Chapter 25

Christmas day finally arrived and Angela decided to have her father, Wilson and House over for dinner at her loft.

"You seem nervous, House," Wilson observed on the drive over. "What's up?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired. I worked my ass off all week to cure some patient friend of Cuddy's so she'd be better in time to spend the holiday with her family. A lot of nights at the hospital."

"So what was the diagnosis?"

"Ectopic pregnancy. It was messing up a lot of other things. D&C took care of it."

"Oh, that's kind of sad."

"Not really. She didn't seem too upset about it."

"Do you ever want kids, House?"

"Is this a trick question?"

"No, just making conversation."

"You know what my father is like. You think I want my kid being subjected to that?"

"You're not anything like your father, House. I've seen you with kids. You don't talk down to them. They respect that."

"It's not that I don't like them. I just think...a child would get lost...with me leading the way."

"Well, for what it's worth, I think you'd make a great dad."

"Why are we having this conversation? Just a month ago you were against me even dating Angela."

"I was. Until I got to see how happy she's been. I don't know what you've done to her, but it's good. I was worried about her."

"Why?"

"Because she went through a period when she was sad."

"When was this?"

"Back when she was still in the RCMP. She'd just finished her training."

"That would be boyfriend number one. He died."

Wilson looked at House like he'd grown two heads. "Seriously? She told you?"

"Yeah. We do actually talk to each other. Our relationship is more than nights of amazing sex."

Wilson groaned as he pulled up to the curb in front of Angela's building. "Whoa! Too much information."

"Oh whatever."

House grabbed the bag full of gifts and gave them to Wilson to carry while he brought in the wine. David greeted them at the door with a glass of Scotch in hand.

"Merry Christmas, gentlemen."

There were hugs and pats on the back while House looked around the room for Angela. "She's in the kitchen," David volunteered.

"Where she should be," House grunted, but his tone was teasing.

"Better not let her hear you say that," David chuckled.

"Too late," Angela called from the kitchen. "And you can tell Dr. House that if he doesn't behave himself, there will be no dessert."

"She's bluffing," House smirked.

"No I'm not!" she sang.

House entered the kitchen holding the bottle of wine and put it in the fridge before moving over to the stove where she was boiling potatoes.

"You wouldn't deny me," he whispered huskily in her ear as he stood behind her.

Angela shivered at the feeling of his warm breath on her neck and smiled. "I might have to."

"And then I'll have to deny you what you crave the most." His hands slipped around her waist and he pressed himself against her. "And you won't get any Christmas presents."

Her ears perked up.

He actually got her something?

"Well then I guess you'd better behave too."

He was kissing her neck and she found it very hard to concentrate. Eventually, the sound of the potatoes boiling over brought her out of her trance. Damn that man!

"Get out of here before I burn something. My dad brought some nice Scotch."

"You just want me drunk so you can take advantage of me later," he chuckled.

"Yes, House. That's exactly it. Now out!"

Wilson came into the kitchen a little while later to help her put the finishing touches on dinner. Of course, it was all a ruse to get the dirt on her relationship with House.

"You seem happy," he observed as he watched Angela stir the gravy. He couldn't help but notice the smile on her face.

"I am."

"Because of House?"

"Among other things."

"Well, whatever you've done, thank you. He's happier than I've ever seen him since the infarction."

"Good. He deserves to be happy."

"So do you. I was against this, you know. If you two were to split up, I'd be left to help House pick up the pieces."

"I know. And I'm sorry we snuck around but we wanted to explore the relationship without anyone looking over our shoulder. I hope you understand."

Wilson nodded and kissed her cheek. "Yeah."

They sat down to an amazing turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries and other veggies. When they were done, they sat around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts. House and Angela sat on the loveseat, his arm around her shoulders. She handed him a present to open and he smiled at her before he tore into it. She bought him the first season DVD set of one of his favourite shows.

"You are awesome! This is awesome. Thanks."

Wilson's eyes widened at the fact that House actually said thank you for something. Then he handed House his gift, which was a vintage leather bound medical book.

"Wow, this is cool! Where did you find this?"

"Some vintage shop in downtown Trenton."

"Well thanks. It'll be some great bathroom reading."

David snickered and House handed Angela her gift. "There are two, but open this one first." She opened it up and found an ipod.

"Wow! I've always wanted to get one of these."

"It's 4 gigs, you should be able to get plenty of songs on there. I added some I knew you liked already, to get you started."

She smiled at him, clutching the ipod to her chest. "Thank you! I love it!"

"There's this too," he said, handing her another wrapped present that was larger and significantly heavier.

She ripped into it and found an alarm clock with an ipod docking station. "This is awesome. I've been needing a new clock radio for weeks."

"I know," he grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck and peppered his face with kisses until her father cleared his throat.

"Yes, well, it's getting late. I have a case to prepare for this weekend."

Wilson glanced at House, who gave him that all knowing "get the hell out, if you know what's good for you" stare, and stood as well.

"Need a ride home?"

"I'll give him a ride," Angela said innocently enough, but the expression on her face was anything but.

"You sure?"

House grabbed the closest thing within reach, which happened to be a mandarin orange, and hurled it at his friend. "Out!"

Wilson threw his hands up in surrender and grabbed his stuff. "Okay, okay. I'm going. Geesh!"

The door closed behind him and House let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

"Alone at last," he grinned as he leaned over for the first real kiss of the evening.

Angela kissed him back feverishly, tongues fighting each other for dominance as House pushed her onto her back and grabbed the hem of her sweater. It went over her head in a flash, as did his button down shirt and T-shirt.

"There's...one more present I have for you," he whispered as he nibbled her ear.

"More? House...you didn't have to..."

"I wanted to," he said, cutting her off. He got off the couch and took something out of his jacket pocket. When he returned, he was holding something behind his back. "Close your eyes."

She did as he asked and he placed a box in front of her. "Okay you can open them now."

There was a blue Tiffany and Co. Box sitting between them on the couch and her breath hitched. It was too big to be a ring, and she relaxed a little. House didn't seem the type to propose on Christmas day anyway. With shaking hands, she took the lid off the box and nestled inside were a pair of aquamarine earrings and a matching pendant on a silver chain. Aquamarine was her birthstone, and it was always hard to find a decent quality one.

"Oh!" she gasped in surprise. "This is beautiful."

He studied her expression for signs that she did actually like it, and wasn't just saying it to be nice. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." She looked up at him, tears welling up in her eyes. Nobody had ever given her anything like that before. It was incredibly personal and it showed that he cared enough to get her something he knew she'd like.

"You don't have to cry," he chuckled as he took the necklace out of the box. "Let's see how it looks. Turn around."

Angela turned around and he fastened the chain around her neck. It was braided white gold and it sparkled very nicely in the dim light of the room.

She got up and stood in front of the mirror by the door to admire it. It was absolutely beautiful and she was just putting the earrings in when House came up behind her. "I was initially going to get you a pendant of an angel. Ya know, Angel...Angela. But you're not religious, and neither am I."

She turned around, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I love it. And I love you, House."

He wrapped his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers. "I love you too."

The silence was deafening. One could easily hear a pin drop. Angela stepped back and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Really?"

He nodded, his hands that were still on her hips pulled her up against him as he looked down at her. "I've never said it because I've always been more for showing how I felt. Actions speak louder than words."

She nodded and smiled, encouraging him to continue.

"Anyone can say I love you, but when I say it, I want it to mean something, which is why you won't hear me say it often. I don't want to just throw those words around."

"I get it. And I don't expect you to say them every day." She slid her hands over his bare chest and placed a kiss over his heart. "Mine."

House smiled down at her and gave her a squeeze. "Mine."

They kissed, deeply and passionately for a few minutes until they had to come up for air. Then she threw the deadbolt, locked the door and led him to her bedroom.

"If I wasn't such a cripple I could carry you to the bedroom."

"I don't care about that, House. Besides," she said with a saucy grin as she closed the bedroom door, "you're not a cripple where it counts."

He grinned back at her, his ego stroked. "Oh yeah?"

"Oh yeah. Sex with you is the most amazing experience and each time is different."

"Tonight will be different too."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." He said as he quickly picked her up from where she was standing and placed her gently on the bed. "Because tonight, I'm going to be making love to you."

His words made her literally shiver with anticipation. He stretched out next to her on the bed and removed the rest of their clothes.

"House?"

"Mmm?" he murmured between kisses.

"I've been on the pill for months now. And I've been tested in the summer. I'm safe. What about you?"

"I test every year. Last test was in March, it was negative and I haven't been with anyone since, besides you. Why?"

She blushed a little and bit her lower lip. "I want to feel you. All of you...when you're making love to me."

"I'd like that too," he whispered, his fingers interlaced with hers and he ran his thumb over the back of her hand. He looked into her eyes and she felt her whole body warm up. When they kissed, she melted against him and completely surrendered herself.

Later that night, as they lay together, Angela smiled in the darkness. Finally, her life had meaning and direction. She had a job she loved, a great place to live, and now, after years of waiting, she had the man she'd always loved and admired. She had House.

The end.

A/N: And that's the end of this journey. I'm glad you've all enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I have another House/OFC fic in the works as we speak so if you haven't already, click that little button below and add me to your "Author alert" so you don't miss out. I'll start posting it in a week or so. It's still early in development as I get thoughts together on where I want this story to go. I have so many ideas it's overwhelming right now. My fingers can only type so fast haha. Have a good weekend guys, and thanks again for reading!

-Retta