Chapter 10

"Greg, welcome … come in … please …" Cameron looked up and down the hallway before closing the door behind House. "That's funny, I could have sworn I heard voices out there … oh well, let me take your coat."

Cameron flashed an appreciative smile at House as she hung up his coat. Her heart jumped when she saw how handsome he looked, dressed completely in black with the collar of his dress shirt unbuttoned just enough to give her a delicious peek at his chest.

But his face …something was different. Cameron tried to figure out what it was, and then it hit her …it was his beard. Although the House stubble was still there, it was shorter and meticulously trimmed, giving him a youthful and ever-so-sexy appearance. Cameron stopped herself just as she was about to touch his cheek. That would have to wait … for now.

House melted when he saw Cameron in her pretty dress. She had her hair up in that 'bedroom' style he loved so much, with soft tendrils framing her angelic face. He was sure if he removed one strategically placed bobby pin, her shining curls would come tumbling down over her shoulders. Maybe later …

"You look lovely Allison." Cameron blushed at his compliment. Cameron had agonized over what to wear and was glad that she had decided on a dress in light of House's attire.

After she'd returned from Millie's, Cameron took her new dress out of the closet. It was a classic wrap featuring a vee neck, three quarter length sleeves and a flared skirt that ended just below her knees, but the fabric was what made it so special. It was the colour of spring; the subtle pattern of the silk looked like an Impressionist painting, with delicate shades of mauve, soft blue and pink dappled throughout the dress. Minding Millie's instructions, Cameron had chosen her lingerie most carefully and selected a lavender lace demi bra and matching lace boy panties to wear beneath the dress. Her nails were perfectly manicured and painted a delicate shade of pink and she wore strappy lavender heels to complete the outfit.

"Thank you, Greg … you look very handsome, I like your new …" Cameron smiled, touching her cheek.

"Well, I thought that I was looking a little rough around the edges, but I'm glad that you think it looks okay…" House said self-consciously, although he was very pleased that she had noticed. "Am I the first to arrive?

Here it comes …

"Yes you are and actually there's been a change of plans. Eric and Robert won't be joining us after all, I hope you don't mind?" Cameron asked nervously.

House smiled, ever so slightly.

"No, not at all … I'm very pleased actually." House instantly regretted adding that last part. Was it too bold? Or just right.

"Oh good, I'm happy that your not disappointed." Cameron said shyly.

Disappointed … thought House … hell, I'm delighted …why aren't they here? Was it because of the break-up with Chase? That would explain his absence, but not Foreman's. I wonder what happened … but I won't ask, just yet.

"Come in Greg. May I help you with your bags?" Cameron led House into the living room. House set the bag down with Cameron's Easter basket and handed her the wine. "I brought wine for dinner; it's been chilled and there's something special in there for you too."

"Why don't we go into the kitchen then and we can decide what we'd like to drink." House followed Cameron into the kitchen, admiring the way her dress swayed with the movement of her hips.

"Boy the turkey smells good …" House said, checking out the kitchen, "apple pie …" he said with delight," that's my favourite. Did you bake it yourself?"

"Yes I did." replied Cameron, smiling proudly. It's his favourite …

Cameron set the wine on the counter. "Chardonnay … lovely, that will be perfect with our dinner, I'll just slip these into the fridge and now … what's my surprise … Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Greg, you shouldn't have, but thank you …"

Cameron turned to House and instinctively gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she could think. House grinned and placed his hands on her tiny waist.

"You're welcome." House tipped his head to hers and brushed his lips, ever so softly, over hers, pressing against Cameron for a tender kiss.

When the kiss ended, Cameron opened her eyes to see House gazing at her. She had butterflies in her stomach.

"Ummm … what could I get you to drink Greg, I have beer, scotch, wine …"

"What were you going to have …"

"Well I'd love to try the Chateauneuf … care to join me?"

"I was hoping you'd ask. Would you like me to open the bottle?" asked House.

Cameron paused, startled by the sound of thunder, and handed House the corkscrew.

"Why don't we sit in the living room? The turkey still has to cook for an hour, but I have appetizers. But first, come see my dining room table." Cameron said eagerly.

House looked at the elegant table and knew immediately why she had brought him there. "Greg, thank you so much for the flowers, they're exquisite."

They were exquisite. The centrepiece was overflowing with pink tulips, Dutch iris, hyacinths and creamy mini roses on a bed of ferns and magnolia leaves.

It's magnificent … House thought, making a mental note to call Mr. Dean at the first of the week.

House settled with Cameron on the sofa as they sipped their wine.

"So, you never did tell me … why couldn't Chase and Foreman come?" asked House. House noticed Cameron staring at her skirt as she tried to avoid answering his question.

"I'd rather not say, if you don't mind." Cameron said, looking away.

"Let me guess … they refused to come to dinner when they found out that you'd invited me too … am I on the right track?"

"Yes …" Cameron said sadly. House felt terrible. He had ruined her dinner party.

"Oh Allison, I'm so sorry … you should have told me … I could have stayed home …" House glanced out the window as a flash of lightning caught his eye.

"Oh no, Greg, oh no … I want you to be here … I would never ask you to stay away …:" Cameron said, seeing his mood darken. "Let's talk about something happier, okay?" House had a lot more to say, but it could wait until later.

"Sure … aren't you curious about what I have in that bag?" Cameron brightened as she picked up the shopping bag. "Is it for me?"

"Yes it is … why don't you have a look?" House asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.

Cameron lifted the Easter basket out of the bag and held it on her lap.

House was shocked when he saw tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Allison … Allison … what's wrong, I thought that you would like it. Why are you crying, sweetheart?" House asked, his heart breaking at the sight of her tears.

"It's … it's a bunny basket …"

"Yes … a bunny basket …"

"How did you know?" Cameron asked, looking at House tearfully.

"Know what?"

"My Dad. Every year, my father would always make a bunny basket for my brothers and sisters. Even after I went away to college and med school, he'd send one to me, until he passed away a couple of years ago. It was one of the things I loved most about Easter." Cameron explained.

"I didn't know sweetheart, I just saw the bunny and I knew that you would like her. Anne helped me put the basket together." House slipped an arm around Cameron's shoulder. "So you like it then?"

"It means the world to me Greg, you have no idea." Cameron smiled weakly.

"Well, open it then and I'll tell you all about it."

Cameron opened the cellophane wrapping and picked up the bunny.

"Her name is Henry Fancy Daisy …"

"Oh Greg, she's a Steiff bunny …"

"Yes, she is. She's a replica of a pet bunny that belonged to Richard Steiff's daughter. Anne wrote the story down for me."

"Who's Anne?" Cameron asked.

"She's a really nice saleslady that works at Jordan's." Cameron nestled the bunny in her arms.

"Greg, she's beautiful, I'll treasure her forever. I'm going to put her on my bed and sleep with her every night!" Cameron said happily.

Lucky bunny …

"There's more … keep looking …"

"Look at all of the chocolates and Easter eggs …"

"They open … here I'll show you." House grabbed an egg, eager to show Cameron how they worked. "You just have to twist them, like this, and they'll open."

Cameron had seen them before, but she was not about to spoil House's fun.

"Wow, let me try." Cameron reached for an egg.

"Oh no … not that one …" House put his hand over the egg. "You can't open these three just yet, okay?"

"Okay …" Cameron looked at House, trying to figure out what he was up to. "How about this one?" House nodded his approval.

Cameron twisted open the yellow Easter egg and found a package of jelly beans.

"Oooo … jelly beans, my favourite … thank you so much Greg."

Cameron set the basket on her coffee table along with her bunny. She turned to House, knelt on the sofa and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the embrace, holding her tight as he reclined on the sofa.

House was overcome with desire for Cameron. Her delicate perfume teased him; he wanted to touch and taste every part of her being, he longed to discover how to pleasure her and how to love her so perfectly and so completely that she would be his forever.

Their lips met once again, but this time they were bold and hungry for each other. They kissed so deeply, with such passion that for those brief moments, their bodies became one.

They parted, gasping for air and began to pull together once more when a thunderous roar, accompanied by blinding shards of light shot through the night sky.

The sound was deafening, the light intense.

Cameron screamed with shock.

House held her tight.

Another boom … another crackle …

And then the lights went out ….

tbc ...