Disclaimer: I don't own House MD or any of its characters. I own any new characters that I create. I also don't own the Creed song "Arms Wide Open"

Chapter 1: In Which Wilson Worries

It didn't worry Wilson to see House standing on the balcony outside the office Monday morning. He knew that House often went out there to think about a case. What did worry him was when he came back later that afternoon and saw that House was still standing there. What's more, the diagnostic team's patient was recovering and there were no new cases at the moment. Wilson watched his friend for a moment before opening the sliding door and joining him on the balcony.

"I'd ask if anything was wrong but you'd probably just mock me and while that's usually fun I'm worried that it would be a distraction from the bigger issue here."

House turned towards the other man. "Bigger issue?"

"Why you've been standing in this same spot for over two hours."

To Wilson's surprise House was silent. He expected an eye roll and a scoff but House just looked straight ahead. Now Wilson was really worried. "Is everything alright? Is Allison okay?"

Wilson was the only person who knew that House and Cameron had been together for almost six months. The relationship had begun during the time when Foreman had been in charge of the diagnostics department. Though he had never gotten the details, when he asked them what had happened Cameron would smile and say that House's motorcycle had brought them together. House would roll his eyes and her phrasing but never argued the point.

House was still cynical to a fault but the anger and malice that had driven his comments in the past was gone. No one at the hospital had been able to figure it out. They knew something was different but because House still snapped at nurses, avoided the clinic like the plague, and never acted differently with Cameron they couldn't put their finger on what exactly had changed. Wilson knew that it was driving Cuddy up the wall and watching that happen had been the main reason he'd kept House and Cameron's secret for them. Though Wilson was not one to deal in clichés, he truly believed that his friend was happy and had finally found a little peace.

But now Wilson was worried. It had been years since he had seen this look of being lost on his friend's face. Not since those first few weeks after the infarction. "Greg," he said.

House started a little at the sound of his first name, only Alison called him that on a regular basis and even then not at work.

"Is Alison okay?" Wilson repeated.

"She's pregnant."

Wilson's mouth opened and closed for a moment. "Wow," he said. "Congratulations."

House looked at him like he'd grown two heads.

"Sorry," said Wilson. "No congratulations?"

"What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

"Your girlfriend's pregnant, I'd say you're supposed to take her to her doctors appointments, hold her hair back when she throws up, and go buy her weird food when she wants it."

There was a long silence.

"I don't know if I can be a father James. And I have a feeling Alison is pretty pissed at me now anyway."

"Oh god, what did you say?"

"Nothing, I didn't say anything."

"So what's the problem…wait, you didn't say anything?"

"I froze alright? We were being careful I didn't exactly know what to say."

"So you let her walk out thinking that you were angry at her."

"I'm not angry at her."

"I know you're not but from her point of view it looks like it. Geez man, she told you she was pregnant and you didn't say anything!"

"I know! I just…can you see me playing happy family man? I'll screw this kid up for life. It'll hate me. I'd hate me."

Wilson was silent for a moment. "I know you might not believe me but, I can see you like that. I've seen it already. When I'm over at your place and she's there." Wilson put a hand on House's shoulder. "Talk to her."

With that Wilson went back inside, leaving House to his thoughts. Thoughts that mixed around and confused him. House had always considered the idea of having children as simply not in the cards for him. He couldn't picture himself a father. He was angry, angry whatever had caused this to happen. He was scared because he knew that losing Alison was not an option. He couldn't go through that pain again. Buried down inside he knew he loved her, even if he hadn't said the words. Even if he could never say the words.

She understood this. She had told him as much. That night a month ago when they'd laid in bed and she'd whispered the words to him in the dark. He'd tensed and tried to move away but she held on to him and told him she understood he couldn't say it. His first instinct was not to believe her but he knew better than that. She never said anything unless she meant it. And she never lied to him.

That morning when she came into his office holding the results of the pregnancy test her eyes had held such fear. Fear he now knew was well founded. He'd let her down. And that made him angrier than anything.

Well I just heard, the news today
It seems my life, is gonna change

There was this other feeling that floated around behind the fear and anger. He couldn't name it. It was excitement and calm and apprehension all at once. Wilson's words ran through his head and something occurred to him. Alison wouldn't let him ruin the kid's life. Alison would be a great mom and would make sure that he was a good dad.

If he had been a religious person he would have prayed for some kind of wisdom, instead he just closed his eyes and tried to picture a child with his eyes, her hair, and both their brains. It wasn't until he felt the lone tear drip off his cheek that he realized he'd shed it.

I closed my eyes, begin to pray
And tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

XXXXXXXXXX

TBC

up next: House talks to Cameron. It will be up soon.

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