Chapter 29

Cuddy and House were lying in Cuddy's bed. They felt good. She was against him, in his arms and she was happy. He stroked softly her shoulder, thinking.

"And now what?" he finally asked looking at her.

She kissed him and smiled. "You didn't change. Why can't you simply enjoy the moment?"

"I do!" House replied and leant over her. "See" he said and kissed her. She embraced him and enjoyed this kiss. She wished this sweet moment would never end. House stroked slowly her back, then his hand went down on her thigh. His hand was warm and sweet. She put her hand on his neck and drew him closer to her. They made love one more time. With passion, with tenderness, with joy.

"Are you convinced that I enjoy the moment?" House asked breathless.

"Yes, I am" she replied breathless and smiling. "And what about celebrating our reunion by spending the whole day here…?" she added with a charming smile.

"Do you mean … having sex?" House replied with a smoldering look.

"It's up to you." House stared at her, it was obvious, Cuddy had a strong effect on him. "We can also watch TV or play or listen to music or…."

House put one arm around her shoulders, shook his head and said: "In fact, I have many questions."

"I listen to you."

"But before I have a very important question." He added very seriously. Cuddy frowned but didn't say anything.

"Do you have something to eat because I'm hungry?" House said with a smile.

"Yes. Come, we're gonna cook something." She replied relieved. For a second she believed he would confess a stupid thing he did yesterday night. For a second she feared he would ruin this great morning with… with something stupid like he used to do. But not today apparently. Much to her relief.

They went to the kitchen. House opened the fridge and said: "What about an omelet with some ham, mushrooms and cheese?"

"I think there is some salad left in the vegetable tray and tomatoes."

"Okay, I cook the omelet, you cook the salad." House said with a smile. They worked silently, enjoying this moment of life. They were together, cooking, just like so many couples. A sweet and funny memory came to their mind. Both of them thought of Cuddy's birthday. House had drugged Arlene and Wilson and they were left alone, just the two of them, enjoying this moment of complicity by washing the dishes. And today they found this complicity again, the joy of being together, not for work, but for the everyday life. The lunch was ready, they sat at the table and began to eat. They looked at each other, they were happy.

"What were your other questions?"

"What about Rachel?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did she miss me? How did she react when Ethan came to life? Was she jealous? Or happy? Or…?"

Cuddy smiled. "Wait a minute. You ask too much, I can't answer all your questions in a raw" Cuddy said laughing. "Yes, she did miss you. Shortly after you ran away I don't know where – and I don't want to know – she asked for you almost every day."

"And what did you tell her?"

"I… I lied to her, House."

"Why?"

"Do you really think that I could tell her that the police was looking for you to send you in jail? That the man she considered as her father will go in jail because he drove his car in our house and could have killed us? Seriously, House! I couldn't."

House didn't reply, he just nodded. "And then? I mean when you came here in Chicago?"

"She still asked for you, but less often. And…"

"And what did you tell her? Did you tell her that I was dead?"

"I… I couldn't tell her that you were dead because…"

"Because what?"

"Because I…"

"Because it could have affected her? Because she would have been hurt and felt sad?"

"Because I couldn't believe it myself! I don't know how to explain it, but it was… it was as if deep in my heart I knew that you were still alive. I refused to admit that you died. That's why I just told her that it was complicated, that maybe one day…"

House was moved. He didn't know what to say.

"So when Wilson called me and explained me why you faked your death, I… I was thrill."

"But you didn't tell him, am I wrong?"

"No, of course no. I was happy but I didn't know if I would see you again one day, if it was a good thing to see you again, not after all had happened between us, not after all these horrible things we'd done to each other, not after all the pain and the sadness, the anger and the regrets. But Wilson convinced me to watch over you after his death. He was a very good friend."

"I know" House replied and Cuddy could see how his eyes darkened with sadness.

"And when I began to date David, he tried to become her friend but she didn't like him and she told me that she wanted you."

"That's a good girl" House said with a smile. He was happy that the little girl didn't forget him. "But how did she react when you told her that she was going to have a brother?"

"She was happy."

"Really?"

"Yes, because she thought that then you would come back." House looked surprised and Cuddy added: "She thought , no, she was convinced that you were Ethan's father. And she was right."

"And… and what did you say when people asked you who the father was?"

"I replied that I didn't know because it was an artificial insemination."

"And they believed you?"

"Yes, why not? I had no husband, no boyfriend. And they don't know me here. I'm just the Dean of Medicine, that's all. In fact, they're not interested in my private life, I can sleep with who I want so long I do my job."

"What about Arlene? Did she believe you?"

"She was skeptical but she didn't ask too much. And… I didn't answer."

"And it didn't bother her! She meddled in your life since so many years, you got pregnant and she didn't react?!"

"Of course, she did. But she also knew how deeply hurt, how deeply affected I was after the… incident."

They looked at each other, eating silently. Then House asked: "Do you think he will like me?"

Cuddy looked up, surprised. "Who?"

"Ethan. Do you think he will like me?"

Cuddy smiled. "Yes, I'm sure he'll like you, House. Even if you say you don't like children, you have a way with them." House didn't reply, he was thinking. Cuddy added: "And Rachel has already talked to him about you."

"Really? I hope she didn't tell him too much."

Cuddy stared at House. She found sweet that he worried about his son, about Ethan's feeling for him, for a father he didn't know. "Are you ready?" she asked suddenly.

"What for?" House replied suspicious. "Do you want more sex?" he added with a grin.

"No, but we can maybe consider this idea…"

"What do you mean then?"

"I think it's time for you to meet your son." She said and took his hand.

House looked at her and nodded. "Yes" he whispered. "You're right."

"I'll call Julia. Get dressed." She said and kissed him.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?"

Cuddy stopped on the threshold of the kitchen and turned to him. "What? You have a son, House. You're a father. Ethan needs you, Rachel too… and I need you too. You have to meet him." she came to him and took his hands in hers. "If you want to get back with me, you have to face the reality, you have to accept that you have a son, that you're father. Ethan needs his father, House."

"Yes, I'm aware of that and I'm ready to accept it, I'm ready to take him on, to care about you, about Ethan and Rachel."

"So what's the problem?"

"I mean, do you think it's a good idea if I come with you? Because if I remember well, your sister doesn't really like me…" House replied and put a finger on his lips, pretending to remember. "So what will she say when she'll see my ghost?"

Cuddy rolled her eyes, she was relieved. "I don't remember that you care about what people think of you."

"You're right, I don't care. Let's go."

Ooooooooo

As Cuddy started the engine, House asked: "Can we stop first at my hotel, then in a mall on the Magnificent Mile?"

Cuddy looked at House wondering what he wanted to buy. "Do you need sexy underwear?" she teased him.

"Nope. I can't be sexier than when I'm naked." He replied with a smile.

"So… why do you want to go to a mall?"

"First to my hotel 'cause I'd like to change my clothes and then to a mall 'cause I need to buy something."

"And may I know what or is it one of your many secrets?"

"Hmm, no. Let's say that I'd like to surprise you."

"Oh and what am I supposed to do while you go shopping?"

"I'm sure you can find some interesting pastime." Cuddy was about to say something when House added: "And I won't be long."

"Okay."

House didn't lie. It took him half an hour to do his shopping. He found Cuddy in the dressing room of a clothes store. She was trying a sexy lace top on. House whistled at her. "Wow!"

"House! What are you doing here? I thought you were shopping!" Cuddy exclaimed and pretended to feel embarrassed.

"I was." House replied staring at her boobs that the top highlighted.

"How did you find me? Did you follow me? Are you spying on me? Is it one of your new games?"

"You have to buy it. You're stunning."

"House… "

"Since this beam fell on my head I have the power of telepathy and clairvoyance…"

"House! Stop joking and tell me."

"I just saw you going inside and I was sure that you would find something to try on."

Cuddy sighed.

"See! My first explanation was better, something mysterious, and something magic…"

Cuddy looked at herself in the mirror and said: "Yeah, I like it. But don't you think it's a bit too low-cut?"

"Patty and Selma are looking good, very good. But don't wear it at work or you'll gonna trigger a riot among your employees."

"I never intended to wear it at work." She replied and let sensually her tongue go on her lips.

"Hm, I… I think we should go." House swallowed. He felt suddenly hot.

"I buy it." Cuddy said, put her blouse back on and went to the checkout.