Chapter 43

The drive home was silent. Cuddy was confused, and not willing to say anything that would start an argument in front of the kids. She didn't know whether to hug and kiss and be proud of him, or whether to bang him on the head with his own cane. House was quiet, or calm really. He hummed to the radio but didn't say a word to anyone. Every once in a while he shot Emily a look. Abby slept in her car seat but Emily was watching the stores and houses go by in the window.

Once home, Cuddy put the kids to bed and then went to her bedroom where House was in a state of undress grabbing an old t-shirt as she walked in.

"I was hoping it wouldn't end like that" Cuddy sat on the bed.

"But you knew, that there was a big chance that it would, and you did it anyway" House pulled his old black tee-shirt over his head and looked at her. Cuddy got up and unzipped her dress slipping it off slowly as she spoke. Or at least it seemed that way to House.

"I just wish you could have a civilized conversation with the man. He's your father for god sakes. I know it's tough, but we only have to deal with him once a year" Cuddy removed her bra and slipped on her nightgown. House just stared oblivious to a word she was saying.

"I mean, the children were getting along well with them, and that's what I wanted. They deserve to have grandparents House" Cuddy turned around and rolled her eyes. House was watching her, a mischievous grin on his face as he looked her up and down. She noticed his boxers looked extremely tight all of a sudden.

"You're absolutely right" House smiled and limped over to her without his cane.

"Yeah right, you just want to jump me" Cuddy rolled her eyes and smiled coyly.

"Can't it be both?" House was rubbing her shoulders and kissing her neck. She knew in a matter of minutes she would give in.

"Can't we talk seriously for a minute?" Cuddy was already losing her grip moaning happily as House began to pull up her shirt.

"Nope, we can't"

House pulled up Cuddy's shirt and began to undress, as the two made the night that much more enjoyable in only an hour and a half.

…

House awoke the next morning and looked over beside him. Damn Cuddy and her waking up early, people were supposed to lay next to each other in the morning in hopes of more sex, these kids were killing his fun. House got up and stumbled into the kitchen covering his eyes against the bright lights.

"Good morning" Cuddy called cheerfully from the stove. House looked over at the kids who were eating happily.

"Dada!" Abby smiled and shoved some pancake into her mouth.

"Good morning Daddy" Emily smiled happily and stuck her fork in her pancake placing it neatly into her mouth as if challenging her sister to do better.

"Hi" House went over to the coffee machine and got himself some coffee. After everyone was fed, Cuddy announced she was going to do some groceries and was taking Abby with her. House made faces at Emily while she said this and Emily made faces back.

"Alright House?" Cuddy picked up her keys and the baby.

"Yup" House hadn't heard a word she had said. Emily laughed and some pancake came out of her mouth.

"Emily, eat properly" Cuddy scolded.

"Its daddy's fault" Emily pointed an accusing finger at House.

"Was not! Tattle-tale" House whispered to Emily. She laughed. Cuddy rolled her eyes and told both of them to be good, as she and Abby walked out. House looked over at Emily, then walked into the living room and flipped on the TV.

"Daddy?"

"What?"

"You know when we ate at that fancy place yesterday?" House looked up.

"Yeah"

"Why was that man so mean?" House looked away. As much as he wanted to tell her the truth, he knew Cuddy would have a cow.

"Sometimes, people fight. Daddy and you're grandpa don't really get along so much" House flipped the channel again annoyed with the silly commercials.

"No daddy, I mean when you went to pee. When it was me and him" House looked up angrily.

"What did he say? He didn't hurt you did he?" House knew his father would never hurt Emily. However he was getting angry and not thinking straight.

"He said stuff about you. I said he was a liar. And when he wasn't looking, I put carrots in his drink cup" Emily looked at her father proudly. House chuckled softly; he wanted to pat her on the head but refrained from doing so.

"What did he say?"

"He said that you're always mad. He said you can be really mean. He said you lie." Emily looked up at her father. House was looking at her straight in the eye.

"What else?"

"He asked me if I wanted him to cut my chicken and I said no. I said I wanted daddy to do it. He said you wouldn't. That you don't like to help other people, and that you wouldn't help me." Emily began to cry.

"Don't cry. What happened after that?"

"You came back and you cut my chicken. And he left mad. I don't want to see that man again daddy I'm sorry" Emily cried and House pulled her close. He was angry that his little girl was hurting, he held her until her tears subsided, and soon she fell asleep in his lap. House looked down at Emily dozing in his lap, her cheeks wet. He laid his head back, and closed his eyes thinking.

…

Cuddy walked in with Abby about an hour later. She was in a pretty happy mood, as was the baby who got excited whenever she went to the grocery store with her mother. Cuddy brought Abby in to stay with her father while she got the groceries, but she was surprised to see father and daughter asleep on the couch. She frowned at Emily's tear-streaked face and put Abby in her playpen as she brought the groceries in quietly.

When House awoke Emily was no longer in his lap, but Abby was on the floor in front of him with her favorite doll laughing softly as she put the plastic bottle in her baby's mouth. House rubbed his eyes, and grabbed his leg. The pain was pretty bad, and he quickly grabbed his bottle of Vicodin in his jean pocket and popped two white pills. Once he began to feel relief, he got up and headed for the kitchen.

"Daddy! Mommy daddy's up!" Emily smiled across the table from where she was making a puzzle. Cuddy didn't turn around.

"MOMMY! I said, Daddy's up!" Emily shouted louder and House cringed as he sat down.

"Yes, I heard you Emily don't yell" Cuddy continued at the stove.

"Emily, why don't you go play in the living room with you're sister" House stated giving Cuddy a hard look.

"Ok" Emily skipped off to the living room. House watched until he was sure she was out of earshot.

"Everything ok?"

"Fine" Cuddy's cold answer told House the truth.

"Seriously, I'm the analytical jerk remember? So what I really want to know is, what's wrong?" House looked quizzically at Cuddy.

"What did you tell her?" Cuddy turned around.

"Who?"

"Emily. She told me she never wanted to see her grandpa again and that you said it was ok"

"I never said that" House tried remember when he would have said that.

"I thought I made it clear I didn't want them to hate your parents? Can't you ever listen to me or maybe do what I want for a change?"

"I always do what you want since these kids have been born" House answered icily.

"Oh, you think? You pick what we watch on TV, what we eat for dinner, you want to have sex? We have sex! It's always all about you, and I want a goddamn say!"

"You knew, that I was self-centered when you picked me to be your kid's father. You seriously expected me to change didn't you? Well newsflash Cuddy, you're saddled with Greg House, narcissistic, misanthrope, son of a bitch!" House got up and grabbed his cane. Cuddy wasn't quite finished.

"Don't you limp away from me! I'm not through!"

"Well, obviously I am"

"Once again, all about you!" House headed for the door grabbing his jacket.

"I'm going out"

"Sure, walk out on me why don't you! Leave me here to take care of the kids by myself!" House stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

"Oh I know that's not what you're suggesting" House's glare could have melted anything.

"No? You think I don't do all the work around here?" Cuddy was shouting.

"NO! I take care of those kids as much as you do! How dare you say I don't do shit! Maybe I'm self-centered Cuddy but you sure are ungrateful. I seem to remember you giving me the choice to be involved or not. But it's all or nothing with you isn't it?" House shouted back and the color drained from Cuddy's face. She took a step back and was about to say something but instead turned around and walked out of the room. House turned himself and walked out the door.

…

Cuddy put the kids to bed the tears falling uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Emily looked up at her mother as they walked to the bedroom, Cuddy having just put Abby to bed.

"Mommy's just a little sad that's all. You know when you get sad sometimes?" Cuddy felt it was best to be honest with Emily.

"Why are you sad?" Emily walked to her dresser and picked out her pj's.

"It's grown-up stuff sweetheart. Don't worry, everything is fine" Cuddy grabbed Emily's nightgown and pulled it over her head. Once it was on, she smoothed out her hair which had been sticking up due to static, and then pointed to the bed. Emily walked over and lay down looking sadly up at her mother.

"Is it because of daddy?" Emily had heard the two shouting earlier. It had frightened her.

"Mommy and Daddy just had an argument that's all."

"Is daddy ever coming home?" Emily began to cry. Cuddy's heart broke.

"Of course sweetheart. Daddy love's you and Abby very much. He would never leave you.

"Does he love you?" Emily looked up at her mother. Cuddy didn't know what to say, she honestly didn't know.

"Of course he does. Now get some sleep ok?" Cuddy kissed Emily's forehead and got up walking to the door.

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"I want daddy to come home"

"I know" Cuddy walked out and closed the door gently. She walked into the kitchen, and grabbed herself a bottle and a glass.

…

Meanwhile, House was at the hospital sitting in his office with his tennis ball in hand. He rolled it in between his fingers thinking about his argument with Cuddy. He was angry with her for accusing him, for pushing him. He hated to be told he did nothing; he didn't need people telling him he was worthless. And that's how he felt. Like she had been telling him that he was good for nothing, that he was a bad father. Those were his worst fears everyday even though he would never admit it. And now, those fears had come true. And he didn't know what to do.

…

Cameron was walking down the halls of PPTH having just finished her clinic hours. She didn't expect anyone to be around, Chase and Foreman were both gone and Cuddy and House weren't scheduled to work that day. Walking into the conference room she turned on the light and jumped when she saw her boss's figure sitting in the adjoining office. Cameron watched as he glared at her as if telling her not to bother him with his eyes and then she sat down and began to read her mail that had been waiting since this morning.

An hour and several peeks towards the office later, Cameron got annoyed and headed to House's office. The man hadn't moved at all except to pop a couple Vicodin and the tennis ball that was still rolling in between his fingers.

"House, everything ok?"

"Fine" House's answer was full of coldness and warning.

"You sure?" Cameron didn't back down.

"Nope, I'm breaking down. I'm not sure about anything anymore" House faked crying for a moment then looked up sadly until Cameron glared.

"Obviously something's wrong. My question is why would you come to the hospital? It can't be something wrong with the kids, or else you'd be with them. A fight with Cuddy? That would make sense, but why come here? Why not go to Wilson's, or to a bar. A puzzle, who do I know that loves puzzles?" Cameron had been pacing and now looked at House with a questioning look. House's glare intensified.

"You're here alone, where's lover boy? No romantic dates planned for tonight?" House gave Cameron a hard look.

"Just because were dating doesn't mean we always work at the same time"

"Well, what do you think he does when you're at work all night? Maybe… he has another companion? Someone to keep him company on those long, lonely nights?" House smiled maliciously and Cameron turned defensive.

"Chase, isn't dating anyone but me. You might cheat on Cuddy, but Chase isn't that kind of sleaze ball" Cameron gasped as she realized what she had just said. House's smile disappeared.

"Get out, or you're fired" House waited as Cameron looked at him petrified.

"House I'm so sorry I didn't mean…"

"GET OUT!" House got up fast and Cameron turned quickly around and hurried into the hallway. House waited until she was gone before letting out the gasp of pain that had been caused by his sudden movement. After dry-swallowing two more pills, he sat back awaiting relief.

…

Wilson was sitting in the kitchen waiting for his wife to sit down and eat with him.

"So, how was your day?" Julie placed his plate of chicken and macaroni on the table and then followed suit with her own.

"Fine. But we need to talk" Wilson watched as Julie looked guiltily at her plate.

"About what?" She already knew the answer.

"Us having a child. I told you to consider it, I told you how much it meant to me, and I don't want to argue with you anymore. You have my wishes, now tell me you're decision" Wilson had thought so hard about it. He wanted a child with all his being.

"Why are you pressuring me?" Julie began to cry. Wilson just shook his head.

"I don't want to hear you cry Julie, I love you very much, but I need you to give me an answer." Wilson waited patiently.

"I'm the one, who's going to have to care for this kid Jim. I'm the one, who's going to be stuck with all the responsibilities while you're at work all day. Do you understand that?" Julie looked pleadingly at her husband.

"Julie, you don't have a job. You sit around the house all day, the place is spotless and you have nothing else to occupy your time. A child, brings meaning, it'll give you something to do. I know this is a good idea you'll never regret I can promise you" Wilson pressed his argument home.

"Ok Jim. If this is that important to you, I suppose we can try. But you listen, you're going to do you're share when you get home from work tired or not, I won't do this alone" Julie got up.

"Of course. I never had any intention of dumping this on your lap." Wilson got up and brought his dishes to the dishwasher.

"We can start trying tomorrow" Julie walked to their room and went to bed. Wilson grabbed his coat, and decided to go tell his best friend the good news.