A/N: Well, here we are … the moment you have all been waiting for.
Settle back, read it slowly, keep the tissues handy and please enjoy!
Chapter 56
When House and Cameron stepped out of her apartment building, they were greeted by a sky that was as magical as the evening ahead. As the sun set, the world took on a pinkish hue and the first stars of the night began to twinkle in the distance. The air was sweet and Cameron inhaled deeply as a mild gentle breeze caressed her skin. It was a night made for romance.
As they neared the curb, a smile spread across Cameron's face. The limousine that House rented to transport the four couples to the ball was in typical House fashion, no ordinary car. The snowy white SUV limo gleamed under the light of the streetlamps and a uniformed driver stood at attention, waiting to open the doors of the vehicle for the couple. As they settled into the plush seats, Cameron could not help but smile at her love. House's aura of sophistication had been pushed aside by his inner child and he immediately began pressing every button and switching every switch in the car. He turned on the television, the stereo, explored the bar and lowered and raised the privacy window behind the driver. Cameron knew he could hardly wait to pick up Wilson.
o0o0o
"Lisa, are you almost ready? House and Cameron are on their way." said Wilson as he adjusted his bow tie in the hall mirror. As he looked at his reflection, he caught his first glimpse of Cuddy as she walked out from her bedroom. Wilson turned and thought he was looking at a goddess. Her gown was a strapless wrap in pale pink crepe; the fabric draped in soft pleats, criss-crossing the bodice tightly to her waist, where the long skirt skimmed out over her slender hips. A front slit showed off Cuddy's lovely legs as she walked and her tiny waist was cinched with a crystal studded sash.
"How do I look, James?" she asked, her bright blue eyes twinkling with excitement. Cuddy's smiling face was radiant, framed by the dark curls that tumbled softly to her shoulders.
"You're magnificent." responded Wilson, unable to take his eyes off of her.
"There's just one thing you forgot though…"
"What James?" she said, looking at herself all over.
"This." Wilson handed her a small blue velvet box. "Happy Valentine's Day."
Cuddy lifted the lid and gasped when she saw her gift; a pair of pink topaz and diamond drop earrings.
"James … I'm overwhelmed, these are stunning …" Cuddy said, holding one earring up to her ear." and the colour is perfect … how did you know?"
"Cameron gave me a little help. Do you really like them?"
"I love them … and I love you James."
Cuddy and Wilson sunk into each others arms, locked in a passionate embrace when they heard a car pull up outside. Cuddy quickly put on her earrings and was touching up her lipstick when the doorbell rang.
House gave Cuddy an appreciative smile as he kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Lisa, you have never looked lovelier …" House said, his blue eyes shining at hers. "Jimmy is a very lucky man."
"You're pretty lucky yourself, handsome …" Cuddy said, smiling at Cameron. "Allison that dress was made for you."
As Wilson greeted Cameron with a kiss, his eyes caught sight of their limousine.
"House that's amazing … a SUV limo…" he said with excitement. "Lisa, come look at this …"
"You can dress them up, but they're still little boys at heart, aren't they Allison?"
The girls laughed at the driver pulled away, heading for downtown Princeton.
o0o0o
Chase and Meggie were snuggled up close to each other on a loveseat in the lobby of the Princeton Marriott. His arm was draped around her and he gently caressed her bare shoulder as they waited for House and Cameron to arrive. Meggie looked like an angel, Chase thought; her satin gown was the colour of champagne, with a narrow, off-the shoulder shawl collar, fitted bodice and flared skirt. As excited as he was about this evening, his heart ached at the thought of Meggie and Kym returning to Australia on Tuesday and he knew Meggie felt the same way.
Foreman and Kym were standing by the door, discussing House's concussion when the limousine pulled up. "Whoa Chase, look at this limo … do you think it's House?" Foreman said with a huge grin on his face.
"It's got to be him …" laughed Chase as the driver got out of the car and approached the group
"Dr. Chase, Dr. Foreman, Ladies, right this way … "
o0o0o
Cuddy was nervous as the limousine turned towards Princeton University. The Valentine's Day Fundraiser was her baby; she had worked on it for months with an event planner coordinating every detail from the meal to which orchestra to hire and she prayed that everything would go perfectly tonight. The tickets had sold quickly, 400 in total, and because of its size, Cuddy had selected Princeton's University College as the venue.
Cameron smiled as she looked out the tinted window of their limousine. The grounds of the university looked like an enchanted forest; the tips of the majestic firs were weighted with pillows of winter snow and clear lights twinkled on the clusters of cherry trees that lined the circular driveway leading to the entrance of the college. As they headed up the steps of the great limestone building, House checked his pocket again for Cameron's ring, took a big breath to calm his nerves and smiled at Cameron as two doormen opened the large wooden doors for the group.
The great entrance hall of the building had been transformed into a Valentine's Day wonderland. There were roses everywhere; in magnificent floral arrangements and woven into garlands of asparagus fern and eucalyptus that framed every doorway and spiraled around the railing of the antique oak staircase leading to the ballroom on the second floor.
While the boys took care of checking the coats, Lisa led the ladies to one of the three photography stations for guest portraits. Each had a different set and all of the proceeds from the sale of the photographs went towards the new cardiac care unit at PPTH. Cameron, Cuddy, Meggie and Kym smiled for the camera under a heart-shaped arch covered in roses and as their dates caught up with them they took turns posing in group shots and as couples.
As House stood waiting with Cameron for their portrait, she smiled as he held her in his arms.
"Won't it be nice to have this picture to remind us of this night?"
House looked down into her beautiful eyes and tilted her chin up to meet him. He was overcome with love for her at that moment, and though they stood in a room packed with people, he saw only her. Cameron closed her eyes as her lips brushed his. He kissed her softly once … twice … three times, shifting a little each time until he settled and pressed against her, his tongue desperately seeking hers. As they kissed, House was aware of some flashes from the camera and slowly they parted, grinning as they looked into each other's eyes.
"That was so beautiful, I couldn't resist." the photographer said, walking up to House and Cameron.
"Not a problem … " House said, as Cameron blushed, "I'm glad that you took the pictures … Alex … now maybe we'll go for a more traditional pose ..."
"Certainly Sir …" Alex said eagerly as he took some more shots.
"What a great idea … Lisa, I just noticed your earrings … they're dazzling …" Cameron said as she and Cuddy walked up the stairs to the ballroom.
"James gave them to me for Valentine's Day … he said that you helped him, thank you."
"I only told him the colour of your dress, he did the rest … speaking of the boys, where are they?" Cameron looked back and saw House and Wilson talking to Alex and shake hands as they quickly followed to catch up. "What were you up to?"
"Oh nothing … just talking to Alex about the pictures …" said House.
Cuddy glanced at the clock and turned to Wilson.
"James. I have to check on a few things. Why don't you find our table and I'll meet you there in a bit … they'll begin seating people for dinner in half an hour."
"We'll try to stay out of trouble." smiled Wilson.
"I'd like to find the powder room, if you don't mind …" Cameron said. As she headed off down the hall, House turned to Wilson.
"Wilson, you've got to help me find a place to propose while Cameron's gone, once dinner starts I won't have a chance." House said with panic in his voice.
"Okay, okay calm down … let's check out the ballroom …"
The two men walked inside and paused. Fifty tables set with shining silverware and creamy white linen ringed the dance floor; each had a rose topiary as its centrepiece made with cream, red and coffee coloured roses accented with magnolia leaves and as House and Wilson looked up, they saw yards and yards of white chiffon, wrapped around strands of clear mini lights, draped from the large chandelier that hung from the centre of the high ceiling.
"Lisa has really outdone herself Wilson … this is magnificent." House said, as walking to the centre of the dance floor. House looked around the room and smiled as he noticed the three pairs of doorways on either side of the room. "C'mon Wilson…"
House opened one of the doors and stepped outside. As he stood on the large stone terrace he knew he had found his place to propose. The view of the grounds, with their lit paths winding down to the moonlit river was breathtaking. There were stone benches by the railing and the light from the ballroom shone in soft pools, illuminating the terrace. Potted evergreens stood like soldiers on either side of the glass doors and because they were sheltered from the wind, House knew that it would be warm enough for Cameron without a coat.
"What do you think Jimmy?"
"It's perfect House, but what about privacy?"
"I've got an idea … would you mind telling Alex that I'm proposing to Allison at eleven o'clock?"
o0o0o
The four couples settled at their table as they waited for the evening to begin and at seven o' clock Cuddy stepped onto the stage and gave a gracious speech welcoming all of the guests to the ball. House could see how proud Wilson was, listening to Cuddy. He had never seen him so openly in love before, with any of his wives, and he hoped that Cuddy would turn out to be the love Wilson had been searching for all of his life.
At the end of Cuddy's blessedly short speech dinner began and they had a wonderful time talking and joking with each other as they worked their way through the eight course meal.
"Doctor House, how are you feeling?" asked Kym. House looked at her; she was such a pretty girl, sitting there in her lavender chiffon gown. He still couldn't figure out what was going on with Foreman.
"Please Kym, call me Greg and I'm feeling a lot better, thanks to some excellent care from your boyfriend over there." House has chosen to use the word boyfriend deliberately to gauge their reaction.
"Oh, we're just good friends, Greg …" blushed Kym. Just good friends … thought House … that's the kiss of death for a relationship … Everyone was silent, not knowing what to say, thinking the same thing as House.
"Well you have Lisa's offer … you both have a job waiting at PPTH whenever you want …" House said, as he felt Cameron hit him under the table.
"You never told me that …" Chase said, turning to Meggie.
"Let's talk about it later, Robert …"
"Look, they're bringing our dessert" said Cameron, trying to change the subject.
"Why did you bring that up, Greg?" she whispered to House.
"I just wanted to know what's going on …. Interesting … very interesting …" said House as he watched Foreman and Chase.
o0o0o
House looked at his watch … it was almost ten and the orchestra was about to begin the first set of the night. All of the girls were off looking at the artwork in the silent auction and Foreman and Chase had headed for the bar. He frowned as he observed the steady stream of couples going back and forth between the dance floor and the six terraces. The unusually mild temperatures lured people outside and the bar staff bustled to keep up with their drink orders.
"House, do you want a drink? I think that one would be okay … it might help calm your nerves …" said Wilson.
"No thanks Wilson … I want to keep my mind sharp tonight and given what my head's been through in the past couple of days, that's not so easy."
"Are you in pain House?" asked a worried Wilson.
"Just a dull headache, but it's getting better … don't worry."
House felt in his pocket to check for the ring.
"Still there?" smiled Wilson.
"Yep" grinned House "I'll be glad when I get it on Allison's finger and then she can worry about it ..."
"It won't be long now, my friend …" Wilson said, patting House on the shoulder.
o0o0o
House and Wilson waited at the table for the girls to come back. Foreman and Chase returned about 10:15 and they chatted with Wilson as they listened to the orchestra. House grew more agitated by the minute … it was 10:40 and still no Cameron.
"Wilson, what am I going to do? Where is she? It's almost time." hissed House.
"I'll go look for them House. Try and stay calm." Wilson rose to leave when he spotted the girls.
"Here they come House … Cameron's with them."
"Hi, did you miss me?" Cameron said, giving House a kiss as she sat down beside him.
"Always …" said a relieved House, "how was the auction?"
"It's going really well, there's lots of bids … I signed you up for a few paintings …"
Cameron saw the look of horror on House's face and laughed, "Just kidding sweetie."
House looked at his watch; it was almost eleven and he saw some waiters gathering at the terrace closest to their table. As people returned to the dance floor they blocked the doors and directing outgoing traffic to the other terraces.
House watched the Maitre D' arrive and go outside; he returned shortly and discreetly held up his thumb.
House took a big breath and stood up. It was time.
"Do you want to dance, Greg?" Cameron asked, her lovely face smiling up at him.
"Not just yet angel, I'm feeling a bit hot. I was thinking of going outside for a few minutes … do you want to come?" asked House.
"Sure …" Cameron draped her wrap around her shoulders and walked with House towards the terrace, passing Alex on the way. As they approached, the waiters nonchalantly busied themselves with other tasks, but as soon as House and Cameron passed through the doors, they resumed their positions, guarding the couple's privacy.
"James, do you want to dance?" asked Cuddy.
"Let's wait … I want you to watch something … but don't let on to the others …" whispered Wilson.
"What is it James?"
"House is about to ask Cameron to marry him."
"What?" whispered Cuddy, "When?"
"Right now … " whispered Wilson, " watch the terrace …"
o0o0o
"Oh Greg this is beautiful out here, look at the moonlight shining on the river."
"Are you warm enough?" House asked.
"I'm fine, besides I can always wrap those big, strong arms of yours around me if I get cold, can't I?"
His heart was pounding, he had to calm down. "Always."
House smiled as he heard the strains of Stardust float out from the dance floor.
"Allison, would you like to dance?"
House gathered Cameron in his arms and they swayed together under the starry sky.
Beside a garden wall
Where stars are bright
You are in my arms
That nightingale tells its fairy tale
of paradise where roses grew
Though I dream in vain
In my heart it will remain
my stardust melody
The memory of love's refrain.
As they danced, his mind cleared and House could not wait to begin his new life with Cameron. He guided her to one of the benches and sat down holding both her hands in his. House looked at Cameron and kissed her softly on the lips and then carefully slid to one knee in front of her.
Cameron began to tremble as she saw House looking up at her.
He's going to propose …
House reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square sterling silver box and held it out to Cameron.
Cameron's hand shook as she took the box, tears welled in her eyes as she read the inscription on its lid. It was a simple message … only two words …
Marry Me
House was near tears himself as he watched her; he had to speak.
"Allison … Allison, my angel ….will you marry me?" he asked, looking up at her.
Cameron knelt down beside House and threw her arms around his neck, crying and squealing at the same time. House guided them both back up to the bench, holding her tight as he rocked back and forth with her in his arms.
o0o0o
Wilson looked at his watch nervously. It had been almost ten minutes. Alex was pacing and the waiters were looking at each other with concern.
Wilson felt sick. Could Cameron have turned House down? He shook his head trying to drive the thought from his mind.
"What's that funny sound coming from outside?" asked Chase.
"I don't hear anything …" said Foreman.
"I can't make out what it is … it's almost like someone is crying, squealing and laughing all at the same time …" Chase said with a puzzled expression on his face.
o0o0o
As House held Cameron he didn't know what to think. Was that a yes? Was she happy?
"Angel … sweetheart … are you okay?" he asked, as Cameron loosened her grip around his neck.
"Is that a yes?" House asked hopefully, looking at her tear-stained smiling face.
"Yes Greg … Yes, I'll marry you …Yes, yes…" Cameron said.
"You should open the box …" urged House.
Cameron removed its lid and could scarcely catch her breath when she saw her ring. House lifted it out of its velvety cushion and placed it on Cameron's finger. The three oval diamonds sparkled in the light as she held out her trembling hand.
"Greg … it's so beautiful … I love you so much …" Cameron said wrapping her arms around House once more.
"I love you too angel …"
House pulled back his head so he could look at Cameron. He rested his forehead against hers and said quietly.
"Allison, Alex is waiting outside …I want a picture of us so we can always remember the first time I kissed you after you said yes, is that okay?"
Cameron nodded and House whistled softly and Alex's stepped on to the terrace with his camera.
"Congratulations…" he smiled, "Miss Allison, I took the liberty …" Alex handed Cameron a small mirror and a slightly dampened cloth for her face.
"All ready Dr. House?"
"All ready."
House sat with Cameron on his good knee as Alex snapped away. He cupped Cameron's face with his hand and gently pulled her to him.
Before they kissed, House paused and smiled, then tilted his head to meet hers, their lips brushed in a soft lingering kiss as they drew closer, the kiss continuing to deepen until they reluctantly parted for air.
And there they remained, savouring the moment so nothing would be lost in their memories of this very special night ...
tbc …
A/N: Please join me tomorrow for the exciting, and very romantic conclusion of "Look At Me".
Love is in the air and House still has a few more surprises up his sleeve for Cameron.
