Chapter 19

It was a Saturday evening and House sat at Cuddy's watching TV. Cuddy was in the middle of her seventh month and her back pain was getting really bad, some days she could barely walk. House was always at her house now that the months were piling up. He liked the idea of just being there just in case something did happen. Little did he know how good of an idea that was.

House dozed off while watching law-in-order for the third time in a row. A sudden scream awoke him however, and he was on his feet and hobbling towards Cuddy's room as fast as his legs would take him. What he saw in the bedroom frightened him. Cuddy stood there crying and screaming for House, as she looked down where her water had broken.

"No, nonono" she sobbed. "It's too soon! House, it's too soon!" House wasted no time. He lifted Cuddy helping her to walk (which was tricky as his weight was all on the cane especially now) as he guided her to the car whispering for her to relax. He knew he had to get her to the hospital as soon as he could. House drove well over the speed limit and arrived at PPTH thankfully in one piece. He rushed Cuddy into the ER where two nurses upon seeing them immediately brought a wheel chair and wheeled her away. House, followed stunned that this was all happening.

Cuddy had to be given an emergency c- section. House suited up and entered as they were putting Cuddy out. She was still sobbing but the medication was beginning to take effect and she had really calmed down since he had brought her in. Upon seeing him she grasped his hand and said:

"House, tell me she's going to be okay" Cuddy's voice began to grow weak.

"She'll be fine Lisa, she'll be a fighter just like you" Cuddy smiled and fell into unconsciousness.

House wished he felt as confident as he had sounded. Truth was he was worried and scared and all the things he had told Lisa not to be. House watched in silence as the cesarean was performed. The minutes ticked by and House felt useless just standing there holding Cuddy's hand (he hadn't let go of it) waiting to hear the sound of the baby's cry. Just as he had decided to go sneak a peek a shrill scream was heard and he smiled weakly as the doctor announced it was over. Emily had arrived.

…

The doctor smiled over at House and brandished a pair of scissors. He nodded inquiringly at House who understood he was being asked to cut the umbilical cord. House cut the cord and took a good look at his daughter. She was an extremely tiny baby having of course been premature. But Emily was the spitting image of her mother. At least House thought so. Little wisps of hair stuck out and her lip trembled as she cried. House continued to stare at her as the doctors took her out of the room to get her cleaned up and to take the many tests that would tell them if she was healthy. House stood next to Cuddy not sure what to do next. That baby had better be alright.

When Cuddy awoke a beautiful sight was in front of her eyes. She watched as House held a tiny baby. He was staring at their daughter as if he had never seen anything like her and the adoration in his eyes told her what she knew he would try to hide; he was already in love with their baby. She watched unable to speak as House gently rocked the baby in his arms humming slightly. When he realized she was awake he didn't smile but brought the baby to her and answered her unasked question.

"She's healthy Cuddy. Her heart beat is normal, she is breathing on her own. She's just tiny. She's ok." Cuddy's tears fell as House handed her the baby and Cuddy stared into Emily's eyes. The baby was half asleep and blinked at her several times as if to say, 'I'm here, I'm alive'. House sat down and watched as Cuddy studied the baby as if taking every inch of her and saving it in her memory. He felt that this was so right. He was just standing there without saying a word and yet he wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. After a little while House told Cuddy he'd be right back and walked into the hallway whipping out his cell phone.

"Wilson"

"House, what's up?"

"She's here Wilson" House answered then hung up.

Wilson's face was frowned in curiosity and then he ran to the maternity ward as fast as he could.