A/N I'm sorry it's taken so long to update. This one didn't go where I expected. It was just as much a surprise to me as it will be to everyone else. I argued with them; but, they wouldn't listen. I hope everyone likes it.
Disclaimer Obviously, House isn't mine. David Shore would never let me get away with this.
House opened his front door and limped into his living room. He tossed his keys and the mail on the side table and hung his cane on the trim. He draped his jacket over the back of the couch and dug his ringing cell phone from the pocket of his jeans. He answered it after he checked the caller it.
"Hey," was his distracted greeting.
"Where are you?" Cuddy didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"We went bar hopping," House kept a close eye on Rachel as she cautiously examined this new space.
"House!" Cuddy screeched.
"Relax. We're at my apartment. I needed to check the mail and pick up a heavier coat." House watched as Rachel warily approached his piano.
"I'm picking up Chinese. Why don't I bring it there?" Cuddy paused as she gave the cashier her credit card. "Unless girls aren't allowed to hang out in the man cave."
"If you're bringing food, come on." House tried to steer Rachel away from his pride and joy. "But, they're saying the snow will be bad tonight. We probably shouldn't stay too long."
House heard the rustle of plastic sacks before Cuddy responded. "I'll be there in a few minutes. We can go after we eat. Do you plan on getting snowed in with us?"
"As long as I can bring some DVDs and a guitar, I should be able to survive." House stopped the tiny hand before it touched the piano.
"No porn and acoustic only," Cuddy replied as she shut her car door.
"Party pooper. Drive carefully." House disconnected and pulled the bench away from the piano. He sat down and opened the cover to the keys.
Cuddy found him still there ten minutes later when she let herself in the front door. Rachel was sitting next to him, watching his hands with fascination. House was playing and singing Be Our Guest for the enthralled toddler. Rachel barely spared her mother a glance as Cuddy kissed the tops of their heads.
Cuddy had dinner set up on the table by the time the song ended. Rachel ran to the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her mother's legs. The little girl was bouncing up and down and practically vibrating with excitement.
"Mommy, Hows play," Rachel almost yelled.
"I heard, baby." Cuddy sat down with Rachel on her lap. "He plays very well, doesn't he?"
"Yeah!" Cuddy knew she had to try to get a few bites down the toddler who was probably too excited to eat. For the uninitiated, exploring House's apartment was like studying an exotic animal in its natural habitat. For a curious toddler, it would be a grand adventure.
House limped into the kitchen and gave Cuddy a quick kiss before he pulled out a chair and sat. A small smile played across his face as he listened to Rachel jabber about his piano. She had been captivated by his playing. As he munched on an eggroll, House realized had just found the perfect birthday present for Rachel.
Cuddy divided her attention between eating and trying to get Rachel to take a few bites. She happened to catch the thoughtful look on House's face. She knew without a doubt that particular look meant he was plotting something. Call her suspicious, but Lisa Cuddy was suddenly afraid she knew what had her boyfriend so quiet.
"House, no," she stated flatly.
"What?" House raised an eyebrow in surprise and tried to look innocent.
"I see the wheels turning in your devious brain. She can't have one." Cuddy narrowed her eyes and tried to look stern.
"Why not? Beethoven was already composing by her age." House was a little surprised she was able to read him so easily.
"Let's see. We don't have room. I would have to find time to take her for lessons. They're expensive." Cuddy was so focused on stating her case she didn't even notice when Rachel dropped noodles on her skirt.
"An upright would fit in the living room. I can give her lessons. And, you're talking to the person who spent four thousand on a bed." House countered each of her arguments with what he thought were perfectly reasonable justifications.
"House," Cuddy rubbed the spot above her left eye, "you're spoiling her."
House leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. "Do you want me to provide you with studies on the correlation between music instruction and cognitive development? Would you like to see the statistics on SAT and ACT scores for students who play an instrument verses those who don't? Or should I print out the studies relevant to the psychological effects of music?"
Cuddy knew she had to do damage control. Her accusation had obviously hurt his delicate feelings. Sometimes it was difficult to remember just how emotionally fragile House could be. Cuddy was the first to admit that House was great with her daughter. And, Rachel was obviously good for him. She just hoped she could explain without causing him to retreat into himself.
"I'm not questioning your motives. I know you only want what's best for her." Cuddy paused and took a deep breath. "I just don't want to feel like I have to compete with you. Right now you're the one who buys the cool toys and I'm the one who makes her eat her broccoli. You don't get to hog all the fun stuff. Besides, I want this to be the kind of decision we make together."
"You didn't ask my opinion about that hoity-toity preschool." House still had a mulish set to his jaw.
"You're right and I'm sorry. I'm still learning to share." Cuddy hoped her smile looked convincing. "Can we please work on discussing things before we make major decisions?"
"Fine." House finally unfolded his arms and picked up his chop sticks. "I still think she needs one."
Cuddy smiled. "Then we'll pick it out together. And, it waits for her birthday. Okay?"
"Fine," House repeated. He stole a piece of Rachel's sweet and sour chicken. He grinned at the outraged look Rachel gave him. "Can I still bring her over here until she has one of her own?"
"That's actually a good idea. You can see if she's really interested before we spend all that money." Cuddy took a drink of her water. "I wouldn't mind taking lessons myself."
House paused with his chop sticks in midair. "Seriously? You want me to teach you, too?"
"Maybe." Cuddy stalled as she put more noodles on Rachel's plate. She finally admitted, "I've always wanted to learn to play the guitar."
House's eyes began to sparkle with a predatory gleam. "I can picture you dressed in skin tight, black leather rockin' my Flying V like Joan Jett."
"Oh, God. I've created a monster." Cuddy hung her head and looked at Rachel. "Baby, I think your mommy just made a huge mistake."
"Don't worry, Cuddles. I'll be gentle with you." House smirked at the look of skepticism on her face. "With the guitar I mean."
They ate and talked about House's current case and Cuddy's latest battle with the board of directors. At some point, Rachel ended up in House's lap where she munched on fortune cookies. She helped herself to his fried rice when she thought he wasn't looking. House finally set her on the floor and took his plate to the sink. He looked out the kitchen window to find it had already started to snow.
"Can you clean up in here while I grab some stuff? We need to get going." He told Cuddy.
They spent the next few minutes in a flurry of activity. Cuddy packed up the leftovers to take with them and washed the dishes. House limped back and forth from the living room to his bedroom shoving clothes and other items in a duffle bag. One of the acoustic guitars went in its case. Rachel ignored the adults in favor of playing with a rubber model of the human brain. House tossed the model into the bag and helped Rachel put on her hat and coat.
Her mother was surprised when Rachel announced, "I ride with my Hows."
Cuddy paused putting her on coat. "You don't want to ride with me?"
"No." Rachel vigorously shook her head. "I ride in my new seat."
"What new seat?" Cuddy looked to House.
"I bought a safety seat for my car." House raised an eyebrow and slid into his wool, pea coat. "It made more sense than constantly getting her booster seat out of your car."
Cuddy bent her head and concentrated on doing up the buttons on her coat. She didn't want House to see how touched she was by his thoughtfulness. In so many small ways, Rachel was becoming a focus of his attention. House apparently took her silence for irritation.
"What? Should I have checked with you first?" House demanded.
He was surprised by the sheen of tears in her eyes when she looked at him. Cuddy quickly placed a hand on his chest.
"No, of course not. I'm just a little overwhelmed by how wonderful you are." She rose up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss. "You can deflect and deny all you want, but you really are great with her."
House ducked his head and tried to use his best gruff tone, "If you're finished being all mushy, can we go now?"
"We're ready whenever you are." Cuddy gave him another quick kiss.
"You don't mind if she rides with me do you?" House handed her the guitar case and picked up the duffle bag.
"No, I don't mind. I know she's safe with you." Cuddy handed him his cane and took Rachel's hand. She gave him a cheeky smile. "And, this way, I don't have to listen to Radio Disney all the way home."
House laughed as he locked the door behind them. "This just gives me more time to introduce her to the Stones."
"She's two and a half, House. I don't think she's old enough to appreciate the philosopher Jagger." She steered Rachel towards House's car.
House stowed the guitar and duffle bag in the back seat. He waited until Rachel was buckled in before he took Cuddy's hand. "I may not have a clue what I'm doing, but I am trying. Most of the time, I feel like I'm way in over my head. Please don't give up on me."
"House, I'm not going to give up on you just because you go a little overboard sometimes." Cuddy cupped his face with her free hand and smiled up at him as snowflakes drifted around them. "But, you can't get defensive when I set limits."
"Fair enough." House pulled her in for a quick kiss. "Now, again, can we go before we get snowed in here with nothing to eat but leftover Chinese and a box of stale Coco-Puffs?"
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Cuddy tucked a sleeping Rachel into bed and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She switched off the overhead light and closed her door. As she made her way back to the living room, Cuddy could hear the cartoon they had been watching still playing with the volume turned down low. As she sat down next to him on the sofa, House placed an arm around Cuddy's shoulders and tucked her close to his side.
"Rachel's asleep. You can put something else on," she told him.
Without taking his eyes off of the screen, House shook his head. "I want to finish this first. I can't believe I've never seen it."
"Admit it. You just like having Rachel around because she gives you an excuse to watch cartoons." Cuddy teased him as she rested her head on his chest.
"I don't need an excuse, although, she could come in handy. If I take her along, I can go the theater without people thinking I'm a pedophile." House sounded very pleased with himself.
Cuddy giggled then said, "No, they'll just think you're taking your granddaughter to the movies."
"Ouch! You're cruel, woman." House smirked down at her. "And, might I remind you, you're no spring chicken."
Cuddy sniffed and stuck her nose in the air in a pretend pout. She watched the cartoon for a few minutes before she commented with a smile, "That doctor reminds me of someone. Demented, genius, mad scientist…hmmm…wonder who it could be?"
House laughed a maniacal laugh that sounded strikingly similar to the animated cockroach on the screen.
When Cuddy managed to control her own laughter, she gasped, "Oh, God. Don't let Rachel hear you do that. She'll drive you nuts begging you to do it for her."
"I wouldn't mind." House smiled and ran his hand up and down her arm. He had been musing over her earlier words. "You said you want us to make major decisions together."
"Yes," Cuddy looked up at him.
"How involved do you expect me to be in her life?" House didn't take his eyes off of the screen.
"How involved do you want to be?" Cuddy decided to let him set the course for this conversation.
"Now who's deflecting?" House continued to caress her arm as he quietly admitted, "I do love her."
"But?" Cuddy questioned.
"But, I'm still not sure I'm ready to be anyone's father." House took a deep breath and finally met her gaze. "And, I know that's what you're hoping for."
Cuddy blinked and then focused on the writing on his shirt. "Rachel and I love you. Is it so wrong to hope you'll decide to be a permanent part of our lives?"
"No," House admitted before he put a finger under her chin and forced Cuddy to look at him. "I'm still the most screwed up person I know. I don't want you to decide you've made a mistake."
Looking into those expressive, blue eyes, Cuddy could read the fear and uncertainty. She made the connection between what he was saying and what he had told her of his past. And, with great clarity, Cuddy understood what had House so scared and just how badly she could hurt him.
She cupped his whiskered cheek in her palm. "House, I know you're afraid to get too close. You think I'm going to eventually break up with you. You think this isn't going to last."
House turned his head and placed a soft kiss on her palm. "The thought had crossed my mind," he told her.
"I love you, House. It's taken me over twenty years to finally admit that you're who I want. I have no plans to let you go," Cuddy told him with absolute certainty.
Cuddy felt her stomach churning with nerves as she made a decision. There was only one way she could think to prove that she was in this relationship for the long haul. She hoped she wasn't about to make a colossal mistake as she slid from the sofa and knelt in front of him. When she took his hand in hers, House's eyes widened in shock.
"You're my best friend. I've loved you half of my life and I can't imagine spending one day without you." Cuddy managed a steady smile as she asked, "Greg House, when you decide you're ready, will you marry me?"
"I…" House swallowed and blinked a few times. Finally, he nodded.
"Was that a yes?" Cuddy asked.
"Yes," he whispered.
Cuddy pulled House to her. One kiss led to another and then another. At some point, she ended up sitting on his left leg with her arms wrapped around his neck. House wrapped his arms around her waist as he held her to his chest.
"You proposed. Does this mean I get an engagement ring?" House asked her with a grin.
"No, but you can feel free to tell everyone," Cuddy told him as she ran her fingers through his graying hair.
"Cheapskate," he complained before he laughed. "I'll let you tell Arlene."
Cuddy groaned and let her head fall on to his shoulder. "Can't we just wait to tell her until after it's over?"
"And deprive her of finally planning a wedding for her first born? Perish the thought." House placed a kiss to her hair and relented, "But, you can wait until we decide we're ready to do this."
"We're waiting for you to decide you're ready," Cuddy reminded him. She couldn't resist teasing him. "If I have to tell my mother, you have to tell yours."
House let his head rest against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. "Eloping sounds like a good idea."
"Absolutely not," Cuddy quickly vetoed that plan. "I'm not about to slink off like I'm ashamed of you. I want everyone we know to witness how much I love you and how proud I am to marry you."
"Cuddy," House tried to blink back the tears that suddenly filled his eyes, "set a date."
"Are you sure?" Cuddy ran the back of her fingers down his whiskered jaw.
"Yeah, I'm sure." House took a deep, although shaky, breath. "I figure I better get you to say 'I do' before you come to your senses."
"That's not going to happen. I've told you that you're stuck with me." She kissed him. "Unless you're afraid you'll change your mind."
"I may be nuts, but I'm not stupid." House flashed that wicked, sexy grin she loved so much. His blue eyes sparkled. "Patty and Selma will legally belong to me. No way am I going to pass on that."
"You're such a pig." Cuddy slapped him playfully on the arm before she sobered. "What about Rachel?"
"It's too late to trade her in on a puppy, right?" House grinned at her look of outrage. "God, you're so easy."
"House," she growled in warning. Just as fast as he had teased her, House turned serious.
"I still don't know how great I'll be as a father. I imagine I'll drive you crazy most of the time. But, I do know what it's like to grow up with a father who resented me because I wasn't biologically his son." House cupped her face in his hands. "I promise Rachel will always know she's my daughter, too."
Cuddy wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I love you."
"I didn't think you made a habit of proposing to men you don't love," he whispered into her hair.
She laughed and then broke the embrace when she felt someone tugging on her sweatpants. Cuddy looked down to see Rachel standing next to them. The little girl had an earnest expression on her face.
"Mommy, I thirsty," the toddler told her.
Cuddy released House and stood. "Come on, Honey. I'll get you some juice."
"Thank God," House exclaimed as he rubbed his left thigh. "I was starting to lose feeling."
Cuddy smirked and wiggled her butt at him before she led Rachel to the kitchen. House laughed as he dug his cell phone from his pocket. He had just hit send on a text message when Cuddy and Rachel returned to the living room. Rachel handed him her sippy cup and then climbed up to take her mother's place on his lap. She retrieved her cup and lay back with her head on his chest.
"Comfortable?" House asked the toddler and smiled when she nodded. Cuddy had just snuggled in next to him when the cell phone rang.
"House," he answered without looking at the caller id. He had a pretty good idea who it would be.
Cuddy flipped the television channel to a local news program. She was surprised when House waved the phone in her direction. She took it reflexively and looked to him with a raised eyebrow.
"I sent Wilson a text. He doesn't believe me. Tell him what you did," House directed her as he gently rocked Rachel from side to side.
"Yes, Wilson, I really did propose," she told their friend without preamble. Cuddy laughed at Wilson's sputtered words of shock and amazement. She finally broke in to say, "At least I didn't have to grope him this time to get you to believe me."
House snorted and climbed to his feet with a sleeping Rachel snuggled against his left shoulder. He snagged his cane and limped to the little girl's bedroom. He had her tucked back in bed in a matter of minutes. House bent and gently brushed her bangs away from her eyes.
"Looks like I'm going to be your dad, Kid," he whispered. "I hope I don't screw you up too much."
When House returned to the living room, Cuddy was still on the phone. He just shook his head as he limped through on his way to the kitchen. He made his way back to the sofa when he heard Cuddy giggling like a teenager.
"You girls can gossip tomorrow." House raised his voice. "Say goodnight, Wilson."
Cuddy laughed again before she told Wilson goodnight and disconnected the call. She returned the phone to House and sat cross-legged on the sofa to face him. She watched as he slid the phone back into his pocket.
"Wilson said to tell you congratulations," Cuddy told him. "I should have known you couldn't wait to tell him."
"I've been his best man enough times. He owes me." House smirked. "Besides, you just made him a lot of money."
Cuddy narrowed her eyes. "There was a pool on us getting engaged?"
"Yep. Chase is in charge of the bets. Wilson had money on you proposing within a year." House twirled his cane. "He can afford one heck of wedding present."
"I'll be sure to remind him of that tomorrow." Cuddy crossed her arms and studied her boyfriend. "So, what was your bet?"
"Who said I bet on us?" House tried to look innocent. Under her quiet scrutiny, he finally caved and admitted with a pout. "Fine. I had five hundred dollars on me proposing within a year."
Cuddy laughed as she moved closer to place a kiss on his cheek. "I cost you five hundred dollars and you still said yes?"
"Hell, yes." House pulled Cuddy with him as he lay back against the sofa arm. "I was afraid if I said no, you wouldn't wait around for me to ask you."
Cuddy snuggled against his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. She suddenly laughed and rose up to look at him. House frowned and waited for the next bit of torment.
"You realize what this means?" Cuddy waited for him to shake his head before she continued. "Now, you have a chance to be Mom's favorite son-in-law."
"Well, I am the handsome, intelligent doctor who saved her life. There's really no contest." House ran his hands down her back and cupped her rear. "So, what do you say we go consummate this engagement?"
"I thought you would never ask." Cuddy climbed off of House and offered him a hand up from the sofa. The evening had taken a turn she had never expected. She certainly hadn't planned it. But Lisa Cuddy knew this had been the right decision.
As House held her hand and limped down the hall, he fought the panic that threatened to overtake him. He knew in his heart he could be a husband and father. His head was another matter. He figured he just had to ignore the voice in his head that sounded eerily like John House.
He stopped Cuddy at the bedroom door. "Promise me you'll keep telling me I can do this."
"I promise." She understood the source of his nerves. Cuddy placed her hands on his waist and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him softly. "I'm going to convince you that you deserve this as much as anyone else. "
She smiled when he hung his cane on the doorknob and then picked her up. "I could get used to this romantic streak."
"Just don't let it get around at the hospital. Wouldn't want to ruin my reputation." House kissed her before he limped into the bedroom. This evening had taken a turn he certainly hadn't expected. He vowed he would make sure she didn't regret this decision.