This is a short chapter that is a transition for the last actual chapter. PLEASE let me know what you're thinking!

Chapter 49: Changes

As much as House hated change, he had faced lots of it in the previous months: Kate's "death" and return, Monica entering their lives, even a dog. Then there had been the deaths of Joanne and his father. Blythe House sold her home and moved to Princeton to be near her son and grandchildren. She insisted she wanted her own apartment, but Kate and House were prepared to take her into their home when she got older and unable to care for herself.

At work, as well, there were changes. He had a brand new team to torture now. Foreman resigned because he didn't want to be like House. He took a job in Neurology at a hospital in Boston. House fired Chase and Cameron resigned as well. Both of them took other positions at PPTH, Chase in Surgery, Cameron in the ER.

Their relationship continued for a time, but then Cameron decided that they should take a break. During that time, she met a stockbroker from Chicago who was in Princeton for a conference. The man came to the ER with food poisoning and Cameron treated him. During the two weeks, he was in town, they saw each other every night. When he returned to Chicago, they called, e-mailed, IM'd, and texted constantly. She flew to Chicago to be with him and he came to New Jersey for her. After three months of this, she gave Cuddy her resignation.

"Why?" Cuddy asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." She smiled. "Stewart asked me to marry him. I said yes."

"Oh, that's wonderful! Well, I hate to lose you, but I hope you are very happy. And you don't have to ask, I'll write you a letter of recommendation for a new job in Chicago."

"Thanks. Do you think House will?"

"Sure. Just have Kate ask him."

Cuddy threw a big farewell party for Cameron. The entire staff attended, coming and going as their schedules allowed. House abandoned work and found a place to sit near the food, ignoring the people. Cameron was exhausted greeting everyone.

She was just catching her breath, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Chase and smiled at him.

"I thought you weren't coming. Have a drink."

"Sorry, I can't stay. I have to be in surgery in five minutes. I just wanted to be sure to see you and say goodbye,"

She hugged him. "Well, I'm glad that you did. It wouldn't have been the same if we hadn't been able to say goodbye."

"Allison, I really wish you all the happiness in the world. You deserve it."

"Thank you. I will miss you."

"Yeah, I know."

"Well, goodbye. And good luck with your patient in surgery."

"Yeah, thanks. Goodbye." He turned and left the room. In the hall, he put on his sunglasses and headed to the parking lot where he got into his car and drove away. Sunglasses hid a lot.

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Cuddy had made the decision and applied for a foreign adoption. She stated on her application that she would accept a child from any country, of any age and either gender. She was told that there was a good chance for her to get one, even though she was single. Foreign adoptions did not necessarily require married couples and since she was a doctor, that was definitely in her favor.

All of the paperwork had been filed. Now she just had to wait. That was harder in some ways than waiting to find out if she was pregnant. But she was happy with her decision to adopt and knew it was the right thing to do.

Within six months, she was approved for a little girl from China. When the time came, she flew to Beijing and met Che Lin, a beautiful five-year-old child. She brought her home and employed a nanny and a private tutor to teach her English. The following year she sent her to a private school in Princeton. The child flourished and Cuddy found that loving a child didn't depend on whether your blood flowed through her veins, only on whether she held your heart.

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House and Kate settled in as a family. Monica's adoption was finalized and they threw a big party to celebrate it. Everyone they knew at the hospital was invited. Chase came, and when Kate saw how lonely he looked, she began inviting him for dinner regularly.

House grumbled about that, but he didn't really mind. Chase became a part of the family. The girls adored him. He treated them like his treasured little sisters and he was the big brother who could do no wrong. He and House would have long medical discussions and he continued to learn from the older doctor.