A/N: Thank you so much for all the kind words and reviews. Cherokee Jedi has been phenomenal in her support of this. We throw around ideas and banter about dialogue and scenes and her input has helped make this story not only fun to write but fun to read.

By the way, we have a new Huddy fic writer who is PHENOMENAL! This new fic will knock your socks off! Please check out clinicduty's first Huddy fic titled "Making Amends" at fanfiction dot net/s/10086483/1/Making-Amends

On Friday night, House, Cuddy and Rachel enjoyed a leisurely dinner by candlelight. House's lecture ran late because he'd been inundated with questions from faculty and students and afterward he'd been involved in a rather long last minute meeting with Dr. Baker and Board Chairman Powers. He'd called Cuddy and told her he'd take a cab home and so she ordered Italian takeout and stopped over at Sharon's house to pick up Rachel.

Throughout dinner, House had been somewhat quiet and Cuddy sensed something was on his mind but assumed he would talk when he was ready. As the two adults ate quietly, Rachel tried unsuccessfully to build a house made of peas. Cuddy took a sip of her tea and glanced up at House, who caught her eye.

House put his fork down. "Okay I know you're dying of curiosity."

"What?" She asked innocently. "I didn't say anything?"

"I can hear you thinking. Why don't you just ask?"

"You'll talk to me when you're ready."

He lifted his fork and took another bite and before he finished chewing he said, "I changed my mind about the job."

Immediately Cuddy's jaw dropped. "What?"

"It's not what you think. I've still got a job, we've made some adjustments."

"What kind of adjustments?"

"Well...I'm not going to be head of the department."

Cuddy looked at him in shock. "What happened? I thought you won them over this morning."

"I did. But I changed my mind."

"But…why?"

"A number of reasons…there's the bureaucracy which you know I loathe and then the inevitable moment when I don't do something they like, they'll go running to you and ask you go keep me in check…"

"You don't know that!" She interjected.

"You're right, I don't but I don't want to chance it either. I don't want work to get in the way of us again," he said sincerely. "Besides, in the past all I did was work, well…that and other things, most of it not pleasant. I don't mind the work and I love the puzzles but I don't want to be stuck there days at a time, sleeping in my chair, waking up to my leg hurting like hell. I don't want to be in the position where I have to fight the bureaucracy every day just to do my job. I did my time. It's someone else's turn."

Cuddy was clearly confused. "You're serious?"

He nodded.

"But didn't they decide to finally run with this department because of you?"

"They were going to get this thing going eventually, knowing I was interested in being a part of it, just sped it along. You and I both know you can't create a department around one person. You did that for me and while I'll always be grateful, donations and support for it were in large part because of me and nobody else had a chance of running it. While that gives me a nice big fat ego...it doesn't do anything for the hospital. They're about to lose a great department and in a way, I actually feel bad about that because we put a lot of work into it. So, I explained my point of view to them and suggested an alternative."

"Which is?"

"Chase."

"Chase?"

"Yep." He leaned back in his chair, a sense of satisfaction in his voice.

"But how do you know he'll do it?"

"Why do you think I was so late? We called him and asked him if he wanted it. When I left they were still working out the details."

"Wow. So what's your part in it?"

"I'm going to help Chase build the new department but it's his to do whatever he wants. He'll answer to Baker and hire his own team and assistants and runs all the cases. It's his baby. I'll serve as mentor and consultant and participate in cases when he needs my help."

"But that won't be enough for you," Cuddy said.

"That's just what I'll be doing in my spare time," he joked. "My primary job will be to head the new Division of Research in Diagnostic Medicine which is an arm of the Diagnostics department. I'll be answering to Baker but in this position I'm far less likely to piss her off," he said with a grin.

Cuddy's eyes lit up. "Like the ones we have in emergency medicine, pediatrics and nephrology?"

"Yeah, they're all affiliates of their departments and work together closely but they're separate entities. Like them, I'll have a budget and a staff consisting of rotating med students if I want them. I'm basically the behind the scenes guy working on papers, case studies, research, and of course, the lectures. It'll bring in prestige and grant funding too which you know will keep the powers that be off my back. I'll also be a consult with Infectious Diseases and Nephrology."

Cuddy sat back, impressed. "You did your homework didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did. I needed to be sure."

He watched as Cuddy eyed him with hesitation. He felt good about the new arrangement but sensed she wasn't convinced.

"What do I have to do to convince you?" He asked.

"I just want you to be happy."

He reached out and caressed her fingers in reassurance. "It's a win for everyone. The hospital gets a brand new diagnostics department built by a world renowned diagnostician, it's department head is trained and mentored by said diagnostician, Chase gets to finally move up and take charge like we both know he's capable of doing, I'll still be able to help solve cases plus I get to work behind the scenes without dealing with people…which you know I hate…except for the teaching but I guess I'll get used to that. And you…you won't have to worry about me causing trouble around the hospital…and don't say you weren't going to worry because I know you," he said with a grin as her jaw dropped in surprise. "Plus...I'll be able to spend time doing more than just working." He hoped that would get her.

She smiled. She liked that idea.

"Look at it this way. Before, I worked all the time because I didn't have anything else in my life. I was miserable and depressed. Now I'm not. I don't need a distraction anymore," he said, softly.

"You're trying to butter me up aren't you?" She asked. He'd already won her over.

"Is it working?"

"Mmm...maybe," she replied, flirtatiously.

"When did you come to this decision? You hadn't even hinted about it." She wondered why he hadn't confided in her.

"I mulled it over a few days ago." He saw the look of disappointment and realized she was hurt that he hadn't told her. He squeezed her hand. "Don't be upset. I wasn't sure about it myself. I thought long and hard about it in between everything else I had going on. The answer came to me today, I knew it was the right one. Like I said before, I put my time in, it's time for someone else to do it. There's no one better qualified to fill my shoes than Chase," he said sincerely.

Cuddy knew House passed our very few compliments so when he did, he meant it. His decision was a surprise but his reasons for it made complete sense. He seemed at peace with it and she knew she would be too. After all, she just wanted what was best for him and as he often said, no one knew that better than he did.

Cuddy beamed. "You're pretty remarkable, you know that?"

"Well, duh," he said, with a roll of the eyes.

"Do you want seconds?" She asked pointing at his empty plate.

He winked at her. "Always."

Rachel, who had been mostly silent during dinner, choosing to immerse herself in her food and building walls of peas which didn't hold up, and had only glanced up occasionally between her mom and House, suddenly held her plate up and asked,

"Can I have some more too mommy?"

"You liked that?"

"Uh huh." She nodded her head and smiled. "Tastes just like yours."

Cuddy smiled and picked up the plates and took them into the kitchen.

Rachel looked up at House with a big fat grin on her face.

"Whaaat?"

"You got somethin' on your face."

"Do not."

"Do too."

"Do not."

"Uh huh, it's right there," she said pointing her finger at his mouth. He picked up a napkin and wiped his chin and sure enough he'd had a drop of sauce there.

"See, I told you," she said. Sitting there with her hands on her hips, she reminded him of her mother and oddly enough a little of Arlene Cuddy too. That made him cringe.

"So kid, did you have a good day at school?" He asked.

"Uh huh. I got a gold star in reading."

"You did?"

"I read four books this month." She held up her hand and four fingers.

"Good for you. What did you read?"

"I read…umm…Library Lion…Wake Up Louie…uhh…No Roses for Harry…and uh…" She looked up in the air thoughtfully then giggled. "I can't member the other one."

"You can't member?" He asked, grinning as he mocked her.

She shook her head. "No." She giggled again.

He made a funny face at her.

"Mommy says if you make a face like that it's gonna freeze that way."

"Well, what does mommy know?"

"What don't I know?" Cuddy asked from behind as she set their plates on the table.

"Oooh," Rachel chimed in, knowing House was in trouble.

"Nothing," he said making another face at Rachel. "Just educating the wee one here."

Before Cuddy could reply, House's phone rang. She knew by the ringtone it was Wilson. The two talked for a few minutes and House hung up.

"What was that all about?" She asked.

"He wanted to know how the meeting went. I guess he hasn't run into Chase." House picked at his fettuccine. "I can tell he's lonely. He needs a woman. Didn't he hit it off with Sharon? "

"Sharon likes him; it's just that she's apprehensive about a guy who can't keep a relationship for very long."

"Well its obvious why. He has this incessant need to give to these women till it hurts and leaving nothing for himself. The only one who wouldn't let him do that was Amber. She was actually good for him. He's hardly dated since Sam, it's like he's given up."

"It's nice that you're worried about him but Wilson can take care of himself. I think Sharon would be good for him. She's very strong and independent, not at all needy."

"So…how do we get them together?"

"Oh no…no no…" she said as she waved her hands in front of her. "We are not getting involved in that. Look how long it took us to get our act together and now you want to get involved in someone else's relationship?"

"You know Wilson; he needs a little push sometimes."

"Need I remind you what happened in the past when you got involved?"

"What? It was done out of love," he whined.

She snorted. "Maybe partly done out of love but also out of self-preservation. Sure you wanted to prove the women he was with were bad for him but you wanted to protect your relationship with him too."

"And? Was I not right?"

"You were but still…Wilson's an intelligent, nice looking, compassionate guy who does not need his friends intervening on his behalf. He will find a woman on his own."

House scoffed and took another bite of his dinner.

"Do you think he'd be happier here?" He asked.

"I don't know, House. He's got his practice there…his home. He's been there a long time."

"But he's got nothing else. The only two people he gives a crap about are here."

Rachel looked up suddenly. "Crap!" She shouted, gleefully.

"Rachel Cuddy! We do not say words like that." Cuddy chastised.

"But Howse did," she whined.

"Just because House does it doesn't make it okay, now finish your dinner, sweetie."

Rachel put on her pouty face and House stuck his tongue out at her but retracted in time to see Cuddy give him the evil eye.

"As I was saying…" House continued. "The only two people he cares about are here. Why would he want to stay there?"

Cuddy watched him. His wheels were grinding. She realized what he was up to. She pointed her fork at him. "Stop whatever you're thinking about doing. Don't try to set him up with Sharon and don't guilt him into moving here. If he wants to pursue something here, fine if not, fine but let him make his own decision."

They ate in silence for the next few minutes. House seemed to retreat into deep thought. The only sounds in the room were Rachel giggling when her second wall of peas collapsed and the clink of the forks hitting their plates. Cuddy finished her meal and put her chin in her hands and watched House finish his dinner. When he finished he pushed the plate forward and rested his elbows on the table and his face in his hands. He sighed and said,

"You're right."

That was not the response she expected. "That's a first. Right about what?"

"I can't meddle. I don't want him to move out of guilt or neediness."

"I don't think it would be out of guilt, he knows you won't be alone. And as far as neediness, would that be his or yours?"

"Maybe a little of both. Wilson's always been my go-to guy when I can't make sense of things."

"That's what friends are for."

"Yeah but I don't want to go to him about you. I did that in the past and look where it got me."

"I don't think you will, not like you used to. Now we talk to each other and we don't need a mediator anymore...not that he was that great a mediator considering how much trouble he's gotten us both in over the years by giving advice but..."

"I know. When we were together before, he grilled me every day to make sure I wasn't doing anything to screw it up."

"Didn't you get tired of that?"

He shrugged. "That's how we functioned…trying to keep each other from falling into the pit of despair."

"You guys can be best buddies without nagging each other night and day about screwing up your relationships. I never liked that he blamed you for his relationship failures. I know that your meddling and taking up so much of his time didn't make it easier on him but it wasn't you who cheated and it wasn't you who couldn't communicate. He made those choices, not you. If he's going to be in a stable relationship again, he needs to do it on his own. Same goes for you. Besides, I think if he stops trying to be the perfect guy all the time and sacrificing himself at every turn, I think he could find happiness."

"I thought you believed in sacrifice."

"To a point. Like you said, he gives till it hurts. Even I don't believe in that."

"Oh, you give baby…and it hurts."

She smacked him gently on the arm. "Stop!" She couldn't stop laughing.

"So," he said, inching his hand over and caressing her fingers. "What's for dessert?"

House sat on the couch in his pajamas, his sock-clad feet on the coffee table. His eyes were glued to the television in front of them. Rachel sat next to him in a pair of bunny pajamas, leaning forward, her lips pursed and a scowl of concentration on her face. The two were playing a video game when Cuddy, clad in a fluffy dark blue robe and slippers, moved three empty bowls that once held chocolate mousse aside in favor of hot cocoa. Then she took a seat and snuggled next to Rachel.

"This is nice, isn't it?" She asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Hey you cheated!" He suddenly yelled to Rachel.

"I did not. I'm just better than you." Rachel laid down her wii controller and fist-pumped the air in victory.

Cuddy snorted. "I wonder where she learned that."

He tossed his controller on the table. "I let you win," he said.

"Nuh uh!" Rachel yelled, scrunching her face at him.

"Uh huh," he scrunched his face right back at her. They were face to face and she refused to budge. Finally, he gave in first. "Fine, I give up but this…is not over."

Rachel cheered again triumphantly.

Cuddy laughed at their interaction, then turned on the television to find something they could watch together. She settled for a space documentary on the science channel. Space was a subject that Rachel loved and as soon as her mother put it on, she moved over to one of her favorite spots-the recliner which was closer to the television and soon forgot all about the adults who spoke in hushed tones in the background.

Cuddy moved closer to House and leaned against him and asked, "Does this feel at all out of character for us?"

"What?"

"Sitting here together…a television…a fire...a kid."

"We used to do this at my place...sometimes without the kid. We did a lot of other things too." He said waggling his eyebrows.

Cuddy blushed and whispered, "Yes, we did," she replied with a nudge. Changing the subject she asked, "So when are the movers going to be there?"

"My leave starts next Friday. Movers will be there Friday morning."

"Okay maybe while you're here this weekend we can figure out where to put stuff. We definitely need to find a place for your piano. I think Julia will take mine because they don't have one and the kids want to learn."

"Oh, does my piano have sentimental value to you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow as he ghosted his fingers up and down her arm.

"Something like that." She smirked. They had many good memories centered around that particular instrument.

"Also, I can get most of your books into shelves in the office. In fact, it's been more of a storage room than anything else. If we clean it out you can make that your man-cave."

House loved that Cuddy was back into administrator mode already planning and organizing the move. "What about when you work at home?"

"The beauty of no longer being in charge means I don't bring work home . I use the dining room table when I do the bills, that way I can spread things out. So that other room is all yours."

House liked the idea that she no longer brought her work home with her. But he supposed since she was no longer in administration there was no need to.

"What about my bed?"

"Oh your bed definitely moves in. It's bigger and I love the beautiful hardwood."

He nudged her and winked. "Hard wood...get it?"

She rolled her eyes. "Perv," she said.

"Takes one to know one," he replied.

"So what about your apartment?" She asked. "Are you listing it or just renting it out?"

"It's on the market. I think I can get about two and a quarter for it."

"That much?"

"Yeah. It's in the historic district so it'll go fast."

"Hmm," she said. They went back to watching television and every now and then she would steal a glance over in his direction. She watched as the reflection of the flames from the fireplace danced in his eyes. The worry lines on his face had disappeared and he looked better than she'd ever seen him. His muscles were firm from exercise and therapy and his mind was sharp. His eyes were devoid of that emptiness and sadness she'd seen so much of in the past. He was taking care of himself and that made her happy.

He turned to her and caught her staring at him.

"Stop staring."

"Just admiring."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really. You look…good."

He let out a sigh. "I feel good. You know...in the old days, on a Friday night, I would've either been working late or holed up at the apartment drinking scotch with Wilson, thinking up ways not to think of the pain in my leg. Now, I'm sitting here on the couch in front of a warm fire, watching the science channel with two gorgeous babes. Nobody would've believed it."

Cuddy smiled. She understood. She'd spent her own share of Friday nights alone, usually sitting on the couch with a cup of tea going over hospital budgets, employee evaluations and grant proposals.

"You're right, they probably wouldn't," she said. "The only thing that matters is that you're here and you're...not miserable or lonely anymore. You're with the people who love you. You really did it House."

"I didn't have a choice."

"There's always a choice. I've heard you say that to patients a hundred times. You had a choice to live or die. You chose to live." She wrapped her arms around him.

House ran his fingers through her hair and whispered. "I'm not the only one who changed you know."

"Me? How?"

"You're far less controlling than you ever were and oddly enough I like it. Don't get me wrong…controlling bedroom Cuddy and controlling office Cuddy are a big turn on but somehow you not trying to control my every move at home has actually made a big difference. When you pushed me I got on the defensive and pushed back. Now, I don't feel the need to be on the defensive with you."

"But you don't live here full-time yet. What if I slip back into that mode without meaning to? You know I'll try but you're not the only one who worries about screwing up."

He sighed. "We said we were gonna talk right?"

She nodded.

"Well, there you go."

"You were on the defensive most of your life especially with your dad weren't you?"

He nodded. "Everything was scheduled and organized. Everything had to be done right the first time. If not, you did it over and over till you got it right. I hated it."

"I wish I'd known all of this years earlier, I could've-"

He cut her off. "You think it would've changed things?"

"Wouldn't it? It explains so much about you."

"But if you'd known what could you have done?"

"I don't know. I'd like to think I could've done something." She always felt bad that not knowing enough about House's past had hindered her ability to help him in the ways he needed.

He shook his head. "I don't think things would be much different and maybe that's a good thing. Anything different and who knows where we'd be? At least the way things did turn out we're here. That might not have happened otherwise."

Cuddy had to agree with him. There was no way to know how things would've worked out. There was always the possibility that he'd been different and they never would've gotten together. She thought about how empty and meaningless her life would've been without him. If given the choice, she'd always choose the path that led to being with him.

House noticed the science channel documentary was over and he picked up the remote and turned the television off. He had something that had been on his mind all evening. I guess now's as good a time as any, he thought to himself.

"Come here kiddo," he motioned to Rachel, who ran over to him and seated herself on the couch between him and her mother.

House took a deep breath and looked at Cuddy, then he reached over to the table next to him and opened the drawer and removed a shiny black box and handed it to Cuddy.

"I got something for you and Rachel."

He anxiously watched Cuddy open the box.

"House!" She gasped.

He smiled nervously and watched as she gently removed one of the cameos from the box. Her breath hitched when she saw the antique cameo of mother and daughter on a silver chain.

"House…this is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me!" She looked back into the box. "And there are two? One for me and…one for Rach?" She looked up at him adoringly.

He nodded.

"For me?" Rachel asked, excitedly.

"Yep, that one's for you," he said, pointing at the one in the box.

Cuddy lifted out an identical cameo on the smaller silver chain and tried to hold back her tears.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. This is just…" She couldn't finish her sentence.

"Here let me put it on you." He motioned for her to turn her back to him and gently placed it around her delicate neck and locked the clasp.

"How does it look?" She asked when she turned around.

"Gorgeous," he said in a voice indicating he meant far more than just the necklace.

She leaned forward, Rachel still between them, and cupped his face in her hands. His eyes closed as she ran her smooth fingers over his skin. "Thank you," she whispered against his lips before placing a feather light kiss upon them. He opened his eyes and was lost her gray orbs. They just stared at one another forgetting for a moment that Rachel was there.

"What about me?" Rachel interrupted with impatience.

Cuddy laughed and showed Rachel her necklace. "See Rach, that's a mommy and her little girl."

"Me and you?"

"Uh huh."

"It's pretty."

"Would you like to wear it now?"

"Okay." Rachel lifted her hair and Cuddy put the necklace on her.

"Now we're just alike," Rachel said, proudly.

"Yes we are."

Rachel suddenly turned to House and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you Howse! I luv you!"

He swallowed hard and her words pierced his heart, the heart he never thought would beat as happily as it once did the day he first met and fell in love with a young Lisa Cuddy at the University of Michigan. As House hugged Rachel back, he stroked her hair and whispered, "Love you too, kiddo."

Cuddy watched the two and nearly broke down in tears. She could never get enough of those tender moments between her daughter and the man she loved. She put her hand on Rachel's back and rubbed it as her little girl embraced House. When they pulled apart Rachel was still beaming.

"Now Rach, we need to be careful, as they are very special. You can wear it on special occasions, but not outside and not to school," Cuddy said.

"But I want to wear it all the time," she whined.

"I know you do honey but it's such a special gift, we don't want anything to happen to it."

"Is it really special?"

House chimed in. "Yep. These are very old and were made for two very special ladies a long time ago. They're two of a kind, so you have to be careful."

Rachel tilted her head as if weighing his words carefully. Finally, she said, "okay."

"Now, I think it's bedtime for you young lady," Cuddy said.

"Do I have to?" Rachel whined. House smirked. Rachel always wanted to stay up with them.

"Come on kid, I'll help tuck you in. For once you can read me a story."

"Can I read you Marshmallow?"

"Sure," he said.

"Okay!" Rachel was up and out of the room before House even grabbed his cane.

Cuddy had showered while House put Rachel to bed. When she emerged from the bathroom, she found him, hands behind his head, sitting up partially against the headboard, eyes closed. He looked so relaxed she hated to disturb him. When she closed the bathroom door behind her, he opened his eyes.

"She asleep?" Cuddy asked.

"Yeah," he said. "She didn't want to take off the necklace but I finally convinced her if she did you'd let her wear it tomorrow."

Cuddy chuckled. "Softie."

"By the way, the kid's a great reader. I'm impressed."

"She's a smart little girl. I'm so proud of her." She tossed her robe on the chair next to the bed and climbed into bed next to him, wrapping her arm around his waist and snuggling up to him.

He reached around and ran his fingers under her tee shirt. "Mmm...I've been waiting for this since I got here."

"Have you really?" She asked seductively, leaning up to kiss him.

"Oh yeah," he whispered against her lips.

She moved closer and felt a lump near the pillow. She pulled away from him and noticed the large manila envelope on the bed. "What's that?" She asked, sitting up on her knees facing him.

"Yeah...uh...there's one more thing I wanted to give you. Call it…a little insurance policy." He picked it up and handed it to her. She tilted her head and eyed him curiously as she accepted the envelope. She opened it carefully, pulled out the papers and unfolded them.

House watched her reaction as she read the documents. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah."

"But this is a lot of money."

"When Rachel turns eighteen it's all hers to do with what she wants. She can use it for college or to travel or save it for a down payment on a house. Once we decide how we want to invest it, it'll sit there drawing interest until she's ready to use it."

Cuddy was speechless. She noted his use of the word we and it made her heart flutter. Every step he continued to take was forward and with them. It warmed her heart.

"I don't know what to say," she said.

"Say its okay."

"Well…of course it's okay! Wait…you sold your dad's coins, didn't you?"

He nodded.

"But those were yours; they'd been passed down from your grandfather."

House shrugged. "I thought of holding on to them but I realized the money would do her more good down the road."

"This is such an amazing gift. I mean…I've been saving for her for college since I adopted her but this is more than I could've ever imagined she'd have to start her future. What did your mom say about it?"

"She said it was sweet and then she said she'd like to think my dad would've been okay with it."

"Do you think he would?"

"He used to tell me I didn't know how good I had it. Well, now I do. If he were around, maybe he'd see it."

"First the cameos and now this." Tears rolled down her face.

He pulled her to him and rocked her. "Hey," he whispered in her ear. "Hey come on, it's a trust fund, not the end of the world.'

"I'm not upset you idiot," she said smacking him playfully while sniffling. "It's just…you never cease to amaze me. I mean, I've always known you to be a good man. You insisted I saw something that wasn't there, but it was. I always knew it. It was just buried under so much heartache and misery that you thought it was gone forever. You said you couldn't change, that people don't change and yet you did. You allowed yourself to be happy. You're still you, it's just that you decided you weren't going to let misery rule your life anymore. You never believed you were worth it but you were, you always have been."

Cuddy straddled his lap on her knees and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her holding her tightly to him and when they broke apart, she moved down farther on his legs and motioned for him to raise his hips, then she removed his pajama pants, slowly pulling them down and off his feet, tossing them aside. She then reached forward and pulled down his boxers, careful to avoid his scar, and discarded them too. She licked her lips at the sight of a very aroused House who stared at her with lust in his eyes. Starting at his ankles, she kissed and nipped at his skin as she worked her way back towards him. She caressed, touched, and kneaded along the way. When she got to his scar, she ghosted her left hand over it and gave it a feather light kiss. Often during lovemaking, even in their prior relationship, Cuddy had made it a point to show him with her actions that she accepted all of him, including the one thing he perceived as his biggest flaw. She never saw his scar as a flaw but as a testament to his courage-that through everything, he had made it, he had defied the odds and lived. It had been hell for him quite often but he'd done it.

She gazed at him seductively as she took his erection in her hands and stroked gently. His eyes closed and he leaned back against the headboard and moaned her name softly. She leaned down and blew a puff of air on the tip, then dragged her tongue up his length, pressing it flat along the underside of his shaft and swirled it around the tip and sucked him into her mouth. Her delicate fingers wrapped round the base of his shaft and he groaned louder. He rocked his hips toward her face slowly pumping his length between her soft lips. He was finding it difficult to breathe, and his hands kneaded her shoulders involuntarily.

Cuddy loved to drive him crazy with her ministrations and his reactions aroused her even greater. She bobbed her head along with the slow thrusts of his hips into her mouth. "Mmm," she moaned as her head moved faster, up and down his shaft. She moved her free hand up his stomach, running her nails up and down his warm skin feeling him twitch and pulse beneath her. As she sucked him, her hand pumped him quicker. Her eyes flickered up to his and as blue met gray, it was apparent that the desire they felt for each other burned brightly.

House could barely control his reactions to her. She had always had an incredible power over him. He loved letting her take charge. With Cuddy, he felt this reckless abandon, the need to throw caution to the wind and allow himself to get lost in her. As Cuddy continued sucking him and caressing him, he felt his balls grow tight. The vibrations she made with her mouth were driving him crazy. He knew he wouldn't last long and he wanted so badly to be inside her when he came. Fighting the urge to come in her mouth, he gently pulled her by the wrists. She pulled him out of her mouth and looked up at him. No words were necessary to know what he wanted.

Cuddy slid easily out of her yoga pants and panties then moved her up his body to straddle him again. She put her arms up as he lifted her tee shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. He looked at her adoringly and took her soft plump breasts in his hands and caressed them, gently pinching her nipples. He watched as she moaned and her head feel back, eyes closed, lips parted with desire. He was entranced by the vision before him. She was sexy, beautiful, intelligent, funny and compassionate. She matched him wit for wit, challenged his every move, made his life more exciting and energetic. He leaned forward and sucked on her breasts, rolling his tongue over her nipples and feeling her shiver above him. He could feel her wetness on his thighs and knew they wouldn't last much longer.

As if Cuddy read his mind, she raised herself up and then eased down on him slowly and both of them emitted loud sighs of gratitude and relief when they were finally joined. Though it had not been long since the last time they had made love, it felt like forever. She couldn't wait until soon they could spend every night like this. She had missed his presence so much that it hurt. At night, she would sleep with a piece of his clothing she had "borrowed" and fell asleep with her face buried in it, inhaling his scent as she drifted off into her dreams.

House held on to Cuddy tightly, wanting to feel the warmth of her against him for as long as possible. He kissed every inch of her neck and face as she moved above him. He placed his hands on her hips and helped move her up and down on his length. He watched as her breasts bounced, her fingers kneaded his shoulders and her long gorgeous locks of hair fell around her shoulders. His eyes were drawn down to the beautiful cameo that hung from her neck, nestled between her breasts. He buried his face there, licking and sucking, feeling her body shudder and tremble from his touch.

Cuddy unfolded her legs and wrapped them around his waist, drawing him farther into her in their sitting position. She needed to feel all of him as deeply as possible. She couldn't get enough.

"House," she whispered. "You feel so good." She rode him faster.

"How did I get so fucking lucky?" He asked, kissing her between his words.

"This isn't luck," she panted. "This…is us…who we've always been." She felt herself tumbling into ecstasy and could barely get the words out.

He took her face in his hands and gently caressed her cheeks with his thumbs as she rocked on top of him. "No matter how bad I screw up, don't ever give up on me." He looked at her with complete unabashed sincerity.

Cuddy took her hands and placed them over his as he continued to caress her face. It was those moments when he opened his heart and soul to her and trusted only her with his deepest darkest secrets, that she knew she would be with him forever.

"I won't. I promise," she said, her grey orbs misty with tears of joy and relief.

"Good, because I'm never letting you go again," he said breathlessly as he nipped at her chin when she leaned in toward his face. He exhaled into her mouth, feeling her warm tongue caress his as they kissed. He reached his fingers down to her wet thighs and circled her engorged clit.

Her legs tightened around him, their bodies pressed together as he bucked his hips into hers, drilling his length in and out of her. Every cell in her body was on fire. She shivered in his arms when she felt her orgasm take over. With one hand he massaged her clit while the other ran up and down her back and through her beautiful mane of curls.

"Come for me, Cuddy," he whispered in her ear and suddenly she came apart as she writhed in a frantic pace on top of him. He rubbed her faster as they raced to completion. As soon as Cuddy cried her orgasm into his mouth he hit his peak and exploded inside of her. They rode their climaxes together and their mouths met in an attempt to silence their loud moans. When they came down from their high, House rested back against the headboard and brought Cuddy with him. Her arms remained wrapped tightly around him while her head lay against his chest. She could hear his heart beating wildly. He ran her hands up and down her back and when she shivered he reached for the covers and brought them over their bodies. He was still inside her but neither of them wanted to move.

She pulled away to look up at him, taking note of how incredibly relaxed and happy he looked. She pressed her lips to his, keeping their mouths parted open as their tongues tangled together.

"I love you," he said between kisses.

"I love you too."

"One more week and we can do this any time we want," he said.

"I was thinking that earlier," she said.

He held her for awhile until their breathing calmed. A little while later, Cuddy reached around and pinched his ass cheek.

"Hey!" He yelled, drawn out of his near slumber.

"Just making sure you're still awake," she said. "For round two," she said seductively.

"Oh you evil, evil woman," he growled as he rolled her over on her back.

It was some time in the middle of the night when House woke to a noise down the hall. He threw on his pants and tee shirt, grabbed his cane and made his way down the hall. It seemed the noise had come from within Rachel's room. He entered and walked over to her bed. She was still asleep but she was mumbling. He leaned closer and couldn't quite make out what she was saying but then she giggled in her sleep and then he knew she was alright. He turned around, grinning and walked away quietly closing the door behind him.

Since he was up he figured he'd get himself something to drink so he ambled into the kitchen, poured himself a glass of milk and returned to the living room. He opened the curtains and noticed the snow coming down heavily. He opened them wider and lay on the couch facing the window and watched the snow fall. These moments of solace and quiet were when he reflected upon his life. In the old days those reflections were full of heartache and sadness and misery. Now, his life had changed. And he couldn't have been happier.

House never imagined he could feel as loved and in love as he did with Cuddy. Oh he had loved Stacy but that was a long time ago and he was a different man back then. After the breakup he never thought he could feel anything for anyone again but then Cuddy was not just anyone-she had always been there, the one constant in his life. She had been his friend, adversary, boss, protector, defender, savior and biggest fan. The love had always been there, it had just taken them twenty years to realize it.

He thought about when they'd been together before, Cuddy had told him he wasn't able to open himself up to other people's pain and that she didn't think he could do better. He knew he'd screwed up early on by not contributing a hundred percent to the relationship but when he'd finally realized what he had to do, he'd decided to fight for them by doing whatever it took to be he man she needed. But when he had, it was in his own screwed up way and she hadn't recognized it for what it was-his way of committing to her, letting her know he would give up everything just for her. It wasn't until later that House had realized he didn't have to give up everything. She didn't want him to give up who he was, she just wanted him to be there with her, a willing participant in the good and the bad-a full partner in their relationship. He wanted to but he just wasn't sure how. Now though, everything had changed. He had overcome his fear and he'd opened himself up to her and she'd accepted him. He felt complete. He no longer worried night and day as he'd once done, that it would all come crashing down on him. He knew anything was possible but he also knew if they worked together they would survive anything.

House's thoughts turned to Rachel. He loved her-that little girl who he'd been terribly jealous of years ago for taking up Cuddy's time and attention, had become a part of his heart in ways he'd never imagined possible. She'd made him feel things he never thought he'd feel. When he and Cuddy had broken up before, it hurt not only to lose her but to lose Rachel too because they'd just begun to bond. He'd just begun to let the little girl into his heart when she'd been taken away from him. He never admitted to anyone until much later that it had hurt deeply. Now, she was there again, tugging at his heartstrings. He felt very protective of Rachel, ready to hurt anyone who tried to hurt her. He never wanted to see her hurt the way he had been throughout his life. He wanted to be a good role model for her and teach her all the things he learned when he was a child and then some. The whole world was hers and he wanted her to take advantage of it.

House shook his head in disbelief at the situation before him. He had a family-something he had never wanted or even thought he could have but now that he was given a second chance at it-he never wanted to let it go. It brought him a great sense of peace. He closed his eyes and listened to the embers crackling in the fireplace.

Cuddy woke and reached for House but he was gone. She knew he couldn't have gone far so she rolled back to her side and smiled thinking about the night they'd had so far. She fingered the cameo around her neck. The thoughtfulness of his gesture filled her heart with such joy it was difficult for her to express in words.

Every time they were together, things just seemed to get better between them. She was overjoyed watching Rachel and House bond in such a way she had always hoped for but never expected. She had always wanted House to be a part of her little family. He knew how she felt about him, especially after the kiss they shared when she lost Joy, but he'd been too afraid and then later, when they were finally together, they had started to become a family and then it all fell apart. The timing had just never been right.

Until now. House had gotten the courage to write her a letter and ask for her forgiveness and everything had changed. Everything.

Cuddy sighed aloud thinking about the night she broke up with him. She'd told him that in order to care about people, he had to open himself up to feel their pain. She had told him he was incapable of doing that but he had done it. He had put himself out there, made himself vulnerable and taken the chance and she hadn't even recognized it for what it was. Now, he was doing that again. He had opened himself up to her in ways she never could've imagined. He'd opened his heart to her and Rachel and showed them both, in his own way, that he cared about them and loved them.

Now that she had House in her life again, Cuddy was not about to let him go. She vowed to herself that her family would always come first-above work and above everything. She had been so willing to sacrifice everything for Rachel when she'd been with House before, but she realized she hadn't been willing to include him in that circle, not completely. She blamed it on her protectiveness of Rachel but later realized she'd hid behind her daughter, using her as an excuse not to fight harder to make things work between them. She knew she had hurt House by not fighting for him, for them. He had been willing to try, she had not. She would never make that mistake again.

Suddenly she missed him terribly and she sat up and called for him but there was no answer. She put on her robe and walked down the hallway first checking on Rachel and then making her way down the hall. The house was dark but she noticed the curtain open immediately and snow falling outside. She looked over and found House laying on the couch, his eyes closed, and a look of sheer content on his face.

She sat on the coffee table and grazed her fingers along his arm. He opened his eyes immediately.

"Hey," she said softly.

"What are you doing up?"

"I missed you. What are you doing out here?"

"Heard a noise, turns out it was Rachel talking in her sleep."

"She does that sometimes."

"I wonder what she's dreaming about."

Cuddy shrugged. "She can never remember."

"C'mere," he said, spreading his legs on the over sized couch to make room for her. She nestled herself between his legs and pulled the throw from the back of the couch over them. He wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his chest and ran her fingers under his tee shirt, caressing his warm skin. They laid there watching the snow fall together.

"House?"

"Hmm."

"How many people do you think get as many chances as we did?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly.

"It's fate."

House scoffed at the notion.

She chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know you don't believe in fate but you have to admit, we were made for one another." She smiled against his chest.

He didn't reply but he nodded as he ran his fingers through her hair. He felt her body relax against him. Oh yeah, he thought to himself. We definitely were made for each other.

"Tell me the story about the cameos," She said, lifting her head to look up at him.

House kissed the top of her head and nodded, then quietly relayed to her the story about his trip to the antique store and Walt and Dottie. When he finally finished, Cuddy was in tears.

"Don't cry." He said, stroking her hair.

She sniffled. "It's so sad. I can't believe they lost their only child."

"It wasn't supposed to make you cry," he said kissing the top of her head.

She sat up and looked at him. He brushed a lock of hair from her face.

"It's so sad and beautiful. Walt & Dottie remind me of us. I mean...in love all those years from the time they were so young...except they weren't complete idiots like we were."

"That's so romantic," he mused.

Cuddy chuckled. "I do love this," she said fingering her cameo. "It's the most beautiful and thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me and that it's from you means so much more than you could ever know."

"When I saw them...it just reminded me of you and Rachel," he said, as he continued to stroke her hair and her back.

"That was really nice of him to just give them to you."

"You know what he said? He said that no one had expressed any interest but he knew eventually the right person would come along."

"And the right person did," she said, snuggling against him.

"Do you think we should tell Rachel the story?" He asked.

"I think we could when she's a little older. It's a very beautiful and touching story. I think she'll appreciate it when she's old enough to understand it."

"Okay."

They remained on the couch, snuggled under the fleece blanket, quietly watching the snow fall until eventually they fell asleep.