Chapter 2: Secrets Untold
Five o’clock rolled around and Cuddy asked House and Thirteen to step into her office. She held out Thirteen’s file and began to speak to her fellow doctors/estranged family.
“Dr. Hadley you’re probably wondering why we have called you in to meet with us.”
“I’m not getting fired am I?”
“No that’s not what this is about. Dr. House and I have some important news we need to tell you and talk to you about.”
“Good. I just new you called me in here to fire me.”
“Not today.” House said.
“Dr. Hadley when Dr. House and I were in college we had a relationship that lasted about three months.”
“No offence Dr. Cuddy but you called me in here to talk about you and Dr. House’s relationship that happened like thirty years ago?”
“Right, I’ll get straight to the point then. After our three month relationship I found out I was pregnant. I had the baby on March 14, 1984.”
Thirteen looked a little surprised but thought nothing of the coincidence that their baby was born on the same exact day as she was.
“What does this have to do with me?”
“Thirteen you were the baby!” House blurted out.
Thirteen looked at him shocked by what he had revealed but didn’t believe a word of it. She kept her composure and carried on.
“No there must be a mistake my parents are…”
“Tom and Carol Hadley and you were born at New Haven General Hospital in Connecticut.”
“You… you got that from my file! Is this some kind of sick joke?”
“It’s no joke Remy you weighed six pounds, seven ounces and were eighteen inches long with light brown almost blonde hair and light blue eyes. You’re our daughter.”
Thirteen’s jaw dropped.
“How did you know that information?” Thirteen gasped.
“The day I gave you up was the saddest day of my life but it was what was best for you. I was nineteen years old and in no condition to take care of a child so I gave you up for adoption to Tom and Carol Hadley.”
“I want a DNA test to confirm. I can’t be your daughter you’re too young to be my mom. I watched my mother die.”
“Okay, Dr. Hadley you’re off this weekend we’ll do the DNA test on Monday and prove to you that we are your biological parents. Keep one thing in mind this doesn’t mean Tom Hadley isn’t your father or that you even have to treat us differently we just… I just wanted you to know the truth.”
Thirteen nodded and then rushed out of the office. Cuddy began to cry heavily and House looked at her with a sympathetic look.
“Cuddy you did well at breaking the news don’t cry you knew she was going to have a weird reaction.”
“House I love her. Seeing the confusion and pain on her face just made me want to reach out and hold her. Hell she even could have slapped me and I wouldn’t have minded. I remember holding her the day she was born and giving her up it was hell House. I’m such an idiot. I should have never given her up. I should have told you about her too. I hate myself right now.”
“Hey you did what you thought was right. She will come around and after a few days I’ll talk to her about it and explain why you did what you did and why I had no involvement in it. I understand why you did it Cuddy and while I might not agree with you had every right to make the decision about what happened to your body and the baby. You did the right thing you should be proud. Look at what our daughter turned out to be she’s a doctor just like us not some crack whore working the streets.”
“If I should feel so proud why do I feel so bad and guilty? The girls’ whole life has been a lie and I’m the one who caused it. I was so selfish I should have let you help me make the decision… House I should have told you.”
Cuddy continued to cry and House gave her a short hug and told her again that she had made the right choice.
“Cuddy if you had told me you’re probably right I probably would have told you to get rid of her who knows what I would have done back then? I was still the jerk that I am today and probably would have acted like one as well. You made the right choice!”
“I just hope she doesn’t resent me and treat me as if I’m just her boss. I want her to treat me like I’m her mom. It’s funny I’ve known the girl for less than a year and already feel like I have loved her all of her life. I guess I have I just really hope she can learn to love me.”
“So what are you going to do about her working under me? She can’t very well work with her own father that’s a major conflict of interest and the board will be all over you.”
House asked trying to change the subject.
“I will have to transfer her out of your department and you will have to hire a new replacement. Please make it easy House this is going to be hard enough for me to do without you making a game out of hiring someone.”
“I will hire them the old fashioned way but I guess you want me to hire a female?”
“Yes, that would be great.”
“Cuddy I know we have our differences but I still consider you to be a friend maybe we could have dinner tonight and we could talk about this and how we re going to handle it.”
“That’s very nice of you House but I believe I’m going to go home and go to bed I don’t feel so well I’m emotionally exhausted, thanks for the offer though.”
“Well I’m still here if you need to talk I could go to your place and cook for you I make a mean chicken fried steak.”
“So are you asking me out on a date Dr. House?”
“No I’m asking to cook for a friend who has had a rough day. If we happen to have sex afterward then so be it!”
“You know that will not happen. Sure though, I could use some company tonight. I don’t feel like cooking I was just going to order out but chicken fried steak sounds good.”
“Alright I’ll follow you home then.”
House and Cuddy gather up their things from the hospital and then left. They went to a grocery store and House got the steaks, potatoes, corn, and green beans. He also purchased some milk to make gravy with and a twelve pack of beer for him and Cuddy to drink. They left the grocery store and headed to Cuddy’s place. Cuddy got out of her car and walked up the driveway to her door and wrestled to keys out of her purse to unlock the door. House followed her inside and remembered how homey he house was and how comfortable it felt just being there and being in her presence. He still loved her but would never let her know that.
“Why don’t you go take a shower and get comfortable? I will start cooking dinner for us while you clean up.”
“That sounds like a good idea I’m exhausted and could use a hot shower.”
“I could wash your back for you…”
“Funny…NO!”
“I’ll start on the steaks then.”
Cuddy went to her room and undressed to take a shower. She washed in vanilla scented shampoo, conditioner and body wash. House stirred up an egg mixture and dipped each steak in it after season them. He then dipped them in flour and put them in a pan of oil to cook. He peeled and cut up the potatoes and put them in a pot of water to boil for mashed potatoes. He also emptied the bags of frozen corn and green beans into separate pans and started them to cook. By this time Cuddy had finished showering and came into her kitchen to set the table. She was wearing a gray tank top and navy blue sweat pants and had neglected to put on any make-up. House still thought she looked gorgeous.
“It smells good I didn’t know you could cook.”
“It’s just one of my many talents. I can only cook a few things though so I guess I’m not so talented after all.”
“House, why are you being so nice to me? We are usually at each other’s throats exchanging insults but today I’m seeing a different side of you its kind of creeping me out.”
“Ever see the movie Shrek? I’m like an ogre I have layers. Today you are seeing the sweet layer. Don’t worry it won’t last. I told you since you had a rough day I decided to do something nice for you is that so bad?”
“No it’s just… weird. I’m glad you’re doing it though I really do need to talk to someone and you’re perfect since it involves you.”
House sighed.
“Look Cuddy, Thirteen will come around just give her time. Meanwhile what are we going to do about this whole situation? How are we supposed to act around her like parents or like doctors? Should I tell her not to be bisexual because I don’t approve. I used to think it was hot until I found out she was my daughter now I’m just grossed out for thinking about her that way.”
“We’ll treat her like she is an employee at first until she and we have time to register what has happened and can get a better understanding of the situation.
House finished cooking dinner. They sat down and ate in silence then House returned to his apartment and the weekend started.