"It Doesn't Hurt to Love"

Chapter 20-Surprises

Authors Note- It is the end. I would like to say thank you for all the readers/reviewers. I couldn't of done it without the constant reassurance. I have learned so much from writing this so the sequel will be a lot better. I look foward to seeing you all review part two.

Thanks a million to my beta, ilovetuesdays.

"I'm going to go to Jimmy's house for awhile. I won't be long. When I come back we'll go shopping for your birthday present," House called

"Alright, but please feed Spaz on your way out. It really is amazing that he's lasted a month living with us," Cameron said. House quickly fed the fish and made his way towards the door. Before leaving, he leaned over a kissed her, "Happy Birthday. How does it feel to be thirty?"

"You would know, you turned thirty five decades ago." she laughed

"That really raises my self esteem," He pouted, and was out the door.

Glancing at the clock on the car's dashboard, House realized he had less than two hours to get everything done. He burned rubber down the road, and quickly picked up the cake at the bakery. It was the Labor Day weekend, which meant he and Cameron had been dating for six months. In those six months, he had grown immensely close to her. Not a day went by since when they didn't love each other.

His thoughts turned to something else, and the butterflies that were floating inside his stomach immediately intensified and his mind was going a mile a minute. Should he give it to her? Would she reject him? Push him away? Shaking his head, House turned up the radio to get his mind off Cameron for a while. "Get in my Car" by 50 cent was playing. Usually, he'd turn to a rock station, but this song was appropriate at the moment. He flew around the corner down Cuddy's street.

Cuddy covered her ears with her hands. Who the hell would be blasting rap music this time of the day? She looked outside her window and laughed at the sight of House's black Lexus outside the window. That man was one of a kind. She grabbed her things and walked outside.

"I got no pickup lines
I stay on the grind
I tell the hoes all the time
Bitch get in my car
I got my 64, ridin' on Dayton spokes
And when I open that do'
Bitch get in my car" was blaring from his car speakers.

Cuddy gave him one of her famous 'are you serious' looks and hopped in the front seat. She broke down into laughter. He simply grinned and sped off. With boxes of party goods and cases of beer in the back seat, they drove to the park. The party was in the picnic area of the town park. It had a nice view of the pond which made it a perfect place for a little get together. House was very quiet as he set everything up. That was strange, and Cuddy noticed it. Usually, she had to beg him to shut up, but today he was silent.

"What are you thinking about?" Cuddy asked.

"Nothing," He snapped, but she could tell he was lying through his teeth, "Alright, something."

"Spill it," she ordered.

"Now, I could tell you, but I don't think I'm going to. None of your business."

"It is alright to talk to people about things sometimes. It wouldn't kill you."

"You never know, I just might burst into flames. You'd be happy about that, wouldn't you?"

She flashed him a look. He sat down and heaved a sigh.

"Fine, I bought Ally a birthday present, but I don't know if it's the right time."

Cuddy gave him a confused look. She didn't have a clue what he was talking about. He saw this, and continued, "Let's just say I needed to use all of the bonus money you gave me and then some."

She put down the string of lights she was hanging up and sat beside him, "Is this a big present?"

"Not in mass or volume. But yeah, in a sense, it is big."

Suddenly, it hit Cuddy like a ton of bricks what he was talking about. She tried not to let the surprise show on her face, "I know what you mean."

"How do you think she will um…answer?"

She smiled, "If you are hinting on what I think you are, I think she will be the happiest girl in the world. She never stops talking about you. It's almost obsessive. Annoys the hell out of me sometimes," A smile faintly appeared on House's face, but she continued, "Do you want my advice?"

"No, not really, Dr. Phil," He lied.

Cuddy plowed on despite his answer, "I think it's a great idea. You have it with you now?"

"Nope, it's at home," House turned around and spotted Chase who was carrying a gift, "I better go pick up Ally. People are starting to arrive."

"I won't say anything," She said, helping him get up, "And in case I don't get time to talk to you later alone: good luck. Not that you'll need it."

"Let's go, the mall is closing," House shouted after Cameron, who was in the bedroom, trying on her fifth outfit. In his opinion, they'd all been damn good, but in her opinion, something was always too small, or made her butt look big, or didn't match with something else. He never knew there were so many things that could be wrong with one's body.

"The mall closes at nine! It's not even dark yet! Do I look alright?" Cameron emerged from the room, with her hand on her hip.

"You look very sexy," he said quickly, looking her over. Of course, every outfit had been that way, "Now let's get a move on."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" She asked as they walked out to his car.

"We're going to miss the sale! Everything is like 20 off! I'm just going to die if we don't get there in time."

Cameron shot him a concerned look, "Sometimes I really worry about you."

House chose to ignore her comment; they had places to go, people to see. He drove the car at least 50 miles per hour through the service roads. Cameron was scared to death, but there was nothing she could do to slow him down. Being stubborn was one of his lovely qualities and she loved it, most of the time.

Looking over at him, she realized that she couldn't love him any more then she already did. She had convinced herself that it was mentally and physical impossible to do so. He pulled up to the entrance of the park with a smile on his face.

"Now that's strange, they seemed to have moved the mall," he observed casually.

"I have a feeling we're in the wrong place," Cameron said, confused.

"Are we really?" He grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's go."

They walked through the park. Before they even reached the picnic area they could smell the Bar-B-Q brewing. As the couple came into view, the guests yelled out "Surprise!". Cameron's face lit up as she saw everyone, and having her boyfriend there was just the icing on the cake.

They stayed at the park for hours, laughing the night away. Cameron loved seeing everybody together: All of her friends, as well as her co-workers. Everything went along perfectly until it was time to cut the cake.

The cake was a very elegant chocolate variety, with flowers embroidering the top. House obviously did appreciate its beauty, because he ran his finger up the side of the cake and licked it just as Cameron cut the first piece. She picked up the plate and slammed it in his face. He then took a handful and threw it at her with a huge smile on his face. Cameron ducked so it hit Foreman right on the forehead. Before anyone could even blink a food fight erupted. There wasn't one of the guests not covered in chocolate.

After the party was over and all the good-byes were said, House and Cameron, still completely covered in cake, packed up all the gifts and left.

Upon arriving home, they both took a shower and cuddled up to each other on the living room floor. House watched silently as she opened her presents. Most of them were clothes and gift cards.

"These are great, but you're the best gift I have ever gotten," She smiled and wrapped her arms around him, "Even if you didn't take me out to meet your family like you promised."

"I never promised anything. You're putting words in my mouth. Maybe these will make it up to you," He slipped from her grasp and disappeared into the bedroom. He took a deep breath and shook the negative thoughts from his head. After collecting himself, he reappeared with a stack of gifts.

"You shouldn't have. Really, the party was enough, Greggy," she couldn't resist adding the last. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"What did I say about calling me that? Whatever, open your gifts, birthday girl, or I'll return them. Trust me, they weren't cheap."

She unwrapped the first present and gasped, "An iPod! Thank you so much!"

"Now you can keep your little paws off of mine."

Inside the rest of the boxes were sneakers and some new tee-shirts. House was apparently tired of her stealing his shirts all the time. She loved each and every one of his gifts, but what she didn't know was that what lay inside the last box would change her life forever.

It was a rather large box, but very light. She opened it carefully and laid her eyes on the only occupant of the big package: a small velvet box. Wide eyed, she looked up at him. House just nodded for her to open it.

Tears of joy streamed down her face at the sight of what was inside; a 1.5 carat diamond ring. The platinum band shined almost as bright as the oval cut diamond.

House's heart pounded. He just stood there and watched her, not knowing what to do. After gathering herself, Cameron flew into his arms. Simply put, it was the best birthday present she had ever gotten.