Chapter Nineteen

The Grove Park Inn was a beautiful resort built from local stones and House was impressed. He was even more impressed with the golf course, as was Wilson, and they made plans to play a few rounds while they were there.

He took the liberty of reserving one of the premium suites for their wedding night as a surprise for Cameron, and also booked their honeymoon in Europe for two weeks as another surprise. He never thought he'd look forward to a wedding, certainly not his own, and the idea made him smile.

He kept that smile when he picked up his mother from the airport. She came alone, and for that, he was exceptionally grateful. He didn't want or need any tension his father might cause them. Now he could just relax and enjoy himself. As much as House could enjoy anything, that is.

When he saw her come toward him with one suitcase, he approached her and they hugged tightly.

"You look very well, dear," she said as she looked him over. "This Allison's been taking good care of you."

"Yeah, she has, Mom. I guess Dad was busy?"

"Out of town. I didn't ask, and he didn't say. He does wish you luck though."

House arched his eyebrow in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, really. He does care about you, Greg. Whether you choose to believe it or not."

"I think you know what my choice is."

"I do. So, shall we go then? I'm anxious to see this resort and meet Allison and her family."

"Yeah, let's go," he said as he took her suitcase from her and started walking toward the exit. Suddenly she gasped, not moving, her hands covering her mouth.

"What?"

"You're...you're not limping and…" her eyes searched his. "Where's your cane?"

House smiled at her. "I don't need it anymore. I had a procedure done and I'm not in pain anymore."

"You had surgery and you didn't tell me?" she gasped.

"No, it wasn't surgery. I'll tell you about it on the way to the resort."

When they arrived, it was dinner time so they all decided to eat together. Earlier in the day, Mundell made a reservations for six at The Sunset Terrace. Even Bennings was there, dressed as casually as one could be as Mundell's valet.

When House arrived with Blythe, Wilson, Mundell and Bennings all stood up and Mundell approached her first.

"Mom, this is Mundell Langston. Mundell, my mother, Blythe House."

"Mrs. House, it's both an honor and a pleasure to meet you," he said as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. House rolled his eyes but was amazed when his mother actually blushed at the attention, especially after Bennings did the same. Wilson simply gave her a hug.

"And of course you remember, Cameron..err..Allison," House said as Cameron stepped forward to meet her future mother-in-law.

"Mrs. House…"

"Please, call me Blythe. That goes for all of you." She hugged Cameron and kissed both her cheeks. "Thank you for making Greg happy."

"I will certainly try," Cameron said, sniffling a little.

"Well," Mundell said as he clapped his hands together. "Let's eat, shall we? Blythe, I've got a seat for you right here next to your son."

"Thank-you."

Dinner went amazingly well and everyone seemed to get along just fine. The view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the open terrace was spectacular and Blythe commented on it several times. The men all ordered beer while Cameron and Blythe opted for red wine. Cameron wondered about Hilary's choice to drink nothing but water but it was warm that evening and she often opted for that instead of alcohol. Still, she made a mental note to keep an eye on her sister. They all dined on steaks except Hilary who ordered the roasted chicken. Again, Cameron looked at her sister. Hilary loved steak. It was her favorite food and The Sunset Terrace was known for its range of perfectly cooked steaks. Something was going on with her sister.

"Let's go for a walk," she whispered to House after dinner ended and everyone left.

"If by walk you mean have crazy animal sex, I'm game."

She laughed. "Well, that's definitely in the cards, but later. I want a walk first. You have to see the rest of this place. It's amazing."

"Okay, just let me get my Mom settled in."

"Oh, I don't think you need to worry about that. Dad has the situation well in hand."

They both glanced over to see Mundell and Blythe seated at a smaller table by the fire in The Grand Hall, two glasses of wine in front of them, and he groaned.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Oh relax. Stop overthinking things. Your mother is a married woman. My dad isn't going to overstep any boundaries."

House didn't say what he was thinking about that. Sure she was married, but was she happy? He remembered how relaxed she was when his father left for a mission or some operation for the Marines. He also remembered how tense she was when he returned. When he was gone, she blossomed into a bright, funny, smart woman. When his father returned, she would withdraw into herself which made House hate him even more. As he and Cameron walked along the path beside the golf course, he looked down at her and then back up.

"He isn't my father," he said looking straight ahead.

Cameron stopped and he stumbled slightly when she didn't release his hand.

"What? Of course he is. He's a horrible man but he's your father," she told him.

"I have a birthmark on my head."

She tilted her head, squinted her eyes and looked at him in confusion. "I know. It's red. I've seen it. What does that have to do with anything? I have a birthmark on the outside of my left thigh."

House shook his head. "When I was twelve, we learned about genetics in school. I did some extra research and realized John House is not my biological father. For one thing, he was deployed around the time I was conceived. Also, the birthmark matches one a family friend has on his head."

"We need to get a DNA sample from him," Cameron replied. "Then you'll know for sure and you can cut the bastard loose once and for all."

House pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "This is why I love you so much, Alliecat," he said smiling at her.

"Dammit! How did you find out about that nickname?"

He pulled her close. "The walls have ears," he smirked before bending his head and kissing her. She responded passionately then pulled back.

"More like Wilson is a big, fat tattletale and my sister has a big mouth," she responded with a cheeky grin.

House laughed and looked over her head. "What the…." he sputtered in shock.

Cameron twisted her head and gasped. Her father and Blythe stood about forty feet behind them kissing passionately. House released her and they both descended on the other couple.

"Dad! She's married!"

"Mom! What the hell?"

Mundell and Blythe broke apart and turned to face their children. Blythe smiled serenely at them and Mundell ducked his head.

"Well," Blythe laughed. "I guess I have to tell you now, don't I, Greg? I left John. He isn't at out of town. After you called, I realized you were finally happy and I wanted to be, too. Living with John was miserable even after you left home. Because of him, I rarely saw you." She shrugged and smiled. "I hate that bastard. And, as long as I'm being honest, he isn't your biological father. James Bell is. I'm sure you remember him."

Mundell stepped forward and took Cameron's hands. "Blythe told me after dinner. Then we came out here for a walk and, well, one thing led to another…"

House stared at his mother and Cameron blinked several times. "Well, you were right," she told House. "He isn't your father."

A young man carrying three manilla envelopes approached them. He cleared his throat.

"Mundell Langston, Allison Langston Cameron and Gregory House?" he asked.

They all looked at him. He shoved the envelopes in Mundell's hands. "You've been served," he told them and then left at a near run.

"I must be having a stroke," House said. "That's the only explanation for all of this."

Mundell opened the envelope with his name on it. He pulled out a single sheet of paper. "We have been subpoenaed to testify at Greyson's trial next month," he said handing the other two envelopes to House and Cameron."

House looked at the envelope. "Yep, definitely a stroke." Then he smiled at Cameron. "At least it won't interfere with our honeymoon."

She blinked. "Where are we going?"

"Do you want me to tell you or would you rather it be a surprise?"

She considered it and nodded. "A surprise. Just tell me what I should pack."

"The usual."

Cameron rolled her eyes. "Well that's a big help."

"Seriously, the climate isn't anything out of the ordinary. Just don't forget the sexy lingerie."

"As if I would."

He leaned over and gave her a kiss that brought a flush to her cheeks. The color staining her cheeks was a combination of desire and slight embarrassment because her father and Blythe were standing nearby watching them with wide smiles.

"Greg," Mundell's tone was part warning, part amusement, "save it for the wedding."

"Oh let them be, Mundell," Blythe whispered as she gave his arm a playful swat. "This is the first time I've seen my son this happy. He was never this way with Stacy."

"Who's Stacy?" Mundell asked as Blythe led him away. House tried to interject, to follow them, but Cameron grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Oh no you don't. We're continuing our walk and then we're going to go to bed and you're going to make mad...passionate...love to me," she said between kisses. "Because tomorrow night we'll be sleeping apart before the wedding day."

House made a face. "Do we really have to abide by that tradition?"

"Yes." She gave him one last kiss and then smiled coyly at him. "I love you, Greg. And I can't wait to marry you."

He grinned back at her. "Remember this feeling. When I've screwed up beyond all hope, you're going to need to think back to this."

"You will screw up, but that's not to say I won't either. We're not perfect, House, and that's why it works for us. Like you said years ago, we're both damaged, but neither of us needs fixing."

A/N: If you're curious about the venue for the wedding, google The Grove Park Inn in North Carolina. It's a beautiful location for a wedding.