Author's Note: Sorry to keep all of you waiting. I've had a bad bout with my carpel tunnel that's kept me from doing much on the computer lately.

Also, did everyone hear the news about Lisa Edelstein? I am not sure the show will have the same dynamic that keeps us all riveted without her. So sad! Anyway, sorry about the short chapter. I will try and get a longer one up soon!

As always, I want to thank all of you who review! You are too kind. I would appreciate any suggestions about where y'all want this story to go.

When Cuddy finally worked up the courage to visit Anna again it was almost the end of the day. House had caught a case and it was keeping his attention for the moment. She'd also been keeping discreet tabs on Anna's boyfriend, hoping to catch her for a few moments alone.

Cuddy could see that Anna was asleep as she neared her room. She stopped just outside the window to observe her. She already knew that the girl had House's piercing blue eyes but she was curious about what else of House she carried within her. Studying her face in the unencumbered relaxation of sleep, Cuddy could see House's high, sharp cheekbones, long oval face, and lean runner's body but very little else. She had very long red hair and a gentle sloping nose but mostly she noticed that Anna had a softness, a kind of innocence that House had never had, even before the infarction. Lost in thought, Cuddy failed to notice that Anna had woken and was now grinning at her.

"Like what you see? Its gonna cost ya," Anna said diverting Cuddy's attention.

Cuddy smiled almost nervously. Anna was so much like House. "How much?"

"Depends on what you're looking for." Anna smiled and Cuddy took that as enough of an invitation to fully enter into room. "So my dad tells me that he never told you about me. I'm guessing you have a lot of questions"

Cuddy was a little taken aback by the blunt statement but this was House's kid. She was sure that surprises would be the norm. "You probably have a lot of questions for me too," Cuddy replied.

"Just one," Anna said looking her in the eye. "Do you love my dad?"

"Yes, I do." The question surprised her so much that she couldn't help but answer it without thought.

Anna seemed satisfied by it though because a grin broke over her face. "Good. That's all I really needed to know. Anything else is just frosting."

"You really are his kid aren't you?" Cuddy laughed.

Anna smiled and just like that the ice was broken.

HHHHHHHHHH

It was nearing six before Anna's boyfriend came back. He was a tall, dark haired, green-eyed man in his mid twenties. Anna introduced him with stars in her eyes

as Owen. When he smiled Cuddy could see deep dimples in his cheeks that gave him an almost boyish charm. The three of them chatted for a while longer before Cuddy excused herself to go get Rachel.

On the drive back to her house, Cuddy couldn't help but think about the surprises the day had brought her. She certainly was not expecting House to be as accommodating of her demands as he had been and meeting Anna and her boyfriend had gone much smoother than she thought possible. Anna was also a surprise. She was charming and funny and wry and so like House and yet so unlike him too that Cuddy couldn't help liking her. Anna seemed to embody all the best of House with none of the personal demons that haunted him. As she pulled into her driveway Cuddy made the decision that whatever mistakes House had made in keeping her in the dark about his daughter and however hurt she had been by that, she would have to find a way to let it all go.