A/N As promised, the velvet box shows up in a typically Housian fashion. And, Rachel decided to address a VERY sensitive topic. I tried to keep House IC; but, he may have slipped a little at the end. I hope everyone still likes this chapter.

Disclaimer[H]ouse still doesn't belong to me and I'm still not receiving any monetary gain from this. But, if Mr. Shore would like to pay me to write for the show, I would gladly take his money.

Dr. Greg House leaned against the railing and watched the chaos below him. It was 10:15 in the morning and Princeton Plainsboro Hospital was alive with the buzz of activity and the low hum of conversations. Hospital staff and visitors scurried about their way. Nurses clustered behind the main desk and a patient pushing an IV stand shuffled past. He smiled when he caught the seductive scent of her perfume.

Dr. Lisa Cuddy strode along the balcony with her usual confidence. She had a meeting in fifteen minutes. She should be going over her notes and preparing her presentation. Never mind that she had memorized everything she wanted to say. She really didn't have time for this detour, but House's cryptic text message had piqued her curiosity. She just hoped this wouldn't take too long.

Cuddy stopped to stand next to House and leaned against the rail. She was surprised to see that under his blazer, her boyfriend was wearing a dress shirt and tie with his blue jeans. She tapped her foot. "What is it House? You know I have a meeting with the board this morning."

House continued to watch the people on the ground floor. He smiled when the elevator doors opened and his team plus Wilson ambled into the lobby. They all wore puzzled expressions. None of them had spotted him yet.

House turned his head and looked at Cuddy. "Did you mean what you said when you gave me permission to tell everyone?"

"Yes." Cuddy frowned in confusion and then widened her eyes in shock when she realized why they were standing on the balcony. "House! You can't!"

"You've known me how long?" He grabbed her hand before she could flee. His tone and the look on his face were serious when he asked, "Please? Cuddy, I need to do it this way."

Cuddy twined her fingers through his. She understood. The last time, he had made a complete ass of himself. The looks of pity had followed him even after his return from Mayfield. It was still one of the most talked about scandals in hospital lore. She finally nodded her head and battled down the attack of nerves that made her stomach roll dangerously.

House continued to hold her left hand as he used his cane to wrap on the banister rail. "Good people, can I have your attention?" he yelled from their perch above the crowd.

When all activity had stopped and every eye was trained on them, House continued, "As you go about your day, I want all of you to know that Dr. Lisa Cuddy, Dean of Medicine, asked me, Dr. Gregory House, Head of Diagnostics, to marry her. I may be insane; but, I'm not an idiot. I said yes."

There was open mouthed, stunned silence from the first floor as House turned to face Cuddy. He hooked his cane over the rail and reached in to his pocket.

"Thank you for giving a worn-out, old, cripple another chance," he said loudly enough that most of the spectators could hear him. "I love you."

Cuddy's violet eyes were huge as he slid something onto the ring finger of her left hand. She looked down and as the two and a half carats of diamonds sparkled up at her, she couldn't stop the smile or the tears. House was glad he had a few seconds to brace himself before Cuddy threw her arms around his neck and hugged him for all she was worth. House wrapped his arms around her slender waist and held her close. He buried his face in her hair and swallowed back the lump in his throat.

The cheers and whistles from the ground floor finally registered. Cuddy realized what a spectacle they were making of themselves. House smiled as she loosened her grip on him. He decided the crowd deserved a grand finale. He bent her over his left arm and gave her one, long, toe-curling kiss.

"Now, get back to work, people," he yelled down at the crowd when he finally allowed her to straighten.

Cuddy swiped her fingers under her eyes. "No one will ever top that."

"When are you going to learn? I am that good." House smirked at her as he handed her the purple, velvet covered box.

Cuddy straightened her suit jacket and tried to resume her administrator persona. "Don't you have clinic duty this morning, Dr. House?" The twinkle in her eyes ruined the effect.

"Slave driver," he grumbled with a smirk and a twinkle of his own. "I'll have you know, I was actually on time today."

"Miracles never cease," Her heels clicked as Cuddy preceded him to the elevator. She pushed the button and didn't look back as she hissed, "And, don't even think about grabbing my ass."

The large hand detoured and settled in the middle of her back. When the doors closed behind them, Cuddy raised her left hand and got her first good look at the ring. It was breath taking. Five, half carat diamonds were set flush with the top of the wide, gold band.

"I figured you wouldn't want one with the stones sticking up. You wouldn't be able to wear it at work." House studied his sneakers. "But, if you want something else…"

Cuddy grabbed the lapels of his blazer and ducked her head so he had no choice but to look at her. "Just try to get it off my finger. It's perfect and I love it. Thank you."

She gave him a quick kiss and then released him. She stepped back just as the doors opened on the ground floor. House's team was eagerly waiting for their boss.

Cuddy strode from the elevator and didn't give them a chance to speak. "Dr. Chase, I believe you owe Dr. Wilson a rather large sum of money."

The three doctors and the usually perky med student had the good sense to look embarrassed. "Yes, ma'am," Chase mumbled with a guilty expression.

"And, Dr. Wilson," Cuddy turned her attention to her second-best friend, "considering your new found wealth, I will expect a suitably appropriate wedding gift."

Wilson gave her a wide grin. "I've already given it some thought."

Cuddy took a few strides and then turned back to where House hovered in the elevator. "Dr. House, I believe the clinic is that way." She pointed to the area in question.

"But, Cuddy…" House was cut off in mid-whine.

"No buts, House. You still owe me four hours of clinic duty for the week." Cuddy continued to point to the doors of the clinic.

House had taken a few steps when Cuddy stopped him with an out stretched hand. She wordlessly waited while he dug in his blazer pocket and then handed her his Game Boy. The sound of snickers drew her attention to the rest of the group.

"If the rest of you need something to do, I'm sure Dr. House could use your assistance in the clinic," she told them with a raised eyebrow.

House shooed the members of his team toward the free clinic. He figured it wouldn't hurt to put in a few hours. After the scene he just caused, he knew he owed Cuddy that much cooperation. Cuddy strode towards the waiting group of board members. He tilted his head to the side and smirked as he watched the provocative sway of her hips in the tight pencil skirt. He might be the biggest bastard in New Jersey; but, he was definitely marrying the hottest Dean of Medicine in the country.

[H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H] [H]

House shut the front door and let his backpack drop to the floor. A wave of exhaustion washed over him. Despite the spectacular start, it had been a long, frustrating day. He shrugged off his coat and hung it in the hall closet. He was surprised when he shut the door and saw Rachel staring up at him.

"Hi," he greeted her.

"Hi," she whispered.

House bent so that he was almost on eye level with the toddler. "What's up?" he whispered.

Rachel leaned closer. "Mommy's cooking."

House pretended to frown and gave her an exaggerated shudder. "Want me to see what I can do?"

House smiled when Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, why don't you go play? I'll see if I can salvage the situation."

Rachel gave him a smile and ran off to the living room. House limped his way to the kitchen. Cuddy was stirring something on the stove and her back was to the room. He laid his cane on the bar and did his best to sneak up on her. He was several feet away when Cuddy spoke.

"Hi, House," she purred.

House closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I must be slipping," he whispered as he kissed the side of her neck.

"You're wearing the cologne I got you for Christmas." Cuddy turned her head and gave him a quick kiss. "Why do you think I bought it?"

"I thought it turned you on." House peered over her shoulder and inspected the contents of the wok.

"Well, there is that." Cuddy smiled and added mushrooms to the stir-fry. "How is your patient?"

"Boring." House kissed her neck again. "Not much challenge in Leprosy."

Cuddy laughed. "Only you would think that."

House sniffed the air. "Did you put garlic and ginger in that?"

"Yep." She smiled. "You and your coconspirator will be relieved to know, I'm using your recipe."

"I'll be sure to tell her." House ran a hand over her ribcage. "Do I have time to change?"

"You have a few minutes." Cuddy stopped the wandering hand. "You don't have enough time for that."

House laughed as he watched her stir the vegetables. The diamonds caught the overhead light and sparkled at him. "Do you really like it?" he whispered in her ear.

"No." Cuddy held up her hand and turned it from side to side. "I love it. It really is perfect for me. I won't have to take it off at work. And, it's absolutely gorgeous. You couldn't have made a better choice."

House placed a kiss to the side of her neck. "It reminded me of you…classy but tough."

She turned to wrap her arms around his neck. Their kiss was tender and filled with promise. He finally released her. He was already tugging off his tie as he retraced his steps through the dining room. He stopped in the living room to watch Rachel putting her new puzzle together.

"Hey!" He got her attention. "We're safe. Your mom's cooking stir fry like I make it."

Rachel cheered as he headed down the hall. He dropped his tie on the dresser and kicked off his sneakers. As he moved to the bathroom, he stripped out of his dress shirt and tossed it in the hamper. His jeans quickly followed. When he was stripped down to his black, boxer briefs, House bent over the sink and lathered and scrubbed his face. It might be irrational for a world renowed, Infectious Disease Specialist, but Leprosy made him nervous. He would take a proper shower before bed. This would have to do for now. He quickly dried his face and then went back to the bedroom to rummage for sweat pants and a t-shirt.

Cuddy dished out her own serving of stir fry before dumping in the cooked chicken. She gave the meal a good stir and smiled. Her heart fluttered every time she looked at her ring. Leave it to House to dissect the logistics of engagement rings and latex gloves. She turned from the stove and was surprised to find Rachel sitting in a chair at the small table. The little girl was watching her feet as she swung them back and forth. She had her pensive, almost sad face on.

Cuddy set the wok on a trivet and asked, "What's wrong, baby?"

Rachel shrugged her tiny shoulders before she replied, "Hows got an owie."

"Really?" Cuddy was surprised but not overly concerned. She hadn't heard about any accidents during the day. She knew one of his ducklings would have tattled if their boss had been accosted by an angry relative. "Where is it?"

Rachel pointed to her own right thigh and looked at her mother. "It's bad."

Cuddy felt a tendril of unease coil in her stomach. House had gone to change clothes. She squatted in front of her daughter. "Baby, did you see House without his pants on?"

Rachel nodded. "He was washing his face." She paused and blinked a few times. "He was wearing his panties."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Cuddy couldn't stop the snort of laughter. "Sweetie, boys call them shorts, not panties. That's what we girls wear."

Rachel ducked her head. "Is that how come he walks funny?"

Cuddy pulled another chair over and sat facing the toddler. "Yes, it is. His leg got sick and that's the only way the doctors could fix it."

"It hurts," Rachel gave her mother an accusing stare.

"It does hurt sometimes. But, he says it doesn't hurt as much as it used to." She gave Rachel a small smile. "I think you and I make House feel better."

Rachel returned the smile. "We take care of him."

"Yes, we do." Cuddy patted Rachel's leg. She didn't want this to come up in casual conversation. "I think we need to go talk to him. Don't you?"

Rachel gave her mother a hesitant nod. "Will he be mad?"

"Has House ever gotten mad at you?" When Rachel shook her head, Cuddy stood. "He may be sad because you're sad, but he won't be angry."

House was sitting on the side of the bed tying his sneakers when Cuddy and Rachel entered the bedroom. He looked up and then frowned. Rachel shuffled across the floor with her head downcast. He immediately recognized her guilty look.

"What's up?" he asked Cuddy.

She picked Rachel up and sat her on the mattress next to House. Cuddy sat on the other side of Rachel and looked at House over their daughter's head. She sent up a silent prayer that this would go well.

"Rachel came to find you while you were in the bathroom. You didn't have any pants on." She cast a pointed look at his thigh. The suddenly widening of his sky-blue eyes told her that he understood. "I'm going to go finish dinner."

"Cuddy…" this was one conversation he didn't want to have alone. It rated right up there with the bird-and-bees discussion he planned to avoid in ten or so years.

"This is between the two of you." Cuddy stopped at the door and turned back. "House, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

House nodded and watched Cuddy leave the room. This was his fault. He was the one who forgot to lock the bedroom door. He looked down at Rachel who was staring at the cane that leaned between them. He took a deep breath and pondered what he should say and still keep it simple.

"I'm sorry," Rachel address the piece of wood instead of him.

"It's not your fault," House told her.

Rachel looked up at him. "You not want me to see."

"No, I didn't." House turned to face her. "I know it looks pretty awful. I didn't want you to be upset."

"It hurts?" Rachel hadn't been satisfied with her mother's explanation.

"Sometimes," House admitted. "As long as I'm careful, it doesn't hurt too much anymore."

"Mommy said we make you feel better." Rachel smiled at him.

"She's right." House pushed her bangs out of her eyes. "You and your mom make me forget about it."

Rachel studied him for a few seconds. "I don't want you to be sad."

"How could I be sad with you around?" A light tickle to her ribs made the toddler giggle. House smiled. "See? I'm always happy when I'm with you."

Rachel stood on the bed and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. "I love you, Daddy."

House was caught completely unaware by the tidal wave of emotions that swamped him. Intellectually, he had been prepared to hear her say it. Emotionally, he was a mess. Even though he knew it was physically impossible, House could have sworn he felt his heart melt. He might have missed her first word and her first step, but he knew if he lived to be a hundred, he would never forget this first.

House hugged her to his chest and whispered, "I love you to, Sweetie."

Cuddy had the table set when her family made their appearance in the dining room. Rachel held House's left hand and chattered about story time at the library. House listened indulgently as he picked the toddler up and put her in the high chair. Cuddy noticed his eyes were suspiciously red.

When she was seated across from House, Cuddy asked, "Is everything okay?"

House hung his cane on the high chair tray and then handed Rachel her plate. "Everything's fine."

Unaware of the undercurrents, Rachel asked, "Daddy, can I have my juice?"

Cuddy's eyes widened as she watched House hand Rachel the sippy cup. She noticed his hand wasn't quite steady. She saw him swallow and take a deep breath.

When House finally looked at Cuddy, he knew she could see the emotions reflected on his face. "It may take me a while to get used to that."

Cuddy smiled and blinked back the tears. "I have to admit, I think it sounded wonderful."

"Yeah, it did." House softly agreed.

"Made you feel ten feet tall and bullet proof, huh?" Cuddy tried to hide her smirk behind her wine glass.

"Go ahead and gloat. You've earned the right." House picked up his fork and looked at Rachel who was busy poking food into her mouth. "I think I finally get it."

"Get what?" Cuddy watched him study Rachel.

"Why people want one of those." He nodded his head in Rachel's direction before he gave Cuddy a small smile. "Three years ago, I thought you were the one who was nuts. Now I understand. She makes me want to be a better person."

"We think you're pretty amazing just the way you are," Cuddy told him with absolute conviction and a radiant smile. "Just remember, normal is boring."

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I don't think you have to worry. I doubt I'll ever be normal."

House took a few bites of dinner before he shyly looked at Cuddy. "I'm sorry. I should have locked the bedroom room door."

Cuddy nodded and then looked down at her plate. "I'm sorry, too. It's my fault in the first place."

House gripped his fork and fought the urge to rub his leg. "No, it's not. You didn't do anything I wouldn't have done if I had been my patient. I've never wanted you to blame yourself. I should have let you cut it off. I shouldn't have been so stubborn."

"No, you shouldn't have been. But, you were just being you." Cuddy tried for a convincing smile. "Isn't who was more wrong part of the past we're supposed to be leaving in the past?"

House was still serious when he replied, "Some things are going to come back to haunt us no matter what we do."

"You're right. We have a long, convoluted history. We can't avoid touchy subjects forever. And, I know how you like to brood. You've made that whole dark, Heathcliff persona an art form." Cuddy looked at her ring and then told him, "But, I'm not going to let you dwell on the negatives. I intend to drag you screaming and kicking into a happy future."

House's smile actually reached his eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that you're pushy?"

"You have quite a few times as I recall." Cuddy wiped Rachel's mouth and then gave him a saucy smile. "That's one of the reasons you love me."

House swallowed a bit of the stir-fry and smirked. "Well, it certainly isn't for you cooking skills."

Cuddy tried to look offended. Really she did. House still saw the grin she couldn't hide. He helped Rachel from her high chair and sat her on his right leg. He watched Cuddy carry her plate to the kitchen and wrapped an arm around Rachel's waist. He smiled when the toddler stole a piece of chicken from his plate. Greg House had to admit that a happy, un-miserable future sounded pretty damned fantastic.