"Hey," she smiles.
Returning the smile, he lifts the bag into view. "Hey, brought some food."
"Well, I just ate," she replies, eyeing the bag while opening the door wider for him to come through.
Two hamburgers, a chicken wrap, one set of potato wedges, three corn dogs, and two chunks of rice crispies later, they sit almost opposite each other in her small living room.
"Wilson, thank you."
He raises his eyebrows, his head comfortably resting on the head rest of his chair.
"For the near food coma? You're welcome."
Smiling, she closes her eyes when he does. The silence is one she's come to expect when they're together, mostly because too much talking leads to too many questions she's not ready to answer.
"How's the new apartment search going?"
"Alright, I guess. I haven't found the right one yet. One was too far. The other was too close. Another one was too high. And one smelled like...pepperjack cheese."
"You don't have too much time left."
"I know," she answers, annoyed.
"If you need help with it, I can help you."
"I'm fine."
"You're about to be single mother in a too small apartment with a demanding job. It's okay to need help."
"Mom, I'm sure I can handle it."
"Pshaw."
The silence covers them again, and this time he decides to push it.
"This is...getting complicated."
She mulls it over in her head. To answer, or not to answer?
"Too much for your strong shoulders?"
"Deflection. Fantastic."
"I'm not deflecting."
"You were."
"Wasn't!"
"Fine."
He exhales softly, opening his eyes. She'd hit her 27 week mark just a few days ago. They'd celebrated it with donuts when she'd gotten off work at the local shop. At the time, he'd sat in awe as she managed to eat twelve in a row. This time, he sits in awe of how beautiful she is, and of how unaware of it she is.
"It's too complicated," he repeats.
Hesitantly, she opens her eyes, her brow furrowing gently as she thinks.
"I know."
"Chase..."
"Yeah."
"Me..."
"Yes."
"Sebastian Charles..."
"Definitely."
"House..."
"I know."
"Your answers are very telling."
Standing with a huff, she braces her hands on her back and begins to pace around the room.
"I know!"
"Cameron..."
"Wilson..."
"I'm just saying, what are you going to do when your child is born? What are you going to say?"
"I don't know!"
"You've only got--."
"I know how long I've got! I see what the problem is! I get that I screwed up everything!"
One hand goes to cover her mouth as she stops behind him, trying to stay the tears she's been fighting all day.
Hearing her halted breaths, he rises from the chair and turns around to see her trying to hold it in. Putting his hands on his hips, he mentally thinks about ending all the lies so they can stop lying themselves. Walking steadily towards her, he takes her by her upper arms and pulls her to him until he feels her belly make contact with his own. Keeping her close to his shoulder, he frowns.
"It's okay. I'm sorry."
"No, no," she shakes her head. "You're right. I just...I just don't know what I'm going to do."
"You will."
Before she lets herself get comfortable, she pulls away, reaching for the kleenex box on the counter. After blowing her nose, she crosses her arms over her chest loosely, looking intensely at him.
Softly, her lips barely moving, "He left me."
One hand in his pocket and the other brushing through his hair tiredly, he sighs.
"Not technically."
"I told him...and he didn't say a word to me. He left me there, alone in my own kitchen."
"To think, Cameron. I mean, he didn't expect for you to get pregnant."
"Neither did I. And now he's gone and I have to deal with this."
"You can't hide from him forever. One day, he'll---."
"What? Change his mind? Suddenly think, I'm going to stop what I've been doing my whole professional life? I'm going to settle down in New Jersey in a new apartment and raise our kid?"
"If you never give him a chance, then of course not!"
Leaning back against the counter, she takes in his frame, suddenly just needing to break free of what she's been thinking these past few months.
"Do you really want me to?"
"Of course I do."
"Or do you want me to keep quiet, stay pained, stay hidden so you and I can share in this? Do you like all the secrecy? Holding me together? Loving the way I'm screwed and need help?"
"That's incredulous! You...you know what," he raises his hands. "I'm leaving now. I'll see you at work Monday."
The door shuts, and for an instant she's strong by herself. Then her stance crumbles. She reaches again for the tissue, knowing she'll need them after she calls Sebastian.
A/N: Oh, my lovely, lovely reviewers and readers. If it weren't for you guys, I'd seriously be a girl with no ship, a girl with no love for House, a girl with no esteem to post. So thank you, for with your support, is the only way I can write.
LOL. I'm watching the Oscars. Javier Bardem won! No Country For Old Men better win too!! If you're thoroughly confused with what's going on after this chap, don't be worried. I think you're supposed to be since I'm trying to stay suspenseful.