Author's Note: A very big thanks to my awesome beta i luv ewansmile for editing this chapter.
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After spending a couple of hours with his family, House was shuttled in and out of his room for a battery of tests. By 7:30 PM, he is physically exhausted but mentally his brain is going on overdrive. With the little information he's been able to remember and piece-in together, the pain in his leg began about a week before Thanksgiving 2007. He had said some things to Cuddy that he wished he could take back. He regretted the fact that it was the last thing he had told her before he slipped into a coma, or was it?
Flashback (November 16, 2007, 11:45AM)
House walks into Cuddy's office as she is setting up lunches for the twins. The boys excitedly greets their father as soon as he enters the room. She looks up and immediately notices that House is using his walking cane. She didn't acknowledge him because she's still furious at what he said to her earlier that day.
Ethan, who is wearing dress pants, a white shirt with a tie and a lab coat excitedly informs his Daddy "I did a round with Mommy today."
"Really? Where did you go?"
"We went to pedia(trics) ward. There were kids who have cancer and they don't have hair. Can you and Uncle Wilson fix them?"
House replies "We'll try," but his eyes remain gazing at his wife.
He looks over at Charlie (who is wearing a jacket, band T-shirt, blue jeans and nike shox) and asks "and what did you do mini-me?"
Charlie shrugs his shoulder and replies "I did clinic with Uncle Wilson and it was boring. There was no blood gushing or anything like that."
House smiles and says "well, you'll only see fun stuff if you're with Daddy."
The twins' eyes light up as they ask "can we do rounds with you, Daddy?"
But before House can reply, Cuddy informs the boys "eat your lunch."
While the boys are eating lunch, House does his darndest to catch his wife's attention. But when she simply avoids any eye contact and refuses to budge, House announces "I want ketamine."
Cuddy is not only shocked by the request but exasperated by his lack of filter in front of the children. She calmly asks the twins "boys, can you play outside so Daddy and I can talk?"
Ethan replies "okay" and quickly drags Charlie out into the courtyard.
House reaches over for Cuddy's hand but she pulls away.
Cuddy glares at him and tells him "you're not getting off that easy."
"I know and I deserve it. I just want to say I'm sorry and I didn't mean what I said. I was in pain."
"And you're not in pain anymore?"
"I am, but not as bad as this morning."
"On the scale of 1-10, how was it this morning?"
"Twelve."
"And now?"
"Five."
Cuddy worriedly asks "did we overdo it last night?"
He smirks and jokingly replies "you didn't just ask me that question?"
She forces a smile and adds "you said some cruel things this morning and I'm scared that…"
"That I will hurt our kids?"
"No, that you will shut me out again. How could you not tell me that the pain is back?"
"I didn't want to worry you."
"This is not about you or me anymore, this is about our family Greg."
"I know. I thought I could manage the pain. I just didn't want our kids to see their Dad as a cripple."
"Are you kidding me? You could cut both your legs off; they'll still think their Dad is superman!"
House laughs at the mental picture of Damon Wayan playing Handi-Man (the handicapped superhero).
Cuddy asks "Greg, are you serious about going through Ketamine again?"
House nods and replies "it's either that or going back to Vicodin."
End of Flashback
7:35AM
The next morning, House receives an early wakeup call from his kids. It seems, the kids have plenty of things that they would like to share with their father—only they all wanted to tell him about it at the same time.
"Whooaa…I need you guys to slowdown and speak one at a time okay?"
Ethan pulls his 'I'm older than you two card' and starts with "Daddy, when are you coming home?"
"I hope soon."
"How long is that?"
"Not long. Is everything alright?"
"I want to show you something."
"Okay, what do you want to show me? Maybe you can bring it with you when you come and visit."
"I'm…I'm playing the piano in school. Can you come?"
"Yes, I…I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Thank you Daddy. Here's Charlie."
Ethan hands the phone to Charlie but Lizzy decides that she doesn't want to be the last so she grabs the phone from him.
Charlie complains "Mooom, Lizzy grabbed the phone."
Lizzy asks "is this my Daddy?"
House smile and replies "yes, this is your Daddy. How are you baby girl?"
"Daddy, wanna hear Lizzy sing?"
"Sure sweetie."
As Lizzy starts singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'
Charlie groans and puts his fingers in his ears.
Meanwhile, Cuddy tells the boys to hurry and change so they won't be late for school.
Charlie protests "Mooom…I didn't get to talk to Daddy."
Cuddy kisses Charlie's head and says "I know sweetie. I promise you can speak to Daddy later."
Charlie folds his arms in front of him and announces "That's so unfair. Lizzy always gets everything!"
"No, she doesn't. She just doesn't have to be in school, that's why she can…" Cuddy stops mid-sentence upon noticing that her daughter has left the phone on the table and began dancing.
"Honey, Daddy can't see you dance. You need to pick-up the phone and talk to Daddy."
As Oma Blythe walks into the apartment, Lizzy runs off to greet her.
Cuddy picks up the phone and asks "Greg, are you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here. What happened to my little American idol?"
"Sorry, she already ran off to her Oma. How are you feeling today?"
"Okay, I guess. I had them remove the Foley. "
"That's wonderful news Greg. Did you have trouble going to the bathroom?"
"My legs were a bit shaky but I got there in time to do my business. Lise?"
"Yes, Greg?"
House hears one of the twins yelling "Mommy, where's my backpack?" so, he hesitantly asks "what time will you be by today?"
"I'll bring the kids around three after I pick the twins up from school. Is that okay?"
"Yes, I…I was wondering if we can you know…maybe catch up alone."
"Oh ok. How about if we have lunch together?"
"I think that will be good. And Lise?"
"Greg?"
"Can you bring me some underwear and some decent clothes? I don't feel like mooning everyone as I walk around the hospital."
Cuddy smiles and replies "sure honey. I'll see you in a few."
9:50AM
"House!" an excited Wilson greets him on the phone.
"Hey Wilson. How's married life?"
"You sound great! So, you heard huh?"
"Yup, when will the Wilson spawn be gracing us with his or her presence?"
"Rachel is due in two weeks. By the way, it's a she so now Lizzy will have someone to play with."
House smiles and sarcastically replies "that's just what I need, two mini-Cuddys in full stereo."
Wilson laughs and adds "Rachel always makes Lizzy sing to the baby over the phone. The baby seems to enjoy her voice."
"Great! Do you think we can get someone to sign her up as a recording star? Lise and I can live off her income as a rock star to unborn babies."
Wilson smirks at his best friend's remark and quickly realizes that the old House is back! "So, when can you go home?"
"Hopefully in a few days. I need to continue with my physical therapy but I can do that as an outpatient."
"Glad to have you back House! It hasn't been the same without you."
"Stop being a girl Wilson! I'm not having an Oprah moment with you over the phone."
Wilson rolls his eyes and answers "I'm just saying. Princeton hasn't been the same without you and Cuddy."
House takes a deep breath and asks "so, who's now running my department?"
"Foreman ran it for awhile, but the Board shut it down after Cuddy left about six months ago."
"So, I was in Princeton for almost a year? Why did we move six months ago?"
"After you went into a coma, there were lots of talks about what caused it. Rumors were circulating that you overdosed on Vicodin; morphine…I even heard you took methadone. As always, Cuddy was able to squash all of these rumors with her usual efficiency. While she was busy helping Jake settle into his new apartment last summer, your father died. She took a leave of absence for a few days to help your Mom with all the final arrangements. That's when Farrell staged his coup by ordering for an audit of the supposedly missing vials of Ketamine."
"How the heck did he pull that off?"
"We weren't sure at that time. But we have since found out that he bribed one of the nurses to spill the beans."
"Lise was fired because of me?"
"Are you kidding me? Cuddy was about five steps ahead of Farrell. She not only had her I's dotted and her T's crossed but somehow had the supposedly missing vials of Ketamine locked safely where it's supposed to be."
"God Wilson! Are you trying to put me back into a comatose?"
"What? I thought you wanted to catch up on had happened in the last year and a half."
"No, I ask why we moved to Baltimore six months ago?"
"Oh, Jake had appendicitis and after his surgery your wife decided that she needs to keep an eye on all her cubs."
"So, she quit because she wants to keep an eye on Simba?"
"Yes, Mufasa. Queen Sarabi wants to make sure that all your cubs are safe while you were…sleeping."
House shakes his head in amazement and quips "well, at least we know that she loves our spawn more than that darn hospital."
"And House?"
"Yeah? The board hasn't given up on Cuddy. They're hammering out a sweet deal to lure her back."
"And you're telling me this because?"
"You're part of the sweet deal."
"How? Are they planning to continue paying my salary while I lay in a coma?"
House's sarcastic remark is greeted with silence.
"Seriously?"
TBC
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