A/N: WOW! It's been a while since I've updated, but real life and by that I mean college life has been hard on me. Thank you all for reviewing the last chapter;-)

When House finally got home the house was dark. Not even the light in the kitchen, Cuddy usually left on for him, was turned off. Cuddy must've thought he wasn't coming home tonight.

Before he went to the bedroom he stopped outside Rachel's room. They always left the door open at night so they could hear if she needed them. He entered the room and saw that the bed was empty. Cuddy must've allowed Rachel to sleep in their bed.

And his suspicions were correct, because when he entered his and Cuddy's bedroom he could hear two different sets of heavy breathing. As he got closer to the bed he could see them. Cuddy had cuddled close to Rachel and she had her arms around her daughter, protecting Rachel from whatever nightmare she might have had tonight.

He limped as quietly as he could to the bed and then he changed into his pajama pants, it was warm enough to sleep without a t-shirt. Carefully he made himself comfortable and faced his girls.

They looked so peaceful. He reached out carefully and gently placed his arm around both Cuddy and Rachel.

As soon as his arm touched Cuddy though her eyes opened. "You're here…" she whispered.

House nodded. "Jack said goodnight to me." He whispered in return.

"That's great." She squeezed the arm that was around her and Rachel.

"Yeah it was." He mumbled. "Nolan offered to help us and he gave me the number of a lawyer. We're not giving up."

"I know we're not. I already had a lawyer in mind, she helped me hurry the process of adopting Rachel."

Suddenly Rachel started stirring; she turned onto her back and mumbled something about Spongebob.

"I should never have let you two watch that crap. She's being stalked by a talking sponge in her dreams." Cuddy said while laughing.

"Stop insulting Spongebob, he would never stalk her. See she is smiling now." And of course he was right. There was a bright smile on Rachel's sleeping face.

"So what's the name of the lawyer?" He asked.

"Her name is Vanessa Hotchins."

"She must be good, that's the same name Nolan gave me." The sentence ended with a yawn, he didn't realize how tired he was.

"We call her tomorrow." Cuddy mumbled sounding half asleep herself. "Go to sleep."

He kissed Cuddy's and Rachel's forehead and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The next day, the clock had just gone past 11 when House started to wake up. The bed, of course, was empty. Both Rachel and Cuddy were early birds.

Today was Saturday. What he really should be doing was prepare for the class he was going to teach in a couple of weeks. Right now though that wasn't important, Jack was his first priority.

Just as he was getting up to go to the bathroom Cuddy entered the room. "Great you're up!" She was still in her rope, she must've slept in as well. "I called the lawyer, she agreed to help us. We're meeting the lawyer today at three." House nodded and grunted his answer; it was way too early to talk.

Cuddy always found House's morning behavior funny, it always made her smile. It was even funnier when Rachel was the one to wake him, because she always expected him to answer and currently Rachel was in the why-phase. So imagine House trying to explain how Spongebob gets into the TV at seven thirty in the morning. And just to tease him Cuddy usually lets Rachel wake him up.

Cuddy heard the toilet flush and then the shower being turned on, so she went back to the living room to check on Rachel. Her daughter was still in front of the TV, Rachel was so into her cartoons she didn't even react when Cuddy kissed the back of her head.

"Miss Hotchins will be with you in a moment." The secretary said and left them alone in the huge office.

"She must be very good, her office is bigger than yours." House teased while filling two mugs with coffee and handing one to Cuddy.

"She handled Rachel's case in record time."

They waited in silence until the door opened again and a black woman about Cuddy's age entered the room. She was wearing a black skirt with a lavender blouse showing just enough cleavage without looking too slutty. Just like Cuddy she knew a little showing could go a long way.

"Lisa, it's so nice to see you again." Cuddy gave the woman a hug. "How's Rachel?"

"She's great. Growing every day, she'll be starting Pre-School after the summer."

"I remember her being so worryingly tiny when I held her. I'm so happy that you got her." House watched Hotchins closely and she seemed generally happy for Cuddy.

"Can we finally get to the point? I do have a patient, for all you know he could be in danger."

Cuddy rolled her eyes at him. "This is my boyfriend Dr. House and he is pleased to meet you." House smirked and took a seat again.

"Well he's right. Let's talk about your case." Hotchins went to her desk and looked just as intimidating and impressive as Cuddy does when she sits in the big chair and in boss-mode. "I called the caseworker today and the main reason why the state won't let you adopt Jack is, because of your recent health issues Dr. House." She explained frankly. House looked down, starring at his hands the vicodin and Mayfield never left him long enough alone. "But I think we have an excellent chance of convincing the judge to let you adopt Jack. The state hasn't really done a good job of finding a foster family for the boy."

House and Cuddy both nodded. "So, what's your strategy?" Cuddy asked.

"First we're gonna try and see if we can solve this without going to court. There's enough evidence against the state and this could be a huge public scandal. But I have to say it won't be easy, they will try to make you look bad and dig up all the dirt Dr. House, so it's important that you support each other and stay calm."

Again both House and Cuddy nodded. "I also have a man who takes care of me once a week." House said.

"Yeah, he's the one who emailed me. How's the arrogant ass?" She asked with the same arrogant expression as his shrink.

Suddenly it clicked for House, that's where Nolan knew her from. "A lawyer and a Doctor, your parents must be proud."

"I can see why he calls you his favorite patient." She laughed and filled a glass with water. "Anyway, I'll get the ball rolling and I should know more tomorrow and I will call you."

"Should we tell Jack that we want to adopt him? We haven't even talked to him about all this." Cuddy was worried and so was House, what if Jack didn't even want to live with them?

"It might be good idea. In my experience these types of cases can be closed very quickly." There was this arrogant expression again, but this time it relaxed him.

"Okay." Cuddy said and reached out to squeeze his hand.

"Well, I think that is for now."

They all stood up at the same time. Hotchins walked around her desk and said "I will call you tomorrow, Lisa." The women hugged each other goodbye. "It was nice meeting you Dr. House." He didn't answer but he did shake her hand, something that showed Cuddy he did respect their lawyer.

They left Vanessa Hotchins' office with a good feeling.

A/N: I should probably point out that I am not a lawyer or a law student! Anyway I wish you all a good day… Don't forget to review;-)