Hi to those still reading this is a much longer chapter, I hope not too long for you!
Chapter Twenty Two
Michael Tritter was surprised to be sitting eating dinner with the House family; he had stayed to talk to Billy and answer any questions the boy may have. Not many people had truly surprised the cynical detective but observing Greg House with William Timms went a long way to restore his faith in humanity. He knew how close to the surface House's anger with the kid's parents was from their earlier discussion. He was fascinated to watch the gentle way he broke the news of how his injuries had occurred and Billy's time in foster care. The way the boy looked at his parents mug shots broke the adults in the room hearts. House was way out of his comfort zone but not for a moment did he try to deflect or hide.
The more he observed House he had the realisation that the maverick doctor was more than likely the product of an abusive home, it explained a lot, the self-destructive behaviour and risk taking! It had always amazed him just how loyal the people around him were. Years before he had put all sorts of pressure on the people in his life to have them turn against the doctor to no avail. He found observing the man nearly a decade later quite fascinating.
The chatter around the table was noisy and generally boisterous with much laughter, and banter. House and Dom teased and flirted with each other, while Billy and Ania rolled their eyes. Will and Sophie were cute and for the main part well behaved. They were joined by three older gentlemen, who were collectively referred to as the "uncles" or "Blues brothers" Michael learned later the three had been incarcerated with both House and Billy.
Tritter watched as Dom piled her plate high; House on the other hand had dished a very small meal for himself, ate it quickly and then started to steal a spud or slice of meat off his wife's plate. Then Dom discreetly swopped plates and House finished her meal. He noticed how no one encouraged or commented on what the twins ate off their plates.
"Are you finished?" was all Dom asked Will and Sophie as she collected the plates and with the help of the other adults brought out a dessert.
Tritter watched as the same scenario played out with Dom and House as had happened with the main course, with House eating his wife's left over food. Two friends of Billy's arrived just as they had started eating dessert, they happily went and dished themselves a main meal when invited and joined them at the huge dining table. When dinner was finished everyone helped clean up and the boys disappeared to study, Billy paused and put his hand on Michael Tritter's shoulder and said a quiet thank you on his way out. Tritter who had not intended even to stay for dinner found himself having a game of checkers with Wilson House, it was weird but the little boy who was not yet three was pretty good!
"Watch it he'll beat you!" Ania said as she placed a cup of coffee on the table beside him. House had disappeared he was going to show the "Uncles" how to use their new flat screen TV! When he returned he was chucking.
"I'll give them five minutes and they'll need me to show them how to change channels!"
"I've never seen them so excited!" Dom laughed coming in behind him. Sophie ran to her mother to be picked up but was scooped up by her father!
"Remember Moms not allowed to pick you up Miss Muppet!" Dom sat on the chair and House popped the little girl onto his wife's lap. "Tea?" he asked her then disappeared into the kitchen returning with Dom's tea just as Elli arrived with a confused look on his face, clutching a remote control.
"Let's write it on down for you!"
"We want to watch 'Shawshank Redemption!"
"I thought you'd be sick to death of prison stories by now!"
House wrote and explained the steps on a piece of paper then picking up his cane followed the old man back to their apartment.
"How did Greg's appointment go with the pain specialist go?" Ania asked her daughter
"The doctor is pleased; the meds have at least stopped the cramps at night, he is hopeful he can reduce his pain further. He couldn't believe that he has been in that much pain for so long; I think it helped Greg for someone to acknowledge the extent of the pain in which he lives. He always dismisses it I think because he feels it's weak to show it!" Dom's eyes were glazed with tears she cuddled her daughter close "it will be amazing if he can be without pain."
"It's like the three stooges round there!" House limped in "More coffee? Tea?" he asked before getting himself a cup.
"Dom laughed "I bet they all think they know best!"
"Actually Elli's the only one brave enough to touch it!" House put a stethoscope from around his neck into a drawer "We need to get some X-rays of Pete's chest, he is still breathless, it could be his heart, I don't know how we'll get him to the hospital!"
Sadly the three old guys were very nervous of leaving the building, Dom and House had developed a courtyard in which the three old men kept a wonderful vegetable garden and they were happy to wander around the building and restaurant but any venture outside was viewed with great trepidation!
"I'll do some bloods tomorrow and we can drop them when you go to therapy." He said as he perched on the side of the chair where Dom and Sophie sat.
Later as he drove back to his lonely apartment Michael Tritter thought about the evening. He marvelled at how life can change, House was the last person he would have thought would have a family; albeit an unusual collection of people but it worked. It was a happy place! He thought of Billy Timms, it was sad that two miserable mug shots were all the kid had to remember his parents by! At least he had a home with people who cared about him.
The next day Ania dropped Dom at the hospital for her therapy, she was dropping the blood samples at the desk in the clinic when Cuddy and Monroe walked in. They all exchanged pleasantries and Monroe asked Dom if she'd been contacted about her follow up procedures'.
"I received an appointment in the mail this morning for the end of next week for the scan, but nothing yet for the other. Greg said non urgent procedures' get low priority."
"He's right, but I'll try to move them both forward, you can't really start intensive rehab until we know all is well, and less delay there the better. How are the headaches now?"
Dom smiled "They are becoming less severe and frequent; I'm feeling really good these last few days. It's very frustrating, there is so little I can do especially with the children, although if I think back to where things were a month ago I really shouldn't complain!"
"What do you need" Cuddy addressed Monroe who explained the concern about Dom's post op bleed and how he didn't want her to really start anything strenuous until they had checked the blood vessels in her brain. "Leave it to me I'll see what I can do?"
Dom was working with the physiotherapist, who was doing gentle stretches with Dom's leg when Monroe walked into the rehab wing.
"It pays to have friends in high places" he boomed in his thick Irish accent then he addressed the therapist "We're going to have to cut things short today, this young lady has some appointments in about five minutes!"
Monroe and Dom headed down to Nuclear Medicine together when Monroe asked "Are you going to call House and tell him?"
"I think I might just surprise him, is there any chance I could take copies home to show him?"
"I think I could manage that"
An hour later back at the House residence Ania went in search of House finding him paying accounts online in his study or music room.
"Greg, Dom just rang she wants you to meet her downtown." House had heard the phone ring he never picked up much to the annoyance of the others in the household but it was just the way he was. Ania explained that one of Dom's childhood friends was in town and had invited both her and House to lunch with her in a small hotel in the middle of town."
"What does she want me to go for? I won't even be able to understand them babbling on!"
"I don't know, but she is really excited to see her, it is only natural that she would want her to meet you."
House moaned and groaned he tried to get Dom on her cell phone but she wasn't picking up.
"She always turns the sound off when she goes to the hospital!" Ania smiled at Houses annoyance he really was a grumpy child at times!
"I have to pick something up downtown anyway" he said now resigned to having to go and meet his wife.
"Dom said Ava doesn't have a vehicle so she has arranged for them to park your car for you."
"That was good of her!" he said sarcastically, he was really in a pissy mood now.
A little over an hour later House had gone and picked up an item he had ordered and he headed to the quaint little hotel that Dom's friend was staying at when he pulled up they were expecting him and someone was ready to take his car, he hesitated then retrieved something from the console and headed into the restaurant only to be told that the meal was to be served upstairs in room 10. A young man showed him to the lift and on to a room House was surprised that the young man knocked once then unlocked the door to show House in.
"Enjoy your lunch sir" he said and left.
House went into the room and was surprised to find no one there, he was about to call after the bell hop that he'd been shown to the wrong room when he noticed a large brown envelope on the table with his name on it. In fact it had Dom's unruly scrawl which read "FOR YOUR EYES ONLY DR HOUSE!
It had copies of the scans and such like, which had been taken earlier that morning and a handwritten letter from Gabe Monroe stating that in his opinion Dom's brain looked perfect, no sign of aneurisms or tumours' and any swelling had dispersed!
House looked around the room it was beautiful the whole hotel had a French flavour and this room was no different.
He smiled to himself he could hear splashes coming from the bathroom and he headed over and opened the door to see his wife sitting in a large old fashioned tub up to her chin in bubbles.
"Is Ava somewhere under there? I didn't think threesomes were your thing!"
"You are right about that. I could never share you!" she sat up enough for House to be able to catch a glimpse of her breasts through a bubble bikini "Don't be shy it's a big tub!" she said saucily
House need no more encouragement as he slipped out of his clothes and sank into the perfumed water. The faucet was in the middle so he could comfortably face his wife their legs tangling.
"So are we renting the room by the hour?" he asked he was kind of turned on by the fact all the staff probably presumed they were having an illicit affair.
Dom lifting her leg stroked his chest "We have it until noon tomorrow!" House took her other leg and began to massage her calf muscles, Dom let her foot wander and stroke Houses inner thigh, they caressed and teased each other until they could no longer bear it, they exited the bath playfully drying each other with the huge fluffy white towels the hotel supplied, then they tumbled together on the bed.
The afternoon was spent making love and laughing with each other. They finally remembered to eat phoning down to the kitchen for their lunch to be bought up around 2 o'clock. House answered the door in the hotel bathrobe. Dom had pre-ordered their lunch when she had checked in.
House lifted the covers on the plates and asked "which one do you want?"
"I don't care, they both sounded so good I couldn't chose, I thought we could share."
The afternoon past, they actually slept for a couple of hours. Just on dusk they lay on the beautiful king size bed, House lay against the foot board the numerous pillows had moved around they lay facing each other. Dom was talking, House was looking! Dom was wearing a pale grey silk singlet top with matching boxer shorts, when she spoke she was as always expressive, her hand and arms moving as she talked. House was mesmerised the singlet clung in all the right places, her nipples showed clearly through the delicate fabric he was overcome by her erotic beauty. He was wondering how the hell he not only scored a woman like her! He was always amazed by the fact that she loved him! She paused expectantly as if expecting an answer to some question he clearly hadn't heard. She stopped realising he was in his own little world! She looked at him he was framed beautifully as he lay in a cloud of white; his eyes so very blue his salt and pepper hair. She loved the little light grey patch on his short beard. Dom let her eyes wander over his almost naked length he had the most beautiful long legs, even the hideous scar did not detract from the image. She looked at the blank almost guilty expression on his face.
"Sorry what did you say?" he asked softly. Their eyes locked they lay there just looking into each other's eyes.
"Doesn't matter" she smiled softly "I'm so glad we did this, life just gets too busy!"
"Let's do it more often, just a night say once a month?" he paused as she nodded in agreement "we could alternate, I'll plan next month."
"OK I'd love that!" she felt really happy she moved to his end of the bed and lay with her head on his shoulder "Do you want dinner? We could ring the kids and say good night then go somewhere if you want."
"We'll ring the kids, but if it's OK with you I'd rather not move from this bed till I have to!"
"Shall we order then ring home?"
Dom awoke early the next morning; she stretched her leg to touch her lover but raised her head to look for him when she found his side of the bed cold. He was sitting on the small couch that faced toward the window, he had opened the drapes and was sitting watching the sun come up over the city. He was deep in thought; he had that look on his face that he often got when he was in a situation that was way out of his comfort zone.
"Got something on your mind, big fella?"
He was a little startled "Hi! Did you sleep well?"
He smiled as she stretched and answered "Did I ever!" he always thought Dom looked so sexy when she woke. She was just one of those naturally happy people; it was very rare for her to wake in a bad mood. She smiled invitingly and said "it's nice and warm in here big fella!"
House hesitated for a moment then got to his feet and joined Dom on the bed. She knew he was mulling over something but it was always best to let him tell her what was on his mind when he was ready. She spent the next hour playfully taking his mind and body elsewhere. They ordered breakfast and were sitting at the small table wearing the fluffy white hotel robes when House went all thoughtful again. Dom could tell he was nervous about something, about what she had no idea; the more she knew Greg House she realised how little she really knew him, he really was an onion he certainly had layers!
"Are you OK Greg? You seem uneasy about something."
"Yeah I am! What the hell I'm just gonna do it." He got up and hobbled around the small table, he had no idea where his cane was, he stopped in front of a very surprised Dom then leaning on the arm of the nearby couch he dropped onto one knee quite unsteadily. Then he took her hand looked into her eyes and said in a soft but firm voice.
"Marry me Dom"
"I…We are married"
"Marry me again, mean it this time! I want to get married for real."
"But you don't believe in marriage" Dom was confused
"I believe in this marriage, you've made a believer of me! So it's a no?"
"I need to know why, is it because of our argument?"
"You haven't referred to me as your husband since."
"Do I normally?"
"Yes, I know it's my fault I was feeling insecure, and I said our marriage isn't real. I didn't mean it; this marriage is the most real thing in my life. This isn't just because of the fight I was planning to ask you before you got sick. The other day when you were down in the restaurant and you introduced me to that new chef you called me your partner."
"You are my partner!"
"For he knew I was your dammed business partner, he could have been trying to grab your arse for all I know!"
"You are making a lot out of this, Greg! Do you think I'd let anyone but you grab my behind?"
"You haven't been wearing your wedding ring!"
"Well neither have you!" Greg didn't have one "and for your information it's too big for me at the moment and I'm scared I'll lose it, that ring belonged to my grandmother!"
House felt stupid, he was down on one knee arguing when his intention was quite different, he knew Dom was confused.
"I know it seems weird and out of the blue, Dom but I really want this! We can do whatever you want, church wedding, Vegas I just want us to do this and for it to be real!"
"It is real; since you tore up out prenuptial agreement when I was pregnant it's been real to me. I'll admit your comments about us not meaning our vows did hit home and maybe I have felt a little weird about calling you my husband." She reached down he was still on one knee, he looked really uncomfortable, she stroked his scruffy cheek and said in a serious voice "Greg House I would love to marry you, it won't be in Vegas by Elvis" House feigned disappointment "Or in a church. If it's OK with you I'd like to get married to you at home with our family, to be honest I really liked our first wedding!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, it was the beginning of something really special."
"Can you reach my jacket" it was hanging on the back of the chair he had been sitting on, Dom handed it to him. He unzipped the pocket and produced a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond solitaire he took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger; it was a little bit loose.
"You have lost some weight! Funny you don't think of fingers losing weight."
Dom was surprised House rarely bought her things and she had not in her wildest dreams expected a ring especially one like this! "Can we afford this?"
"Long as the kids don't want to go to college" he joked "Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful, stunning"
"Yeah" he agreed but he was looking at her!
I'd love to hear from you if you are reading!