Alright, first I need to apologize for the insanely long time frame between updates. First I had finals and then I was just plain procrastinating, and then when I finally sat down to write, I had writer's block. How's that for luck? Anyways, here ya go. Reactions upon returning home.
Cuddy enters her outer office, so busy digging for her keys that she doesn't notice Cameron leaning against her assistant's desk.
"Sorry," Cameron apologizes when Cuddy finally notices her and drops the files she's carrying in shock. Cameron kneels down to help her boss collect them.
"That's alright." Cuddy glances at her watch before accepting the stack of files. "You're here early."
"I needed to speak with you about the events in New York."
Cuddy falters in step slightly, taking a deep breath while placing the files on her desk. Once she composed herself, she turns to Cameron.
"What did House do this time?"
"He proposed." Cameron deadpans, taking a seat in one of the chairs across from Cuddy. Cuddy collapses in her chair in shock, not saying anything. Cameron moves to explain before Cuddy can say anything. "Greg and I have been seeing each other for the past five months. And he proposed to me this past weekend in New York."
Cuddy shuffles through some files, trying to compose herself, before finally looking up. "And why is it that House didn't come here with you?"
"We felt that it would be best if I came alone given that I don't have the same history of pulling pranks on you that House does."
"And this isn't a prank."
"No, it's not."
"Alright. Keep it out of the hospital while I figure out what to do with you."
"We can do that." Cameron stands and leaves, leaving Cuddy stunned in her chair.
Wilson is arranging his files for the day when there is a knock on his door.
"Come in," He shouts, not lifting his head. He hears the door open, but doesn't look up until he hears someone collapse into one of his chairs. He looks up to see Cuddy slumped in one of his chairs.
"Did you know?" Cuddy asks directly.
"Know what?" Wilson questions absentmindedly while, shuffling his files into a pile and pushing them to the side to give his boss his full attention.
"About House and Cameron."
"Uhm yeah. I found out the day before they left for New York."
"How did you find out?"
"I walked in on them making out in his office. How did you find out?"
"Cameron just came to my office and told me because House-" Cuddy composes herself with a deep breath before continuing, "House proposed while they were in New York."
"What?! House proposed? House proposed? That's news to me. House proposed?"
"Yes. Do you want to interrogate him about this?"
"With pleasure." Wilson glances at his watch, mentally checking his schedule. "I've got half an hour right now. I can at least get something out of him." Wilson offers his hand to Cuddy to help her to her feet once he rounds the desk.
Chase enters the locker room and looks around quickly, ensuring that it's empty before sitting down next to Cameron's open locker. He doesn't have to wait long before she exits the showers dressed in scrubs. She jumps slightly when she sees him sitting by her stuff.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"We need to talk. I thought I'd take the chance that you still work out in the hospital gym in the mornings."
"Chase. We broke up, remember? Not that we ever had a real relationship to start with." Cameron pushes him to the side so that she can get her locker open and get her stuff. The first thing that she pulls out is her engagement ring, which she immediately puts on, taking a moment to admire it.
"But House! Come on, Allison, why him?"
"Why not? I thought that a big reason for being in a relationship with someone is because you love them. Well I love Greg, I'm in love with Greg."
"Allison-"
"That's Dr. Cameron, or just Cameron. You didn't seem to have a problem calling me by my last name even when we were together - and I use that word in the loosest sense - so why are you reverting to my first name now?"
"Fine, Cameron. Are you sure?"
"Positive, Chase. It might be hard to believe, but he makes me happy, happier than I ever thought I'd ever get the chance to be again. When I'm not with him, I want to be, and when I am with him, I can't imagine ever leaving his side. I know that no one will support us once they find out, but I don't care, because he's everything I never knew I'd want. I had the stereotypical 'perfect man' once, he wasn't for me. I don't care that he's damaged, or that he's got a drug habit, or that he's quite possibly the most sarcastic, bitter, cranky man on the planet - he's got a way of putting a smile on my face when I don't think anything else is possible." Cameron turns back to her locker, pulling out her clothes for the day. Chase is silent from his place on the bench before he slowly gets up, putting a hand on her shoulder, waiting for her to turn around.
"You've got one person on your side." He comments when she finally faces him. "I always knew that I wasn't the one for you - even though I did want it to be so - and I might not think that he's the one for you, but if he really does make you this happy, then I'm on your side."
"Thank you, Chase." Cameron leans into him for a hug.
"Plus, have you noticed how much nicer House has been to us lately? If you're responsible for that then I definitely want you to keep sleeping with him. And yes that image will be forever burned on my brain."
Cameron smacks him on the arm with a laugh before shoving him towards the door. "Thanks Chase. Now get out of here, this body is for one man's eyes only now."
Wilson enters House's office and casually takes a seat in front of the desk, waiting for House to notice him sitting there. Finally House looks up from his Gameboy.
"Can I help you with something, Wilson?"
"I was just wondering how things went in New York. I heard that the conference was a success."
"Well, I don't know about the rest of the conference, but I do know that our bit went well."
"Yeah, I heard that your opening sounded like the opening to some cheesy joke."
"Well, I try to keep everyone entertained."
"So nothing exciting happened?" Wilson fishes.
"Cameron dragged me to Wicked, I met her younger siblings and their significant others. I think they liked me."
"That's good. Anything else happen?"
"Nope." House returns to his Gameboy, leaving Wilson exasperated. Before he can comment, his beeper goes off, summoning him to his first appointment. Wilson gives House one last moment, before getting up and leaving. He's halfway out the door when House calls him back.
"Oh, Wilson?"
"Yes?" Wilson returns, though stays in the doorway.
"Dust off your tux. I need a best man."
"Sure thing. We will talk about this later."
"Yes, wife."
When lunch time comes around, Cameron walks into House's office, locks the door and plops down on the couch.
"In the middle of the work day!? I'm game." House shuts off his Gameboy and goes to the couch, covering Cameron's body with his own and kissing her before she can say anything (fortunately, he already had the blinds shut). Cameron eventually pushes him back.
"Funny, Greg, but that's not why I came in here. We need to talk."
"You have no idea how those four words strike fear in the hearts of men."
"I'm serious."
"Okay." House sits up and allows her to do the same, pulling her legs across his own and holding her close before she can protest. Cameron doesn't, and quickly cuddles into his side.
"People are noticing my ring. Do you want to start telling people?"
"Cuddy knows, right?"
"Yeah, I told her this morning."
"And I'm betting that she went straight to Wilson. He was in my office just before his first patient."
"How did he react?"
"He was called off before he could say anything. He just left with the comment that we would talk later. What else do we need to talk about?"
"I don't want anything big. I had that once before, I don't want it again."
"Sounds good. Normally I'd say 'six people on a beach', but I think your siblings and Jack would have something to say about that." Cameron tilts her head back with a question in her eyes, causing House to elaborate. "'Six people on a beach' ... you, me, your parents, and mine."
"Right, speaking of... My parents are going to be in town tonight."
"What did you tell them?"
"Nothing, I just asked them if they wanted to come for a visit, and told them that I had to tell them something that was better told in person. Immediate family only on a beach sounds nice. We could do a big party later."
"I already asked Wilson to be my best man."
"Wilson has put up with you for how many years...? I think we can count him as family."
"Sounds good. Anything else?" Cameron cuddles deeper into his chest, debating whether or not to tell him about her conversation with Chase. "Something's on your mind...what is it?"
"Chase was in the locker room waiting for me this morning."
"What did he want?"
"I think he was originally going to try and talk me out of it." She feels House tense up beneath her and holds him tighter. "We talked for a while and he eventually said that he was supporting me - supporting us. Not that there was any hope of him talking me out of marrying you."
"Good to know." House stares down at Cameron, waiting until she raises her gaze to meet his. He's about to kiss her when they hear someone enter the conference room. They hear Foreman's voice and two others that he doesn't recognize, though she does. She quickly jumps to her feet and unlocks the door between the rooms before anyone can try and open it.
"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here? I thought you weren't getting here until tonight."
"We managed to get an earlier flight." House hears Cameron's mother respond gets to his feet to greet them. Cameron steps aside, allowing her parents into the office. Once Mr. Cameron enters, House sees where Adam got his size from and recoils slightly.
"Is this a bad time?" Mr. Cameron asks, glancing between his daughter and House.
"No, not at all. We actually don't have a patient at the moment, so it's not a bad time at all." Cameron turns to face House. "Mom, Dad, this is my boss, Greg House; House, these are my parents, Alice and William Cameron."
"Pleasure to meet the both of you. You ought to be proud of Allison, she's an exceptional doctor."
"I'd rather think of my daughter as an exceptional woman than doctor." Alice states.
"She's that also."
"Thank you." Before any uncomfortable silence can begin, Wilson enters the office without knocking.
"Alright House, time for an explanation. I can understand you keeping the relationship a secret, but for you to propose and not mention something-" Wilson stops talking when he looks up and sees the three extra people standing there.
"And this is James Wilson, he's the head of Oncology; Dr. Wilson, these are my parents, Alice and William Cameron."
"Right. Nice to meet the both of you." Wilson falters slightly when he takes notice of the sheer size of Cameron's father. "House...?" Wilson beckons him out silently.
"Right, lunch." House turns back to the Camerons. "It was a pleasure meeting you both, I'm sure that I'll see you both again before you return home."
"Nice meeting you also, Dr. House." Alice returns as House leaves.
Once in the hallway, Wilson turns to House, "That's your future father-in-law!? I hope that you know what you're doing, House."
"Have I ever gone into a situation without both eyes open?"
Wilson just stares back at him with the obvious Are you serious? comment in his eyes.
One more chapter probably, and no I won't be going into too much detail with the wedding. I've got another story going through my mind that I want to at least get started before school starts for the fall. Read, review, please.