Chapter 24

Karen was gathering all of their files in preparation of filing their taxes. With her accounting degree, she was more than qualified to do the job herself. Even though they were living together, they would probably have to file separately, since they weren't married. But she'd helped someone else in that situation before and she was fairly confident that she could do it.

She made sure he gave her all the paperwork he received for his income/expenses. Then she went on line to be sure she had all of his and her statements, since she knew that sometimes things got lost in the mail.

As she perused the W-2's and interest statements, she was perplexed by one document. It was a 1098 statement showing interest paid on a mortgage. Since his apartment was paid off, he shouldn't be receiving that statement at all. But the amount of interest indicated a shorter period of time.

And as she looked closer at it, she realized it had her name on it and the address of the townhouse.

But that didn't make sense. They were renting the townhouse. They wouldn't get an interest statement on rent they'd paid.

She went through all the papers that she had and finally had to ask House about it.

"Greg," she said, "I'm confused about this."

"Well, don't look at me. You're the accounting person. If you're confused, then I'm totally stumped. Unless that piece of paper is sick, I'm not the person you should be asking."

"No, I know what the document is. I just don't know why we have it."

He looked perplexed. "Why?"

"Well, it's an interest statement. Interest we paid on a mortgage. On a mortgage in MY name. But it's not from the mortgage company from my old house. And I have that statement. It's in mine and Frank's names. So I don't know why we have this."

Now he looked nervous. "So? What's the big deal?"

"Well, you can deduct interest you've paid on a mortgage from your taxes. But if I didn't pay it – and I didn't – and I try to deduct it, I could get in trouble if I claim it. But if I don't claim it, it could send up a red flag as to why I didn't. I don't want to get audited over something like this. So I need to find out where it came from."

He looked away from her and she could see that he was nervous about something.

"Greg? Do you know something about this?"

He let out a breath and muttered, "Yeah."

"What is it?"

"It's the mortgage statement for this house."

She stared at him. "But we're renting this house."

"Actually, we're buying this house."

"Buying? But, how?"

"When I went to sign the rental agreement, the realtor told me the owners really wanted to sell it."

"But we said…"

"I know! But the price was unbelievably low. Even for this market. They just wanted to get rid of it. So I agreed to buy it." He shrugged. "Seemed like a good investment anyway."

She nodded slowly. "Okay, I guess that makes sense. Though I don't know why you didn't tell me, but okay. But why is this statement in my name? If you're buying the house, it should be in your name."

He avoided her eyes and didn't say anything.

"Greg?"

"Because I put the house in your name."

She was open-mouthed in shock. "Why would you do that?"

He limped to the window and looked out, not sure how to explain it to her.

"Greg, talk to me."

"I didn't want you to ever think you were dependent on anyone for a home."

The look on her face was one of confusion.

"We're living here and I'm paying the rent – uh, mortgage actually – and I know you think that it's my place and you're living off me. But it's not. It's your house. And I want you to know that it will always be your house. A place for you and your kids. Even if we … don't make it, this house is yours."

"Greg, I couldn't afford to pay the mortgage on this place by myself even if it was a good deal."

"Well, I figure, I'll promise to pay it for one year after. That gives you a year to find a job or sell it and find someplace else."

"You're saying that if we break up, you would pay my mortgage for one full year? Why would you do that?"

"Because I don't want you to ever feel like you don't belong here. Or that you don't have a place to live or to take care of your kids in."

She was silent for a very long time. He began to get worried that she was upset.

"Look, if you don't…" he began, but she stopped him with a long, passionate kiss.

"You are, by far, the sweetest, most generous and loving man I have ever known."

He looked at her in embarrassment. "I'm not sweet."

"Yes, you are. I love you so much. Not for buying me a house. But for wanting me and my kids to be secure."

He shrugged. "Not a big deal." He mumbled.

"It is a big deal. It's a very big deal. I love you."

"Yeah, right back at you, babe."

She smiled and hugged him. He let her and smiled a bit himself.

He came home from work the next day with a smirk on his face.

"Got some gossip for you."

"What sort of gossip?"

He just smirked and raised his eyebrows.

"Come on, Greg, what?"

"Sam left Wilson."

"What? Really? Why? I thought you said he was buying a ring?"

"He did. Apparently she didn't like it."

"Wow." She was stunned, then she considered. "So he's single, huh?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Oh, nothing. Greg, I was thinking we should have a party."

"I don't like parties."

"You like parties."

"I like the food and booze."

"Okay, so we'll have food and booze."

"But there will also be people and I don't want that."

"It will be small. Only our closest friends. Not a big deal. But we haven't entertained at all since we moved in and I think it would be nice."

He grumbled a bit more, but in the end, gave in. Karen was a social person and he knew that once in awhile he would have to be as well if he wanted to keep her happy and with him. And he did want that.

"Okay, but small. I mean, really small."

"Absolutely!"

Note: I don't know for sure if you can be buying a house and put it in someone else's name, but this was a gesture I wanted House to make, so I used it. One more chapter to go for this one. Thanks to all my faithful readers and reviewers.