Chapter 5: Forgiveness
Cuddy gave Thirteen a couple of hours to cool off before she went back into her room. She entered and began to speak to her daughter.
“Remy I really want to be here for you and talk to you please let me do that.”
“What is there to talk about you gave me up! Why do you care so much now? Where were you the first twenty-five years of my life? Please leave.”
“No!”
Thirteen shifted in her bed and then glared back at Cuddy.
“Fine if you won’t leave then get me a cup of water and the TV remote I’m going to watch TV. You can… sit there!”
Cuddy got up and got Thirteen a cup of water and the remote and handed them to her.
“Please just let me talk to you I want to be your mother and make up for lost time please give me a chance.”
“Why should I? You didn’t give me one!”
“Remy that’s not fair.”
“Call me Thirteen please.”
“Okay Thirteen you can never understand how much I regret not keeping you but look how good you turned out. You’re a doctor! You save lives you should be proud of yourself I know I’m proud of you!”
“Whatever I’m too tired to fight you. You know Cuddy I never admired anyone the way I admired you. You can walk into a room wearing the sexiest of outfits and still have everyone’s full attention on what you are saying. I looked up to you and strived to be more like you but now… I don’t know what to think of you. As mad as it makes me that you gave me up you did give me a good life and I did turn out well. I…I can’t hate you.”
“You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I just want to hold you and love you like a mother should. I was so scared you weren’t going to make it and I blamed myself. You may not understand it but I love you Thirteen you are my little girl and not a day went by when I didn’t wonder how you were.”
“Then why did you never try to contact me?”
“I couldn’t do that to you it would have just confused you and you were too young I had to now because you work for me.”
Cuddy realized Thirteen was crying and walked over and hugged her. Surprisingly Thirteen didn’t back away. She gave in and hugged her mother back.
“I forgive you Cuddy but it still hurts really badly.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you and House Thirteen I had no right to keep you from him but it was the best for you and for him.”
“How am I going to work here now I can’t work under my father it’s a conflict of interest are you going to fire me?”
“No, I’m going to transfer you to another department you will still be my employee but you will see your own patients it will kind of be like having your own practice. You’re ready you are an incredible doctor.”
“Cuddy this might seem odd because I’ve been so bitchy but can you just hold me? I feel horrible and just want to cry.”
Cuddy sat back down beside Thirteen, wrapped her arms around her, and laid her daughters head on her chest.
“I’m here honey you can cry all you need to. I plan on being here for you whenever you need me.”
House walked in and saw Cuddy sitting on Thirteen’s bed he smiled for a second and then entered the room.
“How are you ladies doing?”
“Hi House, Cuddy and I were just talking and… I don’t resent you guys. I’m just really hurt by what happened.”
“You have every right to be I was hurt also in more ways than one but Cuddy did the right thing. We were in no condition to raise a baby back then. Tom and Carol did a great job raising you; you turned out to be a great person and a really good doctor. That’s why I picked you for my team. I will say this though Cuddy loves you more than anything so please let her be your mom that’s all she wants.”
“I’m not comfortable with calling you guys mom and dad yet so I will just call you Cuddy and House. I’m willing to forgive Cuddy and let her in but it’s going to take some time.”
“All I ask is that you accept me Thirteen. House is right I do love you very much and only want to be your mom. I just want to make up for all the years I wasn’t there. I’m so proud of you and am so glad you are okay. You’re such a strong person and I know you can handle this.”
“I don’t feel very strong right now all I want to do is cry but you’re right I can handle anything. Cuddy, can I have a moment alone with House? I need to talk to him.”
“Sure I’ll be outside if you need anything just call for me.”
Cuddy left the room and waited outside while Thirteen and House talked.
“House can I ask you something?”
“It depends... of course ask away.”
“Are you glad I’m your daughter?”
House stood in silence and thought of how to answer the question.
“Well I… Thirteen I’m just as shocked by this as you are. One day you’re merely my employee and now you’re my daughter. It’s very weird. I guess yeah I’m glad it’s just going to take some time for me to accept this as well. I’m not exactly the father type I… don’t know how to treat you or what to do you will have to help me kiddo.”
“Well you can start by giving me a hug.”
“Oh… uh okay.”
House walked over and gave Thirteen a hug.
“Thanks. I’m just really confused right now and feel real dependant I just want someone to hold me.”
House continued to hug her and then began to speak.
“Well for the first time in my life I have no idea what the hell I am doing. There should be a parenting manual but unfortunately there isn’t or I didn’t get a copy.”
“You’re doing well I don’t blame you at all you didn’t even know I existed until I started working for you. What would you have done if you had known about me? Would you have wanted me?”
House sighed.
“I’m sorry Thirteen but the only answer I can give you is… I don’t know.”
“I understand you were young and had your life to live I probably would have screwed things up for you.”
“No. I would have screwed you up and you would probably be working the streets had I had anything to do with you upbringing.”
“I highly doubt that you would have been a good dad. You will be a good dad. Can I ask you another question though?”
“Sure but only one.”
“Are you still in love with Cuddy?”
House stood up and started to pace around the room.
“Well I… apart of me has always loved her. That beautiful hair, those gorgeous eyes, and that smile, not to mention her smoking hot body. Yes I do still love her and she knows it. She captured my heart twenty-six years ago and has had it ever since I was just too proud to do anything about it. Our bantering back and forth daily is the closest thing I have had to having her so… it works. Is that good enough?”
“Yes. Despite the fact that it hurts knowing my whole life has been a lie I forgive both of you.