Chapter 8
It was just past six in the morning when Cuddy was gently roused from sleep by the soft, insistent cries of Paige. The house was still cloaked in the quiet of dawn, and as she carefully slipped out of bed, she glanced over at House, who remained blissfully unaware of the early morning stirrings.
Cuddy moved through the dimly lit hallway and into the nursery, where Paige's cries grew louder, signaling her hunger. She gently lifted her daughter from the crib, the baby's tiny fists waving in the air as if to emphasize her need. Cuddy felt a wave of tenderness wash over her as she carried Paige to the rocking chair by the window.
Settling into the chair, Cuddy positioned Paige and began to nurse her. The baby's cries quieted immediately, replaced by the soft, rhythmic sounds of contented feeding. Cuddy sighed, a smile touching her lips as she looked down at her daughter. Paige's big, curious eyes gazed up at her, and Cuddy felt a profound connection in that moment, a bond that seemed to transcend words.
"Good morning, my sweet girl," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. "You were really hungry, weren't you?"
Paige's little fingers curled around a strand of Cuddy's hair, holding on tightly as she continued to nurse. Cuddy gently stroked her daughter's cheek, marveling at the softness of her skin.
"You're growing so fast, Paige," she continued softly. "It feels like just yesterday you were born, and now look at you. Already five months old."
The morning light began to filter through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. Cuddy rocked slowly back and forth, humming a gentle lullaby. Paige's baby blue eyes began to droop as the warmth of the milk and the soothing motion lulled her back towards sleep.
As she held her daughter close, Cuddy's thoughts drifted to the upcoming week. Her eldest daughter, Hope, would be turning ten next Saturday. It was a milestone birthday, and Cuddy wanted everything to be perfect. They had decided to give Hope the suturing model she had asked for, along with a few other surprises to make her feel special.
Her mind wandered back to the present as Paige's suckling slowed and finally stopped. Cuddy gently lifted her daughter to her shoulder, patting her back until she heard a small burp. Paige snuggled against her mother, her tiny body warm and relaxed.
House still slept soundly as Cuddy carried Paige back to her crib and carefully laid her down. She watched for a moment, making sure the baby was settled before heading back to the bedroom.
She slipped back under the covers, careful not to disturb House. As she lay down, he stirred and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. He whispered a sleepy "Good morning" into her ear.
"Paige?" he asked, his voice still groggy with sleep.
"Woke up hungry," she responded, resting her head on his chest and placing her hand over his heart. "She almost sleeps through the night," she considered.
"She's growing up," Cuddy added after a moment. "They're all growing up. Hope is turning 10, Rachel is already in elementary school, and Paige almost sleeps through the night," she said, and he heard the emotion in her voice.
"Cuddy..." he began, but she cut him off.
"I know... I know... but it's all happening so fast, and I know it's stupid and silly, and it doesn't make sense, because we all grow up, it's life happening, but I feel like every time I look at them they've grown up again," Cuddy said. "And Hope is turning 10, and I've already missed so much of her life that I don't want to miss anything else."
House tightened his embrace, understanding her feelings. "I know," he murmured softly, kissing the top of her head. "We're doing our best. And they know they're loved. That's what matters."
Cuddy nodded against his chest, feeling a bit more reassured by his words. They lay there in silence for a while, taking comfort in each other's presence as the first light of dawn began to fill the room.
-/-
After lunch, the family headed to the park, the warm afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the green expanse. House was playing baseball with Hope and Rachel, a sight that never failed to warm Cuddy's heart. Rachel was still learning how to catch, her small hands sometimes fumbling the ball, but Hope was becoming quite adept. House threw the ball high into the air, and Hope, with her growing skill, caught it effortlessly. Rachel's laughter filled the air as she ran around, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Cuddy sat on a bench nearby, cradling Paige in her lap. She watched her husband and daughters with a contented smile, her eyes following their every move. Paige, wide awake in her arms, looked up at her mother with curious eyes.
"One day you'll be able to play with Daddy and your sisters," Cuddy said softly to Paige. The baby wiggled in response to her mother's voice, a small coo escaping her lips. Paige had started attempting to babble the previous week, and Hope and Rachel had taken House's mission seriously, trying to teach her to say "daddy" and "mama." While "mama" was easier for Paige to mimic, House was confident that she would say "daddy" soon enough. He was happy to encourage "mama" first, knowing how much it would mean to Cuddy if Paige's first word was "mama."
Cuddy's gaze returned to the field where House was now trying to teach Rachel how to catch the ball properly. Hope, meanwhile, was showing off some of the gymnastics moves she had been perfecting, her lithe form executing flawless cartwheels and backflips. Cuddy's heart always beat a little faster watching her eldest daughter perform these stunts. As a doctor, she was acutely aware of the potential dangers, but she also knew how dedicated Hope was to her training, practicing three times a week for hours on end.
"Careful, Hope!" Cuddy called out, unable to suppress her protective instincts. Hope paused and looked back at her mother with a reassuring smile.
"I know, Mom," she replied, her eyes sparkling with confidence.
Cuddy smiled back, feeling a rush of pride and love. She could get used to this domestic life, these precious Saturday afternoons in the park with her family. But she knew that come Monday, she would switch back to her role as the hospital's administrator and doctor, a demanding job that consumed at least eight hours of her day, often more when she brought work home or stayed late at the hospital. There, she was Dr. Cuddy, a figure of authority and professionalism. But at home, with her daughters and husband, she was simply "Mom," his "Cuddles," and just Lisa.
She glanced down at Paige, who was now trying to grab at the strands of Cuddy's hair with her tiny hands. Cuddy chuckled softly, kissing the top of Paige's head. These moments, these simple yet profound connections, were what made all the hard work worthwhile. She could handle the demands of her career because she had this to come home to—her family, her love, her life.
House looked over at her from the field, catching her eye with a knowing smile. He jogged over, taking a quick break from playing with the girls. "How's our littlest player doing?" he asked, leaning down to kiss Paige on the forehead.
"She's just fine," Cuddy replied, her eyes shining with happiness. "And so am I."
House wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Good," he said softly. "Because we've got a whole lot more Saturdays like this ahead of us."
Cuddy leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the joy of the moment. "I wouldn't have it any other way," she murmured, closing her eyes and savoring the perfection of their Saturday in the park.
-/-
The following week flew by in a whirlwind of activities and work, and before Cuddy knew it, Friday had arrived. As she woke up that morning, she was acutely aware that it was going to be a long day at work. Both she and House were eagerly anticipating the end of the day. It was October 10th, a date that brought a flood of emotions for Cuddy. Exactly ten years ago, her little Hope had been born.
During the years she had been separated from her daughter, Cuddy would immerse herself in work, burying her emotions in endless meetings and hours at the hospital, trying not to let the sadness overwhelm her. But now, things were different. Now she could celebrate because her Hope was with her. Her little girl with blue eyes and blonde hair, loved by everyone she met, was turning ten. Her daughter was turning 10 on October 10th—her golden birthday.
House was still sound asleep beside her, and Cuddy thought that before the house woke up and the excitement of Hope's birthday took over, she could take advantage of a few quiet moments with her husband.
"Hum... House." She kissed his lips softly, feeling him smile against her.
"Morning, Cuddles..." he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
And somehow, she found herself lost in his arms once again, savoring the warmth and comfort of his arms around her, of his lips on her neck... The world outside could wait just a little longer.
-/-
When Hope opened her eyes, she saw the alarm clock on her bedside table flashing and ringing. She reached over to turn it off and sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes and yawning as she stretched her arms over her head. Every morning, Hope made it a point to thank God for all the good things in her life—a habit that had stayed with her from her time living in the convent.
She got up, opened the window, and looked at the sky, still in the early stages of dawn. Mentally, she gave thanks to God for everything, especially on this special day.
She could tell that everyone else in the house was still asleep. She never needed much sleep, going to bed late and waking up early, a trait she had definitely inherited from her father. She was what many would consider a night owl but tried to stick to the hours her mom and dad set for her.
Hope felt particularly lucky because she had an own bathroom, which was absolutely perfect for her. It meant she could take a shower before the rest of the house woke up. She walked into the bathroom and looked at herself in the small mirror above the sink. Smiling, she said to herself, "Happy Birthday, Hope."
-/-
Cuddy woke up an hour later, realizing it was much later than she should have. This meant two things: first, they were all irreparably late, and second, their plans to wake Hope with a birthday surprise had likely flown out the window. At seven in the morning, her eldest daughter was probably already up and dressed.
House was never much of a morning person, unlike Cuddy. But she appreciated all the effort he made—waking up with her at seven, getting ready, and taking care of Rachel, who, like him, wasn't a morning person. This gave Cuddy time to get herself ready, review cases, and now, of course, take care of Paige in the morning.
This morning, as Cuddy got up and went to her eldest daughter's room, she was surprised to find Hope fully awake and dressed, with Rachel beside her, also dressed, as Hope helped her tie her shoes.
"Good morning," Cuddy said, looking at her daughters. Rachel responded immediately, "Mama, Mama, I woke up early, and I got dressed, and Hope helped, and I wished Hope a happy birthday! Happy Birthday, Hope! And now we go to school! See, Mama, I woke up really early!" Rachel was chattering away like a morning machine gun, which was unusual for her, but her older sister's birthday had been all she talked about all week. "And now, Mama, we have pancakes, with chocolate, and ice cream, and chocolate... oh, and sprinkles! And chocolate."
Cuddy couldn't help but smile at Rachel's excitement. "That's wonderful, sweetheart. But we can't have ice cream for breakfast. Maybe we can save that for later?"
Rachel pouted but nodded, still bouncing with energy. Just then, House walked into the room, looking slightly more awake than usual. "And she hasn't even had coffee," he said with a smirk.
"Happy Birthday, my little one," House said, pulling Hope into a hug and kissing the top of her head.
"Happy Birthday, my love," Cuddy added, embracing Hope next. She felt a swell of emotion, remembering the day Hope was born. It was hard to believe ten years had passed.
"Thanks, Mom, Dad," Hope said, smiling brightly. "And thank you, Rachel," she added, ruffling her little sister's hair.
"Alright, we just need to get ready," House said more for him and Cuddy "And then, we going to get you all those pancakes."
A few minutes later the chaos was setting in the kitchen, House quickly whipped up a batch of pancakes while Cuddy set the table. Rachel chattered away about all the birthday plans, while Hope helped pour juice into glasses. Paige, now fully awake, was settled in her new baby high chair, gurgling happily as she watched the activity around her.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you," they all sang as they brought out a stack of pancakes with a candle on top. Hope's face lit up with joy as she blew out the candle.
"Make a wish," House said, winking at Hope.
"I already did," Hope said, smiling.
The result of all the morning excitement wasn't the best. Hope and Rachel arrived at school just in time, and they, inevitably, were late to the hospital. Cuddy barely had time to drop off a few things with her assistant before heading to the third floor for her meeting with the ethics committee, without even getting a chance to put on her lab coat.
House, on the other hand, didn't think the ten-minute delay would impact his day. Calmly, he made his way to his office, dropped off his belongings, and then headed to the conference room where Cameron, Chase, and Foreman were waiting for him, just to drink his coffee calmly before be force to talk to more people.
"Morning," House said, strolling into the room with his usual nonchalance.
"You're late," Foreman pointed out, looking at his watch.
"By ten minutes. Relax, it's not like you were going to cure cancer in my absence," House retorted, taking his seat at the head of the table. "And do I need to remain you who's the boss and who's the employer?"
Chase smirked while Cameron rolled her eyes.
"What's on the agenda?" House asked, looking at the patient files spread out on the table.
"Patient in room 304, presenting with unexplained seizures and a rash," Cameron reported, handing over the chart.
House glanced at the chart, his mind already racing through possible diagnoses. Meanwhile, Cuddy was upstairs, rushing to her meeting, her thoughts still on the chaotic but heartwarming morning with her family.
As she entered the conference room, she was met with the stern faces of the ethics committee.
"Dr. Cuddy, good morning," the chairman said, not hiding his disapproval of her lateness.
"Good morning. I apologize for my tardiness," she said, taking her seat. "Shall we begin?"
The meeting was long and detailed, focusing on various ethical dilemmas and hospital policies. Cuddy kept her professional demeanor, though her mind occasionally drifted back to her daughters and the birthday plans for Hope later in the day.
Back in the diagnostic department, House was already diving deep into the new case, bouncing ideas off his team and pushing them to think outside the box, as usual.
"Let's run an MRI and a full panel of blood tests," House ordered. "Chase, you're on the MRI. Foreman, handle the blood tests. Cameron, get a detailed patient history."
As his team dispersed to carry out their tasks, House leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought about the morning's chaos. Despite the rush and the lateness, he wouldn't trade these moments with his family for anything.
When the three left the DDx room, House remained, staring at the whiteboard and contemplating possible diagnoses. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice anyone entering the room.
Someone cleared their throat, announcing their presence. "Dr. House?"
House glanced over his shoulder, slightly irritated by the interruption. "What?"
Standing in the doorway was a tall man, probably in his mid-thirties, with neatly combed dark hair and a well-tailored suit. He had an air of confidence about him, and his eyes conveyed both intelligence and determination.
"Dr. House, my name Samuel Strass, and I the new clinical director from the Mayo Clinic," the man began, stepping forward and extending his hand.
House ignored the gesture. "If you need a patient referral, you'll have to wait for Dr. Cameron. She handles all the paperwork. I don't even know the names of the patients."
The man smiled. "I'm not here about a patient."
House raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Then I'm not interested."
The man chuckled. "I represent the Mayo Clinic, and I'm here to make you an offer." He handed House a small file.
House took the file skeptically, flipping it open. "We're willing to negotiate the amount listed there. You'll have full contractual authority, the freedom to choose your team, you can even hire your actual team again, and access to any equipment you deem necessary. You won't have to deal with patients directly and can work on cases that genuinely interest you."
House's eyes widened slightly at the impressive figure on the offer. "I appreciate the offer," he said, glancing back up at the man. "But I'm not looking for a job."
"Dr. House," the man began again, "the Mayo Clinic aims to enhance its center for rare diseases and revolutionize diagnostic medicine. And we believe there's no one better suited for the job than the best in the world." He paused, meeting House's gaze. "We understand that you have certain... peculiarities, but we're prepared to accommodate them. Your genius is unparalleled."
House was surprisingly polite as he responded, "I appreciate the offer. But I have a family, three daughters, and my wife works at this hospital. Relocating isn't part of our plans."
"My offer stands, Dr. House," the man said firmly. "We can negotiate your salary, your position, and even accommodate your family. I'll be back in a month for your answer."
"You're wasting your time," House said, handing back the file.
"Keep it," the man insisted. "Think it over and discuss it with your wife. I'll be back in a month."
With that, the man turned and left, leaving House standing there, a mix of incredulity and intrigue on his face. Fuck, what an offer!