Chapter 94

Cuddy sat in the living room with her third glass in her hand. House had announced he was off to play some piano leaving her to her own devices. She knew he was giving her space so she could get the courage to make the call to her brother. She thanked him quietly as she dialed the numbers written on the notepad in front of her. As the phone began to ring she felt the urge to hang up quickly, her hands trembling as she tried hard to keep her composure. It had been so long.

"Hello?"

"Hi Chris"

"Who is this?"

"It's Lisa" There was a pause at the end of the line.

"Lisa? Umm wow. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. You?" Cuddy tried to take some deep breaths. She was so happy to be talking to her brother again.

"Doing great. Look where are ya now? I'd really like to see you" Cuddy smiled.

"I'm in Princeton New Jersey now"

"Really? Well that's not all that far. Look I really would like to see you, I've got some stuff to tell you and I want to know all about what you've been up to. It's been too long. I can't really talk right now, but I can be in Princeton by four tomorrow if you'll meet me for supper" Cuddy fought hard not to let out an exclamation of joy.

"That would be great! Let me give you my house address and phone number and you can call me about an hour before you get in and bring you're stuff here. You can spare one night can't you?" Cuddy ached to talk with her brother again. She was so excited.

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Ok. Bye Chris"

"Bye sis" Cuddy hung up the phone and let out a happy sigh. This was great, he would come and meet her family and maybe he could help her out. She hadn't been sure if he would have time for her, she had no idea what was going on in his life nowadays. This was so much better than she expected. So, ignoring House's usual rule of no one interrupting him while he was playing his music, Cuddy hurried upstairs to tell him the news.

House was playing a slow tune thinking about Cuddy and how much this vacation would teach him. House realized that even though they had spent so much time together, he didn't really know Cuddy inside out. And he wanted to, god did he want to. House adored this woman and he wasn't at all worried about her parents liking him. He hadn't been thinking about them at all, it was her brother he was thinking of. Someone who could tell him stuff that Cuddy wouldn't, someone who had been close to her, who had grown up with her. This mysterious brother of hers was making him so curious, he only hoped that they could meet, for he feared her brother wouldn't take part in her visit with her parents and he couldn't bear to see her disappointed like that. He had felt a strong connection between her and her brother just by the way she spoke of him. House played the last key of the song just as the door swung open behind him. Cuddy practically ran in as she gave him a huge smile and threw her arms around him. House was temporarily stunned and waited for her to say something.

"He's coming tomorrow! Oh House he's coming here tomorrow!" Cuddy held him tight and House smiled as he noticed she was shaking in excitement.

"You're brother's coming here tomorrow?" House looked at her as she let him go and sat beside him on the piano bench.

"Yes. He's flying in and he'll be here around four tomorrow, we'll go out for supper and he'll stay the night" Cuddy was glowing.

"Did you tell him about your dad's birthday?"

"I will"

"You didn't?"

"Well no, he said he wanted to see me and we made arrangements. We didn't talk much about anything personal"

"What about me Emily and Abby?"

"Umm no" Cuddy was afraid House would get angry. He didn't.

"You love the element of surprise don't you?" Cuddy smiled.

"You're beginning to rub off on me" Cuddy smiled as House's hand began to rub her back going lower and lower.

"Well, I'd much prefer to rub on you" Cuddy placed a delicate kiss on his lips.

"Bedroom in five?" Cuddy walked out the door as House scrambled to grab his cane and follow.

…

The next morning Cuddy was rushing around cleaning the house. House sat on the couch and told the girls about who was coming and where they were going.

"We have more families to meet?" Emily looked up at House. She hadn't enjoyed the last reunion very much and she was having doubts about another one.

"Yup, you're mothers this time" House grabbed Abby's doll and the little girl got up and put her hands on her hips.

"Gimme! Gimme dada Gimme!" House adored that look. He always took away her toys and stuff just to see that little glare. She was like a little clone of her mother.

"Hey be nice. I just wanted to see her" House smiled at the frustration on his daughters face. He slowly handed it back to her and she sighed as she sat back down and continued to play.

"We didn't meet you're brother last time daddy" Emily gazed at her dad confused.

"That's because I don't have one" House ruffled Abby's hair. To his delight she stood up and put her hands back on her hips with that adorable glare.

"DADDY! Don't do that!"

"Don't do what? It was Emily" House laughed as Emily stared at him wide-eyed.

"I did not!"

"Mily! Don't touch my air!" Abby sat back down and moved all her toys away from the couch. House chuckled in amusement.

"Daddy is mommy's brother nice?"

"I have no idea. I've never met him" House went to grab Abby's collar once more. Emily slapped his hand.

"Daddy this is important!" House looked up surprised at Emily.

"Don't hit me or I'll tell you're mother"

"What's his name?"

"Chris I think"

"Oh"

"Why don't you go pick out what you're going to wear to the restaurant tonight?" House smiled as Abby got up.

"Me too! Me too!"

"I thought mommy was going to pick our dresses" Emily didn't really want to go pick out a dress. She would much rather question her daddy instead.

"You're mommy's in a cleaning frenzy and probably won't have time. It'd be nice for you to help her out a bit and pick out something nice for you and Abby" House smiled as Emily got up grudgingly.

"Fine!" Emily walked out pulling Abby by the hand. House flicked on the TV and chuckled. His plan had worked, and he happily flipped on to General Hospital just as the opening credits were coming on.