Hey everyone! So I know it's been forever, but here's the second chapter to the sequel of Another Life. I've been so busy, what with school, and there's that whole stupid writers' block thing. I know this chapter is a little slow, but it'll get there I promise!

If you haven't, I've got three other stories that I'm currently working on - you should check them out!

Disclaimer & Copyright: You know the deal.

So, as always, read, review, and enjoy!


Lisa Cuddy was not a patient woman – she knew how to handle new employees, and long lines at stores didn't bother her either. But things like this, she had no patience for. They loved each other – it was as simple as that, for her at least. He would always be this brooding, misanthrope and she was his angel, his savior. They had been together for a little under nine years now, not counting an ill-fated break up in the middle of it. They lived together in Cuddy's house, consolidated their possessions, and even shared a family plan on a cell phone contract. Every time someone asked how long they had been together and she responded, she swore she could see a glimmer of scorn and wonderment. Cuddy was sure that they were wondering, 'Why won't he marry her? Is there something wrong with her?' And as she worried if they were thinking those things, she began to wonder them herself.

"What are you thinking about?" House asked as he came out of the bathroom, leaning his cane against the wall, and sliding under the covers next to her. She shook her head, her raven black ponytail swinging like a pendulum behind her.

"Nothing," she lied easily – she would rather wait another ten years to marry him than scare him off with the subject of marriage right now. House watched her facial expression shift for a moment, then she composed herself, and he knew she was lying. He wanted to question it, but decided against it. Things weren't moving anywhere – they remained stagnant, a boat anchored in water and he was afraid if he made any move, it would ruin them.


It was a Friday night, and the couples had just finished dinner together at Chase and Cameron's place. The kids were up in their rooms, House and Chase were on the porch sipping a beer in the cool fall evening, and Cuddy and Cameron were clearing the table.

"Thanks for having House and I for dinner," Cuddy said, as she lay the dishes on the counter, Cameron taking them and rinsing them, before putting them in the dishwasher. Cameron smiled, putting down the dishes and twisting up her hair effortlessly into a bun. Even though they were different as night and day, Cuddy couldn't help but compare herself to Cameron.

"You know you are always welcome here." Cameron said, putting the leftover pasta into corning ware and handing it to Cuddy, who placed it in the refrigerator.

"Are you okay? You seemed quiet at the table." Cuddy sighed, knowing she couldn't lie, not very well at least.

"It's just…" Cuddy began to say. "I love him. You know I do. I've never met someone so frustratingly perfect for me. But I … I don't know if I can wait around for him forever. Maybe I'll meet someone that won't be terrible but that will want to marry me. And it's not as if I'm dying to get married or anything. I just can't do this forever."

"When are you going to do it?" Chase, sipping beer on the porch, bluntly asked.

"Do what?" Chase gave House a dirty look.

"You and Cuddy. It's going to be nine years soon… I can't believe you just haven't given in." House slugged Chase in annoyance.

"It's complicated asshole."

"What's so complicated? You love her. She's crazy about you. Just do it." House remained silent.

"I could lose her," he said softly, a moment of passion and unadulterated fear spreading over him. Chase shrugged, standing up and holding open the door.

"You could wind up with nothing. But you could wind up with everything."


The next week went by slowly and silently – the couple exchanged a little more than a sentence an hour, House contemplating his next move, or his move at all, Cuddy quietly despairing, wondering if he was going to leave her, if he was going to do anything about this at all.

"Can we have dinner tomorrow night?" House asked suddenly as they lay in bed together one night. Cuddy looked at him surprised – this was the first time in a while he had directly addressed a question to her.

"O…kay…?" She said slowly, not knowing what he was going to do. Her heart thudded out an irregular rhythm, unsure of whether this was going to be the first of many, or the last dinner. He nodded, turning his attention back to the television, focusing intently on the news clip playing on the screen. Her heart strummed out an uncertain, trembling beat – this was it.


For the first time in years, she was actually nervous to go on a date. It had taken her longer than normal to curl her hair her hands were shaking so hard. She had chosen her favorite outfit, a navy blue scoop necked top with a grey skirt and her standard black stilettos.

The air was light and friendly in the restaurant as she met him straight from work. They kissed fervently as they met up, not caring if anyone was watching or judging. He had reserved a private booth, an unnaturally sweet gesture for him. He slid into the seat across her and smiled nervously, matching her emotions.

Their dinner was nice, casual, and sweet, however they both avoided the unexplained tension between the two of them over the past two days, no one wanting to open up a Pandora's Box.

"Do you want dessert?" House asked and she nodded, looking over the tiny piece of paper that was placed on their table.

"I'll have the cheesecake," Cuddy said to the server and he quickly wrote that down.

"Cherry and whipped cream on top?" Cuddy nodded a small smile on her face. House chuckled and she gave him a face, their original banter returning for a moment. The waiter nodded, heading off to the kitchen and returning quickly with the cheesecake.

"I hope you enjoy," he said and Cuddy smiled, unrolling her napkin again and placing it on her lap. She picked up her fork to devour the cheesecake, and then stopped, putting it down. The cheesecake looked delicious, rich, and creamy, with a cookie crumb crust. On top was a dollop of whipped cream with a cherry – and carefully laced through the cherry stem was a sparkling ring, with a square diamond and diamonds on the side, downsizing as they went around the band.

"Lisa," House said and Cuddy turned, her breath stopping in her throat as he had carefully lowered himself to the floor, resting on one knee.

"You're probably the most infuriating, beautiful woman that I've ever met. I know this is long overdue," House said, taking the ring off the cake and holding it between his fingers, "but will you marry me?" It was a simple proposal – but nothing short of perfect. She nodded, opening her mouth to say yes, but her voice caught, and she simply nodded. A smile broke out over House's face and he stood up from the floor and slid into the booth with her. He stopped for a moment, staring into her blue eyes with his.

"I love you," he said softly.

"I love you too," she breathed, and he cradled her face in his hands, kissing her with a passion that could have lit up the whole restaurant.