Chapter 28
"They fell asleep already?" House asked as Cuddy entered the room they shared. "Like a flash, I didn't even have time to say goodnight to Rachel."
"Hope is quite talented, really talented," House said, putting away his lacrosse equipment. "But she loves gymnastics; we can't seem to get her out of gymnastics."
"She might change her mind," Cuddy offered, "Rachel also has talent; we should let her try a sport again," House concluded.
"You know, I think that's a great idea," she said, smiling. "Are you taking your lacrosse gear with you?"
He nodded, confirming, "We can play on weekends, at the new house," he said, smiling. "And try not to hit the windows this time."
"Let's go," she said, smiling. "The girls are exhausted, which means they'll sleep through the night," she said, "and I locked the door."
He smiled mischievously and lay down beside her. "Thank goodness for locks, bolts, and exhaustive lacrosse training."
He kissed her with the promise that the night would be infinitely longer and more pleasurable.
The next morning, as House prepared to board the medical helicopter with his father, a nurse approached him to ensure his readiness.
"Dr. House, is everything ready for the flight?" the nurse inquired, double-checking the medical equipment.
House nodded, his expression resolute. "Yes, it is," he affirmed, adjusting his medical bag.
Cuddy stood beside him, assisting with the final preparations. With a tight hug, she expressed her concern. "Take care of yourself, and take care of your father," she said softly, her hand resting on his arm.
"I will Cuddles" House assured her, giving her a reassuring smile. "I got this"
As they boarded the helicopter, House's focus was on his father's clinical confiction. During the flight, he remained vigilant, closely monitoring his father's vital signs.
Finally, as they landed at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, House felt a sense of relief. With the assistance of the medical team, his father was safely transferred to the ICU.
Watching them wheel his father into the hospital, House knew that despite the challenges ahead, his father was in good hands. He was grateful for the opportunity to be by his side during this critical time.
"Everything all set, girls?" Cuddy asked as she secured Hope's seatbelt firmly.
"Yes, mommy," the girls chimed in unison. "Blythe, do you need anything else?" Cuddy inquired of her mother-in-law before starting the car. "I have everything I need, including some clothes for John when he's discharged," Blythe replied.
"Then we're good to go," Cuddy said with a smile. "Mom, can I read the book to Rachel?" Hope asked, referring to the hefty tome she held in her hands.
"Hope enjoys reading about medicine and reading to Rachel," Cuddy explained to her mother-in-law, smiling. "Hope, maybe Grandma won't enjoy hearing about Netter…"
"Oh, not at all, my dear," Blythe said with a smile. "I've listened to Greg talk about space and black holes for hours on end, so I can certainly listen to medicine," she said, looking at her granddaughters. "I would love to hear, Hope. Go ahead and read."
And so it was, Hope spent the next few hours of the journey telling Rachel about what she read in the books, posing questions to Cuddy. Blythe smiled, memories of Greg at Hope's age in exactly the same situation flooding back, but unlike Cuddy, she couldn't clarify Greg's doubts as Cuddy explained to Hope. The eldest granddaughter resembled him so much when he was young, the same curiosity, the desire to always know more and more, eyes sparkling with so many new things. The journey to Princeton passed quickly in Blythe's eyes, in the blink of na eye, five hours had already flown by.
"We'll go home to drop off our things first," Cuddy said with a smile as they entered the town of Princeton. "Then Mom and Grandma will go to the hospital, and you two will stay with Marina, okay?"
"I want to go to the hospital," Rachel declared, her voice filled with determination.
"Not today, Rach," Cuddy replied gently, trying to soothe her daughter's disappointment.
"But I want to see Grandpa too!" Hope chimed in, looking to Cuddy for approval.
"And you will see him, but not today," Cuddy affirmed. Hope seemed to understand, but Rachel grew more restless, and soon a tantrum ensued.
"I'm not staying with Marina! I'm not!" Rachel protested loudly, her frustration bubbling over.
"Rachel, raising your voice won't change anything!" Cuddy said firmly, her tone serious. "You will stay with Marina, and you will behave."
"But I want Daddy!" Rachel insisted, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Rachel!" Cuddy's voice held a note of urgency. "My decision is final. You are not going, and that's it!"
Hope stepped in, offering a solution to distract her sister. "Rach, we can watch TV together or paint a new picture. What do you think?"
It was almost remarkable how quickly Hope could calm Rachel down. The girl who moments ago was on the brink of a meltdown took a deep breath and looked into her older sister's eyes. "Can we paint a doggy-doggy?"
"Of course, we can even paint several," Hope reassured her. "And then Daddy, Mommy, and Grandma will come to have dinner with us, right Mommy?"
"Absolutely," Cuddy confirmed, offering her daughters a reassuring smile. "I know it's disappointing, Rach, and you wanted us to stay with you, but we really have to go."
"Okay, Mommy," Rachel said, her resignation evident in her voice as she reluctantly accepted the situation.
The girls had stayed with Marina, and Cuddy was driving her mother-in-law to the hospital. The car ride was short but provided na opportunity for them to talk a bit more.
"Hope is an incredible girl," Blythe remarked, smiling warmly.
"She really is, Blythe," Cuddy agreed. "She embodies the best of us—calm, serene, and always ready to help."
"She's very intelligent," Blythe remarked, noting, "much like Greg."
"She's a gifted child," Cuddy clarified, "much like House."
"I had no idea what that meant 40-something years ago," Blythe offered na explanation. "Neither John nor I were prepared for Greg and his brilliant mind. Initially, it was amazing—John was so proud of Greg's development. He started speaking at seven months and reading at two, all on his own," Blythe recounted. "He was only eight when he began reading about quantum physics and aerodynamics."
"I know I don't have the right to ask," Cuddy began tentatively, "but I know his relationship with his father isn't good… Is it true that even after Rachel's case, House still sees his father in a different light?"
"John was raised in a different time, in a different context," Blythe offered. "It took me four years to conceive Greg, at a time when it was expected that nine months after marriage, I would have a child in my arms. Those were four very complicated, very lonely years until we succeeded."
"Greg was a much-wanted, much-loved child," she said wistfully, lost in memories. "He was a boy, just as John wanted."
"But the military career, the strict upbringing, it didn't suit a prodigy who questioned why the moon was round at the age of two," she continued. "John thought that by being strict and distant, Greg wouldn't come to him with questions. Their relationship grew more distant over time."
"Until he turned 12 and questioned his paternity," Blythe said sadly. "I had four years to conceive and his question," she added, her tone heavy with sorrow, "ruined their relationship."
Cuddy listened as her mother-in-law spoke, her heart going out to her. "I hope their relationship improves, very much so," she said. "With the gitls, maybe they'll mend fences."
"John is Greg's father, biologically speaking," Blythe explained.
"House was very worried about his father when he received his call," Cuddy said. "He was the one who wanted to go to Lexington; I just supported him."
"I didn't tell Greg everthing, but John had a lot of therapy, with doctors," she explained. "He's changed a lot, but if there's one thing he shares with his son, it's stubbornness—he'll never admit it."
"They still have time to reconcile," Cuddy said optimistically.
"I hope so," Blythe said to her daughter-in-law. "I hope we still have time to be a family."
The weight of their words hung heavy between them, each reflecting on the complexities of family dynamics and the delicate balance between love and estrangement.
Blythe sighed softly, breaking the silence that had settled over them. "Lisa, I never imagined I'd be sharing these things with you," she admitted, her voice tinged with both vulnerability and gratitude.
Cuddy reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Blythe's arm. "I'm glad you did," she said sincerely. "It helps me understand Greg better, and it gives me hope for the future."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment longer, the hum of the car's engine now replaced by the bustling sounds of the hospital parking lot outside.
Finally, Blythe straightened in her seat, a determined glint in her eyes. "Let's go see John," she said firmly, as if making a silent promise to herself and her family.
As they exit the car in the parking lot of Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, Cuddy and Blythe shared a knowing look, their conversation lingering in the air like a gentle breeze stirring up memories and hopes.
Cuddy nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. Together, they made their way into the hospital, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, but also holding onto the belief that, with time and effort, healing and reconciliation were possible.
Inside the hospital, they navigated the familiar corridors with ease, guided by the shared purpose of supporting their loved ones. As they approached John's room, Cuddy felt a sense of anticipation mingled with apprehension, unsure of what they would find but determined to face it together.
As they entered the room, they were greeted by the sight of John lying in the hospital bed, surrounded by medical equipment and monitors. Despite the sterile environment, there was warmth in the room, fueled by the presence of family and the bonds that held them together.
Blythe stepped forward, her expression softening as she approached her husband's bedside. "John," she said gently, reaching out to grasp his hand in hers. "We're here."
John stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he registered their presence. A flicker of recognition passed over his face, followed by a faint smile. "Blythe," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad you're here."
Cuddy stood back, allowing them a moment of privacy, but her heart swelled with hope as she watched the scene unfold before her. Despite the trials they had faced and the wounds that still needed to heal, there was love here, resilient and enduring.
As they settled into the rhythm of the visit, Cuddy found herself reflecting on the complexities of family, the ties that bind us together, and the possibility of forgiveness and redemption. And in that moment, surrounded by the people she loved most, she felt a glimmer of hope for the future, a belief that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family.
"Your father is awake," she said as she entered his office. He glanced up from the desk and looked at her.
"I know," he said. "I was the one who woke him up."
She looked at him, and he extended the file he held in his hands. "He partially woke up during the trip, and when we arrived, we managed to stabilize him enough to wake him up."
"A mitral valve prolapse?" She said, brows furrowing. "How did we miss that in Massachusetts…"
"It wasn't detectable," he said. "I'm waiting for Chase to remove the old pacemaker, but I think it's because the pacemaker is functioning that we couldn't see it."
"But there's no mention of a pacemaker," she pointed out.
"Military hospital," House said. "I could only see it here."
"But his heart rate was regular, there wasn't even any sign of infective endocarditis."
"I'm waiting for Chase to scrub in, and we'll have our answer," he told her, but her intuition told her he was probably right. "An anticoagulant for the rest of his life, and he'll be just fine."
She sat on his lap, his office and the room were empty. "Do you want to stay for the surgery?"
He nodded in confirmation. "Go home, Cuddy. Go be with the girls. My mother probably wants to stay with my father until he's out of recovery, and I'll head home as soon as he's out."
She kissed him again, and he placed his hand on her belly, just in time to feel a strong kick. "Hello, baby Paige," he said, laughing.
"We really need to discuss that name," she said, laughing. "I'll go home then. Will you come down with me to meet your mother?"
He nodded again, and the two of them descended, hands intertwined.
Blythe sat in the waiting room, her hands clasped tightly together as she anxiously awaited news of John's surgery. House joined her, sinking into the chair next to her, feeling the weight of the moment.
He reached out to his mother, offering a small, reassuring smile, trying to comfort her in the midst of uncertainty. Blythe returned the smile, her eyes reflecting gratitude for her son's presence.
"Thank you for being here, Gregory," Blythe said softly, her voice filled with emotion. "Your father would be proud of the man you've become. You've always been a source of pride for him."
House didn't respond to her words, his own emotions swirling inside him. Instead, he simply squeezed her hand, offering silent support and strength.
As they waited, Chase arrived, catching House's eye and nodding subtly. Then he turned to Blythe, his expression calm yet reassuring.
"The surgery went well, Mrs. House," Chase said, his voice steady. "Your husband is in recovery now, and everything looks promising."
Relief washed over Blythe's face, and she turned to House, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you son," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "You've always been a rock for me this all week."
House nodded, his own emotions bubbling beneath the surface, but he simply smiled at his mother, grateful for the chance to be there for her in her time of need.
"Dad will be asleeping till morning" House explained to his mother after sering his father file "do you to come home with me or…"
"I will stay dear" his mother replied "I wouldn't be able to get any sleep tonight"
"I need to help Cuddy with the girls" he told his mother and she understood "I will be here first thing in the morning"
"Give the girls a kiss for me, okay?"
"I will mom"
As House returned home, he found Hope sitting on the floor of the living room, scribbling in one of her notebooks.
"Daddy!" Hope exclaimed, jumping up to hug her father. "How's Grandpa?"
"He's doing okay," House replied, returning her embrace. "Recovering and awake."
"What did he have?" Hope inquired.
House contemplated explaining mitral valve prolapse to his daughter but decided to test her knowledge instead. "Mitral valve prolapse, do you know what that is, Hope?"
The little girl smiled sweetly and recited, "It's a condition where the mitral valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the heart."
House smiled proudly and kissed her forehead. "One day, you'll be the best doctor in the world, and I truly believe that."
"If I can be as good as you, Daddy, I'll be very happy," Hope replied with a grin. "Can we go see Grandpa?"
House nodded, but explained, "Tomorrow after school, you and Rachel can go see him."
"Is he going to stay here for many days?"
"If everything goes well, it'll just be a few days," he said happily. "Where's Mom and Rachel?"
"Since Grandma called to say she was spending the night at the hospital, Mom went to tuck Rachel into bed," Hope explained.
"You should go to bed too, Hope. It's almost your bedtime, and you have school and swimming practice in the morning," House said, noticing that Hope was already in her pajamas.
"Yes, Daddy," Hope replied obediently.
House watched as his little girl disappeared down the hallway, then decided to check on Rachel in her room. She was already asleep, and Cuddy was just leaving the room.
"Did she fall asleep alright?" House asked.
Cuddy looked at her daughter and replied, "Yes, she wanted you here, but she understood that you needed to be with Grandpa at the hospital."
"That's the hardest part of being a doctor," he said, and Cuddy nodded in agreement. "We can't always be here."
"She understood," Cuddy assured him. "Let's let her sleep."
They left Rachel's room, Cuddy closing the door gently behind her. "Is Hope still in the living room?" she asked.
"She went to brush her teeth," House explained, and Cuddy looked at him. "I'll tuck her in."
"Hmm," Cuddy hummed, heading to the kitchen. "Have you eaten, House?"
He shook his head, but then said, "Come with me… let's tuck Hope in together."
She agreed, and they made their way to Hope's room. Hope was already tucked into bed. "Teeth brushed?" House asked as he entered the room and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Yes, Daddy," Hope replied.
"You'll have swimming class without us tomorrow, sweetheart," her mother explained.
It was customary for parents to accompany their children to swimming class on the first Monday of each month. Normally, Cuddy would accompany Hope because House didn't like other people seeing his scar. However, Cuddy would be at the hospital the next day to meet with potential new donors.
"Oh," Hope said, a tinge of sadness evident in her voice. "That's okay."
"I promise I'll go next month," House assured her, though he knew it would be impossible. In a month's time, Cuddy would be nearly 30 weeks pregnant and would need to avoid strenuous physical activity.
"I can postpone my morning appointments," House offered, seeing the excitement light up Hope's eyes like a jackpot. "It's just an hour," he said to Cuddy, "if my boss allows it, of course."
"I think she can overlook it just this once," Cuddy replied.
"Then tomorrow, I'll go with you," House said to his older daughter, who seemed more enthusiastic now. "I can't wait for tomorrow."
The parents laughed and kissed Hope's forehead. "Goodnight, baby," they said in unison.
They left Hope's room, Cuddy smiling. They closed the door softly, and Cuddy wrapped her arms around House's neck, kissing him sensually. "Good behavior?"
"It's positive reinforcement," she said, kissing him again. "Do you have swim trunks?"
"I must have something that'll do," he replied, and she laughed. "I haven't seen you in a pool since lacrosse off-season at Michigan."
He chuckled at her memory. "I used to go at that time just to catch a glimpse of you," she confessed, but he laughed at her, kissing her again. "I knew."
"Cocky."
"I just went to see you in that tiny swimsuit," he said, making her laugh this time.
They kissed again. "Shall we?" she said, taking his hand and leading him to their bedroom.
The swimming lesson started with Hope and her classmates learning the proper diving technique. They practiced their form and technique under the watchful eye of their instructor, who offered guidance and corrections to help them improve. Hope was focused and determined, eager to master the skill.
As the lesson progressed, the children moved on to other drills and exercises to enhance their swimming abilities. They practiced different strokes, floating techniques, and water safety skills, all while having fun and enjoying the water.
After about 20 minutes of focused instruction, the parents were invited to join their children in the pool for the remaining 20 minutes of the lesson. House felt a slight discomfort at the idea of people seeing his leg, but when he saw the excitement and joy on Hope's face at the prospect of having him there, his concerns faded away.
Entering the water with Hope, House put aside his self-consciousness and focused on making the most of the time with his daughter. He played games with her, splashed around, and laughed as they enjoyed their time together in the pool. House couldn't help but smile as he heard Hope's infectious laughter echoing across the pool area.
He tossed her into the water playfully, eliciting shrieks of delight from Hope as she emerged from the water, giggling uncontrollably. House couldn't remember the last time he had felt so carefree and happy, completely immersed in the moment with his daughter.
Despite his initial reservations, House found himself thoroughly enjoying the experience of swimming with Hope, grateful for the opportunity to share such a special moment with her. As they laughed and played together in the water, House felt a deep sense of love and connection with his daughter, cherishing every moment they spent together.
An hour later
As Cuddy wrapped up the tour for the generous couple, House had just finished reviewing his father's medical file. He had already checked in with his mother and was gearing up to start his rounds in the clinic.
As he made his way through the hospital corridors, House couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation mingled with apprehension. His mind was preoccupied with his father's condition and the looming surgery. Despite his usual air of confidence, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety about the outcome.
Entering the clinic, House greeted his team of doctors and nurses, ready to dive into the day's cases. He scanned the patient charts, his keen eyes picking up on even the smallest details. With his razor-sharp diagnostic skills and unconventional approach to medicine, he was determined to crack each case and find solutions for his patients.
Despite the weight of his father's situation hanging over him, House focused on the task at hand, throwing himself into the puzzle-solving process with his characteristic fervor. He knew that he couldn't afford to let his personal concerns interfere with his professional duties, and he was determined to give his patients the best care possible.
It was around five in the afternoon when Cuddy entered the hospital with her daughters. The two girls had come directly from their private school to the hospital.
Hope and Rachel were dressed in their school uniforms: a light blue shirt, a dark blue knitted sweater with the school emblem embroidered on the right side of the chest, a dark blue-gray skirt above the knee, and dark blue knee-high socks with classic shoes. Hope had her hair tied up neatly, while Rachel's shirt was untucked, her hair disheveled, and her socks crooked.
Cuddy led the girls to her office. "Hope, let's just go to my office to fix Rachel up a bit."
"I'm okay, Mom," Rachel said, and Cuddy smiled. "Of course you are, but let's straighten out your clothes."
They left their backpacks in Cuddy's office, and she tidied Rachel's appearance.
"Now let's go see Grandpa," she said, smiling. "But you have to be super careful because Grandpa is sick and still recovering, okay?"
They nodded happily, each holding one of Cuddy's hands as they left her office. House was already in his office waiting for them. "Daddy!!!" Rachel ran to her father. "Hi, Rach," he said, kissing the youngest daughter and picking her up. "Did you have a good day?" Rachel said happily, and Hope smiled, showing what she had in her hands. "Daddy, I won first prize at the science fair!!" She said happily, hugging her father, who hugged her back. "The model of the Milky Way was amazing, Daddy!!" She said happily.
"Now let's go see Grandpa, alright?" Cuddy said as House tried to delay the subject. "Is he okay?" Cuddy looked at House.
"Sitting up and chatting cheerfully," he said. "Whoever saw him 24 hours ago wouldn't recognize him."
"Great," she said, taking Hope's hand. "Shall we then?"
The small family left House's office, both he and Cuddy wearing lab coats, much to Cuddy's surprise as House was not in the habit of wearing one. He held Rachel in his arms, while Cuddy held Hope's hand.
John was downstairs, and they descended to his floor. Wilson was in his office when he saw the little family pass by, and he watched with affection at the family his friend had built. A few years ago, this was an image he never imagined: a healthy man, a man in love with the woman he always dreamed of, a family man, an incredible and renowned doctor with unorthodox bedside manners but still, renowned worldwide. He looked at Cuddy, who had always been one of the brightest Deans he had worked with. She worked wonders with limited financial resources, always with the utmost professionalism. But he knew something was missing: family, love... and seeing her with House, married and happy, with such a perfect family, he couldn't be prouder of the friends and family they had built. He smiled, perhaps one day, he would have a family of his own.
House entered the room with Rachel in his arms, noticing immediately that his father was awake, sitting up in bed, looking far from someone who had undergone surgery less than 24 hours ago.
"Oh, hello," the colonel said when he saw his youngest granddaughter enter. "Hi, Grandpa!!" Rachel said happily, wanting to go straight to the bed. "Grandpa is still recovering, so you can sit in the chair next to him," House explained, but the colonel said, "Greg, you can let her sit on the bed," smiling at Rachel. House glanced at him and then at his daughter and acquiesced. "Be careful, Rach!"
"Yes, Daddy," she said, but as soon as he placed her on the bed, she decided she wanted to hug her grandfather. "Slowly, Rachel!" With great care, Rachel managed to hug and kiss her grandfather on the cheek, under House's concerned gaze and Blythe's tender look as she watched the interaction between the two.
"Better?" Rachel said, and the colonel smiled tenderly at the girl. "Much better, Rachel. How was school?" The colonel asked when House put Rachel back at the end of the bed.
"It was really good. We talked about dinosaurs, and we're going to the dinosaur museum!" she said excitedly.
He chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm, and at that moment, Hope entered with Cuddy
"I see you're feeling much better," Cuddy said, smiling. "But you really need to take it easy."
"I feel very well, Lisa," he said politely, smiling at his daughter-in-law. "Once again, thank you for everything."
She smiled, but it was Hope who spoke. "Hello, Grandpa."
"Hello, Hope," the eldest granddaughter approached, and House helped her greet her grandfather with a kiss on the cheek. "Are you feeling better?"
"I feel great," he said, smiling.
"The medical chart looks great," Cuddy said, looking at the file. "Yes, but you're still going to stay a few more days," House said confidently.
"If you think it's best, Greg," he agreed with his son. "But convince your mother that she needs to get some rest tonight," he said, referring to his wife who had been tirelessly by his side.
"She'll be sleeping at home tonight," House said confidently, and the colonel agreed.
"We came to see how Grandpa was," Cuddy said to the girls. "And now, shall we go have a snack at the cafeteria?"
"Already?" Hope said. "Can I see the medical chart before we go?"
"What am I going to do with you?" Cuddy said, smiling. "You can look at some of the charts after we have our snack."
"Okay," they said. "We will be back" House told his parents.