CHAPTER 10

We are on a visit to Jen!

Disclaimer: I hold my hands up, I don't own House.

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It miserable spring night. Dan and House were sat in front of the TV. House turned to grab the remote and paused General Hospital.

"We've got a job to do tomorrow." House turned to see Dan dressed in his Spider-Man pjs.

"What that?" He asked innocently. It was Dad's serious face again. Maybe he'd forgotten to put his dirty clothes in the washing basket and his dad will go over it again for the millionth time. He hoped not.

"It's mums birthday and we're celebrating on Saturday, so we need to go and choose some presents." House said lightly.

"Really?! We get to see mummy?" Danny poked his dads arm excitedly, clutching Teddy tightly.

"Yeah, but we can't go without presents right?" Dan shook his head wildly, fully in agreement. House took hold of Danny playfully and then sat him back down. He was sure he was going to have a bruise tomorrow.

"We also need to get you" House lightly pocked Dan in the chest. "some new clothes." House had noticed that it was starting to look like Dan had been stretched and House had bought him 3/4 length clothes.

"Spider-Man?" Dans face lit up. House hated shopping but Dan loved trying stuff on and having his own little fashion show.

"Sure, why not. Right come on, bed time you." He grabbed his cane and heaved himself to his feet.

"Just another 10 minutes Daddddd." Danny complained. He didn't feel tired. But his dad was standing his ground.

"Nope, bed. Go clean your teeth and I'll come check on you." Danny sulked out of the room and House headed towards his sons room. The wall behind Dans bed was painted red, matching his favourite football team. House had tried to get his son into American football but he crossed to the dark side of English football. He wanted to kill Wilson for introducing him to Liverpool FC. As well as the posters of Steven Gerard and Luis Suárez, he had posters of monster trucks, Spider-Man and that stupid talking spongebob. But on his night stand, stood a seldom picture Dan had insisted on putting there.

Danny wandered into his bedroom and pulled back his car themed duvet. House propped his cane up against the draw and hobbled over.

"Night kiddo, sleep well." He bent over and kissed Dans forehead. Dan kisses the photo of his mum.

"Night Daddy." Daniel yawned. He made himself snug in the bed and closed his eyes.

"See you later alligator" House Whispered from the door.

"In a while crocodile." And Danny was asleep.

—

"Lets make this fast, I don't like shopping." House grumbled as he tried to keep up with Dan.

They headed into the mall and towards the kids shop.

"Now, you need trousers and jumpers. What about this?" House held up a plain blue hoodie. Dan shook his head and grabbed a black jumper a spider web.

"Really? What is your obsession with Spider-Man? I honestly don't get it." House questioned but Dan just grinned.

"He releases spider webs from his wrist! And swings from buildings! What's not cool about that?" Danny chirped.

"Monkeys swing from trees. Why aren't you interested in them?" It was a fair point, he thought.

"They're not superhero's silly." It was obvious to Danny. His dad apparently didn't understand how amazing spider man was. It is in the title after all.

An hour and 3 full shopping bags later, they were wondering around aimlessly, trying to find presents. House stopped for a second, after catching something out of the corner of his eye, to watch Dan walk.

"Dan, I know I'm your biggest role model, but why are you limping?" Dan stopped. He hadn't noticed he was limping, but his leg was hurting a bit.

"Football, I hurt my leg saving Robbie's shot." House just nodded, it was often that Dan came home with some sort of injury.

"Okay, I'll have a look later and strap it up." He wasn't particularly worried. He found it quite funny really.

Dan spotted the electronics store and gazed through the window. "Can I get mummy a game boy like mine and yours?" Danny innocently asked, not really realising the problem that lied there.

House rubbed his forehead, trying to think of the right thing to say. "I don't think that's a great idea kiddo, mummy doesn't really understand how to work one of those unlike you and I. Never did to be honest with you." He remembered a particular rant about gaming consoles from Jen. She didn't understand why killing zombies on a little screen was so interesting.

Dan seemed undeterred and pointed out the iPod next to it. "What about an iPod? Mummy will like to listen to music." Now that was a brilliant idea, House thought

"I think that's a great idea kiddo! We can put music on it when we get home." House grinned. Not only because they had found the perfect present, but also because he could go home.

—

The week had gone fast and it was already time to head up to see Jen. House had made sure that Dan had his new clothes on and that himself and Wilson had had a shave.

They sat in the car, Wilson forced to drive. Danny looked out the window at the scenic view. Rows of trees and fields made a nice contrast against the grey systematic buildings in Princeton.

"Danny, you up to this?" House asked, threatening

"Dad, you've already asked me that. I'm fine." Dan insisted. But really, he felt apprehensive. But his dad wouldn't let him see mummy if he admitted that.

"Will you stop knocking my job. I'm mother hen around here." Wilson chipped in.

They all got out of the car, Wilson carrying the keyboard and Danny carrying the present. House had rang ahead to let Billy know and check if Jen was up to it. Billy met them at the door.

"Why goodness, haven't you grown little man." Billy greeted Daniel. Dan was the spitting image of House. However, when he smiled he looked exactly like his mum. It was the sparkle in his eye.

"Hey Billy. How are you?" Wilson, as always the courteous one, offered his hand out to shake. Billy obliged, gripping his hand firmly.

"I'm good. Jens been so excited all week to see you guys. She's been asking about you all week." Billy chirped.

"Would you like to celebrate with us? Jen would like you to be there. You're like family now." House finished quietly.

"I would love to Doc, I've got a few things to do but I'll stop by later. Now head up! No point keeping the birthday girl waiting any longer." They left Billy to it and went up to room 15.

"Wilson, wait with Danny outside for a second. Just got to make our presence known." House instructed.

"House, everybody knows you're here from a mile away. It's like an internal alarm that constantly rings." House smirked, a part of him thanking Wilson for making the atmosphere feel less tense.

He gently opened the door to see that Jen had quietly nodded off, looking out towards the meadows. He leaned his cane against the table and knelt down beside his wife.

"Wakey Wakey sleepy head. It's your birthday." He slowly rubbed circles over her frail arm and stroked her hair with the other. Jen stirred and awoke to Greg's intense blue eyes. Jen lips turned slightly upward.

"Hey beautiful, happy birthday. Daniels with me and Wilson. Is it okay if they come in? Wilson's like a lost puppy without his owner nearby." Greg said lightly, beaming.

He received no reply so interpreted her smile as a yes and wheeled her over to the table.

"I'm getting to old to kneel down." He said casually whilst rubbing his thigh. He headed for the door.

"Egggg?" Jen said mournfully. She didn't want him to leave.

"I'll be back, I promise." Greg realised what he had done and quickly explained. He opened the door and saw Wilson and Dan waiting patiently.

"Dan, remember you need to be calm and keep your voice down. Okay buddy?" Dan nodded.

"Okay let's go see mummy." He led the way back into Jens room. Dan went cautiously over to his mum. She looked more frail from last time he came to see her. But he remained strong and took his mums hand.

"Hey mummy, I've missed you." Dan whispered. The usually playful and excitable element to his voice had been toned down. He knew it was bad to be loud round his mum but he didn't know why. Just that his dad said so.

"Dannnnnn?" Jen looked at the young boy with the ocean blue eyes. She instantly recognised who he was and attempted a grin, as much as her mobility would let her.

"It's Danny, Jen. Our little monster is growing up isn't he?" House gently confirmed that it was Dan. Jen looked at her lap and then back at Dan. House knew exactly what that meant. She did it every time that Dan came to visit.

"Do you want to sit in mummy's lap, Dan?" Dan eargerly nodded. House slowly looked at Jen to confirm that that's what Jen wanted. He lifted Dan, who was surprising still light, and placed him gently into his mums lap. Jen put her arms in Dans lap and Dan leaned back in his mums attempt at a hug. It wasn't a real embrace because of the restriction in movement his mum had, but it always meant so much to him.

Greg smiled at them both. He knew that next year, Dan would be too heavy to sit on his mums lap. So he let Dan enjoy this moment as much as possible.

Wilson had taken a seat opposite Jen and Dan and felt like it was the right time to make his presence known.

"Hey Jenny, it's nice to see you." Wilson greeted. Sometimes Jen remembered Wilson straight away but sometimes it took a while for Wilson's presence to register. It looked like it was one of these times. House came over to help Wilson.

"Jen, do you remember Wilson?" House gently asked. Jen looked at Wilson, her gaze slightly unfocused. Like something had clicked, she smiled.

" 'ilson" Jen slurred but was still smiling. "Dann" she looked down at Dan and then looked to Greg. "Egggg"

"Yep, we are all here to see you. You must be famous." Greg chortled.

"Mummy! I played the piano in front of loads of people and came second in the competition." Dan was still quiet in tone but his voice held excitement.

" 'Iano, Dan. 'ay" Jen said haltingly House looked towards his son and gave him a nod before bringing over the keyboard. He pushed Jens chair closer to the table so Dan could reach.

"I'll play Raindrop prelude. It's the piece I played for the competition." Dan started playing, and again, everyone in the room was transported back to a different time and place. Wilson grinning because of the concert night. The others lost in place of music, something that was held dearly to their hearts. Dan finished off and looked at his mum. A single tear run down her cheek.

"I didn't mean to upset you mummy. I'm sorry." He buried his himself into the crook of her neck.

It was obvious to Greg though that it was a tear of content. "Dan, you haven't upset mummy, she's happy." Greg said gently and stroked his sons hair.

"Hey Wilson, why don't you take Danny for a walk?" House said with an underlying meaning that Dan needed time out.

"But I want to stay here." Dan grumbled.

"Billy's got you ice cream and Wilson said he would 'attempt' to play football for a bit with you." House reasoned.

"Okay, you win." House lifted Dan off his mums lap.

"See you in a bit mummy." Dan planted a kiss on his mums hand and scurried off with Wilson.

"He misses you. It was his birthday last week. He turned 7." He looked towards Jen. "God he's growing up. He's not allowed to. He'll be bringing girls home next."

"Dannn, 'onster" the twinkle in her eye had returned. It always did when talking about Dan.

"Yeah our little monster is becoming not so little anymore."

There was a quiet knock at the door and Billy entered with food in tow.

"Thought you guys might want some food. I smuggled some fries out of the kitchen as well."

"You legend Billy. Always reliable to smuggle things in and out." House took the food from Billy. He was about to leave but Jen called him back.

" 'illy, st-stay"

House gestured to the seat. "You can't say no to the lady."

Billy took the seat next offered and House opened up the fries. Seeing that they were still too thick, he went about cutting them thinner.

"So Doc, hows everything going?" Billy ventured. Greg was in a good mood today, so he knew he wouldn't get his head bitten off.

"Still surrounded by morons. How am I supposed to fly with the eagles when I'm surrounded by pigeons?" Billy chuckled, he loved Greg's sense of humour.

"Okay I can see you drooling over these fries." House grabbed the napkin and dabbed the corner of Jens mouth. He brought a chip to her mouth and Jen happily obliged.

"Mmmmmmm" Jen moaned.

"Good, aren't they?" Greg chomped on one himself.

"We don't usually serve fries down at the cafeteria. But since it's a special occasion." Billy told Greg

"That's a denial of human rights!" Greg joked.

Danny and Wilson returned half an hour later. Dan ran over to his dad and sat on his lap.

"Do you want to help mummy open her present?" He sat Dan on his mums lap and gave Dan the iPod.

"Should we open the present mummy?" He slowly ripped the rapping paper. He took the iPod out the box and put it in Jens hand. Jen looked slightly confused at the object.

"It plays music Jen, so you can listen to the piano." He took Jens hand in his. Billy went to plug in the iPod into the port they had also bought. A blues piece started playing. The woman's voice was beautiful and held the notes perfect.

"Who is this? They're amazing." Billy asked. He was mesmerised by the voice.

Wilson nodded towards Jen. Billy was in awe. He knew Jen was a musician but had no clue she was so talented.

"Ennnnn, eggggg." Jen whispered.

"That's right, we made this remember." Greg stroked her long hair and Jens eyes started to flutter.

"I think someone's sleepy." Greg wasn't just referring to Jen but a tired Dan in her lap. Wilson took out his phone and quietly snapped the scene.

Greg, Billy and Wilson chatted for another hour, letting Dan and Jen sleep.

"Right, we should probably get going Wilson." Greg stood up and gently shook Dan awake.

"It's time to go buddy, say goodbye to Mummy." Dan pressed a kiss on his mums forehead and crawled off her lap.

"Love you mummy" Dan whispered

Wilson did the same and led Dan out the room.

"See you soon Jen. Happy Birthday" He planted his own kiss on her cheek and left a sleeping Jen to be put to bed by Billy.

As soon as they had left the building, Danny's eyes started to water.

"Hey kiddo, what's wrong?" House asked. He scooped Dan into his arms.

"M-mummy's really sick isn't she? She's never going to get better." Danny sobbed into Houses arms.

"No she's not Dan. I'm so sorry buddy. I'm so sorry." He whispered. Wilson came over embraced them both.

Dan had finally released the enormity of the situation. His mummy would never be able to come home.