Chapter 37

The next morning Cuddy, Marla, Lily and Rachel made their way to the dress shop to met Richelle. Leaving Wilson to watch Marla's kids and House to revel in the fact he had the house to himself and the chance to sleep in.

Richelle was already waiting for them when they got there and clasped Cuddy's hand warmly. "Richelle, this is my Maid of Honor, Marla, and these two little ones are my daughters, Lily and Rachel."

"They are just beautiful Lisa"

The sales lady walked up to them, "Can I help you ladies? Oh its you Richell!"

Richelle stepped forward and held out her hand "Margret, it's so good to see you!"

"You've brought me another client have you?"

"Oh Margret I would love to lie and tell you I did, but this one has impeccable taste and had already had this visit planed. But you know I would have brought her here anyway, you are the best around after all!" she said flattering the older woman to no end. "Margret, this is Lisa Cuddy. She is looking for a wedding dress; she also needs to out fit her Maid of Honor and her two little girls here."

"Why of course, right this way, Lisa dear, what did you have in mind?"

Cuddy explained that she wanted something flowing that showed off her curves, preferably a plunging v-neck to show off her "assets" but not something that would give her father a heart attack. She also wanted something to show off her back and arms but could also be warn under a bolero during the ceremony or if she got cold.

As she started talking Margret started pulling out dress after dress looking for those that fit her description. Then she stopped and placed her finger on her chin "Richelle, tell me what are we dealing with here?"

"Professional with a wild side"

"That's what I thought…" then she started to pick out a few more dresses and boleros and one jacket. "I think you'll find what you're looking for amongst these. Now, you my petite" she said turning to Marla and eying her up and down, "Ah yes, much the same aren't we? I think strapless for you with a sheer bolero to play off of our bride what do you think?"

"I think that sounds intriguing, I'm game"

"Lisa, what color am I looking for dear?"

"Blue, Richelle has the swatches; I'm going to go start trying these on, Marla are you ok with the girls?"

"Who me, of course I am" she almost laughed.

Richelle showed Margret the swatches and Margret went on yet another rampage taking down dresses then she would pause, look around and start back up again. Once she had got several dresses for Marla she then turned to Lily and Rachel. "Richelle tell me what's going on with these two little beauties"

"Lisa wants to have them dressed alike but Lily will be the only one walking down the aisle."

"I see, well why don't we go wait and see what dress mommy picks first" she said gently directing Lily into the large dressing room in a grandmotherly fashion.

They walked into the dressing area, Marla clamed a dressing room for herself but waited for Cuddy. Cuddy walked out holding the back of the dress "Mar?"

"Here"

"Could you zip this?"

"Richelle, Could you take her" Marla said handing Rachel over to her and then she walked over to do as asked and stepped back with the other ladies taking Rachel back.

The dress fit the criteria but it just wasn't quite right, it had a bit too much detailing at the bust to really suit Cuddy. All three women shook their heads and Cuddy walked back in. they repeated the process four times. The fifth time Cuddy yelled out from the dressing room, "I don't care what you say, this is it!"

She walked out in a floor length satin gown that skimmed her curves perfectly, not to loose but not too tight with some slight gathering on the one side that created a drape effect across her abdomen, perfect to accommodate the very slight bulge she surly would have by the end of February. The plunging neckline showed just the right amount of cleavage the straps came up into delicate braids and crisscrossed across her back ending in a short wistful ghost of a train.

Every one was quiet, everyone but Lily, "Mommy you look beautiful!" she squealed and Rachel clapped excitedly.

"Yes, I must say the little ones have very good taste" Margret smiled "Now to find that perfect cover for the ceremony"

Cuddy walked out onto the largest viewing platform and Margret started handing her boleros. None of them were quite right either. Then Margret handed her a very odd looking jacket that was cut away in the front like a bolero but came down the sides and back and ended in a sort of tail that was gathered in the back like a mini bustle. It kind of reminded her of something a Vegas show girl from the fifties might wear. Cuddy held the garment out in front of her, and eyed Margret with a look that said, "You're kidding right?"

"Just try it dear"

Cuddy sipped on the long sleeved garment with the high neck and long tail. It was perfect. The high neck of the jacket combined with the plunging neckline of the dress had almost the same effect as some of her more flattering power suits. Except that this was much more alluring than any of those.

Even the strange tail in the back that cuddy had been so unsure about, seemed to be made for the dress. The tail lay on top of the wispy train and gave the effect that it was really part of the dress. It added a sort of formality to the entire ensemble that was just perfect, and when she took the jacket off, the dress underneath transformed her completely it to a sexy yet tasteful goddess. Cuddy turned around, "I'll take it!"

Now that the bride was taken care of and extremely happy, it was Marla's turn. It didn't take her nearly as many tries to find the right dress the third dress she tried on was the winner. It was a strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and gathering on one side that created folds across her waist making her already thin frame look even more delicate, you would never have known she was a mother of three.

Then the dress was pared with a delicate sheer bolero in the same beautiful blue as the dress and trimmed with silver beading. It was perfect on her and the color really brought out her eyes, which really made Cuddy smile. The color was that same medium sky blue Cuddy liked so much on House, because it brought out his eyes, which was the reason she had picked it.

Finding dresses for the girls was even easer. Cuddy and Lily each picked out two dresses they liked, Lily tried on all four and then they picked the one they liked best, it had a white bodice with little ruffled cap sleeves and a blue skirt with had a sheer white overlay that was embroidered with silver thread in a flower design. It also came with a little bolero in the same blue. Cuddy got one for each of the girls as well as a headband to match.

After that they all picked out their shoes and then went to make their purchases and appointments for any alterations that needed to be done. Both Cuddy and Marla had to have a little bit of the bottom trimmed off of their dresses, even with the heels they had chosen.

When all was said and done it was decided it had been a very good day and Richelle marked off yet another thing that had been taken care of. Cuddy marked down her dress appointment and arranged the next meting with Richelle and they were on their way home.

The girls had fallen asleep in the backset when Marla turned to Cuddy "So how are you feeling?"

"Tired"

"Comes with the territory. When do you go to your doctor?"

"Tomorrow"

"Greg going with you?"

"He's suppose to as long as he doesn't have a case, I'm not to worried about this one, we already know I'm pregnant and it's too soon to really see anything so it doesn't really matter for this one"

"But didn't you say something about one of hormone levels being really high? What do you think that's all about?"

"Oh that, ehh, at this point it could be something could be nothing, Greg and I've already discussed it."

"What kind of something?"

"After Greg and I find out you will be the first to know as for right now, I think I'm going to leave the girls with Greg and probably sleep for the rest of the day, I'm beat that really took a lot out of me."

Marla smiled, "Ok…"

"You've been here three times, don't give me "Ok…"" she said jokingly.

***

As it turned out House did have a case the next day leaving Cuddy to go to her appointment alone which really didn't bother her. Unlike House, who had gone into super grouch mode when it had been made apparent he wouldn't be able to go. He had gone to her office to see her before she left and made her promise she would let him know what the doctor said as soon as she came back.

***

Cuddy sat on the exam table. She had already told her doctor about he elevated HCG levels and her doctor had insisted on taking her own test as well as seeing the other test results.

Dr. Moor walked in the small room and looked up at Cuddy. Well Lisa, there is no denying it "Candy McGillicuddy" and "Lisa Cuddy" are both pregnant indeed, what did you do? Go out find a man and get pregnant all on your own with out me?" she smiled.

"Looks that way, in all honesty we thought I was barren so we didn't even think about it.

"Isn't that how these things go? The second you stop worrying about having a baby is when it comes."

"I guess and I just adopted another daughter, I have two now." she sighed.

"Busy lady, so where is this man of yours? I presume he helps out with the kids."

"Oh, Greg, he had a case and I made him stay at work, yeah he's great."

"He's one of your doctors then"

"Oh yeah, Dr. Gregory House, the head of my Diagnostics department, well he is my Diagnostics department really. But he's also my fiancé."

"You're marring Dr. House? This is Dr. House's baby?"

"Yes, I take it you've heard of him?"

"I sure did, he saved a patient of mine a few years back, she was a photographer. I heard he was a bit… hard to deal with."

"I remember that one, yeah, that was rough on both of us. On the best of days he is rude, abrasive and very unorthodox but he is also great with the girls."

"That's a start, but how do you manage with him?"

"He's the only man I've ever really felt equally matched with and although he can be a real asshole at times I've always loved him."

"How long have you known him?"

"Too long" Cuddy smiled. "Over twenty years"

"Ah, well Congratulations on your wedding, it sounds like it's been a long time coming." Then changing into a more business like tone she looked at the file again and started to prepare for the examination. "Your HCG levels have gone up a little since the last test you're at 1350 now. Well lets get started and see how far along you are"

Half way through the ultrasound exam, Dr. Moor directed Cuddy's attention to the screen, "See rite there that little speck? That is it! You're 4 weeks according to your LMP."

"Which translates to about two weeks from conception"

"Sure does"

"How soon…"

"Well I say we try another ultrasound late next week and we should have a definitive answer on what's going on here. In the meantime get lots of rest, lots of fluids, take care of your self, and most of all don't worry. I'll take good care of you and so will that Dr. House of yours. Call me if you need anything at all."

"Thank you" Cuddy smiled at her.

***

Cuddy made her way back to the hospital; it had pretty much been a wasted visit. Dr. Moor didn't really tell her anything that she hadn't figured out on her own. Next week, next week she would know.

Cuddy's phone beeped, she reached for her phone to see what it was. "2 Missed calls" she turned on her Bluetooth as she drove and hit the button to check her messages. The first message was from House "I'll be in the observation room in OR 2 met me there". House's patient hadn't been planed for surgery so it must have been an emergency.

The second message was from Marla "Hey Lisa, its Mar, just wanted to ask you about the bridal shower. I just booked the party room at Marcella's, I know you love that place. I need a guest list, you can just drop by later, I really want to get these out in the mail in the next day or two."

The guest list! Ohh shit! In all her fussing about with her doctor's appointment and hospital business she had almost forgot. Luckily it was almost finished. Her sister had sent her a list she had from her wedding and Cuddy had e-mailed Blythe to ask her to send a list. She had got back to her promptly, the list was bigger than she had expected with a whopping ten addresses on it. She had used her few minuets of down time here and there on Sunday night and this morning to rest and work on putting all the names and addresses into an easy to read format. All she really had to do now was put in a few more and print it out for her and Marla and e-mail a copy to Richelle.

***

House stood overlooking his patient in surgery; the moron had attempted to rip out his trach tube and had done significant damage to his trachea and the surrounding area. The sudden outburst was what had intrigued House. The guy had been sitting there ogling Thirteen's ass as she bent over to get a new needle and the next second he was trying to rip out his own throat.

The door opened and Cuddy walked in. "So what did Moor say?"

"Nothing really"

"Nothing?"

"Everything looks good so far, she insisted on doing another test, my HCG levels are up to 1350 now and I have an appointment for next week. She's going to check it out then."

"Doesn't really sound like I missed anything…"

Cuddy smiled, "No, but next week we should be able to see it a little better"

"Your right, now the spawn is just a little blob chillin' in your uterus, won't be anything to really look at for a few weeks."

"Spawn?"

"Hey, this is my little demon growing in there I can call it what I want"

"Demon?"

"Demon spawn?"

"I think I liked "Parasite" better" she smiled again.