A/N I'm sorry it took longer to post this than I had planned. I went a little OCD over the revisions. There's a little bit of fluffy smut at the end. I didn't think anyone would mind.
Greg House paced awkwardly up and down the length of his conference room. He ignored the stares of the passers-by who slowed to gawk at him through the glass wall. The rumors had been running rampant all morning and all the weekend staff apparently had nothing better to do than come see if the grapevine was correct. House scowled as he limped over and closed the blinds. You would think they had never seen a man in a tux before.
House completed another circuit of the room and stopped to stare out of the window. The previous day had been like a covert, guerilla mission. He and Cuddy had snuck out of her house with Rachel before daylight. They had decided to hide out at Wilson's apartment and had ignored Arlene's sixty-three voice mails and text messages. House and Rachel had spent the morning watching cartoons while Cuddy read or napped. He and Rachel hadn't made it to lunch with his mother. He hadn't felt comfortable with the idea of leaving Cuddy alone that long.
The others had arrived throughout the afternoon. Wilson had returned first. He had handed over House's credit card and a confirmation for the flower delivery. Wilson had also snuck into House's apartment to retrieve the tux and other personal items House needed. Taub had shown up next with Rachel's dress. Cuddy had forced House to wait in the bathroom when Masters arrived with the wedding dress. Chase had made it to the condo just before dark with pizza and assurances that he had found someone to perform the ceremony. Foreman swung by after evening rounds and brought more pizza and a new stock of sodas.
The video game tournament hadn't happened. They had all stayed at Wilson's condo and played poker once Rachel was in bed. They had talked and laughed until almost midnight. Cuddy and Masters had cleaned out the guys. At 11:45, Cuddy had shooed House out the door with a long, lingering kiss that had the younger doctors teasing him all the way to the car. House had spent a restless night on the lumpy mattress in Chase's spare room.
Now, fourteen and a half hours later, House was about to climb the walls. He turned as Taub opened the conference room door. "Where the hell are they?" House demanded.
Taub tried to catch his breath. "Wilson said for you to meet him at the chapel."
"Where's Cuddy?" House threw over his shoulder as he pushed past and made a hasty exit.
Taub had to trot to keep up with the longer strides of his boss. "Wilson snuck her and Rachel in through the ER entrance and stashed them in an empty patient room. Masters is with them. Chase called. He just picked up your mother."
House repeatedly jabbed the elevator button. "What patient room?"
"I don't know." Taub scurried through the elevator door and looked up at the agitated older man. "Wilson wouldn't tell us. He said that's need-to-know information. He didn't want Arlene or you to trick it out of us."
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Lisa Cuddy paced the length of the patient room. She had her cell phone pressed to her ear and her eyebrows were drawn together in a frown. Rachel sat on the bed and watched her mother. Masters was in the corner trying to remain as unobtrusive as possible.
"I don't care what she wants. I'm not talking to her." Cuddy switched the cell phone from her right ear to her left. "I don't intend to let her ruin today with her negative attitude."
Cuddy paused to listen and then replied, "She's being ridiculous. He did not kidnap me. I ran away. I'm forty-three years old and I had to run away from home to avoid my overbearing mother."
This time, Cuddy listened and then smiled. "Julia, she already thinks House is unstable. Work with that. Remind her of what happened the last time she pissed him off. If he finds out what an ass she's making of herself, he'll have security throw her out of the hospital."
Cuddy turned to smile at Rachel and then laughed into the phone. "Jules, I'll come out of hiding when I get a text message from Wilson saying she's in the chapel. And, I owe you a weekend of babysitting as soon as I'm recovered."
Cuddy disconnected the cell phone and then hugged Rachel. "Baby, I promise I won't go nuts when you get married. If I do, your Daddy has permission to give me drugs."
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House watched the numbers change and bolted from the elevator as soon as the doors started to slide open. Wilson was waiting outside the chapel. The best man was also wearing a tux and was pacing the hall.
"Where the hell have you been?" House called while he was still several feet away.
"I was trying to calm a hysterical female. You're welcome, by the way," Wilson retorted sarcastically.
"Why was Cuddy hysterical? What did you say to upset her?" House was ready to grab his best friend and shake him.
"Wrong female." Wilson rolled his eyes. "It was Rachel. She didn't want to wear her dress shoes."
House took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "What did you do?"
"I let her wear her sneakers." Wilson leaned against the wall. "She seems to think sneakers are the only acceptable form of foot wear at the hospital. She said, and I quote, 'My daddy always wears sneakers.'"
When House gave Wilson a goofy grin, the younger man snorted. "I swear House, the kid's so much like you it's frightening. No one that little should be that stubborn and opinionated."
House leaned against the wall next to his best man. Taub was pacing a few feet away. "Where's Foreman?" House asked no one in particular.
Taub stopped and nodded to the door. "He's keeping the minister company."
"Chase found a minister?" Wilson asked as he leaned around to peer into the chapel. He stared for a few seconds and then his mouth fell open. The oncologist turned to face House. "Promise you won't kill Chase."
"Why?" House narrowed his eyes at his obviously flustered friend. "What's he done this time?"
Wilson put a hand against House's chest and stopped him from moving. "Just remember, you told him you didn't care who he got."
House pushed Wilson back against the wall and moved to the door. He saw Foreman standing at the front of the chapel. At first his brain refused to process what his eyes were seeing. Then, his blue eyes widened in shock. He supposed the man holding the Bible was the minister. Really, it was hard to tell.
The rather large gentleman didn't look like any minister House had ever seen. Standing at least six inches over six feet, he towered over the neurologist. House estimated that the man weighed in the neighborhood of two hundred forty pounds and most of it appeared to be located in his massive biceps and shoulders. His head was shaved bald and he sported a gold hoop in his left ear. The real kicker was the black leather chaps over his jeans and the black leather vest over his black t-shirt.
Taub was peeking around House's shoulder. House looked down at the shorter man and whispered, "You've got to be kidding me."
Taub continued to stare and shook his head. "Chase said he has a ministry for bikers."
House slumped against the wall. "Cuddy is going to kill me."
Taub just smirked as Wilson rubbed the back of his neck. The oncologist faced his best friend. "It's not that bad."
"We're being married by a member of the Hell's Angel. How could it be any worse?" House's look clearly said Wilson was clueless as usual.
He watched as guests he assumed were Cuddy's relatives walked past and entered the chapel. He had the fleeting thought that it wasn't too late to back out. He looked up in time to see Arlene sail around the corner. She was on the arm of a middle-aged man House assumed was Julia's husband.
Wilson moved to the side and Arlene planted herself in front of House. She looked up at him and announced, "You know I'm never going to forgive you for this."
"You know I don't care," House responded evenly.
Arlene tried to stare him down for several seconds before she nodded. "As long as we understand each other," she pronounced before she towed the unfortunate man through the door. The younger man gave House a small smile and mouthed the words "You're my hero," as he followed their mother-in-law.
"House?" Wilson studied his friend intently.
House took a deep breath and stood up straight. "I won't let that old biddy win."
Wilson smiled and patted House's shoulder. "That's the spirit."
"Just stick close," House said as he watched his mother and Chase round the corner.
The older woman immediately rushed to her only son. "Greg!" she exclaimed before she hugged him. House wrapped his arms around her and returned the hug.
Blythe leaned back and looked up at him. "You look wonderful. I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you, Mom," House told her. Then he got a good look at the older woman. His mother looked different. Her hair was cut in a short style that was very becoming and had been dyed a light brown. Instead of her usual, frumpy mom clothes, she wore stylish trousers and a belted sweater over a turtle neck. Her make-up was updated and she was wearing chunky jewelry that matched her outfit. House frowned when he realized Blythe House didn't look much older than her son.
"Who are you and what have you done with my mother?" House couldn't keep the note of shock from his voice.
Her carefree giggle was music to his ears. She patted his chest and told him, "I decided it was time for a change."
House placed a quick kiss to her cheek. "You look great."
Blythe wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him another hug as she whispered, "I love you, Greg."
"I love you, too, Mom," he whispered before the release her. He steered his mother to Chase.
Wilson stopped her long enough to tell her, "Mrs. House, it's good to see you again. You look fantastic."
"Hey! No flirting with my mother," House told his best friend. He then scowled at Chase. "That includes you, too."
Chase gave him a cheeky grin. "Too late. I already have."
"As for you, young lady," House gave his mother a stern look, "I expect you to behave yourself around all these cute, young doctors."
Blythe was overjoyed to see the teasing sparkle in his eyes. She laughed at her son and patted his whiskered cheek. "You sound just like your grandfather. He didn't have much luck keeping me in line. What makes you think I'll listen to you?"
Chase hooked his arm through Blythe's and with a last, wicked grin at his boss, led the older woman into the chapel. Wilson was sending a text message as a woman approached them. She had a camera bag slung over one shoulder and was leading a small boy by the hand. She smiled warmly when she saw House and Wilson. House's eyes widen in surprise as he recognized his former patient.
"Dr. House, I'm so glad I got here in time," she told him as she stopped where the two doctors stood. "Dr. Forman called me yesterday. I'm so glad he did. I wouldn't miss this for anything. It's the least I could do."
House looked to Wilson who was staring at the woman with confusion. "Wilson, this is Emma Sloan, world famous photographer. She was my patient several years ago."
Emma smiled at Wilson and then introduced them to her son. "This is Michael." Technically, House had already met the little boy once before.
She squatted so that she was on eye-level with the preschooler. "Mikey, this is Dr. House."
The little boy looked up at the tall, imposing man in front of him with an awe-struck expression. He looked like he had just been introduced to his favorite superhero. Before House had time to react, the little boy hugged his legs.
"You fixed me," Michael announced loudly enough that everyone in the chapel heard him.
House patted him awkwardly on the head. "Yeah, I did."
"I've told him all about you. You're quite the hero in our home. You and your team are part of his bedtime prayers every night." Emma untangled her son and smiled at House. "Give me a few minutes to get him settled and get my camera ready."
"You're taking pictures?" House was still in shock. This was one item he and Cuddy had forgotten.
"Dr. Foreman asked if I would." Emma was grateful she could repay House in this way. "This is a special day. You should have a record of it."
House and Wilson watched Emma and Michael enter the chapel. "Well, that was a nice surprise. It's a good thing you've treated a photographer," Wilson told his friend.
House rolled his eyes. "Emma Sloan is not just a photographer. She's taken pictures of rock stars, movie stars and royalty. An afternoon of her time would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars."
Wilson's mouth was still hanging open when Julia rounded the corner. She was dressed in a deep mauve formal. She was carrying a small bouquet of red roses and white carnations. She stopped in front of House and gave him an appraising stare.
"You are evil," she finally hissed at him.
"I should fit in well with the rest of the family." House returned her stare.
"If you ever pull anything like this again and leave me to deal with Mom alone, I will disembowel you." House flinched as Julia stepped forward to give him a quick hug. She finally smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Good luck. Now, get in there."
House took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the ornate silver handle of the dress cane. His heart was racing and he didn't feel entirely steady. He looked at Wilson and waved his hand towards the door. Wilson entered the chapel and House followed him. Everyone was already seated. The pews on both sides were almost full of family and friends. Some of the hospital's weekend staff had snuck in and were seated at the back. House ignored the stares. Thankfully the isle to the front was short.
The minister met them at the front. He shook Wilson's hand and then turned to House. "You must be Greg. I'm Peter Duncan. Thank you for asking me to perform the ceremony."
House shook his hand and tried to think of an appropriate response. His addled brain finally settled for, "Thank you for coming."
"Just breathe. It will all be over in a few minutes," the burly minister whispered to the panicked looking groom. He nodded to the back of chapel.
Julia entered and made the short trek to the front and took her place at the left side of the alter. The guests rose and faced the back. Taub and Masters reopened the doors and stood to the sides as Cuddy entered. She was holding Rachel's hand and together they started the short walk to House.
House blinked and took in the vision that was Lisa Cuddy. The dress was absolutely stunning. The strapless top was covered in beading and sequins. The white satin was fitted and showed off her impossibly tiny waist. The short train gave the illusion that she was floating. Her hair was pulled back from her face with a few curls left free to wisp around her face.
Cuddy and Rachel took their place next to House and Rachel gave him a huge smile. House held up a hand for a quick high-five from the toddler. Her dress was, of course, purple with tiny pink flowers. Thankfully, it matched her purple and pink sneakers.
When the guests were reseated, Patrick began, "Friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of these two people. I usually require that the couple go through pre-marriage counseling before I perform the ceremony. I've been told that Greg and Lisa have known each other for over twenty years. I think they've had enough time to think this through."
Most of the guests chuckled. Patrick asked, "Who gives this woman in marriage."
"I do," Rachel responded enthusiastically. Then she added, "I share her with my daddy."
This time the chuckles were joined by snorts and giggles. Even the tough looking minister laughed. Rachel smiled as she skipped to where Chase sat on the front row. Instead of sitting with Arlene, the little girl chose to climb onto Chase's lap.
House reached out and took Cuddy's hand. Hers was shaking as much as his.
When he had composed himself, Patrick continued. "Marriage is a holy estate that should not be entered into lightly. If anyone here has just cause why these two people should not be married, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."
House narrowed his eyes and glared over Cuddy's shoulder at Arlene. The older woman gave an indignant sniff and looked away. When the pressure on his hand tightened painfully, House just smirked.
Patrick cleared his throat and looked down at the couple. "Greg, do you take Lisa to be your wife, to love, honor and cherish, for the rest of your days?"
House looked deeply into those violet eyes as he responded, "I do."
Patrick looked to Cuddy. "Lisa, do you take Greg to be your husband, to love, honor and cherish, for the rest of your days?"
Cuddy blinked back tears as she focused on his sky blue eyes and responded, "I do."
"May I have the rings, please?" Patrick asked Wilson. Wilson passed the gold bands to the minister and then took House's cane. House adjusted his stance and rested most of his weight on his left leg. Julia took Cuddy's bouquet. Patrick handed one of the rings to House.
"Greg, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed." Patrick instructed.
House slid the gold band on her hand and then moved the engagement ring from her middle finger back to where it belonged. He held her hand and stared into her expressive eyes. He still couldn't believe the love he saw there.
"With this ring, I thee wed." His normally strong voice was a shaky whisper.
Patrick handed the other ring to Cuddy. "Lisa, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
Cuddy had to look down as she managed to slip the wide, gold band on his finger. When she looked back up, she had to blink away the tears. She smiled when she saw the moisture in his eyes.
"With this ring, I thee wed," Cuddy managed to say around the lump in her throat.
Patrick laid his hand on top of theirs. "Marriage is a holy union of two lives and two souls. What God has joined, let no man put asunder. I now pronounce you husband and wife. Greg, you may kiss your bride."
The guests who knew him well expected an over-the-top, Housian display. They were all shocked when House framed Cuddy's face in his palms and leaned down. The kiss was tender and spoke not of lust but of love and commitment. It was filled with all the hope and promise he couldn't put into words. Cuddy held onto his waist and returned the kiss with all the love she felt for this amazing man.
When he finally pulled away, House smiled down at her. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," she whispered back.
Wilson handed House his cane, and Cuddy moved to his left side and took his hand. Over their heads, Patrick announced, "It is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. Greg House."
The guests stood and applauded. There were even a couple of whistles and shouts of congratulations. House smiled down at Cuddy and squeezed her hand. She returned the smile with one that was positively radiant.
The minister got the crowd's attention. "I have been instructed to ask all of you to move to the conference room next door. The Diagnostics Department has something special planned for the newlyweds."
Still holding hands, House and Cuddy led the short recessional from the chapel. Wilson and Julia followed them. Masters and Taub were standing in front of the closed doors to the conference room. When the guests were assembled in the hallway, the doctor and the med student opened the doors with a dramatic flourish.
Foreman addressed the confused couple, "Welcome to your reception."
House and Cuddy took tentative steps inside the door and stopped to look around. The room had been transformed. The huge conference table had been replaced by a smaller one. Silver and white balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling. A wedding cake and trays of fruit rested in the middle of the table. Bottles of sparkling, white grape juice were placed in silver ice buckets.
House turned to the members of his team who were now standing in the doorway. "How?" was all he managed to ask them.
Foreman smirked. "I had time on my hands yesterday."
House drew Cuddy further into the room and the guests filed in behind them. Everyone stopped to congratulate the newlyweds. The uniformed waiters were soon uncorking the bottles and pouring for the guests. When everyone had a glass, Wilson stood in a chair and got their attention. House rolled his eyes and groaned. Cuddy giggled and elbowed him in the ribs.
"As the best man, one of my duties is to propose a toast. At first, all I could think to say was it's about damned time. I was afraid House would kill me after Cuddy fired me." Wilson smiled at his two best friends as the crowd laughed. "Then I realized that sentiment is actually perfect. It's exactly what all of us who know these two would like to say. Through the years, we've seen how much they love each other. We've all hoped this day would come. Now that they're finally married, I want to be the first to wish them all the happiness in the world. No two people deserve it more. Here's to Greg and Lisa. It's about damned time."
Everyone drank to the toast. House couldn't resist giving Cuddy a quick kiss. Next it was Julia's turn. Wilson helped her up on the chair and she smiled at her sister.
"Lisa has always been my rock. She's always been there when I've needed her. No one could have asked for a better sister. All I've ever wanted was for her to find the happiness she so richly deserves." Julia turned her gaze to House. "When she called to tell me she had proposed to Greg, she was giggling like a teenager. For the first time in years, I could tell that she was truly happy. Greg, I have you to thank for that. I wish the two of you a long life together that is filled with love and laughter."
Chase moved to the front and hoisted Rachel onto his hip. Foreman handed her a plastic glass of juice. Chase whispered in the toddler's ear and she smiled at the crowd.
Rachel raised her glass like she had seen her Uncle Jimmy and her Aunt Julia do. "I love you, Mommy and Daddy." She gave them her most angelic smile. "Now can I have a sister?"
As the crowd roared with laughter, Cuddy buried her head in House's chest. House was busy trying to cough up the sparking juice he had just aspirated. He couldn't tell if Cuddy was shaking with laughter or sobs. When Cuddy finally peeked up at him, House was relieved to see the sparkle in her eyes.
"There's no doubt about it. She's definitely your daughter," she told him with a giggle.
"Oh, right. Blame me." House smiled down at her. "Just think. You get to put up with two of us now."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Cuddy rose up on tip-toe to give him a toe-curling kiss.
The reception was a loud, cheerful affair. Emma Sloan took pictures of House and Cuddy feeding each other pieces of cake. The small groups of guests were constantly changing as everyone milled about, talking and laughing. House and Cuddy stayed close to each other. Cuddy accepted hugs and congratulations from her new mother-in-law. House managed to be civil to Arlene when she grudgingly voiced her congratulations. They were informed by the mothers that they could expect a larger, more lavish reception at a later date. Cancelling it was not an option.
The next surprise came from House's team, Wilson and Julia. The newlyweds wouldn't have to cook dinner for the next week. Wilson had arranged for dinner to be delivered that night. The others gave them gift certificates. Julia had chosen their favorite Chinese restaurant. Chase had picked an upscale Italian restaurant. Foreman had chosen seafood as his gift. Taub provided them with a gift certificate for a Thai restaurant. Masters shyly handed over a gift certificate for Mexican food. Cuddy hugged and thanked each of them.
An hour into the party, House could tell that Cuddy was growing tired. "You about ready to blow this joint?" he asked her.
Cuddy nodded. "I hate to admit it, but I am pretty worn out."
"You've been on your feet too long." House gently reprimanded her. She loved this over protective side of her new husband.
"My feet aren't the problem." Cuddy raised the hem of her dress to show House the white sneakers she was wearing. "Heels were out of the question."
Cuddy quickly dropped her dress before anyone could see what had caused House to laugh out loud. "Hush!" she hissed.
"You know this is going to be one of my favorite stories for the grandkids, right?" House smirked.
Cuddy stared up at him with tears in her violet eyes. She almost knocked him off balance when she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. House held her close as he realized she was crying silently.
"Hey! Are you alright?" he whispered.
She nodded her head and sniffed. "I think it just hit me. We really did it." She pulled back and looked up at him. "House, we really did it."
House resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He understood how she felt. The thought of the future that stretched before them was pretty overwhelming to him, too.
House smiled down at his wife. "Let's get our kid and go home, Dr. House."
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Cuddy huffed in frustration as she watched her soldier die in a gruesome explosion. House had just beaten her at Halo 3 for the third straight time. They were propped against the headboard of her bed. The sound was turned low. After dinner they had finally gotten their hyper toddler to wind down and go to bed. They certainly didn't want to wake her and deal with a cranky little girl.
Cuddy fiddled with the game controller. "You know, the words 'wedding night' always conjured up a different image in my mind."
House paused the game and looked down at her. "You're still recovering. It's not like we have a lot of options."
Cuddy put the controller on the night stand and then rose on her knees. She moved to straddle his hips. House watched her as she pulled her nightgown over her head and dropped it to the side. She took the game controller out of his hand and put it on his nightstand.
"There are always options. You're a genius, House." Cuddy braced her hands on his broad shoulders and smiled down at him. "I'm sure you can figure out something else we can do."
House groaned at the sight of his very willing, very naked wife as she ground her hips against his. "Cuddy, I'm trying to be all noble and caring here. You aren't helping."
"I appreciate your restraint." Cuddy leaned back and untied the drawstring at the waist of his pajama pants. "But, right now, I want to make love to my husband."
House didn't put up much resistance as she pulled the material down his legs and flung the pants over her shoulder. Good intentions only went so far when she was looking at him with that sultry, smoldering look in her dark blue eyes. He was only human, after all, and he knew he would never be able to refuse her anything.
As she settled back on top of him, House groaned again. "I suppose it'll be okay if we take it slow."
Cuddy kissed him and then smiled. "Slow sounds real good."
House carefully drew her back down for a longer, deeper kiss. As he ran his hands up and down her back, his thoughts lingered on how perfectly they fit together. He was mildly surprised to find that all his barriers were gone. Lisa Cuddy had finally broken down all the walls he erected to keep other people at arms length. Greg House finally belonged to the one person who could make him happy and keep his battered heart safe.