Flashback

"You're pregnant?" Ashley slipped her hand onto Marilyn's.

Marilyn's eyes watered as she nodded.

"How did this happen? You were the one that wanted to be a virgin when you got married," her friend shook her head unbelieving.

"I had a one night stand that time we went out after graduation," Marilyn closed her eyes. "And I guess that did it. I'm pregnant."

Ashley stood up, "W-w-w-w what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to have to stop working soon, and my apartment isn't nearly big enough for me and baby. Can I stay with you? Just after the babies born and I get on my feet…"

"Marilyn. I wish I could, but I'm engaged."

"I'm three months. I'd be out right before you two got married. The wedding's next May," Marilyn placed her hand around her lower abdomen, "And besides, I'm thinking of getting a small business loan and buying that old shop on fifth."

Ashley looked at her friend that sat on the edge of her bath tub. She knew that she had to keep her friend safe. And the baby.

Marilyn looked at Ashley with weary eyes, "I tried to give myself a miscarriage."

"How?"

A silence fell upon them until Marilyn broke it, a gasping sob, "I fell down the stairs a couple times. And now I don't know what to do, because I feel like a terrible person."

The other girl didn't make her say anymore, taking her friend into a deep hug. Their lives may change, but that's why they were friends, so they could be there for each other.

End Flashback

************

Snow fell outside the window as I watched from the living room. Rosie had fallen asleep and quietly breathed from the other room. The glass of chardonnay in my hand wavered a bit in my hand. How a man could be so conceited, especially about his daughter, I would never know. But I had to face it. I was alone. I had my friends, but no father for her.

And hour passed by. I picked up the bottle and shook it to try and get the last drops. My head felt light on my shoulders. There was something I felt I had to do, so I rose from the chair and bobbled out of the house.

The air smelled fresh of pine and new snow. A snowman in the yard had a smile of buttons. I stepped into the snow in my high heels. Everything had changed. 2009 sucked so far. It was February and it sucked. My arms got goose bumps while I began to shiver.

From down the road the roar of an engine could be heard, but it sounded louder than it actually was. I scooped up a hand load of snow, dropped it, and then placed my hands on my aching forehead.

"Were you waiting for me?" House pulled up to the curb and fake pouted.

"Why are you here? I thought you didn't care," I sighed, put out.

He got off his motorcycle, holding his helmet, "Look, I don't think you know how difficult it is to realize that after forty-nine years of freedom I have a daughter."

"Of course I don't know how difficult that is, but how do you think I've felt for five years being a single mom and a career woman," I shot back.

House came closer, "Obviously, you've gotten used to being a parent. A mother, actually. And mothers have more motherly instincts. I, on the other hand, am a father. A man. And men, more often then not, are much more aggressive, arrogant, and overly-confident in ourselves."

"And women are?"

"Must I go into it again?" he furrowed his brow. "You are smothering of your children; want perfect little families, and only care about how they feel."

I gaped quickly, "You son of a bitch. You're right about men, you're overly-confident in your stupid ideals of the world and how smart you are because you think you know everything about me and every other person you don't want to deal with like Rosie and-"

"Did I ever say I didn't want to deal with Rosie?" his eyes were blazing with fury.

"You implied it earlier tonight," I said as calmly as I could.

The doctor scratched the back of his head, "I am afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of… of hurting her. Or you," House lowered his voice.

I closed my eyes, "If you care, you won't."

"If I care I might," he tightened his chest a little.

Trying to explain his feelings, I shook my head incredulously, "Sometimes you have to hurt the people you love."

"Physically or mentally?" he shook his head as well.

I stuttered before producing another sentence, "You'd hurt her?"

"Not intentionally. Not that I would want to," House saw he wasn't getting through to me. "I was abused as a child. I was exposed to Hell that my father put me through and the fact was he wasn't even my real father, but-"

"But you are her real father!" I shouted. "You know that! If you can allow yourself to understand a little girl, then you won't because…"

"Because what?"

"Because I don't know!" I screeched a little. "If you have all the answers, why don't you figure it out?!"

We were both quiet for a minute. And then, a rush of adrenaline inside of me made me go closer to him and he did the same. I could smell his breath, a mess of alcohol. He whispered slowly, "Give me a little bit. I'll figure it out."

"I know you will. You saved your own daughter," I swallowed slowly. "Our daughter. She looks more like you then me."

"That's not true," House stared into my eyes. Then, almost instantly, our lips connected. His arms wrapped around my back. I shoved my tongue into his mouth and ran my hands through his hair. It was just as amazing as that night about six years ago, but I ruined it. Suddenly, I pulled back, watched him hang his head, and then walked back into the house, locking the door behind me.