Author's Notes: First, let me apologize for the delay. It's amazing how many things can conspire to keep a person from typing up five simple pages! Hopefully I'm back on track now.

Also, you may note a reference to Allison's step-mom in this part. I recently re-watched Love Hurts and when House complimented her earings Allison commented that they were her mom's. That led to my assumtion that perhaps her mother is no longer living, so I made a little leap.

For those of you sticking with me, thanks! Only a bit more setup and we will get to the point I've been gradually leading to. Hopefully you will all think it was worth the journey.

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After a light dinner during which Olivia regaled Allison with stories of their childhood the three set up a game plan for the next day. Allison planned to go to House's office for an hour or so, and catch up on the mail and charts while Olivia and Greg checked in with Dr. Gordon and Madeline. Then Allison would come down to meet her.

Eventually Allison headed for bed, leaving Olivia to talk privately to her brother.

"I know what you're thinking. She's not that young you know. I'm just old," he sighed.

"I didn't say a word. I don't know her well enough to even comment, but so far I like her," Olivia protested. "You could have warned me about the dead husband though, I felt bad about asking. How long ago was it?"

"About five years ago I guess," House shrugged.

"How long have you two been together?" Olivia asked.

"Nine months," House admitted and waited for the reaction.

He wasn't disappointed. "Gregory Thomas House! Mom was here two months ago and you didn't say a word! What were you waiting for?" Olivia chastised.

"Hell to freeze over? Don't throw a hissy fit. You're meeting her now so what does it matter?" he asked. "It's not like I've met her family either."

"You'd think you two were ashamed of each other or something," Olivia said shaking her head in disbelief.

"Not likely. I could see it maybe from her point of view, but why would I be ashamed of having a young, sexy, smart, successful girlfriend?" House asked.

"No reason that I can think of. And I doubt that Allison is ashamed of you either. More likely she is following your lead. Now that you've introduced us to her, don't be surprised if her family shows up to meet you," Olivia warned.

"And on that happy note, I thinks it's time for us to get some sleep," House suggested.

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The next morning Olivia was up early and was surprised to find both her brother and Allison already showered, dressed and making coffee. Little did she know that the day had started for them almost an hour earlier when Allison had made a mad dash to the bathroom. Even half asleep House had realized that she was about to give a repeat performance of yesterday's morning sickness and he reacted quickly. Despite the pain that always accompanied getting out of bed, House managed in one fluid movement to grab the vicodin and pop it in his mouth even as his other hand found his cane and levered his body up. A minute later he was once again perched on the edge of the tub, holding Allison's hair back and dampening a washcloth to cool her neck.

When she was finished and had rinsed her mouth out she thanked him. "You didn't have to get up though," she assured him. "This is going to go one for a while and it's going to get very old very fast."

"More for you than for me I suspect," Greg agreed. "We'll get some crackers to put by the bed. Sometimes it helps to nibble on a few before you try to get up," he suggested helpfully.

Allison felt tears well up and quickly buried her head in his shoulder as she wrapped him in a hug. His calm support was so unexpected, and not just because it was House.

"Are you going to tell me what this is all about?" he asked, feeling her tremble.

"It's stupid," she admitted, straightening up, "but last time I was pregnant I pretty much had to go it alone. Kevin was either in the hospital or too week and sick himself to be much help. I didn't realize how much I was dreading doing it again."

"It will only be a few weeks," House assured her.

"I know, and I'm not saying I'm happy to be bowing before the toilet every morning, but I can't believe how much easier it is this time. Having someone to lean on makes a world of difference," she confessed.

"Well I can't say I'm looking forward the next month either, but it's not such a huge deal," House replied shrugging off her gratitude. "I am a doctor. If I can't handle a little vomit I'd better start looking for another job."

She smiled at that. "Don't worry. I'm not going to tell anybody that you actually hold my hair back for me. I would never ruin your reputation that way."

"Nobody would believe you anyway," Greg pointed out. "So it will just be our little secret."

That was why despite morning sickness and jangling nerves at the prospect of meeting Greg's mother, Allison was in a very good mood when Olivia appeared for breakfast. Two hours later as she made her way to Madeline's room was a different story though. As she approached the doorway she forced herself to take a large breath to steady herself. The movement was enough for House to spot her and to turn to his mother.

"Mom, this is Allison. Allison this is my mother. Let the games begin," he said by way of introductions.

Olivia and Madeline both frowned at his antics, but Allison simply rolled her eyes and stepped forward to take Madeline's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. House," she said.

"Please call me Madeline," Mrs. House insisted. "Greg, Olivia, why don't you go get some coffee and let the two of us get acquainted."

After they had left, Madeline turned her attention to the young woman seated next to her. "Olivia was right. You are beautiful," she commented causing Allison to blush. "She gave me the basics earlier, so I just have a couple of questions for you. The first is obvious. My son is quite a bit older than you, and he isn't the easiest person to get along with. Just what do you see in him?"

Allison thought about how she could explain it. "He makes dinner for me," she finally told Madeline.

Madeline blinked in surprise. "I'm not sure that I understand."

Allison smiled. "I didn't get it either for a while, but you know the phrase 'Actions speak louder than words'? Well your son is the poster child. You have to ignore most of what he says and pay attention to what he does. He makes me dinner when I'm tired, and he makes sure my car gets serviced on time, and he challenges me to be a better doctor."

Madeline nodded her head in understanding. "I'm not surprised. It's how his father showed his love too," she confessed. Still there were a few things that worried her. "Do you want to get married, because I'm not sure that my son does," she pointed out.

"Maybe, someday," Allison shrugged. "In my experience marriage doesn't guarantee happily every after, so I don't obsess about it," she explained.

"What about kids? You are young do you want children?"

"Yes," Allison stated with certainty.

"And you think my son will want to be the father?"

"I think he has reservations," Allison acknowledged.

Madeline had the good grace not to laugh out loud at that. "So one final question. Where exactly do see this relationship going?"

"Mrs. House, Madeline, I want to be honest with you. If I've learned anything in my life it's not to plan ahead too far. Fate has a way of taking any plans you have and turning them upside down. All I know is that right now, at this point in time, I'm happy. And I think Greg is too. And I think for the two of us that is a huge step forward all on it's own. My only plan is to try to keep us both happy for as long as I possibly can," Allison stated.

"Well I certainly can't argue with that," Madeline said with a smile. "And for what it's worth, I'm rooting for you."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me," Allison told her.

Greg and Olivia returned at that point and Madeline turned to her son. "Your taste in women has improved greatly. Try not to screw this up."

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The final decision on Madeline's care was that she would need stay at the hospital under observation for several days while she started on the new medication. Then she could leave, but Dr. Gordon wanted her to stay nearby and come back for check-ups for an additional two weeks. Olivia decided to stay until her mom was released and then give over the guest room to her and head back home until Madeline was ready to return. All of this led Allison to bring up a sticky subject with House later that night as they got ready for bed.

"I think we should tell your mom about the baby," she offered.

"Whatever for?" House asked.

"Because if she is staying with us for two weeks she is eventually going to find out," Allison said. "Or she is going to wonder if I am bulimic with all of my trips to the bathroom to throw up."

House knew she had a good point, but still he resisted. "The bulimic thing works for me," he commented.

Allison didn't say a word. She just pulled back the comforter and got into bed. House joined her and for once Allison didn't move directly into his arms. Instead she lay flat on her back. Finally House sighed.

"Ok, we will tell her," he agreed.

"And Olivia before she leaves," Allison added.

"Maybe we should call your dad and step-mom while we are at it," House complained.

"Only if you want my dad to show up with a shotgun," Allison warned as she turned and curled into his side.

"How do I get myself into these messes?" House griped, even as he wrapped an arm around Allison and pulled her into his embrace.

Allison proceeded to remind him.

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TBC