chapter 27
2.00 am. Cuddy was in her bed but she couldn't sleep. She was worried about House. She hoped that he wouldn't get into trouble. She never intended to tell him like that, at least not tonight. She wanted to wait for the right moment, well a better moment. She was aware that it was big news for him. Something unexpected and probably disturbing. She knew that House's relationship with his father wasn't good. He never really accepted that this man was his father, he had always thought that he was the son of another man. House's father was strict and never really showed affection for his son. House never admitted it but Cuddy was sure that he was deep affected by this lack of interest. That could be a reason for his denial of his father. She understood House's reaction when he learned of Ethan. It was a shock for him, she knew it, and that was why she was so worried, because in this state of mind, House was capable of doing anything and everything. She'd had a glimpse of it when he drove his car in her dining-room and she didn't want him to go back in jail. He didn't deserve it, not this time. It would be her fault if he did something stupid. But what could she do? She didn't know where he was going? Back to his hotel? She had her doubts. No, he was probably in a bar or… She preferred neither to imagine where he could be, nor with whom. She just had to wait, she couldn't do anything else. Waiting for him to come back and hoping he was safe. Because she was sure of one thing: House would come back to her, he needed explanation, he needed a key to understand this brand new situation in his life, and she was the only one who could give him the answer. Cuddy began to think about the past. Memories haunted her mind. She remembered the fear she had when House's car came suddenly in her room. The horrible noise of the walls that crumbled, the odor of the engine, the dust cloud that covered everything for a few minutes. Then she saw his face when he got out of the car, she remembered his look when he gave her her brush back, his eyes were full of pain and despair. He was hurt, deeply hurt and she felt his pain. But she was stunned, she couldn't say anything, she just stood there like a block, unable to move or to speak. After he went away, after she got a grip on herself and realized what he'd done, anger got the upper hand. Julia and her friend urged her to call the police and to press charges against House. And that was what she did. She was so angry at him at this time! She didn't want to see him or have anything to do anymore with him. How could she have told him then that he had a son? She told nobody, she chose to keep it secret, she needed time to decide what to do. House ran away and then he was sent into jail. Because of him, she had to resign and quit a job she liked. She had to move here in Chicago. She had to start everything again. At this time she was cross with House. But he had left her a gift. And what gift! A son. Their son. And then, with time, her anger faded away and only sadness, nostalgia, regret and love remained in her heart. But it was too late. At least that was what she thought before Wilson called her and told her for his cancer and for House. Every day when she looked at Ethan, she thought about House. Ethan had House's beautiful blue eyes and his smile. Some tears began to roll on her cheeks. And now what? Now House knew for Ethan, but what would he do? Could he take on him? Or would he walk away like he did so many times to protect him from pain? Suddenly someone knocked at the door. Cuddy's heart skipped a beat. House! It happened something to him! was her first thought. Cuddy wiped her tears away and ran to the door. House stood there. She opened. She felt relieved.
"House. Are you okay? Where were you?"
"Cuddy, I"
"No, don't answer, I don't want to know. Com'in."
"Cuddy, I… we have to talk."
"House, you're too drunk to talk." She said looking at him and stroked softly his cheek. "And I'm too tired." She added and wiped some tears.
"No, I…" House tried to reply but staggered and Cuddy caught him.
"House, it would be wiser to wait tomorrow. Nothing good will come out of a conversation tonight. We're not in the right state of mind to talk."
"No. I … I want you to explain me… why you"
"House, please, not tonight."
"Cuddy…" House felt dizzy. She was right, he was too drunk.
"House, you need to sleep." She said as she held him. "You can lie down on the couch. I bring you a throw and a pillow."
"Thank you." House looked at Cuddy and let himself fall on the couch. When Cuddy came back with a throw and a pillow, he asked her: "I'd like sleeping better in your bed."
"House."
"Well, you wouldn't have to make a bed for me. It would avoid you some tiredness and…"
"House, I said no."
"I had to try." He smiled. But in fact, he really wanted to share Cuddy's bed with her. He needed to feel her next to him. He didn't want to sleep alone anymore.
"Good night, House." She gave him a throw and began to head to her room. She hesitated and said: "I'll be in my room if you need me. That's the second one on the left."
"I need you."
Cuddy turned around and gazed at House. "House, I think you really need to sleep. And so do I. We'll talk tomorrow. Good night."
"Good night." House lied down on the couch. A few minutes later, he was sleeping.
And so did Cuddy. She felt good now that she knew where House was. He was just a few meters away from her. He was drunk but safe.
Ooooooo
House woke up slowly. He had a headache and his back hurt too. It took him a few seconds to remember where he was. He sat and looked around him. Everything was quiet. Then he gave a look at his cell phone. 9.00 am. There was no noise in the house. Weird. He got up and limped to Cuddy's room. She was still sleeping. A beam of sunlight fell upon her face. She looked relaxed and unworried, she seemed to be happy and to feel safe. She was beautiful. House remained a few minutes so, watching her sleeping. For the first time since many months he felt good. His place was here, by her side. Now he was sure of it. He had to be there, by her side, with her, with Rachel and with Ethan, their son, his son. House smiled and came closer to her. He sat on the bed and stroked her cheek softly. Cuddy opened her eyes. And a smile came on her lips as she saw House next to her.
"Hi" she said. "Am I sleeping?"
"Hi" he replied. "I would rather say dreaming, no?"
"Dreaming of you? Seriously, House?"
"Well, I'm good looking, sexy, brilliant"
"Arrogant, cynical, a jerk sometimes"
"Okay. I give up."
"How do you feel this morning? Did you sleep well?"
"No. And you owe me."
"What are you talking about, House?"
"Your couch isn't comfortable, my back hurts like hell."
"Oh and do you intend to sue me? 'cause I know a good attorney."
"Oh, I thought you knew a surgeon, not an attorney."
"House!"
"Anyway, I hope I can have some… compensation?" House said with a smile.
"No, YOU owe me."
"And why?"
"I thought I was kind enough to accept that you sleep on my couch last night."
"YOU suggested it, I didn't ask."
"Because you were too drunk to go back to your hotel and I couldn't let you sleep in the street."
"Do you think you showed hospitality and kindness? Your couch is worse than my bed in jail! So yes, you owe me."
"What?" Cuddy exclaimed and sat. "You came to me in the middle of the night, you were drunk and I owe you?! Are you kidding?"
"I drank because of you."
"What nerve! I wanted you to stay but you walked away, do you remember?"
"Are you sure of this? I have no memory of it." House said and pretended to try to remember.
"House… Do you want some Ibuprofen? I guess I have some." She replied smiling and took his hand.
House looked at her. Any glimpse of banter in his eyes had disappeared. "We have to talk, Cuddy. I need some explanation."
Cuddy's eyes darkened. Her smile faded away. "I need some coffee first."
House nodded and went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, Cuddy sat in front of him. He gave her a cup of coffee and waited for her to speak.