WOW! This is a long chapter and it is LONG overdue!
I'm so sorry for the set back! It won't happen again
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Ok. This chapter is set on Addie's birthday, Allison is cooking dinner for them and the Wilson's.
A lot of sweet father and daughter moments.
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Chapter 7- Calm Before The Storm
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It had been one month.
One agonisingly long month for the House family.
Addie had taken her end of year exams, had passed with flying colours and was now raring for grade 12.
Allison had kept her worries to herself about her husband and his ex-girlfriend and kept doting upon the family she loved.
And House was being the usual father and was worrying about Addie and her exams but mostly he was worrying about the subtle advances Wilson and Cuddy's 17 year old son had been making on his daughter.
That month had been the calm before the storm started.
The month before everything fell apart.
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DING DONG!
"Door!", House yelled, who was sitting less than 3 meters to it.
Allison stuck her head out of the kitchen, where she was preparing a birthday dinner for Addie.
"Greg!", she scolded, "The doors just there! Couldn't you get it yourself?"
House tipped his head back to look at his wife, "Can't. Leg hurts".
Allison glowered, "Take some Tylenol. I'm cooking".
House sighed and switched the TV off, getting up he went to answer the door.
Reaching the door he grinned to himself, readying to have some fun.
He opened the door.
"Arrgh!", he yelled, slamming it again.
He laughed quietly to himself.
DING DONG!
"Door!", House yelled.
"Greg!", Allison yelled from the kitchen.
House swung the door open again.
"Sorry about that", he stepped aside to let their guests in, "Thought you were the girl scouts selling cookies".
James laughed and stepped through the door.
Taking his coat off he turned to help his wife with hers.
"Hi, Greg", Lisa smiled at him.
House gave her a half smile and turned to James.
"Jimmy!", he exclaimed, "Is it just me or have you lost weight!"
James smirked, "How kind of you to notice", he joked back.
Another head stuck through the door and House sighed on the inside.
Jacob walked into the house, being careful not to tramp mud through.
House nodded at the gangly teenager in greeting.
Jacob smiled tentatively and stuck his hand out.
"Hello, Dr. House", he said softly.
House glanced at James and Lisa who beamed with pride at their son.
House glanced back at Jacob and shook his hand.
"You've got him fully trained", He told Lisa and James.
"That's more than what I can say for you", Allison said.
Lisa smiled at the younger women, "Hi Ally".
She walked over and hugged Allison.
Allison hugged her firmly back, "Hey, Lis. I haven't seen you in ages".
Lisa stepped back but kept a hold of Allison's hands.
"Just look at you!", Lisa praised, "You look terrific".
Allison blushed slightly and patted her hair.
"Hey, James!", she said, accepting a hug from the man who had became her best friend over the years.
She kissed him on the cheek and smiled genuinely at Jacob.
"Hello, Jacob. How did your exams go?", she asked.
He smiled happily, "Very well thanks, Aunty Ally".
Allison smiled at the boy who had quickly become the son she'd never had.
House watched the scene fold out in front of him. He smiled to himself at how happy he was with this. And how far they'd all come.
"Hello".
Everyone looked over as Addie came in. She wore a short summer white dress and her hair fell in natural curls around her shoulders. As she smiled her eyes lit up with joy. House smiled, proud of his beautiful daughter.
"Happy Birthday, Addie", the Wilson's chorused.
She hurried over and flung herself at Lisa.
"I missed you. I haven't seen you in ages", she said exaggeratedly.
Lisa laughed, "We went shopping last week".
"Still", Addie smiled, "Hey Uncle Jimmy".
James smiled at her and wrapped her up in a bear hug.
"How's my little bright eyes?", he asked.
Addie wrinkled her nose at the nickname, "I'm fine".
James smiled back at her.
House was happy with how far James had come with being a father.
Not as far as House had had to come but far enough. James had always been the nice, genuine guy that everyone went to for advice but even him took quite awhile adjusting to being a dad.
House genuinely was happy that both he and Lisa had good relationships with Addie but he was a little jealous some times. Of course he was probably just being an over protective father.
House looked over and caught Allison's eye.
She smiled at him and he smiled back.
She knew how he felt and even told him once that she sometimes felt jealous of the fact that Lisa was like Addie's older sister.
"How about some wine?", Allison asked.
A choruses of yeses came up from the adults and they continued into the formal dining.
Almost to the door House realised that Addie wasn't with them.
He turned and watched Jacob greet Addie.
He felt a hand on his back and Allison watched with him as Jacob kissed Addie.
House turned abruptly and walked into the kitchen, Allison trailed after him.
"She's in love", she said simply.
"She too young to be in love", House scoffed.
"She's a year younger than I was when I met Jason", Allison contradicted.
House scowled and turned his back to her as she mentioned her first husband.
After a moment a pair of hands wrapped themselves around his waist and a head rested on his back.
"I'm sorry", Allison mumbled against his back as she placed kisses there.
House shrugged, "It's OK. It doesn't matter".
He turned and wrapped his arms around her, picking her up off the floor.
Allison laughed out loud but her giggles were soon smothered by House's lips.
He placed her gently on her feet and smiled down at her.
"I can still surprise you, can't I?".
Allison nodded and let herself melt into him. He wrapped his arms around her and his hands fell to her waist.
"Yes. You surprise me everyday", she told him.
---
Half an hour later they sat around the dinner table, talking and eating.
"So, Addie", James began, "What now?"
Addie smiled thoughtfully, "Well, over the break I have an internship with a law firm. Nothing big, just Partridge, Savage and Co."
Lisa looked over at House, "Wasn't that the law firm that sued as that time you did surgery without permission on that Canadian guy?"
House coughed, "Well, I saved the guys life! Then the guy has the nerve to turn around and sue us!"
"You", Cuddy corrected, "He sued you".
"Yeah", House nodded, "Me! The guy who saved him!"
Addie laughed, "This should be interesting. A lawyer and a bad doctor in the same family".
"I'm not a bad doctor", House protested, he turned to Allison, "Tell them, honey!"
Allison laughed, "He's not. He's just…well…"
"House?", Lisa, James and House supplied.
"Exactly!", Allison agreed.
"You know", James began, "I have this theory about House".
"I'm sitting right here", House waved his hands at James who sat across from him.
James laughed and went on ignoring House.
"I've always thought, from the first time I met him that he was bi-polar".
Addie choked on her drink, "Bi? But he's married!"
"NO!", House corrected quickly, "Not bi, bi-polar. It's a mental disease".
Jacob looked at him in shock, "You have a mental disease, Dr. House?"
He shook his head, "No. Just one of your dad's weird delusions".
Jacob smiled with relief.
"My weird delusions!" James complained, "You're the one that has weird delusions. Summer of 2002, if you remember-".
House shot him a glare that shut him up.
"Why? What happened?", Allison asked curiously.
"Nothing, sweetie", he said quickly, trying to soothe his wife's worries.
"Yeah, nothing", James laughed.
If looks could kill James would have been 6 feet under and still digging.
"Nothing happened", he said, "I was just kidding".
"Right", Allison narrowed her eyes, "Nothing".
House smiled innocently at her.
She smiled back and leaned over to whisper in his ear, "You can tell me all about it later".
House shot her a pained look, knowing she was going to get the truth out of him later.
"So, Addie", Jacob asked, "How about you open the presents?"
House let out a breath of relief.
Addie opened her gifts slowly, thanking each person in return.
"Ohhh", she squealed with delight, "You remembered!"
She waved the soft creamy cashmere sweater in the air.
"Thank you, Aunty Lisa!"
Lisa smiled, "Your welcome, I hope I got the right size".
Addie checked the tag, "Yup!"
James handed her an envelope, "This is from the three of us"
Addie flashed a grin at the Wilson's and opened the card.
Reading it carefully she gasped.
"Are you serious?", she stared wide eyed at them.
Lisa smiled and James nodded, "Yup, we checked it with your parents first and it's fine".
Even though House couldn't see it he knew inside the envelope was a check for $1,000.
"Don't spend it all in one place", House warned.
Addie smiled at them with tears in her eyes, "Guys! This is just-Guys!"
She stood up and raced around the table to hug James and Lisa.
"Thank you!"
"Don't you want your other presents?", Allison asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Of course!", Addie sat down immediately.
Jacob pushed a little bag across the table towards Addie.
While she opened it he turned a deep red.
Lisa and Allison smiled with amusement at the young man's embarrassment.
Addie pulled out a cute little cashmere teddy bear that matched her new sweater.
"I love it!", Addie told him, clasping his hand across the table.
Jacob ducked his head but smiled happily at her.
"Here!"
House leaned across Allison and handed her and envelope.
"This is from your mother and I".
Addie opened the envelope and stared down at the little key.
She looked up in amazement at her parents.
"Seriously?"
House and Allison smiled.
Addie pulled the small note out.
Allison glanced at House and raised her eye brow.
"I didn't put that in there", Allison informed her.
Addie glanced at House and opened the note.
Now that you have your license, you and your mother can sleep in in the mornings.
Addie's eyes filled with tears and she pulled out the car keys.
"Thank you", she whispered as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
She flew over and hugged her mom then jumped on House.
Squeezing her arms around his middle she smiled at him.
"You knew?", she asked.
House laughed, "A father knows everything".
Addie wrinkled her nose, "yeah right".
House laughed, "Well I know everything that matters".
He turned serious, "We couldn't buy you a really fancy car so what I picked out will hopefully do".
Addie smiled gently, kissing him on the cheek, "It's the thought that counts".
"Good", House said cheekily, "It's the white Camero out the front missing two doors, a rear window and an engine".
Addie whacked him in the stomach.
"Oww!", he cried, "No fair!"
Addie pouted, "It's not even red?", she asked feigning stupidity.
House kissed her on the head, "Give me some credit! It's the red convertible outside with the big bow on it".
Addie squealed and ran outside to check out her new car and Jacob followed loyally.
Allison reached over and grabbed Houses hand.
Squeezing it gently she smiled at him. He smiled back lovingly and winked at her.
She laughed and shook her head.
"Coffee anyone?", she asked the remanning parents in the room.
"Sure", James said easily.
"Here let me help you", Lisa got up and helped Allison clear the table.
"Thanks".
The women left for the kitchen and House decided to put some music on, leaving James at the table.
House looked over his old cd's.
"Hey Jimmy", he called over his shoulder, "Come here!"
"Coming master!", he called out.
A few seconds later James was by his side.
"Wow!", he exclaimed, "Look at these old cd's!"
They looked over the collections, laughing and remembering old times.
"Here", House said holding out a cd, "Put this on".
James looked at it, "What is it?"
"It's a mixed cd I made Ally. She thought I lost it but I found it again", he replied easily.
"Aww", James cooed, "That's so sweet".
"Ha, ha, ha", House walked to the couch and slumped on it, "Just put the damn cd on Jimmy".
James smiled and slipped the cd into the machine.
Lisa and Allison came out from the kitchen as the first notes of The Way You Do The Things You Do by The Temptations came on.
Allison's eyes grew wide.
"Ohhh", she cried, "You found it!"
She flung the dish towel in her hands away and ran to the couch.
"Where was it?", she asked jumping on the couch and tackling House into a hug.
He laughed, "It was in some old boxes in the garage".
Allison hugged him fiercely, "Ohhh, I love you so much".
House smiled at her and hugged her back.
He stood after a moment and put his hand out.
"May I have this dance?", he asked with a cheesy bow.
Allison giggled, "Of course, dear sir".
She accepted his hand and he pulled her up, sweeping her into an old waltz.
James walked over and grabbed Lisa, spinning her around and following House's actions.
The two couples danced to the song, both pairs oblivious to the world around them.
Allison sighed and rested her head on House's chest and wrapped her arms around his chest. He rested his head on top of hers gently and let his hands fall to circle her waist, pulling her close.
"Remember the first time we danced to this song?", she murmured.
"Of course", House smiled to himself, "You were so beautiful I could never forget".
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The first few notes of The Way You Do The Things You Do by The Temptations played through the room and House looked over at a glowing Allison.
"May I have this dance?", he asked.
Allison smiled, "Of course, dear sir".
He clasped her hand in his and they began an old waltz.
As they danced House sung along to the music in Allison's ear.
"You got a smile so bright,
You know you coulda been a candle,
I'm holding you so tight,
You know you coulda been a handle"
"I love you", she murmured.
House smiled to himself, "I know, but not a much as I love you".
Allison smiled, "Want a bet?", she waggled her eye brows at him and he laughed.
They danced around the room and the music changed from the upbeat song to a slow tempo.
House pulled Allison as close to him as her dress would allow.
She wrapped her arms around him and his hands rested on her waist.
"You are so beautiful", he told her for the twentieth time.
And she was. Her hair fell around her face in loose curls and a garland of jasmine and baby breath's sat merrily on top of her head. She had minimal make up on and only two pieces of jewellery on; a familiar small gold Celtic cross which House had given her in the rain outside the airport so long ago and a small gold ring that sat on her wedding ring finger which only hours before had been bare.
She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
"Everything's perfect", she murmured.
"Yes it is", House agreed, "Now that I'm married to you".
Cameras flashed as the couple took their first dance as husband and wife. They rocked back and forward gently and Allison's white dress made a gentle swishing sound.
House sighed happily, "I think this is our song".
"Yup, it is", Allison agreed.
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Allison leaned back and looked up at House.
"This is our song, remember?", she asked.
"I never forgot", he told her, "And I never will".
She sighed happily and House brought his hand up from her waist to play with the familiar small gold Celtic cross which hung every moment of everyday around her neck.
Both couples looked up as Jacob and Addie entered the lounge room.
Jacob sized up the situation and held his hand out to Addie.
"Addie, may I have this dance?"
Addie smiled, "I'd love to".
The younger couple joined in on the dancing and House glanced down at Allison.
She pleaded with him with her eyes.
"Please, be nice", she murmured sternly.
"Aren't I always", he grinned mischievously.
Allison laughed softly and shook her head, "Please. It would mean the world to Addie".
House sighed and nodded, "Alright".
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At end of the night everyone begun to say goodnight.
Addie yawned widely, "That's it. I'm off to bed".
She hugged Lisa and James goodnight then turned to Jacob.
"Goodnight", she said softly, giving him a small hug, completely aware of House's gaze.
As she turned to leave the room she glanced at House.
He raised his eye brows and smiled at her.
She grinned back and turned around, kissing Jacob quickly.
"Goodnight", she said again disappearing.
Allison and House walked their guests to the door.
"Goodnight", Allison said, hugging Lisa and kissing James on the cheek.
She hugged Jacob and smiled gently at him, "It'll be alright", she murmured in his ear.
He nodded and kissed her gently on the cheek, "Night, Aunty Ally".
House shook James hand and kissed Lisa on the cheek.
"Night", he said.
The Wilson's turned to go and Allison nudged House.
"Ahh, Jacob. Can I see you for a second?"
House turned and without waiting for an answer limped purposefully towards his study.
Jacob glanced quickly at his parents before following House tentatively.
House let out a sigh as he sunk into his office chair.
He gestured to a seat opposite his desk and Jacob took the offer willingly.
Jacob sat quietly waiting for House to speak.
"You like my daughter", House said suddenly.
"Yes", Jacob confirmed, "I do".
House nodded, "OK. I-I trust you".
Jacob beamed, "Thank you so much, Doctor House. You have no idea how much that means for me", he gushed.
House nodded and leaned back in his chair.
"Sir", Jacob began, "I would like your permission to date Addie".
House studied him for a few moments before standing to walk around his desk.
He stood in front of Jacob bearing down on him and Jacob grew nervous.
House smiled slightly at him, "Like I said, I trust you".
Jacob smiled and stood, offering his hand to House, "Thank you Doctor House".
House shook Jacob's hand and lowered his voice to a menacing tone, "If you hurt her I will hunt you down and make you pay and I don't care that your parents are practically family. I'm sure your parents have told you stories about me?", he waited for the tentative nod before continuing, "They are mostly all true, so take care of her".
Jacob nodded, shocked at the warning and began to walk to the door.
"Oh, Jacob?", House called.
Jacob turned.
"If you can't handle calling me Greg just call me House, but don't even think of calling me Uncle".
"Of course, H-House", Jacob tried the name tentatively.
House nodded approvingly and followed him to the door.
He walked Jacob to the door where Lisa and James waited for their son.
"He's all yours", House announced.
Lisa smiled at him, "Thank you".
House nodded, "He's a good kid".
After more goodbyes the Wilson's left leaving House and Allison alone.
"What did you say to him?", Allison asked curiously.
"Who?", House asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Allison socked him in the arm, "Jacob. Who else?"
"Nothing", House said vaguely, "Just told him I trusted him".
"Thank you", She said, standing on her tip toes to kiss House.
"Also that if her hurt her I was going to hunt him down and kill him".
Allison laughed, "Good one".
House fell silent and She leaned back to stare him in the eye.
"You did, didn't you!", she exclaimed.
"Well, I said I did", House told her, "I don't lie".
"Everybody lies", Allison contradicted.
"Not me", House said, leaning down to kiss her, "Not to you".
She wanted to believe him but deep down she knew it wasn't true.
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Addie looked up as someone knocked on her door.
"Come in", she called.
The door opened and House stuck his head in.
"Hey, came to tuck you in", House limped into the room and sat on the bed next to her.
"You haven't tucked me in in ages", Addie watched him.
House shrugged, "Missed it".
Addie laid back against her pillows and House stood, pulling the blankets up and slowly tucking her in.
"Thanks", Addie said when he was done.
House smiled, "Anytime".
He sat on the edge of the bed, "I talked to Jacob".
Addie sat up quickly, "Oh my god. Did you bury him in the back yard?"
"No, he's in the freezer in the garage", House said seriously.
Addie giggled and fell against her pillows, "What did you say to him?"
"He asked if he could go out with you and I told him I trust him", House replied easily.
Addie's eyes widened, "You did?"
She sat up once again and threw her arms around House.
"This is the best birthday present you could have given me", she told him.
"Better that the car?", House asked, "Cause I could take it back".
"I'm hiding the keys", Addie decided.
House laughed, "I told him to take care of you".
"He will", Addie reassured him, "He loves me".
"And do you love him?", House asked gently.
"Yes", Addie said after a moment, "But not as much as I love you and Mom. You know I'll always be your little girl".
House smiled, "I know. Night", he kissed her gently on the head and re-arranged her blankets.
"Night", she replied, "I love you, Daddy".
House smiled, "I love you too".
House got up quietly and left the room.
As he closed the door he wished time would stop and he could stay in this moment forever.
Little did he know that in a few days a boy wanting to date his daughter would be the least of his worries.
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TBC
R&R
Hope u guys liked it.
I'll do another flashback soon of before their wedding and you can find out what really happened after the scene at the airport and what a big secret is they are desperately keeping from Addie. Da, Da, Daaaaa!
Xoxo Kazza