Dearest Readers,

~ "I belonged in a band called 'The Happy Funk Band'…until an unfortunate typo caused us to be expelled from school."

*NOTE*
House's father is EXTREMELY OOC.

Read on, Cherubs.

Over and out.

This Isn't Like A Facebook Friend Request

To say that he was nervous would be an understatement.

He was terrified.

House fiddled with his fingers as Chase followed the GPS towards their destination. Chase knew that House was nervous, he had every right to be, but he didn't understand why he was as nervous as he was. He chose to remain quiet, not wanting to make the atmosphere in the car uncomfortable.

"Is this is?" Chase asked, as he pulled against the street in front of House's parent's home.

House nodded silently, getting out of the car. He leaned up against the car, trying to organize his thoughts. Chase walked around to him and stood in front of him, shoving his hands in his coat pockets.

"Greg, it'll be alright. If they don't like me, that's fine."

"It's not that." House said, locking eyes with Chase.

"Oh? What's wrong then?" House paused, not sure how to word what he wanted to say.

"I...never told them...that I was gay." Chase instantly understood House's behavior.

"If they truly love you and want to see you happy...then shouldn't be an issue." Chase said, squinting as a cold breath a wind passed by them.

"I'll try to see it that way." House said, smiling as he led Chase by the elbow towards his parent's house.

He took a breath to steady himself and knocked on the door. Chase's attention was grabbed by a small pot on the window sill. He pulled away from House and went to see what was inside of it and smiled widely:

Yellow air freshener crystals.

He didn't hear the door open as he picked up the small pot and smelled its contents, loving the smell of coconut.

"Robbie, quit sniffing crack and come here." House said, his voice having its usual sarcastic wit to it.

Chase turned towards him, pot in hand, and was greeted by the sight of House and his mother standing by the door. House's mother was a very attractive woman. Her hair was in a messy bun on the back of her head, brown and silver locks coming out of its holder. Her eyes were a brilliant blue and her face had traces of wrinkles. He was surprised to find her to be a stout woman, but the look suited her perfectly. He couldn't tell what the woman thought of him yet, but he was going to do his best to make a good impression. Chase smiled abashedly as he put the air freshener pot back on the window sill.

"I see that you found the air fresheners." House's mother said, smiling.

"Coconut Passion is a lovely scent." Chase said, walking over to them with his hands in his pockets.

"You know your air fresheners, don't you?" She laughed, beckoning them to come inside.

"Oh yes. Greg doesn't like them though." He said, smiling at House as they walked into the kitchen.

"Why not, Greg? You grew up around them." She said, laughing.

"I like the smell of air...not artificially fragrant air." House said, Chase lightly slapping his arm.

"What are you favorite scents?" She asked, opening the fridge door and peering inside.

"Coconut Passion, Country Apple, and Moonlight Path...maybe Fresh Linen."

"Ah, Country Apple...it always makes me want to eat the air."

"It does? I'm not the only one then, Greg." Chase said, playfully glaring at House, who rolled his eyes.

"You're obsessed with air fresheners and I want nothing to do with it." House mumbled.

"Greg, I don't have them everywhere." His mother said, placing milk on the counter.

"He does." House said, indicating Chase. She laughed again and looked over at Chase.

"I personally think it's a good idea to have a Fresh Linen air freshener in the laundry room." He said defensively, laughing slightly.

"You know, that's a very good idea. I've never thought of doing that." House's mother said, pouring some milk into a pot on the stove.

"But it's not a good idea to have one in the car." House muttered, making his mother and fiancée laugh.

"Greg, can you be a dear and-"

"Can't." House said instantly, knowing that she was going to ask him to do something. Chase nudged him.

"Do what your mother tells you to." He said, using the tone of voice that always makes House do what he wanted. House sighed in defeat.

"What would you want me to do?" He said, feeling Chase smile next to him. His mother was surprised by her son's instant obedience to her request after Chase just told him to do so.

"Greg, can you go to your room and-"

"But I don't want to go to bed yet!" Greg cried in a child-like voice. His mother rolled her eyes and smiled.

"I wasn't sending you to bed, Dear." She stressed the last word. "I was going to ask if you could get the yellow bag that's to the right of your bedroom's doorframe." House raised an eyebrow at her, surprised that her request was so simple. He sighed dramatically and walked to his destination, Chase chuckling as he left.

"I'd hate to see him as a teenager." He said, smiling as he turned back to House's mother. She laughed quietly.

"Oh, he was a hand full alright. Very rebellious."

"I can imagine...he's rebellious now...how did you do it?" He asked jokingly, making her laugh.

"Oh goodness, I have no idea. But I'm glad the teenage years are over. Peace resumed on Earth by the time he was 25." They both laughed as Chase ran a hand through his blonde hair, making it fall into his eyes.

"Come, come! Let's have a seat, do you want anything?" She asked as she led the way to the living room.

"Oh no, I'm fine thanks." Chase said politely, smiling as he took a seat on the couch as House walked in holding a yellow bag.

"Woman! Why did you tie the knot-of-death on this bag?" His mother rolled her eyes and took the bag from him.

"It's not the knot-of-death, I just didn't want anything to get into it." She said, walking back to the kitchen as House sat next to his fiancée.

"Is that you?" Chase asked, walking over to the fireplace to look at the pictures on the mantel.

"Probably."

"You were so cute! What happened?" He teased, looking back at him.

"I'll hurt you."

"No you won't."

"I know."

HouseXChase

"Greg." Chase said, tapping House on the back of the head. House ignored him. "Greg." He said again, tapping him harder, still receiving no answer. Chase pouted and put his lips next to House's ear. "Greg!" He shouted, shoving him on the back of the head.

House looked up at him from his place on the couch and glared playfully up at the blonde, who smiled.

"What do you want, Blondie?"

"Greg, be nice." His mother called from the kitchen, making him roll his eyes.

"Fine. What do you require?" Chase leaned in towards him.

"What are your parents' names?" He whispered, making House realize that he never told him their names.

"John and Blythe."

"Gregory House!" Blythe shouted from behind them, grabbing both of their attention.

"Yes, Mother?" House asked as Chase slapped him lightly on the head.

"You didn't tell Robert our names?" She asked sternly, her hands on her hips.

"It slipped my mind." He said defensively, Chase poking him again. Blythe shook her head and was about to turn back to the kitchen when she stopped.

"What?" House asked, noticing his mother's behavior. She didn't answer and House and Chase looked at her with concerned looks. "Ma?" House tried again. She flashed a fake smile and walked to the kitchen, leaving House and Chase confused.

"What was that all about?" Chase asked, looking down at him. House sighed. He had an idea why his mother acted like that…and he was not happy. He stood and gave Chase a quick peck on the top of his head before heading to the kitchen.

"Greg, what's going on?"

"Go wait on the porch for a little bit."

"But—"

"Chase." The seriousness in House's eyes and voice made Chase nod hesitantly and slowly make his way outside. House stared at the closed door for a moment and returned his eyes to his destination, knowing that all hell was about to break loose.

HouseXChase

He leaned his back against the wall, watching his mother lean against the sink and stare out the window. His anger was boiling inside of him and he was surprised at himself for not exploding yet.

"You're acting like someone just died." He said angrily, making Blythe face him. He was surprised to find her eyes to be glassy.

"Greg, how would you react if you found out your son is…is…" He grew angrier at her for not being able to say 'gay'.

"How would I react if I found out my son was gay?" She flinched, "I honestly wouldn't care. That's the way he is and I can't change that, so why bother being upset about something that can't be changed?"

"But what about Stacey? She was a nice girl."

"Don't bring her into this." He hissed, taking a few steps towards her.

"But what about your career? You're going to throw that away for a blonde man?"

"What does my career have to do with this? Everyone knows about Chase and I and you know what? No one seems to care…at least, no one's confronted us about it. My boss supports us as well as the rest of my team. No one gives a damn about my sexuality because it doesn't interfere with my job and I'm the best doctor at PPTH. Chase tells me all the time that when people see his wedding ring, they ask him who he's marrying and when the 'big day' is and he always says that when he says my name, they don't show disgust. If anything, they get excited and ask for details."

"What…wedding ring?" His mother asked slowly, eyes widening slightly.

"We're getting married, Ma. That's why I wanted you to meet him. He's always wanted to meet you and dad, but he's never pushed it because he knows we haven't spoken to each other in a long time. You can shout and scream at me all you want, I don't care and it won't change my mind; but don't do that to Chase. I'm not letting him go, Ma, no matter what you say. But it would be nice if you came to the wedding." Silence hung in the air as House's words began to sink in. Tension was thick between them, anger radiating from both of them. His heart plummeted when he saw his mother put her hands on her hips: a sign that she was extremely pissed off.

"Gregory House." She said coldly, glaring at him who glared back. "I will not allow you to do such a repulsive act. I simply will not allow it. You can't throw your life away for a man! What the hell are you thinking?" Houses mind had stopped on one word:

Repulsive.

His anger grew ten-fold and he stood within a few steps of his mother.

"Repulsive?" He hissed, glaring at her still. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I'm your mother!" She barked, "I'm supposed to prevent you from making as little stupid mistakes as possible."

"Stupid mistakes?" House roared. "You think the fact that I want to marry Chase is a stupid mistake?"

"Yes! I do! One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is marrying the wrong person."

"He's not the wrong person!"

"Yes he is!"

"How the hell would you know?"

"He's the same gender as you, Greg! You think he's the right person you're supposed to marry because you're afraid of dying alone!"

The tensest silence known to mankind hung in the air. His own mother just said that he was afraid of dying alone; especially, she called him desperate. He felt his legs grow weak and went to sit down at the kitchen table. They didn't speak or look at each other, each lost in their own thoughts.

HouseXChase

"Hello there." A man's voice spoke from above Chase, making him look up.

"Hi, I'm not trespassing, Greg told me to wait out here."

"Oh, you're a friend of Greg's?" Chase smiled and tilted his head from side-to-side.

"Something like that."

"Where's your accent from?"

"Melbourne, Australia." The man whistled.

"Wow, you're a long way from home." Chase laughed lightly as the man sat next to him on the porch.

"Why did you come to this slice of paradise known as New Jersey?" Chase chuckled again.

"I just wanted to get away from Australia. I guess I wanted to be around different scenery."

"Have you seen snow before you moved here?" Chase shook his head.

"No, needless to say, I was shocked and scared when I saw white powder falling from the sky." They laughed lightly and Chase couldn't help but notice how much House looks like his father. Crystal blue eyes, dark demeanor, and same facial structure made it obvious that this man was House's father.

"I'm Robert Chase, by the way." He said, shaking the man's hand.

"John House. How do you know Greg?"

"I'm part of his team." John raised his eyebrows and whistled.

"Wow, so you're a doctor too huh? That's impressive. Do you have a specialty?"

"I'm an Intensivist."

"Well if I ever get sick enough to go to the hospital, I'm going to go to where you are and request you." John said, laughing. Chase laughed as well, blushing slightly. He was very flattered by John's comment and he ran a hand through his hair.

"Well you're more than welcome to visit." Chase said, smiling at him. John looked thoughtful for a moment.

"That sounds like a good idea. Then I can meet the rest of the team and tell all of you embarrassing stories about Greg's childhood." They laughed and comfortable silence fell between them.

"Why did Greg want you out here?" John asked, turning towards him.

"He didn't say, but he seemed really upset about something." Chase drummed his fingers on his lap, his ring catching the mid-afternoon light.

"May I see?" John asked, pointing to the ring. Chase blush slightly again and held his hand out for John to examine the ring. The man whistled.

"Wow, I know you doctors get paid well, but I didn't think you guys get paid well enough to afford something like this." John said, turning the ring around Chase's finger. The blonde stared incredulously at him.

"H-how?" He asked stupidly, causing John to chuckle and look up at him.

"How do I know that Greg got you that ring?" He asked smiling, Chase nodded. "I may not have talked to him in years, but I know him well enough to know when something major has happened in his life. When the infarction happened, he came up here. You two are getting married, he brings you up here."

"He did seem a bit antsy when we first arrived here."

"He was nervous about our reaction. That's probably why he wanted you to stay out here…him and his mother are most likely at each other's throats right now." Chase's head snapped towards him, fear coursing through his body.

"What? Is his mother…um…?"

"Is she a homophobe?" Chase nodded. "Basically, yeah." Chase's heart sank. "But that shouldn't stop you two from getting married. If it's something that you guys want to do and you feel it's the right thing, then do it. I'm certainly not going to stop you…Blythe will try, but she won't be able to do anything." He said, smiling, easing Chase's nerves.

"So you're…okay with this?" Chase asked uncertainly, making John's smile widen.

"Of course I am. You two love-birds do whatever the hell you want…go on a mass killing spree for all I care, I'm not going to stop you." They both laughed lightly again. John stretched and stood up. "Come on, Robert. Let's go inside. I don't want those two killing each other."

HouseXChase

It was deathly quiet when they walked in; the tension began to surround them as well. They quietly walked to the kitchen to see House sitting at the table twirling his cane and Blythe leaning against the sink looking out the window again. Chase stood next to John awkwardly, not sure how to act in this kind of tension.

"Blythe," John started.

"Not now, John."

"Blythe," He repeated, but only receiving an aggravated sigh. "Blythe," She slammed her hands down on the counter and whirled around to glare at him.

"Damn it, John, can't you see that I'm upset?" She screamed, shaking in anger. Chase fiddled with his fingers and looked at the floor, but John seemed unfazed.

"Upset about what? Greg and Robert getting married?" House looked up at his father in surprise and then made eye contact with Chase. The blonde smiled reassuringly at him. Blythe's glare deepened.

"This doesn't bother you?" She asked, her voice shaking. John shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Not in the slightest. If they want to get married, that's their business and we don't have a say in it. I'm perfectly fine with it and I'm very happy for you two." He added, looking between Chase and House, smiling.

"Why are you supporting this so much?" Blythe growled, taking a step closer to him.

"Why aren't you supporting it at all? Our son's getting married and you're pissed off about it. I don't understand that. Robert's a good guy and I think that their future with each other is very promising." Chase felt flattered again by John's words, but saw Blythe's scowl deepen and put her hands on her hips.

"Stop being stupid, John."

"Blythe," John said exasperatedly, "Technology has come a long way." Blythe quirked an eyebrow.

"So?"

"Have you ever heard of Facebook?" She nodded.

"Yeah, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Greg marrying Robert isn't like a friend request on Facebook. You can't click 'ignore' and forget about it."

Something clicked in Chase's mind. He possibly knew the reason why Blythe is so upset about him and House getting married. Even though she is a homophobe, there might be a deeper reason than that. To his knowledge, House is an only child. When him and House get married…she wouldn't get any grandchildren. He looked back up and worked up his courage to speak.

"Blythe?" He asked tentatively, grabbing her attention and glare.

"What?" She asked shortly and he took a deep breath.

"Is…is Greg an only child?" They were thrown off by his question, but she nodded.

"Yes, he's the only child John and I have."

"Are you…are you upset about Greg and I getting married because we won't be able to give you grandkids?" Blythe's eyes went wide as she stared at the blonde in front of her. He felt John and House's eyes on him as well, but he kept his gaze on Blythe. She sighed and looked at the floor briefly.

"Is that what all of this is about?" House asked who stopped twirling his cane. She turned her glassy eyes to him.

"You're our only child, Greg." She said quietly as House stood and made his way towards the door.

Chase and John hurried after him as he walked out the house and towards the car. Chase grabbed his hand, making him stop. John stood a little ways back to give the couple some space. Chase stood in front of House, staring up into his bright blue eyes.

"Now or later?" Chase asked, House knowing that he meant if he wanted to talk about it now or when they got back to their apartment.

"Later." He sighed, turning around to look at his father.

"You picked a good one, Greg." He said lightly, smiling at them both. House directed his eyes towards the blonde.

"I guess." He said with a slight joking tone.

"Now, here's what's going to happen:" John said, putting an arm around Chase and House's shoulders and whispering dramatically, "as soon as you get the wedding arrangements done, I want an invitation. But send it to my P.O. Box just in case Blythe decides to throw it away. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Chase said, looking over at House who smiled back at him.

"Agreed."

HouseXChase

Alright Gang,

Like I said, House's father is VERY OOC. I just wanted him to be the fun father-in-law type and hopefully I did that!

And yes, I made House's mother very mean at the end.

As always, patience and reviews/PMs would be appreciated!

When-Rabbit-Howls