"Could you repeat that, I don't think I heard you right."
James was shocked. He was going to go to Cuddy after lunch and ask her about putting Allison on the board as a member. Now he hears from the love of his life that she will be replacing Cuddy as head of the hospital and board. It will take some getting used to. He just wanted her to be an equal to him, so there wasn't any bickering as to status here. Now there definitely will be bickering, since, when she is done with her training, she will be higher than him.
"I said, that Lisa wants me to replace her as head of this hospital and chairman on the board. I have accepted this invitation. I understand that there will be a rift between us bigger than there already is. I don't want there to be, honestly. Soon after I become chairman, I will promote you to be a co-chair alongside me, so we will be equal. It will have to wait til everything is calmed down after the shift in management. I hope you understand this."
"That made me feel loads better, knowing that I will soon be your equal instead of your inferior. I was going to go to Cuddy and ask her to make you a member alongside me, but I see that she is jumping the gun here. Anyway, I will be fine here. Congratulations on the promotion, and don't forget that I do love you with all my heart, and hope for the best. Now go, tell Greg, Chase and Foreman the good news."
"I love you too, and hope everything goes as planned."
They shared a kiss full of love and passion, then Allison reluctantly left the office in search of The Three Musketeers. It didn't take her long to find them holed up in the conference room waiting for her to arrive.
"Now this explanation ought to be good."
"Chase!"
"What? Dr. House, I deserve to know why I had to wait in here for Cameron to arrive before we could get to work for the day."
"Well, just as well get it done and over with, since it will be around the hospital here before lunch."
"What is it you have to tell us Ali?"
"Well, Foreman, Chase and finally House, in just a couple weeks time you are going to be looking at your new boss."
"Huh? Didn't hear you right Ali, you said that we are going to be looking at our new boss? That can't be, the only way that would happen is i...oh god, you have got to be kidding me?"
"Care to explain why you trailed off there Foreman?"
"Actually Chase I will let her explain it to you."
"Robert, Eric didn't want to tell you this because it is my place to inform you guys. In just a couple weeks time Lisa is stepping down as head of this hospital and chairman of the board, and I will be replacing her on both accounts."
"What is Cuddy going to be doing after she steps down?"
"Funny you should ask that Chase, she will therefore be replacing me, working with you guys close hand. She had informed me that she missed the hands on with working on cases and being with the patients and such. So she will be in my shoes, and I will be in hers."
"She is still going to be bossy towards us."
"I doubt it. She will understand her position after she gets used to it, just like I will be getting used to mine and understand it."
They all were having a hard time adjusting to this new piece of information. House understood it quicker than the others did, and congratulated Allison wholeheartedly. As he was saying his congrats to her, he whispered in her ear after embracing her, "I know the reason why she promoted you." Allison stiffened at this, and looked at House with shock on her face.
"Oh really? Care to explain this?"
"It's simple really. She is madly in love with me, and can't do anything about it in the position she is in. So, she finds someone whom she trusts with her life to replace her, you, and she demotes herself so she can "fraternize" with me. I just hope that after you get trained and are finally the head of this place, that you change it for the better. I won't mind extra clinic hours at all if you feel the need to give them to me. Just don't expect me to be happy about it all the time."
"I was actually thinking about changing that. I was thinking about giving everyone an opportunity to volunteer for clinic duty, instead of being forced into it. Whoever wants to do something that has an empty schedule can go down and use their expertise and knowledge to help people out. The students on the other hand will be forced to do so. They need to get the hands on stuff out of the way for finals and papers and such. I may even have you guys train some of the students in diagnosing unusual symptoms and such, basically what us Three Musketeers do for you. I couldn't think of a better teacher than you to do it. If you want to be snarky to them, go ahead, but be appropriate in your comments, got it?"
"Insightful, will have to think about it."
After the conversation was done, Allison went in search of her lover. She found him still in his office working on patient files to get them updated.
"Oh James, you don't need to be doing all that right now. It can wait. Right now you need to either be sitting by me on this couch, or letting me sit on your lap, so I ease away some of your tension."
"All this paperwork needs to get done though, and I kept putting if off for quite some time. What if these patients come back in, and we don't have the updated records? I am screwed, socially, and professionally. My boss would fire me if that were to happen."
"Cuddy would never get rid of you, you are one the catalysts for why House is the way he is now. If you were to be let go, House would fall apart. He wouldn't have anybody to talk to during the day that understands him completely. Speaking of that, I had heard from House himself that apparently Cuddy is in love with him, and has been for a while. Anything about this ring any bells or jog a memory?"
"Greg himself told you this?"
"Yes he did, pretty openly actually. I wonder..."
"Oh great, now you are thinking about hooking them up?"
"Well, she admitted to me not to long ago that she likes him, and well, what better couple than them?"
"It won't work. I am not going to get into it right now, but it just won't work."
"Oh alright. I need to get down to Lisa's office to start my training. I will see you at lunch? I think my parents want to have lunch with us again."
"Sure, I will meet you down in the lobby then."
Allison went to Lisa's office to start her training. Today she was learning the fine parts of running a hospital, how to deal with conflict and how to decide what is more important with scenarios.
"Well, you learn quickly. Maybe this won't take a couple weeks to get you trained. The board members are not aware of this except for James. So once it comes time to relinquish my reins to you, I will make the announcement to them at that time. Don't even ask me if I am doing the right thing here, it's my decision and mine alone. Anyway, that is all for today, and tomorrow we will start in on the book work."
Allison walked out of the office to find James, House, her parents, along with Chase and Foreman waiting for her.
"Everything go good Ali?"
"Yes James, it went good. Why are you three here?"
"We decided to tag along of course, we will pay for our own meals, and it way high time we meet your folks."
"Well, Foreman, all, lets get going?"
Allison drove her folks to The Biltmore in her car, while everybody else piled into James'. They all arrived there at the same time. Once they all got sat down and comfortable, drinks ordered and food as well, Allison broached the news that would thrill her parents to no end.
"Mom, dad, I have some news for you."
"What is it sweetie?"
"In just a few short weeks, I will be the head of Princeton Plainsboro Hospital. Lisa is stepping down and is training me in her stead, so I will be the head of the hospital and chairman of the board."
"Congratulations dear, we hope that it's everything you wanted. I couldn't hope for better."
"Thanks dad, now can we eat?"
They all ate their lunch and chatted about various things, up front on the list was the date of Allison and James' wedding.
"Well, if you all want, before I do get promoted, we could have a small ceremony in front on The Justice of The Peace?"
"That would be a better idea, and when it comes time for us to renew our vows, have a huge ceremony. Where will we have the reception?"
"How about at the hospital? That way the well wishers can come when they have time?"
"Sounds like a great idea. How about we have it a week from today?"
"Ok, lets?"
It was a hubbub the day of the wedding. Allison drove herself into her training while James moved himself into Allison's house. They didn't want to rent an apartment since Allison has a house of her own, thanks to her parents. James finally got the last of his things moved in on the morning of the wedding. He was currently in the bathroom getting himself dressed when Greg walked into the room to help him out.
"I never seen you so nervous Jimmy. You went through this three other times and were never this nervous."
"I know that Allison is the one for me, I can't help but be nervous that she may leave me or not show up there at the court house. I can't live without her."
"Everything is going to be fine, don't worry. She won't leave you, or abandon you at the alter. She just wouldn't."
"Well, here goes, lets get going."
Allison was already there in the hallway with her parents, Chase, Foreman, and Lisa when James and Greg showed up. She was wearing a simple day dress of cream and lavender. They stood in front of the judge and said their vows, pledging the rest of their lives to each other. After the ceremony, Donald took James aside for a father son chat.
"This isn't going to be the chat you think we are going to have, I just want to welcome you to the family and hope to see you at our place for thanksgiving, it will give the rest of the family a chance to meet you and get to know you."
"Thanks Donald, I appreciate it."
"Why don't you go ahead and call me dad?"
"It isn't my place to do so, but give me time, and I may take you up on it."
"Sure, now lets get going to the hospital and celebrate?"
"Ali, darling, you ready to go?"
"Yes I am James."
James drove Ali, and her folks to the hospital to celebrate their marriage. Thank god it was a Friday that they got married, so they could have a whole weekend to themselves. Once they got to the hospital, and into the conference room, there were already a bunch of doctors and nurses to congratulate them and share in this day.
"How does it feel to be Mrs. James Wilson?"
"Oh Peggy, it is the best thing I could dream of. I just wished I could have found him sooner, we compliment each other perfectly."
"I am happy for you. Well, Dr. House is here now, so I need to get going before he starts to get on everyone's nerves."
"Please, stay, he has calmed down considerably over the weeks. Stay, make merry, leave when you absolutely have to. This is my day, not his, so make the most of it."
"Ok, I will."
Greg cleared his throat and got the attention of everyone instantly.
"I would like to be the first to introduce to do Mr. And Mrs. James & Allison Wilson. May their lives last long into eternity, and they be happy for a long time to come."
A round of "hear hears" were said, and everybody drank to James and Allison. They were taking occasional glances at each other throughout the entire day, and very close after noon, they gave each other a look, and got up and ran out of the room.
"My god, they couldn't have waited just a few more hours?"
"Greg, shut up, and have fun."
"I am, it's just that I am jealous of them. That should have been me running off with her, instead of my best friend. I screwed all my chances to be with her, by pushing her away. I will always be jealous of them, but understand it. Mind going out for drinks tonight to help me wallow in my pain Cuddy?"
"Oh hell, why not? Don't have any plans at all tonight anyway. Meet you in the parking garage at 6, and don't be late."
"I won't be late for this very important date."
"Is that what this is? A date? Well, thank god I have appropriate clothes in my office to change into. Meet you later, I have important transfer work to do before next week."
Lisa walked out of the room and to the elevators. She punched the button to go down to her office. Once she got on the main level, she walked into the clinic where her office was located, and started to open the door when she heard moans coming out of it. That was when she noticed that the shades were drawn. Oh great, now what interns or nurses am I going to have to fire for having sex in my office. She got the door opened more and peaked her head inside to hear Allison and James in the throes of passion on her couch. Well, this will be her office soon, so she does technically have a right to be in here doing god knows what and with whom. She went and made the rounds instead, hoping that they would be done by then and have the office cleaned up.
"Well, it seems that the new lovebirds have made use of your office, since you are walking around making rounds instead of your paperwork. Pretty intuitive place, I would have just gone straight to the OB ward or my office to do that, but your office is just soo much better."
"Lay off it Greg, it will be her office soon, so she has a right to do what she is doing in there."
Lisa walked away from that, and went into the chapel to clear her thoughts. Now this is why I need to relinquish my hold on this place, I think I am going to have a nervous breakdown here. Maybe I should take a week off from here after Allison takes over just to clear my head and give myself a fresh start on my new position when I get back.
Two hours later
Allison and James were in the conference room hanging out with whomever were still there or arriving with gifts or well wishes. After the last interloper left, and it was the main five left in the room, Chase came up with his present to the couple.
"I have two tickets with your names on it to go to Australia for a few days for your honeymoon. The round trip back is on Monday night. My father and I chipped in to get them for you, and hope you enjoy them."
"Thanks Robert, we appreciate it."
Next was Greg.
"Now mine isn't as lavish as Chases', but it's near that. Here is a photo of all of us that was taken at the court house after the ceremony. You can put it on your mantle of a time when I was actually voluntarily nice."
"Thanks Greg, we will put it on our mantle."
Last was Foreman.
"Now this, don't open it til you get on the plane to go down under."
"Oh, I wonder what it is?"
"Don't open it now, get going, we already took the liberty of packing you guys up. I had a lady friend of mine pack your bags for you Allison so we were never near your clothes."
"Aw, thank you Eric. Lets get going darling before our plane leaves without us?"
"Thanks again, all of you, and hope you don't have too much fun without us."
They took off to James' car, and made it to the airport in record time. Once they got everything checked in and on the plane, Allison took out Eric's gift so they could open it. She handed it to James so he could take the pleasure in doing so, and once he had the box opened up, he had a look of shock, and surprise on his face.
"What is it James? What did Eric get us?"
"It's not what he got us, it's the phone call we are going to receive in a few minutes. Eric stole Greg's I-Pod and Game boy to give to us."
"He what? You have got to be kidding me."
"No, I am not, look for yourself."
Allison took the box, and looked inside, and sure enough, there sat Greg's I-Pod and his Game Boy.
"Oh he is going to kill us when we get back, might have a funeral when we do get home though for Eric."
A minute after she had said that, her phone started ringing. She took it off the clip and looked at it, sure enough, it read House on the caller ID. She answered it and the first thing he said before she had a chance to say hello was.
"He is going to die a slow and painful death. Those items better be in the shape they were in when I get them back on Tuesday."
"Oh House, they will be fine."
She hung up the phone, and laughed along side James. When the plane landed and their limo arrived, compliments of Roberts dad, they jumped in and went to their hotel. Once they got in, and in the room, they never left it except to go out and eat and do a bit of sight seeing. They had the time of their lives just being with each other. They had arrived at the airport coming back with no time to spare, they boarded, got back, and were dead tired. They got into the house put their bags and gifts for the clan in the bedroom, got a shower taken and went to bed. They woke up before the alarm went off and got themselves ready for their first day back at work as a married couple. They each took their separate cars in, in case there was an emergency and the one had to stay.
Once they arrived to park their cars, they noticed that Greg's Vette was parked in Allison's spot, until she noticed that he had it moved to be next to James'. It meant a few extra feet of walking on his part, but it was thoughtful. They went inside and took the elevator up to the third floor so they could each go their offices and start the day. James gave Allison a kiss before he went into this office, and she walked to the conference room to get coffee ready and to return the I-Pod and Game Boy to House. When she walked in, she was the only one in the room. She got the coffee brewing, went through Houses' mail, and set his items along with the gifts onto the table. They got Eric a kangaroo leather jacket since he likes them. They got House a sugar cane style cane, to be a backup for the one he has. They got Robert a present that his father went in on. It was time for him to make regular visits to see his father, so all three of them chipped in and got him a flat down there to stay in, fully paid for, and fully furnished.
The Three Musketeers decided to all come in at once. Upon seeing Allison at her desk going through her correspondence emails for House, they came up to give her a hug to return her home. They then noticed the things on the table and looked at her quizzically.
"We got you guys gifts. Eric the jacket is for you, made from real kangaroo hide. We figured that since you wear leather jackets all the time, you wouldn't mind another one. House, the cane of course is for you, made from an actual sugar cane from the fields. Robert, your father went with us on this one, he thought that since you guys are on good terms now, that you would like to take trips down to see him as often as you like, so we all went in and bought you a flat down there to stay in while you are visiting. Fully paid for and fully furnished. Oh, and House, your items that Eric pilfered are on your desk."
She got a round of thanks from everyone, and work went as it did as if she were never gone.
