Chapter 2
"Do you expect me to answer that?" House questioned evenly.
"I know not to expect anything ordinary from you."
"Again, do you expect me to answer that?" He repeated sternly.
"I expect you to stop me because you love me."
"Does he love you?"
"Yes, but I know you love me more."
"How do I know? I don't even know this guy. And I'd bet my medical degree you don't either." Feeling a little cornered, House got out of his chair and paced back and forth; like he does when trying to think of a diagnosis for one of his patients.
Getting very frustrated at House's cryptic avoidance of answering her question, Stacy said, "His name is Mark, okay. You happy?"
"No. How do I know if I love you more than he does? I could love you with everything I have, but he could have more."
"How could you possibly think he loves me more than you do?"
"So far I only know his name is Mark. That doesn't tell me how you feel about him or how he makes you feel." Pause. House saw Stacy's face full of uncertainty. "You don't even know how he makes you feel…do you?"
"I don't believe this." Stacy sighed heavily and muttered. "Greg, I have never seen you back down from anything. You never give up on a patient, but you'll give up on us?" She preached forcefully.
"I have been beaten and I know when I'm beaten. Remember Esther." House reminded.
"You still hang on to it, though." She clarified.
You could cut the tension with a razor blade. Stacy and House stood about 3 feet apart; it seemed like a safe distance.
With a rejected look in her eyes Stacy admitted, "You're not taking me back are you?"
"I can't. It's a fact that the relationship will turn out just like last time."
"Not if you marry me—which by the way you never even asked." She accused.
Crickets.
"So I guess I'm marrying Mark."
"Best Wishes. I'll send a gift." House offered, hating to see her in pain.
"You could just come, you know. All you'd need to do is wear a tie."
"Grooms are typically alive at their weddings, and if I come, it won't be a typical wedding."
Completely shot down by the love of her life, Stacy began to leave. She did a death march to the door until House's voice cut through the air saying, "You could just leave on your own."
"I don't want to be a runaway bride." She confessed, with one tear falling down her cheek.
After she disappeared from eyesight, House noticed a 1 1/4 carat, princess cut, diamond, engagement ring sitting on his glass desk.
Chapter 3 Coming Soon
