Still don't own House...damn it.

Cameron woke slowly, the smell of coffee tickling her nose and the sound of childish laughter drifting up from the kitchen below. She blinked contentedly and stretched, enjoying the sunshine streaming in her window before laying quietly and listening to her son chattering away. All of a sudden, reality kicked in and she sat up with a start, remembering exactly who was in her home and by the sound of it, making himself at home. Struggling out of bed, she quickly threw a robe on and padded downstairs barefoot, sweeping her chestnut tresses up and into a messy bun as she went. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, she took in the scene in the kitchen - Josh was seated at the bar with a glass of orange juice, giggling at House as he searched her kitchen cupboards, presumably (from the muttering she could hear coming from him) for a frying pan.

"You said a rude word" Josh's young voice piped up, as House turned and glared at him.

"You said a rude word" House imitated him, sending him into more giggles and causing House to roll his eyes and poke his tongue out at the boy.

Cameron watched in amazement as House leaned on the bar in front of her son, poking his face towards him and pulling a face that almost made Cameron laugh out loud. She managed to stay quiet though, watching the interaction between her former boss and her child. She'd seen House with children before and he'd never been very tolerant or warm and fuzzy towards them. But watching him with Josh, he seemed to be enjoying himself, as surprising at that seemed. Moving from where she had been hovering, she made her way into the kitchen. Two sets of eyes, one brilliant sapphire blue and the other like melted chocolate, turned towards her.

"Mummy!" Josh greeted her happily, his face lighting up as she wrapped him in a hug and planted a kiss on the top of his head.

House watched from the other side of the bar, taking in the sight of her in her pjs and robe, her hair mussed from sleep and her sea green eyes glowing with love for her son.

"Morning, mouse" she replied, running her hands through Josh's thick brown locks. Locking eyes with him, she murmured "Morning House."

"Hey, that rhymes!" giggled Josh. "Mouse and house. Morning mouse, morning house. Mouse. House."

House rolled his eyes again and then fixed her with his cerulean stare. Her heart skipped a beat at the intensity in his eyes.

"Finally. I thought I was going to be stuck here with this irritatingly cheerful small person for the rest of the day. He's like a mini, less hot version of you." House snarked.

Cameron couldn't help but smile at him. She could tell his grumpiness was just for show, which although surprising, wasn't an unpleasant surprise.

"What are you doing, House?" Cameron asked, taking in the open cupboard doors and breakfast ingredients spread across the bar top.

"Trying to make breakfast for you and the sprog" he replied, his eyes searching the kitchen for more hiding spots "if I could find the pan. Where are you hiding it?"

Cameron walked around the bar and moved in close to House. Kneeling down at the cupboard next to him, she opened the door and pulled out a frying pan. Before she could get back on her feet, House had grabbed it out of her hand and limped across to the stove, rubbing his leg as he went.

Cameron got up from the floor, closing the cupboard and then moving to close the other open doors as well. She made her way around to once again stand next to House, curious as to what he was doing. She was surprised to find that he'd made a batch of pancake batter, along with eggs ready for scrambling and had managed to dig up a few slices of bacon as well. She leaned against the counter watching as he expertly poured and flipped pancakes, removing them once they were cooked and placing them in a pile on a plate.

"The coffee's fresh" he said quietly as he flipped another fluffy pancake onto the plate. "If you're pouring one for yourself, do you mind refilling mine please?"

Cameron took his mug and grabbed one from the cupboard for herself. She poured the brew into both mugs, adding sugar and milk to both, remembering exactly how House liked his. Taking both mugs, she returned to House's side, handing him his mug and watching as he took a tentative sip. Swallowing, he closed his eyes and sighed blissfully.

"Ahhhhhh, just the way I like it. You haven't forgotten." He gave her a smug smile and put his mug down to flip the last of the pancakes out onto the plate. "Here, put these in the oven to keep warm while I do the eggs."

Taking the plate, Cameron quickly popped it into the oven and turned it on to warm. She was a little bemused at House's seeming comfort in her kitchen - he'd never struck her as being the domestic type and had certainly never displayed his domesticity before his death. Moving around the kitchen, she gathered plates and cutlery, setting them out on the bar for herself, House and Josh, then took a seat at the bar next to her son. They both sat quietly, watching the man before them as he worked his culinary magic. Before long, he set down a plate in front of each of them, piled with toast, bacon, fluffy eggs and cloud-like pancakes dripping in butter and syrup. Another trip brought him back with his own plate and he took a seat next to Cameron, watching the two as they took the first bite of the "House specialty."

"Oh my God, House, this is so good!" Cameron said, her words muffled by the delicious mouthful. Her eyes were wide with surprise. "I didn't know you could cook like this." She looked at Josh, who was too busy shovelling food into his mouth to make any comments. She put her hand on his arm, cautioning him to slow down.

House smiled at her, pleased that she was enjoying his offering.

"My pleasure" he said, taking a bite himself.

Sorry, this one is a bit short...I'll try to make it up to you next time. 😏 Thanks to those who have reviewed. And to those who've favourited as well. ❤️❤️