Chapter Text
Cuddy walked with a distinct purpose as she guided her 14 year old through the hospital. Everyone who saw the pair knew now was not the time to try and talk to the dean of medicine.
A firm hand was placed on the frowning child’s back while they moved. Cuddy wore her titular pencil skirt and suit combo with heels, while her daughter donned the complete opposite. The teen wore a pair of thrifted jean shorts that came down mid thigh, and an oversized light brown hoodie that covered most of said shorts. Her shoes were a pair of tattered white high tops that her mother so badly wanted to get rid of.
“I have meetings until late this evening but you have enough to do.” Cuddy started once she unlocked the door to her office, “ Your teacher emailed me your missing class work, and I also added in some reinforcement work-“
“Awwww mom!!!” Came a higher pitched whine, though Cuddy ignored it as she led the stroppy teen right to her plush chair. Rachel plopped down, sinking into the fabric of her hoodie, while Cuddy typed in the password to her computer. A barrage of notifications sounded from the screen, though she ignored it and opened a zipped file with at least 6 assignments worth of work on it. That got the girl’s attention. “What, that-that looks like so much!”
“That’s enough little girl.” The severity in Cuddy’s voice paused the whine, “You’ve more than earned some extra homework.” Cuddy turned pointedly towards the teen, but Rachel had already put her head down on the desk in both defeat and defiance, “Rach, don’t be dramatic.”
“Why couldn’t you just have dropped me off at home?”
“Because you’re being punished for your stunt, and going home means you’ll watch tv, stay on your phone or computer, and play instead of doing this work.”
“I’m 14. I don’t play.” She argued, making Cuddy scoff. “Okay, you’ll do whatever 14 year olds do on their phone and computer. But you, my honeybunch, are grounded from independence and technology this weekend. You are mommy’s shadow for the next 2.5 days.”
The girl’s head shot up from the desk, “But this is the weekend that you work every day!”
“Yes, I know.” Cuddy deadpanned. The teen’s face contorted into a pout that reminded Cuddy of the sweet three year old she had all those years ago.
Rachel was aghast. No screens and she was stuck in a fucking hospital! That is not how she planned to spend her weekend.
She was planning on lounging at home, scrolling TikTok, and binging Netflix. She wanted to be able to put her headphones in, lay on her bed, mindlessly doodling to her heart’s content.
And Cuddy couldn’t help but soften just a little at the sight of her daughter’s babyish pout. “Rach, listen, you didn’t want to talk to me in the car about why you’ve been skipping your math class, but I hope you’ll feel up to talk to me later. I may be disappointed at your actions hence you being grounded but I still care most about why my baby would want to skip twice in a row in the first place? You love math. It’s been your favorite subject since first grade.”
Rachel swallowed the lump in her throat, not wanting to talk to her mother about any of it. She dropped her head back down on the desk, “I’ll get all the work done by the end of the weekend. Promise.”
She’s avoiding it. She’s avoiding talking to you. Cuddy’s heart felt a little heavy at the thought. The teenage years were here and it ached the mother’s heart to know her little one was growing up.
Give her time. “I’ll come check on you in an hour then." Cuddy gave the mop of hair a kiss before leaving out.
When Rachel was sure Cuddy had gone she lifted her head and looked closer at the documents on the screen. Two of the six were actual school work. The others were courtesy of her mother. What Cuddy considered “reinforcement”... more like punishment and Rachel knew it. Her mom was really going to have her work on math all weekend, but she started to work diligently. Cuddy had taken her phone so what else was there to do anyway?
“Geezus, mom can be a fucking psycho.” The teen mumbled to herself when she had finished her missing assignments and realized just how much her mom added on. There were at least 5 pages per document!
“I prefer to call her a raging psycho, but fucking psycho works.”
Rachel snapped her eyes away from the computer. When had he come in?!
“House?! what the fuck?!”
“Language, you bloody scallywag.” He then shook his head animatedly, in the way that still made Rachel break into a smile, “Oh wait, the feds aren’t here, aka Dr. Lisa Cuddy, aka the dean of medicine, aka your mom, so I don’t give a flying fuck. Carry on with the cursing.”
“When did you get in here?” Rachel asked, still shocked that she had missed him. Certainly a cripple with a cane would make noise!
“Just as you were ogling your mother’s computer with eyes the size of flying saucers. So, what’d you do to make Cuddy drag you here instead of taking you home?”
“Why did I have to do something for me to come-”
House only had to look at her with a raised eyebrow to call her out on the bullshit.
Rachel sighed. The girl wasn't a fool. She knew it was wrong to skip class. She knew her mama wouldn’t approve because if there was one thing Cuddy cared about, it was her education. But despite being aware of all that, Rachel still skipped. She’d done it Wednesday and Thursday. And Cuddy had gotten the call today, Friday.
Rachel thought she’d gotten away with it, but when she had walked out of school two hours ago and saw her mother in the pick up line she knew something was off. She always took the bus or went with one of her friends on Friday.
Cuddy only had to mouth the words “Come here now.” For Rachel to say bye to the friend she walked out with and hurry over to the waiting Benz SUV.
Once Rachel was in the car Cuddy said nothing. She pretended to not see the fleeting glances her child was giving her and waited until they were out of the busy school parking lot to say a word, “I know you’ve been skipping and hiding somewhere in the school doing God knows what.”
And Rachel’s heart fell as she looked down at the backpack in her lap. She had not gotten away with it like she thought.
“Are you going to explain why?”
The teenager bit her lip trying not to break into tears right then, hoping her voice didn’t crack. A quiet “I-I’m really sorry mommy.” was all that came out.
She avoided her mother’s gaze and was relieved that her mother did not press her. If she had been in Cuddy’s head she would’ve seen her mother’s surprise. Cuddy had not expected the sadness in her daughter’s voice.
“Was it drugs? Is that why you’re on lockdown?” House broke the girl’s silence and the 14 year old shook her head, “Well good, not a druggie.” He quipped, popping his own drug of choice into his mouth, “Hmmm, suspended for fighting? You’ve always been scrappier than your mom.”
Another shake of the head. House could see Rachel was not up for talking and although it was his desire to pry there was something about Cuddy’s daughter that made his acerbic and rude nature quell, “Well I’m sure keeping it to yourself will solve all your problems.”
“I just don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fine with me. I find teenage problems to be petty, asinine, tiny, irrelevant, ridiculous, stop me at any time…”
“You’re an ass.”
“You know your mother has told me that probably 734 times.”
Rachel laughed, “that sounds about right.”
“Despite your insult I still choose to ask….do you want to get out of your mother’s boring office?”
“I have homework to do.” She grumbled.
“Pffffttt.” He walked over towards the girl and stood behind her to look over the math work, “Basic geometry. You are good at math, at least according to your mother when she told me you could do a better job at bookkeeping than the hospital’s accountants.”
“She talks about me that much here?”
“Occasionally, matey.”
She bit back her smile at their inside joke. Pirate talk. She wasn't necessarily reciprocating, but it was oddly comforting to hear House still talk to her like that.
“Now back to my point, you can get this done by the end of the weekend easily, which is the length of time I’m assuming Cuddy gave for you to complete a flash drive’s worth of work.”
Rachel looked at his scheming eyes and suddenly she was House’s sidekick all over again. She always remembered having fun with House, and if she was stuck in the hospital she might as well have some fun right?
“So, whadya say lassie?”
“Alright, fine.” She let up and House broke into a grin, “Excellent, now do you accept being my partner in crime for a few friendly pranks ? This means lying to your mother should it come down to that.”
Rachel gave him a toothy smile, “Let’s do it.” She sort of liked the idea of being co-conspirators in a scenario that involved irritating her mother.
….. …… …….
House and Rachel heard the click of heels and saw Cuddy before she walked into the glass walled office. They were quick to hide the ketchup packets they were planning on opening and hiding under certain seat cushions.
They looked up and sat down at the table as soon as Cuddy opened the door. The woman looked at both of them suspiciously. She was tight lipped and furrowed her brow, pointing at her child first.
Time to defend myself. Thought Rachel. “Mom, I did my missing classwork. I just took a small break to hang out with House.”
“And your break is officially over. Go back to my office and complete at least three more assignments.”
“But I have the whole weekend!” Came the whine “I can’t have breaks?”
“A break is perfectly reasonable. However, you did more than just take a break, correct?”
House and Rachel looked at each other. Caught in 4k.
“So do I need to carry you around my hip to make sure you’re not running around playing pranks and disrupting people’s work in my hospital? With this one?!”
“N-no.” Rachel replied shakily, not liking the tongue lashing her mother was doling out. She looked down at her hands noticing that even House was averting her mother’s steely gaze.
How the hell did her mom find out? She was at a meeting!
Cuddy lifted an unimpressed eyebrow, knowing exactly what Rachel was thinking, “Sweetheart, I run this hospital. I have eyes everywhere. Now, I want to believe that you are old enough and responsible enough to leave alone and know that you won’t get into trouble. I did not expect to have to keep an eye on you like a naughty child! What has gotten into you lately? Because I'm at a loss.”
Rachel’s cheeks turned crimson in embarrassment at both her actions and her mother's reproach, “Mama I’m sorry. Please stop.”
Cuddy softened her tone when she realized the impact of her words on Rachel. She was upset but wasn’t in the business of embarrassing her daughter. And sometimes it was easy to forget when all three of them were together that House wasn’t a part of their domestic life so of course scolding her in front of him would embarrass Rachel. He just fell into their dynamic so well.
At least House was looking down and away attempting to give some semblance of privacy.
“I just want to know that I can trust you-“ Cuddy voiced.
The young girl sat up straighter, “You can trust me!” She argued.
“Can I? Because your houdini acts in school have also shown me otherwise.” Cuddy retorted sharply.
Rachel immediately fell back. Mama was still really mad about, well, everything. And that made her a little teary eyed. She was on her mother’s shit list and it fucking sucked. All she could do was look at her hands and whisper out her response, “Okay mom, okay...No more pranks.”
“Hah. Speak for yourself.” House scoffed.
Cuddy rolled her eyes, “House, shut up. You’ve done enough.” She lazered her gaze back on the teen and she finally noticed the wobbly lip and watery eyes her baby donned. It gave Cuddy pause and guilt made her stomach churn.
Not too much Lisa! She feels guilty enough. You are stressed and taking it out on your child!
“Rach?” She asked with a slight tenderness that made the teen look back up at her mother.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you, okay? I, well, I have a lot going on right now, but it’s not an excuse.” The woman put a hand to her forehead, massaging her temples. She let out a deep sigh, “Can you please…just go to my office love? I’ll be right there.”
House looked at the girl, knowing they had lost this battle, but hoping to give some levity “See ya later matey. Until the next voyage!”
“Bye House.” She mumbled through a sniffle. The girl walked past her mother and was stopped by an abrupt hug and kiss to her head from Cuddy, “Go on.” The woman whispered and the girl gave a short nod obeying her mother and thankful for the brief moment of love. Cuddy’s way of letting her know that she was still mama’s baby. That nothing would ever break that bond. No matter how mad Cuddy got, or how bad Rachel had behaved. After all, it’d been Rachel and Cuddy against the world for so long.
It was only once Cuddy was sure that her daughter would do as she said that she turned her attention back to House, “Please tell me you didn’t have her break any laws with you.”
“Promise.” He walked towards his desk chair and Cuddy leaned on the door frame. She always found her way back to his office most days a week for various reasons. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy at least half those visits.
“Rachel is here as punishment so if you are going to undermine me and take her from my office at least make it-”
“Unfun? How about torturous? Do you prefer physical punishment?” He asked sarcastically.
“House, please stop.”
The man leaned back in his chair, “Relax momma bear. I, unfortunately, could never hurt mini Cuddy. An annoying chink in my studded armor.”
And the woman tried hard not to smile. Their relationship was long over but the remnants of it were very real.
“So” He exclaimed, “I hear she’s starting her descent into teenage dirtbaghood.”
Cuddy stood a little taller, “She- she talked to you?”
He gave her a small nod. Yes she had, and House was secretly elated that she confided in him.
..... ..... .....
Rachel had worked the nerve to vocalize what had happened midway through their shenanigans, right after the stink bomb had been placed in Wilson’s office.
“So I-I did skip for a reason.”
“Shocker.”
Rachel gave him a small shove that made House smile back at her, The girl found the courage to continue, “I-I’ve been skipping my last period this week, well just two days really, to impress this group of kids. But all they did was hide in the bathroom and vape and I thought that was so stupid.”
“Soooooo skipped to impress some idiots and you found out that they’re…idiots?”
Rachel let out a sigh as the two walked back to House’s office, “Y-yeah I guess so. I thought we’d at least do something fun, but honestly I’d rather do math than be bored in a bathroom.”
“Did you hit it?”
“The vape?”
“What else would I be hinting at?”
Rachel looked away embarrassed. She wished she could sound like a badass and say she did. But the answer was no. She couldn’t bring herself to do it because all she heard was her mommy’s voice in the background:
‘The teenage brain is not even remotely close to being ready for weed…have you seen a smoker’s lungs?!’
‘Rachel, drugs of any kind are not a joke and I will always be honest to you about the research.’
The girl shook her head at House’s question, “N-no. I-I couldn’t. I just kept hearing mom in my head so I said no and asked them if they’ve ever seen a smoker’s lungs and they just laughed at me and called me a child.”
“Well they are right. You are a child.”
“House!”
“What? You are. Clearly not ready for drugs like that group of cool dumbasses. I mean who doesn’t want to be like them?”
“Alright already.” She grumbled as they walked into the man’s office.
“Have you talked to your mom yet?”
And Rachel only shrugged.
“You could tell me, but not your mom, who you usually talk to about everything… Hmmmmm.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s always something. You’re hiding it. What didn’t you say?”
Fuck it. It’s not like House would say anything to his mom right? “I did it because I liked one of the girls. And now I just feel so embarrassed. And it’s not like mom would’ve done something so stupid. And I-I hate feeling dumb like that!”
“No, you hate feeling weak. And telling your mom the truth would make you feel just like that, weak and childish. Which, I presume, you believe you are not because in your underdeveloped prefrontal cortex brain you’re a fully fledged adult with the capabilities to live completely independent of mommy.”
“How would you know I hate feeling weak?”
“When you were five you sprained your ankle playing soccer. You refused to cry until your mother and I told you that I cried when I had surgery on my leg. You broke like a dam after that. Oh, and that is just one instance.”
The teenager shrugged him off and sat in his lounge chair, looking away, hating that House read her like a book, “Whatever.”
“My advice: be a kid, because that’s what you are. And tell your mom.”
..... ..... .....
“Skipping her sixth period math class this week, right?” House asked Cuddy.
“Please tell me she told you more.”
“She did, but I can’t-”
“House, you’re really not going to tell me?” Cuddy’s voice grew louder, “Rachel is my daughter and I-”
“She’s fine! Relax.” He cut her off, “None of the worst case scenarios that are stockpiling in your head are true.”
“I’m not-”
“Oh please. Do you forget we dated? I know you very, very well. Look, she's going to talk to you. Just give her time.” He finally looked towards his ex-girlfriend's face and saw worry etched all over, “Cuddy.” He called her attention and they finally locked eyes, “You’re raising a good kid. Moronic at times, but aren’t we all?” Her eye roll was his cue to continue, “She’ll talk to you because she trusts you. But for now, just know she is no worse for wear.”
She sighed, though oddly enough, his words did make her feel better. A reminder that House had his own twisted way of making life feel easier.
“Bye House and thank you.”
He waved her off though the woman was already halfway out the door. She had an hour before her next meeting, enough time to check in on her child and eat dinner.
Today had felt non-stop for Cuddy and she honestly wished that she could be at home laying on the couch with Rachel cuddled up next to her. Cuddy might be reading or watching tv, and Rachel might be on her phone or doodling, but their physical closeness is what the mother cherished most. Alas, that was not her reality. Instead she was hurrying towards check-ins and meetings, getting only glances of her little girl. And worst of all most of their time had been spent with her scolding.
Cuddy took a moment at the door to take a breath and center herself. She entered the office surprised to not see her child at the desk. Had she disobeyed her again?!
“Over here mom. I printed out the worksheets to make it easier to do.”
Cuddy turned towards the voice and found Rachel laid out on the floor, bright brown eyes looking right up. It transported the woman.
Rachel was no longer fourteen in her eyes. She was three years old and instead of geometric worksheets sprawled out it was small towers of colorful legos and pirate figures hung all around them. Rachel loved pirates. Mostly because House loved them. They bonded over those wretched Blackbeard videos that Cuddy pretended to hate. Whatever House did, Rachel wanted to do. Cuddy remembered it so clearly. Like it was yesterday. Like it was right now. At this moment.
“Heeeellooooo. Mommy? You okay?” A far more mature voice that resembled her three year old spoke up, startling the mother out of her trance.
Cuddy gave her daughter a warm smile, “Yes, yes, I’m good. I was thinking that you used to lay out just like that when you were little.”
Rachel rolled her eyes good naturedly, “Well I guess I never grew out of it.”
I hope you never do. The mother thought. “As long as you’re comfortable.” She chose to say instead.
“I am AND I’m also on my third ‘reinforcement’ assignment.” She had purposely put that word in air quotes. “Will I be able to take another break outside your office after that?”
“Yes. But what are we not going to do?”
“No more pranks with House.” Rachel muttered, restraining an eye roll, “I know.”
“I will hold you to that. Understood?”
”Yes ma’am.” She nodded, “Understood.”
Rachel wasn’t trying to poke the bear any longer, and more than anything she wanted to be in her mother’s good graces again. She was a bit embarrassed to admit it but Dr. Lisa Cuddy, but just mom to Rachel, was still her favorite person and it bothered the girl to be at odds with the woman.
“And don’t forget that you still need to explain to me what happened at school at some point this weekend.”
Rachel let out a sigh. She definitely did not want to talk about that. Why did her mom have to bring it up again? “Yeah mom. I know that too.”
“Good.” Cuddy stated, a little forlorn that Rachel still wasn’t fessing up. But she could talk to House….don’t overthink it Lisa.
“Soooooo when I finish this can I go be with House again?” Rachel asked, making eye contact with the woman once again , “Pleassseeeee? I’ll make sure to only do monotonous activities and I won’t let him talk me into anything! I just, we haven’t hung out. I have a good time with him.”
Rachel tended to wear her heart in her sleeve and Cuddy could see she was being sincere. Feeling the need to be closer to her child, the mother moved to sit on the sofa so that her daughter’s head was by her legs. “If that’s what you want to do, and you make sure you are not breaking any of my rules, then yes.”
“I’ll be a model citizen. You can trust me this time.” She hoped to appease the woman. The head of the hospital couldn’t help but be persuaded by her child’s hopeful stare.
“Okay.” Cuddy spoke soft, “I’m trusting you.”
Her mother’s gentleness lowered the teen’s guard. Cuddy could’ve chosen to stay cross with her for many reasons. I mean the woman had buckets of shit to do, but still had to go pick her up from school after finding out she’d been skipping, and now had to worry about her raising havoc at work. But honestly that was House’s fault! And despite all of what had transpired, Cuddy seemed more worried about Rachel than annoyed or upset.
So even with the title of Dean of Medicine, Cuddy always made room to be the mother Rachel needed her to be. Her mom was her safe space. Her person. She loved her mom more than anyone else.
And mom always gives you chance after chance to do better and be better. So why can’t you just talk to her?!
“Thanks mama.” Rachel murmured before adjusting herself on the floor. She moved to lean her head against her mother’s leg,and Cuddy reciprocated her daughter’s tenderness by leaning over to kiss her forehead, “I love you more than anyone and anything, baby.”
House’s words rang in the mother’s head, ‘She’s going to talk to you. Just give her time.’
“I have my last meeting in 50 minutes, do you want to get dinner in the cafeteria or would you rather grab the food and eat here?”
Rachel only mumbled out a “eat here,” though she made no moves to get up. Cuddy chuckled to herself, clearly her daughter did not want to leave this position. She let her lay like that for a moment more before she helped her up. Rachel was a slow eater and Cuddy did not want her to feel rushed when eating together. “Come on sweetheart, before we run out of time.”
50 minutes. That means Rachel had 50 minutes to build up the courage to rip the bandaid, tell her mom, and feel better about all of this.
But it wasn’t until both mother and daughter sat at the center table with their sandwiches unwrapped that the brown haired teen found the courage to speak her truth.
“I-I did it to impress a girl.” Rachel looked down and took a deep breath. Oh God. Here I go.
Cuddy, who was just about to take a bite of her dinner, set the sandwich down and leaned back into her chair, “Ohhhkaayy…I’m listening.”
She’s nervous. Tread gently. The mother thought. “Honey, it’s alright.” Cuddy assured the fidgety girl in front of her, “Talk to me.”
Rachel adjusted herself to sit up a little straighter, “She ended up thinking I was lame anyways so there was no point. I shouldn’t have skipped for her. All we did was sit in the bathroom! I should’ve just stayed in class.”
Okay, so there was still a lot of context missing. But Cuddy allowed the child to tell her what happened on her own terms. She’d ask questions later. The mother also had to hide the concern she felt at the fact that her daughter had a crush on a clear bad influence.
“Why don’t you tell me from the start what happened?”
Rachel bit her lip. Was she really going to tell her mom about the vape? About them laughing at her? “P-promise you won’t freak out about anything?”
Oh God. That made the dread Cuddy felt worsen. Deep breath. She needs you. “I can promise that I will listen to understand before anything else.”
The teen nodded, figuring that was good enough. Where should I start? From the beginning.
“So there’s this girl that I’ve been thinking was cute. S-she’s in my English class.”
“What’s her name?”
“Brenda.” Rachel inspected Cuddy’s gaze, hoping there was no judgment in the familiar maternal look and with great relief she found that there wasn’t.
Brenda. That bitch. “So her name is Brenda…” Cuddy responded, prompting the girl to continue.
“Yeah and I was working on a group project with her and we started talking a bit more. She seemed really cool-”
A knock at the door stopped their conversation and Rachel turned to look while Cuddy sighed. No way this conversation was about to be interrupted.
“Honey I am so sorry.” Cuddy prefaced before inviting the stranger in. It was her assistant.
“Lawyer on the Chavez malpractice suit on your line.”
Cuddy pinched the bridge of her nose, “Katie I really would like to talk to Rachel right now can you get him to wait?”
“I tried Lisa. He’s not budging.”
Cuddy looked to her daughter who was trying not to look disheartened as she went to grab a bite of her sandwich, “Okay tell him I’ll pick up the call in five minutes.”
Katie nodded and slipped out allowing Cuddy’s full attention to go back to her child. She placed a gentle hand on Rachel’s cheek, “Rach I’m so sorry. I want to hear what you have to say.”
“I get it mom. You’re at work.”
Cuddy gave her a sympathetic frown as she fixed a stray hair that fell into the teen’s face, “Can we talk later?”
Rachel was about to nod when she stopped herself, playing with the sleeves of her hoodie, “Yes, but, I, ummm, I just..I wanna know....are you still mad at me?”
Cuddy felt her heart skip a beat. Rachel could be so self-assured and precocious that her vulnerable, insecure moments always completely melted Cuddy. “Oh honey.” She gushed while standing up and opening her embrace, “C’mere love.” The teenager did not need to be told twice. She jumped up from her spot and hugged her mother tight, letting her head rest on Cuddy’s chest. The mother placed a tender kiss atop the girl’s head. “I just want to understand Rach. I’m not mad anymore.”
“You deserved to be mad.” Rachel whispered, “I was wrong for skipping. I know that.”
God, Cuddy would move heaven and earth for her little girl. She swayed them both in the embrace, “It’s alright now. We’ll keep talking later, honey. Promise.”
“I l’uh you mama.” The mother heard mumbled under her. A phrase Rachel uttered in that same sweet way when snuggled up with mommy, since she was a little girl.
Cuddy held back the sudden urge to tear up. “I love you too baby.” She squeezed Rachel tight before letting go to look her in the eyes, “Make sure to finish all your dinner. Okay?” Rachel had a terrible habit of eating too little throughout the day.
“Yeahhhh. I know. I know.”
That made Cuddy chuckle as she gently turned the girl and gave her two maternal bum pats to get her moving back to her seat. Moments later Rachel was eating and skimming a random magazine while Cuddy sat in the background talking to the lawyer.
It wasn’t lying on the couch together, but both mother and daughter could admit that it was nice to be in one another’s orbit tension free.
…. ….. ….. ….
6 pm had come and Cuddy was finally, finally, done with work. The woman was itching to whisk her child up and go home. She wanted so badly to keep talking with her daughter about whoever this Brenda and gang of bad influences were. It had been hard to concentrate those last couple hours because all she could think of was Rachel.
“Hey Katie, you know where my rugrat is?” She asked her assistant.
“She left your office to be with House about two hours ago and hasn’t come back. So I’m assuming still with him.”
Cuddy nodded and was about to call House when he made his presence known,
“Well if it isn’t my favorite pair of ti—-I mean Dean of Medicine.”
She looked up ignoring his nonsense and frowned when she realized Rachel was not with him, “Where is my baby?”
House looked indignant, “Am I just a drab painting on the wall to ignore?”
“House, come on, where’s my girl? I’m tired and I want to go home.”
The man smirked, “Simmer Cuddy. I’m not the enemy here. Like you, she was also tired, so she’s asleep on my lounge chair. I just came by to drop this mumbo jumbo paperwork off and-”
“Unless it’s life or death, I’m not reading through and signing off on anything tonight. It will have to wait for tomorrow. Rachel needs me tonight.”
House was set to argue but just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Maybe it was Cuddy’s tired eyes or the fact that making Cuddy stay late also meant that Rachel would lose out on quality time with her mama.
House knew that’s exactly what the kid needed. He remembered how just laying on Cuddy’s chest would ease a fussy toddler Rachel right up. The girl had always been tactile with Cuddy. And House had a hunch that that type of love is what the teen needed tonight.
“Sure it can wait." His voice now more serious than before, "I guess we’re both headed to my office then.”
House and Cuddy walked into the dark room where music was quietly coming from the record player. Rachel laid on her side, curled into herself, with House’s leather jacket as a cover.
“Her favorite.” Cuddy whispered when she heard the vocals of Otis Redding softly played from vinyl.
House set the cane down and sat at his desk chair, “I remembered it would put her to sleep before so I put it on and sure enough…”
Cuddy went to sit on the edge of the lounge chair, “You always were good at putting her down for naps.”
”A compliment. Wow.”
Cuddy scoffed whilst she watched her daughter sleep, taking in the childish innocence etched on her 14 year old’s peaceful face. The moment was a welcomed change of pace from the trying day the mother-daughter duo had.
House smiled as he watched the woman deal gently with the child. Cuddy leaned over and gave the girl kisses on her cheeks, forehead, and nose.
Her way of waking Rachel up hasn’t changed. House mused to himself.
“Rachie.” Cuddy whispered, “It’s time to wake up baby love.”
Rachel moaned a little as the whispers pulled her from her sleep, “M-mommy?”
“Yes, it’s mommy.” Cuddy had to hold herself back from gushing at her child more than she already was. Rachel took her time fully waking up but Cuddy sat there patiently, her hand soothing the girls back. Rachel finally opened her eyes, rubbing at them slowly.
“Let’s go home, sweetheart?”
“Home sounds really good.”
Cuddy ended up thanking House for watching over Rachel and he only gave a curt nod. He couldn’t bring himself to say much because the history between the three in the room could make the man fall into deep sorrow. House didn’t want to keep remembering what he had lost.
However before the duo left out the office Rachel glided over to him and gave him a large hug, her head making it halfway up his torso, “Bye House. I had fun with you today. Thanks for listening to me.”
The man swallowed hard, “Bye my bloody scallywag.”
He tried to hide his sadness but when he made eye contact with Cuddy it was obvious. She gave the man a small smile while putting her arm around the sleepy teen, "Bye House."
The man gave them a wave. "Don't mind babysitting tomorrow either." He said as the two walked out and an annoyed 'hey!' came from the younger Cuddy and it brought a chuckle out of the man.
Could he ever have what was?