Love Endures All Things: Chapter 10 - Happiness
A/N: Again, thank you for all the reviews! Only two more chapters after this one. Hope you enjoy!
- Huddy -
"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know." Ernest Hemingway
- Huddy -
The following day House is at the local park with Rachel. They're sitting on the swings, side by side. Rachel was contemplative, staring down at her feet.
"What's on your mind, kid?" He asked, fidgeting in the swing.
She played with the gravel under her feet. "You always limp."
"Yeah" Here came the questions about his leg, he feared. From here on, her opinion of him would be changed.
She continued to stare at the ground. "It's because your leg is always hurting?"
"Yeah, sometimes more than others."
She finally found the courage to gaze up at him."Will it ever get better?"
"No" It touched his heart that she cared so much but wished it didn't cause her pain.
His misery shouldn't affect anyone but himself...or at least not an innocent kid.
"What happened?"
How to explain an infarction and muscle death to a 4-year-old. "You've seen your mom's dead plants right?"
She was confused now. "You ate dead plants?"
A shining smile flashed across his face. "No. Part of my muscle died because it wasn't getting blood flow, like the plants, die without water, and they had to cut it out."
Her eyes doubled in size. "You're missing part of your leg?" She exclaimed through amazement.
"Yeah, it's not as cool as it seems." Him missing a huge chunk of muscle didn't seem to diminish her opinion of him...it seemed to actually increase her admiration of him.
"Yeah...it hurts you." The sadness came back.
That is what made her sad? Not that he was a miserable, slow, handicapped cripple but that it caused him pain? This girl is something else.
"But that's life, things don't go the way you want and there's pain but not everything is bad. Like parks! Parks are fun!" with that he started to swing and she smiled and did her best to join him.
She struggled to move much on the swing. It just barely waved back and forth, even side to side some.
"Pump your legs." He instructed but she just scrunched up her face in confusion, still failing to swing properly.
"Point your toes forward when you swing forward and point them back when you swing back." He demonstrated.
They spent the next few minutes swinging together and Rachel got progressively better at propelling herself. Soon she got bored and ran off to the jungle gym and House parked himself on a nearby bench and occupied himself with some people watching. One of which was Rachel, of course. It wasn't long until a little boy around 5 started playing with her. He had a strong assertive personality. They played cooperatively, at first, but then Rachel ran over to him, upset.
"He won't take turns. He isn't playing right." She was red-faced and out of breath from the exertion of play and upset from her impolite play partner.
"Don't cry. Tell him to take turns or he gets to play alone." He instructed calmly. This sort of thing would happen for the rest of her life. There is no reason to make a big deal out of it.
"I'm not crying." She claimed stubbornly, rubbing the newly formed tears from her eyes, then running off.
She needed to learn to not allow herself to get run over and others won't always be there to bail her out. She ran back to her playmate and did exactly as she was told, unfortunately, the confrontation only rose. The boy pushed her, hard and she stumbled back. But the look that appeared on her face wasn't that of hurt but a spirited fury, a look he had seen on her mother's face many times. Rachel stomped back to the little boy and socked him right in the jaw and the fight was on, in a flurry of fists.
An adult, seemingly the boy's mother, approached to break up the fight. House noticed the angry determined stride of the mother and tried to hit her off at the pass. Before he could reach her, she grabbed both the kids arms, firmly, and dragged them apart.
"Hey!" He bellowed authoritatively. "Get your hands off her."
"You need to teach your kid to keep her little paws to herself." The woman screeched, glaring angrily at House.
"If you were watching them you would have seen that he pushed first. Teach your kid how to play fairly or get off your phone and watch him. Best to do it before winds up dead or depressed."
"Who asked you? Come on Will." She sneered as she seized her son's shoulder and left the park.
Rachel stood next to House drenched in shame. "I'm sorry I hit...he just made me so mad!" She apologized
"Don't apologize. He pushed you and you stood up for yourself, that's good. Don't let people run over you. " He encouraged, nudging her to continue playing.
- Huddy -
That night Cuddy walked in on House watching TV from the couch, no Rachel in sight. Panic rushed through her, although it was nearly 9...maybe he had just put her to bed.
"Hey, how'd it go? Where's Rachel?" She asked hanging her coat up and sitting down her bag.
"Some stranger showed up and took her, I don't know where she is?" He shot back with nonchalance.
Cuddy's mouth fell ajar be for she got the chance to process the underlying sarcasm. "She's in bed. Everything's fine!" He ensured her, getting up to meet her.
She gave a sigh of relief and smiled, trying to reassure him that she had confidence in him.
"Again with not trusting me." His eyes peered into hers intently.
She smiled sweetly "I...I...just..."
"Just having a power crisis?" He offered.
She let out a chuckle and stepped closer to him. "No, just mentally fighting about 15 years of your little surprises. What did you all do?"
She walked to the couch and he followed, joining her.
"We went to the park, came back, had dinner, then I put her to bed." He answered innocently.
"So just a peaceful evening?"
He acted shocked. "Would you expect anything different?" The only response that earned was an incredulous glare.
"A little boy was giving her a hard time at the park but she put a stop to that."
"What happened?" She couldn't believe he let her get into a fight. Her daughter was not going to be a brawler.
"The boy was being a brat and she put a stop to it. That's all." An annoyed tone crept into his voice.
Then her administrative tone materialized."When you say 'put a stop to it' what do you mean?"
"He pushed her then wasn't going to stop and so she fought back. She would have won too if it wasn't for-"
"You let my baby get into a fight?" She hissed, steaming with anger.
Stiffing his arms, he squared his shoulders, "No, I let her stand up for herself."
What does he have to do for this woman? When has she ever rolled over from a confrontation? She has never let anyone take advantage of her. She is the toughest most assertive woman he has ever known...yet she wants Rachel to roll over and take abuse?
"Is she okay?" Exasperation filled her face, enraging House.
"She'll have a few bruises, but that boy won't ever bother her again. When did you start rolling over in a confrontation? You think she should?" He spat as the discussion heated up and he stood.
"No, she should use her words not her fists." She bit back facing her accuser nose to nose.
"First of all, she tried that. Secondly, she is four. What sort of verbal skills do you think she has? Also, tell me what words would stop a child in the middle of a hard left swing?" His eyes bore down into hers.
There was nothing she could say. He has always been so aggressive but as always...he was right. Neither of them has ever been ones to back down from a fight and neither should their children. House snatched his jacket from the coat rack and turned for the door.
"Are you gonna pick her up tomorrow?" She asked with some remorse.
"Yes, your majesty." House threw her a deep sarcastic bow, then left angrily.
Cuddy ran her hand over her face in frustration. What had she just done? He finally gathered the courage to attempt fatherhood and she shut him down the first chance she got.
The next morning Cuddy was driving Rachel to the preschool. "So did you have fun with House yesterday?"
"Yeah! We talked about his leg. His muscle died like your plants and now he is missing part of his leg! Did you know that?" Rachel claimed excitedly from the back seat playing with a stuffed bear.
Cuddy couldn't help but smile. He actually discussed that with her? "Yeah, I did."
"Then he showed me how to swing all by myself!" Rachel was elated.
Cuddy gave a rueful smile. He never ceased to surprise her. He opened up to Rachel about his leg, apparently very effectively, and showed her to swing and to stand up for herself. She was the one that screwed up...
- Huddy -
"You called me madam?" He sneered as he entered her office.
She rose from behind her desk, sat on the couch and motioned for him to join her. "Rachel had fun yesterday."
His face softened at her attempt for peace and he joined her on the sofa. "I've always been epic fun." he mimicked a surfer dude voice in an attempt to break the seriousness of the moment. The joking demeanor faded and fell flat.
"You didn't tell me you taught her to swing."
"You didn't give me a change." He answered sharply. "That isn't what you called me in here for though."
"It was, partly. But do you know whose resume I had on my desk this morning? She grinned joyfully, looking at him in full admiration. "Dr. Jeff Kraydel, one of the countries leading OBGYNs for geriatric pregnancy." Not a word she wanted to make a habit out of applying to herself. He waggled his brow proudly at her.
"How did you pull that off?"
"It just so happens that his mother has been very sick with an unknown illness. It was recently diagnosed, it isn't curable and she'll need care. Coincidentally, she has lived her entire life in the area. He couldn't stand the thought of moving her so he is looking for employment and a home in the area. He's applied at Princeton General too." By this time he was just gloating.
"But even if he was at Princeton General, I could get him privileges here. I just can't believe you sometimes." She meant it as a compliment, but that is not how he took it. A stern look crossed his face. "You can be an absolute jackass sometimes and the most thoughtful romantic man I've ever known, the next."
She's still going on about yesterday. What the hell will I have to do for her? I was right and she knows it. He thought bitterly to himself when a hand touched his arm.
"Thank you, Greg. Thank you for Dr. Kraydel, for talking to her about your leg, showing her to pump her legs on the swing, and to stand up for herself." Her comment took him off guard. "You were right...per usual."
House just nodded, his eyes gazing softly into hers as he interlaced his fingers with hers. They allowed themselves a few moments to enjoy the closeness.
"As much as I love sitting here with you, I can think of much better ways we can avoid actually working." He suggested, waggling his eyebrows.
She scoffed, rolled her eyes, and pushed his shoulder in a flirting fashion. "Go to work!" Then she kissed his cheek.
With a brilliant smile, he got up to leave. "And Greg?" she called to him.
"You bought a car seat for Rachel?" A bright smile adorned her face. He winked and made his way back to work.
- Huddy -
That night Cuddy left the hospital at about 11 o'clock. It had been a very long week. Even without being pregnant it would have worn her out but now she was absolutely drained. Thank God it's Friday. She praised. It was the third night in a row she would come home to House caring for her daughter. The image always brought a smile to her face, but honestly, also fear. She knew all too well his struggles and the extent his selfishness ran.
But when she arrived at her place the lights were dim, one lamp shone from the living room. She walked into the house to find the two asleep on the couch. House was spread out on his back and Rachel was laying atop his uninjured side, with his arm stretched over her back. Her cheek and hand laid on his chest, just as cozy as could be. The sight nearly brought tears to her eyes. She sneaked out her phone and snap a couple of pics before the flash woke him.
"You devil woman." He whispered groggily and she beamed. He gently wiggled to a more upright position, trying to prevent from waking Rachel.
"Here let me put her to bed." Cuddy offered, taking Rachel in her arms and carrying her down the hall. House took the few moments to wake up and rub the stiffness out of his leg. When she returned, she plopped down tiredly on the couch next to him. "How'd it go?"
"Fine, just did usual kid stuff. Then we had dinner and she begged to stay up until you came home. I managed to convince her that she could stay up with me if she took a bath and brushed her teeth. Then it was just a matter of time before she passed out."
"Cuddled up on your chest," Cuddy added, with a coy grin.
They leaned back lazily on the couch, just enjoying the time they were in. The house was quiet with a dim warm glow from the lamp that lit the room. Cuddy was the image of contentment, more comfortable than she has been in weeks. He once said that she could never be happy because she had to have things just right. At that moment she was blissful but it would be just a matter of time before that came crashing down and that left him troubled.
Pushing past the anxiety of the future he rolled his eyes. "I do not uddle." he claimed emphatically peering into her eyes.
"We both know that isn't true." She gave a knowing grin.
A soft smile crossed his lips. They had been apart so long and things had been going so well. The distance between them began to close until their lips met. It started cautiously, each tender peck like asking permission or testing the waters on a once troubled sea. They turned to face each other and hands began to reach, at first just as tenderly as their lips. As the kissing continued, it soon transitioned into deep yearning and from there a burning passion, both hungry for what they had missed for these many weeks. More and more Cuddy pushed towards him until she had gained the high ground. Heavy breathing and racing hearts were quelled when House gently pushed her away from on top of him.
"We don't need to do this." He lamented, isolating himself on the far side of the couch.
She was astonished. She had to beat him away with a stick for years but now he decides to back away. What's going on? His heart continued to beat speedily but this time it was not due to the passion they just shared.
Before picking Rachel up yesterday he had seen Nolan again. They discussed the potential obstacles in the way of this twisted family succeeding. He had been encouraged to discuss the larger concerns with her before moving forward. The road ahead was full of obstructions to navigate around but there was some evidence...some hope that he might actually be able to do this. But there was so much he needed to know before he made this decision.
"You busy tomorrow night?" He sputtered nervously, just above a whisper.
What was up with him? "Uh...no? I was gonna spend the day with Rachel." Her eyes searching for the catalyst for this bizarre behavior.
"Why don't you come over to my place? I'll get a sitter for Rachel." He asked tentatively.
"I haven't seen Rachel nearly all week."
"It's important. We have to talk."He persisted.
"We can talk now." She offered, seeing the desperateness in his eyes.
"No, it's late and you're tired." He commanded as he grew more confident.
Concern filled her face seeing the seriousness of his intentions."Alright...is everything okay?"
"Maybe. I need to know what you expect from me if I decide to do this and if I do, I have some expectations of my own." His face was serious.
She just nodded and placed her hand on his knee.
A brief grin broke through his sober scowl. He rose and fetched a white envelope out of his blazer pocket, from across the room. "But no matter what happens tomorrow. I want to give you these."
She took the envelope from him and opened it pulling out three tickets for the Henry Hippo and the Heros. It took her breath away. They weren't just regular tickets but behind the scenes, meet the characters tickets kind of tickets. "You hate this show."
"More than a whore hates church. But consider it my apology."
"That's very sweet House."
"If you ever tell I will deny everything." He swore, peering down at her.
- Huddy -
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." Robert A. Heinlein
A/N: I was reading an article on interesting names of doctors and ran across an OBGYN with a similar name. Thought I would include it. :)