A/N: Okay seriously, to take two weeks to publish this is just wrong! LOL. In all seriousness, there's been so much going on. This story requires so much more time but I'm proud to say here is the next chapter!

It's Saturday in Boston and it's been six weeks since House wrote the letter to Cuddy in Chapter 1 :)

"That…was…" Cuddy couldn't finish the sentence she was so completely spent. There was no need for words for their actions spoke volumes. It was like it always was; they knew what each other wanted and they knew how to give and take with everything they had.

House chuckled. "So…fucking…amazing," he said attempting to finish her sentence. He lay over her holding his weight up with his elbows, kissing every exposed patch of skin he could get his lips on. Together they rolled over where she lay on top of him. He pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and covered them. They lay there, completely exhausted and out of breath but happy as House ran his hands up and down Cuddy's smooth silky back and she nuzzled into his chest while her fingers played with the sparse hair there.

"Cuddy, it's been so long. I just wanted this to be perfect for you," he said kissing her forehead.

"God House, it was." She looked up at him and saw him smirk at her use of those two words together. "I didn't care how it happened just as long as it did."

"We still got it," he grinned.

"We sure do." Looking at him she saw the sparkle in his eye that she loved so much. They were lost in each other's eyes as he leaned down and captured her lips in a soul searing kiss that made her toes curl. Suddenly she felt little Greg spring to life again beneath her.

"Oh my," she said, grinning at him. "Looks like someone's up for seconds."

Cuddy woke on Saturday morning feeling more relaxed than she had in a long time. She looked over at the clock, it was six-thirty. She'd had the alarm set for six which meant House must have turned it off. She reached over to the other side of the bed and found it void of a warm body she hoped to snuggle up to just a bit before starting her day. She smiled, knowing he hadn't gone far. She swung her sore legs out of bed and put on her panties, a pair of socks, House's tee shirt and a robe and padded down the hall to find out what kind of mischief was going on. Upon entering the hallway she picked up the amazing smell of pancakes. She smiled at the thought that House was cooking breakfast for them. She entered the kitchen and nearly teared up at the sight before her. There was House, in his old striped robe, boxers and a pair of socks wearing one of her aprons in front of the stove carefully instructing Rachel, who was standing on a chair, how to make pancakes. Cuddy just leaned against the wall watching them for a moment, wishing she could witness this every single morning for the rest of her life.

House, sensing he was being watched, turned around and winked at her. "The rugrat is learning to cook breakfast."

"I'm not a rugrat," Rachel said adamantly with her hands on her hips looking up at House.

"I think you heard her loud and clear House," Cuddy said smirking at him.

"Yeah, Howse." Cuddy couldn't help but laugh at the way Rachel stood on the chair, hands on hips, lips pressed tightly together much in the same way she often did. She watched as House just shook his head at the scene in front of him.

"You get back to your pancakes or else I'll eat your share and you get nothing," he said.

"Noooo you can't eat my pancakes!" She yelled as she looked at her mother. "Mommy, don't let him eat my pancakes."

Cuddy walked over to House and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the back of his neck. "You will not eat her pancakes, understand?" She joked with him.

"I'll eat anything I want and as I recall last night you were begging me to eat your—"

"House!" She smacked his arm.

"What? You have no idea what I was going to say."

Cuddy just raised her eyebrow at him. "So, why didn't you get me up earlier?"

"I wanted you to get your beauty sleep. You're not getting any younger you know."

Cuddy rolled her eyes at him. "It's too early to deal with you without coffee," she mused and poured herself a mug and took a seat at the breakfast nook while House and Rachel finished cooking. She watched them intently as House instructed Rachel carefully on how to know when the pancakes were ready to be flipped. Ten minutes later, the three of them were sitting at the breakfast nook scarfing down delicious blueberry pancakes, eggs, and orange juice.

"So, what do you want to do today?" She asked.

"I kinda thought we'd take the kid to the museum."

"Really?"

"Big Bird's over at the Science Museum."

"Big Bird?"

"Yeah, the planetarium has this exhibit using Sesame Street characters to teach kids about the universe. I figure a kid as smart as her ought to start learning science young."

Cuddy smiled at House's thoughtfulness and his description of her daughter. "Sounds like a plan, what time do we need to be there?"

He looked at his watch. "Show starts at ten."

"Good, means we can get back early."

"Why? You have a date I don't know about?"

"No, I have things to do."

"Seriously? It's Saturday, what on earth could you have to do today?"

"Just stuff."

"Mommy can we take Hannah?"

"No sweetie, not today. Today it's just you, me and House."

"But why?"

"Because House is leaving…tomorrow and we want to spend some time with him."

Rachel looked at House with a frown on her face. "You leaving?"

"Yep kiddo, I gotta go back home."

"But this is your home." She looked like she wanted to cry.

"Honey, House lives in New Jersey, remember? He stayed here to help us after the accident."

"When are you coming back?"

"I'll be back in a week or so."

"You promise?"

"Yeah."

"Can we watch pirates later?"

Before Cuddy could intervene with her "hell no", her cell phone rang and she picked it up and took it in the other room. House heard her have a short conversation with someone then hang up.

"Who was that?" House asked.

"Oh…just the hospital. Nothing major. So…who wants to see Big Bird today?" She asked. Two people at the table raised their hands and Cuddy just shook her head amused.

Several hours later, House, Cuddy and Rachel returned from their outing. They'd thoroughly enjoyed the museum and then stopped at a café for lunch. Rachel had talked nearly the entire time about all the things she'd seen at the museum. She had asked a lot of questions and Cuddy was so proud of her little girl for being so inquisitive. She also loved how House would not only answer her questions but go into deeper explanations to her about the stars and the planets. She reveled in the way Rachel watched House as he explained normally difficult concepts to her, the little girl was simply mesmerized and his explanations only sparked more questions. House was incredibly patient, answering every one of them in a way he thought she could understand. House had even bought her a few puzzles and games so she could have fun while she learned.

As soon as they walked into the house, Rachel ran to her room with her bag of goodies and House and Cuddy went into the kitchen. She looked at her watch and then at House.

"Damn. I forgot to pick up the stuff I was going to need to cookout tonight. House, would you go to the store for me?"

"Aww mom, we just got home," he whined.

"Please?" She walked over to him and put her hands on his chest and smiled sweetly. "There'll be a special something in it for you if you do this for me."

House rolled his eyes. "Good god woman when you do that, how can I resist?"

"I knew it," she patted his chest and turned away from him.

"Wait a minute don't I get a little down payment now?"

"Hmm, I think I can spare a little something for you," she said as she pulled him by his shirt and kissed him.

"You can thank me like that any time. Give me the damn list before I change my mind."

When House left, Cuddy closed the door and looked at her watch again. She took out her cell phone and made a quick call then hung up. She paced the living room anxiously and kept looking out the window. Five minutes later, a delivery truck arrived. Rachel heard the truck and ran into the living room.

"Mommy what's that?"

"It's a surprise for House. Stand over there, baby," she pointed into the dining room, "Stay out of the way so you don't get hurt, okay?"

"Okay," Rachel said, taking a seat in one of the dining chairs, eyes wide, swinging her feet and excited to see the surprise.

Cuddy went outside to meet the delivery crew, letting them know they didn't have much time. The men carefully unloaded the items into the house and put everything in place. They even helped Cuddy move around pieces of her furniture to make the item fit. Fifteen minutes later it was done and she signed the receipt, gave the guys a generous tip and bid them goodbye. She looked out the window and watched them leave then turned back to the rearranged living room, sweating a little from the moving and nervously anticipating House's return.

"Mommy, House is going to be surprised isn't he?"

"Yes he is, now remember don't say anything when he gets here. He has to notice okay?"

"Okay."

When House arrived home shortly after, mother and daughter sat on the couch looking at the pictures in one of the children's books House had bought at the museum. Both tried to keep the smiles off their faces but it was more difficult for Rachel who was terribly excited over House's surprise. House entered the house with two bags in one hand and his cane in the other. He closed the door behind him and saw his two favorite girls on the couch smiling.

"You two are trouble," he said pointing his cane at them. They didn't reply, instead they diverted their eyes to the area over between the fireplace and window. House turned to his left, following their gaze and then his mouth dropped open when he saw it. Gone were the small antique table and two chairs and in their place was a beautiful upright piano. Cuddy got up immediately and took the bags from him and smiled.

"Wow. What…is...this?" He asked, stuttering a little.

"Surprise!" Rachel yelled from the couch. She had this huge smile on her face and went over and hugged House's good leg.

He looked down at Rachel, then up at Cuddy. "For me?"

"Uh huh, you like?"

House nodded and limped over to the piano. "Wow," he said, still stunned, as he gently caressed its smooth mahogany top. "I can't believe this. You know what this is right?" He asked, pointing at it.

Cuddy smiled and nodded. "Yep, it's a Sohmer and Company Cupid, 1956."

"It's amazing, how did you find it?"

"I know a guy."

He grinned at her. "This...this thing is an antique."

"Yep."

"You paid a fortune for it."

"Not quite."

"How much?"

"I'll never tell."

"This is why you wanted to get me out of the house?"

"Well yeah, that and I really needed the stuff on that list."

"Oh woman you are evil and I love it," he said as he sat down at the piano and flexed his fingers. He began playing and the melody flowed freely throughout the room.

Rachel and Cuddy took their places back on the couch and listened to House play. "Mommy, Howse plays good."

"He sure does. He used to play for you when you were a little girl."

"Mommy I'm still little," Rachel insisted.

"When you were littler than you are now. Sometimes we'd stay at House's apartment and he'd play for us."

Mother and daughter sat back and listened for nearly a half hour as House played song after song. They varied between classical and show tunes and jazz and then some of them she didn't even recognize. He moved into Chopin's Number 15 in D flat, Raindrops, which Cuddy recognized because he'd played it for her when they were together. House closed his eyes as he played. The piano was in perfect tune, the music reverberated throughout the house. It was clear, it was beautiful. The piece started off hopeful and naïve taking a turn when the minor chords revealed a deeper truth. It cried softly before the persistent notes and strong chords interrupted with a resentful yearning, and then ended with a calm acceptance. Tears formed in Cuddy's eyes as she watched him lose himself in the music. She loved seeing him like that, it was one of the few times he was most vulnerable. She thought about them and the things they'd shared together over the years. When he played his music for her, it had always captured the deepest parts of her soul and she thought there was nothing more beautiful than him at that moment. As the piece neared its end, she began to cry.

"Mommy why are you crying?" Rachel asked, concerned.

House finished and put his hands in his lap. "You okay?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah. I just…I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." She got up quickly and went down the hall.

House was perplexed. She'd gotten him this beautiful piano and she seemed so happy and then all the sudden she was crying. Women, he thought. Damn hormones. But he wasn't sure it was hormones. He'd had his eyes closed but he'd peeked over at her a few times as he played and noticed she seemed lost in her thoughts. Something was on her mind and he couldn't rest until he knew what it was. They had one day left together and he was not going to spend it with her sad.

"Hey munchkin, you think you can guard this thing till I get back? I want to check on your mom."

"Okay."

House limped down the hall to Cuddy's room. He tapped on the door which was closed but not all the way. He peeked in and found her sitting on the bed blowing her nose.

"Can I come in?"

"I'm fine, really," she said sniffling.

He opened the door and leaned against the doorway. "You were fine a few minutes ago and all morning and last night. Now you're a mess. What's going on?"

"Probably just PMS."

"Liar. You haven't broken the sugar ban yet."

"Sometimes I hate that you know me so well," she said with a sad chuckle.

"So, what did I do?"

"You?"

"Yeah, the only time you cry is because of me. I assume I screwed up again."

"Oh God no. I screwed up. I mean…not now but…" She started crying again.

He limped over to the bed and sat down next to her. "As gifted as I am, I'm not a mind reader."

"I screwed up when I broke up with you."

He was shocked by her admission. He thought they were past this. "What are you talking about?"

"Listening to you play, it's so beautiful and it reminded me of the times you used to play for me when we were together. In those moments, I felt so connected to you. It's one of the few times you really put yourself out there," she said. "It just reminded me of everything…and how much went wrong between us and how much I've missed you."

House sighed softly. "I thought we were moving past our mistakes."

"We are, it's just it takes awhile, ya know." She said between sniffles.

"It's easier said than done. Baby steps, Cuddy," he nudged her with his shoulder.

"God I hate it when you're right." She blew her nose again. House laughed.

"You sound like foghorn, leghorn." She frowned at him and he said, "C'mere," as he pulled her to him.

Cuddy leaned on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her. "I know you carry your share of guilt. Believe it or not, I do too." She looked up at him. "I'll deny it if you ever tell anyone though," he said.

"Naturally," she mused.

"Cuddy, it's hard to forget the past, I know that better than anyone." When he said that, Cuddy knew he was referring to his father as well as them. "I don't think we forget though, we just move on."

"I don't think we ever really forget it, we just deal with it and move on."

House nodded as he nuzzled her hair with his nose. "I wish I could say or do something to make things automatically better so you wouldn't feel so bad."

"Things are better House; we've come a long way. We're talking and I like that we can do that and still be us."

"You know we'll always argue and fight, it's who we are. Cuddy, it wouldn't be us if we didn't. It just wouldn't work," he said.

"We have proven that haven't we?"

"All too well." He kissed her on top of her head. "Come on, we better get back in their before your musical prodigy claims ownership of my new piano."

"So you really like it?"

"Are you kidding? I fucking love it. But…why?"

"House, I wanted you to feel at home when you're here. I know how much your music means to you."

House smiled and Cuddy couldn't get over how much she'd missed that. He rarely smiled and when he did only two people were on the receiving end of it, her and Wilson.

"How in hell did you set this up?" He asked.

"Well…I made a few phone calls here and there and like I said, I know a guy."

"I bet you know a lot of guys," he teased.

"Don't you know it," she responded coyly.

"Any guy in particular who...stands out?" He asked as he took her hand and led her out of the bedroom into the hallway.

"Maybe."

"Hmm…I wanna hear more about this guy. He must be one hot dude."

"You have no idea," she winked at him then, still holding his hand, followed him back into the living room.

Well, there ya go. I've wanted to get House into his music again because it's such an important part of who he is and he communicates his feelings through his music and he works out his problems through it as well. I've already got a large part of the next chapter done as it was originally going to be part of this chapter but it's so long and I thought the ending here makes a much more appropriate end for this chapter. I'll update tomorrow or Tuesday!