Chapter 29
"As you brush your shoes
And stand before the mirror
And you comb your hair
And grab your coat and hat
And you walk, wet streets
Tryin' to remember
All the wild breezes
In your memory ever.
And everything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind catches your feet
And sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooh-wee!
The wild night is calling.
And all the girls walk by
Dressed up for each other
And the boys do the boogie-woogie
On the corner of the street
And the people passin' by
Just stare in wild wonder
And the inside juke-box
Roars out just like thunder.
And everything looks so complete...
The wild night is calling
The wild night is calling
Come on out and dance
Come on out and make romance...."
Walking in arm in arm, House and Cuddy make their way pass the entrance to the hotel where the ball of the hospital's spring fundraiser is in full swing.
This occasion is more of a party for the employees and donors of the hospital than a fundraiser. It is meant for everyone to have a good time, not just about the money. And having a good time, the people surely are.
Making their way over to a candle lit table, many people stop to stare at the couple, some smiling, some out right smirking.
Cuddy had finally announced a few days earlier to the Hospital Board that she was indeed pregnant and carrying twins. Many congratulations were offered. Only a few had muttered about how it was going to be double the trouble, her having twins. Oh, if they only knew who the father is they all would be in full agreement.
Fortunately, no one inquired to who the father is. Most could easily guess correctly but she wouldn't confirm their suspensions, not yet anyway, it was none of their business. Either way, the word about Cuddy's pregnancy had spread like wild fire through the hospital.
People are just happy to see the Dean and the Diagnostician happy together; it makes everyone's life much better, happier and much easier.
Spotting important doctors and donors, Cuddy leans close to House's ear and whispers, "Time to mingle. Play nice. Be good while I'm gone."
She walks off and House watches her sway, still elegant even with her pregnant waddle, before looking around the room and spotting a certain oncologist.
House slaps Wilson hard enough on the back that he spills half of his drink on the floor.
Spinning around he sees House smirking and states annoyed, "Oh, it seems someone is in a good mood this evening," and downs the rest of his drink.
House swipes the empty glass from Wilson's hand and replaces it with a small velvet box, "Hold this a minute will yah?"
He stalks off to the bar, leaking a speechless Wilson choking, fumbling with the box before he shoves it into his pocket, looking around making sure no one else saw.
When House arrives back, he's holding in one hand two glasses, one champagne, one sprite, his cane in the other.
Wilson looks ecstatic and House just rolls his eyes, "Calm down Wilson, I don't swing that way."
Wilson laughs, not at all taken offense at House's jibe, and whispers, "So are you going to ask her tonight?"
House shrugs in response and hands Wilson his drink. Wilson hands him back the black box.
House opens it and turns his back, blocking everyone else's view as he opens the box and asks Wilson, "So… do you think she'll like it?"
For a man who borrows money from me constantly I can see why, this must have cost him a small fortune…Wilson ponders, gazing at the diamond nestled in navy silk. The band is white gold, harboring one huge white diamond in the center with two smaller diamonds surrounding it in an intricate design. She will love it.
"She'll love it," Wilson states.
"She'll love what?"
Both men jump at the sound of Lisa Cuddy's voice. And the box in House's hand snaps shut. House shoves his hand into his pocket, effectively hiding the engagement ring.
Cuddy persists, "What?" She asks looking back and forth between House and Wilson.
"What exactly is going on here?"
House thinks for sure he is busted. No, no, this isn't how I planned it. Mentally freaking out he's stands there, as if he were a school boy caught passing a note and being called out by the teacher.
During the awkward silence where Cuddy is staring down House and Wilson, Wilson is gaping between House and Cuddy, fumbling for the right words.
They all turn their attention to the front of the room. House is saved when the leader of the live band starts speaking, "I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight, we're all going to have a great night… at this time Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the fabulous lady who put all this together will come up here and welcome everybody."
The singer gestures to Lisa and the crowd turns to watch her as she gives House one last look and then makes her way up on the stage to the sound of applause.
"That was close," Wilson breathes a sigh of relief. And glances House's way when he doesn't say anything.
Wilson questions him, "House?" House just keeps watching Lisa as she gets onstage.
Louder this time, "House, are you alright?"
To be continued…
Author's Note: Anyone notice House gave Wilson a glass of champagne but only drinks a sprite himself? Wonder what that means? Has he given up drinking? =)
Haha. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's one of my favorites.
Sorry the chapter is so short, I hope the topic and gala make up for that. Thought yall deserved a fabulous party after how the first one went. =)
Updates might come a little bit slower…sorry about that, but life is serioulsy stressful at the moment, and college and an education come first so…yeah.
Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot.
Lyrics by Van Morrison, "Wild Night lyrics."
