Amazing Grace- A House/NCIS story
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything House related except DVDs. Ryan is mine, though.
Chapter twenty-three
One Month Later
"Please, please, please let me do this!" Cameron begged House as they entered the office together.
"No way!" House retorted, both oblivious to Chase and Foreman's presence in the room. "You are seven months pregnant! The last thing you need is more stress!"
Cameron pouted. "You're just saying that as an excuse! I'm fine, Greg please!"
"Uh, what's going on?" Foreman asked the couple, deciding to interrupt.
Cameron turned to him to explain. "Greg's last PT session is tomorrow, and then he's done. No more cane, no more drugs. I suggested we have a party to celebrate, but he's being a butthead and won't let me."
"Butthead?" Chase raised an eyebrow and House shrugged.
"Don't ask. She's reverted to her teenage years."
Cameron glared at him furiously. "For your information, studies show that babies can hear things from inside the womb. I do not want our daughter to hear bad language."
"Whatever, is not like she knows what any of it means," House rolled his eyes.
Cameron continued to glare at him, and he sighed. "Chocolate mousse?"
"With ice cream and fudge brownies," she replied icily, planting herself in her chair as House left the office.
Foreman grinned at her once he was gone. "You enjoying this?"
She grinned back. "Oh yeah. He still owes me for scaring me last month."
Chase spoke up thoughtfully. "What if we help plan the party? That way you're not stressed and it still happens?"
"Really?" Cameron asked hopefully.
"Sure," Foreman agreed. "This is a huge deal for you guys, and we could make it your combined baby shower!"
Cameron smiled sweetly and her eyes teared up. "Oh, you guys!"
She rushed over to hug them tightly, then picked up a pad and pen off her desk. "Ok, let's start with the guest list."
The guest list, once completed, consisted of the department, Wilson and Cuddy; the NCIS team and Abby in DC; Ryan and his latest girlfriend, Suzie; the Cameron family; and Blythe and John House. When House returned to the office with Cameron's food, the three ducklings showed him the list and proposed their idea. House inspected the list, then borrowed Cameron's pencil and scrawled two more names onto the bottom, before showing her the paper.
"Is that okay?" he asked her.
Cameron smiled slightly. "Yeah. I think that's fair. Do you want to call?"
House made a face. "No way. Wilson can do it. Do we have a date?"
"Two weeks from Saturday," she answered and he nodded, leaving the office and heading next door.
Wilson was just finishing a phone consult with a patient when he entered and House made himself comfortable while he patiently waited for his friend to finish the conversation.
"No juvenile comments or pranks to make me hang up?" Wilson asked suspiciously as he hung up.
"No, maybe it was all just the Vicodin," House said thoughtfully.
"What's up?" Wilson changed the subject.
House sighed. "Allison convinced me to have a combined 'end of PT party' with her baby shower two weeks from Saturday."
"Ok, sure. I'll definitely be there."
"Yeah, that's why I'm here, to deliver your personal invite," House rolled his eyes.
Wilson grinned. "See, not just the Vicodin. So, what is it then?"
"Can you invite Stacy and Marc for me?"
Wilson's jaw dropped. "What?"
He shrugged. "She started it, she should see the end of it."
He was stunned. "Uh, okay. Sure."
"Thanks, Wonder White," House said cheerfully, leaving the office.
Before House could come back and change his mind, Wilson picked up the phone and dialed Stacy's office number.
"Hello, Stacy Warner's office. This is Francine speaking."
"Hi, this is Dr. James Wilson. Is Mrs. Warner there?"
"Just a moment, Dr. Wilson," Francine said politely and put the oncologist on hold.
She crossed the outer office to her employer's office and knocked lightly.
"Yes?"
"Mrs. Warner, there's a Dr. Wilson on line two for you," Francine informed her boss, who looked surprised.
"Thanks, Fran." Stacy picked up the phone and pressed line two.
"James?"
"Hi, Stacy," Wilson greeted her awkwardly.
"Hi, what's up?"
"What are you and Marc doing two weeks from Saturday?"
Stacy was puzzled, but checked her calendar. "Nothing, why?"
"Any chance you want to come to a party?"
"Sure. Why?"
"It's sort of a celebration. Uh, House has just finished doing physical therapy on his leg and rehab."
Stacy couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What? Are you serious? House? Gregory House?"
Wilson laughed. "The one and only. What do you say?"
"Does he know we're invited?"
"Who do you think invited you?" Wilson demanded.
Stacy was still in shock. "Why now?"
Wilson hesitated. "That's the other thing. See, it's kind of a joint party. It's also a baby shower for Dr. Cameron."
"Allison's pregnant?"
"Seven months."
"Who's the father?"
"House."
Stacy was losing count of how many times in one conversation she could be shocked speechless.
"House? Gregory House?"
"Ok, I'm not going through this again," Wilson told her sternly and she sighed.
"Sorry, I'm just… stunned. How long have they been together?"
"Uh, just over a year. Like a year and one month."
"Wow."
"Tell me about it. They're having a little girl, due August sixteenth… so are you gonna come? House said and I quote, "you started it, so you should see the end.""
"Yes, because it's my fault the idiot's leg through a clot," Stacy said sarcastically, but she smiled. "Sure, we'd love to come. Tell them congratulations for me."
"I will," he assured her. "Trust me, Stace. You won't recognize him."
"I'll do my best. Isn't it going to be awkward for Allison to have me there?"
Wilson grinned. "Her high school ex-boyfriend is also on the guest list, as is the NCIS agent she almost dated before House claimed her."
"That'd be right," she grinned, picturing it.
"Ok, so you'll come?"
"Sure. See ya, Wilson."
"Bye, Stace."
Everyone on the couple's guest list could make it for the party, although it was a close call for Andrew, who was due to ship out to the middle east four days later. The closer the party became the more excited Cameron became; as this would be the first time most people had seen her since her birthday.
The DC people arrived on the Friday night before the party. Ryan had arrived in the States a few days prior and was in Wisconsin visiting his father, and he, the Cameron's and John and Blythe would arrive in New Jersey the next morning, within half an hour of each other.
"Oh my god! You're so big!" exclaimed Tony as he saw Cameron.
Highly sensitive to her large stomach, Cameron frowned. "Thanks, DiNozzo."
Realizing his error, he quickly stepped forward and embraced her. "You're still gorgeous, Allie. Don't worry."
She gave him a small smile as she pulled away. "Thanks."
Abby brushed past Tony and hugged her gingerly. "Hi, Allie."
"Abs, what are you doing?" McGee asked her in confusion.
Abby stepped away and stared at him as though it were obvious. "Well, I don't want to squash the baby."
Cameron laughed. "You can't squash the baby, Abby! Here, give me your hand."
She took her friends hand, and placed it on her stomach, and Abby jumped as it was met with a fierce kick.
"Wow! She's gonna be a kick boxer! Aren't you, little baby Alaia?" she cooed to the bump.
"Yeah, why Alaia?" Cameron asked her.
Abby shrugged. "It's pretty and different. You don't like it?"
"I love it," Cameron assured her. "I was just wondering if there was any specific reasoning behind it."
"It means 'war goddess' in Greek," Ziva offered, approaching with her bags.
Cameron smiled as Ziva hugged her. "How's Chaya doing?"
"She's healthy and growing. Her mother is apparently fat yet glowing," Cameron remarked, somewhat bitterly.
"Don't listen to anything Tony says," Gibbs greeted her, smacking Tony's head as he passed.
Cameron chuckled as he hugged her. "I can do that. But it's not just Tony. My mirror says it too."
Gibbs smiled fondly at her. "You look beautifully pregnant. Just the way it's supposed to be."
Cameron beamed at him, then led them out of the airport. They were once again, staying with team members, while their families had hotel reservations, and Ryan would be staying in the couple's spare room. As it was a fine June day, the party would be held outside, and Cameron spent Saturday morning setting up for the party. Chase and Foreman had volunteered to pick up their families from the airport, and once they arrived, Cameron was ordered not to do anything.
John and Blythe were thrilled to see their son healthy and happy, and Nina and Ted were also overjoyed about their daughter's happiness. House had considered hiding at the hospital until the party, but decided against it after imagining Cameron's reaction. Instead, he mingled with the guests, dreading Stacy and Marc's arrival; and stood in the yard, looking around. While Cameron, Ziva and Abby gossiped, Nina and Blythe helped out Sophie, Jacqui, Heather, Fiona, Rhiannon and Cuddy in the kitchen with the food. The men, save House, were in charge of setting out the yard furniture and keeping an eye on the kids. The doorbell rang, and House hastened to answer it, but regretted his choice when he found himself face to face with his ex-girlfriend and her husband.
"Hi, Stacy," he said awkwardly.
She smiled, but her face registered shock at seeing him healthy and caneless. "Hi, Greg. Congratulations."
He nodded briefly. "Thanks. Hey, Marc."
"Greg."
"So, come on in. Everyone's out the back."
He led them into the yard and over to Cameron, who had now been joined by Gibbs and Ryan in conversation.
"Allie!" he called.
Cameron turned, and held out a hand to Gibbs, who helped her stand, unasked. "Hi, Stacy, Marc. Thanks for coming," she smiled sweetly as though they were old friends.
Stacy appeared to decide to take her lead. "Hi, Allison. Congratulations on the baby, you look great! How long have you got left?"
"About two months," she smiled, one hand caressing her bump.
"And it's a girl?" Marc asked her and she nodded.
"Yeah. Oh, sorry. Uh, Stacy and Marc Warner; this is my best friend, Ryan McMahon and NCIS Special Agent Jethro Gibbs," she introduced them.
"Nice to meet you," Ryan said cheerfully, shaking hands.
The party got underway once the women brought out the food, and everyone mingled and ate, while giving Cameron numerous gifts for the baby. As the sun set, House found himself conveniently next to Ted and Nina as they talked to Blythe and John.
"While you're here, can I talk to you?" House asked them in a low voice as his parents moved away to talk to Gibbs.
Nina and Ted exchanged a glance but agreed, and House led them inside and into the living room.
"What can we do for you Greg?" Ted asked knowingly.
House took a deep breath. "I'm asking you for Allison's hand."
Nina smiled slightly. "You're going to propose?"
House nodded. "Yeah, I probably should have just said that."
Ted smiled. "My daughter is very happy with you. Happier than I've seen her in a long time. You have our blessing on one condition."
House was apprehensive as he nodded cautiously. "Ok."
"I want you to think, really hard about why you want to marry her. If you're doing this just because of the baby, I don't think that's the right reason," Nina said gently.
House actually sighed with relief. "Believe me, Nina. There's so much more to it than that."
"Ok, then. You have our blessing," Ted smiled.
When the three returned to the party, Cameron was opening more gifts, and then Sophie and Jacqui brought out a cake that read Congratulations Allison and Greg!
"Why are there candles?" Cameron asked her sisters, laughing as they set the cake down.
Jacqui shrugged. "We like candles. So, suck it up and blow, Allie!"
Laughing she did so, and then Tony and Ryan began chanting. "Speech! Speech!"
"Shut up!" she glared at them, but House shushed her.
"No, I think that's a good idea," he said, and Cameron raised an eyebrow.
"You have a speech?"
"No, but Wilson probably does."
"No, I don't!" Wilson protested and Tony interrupted.
"I'll give you a speech! 'If you will thank me, let it be for yourself. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you. You are too generous to trifle with me. If your affections are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.'"
"DiNozzo!" Cameron, Ziva and Gibbs cried in unison.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly.
"Is that from Pride and Prejudice?" Cameron frowned at her friend.
"2005, Keira Knightly, Matthew MacFayden, the scene where Darcy proposes to Elizabeth… the second time," Tony confirmed.
"I love that scene!" Cameron sighed wistfully.
Tony grinned at her. "Apparently more people would rather sleep with Mr. Darcy than Brad Pitt."
"I would," Sophie spoke up.
"Sophie!" Cameron exclaimed half in horror, half laughing.
"Would you prefer the speech from the scene where Elizabeth and Caroline Bingely are walking and talking?" Tony offered.
"Can I say something?" House asked his girlfriend.
"Sure. What movie are you going to quote from?" she laughed.
House paused, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a jeweler's box which he handed to her silently. Cameron gasped as she opened it to find a stunning ring that matched the necklace he had given her for her birthday.
"Oh my god!" she whispered, looking up from the ring to her boyfriend's face.
House knelt down on one knee and took her hand in his, as their friends fell silent and Tony snickered quietly, earning himself a smack on the head from Gibbs and Ziva.
"I was going to use that same speech, but now DiNozzo's already used it, so it wouldn't have the same effect," he started and Cameron laughed breathlessly.
"I don't have a speech, or any big plans… I just need to say that I love you. And that I'm actually excited about changing diapers and getting no sleep for the next few years, which is just a hint of the ways that I've changed since you've been in my life. When I first hired you, I saw you as an extremely young doctor who was gorgeous and looking for a chance to prove herself, and Wilson and Cuddy convinced me to give you that chance. I owe them big time for bringing you into my life. And I owe you even more for letting me love you, and waiting for me until I was ready to see that I loved you too. If you'll let me, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Allison, will you marry me?"
Cameron smiled tearily, and nodded wordlessly, her throat dry. "Yes," she managed to say, and House took the ring off her and slipped it onto her hand.
Tony picked up a party blower from the table and blew it loudly as Abby and McGee began cheering. Cameron blushed deeply as everyone joined in, and then the couple were swamped with hugs and congratulations from their friends.
"Welcome to the family, sweetheart," Blythe said to Cameron as she hugged her, tearily.
"Thanks," Cameron replied softly. She pulled away and found herself facing Gibbs.
"Any words of wisdom?" she grinned at him.
"Allison, I was married four times. I don't think I have any advice on the subject," he smiled and hugged her tightly.