Chapter 49

I don't want to see another rainy night without you lying next to me…

Victoria was true to her word. She immediately put the penthouse up for sale and began looking for a house in a good neighborhood. With hopes that House would want to share it with her, she concentrated her search on ranch style homes.

House was aware of what she was doing. He had a plan of his own, but it took him a few weeks to put it into practice, so he bided his time and didn't mention the living arrangements with her.

In the meantime, they continued as they'd been before, seeing each other whenever they could, sleeping together when they wanted and sharing a lot of time with their daughter.

One day, they were getting ready to take Andra out and House was impatiently waiting for Victoria.

"Come on! At this rate, Chuck E.'s going to run out of pizza."

"Where is my ring?" Victoria asked, dismayed.

"What ring?" House asked her.

"My pink Chuck E. Cheese ring! I always wear it, but it's gone!"

"Well, if you always wear it, how can it be gone?"

"I don't wear it to bed. It makes my finger green when I do. But otherwise, I always wear it."

"It's not a big deal, Vic. It's a two dollar ring. And we're going there this afternoon anyway. I'll get you another one."

She looked dejected. "I don't want another one, I want that one!"

"You have a jewelry box full of the real stuff. Boxes from Tiffany's and Cartier's and all those other places. Why the hell are you so worried about a toy ring?"

"Because you gave it to me. Because that day was so special and the ring reminded me."

He put his arms around her. "You'll remember that day. Because we'll have lots of others as well. Don't worry."

She nodded, but she was still upset.

They took Andra to Chuck E. Cheese and of course, the little girl went to the ball pit and had her usual good time. They ate pizza and Victoria cheered up a bit.

She knew it was very silly to mourn over a toy ring. But she had never had a simple, silly little gift like that before and she wanted to keep it. She still hoped she'd locate it, but she knew it wasn't worth ruining the day she was enjoying with House and her daughter.

When they were finished with their pizza and Andra was finished playing, they headed over to the prize counter.

"Why don't I just wait outside?" Victoria said.

"Come on, I'll get you a new ring."

"I told you, I don't want a new one."

"You never know."

Andra was pointing out yet another Chuck E. Cheese doll, but Victoria convinced her to go for one of Chuck E.'s friends.

"You know, I think Chuck E. is getting lonely with just other Chuck E.'s to talk to. Why don't you get one of his friends so that he has someone different to be with?"

"Okay, Mommy!" Andra said and pointed to the duck character.

The attendant handed it to her. While they had been looking at the dolls, House had been studying the ring box.

"Look, Vic, they have another pink ring like yours."

"I told you, I don't want another one."

"But this one is really nice. Take a look." He held out a ring.

"Greg, I told you…" she began, then glanced at the ring in his hand. It was a lot shinier than her toy ring. "What's this?"

"It's a pink ring, like you had."

She peered closer at it. "No, that's not my ring. That's…a pink diamond."

Her eyes flew up to meet his. "Greg, where did this come from?"

"From the box in the case."

"No, it did not come from that box. This is a square shaped pink diamond in a gold setting with diamond chips on the side. It most assuredly did not come out of that case."

"Looks just like the ring you lost to me." He said.

"It may look like it, but it is not a plastic stone. It's a very fine pink diamond."

House pretended to examine the ring. "Oh, you're right. It is different from yours. Oh well, it was worth a shot."

He started to hand it to the attendant and she cried out, "Wait! What is going on?"

"Well, you were missing your ring. I thought you'd like another. But if you don't like it…"

"I didn't say that."

"Oh, well, if you like it, then how about this?" He took her left hand in his, slipped the ring on her finger and said, "Vic, will you marry me?"

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked into his blue ones and saw the tentative smile on his face. He was actually nervous about asking her! She was speechless for a moment.

"Oh, my, I don't…this is…oh, my!"

House looked at his daughter. "Don't you think Mommy should marry Daddy?"

"Yeah, Mommy, marry Daddy!" Andra said, laughing.

"Oh, Greg!" The tears were running down her face. "Greg House, you silly, sentimental, romantic man! Yes, I will, yes!"