Chapter Forty Nine

Thank you all for the kind reviews of the last chapter. Hopefully you'll still love me as we head into the next chapters! Apparently the writing bug hit me because this chapter practically wrote itself. I can't wait to hear how you all react to the last part! I hope you all ENJOY and Don't forget to REVIEW!

By the beginning of February they were in the home stretch with the new house. The move in date was less than a week away and everything was on schedule. The rooms were freshly painted, the windows had been replaced, the upstairs re-carpeted to match her décor, the furniture was ordered and all that was left was a few minor repairs and a few installations she was surprising House with.

Cuddy was growing tired of the cleaning and the constant showings at her home and decided it was easier to pack it up and stay in House's apartment until they moved.

As she entered his apartment for the first time in months, opening the door with her arms full ,her foot nudged something light sending it toppling over with a clatter. Almost dropping her arm load she quickly turned to see what had fallen only to be greeted with a heap of cardboard boxes scattered throughout the living room.

House came limping around the corner in search of the commotion as she dodged the maze of empty boxes trying to find a place to drop her overnight bag and briefcase. He had a half-eaten sandwich in one hand and a smear of peanut butter on his mouth.

"I'm reforming the cubist movement." He mumbled, his mouth full.

Cuddy was not impressed. She dropped her overnight bag on the couch and inspected the boxes.

"I thought the point was to fill the boxes with your belongings, not fill your belongings with the boxes."

"Ohh is that what I was supposed to do with them; I just thought you wanted to build a really cool fort."

Her expression remained unchanged waiting for her an explanation.

He shrugged, "I was busy."

She pierced her lips and eyed him, "House the moving company dropped these off three weeks ago."

"I've been busy, Don't get those parachutes you called panties in a bunch. I'll get to it. Eventually."

She placed her hands on her hips and shook her head in frustration, "When? The moving truck will be here on Tuesday."

He shrugged.

"Great just great. Why do I even bother?" She kicked a box to the side agitated and turned away from him looking at the remaining boxes across the room. She was beyond furious and growing angrier by the second, "Not one item, Not one item is in any of these boxes. Nothing in your apartment is even out of place. Tell me straight and tell me now, are you moving in with me or not?"

"I signed the deed didn't I; my wallet certainly thinks I am."

"But that's not enough is it?"

He looked thoroughly confused," What? It's not like there's someone moving in here tomorrow. We have time."

"And why is that? You haven't even bothered to list your apartment."

"I don't know. I figured we'd worry about it after we got into the new house."

She shook her head again, tears were welling in her eyes, "I've made all the sacrifices for us to be together, and you've made no attempt to commit to this. I can't keep going like this. I can't keep planning a life that I'm not even sure if you're in."

"I've signed the deed. What more do I have to do? So what if I'm lazy and I don't feel like packing."

"It's more than that and you know it. You come and go as you please, you've got your toys and your puzzles, and your apartment. Where do we fit in?" She motioned to her bump as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Lisa, it's not like that. I love you."

"Then list the apartment."

He wanted more than anything to make promises but it suddenly occurred to him that she was right. The more he thought about unearthing the only life he knew the more fear paralyzed him. He had never had any intention of getting rid of his apartment. He'd told himself that if he put it off until after they moved, he could tell her he leased it. He never really thought he would have to get rid of it and she never really asked him to…until now.

"Lisa.." He uttered meakly but the apology in his eyes already told her what was coming.

"Don't." She stormed pass him, tears streaming down her face streaking her mascara.

Realizing the mistake he was making, he called after her, "Lisa..Wait." But it was too late the door slammed behind her.

He didn't sleep that night. He had no idea how to convince her that this is what he wanted when he hadn't even convinced himself. He tossed and turned trying to let go of the only life he knew, trying to let go of the comfort he found in his own misery. Pain seared through his thigh and he found himself pouring a scotch and reaching for his pills only to find an empty bottle. Forced to break into his stash, his hand brushed something unfamiliar as he pulled out the vicodin bottle stuffed in a pair of his socks. Opening his drawer further, it was the ring box that he had almost managed to forget. Suddenly the pills weren't so important. He sat down on the bed, opening the little box and staring at the same platinum set that he remembered gracing his mother's hand. Cuddy was right, he was a coward and she deserved more than empty dreams and broken promises.


The next morning House burst into Wilson's office disturbing the few minutes Wilson had in between patients. Not Surprised by House's usual dramatic entrance he didn't bother looking up from behind his newspaper.

"I'm going to Propose to Cuddy." House proclaimed, chest poked out strutting proudly into his office.

Wilson's head peeked around the side his newspaper appearing slighty stunned at his friend's sudden outburst., "Really, no joke?"

"This is no joke my friend. I'm really going to take the plunge, strap on the ole ball and chain and tie the metaphorical knot right around Cuddy's neck."

Wilson sat up uneasily a little stunned that House had come to this decision on his own, "Are you sure…I mean is this what you want?"

"I've already knocked her up, I'm tied to her for the rest of my life whether I like it or not. I figure I might as well enjoy the ride."

Wilson gave him an unconvinced look, "You might as well enjoy the ride. Marriage isn't a party House and it's not something to take lightly. Are you ready to spend the rest of your life with Cuddy?"

"Spoken from the man who walked down the aisle not once, not twice but….three times. Are you the exception to the rule or the expert on love?"

"My point exactly, I'm exception that proves the rule. I didn't take it seriously, I made mistakes and now I'm alone with three ex-wives and a dead girlfriend."

"Look I know it's a life sentence, I'm there man. I can totally hang."

"House." Wilson scolded turning to him with the same concerned look he always did. "Are you doing this because you want to or because someone else thinks it's the right thing to do?"

"You really are no fun and here I thought you would be all happy and ready to throw me a kick ass bachelor party."

Wilson just glared back waiting for his answer.

House exhaled, "I know it's not my usual MO but I want her and I'm sure I'm gonna grow attached to the kid…" He paused rubbing his hands on the back of his neck trying to come up with the right words, "I'm in love."

Wilson smiled and slapped him on the back, "Damn I never thought I'd see this day. Are you sure she'll say yes."

"Who could say no to these baby blues." House batted his eyes at Wilson.

"You might not want to do that when you propose… Wait How are you going to propose?"

"I've got it all worked out. I'm suggesting a "get away" before the baby is born. I'll disguise it as a trip to see Mom and pull out all the stops and then Bam she won't even know what hit her."

"You're proposing in front of your mother. Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm killing two birds with one proposal. Its Mom's dying wish to see me married off with grandkids. Cuddy wants a commitment. My kid's not born a bastard. It's win win win."

"Wow, you've really put a lot of thought into this and you make it sound so romantic."

"Wait until you see the bed and breakfast I've booked. They have a death by chocolate Sunday bar with all the toppings."

Wilson looked confused.

House shook his head, "Not that kind of Sunday bar, think nude, whipped cream and chocolate syrup running down Cuddy's.."

Wilson threw his hands up, "That's enough I get the picture."

To Be Continued...