Iano's Rosticceria was quiet on a Wednesday night at this time so they obtained a table with ease. James pulled Cuddy's chair out as the waiter took her coat. She smiled appreciatively at both men although the smile she gave to Wilson was marginally less polite and much more seductive. Wilson swallowed hard. For all of House's complaints about her work attire, Cuddy maintained a strictly professional air about her at Princeton-Plainboro. In private, however, she was every bit as confidently allluring as her strong personality in her job suggested. Having taken a seat, Wilson briefly perused the wine menu before setting it aside in favour of the soft drinks menu. When the waiter returned, he took the liberty of ordering a bottle of sparkling water for them both. Cuddy nodded appreciatively, noting that he had not forgotten that alcohol was off her menu, at least for the time being.

"So, any idea what tastes good here?" He asked.

Cuddy shrugged and smiled.

"You tell me, you chose the restaurant! Although I'm particularly partial to the Lasagne di San Gimignano myself"

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As main course was cleared away, James broached the subject he had been dying to ask about all night.

"If you don't mind me asking, and please do tell me to mind my own business if it makes you uncomfortable, but why IVF, and why now? You're still young. You still have time to find Mr Right."

Cuddy looked at though she had expected him to ask at some point during the evening. After all, she had been the one to bring the subject up earlier in the evening. She carefully considered her answer.

"I'm not getting any younger, and to be honest, I don't want to take my chances that I may or may not meet somebody and by then it may be too late."

"Have you given any thought to potential donors?"

"Well I don't want to choose a random donation from the bank if I can help it. Although to be honest, I doubt that I'll have many other options. Ideally I would choose somebody that I know. Failing that, I'll choose based on my own preferences." Cuddy laughed, "Although I'm sure my parents would prefer it greatly if I chose a Jewish donor!" At this, WIlson chuckled, his eyes creasing at the corners.

"Don't they always?" He quipped, "Needless to say my mother was very disappointed when I informed her that I was marrying Julie. She lamented the loss of potential Jewish grandchildren!"

Cuddy rested her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her cupped hand.

"What about you? Do you have any plans for children?"

"Why would I need children of my own when my daily routine involves supervising the world's biggest child?" He joked, smiling. Cuddy returned the smile with vigour. "Seriously? I suppose I always assumed that I would have children one day. When I was younger I imagined I would have children when I got married, look how well that turned out! Three marriages and no uber-Wilsons! I guess if it's meant to happen then it will. I'm not a great believer in fate but I do hold out hope for one day." Wilson took a deep breath, the conversation had gotten a little intense. "Would you like dessert?"

"I've never been one to turn down Italian ice cream!" Cuddy replied, grinning childishly gleefully. Wilson couldn't help but repond in kind and Cuddy was hit head on with the patented Wilson boyish smile; she was taken by surprise by the sudden flickering sensation in her stomach.

"Vanilla, chocolate or mint?" Wilson teased, dangling the dessert menu in front of her nose playfully, causing her to giggle.

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Wilson parked his car just outside Cuddy's building and insisting on doing the gentlemanly thing of walking her to her door. Oddly, she countered no objection which surprised Wilson greatly. They walked in companionable silence to her doorstep as she retrieved her keys from her purse.

"Well here's my cue to bid you goodnight!" Wilson announced as her front door swung open.

"Thanks James, I had a wonderful evening." She grinned, staring up into his deep brown eyes.

"Goodnight, Lisa." He moved to walk away but was halted by a kiss on his cheek. It was so soft he wasn't entirely sure he hadn't imagined it.

"See you tomorrow." Cuddy went inside as Wilson walked to his car with a smirk on his face.

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