Okies, off we go with the story. Let's try to fix this complicated yet uncommon relationship between House and Cuddy with the help of our co-conspirators, shall we? But just in case, please prepare yourselves as this might not be what you expected.
And thank you for the various reactions on my previous chapter, Huddies. It made me smile reading your mostly violent reactions to the "cowardice" of these two. Once again, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Special mention to my friend from Poland, Monika Diabelek. I'm glad you're liking this story, dear.
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING. All belong to David Shore and Company.
CHAPTER 16 – ONE MORE CHANCE?
Nana Sela after discreetly closing the door to leave the two doctors with little more privacy couldn't keep a full bloom smile to appear on her face. As old as she can be, she's still a natural-born romantic at heart.
She knew all along that they will eventually come to their senses and fix things between them. Although, seeing them being in the room "together" a few minutes ago really came as a big surprise to her. She thought that time really had change. Still with a big smile on her face, she whispered, "Lovers these days." She couldn't keep herself from blushing thinking what they "did" last night in the room with the baby inside.
And then, her smile went bigger as a silly thought came to her old naughty mind. Wait, till Blythe hears this. Moving as fast as her weak legs can walk, Nana Sela went to the living room to phone her long-time friend to share her the great news.
On the other hand, Gregory House after closing the door to the room couldn't force himself to take another step farther away from the woman inside the room. Leaning against the door frame since his feet might have their own set of mind, he closed his eyes to try to calm down his restless heart. He was trying big time to convince himself that what he did was the best thing to do for the both of them. It's the right thing to do, to finally let go of this woman who had been a part of his life for more than 20 years. If that was the case, then why do both his heart and mind are feeling this strange way? Why does it feel like he just made the biggest mistake of his life? Considering that he did make several mistakes in his entire life, this felt the worst.
For the first time in his miserable 52 years of life, both his heart and mind are actually agreeing. It feels weird since never did his over irrational mind agree to the conflicting feelings of his heart. But for this reason, both seem to be on the same page, that what he just did and said to the one woman that caught his heart all these years was just plain stupid.
So, what now? He did the first difficult decision on his and Cuddy's long-time complicated relationship. What does he do now? How does one go on with his life after letting go of someone who was a vital part of half your life? Is it even possible to escape the memories of that one person when even with your eyes closed, all you can see is her teary-eyed expression as if silently calling you to go back and take all those lies you said to her? Can he actually survive without knowing any news of Cuddy in the long run?
Immediately, his mind protested that question because it knows no matter what he does, he can't keep himself from wandering back to all those moments he shared with Cuddy. As the saying goes, "If you want to know where your heart is, look where your mind goes when it wanders." His mind having very high memory retention skills couldn't stop from thinking and wondering how this woman is doing every single hour of his everyday life even if he's supposed to be busy with his medical puzzles in the hospital.
Somehow, everything leads back to one Lisa Cuddy. His stubborn mind couldn't keep from coming up with every possible medical objections the Dean of Medicine can come up to every complicated medical procedures he can think of for his patients. It's as if silently mocking him that not only he does miss their intimate moments as boyfriend and girlfriend but also those heated medical arguments they have as boss and employee in the four walls of PPTH.
Yes, PPTH. The world-renown Diagnostician also couldn't keep from his genius mind how much he missed the four walls of that hospital where he spent more than a decade trying to find every single hiding spot from Cuddy whenever she's forcing him to do his forsaken endless clinic hours. Hell, even the annoyance brought upon by Nurse Brenda and his mortal enemy from the Union of Nurses, Nurse Jeffrey he missed though he will never admit it to anyone even if his life depends on it.
He also couldn't keep his mind from wandering about his former team members. How are they doing? Did Cuddy appoint Foreman to be the new Head of Diagnostics? How about Chase and Taub? Most especially, how is 13 doing? He did promise the young sick female doctor that he will be there for her when it's time.
Then comes the shared moments he had with the ever meddler and fangirl Dr. James Wilson. As annoying as Wilson can be most of the times because of his uncalled advices, he truly does miss his best friend. The guy can tolerate all his mischievousness no matter what just like Cuddy. There are only two doctors he misses the most back at PPTH. They are his two closest friends, Dr. James Wilson and Dr. Lisa Cuddy.
And so, here is the great Dr. Gregory House outside the door of the assigned room of his beloved contemplating as to whether or not he still has the time and right to change his mind after giving Cuddy his ultimatum. Is it really best for them to finally move on even if everything within him is telling him otherwise?
Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes to catch the light coming from the sun's rays outside their windows. Once more convincing himself that it was the right move, he finally felt his feet move and he then went to hide at his room. He wouldn't want to go out of his room until he's sure that Lisa Cuddy is gone.
There is no room for second thoughts now. He made up his mind and she didn't actually stop him from letting her go. Maybe, she really doesn't want him back after all. And if he was being honest with himself, he'll gonna find that non-sense logic of him irrational but he doesn't want to dwell more in these conflicting thoughts. His and Cuddy's chapter now ends and it's time to close their book to bury it somewhere where no one can find.
As soon as Nana Sela reached the living room, she went to sit down on the couch after grabbing the wireless phone on top of the small table nearby. Dialing Blythe's number by heart, she waited for the other woman to pick up on the other line.
After 3 rings, the line was connected and Nana Sela due to her excitement went to greet House's mother right away, "Blythe, kumusta?" [How are you?]
The other older woman on the other line though surprised to hear Nana Sela's voice, also responded to her in a cheerful voice, "Sela, I'm great. I have a feeling I know why you're calling me." It was evident on Blythe House's voice that she was also elated to hear her friend's voice but nothing could be greater than knowing her son and Lisa are already back together as a couple and so, without further ado, she went on to ask what she was dying to confirm, "So, how was it? Is Lisa there with Greg?"
Nana Sela upon hearing her friend's answer to her and the obvious excitement in her voice also went straight to the point of her call. "Oh, yes. In fact, I just left our lovebirds inside the room a few minutes ago after I almost have an episode of a heart attack seeing both of them in a compromising position with Lisa's hair disheveled that way while Greg was sitting on the bed obviously in a jolly mood after all these months of hiding here."
Both women are now smiling big time imagining the naughty scenario on their minds involving both doctors. Then, Nana Sela continued, "I'm guessing it wouldn't be long before we'll see each other again as I have a feeling that Greg will immediately jump on the plane with Lisa back there in Princeton."
Blythe is more than on cloud 9 now hearing this very great news and so, without warning, she dropped a bomb upon Nana Sela's innocent comments, "Oh, Sela darling. That's lovely to hear. Then, I bet Greg is so excited to see my grandson, Aaron now."
Nana Sela's eyes widen upon hearing this unexpected news and with still some confusion, she asked for a clarification from her friend on the other line, "Grandson? What do you mean, dear Blythe?" The Filipina older woman wasn't sure if she heard her friend correctly or her ears are just playing some tricks on her due to over excitement.
Blythe House on the other hand, also paused for a while upon hearing the element of surprise on Nana Sela's voice. Doesn't she know? Surely, Lisa or Greg might have mentioned to her about Aaron, their child, right? After a second or two of being silent on the other line, she went to clarify her earlier statement, "Didn't Lisa or Greg mention it to you?" Not waiting for the other woman's response, she went on. "Lisa gave birth to a lovely baby boy last month and it's Greg's, Sela dear. The baby is a spitting image of my son." Once again, Blythe's smile returned to her face. A mother's pride towards her son is evident in her voice.
And then she heard the stuttering voice of her friend, "Ahmm….I'm sorry what?" This is indeed unexpected. Lisa Cuddy didn't mention anything to her and Nana Sela is pretty sure that Greg has no idea about this either. Taking a deep breath, she went to ask for more information, "Lisa was pregnant and gave birth to Greg's son? That is indeed lovely, Blythe but Lisa didn't mention anything to me. "
Hearing the concern on the woman's voice, Blythe House was also surprised by that piece of information. Then, she answered, "Oh. But, I assume Greg knows? Did they not talk?"
"Well, yesterday afternoon they talked but based on their moods afterwards, I'm sure it didn't end well but as I've told you, I saw both of them in one room. They did spend the night together. So, now I'm really confused if Lisa just mentioned it to Greg last night and so, they still haven't got the time to inform me yet about it." Nana Sela answered trying to reassure her friend on the other line. That might be possible as she didn't talk to either one of the doctors last night when both didn't join her for dinner.
Contemplating what Nana Sela said, Blythe took a sigh of relief and then went on to talk more to her friend about Lisa's stay at her place and her son, Greg. After 10 minutes of chatting over the phone, both said their goodbyes and expressed their excitement of having to see each other again soon.
The Dean of Medicine seeing that it's almost 7am went out of the bathroom to pack the 3-day things she brought with her here in this tropical country. She was still a bit sad on the realization that she didn't manage to bring her man back home with her to Princeton. But she tried to cheer herself up by thinking that it's only a matter of time before Gregory House will come back home to her and to their "family."
Taking another deep breathe and exhaling, she went to approach the baby boy on his crib. She watched the baby's steady breathing as she imagined House coming home to them with this baby and seeing their own son, Aaron too with Rachel. Her smile widens as the lovely scenario continued playing on her mind. Once again glancing at the clock, she went to grab her things on the way out of the door to be in the airport.
Lisa Cuddy was contemplating if she should go knock on House's door once more to try to convince him to change his mind. She did pass by House's room but when she stopped a few feet away in front of his door, she changed her mind. This time around, it's his choice if he wants them back with him. He needs to make that decision on his own because she knows that the man is too stubborn and no one can influence or force him to do something unless he wants it.
Still with a slight ache in her heart, she closed her eyes for 5 seconds to calm her restless heart. It was telling her to screw their sense of logic and just go on with her innermost desire, to go open that damn door and kiss the man inside senseless so once and for all, he'll come back home with her.
Unfortunately, her stubborn mind won in the end when it came up with a decision that Gregory House this time around needs to be man enough to come and get her, their son, Aaron and Rachel. Opening her eyes, she cast one last lingering look towards House's door and then, she forced herself to move towards the living room where she knows Nana Sela is in, hearing the older woman's voice talking to someone over the phone.
Truly indeed when Cuddy reached the living room, she heard the older woman saying her goodbyes to the person on the other line and then, giving her ample time to put the phone back to its cradle, she announced her presence, "Nana, I'll get going now to the airport."
Nana Sela after fully comprehending what Blythe has said to her turned her back to carefully study the lovely woman in front of her. She can see that even though, she tried to cover up her eyes using concealer make-up, it's still obvious that she cried and so, the growing confusion on the older woman's mind about Greg still not knowing about the baby was confirmed.
Oh, these two are really so stubborn. Seeing that House isn't with Cuddy that moment, Nana Sela is more than sure now that once again, whatever these two doctors had talked about didn't go well as what she and Blythe had anticipated. Her meeting with her friend overseas might not come soon then if these two will not make up. And she wouldn't want any delay with her and her Blythe's meeting no matter what.
Time to put some sense into the stubborn heads of this lovebirds. Taking a deep breathe so she come up with the proper words to approach the lady doctor first before she'll gonna go and strangle the man doctor in his room, Nana Sela calmly responded, "Don't you think Gregory deserves to know?"
The older woman saw the attractive woman gasped in shock after hearing what she just asked her. Her eyes also widen and Cuddy struggled to come up with an answer to that unexpected question. In the end, she said, "How did you know?" She was once again avoiding Nana Sela's probing gaze. She doesn't want to have this conversation but what choice does she have?
Still intently observing the younger woman's every action, Nana Sela gave her an answer, "That was Blythe on the phone just now." Upon hearing the name she just said, she saw that Cuddy went to look up at her as if to interrupt her but she preceded her by saying in a firmer but calm voice, "Lisa, you have to tell him. I don't understand what's holding you into telling him this. You've been talking with him and yet, not once did you bring up the subject of your son?" She saw that tears were beginning to form in the Dean's grey orbs but she has to take that for granted. Her mission here is to stop all these non-sense irrational fears both are having in their minds that is stopping them to be happy with each other.
Then, Nana Sela went on. She has a feeling that it will be easier to talk some sense into this doctor than the man that is still hiding in his room. "I'm not judging you here, dear. But, these doubts both of you are having need to stop now so that you can move forward and be happy with each other. Your son both needs you as his parents. It's obvious that you both love each other and yet, you're also too scared to take that chance ahead of you two."
Lisa Cuddy who was once again loss for words upon hearing the truthful words coming the older woman in front of her just kept staring at her and she does want to obey to the summon her heart was telling her. But she knows that it wouldn't do any good to anyone, not to her, to House and to their son, Aaron. Shaking her head as if to emphasize more her point, she responded, "No, Nana. If House wants to be with us, he needs to come to us because he really wants to and not because he only felt obligated after knowing about our son. That won't bring any good to us especially our baby." She was saying all these but her heart was protesting to every single word she uttered from her lips.
How is it possible to be put in a situation that even she herself was having a hard time convincing every part of her body to accept those bitter sweet words? Will there ever come a time that eventually she can learn to accept this, of possibly not seeing the father of her child once again after having to feel and enjoy how was it like to be back into his protective arms after all those 5 lonely months of not having even a single glance of him? Oh, how she wish it will be that easy. How she wish that this complicated relationship she has with House will eventually be that easy to deal with. Nothing is really simple and easy when it comes to them and yet they want no one else but each other.
Cuddy avoided the older woman's gaze because she couldn't bear the thought of having to stare at them seeing the compassion she can see there. Then, she added, "Please, Nana. Promise me you won't tell him about Aaron. Promise me, please. I need him to come to us on his own." She was looking down at her interlocked hands on her lap while saying all those words.
Then, Cuddy heard Nana Sela's resigned voice, "Okay. If you say so but I still insist that he has the right to know. And both of you are just being silly."
Being grateful, Cuddy went to hug the older woman and she was embraced back by Nana Sela and then heard her sweet voice, "Take care, dear. I hope to see you soon."
Letting go of her, the Dean of Medicine forced a small smile to appear on her face and thanked the older woman. Without looking back, she went out of the door to be on her way to the airport. She doesn't want to take that risk of looking back or she might change her mind. She couldn't afford to change her mind now after having to have made it this far.
Nana Sela was left with no choice but to watch the retreating form of one Lisa Cuddy vanished from her sight. As soon as she saw the younger woman took off in a taxi, she immediately marched to the room of one certain doctor. The man is going to hear from her and she'll make sure that hell freezes over until his stubbornness will dissolve so he can go after his beloved woman.
With a solid mission in mind, she went inside House's room unannounced and without knocking, she opened the damn door. Surveying the room with her hawk-like eyes to search for the man's figure, she saw him sitting on the bed but with a faraway look on his face.
Without warning, as fast as her legs can walk, she approached the famous Diagnostician and immediately hit him on his shoulders with much force as she can take out. And then her first words were also direct to the point, "You idiot. You let go of that amazing woman. Get up your ass and go after the mother of your child."
Gregory House so lost in his thoughts didn't exactly register the hitting he is getting from the older woman along with her words. "Not now, Nana. Please, I want to be left alone." He was looking down his feet and rubbing his damaged thigh with his other hand.
Then, Nana Sela's firmer voice rung through his ears, "NO. You listen to me young man. Stop being a coward and stand up right this minute. Go after Lisa, Gregory. She needs you. They need you."
Still fully comprehending what his Nana Sela was saying to him, House answered, "They are better off without me. Rachel is better off without being around a miserable like me." He was still not meeting his Nana's Sela accusing gaze.
Then, he instantly went to look up to meet the older woman's stare upon hearing her words, "I'm not talking about Rachel. I'm referring to your own son."
Shocked registering on his face, he went to ask for clarification from the raging older woman in front of him, "What son? What do you mean, Nana?"
"So, now you're finally listening to me. Lisa was pregnant with your child when you left the country. She delivered the baby one month ago and named him, Aaron."
Suddenly remembering all his unexplained dreams he had during the time that his Nana Sela mentioned just now, a full understanding reached the world-renowned Diagnostician's brilliant mind. Lisa Cuddy gave birth to their son. And once again, he wasn't there by her side to be with her and to comfort her. Wait, if she did deliver the baby a month ago, then this means that the baby was premature. He can imagine the dream he had of Cuddy full of blood surrounding around her and of Wilson's frantic presence.
Cursing himself more for being that stupid, he went to stand up and without taking a single glance at his Nana Sela, he went to run towards the door as fast as his limping leg will allow. He needs to go and catch up Cuddy before her plane will take off. Then, House heard his Nana Sela's distant voice behind him, "Go, claim your woman, Gregory. And don't come back here without her. God knows how much I wanted to strangle the life out of you both stubborn individuals."
Reaching the front door, he took Jacque's car keys on the nearby table and then, went out to go after his woman. She has some explaining to do and she better be prepared to answer him. But before he can do that, he needs to catch up with her on the airport before her flight will take off.
Now in the car, the famous doctor couldn't keep his mind from silently cursing himself more. This is want Cuddy mean all along about her ambiguous statements. She keeps on saying, We need you even in his dreams. All along, Gregory House thought she was referring to herself and Rachel. It never occurred to him that she was talking about their son, their own son.
How can he be so stupid and a coward at the same time? How can he be so blind? He was a great observer for Pete's sake. He can diagnose simple illnesses most of the times simply just by looking at his clinic patients. How could he have missed this truth?
Above all, when it comes to one Lisa Cuddy, the great Gregory House notices everything so how come he didn't notice the changes that Cuddy's body might still have after delivering the baby? Surely, there will be some tale tell signs to prove to him that she indeed become pregnant and if she delivered the baby a month earlier, then the more there will be some physical evidences still on her body. He did hold her in his arms last night and yet, he didn't notice anything.
Of course, you wouldn't. You were too busy enjoying the feeling of having to have her in your arms again after 5 long months. You wouldn't have the time nor the thought of having to observe for those tell tale signs when all you can think about was how good it felt to be near her and to be able to drown your miserable self in her unique scent. The Diagnostician heard his own mind answered his other irrational mind.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he punched his wheels when he realized that he was caught in the middle of the daytime Manila traffic. He took a glance at his wrist watch and saw that it was now 9:45am.
"Damn." House cursed himself outloud. He doesn't know what time is Cuddy's flight but he has a bad feeling that he wouldn't make it to the airport on time before her plane will take off. "Stupid, stupid, stupid."
This is your own fault. If you weren't that coward to believe in your irrational logic to let go of your woman, this wouldn't be happening. If only you listen to your heart for once in your damn miserable life, then she could be with you now. You could be with her now on your way to back Princeton to see the tiny creature you both created.
His mind continued to blame him for his cowardice. Well, what more can he do? He can't escape this traffic and he certainly can't bring back time. Exhaling in anger once more, he saw that the cars ahead of him started moving but still in a very slow pace. "Come on. Come on, move."
House is once again talking to himself as he saw that the vehicles in front of him are now beginning to move in a normal speed. Pressing his accelerator, he went to speed up to go after his beloved woman.
As soon as he saw the entrance door of NAIA Terminal Airport, he parked his car and went to get out. He them limp as fast as he could towards the information desk he saw and still breathing heavily due to his running, Gregory House fired away his inquiry, "Did the flight to New Jersey take off already?"
The petite young woman behind the counter offered her smile to the man in front of him and went to click something on her computer. Then, with a hint of regret on her face, she answered, "Yes, Sir."
Upon hearing this, the Diagnostician face fell and with much defeat, he asked, "Can you check if a certain Lisa Cuddy boarded on the plane?" He tried to make a long-shot appeal to her knowing that it was against the policy to give that information.
The young woman though sensing the importance of the situation offered a regretful smile to the foreigner and replied, "I'm sorry, Sir but we're not allowed to give out that information."
Letting go of another sigh of defeat, he once again tried to appeal to her, "Please, can you just this once be that person to break the rule to help someone desperate here? I need to know if my woman was on that plane. I was an idiot to let go of her. Please…"
This is one of those few times that the great Gregory House does make a plea to anyone and come to think of it, he does so most of the times when it concerns one Lisa Cuddy. That was indeed a bittersweet reality.
After a few seconds, he saw that the petite woman in front of him once again clicked something on her computer and still with a regretful smile, he heard her say, "Yes, she was."
Now, really internally cursing himself more, House then went on to say, "When's the next flight to New Jersey?"
There you go. Sorry, I had to stop here already. We'll find out more as to what happens next on the coming chapter.
Share me your thoughts on the reviews?
Thanks for reading,
Helen