Part Four
She loved mornings like this. Safe in his arms, the reassuring warmth of his strong body encapsulating her. She sighed indulgently stretching a little and wriggling her hips, smirking to herself feeling House waking up and holding her tighter against him.
"I've barely woken up and you're already teasing me."
His voice was even deeper, more baritone than usual, roughened by a night's sleep. She turned in his arms and took in the handsome sight laid before her. He looked so much younger in sleep, the lines on his brow from years of hard work, stress and toil a mere distant memory. She nuzzled at his stubbled jaw with the tip of her nose, breathing him in, losing herself in the very essence of House.
"Do you want me to stop?"
One startling blue eye opened and fixed on her, "don't you dare…"
Cameron's soft giggle warmed his heart as did her lips, lacing the sweetest of butterfly kisses along the underside of his jaw and down his throat. Beneath the covers his hands found the soft swell of Cameron's hips, drawing intricate patterns on her skin, branding her as his. Their hips nudged at one another, the gentle friction building heat between them.
Of their own volition, Cameron's hips thrust and rut against the hard outline of him. Her lips broke away from his skin to gasp out as the pleasure built up.
"Oh god, House…"
She closed her eyes and concentrated on the sensations thrumming through her, knowing it wouldn't take much to push her over the edge. She latched onto his throat sucking a deep hickey into his skin, drowning out her moans as she spiralled into orgasm.
Panting and gasping, the sensations of his fingers stroking across her skin, eased her down from such highs.
"Damn Cameron, you okay?"
His voice seemed different, clearer with an edge of genuine curiosity. It made her tense up a little and that's when she gingerly looked up to see House smirking down at her. From their initial position of sleeping like spoons, she was now lying facing him with their limbs entwined and judging by the shit-eating grin on his face, he wasn't overly opposed to it.
"Sweet dreams were they?" He leaned in and brushed his lips against the shell of her ear, "positively pornographic by the sounds of it."
Her face flushed crimson faster than the speed of sound, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.
"Oh, dear god!"
"No, that's not how it goes. It was 'oh god, House…' and then you started really rocking your hips and moaning."
She snatched the pillow from beneath her head and clutched it tightly to her ears, wanting him to quit it.
"Please shut up!"
He shrugged his shoulders, "Okay."
House took hold of the pillow Cameron was using to shield herself and tossed it down the bed out of the way. Her cheeks were flushed with a deep rosy tint, highlighting her embarrassment, but at that moment she had never looked more beautiful to him and he couldn't resist leaning in and pressing his lips against hers.
She froze, startled like a deer in headlights, hardly daring to breathe or blink. House was really kissing her, his beard a pleasant bristle against her skin, a stark contrast to how soft his lips felt.
Not feeling her respond and fearing he had overstepped the mark, House pulled away, not daring to meet her eyes only able to grumble out a half-hearted apology.
"Why did you kiss me?"
Her voice was shaky, trembling and alive, still able to feel the bristle of his beard and the imprint of his lips.
"You told me to shut up, figured I could kill two birds with one stone."
He was nonchalant, trying to play it cool, shrugging his shoulders and acting non-plussed. But Cameron wasn't buying it at all, after the events of the day before, she needed to know what this meant.
"House."
He looked up, finally meeting her soft green eyes, "because I wanted to, have done for a long time and because I've realised that what I need has been staring me in the face. Not only do I need you but my little girl does too. If yesterday taught me anything, Cameron, it's that this could be over in the blink of an eye and I don't want to waste another minute…"
He leaned in again but before his lips reached hers, Cameron placed her palm over his chest just holding him back.
"Wait, I need to say something. Whatever this is between us, promise me one thing."
"Anything, tell me."
"Me and you won't come between you being a dad to Izzy. She comes first and always will, promise me that."
House felt a surge of emotion swell in his chest, this woman was amazing.
"I promise, now can I kiss you again?"
Cameron nodded and House leaned in nibbling at her lower lip before covering them with his, had they not already been lying in the bed, Cameron was sure she would've swooned. She sighed against his lips, submitting herself entirely, even if it meant she ended up heartbroken it didn't matter, her heart belonged to him.
Her fingers entwined through his messy silvering locks while their tongues playfully jostled, finally getting a real taste of House. She never thought a man of as gruff and jagged a personality as House would ever be so sensual and attentive.
Just as their kiss reached a precipice and hands began to explore and become more familiar, Izzy's voice rang out from the other room, effectively pouring cold water over the pair. They broke apart with a sigh, foreheads resting together both breathing deeply.
"Sorry, duty calls."
"Don't ever apologise for being a daddy."
House smiled and nodded, kissing the tip of Cameron's button nose before easing his long limbs from the warm sanctuary of the bed to tend to his little girl, leaving Cameron grinning like a teenager.
.o0O0o.
By the time Wilson shows up with breakfast, House and Cameron had tidied away the fold-out bed, being none the wiser he didn't even question the fact that she was already at the apartment. Nor did he comment on how seemingly close they seemed to be, as an outsider looking in, they appeared to be the perfect little family.
The french toast was devoured, Goose licked the plates and sticky fingers clean and Wilson bid the trio goodbye. At that point as much as it pained her, Cameron realised she needed to go to work too. She wished she could stay with House and Izzy all day every day, but life wasn't that fair.
"I need to get going too," Cameron sighed, "I don't want to push Cuddy's leniency."
Izzy looked up with her big blue eyes full of sadness, "Oh no! Can't you stay, Cameron? Please stay!"
It made Cameron smile especially as House had said the same words to her the night before with similarly sad big blue eyes.
"I'm sorry Iz, I've got to go to work."
"Does Goose have to go too?"
Cameron looked at the youngster clutching at the silver-haired pup fearing their separation and then towards House, "if it's okay with you, Goose can stay. But if he gets too much I can ask my neighbour to look after him."
House pretended to really mull over the prospect, not that it was a decision he needed to make. Of course he was happy to let the dog stay seeing the joy and distraction he provided his daughter.
"If Goose stays, he'll need walking. Are you going to look after him?"
"Yes! I promise! So can Goose stay?"
House nodded and winced as Izzy squeaked in delight, "jeez! Okay, okay, calm down. Go and get dressed and we can take him for a walk."
Izzy took off running with Goose in tow leaving House and Cameron in the living room. He reached out and caught hold of her fingers, entwining them with his. In the space of a few hours, their relationship had travelled a thousand miles. Overstepping the boundary of colleagues, junior doctor and mentor to teetering on becoming partners and potentially lovers. They should've been terrified, bursting with anxiety, but neither were. Yes, it was new and exciting but it felt right, a long time coming.
He gently took hold of her waist drawing her into his body, "thank you, for everything."
Cameron held onto his arms and reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him, "you're welcome, for everything."
She kissed him again twice just because she could before reluctantly pulling away, he stood in the doorway watching her climb into her sedan and trundle off down the street.
.o0O0o.
After walking Goose through the park at a gentile pace so as not to aggravate his leg too much, House and Izzy spent the rest of their morning bonding. They laughed and played with House unleashing his own inner child. He still had his reservations of his capabilities of being a father, but in moments like this, those fears and doubts melted away with Izzy's heartwarming laughter.
Play time paused for lunch, peanut butter sandwiches and glasses of orange juice with Goose eating the crusts and cleaning Izzy's sticky peanut butter finger tips. Shortly after lunch, the mischievous child and hound double act curled up amongst the plushies and fell asleep, leaving the apartment peaceful and giving House food for thought.
Taking in his surroundings it was glaringly obvious this wasn't a family apartment, his daughter couldn't thrive here. He picked up his laptop and started his search, trawling through real estate listings for somewhere Izzy would grow up in and that would be suited to his leg and limited mobility.
He felt like Goldilocks, the options were either too big or too small. He was about to give up hope and close the laptop, pissed that he hadn't found what he was looking for, but then he found a gem. The perfect bowl of porridge. Four bedrooms all of a decent size, a garden that he could picture Izzy and Goose running around in and the cherry on top, it's very own outdoor pool.
He rubbed his eyes and pinched the back of his hand just to thoroughly ensure he wasn't dreaming, that such a perfect home, almost custom bespoke to their needs was on the market and well beneath the generous budget he had in mind. It was almost too good to be true. He trawled through the information, absorbing every word and the pictures before calling the realtor.
They explained that due to a change in their circumstances, the family were relocating and needed a quick sale on the place. The realtor offered House a tour of the property that night which he gladly accepted.
He hung up the phone and closed his laptop, feeling the weight had been eased somewhat from his shoulders. Satisfied at his progress he took a note out of Izzy's book and closed his eyes.
The sensation of fingers brushing across his brow stirred him from his snooze, he opened his eyes and tilted his head back to meet the smiling eyes of Cameron.
"Hmm, aren't you a sight for sore eyes. How was work?"
"Quiet, mundane, not the same without you." She stroked his hair again, nodding towards Izzy and Goose, "how've they been?"
"Quiet, mundane, not the same without you." He sassed back with a playful grin, "I've found a house."
"Wow, already?"
"No time to lose," he opened his laptop back to the page, "take a look."
She leaned over his shoulder reading the details, her eyes widening as she took in the pictures, "it's perfect, that garden, the pool. It's just the fresh start you and Izzy need."
"We can go and view it in a couple hours, you coming?"
"I'm not sure, don't you think it should be just you and Izzy? After all it's you two that will be living there."
"Allison, I want you there. Please?"
.o0O0o.
The drive over was eventful, with Izzy alternating between her concern for Goose having to be left alone at the apartment for a short time and whether or not they were there yet. House had to gently tell her that she didn't have to ask whenever they stopped at a stop sign or changed direction.
They pulled up on the curb just beyond the driveway and the 'For Sale' sign pitched in the front lawn. House turned off the car and turned to face Izzy sitting on the backseat.
"We're here."
Her brow was furrowed with a mix of curiosity and confusion, "here?"
"Yeah. Now Izzy Bee, I need to talk to you about something serious and I want you to be honest okay?"
"Okay."
"This house is for sale and we're going to have a look around and see what we think. Now I want you to be a grown up and give me your opinion if you like it, because if you don't, we won't get it and we'll keep searching for the right one. Can you do that for me?"
Izzy nodded eagerly, clearly pleased with the level of trust her daddy had gifted her.
"Good girl, let's go check it out."
The trio climbed out of the Dodge and met the realtor who eagerly shook House's hand and welcomed them to the property and ushered them inside.
"So this is the main entrance, as you can see the layout of the building means this side facing outwards to the street has little to no window so is very private. There's also a second entrance off the garages just on the right. So the building is originally from 1959 but was renovated and extended 15 years ago by the current owner into this three wing living concept around a centralised kitchen area, which focuses it on being very family orientated."
Izzy had her eyes wide and head cranes every which direction trying to absorb every finite detail. House caught hold of her hand and brought her into focus.
"What do you think so far?"
"It's huge!"
"Do you share those sentiments Cameron?"
She gave him a coy look, licking her lips before nodding, "it's very impressive."
They followed the realtor into the centralised family kitchen/lounge area. The ceilings were vast, double, almost triple the height of those in the apartment. Within the lounge space there was a mezzanine loft which the realtor pointed out was currently being used as an office but could easily be a child's play space. In the corner of the lounge was a baby grand piano which made House smile, that was one piece of furniture he wouldn't be leaving behind.
The kitchen was state of the art, recently renovated with all new fixtures including a massive double fridge, 6-burner stove and a large island/breakfast bar. It was almost intimidating.
They were led into a large sunroom with huge windows overlooking the rear of the property, skylights illuminating the room even more and a huge L-shaped couch perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
"I love this space, so inviting." Said Cameron as she took in the warm glow of the evening sun bathing the room.
"It's the perfect home for a growing family, I think you three will be very happy here." Replied the realtor, completely innocent in his comments assuming they were a family.
House felt his heart sink fearing Izzy would jump to conclusions that he was trying to replace her mom with Cameron, but fortunately she was too busy being the beautiful little busy bee he knew and loved, so the comment sailed wide of the mark.
"Maybe, we've still got half a house to tour yet."
"Oh of course! Please follow me and we'll see the bedrooms and loft space."
The master bedroom was deeply impressive, even with a California King sized bed there was still plenty of space and the full bathroom en-suite was bigger than House's current bathroom and bedroom combined. The second bedroom was the current family's little boys room, so when House pointed out to Izzy that that would be her room, she quickly retorted.
"But daddy, I don't like baseball! And the blue walls are yucky!"
"We wouldn't keep it like that, you can pick whatever colour you want. But this would be your room, it's nice and big. Plenty of space for you and your plushies and all your books."
He could see her mentally trying to picture the room in her own spec, imagining her plushies on the bed and slowly a smile tugged at her lips.
Again, the bedroom had a generous en-suite with a shower which Izzy loved. They moved onto the third bedroom which was another child's bedroom with another en-suite, the final bedroom which was currently being used as a guest room and a second office space in addition to the loft.
House could see them living there, he could picture it just off of the few photos on the website but being there in person just solidified it in his head. This was their home, well, providing Izzy agreed, that was the deal.
Satisfied he had a sale on his hands, the realtor led them out to the rear of the property for the cherry on top, the inbuilt heated pool.
Izzy's eyes grew wider than saucers, "is that a pool?!"
The wrap around deck and seating area gave way to the triangular shaped pool, making great use of the space available. It was perfect for cosy nights under the patio or those rare occasions entertaining others, they could handle it all.
Beyond the pool was a vast emerald green lawn naturally fenced in by vast trees and judges giving the utmost privacy to the neighbours beyond the greenery. It was perfect, it was everything and more that he could've asked for.
He caught hold of Izzy's hands, "Izzy Bee, time to be honest. What do you think?"
"I love it! Can we live here?!"
"Maybe, but do you only like it because of the pool?"
"No, I promise! It's brilliant! There's space for all my plushies and your piano and Goose can run around with me! I love it daddy! I really do!"
He smiled and kissed the crown of her head before turning to the realtor, "don't know if you caught that, she kinda likes the place. Looks like you've found yourself a buyer."
They talked it out with the realtor and agreed on a fair, if slightly generous offer in order to secure the property, with the realtor promising to email over further details and the next steps.
The trio came away excited and with a clear picture of the future in mind. It was a new focus for them, a distraction for Izzy. That was until they pulled up back at House's apartment and found his parent's standing on the front doorstep.
His father was the epitome of fury, while his mother stood in his shadow, "When were you planning on telling us you had our granddaughter living with you?"