Epilogue Part Two
I know it's been so long and I'm so sorry but I had to take some personal time for unexpected circumstances stuff that took me away from fan fiction. But I'm back!
Disclaimer: Same as always of course! Character death so get those tissues ready!
Edit: I upload on my phone and it messed up the italics. Sorted out now!
Please Enjoy! Marmite!
They pulled in to the parking lot, turning off the engine. Dan rested his head upon the wheel and groaned tiredly.
Wilson laid a hand upon his shoulder and rubbed gently.
"You ready?" Wilson asked softly.
Dan raised his head from the wheel, his eyes showing the slightest flash of pain before he composed himself.
"Yeah, lets do this."
They stepped out the car, Dan letting Wilson lead the way. They met Billy at the door. The now 50 year old giant still worked at the home and greeted Dan with a soft smile.
"How's mum doing?" Dan whispered.
Billy quickly averted his gaze to his shoes.
"She sipped into a coma about an hour ago. She wasn't really coherent anyway. Dr Cuddy left a few minutes before you arrived."
Dan nodded as Billy opened the door. House swivelled around on his seat and slowly stood up.
Dan has only seen him a month ago but the man in front of him looked 10 years older. His face looked gaunt and his eyes puffy and red. He couldn't of slept properly for at least a week.
"Wilson didn't crash then I see?" House said, attempting some humour but the statement just seemed to have flopped as the two House's looked over to the frail woman in the bed. She laid unmoving and still, each breath seemingly pained and harsh.
"I know it looks horrible but your mums not in any pain." House said as he put his arm around his boy.
"I know, I know." Dan whispered softly. He lowered the railing on the side of the bed and sat down next to his mum. He slipped his hand into hers and caressed his thumb gently over her hand.
"You should of told me earlier dad. I would of been here." Dan looked over to his dad with sad eyes.
"There was nothing that could be done. You shouldn't have to look after you're old folks kiddo." House breathed.
"You're an idiot, you know that right?" Dan said gently, looking towards his dad.
"Wilson's told me enough." House smirked back.
Hours passed with not much change.
They sat in silence, music still playing in the background softly. His dad had come to lie on the other side, curled into Jens side side. Wilson sat at the window looking out into the crisp winter night. He hated winter. The decay of lost leaves left the trees bare and soulless. The old passing to make way for the new.
Jens vitals had slowly declined throughout the hour, as she slowly slipped away from them. They knew that they were on the last hour.
She opened her eyes. The suns blaze blinded her and she quickly squeezed her eyes shut and let them linger in the semi- darkness before daring to open them again. She blinked a few times before she adjusted to the light, putting her hand across her forehead to shield the powerful stream of light.
She felt the coarse texture of sand underfoot and wiggled her toes into its warmth. She looked around. The sea was like a rippling blanket of brochure-blue. Squabbling seagulls flew overhead, harassing the beachgoers in their endless hunger. Gannets were dive-bombing the stretched surface of the sea far out from shore. The horizon was edged with a silver tint and a cormorant was flying into that place where sun and water meet. His wings were a blur of motion and he soon faded from sight.
The opera of the sea washed over her. It was soothing. It was half-moon shaped and there were no heaving waves to be seen, merely wave-grooves in the sand. Looking out to sea again, she could see dolphins flipping into the air like crackling popcorn. Their bodies flashed in steel-grey and she could almost touch their glee. It was a skin-tingling experience to witness their sea-dance.
She felt more than saw the blue gaze that landed on her back. She turned to meet the person who held those fiery blue eyes.
"Greg" Her voice euphonious and strong, carried down the shore. He strode towards her, confident and whole.
"You look stunning." He commented with a grin and leaned in for a kiss, his stubble grazing across her lips. Her favourite black silk summer dress fell gracefully just above her knees, enhancing her owl glass figure. Whereas as Greg's multi coloured shorts where a sight to behold, and not for a good reason. The sight made her giggle slightly at the stupidity of the swim shorts before it dawned on her that she had no clue why they were here.
"Where are we?" She asked bewildered, looking around again before focussing on Greg.
"I think this might be like limbo. But It's cool though. No people around to bother us if you get my meaning." Greg smirked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. Jen gently slapped his arm.
"Seriously Gregory, why are we here?" She shot him a stare and Greg squirmed a little under the intensity before sighing and letting his head drop a little.
He took hold both her hands and squeezed gently.
"You're in a coma. You're organs are failing. Daniel's sat to the left of you and I'm on your right." He took a deep breath before continuing
"I'm here to tell you to let go." Greg whispered. He lifted his hand up and gently caressed her cheek and used the pad of his thumb to wipe away the stray tears that started to fall.
"I don't want to go, I want to stay here with you." She hiccuped.
"The thing with limbo is that you can't stay here forever. You have to move on into the next stage. You have to keep on walking." Greg smiled sadly.
Jen nodded slowly, looking across the expanse of golden sand, finally letting her forehead head fall to rest on Greg's.
"I love you" she breathed, looking directly into his eyes.
"I love you too. Travel safe." Greg said softly, lifting his head and releasing her hands. Letting her go.
"And those shorts are horrible. Get a new pair." She smirked before she turned and set her gaze on the vast unknown that laid in front of her, letting her feet lead her along the shore.
Jen looked behind for the last time and already the footprints were fading as if they had never been….
Both House and Dan felt there hands being squeezed before Jen took her last breath, a shadow of smile crossing her lips before the flatline sounded.
—
Daniel and Wilson helped settle House into bed. It had taken nearly an hour to convince House to leave Jen.
He had broken into sobs after Wilson had silenced the alarms, unable to hold the pain in that had consumed his whole body. Dan had held his dad in his arms, Like he used to when he was small, and let the older man cry into his shirt. His own tears falling of there own accord
They slowly tiptoed out of the bedroom once House had collapsed exhausted.
"Are you okay" Wilson whispered as to not wake House.
"Not really but I'm as okay as anyone would be right now." Dan replied, slumping against the wall. "I think I might head to bed James. I'll see you in the morning." Dan mumbled. Wilson squealed his shoulder and let the younger man head off to his bedroom.
He grabbed the blankets out of the closet before making his make shift bed on the couch and lying dying.
Today, tonight, was when he had saw the last part of House's heart die.
Throughout the years they had been best friends, he'd seen so much. He thought that after Stacy left, that that had been it for his dear friend. The blank look in his eyes, that contrasted so heavily with the usual sharp, piercing stare had left him with no hope that House would find contempt and love in his life again.
But he was proven wrong. He was always proven wrong.
House did find a glimpse of happiness again. He allowed himself to open up his soul and let someone else heal his broken, betrayed heart.
When Daniel was born, he allowed himself to smile again. That real, genuine smile he hadn't seen for 10 years reflected in the little boys bright blue eyes.
But when the accident happened, when House had been left to raise a three year old toddler by himself, his heart had been chipped at. The only thing holding it together was the little boy sleeping in his arms that he knew he had to be strong for.
But today, as he had watched House sat next to his wife, holding her hand as the minutes turned to seconds, he knew that House wasn't going to make it. His heart had had enough.
The fight was over. His son was a grown adult. No more did House have to hang on.
He, pulled the covers up, burying his face into the pillow.
Wilson didn't just grieve for Jenifer; he grieved for what was Gregory House.
—-
6 years on ...
Daniel sat on the edge of the bed and slipped off his prosthetic for the night.
It had been a long day at work and he was glad snuggle down under the warm sheets and rest his head against the soft pillow.
It was 6 years after his mums death. He had visited her grave and gave his mum the usual update of life.
"Dads not doing so well. Well you know he hasn't been the same since you left us." He sighed heavily. "The doctors say he doesn't have long. Prostate Cancer. But he's taking it well. I think he's ready to see you now." He had said. He laid some flowers down at the grave before heading home for the night
He must of fallen asleep when the door opened and he could here the quiet footsteps pattering on the wooden floor.
He leaned over to the bedside table and switched the light on whilst sitting up.
The person jumped on the bed and snuggled into his lap.
"You should be in bed Mrs" Dan frowned.
"I can't sleep Daddy, what if something bad happens tomorrow?" The little girl sniffed into his shirt.
He ran his hand through her long brown locks and kissed her head.
"Nothing bad is going to happen Jenny. I promise." Dan whispered quietly.
"What if they pick on me?" Jen sniffed again.
Dan couldn't help letting a melancholy smile fall on his lips.
"There was once a very wise man I remember having a similar conversation with. When I was starting to school. Do you know what he said?"
Jen looked up to her father, frowning slightly. "No ... what did he say?"
Dan just grinned in return before saying. "You have my brains kid, with my brains you can do ..." Before he could finish, the little girl piped in.
"I can do anything daddy!" She smiled, clutching the same teddy bear he had owned as a child.
"She has half your brain Daniel. The other half are my awesome genes." A voice drifted from the corner door and Dan smiled happily.
"And you have mummy's brains as well." Dan grumbled but still smirked as his wife joined Jen and himself under the covers.
"Jenifer, it's way past your bed time. You've got school tomorrow. I'll take you back to bed." Rachel started to sit up.
"But daddy said I could sleep with yous tonight!" Jen chirped.
"Did not! Stop trying to get me into trouble you little rascal." Dan tickled Jenifer, making her laugh.
"Mummy!" Jen squealed happily.
"I suppose you can sleep here tonight. But back into your own bed tomorrow." Rachel kissed her gently as Dan stopped tickling her and turned off the lamp.
He tucked Jen into his side before saying "Night kiddo, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs..."
"Bight!" Jen yawned before falling asleep
—
So that's it from me and On a School Night. I hope you enjoyed it as much as liked writing it. Thank you to everyone who persevered with me!