Hi guys!

Here's a new drabble - it's set at the end of 5.15 "Unfaithful". Now I'm not Jewish, and have never attended a Simchat Bat, so I did some research online. Apologies if you find any inaccuracies.

Please don't hesitate to leave a review on your way out if you enjoyed yourself - always makes my day! ;)

30. I was in the neighbourhood.

Cuddy had just put her daughter to sleep when she heard the distinctive noise of a sport bike approach her house. Surely enough, the sound of his cane knocking against her door came soon after.

Her heart leapt a little when she opened her front door, and saw House standing there. By the time the twelfth guest or so had arrived, she'd given up all hope to see him at the ceremony. Funny how she didn't realise how badly she wanted him there until he told her he wouldn't be coming at all.

"I was in the neighborhood," was his excuse, which she did not buy for a second.

"Come on in," she said, stepping aside. He followed her into the kitchen, where she began to move the mountains of dirty dishes from the kitchen counter to the dishwasher. "I'd offer you something to drink, but your breath tells me you've already indulged. Coffee?"

"I'm good."

"The ceremony went well," she continued. "We sang, read from the Book of Psalms. We said a prayer of thanksgiving for Natalie, too."

He frowned. "Who?"

"Rachel's birth mom. Your patient."

"Oh."

"Dinner went well, too. I think everyone had a good time. Do you want some challah?" she asked, drying her hands with a towel.

"Depends. Did you make it?"

"My mom did."

"I'll have some, then."

She chuckled. He watched her bend over to lift the door of the dishwasher, then bump it shut with her hip. "I'll get you a Tupperware," she said, standing on her toes to open a cupboard. "Rachel wasn't fussy. Everyone thought she was adorable. She's in bed, if you want to see her. You know the way," she offered, suspecting that his late night visit was his own way of attending her Simchat Bat.

Surprisingly enough, he didn't pretend to protest at all, and headed straight to the nursery. Cuddy decided to give him a few minutes with her, cutting slices of bread for him. But when she put the lid on the plastic container, curiosity got the best of her. She padded down the hall, stopping in the doorway of Rachel's room.

House was standing by the crib, watching her baby sleep. Cuddy was about to turn around and leave, when he finally spoke up. "Welcome to this cruel, sick, twisted world. It's a shitty place to live in, but I trust your mom will do her best to make it bearable at the very least."

She grinned.

"Your mom has waited a long time, and has been through a lot, just to have you. So don't be too hard on her. Eat your vegetables and, I don't know, do your homework."

She headed back to the kitchen before he could see her, and handed him his slices of challah once he'd joined her again. "Here. Dip it in honey."

"Thanks. You know, you're suddenly embracing your heritage because of your fear of the unknown," he added. She rolled her eyes, pretended to be offended by his disregard of her religion. "You'll be fine." He slipped the box into his leather jacket, zipped it close. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright. House," she called out as he limped to the front door. He turned around. "Thank you for dropping by."

He nodded, and left.