Chapter 10

House was seated in the conference room with the ducklings as they shouted a variety of diseases. He had already diagnosed the patient but rather than saying anything he decided it was about time they figured it out on their own. Chase was the closest so far but House wasn't about to tell him that. He was too busy thinking about Cuddy.

She was always on his mind these days. House had had a crush on Cuddy when they first met in med school. She was the top girl in all of their classes and quite a beauty. House of course was the top male in his classes, but his loner reputation and fear of rejection from her kept him from asking her out. He had always admired Lisa Cuddy. That had been a strong reason for his dislike in Cameron. He cared for her but only as a friend, and he didn't think it fair to go out with her when he was interested in someone else. Especially if it was the hospital administrator. Of course, this was all oblivious to the dean of medicine. And House didn't plan on telling her any time soon. As House sat there deep in thought he didn't notice the ducklings leave having tried to tell him they had figured it out and failed miserably. House was a hard nut to crack.

…

Lisa Cuddy was seated in her office with one of her best friends, Brenda. Nurse Brenda had been employed by Cuddy shortly after House had, and they had become friends very quickly. Brenda was one of the only nurses who didn't seem to mind House and often put him in his place. She knew how to handle being under pressure and she was a very independent woman. The women shared a lot of the same qualities and Cuddy often confided in Brenda when she needed advice or just someone to talk to.

"So Lisa, did it work? Are you pregnant? I mean you didn't tell me you had picked one of the donors but rumor has it that you're pregnant." Brenda asked curiously.

Lisa was a bit apprehensive. She knew her friend would be there for her no matter what, but she wasn't sure how she would react to hearing that House was the father. Biting her lip Lisa answered cautiously.

"Yes well, I finally made my decision, and I had the procedure done"

"And? You've got me on pins and needles Lisa, did it work?"

"Yes" Lisa answered getting more and more excited.

"Oh my god! Congratulations sweetie I'm so happy for you! " Brenda squealed.

"Why didn't you tell me before? When did this happen?" Brenda asked calming down a bit after giving Lisa a hug.

"I'm almost three and a half months pregnant" Lisa stated a little regretfully. She felt so bad about not telling her friend. Especially when Brenda's face slowly turned into a frown.

"Lisa why didn't you tell me? Did I do something wrong?".

"No, you didn't, it's just I had to talk with the father and we decided to wait and I wasn't sure…"

"What do you mean you had to talk with the father? I thought you were going with an anonymous donor Lisa? Your not suppose to meet the guy you…Oh." Comprehension dawned on Brenda's face as she realized why her friend had kept this from her.

"You asked House didn't you?" she stated.

"Yes I did." Lisa replied.

"I thought we agreed that that wasn't such a good idea?" Brenda answered softly.

"I changed my mind; I wanted someone I could trust, someone who could be there for me if I needed him."

"I see, and he agreed to this?" Brenda scoffed somewhat doubtfully.

"Yes, I was surprised; he didn't take a day to consider it."

"Wow I mean, House, Lisa are you sure about this? Are you sure that this was your best choice?" Brenda asked.

"I'm sure, look you know how I feel about House, and I think that this baby needs a mother and a father. House says he wants to do this. I couldn't be surer and I really need your support on this because I know there will be rough patches here and there." Lisa confessed.

Brenda was stunned. She never thought Lisa would choose House. The one time she had mentioned it they had both talked about it and then shrugged it off. This was going to be tough. But she knew better than to argue with Lisa Cuddy.

"Well I'm happy for you Lisa. And I'm always here for you, you know that right?"

"Thanks Brenda" Cuddy answered teary-eyed. It was good to know Brenda was behind her on this. She had a feeling this was the beginning of something huge.