Chapter 16

Cameron was sitting in the conference room looking at the invitation she had received from Brenda that morning. It was an invitation to doctor Cuddy's surprise baby shower on Friday. Cameron knew Cuddy and Brenda were good friends so it was no surprise that the nurse was the one organizing the party. Cameron wasn't sure if she wanted to go. She still felt a little jealous when she thought about House having a baby with Cuddy. After the initial shock had worn off she had decided she just had to get over it. Nevertheless, she was glad Cuddy was on maternity leave because she couldn't help but feel some resentment towards her. Okay not some but lots.

Just then Chase and Foreman walked in with a similar invitation in their hands. Brenda had explained to Cameron that the guys should be invited seeing as even House planned on paying a little visit and she had confided in Cameron that even if they didn't show, at least they would get a gift. Cameron had laughed at that. It was clever.

The boys were arguing over whether or not they should go to the shower. Chase was saying that they were invited and there was no reason why they shouldn't go. Men went to showers these days it wasn't a big deal. And House would be there. Foreman was arguing that men don't go to baby showers, and that it would be much more normal to just send a gift. And, House was only going for a little while, which was probably just to eat some cake and keep Cuddy happy.

Finally, Chase and Foreman and Cameron (who had joined in on the argument) decided to split on a really nice gift and Cameron would bring it. This made everybody happy especially when Cameron offered to bring Chase a piece of cake back from the party.

…

It was Friday morning and House was at Cuddy's waiting to take her to the shower. He had been ordered by Brenda to stay with her while some of the female nursing staff decorated the lounge for Cuddy's surprise baby shower, and then take her to the hospital without telling her about the party. House had reluctantly agreed to do so and Cuddy had been glad he was there and showed him the stuff she had bought for the nursery while chatting about how she wanted it done.

At one, House talked Cuddy into going for a ride, and drove her to the hospital. Cuddy was grateful, since she hadn't stepped foot in there since she went on maternity leave. She had missed her precious hospital so much. House led her to the guest lounge and as soon as they walked in, a huge crowd of nurses and doctors yelled "Surprise". There was more people than House had thought were going to be there, and there probably would have been more had the people who were working today been off duty.

Cuddy's smile was tremendous. She was so happy to be surrounded by all these people. The room was decorated with all sorts of banners and tons of balloons. The presents were piled up in the back and there were stacks almost to the ceiling. In the corner, a huge cake sat, white with pink icing that read "Congratulations Mommy". Cuddy's eyes watered as she watched everyone mile around her and give her hugs and warm sentiments. House held back grinning slightly as he rolled his eyes at the sight before him, and all the presents, and then he took his leave.

The baby shower was grand success. After Cuddy walked in pictures were taken and some games were played. Cuddy liked the one with the melted chocolate bars in the diaper making it look like (well you know), and you had to guess what chocolate bar it was. After the games were played it was time to open presents. This took an hour and a half. Cuddy was sure that everyone had thought of almost everything. She had gotten two soothers, three bibs, lot's and lot's of clothes and toys of all sorts, a high chair (this was from Brenda), a play pen (this from the ducklings), an assortment of bottles, several baby blankets, a bath set with baby powder, shampoo and a baby facecloth, a little tub, a set of baby monitors (Wilson and Julie), decorations for the nursery, a little lamp with abc's on it, a baby thermometer (these were doctors of course), dozens of cards, and then there was the last gift that made her and everyone curious. It was a big box, wrapped in a very shiny paper, that was white with multicolor abc's on it. It was a beautiful looking package and Cuddy almost felt sorry to rip it. Almost being the key word here. There was no card so Cuddy took a minute to ask who had bought the gift. No one knew. Brenda announced that the gift was sitting there when she walked in. Everyone watched curiously as Cuddy started opening the gift somewhat apprehensively. Inside was a car seat, just what she had been missing and she smiled as she showed everyone the car seat But her smile faded as she saw a piece of paper taped onto the box that said "Open this now". Cuddy opened the car seat box and noticed the car seat was there. Why had the person stuck that there? She was about to close the box when a little velvet box caught her attention. She took it out gasping slightly as she realized what it was. A ring box. Her hand started to shake as everyone in the room gasped and began to whisper and urging her to open it. She slowly lifted the top of the box and her mouth dropped open. There sat a beautiful, little baby ring. It was so tiny, with a little pink diamond heart engraved in it. Cuddy's tears came tumbling down as she held the ring. Everyone miled around her as they swooned over the ring and asked the million dollar question. Who bought this?

Meanwhile, as this was all going on House watched in the window as he said to Wilson:

"You think she liked the ring?"

"House! She's crying tears of joy, yes I think she likes the ring. Are you going to tell her you sent it?" asked Wilson.

"I'm still debating" House answered honestly.