"Wilson, I'm scared," House whispered over his shoulder.

"I swear to God, House, you so much as think about moving… Little Greg will never function properly again."

"Are you threatening my penis, Wilson?"

"House, I'm serious. I've waited 20 years for this… and you two have been wanting this kind of commitment to each other way longer than th-"

"What if she runs away?"

"The only run away bride I'm worried about is you. House, she hasn't bolted yet, and I don't think she ever will."

Just then the processional began to play and the doors opened.

There stood Cuddy in a beautiful Vera Wang wedding gown; a strapless soft mermaid gown with pleated illusion keyhole neckline, Chantilly lace appliqué and soft tissue organza blossom flange skirt.

The entire room was breathless as they watched the stunning bride make her way to the alter.

As soon as the doors opened, Wilson watched House – the expression on his face changing to admiration, wonder, and sheer love. House would never verbally admit it, but watching Cuddy glide down the aisle to be with him forever took his breath away. She was gorgeous - words could not describe how beautifully perfect she was.

Cuddy could have cared less about everyone else in the room; all her focus was on House. Just as Wilson, Cuddy watched the expression on House's face change, and give her such a look that made her just want to run to him. Their eyes locked and she almost went weak at the knees. I can't believe this is really happening. I'm marrying Greg House, world-renowned diagnostician and infamous pain in my ass, Cuddy gave a small chuckle at the thought. Never in a million years had she thought that she and House would be married, forsaking all others, committing to each other for the rest of their lives.

House never broke eye contact with Cuddy. Both lost in the other's gaze. The vows went quickly and almost unnoticed as they just stared at each other. The only thing Cuddy really heard was the preacher: "You may now kiss the bride." And with that, House bent down, giving her a searing, toe-curling kiss - neither of them parting until there was an urgent need for oxygen-

Gasping for air, Cuddy woke up. A…dream? Almost immediately, disappointment began to fill her. That had been such a blissful dream. It seemed so real, even House's probable nervousness was right on target considering the very situation. She wished it had never stopped and that it had been real…but she decided that it was probably for the best. After all, he was still with her…under her, to be more exact. That wasn't so bad.

As the morning grogginess began to lift, Cuddy realized just how compromising of a position she and House had gotten themselves into. Before panic took over, Cuddy smiled noting that this cuddle was definitely two sided.

She was almost completely on top of him. Her left hand was up under his shirt (hiking up the fabric), resting on his warm chest with her right hand tangled in his hair, all the while straddling his left leg. In return, his arms were wrapped securely around her, with his left hand resting at the small of her back, his fingers dipping under the waistline of her pants.

This was just as good as the dream. Almost. What Cuddy wouldn't give to lay like this forever… although something told her that House would have a field day if he woke up to her in this exact position. She couldn't have that, no matter how much she was enjoying herself.

Time to move. She thought… better hurry before he wakes up…She peeked at him for a second. Please don't wake up… She tried gently shifting herself, not really knowing the best way to go about getting up without waking him. Very carefully she lifted his left hand and made it fall into the sheets. Then, she attempted moving to her right and finally, hopefully, off the bed. Just as she was almost home free, her whole world went spinning.

"What th-"

"Mmmm. Good morning to you too, party pants," House grinned, pinning Cuddy to the mattress before leaning down to give her a tender kiss.

"What's for breakfast? I'm starving!" House sighed, rolling off of Cuddy. This was all so new to him, and he didn't know if he was ready to make the first first move. There was still time for her to realize that this has all been a mistake, and that she really doesn't want them.

With a tinge of disappointment at his sudden reluctance, Cuddy sat up.

"Well… I have pancake mix and all the other ingredients if you're up for that. Or we could go out somewhere if you don't want to stay in."

"Homemade pancakes?" House looked at her.

"From scratch," she smiled triumphantly.

"I'm in!" and with that, House was out of bed and down the hall in seconds.

"Well, aren't you coming?" He popped his head through the door. "Someone has to do the cooking…"

"What are you, 5?"

"And a half!"

Sigh. "I should have known."

Cuddy followed him into the kitchen, grabbing two aprons. Tying the apron around her waist, she threw the other one at House.

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

"You want food, you help cook."

"But moooooom!"

"No buts. Get the eggs out of the fridge."

Cuddy busied herself at the counter pouring the flour and gathering the measuring cups.

Turning around with the eggs in hand, House found Cuddy leaning against the sink watching him.

"See something you like?"

"Mmmm," Cuddy sauntered up to him, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.

"That apron is very becoming on you," she chuckled and started to turn.

CRACK

"You did not ju-"

"Um. I think I just did….who has egg on their face now?" House gave a lecherous grin.

"Fine. This means war," she retaliated grabbing the hose from the sink.

"Now, Cuddy, let's not be rash. Think of the mess you're going to have to clean up if you start this."

Hosing him down, Cuddy tilted her head, displaying a triumphant smile.

House stared at her in disbelief, soaking wet.

"By 'you,' you better mean we," she said victoriously. Undoubtedly satisfied with the stunned look on House's face.

"You're going to have to catch me first!" House yelled, dumping the bowl of flour on her.

"You're dead. But fine… if you want to run, the least I can do is give you a 10 second head start. YOU'RE GONNA NEED IT!" Cuddy shouted at his retreating form.

His hurried footsteps halted. Turning around, he found her plastered in flour waiting for him in the hallway with a sinister smile.

House's brow twitched slightly, and he tilted his head to the right, "Are you insinuating something?"

Cuddy grinned.

"Only the fact that I can out run you… even with a head start."

House took a few steps towards her.

"Are you sure about that? Your supertanker won't slow you down at all?"

Cuddy closed the distance between them.

"Are you insinuating that I have a big ass?"

Grinning, House placed both of his hands on Cuddy's backside.

Returning the smile, Cuddy brought her hands from behind her back and mercilessly poured syrup all over House.


Sighing, Cuddy made a slight 'smack' with her lips as her finger exited her mouth. House blinked over to her for a second before turning his gaze back up to the ceiling.

"You know, in all honesty…I just wanted breakfast," he commented after a long moment of silence.

She began to suck another finger, rolling her eyes. "Yes, well, I wasn't the one who cracked an egg on someone's head."

"Yeah, talk about really having some egg on your face."

"Shut up, syrup-man."

"You're a terrible mother."

She snapped her head towards him, sharply glaring. "You started it, House."

"And here we are, on the floor of your beautiful kitchen, which is destroyed and will probably take forever to clean," he remarked. "The worst of it all, my stomach is screaming, "Feed me!" and I need a shower."

Lowly, she said, "I need a shower more than you."

"What's your point," he asked, giving her a look of complete innocence.

Cuddy didn't reply with words. Reaching up and grabbing his arm, she began bringing his syrup-coated hand toward her face. All the while, he raised a brow, somewhat taken aback.

Before he could even say or think anything, he watched as her tongue jutted out and slowly ran over the sensitive skin of his palm before working her way towards his fingers.

For the second time that morning, House's brow twitched oh so slightly. As she slowly licked and sucked every finger clean.

"Um…" he finally forced out of his mouth. "I guess we both really need a shower."

"I would say so," Cuddy whispered, before leaning into him and kissing him for all he was worth.

"Maybe we should clean up first?"

"WHAT?"

Placing his hand at the back of his neck, House looked down, "You don't think that we're moving to fast?"

"Do you think we are?"

"I… I just don't know."

"House, talk to me. Please. What's going on in there?" Cuddy placed a hand on his cheek, caressing his scruff with her thumb.

Not making eye contact, he took a deep breath. "I don't want to screw this up."

"Hou-"

"And… I want to make sure that you want this because if and when you realize that this," he gestured to the two of them, "was a mistake, a lapse in judgment, or what ever you are going to chalk it up to… I won't be able to take it."

Cuddy's heart broke. She could never understand how he could think he didn't deserve to be happy. Why he didn't deserve to be loved unconditionally.

"House, I-do you think this is a mistake?"

Glancing at her, before placing his hand on hers, he shook his head.

Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Cuddy leaned against the cabinet in relief.

"I don't think this is a mistake either," she looked at him. "House, we have been dancing around each other for years. So I think moving too fast is out of the question."

"Are you sure this is what you want?" House asked, knowing that once they consummated this relationship, he would be hers, always, no matter what.

Cuddy cupped his face in both her hands, locking her eyes on to his.

"This is what I want. You are what I want."