This Chapter was a lot of work but I think I managed to get it just right :)
Please let me know, Reviews rock, and remind me to keep writing!
Cuddy slowly made her way inside and walked towards the bathroom, leaving House to gather up Rachel from outside. Her body felt incredibly weak and she was lightheaded from the conversation she just had, her mind whirled with conflicting emotions. Shutting the door behind her and not bothering to turn on the light, she sat down on the bathroom floor, the queasiness creeping back in as she closed her eyes and tried to allow the nauseas wave to pass.
Deep down inside she realized that the sick feeling in her stomach was mostly nervous butterflies, strangling her more and more every time he touched her. The reason she chose the bathroom and not the sofa, where she originally was headed, was to hide from him, tuck herself away like a coward, hoping that taking some time away would bring her back around to remembering that she was a rational, careful woman, and this was still House. A man that was fully capable of turning his emotion and tenderness around at the drop of the hat, whenever it was convenient for him…damn anyone else.
She knew if she didn't take a time out from his emotion, from his unbelievably tender caresses, she wouldn't be able to stop her impulses for much longer. His urgency to be with her again was overwhelming and if she wasn't careful it would swallow her up, make it impossible for her to process everything that had happened over the last couple days, and she would jump into his arms prematurely, then inevitably run away from him all over again.
Cuddy carefully opened her eyes as she heard House and Rachel finally making their way into the family room, their muffled voices filtered under the door in the bathroom so that she could hear their conversation.
"Okay, I'm inside. Time for you to sing, like you's said." Cuddy could hear Rachel loudly request, knowing full well that House probably had a hard time getting Rachel to come inside, a thought that made her smile. 'It's good for him to finally be the one to parent,' she thought, he was always hesitant to step up in that way before.
"I only agreed to that so you would come inside." House responded.
"But you pinky swore, you's would sing for the wedding party."
"I did?"
"Uh-huh…"
"That doesn't sound like me."
"Well you did, and everyone knows-um you's cant take back a pinky swore." Cuddy could practically hear Rachel put her hands on her hips through the tone she was using with House, and she laughed just picturing both of them, equally stubborn creatures, battling it out in the family room.
"Alright fine, but next time no pinky swearing. Had I known it was unbreakable I wouldn't have committed." Cuddy heard him clear his throat, "Any requests?"
"Uh, the wheels on the bus!" Rachel squealed.
"What, wheels on the…is that a real song? How about the Stones?"
"The what?"
"The Rolling…never mind. The Beatles…you have to at least know the Beatles."
"I don't know." Rachel responded, causing Cuddy to cringe. She knew she would hear about this later from House.
"My God. Fine. I will sing one of your songs, but remind me to have a serious conversation with your mother about your musical education." She smiled once again; she knew he would say that. Making the decision to stop hiding away from him, she gingerly pulled herself off the bathroom floor, threw some cold water on her face and looked in the mirror. Trying to reassemble her hair the best she could before she went out to the family room.
"Sing!" Rachel demanded.
"I don't know that bus one you're talking about. How about that teapot song, I think I remember the melody…but I'm not doing the lame hand gestures."
"Okay…wait I need to make sure 'Housie' and 'Lisa' are sitting with me in the aws-dee-ins."
Cuddy heard Rachel speak that last word slowly trying to say it correctly. She opened the bathroom door and made her way out to her two maniacs in the family room, not wanting to miss the show House was about to grace her daughter with, it was an unprecedented moment too good to pass up, no matter how sick or apprehensive she felt.
"Mommy!" Rachel bounced on the couch as she saw Cuddy approach. "House is-is gonna sing. Sit down!"
Cuddy smiled over at House as she sat down on the couch, facing him with a look of innocence on her face as she saw how perturbed his expression was because of the impromptu concert he was being forced into by a four year old.
"Just to be clear, this is a one-time only thing." House directed this at Rachel, who Cuddy noticed was beaming from her spot on the couch from sheer anticipation. Then he turned to Cuddy, "And if you don't cut out that knowing smile of yours, Dr. Cuddy, you will be asked to leave the venue until I have finished my song." Cuddy quickly closed her mouth and sucked in her bottom lip, trying with all her might to accomplish his request.
House studied her for a minute longer making sure she would keep it together, before he cleared his throat dramatically and began his song…
"I'm a runty teapot, short and loud.
I have a handle, and a little spout.
If you try to pour me out, I will shout…
Don't drink my tea, and please get out."
House finished up his rendition of the teapot song and bowed to his audience, as Rachel stood up on the couch clapping and shouting, "Yay!"
Cuddy clapped too, the smile on her lips was in full swing. He was done now so there was no chance of her getting kicked out before she could witness his 'amazing' performance. "That was beautiful." She said as her laughter got the best of her.
"Oh shut-up." he replied as he watched Cuddy and Rachel doubled over in fits of laughter.
"House do it again!" Rachel shouted.
"One time only." House limped over to his mocking audience and sat next to Cuddy as she settled down from laughing at him. "This is all your fault you know."
"Mine?" She questioned.
"Yes, you raised that obstinate junior Cuddy. " He pointed to Rachel who was still giggling from her place on the couch. "The only way I could get her to come inside was through a bribe, and she got to pick the terms…sound familiar?"
"A bit…but you must have a soft spot for her. That kind of manipulation rarely worked on you when I tried it."
"It all depended on how low cut your top was that day."
"Well why do you think I wore those?"
"To torture me."
"Yes, and to get you to bend to my will on occasion…which was almost never, because ultimately you found a way around my requests with your mischievous tricks."
"That may be true, but your breasts did get me to fulfill my clinic duty sometimes, and that's saying a lot." House leaned his head on the back of the couch and smiled.
"Well at least there's that." She returned his smile, "Has Wilson managed to manipulate you with his man chest to get you to do clinic hours in my absence?"
House shook his head, "We have an agreement, he lets me out of clinic duty, and in return I stay out his relationship with Nurse whats-her-face over at Princeton General."
"Wilson has a girlfriend?"
"Yep…and he already foolishly thinks he is in love with her, so you know how much I can use that to my advantage."
"I have been gone a long time."
House sighed, "Yes you have."
"What's for dinner Mommy?" Rachel asked as she climbed across the couch to sit on Cuddy's lap.
Cuddy winced as Rachel pushed into her stomach, "Ouch, Rachel be careful." Cuddy took a breath as the queasiness threatened her again. House noticed her expression and got up to get her antibiotics and some water.
"I don't know what we have Rach, I was supposed to grocery shop yesterday, but then we got sick remember." Cuddy answered as she heard House start to rummage in her cabinets for food items, shifting herself on the couch so she could see him as he began pulling out a variety of random cans and vegetables.
"How about soup? You have the ingredients for a decent vegetable soup, it's no four course meal, but it would be mild enough for you both to eat." House finished pulling out food and brought a glass of water and pills for Cuddy to swallow. "Here."
Cuddy took the offered pills and water and swallowed them as told, handing her glass back to House. His absolute attentiveness was still a shock to her system and she didn't know what to do with it all. "Uh…that sounds good. Thank you."
She couldn't take it anymore. Cuddy moved Rachel carefully off her lap and switched on cartoons. Turning the volume up a bit and making her way to the kitchen. House was pouring broth into a big pot as she pulled a stool out and sat next to him by the stove, "House." She brought her hand up to his arm, but then retreated, thinking it was best to give him some space if she was going to pry into something he obviously was intent on keeping from her.
House turned to the sound of her voice and met her questioning gaze. She looked uneasy, and it made him nervous. "Did you say my name for fun, or was there more to that sentence?" He anxiously spoke, questioning her silence.
"I'm sorry, I just…" she steeled herself, "What is really going on? Something is weighing on you, I can feel it. You're different—"
House put an empty can down and turned fully to her, "Why, because I'm being nice?"
"No…yes, but I do know your capable of being kind…there were always moments I felt that from you even when we weren't together, but…not like this. You're keeping something from me." She saw House look down, "The only times you allowed me to see your vulnerability were on those rare moments when you were truly calm, when you felt content…and when you're defenses were down…in times of sadness. And I know neither one of us are at peace with any of this right now, so that leaves—"
"You forgot about the third option, the one where I'm feebly trying to woo back my ex-girlfriend." House deflected, it was partially true anyway…the other being that her suspicions were right.
"What else are you sad about? This isn't just about us." Cuddy implored with her eyes looking up to him.
He stared back at her, knowing he would have to lie, "I don't know what you want me to say, there is nothing else."
"House, please...I know you-"
"Maybe you don't." House cut in, "We've been apart for months, been broken up for almost a year."
"I know."
"Well I've had time to think, re-evaluate my choices…maybe you can give me the benefit of the doubt here, and trust that this is not an act, not a trick…it's just me." House spoke the last thought quietly, leaning against the counter for support.
She searched his eyes, "I want to believe that."
He let out a deep breath, "Than believe it Scully." He turned away, picking up a carrot to chop, and to escape her beseeching eyes, "I thought you claimed earlier you didn't hover… I'm trying to cook here." House said, attempting to stop their prior conversation before it went any further.
"I did say that." She knew he was deflecting, but she played along, too tired to pry any further. He was done talking. She got up from her stool and left him in peace…
Cuddy fell asleep on the couch to the sounds of House shuffling around the kitchen and Rachel's French cartoons sounding from the television in front of her. The next thing she knew, she was being roused from sleep by a hand gently squeezing her arm.
"Good Morning Sunshine."
She shifted and opened her eyes to find House looking down into her face. "Hey." She sat up, stretching her arms and noticing she was actually feeling better after her nap. "How long was I asleep?"
"Well Hilary finally became president…" He smiled at her. "About an hour, soups ready."
"Smells amazing, " she replied, getting up and following him to the kitchen table where Rachel was already sitting eating a piece of bread and small bowl of soup. House put a steaming bowl of soup down in front of her and sat down as well.
"Are those peas?" Rachel asked from the table staring into her bowl.
"Of course not." House answered.
"They looks like peas."
"You need your eyes checked I suspect. These be pirates doubloons, eat them quick mistress crazy or the baddies will be sailin' upon us to snatch them from our fingers."
Rachel stared at him, completely unconvinced and un-amused at his gruff pirate impersonation, "Those is peas." She put her spoon down.
"Just eat around them. They won't kill you…only the purple ones will. You find a purple pea in your soup you let me know."
"What?" Rachel stared at her soup in panic.
Cuddy suppressed a smile at her daughter's dramatic expression, "He's teasing you Rachel. Just eat your soup. You've had peas before, dip your bread in your bowl, I know you like doing that."
"Okay." Rachel stared at her bowl for a minute longer before she picked up a bite of bread and began doing what she was told.
They ate together in comfortable silence for a while. Darkness began to surround them as night settled in. The only light on in the house was a small one in the family room. Cuddy took the scene in around her, allowed herself to enjoy it, revel in the feeling of House by her side one again.
"Mommy can I be done." Rachel broke the silence.
"Sure, you ate pretty good, but it's time to get ready for bed."
"Mom…"
"Stop." Cuddy raised her hand to her, "You have done enough whining for one day. You are still sick young lady. You need sleep."
"But-but is House going to stay?"
House looked down to her as she padded herself over to his side, and looked up at him with wide eyes. "Uh…I have to leave in the morning remember, probably before you wake up." House didn't know what else to say, glancing up to Cuddy for help.
"You will see him again sweetie, okay. I promise." Cuddy gently reassured Rachel…and herself, as she stood from her chair and crossed towards her, feeling the incredible sadness from his upcoming departure just as her daughter did.
House saw Rachel's eyes well as she reached her arms up to him and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and felt the ache creep inside as he said his goodbyes to her. "I will see you soon."
"You's promise?"
He slowly released her and stuck out his hand. "Pinky swear. I hear you can't go back on those."
Rachel smiled up at him, her tears vanishing as she locked her pinky with his.
"Okay, let's get to bed." Cuddy spoke gently, putting her hand on Rachel's back and guiding her towards the hall, stopping briefly to turn back to House. "I will be back soon."
Cuddy tucked Rachel into bed and turned off her light, softly closing the door behind her as she stood alone in the darkness of the hallway. She felt frozen to her spot. House was waiting for her in the family room, a thought that suddenly made her unbelievably nervous. They were alone…it was his last night, her heart and rational mind had been at war with each other since the moment she saw him standing in front of her. How could she continue to be strong when all she wanted to do was to give into her desires…his desires. Ignore everything else and allow her heart to win just this once.
She felt her body begin to shake as the nerves settled in, hastily making a decision to retreat to the bathroom once more. Hide away from him until her breathing was under control; inwardly hating herself for her cowardice. She didn't even bother to turn on the lights as she stole a moment away from him to try to assemble her thoughts, sift through her emotions and what she truly wanted. Staring at herself in the mirror, she searched her image for an answer, some sign hidden in her reflection that could help…
A small knock rapped against the door, breaking her from her thoughts, her fears, and she knew he was there to do just that. She impulsively fixed her hair in the mirror again and took another breath before she made her way to unlatch the door.
"You're hiding from me." He stated. It was not a question. He saw her anxiousness as he leaned against the doorway, blocking her from escaping him further.
Cuddy sighed, "Yes."
"Why?"
She didn't want to answer him, "Will you at least let me out of the bathroom before I have to explain myself."
"No." He made no attempt to move.
"What do you want me to say? I assume you already know why I'm hiding, you always seem to have me figured out."
"Well my assumptions usually get me into trouble…I'm trying to change old habits remember."
"I know…it's just… this change? I don't know what to think about all of this. You're being so…" she faltered.
"I'm still me. " House stepped further into the bathroom towards her. "In fact to prove it, I must confess that I have mentally undressed you about a hundred times since I got here…I'm doing it right now actually."
"House…" she crossed her arms against her body, protecting herself from him coming any closer. House saw her retreat and stopped just a foot away from her. She looked up at him, "People don't change…isn't that your entire belief system?"
"Yes." House said quietly, "It used to be…"
"What does that mean?"
"It means that sometimes things happen…catalysts that push us into different directions than we were before, forcing perspectives to change."
"That catalyst being us…or something else?"
House bowed his head, "Why do you always have to push?" He looked back up before instinctually reaching out and grabbing onto her arms, as the frustration and powerful emotions overtook his body. "It was losing you."
Cuddy stared at him, her tears falling silently down her face, taking in his words, trying to believe him. "Well that's just it…we lost each other. What's stopping us from doing it all over again…from losing?"
House shook his head, "I don't know. " He knew he didn't have the answer to that, there was never going to be an answer, but he couldn't bring himself to let her go, he continued to hold her arms tightly and brought her even closer to him, despite everything…
"I don't either, " she admitted in a whisper, their faces only inches apart. "And that's why I'm hiding from you."
He felt her breath flutter against his skin as he tentatively reached up his hand and wiped a tear off her cheek, "Well…I found you." He slowly leaned his face to hers, closing the distance, his hand still caressing her cheek as their lips came together in a delicate kiss, before he stopped to look at her once more, checking to see if she would pull away. They stared at one another, but neither of them spoke, too scared to say anything that could break the spell between them.
Cuddy thought her heart would explode from the affect his lips had on her…and in that instant all she wanted was him, everything else could wait, there was only right now... She reached up swiftly and put her hands on either side of his face, pulling him back down to her as she found his lips once more, deepening their kiss, holding his face fiercely to hers, until she could no longer breathe.
House brought his hands up and weaved them in her hair. His body trembled as the taste of her lips washed over him. He felt her hands begin to unbutton the front of his shirt, as she pulled him with her out of the bathroom, their bodies molded together as they fumbled down the darkness of the hallway. Cuddy blindly reached for the bedroom door, managing to shut it behind them and lock it without breaking contact with him. Shrouding the room in total night except for a sliver of moonlight filtering through the bedroom window.
House pressed her up against the door and began slowly kissing her neck, he could feel her hand run down the length of his spine as he brought his lips across her jaw, moving her hair and brushing his mouth against her ear. Her hands trembled as she grabbed the collar of his shirt and removed it the rest of the way.
He immediately returned the gesture and grabbed the hem of her sweater as she lifted her arms, allowing him to pull it over her head and let it fall to the floor. Their eyes re-connected then, reassuring each other that there were no hesitations. House couldn't help but look at her, memorize the way her wonderfully flushed lips parted as she caught her breath, her bare skin glowing in the moonlight…she was perfect.
He saw a faint smile cross her face and he knew he had been staring for longer than he realized. "You okay?" she whispered.
House took a breath, "Yes…you?" She nodded without thinking twice, and he immediately grasped her close against his body once more, their skin melting together as he kissed her, pulling them both across the room to the bed.
She pulled him down tenderly on top of her, as they continued to explore each other's bodies. The rest of their clothes were discarded without any second guessing, as House reached for her hand, winding his fingers with hers, clasping her hand against the mattress as he felt her moan his name, their mouths never leaving each other as they finally came together after so many painful months apart.
The moonlight faded as they lay wrapped in each other's arms over the next hour. No words had been spoken between them, but Cuddy could feel House lightly run his fingers over her bare skin, causing her to smile in the darkness. No matter what insane antics and behavior House outwardly displayed, he was also the gentlest man she had ever known. She loved this side of him, and he was gracing her with nothing but his softer side since the moment he came to France…it was an amazing feeling, but one that always had an end in the past.
She shifted in his arms and leaned her chin against his chest, trying to read his face in the shadows.
"Hey," He whispered, moving a fallen strand of hair out of her face.
"Hey."
"I thought you might be falling asleep, I know you still aren't feeling well."
"I'm feeling better actually…besides…you're leaving soon. I can't sleep…"
"Well…" House glanced over to the clock, "It's only ten, I don't have to leave for another six hours or so…whatever could we do to pass the time?"
Cuddy smiled at the thought and inched her way up his body till her hands were splayed on either side of him head, their unclothed bodies pressed together as she trapped his lips with hers. House rolled them both so that he was on top of her, as he pulled away and smiled, "I was referring to us playing a game of cards or something…but this works too."
Cuddy laughed, "Shut-up House," she pulled his lips down to hers once more, savoring the time they had left…pushing everything else aside…
Both of them fell back against the mattress as they attempted to get their breathing under control. House found Cuddy's hand and intertwined his fingers with hers, wanting nothing more than to remain connected to her until he had to say goodbye. He felt her squeeze his hand and he smiled, closing his eyes and reveling in the last couple hours of mind-blowing passion that he actually got to experience in real life and not just through his dreams. "That was definitely better than playing cards."
"I would have to agree." She yawned, her eyes closing against her wishes.
"You should try to sleep…come here." He pulled her by the hand, adjusting his arm so she could lay her head upon his chest.
She obliged him and placed her palm against his stomach, as he wrapped his arms protectively around her, leaning his face so he could rest his cheek against the top of her head, the smell of her hair and the feel of her body wonderfully enflamed his senses as he felt her relax against him.
"House?" Cuddy spoke softly against his chest, her fingers tracing delicate circles on his stomach.
"Yeah?"
"I'm happy you came."
"I came a few times actually." He teased. He could feel Cuddy roll her eyes as he squeezed her tighter against him, "You did too if memory serves…"
Cuddy laughed against him, "Your memory is correct."
House kissed the top of her head. "I'm happy you're happy…" he spoke honestly into her hair.
She closed her eyes once more, the powerful sound of House's heart and his amazing warmth lulling her to sleep.
House tried to sleep but his mind was turning, and the feel of her nakedly wrapped up securely along his body was too incredible to sleep through. He wanted to remember every moment.
Cuddy had been sleeping against him for hours as he slowly watched the clock hastened toward his departure, waiting to wake her… as much as he selfishly wanted to. Instead he remained, awake through the silence. Trying the best he could to process, remember the things that had been spoken between them, how it felt to kiss her again…taste her skin, how it felt to have her kiss him back. He thought about his tumor, he tried to push it away, but it was always there and he hated even allowing it to take him away from the feeling of her, still curled up by his side.
He studied her while she slept. Her hand was gently resting over his heart, and he could feel her slow breaths against his chest. House knew that she still would need more time, despite the last few hours, she wasn't ready for him yet, and it was a realization that terrified him, but did not surprise him. He hadn't truly deluded himself that he could have everything he wanted with her again after just one weekend together, as much as he wished otherwise. That was one of the reasons he planned on leaving after only two days, he didn't want to push and he also didn't think he could make it much longer without blurting out his illness, using it to further their relationship like he would have so quickly done in the past.
He felt her stir against him and looked at the clock, finding that he didn't even have an hour left before he had to leave her side. House ran his fingers down her back, waking her further as he felt her lift her head off his chest so she could face him.
"You have to leave soon." She whispered.
"Yeah." He whispered back.
She moved to sit up in the dusk of the bedroom, bringing up the sheet to cover her body as she faced him. House flinched at her modesty, her retreat from him that he had predicted would come.
"I guess one more time before I go is out of the question." He softly teased, gesturing to her covers as he sat up in bed to face her too.
"I'm sorry…" he saw her nervously bite her lip after she spoke.
"Don't, please…its okay."
"House…if we're going to actually do this…try again...we have to be ready for each other. I need more time, to deal...to process everything that we have done to each other, to forgive…" She hesitated before she grabbed onto his hand that was resting in between them, "I don't ever want to push you away again."
"I understand."
"You do?"
"You sound surprised…you think I want to lose you again?" He unclasped her hand from his, looking down as he spoke. "I can wait."
Cuddy wanted to reach back out and touch him, but she sought his eyes instead, willing him not to disconnect from her just yet. "I'm gonna miss you."
House brought his eyes to hers, "Me too," he spoke, trying to hide his intense sadness as they stared at one another. It proved to be too much to hide, so he broke away, carefully shifting his leg to get up from bed.
Slipping on his pants, he found his shirt lying by the bedroom door, and he limped over to pick it up. He went to put it on, but had a better thought and walked back over to her, opening it up and gently placing it around her bare shoulders as she remained in bed, "It looks much hotter on you." he stated quietly as he walked away to get another shirt from his duffel bag. He could hear her slip it the rest of the way on behind him as he finished getting dressed to leave.
Cuddy got up from the bed after she buttoned his intoxicating shirt around her body, slipping on some yoga pants and slippers, before reaching for the phone on her nightstand to call a cab. She made the call quick as she saw House unlock the door and head down the hallway to the bathroom. The reality of him just leaving her alone in the bedroom was enough to make her whole body ache with loss.
She set the phone down and made her way out to the family room, choosing to sit on the couch alone in the eerie quiet and darkness, trying to not burst into tears as she waited to say goodbye. After a few minutes she heard him unlock the bathroom and go back to the bedroom to retrieve his bag, her heartbeat began to quicken when she heard his footsteps finally coming towards her.
House could see her stand up from the couch as he approached her side, swinging his bag over his shoulder and looking through the shadows for his cane. Cuddy realized what he was looking for and reached down to the coffee table where she knew it was resting, bringing it up between them, as the headlights from the cab made its way down the long driveway.
They both turned towards the distant light and then back to each other. House reached out for his cane trapping her hands in his one last time. "I will make sure Wilson keeps in touch…with those letters of his you liked so much."
"I would love that." Cuddy smiled, feeling Houses fingers caress her own as they still held the cane between them. She brought herself up on her toes and leaned into him, placing a kiss upon his lips, lingering there, savoring him one last time before she had to finally let go.
House took the cane from her, slowly letting go of her hands and her lips. The heaviness of the goodbye was too much for him…and he could see it was too much for her as well, "Goodbye."
Her throat hitched as the tears began to spill once more, "Goodbye House."
And that was it, he turned and walked away…down the porch steps, away from her, without looking back.
Cuddy remained frozen in the stillness as she watched the headlights disappear. She wiped her face and caught her breath before she even braved to move, trying to calm the quiver in her legs as she started to make her way back down the hall.
Dawn was almost approaching, so she hastily shut the curtains in her bedroom against the threatening light, wiping her tears once more before she crossed to the bed and sat down on the side he had been laying on a mere minutes before.
It was then she saw the small package on her nightstand resting next to the clock. She hadn't noticed it before, so she knew he must have placed it there when he went to get his bag, and she smiled through her tears as she reached out for it.
She placed it upon her lap and opened the box, finding two things inside. Cuddy frowned as she realized how dark it was, so she switched on the small light by her bed and grabbed out an unwrapped item. It was a glass pirate ship, a night light with a post-it note stuck to it reading,
'For the small one.'
Cuddy ran her fingers over the smooth glass and smiled as she pictured the excitement his gift would elicit from her daughter. Placing it on her nightstand she reached for a small velvet pouch with a note sticking out of the closed tie. Unfolding the paper and leaning towards the light she began to read his words…
I'm writing this from the plane …on my way to you, having absolutely no idea how this weekend has gone between us. As much as I would like to convince myself that I have some semblance of control over what the future holds, I am not narcissistic enough to truly believe I have that power…at least not like I used to be. I know that the opposite is true.
The future has yet to be written. Either our story ends here or it will manage to survive, and our immense tale will continue on. The one thing I do know is, what I want in mine, without any hesitations, I want you.
If I do not manage to make this clear to you before we part again, I am making it clear now…
Whether the same can be said for you, I do not know. Can we fix this, grow old together and drive each other to the brink of madness for whatever years we have left…
No matter what happens, no matter if we fight, or you ask me to leave as soon as you look at me, it was worth it just to see you again.
I missed your face, and I selfishly needed to see it again.
House
Her hands trembled as she looked to the bottom of the page, seeing one last sentence partially hiding under her fingertips.
…I think I got the spelling right this time.
Confusion clouded her mind as she reached for the velvet pouch and untied the string. Pouring into her hand the answer to his closing words.
Eight small wooden letters spilled into her palm as the realization hit her before she had to look further. Happiness filled her soul as she carefully arranged them on her nightstand in the way he intended her to read them…
'I LOVE YOU' spelled out underneath the light with the same letters, except one substitute, from their game…from their first weekend together.
Cuddy placed his note on the small table beside the wooden letters and turned off the light, laying her head upon the pillow…his pillow, facing towards his profoundly thoughtful gift. She pulled the sheets around her body, buried her face in his pillow. As she closed her eyes, falling asleep surrounded by his smell, the memory of the last few hours, and his love for her.