Chapter 25
Christmas arrived a few days later. While Casey still didn't feel they had a lot to celebrate without Tiffany, she was still glad to be with House. They celebrated with Wilson, who was really excited about their engagement.
"Have you set a date?" he asked them.
"No." Casey told him. "We can't do it without Tiffany. She would be so disappointed if she couldn't be there. Once we have her back, we'll set a date."
Remembering how the girl had tried to play matchmaker between them, Wilson said, "I think she'll be thrilled either way."
"Probably."
"Well, do you have any ideas though about what kind of wedding you want?"
"We haven't really talked about it. Everything has been about the case. But I don't think I want anything too big or crazy. Something simple. What do you think Greg?"
"Whatever." House said.
"I'm not exactly the white dress and orange blossoms type. Our wedding will have to be a bit unconventional, right Greg?"
"Whatever." House said.
"Like the groom." Wilson added. "Well, I'll be happy to help you with anything you'd like."
"Yeah," House quipped. "He's got the most experience, having done it so many times himself. Just make sure to remind him that he's not the groom this time, only the best man."
Wilson stared at him. "Is that your way of asking me to be your best man?"
"Whatever." House said.
Wilson and Casey shared a smile and began discussing wedding options. House looked at them in confusion, then said, "While you girls pour over Bride's magazine, I'm going to watch the football game."
He moved to the sofa and turned on the TV. Wilson shook his head and Casey blew House a kiss.
Wilson had one more question. "Where are you guys going to live?"
House looked around the apartment. "You do see the walls and furniture, don't you? Or are you in some virtual reality world where nothing is real?"
"You can't live here."
"Why not?"
"Where's Tiffany going to sleep?"
House glanced at the sofa.
Casey had been considering what Wilson had said, and with House's reaction, she cried out, "Greg! Of course she can't sleep on the sofa!"
"Why not?"
"She's a twelve-year-old girl!" Wilson and Casey said almost in unison.
"I guess we could move back to my brother's house." Casey ventured.
House was adamant. "No way. I'm not living life tiptoeing around a museum."
She sighed. "I guess that's one more thing we're going to have to discuss."
House was silent, concentrating on the game. Wilson's glance headed that way too.
Casey saw him and said, "Go watch the game, James. Wedding plans can wait for now. I ate too much, I need to take a little nap."
The next day, Stacy called with the news that she had gotten the visitation rights restored. Still monthly for now, but at least that was something.
So in early January, House and Casey drove up to Long Island. She asked him to wait at the house, since she knew that Tiffany would appreciate it.
And of course, Tiffany immediately ran to the window and was visibly happier when she saw House there.
Casey motioned her to sit down beside her.
"Tif, I got a lawyer, a good one. She's already petitioned the court for us to regain custody of you."
"I know. I heard Aunt Muffy talking to Uncle Thad. They were pretty mad. But they still think their lawyer is better."
"He's not. We're going to win. Just wait and see."
Tiffany smiled at her. "Okay, I trust you. But remember, if you lose, we leave."
"Absolutely. And there's something else I want to tell you."
"What?" the girl asked warily.
Casey held out her hand with the diamond ring. Tiffany's eyes grew wide at the sight.
"What's that?"
"An engagement ring. Greg and I are getting married."
"Oh, oh, that's, oh, my gosh, oh!"
Casey smiled at her. "Now he'll be your uncle."
"When are you getting married?"
"As soon as you're back home with us. We wouldn't think of getting married without you there."
Tiffany hugged her and Casey was so relieved to have her niece's love once again.
"Okay, honey, but there's one thing you have to do for us."
"What?"
"Stop emailing Greg."
"No! He's my friend."
"Tif, it's going to jeopardize the case. You have to stop. Remember, pretty soon you're going to be with us, and you'll see him everyday. But right now, it could be trouble. Please?"
She sighed. "I guess."
Casey handed her a folded piece of paper. "Greg wrote you a note. Read it, then give it back to me."
Tiffany carefully unfolded the paper and read the words written in House's handwriting:
K Mart,
You can't email me right now. When Casey has custody again, we'll talk. Until then, be smart kid.
Later.
Tiffany read it over several times before handing it back to Casey.
"We'll be okay, sweetie." Casey told her. "I promise."
"I know. We'll be okay."
When Casey rejoined House in the car, she was more relaxed than she had been in a long time.
"I think this is going to work. We're going to get her back and everything is going to be wonderful."
"I don't know much about wonderful, but I think we'll get her back."
She smiled and rested her head against the back of the seat. Life was back on track and things were looking up.