I'm not certain when I'll be able to post the next chapter, or even write it, since I'll be spending most of the next week in Vegas with a bunch of other House fanfic writers. Hopefully I'll have something ready by the end of the week.

Chapter 68.

By three thirty, all of the food and beer were gone and so were the moving people. Most of the furniture was in place. We all stood around the living room.

"I guess all that's left is unpacking the boxes," Jess said.

"I'm sure your team will help with that," I said, moving one so I could sit down on the couch to watch.

"Despite the fact that they were here at my request, they're still your team. And Wilson and Petey," she added.

The helpers were still casting odd glances at the two of us, especially Foreman and Wilson. I think by then Chase and Thirteen had adjusted to the news. Taub was keeping a straight face, while Petey seemed oblivious to everything going on around him.

"Is there anything else we can do before we leave?" Thirteen offered. "You really can't want us to put your things away for you, can you House?"

Chase nodded. "Yes, I think it's time we leave these lovebirds alone." But he hadn't reckoned on Ellie and Christopher showing up at that moment.

"Oh, this place is nice!" she exclaimed, walking through the door, the baby in her arms looking around at the place and all of the people. "Jess, I bet you'll be very happy here."

"With House? I'll take that bet," Foreman told her.

"Huh?" Puzzlement clouded Ellie's pretty face.

"Your faith in our undying love is underwhelming," I told Foreman.

"You could accept the bet for Ellie," Jess teased.

I may have been the only one who noticed how Petey was staring at his son, frowning as he watched the little boy reaching out for Chase. I guess Jess' brother was more aware of what was happening between Ellie and Chase than between Jess and me.

Turning back to Foreman I said, "I'll take that bet."

"I'll give it six months," Foreman said. "Three hundred bucks that she's left you by then."

I nodded my agreement and then looked at everyone else. "Any other bets?"

"Actually, I think I'd like a side bet against Foreman," Thirteen said with a smirk. "Say another hundred?"

"I honestly don't care." Taub shrugged.

"Who cares whether you do or not?"

I could see Wilson considering his options. Would betting against my relationship with Jess encourage or discourage me? Did he even care whether I was happy?

Jess was just standing there, her arms crossed, an odd smile on her face. "I can't believe some of you. Don't you want us to succeed?"

"It isn't a matter of what we want," Wilson finally said. "House doesn't have a great track record. He always finds a way to mess up anything good in his life. We don't want you to get hurt."

"At least he's saying that you're good for me," I told Jess out of the corner of my mouth with a roll of my eyes.

Chase and Thirteen cracked up, but the others groaned. Wilson studied Jess. Did he see something in her eyes? His eyes narrowed and he finally said, "I'm still not convinced, but maybe it can work."

"At least we know where everyone stands," Jess said. "I know we can make it, and it won't be to prove anyone else either right or wrong. Maybe we fooled you too much with our little game, but House and I do have something going here." She smiled a knowing smile.

"Wait a minute, the two of you are together?" It finally clicked for Petey.

"Well, I for one am thrilled for the two of you!" Ellie said. She hugged Jess and grinned at me.

"C'mon, Ellie," Chase said, handing Christopher back to her. "I've spent enough time here today, and I'm sure House and Jess can't wait for everyone to leave."

"You got that right!"

Slowly but surely, Jess' helpers departed. Once the last of them were gone, she and I stared each other in the silence that followed.

"So, where do we start?" she asked, moving closer to stand in front of me where I still sat on the couch. Her hands rested lightly on my shoulders as I looked up into her dark eyes and saw the passion growing in them.

"I suppose it's appropriate to start in the bedroom. We have months, no years, to christen the rest of the house."

"Fine by me." She took my right hand in her left and tugged, but I didn't really need her help to stand and walk with her to our new bedroom. There were still boxes strewn about the room, but the bed was clear except for some minimum bedding. Jess walked straight to it and pushed the blanket to one side, then patted the mattress before sitting on it. "Come join me."

I gladly accepted her invitation, sitting beside her and slipping an arm around her shoulders, then pulling her backward onto the sheet. We shifted so that we could swing our feet up, belatedly kicking off our shoes. But our shoes weren't the only things that came off. We helped each other out of our tops and I took the time to caress the upper curve of her breasts before removing the bra.

Those breasts were lovely. Maybe her shape wasn't perfect, but I was beginning to change my view on what constituted female perfection. And Jess fit it to a T. She was totally comfortable with her body, and with mine. It was becoming so natural for us to be together. I wondered how long it would take before I couldn't remember what it was like without her lying next to me on this bed. I wasn't sure I'd had that kind of relationship with anyone in the past. There'd always been some tension, something not quite right.

That's not to say I didn't find her exciting. Maybe it was the way her hands and mouth explored my body, taking the time to savor every touch with just the right amount of urgency. It was what lovemaking could be between the right two people. The naysayers like Foreman hadn't a clue about what we'd developed in just a short time.

"Ohhh!" she suddenly sighed as my hand caressed one of her more sensitive spots. "Do that again!"

Laughter welled up inside me. Pleasing her like this was as much of a turn on as having her please me. "What, you mean this?" My fingers stroked her gently, then a little faster.

"Yesssss!"

"And what do I get in return?" I asked.

She showed me until it was my turn to exclaim, "Yes, I think you're on the right track."

"The train hasn't even left the station yet."

"We have all the time in the world." But before long, our heartbeats quickened and our breathing became shallower. My urge for more grew. A bit more fondling, a kiss or two, and we were ready to join, to continue our climb together. Sensation replaced reason as touch replaced thought. The feel of her body locked with mine overwhelmed me as we writhed together for release, and when it came, almost simultaneously for both of us, it brought a sense of well-being I never knew I needed.

So this was what happiness was! Much more than I'd ever imagined, and something I was so sure I'd never achieve. But with Jess I was beginning to think all things were possible.

I looked into her face, the satisfied smile on her lips, the tinge of pink still on her cheeks, and the blaze in her eyes. "Guess you liked that," I said, well aware of the roughness in my voice.

"Guess you did too." She kissed me. "And to think this is just the beginning."