"Now that we've got that out of our system…what I meant was all the excitement on the phone." Jack said. "Did big brother do something out of the ordinary, like have fun?" Jack teased.
"They've got the last of the paperwork out of the way. Their lawyers and ours are busy crossing and dotting and everything's good to go. We will be Antha International in very short order." House watched them high five and ramble on for a bit about the long haul being over.
"Something good I take it?" House asked.
"Yes, very good. We've been working on a consolidation. It's a done deal." House stared at her dumbfounded, recalling their conversation Sunday.
"Big surprise. First I've heard of it. Congratulations are in order then?"
"Thank you. There wasn't any reason to bring it up until it was in black and white. You have no idea how many things are involved in a consolidation of this magnitude. But it's a wonderful thing trust me. The Scheulling name is officially history on all business holdings. And Joaquin and I had talked for sometime of what was possible if we consolidate. It's a monumental undertaking but that's what we have lawyers for. Let them earn their keep this year. He's flying in to celebrate. He'll be here within a week by the sound of things." House's expression was priceless to say the least. Jesse reached for his hand and the panic level seemed to subside a bit.
"We don't keep up on one another's personal business. Business as in money is a whole different matter. This is a good thing House. It's been long overdue." Jesse tried again.
"And this changes what?"
"It cuts a lot of excess fat and adds immeasurably to the family coffers. We can pare a lot of excess committees and boards and be more efficient and streamlined." Jesse leaned over and whispered in his ear. "And, it may mean a larger than usual donation to your place of employ, but don't let that get out just yet." House breathed an inward sigh of relief…and joy at the thought of no clinic duty for a month. In the bag without even asking!
"And why are we keeping this a secret?" He asked, since she was obviously in the mood to chatter away about it.
"Because I'd like to deliver it in person this year." House stared at her. She had that look in her eyes that he usually admired so. In this instance, however, he could only wonder what lay in store for Cuddy. "Oh don't look at me like that, my warm lover. Everything will be fine."
"No bloodshed? Promise?" House tried for a little humor.
"None whatsoever. It's all mine now. There are going to be some changes in policy, that's all."
"Our food has arrived." Jack announced, looking up as Amber came in with all manner of bags and boxes. "All done with the trinkets, ladies?"
"Not really." Coral whined. "We got distracted." She glanced at House.
"Set everything on the bar. Ten minutes…or less." Jesse said. She motioned to Coral. "I want you to pay attention. And you be quiet." Jesse gave House's hand a squeeze. "She needs a little brushing up on technique and you can watch but save the commentary for dinner, alright? Sooner we're done the sooner we can eat." House nodded. It sounded like incentive enough for him.
Jack helped Amber file everything on the bar and with an audience gathered around the booth, Jesse tried to help Coral through some fine points. "Ground and center like I told you. Close your eyes and concentrate." Jesse instructed, grabbing up the extra pendulums and sliding the ouija board in front of Coral. Jesse noticed House leaning back in the booth a tad more as the ouija board was repositioned nearer to him. She said nothing. The food was waiting. "Receptive hand. When you're ready. Ask." Jesse leaned back and relaxed in the booth. She felt House's hand tighten on hers ever so slightly. She looked up at him and smiled. Clearly it was an unspoken everything's okay. House nodded and watched, as did everyone else.
Coral asked some simple questions, tracking the direction of the pendulums swings and soon it was obvious it was able to spell particular answers. The experiment went well. She seemed pleased with the results and the table was cleared for dinner. "What was all that about?" House asked as the food was set down and divided.
"Concentration issues, go figure." Jesse laughed. "We were practicing some ground and center techniques when you wandered in so early. Never know what you're going to find going on here mid afternoon." Jesse laughed. "You were a little early today."
"Made my escape when they weren't looking. Chinese I take it?" He and Jesse watched as the twins and Jack unloaded container after container and handed them off to the table. Jesse nodded as the plates and silverware came down the line last. The twins and Jack carried pitchers of beer and glasses and they were off and running for one of the more festive suppers they'd had in a while.
After the glasses were filled Jack stood up and cleared his throat. "I'd like to propose a toast." There were whistles and applause from the girls as they tapped their silverware on the glasses. House watched the show as Jesse leaned back and smiled at her second in command. "To Queenie. It's been a long road and a long year. You did it girl…through the fire unscathed. It's all yours. Good friends, excellent choices" he paused to lift his glass a little higher to House. "And good times yet to come."
"To teach."
"Here, here!" Amber and Coral chimed in as everyone lifted their glasses. House leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Jesse's cheek as Jack smiled in approval before downing his glass.
"To one very special lady." House said as they clinked glasses together. "Even if you do make me talk to rocks!" he snarked.
"It's good for you, builds character." Jesse laughed as they downed their drinks and started in on the food. And there was a lot of it, and a lot of conversation while picking through all of it. Topics from readying for Joaquin's arrival to the more technical talk between Jesse and Jack were covered. House said very little but listened carefully.
What he understood of it made sense. There would be a restructuring here and there to meet global changes and demands. No one was being displaced and parts of the business were being let go. A lot of William's shadier businesses in far corners of the world would be sold and dispensed with in short order. They were expanding on more lucrative boundaries and retreating from those that were more volatile. Apparently most of these concessions were to appease Joaquin's concerns for his sister's safety. House smiled to himself as he ate quietly and watched Jesse and the terrible trio outlining their future. He would like Jesse's brother from the sounds of it. He had no qualms about making demands and standing his ground till he got them. It sounded to House like he was removing all volatile arenas from Jesse's future flight paths. There were also government contracts and all manner of business that Joaquin was bringing into the global picture.
House felt a twinge in his stomach when shades of gray began to take shape. Jesse's brother wasn't dealing drugs or any of a dozen other things that House had concerned himself with. Apparently he'd followed in their mother's footsteps as far as government liaisons were concerned. Jesse's brother worked for the government doing what, one could only imagine. Jesse's brother had lofty political connections. And Jesse's brother was a force to be reckoned with. He would bring political respectability to the company's global position where William had only served to detract from it. House listened to the banter as he sipped at his beer. Government contracts, countries further south and overseas, clandestine political supporters, diplomatic immunity covering a wide range of people and positions; scary topics of discussion rattled around their dinner table like most families discussed the daily news.
He was stuffed and listening, his eyes closed as he leaned back in the booth. There was a momentary grimace when his thigh barked its displeasure. He felt Jesse's hand lightly come to rest on his thigh. "Everything okay?"
Chapter 52
