Maddening Reality

Cuddy was nearly five months pregnant and happier than she could have ever hoped to have been. House was attentive and even more anxious about becoming a father than she was about giving birth for the first time. Lucas had been informed of the paternity of the baby and thankfully had left her be, and although she wasn't even close to dating House, she was starting to share a comfortable relationship with him that she could easily get used to.

~HUDDY~

House didn't want to seem overbearing, but he was completely thrilled that Cuddy was letting him be so involved with their child. Of course he had backed off his sexual advances toward her, as he didn't want to make her think that he just wanted her for what she could physically give him. His plan was to slowly charm her into loving him the way he knew that he had grown to love her over the years. He made fairly frequent visits to her house to spend time helping Cuddy prepare Rachel's room for the arrival of another child and he was even coming to like the two year old that Cuddy had adopted as her own child.

~HUDDY~

Wilson couldn't have been more pleased that House and Cuddy seemed to be falling into a relationship. They had yet to start dating or exchange more than friendly advances, but he knew that this child would bring them together. It would be a hell of a kid, he reasoned, since it was doing things to those connected to it even before being born. Wilson sat back and watched as the confirmed House baby boy grew inside of Cuddy as Cuddy grew toward House.

~HUDDY~

"So what's the plan for tonight?" House asked the mother of his unborn child casually. They were finished preparing the nursery, but he wasn't about to let her go back to being uneasy with him quite that easily. Cuddy looked up from her work and smiled at the diagnostician.

"I dunno. We're done with most of the baby prep we need to get done for a while. I kind of figured that you'd like a night off," she told him.

"A night off what?"

"Oh…" She blushed a bit. "Off helping me, I guess. I suppose I thought you and Wilson would want to get a few beers and watch a monster truck rally or whatever you two do."

"Wilson's got a date tonight," House informed her. "Some blonde in accounting…I…well do you want to get some dinner?"

Her mouth formed a perfect 'O' and she sat there a bit stunned for a moment. This was the first time he had suggested doing something together that didn't involve their child directly. She shook herself out of her reverie, however when he started looking a bit uncomfortable and clearing his throat. "Oh, yeah. That would be great. What do you want to get?"

House shrugged. "Whatever you want."

She nodded. "Alright. Well, Rachel is at my sister's house tonight…I had just planned on taking a bath and reading so we can either go out or I could cook something."

"I don't want to ruin you relaxing evening," he said. "We'll do Greek if that catches your fancy. New place downtown."

"Sounds great, House."

He inclined his head. "I'll pick you up at seven?"

"Okay." He gave her one last look before turning around and leaving her office. She sat back in her chair and let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "I'm actually going on a date with House," she said aloud to herself as the realization struck her. Excitement was coursing through her veins and she felt the urge to let out a whoop, but contained herself. She settled for dialing Wilson's extension and giving him the good news.

"That's great!" he said enthusiastically. "I'll call you back, " he added as House entered his office.

"I'm taking Cuddy to dinner," House told him as he made himself comfortable in the chair in front of Wilson's desk.

"I know," the oncologist said with a grin.

"She's excited, then?"

"Definitely. Where are you taking her?"

"The new Greek place," House told him, pleased that Cuddy had called Wilson to inform him of her happiness, but hiding it well.

"Fancy…you going to dress up?"

"I guess I'll have to."

Wilson smirked. "You seem to be getting pretty cozy."

"Yeah…I like this having a baby deal. The kid's really working for his old man already!" House declared with a grin.

Wilson laughed. "Looks like things are heating up."

"I sure as hell hope so," House replied, propping his feet up on Wilsons's desk. "Think I should get her flowers?"

"I think she'd like that."