Disclaimer: I do not own any of House. I wish a upon a star though, that one day I might own part of it hehe.
A/N: Hello once more hehe, I told you all I'd try to update soon and ideas for this story started pouring out of my head lol. Too bad i was out all day and couldn't write them sooner lol. BTW to those who watched The Informant, can you explain the movie is you understood it cuz I am still confused XDD. Well this is my new personal best for length. 5,205 words o.o thats alot XD haha this is also the first chapter I am personally editing to test out my beta skillz. lol. If you see any mistakes please do point them out, if I have too many I'll just continue to send them to my beta lol. I'd also like to thank everyone who reviewed, some of you got the extended spoiler treat I offered, those who said they wanted it got it anyway. LOL well its 5:30 AM, I am dead tired and I need to go shoe shopping later today, so I hope you all like it!! Sorry for any OOC-ness
Cuddy sat in her office after a pretty long morning, especially after Wilson's little stunt. The Gala was tomorrow and she still needed to do some last minute arrangements. She ran a hand through her hair when she heard a knock on the door. She hoped it was Wilson ready to apologize for his earlier actions.
"Come in," She said clearly.
The reunion committee entered the room in an orderly fashion. Cuddy smiled remembering her meeting with them today. She stood up from her desk and offered, "Would you like to go into one of our meeting rooms? There is one I know of that is free for another 2 hours."
"If that's what you prefer." Lillian answered. "You are the captain of this boat."
Cuddy smile politely and led them all to the meeting room with a few files with ideas and décor that she and Wilson left off of. She paged Wilson to meet them there so they could begin the meeting. By the time they got there, Wilson was waiting and sent Cuddy a silent apology for his actions that morning. She merely nodded and they all sat around the table.
"So what are your ideas?" Lillian asked the duo. "Last year Hilary made it like a ball. It was almost like we were in the castle from Cinderella." She recalled the reunion 5 years ago.
"Well, I was thinking we go Retro." Cuddy suggested plainly. She was reading at the top of her list, which was organized from the weakest idea to the strongest. Personally, she didn't like the idea of "going retro." It made her feel old.
Hilary rolled her eyes. "Really Lisa, retro, that is so over used." She stated. "I knew you couldn't come up with a decent idea."
Before Cuddy could respond Wilson spoke up. "Actually that was my idea… I thought we should corner all possible themes and topics." Hilary blushed shyly.
"Well Lisa, why don't you tell us your best idea." Lillian instructed enthusiastically.
Cuddy began to flip through the pages for what she believed was the best idea. "How about a night with the stars?" She said.
Hilary again rolled her eyes. "You stole that from senior prom. Don't you have an original idea?" Hilary asked smugly.
"I meant celebrity stars." Lisa smirked. "We could all go as our favorite celebrities, give out awards like on the red carpet, have dinner, and dance."
"I love that idea," Lillian said. Everyone, except Hilary and her high school clones, nodded enthusiastically.
"Well I have a few designs ready, if you'd like to see." Cuddy offered. They all nodded in agreement. Wilson handed Cuddy the folder with the designs and Cuddy pulled out the two she thought were best.
In the first design there would be a big Hollywood sign in the background, probably on the wall, with green hills painted under it. The floors would be covered with a red carpet. There would be several spot lights, two on the ground and three on the ceiling. The nurse's desk would be turned into a table with a beautiful flower arrangement in the middle and for the special guests of the night to sit. There would be a small, portable stage for the announcements and they would also need to get several small portable bar area, just so there is enough for some people to sit there. The walls would be painted black, or at least have black paper on it with stars. There would be a long, red carpet outside with poles leading them to the entrance and a mock body guard to allow people in. There would be tables scattered around the lobby with elegant flower arrangements in the center where everyone could sit and converse. The food would be brought to them by a couple of waiters and waitress, and there would be a large area for people to dance.
"Oh I love it," Emma, the high school president exclaimed with joy. She was always a cheerful person, always so optimistic. The one day she wasn't smiling everyone almost died from shock. A few others agreed with her statement.
Cuddy then took out the second design which took place in the cafeteria. The area was much smaller, so it was hard to fit everything they thought of from the first design. The entrance would be similar, either coming from inside or the back door. The usual food table would be transformed into an all night open bar. The tables would be moved to open spaces to the side, and have booth like chairs. The recognitions would be given out as shout-outs by the DJ instead of miniature trophies like the Emmy's. They would get a slightly smaller stage, where the spot lights would be kept. They would get a disco ball and colorful tiles along with blinking lights neon lights. The walls would stay white and the regular lights would be off. The waiters and waitresses would still bring the food from the kitchen. The DJ would play top songs and of course create his own mixes.
"Hmm, both ideas seem very good." Lillian stated, not sure which she truly preferred. Though the first sounded more elegant and creative, the second sounded more fun and carefree.
"How about we combine the two ideas," Mrs. Hopers, their old math teacher suggested. "We could have the drinking, awards, and dancing in the lobby, since it seems to have more room and we'll continue to drink, dine, and converse in the cafeteria." Everyone nodded their head in agreement.
"Alright then, we can start on that right away. I also have a list of chiefs, DJs, and stores that would be wonderful for providing everything." Cuddy informed them, passing out a copy of the list. "I was thinking for the chiefs we can all try their food and have a unanimous vote, for the equipment we could divide into groups, and we could all just listen to the DJs sometime this or next week."
"That sounds like marvelous plan," Lillian said. "It seems you have everything all planned out and in order, Lisa."
"Well, I've had a lot of help." She responded modestly.
The meeting continued for another 2 hours, debating over which Hollywood theme to go with, what to take off the designs and what to add, what songs, etc. When the meeting finally ended the team decided to go for lunch and meet back after an hour. Cuddy, remembering she still had to discuss the reunion arrangement with the board to get their approval and have a meeting with one of the donors, decided to stay behind and eat in the cafeteria again - instead of going out and eating at a restaurant with the rest of them. Wilson, who was invited by Hilary, took her place instead.
Cuddy sat alone in the cafeteria, as she often did and ate her salad in peace. House walked in, looking for Wilson, found Cuddy and decided to annoy her for lunch. He limped to her table and pulled up a chair. He reached down for the tomato, but Cuddy had beaten him to the punch.
"Want this?" Cuddy asked flaunting the tomato in his face before she took a bite out of it. He tried to reach for it, but Cuddy licked it and smirked. "Still want it?"
"Please," House said taking the tomato and eating it. "I'm a guy, and still more immature than you. That doesn't gross me out. At least, not as much as this grosses you out." He licked his finger and reached for Cuddy's ears. Cuddy laughed and moved, avoiding the wet wily.
"What are you? Five?" Cuddy asked him, giving him a classic eye roll.
"I'm five and a half, thank you very much." House smiled as he reached onto her plate again and got the other tomato. "You know, your home made salad is actual pretty okay tasting." House stated.
"This is cafeteria salad," She told him. "I always knew you could be tricked into liking vegetables. All kids are."
House then spit the tomato into a napkin and tried to put it back on Cuddy's plate. She instantly pulled her food away and shook her head.
"There is no way in hell I would ever let you get away with that," Cuddy told him. House just smirked and re-ate the tomato, just so he gross Cuddy out - it worked. "Oh, fine you win. Take my lunch I lost my appetite." Cuddy pushed her salad over to him.
House pouted. "It's no fun when you give up," He said making Cuddy laugh and roll her eyes as she attempted to eat the rest of her lunch. "So did Jimmy come to ask you if you were madly in love with me?"
"Yes," Cuddy stated simply, not giving House any details of the rude morning she had encountered with Wilson.
"See I told you the plan to make him jealous would work. Now how to plan to reel him in? Gonna ask him to the school homecoming? It sounds like a blast." House playfully joked.
"I am not in love with Wilson." Cuddy told him firmly. "Now for the gala tomorrow night," She changed the subject. "Do you even own a tux?"
"I might, I might not. What's it to ya?" He asked, stealing her apple. He licked the perimeter and took a bite before he put it back on her tray for her to eat. She just gave him a disgusted look and scoffed.
"Keep it," She told him, picking the apple up from the steam and putting it closer to House. "You are going to wear a tux to the gala tomorrow night. Now do you prefer neck ties or bow ties?"
"No tie, period. Easier for you to have your way with me at the end of the gala." He wagged his brows. Cuddy just ignored him.
"Well you're going to wear a bow tie. It looks nicer on you and will make you look more clean and fresh." Cuddy told him, putting a forkful of salad into her mouth.
"Cause all the ladies love a fresh guy," House winked at Cuddy. She stuffed his mouth with a big forkful of salad to shut him up. "Why thank you mommy, but I learned how to feed myself. I'm a big kid now!" House told her after swallowing the large amount of salad that was in his mouth.
"Well it kept you quiet enough for me to finish the last of my salad." Cuddy said as she got up to throw away her tray.
"Wait a minute," House stopped her. "You're going to throw the pickles and fries away?" House took them off her tray. "You are truly an evil woman aren't you?" House asked as he petted the food and ate them.
"And you truly are a pig, see you later House." Cuddy said as she began to walk away. She let a smile escape when she got a few feet away. She actually enjoyed eating lunch with House.
"See you later snookums," House yelled after her. The moment of joy then left Cuddy's face and she walked back to her office to get ready for the meetings.
--
Luckily for her, the Donor cancelled and all she needed to worry about was the reunion committee and the board. It took some convincing, but the board agreed to let Cuddy throw the reunion at the hospital, as long as it didn't cost the hospital much and they paid a little to rent it out. Cuddy agreed to the terms both sides of the party were content. They then discussed the means of the Gala and Cuddy reassured them that she had everything planned and under control. They trusted her enough to not ask questions. The board of course brought up the matter of Dr. House and her sharing a house and she explained it was a favor. The board warned her that they'd be watching her. She nodded in agreement and the meeting was adjourned.
Cuddy then attended another discussion with the reunion committee. They went over several plans and created a schedule and a job for everyone to do and when to do it. They agreed that the equipment was first priority and they would do that sometime this week. They then said they'd try the food from the different chiefs and go through the DJs and bands the following week.
When the committee finally left Cuddy still had to talk to several donors and go around the hospital, making sure everything was okay. She didn't finish her meetings and rounds until 6 and she still had a couple piles of paperwork to go through. Cuddy worked on them another for two hours before she found herself growing tired and finding it hard to stay awake. She then remembered that she had forgotten to get her daily dose of caffeine and that could have been another factor.
As she sat in her comfortable couch chair and read over a file she found herself constantly yawning. Her eye lids began to droop and she soon found herself in complete darkness and peace.
--
House put his guitar down, as he noticed what time it was. He realized that Cuddy had only come in once to yell at him and he didn't see her the rest of the day, other than lunch. He then noticed that it was 8:30 PM, the usual time for Cuddy to leave. He grabbed his jacket and bag and marched down to Cuddy's office. He, of course, barged into her office and before he could yell a large tantrum he noticed Cuddy sleeping warming in her couch chair. He noticed the bags under her eyes and came to the conclusion that it was in fact a very long day for her.
House sighed as he put on his backpack properly and walked slowly towards Cuddy. He was tempted to wake her up, but she looked so peaceful and at ease, he some how couldn't. He grabbed the car keys out of her bag and walked back to the couch chair. He leaned down and scooped her into his arms and she groaned a bit before snuggling comfortably into his chest. He decided to leave her purse and jacket in the room.
He slowly began to walk out of the hospital and heard several gasps as he ignored all the looks he was receiving. Wilson, along with Cameron and Chase, also saw him and their jaws dropped to the ground in pure shock. House made it to the car where he pressed the unlock button and carefully placed Cuddy in the passenger side of the car. He strapped on her seat belt, threw him bag into the back and got into the driver's seat.
He drove back to her house smoothly and once they were parked in her drive way he got out of the car. He left her there for a second as he grabbed his backpack and put it in the house, telling Lucy she could leave. He then went back outside to get Cuddy and he carefully tucked her in, making sure not to wake her from her peaceful sleep. He was grateful that Rachel was already asleep and he relieved himself back to the couch where he watched TV before he himself went to sleep.
--
Cuddy slowly woke from her slumber. She had a nice peaceful night and very appreciative of it. She kept her eyes closed but felt her surroundings. Her eyes shot open and she looked around, how did she get home? Why was she still in her suit? Where was her purse and jacket?
She slowly stood up and walked into the living room, shocked to find both House and Rachel awake peacefully watching TV and eating. House was eating a bowl of cereal he found in Cuddy's kitchen and Rachel was drinking her bottle all by herself. Cuddy couldn't help but smile adoringly at the moment.
After a minute, House finally noticed Cuddy and saw the smile on her face. "Wipe that smile off your face. It's not what you think." He told rolling his eyes. "Now did little Ms. Sleepy-head get a good sleep, it is almost 9. You're going to be late." He teased as he absentmindedly massaged his leg.
Cuddy noticed and began to get concerned. "House, are you alright?" Cuddy asked him as she walked over and felt his leg. Rachel looked up at them curiously.
"I'm fine, my leg just hurts. It's not abnormal you know," House stated. Cuddy then realized how she got home. House must have carried her and he over worked his leg, but why would House ever do that? Let alone for her? She pushed the thought aside and left House to tend to his leg. "So where is Laura? Aren't you gonna be later if she doesn't come soon?"
"I give her Friday's off, because I want to take Rachel to work and get her used to the staff. Lucy is going to go to college soon and she is the only nanny I really trust." Cuddy informed him as she picked up Rachel and began to spin around the room, which made Rachel smile and giggle in pure content. Cuddy smiled and placed her back on the ground.
"Well get ready House, I'll only take a half an hour to get ready." Cuddy told him as she left the room.
House rolled his eyes. Yeah, half in hour. Maybe if time stopped for an hour it'd take her half an hour. He continued to watch cartoons and eat cereal and Rachel proceeded in watching him eat his cereal.
After an hour, Cuddy came out fresh and awake, but her hair was still a bit wet. She found House and Rachel in a similar position they had yesterday and found it very comforting to walk into the room like that. She picked up Rachel and put her in a stroller and the trio left the house. Cuddy buckled Rachel in before she went to the driver's seat. She found House sitting there, and she rolled her eyes.
"Sorry Cuddles, I found your keys first. I get to drive." House yelled through the closed window. "The passenger's seat is that way." He pointed next to him.
"No," Cuddy said firmly. "This is my car, get out House." She said in a threatening tone. House simply turned the radio a few dials louder. He then pretended like he couldn't hear a thing she said. "House, now!" She yelled once more. House began to leave the driveway and Cuddy had no choice but to surrender. She ran over to the passenger seat and got in. She stared daggers into the side of House's head.
"You know, those hurt. Dagger's are not nice or safe." House said in a fatherly tone to Cuddy. He turned to look at her with a smile. "Come on, how could you stay mad at a guy as hot as me?"
Cuddy reframed from laughing and just turned and stared at the road. Rachel smiled as she watched the two adults interact. She giggled when Cuddy turned and acted immaturely. Cuddy was like a teenage girl whose father, which was House, didn't let her drive the car.
The car ride to the hospital was quiet, except for Rachel's giggles and small words like mama and baba. They didn't know what she meant by baba, but it didn't concern them as long as she didn't start cry. Cuddy took Rachel out of the car seat and put her in the stroller.
When they got into the hospital House decided it was time to humiliate Cuddy once more. "Oh come on Cuddy, I didn't mean to scream another woman's name while you were trying to make little House calm down." House said aloud for everyone to hear. Cuddy looked at him with a mixture of shock, anger, disgust and disapproval.
Rachel giggled once more as her mother took the stroller's handles with anger and began to push Rachel into the office. House smiled as his plan was fulfilled and walked to his own office to slack off and take short nap.
Cuddy gave Rachel some toys to play with in the stroller and it successfully kept her distracted as Cuddy began to work on the paperwork. She was having a hard time focusing though. She couldn't stop thinking of House. Why was he nice and sort of sweet one day and a total jackass the next? Why did he have to infuriate her to much? How does he always know how to make her so angry? Why did she even care what he did?
She shook her head and tried to clear her head, but it was hard when all she could think about was how House acted the passed 2 days. First, he is nice and considerate, even funny and playful. Then the next day he is a total jackass, trying to ruin her reputation, which she has worked so hard to achieve. What was wrong with him? More importantly, what was wrong with her? She always let him crawl under her skin, but why?
She was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door. She aloud them to come in, and it was once more the committee. She looked at the time and realized how late she really was and how much time she really wasted thinking about House, House, House. She just wanted him out of her head.
"Omigosh, is that your daughter?" Lillian asked seeing the little baby next to the desk. All the other members, except Hilary of course, gathered around Rachel.
"Yes, that's my daughter Rachel. Friday's I give her nanny a break and take Rachel to work with me." Cuddy told the group as they all cooed and awed over the cute one year old baby.
Rachel smiled and looked around the group. She began giggling, not understanding why all the grown ups were fussing and surrounding her. She began waving her hands in the air and accidentally dropped her toy. Her face instantly became a pout as she got ready to cry. Cuddy, who had momentarily joined the group, noticed the face and instantly got down and picked up the toy. She began waving it in her daughter's face and Rachel hugged the stuffed toy. She suddenly reached up for Cuddy, who leaned down to pick her up. Rachel gave Cuddy a hug and a kiss on the cheek, making Cuddy smile warmly and hug her back. Rachel began to giggle once more and enjoyed being free from the restrictive stroller.
"May I hold her?" Lillian asked. Cuddy nodded and handed Rachel to her and she held Rachel closely and warmly. "Oh, she is so precious. So very calm and adorable." Lillian said as Rachel instantly snuggled and warmed up to her.
"She is a very sweet and loving baby." Cuddy said, remembering the first few days she had Rachel. They hadn't really connected and she couldn't do anything to please or calm Rachel down. Now all Cuddy had to do was walk into the room for Rachel to stop crying or for Rachel to start giggling and reaching for her mother's attention.
Rachel began to get passed around from adult to adult and she enjoyed the ride. She giggled as they passed her on until she went back to Cuddy. Rachel began to giggle once more, seeing her mother's face and squeezed Cuddy's nose making everyone laughed. Rachel giggled once more in response before she squeezed Cuddy's nose again and said, "Mama." All the adults awed and cooed over the baby once more.
Cuddy smiled and gave her daughter a sweet kiss on the cheek before she placed her on the floor. Rachel escaped the group of adults and ran over to Hilary. Hilary merely raised an eye brow and didn't show an inch of awe. Rachel held up her toy to Hilary, as if in a peace offering. Hilary looked at the toy and examined it.
Hilary scoffed as she said, "What a cheap toy, palease. I can't believe this baby likes playing with it so much. It looks like a rag doll." Her heart was truly made of ice cold stone. She purposely dropped the toy onto the ground.
It was Rachel's favorite toy, and to see it being dropped upset Rachel almost as much as Cuddy leaving every morning upset her. She made her pouting face again and began to cry, which was different from her normal crying, which was loud and usually when she wanted something or Cuddy to give Rachel her full attention. This cry sounded as though it were just pure sadness causing it.
Cuddy immediately ran over to her daughter and picked her, along with the toy, up off the ground. She began shaking the toy in front of her daughter's face and Rachel hugged it as she continued to cry. Cuddy began to bounce and rock Rachel to sooth her. "Shh, shh." Cuddy tried to calm her. "It's okay sweetie. The toy is still okay. Shh, calm down now. Mommy's here." Cuddy told her daughter quietly. When Rachel finally stopped crying, she hid her face from Hilary into Cuddy's shoulder. "Are you heartless? How did you manage to raise your kids?" Cuddy asked angrily.
"Oh boo-hoo, it's just a stupid rag doll. I bet it didn't even cost $5." Hilary criticized cold heartedly.
"It was a gift, actually. A hand made gift which my daughter loves a lot. Probably more than your kids will ever love you." Cuddy criticized back. If you messed with her baby, Cuddy would surly attack.
Before any real claws could be pulled out, Lillian stepped in. "Ladies, stay calm down. How about we go into teams now so we can go see those stores." The two ladies stepped away from each other. "Alright, well I have every partnered up. Julia with Mrs. Hopers, Hilary with Mr. Majors and Dr. Wilson, Kimberly with Mrs. Gofer, Jacob with Mr. Nellie," She read off her list. She called off the groups or either 2 or 3 people. "And Lisa you'll come with me." She said as she came to the end of her list. They all had a store that they were to go to and they all left. "Do mind us using your car?"
"Not if you don't mind me going to drop Rachel off at the daycare. It'll be her first day there." Cuddy stated as she put Rachel in the stroller. Rachel looked up at her mother and smiled warmly.
"It's fine with me," Lillian said kindly.
Cuddy took Rachel down to the daycare with Lillian and the nurse took Rachel lovingly and cooed over her. Cuddy usually kept Rachel in her office - unless she had a meeting then she'd had her off to one of her most trusted nurses, most likely Brenda.
Once Rachel was distracted enough, Cuddy and Lillian left and began to head towards the door. Just as they are about to get out House stops them.
"Hello Cuddles," House said. Cuddy turned around and gave him a questioning look. "I can't just say hi to my favorite girl in the world?" House pulled her into his arms. She was confused on what he was doing, but then she remembered the web of lies she began.
"Well, I thought you were doing cases. I remember specifically asking one of the nurses to give you the stack of cases I had in my office." Cuddy responded slowly coming out of his arms. "Now Mrs. Michaels and I are going to go find equipment for the reunion."
"Oh those were supposed to be cases? They were so easy, I thought you were kidding. Well we solved them and I'm free." He told her. He then looked at Mrs. Michaels. "Mind if I come?" Cuddy looked at him with shock.
"Oh not at all, please come along." Lillian invited him.
House smiled down at Cuddy as he began to limp up to Lillian. Cuddy shook her head in astonishment, House never ceased to amaze her. Cuddy began to follow the duo to her car where she snatched up the keys from House and stuck her tongue out at him.
"Like I said this morning, my car, I'm driving." She said to House when she got into the drivers seat and locked the door.
House grumbled as he limped over to the passenger's side. "Oh, but your majesty, didn't I prove my worthiness this morning when I chose not to crash your car into the hospital?" House asked.
Cuddy gaped at him. "No, and that statement makes me never want to trust you with my car keys ever again. Especially if I'm in the car with you." She began to pull out of the parking lot.
"I chose not to though," House pouted and Cuddy repeated a stern, 'never again.' Lillian laughed at their interactions. "Don't you think I should be trusted?" He asked her.
Cuddy shook her head no, but Lillian responded, "Well I'm sure you can most definitely be trusted, but sometimes Lisa can be a bit of a worrywart."
"You are never touching my car ever again House," Cuddy told him sternly.
House smiled. It was like Cuddy was fueling his immaturity on purpose. He put his finger an inch away from Cuddy's car and began repeating, "I'm not touching your car. I'm not touching your car. I'm not touching your car."
Lillian found it completely amusing and continued laughing, but Cuddy tapped her fingers on the steering wheel annoyed, as she tried not to crash the car into the nearest tree. They drove another 5 minutes before House finally shut up.
"You know Cuddy, this is not fun when you just sit back and take it." House told her. Cuddy said nothing. "See this is even less fun," Still no response. House decided to test this. "Hey Cuddles, this morning your breast look particularly lively." She just sat there and stared at the road. "Omigosh, she's a brainless zombie." House shrieked.
Cuddy suddenly turned to him. "I'm sorry did you say something?" She asked him. "Sorry sweet cheeks, I learned to tune you out years ago when you began to talk about how amazingly hot, fast, and perfect you were." Cuddy admitted as they turned to the street where the store was located.
"Well you agreed, or else you wouldn't have—" House was interrupted.
"We're here," Cuddy prevented him from finishing the sentence. Once Lillian got out, Cuddy immediately locked the doors again before House could escape. "Don't forget House, I am watching you. One false move and you'll have five times more clinic duty than you do right now." She warned before she unlocked the doors and they both came out.
Lillian looked at them in confusion and House began to limp towards her. "Sorry," He told her, "She can't keep her hands off me." Cuddy scoffed and rolled her eyes. Why did House have to be a jackass today of all days?
Alrighty then, there is that chapter. I was actually planning to make it longer cuz I wanted to make the Gala the next chapter, but that is obviously unlikely lol. I thought that 5000 words was enough and I didn't want to make this chapter like 10000 words long so i just improvised lol. I hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to point out any mistakes.
Reviews (good and bad) are always valued
-Jess