Lots happening in this chapter. Hope you like it. Reviews are always greatly appreciated…and inspiring!
Cuddy closed her eyes again. If truth be told, House coming back as he did was totally unexpected. Cuddy had already begun to move on mentally even before Lucas had asked her out so many months ago. She couldn't fathom what House had gone through and not seeing the signs herself shocked her deeply. Imagining he could ever recover, practice medicine again and resolve to seek out a level of contentment in his life seemed like pure fantasy. And Cuddy was not one to allow fantasy to color her decisions.
Cuddy resolved to stay strong and focused. Her heart had been crushed too many times and she was tired of watching life pass her by. House and Lucas were big boys who could take care of themselves. Cuddy promised herself she'd be fair and let things play out as life intended. Someone was going to get hurt, it was inevitable in Life. But this time, Cuddy promised herself, it wouldn't be her. She vowed to take a wait-and-see approach and hoped for the best.
Lucas gazed at his gorgeous girlfriend sitting on the floor playing with a toddler. She looked happier lately as if she didn't have a care in the world. He loved watching her when she thought no one was paying attention. The game was on and Cuddy assumed Lucas was glued to the tube but he wasn't.
Rachel giggled and chewed on her blocks as her mommy stacked them before her. The little girl delighted in knocking them over and snatching one back to gnaw on. Cuddy laughed at her silly little girl. Glancing over at Lucas, their eyes met and Cuddy grinned at him.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just watching my two girls playing," Lucas said happily.
"Are you happy?" Cuddy asked him suddenly.
"Yeah, I am. Are you?"
"Yeah," Cuddy said still smiling. She moved toward him crawling over the blocks carefully stretching up to kiss him. Lucas met her halfway and slid his hand behind her neck to gently pull her closer.
"Did I detect a note of surprise in that answer?" Lucas teased her.
"Who knew life could be so good?" Cuddy responded before kissing him more deeply.
"I take it work is going better these days," Lucas pried a little.
"As a matter of fact, it is."
"Really? Is House out sick or something?" Lucas asked quickly.
"No, he's there."
"He's behaving?"
"Yeah. He actually is behaving," Cuddy sounded a little surprised again.
"That's cool," Lucas smiled. "I have to wonder why, but that's cool."
"I think he's trying to show everybody he's changed."
"You don't sound like you believe it," Lucas prompted.
"I'd like to but I guess I don't know if it's permanent or temporary." Cuddy murmured.
"Who cares, as long as he isn't make your life a living hell," Lucas said cheerfully. "I like the relaxed Lisa."
Cuddy grinned. "Me too. How about I make dinner and you watch the game?'
"Deal, baby." Cuddy stood up and Lucas glanced over her body appreciatively. "I'll watch Rachel while you're cooking."
"Thanks, honey," Cuddy said before kissing Lucas once more and heading to the kitchen. A sleepy Rachel crawled over to Lucas who picked her up and sat the child on his lap before cuddling her closer and turning his attention back to the game on the screen. No doubt about it, domestic life definitely had its good points.
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House was enjoying a bag of chips and a pint of guacamole seated next to Wilson as the two watched the same game on tv.
"You've been especially low key this week, what's up with that?" Wilson asked suddenly.
"Nothing. Just being a good boy."
"Why?"
"Why not?" House looked over at his suspicious friend. "I told you I've changed. I'm not the same old ass I use to be."
"This is about Cuddy isn't it." Wilson said flatly.
"Why would you ask that?"
"I knew it. Spill. What are you up to?"
"I'm not up to anything."
"Uh-huh." Wilson paused dramatically. "You know anything about sixteen sunflowers?"
"What?" House feigned ignorance.
"Some florist left a message for you about delivering sunflowers instead of gladiolas on Monday. Said he needed to know if that was acceptable." Wilson cocked an eyebrow at House.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." House acted indifferently.
"Yeah, okay. Whatever." Wilson glanced at his friend just in time to see House shoot him a side glance.
"What?" House insisted.
"Nothing." Wilson smirked. House glared at him.
"Whatever! Shut up and watch the game!" House snapped. His mind wandered as he stared at the tv, somehow he'd have to call the florist and nix the sunflowers. Those were ugly and huge flowers in his book and wouldn't do for Cuddy. Wilson chose that moment to snatch the bag of chips out of House's hands, grinning at him like a fool.
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"Where's House?" Cuddy demanded of his staff.
"At lunch," Thirteen volunteered.
"At 2 o'clock?" Cuddy questioned.
"House said he'd be back late," Chase added.
"Great. Please tell him I need an update on both cases," Cuddy said as she left.
"Where is House really? Foreman whispered to Thirteen. She shrugged.
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House tried to look interested as the elderly couple droned on and on about their lives. The chairs in the restaurant were uncomfortable and House took care to appear fascinated at their anecdotes.
The woman was obviously pleased at the opportunity to ask a long litany of health questions of a world famous doctor. House smiled politely and answered each question patiently while charming the pair.
The man had survived a series of heart attacks and PPTH had his admiration and lifetime devotion for the surgical procedure that repaired his damaged heart four years earlier. House managed to steer the conversation around to the topic of financial contributions and before the lunch ended the elderly man presented House with a check for $300,000. Flashing a stunning smile at the elderly woman, House kissed her cheek and shook hands with the older gentleman before picking up the tab for the business luncheon and heading out. He waved through the window at the pair as they grinned and waved back at him before he started his motorcycle and zoomed out of the parking lot headed for the hospital.
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"Well that was weird," Cuddy said as she hung up the phone.
"Something wrong?" Wilson asked from the other side of Cuddy's desk.
"No, something good happened."
"What?"
"A donor just made a $300,000 contribution to the hospital!" Cuddy sounded amazed.
"That's great, isn't it?" Wilson sounded confused.
"Yes, it's great! I'm just shocked!" Cuddy exclaimed.
Wilson looked at her expecting more information. "Why?"
"Because that was the McFearsons and they were called to say how much they appreciated their luncheon meeting with Dr. House yesterday!"
Wilson's mouth dropped open.
"I KNOW!" Cuddy said in shock.
"House? Met with old people? Our House?" Wilson was stunned.
"Yes!" Cuddy's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"He never said anything about it to me!" Wilson protested.
"I'm impressed!" Cuddy muttered more to herself.
"You're impressed? I'm shocked! Who is this guy?????" Wilson demanded.
"You don't think it's a joke do you?" Cuddy suddenly asked.
"Call accounting, make sure the check clears," Wilson urged.
"Good idea!" Cuddy dialed the department head and instructed him to let her know when the check cleared.
Wilson was grinning to himself when Cuddy hung up. "What?"
Wilson shook his head. "The check's going to clear."
"How do you know?"
"I just do," Wilson said as he got up to leave.
"Don't let him know I know" Cuddy blurted out.
"Okay?" Wilson looked confused.
"Seriously, Wilson." Cuddy looked preoccupied.
"Okay, no problem. Your secret is safe with me," Wilson added. Cuddy smiled. "What's with the flowers? Every time I've been in your office you have different flowers on your desk."
"So?"
"Lucas?"
"Who else?" Cuddy said nonchalantly. Wilson shrugged and left. Cuddy stared at the twenty dark purple dahlias artfully arranged in broad glass bowl vase. "You are just full of surprises," she murmured out loud to someone who wasn't there.
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It was laying against his desk with a dark purple bow perched on top, no card to be found. House saw the bow but couldn't quite comprehend what it was attached to as he entered his office. As he rounded his desk, he realized the bow was stuck to the curved handle of a beautiful sleek new cane. The dark mahogany wood gleamed lustriously. House picked it up and examined it closely spying the satin nickel rings that dotted the lower third of the cane. It was perfect in its length, grip and weight. House smiled to himself.
"Well, who's it from?" Taub asked from the doorway.
"Oh, I have many many fans. Who knows? Who cares?" House quipped. He leaned his old cane against the wall and tried out the new one.
"Fancy!" Foreman added.
"Looks expensive," Thirteen chimed in.
"I expect it was." House commented. He twirled it through his fingers before sliding it through his palm and leaning on it. "Feels good."
"Looks good," Thirteen said approvingly.
"So you like a big cane, after all?" House's eyes sparkled at the young woman. Thirteen rolled her eyes.
"Doesn't everybody?" Cuddy's voice cut in unexpectedly.
House and his trio turned toward her. House stopped himself from thanking Cuddy for the gift in front of his staff.
"House got a present from an admirer," Taub said with a slightly taunt to his voice. Cuddy raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps he did something nice for someone?" Cuddy suggested.
Foreman snorted. "Right." House glared at Foreman and glanced back at Cuddy.
"It's gorgeous," House said appreciatively. His eyes lingered on the cane before looking to Cuddy with a hint of gratitude.
"Want to try it out?" Cuddy asked. "Walk with me and you can give me an update on the two cases."
House smiled at her and moved past his staff to join Cuddy in the hall outside his office.
"Thanks, Cuddy." House whispered to her.
"It was the least I could do to thank you," Cuddy said in a low voice.
"There are other ways that don't cost as much," House hinted suggestively. "This must have set you back quite a bit."
"You're worth it." Cuddy smiled sincerely.
"Yes, yes. I. am." House teased. "Where are we headed?"
"How about the cafeteria? Coffee?"
"Yes, please!" House said quickly as the pair continued walking to the elevators. House used his new cool cane to press the elevator call button before he proceeded to detail the latest news on both cases as Cuddy listened attentively.
"Did you see that?" Thirteen said to Foreman as she watched the pair step into the elevator.
"So?" Foreman said dumbly.
"Cuddy gave him that cane," Thirteen sounded proud of her deduction.
"Wonder what he did to deserve it?" Foreman said slyly.
Thirteen smirked at her former boyfriend and turned away to rejoin Taub at the conference table.
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House loves surprising Cuddy and she is learning to enjoy being surprised. Hope you like the way the story is going. Reviews are golden! More please!
