Hi I'm sorry that it has taken so long to update, I still suffering a little post House Blues! I would dearly like to know if there are people out there still reading so reviews even just a couple of words are most appreciated!
Chapter Twenty Three
It had been decided that House and Dominica would renew their vows ten days after House's proposal. They would have a private ceremony in their apartment and then a dinner in the restaurant which was closed for their private function. The dinner was to celebrate Billy's adoption which they were assured would be official by then, the renewing of vows and the fact that Dom's tumour was gone!
The mood in the "Household" was upbeat and busy, House was helping Billy with his concert preparations for the end of term, they had all noticed a difference in the boy's confidence he was much more outgoing than any of them had ever seen him. He was enjoying hanging out with House they had worked out some songs that were going to be great, they had rehearsals at the club after school and weekends.
One night when Jed and Patrick came over to study Jed's sister, Becky arrived with them.
"Sorry my sister invited herself!"
"Hey Billy was helping me with my science and maths long before you two bozo's came along, weren't You Sweet William?"
"I believe I was! The more the merrier" Billy was happy just to be around her! It had been over a month since she had broken up with her boyfriend Dylan, although they had a pattern of breaking up then getting back together, this was the longest they had been broken up. Billy really disliked the handsome quarter back, he knew he was behind the fight that he had with Jed and Patrick and he was well known for stirring things then letting others take the blame. Jed had confided in Patrick and Billy that when Becky and Dylan broke up Becky would stay at home and mope until Dylan came back begging her to forgive him, this was usually after dating someone else or several someone else's!
House raised his eyebrows when he saw Becky with the boys, it was a regular thing having Jed and Patrick around but this was the first time Becky had been with them. She was beautiful and bubbly and seemed so much older than her twin brother, they were going through old biology exam papers, then working out where they could improve. House was reading a medical journal, Dom and her mother were at a movie and the twins were in bed. He couldn't help but eaves drop on their banter the more he heard the more impressed with Becky he became, she was smart and sassy but even though she gave the boys plenty of cheek it was clever not mean spirited. They were discussing a question and Billy was trying to explain something to the others but was only confusing them more.
"Oh for crap sake!" House shouted startling them all, He limped into the kitchen and grabbed a white board marker and returned and started to drawn on the rich cream paint on the kitchen wall.
"Dom's going to be pissed at you when she sees that!" Billy stated as House started to label parts of the body to give them an anatomy lesson.
"You've seen the size of the rock on her finger. She's not gonna be pissed at me anytime soon! Now pay attention."
House started explaining the different parts of the body and what they did, he used all sorts of metaphors' some of which were sports ones, at one stage Patrick who was huge but gentle and quietly spoken everywhere but on the football field, exclaimed in a loud excited voice
"Holy shit I actually understand that" he got to his feet and repeated back to House what he had just explained "why can't you be our teacher?"
"That's easy! I'm way too cool to be a teacher!"
Science was House's strong field he spent the next hour explaining concepts to the four teenagers he had Bill's friends eating out of his hands. Teenagers had always got him; some people would argue the House had never matured beyond his teens. He was enjoying the pride he could sense in Billy as he went through different aspect of what they were to be tested on the next day. House was secretly pleased that Patrick was actually understanding, what he was teaching. Billy had told him of the boy's struggles in class, Patrick was smart but panicked when he didn't understand something, the teachers seldom took the time to make sure he understood. House felt good seeing the enthusiasm in the boy's dark brown eyes.
Dom and Ania arrived home; they had just seen the latest "Bond movie." Dom looked at the wall now covered in diagrams and just rolled her eyes and threw House a damp cloth.
They made hot drinks and everyone sat around talking about Bond movies that they liked, as usual Dom and House bantered, this time Dom had commented about how sexy Daniel Craig was, and House had gone to great lengths to convince her that the English were clearly the least sexy race of men alive.
"I have to agree with Dr House" chipped in Becky "The English are way behind the French and the Irish when it comes to sex appeal!"
House almost choked on his coffee.
"The French?" he retorted
The Friday afternoon before the wedding slash adoption celebration, Dom, Ania and Sophie went to stay at Wilsons, Sam had organised someone to come in and do their nails and they had facials, and really just hung out and had girly fun! House was at home with Will, Billy, the blues brothers and Wilson was also staying the night. This time Wilson had actually agreed to be Houses best man, Billy was giving the bride away. House was pleased with the plans for the wedding the next day, it was to be a simple but elegant ceremony on their balcony, the forecast was for good weather and everyone attending, with the exception of Blythe, Wilson, Sam and the minster, lived under their roof.
Wilson listened to a one sided conversation as House chattered to his wife, Will was almost asleep on Billy's knee, Pete Eli and Joe were setting up the table for a game of poker.
"We're just watching porn till the strippers arrive!" House held the phone away from his ear at Dom's reaction "Relax! I was joking, we have "Nemo" on and Billy's flipping past the scary bits, not that it matters he'll keep Wilson awake as he's sleeping in with him tonight! You know Wilson reminds me a bit of the daddy fish in Nemo!" a well-aimed pillow hit House on the side of the head!
They chatted away until having both said goodnight to the children they said their goodbyes.
The next morning House was down town, he had gone for a haircut and a beard trim. He had half hoped that Billy would come with him while Wilson looked after Will, he almost asked the boy if he would get a haircut for the wedding but decided it really had to be his decision. He came around a corner and was face to face with Stacey and Mark Warner.
"Hello Greg!" House looked at his former love, she was as always elegant and beautiful, and Mark looked like a middle aged athlete.
They exchanged greetings, they were in town for a couple of nights, and Stacey said she was hoping to catch up with Cuddy and Wilson. House hesitated then took a card out of his pocket handing it to Stacey.
"Wilson, Cuddy and the team are all meeting there for dinner tonight, you should come along. I'm doing the bookings and have to confirm numbers by midday," he turned to Mark "don't worry I'll be sitting at a different table."
"Why would I be worried?" Mark questioned smugly him and Stacey had obviously put their marriage back together successfully, Stacey had never told him about their affair, she shot House a look of warning.
"No reason what so ever, so you coming or not?"
Stacy shot Mark a look and he shrugged "I'm game if you are"
"Then that would be nice, what time?"
"Six thirty at the club on the card." He gestured at the card Stacey still held in her hand.
"What did you do?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are organising hospital social outings and you won't be sitting with Wilson or Cuddy, must have been a biggie!"
"It was a biggie! Wilson will help you catch up with all the gossip tonight!"
One O'clock that afternoon Wilson and House were on the balcony waiting with the minister, it looked amazing it had been draped and the flowers were beautiful, Ania had been there early with Marie Clare and the two women had House jumping through hoops just to get things perfect, much to the amusement of Wilson!
The Blues brothers started to play and Will ran to join his father and Wilson, he was very proud of the suit so like his dads that House had hired for him, he had complained that the tie was choking him, which had Wilson commenting that the aversion was hereditary, which in turned into lots of explaining to the curious child.
When Sophie, Sam, then Billy and Dom walked out the doors through the draped tulle, House felt emotion wash over him, it was a rare thing and luckily the photographer turned and captured what would be Dom's favourite ever photo of him, Dom was looking beautiful, she had gained back some the weight she had lost, and she was so happy she glowed, she wore a small veil which moved softly in the gentle breeze. House's eyes raked over her not missing a detail, her dress was simple but elegant, she took his breath away, then their eyes met and they had their own conversation.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the renewal of vows…"
The ceremony was traditional respectful and a tiny bit religious, Dom and House had worked together to make this special occasion, as they signed a remarriage document that they had designed themselves, Billy picked up the acoustic guitar and as asked he played a song of his choosing. His beautiful soulful voice filled the air. House smiled as listened, it wasn't a song he had expected the boy to sing but it seem to fit the life and family that he and Dom had built together.
I'm gonna pick up the pieces,
And build a lego house
When things go wrong we can knock it down
My three words have two meanings,
There's one thing on my mind
It's all for you
And it's dark in a cold December, but I've got ya to keep me warm
And if you're broke I'll mend ya and keep you sheltered from the storm
That's raging on
I'm out of touch, I'm out of love
I'll pick you up when you're getting down
And of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind
I'll do it all for you in time
And of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
I'm gonna paint you by numbers
And colour you in
If things go right we can frame it, and put you on a wall
And it's so hard to say it but I've been here before
And I'll surrender up my heart
And swap it for yours
I'm out of touch, I'm out of love
I'll pick you up when you're getting down
And of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind
I'll do it all for you in time
And of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
Don't hold me down
I think my braces are breaking and it's more than I can take
And if it's dark in a cold December, I've got ya to keep me warm
And if you're broke I'll mend ya and keep you sheltered from the storm
That's raging on
I'm out of touch, I'm out of love
I'll pick you up when you're getting down
And of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind
I'll do it all for you in time
And of all these things I've done I think I love you better now.
The song came to an end and House and Dom exchanged rings, everyone was quite surprised to see Dom pick up a ring from the box that Will bought forward and after repeating the words the minister said slide the shiny gold ring onto Gregory Houses finger, House repeated the vows and Dom's wedding ring was returned to her hand from where it had been absent since her surgery. House gave it a little wriggle, it was still slightly loose but he didn't think that she was in danger of losing it. When it was time to kiss the bride Dom had expected a chaste kiss on the lips from House, as he hated being the centre of attention and although he kissed her often in front of the people in the room it was usually a peck when coming home or leaving the house. She was surprised when he locked eyes with her and then treated her to one of the toe curling kisses that made her heart race, it was slow deliberate and heart felt. When it ended they opened their eyes and smiled at each other. For a moment it was like there was no one in the room but then the minister broke the spell.
"I present to you Mr and Mrs House!" the small crowd of people applauded.
Then they were surrounded, by their family, hugging and congratulating them. House felt good, he was glad that they'd done this, Dom deserved a real wedding he watched her; she was still slightly wobbly but had regained most of her strength in her arm and leg.
Wilson approached him, he looked emotional the ceremony had surprised him in its sincerity and genuineness, he had thought that House had done this just to please Dom but could see that it meant just as much to House.
"Back off! I'm not hugging you!" House said loudly Wilson rolled his eyes and offered his hand which House shook with a grin.
"Amazing you actually look happy! I thought happiness scared you."
"Oh I'm plenty scared, but I've learned to embrace these times when all is well, see Jimmy you never stop learning!"
"If you would all like to come inside the food is ready" Ania called from inside.
"Where do you think you are going?" House asked his bride then scooped her up and carried her a few steps indoors.
"Greg, you'll hurt your leg!" Dominica laughed
Wilson watched House, his leg obviously still bothered him, but he had lost that look of a man battling with the constancy of it. After he had carried Dom a few steps it was bothering him, he unconsciously rubbed it, and tried to stretch the muscle but it seemed that it was no longer all consuming.
House bought his food over and sat by Wilson. They sat in silence watching the scene around them; Sophie was doing a twirl in her beautiful dress for Eli, who was telling her how pretty she looked. Young Will was trying to con Pete into having a game of checkers with him, Pete was a little wary knowing the boy would probably beat him! Billy was looking at the photos that had been taken that afternoon he was going to put them on the large plasma so they could see them, Dom's photography teacher had taken them for a fee and given them the digital images. House looked at Billy he had tied his hair in a ponytail for the ceremony, it was a rare treat to see his face, his chiselled features had become that of a man now, not the boy House had first met. House was ready to strangle Blythe who could not shut up about how the boy should have got a haircut; he knew that just tying his hair back neatly had been a huge thing for the young man to do.
The photos were stunning, the ones of House and Dom were beautiful, but it was the collection of people that House loved that moved him; the boys playing the entrance music as Dom and Billy walked toward him, the photos so crisp and clear you could almost hear the music. There were lovely shots of the girls getting ready Sam doing Sophie's hair, Ania doing up Dom's necklace. They watched the slideshow with laughter and lots of ribbing. House loved a shot of Wilson tying young Wills tie for him, then the next shot he was tying Houses for him! The theme continued with Billy, Pete Eli and Joe, evoking much laughter, no one in the household but Wilson could tie a decent tie! There was a great shot of Blythe attaching the flowers on House's lapel, it was a rare intimate moment captured between mother and son.
"We could have these showing tonight at the dinner" Billy suggested
Dom looked a little warily at House, he had told no one but those who were invited that they were renewing their vows and she felt he may just want to keep the dinner as a celebration for her recovery and Billy adoption. She was really surprised when he replied to Billy.
"Good idea, what do you think Dom?"
"I think that would be great" she replied
About three thirty everyone helped clean up and the twins went to bed for a nap so they could stay up late that evening.
"Why don't you go and have a sleep?" House suggested to Dom, he noticed she was a little unsteady on her feet which was always an indication that she was tired.
"I will if you join me" she smiled
"I'll go and check on things downstairs then I will, I have no intention of waiting so long to consummate this time!" He pulled her to him for a kiss.
"Don't be long!"
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