Ch. 9:
Thank you all for the fabulous reviews. More please, said the review addict??? Sorry so many of you are disappointed in Wilson but trust me it will work out in the end. We all love Cuddy and this story is about her happiness and it needs Greg House but Wilson might be the better man for her. Thoughts?
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Cuddy dashed after Taub but the short man made good time in his sensible leather shoes and her tall stiletto heels wouldn't let her catch up, especially when Taub abruptly turned and raced down the stairs.
"Where is he going?" Cuddy thought to herself. She gave up at the top of the stairs and slowly descended as her mind retraced what just happened in Wilson's office. Could Wilson be right that this was just another stupid game to House and that winning Cuddy was the end goal? Not about a life together but just getting her to say yes? Cuddy wasn't going to be a pawn in their boys club game. They'd better think again.
Cuddy finally entered her office still a little flustered but lost in thought. House was waiting as he promised in one of the guest chairs across from her desk.
"Ready, Cuddy?" House began to stand up.
"Uh, yes, just a minute, Greg." Cuddy came to him and reached for his hand before sitting in the other guest chair beside him. House looked confused but sat back down.
"Greg, I just realized we hadn't really talked about Rachel at all."
"What about Rachel?" Cuddy smiled hearing House actually saying her name instead of referring to her as the "sprog" or some other goofy yet impersonal designation.
"Well, you know I'm going to adopt her when my foster year is up and I thought we ought to discuss whether you would consider adopting her, too." Cuddy bit her lip conveying her nervousness to House.
House stared into her worried eyes. "Relax, Cuddle's, I'm ready to adopt her the day you do."
Cuddy's face broke into a wide, relieved smile. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that from you." Cuddy squeezed his hand and leaned forward to kiss him. "You mean it?"
"Of course I mean it!" House leaned forward and met her half way, kissing her lightly. "Now, are you ready to go spend all my hard earned money on a pretty little bauble for your ring finger?"
Cuddy's heart soared at House's openness. The concerns Wilson raised were nearly met and she was so relieved that House had managed to live up to her hopes, which were well beyond her expectations.
"I suppose we'll have to pick out the wedding bands, too?" Cuddy asked. House rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. Cuddy folded her arms and stared at him, "You are going to wear a wedding band!" Cuddy insisted.
House sighed. "Yes, mistress!" They rose and Cuddy found her purse and coat which House quickly took from her hands and helped her slip it on. The two walked out of the office pleased to be on a mission together
Wilson knew Cuddy very well and he fully expected her to raise his questions to House as soon as she could. Supposing House was in fact willing to adopt Rachel, Wilson suddenly realized it would practically kill Cuddy's chances at adoption. There was absolutely no way the state would allow a child to be adopted into a brand new marriage where one of the parents was a drug addict and recently institutionalized mental patient. Marrying House now would crush Cuddy's newfound happiness as a mother.
Wilson wanted to feel glee over the new obstacle but only felt guilty. He knew that this situation favored him in winning Cuddy, still he had to tell Cuddy the facts and leave it up to Cuddy to choose between House and Rachel. If she chose Houses, she wouldn't be the woman Wilson had fallen in love with – the strong, confident, brilliant woman who had the intelligence to do what was best in all situations yet had the heart to feel conflicted. But, if Cuddy chose Rachel, Wilson knew nothing would stop him from winning her.
Wilson's love life was a train wreck. He had three – count'em three failed marriages. Each time the woman he married was someone needy, clingy, dependent. The formula had always been wrong and he knew it but somewhere in the back of his mind he knew each marriage had been a mistake before he ever took his vows. Facing reality now, Wilson realized he just needed the distraction from Cuddy, hoping his affection would grow into love for any of these women but it never did. He knew now and could admit to himself he had chosen to go into marriages he wanted to fail.
His heart was Cuddy's even if she didn't know it, yet his friendship with House and Cuddy plus their mutual attraction always made him hold back. Over time House's antics had grown old and tiresome and Wilson's feelings for Cuddy had only grown stronger as had their friendship. He and Cuddy had worked closely together so often to help House but House was too obstinate and had taken some odd delight in tormenting Cuddy by alternately wooing her and then rejecting her. Cuddy didn't deserve that!
He paced a little around his office. Wilson expected Taub might leak the news of his kissing Cuddy to House or House's staff. Either way, Wilson had a new Ace up his sleeve.
House relaxed as he drove Cuddy to the finest jewelry store in the Princeton area. He knew Cuddy was nervous and yet she looked happy.
"Are we really doing this, Greg?" She asked, looking over at him in the driver's seat.
"Yes, we really are, just remember not to spend all my money or we'll have to honeymoon at your place."
"Honeymoon?" Cuddy got a warm feeling at the sound of the word. "I didn't even think about it? Where should we go?"
House glanced over at her, wiggling his eyebrows, "How about some place tropical so you can parade around all day in nothing but a bikini at the most?"
"Tropical would be nice," Cuddy agreed. "Could Rachel come too?"
House glanced at her wondering if this was a test. "Absolutely but could we also bring along your nanny or your mother…or maybe my mom?"
Cuddy smiled with a curious expression at this tender comment. "That would be perfect!"
Within a few minutes the two were inside a jewelry store that Cuddy had visited in the past and the pair sat in front of the wedding rings case. House felt an odd sensation in his heart. Was it fear? No, it was too unfamiliar. It was happiness. He observed Cuddy's expression as she examined the sets of rings. She gravitated to the gold colored sets over the platinum.
House reached over and took her hand. "Pick what ever you like. If you like it, I'll like it." Cuddy grinned. "Greg, I want you to help me with this. You pick out three sets you like and I'll do the same then we'll see if we picked anything in common. Okay?"
"Cool idea, Cuddles."
House released her hand and bent over the case staring through the glass. Within a minute he had picked out the set he thought she'd like and waited. "Done."
Cuddy glanced at him and frowned, "Already? I'm still trying to make up my mind."
"Take your time," House murmured. "I'll just be copping a feel while you finish up." He moved his hand to her waist and slowly slid it up to the side of her breast. She smirked and grabbed his hand stopping it from sliding further.
The salesman approached and after a few minutes was playing along with Cuddy and House to determine the three choices for each. The moment to reveal their three choices found they had indeed selected one set in common. It was a stunning yet modern brushed gold set with a matching engagement ring featuring a beautiful solitaire diamond set in a princess mounting. The diamond, cut in the shape of a triangle was brilliant and fiery, much like their relationship had been over the years. It's three sides made her think of House, herself and Rachel.
The shape of the stone was unfortunately prophetic.
Wilson buried himself in paperwork. He couldn't bear the thought of breaking Cuddy's heart with the adoption issues if Cuddy married House. He knew it would sound so selfish of him because he would benefit in the long run if the two broke up. He should be happy at the opportunity and to tell the truth, he was a tiny bit, but still he knew his words would hurt her.
House admired the engagement ring on Cuddy's hand. "You make it look perfect, Lisa." Cuddy smiled. "It so …so…big! It didn't look like it until I put it on!"
"Well, you do know people will equate the size of the diamond with the size of my pen…" House joked.
"House!" Cuddy cut him off before he could embarrass the salesman who just shook his head with a small smile.
"Do you like it, Lisa?"
"I love it!"
"We'll take it," House decided. "Box that puppy up!"
Cuddy slipped the ring off and handed it to the salesman. "The wedding bands, too!"
Cuddy looked at House and he stared back. "We're really going to do this, Greg?"
"We'd better or I've just sunk a lot of cash into a ring too small for me!"
Well what do you think, dear readers? Reviews make me so happy and inspired. Thanks to those of you've who provided great feedback. I promise Cuddy is no wimp she's just momentarily overwhelmed and who wouldn't be?