"Let me see that one," he said, pointing to a shiny silver ring, "How much?"

"Nine hundred."

"Whoa, no, no. Where're your discount rings, nothing that'll turn our fingers green?"

The pawn shop attendant raised his eyebrows and turned to look at Cuddy, "Last of the great big spenders huh? Looks like you've got yourself a real winner there."

"You have no idea," she said, chuckling.

"Here you go, fifty bucks and under. No diamonds, no frills," the attendant set out a small tray of rings.

Cuddy reached for a silver ring with a leafy vine etched around the middle. It was simple, but pretty and it would have to do given it was one of only three rings small enough to fit her finger. The other two were plain, boring.

"How much is this one?"

"Fifty."

House nodded, "And this one?" he asked, holding up a plain silver band.

"Twenty five."

"I'll give you sixty for the pair."

"Uh-huh, no dice."

"Okay, fine. Lets go Cuddy," House grabbed her hand and steered them towards the entrance and Cuddy grimaced at being yanked unexpectedly, something which did not go unnoticed by House.

The attendant called out, "Wait, I can let them go for sixty-five."

"You should really get that boil lanced," House said as he forked over the cash.

"What are you a doctor or something?" the attendant said sarcastically.

"Or something."


"That's it? This is all we need to get married?" Cuddy asked, her hand occasionally massaging her back.

"Yep, the license expires one year from today."

"No blood tests?" House asked. Cuddy shot him a look indicating they wouldn't be doing anything to warrant the need of a blood test.

"Nope."


"What time is it now?" Cuddy looked at House as they exited the elevator.

"Nine thirty. Can you be ready in half an hour?"

"Can you? And no jeans either."

"How's your back?"

She raised her eyebrow, "Fine."

"Sure it is, you've been wincing all night."

"Just hurry up and get ready, we're already running late."


House tip toed around his shared hotel room, trying carefully not to wake a deeply sleeping Wilson. He showered, donned his presentation suit for the next day, sans tie, and for just a second, thought about waking Wilson to ask if he'd like to go along. Deciding against it, he grabbed his wallet and headed towards the lobby.


He watched as she exited the elevator clad in a cream colored skirt and matching woven jacket. Not exactly what she would have chosen to get married in, but it would have to suffice. He'd seen her in that suit countless times, and yet tonight he thought she looked just a bit more radiant, almost happy.

She walked gingerly towards House and he frowned, "What's wrong with your back?"

"Hmmm, it wouldn't have anything to do with falling on my ass earlier, would it? Give me one of your vicodin."

"You should try ibuprofen first. You've had too much to dri…"

"Shut up and give me one." House pursed his lips, placed the bag he was holding on the ground and forked over a white pill.

"You should only take half."

"I can hold my liquor and my vicodin, thanks."

"Since when have you ever taken vicodin?"

"Car accident, nine years ago while visiting my girlfriend in New Mexico. I told you about it, remember?"

"You told me it wasn't that bad."

"Everybody lies, right? I haven't had any vicodin since but I didn't have any trouble with it back then," she tried to divert his attention, "What's in the bag?"

As she swallowed the pill, House reached down and pulled out a cream colored veil and a bouquet of cream and pale pink roses and silently handed them to Cuddy.

She smiled, surprised at his gesture, "House? Sure you're feeling okay? This is…this is thoughtful."

"Don't start, let's just get this over with."

"Well, since you're being so romantic," she said, rolling her eyes.


They stood in the marriage commissioner's office with the commissioner before them and a woman who looked like she was old enough to be his mother, off to the side. She was holding the throw away camera that House had purchased, and served as witness.

Cuddy completed her vows feeling jittery throughout. When House said a tentative, "I do," it was followed by a single tear running down Cuddy's cheek. Rings were placed on equally shaky fingers with little fanfare and before they knew it, the civil ceremony was complete.

"You can kiss your bride now," the commissioner said mundanely.

"Oh, right," House leaned in for a quick peck on Cuddy's lips and just as he did, the older woman snapped a picture, blinding everyone temporarily and immortalizing the moment. Cuddy laughed and he smiled. They stared into each others eyes, each wondering what they had just done, simultaneously admiring the person they were gazing at.

House smiled broadly, said, "Oh, what the hell," and grabbed Cuddy by the back of her neck, pulling her in for a long and deep kiss and she didn't fight it. The older woman snapped as many pictures as the camera would allow, including a couple of the two of them standing arm in arm with the commissioner sporting a fake grin and the entire ordeal was over in less than ten minutes.

"Your marriage certificate should arrive at the address you provided in approximately two weeks. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. House!"

Cuddy gasped loudly, "What do you mean two weeks?"

"Standard procedure."

House closed his eyes briefly, "So, we can't get this annulled until we get the official certificate?"

"Depends on your state, but generally yes; hey, with a kiss like that, you two won't be getting an annulment anyway, right?"

"Right," Cuddy whispered.


She hit him on the arm on the way back in the cab, "You said Monday House."

"I didn't realize we wouldn't get the official certificate today, Mrs. House."

"Stop that right there, no one can know about this, do you understand? You just bought yourself two months of extra clinic duty." Cuddy winced again, shifting in her seat.

"Guess you're not up for the honeymoon festivities?" He asked, hiding the concern in his voice.

"Oh no. No way are we consummating this marriage. I knew this was a bad idea. Vicodin should have a warning label: Take with food and avoid taking on your wedding day."

"I want to look at your back when get to the hotel."

"House, no way are you seeing me without my clothes on. Nope, not going to happen."

"Strictly medical Cuddy."

"My back is fine, nothing a good night's sleep and the erasure of tonight's events won't cure."

"Uh-uh. You're not getting out of it; I'm going to look at your back if I have to drug you to do it." She glared at him but was too tired to argue, and they sat in silence for the remainder of the cab ride, oblivious to the cabbie who sat shaking his head.