Hello everyone!
This new drabble is set right after 1.05 'Damned If You Do' (yup, there's re-runs on French TV again). In the final montage, you may remember briefly seeing Cuddy tending to patients on Christmas night. It's based on that. It's also another secret-relationship-AU (UGH I'm such a sucker for that).
Thank you for your reviews. They always make my day. I hope you will enjoy this one as well!
53. That's okay, I bought two.
It was half past 7 in the morning when Cuddy climbed into House's bed, finding him curled up beneath the covers. He didn't move to give her more room, but acknowledged her presence with a soft grunt. Lying down facing him, she brought the covers up to her nose and sighed, revelling in the body heat that the blankets had trapped in the bed.
"God, good thing I'm not working tomorrow. You know how people think Christmas night is the quietest because everyone is huddled inside celebrating?" she said. "It's not."
"People don't think that," he replied in a drowsy tone, without bothering to open his eyes. The early light was shining through a sliver of window that the curtain didn't cover, and she could easily discern his sleepy features.
"I lent a hand in the ER after we had a car accident coming in. An old lady who'd come in for a sprained ankle complained to me that it was too busy and that she could barely hear herself think." He smirked. "Anyway, we had the usual drunk drivers, one carbon monoxide poisoning, but nothing that stands out compared to the other years. I barely had time to eat. I didn't even get to grab a Turkey sandwich or something."
"That's okay, I bought two." She grinned. "It's in the fridge."
"How was dinner with Wilson?"
"Fine."
"Good."
He kept his eyes closed, slowly but surely on his way back to sleep. She observed his face for a while, appreciating those moments when he looked almost innocent and at peace. However, as exhausted as she felt, she couldn't let go of some thoughts that were pestering her, playing on a loop in her head for hours now.
"The toughest part is tending to the patients who are alone," she whispered eventually. "The kids at least have their families and Santa, but…"
"You always volunteer to work on Christmas night."
There was a pause. She liked that he always said something that was true but that she didn't expect.
"I don't have anyone waiting for me at home. I'd rather let my staff celebrate with their family. Or their best friend," she added with a tender smile.
House let a few seconds pass by. "You do, now," he told her, squeezing her arm.
He'd kept his eyes closed, always reticent to let his feelings show.
She smiled. "Well you better make sure Wilson doesn't crash Christmas night next year then."
He let out a contended sigh. "'Kay, babe. I'll find him a new wife."
Satisfied with that answer, Cuddy closed her eyes and let herself fall asleep.