Chapter 22

Three days later Cuddy and Emily were released from the hospital. Emily was completely healthy and would have to go for weekly check-ups to make sure she remained so but the doctors decided that she was ready to go home. She was the child of two doctors of course. Cuddy, was just tired but otherwise fine. House brought them home and he smiled when he saw a tiny baby ring on Emily's finger. Cuddy looked relieved to be getting out and House was kind of glad too. Living in the hospital was getting tiring especially because House had been avoiding Wilson for the last couple of days. Being at odds with his best friend was taking a toll on him. He was more miserable than usual but he tolerated it in Emily and Cuddy's presence. He had the scary thought that if he pissed Cuddy off even a little bit she would refuse to let him see Emily. The ducklings had of course endured lots of criticism and anger during the last couple of days. House had decided that seeing as he had nothing to do (or no Wilson to talk to) he would distract himself with a case. So, he had gone snooping around and found a patient file that satisfied him on got his team working on it. It felt good to be thinking about a mystery when he wasn't thinking about Emily, which wasn't often.

"Your quiet House, is something bothering you?" Cuddy asked concerned. He hadn't said a word since they had gotten into the car.

"I'm fine" He answered trying VERY hard not to loose his cool. Cuddy knew he was lying and probed a bit.

"Is something going on between you and Wilson? Or is your leg hurting more House? I know something's wrong" she replied. House sighed and decided to tell her part of it. He wasn't ratting on Wilson but she'd might as well be told they had had a disagreement seeing as she would probably find out anyways. She always found out.

"Yes, Wilson and I aren't speaking, happy now?" he answered quietly.

"I'm sorry" she answered.

"Don't be" House muttered. The rest of the ride was in silence. When they got to Cuddy's, she invited House in and he obliged. When they got in, Cuddy changed Emily's diaper (House suddenly had to go to the bathroom once she said this) and then both parents kissed Emily goodnight and put her down for the afternoon. Once she was asleep, Cuddy made some coffee and both of them sipped in silence. Cuddy was the first to speak.

"If you're really bored, there's a case file in my office Sam had mentioned that you can have, I'm pretty sure he said it's sitting on my desk. I think you'll find it interesting" Cuddy smiled as she teased him.

"Ya, the heart failure patient, I took that case two days ago" House answered. Cuddy's smile faded and a look of surprise marred her face.

"YOU took a case without someone bugging you to? You took it on your own accord? Are you ill House?" Her question was quite serious and House shrugged.

"I'm fine, I've been bored that's all, I'm a doctor it's what I do" House got up and poured himself some more coffee. Cuddy stared at him.

"I guess this fight with Wilson is worse than I thought" Cuddy thought to herself. She decided not to say anything more seeing as House taking on a patient was a good thing and she knew she shouldn't complain. She was dying to know what the guys were fighting about however. That was something she would have to look into.

…

House and Cuddy both agreed that now that the baby was home the next couple of weeks were going to be tough. It was agreed that House would stay in the guest room for a while and help out with the baby. This made both parents very happy though they would never admit it to each other. There wasn't much time in the first two weeks or so for anything to get awkward or anything, Cuddy and House had their hands full taking care of Emily. Who knew a baby could be so much work? Though things were a bit rocky at first, Cuddy and House had made a deal. Cuddy would feed and change the diapers (House would have taken feeding had that been possible) and House would bathe her and go to her at night if she woke up. While Cuddy cooked or cleaned House rocked Emily and played with her. Some people might argue that the responsibilities should be shared equally, but this worked for them and that's the way it was. Most evenings after Emily was put to bed Cuddy and House would sit in front of the TV completely exhausted and then head to bed. Small talk was said but nothing more for the days were very hectic. After a routine was settled the parents quickly relaxed and everything went much smoother. Except the sexual tension. That was getting to be a problem.

It all started when Julie heard about Cuddy having the baby. She knew Wilson and House were close (she was of course oblivious to the fight that hadn't been settled) and she knew Cuddy fairly well so she decided to invite them over for dinner. She decided it could be a surprise for Wilson, and she was sure he would be pleased. Usually Julie wanted nothing to do with Wilson's friends but since they were working on their marriage she decided she should really make the effort. So, she called Cuddy who was glad for a reason to get out of the house and agreed that her and House and Emily would come to dinner the following evening. Cuddy was a bit surprised since House hadn't been to work in two weeks because he was on sick leave so he hadn't talked to Wilson to her knowledge so they obviously hadn't made up. But, she figured maybe Wilson decided to make amends and when she told House he was very surprised but agreed. Julie hadn't told either of them that Wilson didn't know about this little supper. Oh, the drama.

So, at quarter to five the next day, the doorbell rang at the Wilson's. Julie had been cooking for a couple of hours now and when Wilson asked why, she simply answered that they were having guests for supper. Wilson had thought it would be one of her busybody friends and hadn't thought much about it. When he heard Julie answer the door and then exclaim that Emily was simply adorable however, he knew this was going to be quite the evening.