Chapter 41
"Are you okay?" House walked towards Cuddy who had her back to him at the sink.
"I'm fine. You promised me you'd be nice." Cuddy turned around and glared at House.
"I said I would try. And I am. How am I supposed to be nice when he's attacking me?"
"You let it slide. Answer his questions without getting upset"
"You didn't take any offense to the things he said?"
"That's neither here nor there"
"Answer me"
"It doesn't matter House"
"It doesn't matter? It doesn't matter that he called you just my girlfriend insinuating you were like some hooker I got pregnant twice? Well if you didn't take offense to that I did. And I won't let him talk to you that way." House's voice began to rise.
"I know" Cuddy walked over and gave House a hug trying to soothe him.
"You know you mean more than that to me don't you?" House looked at Cuddy somewhat nervously.
"Yes, I know"
"Good"
"Now can you please go back in there, and attempt to find a topic that won't include more attacks like that? I want the kids to like them House even if you don't"
"I love my mother"
"I know"
…
Back in the living room, John was holding Abby and Blythe was talking to Emily.
"Are you excited for Christmas sweetheart?"
"Yes! Presents!" Emily couldn't wait for Christmas.
"There's not only presents you know" John couldn't help himself.
"Really? What else grandpa?"
"Lot's of good baking from your mother" House limped in and sat down beside his mother.
"Brownies daddy?"
"Of course. And all kinds of good stuff." House was getting hungry again just thinking about it.
"It's not all about food and presents" John said exasperated.
"Dad don't" House wasn't in the mood.
"What? You haven't told her the story of Christ? The reason we even celebrate Christmas?" John was surprised.
"Not everybody believes that dad. Lisa is Jewish" House looked somewhat nervously at Cuddy. His parents were very serious Catholics.
"So you're not even going to celebrate Christmas? You're going to do… what is it? Hanukah?"
"We're going to mix it up, do a little bit of both." Cuddy smiled nervously.
"I think that's great Lisa. That way the children learn two ways to celebrate such a joyous occasion." Blythe smiled.
"I think it's confusing" John muttered.
"Luckily, you won't be here to deal with it" House said under his breath. Cuddy sent him a warning glance.
"Oh, I think Abby needs to be changed" John smiled at the baby. House couldn't believe how the man could just change moods like that.
"Yes, well it's her bedtime anyway. Say goodnight sweetheart" John gave the baby a kiss on the forehead making House mutter and Blythe did the same. "Goodnight Abby" Cuddy took Abby and brought her to the nursery.
"You've got a fine young woman son" Blythe cast an admiring look towards Cuddy walking out of the room.
"I know" House cast a proud look towards his father.
"And two beautiful little girls" Blythe gave Emily a big hug and Emily returned it.
"I like you" Emily smiled.
"I like you too" Blythe was positively glowing. Emily walked over to House and got onto the couch lying down on his lap. House winced slightly but didn't tell her to move. He had taken enough Vicodin before his parents had arrived that the pain wasn't all that bad. Plus he wanted to show his father how a father was supposed to show affection to their child.
"I think someone's getting sleepy" Blythe looked at Emily who indeed looked peaceful and sleepy.
"No" Emily hated bedtime.
"You can stay up a bit if you want" House liked the feel of his daughter close by. And he didn't want to be alone with his parents.
"You let that poor child stay up late Greg? She's young, she needs her rest" John sat back and sent a disapproving look over to his son.
"We usually don't, but seeing as she barely ever sees you, it's kind of a special occasion no?" House gritted his teeth. This was killing him.
"Of course. Whatever you think is best" Blythe attempted to make peace. Cuddy returned and sat on the couch casting a surprised look at Emily on House's bad leg but only for a split second.
"Well, we'd best be getting back to the hotel. It is getting kind of late" John got up and Blythe looked extremely disappointed. Nevertheless she followed suit.
"I thought you were staying here" House felt relief flood through him.
"Of course not. Wouldn't want to intrude" John was looking hard at his son.
"It wouldn't be an intrusion there is enough room" Cuddy answered.
"That's alright dear. Maybe we can go out to supper tomorrow? You made such a big delicious meal tonight that me and John would love to take you guys out" Blythe smiled.
"That sounds great, you have our number, just call me tomorrow and we'll make plans" Cuddy smiled. The House men just looked at each other.
"Good. Goodnight Greg" Blythe placed a quick kiss on House's cheek. John nodded and followed his wife to the door. House didn't bother getting up and Emily was now sleeping on his lap. Cuddy walked his parents to the door.
…
House lay on the couch, Emily in bed and Cuddy sitting on an armchair mentally making plans for the next day. He just wanted to sleep through the next couple of days, pretend like they weren't going to happen. He was pretty sure that with enough Vicodin, he could make it happen too. His parents visit had shaken him, he kept thinking about that one comment his father had made, he kept replaying it over and over in his mind;
"Would you have ever called us Greg? You know, just to let us know you're GIRLFRIEND was having two kids of yours?"
Cuddy felt like much more to him than just a girlfriend. House knew that no other woman could ever satisfy him like she could. He loved everything about her, from the way she looked when she got angry, the moments when she felt naughty, when she felt tired and just held him close, when she smiled at him while he was with his girls. He wasn't really into marriage, but he knew he didn't want anybody else.
"House? House? GREG?" Cuddy tried in vain to get House's attention.
"Yeah?" House snapped out of his reverie.
"Are you alright?" Cuddy asked concerned.
"Yep, super. I'm going to bed, you coming?"
"Soon. I just have some little things to do and then I'll come to bed"
"Ok" House grabbed his cane and limped to their bedroom. Cuddy watched him in miserable silence. The night had not gone as she had planned. Every moment John House seemed to attack his son and sometimes even her. She wondered how House must have grown up with this man constantly looking over his shoulder.
…
The next morning Cuddy awoke bright and early. She felt energetic and hoped this was a sign for a good day. She looked over at House sleeping next to her. His soft breathing and occasional snore made her smile. Cuddy leaned over him and laid a soft kiss on his forehead. House didn't move, and Cuddy just smiled and got out of bed.
After getting dressed and getting the kids fed House finally got up. He showed up in the doorway of the kitchen hair all tousled, eyes groggy and his wrinkled t-shirt clinging to his skin.
"Pancakes, nice" House limped over and sat down at the table awaiting his plate of pancakes.
"How do you know I didn't just make this for me and Emily?" Cuddy teased.
"Because, you love me too much" House gave her a smirk and grabbed the maple syrup. He then looked impatiently at Cuddy and the pancakes sitting on the counter.
"Oh, you waiting for these?" Cuddy held the plate of pancakes up and didn't make a move to give them to House. House rolled his eyes annoyed and grabbed his cane.
"If I have to go get those, you are in so much trouble" Cuddy just smiled warmly and held the pancakes even higher.
House groaned and got up. He limped over to Cuddy and made a grab for the pancakes. Cuddy pulled them away and House grabbed her waist. He placed a passionate kiss on her making her arm almost go limp and snatched the pancakes from her. Satisfied, he limped back to the table and began devouring his breakfast. Cuddy just smiled.
"Daddy, we gunna see grama and granpa today?" Emily said her mouth full of pancake.
"Emily don't eat with your mouth full" Cuddy warned.
"Daddy does it!"
"Yes, and daddy gets punished for it" House raised his eyebrows at her and she just glared at him.
"Are we daddy?"
"Yes" House looked at his pancakes.
"Baba" Abby didn't want to be left out of the conversation.
"Yes, you too" Cuddy picked up the baby and set her down as she began to clean up her mess.
"When does this delightful evening commence?" House asked feigning happiness.
"At four thirty we have reservations" Cuddy answered wiping Abby's face.
"That early?"
"Don't start House"
"Don start daddy" Emily giggled.
"Don't act like your mother" House answered. "Your supposed to act like me. We're a team remember?"
"Ya!" Emily laughed.
"Like we need another you" Cuddy whispered as she picked up House's empty plate.
…
House and Cuddy were getting the kids as well as themselves ready for the evening. Blythe and Cuddy had made all the arrangements and both had shared that they were hoping the night would be a success.
"House! Is Emily dressed?"
"Wait!" House zipped up Emily's pink dress and then smiled. He grabbed one of her curls and twirled it around his finger.
"You ready kiddo?"
"Yes" Emily watched her daddy's finger go round and round in her dark brown locks.
"You're going to be a good girl tonight right? No tantrums?" House looked at Emily sternly.
"Yes daddy"
"Good girl"
"Are you going to be good daddy?" Emily gave her dad a serious look that reminded House of Cuddy. He didn't like it.
"Of course" House smiled. He got up and walked out Emily holding his hand.
"HOUSE! Is Emily ready yet?" Cuddy got Abby changed and put her purple dress on. She then combed the dark brown curls that were starting to get long as she howled at House.
"Of course she is. Relax." House walked in Emily still holding his hand. Emily walked up to her mother and grabbed the bottom of her dress twirling around and smiling.
"Pretty dress eh mommy?"
"Yes, that is a beautiful dress. House can you go get ready please. We're leaving in an hour" Cuddy was frantically trying to get everyone ready. She didn't want to be late. She didn't want to give John the satisfaction, since she had a feeling it was what he would expect of their little family. Well not today.
"I am dressed." House looked down at his red t-shirt and jeans and gave her a smile. The glare he got made him laugh.
"Gregory House you had better be out of the shower and in the clothes I put on the bed for you by the time I get Abby ready and Emily's hair done or you're going to get it" Cuddy gave House another glare.
"Get what?" House smiled at the frustration clouding Cuddy's eyes. God that woman was sexy when she was mad.
"You'll sleep in the living room for the next two weeks" Cuddy gave a triumphant glare but House remained unfazed.
"Aw well, we can sleep in the living room together right mommy?" House looked at Emily who was still twirling and Cuddy looked at Emily in horror as if she had understood what her father was implying.
"If you don't go right now we will never sleep…together ever again" At this House's grin vanished.
"You don't mean that"
"Try me" House turned around muttering and went to take his shower. Cuddy continued to get Abby fixed up and then went to do Emily's hair.
Fifteen minutes later Cuddy was just adding hairspray to Emily's hair (much to Emily's displeasure) when House began to shout.
"Lisa! I'm not wearing that!" Cuddy rolled her eyes and started for their bedroom.
"Don't start House"
"I'm not wearing it" House limped off to the bathroom.
"House, I'm about to have a panic attack. I will do whatever you want. That blue shirt makes you look gorgeous, it brings out your eyes and we are going to a semi-formal restaurant. Wear it please" Cuddy had been resolved to begging. She needed to get ready and time was ticking by.
"Anything?"
"Yes House, if you wear what I picked out AND if you are on your best behavior tonight, I will do anything you want" Cuddy decided to add to her side of the bargain.
"Sounds fair" House began to put the shirt on without complaint. His mind was reeling with sexual fantasies. Cuddy nodded and went to the closet to get her dress. Emily was running around in the hallway dancing and Abby was in her playpen playing.
"What are you going to wear?" House asked dropping his towel (making Cuddy smile) and grabbing his boxers.
"The dress I bought" Cuddy took out a red dress with a v-neck. The dress was sleeveless, knee length and fitted, and House couldn't wait for her to put it on. Cuddy had been going to the gym after work and her old figure was almost fully returned. House watched Cuddy slip out of her tee-shirt and jeans and slip on the red dress. He watched her tie in hand but no longer getting tied as she lifted her hair and placed the straps on her shoulders. He thanked god they were going to a formal restaurant.
"House, are you ready?" Cuddy turned around and House couldn't speak for a moment. She truly took his breath away.
"Need help with that?" Cuddy walked over and tied his tie. House just stared down at her.
"There" Cuddy looked up and House grabbed her chin and kissed her. He held her gently thanking god that Cuddy was his.
"You'll do your best to be good with them tonight right?" Cuddy asked looking into his eyes.
"Yes, I promise" House was watching her. He would have promised anything at that moment. Cuddy gave one last kiss and then checked the time.
"Oh! We have to go in ten minutes! Can you go get the kids coats on while I finish getting ready?" House didn't say anything but headed for the living room to get the kids ready.