Chapter 14 - When Love is the Best Medicine

November arrived with its characteristic cold, a harsh winter settling in over Princeton. Cuddy thought to herself how challenging this month was turning out to be. Marina was still in Argentina and wouldn't be back until mid-November, if all went well. This meant Cuddy was constantly rushing around the city at her daughters' school dismissal times, while Paige stayed at the hospital daycare.

House had taken over driving Rachel to and from her lacrosse practices all week. He could afford to stay and watch the entire practice, whereas Cuddy had to leave the hospital a little before 4 PM to pick up Hope from school, take her to gymnastics, return to the hospital for a few more hours of work, then leave before 7 PM to collect Paige and pick Hope up from practice. They always arrived home close to 8 PM.

Complicating matters further was a particularly challenging case House had that week. The patient, the son of one of the hospital's major donors, was under his care, and no one could determine what was wrong with the teenager. Cuddy didn't want House to leave the hospital for even an hour to take Rachel to practice, leading to an even more frantic afternoon schedule for her.

On that particular Friday, Cuddy decided to take a day for herself. She needed to stay home, organize the house, tackle the growing mountain of laundry, spend time with her daughters, and go shopping. She knew House couldn't help her that week.

She woke up early while House took the girls to school, allowing her to enjoy a peaceful breakfast with her daughters and stay home with baby Paige. If all went well, House would solve the young man's case, and they'd have the weekend to themselves, for their small, yet bustling family of five.

Paige's pregnancy had been unplanned. Cuddy believed she couldn't conceive and, thinking they were not at significant risk, ended up pregnant at 39. Their lives were chaotic; she felt she never had time for anything, with a messy house, sleepless nights, undone homework, unread notes from school, and she hadn't done yoga in almost two months. She managed to hit the gym only once a week, if that. Yet, despite all this, she had never been happier. Her three daughters were her greatest joy, being a mother was her dream. She knew every challenge and adversity was worth it; nothing brought her more happiness than knowing she had three beautiful and happy daughters.

The morning passed peacefully. She tidied up the house while her youngest played on a small baby mat. At seven months old, Paige was already eager to start crawling, babbling "mama" and "papa" as she explored her small colorful world.

It was nearing lunchtime when Cuddy received a call from Rachel's school. Rachel had a fever, and they needed someone to pick her up as soon as possible. Cuddy took a deep breath; Rachel had been under the weather for a few days, but she thought her daughter was getting better. Unfortunately, it seemed Rachel had worsened during the day at school.

Just then, House arrived home for lunch, his usual sarcastic smirk in place as he walked through the door. "Hey, just checking in on the domestic chaos," he announced.

Cuddy looked up, relief and worry mingling in her eyes. "Rachel's school just called. She's running a fever and I need to go pick her up."

House's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern. "Alright, don't worry. I've got time to grab her, bring her home, and still get back to the hospital," he said, his tone more serious.

"Are you sure?" Cuddy asked, her voice softening. "I know you have that complicated case..."

House shrugged. "The patient is not going anywhere. I'll be back before you know it." He gave her a reassuring nod before grabbing his keys and heading out.

As he drove to Rachel's school, House couldn't help but think about how different that situation would be two years ago, how much of less concerning he would be, and how much Rachel was 'her kid' and not 'their daughter'.

He arrived at the school quickly, heading to the office where Rachel was waiting with the school nurse. Rachel's eyes lit up when she saw her father, though she still looked pale and tired.

"Hey there kiddo," House said, his usual sarcasm tempered with genuine concern. "Ready to blow this joint?"

Rachel nodded weakly, and House scooped her up into his arms. "Let's get you home and feeling better," he said, carrying her out to the car.

"Okay, Daddy"

Back at home, Cuddy had prepared a cozy spot on the couch for Rachel, complete with her favorite blanket and her pink sippy cup. House gently laid her down and tucked her in.

"I'll be back soon, okay? Listen to your mom and get some rest," House said, his voice gruff but gentle. "And don't let her make you do any of her paperwork."

Rachel managed a small smile. "Okay, Daddy."

Cuddy smiled at House. "Thank you. I'll take it from here. You go back to the hospital and try to save your patient."

House gave her a slight kiss on the lips. "I'll be back before you can say 'acute tubular necrosis'," he quipped, heading back out. Despite the challenges, they were a team, and together, they could handle anything. "If she get worst, call me! I'll pick Hope after school ok?"

"Okay" Cuddy told him "I love you"

"Love you too"

Throughout the afternoon, Rachel didn't seem to be improving much. Her fever showed no signs of abating, and she began to exhibit clear signs of fatigue and apathy, as well as cough, a deep and concerning couch, something that greatly concerned Cuddy. She decided to give it another hour for the fever to drop; if it didn't, she would administer a dose of corticosteroids to bring it down.

Cuddy paced the living room, glancing frequently at the clock and then back at Rachel, who lay listlessly on the couch. Paige, blissfully unaware of her sister's condition, played quietly with her toys nearby.

Cuddy sat down beside Rachel, gently brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's forehead. Rachel's skin was hot to the touch, and her usually bright eyes were dull and unfocused.

"Mommy, it hurts," Rachel murmured, her voice weak, coughing again.

"I know, sweetheart," Cuddy replied softly. "I'm here, and we're going to make you feel better soon."

Just as she was about to check Rachel's temperature again, her phone buzzed. It was House. She answered quickly, hoping he had finished with his patient.

"Hey, how's she doing?" House's voice came through the line, tinged with concern.

"Not great," Cuddy admitted. "Her fever isn't coming down, and she's really lethargic. I'm giving it one more hour, and then I'm thinking about giving her corticosteroids. And her cough is getting worst..."

House was silent for a moment, processing the information. "Alright. Keep me posted. If she gets any worse, take her to the hospital."

"I will," Cuddy promised, feeling a bit of relief just hearing his voice. "Thank you honey"

"Yeah, yeah. Tell Rachel I'll bring her something sweet if she promises to get better," House said, trying to lighten the mood.

Cuddy smiled. "I will. See you later."

She hung up and turned her attention back to Rachel, who had dozed off. Cuddy checked the time again, feeling the minutes drag by. She hoped the fever would break soon, but she was ready to take the next step if necessary.

Rachel stirred slightly in her sleep, and Cuddy gently stroked her daughter's cheek, whispering words of comfort. The weight of the day's worries felt a little lighter knowing House was just a call away, ready to jump in if needed.

It was nearing eight in the evening when House returned home, now accompanied by their eldest daughter, Hope, whom he had picked up from gymnastics on his way back from the hospital.

"Hey," he said upon seeing his wife in the kitchen, leaning in to kiss Cuddy lightly on the lips. "How is she?"

"The fever went down after I gave her cortisone, but the cough is persistent," she said, glancing at the sofa where Rachel lay resting. "She's not herself at all. She didn't want to play or get off the couch. She slept most of the afternoon and is now just watching a movie," she said seriously. "And Hope?"

"She went to drop off her things in her room," he replied just as their eldest daughter returned downstairs to the kitchen.

"Hi, Mom!" Hope greeted cheerfully, her smile and upbeat demeanor a welcome contrast to the somber mood. She hugged Cuddy around the waist, and Cuddy kissed the top of her head. "How was school?"

"Good," Hope replied with a smile. "How's Rachel?"

"She's resting, Hope," Cuddy explained.

"Oh, I thought she'd be better by now," Hope said, glancing toward the living room sofa where Rachel lay, oblivious to the conversation in the kitchen. "A lot of kids in her class are sick too," Hope informed her parents. "Collie's brother is also sick and staying home. He's in her class."

"It's probably the flu," House said to his eldest.

"It's an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus," Hope said with a grin. "There are four types of influenza virus: types A, B, C, and D. Aquatic birds are the primary source of influenza A virus (IAV), which is also widespread in various mammals, including humans and pigs. Influenza B virus (IBV) and influenza C virus (ICV) primarily infect humans, and influenza D virus (IDV) is found in cattle and pigs. Influenza A virus and influenza B virus circulate in humans and cause seasonal epidemics, and influenza C virus causes a mild infection, primarily in children. Influenza D virus can infect humans but is not known to cause illness. In humans, influenza viruses are primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Transmission through aerosols and surfaces contaminated by the virus also occurs."

House raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Someone will be a showoff in no time."

"I know, I know," Hope said with a grin, looking at her mother. "I'm just that good!"

"Alarmingly so," Cuddy said, laughing. "You're almost too smart for your own good."

House smirked, "Careful, we don't need another genius with a God complex around here."

Hope rolled her eyes, "I'll start practicing my witty comebacks then. Don't want to disappoint."

Cuddy chuckled, "Great, because we've got enough of that going on already."

House nodded. "Good plan. Just remember, sarcasm is a second language around here."

Cuddy shook her head, still smiling. "She's already fluent. We might be in trouble."

-/-

House entered the bedroom, his face thoughtful as he unbuttoned his shirt. "I checked on Rachel—no fever for now, but she's definitely uncomfortable," he said, his voice tinged with concern as he headed to the bathroom.

Cuddy looked up from her book, her brow furrowing slightly. "I'm worried about that cough. If she's not better by tomorrow, we should get a chest X-ray. It sounds deep, and she's struggling to clear it."

House reappeared from the bathroom, brushing his teeth as he leaned against the doorframe. "Yeah... If it's more than just a viral thing, we need to catch it early."

Cuddy nodded, her mind racing with all the possibilities. "And those wrist pains… it's probably just the fever, but we need to keep an eye on that too."

House spat out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth, then wiped his face with a towel before tossing it onto the counter. "Yeah, just what we need—another symptom to complicate things."

Cuddy sighed, closing her book and placing it on the nightstand. "I just hate seeing her like this. Rachel's usually so full of energy, and now she's just... not herself."

House walked over to the bed and sat down beside her, his hand resting gently on her leg. "She'll bounce back. She's a tough kid." He tried to sound reassuring, but the concern in his eyes gave him away. "She's our kid"

Cuddy reached over, covering his hand with hers. "I know. It's just mama bear proteting her cub."

House gave a small, understanding nod. "Yeah, pretty hot stuff if you ask me. But let's get some rest. With Paige and most probably Rachel needing us during the night, it's going to be such a fun night, so let get some sleep while we can"

Cuddy smiled softly at him. "I love you, so much"

House lay down beside her, pulling her close. "I love me too" he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. "And I'm crazy in love with you"

Cuddy nestled against him, feeling a small measure of comfort, smiling against his chest. "At least Hope seams fine."

House chuckled softly. "Where's the fun in easy?"

She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "You would say that now. Let's see into the night."

-/-

As always, House had been right. But this time, he wasn't at all pleased about it. Paige had woken briefly at midnight, and Cuddy had gotten up to nurse her, settling the baby back to sleep with the ease of a practiced mother. House had barely drifted back into sleep when Rachel's cries pierced the night.

Cuddy rose again, quietly telling House to try to sleep a bit more as she went to comfort Rachel. He felt like he'd only closed his eyes for two seconds when he heard voices in the hallway. Groggily, he pushed himself up and stumbled toward the door, only to find Hope standing there, looking miserable.

"Hope, did they wake you up?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep. But even in the dim light of the hallway, he could see the glassy eyes and flushed cheeks. The instant her feverish gaze met his, he knew.

"Daddy, I don't feel good," Hope whispered, her voice small and tired. House immediately scooped her up, feeling the heat radiating from her body as she nestled her head into the curve of his neck. Despite being ten years old, Hope still sought comfort in her father's arms when she was unwell, and right now, she was burning up.

Cuddy appeared in the hallway with Rachel cradled against her. "So, both of them are down for the count," House muttered as she approached. With one hand, Cuddy rocked Rachel gently while reaching out to place her other hand on Hope's forehead.

"Oh, sweetie," Cuddy said softly, her voice full of concern.

"Mommy, it hurts to swallow… and my head hurts... I'm cold," Hope mumbled, her voice laced with discomfort.

House glanced at Cuddy, sharing a wordless exchange. "They should sleep in our room tonight," he suggested. Cuddy nodded in agreement.

Their bedroom was already crowded, with Paige still sleeping in a bassinet by their bed. The new king-sized bed had seemed spacious at the time they'd bought it, but now, with two sick kids needing their comfort, it suddenly felt small. They carefully laid Hope and Rachel between them, Cuddy slipping in beside Rachel while House made his way to the kitchen to fetch some children's Advil.

When he returned, he sat beside Hope, coaxing her to take the medicine. "Come on, kiddo. This'll help," he said, his voice gentle but firm. Hope grimaced but dutifully swallowed the syrup, trusting her dad's promise that she'd feel better soon.

Minutes later, House found himself squeezed into the tiny remaining space on the bed. He was uncomfortable, precariously balanced on the edge, with Rachel and Hope sprawled between him and Cuddy. Paige, blissfully unaware, slept soundly in her bassinet nearby.

He hadn't had a proper night's sleep in what felt like forever, and here he was again, lying awake in a crowded bed, surrounded by sick kids. But as he lay there, listening to the soft, congested breaths of his daughters and the steady rhythm of Cuddy's breathing beside him, he couldn't help but smile.

This was his life now. The man who had once thrived on solitude and cynicism was now the father of three, sharing a bed with his feverish children, and he wouldn't trade it for anything. He was the one who shared Cuddy's life, the one who stood beside her through school events, gym drop-offs, sleepless nights, and sick days. And for once, that responsibility felt like a gift rather than a burden.

He tried to tug the blanket over himself but gave up when he realized he couldn't without disturbing everyone. Instead, he just smiled, feeling Hope snuggle closer to him for warmth. He kissed the top of her head and whispered softly, "It's okay, sweetheart. Daddy's here."

And despite the discomfort, despite the chaos, House closed his eyes, feeling a profound sense of contentment that only a father could understand.

He woke up that Saturday morning, noticing the absence of the usual chaos in the room. The bed was empty, and the house was eerily quiet. After a few moments of gathering his thoughts, House dragged himself out of bed and made his way downstairs.

In the kitchen, he found Cuddy sipping her tea, while Hope and Rachel were both curled up on the living room sofa, looking worn out but content.

"Morning," he greeted as he approached Cuddy, leaning in for a kiss. It was a familiar gesture, one that had become a comfortable routine. "How are they doing?"

"Rachel's a bit better," Cuddy replied, setting her mug down and nodding toward the sofa. "She actually ate something and is now absorbed in an episode of Once Upon a Time... Life."

House glanced over at Rachel, who was staring intently at the screen, clearly engrossed in learning about the human body. "Already on episode two, and I had to explain the peripheral nervous system to her before nine this morning," Cuddy added with a smile.

House smirked, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "You should've seen this coming. You know, she gets that from me," he teased.

Cuddy rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course. Because I'm not even a doctor myself..."

"And Hope?" House asked, casting a concerned glance toward their eldest.

"She's still not great. Throat's sore, and she's pretty much lost her voice," Cuddy said softly. "The fever it's gone, at least for now.."

"Nothing a weekend of rest and cartoons can't fix," House replied, taking a sip of his coffee. Then, setting the cup down, he reached out a hand to her. "Come on, let's join them."

They moved to the living room and squeezed onto the sofa with their girls. Rachel shifted slightly to lean against Cuddy, while Hope nestled close to House. The old animated series played on the screen, and for a moment, everything felt right.

It wasn't the usual hustle and bustle of their weekends, but it was peaceful—a rare kind of contentment in their otherwise chaotic lives.