Ch 44: Scare of a Lifetime

Wilson followed House toward the recovery room, Cuddy not far behind, having left 'baby eww' as House had decided to call him, in the care of the nurses specializing in premie care. "Get it together if you expect her to ever respect you," House advised his friend.

"I'd still respect you if you were more emotional, Cuddy put in from behind the pair.

"Quiet woman, I'm talking to my friend," he replied. "Besides, he said after Wilson had rushed into the recovery room to see his girlfriend. "I wouldn't be me without the blatant disregard for the opinions of those around me." He winked at her and before she could respond, followed the oncologist inside.

Thirteen was propped up on several pillows when the House entered the room. Wilson was already clinging to her as though he were afraid she would die on the spot were he to let go. "How are you feeling?" Cuddy asked, coming up beside her fiancé to study Thirteen.

"Tired," she replied. "And very sore."

"You're not gonna want to do belly flops in the pool for a while," House suggested.

"They took the baby," Wilson blubbered. "I didn't know what else to tell them to do."

Thirteen patted his back gently. "You really do fall apart in this kind of situation, don't you?" He looked at her watery eyed and questioningly and she smiled.

"You're going to have to get used to being the man in the relationship if you stay with Wilson," House told her. "But I don't suppose you mind that, do you?" Thirteen grinned slyly at him and squeezed Wilson a bit tighter.

"You're just afraid that I'll take your woman," she retorted. "Speaking of which, where is Sundai?"

Cuddy looked between House and Thirteen incredulously. House simply shook his head, though. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you two were related," Cuddy said finally.

Thirteen snorted. "I think not."

"Aren't you even going to ask about the kid?" House taunted her. "You really are the man…"

"That was going to be my next question."

"He's doing fine. Breathing on his own and healthy, if a bit on the small side," Cuddy told the younger woman. "You can see him once they release you from here."

"Great." Thirteen stroked Wilson's hair. "I'm looking forward to meeting him."

"Wilson named the kid 'eww,'" House told her. She frowned at her boss. "Well, Evan William Wilson, really, but initials are important."

"Says the guy who doesn't have any children," Thirteen pointed out.

"Touche."

Within an hour, Thirteen was released from recovery, but not from the hospital altogether. House wanted to observe (or have other people observe) her for a while to make sure she stayed conscious before he turned her loose with some stitches and a mini Wilson. The father of the tiny baby had determined to stay in the hospital with his new family until they were released to go home completely.

Cuddy smiled at House in bed later that night.

"Do you think we'll ever get to that point?" she asked.

"You mean having kids? I don't think so…you tried that, remember."

Cuddy sighed. "We could adopt."

"Rachel isn't even 2 years old and you want to go looking for another demon child to take care of?" House asked. Cuddy swatted him hard and he frowned at her. "Ok, the demon spawn isn't half bad…"

"Rachel is a beautiful girl," Cuddy protested. "And you know that. You like her!"

House sighed. "Fine…maybe a little."

Cuddy smiled smugly. "But maybe after a while we'll feel comfortable enough to take in another baby."

"Maybe," House conceded, not particularly caring either way. He was just happy to be having such a conversation. After all that he had gone through to find love and all that he and Cuddy had experienced during the year of their relationship, he was very pleased to have come out on top. There was of course still a month to go before the wedding however, but he thought that if they could make it to the altar, they would be able to survive anything.

House lay with Cuddy in his arms thinking about the life that he hoped to have with her, complete with lots of interesting cases, fights, and make –up sex sessions. Things were finally turning around for him. He even quite liked Rachel, the baby that he had warned Cuddy against keeping. He was glad that she hadn't taken his advice as the girl had become very important to him.