Chapter: 3. The Big Brownie

Be, be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me
-Running, No Doubt

"Allison I-you make me feel…okay, like there's nothing wrong with me. Your loyalty and compassion mean more to me than you know. On our first date I told you that I was what you need because I was damaged, but I was wrong, I had it the other way around, I need you. I need you and I want you." Cameron looked utterly shocked, she knew he loved her, but he was never the one to spell out precisely how he felt and to go into detail.

"Clean the house Angela, make the dessert Angela, get the flowers Angela, set everything up Angela…" She bickered bitterly to herself, fully aware that she had volunteered to do all these things, but it was all still just as frustrating. He was at an expansive, fancy restaurant professing his love to his wife-to-be-mother-of-his-unborn-child and she was preparing the scene in which he was to propose. Red and white rose petals were scattered about all over the living room, and a small table sat in the middle of the room with two chairs and two long, unlit, white candles on top. She finished her pointless complaining and whistled a dull tune while stirring wildly at the batter in the bowl.

"I…don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything, I'm just telling you how I feel." He assured her nonchalantly, like this confession of his feelings was some ordinary occurrence. Which was as far from the truth as possible, but he was to propose later that night and he had to lay down the groundwork. His decision to propose came after he had finally come clean to himself about his true feelings, after he decided just how much he loved her, after he decided he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and after he convinced himself this was right.

"Greg, I love you." It was simple, but full of meaning.

"Ahh! I am the brownie master! He may have his secret double chocolate brownie recipe, but I have created the worlds biggest, bestest brownie…EVER! Giant triple chocolate brownie, fudge, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and nuts!" She exclaimed in sly fury, but couldn't help giggling at 'nuts', she was in a mischievous, immature mood. The big brownie was baking, and Angie was standing before the oven anxiously waiting in her oven mitts. She planned on making a simple angel food cake, but she had learned that Al was pregnant, so she just went chocolate crazy.

The waiter came back to the table without the food, but with a short booklet in hand.

"Would you like to see the wine menu before dinner, sir?"

"No! No-no I don't think we'll be having any wine tonight, thank-you." Cameron cut in before House got a chance to consider a reply. He raised his eyebrows than frowned, but didn't say anything or bring it up again.

Moments later the food arrived and they ate in peace. They talked and laughed about things that happened at work, their co-workers and each other. Sharing a house they discussed everyday things like picking up more toilet paper and rearranging furniture. Cameron had subtly brought up the topic of possibly re-doing the spare room, but when House suggested an entertainment room with an over-sized TV, she suggested discussing the subject later. They finished their meals and drinks and got up to pay the bill and leave for home.

Angela set the plate back down on the kitchen table and whipped her head to the side, resting her chin on her shoulder, beginning to cough. While coughing she made sure not to cough near the table, getting her gross germs all over the engagement dessert wouldn't be very nice.

"Oh crap." She moaned, "Maybe I do have a little flu or something." Her voice was rough and hoarse from the coughing.

The uncontaminated plate sitting on the table was filled with a big square triple chocolate brownie, topped in fudge chunks, drizzled with chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with nuts. She carried it over to the little table in the living room, placed it between the candles and set two spoons on either side of the plate. She stood back admiring her work, looking on at the pretty living room when a wave of nausea hit her; she slapped her hand to her mouth and rushed to the bathroom.

She leaned back from the toilet, flushing and shutting her eyes tightly. She sighed, she felt dizzy and her head was throbbing. She was finished setting up for the big proposal, so she shut the bathroom door behind her, grabbed her sweater, locked the door with a key Greg had lent her, and walked home for a long, much needed sleep.

They walked to the front door, waiting briefly for Greg to unlock and open the door. Allison had a great look of awe on her face, seeing the candles, flowers and all the chocolate.

"Greg! You did all this?"

"Yes…no, but I helped…well, it was my idea." He shrugged, but held his smile.

Cameron walked over to the table and took a seat, "So you made Angela do it?" she laughed.

"I didn't make her do anything, I asked nicely and she generously offered to do it." He said, sitting across from her. "Hey…I wanted to ask you something…"

"Alright, go ahead."

"I love you…Allison Cameron, will you marry me?"

A/N: Do you like the song quotes? Thanks for reading, please review, and I'll update soon.