Hello all! Thank you for the wonderful reviews once more. So, the moment that began this whole story was House returning from baseball with Caleb and getting him out of the car. Finding within him that which he did not think he possessed because ultimately Caleb is a part of Cameron, the love of his life, and that's all that matters. I hope you enjoy this chapter, the next two will be shorter, Hameron forever!, as always, Nic
10
The door opened and Wilson stood before him, wearing a cowboy hat, holding a toy gun and looking flustered.
"Hey, you're early"
House entered and closed the door behind him.
"I finished early, what are you wearing?"
Wilson grinned.
"Cowboys and Indians"
Their attention turned to the pounding footsteps and Caleb ran towards them, cheeks as red as Wilson's, cowboy hat almost falling off.
"Mummy's getting ready"
He announced confidently, proud that he could impart this piece of wisdom.
"Look"
He raised his wrist towards House who leant down to smell it, recognising Cameron's perfume at once. He laughed.
"Does your mom know that you've been using her perfume?"
Caleb grinned, dimples forming in his red cheeks.
"Not until he'd used half of it, hey Cal?"
House stood up, turning towards Cameron's voice and felt his body still at the sight of her. She looked breathtaking, ivory gown hugging her body like a lover's embrace. Her hair had been clipped up , allowing him to the trace the curve of her neck and imagine his lips there, tasting that which was sacred, when he finally met her eyes she smiled shyly.
This is how he wanted to remember her for all eternity.
Suddenly aware of his silence he glanced towards Wilson who met him with a knowing smile before shaking his head, stepping forward and placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
"You look amazing"
She thanked him and her gaze flickered back towards House briefly, holding his long enough to make his skin tingle, before turning her attention to Caleb who was pulling her hand.
"Yes, honey?"
"Can I get it now?"
She nodded and he ran back down the hall with a clumsiness of speed that made her smile before turning to House.
"We're going to drop him off at my friend Dana's on the way. She's going to watch him for the night"
House nodded, sure that his mouth would not be able to form any cognitive words at that moment in time. Did she know what she did to him?
Caleb's retuning footsteps saved him and he stood before House proudly and removed his arms from behind his back to reveal a red box.
"Thank you for looking after me"
House was speechless, the simple gesture robbing him of any barriers he had built within. Acutely aware of Cameron and Wilson watching him he knelt down, so that he and Caleb were face to face and took the box hesitantly. Hands shaking imperceptibly he lifted the lid to reveal a smooth white baseball, causing him to smile instinctively before gently lifting it out of the box and turning it over to reveal a child's hand in black felt tip pen.
Love Caleb x
He smiled broadly, feeling warmth within him that was unknown but not unwelcomed and looked up in to Caleb's innocent eyes.
"Thank you"
He reached forward and affectionately ruffled his hair making Caleb laugh before he turned and ran back down the hall once more. House stood, still smiling and looked over at Cameron, seeing something in her eyes that he did not recognize, something he would not understand until another life altogether.
"I think I need a drink..."
Wilson voice interjected
"....Did you just say thank you?"
"You know we're even now. No cane. So I could take you in a fight"
Cameron laughed and Wilson stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"Nice to have you back House. For a moment there I thought you were having an out of body experience"
"No Jim. That happened when I saw you in that suit. Have we gone back to the 80's?"
"What do you mean? This style is in"
"Yeah, if you want to look like you belong in a new romantic boyband"
XXX
The church was crowded and House, surprised by this fact, made it known to Wilson who had told him promptly not to be jealous because he'd only have five people at his own wedding. House had then decided, much to Wilson and Cameron's amusement to sit with the brides' side and so that is where he sat now, paying more attention to Cameron than the ceremony.
He watched as she whispered something in Wilson's ear, making him smile, and berated himself for making such a pointless gesture. He could be the one who was receiving her words and the warmth of her body as she leant against him. He traced every line of her features wanting to burn them in to his memory for the days when he was alone and empty once more, for he knew the images of her would fill him up, become his nourishment, just like they always had done.
He closed his eyes and traced the image of her in his mind and when satisfied that it was worthy, smiled and opened his eyes. He turned to her once more and was surprised when she turned her head towards him and gave him a smile that made him feel like he was the only person in existence, before returning her attention back to the ceremony. Then he knew it, felt his world shift from within him, felt his soul being re-written at that very moment.
He knew that he loved her, knew that had he always had, and knew that he always would.
XXX
House sat on the hotel garden steps, slowly sipping his beer and watching as Wilson danced jovially with Foreman's new wife, making a watching Foreman laugh deeply. The sun had now set and candlelight from what seemed like a thousand lanterns now adorned the garden illuminating guests chatting and dancing to the soft music merrily, filled with all of the hope a wedding brings. He searched for Cameron and spotted her standing on the veranda, staring across the black water of the lake now bathed in the evening moonlight. He felt the warm air against his body, blazer long since abandoned, midnight blue shirt collar open and tie loosened. He inhaled deeply, the smell of jasmine sweet enough to make him smile, and settled his beer on the step before rising slowly making his way towards her, stepping behind her quietly as he reached her and making her turn suddenly in surprise.
"House, you made me jump"
He stepped back, smiling ruefully and held out his hand, smile widening as she placed her own in his without hesitation and allowed him to pull her towards him. She rested her hand against his chest and smiled up at him as they began swaying to the music, rhythm finding them easily, her eyes never leaving his.
"You dance?"
She questioned playfully and he smiled mischievously, how good did she smell?
"I dance"
He released her and allowed her to twirl under his arm before pulling her close once more.
"You have the moves"
He held her gaze, the mischief in her eyes and voice almost too much to bear, before leaning forward and whispering in her ear.
"I have the moves"
The hitch in her breath made his heart stir and he felt their rhythm slow, time and place forgotten, each sway of their bodies more intimate than the one before. He watched her red lips shimmer in the candlelight and could no longer deny his heart. He released her, taking her hand softly and led her amongst the trees, adorned with a blanket of lanterns, away from the party.
"What's wrong?"
She asked voice full of intrigue.
When he could no longer hear the music he stopped, heart beating frantically, her closeness enough to drive his body to blissful despair. She stood before him, hand warm in his and he saw understanding finally dawn on her features. He tenderly took her other hand and wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly backing her in to a nearby tree. Then slowing inching forward he met her lips tenderly, wanting to saviour every inch of them but his tenderness was soon replaced with urgency as he heard her moan and felt her bite his top lip gently. He felt alive, awoken from an infinite slumber in endless darkness that was now flooded with light, a small orb to begin with but now all consuming.
"God I missed you"
His voice was ragged, unusual in his mouth, filled with emotion.
He felt her still as the words fanned her neck and pulled back, seeing the confusion in her face, the emotion in his words bringing her back to reality.
"We can't do this"
"We can"
She shook her head firmly, eyes beginning to glisten.
"No, we can't"
"Why?"
She raised her hand to his lips, tracing them softly with her fingertips.
"Because things are different now, It's not just me anymore.......we want different things, need different things"
He shook his head, soft words sticking in his throat.
"I don't know what I want; I'm not sure what I can...."
She smiled sadly and moved her hand to his cheek, halting his words and ran her thumb along his jaw line.
"That is why we can't do this"
He held her gaze before dropping his head and nodding softly.
Things were different now.
She needed him to be something more, needed him to find the words she longed to hear.
He felt both of her hands rest on his cheeks and her warm lips fall on his forehead. Then she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in to a hug he could not deny, wishing that they could stay this way forever. And then, beneath the candlelight dancing in the branches above like a million unspoken words, not needing to be heard for their meaning to be understood, they began to sway to the rhythm of their beating hearts, the only music either needed to hear.