A/N: Here's a nice long chapter for you all :D Enjoy!

Chapter Ten

House heard someone moving around in the kitchen and his stomach rumbled just thinking about food. Careful not to wake Cameron, he got out of bed, threw on his PJ's and went to start the coffee.

Mundell had beaten him to it and was already getting items out to make breakfast.

"You cook?" House asked him.

"Sometimes. I was a bachelor once, too." He looked at House curiously. "You're up early."

"I was hungry."

"As always," Mundell chuckled. "What can I do for you?"

House didn't know how to bring it up, so he took a deep breath and sat down at the counter. "I want to marry your daughter."

A small smile curved Mundell's lips. "Yes, I expected that. Kind of sudden though, isn't it, House? As you say, you two haven't been together very long and got together under false pretenses. Not the usual way a couple goes about it."

"Yeah well...I'm not a usual kinda guy."

"That's for sure. Look, you're a good man, House, and you clearly make Allison very happy. I don't think I've ever seen her look at any man the way she looks at you. But you have to know, I will be having our lawyer draw up a prenup."

House nodded. "Not a problem."

Mundell blinked. "Really?"

"Well, yeah. I wouldn't trust some guy you've only known for two weeks, either. However, just so you know, I'm not marrying her for the money. I have plenty of my own. I was a department head at PPTH. And while I don't have millions like you, Allison won't ever want or need for anything."

"I know that. But you never know what can happen in the future."

"That's fair. As long as we understand each other."

Mundell extended his hand to House, and House took it. "Welcome to the family. Such as we are."

"Need your help," House said as Wilson packed to head back to Princeton that afternoon.

"With what?" Wilson asked as he zipped up his suitcase.

"I asked Cameron to marry me. I need a ring."

Wilson looked like a fish out of water and his jaw dropped. "You did what?"

"I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. I need to get her a ring. I figure if anyone has experience with that, it's you."

"Usually you get the ring before you ask. Anyway, you know that she'll love whatever you pick. You don't need my help."

"I don't know anything about diamonds or the double C's or…."

"Four C's," Wilson corrected. "Pervert."

"Takes one to know one."

"Look, just go to any jeweler and tell them what you want. They'll be more than happy to help you spend a small fortune."

"How much are we talking?"

"For a decent sized diamond of good quality? At least ten grand, maybe more."

House winced.

"Cameron's worth that," Wilson reminded his friend.

"A hundred times over."

"Yes she is. So don't worry about it."

"I need to get her ring size," House told him. "Think you can get Hilary to help with that?"

"Sure." Wilson looked at him shrewdly. "You signing a pre-nup?"

"Absolutely. I don't want anyone saying I'm marrying her for her money."

"You mean Cuddy and Greyson."

House nodded grimly. "Especially those two. That asshole will do anything he can to stop us and I doubt Cuddy will buy us a wedding gift."

A car horn sounded and Wilson picked up his suitcase. "Well, that's the airport shuttle. Wish me luck. I have a feeling Cuddy is going to make me jump through hoops."

"Hilary isn't taking you?" House asked as he followed Wilson out.

"That's a relationship thing," Wilson smiled. "We're friends, remember?"

"You're an idiot," House told him with a smirk. "You are never gaining access to her bunny fur."

Wilson climbed into the van. "Uh huh. See you at GG's memorial service."

House went back into the house and followed the scent of bacon and coffee to the kitchen. Cameron and Hilary were nowhere in sight so House sat down with Mundell. They dug into fried eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits. Mundell even squeezed some fresh orange juice for them.

"I was thinking about your engagement and upcoming wedding," Mundell said. "I would be honored if you allowed me to give you Mother's engagement and wedding rings. Allison always loved them. Mother gave my father's ring to Hilary and well, it's gone now."

"Only if you let me buy them from you," House said. He was serious.

Mundell took a bite of biscuit and washed it down with a sip of coffee. "I think we could work something out," he told House.

The day before GG's service, Cameron seemed down and House was at a loss on how to cheer her up. He let her be for the most part so she could process the death of her grandmother in her own way. Hilary was also sad, but Mundell was taking good care of her.

After watching her mope for several hours, he knew exactly what might lift her spirits a little. "I have something that might cheer you up," he told her.

Cameron looked up from the medical journal she was reading, her legs curled under her as she sat on the couch in the library.

"Mhm? What did you say?"

"I said, I have something that might cheer you up. But you have to close your eyes."

"House...if this is another one of your tricks to get sex…"

He pretended to look hurt. "Would I do that in your hour of grief?"

Cameron chuckled. "Yes."

"Just close your eyes, woman. I think you're gonna like this."

She rolled her eyes, put down the journal and her eyes fluttered closed. "Okay."

He reached into his pocket for the ring box Mundell gave him earlier that day. "Open them."

She did and gasped when she saw the ring box, immediately recognizing it and then gasped again when she opened it to reveal GG's engagement ring. "Oh my God…"

"Your father said GG would want you to have it so I bought it from him."

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she stared at the 1.5 carat round diamond in its platinum band.

"It's so beautiful…"

House took it out of the box and took her hand, sliding the ring on her finger easily. It was a perfect fit. "You haven't changed your mind, I hope."

She looked at him, and he seemed a little nervous, so she let out a small laugh. "No. Never. I just...can't believe it's really happening. I never….I never thought you wanted to marry anyone…"

"I didn't. Until you came along and changed everything."

She reached up and stroked his stubbled cheek and he leaned into her touch as she kissed him softly, her lips gently brushing against his.

House kissed her back just as gently and pulled her against him as his fingers buried in her hair.

"I love you so much," she murmured against his lips and then pulled back. "I know it's hard for you to say and that's fine. Your actions speak louder than words."

He closed his eyes. "It's hard for me."

"I know." She stood up and offered him her hand. "Why don't you show me, Doctor House?"

He grinned back at her and took her hand as he used his cane to stand. "I think that can be arranged, Doctor House."

She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I like the way that sounds. Say it again."

House lowered his head and began kissing her neck. "Doctor..Allison...House…"

"Mmm…Langston Memorial won't know what to do with two Doctor House's."

"That's the fun part. Keep 'em guessing."

"You're so bad…."

"I think you like the bad boys."

"Just one in particular. Come on, it's late. We should go to bed. Big day tomorrow."

"I think big is putting it mildly," House said softly as he followed her to the elevator.

"Me too, but let's try not to think about it anymore tonight, okay? I'd rather think about how you're going to make love to me."

Once they were in the elevator, he backed her up against the wall and kissed her. His hands tugged on the hem of her shirt so he could reach underneath and caress her breasts.

"Mmm...yes…." she sighed as his lips moved down her neck and across her throat. Her hands began unbuttoning his shirt the rest of the way and slid under his T-shirt. When her nails raked over his nipples, House moaned softly, reached over and hit the button to stop the elevator. "Not here, House…"

"Right here….right now...want you," he murmured against her lips as he forced her mouth open under his and grabbed her leg to wrap around his waist.

At first she was worried about how his leg was going to hold up but when she heard him unzip his jeans, she suddenly didn't care.

"Your leg…"

"It's fine…" he assured her and when she felt him pressing into her, she moaned and threw her head back.

"Yesss...it is...oh God…"

He knew it wasn't the lovemaking she had in mind, but she didn't seem to be complaining and in fact, her response was exactly what he was going for. It would be quick and it would be primal, but sometimes that was just as effective as a long, slow makeout session. And being in an elevator only made it that much more exciting.

"Love in an elevator," he sang in her ear as he nibbled at it, causing her to giggle.

"Goof."

He gave one hard thrust and her whole body shook in response. "You're so...fucking...sexy," he grunted between thrusts as he moved faster and deeper than he ever thought possible. His leg was beginning to twinge in warning but he didn't care. He kept going until her climax took her over the edge, and him with her.

His leg decided it had enough and he slid to the floor with her pinned under him.

"Unghh!" she groaned. "Oh God, House...are you okay?"

"I will be," he grunted through his teeth as he rubbed his thigh. "Endorphins don't last nearly long enough…"

She hit a button and the doors opened. "Come on, let's get you into bed."

"Mmm...music to my ears," he grunted as he let her help him to his feet.

Wilson paced back and forth in the entry of the funeral home. He couldn't remember when he was so angry. People walked past him but he didn't notice them. The longer he paced, the angrier he got.

For the most part, his trip back to Princeton went smoothly. The board at PPTH accepted his resignation and several members offered to write him letters of recommendation. All of them knew the Langston family and respected them. They were all invited to the memorial service.

After clearing out his office, he went to see Cuddy. That was one of the biggest mistakes he ever made. She was furious. She refused to accept his resignation and threatened to sue him and House both for breach of contract. When she began throwing things at him, he called the head of the board. Now she was unemployed and still threatening to sue. He always thought she was tough but level headed. Something was off about her but Wilson was too angry to figure out what it was. He knew she was involved with Greyson and Wilson didn't trust him. He was a sneaky, devious bastard with no ethics or morals.

"Wilson!" House called out making him jump slightly.

He turned to see House poking his head out of a doorway.

"Get your ass in here," House said.

Wilson shook his head to clear it and strode down the hallway to House. He walked in and saw Mundell, Hilary, Cameron and Bennings standing together in a small parlor. Hilary looked at him with wide eyes. Both she and Cameron wore simple black dresses with pearls. Hilary's hair hung straight and shiny down her back. Cameron wore hers in a simple bun. Wilson saw the engagement ring on Cameron's left hand and smiled slightly.

"It's time to go," House told him. "The family enters last and we're part of the family."

Wilson walked over to Hilary. "Can a friend hold your hand?" he asked her.

She nodded and gripped his hand. "This all seems so surreal. I keep waiting for GG to walk in and tell us we've made a mistake. But, we haven't, have we? She's really gone."

Wilson nodded.

The funeral director opened the door. "Everything is ready, sir," he told Mundell.

They all followed him out and into the main room. Flowers covered a raised stage and a painting of GG sat on an easel next to the podium. Hilary began to cry softly and Wilson put his arm around her as they walked. House looked at Cameron but she stared straight ahead, her face devoid of expression. The only sign of distress she gave was the death grip she had on his hand.

They walked to the front and sat down on the long deep red velvet pew.

A clergyman stepped up to the podium and spoke about GG. Then Mundell got up and walked slowly up the steps. Once he stood behind the podium, he pulled a paper out of his jacket. He unfolded it and smoothed it out. He looked down at it and then out at the silent crowd. Looking down, he started to read.

"Grace Allison Houghton Langston was born on June 1, 1917, in Black Mountain, North Carolina…" he began. He looked at the paper and then crumbled it up. He looked up and tears gleamed in his eyes. "I wrote a eulogy that most of you in this room would consider proper for a woman like Grace Langston. But to me and my daughters, she was more than just Grace Houghton Langston, matriarch of the Langstons. I called her Mother around other people but she was my Mama. She was smart, strong, funny, kind and could spot a phony a mile away. She was elegant but she could also spit a watermelon seed and shell peas. When I was a boy, she woke me each morning with a kiss and a smile. She did that the morning she died. She made me laugh, cry and a better man. She loved all of us unconditionally. I made mistakes and she never judged me." His voice broke and he lowered his head. "She was the finest woman I know. I miss her so much. I don't know what to do without Mama."

Cameron stood and walked up to her father. She put her arm around him and helped him down the stairs. Wilson jumped up and helped her lead him down the aisle. House stood and held out his hand to Hilary. She took it and they followed with Bennings behind them.

Back in the room, Mundell pulled his daughters into his arms and the three of them hugged. He kissed each of them on the forehead and then released them. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his eyes.

"We should go," he said shakily. "Everyone is coming to the house. We should be there to greet them."

Cameron moved close to House and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Don't leave me," she whispered.

He pulled her against his side and kissed the top of her head. "I won't," he promised.

They arrived at the house and went straight to the ballroom where they had celebrated GG's birthday. Hilary sank down on a couch and Wilson sat next to her. House and Cameron sat on a couch near them. Couches, chairs and tables were scattered over the room. There were tables loaded with food and drinks. Flowers seemed to cover every surface. The sweet scent of them filled the room.

Cameron rested her head on House's shoulder and he put his arm around her.

Mundell stood at the entrance to the room with Bennings. People began to arrive and Mundell greeted them all. When the room filled, Mundell walked over and sat down next to House and Cameron.

"Mundell!" A male voice called out and he turned to see an older couple approaching. It was Greyson's parents.

"Walter, Evelyn, so glad to see you."

"Mundell, my good friend. I'm so sorry for your loss, GG was an amazing woman."

"Thank you. You remember Allison, of course. She'll be on the hiring committee for the new hospital."

"Of course we remember," Evelyn smiled as she took both of Cameron's hands in hers. "We heard you were working at some hospital in Jersey."

"I was. This is Doctor Gregory House, my fiance," she told them.

Evelyn smiled sweetly. She was short and plump. She reminded House of a tiny brown bird. Walter was also short and rather stout but his eyes were kind and he radiated goodness. How they ended up with a son like Greyson was beyond him. House smiled as they congratulated them and then offered their condolences.

"GG was so wonderful to me," Evelyn told them. "I miss her. This must be so hard on all of you."

"She was a fine woman," Walter said. "I always enjoyed spending time with her. She got me to like grits."

They all laughed then Walter cleared his throat. "I, um, I want to apologize for Greyson. I cut him off financially and it sent him into a tailspin. GG advised me to do it years ago and I wish I listened to her."

"Yes," Evelyn added. "I just don't know where we went wrong with him. I suppose we overindulged him because he was our only child."

House started to open his mouth but clamped it shut. Overindulged was an understatement.

After exchanging a few more memories about GG, they walked away.

"Those two people raised Greysquirrel?" House whispered.

"Shocking, isn't it?" Cameron whispered back. "They are two of the most moral and ethical people I know. GG said they were sweet as sugar. I do remember hearing her tell Dad it was shame they couldn't have anymore children. I think they had a hard time conceiving him."

"I have a hard time conceiving him," House shot back.

Cameron laughed softly and then sighed. "We should get up and mingle."

"Can't we just sit here and ignore people?" he asked.

"I wish," she told him as she stood and smoothed her dress. "Why don't you play a little something for us?"

"Like?"

"I don't know. Anything. You know GG liked it when you played for her."

House pushed himself up and went over to the piano and sat down. He played a few soft notes to warm up and people stopped talking to listen.