Chapter 6: Morning Mayhem.
The next morning dawned with the crashing of thunder and a little girl curled up between her mother and her mother's boyfriend. The thunder frightened Rachel to the point of tears as the clouds rolled in that night, and though House had every intention of going home, he had stayed. The night had been a busy one for all of them and House and Cuddy tried to enjoy some quiet time together but before anything could begin the thunder shook the house and the little girl screamed in absolute fear. Rachel latched onto House in her sleepiness and would not let him go. Cuddy had tried to coax her away but Rachel was not having it. House was staying and that was that. The storm never let up. The night was sleepless, except for short intervals, for the three of them, and all too soon Cuddy's alarm signaled the beginning of another day, and though Rachel was terrified Cuddy and House had work to do. Cuddy left before he did, she had meetings to plan for and press interviews to give on the status of their union agreements. House waited at Cuddy's with Rachel for the nanny.
"I have to go to work, Jelly Bean," House said softly to the little girl he rocked in his arms.
"I'm scared," Rachel wept into his chest.
"The thunder can't hurt you," House said softly her tear stained face looking up at him pleadingly.
"Why is God so angry," she whispered.
"Its not angry," House said, "it's just loud, it's like the base notes in the piano, strong and bold."
"Why is God so loud?" She asked as another clap of thunder shook the house.
House had been trying to avoid the 'god' conversation with the little girl for a long time. He didn't believe as Cuddy did and he wasn't sure what to say around someone as young as Rachel. He didn't want to make her more upset than she already was and he didn't want to say anything that would later cause Cuddy's wrath to fall upon him, but the child didn't let up in her questions and so he had to face the talk head on.
"He's loud because he's having a good time," House said.
"God is having a good time?" Rachel asked quizzically.
"Yes, he and Elijah and Moses they hang out all the time," House said making it up as he went. "They like to bowl you see, like when I took you out bowling. You had fun right?" he asked.
"Yes," She answered.
"Well they go bowling and they make lots of noise and that's what you hear. It's like the pins at the alley when they all fall down." House said.
"There is bowling in heaven?" Rachel asked skeptically.
"Do you like bowling?" House asked.
"Yes," She answered.
"Then why can't God like bowling?" he asked.
"I guess he can," Rachel said. "It must be a really big bowling alley if it is making this much noise," she added.
"Huge!" House laughed.
He had done it, calmed the little girl down and lightened her fears. He felt pretty good about it as he put her down and she ran off to tell her nanny all about God and the bowling alley.
"I should tell Cuddy what I told her kid," House said to himself, "she may not like this turn of event."
House walked through the halls of Cuddy's place until he found the little girl and the nanny, "Rachel, I have to go to work, but I will be back later ok?" he said.
"You promise you are coming back?" she asked.
"I promise," He smiled.
"Ok," she said, dropped everything that was in her hand and rushed to hug and kiss him good bye, "I love you Greg," she whispered into his ear.
"I love you too," he said and kissed the tip of her nose, "you be good ok."
"Ok," she said happily and returned to the mess that lay on the floor.
House walked out into the rain and down to his car. He had never experienced such strong feelings of love, like the love he felt for Cuddy and Rachel. He clung to the hope that everything would work out between him and Cuddy- that he wouldn't screw things up like he always did, because he was trying- really and truly trying.