A/N: PLEASE READ. I decided to wrap up this story in a handful of chapters. I had lots of things planned for this fic but I just can't get myself to write something worth posting. I decided it was better to actually finish this story instead of abandoning it in the middle of things.

Chapter 16

She could see the sun peeking from behind the clouds and feel the chilly air of the winter morning. She could smell the faint scent of coffee and taste it in her own mouth. She could hear the rustling and rambling of people running late. It was as if her senses had heightened, but her brain had shut down.

She felt everything and nothing all at once.

Cuddy kept walking steadily, wheeling her trolley behind. House was at her side, his hand secured on her lower back as he guided her towards the gate, sliding through the buzzing crowd.

It was an early morning in the middle of December and JKF was as busy as ever. Business men in expensive suits looking dapper, a mother saying good-bye to her child and telling him to behave for his dad, a couple joined in a welcome back kiss. House stared at these people, over analyzing every little detail he could spot, just to take his mind off of things. That phone call in the middle of the night had been exactly what he had dreaded. That something worse he had prayed not to make it happen.

"I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry..."

Click.

Cuddy let the phone fall from her hands. House opened his eyes and saw her minute form starting to shake. He called her name a couple of times, then proceeded to shake her by the shoulder.

"It was her." she mumbled. "She said she was sorry."she continued.

"Why would she be sorry, House?"

When they reached the gate, Cuddy looked up at him.

"You should come with me."

"No, I shouldn't." he replied curtly. "You're her mother... To her I'm only your slightly mad boyfriend."

"We should tell her about you."

"We will. But not now."

"She needs both of us."

"What she doesn't need is any more drama in her life."

As soon as those words left Cuddy's lips, his head darted up.

"SHIT!"

House immediately reached for the phone. He scrolled through the menu and looked for the incoming calls. When he spotted the unknown number, he immediately pressed Call.

The monotonous sound coming from the phone was nerve wrecking. Cuddy stared at him with wide eyes, realization suddenly downing on her.

"Come on. Come on. Pick up."

"Smiths' household." came a female voice.

"Is Celeste okay?"

"What?"

"Check on her, NOW!"

"Who are you?"

"Go check on her, for god's sake!"

"What's going on?" A third voice, a man's voice, could be heard on from the other end of the phone.

"I'm her biological mother... Celeste called us. Go check on her, now!" Cuddy yelled at the phone.

Footsteps. Someone was running towards her bedroom.

When the door opened, Celeste looked up. She was on her bed, back against the wall. Her messy hair was cascading on her shoulders and covering most of her face. Her small frame was hidden in the baggy pullover. Her tiny hands held onto two different bottles. Alexandra's heart stopped beating.

Robert immediately leaped from the threshold and took the painkillers and alcohol the girl was holding. He threw them across the room and slowly moved to sit next to her. Then he quietly took her tiny hands in his. Celeste looked up at him. Her deep blue eyes shining with a new wave of tears and Robert could see the utter despair and hurt in those gorgeous baby blues. When she finally gave way to the tears, he held her tight against his chest and when he looked up to see his wife, he noticed the guilt printed on her face as her eyes were fixed on the bottle of pills.

"Shhh, it's going to be alright, sweetie." he whispered into her ear.

Alexandra moved her hand to her mouth out of habit. Realizing that the phone was still clutched in her hand, she moved it to her ear.

"Come. She needs you too."

"We both know that when we will tell her about me, she won't speak to us for a month and sulk and, mind you, she has the right to."

Cuddy sighed. She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against his chest. His arms snaked around her waist and hugged her tight to him.

"Now, come on. Your flight is leaving in less than an hour and they're starting to let people in." he said.

His eyes never left her as she walked towards the gate. She turned around, smiled and waved. He could only do the same as she disappeared through the crowd.

Everything was going to be alright.