Once again thanks for the great comments guys!

Chapter 10

A few days later and on a bright Saturday morning, House and Cuddy were seated inside their car. Heading towards New Brunswick to see Cuddy's Aunt Rachel and Uncle Sam as behind them, Ruth and Bill followed them in Bill's white Cadillac down the highway, with Jessica opting to ride with her grandparents for the trip.

"So… now that we've seen Dr. Taylor and had your oil checked and tires rotated. How soon do want to tell that nag of a mother of yours and Bill about my bun inside your oven?" House questioned over to Cuddy, resting his right hand on her thigh as he continued to steer the car down the road.

Cuddy looked over at his profile, rolling her eyes as she pondered the question. "Well….I'd like to wait a few more weeks. That is if you can keep your big mouth shut." She responded smartly after his wiseass remarks to her.

"Then ten it is." House announced.

"What?" Cuddy questioned, tilting her head slightly.

"Well.... thanks to your period that wasn't a period you're eight weeks into your pregnancy. So I figured we'll wait till you're ten weeks to tell the swinging seniors about Jagger because it's a nice round number….kinda of like that ass of yours." He explained with a grin.

Cuddy shook her head and his comments about her ass slide, knowing his mood this morning was because in fact he was just as excited about the baby as she was. "Fine, we'll tell my Mom and Bill in two weeks. I only hope you'll be able to refrain from being an ass when we do tell them." She informed him.

House raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you even know who you're married to? Like I would ever hold back on the old and the nosey? Face is Pookie …you're stuck with this ass and his two kids .. till death do us part." He informed her with a smirk before giving her thigh a squeeze as Cuddy rolled her eyes at him again.

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"Nana? Where you thinking all dose birds going up in da sky?" Jessica asked from the backseat of Bill's Cadillac, where she sat belted securely in her car seat as she gazed out at a flock of starlings that had just taken flight from a tall maple tree they had passed along the road.

"I don't know honey. Where do you think their going?" Ruth questioned to Jessica while looking back at her granddaughter with a smile.

"I think em going get some breakfast." The toddler informed her Nana with a smile of her own.

"You know what….I think you're right Sweepea. Why just look at how fast those birds are they're flying in the sky. They must reallly be hungry." Bill agreed from the driver's side of the car while peering out at the birds from the windshield.

"You think em birds getting worms Papa?" Jessica asked with interest, leaning forward a bit in her car seat.

"Could be." Bill replied, smiling back at the sweet little girl from the rear view mirror.

"I just hoping dem birds don't be getting none dem inchy worms. Member Nana when dat cute lil green inchy worm climbed up on my arm when we's outside yesterday? Him so tiny and his back go way high up da air when he crawling?" Jessica said with a giggle, touching her own arm gently with a smile upon her face as she kicked her feet happily.

At hearing what Jess had said, Ruth laughed along with Bill in the front of the car. "Oh honey I'm sure your little inch worm friend is smart enough to hide away from those birds in the sky." She assured the toddler.

"I hopin so ……he too cute to be eatin up by dem black birdies." Jessica remarked with a serious face.

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After another fifteen minutes of driving, House and Cuddy along with Ruth, Bill and Jessica arrived at the home of Rachel and Samuel Goldstein.

"It's so good to see you all." Sam said sincerely, greeting the small group of people standing on his front porch as Ruth moved into his arms.

"How's Rachel?" Ruth whispered up to him with a searching gaze after giving her brother-in-law a heart felt hug and kiss on the cheek.

"She's having a really good day today. In fact so good Rachel insisted we all have lunch out on the patio later on." Sam told her before looking down at Jessica as the adorable little girl stood in front of her Daddy, looking up at him with a huge heart melting smile.

"Uncle Sam…guess I learned to do now." Jessica said as she leaned back against her Daddy's legs.

"What Sweetie?" Sam asked as he crouched down to her level.

"I doing dis now." Jessica said proudly as she winked her left eye at her great uncle while raising up her left shoulder at the same time.

"Did you teach her to do that?" Cuddy whispered over to House with a small smile.

House shook his head no, looking down at the top of his daughter's head.

Sam chuckled at the sight of the sweet little girl who then winked at him again with a giggle. "Who taught you to do that Jessie?" He asked her with a grin, repeating the question Lisa had just asked her husband.

"My Uncle Wilson! He saying I should do dat to all da boys… an since you a boy …I do I to you!" Jess told him happily while above her a heavy set grimace appeared on House's face.

"I'm going to kill Wilson." He then muttered under his breath as Bill and Ruth chuckled softly beside him.

"Not if I get to him first." Cuddy whispered over to her husband while placing a gentle hand on top of her daughter's head.

Rising up into a standing position once more, Sam gave them all another warm smile, "Why don't we all head into the backyard. By the way Rachel's been on cloud nine ever since she found out that all of you were coming to see her today." He told them sincerely.

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Walking into the backyard of Rachel and Sam's home, Cuddy's nose immediately filled with the scent of every sweet smelling flower imaginable.

The vast and lush garden had been tediously taken care of by Sam and Rachel on a daily basis (when of course her Aunt had been in better health) and looking at it now as it's borders surrounded the rounded patio area it offered serenity to everyone who entered into it, with breathtaking green foliage dotted between bursts of amazing colors.

Lying upon a wicker chaise lounge with a thick, dark floral cushion resting on top of it, Rachel smiled broadly over at the group of loved ones approaching her now. Her curly, short dark hair, cropped close to her scalp as the new growth had only recently sprung forth after the latest course of chemo she endured was over. Her light chestnut eyes, focusing in on her adorable great niece who was skipping towards her while holding the slender hand of her mother.

"Oh my! Would someone please tell me who this beautiful girl is in such a pretty summer dress?" Rachel asked in a voice that sounded very much like her sister's.

"It's me Aunt Rachel!" Jessica said with a giggle as her ponytail bounced behind her, letting go of her Mommy's hand as she walked up next to the chaise lounge.

"Oh Jessica! You're getting so big I didn't even know it was you!" Rachel responded, even though it had only been a little over a week since Ruth had last brought the little girl with her to visit, wrapping her arms around her great niece as if she hadn't seen the toddler for months while giving Jess a tender kiss on the cheek.

From above them, Ruth held back her tears at the sight of her sister.

Rachel had lost even more weight than when she had seen her a week ago. The collarbones on opposite sides of her sister's upper torso, pressing out sharply against skin covering them as they were left exposed by the spaghetti straps of the light blue summer dress she was wearing.

Oh god! She's nothing more than skin and bones, Ruth thought to herself as she swallowed hard, stifling the cry of sorrow in her throat that traveled instead deeply into her heart.

"Don't look at me that way Ruth. I'll have you know I still haven't given up yet. I just need some time to rest after all of the treatments…...then I'll be as good as new." Rachel whispered up to her younger sister after seeing the look on Ruth's face, even if her statements had been all lies because of the feel of Jessica's small hand now resting on top of her own.

"Well it's good to see your still up to bossing me around." Ruth responded with a somewhat melancholy smile as she leaned forward and gave Rachel a kiss on the cheek while Jessica started to climb up on the chaise next to her sister.

"Oh honey I don't thing there's enough room for you up there." Cuddy said gently to her daughter, reaching for her just as Jess placed her left knee onto the cushion.

"But Mommy…Auntie Rachel always smelling like dat watermelon and I liken to smell her." Jessica protested while halting her progress.

Actually I think that booze you're smelling kid." House commented dryly as he gave Rachel a crooked smile.

"I told you I"m only drinking vodka now." Rachel responded in an instant with an amused smirk to House before she reached for Jess, helping her up on the cushion with her while looking over at Lisa ,"And.....Jess will be fine up here with me. In fact there's more than enough room for both of us….see?" She added in spite of the sharp pain being felt in her lower back currently that felt as if a dagger had been placed there.

Taking in a breath, Rachel kept the smile on her face as Ruth commented on how good she looked today. Learning while dealing with her battle against cancer to hide the pain she was feeling with utmost skill as the muscles in her mouth stayed relaxed even though she had wanted to scream. Knowing as she glanced over at House that he..... regardless of all the others surrounding them however would not be fooled as the history of the sudden and very unexpected deep conversation with him one night after a horrible round of chemo allowed her privy to the deep unrelenting pain that would sometimes come calling for him as well.

Even though Sam says it's a good day for you…..it's obvious you're still in a lot of pain, House thought to himself while wondering just how Rachel was still managing to hold on in despite the hell she had been through these past few weeks, the smile upon her face a testament to how deeply the vein of strength and courage ran within the petite woman whose striking good looks still managed to peek through the veil of sickness trying to hide them.

Standing beside House, Bill was watching the scene in front of him with great interest, albiet for a different reasons as Rachel proceeded to put a loving arm around Jessica and kiss her cheek once more.

Jessica had mentioned the smell of watermelon again, just like the last time they had been here.

Which means nothing,his mind tried to argue with him at first.

Except it did. He was now sure of it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Just as he was sure that Jessica could not only smell the watermelon..but...could taste it as well as he watched her small jaw moving back and forth from inside her closed mouth. Savoring the flavor as she continued to look up at her Great Aunt with a smile of an innocent child who sees something much more than anyone suspects, Bill thought as his mind traveled swiftly into the past and back to the ICU at the hospital were he had suffered a cardiac arrest a little over three years ago that took him to the shore where he had seen his beloved late wife Anna........with the taste of watermelon on his tongue as the smell of springtime filled his senses.

"Hey Grandpa …. you ok?" House asked from beside him after noticing Bill had raised his hand up to his heart with a pained expression upon his face.

"I'm fine. I just have a little indigestion from breakfast." Bill lied, letting his hand fall back to his side as for the briefest of moments the faint taste of watermelon moved over his tongue before it disappeared just as quickly.

"Bill, I have some Tums in the medicine cabinet I can get for you if you think it will help." Sam offered while taking his eyes away from Lisa, Rachel and Ruth who had started up a conversation beside him as sweet little Jessica remained seated happily next his wife, suddenly mimicking the laughter of the women surrounding her who were doing their damdest to support each other during the incredibly rough time in all of their lives.

"Thanks Sam…I think I'll take you up on that." Bill replied before following the man into his home with House opting to go inside as well.

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Meanwhile, as the men headed inside, Ruth and Lisa moved towards the two chairs next to the chaise lounge that Rachel lying on with Jessica , with Lisa placing a soft kiss on Rachel's cheek before easing back into the chair closest to her Aunt.

"You know Lisa, I swear you get even more beautiful every time I see you." Rachel remarked as she looked over at her niece whose flawless skin seemed to be almost glowing with perfection.

"Thank you Aunt Rachel." Cuddy replied with a small smile, glancing over at Jess who was currently looking up at her Great Aunt with a precious smile.

"Aunt Rachel….can I going over dare and pick some dem flowers for you?" Jessica then asked from beneath them, pointing to the garden resting beside them all.

"You can pick as many flowers as you want honey." Rachel told the little girl before kissing her on the forehead.

"K! Come on Nana I needed your help wif this." Jessica said with an excited voice as she carefully moved down from the chaise before reaching for Ruth's hand.

Ruth smiled down at her granddaughter as she got up out of her chair. "Ok sweetheart." She said before glancing over at her sister. "Rachel….is there anything you need while I'm up?" She asked.

"I'm fine Ruth, now go and make sure your granddaughter gets me as many flowers as the both of you can carry back with you." She replied with a soft smile.

Watching for a moment as Ruth and Jessica walked hand towards the garden, Cuddy then turned her gaze back to her Aunt Rachel.

"So how bad is the pain?" She asked in hushed whisper while talking hold of her aunt's hand.

"I won't lie Lisa, it is unbearable at times, but today has been one of my better days." Rachel answered honestly.

Cuddy studied her Aunt's drawn in face as her heart ached with concern, "Listen Aunt Rachel ….I wanted to let you know I was on the phone the other day with a physician down in Florida who has a new clinical trial he's starting up that I'm sure I can get you into." She offered.

"Lisa….. I told you before that I'm done with chemo." Rachel responded while squeezing her niece's hand.

Cuddy drew in her bottom lip. "But this trial is very promising." She pushed with all the love for her Aunt now guiding her words.

"Oh sweetheart." Rachel whispered, moving her hand up to cup the side of Cuddy's face.

"I know how hard this has to be for you. Especially because of you being a doctor and all….but…. I don't want to spend anymore time trapped inside an endless wave of chemo drugs and painkillers as I lay in some hospital bed. Even if it's at your hospital." Seh explained. " I want to know who you are when you come and see me with your beautiful family instead of staring out into space. And I want to sit inside of my garden with my husband and smell the flowers and listen to the birds sing until the stars come out at night. I want to be here Lisa, where I listen to my old 45 records at two in the morning if I want to as Sam holds me his arms and we dance like we used too in those brief pockets of time when I'm not feeling any pain at all…….and I can't do that with and IV stuck in my arm." She finished.

Cuddy nodded, pushing back the tears that tried to form in her eyes, "I understand Aunt Rachel." She whispered softly pulling her Aunt's hand up to her mouth and kissing it tenderly while gazing into the amazing woman's beautiful chestnut eyes.

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Staring out of the kitchen window, House traced the worry lines on Cuddy's face as she looked over at her Aunt Rachel, no doubt racked with guilt even while knowing there was really nothing she ....or anyone else for that matter could do to keep her Aunt from finally succumbing to the cancer that had come to claim her.

"Here you go Bill." Sam announced, walking into the kitchen with the small bottle of Tums before the container slipped through his fingers and fell down onto the floor beneath them all.

"Way to go butter-" House started to say…… that was until he saw the old man's hand shaking as he gazed down at the round tablets now scattered across the floor before looking up at both him and Bill.

"I'm …I'm sorry." Sam said in voice that trembled, moving the palm of his hand to his forehand, to where the deep wrinkles that had taken up residence there during the past few months and currently swallowed up his brave front between there creases.

"Hey Sam…….it's ok….it's not like you spilled a bottle of beer or something." Bill joked softly, placing a reassuring hand on the man's right shoulder while knowing exactly why Sam had reacted the way he had just did.

Sam looked back at Bill with eyes that were red with sorrow and tears that refused to fall as he vowed to remain the pillar of strength his wife who needed him so desperately right now.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without her Bill," Sam started to say in voice that was lost in emotion. "When I married Rachel I promised God I'd be with her until death do us part…..but I can't keep up my end of the bargain with him now because I can't imagine living without her….she's my everything. She's my reason for living." He confessed with hoarse whisper.

Bill placed his other hand on Sam's left shoulder so that the man would face him squarely. "Sam, whatever happens to your wife……you will get through this. And all of us here with the both of you now, along with the rest of your family and friends will be here for you. You just have to pray to the Lord to somehow get Rachel through this ......if it is indeed his will, " He assured his brother-in-law who was now trapped inside the same hell he had once visited so many years ago with his first wife Anna.

"I know I should have faith in God's will, but right now all I want is for God to leave my wife with me where she belongs." Sam said with a whisper as he padded Bill's shoulder before stepping back from the man.

From beside them, House had watched both of the older men without saying a single word. Holding his tongue out of respect for them as talks of God and faith would most assuredly bring out the cynical side of him. Causing only more pain for the man who was standing exactly where he had a fifty percent chance of being one day if Lisa ever passed on before him. The thought, sending a chill down his spine as it rang with such a grim, but almost certain promise for the future…as it does for all of us.

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Outside the kitchen window, walking hand in hand with her Grandmother in the garden, Jessica reached out and with a skillful little hand, picked one single black eyed susan from the bunch that was growing in the garden surrounding her.

"Nana we's sure gettin lots of flowers huh?" She then questioned, handing Ruth the flower.

"We sure are honey and Aunt Rachel is going to be so happy when she sees all of these flowers." Ruth agreed with a warm smile, taking the flower from Jess and placing in with the already sizable bouquet in her left hand.

"Dat's good…..cuz I liiking making Aunt Rachel happy." Jess replied with a nod as her eyes traveled over to where her mother and Aunt Rachel were seated.

The little girl then produced a wide smile, lifting her hand up and waving towards the patio as beside her Aunt Rachel, a brilliant round globe of light, that only she could see rested on the curve of her Great Aunt's right shoulder.... shimmered in the summer sun, brighter and stronger than anything Jessica had ever seen.

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"Aunt Rachel, there's something I want to tell you." Cuddy whispered as they both waved over at Jessica whose beaming smile rivaled the afternoon sun.

"Ok." Rachel replied with a small smile of interest, turning her gaze to meet her niece's.

"I'm pregnant." Cuddy confessed as she moved her hand inside of her aunt's once more.

"Oh Lisa! I'm so happy for you! I bet your mother is thrilled to death." Rachel gushed as her smile grew even wider.

"My Mom doesn't know about the baby yet." Cuddy replied watching the surprise as well as confusion wash over her Aunt's face.

"So are you telling me this because you think I'm that close to death's door?" Rachel asked her niece frankly.

Cuddy shook her head no.

"I'm telling you this because when I do tell my Mother in two weeks that I am pregnant….. you'll be able to tell her you knew before she did." Cuddy explained with a smirk, pinning every ounce of hope she had on the dream that her Aunt would somehow hold on longer than her doctors had predicted she would.

Her thoughts of course were read instantly by Rachel as the two of them stared at each other for a brief seconds without speaking.

"Lisa, can I ask you to do something for me?" Rachel finally said with a soft tone as the summer wind moved through the trees above them.

"You know I'd do anything for you." Cuddy responded.

Rachel nodded, holding tightly onto Lisa's hand. "When I die…I want you to tell Sam that I want him to sell the house and move to Princeton so he can be close to you and your mother along with your families. I couldn't stand the thought of him being here all alone." Rachel requested of her niece.

"Aunt Rachel..I-"

"Please Lisa…don't' tell me not to think that way when we both know it's only a matte of time now before this cancer gets the best of me. Just promise me you'll do what I asked." Rachel interrupted as her chestnut eyes locked onto ones made of cool grey as their hands now gripped onto one another.

Cuddy looked away from her aunt for a moment before returning her focus to her face. "I promise." She then answered solemnly.

To Be Continued......