Antes de esta Vida
A House, M.D. fan fiction
Rating: G (I think)
Chapters: 9 of ?
Appearances by: House, Cuddy, Wilson, Old Team, New Team and probably a stray or two from nowhere.
Disclaimer: I do not own House, M.D. the show, nor the characters, plot lines and everything in between. I only have my imagination.
A/N: I apologize for the somewhat long interval between this chapter and the next. I'm nearing the end of this fic. Expect just two or maybe three more chapters (this one included). Thank you for all your reviews. I'm sorry I can't mention all by name those who have left feedback and story alerts but I am grateful to know that people have actually read my meager efforts. I'll try to do better with my next fic. I hope you all stay until the end and –I implore you! – please leave feedback. I'm a big girl; I can handle it.
Chapter 9
Children's parties are always fun. Nothing like seeing a kid's face light up at the sight of balloons, toys, their favorite foods and the antics of clowns and entertainers. Of course, it's all tinged with a hint of regret, guilt and sadness when these are children doomed to a life inside the hospital because of some grim illness.
Lisa Cuddy watched from the glass door of the pediatric ward's playroom as a clown deftly put together several balloon hats for a gaggle of eight-year olds. A dog, a snake, a panda (or maybe it was a bear) and each recipient was giggling as the creations were placed on their heads
The nurses and doctors in the pediatric wing organized a quarterly birthday celebration for all the kids on the floor so that they wouldn't miss out on having a festive atmosphere. Heck, if there was any one who deserved birthday parties, it's these kids.
Cuddy made a mental note to herself to check the Pediatrics budget. Little gatherings like these made a huge difference not only to the families of the kids but it was also something that opened donors' hearts and checkbooks.
She saw the clown coming towards her, with a trio of fist-sized doughnut-shaped balloons in hand, miming on putting it on her wrist.
She laughed and held out her right hand. But the clown refused and reached for her left hand instead, trying to sandwich the inflated rings on her ring finger.
However, she was totally unprepared when the clown suddenly spoke:
"Dr. Cuddy, will you marry me?"
Bewilderment, shock, even fear danced across the administrator's face as the words echoed in her brain.
She quickly regained her poise however, and flashed a false smile, despite the fact that she felt a blush creeping up on her cheeks.
"Oh, that's so cute, Mr. Clown. But I'm sorry. I can't marry you.
The kids were looking up between the two of them, curiosity on their little faces.
"Why would you want to marry a clown?" piped up a nine-year old whose name tag said Katie.
"Because then they could live in a circus, ride elephants and they'd have fun forever!" chirped in a boy who was wearing a beanie with a propeller.
The clown continued to grin goofily at her, as Cuddy scrambled to come up with a plausible escape route.
Very nice, Lisa. Cornered by a clown and children.
Her white knight came in the form of Dr. Barry Tang, one of the senior pediatricians. He clapped his hands as if shooing a flock of pigeons, and promptly announced that it was time to eat cupcakes, popcorn and all sorts of unhealthy things.
As the kids (and the clown) made a mad dash for the tables set up on the other end of the room, Cuddy took the opportunity to slip out of the room, her balloon rings in hand.
"Dr. Cuddy, wait!"
At Dr. Tang's voice, she turned around, quickly smoothing her bangs out of the way.
"You forgot your cupcake," he said, handing over an icing-covered concoction with what looked like a full jar of candy sprinkles on it.
"Thanks, Dr. Tang. But you shouldn't encourage my sweet tooth," she replied with a smile.
"I know. But I think you deserve it," he smiled, his slanted eyes disappearing in mirth.
"Will you marry me, Dr. Cuddy?"
Her mouth fell open as she looked at the pediatrician, who kept smiling at her, like he hadn't just made a marriage proposal.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Tang. What did you say?" Her voice squeaked a little at the last word.
The expression on the doctor's face was unreadable but his eyes were twinkling.
"Thanks for coming, Dr. Cuddy, and have a nice day," he smoothly said, and walked briskly back towards the party.
She forced her feet to make a beeline for the nearest toilet on the floor, hoping that it would be empty.
She splashed her face with water, taking deep breaths at the same time.
Am I hallucinating? A clown just asked me to marry him! And then, my pediatrician asks me 20 minutes later!
She stared at her face in the mirror, taking in the fact that she was flushed pink and her eyes were glittering more than usual.
Get a grip on yourself, Lisa! What they said meant nothing. It was probably just a practical joke for the kids.
As she wiped her face and hands dry, her pager buzzed, the message was from Brenda Previn asking all available doctors to go to the clinic due to the sudden influx of patients.
She sighed but made her way to the bank of elevators. As she stood waiting, her mind drifted to the last two months.
It hadn't been easy to keep her composure around House but she thought she still managed to behave reasonably well. Except for that time in his office when she overheard him on the phone. Other than that, she had coursed everything work-related through Duke, including Wilson's.
By the time the elevator car arrived, she was glad to see that it was quite full. At least she wouldn't be too preoccupied with her thoughts on House too much if she had been alone or with only a few people.
As the elevator signaled its stop at the ground floor, she quickly exited but not before she overheard someone call out her name.
"Dr. Cuddy!"
Swiftly, she turned around and caught sight of Jill Andersen, one of the respiratory nurses grinning at her from inside the elevator, with an armful of charts.
"Will you marry me?" she said with a smile.
Lisa could only stare as the doors slid shut and she was left gaping like a fish.
To be updated soon!
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