Title: Making His Own Life
Part: 8
Author: Mlizhobie
Fandom: House, M.D.
Pairing: Wilson/OFC(Lorelai) & House/?
Disclaimer: Don't own House or any of the other characters except for MY original characters.
AN: This is a sequel to the story 'It's My Life'. Be an awesome person, read and review. A very special thanks to my Beta reader, she helps me thru my dreaded bouts of writer's block.
AN2: What is wrong with Immy? And what is going on with Lorelai's boss?
Imogen slept on James's office couch for another half hour before waking. She shifted slightly and started to cry, which caused James to wake from his own slumbering. He sat up quickly and turned to face the small girl on his couch. Feeling someone move beside her Immy looked up and saw Uncle Jimmy; she sat up half way and reached for him. James pulled Immy into his arms and settled her against his chest. Again he brushed her hair away from her face and felt that she was even hotter than when he had gone to the daycare to get her. Right then and there James made a decision and shifted Immy so he could stand.
She started to fuss and clung on to him tightly as he stood so James said, "Its ok sweetie, we're gonna go see Daddy and get you some medicine to feel better." James felt Immy shake her head no and then say, "No Daddy, want Momma." James sighed and said, "I'll call Momma when we find Daddy, but let's get you downstairs first." Immy didn't say anything else, but held James tightly, burying her little head against his chest.
When James stepped off the elevator on the main floor of the hospital he saw Greg walking out of the clinic doors. Greg instantly saw James heading towards him and was quickly concerned about his daughter's condition. James again shifted Immy and quietly spoke to the child as he got closer to Greg. Immy looked up slightly and when she was close enough she reached for Greg and started to cry. Greg handed James his cane and took his daughter from his best friend. Settling the little girl against his shoulder he quietly said, "Its ok now baby, Daddy's got you."
James sighed and said, "She feels even warmer now, something isn't right." Greg took his cane back from James and they both headed back into the clinic. Lisa Cuddy was standing at the nurse's desk and looked at them questioningly. Greg half rolled his eyes and said, "She's got a fever and I'm going to check her over in one of the exam rooms. No I'm not taking her to ER because they are a bunch of middle school morons who won't be touching my daughter." Lisa held her hands up in defense and said, "Ok, take her to room 3, its open." Greg didn't respond, he started walking towards the exam room and was quickly followed by James.
When they got to the exam room Greg laid Imogen down on the table and said, "Ok monkey, Daddy's gonna take your temperature and do a couple other things and then we'll see what's making you sick." Immy nodded and tried to lay as still as possible for her father. While Greg checked Immy over James pulled his cell phone from his pocket and asked, "Want me to call Lore so she can come here instead of going home?" Greg didn't even look at James, but said, "Yeah that's probably a good idea." James nodded and slipped out of the room to make the call.
Lorelai was sitting in the middle of traffic when her cell phone started to ring. She grabbed the phone out of the cup holder beside her and flipped it open. James then said, "Hey kid, come to the hospital before you go home. Immy's sick and Greg's checking her over." Lore's eyes went wide when she heard that it was Imogen that was sick. She quickly said, "What is going on? What happened?" James again sighed and looked around the now empty clinic waiting room and said, "She has a fever and didn't eat anything all day. She's been sleeping in my office for the past hour and is asking for you now." Lorelai took a deep breath and said, "Ok um, let me go pick up Jay and we'll be right over. See you in awhile."
Lore switched lanes and turned onto the street heading for Jay's school, only half thinking about the traffic around her. Before she knew it she was putting the van into park and getting out. She looked around and said to herself, 'Oh ok, wow. Guess I need to pay attention to things until I actually get to the hospital.' She hurried up the walk and pulled the door open, revealing the daycare center. The girl behind the desk smiled at her and said, "Good afternoon Mrs. Wilson, Jay's over in the computer center." Lore smiled and thanked the girl.
In the computer room Jay sat playing a game that tested his math skills. Hearing the door open he half turned and saw his mother walking in with a worried look on her face. Jay quickly ended the game and turned completely towards his mother asking, "Momma, what's wrong?" Lore shook her head slightly and looked up to meet Jay's dark eyes and said, "Hey baby, get your stuff please. We need to get over to the hospital, Immy's sick." Jay's eyes widened in shock and he said, "Immy, she never gets sick!" Lore smiled sadly and said, "Yeah I know, so get your stuff so we can get over there." Jay nodded and cleaned up the area where he had been sitting and grabbed his school bag. He went over and touched Lore's arm gently and said, "Ok Momma I'm all ready. Let's get over to the hospital."
They drove over to the hospital in silence and pulled into the parking lot. Jay saw an empty spot and said, "Down there Momma, next to the green truck." Lorelai quickly pulled into the spot and said, "Thanks baby." They both got out and headed for the doors into the hospital.
When they were in the hospital lobby Lore's phone began to ring, pulling it from her pocket she noticed it was her office. Lorelai sighed loudly and answered the call. It was Andy and she was pissed, "Lorelai I thought I told you that I wanted to discuss this issue with you." Lore didn't even bother to hide her frustration and snapped, "Andy, right now I don't give a damn what you think or what you want to discuss. My 2 year old daughter is sick and will probably be admitted to the hospital so you problems with my marriage will have to wait." She then started to hang up, but Andy said, "Oh my God Lorelai, I'm sorry. I'll let you go, but please let me know how she is when you get any news." Again Lore sighed and hung up the phone.
Jay looked up at his mother with a worried look and said, "Momma, was that your new boss?" Lorelai nodded and said, "Yeah, but right now I don't care. She's been on my nerves all day long and my children are more important than she is. Come on let's find your father and Uncle Greg." Jay nodded and they both walked over to the information desk in the middle of the lobby. Lore waited until the clerk was off the phone before asking, "Hi, could you please tell me where either Dr. House or Dr. Wilson are?" The clerk looked around the desk real quick and asked, "You're Mrs. Wilson aren't you?" Lorelai nodded and said, "Yes I am, why?" The clerk turned back to Lore and handed her a note and said, "Dr. Wilson asked me to give you this and direct you up to the 2nd floor where your daughter is being admitted." Lore grabbed the note and thanked the clerk before heading for the elevators.
Lorelai quickly read the note as she & Jay waited for the elevator. Jay tried to see what the note said, but Lore was holding it too high for him to see. He pulled on her arm gently and said, "Momma, what did Dad say? What's going on with Immy?" Lore was quiet for a moment and then said, "They're admitting her, Greg wants to run some tests because he doesn't know what's going on." They both stepped onto the elevator and were silent for the ride up to the 2nd floor.
When the doors opened Lorelai & Jay both stepped off the elevator and saw Greg & James both standing in the hallway talking to the children's doctor Matt Patterson. Lore could tell by the look on Greg's face that he wasn't happy, so she rushed over to hear what was being said. Dr. Patterson was telling Greg that Immy only appeared to have the flu, but Greg wasn't convinced and wanted to run more tests. Lorelai stopped them all and asked, "Wait, catch me up on what is going on. Where is Immy right now?" James saw Greg roll his eyes and decided to speak before Greg could, "Immy is down in room 2245 and she's sleeping. She has a fever of 103 and is pretty dehydrated. They put her on an IV and gave her something to bring down her fever. Come on I'll take you down to see her."
Lorelai followed her husband down to Immy's room and asked, "What the hell is going on? She seemed fine this morning and now she is this sick." James shrugged and said, "She takes after Greg and is really good at hiding things." When they reached the door James pushed it open for Lore and allowed her to go in first. They were both met with the sound of Immy's frantic crying. Lorelai rushed in and immediately went to her daughter's bed. Immy was sitting up looking around the room with huge frightened eyes. When she saw her mother she reached for Lore and said, "Momma!" Lore hugged the toddler tightly and said, "It's ok now baby girl, Momma's here now."
A while later James told Greg & Lorelai that he would take the other 3 children home so they wouldn't have to worry about anyone else. Lore started to protest, but James stood up to her and said, "Lorelai, you have enough to worry about here with Immy. Jay can help me get Nina & Isaac to bed. Immy wants you both here and these kids don't need to be here in the way." Greg was unusually quiet during the whole exchange, but when James started to leave he said, "I'll come with you so I can talk to Isaac. Thanks Jimmy." James half smiled and nodded as they both went out into the hall and headed for the daycare.
Greg opened the door leading into the daycare and walked in, instantly spotting his 2 year old son sitting at a table on the far side of the room. The boy looked sadly alone even though Nina was sitting right next to him drawing. When Isaac looked up, he met eyes with his father. He slid out of his chair and was across the room before Greg could blink. Greg leaned down and lifted the boy into his arms. Isaac tightly hugged Greg's neck and asked, "Daddy, where Immy?" Greg sighed and said, "She's really sick right now buddy. She's gonna stay here at the hospital tonight so Dr. Patterson can make her better. You're gonna go home with Uncle Jimmy, Jay & Nina, okay?"
Isaac pulled away from Greg slightly and looked into his eyes before saying, "Me stay too!" Greg shook his head and said, "No Isaac, Momma & I are going to stay with Immy. You go home with Uncle Jimmy and then tomorrow maybe you can come see Immy if she is feeling better." Isaac's face slid into a look of defiance that rivaled Lorelai's and Greg fought the urge to smile. James glanced over from gathering up the children's things and grinned at his best friend. Greg rolled his eyes and said, "Isaac, buddy. You need to go home and get Immy's monkey for her. Then when you come back tomorrow you can bring it to her and make her so happy."
This apparently changed Isaac's mind because he nodded and thought for a moment before saying, "'Kay Daddy, bye." Then before Greg could stop him, Isaac was squirming out of his arms and running towards James. James had turned away from watching Greg & Isaac, so when Isaac ran up beside him and yanked on his arm he spun around almost knocking the toddler down. Before Isaac fell James reached out and grabbed his shoulders and said, "I'm sorry buddy, I didn't see you there. You ready to go home?" Isaac nodded quickly and hugged James's leg. Greg looked his best friend in the eye and said, "Why does he like you so much better than me?" James laughed as he lifted Isaac into his arms and said, "Because I'm not evil like you. I think we have everything now don't we Nina?" Nina looked around the room again quickly and nodded as she said, "Think so Daddy, but where's Jay?"
James looked around again and then looked up at Greg and said, "That's a very good question. I thought he came with us. Did you see where he went Greg?" Greg went back over to the door and looked out into the hallway before answering. Half turning back towards James, Greg laughed and said, "He's down at the nurse's desk picking up chicks." James rushed over to the door and said, "Oh God, are you kidding me?"
Greg hadn't been kidding; Jay was standing down at the nurse's desk sadly trying to flirt with one of the younger nurses. James blushed bright red and covered his face with his free hand as he said, "Well I guess we know who he got that from?" Greg laughed loudly as he signed the children out for the night and said, "He's a chip off the old block there Jimmy-boy. He couldn't be more your son, could he? Hell he's probably using the same lame lines you used to." James rolled his eyes at his best friend, but didn't argue.
As James & Greg got closer to where Jay was standing they heard him lamely attempting to compliment the nurse's outfit and they couldn't help but laugh. Jay spun around at the sound of his father and uncle's laughter and turned a deep shade of red. James went over and wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders and said, "I think you're still a bit young to be picking up girls James Gregory. Let's just get you home and someday I might teach you a better line to use." Jay looked up at Greg and before the older man could say anything Jay held up his hand and said, "Don't even go there Uncle Greg!" Greg could only laugh at the boy and ruffled his hair as they went back to Immy's room to say good night.
When they all got back to Immy's room they heard Lorelai's angry voice. James quickly opened the door and located Lorelai standing in the doorway to the room's private bathroom. She was on the phone almost yelling at whoever she was speaking to, "Damn-it I am not coming back over there tonight. My daughter is more important than a release form than you can sign yourself Andy. I don't know if I will be in at all tomorrow, it depends on if she is out of the hospital or not. Great then, have at it Andy. I'll deal with it when Imogen is better!"
James stared at his wife with a look of pure shock; he hadn't heard her speak to anyone like that in years. When she had closed the phone and slammed it down on the bedside table she looked back up at James and said, "She wanted me to come back over to sign a form that she can authorize herself. There is no way in hell I'm leaving Immy to go back over there so she can bitch at me some more for being married to an oncologist." Lore then looked down and saw Nina in her full on scolding stance and instantly said, "I'm sorry Nina, I know I shouldn't have talked like that. But Momma is very upset with her new boss and didn't make the best choice of words." Nina nodded at Lore's statement and said, "No more bad words Momma or I wash out your mouth!"
Greg; who was leaning against the wall, started to laugh and said, "Yeah Momma, no more bad words!" Lore glared up at Greg and told him, "Shut up Greg, I'm in no mood for your mouth!" Greg quickly shut his mouth and looked over at James, who was also still fumbling for words. It was very rare that Lore snapped so harshly at anyone. James finally regained his voice and said, "Lore, baby, calm down. Don't worry about Andy or work right now, just think about Immy." Lore sighed loudly and was quiet for a few seconds before saying, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped like that. It was rude and uncalled for."
Dr. Patterson opened the door about that time and entered the room, interrupting the family's conversation. He sensed that he had come in at a bad time, but said, "I'm sorry everyone, but I need to ask some of you to go now. Imogen needs to rest and having everybody here won't let her rest. So whoever is staying will need to be quieter." James nodded and said, "Ok Matt, the kids and I will be out of here in a few." Dr. Patterson thanked James and left the room.
James then went over, pulled Lore into his free arm, and kissed her before saying, "Alright kid, we are going to head home. I'll bring back clothes for both of you in the morning and if you need anything else or if anything changes with Immy call, okay?" Lorelai laid her head against James's chest heavily after kissing him and said, "I will. Thanks old man, love you guys." She then leaned over and kissed Isaac. Nina was only a few feet away and asked, "Momma, you'll miss me too right?" Lorelai pulled away from James and turned around to face Nina before saying, "Of course we'll miss you sweetheart. Momma & Uncle Greg love you Nina-bell."
Nina looked up skeptically at Greg and he came across the room, leaned down and said, "Nina-bell, you know we love you. Can you do something for me tonight?" Nina nodded, so Greg said, "Can you & Isaac make sure that Atticus doesn't sleep in my bed? I don't want him tearing up my room while I'm gone and I know you guys will make him behave." Nina smiled and said, "I can do that? You're gonna let us stay in your room?" Greg nodded and said, "If Daddy says its ok then its ok with me. And then tomorrow can you pick out what T-shirt Daddy brings me? He'll want to make me dress like a grown-up and you guys know that I want my T-shirts." Nina again nodded and hugged Greg tightly.
20 minutes later James, Jay, Nina, and Isaac were on their way home and Lorelai & Greg were attending to their sick daughter Immy. Greg had whined until Lore agreed to call for a pizza and Immy agreed to try and eat some applesauce. While they waited for their pizza to be delivered Greg asked, "Ok Lore, tell me what is going on at work and why you don't like that Andy woman." Lorelai sighed heavily and said, "You're one to talk about not liking people." Greg shrugged and said, "That isn't new Lore, but you normally like everyone. So if you don't like her than something isn't right. What the hell is going on?"
Lore sighed again and said, "I don't know, I guess it's because she got my job. I was so ready for that job and I deserved it, but she got it. Why do you care if I like her or not Greg?" Greg thought quickly to come up with an excuse for wanting to know, but when he didn't have a quick retort Lore noticed. She eyed him for a bit and said, "There's something you're not telling me Dr. House!" Greg looked down at the floor and quietly said, "God, you're almost as bad as my mom. You two are the only two people I can't hide anything from." Lore raised an eyebrow and said, "There is something! Tell me what is going on." Greg rolled his eyes and thought for a bit before saying, "I have a thing for the one woman you can't stand – Andy."
Next chapter: Lore's reaction to Greg's statement.