DISCLAIMER: Fox owns House, not me.
AN. I'm sorry. For details, see Authors Note at the end :(
Chapter 15: Happily Ever After
"Done!" Taylor announced, standing back to admire her work and Hayley re-adjusted her step-sister's hair for the final time.
Cameron smiled at them both and turned to look at her reflection in the full length mirror for the millionth time that morning. Her dress (white, despite Evelyn's disapproval) was form-fitting in the bodice with thin lace straps covering her shoulders, and the skirt had a short train and flowed softly to the ground. She wore a short veil, and her hair was swept up with beaded designs entwined through it. Her makeup, done by Taylor, was also simple but the effect was overwhelming, especially as her eyes shone with happiness and excitement. The bridesmaid's dresses were champagne-coloured and strapless falling mid-thigh in length.
"You look so beautiful, Allie," Erin said wistfully.
Cameron smiled and went to embrace her little sister. "So do you. It'll be your turn in a few years," she teased her and Erin snorted.
Hayley moaned. "Can you two stop making me feel so old? Erin, you can't get married for another ten years at least," she ordered and Erin gave her a mock salute.
"Done," she agreed gleefully and her sisters laughed.
Jasmin grinned at her friend. "Allie, remember you used to say you were never getting married until you were at least thirty?"
Cameron laughed. "Well, I'm thirty-one. It's close enough."
Hayley snorted. "Doesn't count. You were married at twenty-one, remember?"
She smiled softly, picturing her last wedding day. "Faintly. I also remember I got voted Most likely to marry first at Senior Prom, and I didn't even have a boyfriend then!"
"What did we know?" Jasmin laughed. "I also said I wouldn't marry Jason if he was the last boy on Earth."
"And then you married the year after graduation," Cameron giggled.
There was a gentle knock on the door and it opened to reveal a teary Amanda, Blythe and Kym, all of whom beamed proudly at the sight of Cameron.
"Are you ready, sweetheart?" Amanda asked her daughter.
Cameron nodded, feeling perfectly calm. "Yeah, ready. Where's Dad?"
"I'm here and ready to roll," Chris announced, stepping into the room. He grinned at his daughter and twirled her around to take in her full appearance.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Princess," he told her sincerely and she grinned back at him.
"Thanks, Dad. At least one person isn't crying," she laughed as father and daughter embraced.
Amanda scowled at her. "I'm allowed to get emotional at my daughter's wedding, thank you very much, Allison."
She rolled her eyes. "Mom, it's not like I haven't done this before!"
"Not with Greg, you haven't," Kym replied, smiling softly and Cameron beamed.
"True."
Chris straightened up and offered her his arm. "Let's do this, Princess."
House stood at the altar, Wilson by his side and looked awkwardly out at the hundred-odd guests filling the room.
"Why wouldn't Allison agree to elope?" he muttered to Wilson, who laughed.
"Because she's realistic to realise her parents and yours would kill you both. Besides, wasn't it Allison who suggested a family-only ceremony at City Hall? Weren't you the one who insisted on the whole white-wedding thing?"
House sighed. "Yeah," he admitted reluctantly. Knowing that when she married Alex she had known he had at most a year to live and therefore planning their wedding had been bittersweet; he had wanted her to enjoy the wedding she couldn't enjoy ten years previously. Of course, he had told Cameron it was to please his parents, and only Wilson knew his real motive.
Their conversation was interrupted by the start of the orchestra playing simple music as the doors opened, and the wedding party began to enter the beautifully decorated room, through the efforts of Jake and Dan. House carefully avoided eye contact with anyone as his mother and Amanda were escorted to their seats and Hope, Jamie and Chelsea began to walk down the aisle as flower girls, scattering rose petals. They were followed by Max as ring bearer, and then Taylor and Erin as bridesmaids. Hayley came next as the matron-of-honour, and House's heart gave a strange flutter as the music rose to a swell and all the guests rose in unison.
He couldn't stop a faint smile from spreading across his face as his gaze fell upon Cameron coming towards him on her father's arm. Her head was held high, and she kept eye contact with House as she took confident steps in her long gown. At the altar, she broke eye contact with House for the first time to embrace Chris, who then gently handed his daughter over to House before taking his seat in the front pew with his wife, clasping hands with both her and Amanda, who had Marcus' hand in a vice-grip.
Cameron glanced sidelong at House as they stood together before the celebrant, who cleared her throat and began to address the guests. House spent most of her opening speech sneaking glances out of the corner of his eye at Cameron, who was paying rapt attention as the celebrant spoke of their journey and their new life they were embarking on together. Then she was asking the couple to face one another, and House grasped Cameron's hands tightly within his as he did so.
"Now, Greg," the celebrant said to him. "Do you, Gregory John House, hereby take Allison Elizabeth Cameron-Mackenzie as your lawfully wedded wife? To love and honour her, to respect and cherish her, and to be of one spirit and soul with her, for as long as you both shall live?"
House looked directly into his bride's blue-gray eyes that were always changing colour, and saw the love and most importantly, her faith in him and their love reflected in their depth; seeing nothing more than their future together as he announced in a clear voice that carried through the guests,
"I do."
Cameron's smile widened slightly as he spoke, and House distinctively heard his mother stifle a sob, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"And do you, Allison Elizabeth Cameron-Mackenzie, hereby take Gregory John House as your lawfully wedded husband? To love and honour him, to respect and cherish him, and to be of one spirit and soul with him, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she said, tightening her grip on his hands. A sudden breeze wafted through the small open window at the side of the altar, and the scent of vanilla caught Cameron's nose and she inhaled deeply. Vanilla always reminded her of Alex, and she could almost imagine that he was there, and giving her his blessing for her new life with House and every particle in her seemed to relax in unison and a feeling of peace and elation washed over her.
The celebrant smiled as she paused before continuing. "May we have the rings please?"
Max proudly stepped forward, and Cameron smiled brightly at him as the little boy handed the rings to the celebrant.
"Greg, repeat after me. 'With this ring, as a symbol of my undying love and affection, I thee wed'."
House took the thin wedding band off her and slowly slipped it on to her left hand, dutifully repeating,
"With this ring, as a symbol of my undying love and affection, I thee wed."
"And Allison, 'with this ring, as a symbol of my undying love and affection, I thee wed.'"
Cameron's voice shook for the first time as she slid House's matching band onto his finger. "With this ring, as a symbol of my undying love and affection, I thee wed."
The celebrant raised her voice to carry through the room. "With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
House pulled her closer and dipped his head to meet hers in a chaste kiss, whilst their family and friends applauded.
"I love you," she whispered to him, as they separated, her eyes glowing.
House smiled gently at his wife, the thought sounding extremely unfamiliar yet fitting perfectly in his mind. "I love you," he replied softly.
*
Cameron let herself into the apartment one snowy December night, containers of Thai food in a large bag in her hand. Sighing tiredly, she dumped her shoulder bag and laptop to the floor and shrugged off her coat, scarf, hat and gloves before entering the tiny kitchen with the food. There was no sign of her husband of four months, but that didn't worry her as she began transferring the food from containers to plates.
"Finally!" House exclaimed, suddenly entering the kitchen. He planted a soft kiss on her neck as he reached around her and grabbed a plate.
"What kept you?" he asked her as she followed him with her own plate to the living room where they sat on the couch.
Cameron rolled her eyes. "Greg, you knew I was staying back to finish paperwork! And then I ran into Dr. White and there was a long line at the Thai place. Did you really miss me that much?" she teased. "You were only an hour earlier than me."
"Yeah, but you had the food and I'm starving!" House replied.
They ate in silence for awhile, watching television until House frowned at his wife.
"Ok, what's going on?"
Cameron looked up, startled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're hardly eating. What's wrong?" he asked her.
Cameron shrugged innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about! I'm eating!"
He snorted. "No, you're moving your food around your plate. So, I repeat, what's wrong?"
She hesitated and he sighed heavily. "Don't make me use your full name," he threatened and his wife couldn't help but smile weakly.
"Well... ok," she began, putting her plate on the coffee table. "I'll tell you, but you can't overreact, ok?"
House frowned. "Ok," he agreed, also moving his plate away.
Cameron took a deep breath and swallowed. "Well, earlier when I said that I ran into Dr. White... it was more, he came and found me."
House was still puzzled. "He came and found you? Why? I've told you before Allie, if gentlemen make you offers to elope with you, you have to tell them you're taken. No matter what they offer you."
Cameron rolled her eyes. "Greg, I'm serious."
"So am I. I don't know why you'd think I'd overreact about a doctor coming to see another doctor. Especially when White's an immunologist, like you."
She smiled slightly. "That's not the part I was worried about. White came to see me to give me the results of my blood tests-"
"Whoa! What blood tests?" House demanded, sitting up straight and staring right at his wife.
Cameron smiled knowingly, but hesitated before continuing. "Well... this morning when I was down in the clinic, he was down there too. And he was the one who grabbed me when I... sort of... passed out," she finished tentatively.
As she had expected, House exploded. "What?! Why am I only hearing about this now?"
"Because I wanted to know if it was serious before I told you," she replied calmly. "I thought it was probably just anaemia or something."
"I know what it is, you need to start eating breakfast," House fumed. "I've seen you, you know. Dizzy spells and nausea? You're not as subtle as you think you are."
"Yes I am, you're just extra-observant," she answered lightly. House was not amused.
"So, White came and saw you. Is it serious?" he asked, and Cameron could tell he was worried.
She took a deep breath and took his hand comfortingly as he waited with bated breath. "Greg... I'm pregnant."
House gazed at her blankly for a moment in shock, then blinked several times. "Are you serious?"
Cameron nodded, a small smile spreading over her face. "Yeah. I think about ten weeks. It explains everything... I just can't believe I missed it!"
House still appeared to be in shock, but suddenly leaned over and kissed her hard, and was grinning as they broke apart.
"We're having a baby?" he asked her.
Cameron beamed and nodded. "We're having a baby," she confirmed and laughed excitedly as he kissed her again.
The next morning when they arrived at work, Chase and Foreman hadn't arrived yet and the office was dark, as per usual. Cameron calmly went through her morning routine of opening the blinds, turning on the computers and the coffee pot. As the coffee machine chugged into action, however, she paused and suddenly clasped one hand over her mouth and hurried out of the office. House paused, considered going after her and decided against it. He waited until the machine was finished, poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down in Cameron's chair to drink it, casually flicking through his mail.
She returned a few moments later, her face clammy and one hand steadied against her stomach as she sat down weakly at the conference table.
"You okay?" he asked her.
She grimaced. "Yeah, just... keep the coffee away, please?"
House gazed at her in interest. "You're already off coffee?"
"I guess so," she replied weakly.
"Dammit! Who's going to make my coffee now if the smell makes you puke?" House pouted.
She stared at her husband in disbelief. "That's your big concern? Who's going to make your coffee?"
House knew that it probably had not been the most appropriate comment to make, but he really did like her coffee to start his day.
"Well..." he racked his brain desperately, trying to think of a way to repair the damage. "It is after your well being of course."
Cameron raised an eyebrow at this knowingly and he shrugged. "You know you make the best coffee! It's a compliment!"
"It's a selfish gesture," she corrected him in a hurt tone.
"And a compliment!" he insisted.
Cameron's expression didn't change and he crossed the room to pull her into my arms. "Allie, I'm sorry. It shouldn't have been my first thought after you spent five minutes throwing up," he apologised, a rarity for him.
She gave him a small smile and rested her head on his shoulder. "You really do make the best coffee you know," he added and she poked him lightly in the chest.
"Thanks," she said softly and pulled away.
Foreman and Chase arrived within minutes of each other shortly after, and as was their custom poured themselves a large cup of coffee.
"Enjoy it while you can, boys. It'll be the last you get for awhile," House advised them, entering the conference room.
Chase and Foreman exchanged puzzled looks. "How long is 'awhile'?" Chase asked.
"Eternity," House sighed in disappointment at the thought.
Cameron laughed. "Don't be so dramatic! It'll only be about...a year, maybe a year and a half."
"That's forever!" her husband moaned and their colleagues frowned in confusion.
"Can one of you please explain?" Foreman asked Cameron.
She smiled mysteriously and got up to lean casually against her desk. "Well, I suppose you'll find out eventually. I'm pregnant."
Chase and Foreman's jaws dropped in unison, they both seemed speechless with shock.
"Oh my god! Congratulations!" Foreman quickly recovered, jumping up to embrace his friend.
She laughed happily as she returned the hug, then accepted Chase's seconds later. "Thanks."
"So, when is your due date? How far along are you?" Chase asked her.
"I'm about ten weeks," she replied, beaming. "So, I guess I'm due June. We haven't been to the doctors yet, so I don't have an official date. We've got an appointment after lunch."
"This is really great," Foreman told her sincerely. "What did you mean by a year of no coffee?"
She shrugged. "I'm not sure if I'll do six months maternity leave or take a year off after the baby's born yet."
Foreman and Chase seemed more stunned by this news than the news of the actual pregnancy. "Leave for a year?" Chase repeated.
"I can't imagine this place without you for a whole year! We'd go insane!" Foreman said grief-stricken.
House interjected. "Hey, I left for three months and you survived!"
"That was you. Your wife is actually pleasant to work with," Foreman told him.
Cameron grinned at House. "I told you I was the favourite."
She couldn't help but laugh at her co-worker's horrified, mournful expressions. "Guys, I'd still be around. I'm not taking the baby to another planet! You'll be seeing me, I promise."
The doctor's appointment that afternoon revealed that baby House was expected around June 2nd, and they (and they meaning Cameron) spent the afternoon informing Cuddy, Wilson and their respective parents and family members and friends. All were thrilled, and although House hadn't actually expressed much enthusiasm or emotion when Foreman, Chase, Wilson and Cuddy congratulated him and gushed with Cameron over the exciting news; he had pinned a copy of the sonogram picture to the top of his computer for all to see.
At the sixteen-week sonogram, House and Cameron elected to know the sex of their unborn child and waited impatiently as the technician moved around trying to get the best angle to determine the sex. As Cameron clenched her husband's hand tightly in suspense, House frowned scrutinisingly at the screen trying to read the sonogram himself.
"Congratulations, folks!" The technician said after a tense silence. "It looks like you're having a boy!"
Cameron let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding and a wide, brilliant smile spread over her face as she and House exchanged contented glances. House had been hoping for a boy, of course, because as he had said to Cameron and Wilson "If it has to look like Allison, it's safer for it to be a boy. Keeping a girl locked up until she's thirty is just cruel." And although House had predicted she wanted a girl, Cameron too, had been secretly picturing a little boy in her mind's eye. She couldn't explain why, but she had developed a theory as to explain it. She knew, although House was excited about the baby, he was still nervous and uncomfortable around children and hoped a boy might relax him, and make him more receptive to the idea of more children in the future.
As she entered her third semester, just as the weather was becoming more humid, Cameron was absolutely exhausted. Never one to feel the heat much due to her petite frame, she suddenly sweltered in the New Jersey summer, and spent every moment possible in air conditioned buildings. Sleep was now a thing of the past for both House and Cameron, between the heat in their non-air conditioned apartment; and Cameron's constant tossing and turning now that she could no longer sleep on her stomach, as she was accustomed. As May arrived, her eighth month, House took to sleeping on the couch to get some rest, as his heavily pregnant wife slept lengthways across the bed, every window in the apartment wide open, three electric fans blasting, no sheets or blankets and in the strangest positions imaginable.
House was worried one of these strange positions would prompt her into premature labour, especially after he found her one morning with her feet resting on top of the headboard, a stack of pillows propped under her lower back, and her head almost off the edge of the mattress; but she insisted it was the only comfortable position she could find and if it did happen to hasten labour, all the better. She was on maternity leave now, with only three weeks to go, but came with House to the hospital anyway, and would sleep in his air conditioned office.
Cuddy had agreed to this, only on the condition she have no participation whatsoever in any cases the team have, or even paperwork. House himself was pulling double clinic duty in the forthcoming weeks so he could have three months off after the baby was born; so Chase, Foreman and Wilson became willing slaves for Cameron, getting her anything she wanted, which she was actually enjoying.
Then, nine days before her due date, Cameron returned from another of her frequent bathroom visits, and suddenly hurried into the conference room where House, Chase and Foreman were doing a differential on their latest case.
"Greg?" she spoke up tentatively, but engrossed in a debate with Chase and Foreman about the case, none of them heard.
"Greg!" she called again, louder but again was ignored.
In a blind moment of panic, she seized the closest object, one of the many medical textbooks Foreman and Chase had dug up that morning searching for a diagnosis, and she threw it with impressive force towards the whiteboard, which crashed to the floor; and caused all three men to turn to her, speechless, mouths agape.
"My water just broke," she addressed her husband, ignoring their dumbfounded expressions.
House's expression didn't change much, it was already one of shock and disbelief but he tensed, and his hand instinctively, even after all this time, searched for a cane to squeeze that was no longer there.
"Are you sure?" he asked her finally.
She nodded breathlessly, her face pale yet her eyes bright. "Yeah, this is it!"
"We can keep going, House," Chase assured him. "You guys go."
"Yeah, that was my worry. Whether the kiddies are going to kill anyone while Mommy and Daddy go pick up the new baby," House replied sarcastically.
"Greg, not the time," Cameron said sternly.
"Right, ok," he nodded and ushered her towards the door.
"Good luck!" called Foreman after them.
Seventeen hours later found Cameron lying in a hospital bed, exhausted yet joyful as she and House gazed down at their sleeping son.
"He's perfect, isn't he?" she asked him, her voice hoarse.
"Yeah," House replied, his tone full of wonder and amazement.
"What should we name him? I feel really bad we didn't have one already," she winced guiltily.
House rolled his eyes. "Relax, it's not a crime. And actually... I've been thinking about a name."
Cameron looked up at him curiously. "What?"
House shrugged casually. "I was wondering what you thought about the name Alexander."
A dazzling smile lit up her face. "Really?" she asked excitedly.
"Yeah," he replied sincerely.
Cameron reached up and kissed him lightly, tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
House, slightly uncomfortable, kissed the top of her head softly. "You're welcome. And you can pick his middle name."
Cameron didn't have to think very long about it. "Alexander Gregory House," she declared, studying her son's tiny features and House smiled softly.
"It'll do," he said offhandedly.
Alexander stirred sleepily and opened his eyes to gaze intently upon his parents. He had his mother's soft and expressive blue-gray eyes, but the rest of his features were most decidedly his father's. Reflected in his son's face for eternity, was the steady, intense gaze that had haunted House since the day a young widow stepped into the Diagnostic's department for a fellowship interview all those years before and changed the heart of a cranky, heartbroken doctor forever.
AN. So this is the end... and I know, and I apologise that the wedding is so detailed, and then the pregnancy rushed, but I had severe writer's block, and just needed to be done.