Chapter 5: Test Drive Daddy
House showed up at Cuddy's punctually as usual. He was dressed as appropriately as he possibly could. Black pants and a pressed shirt with a tie was all he could think of to wear out on a play date. He rang the door bell, heard the squeals of the little girl behind the door and smiled to himself.
"Greg!" Rachel cried and jumped into his arms as the door opened.
"Jelly Bean!" House said and she kissed him. "I like your dress!" he said.
"I like your tie!" Rachel said.
"I do too," Cuddy said as she leaned on the door jam.
"Cute, matching dresses, I like it!" House said as he noticed that the fabric was the same. He put Rachel down and leaned in to kiss Cuddy. Rachel ran away from them into the house and plopped herself down at the piano and continued her practicing. "The scales sound great Rachel, keep up the good work!"
"C major!" Rachel sang along.
"I had them made special," Cuddy said blushing. "Is it too much? Does it make me look ridiculous?" she asked.
"No, the dress is nice and Rachel looks great! You should have had a tie made and we could be every bit the sickly sweet little family." He smiled.
"If I said I did, would you wear it?" Cuddy asked the blush on her cheeks growing darker.
"Lisa, if you want me to, I will." House said.
"Thank you," She smiled and the headed into the house. "And I didn't so don't worry about being made ridiculous!"
"Thank you, I would have had to make your life hell tomorrow at work." House smiled and walked to the piano and sat down beside Rachel.
House played a little tune with Rachel in C major before turning the page in the music book and looking at the G major scale. "Same patterns as C major but this time start on G and play the F sharp," he said to her and he watched as she slowly moved her fingers over the keys in the hands together scale patterns. "Good job." He said and the little girl continued to play.
When Cuddy was ready to leave, Rachel jumped down from the piano bench and ran to find her coat. Cuddy paced nervously.
"Why are you nervous?" House asked as he pulled her into his arms to stop her nervous behaviour.
"Do you think this is a mistake?" she asked.
"What us?" he asked. "If you are talking about us I'm sorry for doing whatever I did to make you doubt."
"No, not about us," Cuddy smiled, "about going out to the Parkers."
"Well, for one, its not a play date because we will not be playing although I wish we were," He said slyly, "and two, I'm probably not the best person to take out to a 'meet the parents' night, but I will try my best to make you proud."
Cuddy laughed at him.
"It's a good idea," House admitted, "Rachel needs to socialize and you need to see people outside of the hospital and in a completely different setting. This is no time for Doctor Cuddy to show her face. Lisa Cuddy, mother of Rachel Cuddy on the other hand, will have a great time just being a mom and talking about mom things, with Lucy's mom."
"And you?" Cuddy asked.
"I'll sit idle and comment when the subject suits me." He answered. "I can participate in polite conversations, I swear!"
Cuddy smiled and was made calm by the man she had fallen in love with.
Rachel returned with her coat and little white dress shoes that matched the trim of her dress and the white, frilly socks she was wearing. Cuddy loaded her child into the car seat and they departed for their play date.
Upon arrival in the Parkers' driveway, dread began to set in. House didn't play well with others. He hated meeting people and talking about senselessness and personal matters. It all made him very uncomfortable and confrontational but he realized that Lisa Cuddy had him whipped and the only reason he was going was because she wanted to feel like she had some semblance of a perfect little American dream.
House rolled his eyes as they pulled up to the perfect little picturesque house, on the perfect little street full of perfectly lined little fences in what House had aptly named a perfect little suburban hell. Everything around him looked the same, from the facades of the houses to the manicured lawns and the white picket fences.
"Man this place is over the top," House whispered.
"It is kind of ridiculous," Cuddy agreed.
"Parker is a dentist right?" House asked sarcastically, "and Mrs. Parker is a stay at home gold digger?"
"No," Cuddy said in a hushed voice as they walked along the perfect little garden path to the front door, "Mrs. Parker is actually the honorable judge Amelia Parker and Mr. Parker is the primary violinist with the metropolitan opera's orchestra." She explained.
"Fascinating," House said raising his eyebrow, "this could be very interesting after all. I wonder who wears the pants in this relationship!"
"Gregory please, you need to be on your best behavior!" Cuddy said as she rang the door bell.
"Shouldn't you be saying that to Rachel?" House asked sarcastically.
"No, I play well with others!" Rachel laughed. "You only play well with mommy and me!"
"That's because I only like you and your mommy," House smiled as the little girl giggled at him.
"Lisa it is good to see you!" Mr. Parker said as he opened the door and smiled like an idiot.
"Allan, it is good to see you too!" Cuddy smiled and stepped into the house. The yhugged, he took hers and Rachel's coats and ushered them into the house.
"This is my good friend, Doctor Gregory House," Cuddy said as Allan turned to shake his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you," House said and smiled like an idiot.
"The pleasure is all mine," Allan said, "Lisa tells me you are a bit of a musician, piano I believe."
"Yes," House answered in the affirmative, "Lisa mentioned you played with the Met."
"Yes," Allan smiled, "it's very rewarding."
"I'm sure it is!" House said and looked at Cuddy, his eyes practically bugging out of his head.
"Honey, this is Gregory House and you remember Lisa," Allan said as they came into the kitchen to find his wife ready with an open bottle of wife.
"Nice to meet you Doctor House," Amelia Parker said as she stepped forward to shake his hand, "I have heard much about you."
"Bad things I am sure," House said.
"Your reputation does precede you," she said honestly, "but I also hear you are the best."
"I don't know about that," House said humbly while Cuddy rolled her eyes at him.
He winked when he saw the amusement on Cuddy's face.
"Lucy, Rachel is here to play!" Allan called up the grand stairs, proceeded by the sound of little feet bounding down.
"Lucy, please don't run in the house, dear," Amelia scolded.
"Rachel!" Lucy cheered.
"Hello," Rachel smiled.
"May we play in my room?" Lucy asked.
"Yes you may," Her mother said and the two little girls left.
"She's precious!" Cuddy smiled.
Lucy Parker was a child of nearly three but whom had been a part of Rachel's life from a very early age. Allan had been one of her childhood friends and they had kept in touch all through school and later. When the idea of a child came to Cuddy's mind she had consulted the new father and was determined to bring the two families together. The girls played very well together and found companionship in one another. Lisa was pleased to venture into suburbia to give her daughter the chance at a good little childhood friendship.
"Can I offer you some wine?" Allan Parker asked as he motioned to a sitting room off the kitchen.
"Thank you that would be lovely," Cuddy said as she and House sat down together.
"So, Lisa, how's the hospital?" Allan asked a little amusement in his eyes.
"It hasn't burnt down yet, though some people have tried," Cuddy said, "so I guess its alright."
"And your practice?" Amelia asked.
"Oh, its hardly a practice," Cuddy said blushing, "when I am not working as an administrator to the hospital I work in our walk in clinic. My cliental are primarily first come first serve."
"And you, Greg," Amelia asked with a nod to Cuddy.
"I take whatever case interests me at the time," House answered, "I deal with the puzzles that slip through the cracks. Most of the time the cases that interest me are turn offs for the other doctors. They see medicine as an in and out profession. Its all about time management and efficiency but if you diagnose wrong then all kinds of dangers face that patient. I don't like to let a patient go until I know exactly what is wrong."
"Easily diagnosed illnesses are a bore to him," Cuddy said.
"I don't blame him," Amelia smiled, "an open and shut case seems hardly worth my time, and though justice is served it holds no lesson to be learned; most of the time those that offend in an open manner reoffend as soon as they have served their time. I would imagine diseases are pretty much the same?" she asked.
"Exactly," House smiled, "but the really good ones like to disguise themselves, steel one identity and make it their own. A good disease is like a serial killer; it is silently reaping havoc and causing incredible fear until someone catches up to it. It will leave disaster in its wake but it can be stopped, for the most part."
"I like your analogy, Doctor," Amelia said.
Cuddy stared in disbelief at the conversation that carried on before her. Mrs. Parker had found exactly the subject to talk to House about and she could see that the hostess was greatly enjoying the mysteries that House brought before her.
After dinner, a delicious lobster, mack and cheese for the kids, and apple tarts, Mr. Parker invited them to join him in his music room and again found a subject near to House's heart. The ladies watched in silent admiration as the two gentlemen, both of musical minds played, House at the piano and Allan with his violin, in an impromptu concert of Vivaldi violin compositions.
"I have to say, Greg, you know your way around the instrument," Allan complimented as they had finished and settled into the living room once again.
"I have been playing since I was a boy," House admitted, "I wanted to be a concert pianist until I finished high school. Then it became more of my hobby, the one thing that could calm me down while studying medicine. I would have never made it to where I am today if I did not have my piano and all my music."
"You still play often enough I would imagine," Allan said.
"Everyday, for hours!" House admitted. "Unless I am with Lisa, then I'm afraid my piano falls by the weigh side."
"That isn't entirely true," Cuddy smiled, "Greg has taken to teaching Rachel. She has become serious enough that I have bought a piano for her and the two of them spend hours at it."
"That's fantastic," Allan said enthusiastically, "there cannot ever be too many child prodigies. Do you believe Rachel has what it takes?" he asked.
"Absolutely," House smiled, "but then again I may be biased on that front."
"I am sure you are a very proficient teacher for the little girl," Amelia added to the conversation.
"For now I will do, but there will come a time when Rachel will need the guidance of a true teacher. I am too soft on the little one, but a professional piano instructor will teach her the discipline she needs to be really good." House confessed.
"Spoken like a true musician," Allan smiled, "I would be just as lenient with my Lucy. She has shown an interest in piano herself. We've recently found her an instructor that I believe is very good. Would you like the number?" he asked, his question directed at Cuddy.
"Sure," she answered with a smile.
"There are to be many more piano recitals in our future," Allan said smiling again.
House looked at Cuddy and raised an eyebrow.
As darkness began to fall and the prospects of another day loomed Cuddy decided it would be best to get Rachel home. It would be yet another early morning and all the troubles of the hospital waited for them. After calling for the girls twice Allan went upstairs in search of them while Amelia, the ever grateful hostess, made all of the social conclusions and inquiries of the evening. Allan returned with a sleeping Rachel in his arms.
"Take this," House whispered to Cuddy as he passed her his cane and took the sleeping child from Allan's arms.
"They were both asleep in a pile of stuffed animals and Band-Aids," Allan laughed quietly.
"She's going to be a doctor as well," House smiled.
"Why am I not surprised?" Allan laughed and hugged Cuddy once more. "Thank you for coming, we will have to do this again."
House and Cuddy both nodded in the affirmative and left the house. They moved slowly down the garden path, House treading lightly and choosing his footing carefully. Though he limped he was steady enough with the little girl in his arms and placed her gently into her car seat before taking his seat.
"I liked them," House said as they pulled away from the curb, "they compliment each other well, sense and ridiculousness all at the same time."
"House, honestly," Cuddy laughed.
"What?" he asked, "I'm right and you know it. She is the alpha and he is an eccentric."
"He always has been," Cuddy smiled, "but you liked him."
"He's a brilliant musician," House admitted.
"You aren't so bad yourself," she smile and the conversation continued pleasantly all the way home.