Authors note: Lots of this chapter's ideas are from my Friend Prinnie, who constantly makes me crack up with her quirkiness and Huddyrific ideas. So, to please her and say thanks that way I followed her Huddy ramblings. By the way Takashimaya is existing, even on 5th Ave, I just don't know if the have bathrobes/ dressing robes. Harry Winston is existing too, same with Takashimaya.
Autumn was almost over and Winter was on its way, bringing colder winds and the first frost as well as the pre-Christmas buzz and New York was in full swing with it.
Cuddy actually liked that time of the year. Although her mother being Jewish the Cuddy family had followed their fathers religious believes, he was Protestant, too. So the Cuddy's celebrated first Hanukkah and then Christmas itself, never once questioning either believe. She loved Christmas and Hanukkah and mixed their rituals to Chrismukkah, as many mixed religious families had done before them.
It was the start of November and only two months to go to get all the Christmas shopping done, knowing that delaying it any further would mean she would only get half of the things on her list. Cuddy made her way past reception and then out the front entrance of the Waldorf, lunch had just been served and all meetings adjourned until after three, giving her at least 3 hours of shopping time.
She made her way slowly up and down 5th Avenue, looking here and there, and actually buying a few things. Slowly her shopping list got smaller, and the weight of stress on her shoulders dissipated with it. Now she only had to think of something for Greg and Wilson, her Mother and Father. For Wilson she thought about a tie, her parents loved traveling, so her parents would get a travel from her. Greg was the only real problem. What to get someone who's only real wish was to get his life back?
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He had almost lost her twice in the throngs of New Yorkers, criss crossing his way over and over, making it hard to follow but also making it hard for her to acknowledge that she was being followed. He waited patiently whenever she made her way into shops, once getting a hot chocolate to warm himself, the other time getting a hot dog or sitting on a bench reading a newspaper to look like your regular New Yorker. He thought he'd managed quite well. Until he lost her again.
Turning in a circle he quickly assessed the few shops where she could've gone into. He decided for Takashimaya since the Disney store seemed off, even for her. The Raven haired beauty was probably on a hunt for pricey Jasmine blended green tea or wellness massage oil. Maybe she was starting to realize that she was missing some cups in her mental cupboard and decided to get some new one's, Japan style.
The culprit smirked at the thought and creeped into the shop. She definitely had one loose for letting him work for her, she should've known what to expect.
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Takashimaya's Wellness department held everything a woman could possibly wish for and it was everything but cheap.
Cuddy's hands stroked over the fabric of an Japan style dress robe, the soft silk slipping through her fingers, the stitchings the only rougher feature of the cloth. She ended up buying one for herself and one for House as part of her Christmas present for him.
Before leaving the store she went into it's tea shop and bought some Jasmine tea for home as well as taking one with her to go. For a moment she had a funny feeling at the back of her neck, the smell of a perfume let her stop in mid stride out the door. That mix of perfume soap and sweat... . She chuckled to herself. She just always felt followed, thanks to House.
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She had almost caught him before he could Vanish in the crowd on the other side of the street. He walked up 5th Ave and slipped into the first store presenting itself far away enough. After all he wasn't here to follow her all day long. He had a job to take care of.
'May I help you Sir?'
He swiveled around and stared at the shop lady, registering his surroundings for the first time. He had landed himself in a Jewelery store. A schooled look to the door revealed the name Harry Winston and had him smirking. Leave it to her to make him flee into one of the most expensive Jewelers store's around. Well nothing about Lisa Cuddy was cheap.
'Actually, you could. I am searching for a Christmas present. To accompany earrings much like those.'
He pointed to Pear shaped diamond earrings.
'Well let me show you some things.'
An hour later he left the store, his bank account a little lighter and his smile more firmly set.
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After the last meeting Lisa went back to her room, intent on taking a soak and enjoying room service, which was free for he, thanks to the board. Once in the room she wriggled out of her shoes and made her way to her bed.
She gasped as her eyes landed on a present box, simple black wrapping and black bow. Her heartbeat and pulse sped up as she made her way forward, lifting the lid of the box to reveal a simple black dress, the neck line low enough to reveal cleavage, but not low enough to expose. She lifted the dress by it's straps from the box, estimating it would just end under her knees and holding it against her she found herself having been right.
She looked back into the box to find a card with a neat and all too well known handwriting declaring to get dressed for the evening and be ready by 7.
Cuddy didn't know if she should be infuriated or extremely pleased by the lengths he had gone to please her.
By 7 she had decided she was pleased. The dress fit her perfectly, hugging and accentuating her curves. She had put on a light make up and put her hair up, leaving it curly as she knew he loved it. A rap on the door made her jump with excitement on the inside. With measured steps she went towards the door and opened it slowly.
TBC...MWAH.