CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

House followed his wife into the bedroom. "That went well," House said, while kissing her neck.

"You think so?"

"No, but I was hoping I could convince you." He pulled away and began to get undressed.

"I suppose it's pointless to warn you against swearing in front of her."

"Yeah, pretty much." House helped his beautiful wife unzip her dress then watched carefully as she slid out of it. He used to hear that once a woman got married, she let herself go. That had not been the case with Cuddy. She looked better than ever.

He couldn't help himself, he threw his arms around her and spun her to face him. "I love you," he kissed her deeply on the mouth.

"What was that for?" She asked when their lips finally parted.

"I just don't want you to yell at me tonight." He looked pointedly at the bed, then back at her nearly naked body.

"I'm not going to yell at you House." She smiled patiently. Sometimes life with House was like being the single mother to two rambunctious children, and she wouldn't have it any other way. "I just want you to be more careful around her. Children pick up everything, even things you're not aware of, and I don't want her going to her new school and swearing like a sailor, okay?"

"Sure. I don't want that either," he said what he assumed he wanted her to say, though it was getting hard to concentrate with her slowly undoing his pants.

"What do you want House?" She cooed seductively.

"Oh, I think you know the answer to that one." He grabbed her arms and easily tossed her onto the bed. He fell on top of her as gently as he could. "It's the same thing I always want." He caressed one of her breasts in his hand.

"You really are a sexaholic." She laughed and he felt a tingle run through his body as hers shook beneath him.

"Yes, I'm a sick, sick man, and you're a doctor, so please, doctor, it's up to you to save me." He sunk into her as her hands began to explore every inch of him.

"Tell me where it hurts?" She purred.

"Oh, right about here," House pointed to his already hard penis. "Can you kiss it and make it better?"

"If you think it will help?" She moved him onto his back and was sliding down his body.

"Oh, it will, it will!" House already felt the 'healing' powers of her promise. She wasn't even touching him yet, just hovering above him, her breath falling against his skin like a warm blanket.

He closed his eyes and could track her progress by that warmth. She was almost there. He felt the pressure rising inside him, the heat of passion growing stronger, he felt himself begin to sweat, to pant excitedly.

There was a knock at the door, then a small voice called out, "Mommy? Daddy? I can't sleep."

"Damn!" House slammed both fists into the bed with all his frustration.

"I'll be right there," Cuddy shrugged, then threw on a robe and headed to the door. House quickly covered himself with the sheet. "What's wrong sweetheart?" Cuddy opened the door and smiled down at her little girl.

"I'm nervous." Lizzie looked at her mother, then at her father. "Is daddy alright?"

"He's fine dear. Come on." Cuddy lead her little girl out of the room, looking back at House with an almost regretful look.

"You owe me," House mouthed back to her, then slid his hand under the covers. Cuddy quickly shut the door behind her.

"You're nervous about school?" This was a first. Lizzie was normally a fearless child who loved to dive into new experiences.

"Yeah." Lizzie crinkled up her face. "What if they don't like me?"

Cuddy had to process that for a moment. Lizzie had never been popular, and she hadn't cared about that at all until now. "Be..."

"If you're going to say that 'be yourself and they will like you' crap, don't bother. I know it's not true."

"Lizzie!" Her mother warned.

"Sorry Mommy." Lizzie smiled to deflect her mother's anger.

"Don't do it again."

"I'll try not to." Lizzie didn't want to lie to her mother. There was no guarantee she wouldn't swear again.

"If you don't try to impress the other kids, if you just be yourself," Cuddy groaned when she had to use that phrase, "then you won't make false friends. You know what Daddy says about false friends."

"It's better to have no friends at all then to have friends who like you for the wrong reasons."

"Yes, and do you know why?"

"Because they're not really your friends anyway."

"Yes. Besides, you'll have Jeremy to help you meet people, and make sure you get caught up in class."

"I don't think Daddy likes Jeremy."

"I know he doesn't, but don't worry about what Daddy thinks."

Lizzie giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Daddy is. He doesn't even know Jeremy yet."

Cuddy smiled. "That's true. But you know what you're father is like." Cuddy said it with great love. Both of these women knew exactly what House was like, too smart for his own good, quick to make enemies, a pain in the neck, but they both loved him dearly despite all his many flaws.

"He's the greatest man in the whole world," Lizzie replied proudly.

"Yes he is." Cuddy smiled and remembered the naked man laying in her bed. She hoped he hadn't worn himself out yet. "Are you okay now?"

Lizzie blushed. "Yes, Mommy, you can go back to playing with Daddy now."

It was Cuddy's turn to blush. Sometimes her little girl was too smart for anyone's good.