A/N: This is it, the end of the line. Thank you to every single person who has ever reviewed any one of my stories, I really appreciate it. I hope that people continue to go back, read and review Our Favorite Mistake, Prepare For Complications, and It All Leads Up To This. Thank you and please enjoy my last chapter.

Chapter Eleven- Where We Are Now

"I can't believe that Emma will be four years old next week," Cuddy whispers to House as they lie in bed together. House turns over in bed and looks at Cuddy.

"And she is starting preschool tomorrow," House whispers back.

"Don't rub it in," House laughs and shakes his head.

"If you need to cry, you better do it now instead of tomorrow. Emma won't want to go if she sees you crying."

"I'm not…" Cuddy says as a tear rolls down her cheek. House tries not to laugh as he wipes the tear from her eye.

"Why are you laughing?" Cuddy asks and feels embarrassed.

"Are daughter is going to preschool for a few hours, not college,"

"You wouldn't get it,"

"I think I understand it perfectly Cuddles."

"Good, now can I cry in peace now or do you have any other words of wisdom for me?"

"I think I have reached my quota for the day. Try to keep the weeping to a minimum; I have to get my beauty rest." House says and turns to face the wall. Cuddy picks up a nearby pillow and hits House over the head with it.

"OW! What was that for?" House asks.

"That was for being an insensitive jerk," Cuddy sticks her tongue out at House and waits for him to retaliate.

"I am not going to do anything now because you are expecting it. Just you wait Cuddy, I will get you back eventually."

"Should I be waiting for a whoopee cushion under my desk chair tomorrow?"

"That would be childish, goodnight Cuddy,"

"Goodnight House,"

At six o clock the next morning little Emma House bolts out of bed and runs to her parents bedroom.

"Mommy! Daddy! Up!" Emma squeals and hoists herself onto her parents California king bed. House and Cuddy both groan, having been up with Ian who came down with a fever last night and didn't go to bed until late.

"It's the first day of school!" Emma chants and jumps onto House. House's eyes shoot open, meeting the eyes of a very excited three year old.

"Alright, I'm up," House says and tickles Emma. Emma's laughter echoes through the master bedroom causing Cuddy to wake up fully.

"Mommy! It's the first day of school!" Emma excitedly tells Cuddy.

"So I have heard. Emma why don't you get dressed?" Cuddy suggests to Emma.

"Okay! Bye mommy and daddy!" Emma says and runs into her room.

"She's not excited at all," House says sarcastically.

"I know, you better get up and moving, she is going to want your pancakes before she goes off to school." Cuddy says.

"Crap, where is Wilson at a time like this?"

"Probably sleeping, or up with his own children,"

"Right," House slowly gets out of bed and goes into the bathroom to do his business. Cuddy heads to Ian's room to check on him.

"Hi little guy, are you feeling better?" Cuddy asks Ian who is in the process of waking up. Cuddy feels his forehead and notices that it feels slightly less warm than yesterday.

"Mommy," Ian says and reaches for Cuddy who picks him up and changes his diaper.

"Let's go get some breakfast," Cuddy says and takes the elevator downstairs to start making breakfast. After House is dressed, he takes a quick peek into Emma's room. Emma is dressed in jean shorts and a black t shirt with the words "Grave Digger" written across her chest in rhinestones.

"Hi daddy" Emma turns around and approaches House.

"Hi Emma," Emma does a twirl for House who rolls his eyes.

"You like my outfit daddy?" Emma asks and looks up at her father with matching blue eyes.

"Yeah, let's go eat some pancakes," Emma scampers out leaving House standing frozen in the spot. House can't believe his little girl is going to school. He mentally scolds himself for being such a typical parent and takes the elevator downstairs to be with his family.

"Ian just take a little bite," Cuddy coaxes and brings the spoon closer to Ian's mouth.

"No!" Ian says and jerks his head away from Cuddy. Emma walks past her and starts getting the pancake ingredients out of the fridge. Cuddy sighs and puts the spoon full of food down on the highchair. House gets off the elevator and into the kitchen.

"Ian still refusing to eat?" House asks and picks up the spoon that Cuddy dropped.

"Yeah, he needs to eat something so he can take his medicine."

"Ian, here comes the motorcycle," House says and makes a noise. Ian smiles and opens his mouth.

"I thought it was here comes the plane?" Cuddy asks.

"Oh please, that is for unimaginative parents. Us House men respond to creativity and brilliance," House says. Cuddy laughs and shakes her head,

"If that will get Ian to eat, than I will make car noises. I think Emma is waiting for you," Cuddy points to her daughter who is patiently sitting in a chair near the counter.

"Right," House walks over to the cabinets and gets the rest of the pancake stuff that Emma couldn't reach.

"Mommy?" Emma asks.

"Yes Emma," Cuddy responds.

"Do you like my outfit?" Emma says. Cuddy turns around and smiles at her daughter.

"I love it, don't you Greg?" Cuddy asks House.

"Yeah," House mutters and starts mixing the ingredients together. Cuddy can tell that House is having a harder time with this then he lets on. She just prays that it won't interfere with Emma's excitement about school.

"Pancakes will be ready in about five minutes, why don't you grab your plate and cup?" House asks Emma.

"Okay daddy," Emma hops down from the chair and walks over to the low cabinets where Cuddy has some child-sized bowls and cups. Emma grabs the matching pink set and hands it to her dad. House flips some pancakes onto Emma's plate and pours some milk for her.

"Daddy these are yummy!" Emma says and shoves a forkful of food into her mouth.

"What do you say to daddy for making your special pancakes?" Cuddy says.

"Thank you," Emma says with her mouthful.

"Emma don't talk with your mouth full please," Cuddy lightly scolds. House sticks his tongue out at her as he is placing a plate down in front of Cuddy.

"Sorry mommy," Emma says and offers her best apology smile at her mother.

"What a ham," House comments and starts digging into his own plate of pancakes.

"What dat mean daddy?" Emma asks.

"It means that you are very cute," Cuddy explains for House.

"Oh, I knew dat," Emma says and polishes off the rest of her pancakes.

"Well I guess she told us," House whispers over to Cuddy.

"I done!" Emma exclaims and proudly shows her parents her empty plate.

"Good job, go put your plate and cup into the sink." Emma follows her mother's instructions and goes back to sit at the table.

"What time do we have to be there?" House asks Cuddy.

"I think school starts at seven fifteen, so we should leave pretty soon," Cuddy says looking at the clock in the kitchen.

"Okay, Emma can you get your backpack?" House asks.

"Sure Daddy!" Emma says and scampers back upstairs. Cuddy finishes feeding Ian and eating herself. House puts his plate in the sink and leans against the counter. Cuddy walks over to him and puts a hand on his back.

"Hey, are you okay?" Cuddy asks. House turns to look at her,

"Fine, my leg was hurting for a second," House lies.

"It's perfectly normal to feel like your little girl is growing up," Cuddy says, not buying into House's lie.

"Relax Cuddy, we will have a new little kid to obsess over soon," House walks past Cuddy, but stops to put a hand on Cuddy's abdomen. Cuddy smiles up at him and House takes his hand off of her stomach.

"I am going to get Ian redressed, he looks ridiculous," House says, takes Ian out of the highchair and into the elevator. Meanwhile, Cuddy is standing in the same spot with her hand brushing over her stomach.

Cuddy found out she was pregnant two weeks ago and House boasts that he managed to knock her up "in between crepes and looking at the Eifel tower". Cuddy being who she is, immediately scheduled an appointment with Douglas to make sure the baby was developing okay. Given that Cuddy is now forty five, she was scared that she wouldn't be able to carry the baby to term. Douglas assured her that as long as she followed every one of his instructions the baby would be fine.

Douglas ordered her to take two prenatal vitamins, transition over to working half days as quickly as she could, and put her feet up whenever possible. Cuddy is determined to follow everything Douglas has said in order to deliver a baby in late April.

"Lisa!" House yells, breaking Cuddy's train of thoughts.

"What?" Cuddy asks, not sure why House is yelling at her.

"Are you okay? You were doing that weird staring into space thing," House asks, channeling an expectant father.

"You do it all the time," Cuddy says.

"True, but I actually do it for a purpose like when I am solving a case," House points out.

"Let's go!" Emma says and slings her backpack over her shoulder.

"We have to wait for Marina to get here," Cuddy tells House. The doorbell rings not five seconds later.

"Are you sure you aren't psychic?" House asks.

"Get the door, I have to grab my briefcase," Cuddy orders.

"Control freak," House comments.

"Misanthropic jerk," Cuddy snaps back and winks at House.

"I'm glad we understand each other," House comments.

"Marina!" Emma announces and lets the nanny come in.

"Emma you look so cute! Where are you going today?" The nanny asks.

"School Marina! See my packback?" Emma says and turns around.

"You mean your backpack," House corrects her and hands Ian over to Marina.

"He had a fever last night, but it seems to be coming down. Lisa gave him ibuprofen about fifteen minutes ago so he should pass out quickly," House says.

"Okay Dr. House," Marina says.

"Cuddy get your gigantic butt out here, we are going to be late!" House yells.

"Since when did you care about being late?" Cuddy asks.

"Since when do not care?" House asks back.

"I do, it's just strange when you are the one rushing me," Cuddy brushes past him and walks out the front door.

"Good luck at school today Emma!" Marina says.

"Thanks," Emma says. House closes the door behind him and they get into the car.

"How far is this place?" House asks.

"It's about five minutes from the hospital," Cuddy comments.

"Only you would turn down Walden Wood so Emma could be closer to the hospital," House says teasingly.

"Walden Wood is a half an hour away, I want somewhere closer in case of emergency," Cuddy explains. House looks in the backseat and can tell that Emma is starting to become a little nervous.

"Hey Emma, what do you do if a boy tries to kiss you?" House asks. Cuddy shoots him a warning look, knowing where this is going.

"I will knock der teeth out daddy!" Emma says proudly and smiles at her parents.

"House!" Cuddy yells.

"Hows!" Emma imitates and laughs.

"What?" House asks innocently.

"Emma, you will tell the teacher first," Cuddy says sternly. House sneaks a peek at Cuddy and notices how irritated she looks.

"Come on Cuddy, you need to calm down," House says.

"Yeah calm down," Emma parrots.

"I would be calm if you would stop pissing me off," Cuddy whispers to House.

"Well that's not going to happen anytime soon," House says and pulls into a parking spot in front of the preschool. Cuddy gets out and lets Emma out.

"Greg aren't you coming?" Cuddy asks after House hasn't gotten out of the car.

"No, I don't want Emma's teacher to hate me on the first day." House says. Cuddy isn't convinced, but doesn't want to argue with him in front of Emma.

"Okay, say goodbye to daddy Emma," Cuddy tells her daughter who has a firm grip on her hand.

"Bye daddy," Emma whispers. Cuddy leads Emma into the school and Emma squeezes her mother's hand harder.

"Hi I am Lisa House, this is my daughter Emma," Cuddy introduces herself to a petite thirty something blonde woman.

"Hi I am Ms. Meghan," Meghan extends her hand for Cuddy to shake. Emma hides behind her mother, refusing to meet the teacher.

"Emma, mommy has to go to work now, you need to let go." Cuddy says.

"Mommy don't go!" Emma says and starts to cry.

"Emma, do you want to see all the new toys we have here?" The teacher asks.

"Oh that sounds like fun Emma," Cuddy says. Emma lets go of Cuddy and follows the teacher.

"Bye baby, Marina will be here to pick you up," Cuddy says and quickly leaves. As she is walking to the car, Cuddy can feel tears streaming down her face. She opens the car door and House is shocked to see her crying.

"What happened?" House asks. Cuddy reaches over and buries her head in House's chest.

"Emma started crying and I felt so bad for leaving her," Cuddy says and sniffs.

"Wilson owes me five bucks, I knew your guilt complex would kick in," House says and rubs Cuddy's back. Cuddy lurches away from House looking very angry.

"You bet Wilson that I would cry dropping Emma off? What the hell?" Cuddy asks.

"Oh come on Cuddy, you know I do stuff like that all the time." Cuddy rolls her eyes.

"That has never stopped me before from getting mad at you when you do 'stuff like that'" Cuddy puts air quotes to mock House.

"Are you done crying now? I would fix your makeup before we get to the hospital," House lightly suggests. Cuddy glares at him and wipes her smeared makeup off with a Kleenex. She reaches into her briefcase and pulls out some mascara which she reapplies. House starts the car once he sees that Cuddy is done with her makeup.

"What was the real reason that you didn't want to go into the preschool today?" Cuddy asks.

"I was afraid that I would find that Emma's teacher is more attractive than you," House deflects.

"Fine, why did you teach Emma to say what she said about boys?" Cuddy asks.

"I am protecting my daughter the only way I know how," House says simply.

"By teaching her violence? House, telling her to beat the crap out of every boy that looks at her isn't going to be good for her."

"This isn't about beating boys up, this is about Emma standing up for herself!"

"She is three years old! She doesn't know any better House!"

"Emma is naive and I don't want some slimy germ filled boy coming anywhere near her!" House pulls into his reserved spot and turns the car off.

"Of course she is naïve, she is a child! You have got to stop being so overprotective of her."

"Says the mother who has in a private preschool five minutes from where she works,"

"I did that for her own good, don't you dare use that against me!"

"I told her what I did for her own good too Cuddy. You can't see that because you are to goddamn stubborn."

"And you are too pigheaded to see that you are being ridiculous,"

"Fine if you think that I am wrong tell Emma and watch what happens. She is not going to know what to do when a boy goes too far,"

"You go from one extreme to the other; the world isn't so black and white House."

"Yes it is, and we aren't always going to be there to protect Emma, she needs to know how to defend herself."

"Defend herself from what? People like you who always see the worse in people and mock them for it?" Cuddy says and instantly regrets it.

"Nice, are you going to accuse me of abusing our daughter next?" House spits out and gets out of the car. Cuddy gets out of the car too and stands in front of House.

"Get out of my way Cuddy," House says and looks down at her with ice cold blue eyes.

"House I am so sorry, I didn't mean it," Cuddy apologizes.

"It's true, now move," House says and uses his cane to push her out of the way.

"House!" Cuddy calls out after him, but he doesn't turn around. Cuddy takes a deep breath to calm herself down and walks into the hospital confidently. On the inside, Cuddy curses herself for being so stupid. How could you say something like that to House, you know how sensitive he is! Why would you insult his parenting skills when you are more aware than anyone how much he questions himself? Damn it Lisa, wake up!

By noon, Wilson heads over to House's office, expecting him to be in the middle of a differential. Instead, Wilson sees House's team talking amongst themselves and House sitting in his office half reading a journal article.

"I'm surprised you haven't come to mock Cuddy about Emma's first day of school and collect your five dollars," Wilson says as he is walking in.

"You can drop your five dollars off and leave," House says. Wilson can tell that something is going on between him and Cuddy because House is the meanest when he is upset.

"What happened this morning?"

"None of your business now get out," House practically growls the last two words. Wilson throws his hands up, takes five dollars out of his wallet and drops it on the table.

"Fine, I will leave, have a nice day,"

"Don't bother going to Cuddy, she won't tell you what happened either," House says as Wilson is leaving.

At one, Cuddy is wrapping up a budget proposal when Wilson knocks on the door. Cuddy waves him in and puts the file in her briefcase to take home for later.

"House sent me here to take you home," Wilson says and watches Cuddy's face fall at the realization that House wasn't coming.

"That was very nice of you Wilson thank you," Wilson is the only staff member that knows that Cuddy is pregnant. The rest of the hospital will find out in about six weeks after her second trimester appointment with Douglas.

"Do you have everything?" Wilson asks.

"I think so, let me just shut down the computer real fast," Cuddy shuts the computer down, grabs her briefcase and follows Wilson out. Cuddy ignores the surprised stares that follow her as she is leaving the hospital in the middle of the afternoon with Wilson. Cuddy is not stupid enough to know that most of her staff has figured out that she is pregnant because she left at one every day when she was pregnant with Ian. Thankfully no one has out right asked her yet because Cuddy would have to come up with a really good excuse until she tells the board.

"Even though House told me not to, I am going to ask anyway. What is going on between the two of you?" Wilson asks on the ride back to Cuddy's house.

"I said something to House that I shouldn't have." Cuddy explains.

"Did you apologize?" Cuddy shoots Wilson an "are you serious" look.

"Dumb question, I'm guessing he didn't forgive you by the way he was acting today."

"I don't know what to do Wilson. I really didn't mean it; he just makes me so angry sometimes that I lash out."

"I understand Cuddy and I bet you he will be ready to forgive you by the time he gets home. If I were you I would just leave him alone for the rest of the day and when he gets home tell him what you told him. I bet you guys will be fine." Wilson pulls into Cuddy's driveway and puts the car in park.

"Thanks Wilson, I really appreciate your advice," Cuddy gives Wilson a kiss on the cheek and gets out of the car.

"Mommy!" Emma and Ian exclaim when Cuddy walks through the front door.

"Hi guys," Cuddy says with little enthusiasm and plops down on the couch. Marina sees her employer's distress and picks up Ian.

"Would you like me to stay?" Marina asks.

"No, I think we are all going to take a nap," Cuddy says and hands Marina twenty bucks.

"Thank you, see you tomorrow," Marina takes the money and leaves.

"How was your first day of school Emma?" Cuddy asks.

"Good! I made new friends!" Emma exclaims.

"Cool! Maybe you should invite them over to your birthday party next week," Cuddy suggests.

"Okay, I vite them tomorrow," Emma says and yawns.

"Did you get lunch Emma?" Cuddy asks and picks Ian up off the carpet.

"Yup, nanas and a PBJ," Emma says and climbs on the couch to sit next to Cuddy.

"Okay, I think we all need naps," Cuddy tells Emma and Ian.

"Mommy take nap too?" Emma asks.

"Especially mommy, she is very tired," Cuddy says and leads Emma to her room upstairs.

"When we wake up we are going to make daddy his favorite food tonight for dinner." Cuddy tells Emma as she is tucking her in.

"Okay, I go to sleep now," Emma informs her mother and points to the door. Cuddy takes the hint and takes Ian into his own room.

"Emma kicked us out of her room," Cuddy tells Ian.

"Emmy," Ian says. Cuddy lowers him down in the crib and turns off the lights.

Alone and under the covers, Cuddy closes her eyes silently hoping that House is ready to forgive her by the time he gets home.

Alone in his office, House grabs his cane off of the ottoman and starts twirling it. He goes over the argument that he had with Cuddy this morning and tries to get himself to see it her way.

Should I have taught Emma to handle boys that way? Or should I have told her that violence is not the answer and to tell the teacher? God this parenting crap is complicated. Can I honestly put what Cuddy said to me behind me? Knowing Cuddy, she is probably giving herself the ultimate guilt trip right now. She seemed genuinely sorry, and she has forgiven me for saying far worse things to her in the past.

House double checks with his team to see if they found an interesting case. They tell him they haven't and since it is five o clock, House tells them that he is going home.

When House walks into his home he recognizes the familiar scent of Cuddy's homemade chili.

"Emma can you grab me some bowls please? Carefully," Cuddy stresses. House stands in the doorway just watching his wife and daughter cook for him. Emma grabs three bowls off the counter and turns around to set them on the table.

"Daddy!" Emma exclaims and sets the bowls on the table before running over to her father. Cuddy lightly smiles at House before bringing the Crockpot of chili over to the table.

"Dinner's ready, I made your favorite." Cuddy says awkwardly and gets out some baby food for Ian to eat.

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," House comments and sits down.

"I was hoping you would feel that way. I really am sorry Greg, I was just angry." Cuddy apologizes.

"Apology accepted, now let's eat." House grabs a spoon and digs into his chili.

"That's it? You aren't going to hold this over my head every time we get into a fight?" Cuddy asks in disbelief.

"I never thought of that, I think I will," Cuddy glares at him.

"Mommy? What are you saying sorry to daddy for?" Emma asks. Cuddy bites her lip, unsure of how to explain their argument to her daughter.

"Your mean old mom told me that she didn't like my shirt. I for one really like this shirt," House lies. Cuddy is silently thankful that House didn't try to guilt trip her through Emma. She grabs House's hand and squeezes it, an unspoken thank you.

"Daddy, I made friends at school!" Emma informs her father.

"Really? Any boys?" House asks.

"Greg," Cuddy warns.

"Just wondering, can't a father be curious?" House asks innocently.

"Not when their father is you," Cuddy says.

"No boys, Maddy said they have cooties," Emma tells House.

"Remind me to send Maddy a thank you present," House quips.

"Mommy said I could vite dem over to my party,"

"Okay," House agrees.

After dinner, Emma asks if she can watch Finding Nemo, an early birthday present from House's mom since she will be out of town on Emma's actual birthday. House and Cuddy let Emma as long as she goes to bed right after with no complaints. Cuddy makes House watch it with the family and he somewhat enjoyed it. He still mocked the fact that Disney is teaching kids to go on adventures with mentally disabled people, but he kept the sarcastic comments to a minimum for Emma. The movie ends and true to her word, Emma allows her parents to tuck her in without any resistance.

House and Cuddy put a passed out Ian to bed after, and go to their own bedroom.

"Thank you for lying to Emma about our argument earlier." Cuddy says.

"I figured I let you grovel enough. Emma is too young to understand our complex relationship,"

"I learned today that we know exactly which buttons to push when it comes to each other,"

"You are just now figuring that out? Way to be dense Cuddles,"

"I knew you knew how to do that to me, I just didn't know I could do that to you."

"Now that you do, can we have make up sex now?" Cuddy rolls her eyes and straddles House.

"Get your pregnant ass off of me," House says.

"Make me," Cuddy threatens.

"I knew you always liked it rough. Where is the dominatrix mask?"

"I gave it to Wilson,"

"Ew, I'm gonna like barf," House says, channeling his inner teen. Cuddy kisses him to shut him up.

"We had our first fight as a married couple. That took a lot longer than I thought it would."

"That's because marriage has turned me into an angel and you into a bitch," House says. Cuddy smacks him really hard on the chest.

"Shut up or I will make you sleep outside,"

"You would miss me too much; you wouldn't have the opportunity to steal all my covers in the middle of the night making me freeze my ass off."

"That is fun,"

"Are we going to have sex or not? All of this talking is misleading,"

"Then stop talking,"

A/N 2: The end! Please leave a review on your way out. I promise a one shot about Christmas in late November, early December. I don't have a title for it yet. Thank you so much for reading.