Chapter 15

Of course Karen immediately threw herself into the various activities that her children were involved in:

She volunteered to be a co-leader for Emma's Girl Scout troop, as well as the troop cookie manager.

She joined the band parents group to help plan fund raisers.

She became the team parent for the soccer team, organizing snacks, rides, etc.

There were a few other things as well, but House couldn't keep track of all of them. Those were the ones that seemed to be the main topic of conversation.

It only bothered him when he thought she was neglecting him for these things, but Karen was very careful to not do that. She always had dinner ready before she ran off to do something and when she came home she was sure to pamper him.

She didn't want him to feel that those things were more important than he was. She was able to keep up with everything for the most part. So far, her jobs consisted of temporary assignments that lasted for a few days or maybe a week, so they didn't really impede on her time with the kids or House.

But then she got an assignment with a company for a three-week position that involved helping with their inventory. For the first two weeks, she did regular forty-hour weeks and it was fine.

But for the third week, they were running behind and they asked everyone – temps included - to stay overtime and help out. Then money was good and Karen didn't want to say no. Also, she was compiling recommendations from the employers at her temp jobs to help her get a full time job.

At three o'clock on Tuesday, she called House.

"Greg, I need to work late."

"Okay." He said.

"I mean, I need to work really late. I probably won't be home until after eleven."

"Okay." He said again.

"If I'd known earlier, I would have put something in the crock pot or left a casserole or something, but…"

"It's okay."

"I guess you can just order pizza."

"Sure."

"And Daniel will need a ride home from band practice."

"Okay."

"And Emma is working on a project with a classmate, so she'll need to get picked up."

"Okay."

"I could see if I can call someone to pick them up or…"

"Karen, I said it's okay. I'll take care of it."

"You will?"

"I just said I would."

"You don't mind?"

"I didn't say that. But I'll take care of it."

"Okay. Thanks."

She hung up, wondering what just happened.

When she got home at almost eleven thirty, he was watching TV in their bed.

"Everything okay?"

"Yep."

"No problems?"

"Nope."

"What was for dinner?"

"Pizza."

She nodded, then said, "Greg, I know you don't want to get involved and I'm sorry that I had to work."

"Karen, I don't want to get involved and I don't want to become the taxi service that you seem to be. But if you need my help – once in awhile – I can do that."

"Thank you." She kissed him and he pulled her towards him.

She had to work late the rest of the week. On Wednesday, Frank came to take the kids for their mid-week dinner, then dropped Daniel at a friend's. House picked him up an hour later.

On Thursday, House got home early. Emma had soccer practice and Daniel had band, so both kids would be later. Karen had told him that they had rides home, so he was off the hook.

He thought about dinner. He could order out, but take-out wasn't as appealing these days. He was getting spoiled by Karen's home-cooked meals.

Daniel and Emma were surprised to come home to good smells coming from the kitchen.

"Mom must have gotten home early." Daniel said and Emma agreed.

But the kitchen showed them House wearing a blue apron and stirring something on the stove. There was a pan on the counter with delicious looking chicken inside and a casserole dish beside it with what looked like some kind of potatoes. There was a big green salad there too.

Both teenagers stood in shock watching him. When he saw them there, he said, "Hi. What's up?"

"Is Mom here?" Emma asked.

"No, she's working. She told you that."

"But there's dinner. Who cooked this?" Daniel wanted to know.

He looked down at his apron. "Well, it could be the little elves that live in the hollow tree outside, but I think they only do cookies. So I guess it would be me."

The kids looked at each other.

House grinned. "Go set the table. Everything's just about ready."

They were a little wary of taking the first bite, but oblivious to them, House dug right in. They decided they might as well give it a try.

It was unbelievably delicious.

Karen ended up getting home while they were eating. She walked into the kitchen to find House and the kids talking and laughing over dinner. But what amazed her was the food on the table.

"Hi, Mom!" the kids said.

"Hi guys. What is this?"

"It's dinner." Emma said around a mouthful of potatoes.

"It doesn't look like takeout." Karen said.

"That's because it isn't. Greg made it." Daniel told her.

She turned her astonished gaze to House. He kept eating without looking up.

"Try some, Mom." Emma said, jumping up to get her a plate and fork.

Karen sat down and served herself some of the food. After a few bites, she put her fork down and stared at House.

"What?" he asked. "Don't you like it?"

"I've never tasted anything so good in my life."

He nodded and kept eating.

"Greg, how did you…?"

"Didn't I ever tell you about the cooking class I took?"

"No."

"When I got out of the looney bin, I needed to do something until I figured out what I was going to do. So I took this class. And I really liked it."

"But you've never cooked before."

He shrugged. "You were doing it. Why should I bother? And don't expect this all the time. I was just not in the mood for takeout."

She nodded and smiled. This man never stopped surprising her.