Chapter 45

Wilson blew through the doors of the hospital lobby and sprinted to the stairs without so much as a backward glance in House's direction. House limped toward the elevator, shooting grim glances at everyone in his path.

Wilson had barely stopped at the nurse's station in OB when he was pointed in the direction of the OR suites. Jogging down the hall, he could just catch a glimpse of the top of someone's head pacing back and forth in the hall. He pushed through the swinging doors to be confronted with the tensest Allison Cameron he'd ever seen. That can't be good.

"The baby's heart rate spiked, they took for a crash section about three minutes ago," Cameron said. Wilson tried to step through the doors and Cameron held him back. "Jimmy, you know they won't let you in there now."

House stepped through the doors and Cameron repeated her news. House nodded and leaned back against the wall, watching Cameron try her best to comfort Wilson. If it had been another situation, it might have been funny. Comments about the blind leading the blind flitted through his mind, but he contented himself with smirking quickly. Neither Cameron nor Wilson looked to be in the mood for his typically caustic brand of humor.

Cuddy hissed sharply as another contraction hit. She closed her eyes and listened to the hustle around her. The fact that she knew much of what was going on did nothing to allay her fears. To the contrary, it only solidified for them, driving home just how many ways this could go wrong.

"Dr. Cuddy? You okay?" Nurse Baker asked.

"Just a contraction," Cuddy replied.

Nurse Baker's eyes flicked to Dr. Huntley with alarm. She shouldn't be able to feel the contractions.

"Lisa, can you feel this?" Dr. Huntley asked as he tested her reaction over various parts of her abdomen. She shook her head each time he asked. "Let's get this show on the road then."

Cuddy nodded and Nurse Baker slid the curtain across her chest to block her view. It was only moments later that a shrill cry pierced the room. It was the most beautiful sound Cuddy had ever heard.

In the hall, a trio of doctor's paused in their pacing, clenching and cane twirling at the sound of a shrill cry. Wilson slumped back against the wall in relief. Cameron laughed and let a few tears slide down her cheeks. House tapped his cane on the floor a few times in a silent acknowledgement that the baby was okay.

Before Cuddy could really get a good look at her, the NICU nurse was whisking her out of the room. Cuddy closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Abigail Emily was okay.

But something else was wrong. She hurt.

"I feel that," Cuddy said with a shaky voice.

"You might feel a little pressure, that's completely normal," Dr. Huntley said reassuringly.

"Not pressure," Cuddy gasped. "Hurts."

"You shouldn't be able to feel any pain," Dr. Huntley said with concern.

"Tell my abdomen," Cuddy barked at him. "It … aaaahhhhh … burns," Cuddy wailed and hitched in a breath with a tremendous effort. She didn't remember screaming before things went mercifully black.

In the hall, Wilson watched as the NICU nurse carried his daughter out of the OR suites. He moved to follow her, but paused and looked back toward the OR. Did he follow the baby or stay and make sure that Lisa was okay?

Cameron laid a hand on his shoulder; she wanted to offer to stay and make sure Cuddy was okay.

Before she could speak, a woman's screaming began pouring from the OR. The screams were tortured and Wilson blanched. He looked back down the hall where he could just see the NICU nurse's back disappearing and then to the OR doors from whence those ear splitting screams issued.

He did what any father in that situation would do. He fainted.

Cuddy woke up in the recovery room, her hand held between Wilson's. She smiled up at him groggily and he smiled back. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.

"Abby?" she rasped out.

"She's fine," Wilson said. "Eight pounds, four ounces and 21 inches long. She's beautiful."

"Her heart?"

"Perfect. Everything about her is perfect," Wilson said.

"What happened to you?" Cuddy asked, as she was becoming more alert. Wilson winced as she reached a hand out to touch his black eye.

"The floor and I had a disagreement," Wilson joked. Cuddy frowned. "They were taking Abby to the NICU and you were in the OR screaming. I … uh … fainted."

"Oh Jimmy," Cuddy laughed. Wilson frowned this time. "I'm sorry. I hope nobody saw you."

"Just Allison," Wilson said. "And House."

"Oh you'll never live that down," Cuddy said.

"He's already posted pictures in the cafeteria, right next to a picture of Abby," Wilson smiled.

"Well, at least the baby got recognition," Cuddy said.

"I wouldn't be too glad yet," Wilson warned. "She's got horns and a tail and a warning about demon spawn."

"I don't care," Cuddy said. "She's here and she's healthy. But don't tell him I said that."

House found Cameron standing outside the NICU, looking in at the babies. He stood down the hall, just far enough away that she wouldn't notice but close enough to watch her. She stood for a long time, one hand pressed against the glass. House watched for tears, but none fell. He watched as her shoulders raised and lowered slowly in a deep sigh before slipping away unnoticed.

He made his way slowly around the corner to the PICU. He stood at the glass, watching a little boy sleep, unaware that further down the hall, someone was watching him.

"You're beautiful," Cameron said to the sleeping bundle cradled in her arms. "And no matter what your Uncle Greg says, you are not demon seed or devil spawn or doomed to burn at the stake."

"Good to get her schooled in the 'everybody lies' philosophy right out of the gate," House agreed from his place in the corner of Cuddy's room.

"Greg," Cameron said in low, warning tone.

"Fine, spoilsport," House mumbled. He hated this visiting stuff. He came, he saw, now he was done. Cameron, on the other hand, seemed content to spend the entire day staring at toes and fingers. Finally, House limped over to the bed and dropped a kiss on Cuddy's head. "You did good. Don't let Wilson screw her up too badly."

Cuddy smiled at him. She knew what it must have cost him to say that, especially when Allison and James could so clearly hear him.

"I'm out," he announced to the room. "Got a date." He smirked in Cameron's direction and slid the door shut behind him. Cameron just smiled. She knew exactly where he was going.

House stepped out of the PICU and slid the door shut. He looked up and was confronted by a pair of lovely blue-green eyes.

"Hey."

"Hey." The two stared at each other for a minute. "I don't do besides."

Cameron raised an eyebrow. "Really? What would call what you've been doing for the last hour?"

House shuffled his feet. He didn't understand why it was still so hard to admit feelings to her. She knew he had them; it was senseless to try to hide it. He'd just always been better with actions.

"Let's go for a walk," he said. Cameron nodded. They walked down the hall, Cameron following House's lead. She was surprised when he stopped at the NICU window. He turned and looked at the babies and Cameron did the same. Her eyes fell upon a bassinette labeled Cuddy-Wilson and she smiled sadly.

"You want one of those," he said. Cameron nodded stupidly. "How would you feel about a slightly older model?"

"What do you mean?" Cameron asked slowly. She thought she knew where he was going with this, and her heart began beating wildly in her chest.

"He needs someone," House said. Cameron nodded again, tears forming in her eyes. "We're someone."

She slipped her arms around his waist and looked into eyes like the sky.

"I love you."

"Yeah, yeah."