathing. The little girl has shot through his anger and rage, showing him that in the prison he has built around himself there was only one frightened man. She showed him that his prison was just an open cage*, she showed him that it was okay to trust again.
It had been Julia who had opened the door and her first words hadn't been welcoming. He hadn't expected much, for he knew he didn't deserve better. Rachel had saved him from further harsh words and immediately asked for a hug to which he had obliged warmly. Convincing Julia that Rachel was coming with him hadn't been easy. Soon, the girl had reappeared with a small bag and some balled up clothes inside. She had been in a rush. Right now, he couldn't remember exactly what words he chose or why Julia agreed at the end. He remembered her promise to kill him if he ever did something stupid. He actually did take the threat seriously.
House removed his hand and placed it back on his thigh. At this point, he didn't know if he was thinking more of Rachel or of her mother. House's heart clenched at that precise thought. Damn if he didn't miss the presence of Cuddy as well. He closed his eyes and couldn't help but imagine her lying in a hospital bed, pale and scared, mostly alone. House bowed his head, reliving the moments intensely. There, in the obscurity of his bedroom, the harshness of what was happening hit him. If things ... House bowed his head, refusing to think about that possibility. Life was just a house of cards, as fragile as each and every breath of the child sleeping in his bed*.
In the morning, the first flashes of light were entering the bedroom. Rachel has moved in her sleep and was curled up at his side. What House felt first was the little creature asleep on his chest. Rachel has insisted that they took him with them. He groaned and carefully moved the kitten away. For a few seconds, his fingers dawdled in its fur and caressed him between the ears. It was a gesture that had become familiar in the last six months. Gipsy purred of contentment and slowly opened its eyes before rolling on his back, spread on the sheet. House shook his head and looked up.
Much to his surprise, he had slept for a couple of hours. The alarm indicated that it was just after eight. His first thought went to Cuddy – he pictured her face in his mind, every possible details he remembered – mostly her eyes. He closed his own as his heart and gut suddenly tightened. Last time he'd cried, he'd been locked into a cell in Mayfield. A lot of things had happened since then – well, everything has changed. He now had something to fight for, to live for. At the end, it was the little things that convinced him to stay, to act, to do what he was supposed to do since that morning.
...
"Good morning kiddo"
"'d mor'ing H'wse" she said, snuggled against his chest, eyes till closed "I'm hungry"
"What about pancakes and milk?"
She nodded but they stayed in bed for a while. Rachel was still fighting her tiredness. Soon, Gipsy climbed on House's chest and welcomed the girl with a quick meowing.
"Hi Gipsy"
...
Soon after, she got out of bed and stroked the kitten between its ears. House limped behind her, hairs ticking in every direction.
"Hey, come here" he ordered with a half-smile.
He gestured for her to come in the bathroom and both proceed to clean up. House could feel the tension in his leg but hated the idea of taking pills in front of her. Rachel's smile was contagious and it's a slightly lighter-hearted House who started to prepare breakfast a moment later.
"Howse?"
"What's up?" he replied casually.
Her little hands clasped around her bowl, her legs balancing under the table, Rachel seemed to hesitate. House took a chair.
"You wanna see your mum, aren't you?"
She nodded, not raising completely her head.
"What about I call and see if we can go see her?"
Rachel's bright smile and vigorous nod were her sole answers. Soon, she started her breakfast with appetite. House watched her a moment, his heart disorganized by powerful emotions.
"Eat! Breakf'ast is important Howse"
"Yes ma'am"
She chuckled. He repressed a laugh, sipped his coffee and ate his pancake under the scrutiny of the little girl.
Her face hidden in the crook of House's neck, Rachel was oblivious of what was happening around her. She didn't respond when Brenda greeted her with a smile in the elevator. She was holding her puppet against his chest and trusted him to find her mum. That was really all what mattered to her. Wincing a little under Rachel's weight, House limped until he was near the room where Cuddy was, his guts clenches and his throat dry. His grip tightened around the little girl.
"Hey little one" he said. Rachel looked up. "Guess who wants to see you?"
"Mum?"
"Yeah"
They reached the room just when Wilson was closing the door.
"She's awake" he said without trying to conceal his surprise and contentment that his friend has finally showed up.
He put Rachel on her feet and followed her as Wilson reopened the door for them. Both men exchanged a glance and slowly House entered the room. An overwhelming cavalcade of emotions bombarded his heart at Cuddy's sight. Rachel had already climbed on the bed. Mother and daughter were sharing a very tight hug, Cuddy's whispering soft words against her ear. Body frozen, House hadn't moved an inch and was standing a few feet away. His heart was beating against his temple at a furious rhythm. Unconsciously, his eyes scanned the monitors above her and he had to remind himself that he wasn't here as a doctor.
"Why you crying Mum?"
"I'm just tired, honey, it's okay" Cuddy answered, smiling "I'm happy to see you"
It seemed to jolt House from his thoughts. Her smile was more fragile that any others she has offered before. She was trying to be brave in front of her daughter, thought he could read her fears easily. It matched his. It was Cuddy, his Cuddy and he was supposed to be there for her. He wanted to be there for her. He had been blind and clueless for too long. Rachel was talking softly, soon getting excited and House saw tiredness fell on Cuddy quickly. Wilson was still outside and one quick look between the two men showed the younger what to do.
"See you later, mommy" Rachel smiled and waved.
"See you later, love"
