PART 15

They made their way to L & D and got her hooked up to all the monitors. She was indeed having contractions and upon exam, was 2 cm dilated. If they didn't stop the labor soon, the babies would come today, no matter what House had to say about it.

The next few hours were hell on Allison. House sat in the corner, quiet except for the constant, incisive tapping of his cane. Wilson would get up every few minutes and check the monitor, offer her some ice or try to touch her. She so didn't want to be touched.

They managed to slow the labor down and she had stopped dilating. Still they sat. Tap, tap, tap. She was ready to scream. "Hey, why don't you guys go down and get something to eat. It looks like everything is ok here. Besides, I could use the rest." From both of you, she added in her head. Silence. The tapping had stopped and now he was scowling at her with that piercing blue gaze of his. "Greg, I'm fine. Please, go. I'm sure your leg is killing you from sitting so long."

"Fine, but you page me the second there is a change." he said to her and Wilson nodded in approval.

"Ok, go, the both of you. And I will expect some small token of appreciation for doing this for both of you." She smiled sweetly at them as they left her room, closing the door behind them. Yes, silence. Just me and the babies, heaven. Allison closed her eyes and let the whoosh and dueling heartbeat of the babies lull her to sleep. Just as she drifted off, she heard the door open and muttered a curse. "Come on guys, give me a break."

"It's Lisa."

"Oh, thank God. They were driving me insane."

"They're worried about you." Cuddy told her simply.

"I know, but they don't show it well. House is all quiet and tapping his cane, Wilson's all skiddish. Anytime I move or the babies move, he's repositioning the amplifiers on my stomach. I sent them away, told them to get something to eat, and that I expected a gift." she told Lisa, laughing.

"When was the last time they checked you? It seems like the contractions have pretty much stopped. A few little ones."

"I don't know, maybe two hours ago."

"Do you mind?"

Allison hesitated for a moment. This was Cuddy after all. She was her boss, the head of the hospital. Would she be able to look at her the same again? Then she realized that if Cuddy didn't check her, and if one of the nurses didn't soon, Wilson would insist on it, and that was just plain weird. She still felt the rush of excitement anytime either one of them touched her.

"No, go ahead. Better you than Wilson."

Cuddy laughed, "That bad?"

"Yeah, but it's cute on some level. I love to watch House's mind work, and it has been busy."

"Ok. It feels like you are still only 2 cm. I think we are in the clear. I want to keep you a day or two, just to monitor you. If you do go, I have a feeling it will go quickly."

"Ok. Man that sucks. I don't even have my bag or anything. I wasn't ready for this." she said as a silent tear slipped down her face.

"Allison, you know twins are born early all the time. Everything will be fine. Besides, I can't wait to see who they look like. Foreman, Dr. Rock, and I have a bet, but don't tell them." She laughed.

"Nice. I can't believe my OB-GYN would do that." she giggled. "I can't wait either. Who ever the father is, I know they will be beautiful. And spoiled by both of them. Have you ever seen House talk about the babies?" Cuddy shook her head no, "He melts. He tries to hide it, but it's there in his eyes. You know, I don't think he ever thought he would be a father, especially not after the leg. Wilson was the only thing keeping him going." She sighed. "Dear, sweet James. He shoulders so much, and never complains. His job alone is heartbreaking for him. But the good days, that's what he lives for and it changes him. He shines even brighter those days." Allison said breathlessly.

"You really love them don't you?"

"More than you can imagine."

"The three of you are perfect together. I see that now, understand it. You complement each other and bring out the good while dimming the bad. I can only hope that I find someone who loves me like that one day." Cuddy said wistfully.

"You will." Allison assured her as she heard the door open up. Her two men walked in and her heart fluttered. Her earlier annoyed state vanished, replaced with joy and love. "Hi," she said smiling at them. House and Wilson exchanged glances. Cuddy looked misty while Allison was radiating. What ever had passed most definitely was a woman thing.

"So, what did you get me?" Allison asked with the joy of a child on Christmas.

"Well, House wanted to get you a teddy, and I don't mean the little stuffed kind." Wilson told her causing her to laugh at the expression House shot at him.

"James wanted to get you a breast pump." House snipped back.

"What? It's practical and about to come in really handy." James defended.

"And the teddy wouldn't have?" They both stopped and got a far away look in their eyes.

"Ok men, get that thought out of your heads. You can't touch her for at least two weeks, and I would prefer six." Cuddy told them.

"SIX!" They both exclaimed at the same time.

Cuddy shrugged and said, "What's the big deal? You got each other."

"Yeah, but he snores, and she smells better." House said as he bent down to give Allison a kiss. "How you feeling?"

"Better."

"The contractions have stopped." Wilson said, looking at the sheet."

"For now yeah. Cuddy said I need to stay a day or two, just to be sure."

"Yuck, I hate staying at the hospital." House mumbled.

"Too bad, pull up a cot and settle down. Now about my present," she asked, her eyes glittering.