Chapter 46

Cuddy waltzes into House's office. He is sitting behind his desk, playing with his ball. "You lied to me."

"Frequently," he replies, unfazed. "Not sure which one you found out about, so I'll let you do the talkin'."

She stands across from him on the other side of his desk. "You said you had your wife-maid bring over stuff after your surgery. When, in fact, it was Wilson."

"Who did you think I was referring to?" he feigns ignorance. "Ooooh, Dominika?"

Cuddy ignores his remark. "He found something. Amongst your socks."

"A lollipop? A used condom?"

She scrunches her nose. "You know what I'm talking about."

"Not a clue."

"An engagement ring?"

House keeps acting nonchalant. "Ah, that Wilson. Marriage is like a mirage for him. Pops up into his head whenever he's low on drama in his own life. There was nothing there."

Cuddy doesn't buy it, but what is she supposed to do? Waterboard him until he confesses? She crosses her arms in front of her, which feels less imposing now that her bump is in the way. "I need you to update your patient records. Someone from the accreditation board will be her next week."

House sneers. "Nice try. They won't be here for another two months."

"And I'll be on maternity leave then. Which is why I need you to do them now."

"Have Cameron do them."

"Maybe she would if she still worked at this hospital."

"If you offer her to fill in your position like last time, she might."

Cuddy smirks. "She'd be thrilled about the news as to why I was taking maternity leave, I'm sure." She loosens her stiff posture. "Have you talked to your mother lately? Updated her on the upcoming blessed event in her son's life?"

House looks somewhat caught and briefly lowers his eyes.

"Fill out the damn charts," she instructs and breezes out the door.

LLLLLLLLLLL

Over the next couple of weeks, she brings up the proposal subject several times, but House denies it all vehemently. She intends to have a serious discussion with him about their relationship, but he is either too hurt or too embarrassed, and stubbornly refuses to talk about his feelings, so she gives up eventually.

He does stop by her place more often, 'just making sure you haven't stranded' as he puts it, sometimes bringing her food she has cravings for. His attentiveness to her needs surprises her, although it really shouldn't – he had been obsessing about her in that almost creepy way long before they ever were a couple.

She is touched and frustrated at the same time. She feels attractive and horny and thought she made it clear she wasn't opposed to an occasional hookup with him, but since the night of his birthday, he has made no pass at her.

Soaking in the tub, she observes her round belly. Maybe he did find it and her slightly chubbier hips appalling?

Just then, the door to the bathroom flies open.

"House!"

His eyes go wide. "Oops. Sorry, didn't know–" he raises his hand to shield his eyes and is about to turn away, but changes his mind. "Yauza!" he exclaims, and pointedly ogles her with his mouth hanging slightly open.

"You know, if you storm into a bathroom when the door is closed, you should expect running into someone naked. Or sitting on the loo. Possibly also naked."

House needs a bit of time processing and formulating his next words, his eyes still wide. "How come you're not… yelling and screeching at me to get out?"

She shrugs. "Not something you haven't seen before."

He swallows hard. "Not-not… quite in this light."

"Well, you will see me again. Better to get the gawking and stuttering out of your system now. You're not gonna pass out, are you? Cuz' I won't be any help sweepin' you off the floor."

House regains his composure and stakes several more steps toward her. "I'll definitely be going back to this picture. In bed at night. It has imprinted itself on my irises."

"When I'm nursing, you idiot. And at the hospital." She hadn't had the guts to ask him yet and tries to play the topic cool. "You will be there during the delivery, right?"

He scratches his beard. "You sure that's a good idea?" he asks sincerely. He slowly lowers himself to the ground, using the side of the tub for support.

"You'll probably annoy the crap out of me and be your usual pain in the ass. But at least it's distracting."

"Fight pain with worse pain? Atta girl."

Cuddy smiles.

"Prepare yourself for a visit from my mother."

"You called her?"

House scrunches his face. "Wilson did. Ever since my dad's funeral they joined a Gregory-House-Newsflash club." House reaches over the side of the tub and places his hand on her belly. "How was lamaaaaaze?"

She hadn't mentioned the classes to him, but of course he would know. "Like going back to high school."

He raises his brows.

"It was like a secret contest. 'Isn't your husband with you?' 'How far along are you?' 'You're so little.' As if showing more equaled higher maternity potentials."

"So where was your husband?" he challenges.

"I stressed to him that the curing of sick children was more important than coming with me, and he grudgingly obliged," she says drily, admitting her lie. She felt awful at the seminar and considers either not going back or taking Wilson along next time.

House smirks. It evolves into a grin when the baby starts to kick.

"He recognizes your voice," Cuddy murmurs.

"Yeah." His focus is now on her belly, and he caresses it with leisure strokes. He has that far-away, thoughtful look in his eyes.

"That's your daddy right there," she coos in the direction of their child. "He has very nice hands, your dad. They are big and warm and gentle. You'll know when you come out here and he holds you. You'll probably fit in just one of them, because you're still so little."

House shifts his gaze from her belly and to her face. His eyes are big and puppy-dog like. The emotions she missed in the last few weeks are all over his face. Love, lust, and longing mixed with fear. "Cuddy," he chokes out.

She exhales, a half smile forming on her lips. "It's okay," she assures him, urging him to show his feelings and be vulnerable around her again; promising him that she won't turn him down. She reaches her dripping hand out to him, beckoning him closer.

He removes his palm from her belly, which she instantly misses. He scoots forward and up onto his knees. Then he cups her cheek and leans in to kiss her.

Their lips meet gently. They are both careful – as if testing the steadiness of the ground.

Before it turns more heated, House pulls away. He pushes himself into a standing position. "Check the freezer," he mumbles and scratches his head. "Half a gallon of mint chocolate ice cream might've jumped in there and replaced some vegetables."

Cuddy is slightly confused but catches herself. "You threw out perfectly fine, healthy vegetables?"

"It was just broccoli," he says nonplussed and limps to the door.

"Thank you."

He turns around, nods, and walks out.

She sits in the tub, not an ounce wiser about where they're headed than she was twenty minutes ago.