The house was quiet when Cuddy returned from her late meeting. There was no laughter, no cartoons or no House telling Rachel a story that she wasn't meant to hear. There was leftovers in the fridge that Cuddy warmed up after throwing her coat on the hook and dropping her bags on the couch. The fairy lights in Rachel's room were on and there was just the slightest amount of movement. Whatever House had made for dinner was delicious and he had clearly put some effort into it. Their fight earlier had plagued Cuddy's mind throughout the meeting. She had been so frustrated that she had said some things that were hurtful to House and she wishes she could take them back. Cuddy had told him that she didn't trust him alone with Rachel even though he was still clean and sober. It was fight that reminded her of their past. A past that they were learning from. The guilt was eating her alive and she was surprised that House had even bothered coming here. The sitter had called and said that House had dismissed her which Cuddy found interesting but she didn't protest. The sitter was happy to leave Rachel with House with Cuddy's approval. If she didn't trust him, why did she let the sitter have the evening off?
Dumping the plate in the dishwasher, she flicked the lights off and headed to Rachel's room. Cuddy opened the door quietly and found Rachel fast asleep in bed with her stuffed animals. There was toys scattered on the carpet in the corner of the room, which Cuddy would usually put away but she just didn't have the energy tonight. She adjusted the fairy lights and then closed the door, leaving her daughter to sleep peacefully. The walk to the master bedroom felt like it went on forever. The hallway was dark as was the bedroom when Cuddy entered. She could make out House under the covers with his head buried in his pillow on his side of the bed. The moonlight reflecting on the half empty glass of water on the bedside table. House's t-shirt that she usually slept in was sitting on her pillow and calling her name. Cuddy grabbed the shirt and tip-toed into the bathroom as she didn't want to wake House who seemed to be fast asleep.
Once her work clothes were in the laundry basket, her face scrubbed free of makeup and her teeth cleaned, she entered the bedroom and slipped into bed. House had turned in his sleep and was facing her side of the bed, almost like he sensed her presence. The curtains were still open and the moonlight created a shimmering but comforting glow to the room. When House first started spending the night, the curtains had to completely closed but he had grown accustomed to sleeping with some natural light coming through. After adjusting her pillow and getting comfortable on her side with her back to House, she whispered "I love you" before closing her eyes. Even though they weren't on speaking terms, it felt wrong not to tell him that she loved him. it was something that she always did before going to sleep, no matter what mood either of them was in.
What Cuddy didn't know is that House wasn't actually asleep. He had been asleep until he heard Cuddy come home and he decided to remain in the safety of their bed. Faking sleep was an art that Gregory House has mastered. Cuddy's words had hurt but they were inevitably going to come out of her beautiful mouth at some point. House wasn't angry. Oh no, he was happy that she had been honest and not lied to him. It showed their communication skills were improving even if they only communicated best when at each other's throats or being out of line. But it was progress, a little victory for team Huddy.
House felt Cuddy relax but he knew she wasn't asleep when he pulled her into his chest. His hand resting on her stomach and his nose in her hair. Cuddy let out a little gasp but didn't fight House. Her back was pressing against his chest and the tension flooded from her. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she cursed herself.
"I love you." House said into her hair and the dam broke. A sob ripped through Cuddy's throat and House's gripped on Cuddy tightened.
"I'm so sorry." Cuddy whispered between sobs and House just comforted her.
"I'm not angry." House replied, much to Cuddy's surprise.
"You should be. What I was said was…" Cuddy was cut off by House turning her in his arms, so she was now face to face with him.
"Shh woman. You had every right to say what you said because it's true. I may be clean and sober now but I can fall off the wagon at any point. Your responsibility is Rachel. You want to protect her from all the bad in the world and that definition of bad includes me. I do not want to be that person again. I never plan on relapsing because I finally have the love of my life in my arms and I have a daughter who I do not deserve but I care about." House had no idea where this mini confession came from but it must have done the trick because Cuddy was wiping away her tears.
"Greg House, you really have a way with words." Cuddy whispered against his lips. House smiled before pressing a gentle but passionate kiss to her soft lips. Cuddy laughed when House nipped at her bottom lip. Of course, he was thinking about make-up sex. A typical House trait but Cuddy wouldn't have him any other way.