Chapter 9 – A Decision for Future

It took other two months to get Richard cured. During this time House had the opportunity to spend some time with his son, a time during which they had great fun. Rachel was part of their tricks. They became the gang f the hospital.

Cuddy let him have fun, she understood that this was a big moment for him. She never asked him about what he was going to decide. Was his decision after all. She wanted to let him free to find the better solution into his heart, a good heart, no matter strangers could ever think.

The day Richard should leave the hospital finally comes. For House is the time for decisions.

They are all in Cuddies' office now. Mark, Stacey, Cuddy and House.

H: "First of all I would like to apologize with both of you. Even if it's late."

M: "I beg you?"

H: "Yes, I want to apologize for what I have done last time to try make you break up and Stacey come back with me."

S: "But you sent me back to Mark then."

H: "If I didn't have acted like a foul all this wouldn't have never happened."

S: "I don't regret having Richard."

H: "Maybe get pregnant of me was a mess."

S: "I don't think so."

H: "Thanks."

S: "I really mean it."

House smiles. Then he looks Mark straight in the eyes.

H: "When everything came up I was so confused. I just thought that my son would have experienced everything that happened to me. A bad father hating me and me hating him all the time. And then discover that he's not my father…………… Then I needed to talk to Richard and my mother to make up my mind. And you know what?" He point his cane right in front of Mark nose.

M: "I don't know a thing."

H: "You don't hate Richard and you really are his father!!!"

M: "Are you screwing with me?"

H: "Nope. You see, I can be just the one who get Stacey pregnant but a father is another thing. A father is the person you grew up with. Is the person who teaches you how to ride a bike, be a good boy, read a book. Is your pal for funny tricks. Is the person you can always count when you have a problem. Is the one who embrace you when you need. Is the one who considers you the light in his eyes. Is your brave knight against the dragon. Is that one who follows all your steps from the moment you breath.

M: "Was your father like that?"

H: "Nope. Was like he was supposed to be. And you are."

M: "Who told you?"

H: "Richard."

M: "Seriously."

H: "Yeap. And he is not the type who tells lies. However, considering all this, that's why I don't want to enter in his life."

S: "Are you sure? But are changed."

H: "But I'm not changed for him!"

S: "I don't get you."

H: "Stacey…………………… You really believe that he could accept me as a father after all these years? He barely knows me."

S: "He can learn."

H: "No. Is not right. This would just create confusion and sadness into his life. He will lost his balance. And he doesn't need it. I'm nothing more than a stranger for him. A friend of the family. Or the doctor who saved his life. Take it as you want. But I'm not his father, that's Marks' role."

S: "Is really this what you want?"

H: "I just want what is best for my son. Stacey……………… even kids have memories and I'm not part of his. Even when we think they are just little brats they have already a mind on their own and they are learning from us. All he's become until now is thanks to both of you."

M: "With a little bit of you."

H: "Just some genes. They are just a funny cocktail to create people. Anyway this is my decision. I just ask you one thing, I will be glad to receive some news sometimes and photos."

Stacey nods.

S: "I will take care of it."

H: "And you pal? What do you think?"

M: "I had the worst opinion about you but maybe you're not so bad."

H: "We have a deal?"

M: "Right." They shakes hands.

H: "I tell you right now. If you will make him unhappy I will kick you until you are dead even if I'm an old cripple man.

S: "I will be his guard."

H: "No tricks woman."

S: "I have no intention to perform them. Thanks Greg."

She tights House in a short hug.

He smiles, is a smile of regrets.

H: "Is better you go."

Someone knocks the door, Is Richard and Rachel holding hands.

Ri: "Morning."

S: "Morning darling. How are you feeling today."

Ri: "Fine."

S: "And who's this delicious lady you are holding hand?"

Ri: "But Mum don't you remember her? She's Rachel. Dr Cuddy and Dr House daughter."

S: "You are right."

Richard looks down the floor. He seems ashamed of something while Rachel is tapping her left foot on the floor. Then Richard continues.

Ri: "She's my girlfriend. When I grew up we will get married."

Everybody in the room look shocked. House had the impression to felt down the floor.

Richard: "Is that true Cuddle?"

Rachel: "Yeap." She smiles. She now has the same expression of Cuddy when she wins a quarrel with House.

S: "How did you just called her?"

Ri: "Cuddles? Don't you like?"

S: "Well…………… You see…………………"

Ri: "It's funny. It seems like a pet name for me."

H: "That's what I always thought." House stats.

Cuddy & Stacey: "House!!!!" The two ladies give a severe look to him.

Ri: "Mum?"

S: "Yes darling?"

Ri: "When I grew up I wanna be a doctor."

S: "Ok………………if is that what you want…………………… You are still in time to change your mind."

Ri: "I will not."

Rachel comes closer to Richard and whisper into his ear:

Ra: "Tell them what kind of doctor you would like to be." They exchange a bright look in agreement.

Ri: "I want to be a Di…………… D…………… Dia…………… Diag……………"

H: "Diagnostician."

Ri: "Right. Like you!!!"

There's a bit silence in the room now. Cuddy is going to cry. Richard moves now in her direction.

Ri: "Doctor Cuddy?"

C: "Yes, Richard."

Ri: "When I will become a doctor, can I come here and ask you for a job?"

C: "Sure. It will be honour." Yes, a honour, father and son together in the same department…………………

Ra: "Wait a minute Richard. If you come to work here I wanna be your boss so you are going to ask me if I want to hire you."

Ri: "Will you, Cuddles? Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaseeeeeeee."

Ra: "I will do if you behave." The charade just started, and they still have time to grow up.

House is thinking 'God………… House and Cuddy, once again. What's wrong with faith.'

H: "Cuddy I think we have a problem here. I tell you right now Rachel, a Dean of Medicine is more that enough in a family."

Ra: "But Mum can't work forever."

H: "You are right. Sometimes I forgive you are you mothers' daughter. Always too rational."

Ri: "Doctor House?"

H: "Yes, Richard."

Ri: "When I will become a doctor will you teach me?"

H: "Sure. All that I could possibly know."

Ri: "Thanks. For everything." Richard turn back to his parents. "Dad, can we go home now?"

M: "Sure, son."

They all approach the door now to leave.

M: "Thank you everybody."

Ri: "Goodbye Cuddy. Goodbye House. Goodbye Rachel."

C, H, Ra: "Bye, Richard."

Stacey is the last one to leave.

S: "Greg, really I don't know how to thank you."

H: "Forget it. The only thing that matters is that he is healthy now."

S: "You are really changed for the better. And I think I know why this happened." She looks at Cuddy. "I'm glad you finally found the happiness you was searching for such a long time. You really deserve it. Keep an eye on your dad Rachel."

Ra: "Sure!"

S: "Bye Greg, bye Lisa, bye Rachel."

H: "Good bye."

Stacey reaches for Mark and Richard.

House stares near the door looking at them.

Cuddy puts her arms round his waist, her head on his left shoulder and whisper on his ear:

C: "You made the right decision."

H: "I know." And he kisses her forehead.

He sees Mark, Stacey and Richard disappear behind the doors of the elevator.

But he knows that this bye is not forever and this comforts him a little bit.

Cuddy comes back to her desk.

H: "Cuddy?"

C: "Yes, House?"

H: "What about if we forget about work for today and we go altogether to the fun fair to end well the day?"

Cuddy looks at her desk. Is full of business stuff that will take her at least five hours of work but what are five hours of work compared with your life? The man I love is asking me help. In his ways, as always. Everything is under the lines of that simple tender request. He is there, at the door, still looking at the elevator doors closed. She can't see his face but she knows is a mess. Fuck the world!

C: "Sure. There isn't anything important here that can't wait until tomorrow."

He smiles because he knows that she is lying but is a good lie, for him.

C: "I will challenge you in every game of the fair."

H: "You can't win against me."

C: "Are you sure?" She approaches him and they share a passionate kiss.

H: "You are my family and I love you."

C: "I love you too."

Ra: "I love you too." They hug each other.

They exit the hospital doors to the fun fair.

An other chapter of their life together just begin.