Chapter 21: You, Me and a Baby Makes Three
After stopping in to see Team Wilson and with everyone overly excited for Chase and Cicciliano, House had to admit all around defeat and sulked off to his office. The team had solved the case, Cuddy was still mad at him and Rachel was home with a babysitter because of a few bad decisions, and to top it all off he neither lost nor won his office pool because of the absolute absurdity of his doctors, "just take a deep breath and move on!" he sighed to himself as he hit the power button on his stereo and let the classical opera fill the space.
Down in the lobby Cicciliano continued to show off her new baby while Cuddy cooed and swayed with the baby in her arms.
"I can't believe it worked," Chase laughed as he held onto the baby carrier and Doctor Robinson got her turn to cuddle baby Mia.
"It's been in the works for months," Victoria laughed, "it just all came to fruition now, at just the right time and House is none the wiser." She added with a smile, "My estrogen accomplices, however, were in the know since the very beginning because I knew Cuddy had gone through it and I needed someone to talk to about adoption."
"It just worked out perfectly that this should happen now," Cuddy laughed. "I'll be bringing baby gifts around your place later. I'm surprise House hasn't suspected anything; I've had these gifts for months! You had better take Chase and this little one and carry on the charade a little longer," She added as she motioned to House who had appeared staring down on everyone from the balcony.
Doctor Robinson put the baby back in the carrier and Chase and Cicciliano walked out of PPTH hand in hand.
On their way to Victoria's car, Chase stopped her, "does it really have to be a charade? I mean is it really that crazy of an idea?" he asked as she placed the carrier back into the seat stand and made sure that the baby was secured. "You know the whole Planned Parenthood and codependence thing sounds rather nice." He said.
"I agree. I mean if you know what doesn't work for you, know what you want and can get there, why not do it?" She smiled, "But you have to be completely sure you want this kind of commitment."
"Would you be interested in turning our prank into a possible trial period? I'm ready for a commitment, I have a steady job and help to support the baby and you can be my counselor, or sex kitten, or whatever it is House believes is totally going on here." Chase said half seriously half mockingly.
"It would mean you would have to settle down and accept the responsibilities of parenthood, no more new girls every other night, or drunken debaucheries leading to Facebook scandals!" Victoria stated.
"I can commit, I don't want any of that anymore. It's gotten old and you were right, it's probably very self-destructive." Chase smiled.
"Alright then bring some stuff by my place and we can start our trial tonight. Be ready for early mornings and diaper duty." She smiled pecked him on the cheek and fell into the car.