A/N Thank you to everyone who continues to read and a huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I've had this chapter planned since I decided to make this a multi chapter story. I hope everyone likes it.
Disclaimer Remember, I'm not apologizing for a warm, fuzzy House when he's with Cuddy and Rachel. TPTB can still kiss my fat ass.
House sat on the sofa with his feet propped on the coffee table. Cuddy was stretched out on the sofa with her head on a pillow in his lap. She was reading and he was idly running his fingers through her hair as he watched television. Both of them were dressed in sweat pants and t-shirts. As usual, the shirt Cuddy was wearing had been liberated from House's drawer. Rachel was sitting on the floor coloring and watching The Lion King.
They had been married for twenty-four hours and House was shocked by how at peace he was. He rubbed his thumb over the gold band on his finger and reflected that being married felt right. He had taken the week off to stay home and take care of a still recovering Cuddy and Rachel. Wilson was performing Cuddy's administrative duties. Foreman was running the Diagnostics Department with strict orders to not call unless it was an absolute emergency.
"I've been thinking," House announced quietly.
Cuddy looked up and gave him a mock frown. "Should I be worried?"
"Maybe," House looked down and responded with a grin. "What are we going to do with my apartment?"
Cuddy laid her book down on her stomach and frowned for real. "I don't know. I honestly hadn't thought about it. I suppose we should move your stuff in here and let the apartment go."
House looked around the already crowded living room. "Where are we going to put a grand piano? You already have the bookshelves stuffed. There won't be room for my books. And, there's no way my furniture will fit in here. By the way, my bed is more comfortable than yours."
Cuddy sat up and turned to sit cross legged to face him. She had no idea where this conversation was going, but she was willing to hear his opinion. "So, what do you want to do?"
House ducked his head and looked at his sock clad feet. Being totally open still wasn't easy. "I was thinking we could look for a bigger house."
"You want to buy a new house?" Cuddy cast a critical eye around the living room. She loved this space she had created. It had become her haven from the stresses of her pushy family and her demanding job. She had always felt safe here with her things wrapped around her.
Cuddy looked at House. He was sitting quietly watching the emotions playing across her face. She knew he could read her like a book. She instinctively knew this wasn't just about space. For House, this was about how he would fit into her life. As long as they lived in her house, he would feel like a visitor. Blending their households into one would be another step towards convincing him their marriage was forever.
"I think that's a good idea," Cuddy told him with a smile. "We could definitely use more room. And, we should have a place that's ours."
"You're sure?" House knew how much her home meant to his new wife.
"I'm positive." Cuddy rubbed a hand up and down his arm. Now that the shock was wearing off, she was actually excited about the idea. "We have time this week. Let's find a new house."
House's reply was cut off when he felt a tiny hand on his leg. He looked down to see Rachel staring up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. The toddler gave her mother a horrified glare.
"Don't want a new Hows." The little girl's lower lip trembled. "I love my daddy."
Cuddy wrinkled her brow in confusion. House chuckled when he made the connection. He picked Rachel up and sat her on his lap. He gave his daughter a quick hug.
"Don't worry, Kid. Your mom's not replacing me." He brushed Rachel's bangs out of her eyes. "We were talking about a new place to live not a new person."
Rachel frowned up at him. "Not a new daddy?"
Cuddy gasped as she finally understood her daughter's distress. She took Rachel's hands and hurried to reassure her. "No, Sweetie. House will be your daddy forever and ever. We were talking about the other kind of house where people live."
Rachel blinked and stared at her mother. "Pwomise?"
"I promise." Cuddy leaned forward and kissed the little girl on the cheek. "We won't ever let your daddy go."
Rachel stood on his left leg and wrapped her thin arms around House's neck. She sniffed and then whispered, "I love you."
House returned the hug and smiled at Cuddy. "I think someone's getting tired. Why don't you call Bonnie while I put her down for a nap."
"Bonnie? Are you sure?" Cuddy couldn't hide her surprise at his choice.
House struggled to stand with a toddler still attached to his neck. He took the cane Cuddy handed him before he responded, "She's knows both of us. She'll know what we need."
Cuddy retrieved her cell phone from the coffee table and watched as House limped down the hall. She looked around the living room and sighed. She had no illusions that house hunting would be easy. The logistics of packing and moving two household would be a nightmare. As much as she loved this place, it was, after all, only a house. She was ready to make a home for the three of them.
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The following afternoon, House turned Cuddy's car into a wide, tree-lined drive and stopped. He peered through the windshield and frowned. This couldn't be the right place.
"Are you sure this is where she said to meet her?" House asked.
Cuddy consulted the slip of paper before she responded, "This is the correct address."
House turned to her and rolled his eyes. "She really is the worst real estate agent in Jersey."
Cuddy stared at the two story house and sighed. "She doesn't have a clue."
They both jumped at a knock on House's window. He opened the window when he saw Bonnie standing next to the car. The woman had a wide smile on her face as she bent to look in at them.
"So, what do you think?" Bonnie asked in her best sales person voice. "Doesn't it have great curb appeal? Just look at that landscaping."
House picked his cane up from where it rested next to the center console and waved it at her. "It's not exactly cripple friendly."
Bonnie's smile increased a notch. "Give me a little credit. Despite what you might think, I'm not a complete moron. The elderly woman who lives here has rheumatoid arthritis. They had an elevator installed."
House looked at Cuddy and shrugged. "Wouldn't hurt to look."
The adults climbed from the car and House unbuckled Rachel from her car seat. House held Rachel's hand as the trio followed Bonnie up the walk. Cuddy looked around while Bonnie retrieved the key and opened the door. The house was in a good neighborhood of older homes. The large lot had been landscaped with meticulous care. Cuddy silently agreed with Bonnie's assessment that the house was appealing from the outside.
Cuddy followed House and Rachel through the front door and then stopped to stare. The first floor had been renovated into an open floor plan. The door opened into a spacious living room. To the left was a staircase leading up to the second floor. To the right of the door were windows that looked out onto the wide front porch. The outside wall on the right boasted floor-to-ceiling bookcases that flanked a flagstone fireplace. Comfortable sofas and chairs were arranged in the center of the room. A grand piano was situated in the front corner. The hardwood floor was polished to a high shine and the walls were painted a shade of deep terracotta.
House had moved on to the kitchen. The kitchen was separated from the living room by a bar. Flagstone columns that matched the fireplace flanked either end of the bar. House examined the professional grade appliances and was impressed by what he saw. The floor was covered in slate tile. The cabinets were light wood. To the left of the kitchen, the dining area was furnished with a table that would seat eight. The floor in this area was the same hardwood as the living room. House opened a door between the kitchen and the dining area. It opened into a laundry room that led to a three car garage.
Cuddy opened a door to the left of the front door and gasped at what she found. She stepped into the study slash office and tried to conceal her excitement. The room was lined with built-in bookcases constructed of light oak. It was large enough for a desk and a small seating area. The bay window on the front wall had a window seat covered in a padded cushion and throw pillows. Cuddy tried to stop her thoughts when she started mentally arranging her own furniture in the space.
Cuddy rejoined House and Bonnie in the living room. House stuck his head in the study and then smirked at Cuddy. He could see the sparkle in her eyes and knew she had already staked a claim to this private space.
Bonnie moved to a door under the stairs and showed them a small half bath. She walked to a door at the end of the dining area and pushed a button. The door slid open and Bonnie waited on them to join her. House collected Rachel and stepped into the elevator.
"Just wait until you see the upstairs. The master suite is to die for," Bonnie told them as the elevator rose almost silently.
The elevator opened at the top of the stairs. It had apparently been a closet at one time. A wide hall ran the width of the upper floor. House held Rachel's hand as they stepped into the hall. There were three doors on the left and one on the right. Bonnie opened each of the doors on the left to show them the bedrooms and the bath. Both bedrooms were spacious enough for a certain massive, castle bed and had windows that overlooked the backyard. The floors were again done with gleaming hardwood. The full bath had been renovated and was decorated with slate tile and modern facilities.
Bonnie led the family across the hall and opened the door with a flourish. Cuddy stepped through and couldn't stifle a gasp. She stepped further into the room when House put a hand in the middle of her back and moved her out of the way. House looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. He saw the corner of her mouth twitch in a small smile.
The room was apparently over the living room and there was no other word to describe it but huge. A king-sized bed, dresser and two nightstands were arranged to the right. To the left, a small sitting area was situated in front of a flagstone fireplace that was equipped with gas logs. Directly in front of them was a short hallway. Doors on the left and the right opened into his and hers walk-in closets. Both closets had built in chests and shoe shelves and what looked like miles of clothing rods. Cuddy stood in one and turned in a complete circle. She had to admit to herself that she was giddy with the possibilities of this space alone. Across the hall, House was having a similar reaction.
They joined Bonnie in front of the door at the end of the short hall. Bonnie didn't say a word as she opened the door and stood to the side. She could already smell a sale. No words were needed for this room.
House limped through the door and this time it was Cuddy who had to move him to the side. There was no hiding her reaction. She stared in open mouthed shock. To the left was a Jacuzzi garden tub large enough to fit two people comfortably. The tub had a metal hand rail to make access up the two steps easier for the elderly resident to navigate. A shower stall was placed in the corner. The shower was lined with wide slate tile and had a built in shelf seat on one side. The vanity had his and hers sinks.
House looked down at Cuddy and smirked. "You can have the rest of the house. The tub is mine."
Rachel examined the tub and looked up at House. "Daddy, it a swimmin' pool."
The adults laughed at the expression on the little girl's face. Bonnie patted House on the arm and told him, "I saved the best for last. Come on."
The trio followed Bonnie back to the elevator. She pushed another button and this time the door opened into the basement. There was no way House could hide his reaction. Cuddy had never seen a smile quite like that on his face.
"The furniture down here stays if the buyers want it," Bonnie told them.
Once again, the floor was hardwood. The walls were painted a light shade of beige. Recessed lighting illuminated the space. To the right were a pool table and a regulation poker table. On the wall directly in front of the elevator was an upright piano. To the left, a study had been set up. The walls were lined with book cases constructed of dark wood. A large desk sat in front of the bookcases. House was happy to see that there was still space for a sofa and coffee table. His recliner and flat screen television would fit nicely, also. He could see a flagstone patio through the French doors behind the poker table.
Cuddy watched his reaction. She already thought the house was perfect for them. House turned to her and nodded his head.
Cuddy looked at Bonnie and smiled. "Draw up the contract," she told the agent.
"I'll go back upstairs and work on the paperwork." Bonnie tried to hide her excitement. "Check out the back yard. The couple had it set up for their grandchildren to enjoy."
House opened the French doors and stepped out. Cuddy and Rachel followed him. The large yard was landscaped and fenced. A wooden swing set was attached to a two-story playhouse. Rachel squealed in delight and took off at a dead run. House and Cuddy sat at the patio table and watched their daughter explore the playhouse.
House took Cuddy's hand. "Are you sure? It's awfully big and it is the first place we've looked at."
Cuddy smiled. "I have a gardener. You have a housekeeper. We can make it work. Do you honestly think we could ever find a house more perfect for us?"
"Nope." House smirked. "Besides, I think Rachel would divorce us if we told her she couldn't have that playhouse."
Cuddy looked to where the toddler was trying to climb onto one of the swings. "I think you're right."
House stretched his legs out and crossed his feet at the ankles. He closed his eyes and soaked in the peaceful quiet of the older neighborhood. He could picture the three of them spending hours together in the living room. They would each have their own space when they needed time alone. And, Greg House was honest enough with himself to admit that he would always need a place where he could go to think in peace.
House let his head rest on the back of the chair and opened his eyes to see Cuddy staring at him. He gave her a wicked grin. "I have plans for that bathtub."
"Gee, there's a surprise." Cuddy felt her face flush at the lecherous look her husband was giving her. She slowly rubbed her thumb over the palm of his hand. "I think that seat in the shower looked promising, too."
"Mrs. House, you are very naughty," House told her with an appreciative smile.
Cuddy was still laughing when Bonnie rejoined them. She had the contract filled out with an offer for the sellers. A few quick signatures were all that was needed.
"I'll put in the offer as soon as I get back to the office," Bonnie told them. "We should hear back tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back from their agent."
House collected Rachel and they all walked through the house one last time. Cuddy stood in the living room and pictured what it would look like with a combination of their furniture arranged around the fireplace and House's piano in the corner. This would be their space. This would be where they would live, and love, and grow together as a family.