A/N: The final three chapters of "Look At Me" begin tomorrow - on "Valentine's Day". Tonight's chapter follows our friends while they prepare for Valentine's Day and the Fundraiser. There's lots to do, so lets get going, but pay close attention to House ... he's not quite himself ... Enjoy!
Chapter 54
House watched Cameron as she bustled around getting ready for Wilson and Cuddy to arrive and thought about how lucky he was to be loved by her. She was truly a beautiful woman, both inside and out. She showed her love in so many little ways each moment of the day, from taking care to tuck him back into bed, no matter how many times he got up when he wasn't supposed to, to remembering silly things that made him happy, like gummy bears and miniature marshmallows; they were all acts of love as far as House was concerned.
Cameron checked to see that House had everything that he needed to be comfortable while she was out with the girls. She brought him some fresh juice and the weekend paper and then sat beside him on the bed to relax. Cameron noticed the serious expression House had on his face and began to worry.
"Greg, is something the matter? Are you not feeling well?"
"I feel fine. My head's still sore, but it's getting better."
"Let me get you some acetaminophen."
"Allison, no, it can wait. Just stay here with me." House said taking her hand.
"Do I make you happy?" House asked.
"Of course you do, why would you even ask me that Greg?" Cameron asked, becoming increasingly concerned about his mood.
"I'm serious, how do I make you happy? It's important for me to know."
Cameron thought for a moment, shocked by House's self-doubt. She snuggled up beside him, resting an arm on his chest, before she spoke.
"You make me happy by loving me, pure and simple. You show me your love in everything you do for me, like finding a way to surprise me with this dress, to the way you slip your arms around me when I'm cooking your dinner. I always feel like I'm the most important person in your world when I'm with you; I can feel it in your touch, in your smile and in your voice. I love watching you do all of the crazy things you do, that makes me happy and I love your passion; for your work, for your music and for our love. Don't ever doubt how happy you make me Greg."
"Okay … I won't." House kissed Cameron on the head as he quickly wiped a tear from his eye. "I didn't tell you the reason that you got your dress a day early."
"No you didn't, mister full-of surprises, tell me…" Cameron said, smiling, knowing full well House was trying to change the subject.
"It was the nail polish!"
"The nail polish?'
"I listened to you when you were talking about matching your nail polish colour to your dress and Wilson and I decided that you had to have the dress today so you wouldn't come home with the wrong colour of nails. You see… it's all in the details …" House said proudly.
"Now you see, that's another way you've just made me happy … you pay attention to the things that matter to me, even if it's something as silly as nail polish. Oh, there's the door. It must be Lisa and James."
"I will never stop loving you, remember that Greg …" Cameron kissed House and went to answer the door.
o0o0o
"Hi there, let me take your coats."
"How's your patient?" asked Cuddy, "I heard that he had a good night"
"He did Lisa, but I'm concerned. He seems very introspective, as if something's bothering him now. He says he feels fine, but his mood …."
"He was good when I left, did anything happen, if you don't mind me asking?" said Wilson.
"Nothing bad certainly, he gave me my dress, but he was very happy about that."
"A dress?" asked Lisa.
"Let me show you, you won't believe it. Do you think there might be a problem, James?
"Personality changes can sometimes be a symptom of a concussion, but he has a lot on his mind and not much to keep him occupied. That's a bad combination for House. I'll talk to him this afternoon and see if I can figure out what's going on."
Cameron led Wilson and Cuddy into the bedroom to see House.
"Hey handsome, how are you feeling?" Cuddy said, giving House a kiss.
"A lot better … I've got a good nurse." House grinned as Cameron and Wilson looked at each other. "Are you girls leaving us now?"
"We should be going Greg. Meggie and Kym are meeting us there. Are you going to be all right?" asked Cameron.
"I'll be fine. Me and my buddy will hang out and do manly things, right Jimmy?"
"Right, House. You two go and have a good time."
"Okay, but before we do, Lisa, look in this box."
Cuddy removed the lid from the Saks Fifth Avenue box and looked inside.
"Allison, your dress? Greg, how did you manage to pull that one off without us finding out?"
"I have my ways …" House said, smiling at his cleverness," Jimmy and I will tell you the whole story when you get back."
o0o0o
"Your pupils look good." Wilson said, putting his penlight back in his pocket and wrapping a blood pressure cuff around House's upper arm. "Now just relax … BP and pulse are excellent. You're doing well, my friend. How do you feel? I'll be honest with you, Cameron is worried about you."
"I know she is Wilson." House said quietly.
"Do you want to talk about anything?"
"Not right now. Do you want a beer or something?"
"I don't feel right drinking when you can't, how about I make us a pot of coffee and I'll bring you your lunch."
"That would be good, thanks Wilson."
Wilson returned in a few minutes carrying a tray with House's lunch and a couple of mugs of coffee for the two of them. He pulled up a chair beside House and watched while his friend ate.
"Wilson …" snarked House, "you're making me crazy staring at me while I eat … cut it out."
"Sorry House, I was just thinking about you, that's all."
"Yea, well I can't blame you for that … I'm the most fascinating person I know" grinned House, relaxing again. "That was good … thank you."
"Don't thank me House; Cameron made your lunch for you before she left. I'll get your dessert."
"Here you go …" Wilson brought House a bowl of chocolate ice cream with butterscotch sauce. "Cameron said to give you these two bowls and that you would know what to do with them." Wilson handed House a small bowl of crushed Oreo cookies and a larger bowl with gummy worms.
"Cool … you should try this Wilson … go get yourself a bowl of ice cream from the fridge and put some butterscotch on it … hurry …" Wilson returned with his ice cream and watched House as he meticulously arranged the worms on top of their ice cream and then carefully sprinkled the cookie crumbs so that worm heads were poking up all over their sundaes.
"Perfect … what do you think Wilson … worms and dirt …awesome!" House dug into his sundae enthusiastically and urged Wilson to do the same.
"This is really good House …" Wilson said as he popped a gummy worm into his mouth.
"Told ya, didn't I? Allison's always buying me this cool stuff to eat."
"You're a lucky man House."
"I know Wilson … hey Allison told me that you saw her in her naughty nurse uniform last night."
"Yes and I'm sorry about that … I got out of your bedroom as fast as I could." Wilson said, looking embarrassed. "I tried not to look …"
"That's okay, she told me that you were a gentleman … she looks pretty hot in it, doesn't she?" House grinned.
"House, there's no way I can answer that question and not get in trouble. Suffice it to say that I envy you and I wish that Lisa would get one…" sighed Wilson.
"I hear you Wilson … why do you think I'm recovering so quickly?" smirked House. "I promised Allison that I wouldn't tell anyone what she did to me, sorry."
"That's okay House, I think I can figure it out." smiled Wilson.
o0o0o
"So Meggie, Kym … when do you have to leave?" asked Lisa.
"On Tuesday …" said Kym sadly, "I'm having a wonderful time with Robert."
"And a certain neurologist we all know …" teased Meggie.
"You're one to talk … if things keep going the way they are, you'll be my sister-in-law one day soon … and by the way, I totally approve." said Kym, as she grinned at Meggie.
"Well, you're rushing things a bit Kym, I've only known Robert for a week."
"I know, but I see the way you look when you talk about him. I think that you're falling in love with my little brother." Meggie blushed.
"It's so sad that you both have to leave," said Cameron, "especially considering how you feel about Eric and Robert; Australia is a long way away."
"You're right Allison. I don't think this is meant to be, for me anyways." said Kym.
"Don't say that. True love always finds a way."
"Well if it would help, I can guarantee you both a job at PPTH should you ever want one." said Lisa, as she thought about what the girls had said.
"Oh Lisa … I don't know what to say … except thank you. I think that I can speak for Meggie too …" Meggie nodded," I don't know what the boys would say if we decided to move here to be closer to them, but it means a lot to us to know that we would be able to find work here if things get serious."
Cameron and Cuddy looked at each other, as Meggie and Kym sat, deep in thought.
o0o0o
"House, that was Chase … he and Foreman are coming over to see you."
"Awww Wilson … I don't want to see them. Foreman will just boss me around again; he loves having the upper hand." grumped House.
"I can't believe how ungrateful you are House. He was the one who looked after you after Johnson hit you. He's shown nothing but concern for you and he's been good to Cameron." Wilson said, with a disappointed tone in his voice.
"Was he good to Allison?" Wilson nodded, "well okay then … I guess you're right. It's just that he told me that all strenuous activity was off limits. How am I supposed to make love to Allison tomorrow ? You tell me that Wilson!" House said angrily.
"House, are you sure that you're all right? Your emotions are all over the map. I'm worried that this might be a symptom stemming from your concussion."
"I'm okay Wilson. I just have a lot on my mind and everything has to be perfect tomorrow."
"It will be House, and getting back to your sex life, it didn't look like you had any problems last night."
"Well that's because Allison … well I can't say …." said House, as he frowned at Wilson "and you know what else? I forgot to get chocolates and a card. I have to go out this afternoon. What kind of idiot forgets to buy his girlfriend chocolates for Valentine's Day? I'm useless!"
"House, you're not useless. You're putting all of us to shame with the flowers, the dress, the diamond necklace … so you forgot the chocolates. Tell you what, I can't let you go out, but when Chase and Foreman get here, I'll go out and buy you whatever you want for Cameron, how does that sound?"
House brightened. "That would make me feel a lot better. I'd like one of those big, fancy cards and a big box of chocolates in a red velvet box. Money is no object Wilson, buy the best they have and I'll pay you back."
Sure you will House, Wilson thought as he smiled to himself.
o0o0o
"So how's House, Wilson?" Foreman said, taking off his coat. Wilson filled Foreman and Chase in on everything that had happened. "I have to say that I'm concerned about his mood swings and so is Cameron."
"Should we take him back to the hospital and do some more x-rays?"
"I don't know. He won't like it, but I don't really think it's due to his concussion; he's got a lot on his mind and too much time to think, that's what I think the problem is."
"What is he worried about?" asked Chase.
"Its personal stuff between him and Cameron … I really can't say. I need to do an errand for House … would you two mind babysitting for me while I go out?"
o0o0o
"Everything looks good House." Foreman said as he packed up his medical kit.
"I could have told you that …" snarked House. Foreman and Chase looked at each other.
"House, what is it? What's bothering you?" asked Chase.
"You two … that's what's bothering me. Where's Wilson?" grumped House.
"He's gone out to run an errand for you."
"Oh, that's right. So what are you up to today?" House said, trying to be more civil.
"We're taking Meggie and Kym out tonight."
"That will be nice. How much longer are they staying?" asked House.
"Only 'til Tuesday …" said Chase sadly.
"So what are you going do about it?" asked House.
"What can I do?"
"Don't let her go without telling her how you feel, Wombat."
"I don't know what good it would do, for either of us. Australia is a long way away, in case you hadn't noticed…"
"I know Chase, but I'll tell you one thing, I'll always regret the time I lost with Allison because I was too much of an idiot to tell her that I loved her. Don't make that same mistake … either of you."
o0o0o
"Lisa, I'm going to call and check on Greg and then we can do a little shopping. I want to buy him a card and some candy and see that new lingerie shop on Main Street."
"Hello … oh hi Foreman, is Greg okay? … Still moody, what do you think? … oh good I'm glad, I'll keep him very quiet … where's Wilson … okay, well please tell them that Lisa and I are going to do a bit of shopping and we'll be back soon… bye and Foreman, thank you. I hope you and Chase have a good time tonight."
"How's House?" asked Cuddy.
"Foreman is pleased, but he wants me to keep him very quiet, which is easier said than done. Look Lisa there's the store I was telling you about."
A bell above the door rang, as Cameron and Cuddy walked into the tiny shop. Although small, it had an amazing selection of lingerie and special goodies designed to make Valentine's Day a very happy one!
"Are you looking for something special Allison?" asked Cuddy.
"Just something to cheer Greg up …" laughed Cameron. "I think I've found it!"
Cameron held up a nightie for Lisa.
"Any man would love that … it's kind of cheesy, but I've always wanted one, to tell you the truth …" confessed Lisa.
"Me too … I'm going to get it!" Cameron continued to browse with Lisa, when something special caught her eye.
"Lisa … you have got to buy that … please"
"You're kidding me, right?" laughed Cuddy.
"No I'm serious … come here …" Cameron pulled Lisa off to one side and whispered so no one could hear their conversation.
"Really … okay I'll do it … tonight!" smiled Cuddy.
o0o0o
"Here you go House …" Wilson said pulling out a humongous box of chocolates out of a shopping bag." and I have a card too!"
"Perfect Wilson! That's just what I wanted. Now I'm ready for Valentine's Day!" House said, looking like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Uh oh …" said Chase, "I haven't bought anything for Meggie and Kym, how about you Foreman?" Foreman shook his head.
"Well get going you idiots, Geez, I'm really starting to wonder about your skills with the opposite sex; you two had better smarten up or you'll lose those girls." snarked House, "Go… go … we'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay House and remember what I said … stay in bed!" cautioned Foreman.
"Yea, yea …" House muttered as they left, "Wilson will you tuck that under the bed for me please?"
"Sure House."
"How much do I owe you?"
"Um, here is the bill …"
House reached for his wallet on the nightstand and paid Wilson.
"Thanks House." said an astonished Wilson, as he slipped the money into his wallet. Just then he heard the door open. "Hey our girls are home!"
o0o0o
After Cameron said goodbye to Wilson and Cuddy she came into the bedroom carrying her shopping bags.
"Did you have a good time? Let me see your toes."
Cameron slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes and fingers at House.
"Mmm, bright red … very sexy …what did you buy?" said House, trying to peek inside them.
"Well they're all presents for you, but you can start with this one and I'll save the rest for later." Cameron watched as he opened his goodie bag. House pulled out a new monster truck magazine, a package of Twizzlers, some lollipops and a new video game.
"Yippee … I don't have that game …" House said as he proceeded to rip open his Twizzlers. "Thanks, sweetie."
"You're welcome, I'm glad you like everything." Cameron said smiling at her love, when she heard the doorbell ring. "That's odd, maybe Wilson forgot something."
Cameron returned to the bedroom carrying a big parcel and sat down on the bed beside House.
"Now which one of my boyfriends could this be from?" teased Cameron.
She undid the wrapping to find a large old-fashioned teddy bear holding a bouquet of thirteen red roses.
"Greg, I love him …" squealed Cameron, "He's so cute and the roses are beautiful!" Cameron opened the card.
"One More Day"
Thank you for taking such good care of me …
I love you, Greg …
"Oh sweetheart, thank you. I will always take care or you …" Cameron said as she gave House a long, sweet kiss. "I'll put these in water and then make us some supper."
o0o0o
Wilson and Cuddy spent a quiet evening at Cuddy's home, watching TV and relaxing in front on the fireplace. Cuddy noticed how tired Wilson looked. "James, you look worn out, how about an early night tonight? We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
"That's a good idea ... I didn't get much sleep last night. I'll grab a fast shower"
After Wilson got ready for bed, he decided to read for a bit to settle his mind, so he stretched out on the floor in the living room and spread out the newspaper. Cuddy was ready for bed and called out to him.
"James, are you coming to bed, honey?"
"In just a sec …"
Cuddy read for half and hour and tried again. "James, it's getting late … come to bed …"
Another hour passed …
Wilson was still reading when a pair of shapely legs in white high heels appeared in front of his face.
"James … you're coming to bed … right now!"
Wilson's eyes moved up Cuddy's legs as he closed the paper and got to his knees. He took in everything, the white stockings held up by a satiny white garter belt, the teeny white lace bikini panties and most important of all, Cuddy's skimpy little nurse's uniform.
A huge smile spread across his face as he looked at his girl. Cuddy's luscious breasts looked like they could pop out of her top at any moment; they enticed him, sitting prettily in a lace white bra and it wasn't long before Wilson could feel himself stirring below.
"You're beautiful Lisa " he said, admiring the perky nurse's cap pinned on top of Cuddy's curly dark locks.
"Thank you James …" purred Cuddy," but remember, it's Lusty Nurse Lisa … if you forget again … I'll have to discipline you …. Understood?"
Wilson smiled as he scooped Cuddy into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and then took off his robe and stood so she could get a good look at his growing desire for her.
"Understood … Lusty Nurse Lisa …understood."
o0o0o
"Allison …. Allison …" Cameron smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
"Coming sweetie, be patient …."
"Allison …." House kept calling.
"I'm ready … close your eyes …"
"Okay …"
"Are they closed?" Cameron said, as she dimmed the bedroom lights and stood beside House. "Okay you can open them now. This is the other present I bought for you."
House grinned from ear to ear as he looked at Cameron. She was wearing pink baby-doll pajamas made of sheer chiffon with matching panties. The nightie was trimmed in marabou feathers and her polished toes peeked out of pink satin kitten slippers, trimmed to match her nightie.
"Do you like your gift?" purred Cameron.
"My fantasy has just come true … come closer … Oooo, I can see right through everything … I love it." House said sitting up on top of the bed.
"I can see that …" Cameron smiled as she noticed a bulge in his pajamas. "Let me help you out of those." Cameron pulled off his tee-shirt and slid off his bottoms. "That will be more comfortable for you. Now Greg, you've got to lie down, okay? … I'm serious!"
"Okay …" House said as he laid back on his pillow. "Come …" he said motioning for Cameron. She carefully straddled his waist and laughed as he peered under her nightie. "Guess what Lisa bought today for Wilson?"
"For his sake, I hope it's one of these …" House grinned as he draped the feather trim on her hem under his nose like a moustache.
"Nope, but it's just as good. We found a naughty nurse outfit!"
"Cool … Wilson will love it! He was very jealous of me, you know."
"Oh really? Well I gave her some pointers …"
"You didn't tell her the part about the ice cube, did you?"
"No Greg, that's just for us. Besides they'll know what to do …"
"I can hardly wait to talk to him tomorrow."
"You two …" laughed Cameron, "but what say we stop thinking about Lisa and James and concentrate on us."
"Good idea …" House popped his head back under Cameron's nightie as he pulled her to him. She giggled as he kissed her breasts and slid his hands down her back and into her panties.
"Out of there …" she scolded, as House popped his head back out from under the nightie.
"But you said it was my present …" whined House, as he grinned at Cameron.
"You're right, I did … didn't I?" House nodded, eagerly.
"Well then you just go ahead and have fun … but no getting up …"
House smirked.
"Sorry, poor choice of words." grinned Cameron.
tbc …
