I just love all your reviews! They make me happy! Thanks so much! :) And thanks to Jane who always is ready to correct my grammar and spelling mistakes :)

Even if this story ends soon: That doesn't mean that I will stop writing as well. I've tons of ideas for new Huddy fanfics in my head that I want to write. :) So be prepared for new stories :)

Now enjoy reading chapter 18!

Chapter 18

House turned off the engine of the car and turned to the beautiful woman next to him on the passenger seat that was sound asleep.

She was flawless. Everything on her was perfect and adorable. For him she was the most beautiful person in the world.

He laid his hand on her upper arm and shook it softly. She opened up her eyes and smiled lovingly when she caught sight of him. "Hey." She said in a sleepy voice.

"Hey." His fingers caressed her cheek. "We are here."

Cuddy watched out of the window and recognized that they were in front of House's apartment. "This is your place." She stated.

"Yep. Miss Obvious."

"I have to go to my place, House."

"You don't have to."

"I have no proper clothes with me… I can't go in jeans and t-shirt to the hospital."

"I've sent Wilson a text. Told him we won't be back from Lancaster before the day after tomorrow."

"House! You can't do that!"

"Of course I can… I want to have Patty and Selma for myself for a few days."

"We can't just play hooky."

"We don't… Officially we are at a funeral."

"Funerals usually don't last for one week."

"Then we are at an unusual funeral." House opened up the car door, got out and indicated Cuddy to get out as well.

She sighed and exited the car. "House, we can't…"

House interrupted her. "We can, Cuddy." He took her hand and looked into her eyes. "How often do I have to tell you to stop being so damn rational! A relationship is never about rationality. If it was we wouldn't be together in first place."

"I know…" She said. "My job was for half of my life, everything I had, I'm not used to putting it in second place... I guess you will just have to distract me."

"It's my pleasure to do that." He bent down to her and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.

They were lying in bed. Dressed in their pyjamas. Cuddy's head was placed on his chest and his arm was protectively put around her.

It felt so right to be together. It felt so right to feel the other one right next to them.

"This is weird." Cuddy suddenly said.

"What?"

"For the last months I've probably been more often in your bed than in mine but this is the first time that I'm actually going sleep in your bed and it's the first time that I'm just lying here with you talking about all kind of things."

"So this is a good weird?" His fingers were stroking her arm.

"A very good weird." She confirmed, smiled and snuggled even closer into him.

Silence…...

"Do you think this is going to work?" House's nose was buried in her hair.

"We have to try to make it work." She answered.

"I'm a screw up, Cuddy. I don't know if I'll be able to be the man you need on your side."

"You are the man I need, House. You have always been the man I need."

"But what if you realize one day that I'm an ass and that you don't want me anymore?"

She sat up and took his hand. "I've known you for more than 20 years, House. I know exactly who you are." Her fingers were stroking his palm. "I know you better than anyone else… You always tell me to stop thinking so much. And now I tell you that you should do the same."

"But you can't know what will be in a few years. You can't…" He broke up when he suddenly felt Cuddy's index finger on his lips.

Her other hand went to his cheek, her eyes were fixed on his. And then suddenly she said it. The words he never believed to hear coming out of her wonderful lips:

"I love you." It was a whisper but it was unmistakeable.

His heart started to beat faster. Goosebumps were covering his whole body. He couldn't believe that she had said it. He couldn't believe that she really was feeling that much for him… He was overwhelmed. He was stunned.

"Are you okay?" Cuddy asked when he didn't react to her confession. She was afraid that she had scared him with those three words.

He didn't answer. He just took her hand and pulled her closer. She was now lying on top of him. Her chest against his. Their eyes were looked together. Their noses were touching.

"I love you too." His voice was soft. Soft but deadly serious.

A gigantic smile formed on Cuddy's face, her eyes were filling with moisture. A warm feeling was encircling her heart.

She put her forehead against his. A tear was running over her cheek and dropped onto House's chin.

"Is it really that horrible that you have to cry?"

Cuddy laughed and gave him a slap on his shoulder. "This is supposed to be a romantic moment, House!"

"You know that I don't do romantic."

"Of course not… You neither do romantic nor cuddling." Her voice was oozing with sarcasm.

"Exactly…" He said while grinning mischievously and lopped his arms around her perfect body.

Next day

Wilson was calling House's cell already for the 5th time and left the 5th message on his mailbox: "Why the hell don't you pick up, House? And why the hell doesn't Cuddy pick up either? Your team needs you! Call me back as soon as you listen to this."

He pressed the red button on his cell phone and sighed.

"The man plays with his stupid cell phone all day long and when you need him he isn't anywhere near it." Foreman said.

"He has to deal with other things right now." Wilson defended his friend.

"I know… But we need him to help us or otherwise the patient will die."

Wilson nodded. Foreman was right. The ducklings have tried everything there is but nothing had helped the patient. House was his last chance.

"How about we call at his mum's place?" Wilson said.

"Okay."

Wilson pressed a few buttons on his phone.

"House." Blythe's voice appeared a few seconds later.

"Hello Blythe! This is James Wilson, I'm so sorry to annoy you this early but I really need to talk to your son. He doesn't pick up his cell."

"I'd really like to hand you over to him but Greg and Lisa already left yesterday."

"What? House had told me they would stay at your place until tomorrow."

"The two lovebirds left right after lunch yesterday."

"Okay… I guess I'll just try to call his cell again then. Thanks Blythe."

"No problem. Have a lovely day."

"You too." He said and suddenly noticed that Blythe had used the words "lovebirds" to describe House and Cuddy. He wanted to ask Blythe how she meant it but she had already hung up the phone.

"And?" Foreman wanted to know.

"Blythe said that they already left her place yesterday."

"So they actually should be here again."

"Exactly." Wilson said. "I guess I'll go and look where those two are hiding."

TBC...

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