Chapter 29

As both doctors sat there speechless, Doctor Peterson explained the disease in case House didn't know about it or because doctors tended to forget things when medical situations became personal. He explained how Hyperemesis Gravidarum was a rare disorder characterized by severe and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that could result in hospitalization (like in her case). Because of this, Cuddy would probably experience dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficit, and the loss of greater than five percent of her original body weight. In short, this disorder was like a really severe case of morning sickness during pregnancy. Not fun at all.

He also told them how additional symptoms associated with Hyperemesis Gravidarum may include rising pulse rate, excessive salivation and a rapid heartbeat. In some cases, affected individuals may have a distinct odor to their breath. (House couldn't help but think about how kissing was out at this part). Symptoms associated with the disorder may subside and recur he told them resulting in affected individuals being hospitalized more than once during their pregnancy. Cuddy's eyes began to tear as she listened to the doctor speak.

"Will the baby be ok?" Cuddy asked.

"Well, we aren't sure how the effect of Hyperemesis Gravidarum may have on the fetus. Most studies fail to demonstrate any difference between infants of women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy, and women who do not. However, some researchers have reported that infants of women who experienced hyperemesis gravidarum often exhibit a lower birth weight than infants of women who did not have the disorder. And, some research has shown that low birth weight was more common in infants of women who were repeatedly hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum than infants of women who were hospitalized only once. It's different with everyone doctor Cuddy and it will depend on how severe you have it and how many times you are here." The doctor finished somewhat quietly and House closed his eyes in frustration. "Just when everything was going right" He thought to himself.

Cuddy's face was white and she was holding her stomach. The nausea was really awful and she hoped she could fight it off while the doctor and House were there. The doctor seemed not to notice but House was watching her intently and knew something was up. "Damn him and his uncanny ability to notice everything!' Cuddy fumed inwardly.

"So doctor Cuddy, I'll leave you for now to get some rest, and we'll talk again later ok?" Cuddy forced a smile on her face until the doctor had walked out. She immediately after grabbed the bucket that had been place beside her bed and threw up. House winced as he watched her retching and then got up slowly and made his way to her bed. She put her head back on the pillow and took some deep breaths while tears began to fall down her pale cheeks. House pushed her hair out of her face and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Everything will be alright Cuddy" he whispered, even though he was having trouble believing it.

It was very late by the time House made it back to his office. He opened the door quietly and saw Emily sleeping in the carrier again and Wilson snoring lightly on a lounge chair he had brought in earlier. He was glad his friend was asleep so he wouldn't have to explain everything he had just heard. He didn't think he could really. He limped to his own lounge chair seated in the corner and popped some Vicodin. Between the shock and worry about Cuddy, the pain in his leg, the head ache that had never left, and the fatigue and the nausea from his earlier alcohol bout House wanted to just go into a deep sleep and never wake up.

House woke up fairly early in the morning. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. What did a guy have to do to get to sleep in nowadays? House slowly got up and limped as quietly as he could to the conference room to get some coffee. After an agonizing second where he couldn't find the sugar House limped back to his office where Wilson was still snoring and Emily was beginning to stir. The baby opened her eyes and just as she was about to let out a cry House scooped her up and smiled tiredly at her.

"Good morning princess, I suppose your hungry and need your diaper changed huh? Ok." House grabbed the baby bag and slung it over his shoulder. He then walked over to his desk, placed his cane against it, pushed everything aside and laid out her blanket. He then put Emily down and took out the necessary supplies. After changing her diaper, he grabbed the bottle and sat down. Wilson began to stir at this point and looked over at House.

"Hey" he said groggily. House looked up but didn't say a word, just continued to feed Emily.

"I didn't hear you come back last night, any news on Cuddy's condition?" he asked as he ran his hands through his hair and checked the time on his watch.

"Yeah, we know what she has" House answered quietly." He didn't elaborate and Wilson had a feeling it wasn't good.

"So? What is it?" he asked after a minute or two.

"She has Hyperemesis Gravidarum" House replied in a flat tone.

"Don't you have to be pregnant for that?" Wilson asked not quite getting it. He was still half asleep after all.

"Wow Wilson you got some smarts you should have been a doctor" House answered back sarcastically. Wilson looked at his friend and tried to figure out what was going on inside House's head. Cuddy was pregnant, again. And she had a very serious disorder. He could see the worry in House's eyes as he fussed over the baby. He hoped with all his might that Cuddy would be alright. House really loved this woman, he could tell.

"Well, congratulations on the new baby House" Wilson said feebly. House's grunt didn't surprise him and he got up and turned to leave.

"House, things will work out. Cuddy's a strong woman you know that" and with that, Wilson left House and Emily.

A little while later Cuddy sat up in her bed thoroughly exhausted but refusing to sleep. She had Emily in her arms and she was determined to take advantage of the little time she could spend with her. She was glad House had brought her in when he had for she was getting so tired she didn't know how long she could last. Now that they had diagnosed her she was aloud to hold the baby for a little while unless she was really feeling nauseous in which case as hard as it was she said no. Emily smiled and gargled, she was such a happy baby. Cuddy had tears in her eyes as she looked at her little girl who was growing up so quickly. She was so glad she had picked House as a father, especially because he had taken such a keen interest in Emily's life and she really didn't think she could have gone through this without him. Well, in a sense she wouldn't have had to go through this without him, but that wasn't the point. She was very happy about the new baby, but her worries outweighed her excitement. She bounced the baby up and down forcing a happy smile on her face and Emily gargled. Cuddy laughed faintly and looked up as a sudden clunk of a cane announced the presence of House. Cuddy was stunned at what she saw.

House's eyes were red and had bags under them. He looked exhausted and his limp was slow not like his usual self. His face was pale and his breathing was a little hard. His appearance shocked her. Cuddy stared at House as he came slowly into the room.

"Hey Cuddy" Cuddy couldn't believe how quiet his voice was.

"House! What's wrong? You look sick" Cuddy answered.

"I'm fine, just a little tired" House replied sitting in the chair.

"You are not fine, you look sick" Cuddy answered.

"Don't worry about me Cuddy" House answered. "Just focus on getting you better" House got up and went to Cuddy's side. He kissed Emily softly on the forehead and looked at Cuddy in the eyes.

"House, is there anyone you can ask to help you take care of Emily? You look like a couple nights of sleep could do you some good. Maybe you can ask your mother to come or something" Cuddy had never really met House's parents though she had come close to going to dinner with them a while back.

"No, I'm fine" House turned abruptly back to the chair he had been occupying. Cuddy closed her eyes and sighed. She knew what she had to do.