069. Baby

Left Holding The Baby

Chase walked into the Diagnostic Medicine conference room and came to such an abrupt halt that Foreman and Cameron had cannoned into his back before they realised he had stopped.

"Geez, Chase, what are you doing?" Foreman said with irritation.

"Please tell me you're seeing what I'm seeing," Chase said, his eyes wide.

Foreman and Cameron followed his gaze into House's office and their jaws just about hit the floor. House was sitting in his armchair with Wilson leaning on the wall nearby and they were clearly chatting. That was completely normal but what had the three young doctors gaping was the baby House was gently cradling in his arms.

House looked startlingly competent holding the baby and Wilson's expression was one of indulgent amusement as he chatted with his friend.

"Uh," Foreman said, sounding like his brain had derailed.

"Yeah," Chase said, agreeing with him.

"Why is House holding a baby?" Cameron said carefully.

"Who'd trust him with one?" Chase said with sudden amusement.

As they watched the baby waved one chubby arm in the air and Wilson pushed himself off the wall. He walked over to lean on the back of the chair and held one finger out to the baby, smiling when one tiny hand grabbed tight. They saw House look up at Wilson and make a comment that drew a laugh then look back down at the baby.

Something must have caught their eye because both House and Wilson suddenly looked over towards the conference room. The three doctors in that room froze but then they noticed that both House and Wilson had looks of growing chagrin on their faces. Without even looking at each other, Foreman, Cameron and Chase each grinned wickedly at the two men in the other office.

As they continued to grin they saw Wilson give a resigned sigh then House said something that made the oncologist give him a startled look. House then smiled, his grin matching his ducklings'. Wilson slowly grinned back then he leaned over and kissed House.

The grins suddenly disappeared from the faces in the conference room and were replaced by gaping mouths and wide eyes.

"Uh," Foreman said, sounding like his brain had derailed again.

"Yeah," Chase said, sounding exactly the same.

"Um," Cameron added, making a complete set.

As they stared in stunned amazement, the kiss deepened and the baby, which was still being cradled carefully in House's arms, grabbed hold of Wilson's tie and yanked on it. The two men separated with Wilson gently detaching his tie as he laughed at both the baby's actions and House's amused comments.

Finally Chase managed to summon enough brainpower to speak.

"Are we being punk'd?"

Foreman and Cameron immediately started looking around for cameras. When none seemed to be in evidence their eyes inexorably drifted back House, Wilson and the baby.

"I don't think so," Foreman said slowly. "I…think it's real."

"It's…really very sweet," Cameron said, her shock slowly giving way to delight in the picture that was in front of her. She had very carefully determined that she would think about all of this later and just appreciate what was in front of her right now.

Chase also began to smile again. "Yeah, you have a point."

Foreman snorted, amusement now starting to overcome his shock. "You realise we've got blackmail material for months here?"

"Well, considering what our expressions must have been like, I think that's kind of mutual," Chase replied. None of them had taken their eyes away from House, the baby and Wilson.

Just then the door to House's office opened and Cuddy walked in. She smiled at the two men then made a comment and laughed. House gave her a mock-scowl as Wilson joined in the laughter then he too started to smile. He said something to Cuddy and nodded towards the conference room. The three doctors froze as Cuddy turned to look at them then she walked over and opened the door.

"Enjoy it and remember it," she said wickedly. "You may never see the sight again. That's my nephew, by the way."

With that she closed the door again and reclaimed the baby from House, making one last grinning comment before walking out of the office. House laughed then grabbed Wilson's tie and shot one mischievous look at his ducklings before pulling him down into a kiss.

Foreman glanced over at his colleagues. "Strategic retreat?"

"Good idea," Chase said with alacrity.

Cameron nodded and the three young doctors did an abrupt about turn and headed out of the conference room.