Disclaimer: Nope. No son mios.
A/N: Ehem. Sorry for the late posting. Really, I am. But school's about to start and with all this hurricane nonsense... You get the picture. Anyways, if you wish to view Cameron's dress, email me. I'll send you the link. Now remember to review!
"So, what are the bets?"
Chase, Foreman, Wilson, Cuddy, and Alex were all seated in the cafeteria, drinks and food before them.
Wilson considered for a moment, and then spoke. "I say that they'll just live together for the next few years." Alex nodded.
"I'm with Wilson."
"This is idiotic," snapped Cuddy, who was seated beside Wilson. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, kissing her cheek lightly.
"Oh come on, Lisa. We place bets on the lives of patients. Why not on the relationship between House and Cameron?"
Foreman shook his head in disagreement as they went back to the bet. "Two hundred says that they'll breakup. It's too hectic of a relationship."
Chase raised a hand. "Make it four hundred. I'm with Foreman on this one."
"What about you, Dr. Cuddy?" Everyone turned to see Lucy standing just behind the table, a soda and smirk with her.
"Oh… Lucy. We weren't…" Alex stuttered, but Lucy settled between Cuddy and Alex.
"I bet that House is going to ask her to marry him." A roar of laughter came from all the men.
"I'm with Lucy." A dead silence came across the males. "We each put down two hundred."
"Lisa, come on," insisted Wilson. "I'm friends with House and know him better than anyone. I know he wouldn't…" A pointed glance from Cuddy silenced him.
"So we have five hundred from Alex and Wilson, four hundred from Chase and Foreman, and four hundred from Lucy and myself," Cuddy said, nodding. "We'll see who's right."
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The weeks soon blended into one another. The funerals of both parents were painful, though no one attended the funeral held for Cameron's father. When Cameron's body healed, she moved out of House's home. Lucy had spoken to her husband, asking if she rent an apartment for both herself and Cameron. Alex had done likewise.
The small remaining family bonded, but work was difficult for Cameron. The pain was still there.
Cameron felt the watchful eyes of her fellow doctors upon her at all times, the caring touch when she stumbled, be it from Chase, Foreman, Wilson, Cuddy, or even a surgeon or nurse.
Only House was distant. He avoided her gaze, which did not ease the pain at all. It hurt even more. She found herself crying a bit every day, and always for the same reason.
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After perhaps the most boring Saturday morning, House collapsed on the sofa, rubbing his burning thigh. His gaze wandered around the living room. His home felt so bleak. So empty. He sighed, but only one thing remained in his apartment that reminded him of her.
The book.
The photo album, at least, that's what he called it. She had left it there when she left to go move in with her sister. She had forgotten it, most probably. He had refused to open it. So there it sat on the coffee table before him now.
"What is it, anyways? She never even let me look at it." He carefully placed it in his lap, looking over the cover. It was… decorative. He opened it, and then understood.
A scrapbook.
The pages were filled with photos, notes. The first page read "Lucy." There were photos of her older sister, posed on a swing, eating ice cream, grinning. At her wedding. Another page was dedicated to her mother, then her brother. Even one to her father. But several pages caught House's attention. It read "PPTH." The pages overflowed with pictures of Wilson, Foreman, Chase, and even Cuddy. Some patients had even wormed themselves in. When had she taken the time to take these? House shook his head in shock when he found himself gazing at a quick snapshot of Stacy. He flipped over it and came across two pages that startled him.
"Dr. Gregory House."
There were photos of him. All of him. Sitting, at the whiteboard, even the time when he gave that speech about Viropril.
"Allison," he murmured, feeling the wetness in his eyes. What was he doing here? He rose, shutting the book and wandering into his room.
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Cameron lay on her bed, reading, while Lucy cooked dinner. It took her a moment to register that someone was ringing the doorbell. She closed the book, and rose, heading for the door. When she opened it, she was sure she was going to faint.
"House?" she said, gazing at her boss.
"Go change," he said, standing there in a suit. "We're going out. Find the fanciest thing in your closet." A smile tweaked at her lips. "And don't call me House."
Cameron shook her head when she heard her sister squeal behind her. "Dr. House! Come in!"
"No thanks, Lucy. Allison and I have to be somewhere." Lucy's eyes widened. She then nodded, understanding. She grabbed her sister around the wrist, dragging her towards the bedroom.
"I can lend you something to wear," she said, grinning from ear to ear. "Aly, why didn't you tell me you had a date?"
Cameron stood there dumbfounded as her sister rummaged around the closet. "I didn't even know," she said, shaking her head.
"Aha!" Lucy said, pulling out the dress.
"Lucy, you don't have to," she said, shaking her head. "That's your best dress. I'll wear something of mine…"
But Lucy's eyes seemed to glow. "No, Allison. This is your night to shine. Wear it." And with that, Allison changed into the dress.
Sitting Cameron down, the new work began. In a simple ten minutes, makeup and hair were done.
"Thank God you took a shower before he came," Lucy said, looking her sister over. Shoving a purse into Cameron's hand and wrapping a shawl around her, she pushed her towards House.
"Ready," Lucy chirped, revealing her sister. House felt a lump form in his throat. She looked spectacular. The dress was a magenta color, opening at the front to reveal the lower portion of her legs. A rhinestone was placed where her breasts were. High-healed sandals decorated her feet. Chandelier earrings, bangles, but no necklace. He could fix that, however. Her hair fell around her shoulders in soft curls, giving her face a gentle air.
"You look marvelous," he said honestly, and revealed a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. Handing them to Cameron, her eyes grew wide. "And this." His hand went into his pocket, and he pulled out a silver chain. Hanging from it was an ornate letter "A." He unclasped it, and placed it around her neck. She shuddered as his hands grazed her bare neck. She had missed that. She had missed his touch.
"Where are you two going?" Lucy asked curiously, gazing as the two doctors shared a moment.
"La Candelaria," House said, smiling slightly. "I'll bring her home whenever." And with that, he left, leading Cameron out the door.
Lucy felt a bubbling sensation arise in her stomach. Grabbing the phone, she punched in some numbers. They had some work to do.
Cameron gazed around the lavishly elegant Spanish restaurant. The waiter had yet come. She didn't dare gaze at House. She couldn't. She didn't want to acknowledge the sensations arising within her again. She placed a hand on the charm around her neck.
"If you're uncomfortable, just say so."
She felt her cheeks burn at his words.
"Allison," House began, trying to catch her gaze. "I've been a total bastard. I… I can't explain what's going on within me at this exact moment. It's impossible. No one could." He rose, and walked over to her side of the table. She felt her voice catch.
"What I'm trying to say is… I love you." He revealed a small box from within his pocket, and opened it to reveal a ring. A diamond glittered in the center of the gold band. An emerald was placed on both sides. "Allison Cameron, will you marry me?"
Cameron couldn't speak. Could think. Didn't want to. She only registered three words. "I love you." She took the box in trembling hands. He took it back, removing the ring from its case and placing it tenderly upon her finger.
"Yes," she whispered, and he saw the tears of joy fall. House didn't respond verbally. He gently placed his lips upon her own. She rose, wrapping her arms around his neck. House's own arms behaved differently. One wrapped around her waist, the other weaved into her hair. It didn't matter that they were in a public place. They were in love. And they admitted it.
At a table close by sat six people, eying the couple, which were kissing passionately.
"Ugh," muttered Chase, pretending to gag.
The two women at the table smirked smugly. "I think you all owe us… nine hundred all together," Cuddy said, and the men groaned, tossing them the cash.
Lucy grinned. "You men should never underestimate the knowledge of women."
Foreman rolled his eyes.
Wilson shook his head in disbelief. Pulling Cuddy close to him, he spoke. "Yes, Lisa. I think we all know that."
Lucy's eyes twinkled brightly. "I think we all know exactly what we can do with this money." Everyone but Cuddy gazed at her in confusion.
"You'll see."
A/N: Soo... how was it? No, this may not be the last chapter. That's up to you all, though. Tell me if you want me to do the wedding. Because I will... if y'all ask.