Fic: Changes 1/1 (House)
Title: Changes
Author: melanie_anne
Rating: PG
Summary: House has never liked to share and Cuddy cannot help but worry that he might resent Hannah's presence in her life.
Disclaimer: Not my characters.
Notes: I haven't actually seen any of season 5, but this is based on the spoilers that I've read. Written for ss_huddy.
* * *
Cuddy is surprised by how much she remembers, and as she puts up the menorah she tells Hannah the same stories her parents told her. Hannah is far too young to understand, of course, but she watches Cuddy, her eyelids slowly growing heavier. Cuddy lights the candle, then turns to look at her daughter and feels the now-familiar sense of awe envelope her.
She has a daughter, at long last. Looking at her now, all the heartache and waiting and despair is suddenly worth it. The prayers that she uttered in the weeks after losing Joy have been answered. God has kept his promise to her, so now she must keep her promise to him. Hannah will be raised a Jew, she will go to shul and learn about Jewish traditions.
The other part of the promise is for Cuddy to do the same, to return to the God she has ignored for so long.
Her parents will be impressed, she thinks with a smile.
There is a knock on the door. Cuddy answers and finds House outside.
The moment is strangely similar to the night she should have brought Joy home. She moves aside to let him in without asking why he is here. She has wondered what effect Hannah will have on this thing between them. House has never liked to share and Cuddy cannot help but worry that he might resent Hannah's presence in her life.
She's not sure how to explain that adopting Hannah does not mean she is rejecting House.
She thinks back to the other night. House showed up just when she needed someone; he had known that there were no words that would have helped and he had offered the only kind of comfort he could think of. She'd been too broken to see it at the time, but she realizes now how vulnerable he had made himself in that moment.
It was easy to forget how long they have known each other and how easily they can hide from each other. It isn't so easy any more, she thinks. Maybe House already knows what Hannah means to her.
He stands over Hannah now, frowning. "I was expecting a manger scene."
Cuddy folds her arms. "We're Jewish."
"Ah. I knew there was a reason you weren't on my Christmas card list."
"You don't have a Christmas card list."
"That's also true." He's still looking at Hannah. "She's quiet."
"She's asleep, House."
He pulls a face at Cuddy. "Really. Did you drug her?"
She rolls her eyes and decides changing the subject would be a wise move. "Have you eaten yet?"
House's attention is on Hannah again. "No."
"Can I trust you with my child while I see what's in the kitchen?"
House nods.
Cuddy heads to the kitchen with a smile on her face. This thing between her and House is changing, and it seems like it might be a good thing after all.
Author: melanie_anne
Rating: PG
Summary: House has never liked to share and Cuddy cannot help but worry that he might resent Hannah's presence in her life.
Disclaimer: Not my characters.
Notes: I haven't actually seen any of season 5, but this is based on the spoilers that I've read. Written for ss_huddy.
* * *
Cuddy is surprised by how much she remembers, and as she puts up the menorah she tells Hannah the same stories her parents told her. Hannah is far too young to understand, of course, but she watches Cuddy, her eyelids slowly growing heavier. Cuddy lights the candle, then turns to look at her daughter and feels the now-familiar sense of awe envelope her.
She has a daughter, at long last. Looking at her now, all the heartache and waiting and despair is suddenly worth it. The prayers that she uttered in the weeks after losing Joy have been answered. God has kept his promise to her, so now she must keep her promise to him. Hannah will be raised a Jew, she will go to shul and learn about Jewish traditions.
The other part of the promise is for Cuddy to do the same, to return to the God she has ignored for so long.
Her parents will be impressed, she thinks with a smile.
There is a knock on the door. Cuddy answers and finds House outside.
The moment is strangely similar to the night she should have brought Joy home. She moves aside to let him in without asking why he is here. She has wondered what effect Hannah will have on this thing between them. House has never liked to share and Cuddy cannot help but worry that he might resent Hannah's presence in her life.
She's not sure how to explain that adopting Hannah does not mean she is rejecting House.
She thinks back to the other night. House showed up just when she needed someone; he had known that there were no words that would have helped and he had offered the only kind of comfort he could think of. She'd been too broken to see it at the time, but she realizes now how vulnerable he had made himself in that moment.
It was easy to forget how long they have known each other and how easily they can hide from each other. It isn't so easy any more, she thinks. Maybe House already knows what Hannah means to her.
He stands over Hannah now, frowning. "I was expecting a manger scene."
Cuddy folds her arms. "We're Jewish."
"Ah. I knew there was a reason you weren't on my Christmas card list."
"You don't have a Christmas card list."
"That's also true." He's still looking at Hannah. "She's quiet."
"She's asleep, House."
He pulls a face at Cuddy. "Really. Did you drug her?"
She rolls her eyes and decides changing the subject would be a wise move. "Have you eaten yet?"
House's attention is on Hannah again. "No."
"Can I trust you with my child while I see what's in the kitchen?"
House nods.
Cuddy heads to the kitchen with a smile on her face. This thing between her and House is changing, and it seems like it might be a good thing after all.