To making it count
Chapter 7
Once they had arrived at Cuddy's House, House held the door open for her as the dean of medicine carried Rachel through the main entrance and down the hall to her bedroom. To be expected, the little girl did not awake during this process and thankfully she remained in quite slumber even after her head hit the pillow.
After leaving Rachel's room, House and Cuddy made themselves comfortable in the living room while each remained immersed within their own thoughts. That was until, House released a sigh and reached over to take his girlfriend's hand in his.
"I can't believe we're here."
At this comment, Cuddy looked up into her new love's eyes and found herself lost within the piercing blue orbs.
"Neither can I. It seems unreal."
"But it is."
At that moment, the two shared a kiss and then broke apart while continuing to look at each other with a look of pure joy washed over their face. After they broke apart, Cuddy laughed and shot House a smirk.
"What?."
"I've never seen you like this before."
"Like what?."
"Happy."
In spite of himself, House smiled while shrugging his shoulders.
"A lot can change in a year."
Cuddy nodded while grasping House's hand tighter.
"You can say that again."
Cuddy must have fallen asleep on the couch because when she awoke it was morning and she was alone in her living room. The sound of clatter coming from the kitchen disrupted her thoughts at that moment as the dean of medicine stood up, stretched and headed over only to find her boyfriend standing near the stove with an apron around his waist, singing to himself.
"Good morning."
Turning around to face her, House greeted Cuddy with a nod and a smile while limping over.
"Hey your up. I hope your hungry because breakfast is almost done."
This peeked Cuddy's interest as she sat down by the counter and waited expectantly for her meal to be ready.
"What are we having?."
"All in good time Lisa, all in good time."
The name drop didn't bother Cuddy. Actually she was rather flattered by the gesture. It wasn't often House paid her or anybody a compliment and this was definitely a step in the right direction.
Moments later, House presented her with a plate filled with a meal that was fit for a queen.
"Bon appetite."
"House this looks amazing. Where did you learn to cook like this?."
House smirked while arching an eye brow.
"A magician never reveals his secrets but if you must know…"
"I must."
"Ok then. I learned from watching my mother in the kitchen mostly. Actually, I hadn't cooked anything in years before Mayfield and then once I got out it just kind of started back up again."
The mere mention of the psychiatric hospital was enough to make Cuddy's mouth turn into a frown and her eyes drop to the floor as she turned away from House.
"You ok?."
"I'm sorry."
"Its alright. Your not the first woman I've brought to tears."
"I mean about Lucas. I should have never told him about…well about what happened. It was none of his business and…"
House shook his head and looked in to Cuddy's eyes with as much concern for her as she had for him at this moment.
"You have nothing to be sorry about."
"But it was because of me that you ended up at Mayfield. I was the one you hallucinated having…"
Before she could finish that sentence, House placed one finger over Cuddy's lips to stop her form saying something they'd both regret.
As House spoke, Cuddy recognized the same sincerity and condolence House had given Hannah, the woman he had tried to save only days ago.
"Lisa, I want you to listen and listen good because I'm only going to say this once. It was not your fault I ended up at Mayfield. I checked myself into that psychiatric hospital on my own free will no one was forcing me into it kicking and screaming. I really had no choice. My addiction to pain killers had gone completely out of control which means if I didn't do something drastic well lets just say…you'd be having breakfast alone this morning."
Having said his piece, House gave Cuddy's hand a squeeze before limping over from behind the counter and joining her to eat.
