Wanted to say a big thank you to Oldsfan, Visitkarte and Guest for sticking with this story and reviewing. It is heartwarming :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing - I just borrowed them, I'll give them back when I'm done. Accept my OC's I'd like to keep them.
Mountains to Climb
Andrea could hear something in the back ground pulling her out of sleep. "Greg that's your phone can you get it" She said without opening her eyes. "It's probably those damn new fellows!"
She didn't feel anything move in the bed, but the buzzing continued. She put her hand over to his side of the bed to nudge him but the space was empty. She slowly came to buy by now the phone had stopped, so she turned over and went back to sleep. 5 minutes later his phone was buzzing again. "for god sake... this is too much" She came too but by the time she reached the phone it had stopped.
She got hold of the phone and looked at the caller id, it had rung 4 times but from an unknown number, which was unusual for the ducklings.. She got hold of the phone and took out to the living room. There on the couch was House and Mia both fast asleep. She went over to them and gently shook House's arm to wake him up.
"mmm, what?"
"Hey your phone as been going off, buts its from an unknown number so I don't think it's the new ducklings, but I didn't reach it before it rang off. Why are you out here anyway?"
"The ducklings may have gotten creative, although I did tell them it should only be Taub and Park calling for now. Oh, I woke up a couple of hours ago and couldn't get back to sleep, then I heard Mia, she was having a bad dream so we cuddled up out here. Can you take her so that I can get up"
"OK" she said and kissed his forehead. At the same time his phone buzzed again.
This time he answered it.
"is this Dr House?"
"Yes - can I help you"
"My name is Nurse Smith, I am a nurse at Lexington General. We have a Blythe Bell here, we have your details as next of kin"
"She's my mother - What's wrong?"
"I'm afraid she has had a heart attack and is in the icu, she's is not in a good way, I would suggest coming as soon as you can"
"ummm ...I...ummm...Ok - I'll be there as soon as I can"
"What's wrong" said Andrea
"My Mom... she's had a heart attack, she's in the ICU at Lexington General... I need to go to her"
"OK. I'll go pack, you call the airport to get a flight for both of us"
"No - what you gonna do with the kiddies? Daniel's not here"
"I'll call Debbie"
"No, I'll get Wilson to come - you've got the fund raising event and I don't know how long I'll be gone"
"Well I don't really need to be there - I'd rather be with you!"
"Seriously! I'll get Wilson, you've worked hard on that fund raiser - Wilson will be fine with it"
"ok well call him and see what he says first" she quietly a little hurt that he didn't want her to go with him.
House rang Wilson "Wilson - my Mom's had a heart attack and is in Lexington General"
"Oh House I'm sorry - when are we going"
"As soon as I can get a flight"
"I'll pack and come pick you up"
"I need 2 tickets on the next available flight to Lexington"
"2.40am that's fine, but I need handicapped assistance - I have a wheelchair"
"What do you mean there's nothing available on that flight! You just said you had 2 tickets ... when's the next one you have available with assistance"
"NO! 1pm tomorrow might be too late. If I just use crutches does that still count as needing assistance or can you accommodate that!"
"GREG, YOU CAN'T DO THAT" Said Andrea in the background
"Ok, well I'll take those first 2 then. But make sure they know I'll have crutches and I need to keep them with me"
He put the phone down and looked at Andrea "Look I'll be fine, Wilson will drive us to the airport, I'll find something to hire if necessary and the same at the other end - otherwise I can't go until 1pm tomorrow and it might be too late - I can't risk it. We only
saw her 2 weeks ago and she looked fine."
"I know but she is getting on and when Thomas died she did take it quite badly"
"Yeah I know - I just hope I get there in time"
They heard a beep from outside and looked at each other, Andrea gave him a hug and a kiss.
"Call me when you get there, give your mom a kiss for me. Please take care of yourself and hire a chair if possible"
House gave her a kiss back "Look I will I promise - I just need to get there and this is the fastest route"
"I know, I know - I love you"
"I love you too - give the kids a hug - I'll call you when I know more"
They went outside, Andrea put his luggage in the boot while House got himself into the car. Then Andrea took his chair.
"House, what are you doing? why is your chair not in the boot"
"Because he's been a naughty boy and can't come on this trip"
"WHAT?"
"They had no vacancies for the handicapped assisted seats or whatever they call it, so the chair can't come, just me and these "He said waiving his crutches around slightly.
"Are you out of your mind, you can't go with NO chair at all"
"Well we're hire something when we get there"
"HOUSE"
"Look let's just get there and then we can argue ok, I'm really not in the mood"
They checked in at the airport and went to the departure gate, everything was on time and the flight was boarding. The attendant took their passes and looked at House
"You do know there is no handicapped service on this flight"
"YES I am aware of that, but I was told I could keep these with me as I need them to walk"
"OK as long as you know"
As they came out of the tunnel they looked at each other
"Holy shit House, how are you going to get up there ? that must be why there is no handicapped service, you gotta walk up the flight of stair to the plain!"
"No Shit Sherlock! What the fuck am I gonna do now!" he said sadly
"Maybe I could go up ahead and see if there are any male flight attendants - maybe we could lift you up them"
House glared at Wilson
"NO WAY! Look I can do this I've been up and down stairs before right!"
"Yeah but only a couple not a whole flight"
"How hard can it be. You go up and put our bags in the overhaul ... I'll make my way up, I'll be fine"
Wilson looked at House, they didn't really have alot of choice and he knew House wouldn't want him hanging around while he was doing it either. So he went off as House requested.
House looked up this is not just a flight of stairs - this is a fucking mountain and I have to climb it! 12 stairs to the top... lets go...
First 4 were good, easy even, at least they weren't narrow ones. He stopped to take a breather. In the midst of his concentration he heard a voice oh god here it comes
"Sir, we have a chair lift at the rear of the plane, would that be easier for you to use"
House looked directly at her with his eyebrows furrowed "yes it would. I was told there was no handicapped service on this flight!"
"There isn't. The plane itself has a problem with the Disabled toilet on board, so we can't take on anyone who needs a wheelchair to move around on board, so instead of trying to explain that to people they have cancelled the service for the time being. But the lift still works"
House was actually quite relieved and grateful, the thought of trying to get up the rest was daunting.
"Can I help you down sir"
"No I'm fine"
"Make your way to the rear of the plane and I'll sort the lift out for you"
Wilson was waiting for him, their seats where just inside the door, House by now couldn't wait to sit down
"House, you're a stubborn ass, we should of just driven or taken a later flight"
"Well we are here now so shut up!"
Wilson glared at him.
The rest of the journey went well and luckily when they got to the other end they went straight through the tunnel into the airport no stairs to fall down.
Wilson hired the car and then picked House up at the front of the building. House by now was knackered and all the 'walking' was beginning to take it's toll.
They got to the hospital and were directed to the ICU. At the nurses stationer there were only 2 nurses on duty.
"Hi, I'm Dr House I'm here..."
"Hi Dr House, follow me, your mom is in this room"
House and Wilson followed the nurse to the room.
"I'll let the doctor know that you are here. Can I get you anything"
"No thanks " said House
Wilson followed the nurse out "Excuse me do you think you could find a wheelchair we could use"
The nurse gave him a funny look. "I'll see what I can do"
Wilson joined House in his mom's room, she was asleep but stable. House made himself as comfortable as he could, getting as close as he could to hold her hand. They sat in silence for what seemed like an age- he hadn't even got her file out to read it. It would take too much energy.
The door opened and a doctor walked in with a nurse behind him and a wheelchair in tow. "Dr House, I'm Dr Smith your mothers cardiologist" He went over and shook House's hand and nodded to Dr Wilson.
"Your mom has suffered a second heart attack, we have inserted balloons and stents and the rest is upto her. She has regained consciousness and is now just resting"
"Umm did you say 2nd heart attack? when was the 1st"
"oohh, she didn't tell you? umm about 6 months ago"
"Right! ok - the old devil " he said with a smile
"So anyway, feel free to look at her chart, oh and I guess this is for you " he said pointing towards the chair "Did you forget yours?"
"Yeah, I was in a kinda hurry" said House sarcastically
"Well it's nice meeting you Dr House, I just wish it was under different circumstances. Dr Wilson keep an eye on him - I don't want him scaring all my nursing staff!"
"He wouldn't dare - not within ear shot of his mom anyway!"
They all had a little chuckle and Dr Smith left them to it. "Wilson I'm going to the bathroom so I can take of these braces off, you ok to sit with her for a while"
"Of course I am . Do we have a hotel to go to by the way"
"No, I hadn't even thought about it - maybe we could stay at her house"
Wilson just nodded. House as gone for about 15 minutes, by the he got back Wilson was dozing in the recliner chair. House took out the chart at the end of the bed and read through it. This really was a doosey of a heart attack and a second one at that. Why hadn't she told him? He knew why, she didn't want him to worry. That sound familiar. He looked at his watch and thought it would be a good time to call Andrea. He removed himself from the ICU and made the phone call.
"Hey babe, how is she"
"She's stable, sleeping. This is her second heart attack - she didn't even tell me"
"Well, you're there now, that's all that matters - how was your flight?"
"I've had better"
"you sound worn out babe, have you eaten anything?"
"Not yet. We'll get some breakfast in a while. Look I'm gonna go so I can go back and sit with her.. I'll call you later"
"OK - love you!"
"yeah me too, see ya" and with that he was gone
He went back into the room and sat beside his mom and held her hand. "mom, why didn't you tell me? You've been living on our own now for ages, anything could have happened. Do you remember when we would play the piano together, when dad was away and you taught me o cook aswell - not that I ever told anyone that" He said with a chuckle. "You have always been there for me, always given me unconditional love, even when I went to Jail... god mom... what am I gonna do without you. You're the only person I can't lie to"
He put his head down and kissed her hand and lay his head on the bed and closed his eyes. He felt something on his head that drew him out of sleep. He opened his eyes and peered around at where he was.
"Greg"
"mom! I'm here - it's ok - you're gonna be fine!"
She put her hand up and motioned to him to come nearer "Can you get me a drink of water I'm thirsty"
"Sure hang on"
"Here you go" he said quietly, "Mom, why didn't you tell me you had a heart attack 6 months ago"
"Oh Greg.. I didn't want to worry you - it was nothing really!"
"Obviously! - so what happened this time then"
"I was at home and that's all I remember"
"Who found you"
"I don't know, probably Elsie my next door neighbour, we see each other most days"
"Ok mom, get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up"
"mmmmk" She said and drifted back off to sleep.
An hour later Wilson woke up and saw House on the other side of the bed still holding his moms hand.
"Hey, you want something to eat - I'll go find us some breakfast"
"yeah, sounds good"
"you ok?"
"Yep"
Wilson went off to find some food, while House stayed with his Mom. He talked to her alot although she was asleep, he felt like he was doing something to help. Wilson returned with food. House moved away from his Mom so that he could eat.
"Hey is any of that for me - it smells good" they heard in a whisper coming from the bed.
"You can have some if you want, I'll share nicely" said House with a chuckle.
"On second thoughts... no thanks. James it's so good so see you. How are you?"
"How am I? I think that should be the other way around don't you" said Wilson as he approached the bed and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"mmm, I'm fine. Is there a 4th Mrs Wilson yet? She said with a smile
"NO! and I don't think there will be" he said squeezing her hand softly.
She motioned for him to come closer to her "Can you do me a favor, I need you to collect something for me from the house. It's in my bedside cabinet it's a small tin box, can you get the box for me?"
"Yeah sure, is it ok if we stay there, we haven't booked hotel room"
""You don't need to ask - although I don't know if it will be suitable for Greg... the bedrooms are upstairs"
"OK, well I'll go over when we've eaten to check it out. I can't see him leaving you anyway,"
"No probably not... but we can try"
Once they had eaten Wilson said he was going to the house so he could wash up and change and that he would be back in a while.
Blythe was in and out of sleep for most of the morning. She was checked on numerous times and she was still critical but stable the first 48-72 hours after having a heart attack were always critical.
Wilson came back a little after 1pm and they sat and chatted for a while.. He could sense that House was more uncomfortable than he let on - maybe he was just tired. House removed himself to go to the bathroom and Wilson followed him out.
"House wait! Are you in pain?"
"A little, just aching from all the walking, I'll be fine"
"Shall I get you some pain meds?"
"WILSON! I'm fine ... stop mothering me...If I want some I'll ask ok!"
"ok, ok, but if it doesn't subside, I'm getting you x-rayed!"
"I haven't done anything for it to get to that stage - I am just tired and aching ok"
Wilson went back into the room "Is he ok - I just noticed he's not using his own chair"
"He's fine.. We left in a hurry and it got left behind"
"James! I'm a human polygraph - your lying !"
"Well ok. He left it behind on purpose, otherwise we wouldn't have got here until about now and he wanted to get here asap."
"The fool! James when he comes back can you give us some time alone. I need to speak to Greg"
"Of course, oh and here's the box you wanted. I'll put it on the table"
"No can I have it"
"here you go, anything else I can get for you"
"No I'm good"
