Part 7
The deep charcoal of his suit further washed out the pale pallor of his skin. The lump in his throat felt strangled by the tie now fastened into place, so much so, he left his top button undone for fear of choking.
He didn't recognise his own reflection, he had no idea who the man was staring back at him. He wanted this to be some hideous dream; a vicious Vicodin trip that his pained mind had travelled down.
But he was stone-cold sober and this was the brutal reality.
The sight of Cameron homing into view brought his mind back into focus. Inappropriate though it might have been, he couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked. She managed a watery smile as he turned around, and then seeing Izzy in her little black dress and jacket, he felt his own eyes stinging.
He managed to squat down closer to Izzy's height and without needing further invitation, the youngster nestled into her father's welcoming embrace.
He held her for as long as possible, doing his utmost to prolong the inevitable.
"It's time to go, Izzy Bee."
.o0O0o.
As if the day needed any more of a sullen atmosphere, dark clouds gathered and circled overhead as House drew to a halt in the parking lot. He turned off the ignition with a heavy sigh as the heavens opened and a torrential downpour ensued, sending mourners darting for the memorial hall. The sound of the raindrops beating down on the steel roof almost drowned out the weariness felt within the car.
Sensing a break in the downpour, House steeled himself to make a move. Gingerly climbing out of the car without a word, he opened the rear door and held his hand out for Izzy. The youngster kept her head low, almost defeated, as she took his hand and held on tight.
House waited as Cameron appeared at his side with the floral wreath and his cane which hadn't even crossed his mind. He gave her a small nod and the faintest flicker of a smile and wordlessly they made their way to the door.
As they enter the building, a collective murmur echoes and all eyes of the other mourners are instantly on them, especially towards Izzy. House hates it, he feels like a goldfish trapped in a fishbowl being gawked at, but this isn't about him, it's about Izzy having the opportunity to say goodbye.
At the front of the memorial hall taking pride of place was a large photograph of Nicole smiling brightly, House recognised it instantly from one taken at Izzy's first birthday party.
Her hand momentarily tightens it's grip on his making House look down, "You're okay Izzy Bee."
Having kept her head down since they walked inside, Izzy looked up to see the photo of her mother and in an instant, the child's resilience shattered with a gut-wrenching howl.
"Mommy!"
House choked back his own tears as he eased Izzy up into his arms, his leg protested almost immediately sending pain lancing through his thigh. He adjusted his hold on Izzy shifting her weight over his stronger thigh, even though it's painful and awkward, he grits his teeth and remains a pillar of strength for his little girl.
The walk to the front row was agonising, House eased himself and Izzy down into one of the seats alongside Nicole's parents, Mary and Geoffrey. He left a seat between them in case Izzy wanted to sit there, but instead she remained on his lap for the duration of the service with her face buried in his neck softly crying. He breathed a small sigh of relief at the feel of Cameron discreetly lacing their fingers together, his very own pillar of strength.
The memorial was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking, a fitting tribute for a young mother taken far too early. Guests were invited back to the family home for drinks and to toast to Nicole's life. Despite House not being a sociable creature, he can't muster the notion to even cook up an excuse to wriggle out of it and his gesture doesn't go unnoticed by the family.
"Greg, thank you for coming and bringing Isabella, we know this is way out of your comfort zone."
House nodded at the couple as he stroked Izzy's hair, the youngster still clinging to his side, "Izzy, Gan Gan and Pop's need some cuddles too."
Izzy looked up and without hesitation bolted into her grandmother's arms, almost winding her in the process and bringing a tear of joy to those who witnessed. Geoffrey gestured to House and Cameron and brought them to the side for a more private chat away from Izzy.
"I don't want this to sound like an intervention or imply that we don't think you can cope, but how is she doing Greg?"
"As well as can be, I think. She has her low moments, we've caught her staring into space a few times and bursting into tears. She's bonded with Allie's dog which has helped massively, poor pup has the patience of a saint letting Izzy cover him in band-aids and bandages to match hers."
The older man let out a chuckle, "Just like her mother when she was a youngster. Listen Greg, we don't want to ruin any plans but would it be possible to have Izzy stay for the weekend? We would've asked sooner but we weren't sure if and when the right time to ask was."
"Geoff, if you hadn't suggested it, I know Izzy was going to. She's been looking forward to seeing you both and showing off her cast. We'll pick her up on Sunday afternoon."
The emotional toll and stress of the day had finally caught up to little Izzy, though she had fought valiantly against sleep, eventually, she lost the battle and slumped bonelessly between her grandparents on the couch. The guests had begun to dwindle and slowly depart, and seeing Izzy sleeping so peacefully, House and Cameron decided to call it a night too. Careful not to disturb her, they both kissed Izzy's forehead and gave Mary and Geoffrey a warm hug, promising to call in the morning.
.o0O0o.
The car ride back to the hotel was fraught with tension, silent save for the sounds of the tires drumming on the asphalt. The silence remained until they reached the sanctuary of their hotel room and once the door closed, House folded Cameron into his arms, raggedly breathing into the crook of her neck.
"Thank you," his voice was gruff, brittle with unshed tears.
A shiver skittered down Cameron's spine at the feel of House's lips against her skin, breathing in his scent of something that was just uniquely him heightened her emotion.
He pulled away a fraction to meet her eyes, "thank you. Not just for today but for everything."
"We're a team, you've nothing to thank me for."
House lowered his head, forehead to forehead, relishing the moment of closeness between them. After a few moments content to listen to the sound of one another breathing, House gently nuzzled against Cameron's nose, subtly tilting her face up to his.
The warm amber glow from the bedside lamp flickering in his eyes, their shade almost navy with hunger, a physical highlight to the subtle shift in atmosphere between them.
He trailed the tips of his fingers over the blushing apples of her cheeks tracing the shape of her lips, wanting to lose himself in their sweetness and never resurface.
The kiss when it finally came was surprisingly tender, one of love and gratitude. But quickly transcending from light and teasing to something more intense and passionate. The high emotion of the day had been steadily building into a crescendo of heat and tension, finally reaching a precipice which snapped in a cacophony of unrepented lust.
Cameron's hands were far from idle. She did her own exploration, trailing over the broad plains of his chest beneath the barrier of his black jacket and eased it from his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor behind him.
Even through the deep navy material of his shirt, his skin was scorching hot with his pulse marching beneath her trembling palm. His shirt collar was open to the second button, leaving a tempting 'v' of skin on display where his tie had since been relegated to his jacket pocket for safe keeping.
House's arms came up around her, holding her close against his body so they were touching from head to toe. Feeling her hands sneak beneath his shirt, House pulled away slightly and wrenched the shirt up and off. A wolfish grin tugging at his lips seeing Cameron's eyes darken at the sight of his naked torso. Her trembling hand lain on his pec, feeling the beat of his heart matching the eccentric rhythm of her own.
Edging closer until House toppled backwards onto the bed, happy to have her take control. Propping himself up on his elbow, he caught her hand and gently pulled her down on top of him. Smiling down at him, Cameron suckled on his lower lip briefly before he met her mouth with force.
Growling into their kiss, House eased Cameron over onto her back and settled into the cradle of her limbs keeping a firm hold on him. Her hands roamed freely over his back, occasionally grazing her nails over the hot skin. Straddling her, though careful not to squash her, he sat her up slightly and eased her blouse over her head and tossed it away.
His hands encircled her, unhooking her soft pink bra and easing the straps down her shoulders and letting it join the ever-growing pile of clothing on the floor. Keeping their eyes locked, his hands followed a path down over her stomach to the fastenings of her trousers. With all the bravado he could muster, it wasn't enough to hide the endearing slight tremor in his hands, but he soon had the offending garment pulled down her thighs revealing her matching pink underwear.
House cast his eyes over her scantily clad form, taking in the exquisite sight laid before him.
"You're beautiful Allison," he dipped his head, placing gentle kisses down her throat along her collarbone until his lips captured a taut nipple, circling it teasingly with his hot tongue before sucking. Cameron moaned throatily, hearing him say her name whilst in such an intimate act had her dancing on the precipice and arching her back pushing her body upwards giving House more access. The other nipple received the same treatment while his hands trailed down over her lacy underwear. With shaking fingers, he traced delicate lines over the fabric, stroking her gently causing the material to send delicious shockwaves through Cameron's veins.
"Greg," Implored Cameron, her breathing heavy and ragged, "please Greg."
She watched him with glassy eyes as he stood up from the bed, slowly unfastened his belt but quickly paused when he realised the anticipation was killing him too. He wrenched his trousers and boxers down over his thighs, ignoring the pang of fear that the sight of his gnarled thigh would shatter the moment for Cameron. He gingerly looked up and found her eyes widened in awe and anticipation of how he would feel inside her.
Standing at the foot of the bed, House took Cameron's ankles in his large hands kissing a path down the soft skin until he reached the crux of her thighs, hearing her moan as he nuzzled his nose against her. He pulled the material off her revealing her to his eyes, his breath caught in his chest she was so perfect he just hoped he could do her some justice.
With a reassuring look House took a hold of her hips and buried his face between her thighs. Spurred on by Cameron's moans and gasps and the feel of her hands pawing in his hair, "Ohh… Oh my god." Her voice was coming out in breathy pants, her head spinning from the sensation of his mouth pleasuring her. Her body shuddered, gripping the covers with white knuckles as the pleasure washed over her, gasping his name.
Watching her chest heave as she tried to control her breathing, House moved over her gently nudging her thighs apart, wanting to try and hold back as long as possible but feeling too close to the edge just by watching Cameron contort and writhe. Her arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, skin in skin, so intimate. His lips and bearded chin glistening, evidence of where he had been. Cameron, still holding his cheek, pulled him in for a kiss tasting herself on him, hot and sweet, which further fuelled her need for him.
With a newly found burst of confidence, Cameron ran her hands down House's sides, his skin hot beneath her fingertips. She easily found his impressive erection, her soft hand wrapped around it gently working him. House moaned into her mouth, desperately trying not to lose control. It had only been him and his right hand for the last god knows how long, and now he was in danger of losing it like some spotty teenager.
"Fuck…Allie, you've gotta stop," he gasped against her lips, wrapping his hand around her wrist his breath coming in harsh pants.
"I need you Greg, so much."
She looked into his eyes, seeing the soft blue had darkened to the wildest depths of a stormy ocean, so intense and full of yearning. He dipped his head, taking her lips again as he pushed into her with a gentle thrust, swallowing her moans. He took a minute, holding still, letting them get used to the feeling of each other. When he finally moved it was slow and with purpose, trying to make it last as long as he could. His tongue reflecting the movement of his hips.
Cameron's fingers dug into the firm muscles of his shoulders, her breathing coming in harsh pants as she clung on tighter, needing him closer, deeper.
"More, Greg more," she stammered.
Looking down at her, House watched her perfect face contort beautifully with pleasure. The sounds of her gasps and sighs a symphony in his ears, the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard. Finding his rhythm, Cameron's hips arched to meet each stroke. This man was making love to her, something she had never experienced with anyone else, not even her late husband.
Thrusting deeper, Cameron cried out, her whole body bowing. Sensing her desperate need to be closer, one of his hands moved underneath her body grasping her peachy buttock, pressing her even closer and deepening their connection.
Cameron fell first, headlong into another intense climax, crying out House's name in desperation. He tumbled soon after, gasping her name into her neck, his arms straining to keep his weight off her all the while remaining blissfully buried inside her. Every few seconds he'd roll his hips trying to keep the feeling of euphoria alive.
Once he got his breath back, House carefully moved off her, smirking at the pitiful moan that escaped her lips as their bodies untangled.
"'M too heavy, c'mere."
Now on his back, he pulled Cameron against his side. His hand possessively cradling her thigh against his, not quite ready to sever the physical connection.
She bestowed soft kisses against his chest, letting her lips linger, she sighed deeply as she breathed in his unique scent now heightened with the tang of sex and sweat that had become one of familiarity and comfort.
"Hmm, I swear I could be blindfolded in a room full of people and still be able to pick you out."
House raised his head from his resting spot to look her in the eye, "you saying I stink, Cameron?"
The heavy, fraught tension of the day was finally broken with the sound of their soft laughter.