Living Proof
Dear people,
School doesn't allow me to write as much as I want too. I'm barely writing and it's depressing.
It's been a long time for Living Proof too.
This one is a gift for my friend, Lisa. We've been talking about it for a long time and it's her Living Proof.
Happy Birthday Lisa ;*
It could have been written in a better way, tho. Sorry If I made fault.
House and Cuddy are together, it's been already six months.
Enjoy it.
Living Proof
14.
They were on the road on a Sunday's October, going home after spending the day at Arlene's. Behind them, the sun was caressing the line of the horizon – the sky was a sea of fire and purple clouds. It added to her peacefulness as she drove them back to Princeton. Much to Cuddy's surprise and despite her apprehension, her mother had been nice and hadn't said much to her daughter's companion. He has been quiet a good part of the day too. In regards of what happened the first time, Cuddy has feared a disaster. But above all, it was House's presence at her side pretty much all day that has helped her to relax and enjoy it. Rachel was chatting in the back seat, mostly talking to herself but occasionally claiming House or her mother's attention about something she did with her cousins. Cuddy knew that she would probably fall asleep during the travel and smiled to herself at seeing House frequently offering playful answers to the child's comments, entertaining her in his own particular way.
It wasn't long before Rachel finally fall asleep and a comfortable silence settled in between House and Cuddy. They were about forty-five minutes from home. Despite the amusing tone of his voice when he was talking with Rachel, House was tired. Earlier in the afternoon, Arlene has insisted on going for a stroll after lunch and everyone has eagerly followed. House has reassured Cuddy that it was okay when she has started to protest against it. They have walked slower than the others. His dismay and discomfort hidden behind a blank face, she had still been able to see that his leg was bothering him. Near the end of the small walk, while holding hands, she's felt the crispation of his fingers. It has lovingly made her heart fell deeper for him than before.
"Your hands are cold" she remembered saying to him when their fingers had quickly brushed against each other while buckling their security belt.
He has looked down at where she had taken hold of his hand, but remained silent.
"My leg hurts" House had confessed quietly, looking out the car window.
"I know, let's go home" she had immediately offered with a warm smile as if home was the most natural solution to his pain. Somehow, they both acknowledged that it was.
They arrived at the villa a little after seven.
"Your bag, Rach'" House told her when she jumped out the car.
"Oh no!" the girl half-screamed dramatically before climbing in the car and taking it.
Cuddy smirked at him, then grabbed her own bag in the boot. He was leaning heavily on his cane and then followed, limping behind her.
"Just like the view" he smirked when she turned her head to look at him.
"I wouldn't have guessed"
"Mum" Rachel called and they both turned their head toward her.
She was on her knees, her bag at her side and looking at something in the flowerbed.
"Probably a snail with the most incredible shell she's ever seen" he mocked, erasing a smile.
"Get inside, it won't be long" Cuddy offered, amused.
"You bet?" he asked, one eyebrow raised, and grabbed the bunch of keys.
He climbed the small steps, wincing when his leg protested against the sudden pressure. He could hear Rachel and Cuddy whispering and didn't enter the villa, baffled by the striking resemblance between the two. In the past, he has feared that adopting Rachel would put an end to that special thing that has always existed between Cuddy and him, without ever really admitting it. The strong relation between mother and daughter was something new to his inexperienced eyes. He felt privileged to witness such boundary – if not afraid of its strength. The link was undeniable and thought he still struggled to acknowledge that he was now a part of it, House was more attached to them that he hadn't to anything else in his life. Cuddy's wishes were simple and truthful; she wanted that link to bind the trio. Over the months, he has found a new rhythm, learning what it was to have a child at home, even some family rules and habits he wasn't accustomed too. It's been hard at first, settling into something new. And for weeks, he has felt absolutely out of place.
"Can we keep it, Mum?" he heard the little girl ask.
"Maybe he already has a home" Cuddy answered softly.
"You could give him something to eat"
"Milk and biscuit?" Rachel wondered, looking up at House who was glancing at the wandering kitten.
"Yep, sure"
Rachel didn't wait for her mother's acceptance and rushed toward the entry.
"Don't touch the cheerios!" House warned her as she disappeared in the hallway.
A bottle of ibuprofen was on the coffee table. He had his eyes closed and his hand on his thigh. Cuddy settled on the couch next to him and he slowly turned his head toward her. She smiled, one elbow on the back of the sofa. They exchanged few words, after which House closed his eyes again.
"Where's the cat?"
"Still outside, I guess he was too afraid. Plus, we don't know if he isn't all covered in fleas"
"Rachel's tenacious. He won't resist long"
"I guess not" Cuddy chuckled, leaning against his side "you're feeling better?"
"Hum"
"Good" she answered happily, listening to his steady breath.
There was a silence during which they simply enjoyed being together. It was often a stunning feeling for them, after years of spending evenings alone. House and Cuddy were aware that sharing a comfortable silence with someone – a silence that often conveyed more than a long dialogue – was something rare. It was one of the most intimate moments of their private life and they sensed the genuine purity of it. She has put on her yoga pants and one of his over-sized t-shirt and when he looked down at her, House found her smiling. She didn't even seem aware of it.
"You had a good day" he said.
"Better than I could have … than what I imagined" she answered honestly. She put an hand on his lower abdomen "thank for being here"
"Shut up Lisa Cuddy"
She laughed at his affectionate roughness.
"I like that" she whispered, breathing deeply.
"What?"
"This, the silence, us. I can't think about another way of spending my evenings …"
"Really?" House wondered, mischievous. She smiled warmly.
"I was alone before"
He didn't answer and simply brushed her forehead with his chin. The feelings were mutual but he wasn't expressing his in the same way that she was. His gestures were his answers, the proofs of his affection and love for her.
"Would you like a hot bath?" she asked, straightening herself.
It was late when he came home the next day. Cautiously, he hung his leather jacket and put aside his Nike. TV was still on and Cuddy was settled on the couch, a massive pile of folders on the table. He has half-wished she would be sleeping and at the same time, he hated to end the day with a fight and start a new one without a word, a kiss and even a smile from her. House limped then sat down next to her, feeling utterly uncomfortable. He gulped, searching for his words. Apologies and sincerity. He has to be sincere with her as much as she was trying to be with him. House stared blankly at the TV, his fingers were nervously taping on his cane.
Cross-legged on the couch and her arms folded on her laps, Cuddy stopped pretending she was actually reading a paper and put it aside. House let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Hey" he said softly.
"Hey" she answered, it was a whisper.
She was still upset. At the same she was glad he had come home at all, mostly because she's thought he wouldn't. He has done that in the past, distancing himself from her after a fight and going back at his apartment. Once, she has just called him and found he was awake playing the piano in the middle of the night. That night, she has been the one to apologize and ask him to come back.
Today, he has crossed a line again. For the puzzle, the truth, the patient. She was blaming the doctor and as time passed, Cuddy was more annoyed with herself because of the facility with which she tended to forget the doctor she fought with and concentrate on the man she was living with. House was a genius, a jackass, an idiot. She has never met anyone else with such a gift for medicine. Above all, he was a man – the most incredible man I've ever met, she thought, remembering her own words. She hasn't lied that morning and it made her smile that night.
Cuddy heard House snorting at her side when she slowly shifted position.
"Hi Rachel" he joked in an attempt to lighten the mood, looking at the little taggy creature that was dozing on her laps.
Cuddy bit her lips, not allowing herself to smile. She caressed the kitten's head between its ears and they both heard him purr of contentment. The cat lazily opened his eyes and looked at House. Then, in a slow motion, he stretched out.
"Woaw, even more flexible than you"
She had to laugh at his silliness. The sound made his heart breath and when he turned his head in her direction, searching her gaze, she looked at him briefly.
"I'm sorry" he offered "about today"
Cuddy frowned, sensing the sincerity behind his apology. She could have seen it in his blue eyes but she didn't look up. Instead, she intimately laced her fingers with his right hand. Shyness suddenly enveloped him and that was a feeling he didn't like about himself. He hated how it exposed his deepest fears and thoughts but he was sharing them with her. In a way, and even if it was still difficult to open up with people, House was extremely aware of what Cuddy represented for him, that she was, among all, the only person on Earth he trusted with his heart.
"Thanks"
"I'll do it again … I was right about it "
"I know" she said softly, finally locking her pale eyes with his "but it's not about you being right or wrong, it's about procedures and laws, about my position at the hospital. You know I'll always do my best to protect your job and the department"
"You've been doing that for years"
"My curse"
"But we're good, okay?" he asked hesitantly. He was emotionally exposed and his voice was a vulnerable one.
She nodded and gave him a small smile.
"That's who we are"
Her attention went to the kitten who was trying to climb on House's laps.
"Oh no, mushroom, get out of here" he complained then when he saw her grinning "what? I don't like cats"
"This one likes you apparently"
He feigned annoyance when she started talking about what they did with Rachel to win its trust.
" I promise we didn't give him your cheerios"
"Well, thanks" he ironically answered, preventing the kitten to climb in his laps again then addressed him directly "god, you're annoying"
"Pretty much like you, all clingy and annoying"
He stared blankly at her.
"Are you comparing me to a cat?
"Like you didn't do the same thing, two minutes ago?" she retorted, amused.
"Like you were complaining"
He was about to continue when his phone rang.
"What?" he snapped, his eyes never leaving Cuddy's. The exchange was short and he hung up quickly "I'll have to go. The ducklings need my brain"
" 'kay"
He raised and bent to kiss her brow.
"Go to sleep, I'll try to be back in a few hours" he said softly.
House smiled as shyly as he has kissed her, leaving Cuddy confused with all the emotions she felt at the same time. She grabbed the collar of his black shirt, her hand moving quickly to his nape and she claimed for his lips, returning the kiss he's been too shy to give entirely. Both the timidity of his gesture and the uncertainty in his blue eyes before he kissed her made her heart ached. Lips grazed lips, caressed and retreated. The air he was breathing was full of her; House deepened the kiss instantly, regaining his self-confidence. That gesture always meant more than words for them, so Cuddy made sure he realized once again how deep her love and affection for him were. She made it last to the point oxygen was needed. They parted, searching their breath.
"Make sure this thing doesn't sleep in the bed" House announced against her half-opened lips.
"He's cute" Cuddy replied, playing along with him.
"I don't like cute. And you're mine. And I don't like to share. Is that clear?"
"Clear" she laughed.
He grinned with a shy delight, kissed her lips once more then left.
"Hi Howse" Rachel welcomed him when he entered the kitchen.
" 'd morning" he grumbled back before taking a seat.
"Gipsy loves them" she said giggling when she gave him the box of cheerios.
"What's the …"
House pushed back his chair and looked down, frowning when he saw said Gipsy rubbing against his jean. Next thing he heard was both Rachel and Cuddy's laugh.
"Hi Jerry"
"It's Gipsy!" Rachel protested vigorously "and Tom is the cat!"
"You're sure?" House wondered, trying to get rid of the kitten.
"Yes"
Cuddy stood against the counter, watching the interaction between her daughter and the man in their life that wasn't more than a child sometimes. She loved that part of him and the simplicity of his conversation with Rachel, sensing that their complicity often went beyond words.
"Mum said we can keep him" the girl announced, smiling "we will be his family!"
"Sounds just great" House answered, sarcastic, before receiving a little tap by Cuddy who was passing behind him.
Thanks.