DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything related to Fox or the TV show House. I'm only borrowing some characters. The characters belong to David Shore and company.
A/N: Sorry for the late update…
Don't worry, it's worth the wait.
Some OOC parts, but hey, it's a fic, right?
Seeing as it's almost the end, I'm begging those who haven't made their thoughts known yet, please Review… :)
ANOTHER SHOT AT HAPPINESS CHAPTER 37: ANTICIPATION
PPTH, The next day
Cuddy proudly displayed her new diamond necklace the next day at the hospital. She let House walk in late that day.
Everyone stared at her diamond necklace. It wasn't hard to miss it since she was, even when pregnant, wearing a low cut top. The diamond just sparkled, earning gasps from others.
Some of the nurses thought about how lucky she was with Dr. House, even if the man can be a real jerk. Well, the saying goes, diamonds are a girl's best friend.
For that entire day, the rumor mill was on about the necklace.
PPTH, June 11, 10 am
Cuddy walked inside House's office that morning and sat on the chair in front of his desk.
"I was wondering," she started fiddling with the paperclips on top of his desk, "Since it's your birthday today, you decide whether we'll find out the sex of the baby later." She said with a smile.
"What do YOU want?" House asked her; he really didn't mind since they'll find out anyway.
"I actually want to know; we're going to have to buy stuff soon, you know," Cuddy said shyly.
"Wow, I thought you'd say that 'It's like peeking at your gifts on Christmas' crap," House said with a smirk and a girly voice.
"Well, let's just save that for the second baby, then," Cuddy said seriously.
House's face was priceless! Cuddy laughed out loud when she saw his eyes widen in surprise and his mouth hanging open.
When he heard her laughing he immediately smirked at her, "Not funny," he told her and crossed his arms in front of him.
"You should've seen the look on your face!" Cuddy said, still laughing at him.
House pouted at her. Cuddy walked towards him and kissed him on the cheek, "See you later, okay? And Happy Birthday, for the millionth time," she said before getting back to work.
House stared at her ass, the extra swing just for him.
He wasn't particularly excited about this day; he never celebrated it. But Cuddy and the baby were making it very extra special for him.
After the Checkup… 5:30 pm
House and Cuddy exited Princeton General with very satisfied faces. Cuddy was holding her baby bump while House steered her towards their parking space. He had a hand on the small of her back.
They got in the car and drove home.
When they entered the House, Cuddy sat on the couch. House went to the kitchen and got a glass of water and walked back to the living room and sat beside her and switched on the television with the remote. He handed Cuddy the glass and she drank from it then placed it on the coffee table.
Cuddy rested her head on House's chest while House played with the curls in her head.
"I told you," Cuddy teased him.
"I can't stand one Cuddy, what more two?" House replied.
"Who said I could stand one House?" she shot back.
"Heaven forbid, that girl will not leave this house until she's at least 25," House said in an overprotective manner.
"Aww, is daddy already overprotective?" Cuddy teased him again.
The realization suddenly sunk in, he was going to be a father, "What if I won't make a good father?" House suddenly asked in a grave voice.
Cuddy furrowed her brows and grabbed his chin and made him look her in the eyes, "You're going to be great," she assured him, "We're going to go through this together, okay?"
"I don't know how to be a good father. My father wasn't actually Daddy of the Year material," House said.
"You are not your father, House. You experienced first-hand how to be treated badly by your father; which means you won't do the same to our daughter. You are your own person, you understand me?" Cuddy firmly told him. House nodded.
"Trust me, you won't screw this up," she said again before she leaned in and kissed him lightly.
"How do you know that I won't?" House asked her hesitantly.
"Because I won't let you," Cuddy said, finishing the topic.
"So, have you thought of any names?" House asked her, changing the topic.
"Yes," Cuddy said happily.
"Care to tell me?" House asked.
"No," she replied.
"Why not?" House whined.
"It's a secret," she said.
"I'm the father, if you forgot," he reminded her.
"I want you to be surprised. You think of the first name, and when you're sure, I'll tell you," Cuddy told him. She had the perfect name. She hoped House's pick for a first name won't involve his favorite 'Philosopher' Mick Jagger.
"Even though I was hoping for a boy, I had a name saved just in case it was a girl," House admitted.
"Let's hear it, then," Cuddy said, really excited.
House paused for a while, "Mia. It means mine or my, in Italian. Selfish, I know," House said.
"Mia would really sound great after the name I picked," Cuddy said with a wide smile. The name House picked was perfect!
"What's the name you picked?" House urged her.
"Abigail," Cuddy said, "It's Hebrew, it means—"
"Father's joy, I know," House answered, his voice filled with emotion that Cuddy couldn't quite place her finger on.
"You don't like it?" Cuddy asked him, feeling a bit disappointed that House didn't like it.
"It's perfect. But, are you sure?" House asked her hesitantly.
"Yes. Mia's perfect with it too. Mia Abigail House. My Father's joy," Cuddy announced dreamily. It was perfect.
House kissed her temple, "Thank you," he said.
"We won't name her that unless you're happy that she's coming," Cuddy warned him.
"Cuddy, I've never been so excited about anything, ever," House told her honestly. There were very few things in his life that he ever looked forward to, and this is so far the biggest thing he's actually excited about.
"Good," Cuddy kissed him deeply this time, "Happy birthday daddy," she said in between kisses, "I love you."
"I love you too," House replied.
The doorbell suddenly rang so they pulled away.
"That must be Wilson, Grey, Stacy, and your past and present teams," Cuddy said as she stood up carefully.
"You invited them?!" House asked her, stunned.
"It's your birthday. This will be the first time we'll be actually celebrating it," she said.
House sighed, "Thank you. But don't get disappointed if I don't act too happy. I don't even know how to celebrate a birthday," House admitted.
"Staring this year, you'll learn," Cuddy told him and tugged him from the couch. He complied and they headed to the front door.
They were greeted by Wilson, Grey and Stacy in the front door while his past and present teams stood in the background.
"Happy birthday, House!" they greeted him happily.
House just plastered his awkward expression and said thank you to them and let them in.
As they surrounded the dining table
He thought he'd go crazy that night but it turned out to be the best birthday of his life, though he'd never admit it.
21 weeks pregnant…
House and Cuddy finally decided to have the nursery painted. They also decided to buy everything they needed that day.
Cuddy was stunned, House paid for everything they bought. He only had her pay for the painting of the nursery. Cuddy hired Alfredo and his brother to paint the room so they could leave the house even with them there.
Cuddy wasn't only stunned by the fact that House paid for everything. She was shocked that he picked the highest quality—which makes it the most expensive—crib. Everything they bought was the same way. The dresser, toy chest, and cabinets were really beautiful. The stuffed toys were cute and very cuddly.
Cuddy tried her luck and asked him to buy her a rocking chair but he asked her if that was what she really wanted. He proposed he just buy her a recliner, which would be even nicer. Cuddy's eyes lit up at the proposition so she agreed.
They bought diapers, onesies, mittens, and every other newborn material they needed.
After shopping, they went home and found the nursery painted, with a few designs on the wall.
House ushered Cuddy out of the room to keep her away from the fumes.
3 days later, the delivery truck delivered the crib, the recliner, cabinets, dresser, and toy chest.
A week later Wilson and Grey helped him set up the room.
Cuddy smiled when she saw it: it sunk in that her dreams were finally coming true.
24 weeks pregnant…
House and Cuddy's house
While watching a movie, Cuddy suddenly grabbed House's arm.
"What's wrong?" House asked her worriedly.
"She moved," Cuddy said happily.
"You told me she was already moving before. What's changed?" he humored her.
"She's punching me, and kicking, a lot harder," Cuddy said with soft grunts.
"That's daddy's girl," House teased, seeing Cuddy's abdomen move again after his words.
"Oh she really is. She's giving mommy a bit of a hard time," Cuddy said, grunting again when she received a hard kick, "Just like daddy," she added, turning her head to him.
"Hey, I don't give you a bit of a hard time," House defensively replied.
"Oh really?"
"Really. I ALWAYS give you a hard time," he clarified.
"Wow, clarifying it made me feel a lot better," she replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"Can I… feel it?" House asked her shyly and a bit awkwardly. He knew that she knew he wasn't much for that kind of stuff but he wanted to experience it.
Cuddy's heart went aflutter, "Of course," she said with a very sweet smile.
House got off the couch and sat at the coffee table in front of her then gently and tenderly placed his hands on Cuddy's now big abdomen.
"Hey Mia, don't mind your mom's ramblings about how you kick or punch her, okay? You've got daddy's permission to exercise," House gave his first one sided conversation with his daughter. He felt a bit silly for him, but it was really, really relaxing; he didn't know why. After he told Mia this, he felt her kicking again.
Cuddy was starting to like what House was saying but when it came to the part of him giving permission for the baby to kick her she widened her eyes at him, "House, don't teach her violence!" she screeched but grunted again when Mia seemed to follow her dad.
"Hey, I'm not. Either way, you wouldn't have anything to do about it," he looked at her and bobbed his eyebrows mischievously.
Cuddy groaned and looked down at her abdomen, "Honey, daddy's just kidding. Please take it easy on mommy," she said while caressing it.
House suddenly amazed Cuddy when he kissed her abdomen and spoke to Mia again, "Don't listen to mommy. She's such a liar. Of course you need to exercise! "
Cuddy smiled at his stubbornness but smacked him hard in the shoulder when Mia gave her one hell of a jab.
"House, help me out here!" she said, half-amused and half-mortified that their daughter was definitely going to be a daddy's girl.
House chuckled and then started talking to Cuddy's abdomen again. He was essentially enjoying it!
"Head's up, kid. You're mommy's getting moody again. Just tone it down a notch," he said.
He then laid his gaze at Cuddy's ever-growing breasts, "I love you guys. Really I do," he told her breasts.
Cuddy chuckled at his lechery, "You, head's up. Talk to my face, not my breasts," she said in her administrator voice.
"Your breasts are much more accepting. I mean, look at them, they just let me stare!" House teased her more.
Cuddy grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her, "You were saying?" she asked him, her voice lined with a threat that said 'I'll cut a bitch if you don't answer properly'.
House smiled impishly, "Jealous of your breasts?"
"Much," she replied dryly, unwavering with the cutting look.
House laughed.
"Where were we?" Cuddy asked.
"I love you," he said, locking his eyes with hers.
"Good to hear," Cuddy replied.
"I think there's a really better response than that," House urged.
"Was it I love you too?" Cuddy asked him dumbly; shifting her position on the couch so House could lean in and kiss her without applying pressure on her abdomen.
"What was that? I think I didn't hear anything," House grazed his lips with hers.
"I love you too, you idiot," Cuddy said and kissed him lightly.
She grunted when Mia kicked her twice, "I think we forgot someone," she said with a very wide smile.
House bent down and kissed Cuddy's stomach, of course he had to do it, Cuddy would have if she could.
"Don't worry squirt, you'll get your mom's undivided attention once she screams you out into the world," House said and kissed Cuddy's abdomen again, "Let daddy have half of the attention until you're here, okay?" House stared at Cuddy when his lips were in contact with her abdomen and Mia kicked him where his lips were.
Cuddy laughed, "Like father, like child, she's stubborn already," she patted him on the cheek which caused him to pout, "Sorry, I think Mia doesn't want to share." She mimicked his pout.
Playing the piano at 3 am…
House couldn't sleep so he played the piano. When he got lost in the music, he started thinking of everything he's gone through over the past months. He couldn't believe everything he's experiencing. He's been with Cuddy for months now and he's never grown tired of anything at all. Mia was their newfound wall; the wall that kept and will keep them together.
He found love again; something he thought would never be possible. He never tried again after Stacy because he thought he'd just end up alone either way. He just got too bitter, until he didn't care anymore.
His walls which started building up after waking up after the infarction, was broken down by no other than Lisa Cuddy. She was, as always, his savior; his very own angel.
He never thought that taking a shot at happiness (which at first he thought was just going to end with more lonely nights) was the only thing that would actually help him recover from his dark past, making way for a bright future: A future even brighter than he could ever imagine in his mostly darkened life.
He'll admit it; he's scared as hell. He's afraid he'll let them down at some point in time. Something he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for, if it happened.
He was pulled out of his thoughts and his playing when someone suddenly hugged his side: Cuddy. She sat opposite him and hugged him tightly.
"Why are you up?" he asked her.
"You weren't in bed," she simply stated.
"I couldn't sleep," House told her.
"Why?"
"I was thinking,"
"You were rationalizing about your fears again?" She asked knowingly.
"You can't blame me. I'm a screw up," House replied austerely.
"House! You're a brilliant doctor, world-renowned. You've saved lives no else could, no matter how crazy a way you do it. You make me happy, God knows how you managed to do so, but I am. I wouldn't be this happy with anyone else. In my opinion, you haven't screwed up," Cuddy told him, her eyes locked onto his. Cuddy put every love she had for him in those words.
"Yet," House replied in the same tone.
"House," she started again, exasperated, "I am the one who's telling you. You're not a screw up, self-destructive before, yes. A screw up, never. I love you, Mia will too. You just have to bury your demons. You will be a great father, Gregory House," Cuddy finished while caressing his cheek. As-if in agreement, House felt a punch on Cuddy's side abdomen hit him," See? Mia agrees. As long as you don't give up, you'll never screw up," Cuddy added, kissing him in the shoulder.
House had a ghost of a smile on his lips when he felt the punch from Mia.
"Thank you," House whispered, taken away by Cuddy's love and faith in him. He have never been more assured in his entire life.
"Ready for bed?" Cuddy asked him.
"Want me to play your serenade?" House asked her. Cuddy nodded.
House played Cuddy's serenade and after that, they went back to bed.
August 29, 2 am
"House," Cuddy shook him, he didn't even stir. She was leaning back on the headboard.
"House, wake up," Cuddy said and shook him harder. House just grumbled.
Cuddy slapped him hard in the chest, "House!" she called him again in a whiny voice.
House rubbed a hand on his face, "What do you want?" he asked gruffly.
"I'm craving," Cuddy revealed.
House slumped back on the bed and slapped his forehead, "Oh God. It's," he looked at the clock, "2 am, Cuddy!"
Cuddy pouted at him and used her trademark puppy dog eyes.
House sighed, "What are you craving?"
"Strawberry Ice cream," Cuddy said and then paused for a while, not sure of continuing the next one.
"Come on, so I could get back to sleep," House said.
"and Pickles," Cuddy finished. House made a disgusted face but followed nonetheless.
After getting what Cuddy wanted, he watched her, with a disgruntled face and went back to sleep when he couldn't take it anymore.
Cuddy went back to bed and thought he was sleeping.
"You're done grossing me out?" he asked as he wrapped an arm around her, his palm running circles on top of her abdomen.
"No, I think I'll continue that tomorrow. I lost my audience," Cuddy said teasingly and turned her head to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before letting herself drift into sleep.
A/N:
Please review….
A lot of revelations here in this chapter even if it only contained 3,751 words… :D
3 more to go!
! ! ! ! !
P.S.: Are you guys excited and anticipating to have Mia in the picture already????
Just say the word and she'll appear on the next chapter! :D :D :D :D
I'll base yes's and no's on the reviews I'll read… :D