Living Proof

Hi everyone,

Seems like I'm back with a new little story, one that's very closed to my heart for god knows the reason. Maybe, because that's just Howse.

It's good to be back ... I kind of forgot what I was to be with them.

Enjoy your reading, people and thanks again for the support. Could it bring a smile on your face and make you happy, at least a quarter of an hour...

Ju

Living Proof

10.

The sunny evening light of May has slowly started to decline, leaving his office in a semi-obscurity. Not much light was needed anyway to read the well-known symptoms on the white board. He reached for his phone and dialled her number, looking absently in front of him. House ran a tired hand across his face and closed his eyes when she finally answered. He has missed her voice, was missing her and closing his eyes seemed to help focusing on her. She sounded tired and he imagined his own fingers slowly tracing their way on her graceful face, chasing away her tiredness. But instead, he just told her that he would be late and saying so, he heard her smile. Because being late was his way of saying he wanted nothing but coming home – that he didn't want to sleep in his office two nights in a row.

You'll figure it out, she said and heard him take a deep breath. House nodded even if she couldn't see him. There wasn't much to be said but the comfortable silence they shared seemed to give them an invisible but yet palpable strength. Cuddy was wondering what he was thinking about. As much as she wanted him back home, just knowing that he was on the other side of the line was enough. Don't wait for me, he finally said to her but deep down, he selfishly wished she would. Cuddy was in a middle of a sentence when House heard Rachel's voice behind her. He opened his eyes and let out a smile when she told him to hold on a second. Why aren't you in your bed ? He could picture Rachel nonchalantly shrugging, a gesture Cuddy swore she's taken from no one but him. House bit his tongue when Cuddy sighed, feeling a rush of pride in his chest.

Suddenly, Rachel's voice was being heard again and more accurately. It's Howse ? Mum, muuuummy, can I talk to him please, please, pleeeaaase ? House looked out the glass door and shook his head when she burst into laughter. He perfectly knew what Cuddy was thinking about, that in a middle of a case, the last thing he needed was Rachel's childish hysteria. But to be true, he kind of missed that little yet not-that-annoying pain in the ass too. Glancing at the white board, House told Cuddy to give Rachel her phone. She apologized, but he couldn't say anything else as Rachel started talking immediately. She talked about teeth, some funny rat that turned out to be a very sweet and loving mouse and the rest of her story died with her laughing again. House found himself chuckling a little. Good night, Howse, tomorrow is pancake's morning !

Six hours later ; the night was colder than what he's thought first, or maybe it was just him. He limped toward the villa, hearing without really listening to the city's nightly rumours. Struggling a little with the key, House finally stepped in, took off his shoes and considered what he was supposed to do now. Fatigue was all over his shoulders and body. He would have been alone, sleep would certainly have avoided him. His leg hurt like hell, despite the two ibuprofen he's taken before leaving the hospital. House left his jacket on the hanging rail, feeling nauseous and mentally battered by something bigger than him. He staggered in the middle of the corridor and his eyes fell on Rachel's bedroom door, reminding him of the call. Today, he wasn't that alone anymore.

House sat on the edge of the bed, with nothing but his black tee-shirt and a pair of boxers. His left hand holding his cane, he massaged his right thigh with the other, eyes closed, jaw clenched. He hasn't seen it coming and even though nothing could have been done to save that woman, he stayed powerless and frozen, wondering about what went wrong and what he's missed. Yes, he's figured it out but the price to pay was too high, even for him.

Hey... The softness of Cuddy's hand found his neck as she knelt behind him and slowly ran her fingers through his short hair. House lowered his head and opened his blue eyes. His throat tightened and a deep breath shook his shoulders. I thought you were asleep, he said as she just stayed there, holding him. She didn't have to ask him. The broken tone of his voice, the way he's been rubbing his thigh and how he just indulged himself in her embrace told her everything she needed to know. You're home now, she whispered into his ear. Cuddy knew that no word could comfort her companion from the loss of a patient, but who was she for not trying.

Close your eyes and try to sleep, she said as they lay beneath the sheets in a tight embrace. Cuddy placed a tender kiss on his forehead, telling him once more that he was home and it was the last words he heard that night. She stayed awake a moment, caressing his hair. She thought about all the promises laying in his hands every time a patient was presented to him. She thought about the more and more non-existent defensive walls around that man's heart, honoured to be the woman with whom he has chosen not to be just the diagnostician but the man behind him.

Early in the morning, Cuddy was awoken by her daughter's whispers and as she opened her eyes, Rachel showed her what she was cautiously treasuring in her little hands. Mommy look, I've got two, she continued to whisper as she ran her tongue where the teeth was missing. They fondly smiled at each other. The tooth fairy has been kind with you, Cuddy told her. Rachel vigorously nodded and watched the two dollars in the palm of her hand. She's so nice, yes!

When her daughter's returned to bed, Cuddy turned to face House who she knew wasn't sleeping anymore. Though he did not open his eyes, she knew a smile was hidden behind his eyelids. You didn't have to do that, she said, tenderly kissing him and finding her place back into his arms. House held her tight and tenderly rubbed his nose against her jaw. One tooth, two parents, he mumbled into her hair before falling asleep again.

Thanks. Written in a hurry, I may have left mistakes ...