Bombshells - Living Proof


Third and final chapter of this story. I hope you appreciate what I've written.

Thanks for the reviews and those who favourite it.

See you soon.


Chapter III.

He stood awkwardly, not knowing how to react, then gripped his cane and sat on the edge of the bed. Cuddy's eyes never left him. Her relief was unmissable.

"Hey" she finally said, one eyebrow raised. She wanted to touch him, anything, to make sure he was there and that it wasn't one of those dreams that continuously haunting her in her sleep.

Tension left House's body and he settled more comfortably on the bed. He offered her a small smile and leaned forward to kiss her.

"I didn't brush my teeth" Cuddy protested.

"Ya think it'd stop me from kissing you?" he asked, grinning.

She frowned, scrunched up her nose. It was like she was apprehensive. But when he kissed her it was softly, delicately and it make her wonder if there was one of their last time. It clenched her heart and guts violently – Cuddy searched his hand and squeezed it in hers. Loud breaths escaped Cuddy's lips and when House met her eyes, they were full of tears. He wished he could take all her pain and sadness away.

"I know I should have come earlier" House hesitated, his voice was hoarse "to be there for you and not just … wandering around, I'm so lost here, Cuddy, I … that's not fair"

"Sshh, please"

She shook her head and asked for a kiss. He cupped her cheek in the palm of his hand and kissed her forehead. Then, he gathered her into her arms and started whispering words that were only destined to her. Words of comfort, reassurance and love. Words he didn't know he had in himself nor thought he would pronounce with such strength and honesty once in his lifetime. He forgot that for forty years he had kept everyone at arm's length as much as possible. He forgot that there wasn't any manual telling him what to do.

All what mattered was the woman in his arms, whom he had intimately sworn to protect, help and love. Once, in the first hours of dawn, she had saved him when he was the one broken. She might have been fragile, if not broken as well, but in a less obvious way. Today, she was the one broken and he was there to help her. They sought salvation in each other.

It didn't stop her tears but it silenced her sobs to the point he thought she had fallen asleep. But the way she had her fingers wrapped around his right arm told him otherwise. He had never seen her that broken or lost before.

"If you don't survive surgery, I promise I won't sleep with anyone for at least a month" he said, matter-of-factly.

She chuckled again his chest and he helped her to lie down again.

"Make it two"

"Bitch" he hissed behind a tiny smile. *

He brushed one tears away with his fingertip. They fell into silence, both suddenly at a loss for words. There was an undeniable and urgent need to say something, for the enormity of what life had done to them over the years was soon overwhelming them again. Struggling with his oh-so natural sarcasm, House gulped.

"You'll be fine or I'll never get to give you your present"

She flashed a smile.

"You got me something for my birthday"

"Not exactly"

"What f … oh"

"Oh" he mimicked.

There was a pause. Cuddy brushed away her tears and apologised again with a broken voice. House captured her small hand in his and squeezed it. He wasn't surprised she has forgotten that in the upcoming days they would be celebrating their one year anniversary. He couldn't care less himself at this point.

"I didn't get you anything" she said.

"I just want you to get out of this bed and come home"

With a tiny shy smile, House shook his head and looked again.

"I don't actually have a gift" he lied with a lot of professionalism that made her smile " just said that to cheer you up"

"You know you have that thing when you lie, I can always tell"

"What it is?" he asked with curiosity.

"Even Rachel knows it" Cuddy answered with a low chuckle "I've been told she seemed to prefer being with you. Oh, come on, are you blushing?"

"Shut up"

"She loves you and you know it"

She saw House's blue eyes darken and knew what kind thoughts just crossed his mind. She knew her man well enough to know he was wondering what he would become if he were to take care of Rachel alone. Cuddy squeezed his hand, drawing his attention.

"Thanks for Rachel, really, it helped to know she was with you."

"My place was supposed to be right here, Cuddy, with you, and I …"

"That's okay" she shook her head slightly "House, you're here now, please, it's okay"

"You found some sleep?" he asked then.

"A little. I had … I have those dreams, nightmares. I don't really know, I hate them"

"What about them?"

Cuddy shook her head, unwilled to raise those images to the surface for the moment. They fell into another silence. House knew he had to talk about Vicodin with her, it was too big a threat and subject to be hidden from her … Later, he promised himself.

"The surgery is this afternoon. I have Chase on it" he said instead "I'll be there"

"I know" Cuddy replied lowly.

"I'll have Julia come and take Rachel for the day"

Cuddy nodded but said nothing. It didn't take much to see that she was on the verge of tears again and that fatigue was all over her. House stood and reached for the chair where he sat, as close from the bed as he could.

"Just rest, okay?"

"You're staying?"

"Now that I'm here, I stay" he promised, squeezing her hand "just close your eyes. I'll be here when you wake up"


The End.

This story is finished. Yet, it's possible to write more. So maybe, if I find the words and the inspiration, I will write more.

(For those who are following "If I Should Fall Behind", I'm still writing it. I want to finish it before publishing)