So, this is the end of the story. I'm glad you peeps liked it. Thanks for your support:)

A big hug and a big thank you go to my beta-reader Sam! wuw yaaaa!

Let me know what you think about this fic... thanks again!

"Learning how to say Goodbye"

Epilogue: Almost a year later

Cuddy's POV

Rachel walked into my office. "Mom! House stole all the candies!"
"Rach, you know House ..."
"But Mom! He stole all the candies!
"Ok ..."

I pick up the phone and call your office.

"House ..."
"House! Why on earth do you always have to steal candies from Rachel?"
"Why do you always accuse me?"
"Because usually you're the one who causes problems here!"
"This time I behaved in a mature way and you give me ..."
"Mature way? You have stolen candies from a 3-year-old!"
"She had already eaten too many. If I hadn't taken them she would have made herself sick!"

You seem sincere. I put a hand on the receiver and I speak to Rachel.

"Honey, is it true that you had already eaten a lot of candies?"
"No ..."
"Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes ..."

That said, my daughter went out shutting the door behind her.

"She's only 3 years old and has already learned to lie to her mother ..." I rue.
"Like mother like daughter ..."
"House!"
"Sorry ..."
"Go back to work ..."
"Not to worry, I sent Thirteen to do my shift in the clinic ..."
"House, you should be the one doing your shift ..."
"But I also saved the teeth and stomach of your baby. Shouldn't I have a reward for that?"
"We'll discuss this later..."
"Ok, I'll be down in your office in 5 minutes. Be prepared!"
"No Greg! We will talk at home ..."
"But Mom!... "
"No buts ..."
"Ugh ..."
"Go back to work, and by that I mean also the clinic!"
"But..."
"Now House"
"Ok ..."
"And ... House ... thanks!"
"Mmmm ... you're welcome ..."

I turn my attention back to my work.

"Mom!" Rachel came back into my office, waving a strawberry lollipop in one hand and a crumpled $1 bill in the other.
"Rachel, what is it now?"
"I know something you don't know!"
"Ok, wanna tell me about it?"
"House said: do not tell anyone, not Mom or Uncle Jimmy!"
"Oh, did he really say that?"
"Yes, and he also gave me $1 for my candies he took!"
"Honey, if it's something important you should tell Mom ..."
"If I tell you, you won't tell anyone?"
"Of course I won't tell anyone!"
"Promise..."
"Ok, I promise not to tell anyone your secret."
"House told me he wants to surprise you ..."
"Did he really tell you this?"
"Yes! Well, I found it by myself."
"Oh ... what's that?"
"I found a box in his office ..."
"What? Rachel I told you not to run around the hospital by yourself. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sorry ..."
"So, what did you find?"
"She found this ..."

At that moment you enter my office with a big blue box. Your eyes are fixed on me. Rachel, sitting on the couch with me, starts laughing. I stand up and walk towards you. You take my hand and pull me down to sit next to you on the couch.

"House, what is it?"
"It's everything we've been through."
"What?"
"Everything that reminds me of our adventures."
"Our adventures, huh?"
"Yeah. Everything from our history together – from studying in Michigan, the infarction in my leg, all the way up to the Lucas idiot ..."
"Lucas idiot?" Rachel looks at you smiling, and with her eyes looks back and forth between us.
"Do you remember Lucas? Mommy's old friend?"
"Yes ... the younger one..."
" Hey, Are you calling me old?"
"Yes, but you're better looking!"

I laugh like I've never done before. My daughter likes to joke around with you!

"She's starting to talk like you Cuddy!"
"Yeah ..."
"Anyway, this is everything we've been through till today."
"Today?"
"Yes, today ..."
"Why today?"
"Because today it's been 24 years we've known each other."

I look at you in amazement. After all these years of pranks and practical jokes you are in my office on a day that could be normal for anyone but us. We are celebrating 24 years together. It's been a strange relationship made of ups and downs. There have been days when we loved each other and days when we can't stand each other, days when you mean everything to me and days when I wanted to cut off your head, days when I wanted to take the first step and days when I wished you had. We are unable to have a normal relationship, because are not just any people. We are Lisa and Greg. We've known each other for an age. I've loved you for a lifetime.