Title: It's My Life

Part: 7

Author: Mlizhobie

Disclaimer: Don't own House or any of the other characters except for the OC characters.

AN: This is my first time writing any type of fandom – so be kind and review. Thanks to my Beta reader, without whose help I wouldn't have had the courage to even think about posting this.

AN2: Lore's time spent under house arrest and the delivery.

The whole next month James made absolute sure that Lore was following Dr. Marks's orders to stay off her feet. He had even called in the big guns – their mothers. At first he had only called his own mother to come stay with Lore and Debra had been more than happy to come keep her daughter-in-law company. When James had first called to tell her what had happened, Debra was shocked and started questioning James on everything she could think of. James patiently answered all his mother's questions and was finally able to calm his mother's fears.

One of the mornings his mother had come into town to stay with Lore, Debra asked James if he had called to let Lore's mother know and possibly ask if she would like to come stay with her daughter. James had been thinking about that, but was still very leery about any extended contact between Lore & her mother. Before he left he went back to the bedroom and said, "My mom is here and will be up shortly. Do you want me to call and see if your mom would want to come and sit with you for a while sometime?"

Lore thought for a few moments but then said, "Well, why don't you call and see how she reacts to my being put on house arrest and see if she offers to come." James rolled his eyes and said, "You aren't on house arrest! I need to get going; I'll call your mom when I get a chance. Behave today kid! I love you both." James quickly kissed Lore, then leaned down and kissed her swollen belly before leaving for work.

It was mid-morning before James got a free moment to call Michelle Nelson. He didn't really know how to prepare himself for the call. In the back of his head he had this strange fear of her lashing out at him, but there was another part of him that told him to have faith in her wanting to change and have a relationship with Lore. Unable to avoid it any longer James dialed his mother-in-law's phone and waited for her to answer. Without noticing James had actually held his breath and when Michelle answered her phone with a real sound of sweetness he released his tension filled breath.

Michelle saw that it was James calling her phone, wondering what the young man needed she answered, "Good morning James, what can I do for you?" Waiting through James's explanation of what had happened over the past few days Michelle's level of concern raised quickly. When James stopped speaking she said, "You said she is out of immediate danger and hasn't broken anything. That is good, but I know she won't like being stuck at home until that baby decides to come. This might be asking too much, but I have to James. Would you two allow me to come up and stay with her, or do you have other arrangements?"

James smiled realizing that his wife was right; not forcing the idea was the best course of action. He then said, "Well, my mom had planned into town today anyway. So she is at home with Lore right now, but if you have time I would really appreciate your help. I hate to leave her alone all day long and there is no way I can get out of work." Michelle didn't allow James to say another word, she stopped him and said, "That settles it, I can come up whenever you need me. I mean it James, just call and I will be at the house before you know it. Taylor can handle things at the club; I need to help you take care of my daughter."

Over the few weeks Michelle & Debra switched off days coming and sitting with Lore while James was at work. There were even a few times when Allison and Lisa had come over to the house to visit their friend. Allison always snuck her in some ice cream. James had banned it from the house a few months earlier when Dr. Marks had told her chocolate wasn't the best thing for the baby. The ladies would all sit around chatting or even watching movies.

On Friday afternoon Lisa had come up to James's office, knocked and waited for the man to call her in. James had been getting a book off one of the shelves beside the door when he heard the knock, so he pulled the door open and said, "Oh hey Lisa, come on in." Cuddy accepted James's invitation and entered the oncologist's office. She went over; sat on the couch he had opposite his desk and waited for the man to sit back at his desk.

James had crossed back over to his desk, sat back down and asked, "What's up?" Lisa hated to ask but knew that it was necessary, "James, I wouldn't ask you do to this unless it was completely unavoidable. I hate asking you do to this on your birthday, but is there anyway you can come in for a few hours tomorrow morning? We need to have the hospital board decide on how to use the donation we received. I would have done this earlier, but I only found out that there was a deadline and everything must be decided before this coming Monday."

A look of consideration settled over James's face as he thought of what he could do about Lore for the time he was gone. Both of their mothers had plans, so he couldn't ask them. Finally deciding that it would be alright to leave her alone for awhile James looked up at his boss and said, "Its ok, I can work something out. Who was it that kept the little bit of info about the deadline under their hat?" Lisa smiled and said, "It was one of the people on the board of the company who donated the money. They also wanted me to tell you that they would like a majority of the money to go to your department." James was surprised by this news and said, "They want the oncology department to get it, really?" Lisa nodded and said, "Yeah, and that is why it was unavoidable for you to be there, seeing it's your department and all."

James told Lore about the last minute planning of the meeting that night when he got home. She was thrilled that he would get to use a donation for his department. He asked if she wanted him to find someone to stay with her while he was gone, but she said, "James I am a big girl. I can stay all by myself, besides if I need you I will call."

The next morning, the 28th of February, when James was ready to leave, he sat beside Lore on the bed and said, "You sure you don't want me to call Cameron or someone?" She took hold of James's face, pulled him close and said, "James, I will be fine. Go have fun spending someone else's money on your birthday." He grinned, kissed her and said, "Ok kid, but if you need anything call me." Lore nodded and pushed James up from the bed.

About an hour later Lore was sitting in bed and thought, 'I am going to get up just for a little while. My back is so sore from lying like this, so maybe I need a change of position.' Then after a half hour of actually feeling like she was a real life person again, Lore decided that she was going to sneak out of the house and just take a quick walk with the dog, just around the block, that's all she wanted to do. James was at a meeting with Dr. Cuddy and some of the hospital board members, so he wouldn't know if she was out of bed.

Lore had gotten the dog; Atticus, all ready for his walk and was headed to the back porch when she had a very strong contraction. She had been having gradually strengthening contractions over the past few days and had also been able to hide them from James, but this one was stronger than any of the previous ones. As soon as the contraction stopped Lore again started for the back door, but just as soon as she set foot onto the porch her water broke. She was so startled that she dropped Atticus' leash and he took off out the screen door barking like crazy.

Her first thought was, 'This is just great, I am going into labor and now my damn dog is running loose.' She heard Atticus barking very loudly and knew he must have seen someone outside. Lore was going to try and yell for him to come back but then she heard a muffled deep voice talking and it stopped Atticus's barking. While trying to see who it was talking to the dog she had another contraction start and moaned loudly. Before the contraction stopped Lore heard the screen door open and Atticus running across the wooden floor. The next sound Lore heard told her that she would be in trouble, the soft thump of Greg's cane.

Braving a look up to meet his look she knew what was coming, her eventual 'punishment', but the only sound was his low laughter. He then said, "Going somewhere? James told me that you weren't allowed out of bed, especially not to go walk this crazy dog. So what were you planning on riding Atticus to the hospital or just trying to sneak out?" Lore smiled tightly, blushed furiously, and looked back to the floor. He started to say, "That's what I thought…" but before he could finish she groaned at the beginning of another contraction.

This must have surprised him because he said, "What the hell? Are you in labor?" Lore mumbled, "Yeah and my water just broke." The surprise suddenly gone from his voice he said, "Can you make it to the car?" She started to respond but when Lore felt her legs were growing weak and like it wouldn't be long before she would need to push, she quickly shook her head no. He slowly walked over and grabbed Lore's arm and headed inside the house. Lore was about to ask where they were going, but he started first and said, "Come on, you need to lie down and I'll call Jimmy so he can get his ass home."

As they started up the stairs heading towards the bedroom Lore pulled Greg to a stop for another contraction and said, "No, investor meeting." This again caused Greg to laugh and he said, "Damn Lore, what is more important to Jimmy – new stuffed animals for the cancer kids or the birth of his first child?" Lore sighed in resignation because she knew he was right, so after he had helped her get settled on the bed he whipped out his cell phone.

Greg dialed James's phone and put it on speakerphone while waiting for him to answer. When James answered it sounded like he was already pissed because he was kind of shouting as he said, "Damn-it House, I thought I told you to go check on Lorelai, not call me during this meeting. You are just damn lucky that it's during a break. Now what do you want?" For a split second Lore thought that Greg's normal snarkiness would come through, but instead of a smart-ass comment he said, "James, I am at the house with Lore and I just thought you would like to know that you are going to be a father very soon birthday boy." Then James was screaming as he said, "WHAT!? Is Lorelai in labor?"

Lore didn't hear the rest of what he said because another contraction started and was fighting off the urge to scream. But she looked up and saw Greg smiling. He had taken the phone off speaker and by the look in Greg's eyes Lore knew that James was totally freaking out and probably running around like a madman. People usually think that since he is normally so calm and collected, that he would handle himself pretty well when she went into labor – but when it is something personal – it's a totally different story.

When Greg started speaking again he was using his highly underused softer side and said, "James, calm down and breathe. Lore's contractions are coming too fast to make it all the way to the hospital. Her water has already broken, so you need to get here as soon as you can." He waited for a moment while James responded, then mumbled in agreement and sat down on the bench at the end of the bed watching her.

Before he hung up the phone he again told James to calm down and to drive carefully. Clicking his phone closed he smiled at Lore and said, "He's on his way. You should have heard Cuddy freaking out in the background. I know you probably won't believe this, but Jimmy actually told her to shut her mouth because he was leaving. That shut her up pretty fast. How are you doing, they getting stronger?" Lore tried to respond, but again a contraction prevented her from doing so.

Greg then got up, came up beside the bed and said, "Well I guess that would be a yes. I know it must be very difficult, but try and stay relaxed and remember to breathe. It will help – well at least that's what we are told in med school. I; for one, won't ever be able to know for sure." When the contraction let up Lore said, "I am trying, but it hurts so much. They are too close together and I think I need to push." He then nodded and said, "Okay, why don't I see if I can check your progress and then get some supplies gathered up." She nodded and he went to work.

It wasn't long before he said that he was pretty sure that Lore was almost ready to push. He then left the room briefly to get some supplies, most of what he needed they kept in the bathroom next to the master bedroom. When he came back into the bedroom Lore asked, "Greg, will the baby be alright? What is something goes wrong?" He smiled slightly and said, "Lorelai, I can't promise that everything will go perfectly – but you know that I will be able to help you and the baby if something does happen. I am a real life doctor." She laughed, but instantly regretted it when her stomach started cramping again. Greg immediately stopped laughing and said, "Oh damn, I'm sorry – no more jokes, I promise."

Lore made it through a few more contractions without pushing or screaming at Greg, which made him happy. Just as Greg started to say something Atticus burst through the slightly open bedroom door barking crazily at Greg. Atticus was used to James sitting on the bed with Lore and freaked out when it was Greg. So Greg limped over to where Atticus had stopped, took hold of his collar and said, "Come on boy, I think you need to go back down in the laundry room so you won't be in the way. You'll be alright for a bit won't you Lore? I'll be right back." Lore nodded silently because it was the only thing she could do being that another contraction was quickly building.

She did her best to keep from totally tensing up and tried to remember to take deep breaths. Then as the latest contraction stopped Lore looked up to see James skidding to a halt at the end of the hallway in front of their bedroom door. She grinned at his panicked appearance as he regained his balance. When he did, he rushed over to her side wheezing and said, "Hey kid, are you alright? Do I need to get you anything? Can I help?"

Before Lore had a chance to answer Greg had limped back into the room carrying some extra towels and one of the blankets they had found for the baby. He quickly spoke up and said, "Yeah, you know what you need to do right now Jimmy? How about calming the hell down and taking a breath. Freaking your way into an asthma attack right now won't do us any good – so either do that or get the hell out of the way." James blushed, but stopped fussing around Lore. After taking a few hits from his inhaler he said, "Okay, you're right I need to help Lore focus on…"

Lore interrupted him by screaming her way into the next contraction. Half way through she looked up at House and said, "Greg, you have to get this kid out of me." At her demand Greg raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh really? The fact being that the best way for this baby to go anywhere is for you to push – I can only really catch. So I am ready whenever you are." James grabbed Lore's hand and brushed the hair away from her face as he said, "Ok babe, you ready to start pushing this time?" With her eyes closed and while taking a moment to gather her strength Lore slowly nodded.

Greg sat down in front of Lore and waited for the next contraction. Lore then asked James to crawl up and sit behind her on the bed, so he moved all the pillows and quickly settled himself behind her. Just as he reached around and placed one of his hands on Lore's stomach an incredibly strong contraction slammed her. She was forced forward and tried like hell to push like she had been instructed to in the labor & delivery class. Lorelai started to whimper in pain, but Greg looked up at her and said, "That is perfect. Keep that up – just like that Lore. You are excellent at this."

The contraction ended as bluntly as it had started and she was left with her empty panting. James pulled Lore back against his chest, rubbed her belly gently and said, "It's ok Lore. Just catch your breath and gather some strength. You're doing great sweetheart, love you," and he kissed her sweating temple.

They went on like that for another 20 minutes before Greg said, "Alright Lore, the head is out. The hardest part is over. Just another few pushes and this will be over, okay?" Lore nodded silently and pushed again. Before she knew it; she felt the baby slide out of her and heard Greg say, "There we go, that is perfect."

Lore again fell back against James panting. He leaned down, kissed her forehead and asked, "House, how is the baby?" Before Greg answered they heard some blankets shuffling and then heard the best sound in the world – the baby's first cry. Lore sat up tiredly and saw Greg smile down at the baby as he wrapped the blanket more securely. He then stood up, limped up to the head of the bed where he handed Lore the baby and said, "Here you go Mom, meet your son." James and Lore were both instantly in tears as they saw their son for the first time. James then reached out carefully and touched him gently like he wasn't sure if the baby was real.

The longer James looked at his son he knew that he wanted to somehow name the little boy after his best friend. Greg had come through for him and brought his son safely into the world. He sat beside Lore and asked, "Do you have any ideas on what we should name him?" Lore nodded and said, "Yeah, he needs to be named after the two guys who will teach him everything he needs, I think we should name him James Gregory." James smiled, blushed deeply and said, "You kind of read my mind kid, I also thought we needed to name him after House, sort of." Lore looked up at James and said, "Well he needs to be named after his daddy too!" James knew that she was right so he nodded and said, "Ok, James Gregory it is. But let's call him Jay; it will be easier that way."

A few hours later at the hospital…

"Hey kid, I was thinking about something, if I remember correctly you were supposed to stay in bed. Not go walking the dog or whatever the hell you were doing," James said, getting upset with his wife.

Lorelai looked up at James who was sitting across the room and said, "James, just calm down! You said yourself that you had sent Greg to come check on me. Why are you being like this? You act like it's so easy to stay home and not be able to come and go as you please."

James came right back with, "Well it would be, just ask Greg," pointing across the room at his best friend. Greg looked up from the sleeping newborn in his arms and said, "What? Hey, don't get me involved in this."

Lorelai then had an idea and said, "James if you think it's so easy you can carry our next baby and then come tell me how it is. I'd give you a maximum of two hours of anything dealing with pregnancy going wrong, before you're going out of your mind."

James stared back at his wife for a few moments totally shocked by what she had said. "Well I can't have kids so I guess that won't happen. Look I'm sorry I just worry about you, kid," James said coming over to his wife. "I guess I'll forgive you this time old man," Lore said smiling, before pulling her husband down for a kiss.

"HEY, not in front of us," Greg said shielding his own and Jay's faces. Lore didn't look over at him but said, "Well you can leave then." Greg hung his cane on the rail of the carrier, placed Jay back down onto the blankets and started to push it towards the door saying, "I think we will."

Grinning at Greg's attempt to leave James said, "You can go, but you are leaving my son." Greg started to pout, but pushed the carrier back over beside Lore's bed and said, "Aww come on, that's no fair. We were just gonna go pick up some girls!"

James began laughing and asked, "And you want him to be Jay's uncle?" Lore also laughed and said, "He'll be a great uncle as soon as we set down some rules," Lore said picking up her son.

"You hear that little man, I get to be your uncle! I'll bet that you'll help get some awesome chicks," Greg said to the baby boy. Lore found this statement funny but said, "GREG," and slapped his hand away from her baby. James laughed and said, "He's just messin' with you kid."

"Ok I think we're going to have to come up with a new nickname," Lore said. Looking up from his son, James's face slid into a fake pout as he said, "But I like calling you kid." Lore rolled her eyes and said, "Fine you old man," and then returned her glance back down at her son.

Lore and Jay were released from the hospital two days later. If James would have had his way it would have been longer, but Lore was already wanted to get back home after just two days. Being confined to your house was one thing; being stuck at the hospital was totally different. Lore was constantly being hounded by the nursing staff to stay in bed and rest or they wanted to see their favorite oncologist's firstborn child.

Next chapter: Jay gets to visit both his parent's offices.