Living Proof

Hi everyone,

The last one was somehow epic, so much review. You really loved it and it makes me happy.
This one should have been published two days ago but I've been busy. It was for a special occasion. Especially for all our American Huddy fans. Well, for all Huddy fans actually. Anyway.
It's never too late.

Not my best writing, sorry.

Enjoy.

Living Proof
13.

"Room service" he announced from behind her. Cuddy smiled without looking at him as he sat next to her. A small sigh of relief came out of his mouth as he lay down on the blanket, kicking off his shoes and stretching out his long legs. His hand found the small of her back and he absent-mindedly started to caress it through the fabric of her light summer dress. He was asking for a distraction. Without commenting, Cuddy placed a gentle hand on his thigh and massaged it through his khaki shorts. Her movements were precise and innocent as a breath. It was a gesture they weren't ever talking about, not trying to give it more than a thought. It was intimate. It was also a genuine acceptance of what they could give to each other.

She felt it shake a little under her careful touch and frowned. "I'm fine" House reassured her, eyes closed. A small breeze was agitating the leaves. One arm bend over his face to protect himself from the sun piercing through the branches, he inhaled deeply. "Where's Rachel?" he asked after a moment. "She found some friends a moment ago, over there" Cuddy answered with a smile in her voice "some friends of her age, for a change". House raised his head and looked in the direction she was showing him, grumbling. She hit him on the chest just as a tiny smile appeared on his lips. Cuddy shook her head and looked over at Rachel. "She's having fun"

After a quick nap, Rachel has returned playing with her friends. It was way too hot to walk around the park they've chosen for their urban expedition. Left by themselves, House and Cuddy spent a peaceful afternoon, talking about everything and nothing particular and both keeping an eye on Rachel. It was easy to be together. Silence was never empty; it was sometimes even more meaningful than a long conversation. He was offering her some time off, away from the hospital - he has confiscated her phone - and her professional problems. She was learning again how to take some time for herself, for that us that mattered so much.

It was Rachel who has started to talk about it, the fireworks above the Hudson River. The real and historical meaning of those festivities was mostly unknown for her, it was just one more special day she would spend with her mum and her Howse who has tried - unsuccessfully this time - to explain to her what the 4th of July meant for all Americans. She was so happy that they'll go to New-York, she barely listened to him.

...

They occasionally heard about Rachel when she came running around them out of breath, asking for water. Her smile and joy were infectious. Seconds later, she'd have joined her band again and House would stare at her with a pensive look. "You're smiling" Cuddy whispered against his ear, one hand lost into his brown and grey hairs. His white opened shirt was dangling over his bare chest. He suddenly looked tired. A moment passed before he finally looked at her, blue eyes filled with uncertainty. "She blew away all my convictions, Cuddy" he admitted with a softness that took both their breath away "both of you. Nothing ever prepared me for the two of you"

"It's that bad?" she wondered. He took her hand, examined pensively her fingers. "No" he whispered with a little smile "it's not". She smiled more openly and kissed him. From a respectful distance and over the last year, she has seen House becoming more and more involved in their daily life. Sometimes though, he seemed blissfully unaware of what his stable presence meant for Rachel. And for her. He was pretending not to care too much, doing things when she hasn't really asked, remembering others they haven't been talking about very seriously but knew were important for her. She wished he could be more optimistic and stop acting like he was constantly walking on eggshells. "As a father?" she tried cautiously, her lips trapped between her teeth. He chuckled, sighing. "How long have you been waiting before asking me that?" he asked mockingly, staring at her. She blushed and looked away. "She admires you" Cuddy answered honestly "and I've … I've always wished we could …"

"Be a family" he said for her.

"Be a family" Cuddy nodded, looking at him this time.

But he was watching Rachel who was coming back to them. "Aren't we somehow?"

Cuddy knelt at his side and with her fingers under his chin, turned his head. "God I love you" she whispered before placing an affectionate and long kiss on his lips. She laughed softly when he just kept staring at her, smiling slightly. "That's disgusting" Rachel grumbled, making a funny face. House grimaced at her. The little girl tiredly sat between them and sighed "I'm so so tired". She giggled. Cuddy laughed and brushed her hairs away from her face. "My turn to buy diner, what would you like Honey?"

...

The night fell above New York and Rachel became more and more excited, impatiently waiting for the fireworks. The sky turned into beautiful colours; it was a vast landscape of pastel. Salmon pink and orange. Purple and blue. People gathered in the park, lots of children with the same dreamy look as Rachel. And then, the first detonation exploding above their heads. A sudden bang that sent a thrill through the crowd. Brilliant vermillion, gold and green. Rachel was standing on her feet, mesmerized. It was magical. Flowers of different colours, stars leaving trails of silver and gold behind them burst into the dark sky. It was an explosion of colours and forms. It was everything.

A few minutes after the beginning, Cuddy saw House kneeling near Rachel and whispering something in her ear. The girl nodded then put her little hands on his shoulders. "Ready?" he asked before slowly standing up. Cuddy watched his face, looking for any trace of discomfort and pain. But he reassured her with a little nod and watched for a pure second the fireworks lightening up her pretty face as his woman smiled only to him. Installed on his shoulders, Rachel was oblivious of the silence exchange between them. Her small exclamations echoed those of the crowd. When the grande finale began, Cuddy took his left hand and found her place against his chest. Like a real-life photograph*

"Best 4th of July of my life" House told her, interlacing their fingers.

When the show ended, the sudden silence was brief and applause rippled around the giant park.

* "like a real-life photograph" A sentence that I found somewhere on the web.

Thanks a lot.
Oh and I've never ever visited New-York, so. So nothing.