Here is this week's chapter. Sorry it's a bit short. But my ideas about what will happen with Nina are beginning to gel.

Chapter 83.

"It might be better if you were the one to remind Nina about her party planning skills. It's not the sort of thing I'd know about or even understand, unless the party involved strippers and plenty of beer."

Jess laughed. "You know, there's probably a big demand for planners to take care of all of the arrangements for busy people. Let me do some research first before I bring it up with her."

"You'd better hurry. She needs to have some reassurance that she can make it on her own."

"OK. I should be able to get enough this afternoon to talk to her about it later today."

"Does that mean we have to have dinner with her again?"

"You were the one who just said she needs quick reassurance." She pursed her lips and tapped her index finger against them. "How about this: I'll call her on our way home tonight and tell her you asked me to help her."

"Fine. That should work."

"And now, how about some lunch?"

I stood and walked toward her. "I'm ready if you are." I took her arm and steered her out of my office. Now that everyone knew about our relationship, I had no objections to eating with her in the hospital cafeteria. In fact, I enjoyed the looks we got when we walked in, holding each other's hands.

I smiled when I saw Nina at a table with Wilson. Once we'd filled our trays and paid for our food, I steered Jess to a table nearby so we could listen in on their conversation. Unfortunately, they were both speaking very softly. In fact, it wasn't until Chase and Ellie, with little Christopher in his mother's arms, approached their table that I even heard Nina.

"Robert told me that you were visiting," Ellie said. "Isn't this a great place?"

"Hi Ellie. Hello again Dr. Chase." From my vantage point I could see Nina's face as she studied the toddler, who stared right back at her. "He looks a lot like Petey did as a baby."

"Yes, that's what Jess said. Did you want to hold him?"

"I...I...sure. Why not?"

Ellie put the kid in Nina's arms and he reached out to grab Nina's nose. Everyone laughed. "Let go of Aunt Nina's nose, Chris. We've gotta get him some lunch." Ellie took her son back and nuzzled him, making him giggle. "Tell Auntie Nina 'Bye Bye'." She waved Christopher's hand at Nina as she walked away with Chase. Nina's eyes followed them to the food line.

"He's a cute kid." Wilson's eyes were on Nina's face and she turned back to him.

"Yes he is."

"If you stick around, you can get to know him."

"First I have to find a way to support myself here."

His eyes narrowed. "I thought you had a dress shop in Dorsey."

"If I leave Dorsey I won't."

"You can work at one here. There are plenty of women's clothing stores and a couple of department stores nearby."

I was glad she was sharing her concerns with Wilson. If he and Jess helped Nina make the transition away from her father, I wouldn't have to.

"Looks like Wilson has taken a shine to my sister." Jess grinned.

"Just make sure she knows he's been married and divorced three times."

"Has he really? I would think any woman would be happy to be married to him and that he'd be a doting husband."

I shrugged. "He likes woman."

"So he cheated on those three wives?"

I nodded. "And the third cheated on him. Funny thing is he's remained friends with the other two."

"He's your best friend, isn't he?" Jess tilted her head as she looked at me.

"Some would say my only friend."

Her voice softened. "I'm your friend."

I studied her as I thought about that. She was right. "Yes you are."

Jess smiled again.

We'd missed the end of Nina and Wilson's conversation, but I was sure I'd get an earful from Wilson later. They'd finished their food and stood to leave. Nina smiled and stopped at our table to talk to Jess. "I'm heading back to the motel. I'll call you later."

I waited until they were out of earshot before turning to Jess. "So, how are you going to handle her?"

"I'll just let her tell me what she thinks her skills are. If she doesn't bring up the party planning, I will, but I think it'll have to be her idea or else she won't buy into it fully."

I nodded. "And meanwhile you'll look into the size of the demand for that around here. Lots of wealthy people who work in New York or Philly making big bucks commute from here, you know."

She nodded. "Well, I'd better get back to number crunching." Jess looked at her plate but there was nothing left to eat. She smiled at me and stood. "See you later."

"Yeah." I watched her leave, tilting my head a little. My plate was empty, too, so it was time to see whether I could get any more food. Chase, Ellie and Christopher were seated not too far away. Casually, I sauntered their way and sat in the empty fourth chair. The toddler had bits of French fry and hamburger on a napkin on the tray of his booster seat. I reached over and snagged one of the pieces of fry. He looked at me steadily and I wondered whether he'd scream or cry.

Instead he just said, "Mine."

I had to laugh and give it back. "Yes, I suppose so."

"Really, Doctor House, taking food out of the mouth of a baby." Ellie's voice was accusing, but she was smiling at me.

"Clearly he's not a baby anymore."

Suddenly Christopher picked up a piece of meat and held it out to me. How could I not take it?

"Thank you, Christopher."

He giggled.

"I've been teaching him to share." His proud mama brushed a lock of brown hair off his forehead. "That was very good, Chris."

"So, how long is Nina staying in town?" Chase was talking to me, but his eyes were fixed on Ellie and her son.

"Who knows. Jess has put the idea into her head that she, too, can break away from her father and Dorsey." I nodded head toward Ellie. "There seems to be a lot of that going on."

"I like it here, and it's not that far from my parents. I've been thinking about putting Christopher in daycare now that he's doing so well, and getting a job."

"I'm sure Chase would like that."

"I certainly wouldn't object."

"There's a family type of restaurant we went to last night that seemed to be hiring. First I'll have to line up care for Chris and then I'll apply."

"You can do something better than waitressing," Chase told her.

"Like what?"

"You're great with Christopher. Maybe you can work in a daycare center yourself."

"I'm not a teacher."

"But they always need helpers. It might be just the right thing for you."

Neither one of them saw my eyes roll, but Christopher did. He laughed. So I made faces at him, stuck out my tongue and crossed my eyes. He laughed even harder. That got Chase and Ellie's attention.

Ellie laughed too. "Maybe you're the one who should get a job at a daycare center."

"Nah, he'd turn grumpy at mealtimes and scare all the kids," Chase told her, but he was smiling. "C'mon. I've got to get back to work before my boss starts cracking the whip." He looked pointedly at me and I feigned innocence. "And you said you were going to put Chris down for a nap."

As they walked off, I watched them, so I saw Christopher smile over his mother's shoulder and wave to me.