Reunion (Jean Brodie/House)

[dianahawthorne]

Reunion
***
The sequel to The Brit and the Bastard. Please read and review!
***

“I’m going to America to complete my residency,” Christopher James Lloyd told his mother as they strolled through the streets of Edinburgh. She stumbled; her son caught her arm to prevent her from falling.

“This isn’t a passing whim, is it?” she asked him, already knowing the answer. He shook his head.

“I want to go, Mum,” he said.

“Why can’t you stay here, in Scotland?” his mother asked, a note of pleading entering her voice. “Or even England. Why America?”

“I want to go to America – to Princeton-Plainsboro,” he said, “I’ve already applied, and I’ve been accepted. I’m going to study with Dr. House.”

She gasped quietly. “Chris...”

“Mum, I’m going even if you don’t want me to, but I would like your blessing.”

“I’ll go with you,” she said. She had to see Greg again.

“What about Dad?”

“He can manage by himself for a few weeks,” Jean said. “Why did you choose Princeton-Plainsboro?”

“Dr. House is one of the best diagnosticians in the world, Mum, and I want to study with the best.”

“All right,” she said. “When are you leaving?”

“On Friday,” he replied.

She turned to look at him. “So soon? Do you have your ticket? Do you know where you’re going to live?”

“I have my ticket, but I suppose I’ll just stay in a hotel until I can find a flat.”

She shook her head. “When we get home, I’ll call a friend of mine – you can stay with him until you find a flat.”

“You know someone in New Jersey?” he asked her.

“I do,” she replied. “I lived there, a long time ago, for five years.”

“You’ve never told me that!” he accused her.

“I’m sorry, dear,” she said, “but your father doesn’t like to talk about those times. Speaking of your father, does he know that you’re going to study with Dr. House?”

Her son grinned sheepishly. “I thought that you could tell him.”

“No,” she snapped. Her son was taken aback by the vehemence of her response. “I’m sorry, dear. But I can’t tell him – you should.”

“All right,” Chris replied. “So, who do you know in New Jersey?”

“Quite a few people,” Jean said. “I’ll introduce you when we get there.”



A week later, she and her son arrived in New Jersey. Teddy was quite upset to learn that Chris was going to study with Dr. House, and even more upset to learn that Jean would be accompanying their son to America to help him settle in. But he trusted Jean – after all, they were married. That didn’t mean he had to like it...

It had been twenty five years since Jean was last in America, twenty five years since she had last seen Gregory House, Lisa Cuddy, Allison Cameron, Robert Chase, and Eric Foreman. She and James Wilson had kept in touch throughout the years, through phone calls, letters, and emails, and they saw each other about once every five years, whenever James made it to Europe. The last time she had seen him was a year ago.

James was waiting for them outside the airport.

“Hello, James,” Jean said, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

“Hello, Jean,” James replied. He turned to Jean’s son, who looked so much like her. There was, however, a bit of Greg House in him.

“Darling, this is James Wilson, an old friend of mine,” Jean told her son. “He works at Princeton-Plainsboro.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Chris said, shaking James’s hand. “Do you know Dr. House?”

James and Jean exchanged a glance; she shook her head almost imperceptibly. He turned back to Chris.

“I do,” James said. “He’s my best friend.”

“What’s he like?” Chris asked.

“Chris, dear, why don’t we let James take us to the car?” Jean suggested. Chris smiled sheepishly.

“I’m sorry – I got carried away,” Chris said.

“It’s perfectly all right,” James said, and he led them to his car. Jean sat in the front, next to James, while Chris sat in the back.

“So, what’s Dr. House like?” Chris asked as James drove from the Newark airport to his home.

“He’s a brilliant diagnostician, but a misanthrope,” James said. “He’s often sarcastic, rarely nice, and says what’s on his mind. He walks with a cane and pops Vicodin like candy in order to deal with the pain in his leg.”

“He sounds like quite an interesting man,” Chris said.

“That he is,” James replied. The rest of the ride was passed in silence, and they arrived at James’s house a half an hour later. He showed them to their rooms and they unpacked and freshened up before joining him in the living room.

“Would you like to see the hospital?” James asked, and Chris nodded eagerly.

“Okay,” James said. “Jean, would you like to come too?”

“...all right,” she said, after a moment’s pause. They once more got into James’s car and he drove them to Princeton-Plainsboro.

“I’ll introduce you to Dr. Cuddy first,” James said, leading them to her office. “She’s the head of the hospital.”

“Cuddy, this is Dr. Chris Lloyd, House’s newest fellow,” James said after she ushered them into her office. “And this is his mother...”

“Jean Brodie?” Cuddy gasped.

“Actually, it’s Jean Lloyd now,” she said. “Hello, Dr. Cuddy. I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

Of course I remember you – you’re the one who took Greg away from me, Cuddy thought. “So... this is your son?” she said. Jean nodded. Cuddy shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Is House in?” Wilson asked.

“Yes, he’s in his office,” Cuddy said.

“I’ll bring you there now, then,” Wilson said.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Cuddy,” Chris said, shaking her hand once more. They followed Wilson through the corridors of the hospital, finally reaching House’s office.

He was sitting in his desk chair, leaning back, throwing his large red tennis ball against the wall. He looked much older than the last time she had seen him. His hair was now completely grey, and many more wrinkles lined his face. But it was him – the man she loved. Yes, she loved her husband, but Greg was the father of her child, and she loved him so much.

He looked up as James entered the room, and he dropped his ball, standing up suddenly. He gripped his desk as he groped for his cane. Finding it, he walked over to the three people standing in the doorway of his office.

“You’re my new fellow, I presume?” he said, looking at Chris.

“Yes, I am, Dr. House,” Chris replied. “I’m Chris Lloyd.”

House shook his hand, his gaze fixed stubbornly on Chris. He could feel Jean’s eyes on him.

“This is my mother, Jean Lloyd,” Chris said, and House was forced to look at her.

“Jean Brodie,” he said, “it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has,” Jean said softly. “How have you been, Greg?”

“How the hell do you think?” he snapped. She looked at him with sad, sad eyes. Their son watched them curiously.

“Why don’t I show you the rest of the hospital?” James said, wanting to give Jean and House some time alone.

“All right,” Chris said, still looking at his new boss and his mother curiously. James took his arm and led him out of the office.

Greg turned around and looked out the window as soon as their son and his best friend had left his office.

“Greg, darling,” Jean whispered. “Oh, Greg...”

“I told you twenty five years ago that I never wanted to see you again,” he said.

“Oh, darling, I’ve missed you so much,” she said, ignoring his remark. She stepped nearer, her hands fluttering closer to him, yet not daring to alight. “Greg...”

He turned to her, his eyes angry.

“You hurt me so deeply,” he said, revealing a rarely-shown vulnerable side. “Why did you do it, Jean?”

“Greg, I loved him too,” Jean said. “I’d loved him for ten years. And a momentary lapse in my judgement ruined everything for us. I’m so sorry, darling – I’ve been paying for it for the past twenty-five years.”

“And you think that I haven’t suffered?” Greg asked her angrily.

“I know you have, Greg, but it was your decision to end our relationship,” she reminded him.

“I know it was!” he cried out, his voice full of anguish.

“Greg,” she whispered, stepping closer to him. He dropped his cane and grabbed her shoulders, capturing her lips with his for the first time in a quarter of a century. She twined her arms around his neck and stepped closer into his embrace, moaning against his lips. Finally they broke apart.

“Oh, God, I love you,” he whispered, caressing her cheek.

“I love you, Greg,” she replied. “And, Greg... Greg, I have to tell you something. Chris... Chris is...”

“I know he’s my son,” Greg said.

Her jaw dropped. “How – how did you know?”

“I found the letter you wrote to Wilson after Chris was born,” he said.

“I’m sorry I never told you, Greg – James is the only one who knows. Teddy still thinks that Chris is his son, and Chris believes Teddy is his father.”

“The same thing happened to me when I was growing up,” Greg said. “I figured it out when I was twelve.”

“I can’t tell him,” Jean said. “He’ll think he only got the job with you because he’s your son.”

“He did,” Greg said, and Jean glared at him. “Yes, he was among the top five in scores and recommendations, but I chose to hire him because he was my son – and I wanted to meet him.”

“But he is qualified, isn’t he?” Jean asked.

“Oh, yes,” Greg replied. “How long are you staying?”

“A few weeks,” Jean said. “We’re staying with James.”

“I’m coming to dinner tonight, then,” Greg said. She smiled at him.

“Good,” she replied. “God, how I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her again.



Later that evening, Greg did indeed show up for dinner at James’s home. Wilson was not surprised – when he and Chris had returned, House was smiling – smiling! – and so was Jean.

“Ready to go?” James had asked, and Jean nodded, giving House one last, radiant smile before joining her friend and her son.

When they had returned to James’s house, Jean went to her room. Her son knocked on the door a half an hour later.

“Come in,” she said, and he opened the door. She was sitting on the bed, holding a few photographs.

“Mum? Can I talk to you, please?” he asked, and she nodded. She knew that this day would come. He sat down on the edge of her bed. “How long have you known Dr. House?”

“I knew him when I lived here,” she replied.

“He’s my father, isn’t he?”

She nodded sadly, tears streaming down her face. “Yes, he is – though your – my – Teddy – doesn’t know that.”

“Does Dr. House?”

Jean nodded. “I just found out today that he knew that he’s your father.”

“You didn’t tell him?”

“No – I wrote to James to tell him. Greg found the letter. Oh, God, Chris, I’m sorry – I’m so sorry!” She broke down crying, dropping the photographs so that she could take a tissue from the box on the nightstand. Chris picked them up and flipped through them. They were pictures of his mother and his new boss – his father, he corrected himself – together.

“Mum, it’s all right,” Chris said, setting the photographs down to wrap his arm around his mother’s shoulder. His mother finally composed herself.

“I’m sorry, darling,” she said again. “I’m sorry that I lied to you, to Teddy, to everyone for so long. It hurt me, dearest, believe me – it hurt me so much. But it was for the best.”

“I know,” he said, kissing his mother’s cheek lightly. “I forgive you.” She smiled up at him.

“Thank you,” she said. He stood up.

“I’ll let you freshen up,” he said.

She smiled weakly up at him. “Thank you, darling. I’ll be out shortly.” He nodded and left the room. She gathered together the photographs and set them on her nightstand before entering the bathroom, taking a quick shower before dinner.



She emerged an hour later, dressed in a light blue dress. She had taken great deal of time to look her best – she wanted to look beautiful for Greg. Her son was quite surprised at his mother’s attire – he had never seen her look so beautiful. When James saw her emerge from her bedroom, he would have sworn that the past twenty-five years were nothing more than a dream.

“You look very nice, Jean,” he said, and she smiled to herself.

“Thank you,” she replied, sitting down on the sofa in the living room.

“Would you like anything to drink?” James asked her. “Scotch, wine...”

“A glass of wine, please,” she said.

“Red or white?” he asked.

“Red, please,” she said. He exited the living room, walking into the kitchen to fetch her drink. Her son sat down next to her.

“What happened between you and Dr. House today?” he asked her.

She blushed. “We talked,” she said. “We had a lot to catch up on.”

“Why did you marry Dad?” he asked her. She looked away from him, the blush seeping out of her cheeks as her countenance grew sad.

“Teddy came to find me,” she began, “five years after I had left Scotland. I had left because he was still married to his first wife, Deirdre, and I couldn’t bear to be so close to him knowing that we could never be together. So I left Scotland and made my life here. Five years later, I became ill – vomiting, hallucinations – and I was taken to Princeton-Plainsboro. Greg was my doctor. One of his doctors, Dr. Chase –”

“I met him today,” Chris interrupted. “He’s the head of the surgical team.”

Jean smiled slightly. “Well, he was the one who diagnosed me – I was suffering from ergot poisoning, as a result of the organic rye bread I had eaten. And Greg... Greg and I were so similar, and we fell in love. We began our relationship the day I was released from the hospital, and continued to see each other for six months. And then – then Teddy came back, and, well, I betrayed Greg. I hurt him, I hurt him so badly, and he ended our relationship. So I made up my mind to leave New Jersey, to marry Teddy and move back to Edinburgh with him. Because I loved Greg, loved him so much, I didn’t want to hurt him anymore. So I obeyed his wishes and made sure he would never see me again.

“Teddy and I were married a week later, and then a month after that, I discovered I was pregnant with you. Though Teddy believed that he was your father, I knew, deep down, that he was not. And that’s – well, that’s what happened.”

“Are you going to divorce Dad?” he asked her.

“Oh, God, Chris, I don’t know,” she said. James, who had entered the room during her narrative, was leaning against the wall, holding her glass of wine in his hand. “I love Teddy, and I love Greg, but I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The doorbell rang; James set Jean’s glass of wine on the coffee table and opened the door. It was House; he limped into the living room and sat down next to Jean.

“When’s dinner?” he asked James, looking up at him.

“In a half an hour,” James said. “The roast beef just needs to cook a bit longer. In fact, Chris, can you help me in the kitchen, please?” Chris nodded, standing up and following James into the kitchen. Greg turned to Jean.

“Hello again, Jean,” he said, taking her hand. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you,” she replied, blushing like a schoolgirl, though she was fifty-seven.

“Oh, Jean,” he whispered, stroking her hair lightly. “Jean...”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “Darling, Chris knows you’re his father. I didn’t tell him – he guessed.”

House smiled. “He really is my son,” he said, his voice proud. She looked up at him and he smiled down at her, bending down to capture her lips with his. She melted into his embrace, giving herself up to the moment, before pushing him away.

“We can’t do this here,” she whispered.

“Then come home with me tonight,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck.

“Oh, Greg...” she breathed. “Oh, darling, I want to, but I’m married.”

He pulled back from her. “Jean, I don’t give a damn if you’re married, a nun, or whatever. I love you.”

She beamed at him – he’d only told her that a few times, and each time was precious. “Oh, Greg, I love you too. I do love you. But I can’t – not tonight, at least.”

“Then when, Jean? I need you, I need you so much. I’m sorry, darling, I’m so sorry that I ended our relationship – it was the worst mistake I ever made, and I’ve regretted it more than any decision I’ve ever made. Oh, Jean...”

“Greg –” she was interrupted by her son and James re-entering the room.

“Dinner’s ready,” James said, and Jean and Greg stood up. He rested his hand on her lower back; she turned and smiled up at her former lover.

Dinner was quiet, comfortable, and Jean and Greg held hands beneath the table. After dinner, dessert, and coffee, Jean walked Greg down to his car.

“I’ll come over tomorrow,” she whispered, and leaned up to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss, and they finally broke apart.

“I can’t wait,” he said, and climbed into the car. She watched, waving, as he drove away, before rejoining James and her son in James’s house.

Chris said goodnight, kissing his mother on her cheek, and left for his room. James and Jean sat down in the living room.

“He still loves me,” she whispered, beaming, laying her fingers lightly on her lips.

“He’s loved you all this time, Jean,” James said, “he hasn’t had a relationship since he ended things with you twenty-five years ago.”

“I’ve not been completely happy myself for the past twenty-five years,” Jean admitted. “Obviously, Chris made me happy, and Teddy was a good husband, and I did – do – love him, but I longed for Greg – you know that better than anyone, besides Greg himself, that is. Oh, James, I want to go back to Greg!” she whispered passionately. “I want to leave my husband and move back to America to live with him. For the past twenty-five years – a quarter of a century! – I have longed for him. Oh, James, I love him... but I love Teddy too. I don’t know what to do.”

He sighed. “I don’t know what you should do, Jean, but bear in mind I’ll have to pick up the pieces if your relationship with House doesn’t work out.”

“How was he, when I left?” she asked him.

“Well, his leg started hurting again, and once again he started taking Vicodin. He was... hurt,” Wilson said, “and he was angry for so long. He stopped taking care of himself – he became more and more withdrawn from everyone.”

“Oh, God,” she whispered, her hand at her breast. “Oh, how I hurt him!”

“It was his fault, Jean,” James said. “And that’s what made it worse.”

She buried her head in her hands, closing her eyes. “Oh, God.”

“Jean, just bear that in mind when you see him again,” James said. “You have the capacity to make him the most desperate, sad man in the world or the happiest one.”

She looked up at him. “I know,” she said. “I know.” She stood up. “I’m going out,” she said. “I won’t be back tonight.”

“What should I tell Chris in the morning?” James asked.

She turned and looked at him. “Just tell him that I’m with a friend.”

“Won’t he wonder who?” James asked, and Jean shook her head.

“He’s very much like Greg in that sense – he’s quite clever. I’ll be back tomorrow, most likely,” she said.

“How are you going to get there?”

She stopped and chuckled slightly. “Oh, yes, I had quite forgotten that. Can you drive me, please?” she asked, and he nodded. He scribbled a note to Chris and then walked Jean to the car. He drove her the few blocks to Greg’s home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, leaning over to give him a light kiss on his cheek. She then exited the car and walked up to Greg’s front door. She rang the bell; he opened the door a few minutes later.

“Hello, Greg,” she said. “May I come in?”

He smiled down at her. “Of course,” he said, stepping aside. She entered his house, wrapping her arms around him as he closed the door behind her.

“I changed my mind,” she whispered, kissing him. He pulled back.

“Let’s go to bed,” he said, taking her hand. She followed him down the hallway, anxious to get in bed with him once more. Though she loved her husband, she loved Greg, and needed him.

They reached his bedroom; he sat on the bed and pulled her down with him, beginning to kiss her passionately. He rolled her onto her back, propping himself up above her. She looked almost identical to the last night they had spent together. Her eyes were dark and sparkling, her cheeks were flushed, and she was smiling up at him.

“Oh, Greg, I love you,” she whispered, beginning to unbutton his shirt. He undressed her slowly, carefully, kissing her collarbone, her breasts, her stomach... she moaned with desire. “God, Greg, I love you, love you, love you!”

“Jean...” he pushed into her, gasping as he entered her for the first time in twenty-five years. “Oh, Jean!” They moved together, each relishing the feeling of being so connected after so long.

“Jean!” he cried out, and she cried his name. They finally collapsed in each other’s arms.

“I love you, Greg,” Jean whispered, kissing his chest lightly.

“I love you, Jean,” he replied, kissing the top of her head. She moved closer to him, resting her head on his chest. She drifted off to sleep, happier than she had been for years.

[lansburyfan1]

This better end happy because i'm still devasted by the way the first part ended!!!!!!!

[Katheryn Mae]

Ditto. This had better be happy. But it's lovely!

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter 2

The next morning the sharp sound of Greg’s alarm clock woke them up. She moaned and rubbed her eyes, looking down at her lover. He had been awake for some time, just watching her, and now that she, too, was awake, he pulled her down to him, kissing her passionately. She gave herself up to the moment, returning his kisses with all the passion and love she felt for him.

“Oh, darling,” she whispered as he caressed her breasts. “Oh, Greg...”

“Jean...” he moaned as she ran her hand down his chest. “Jean...”

She wrapped her legs around him and he entered her; she moaned with desire as he moved within her.

“Greg, darling, oh Greg!” she cried out.

“Jean!”

He collapsed on top of her and she wrapped her arms tightly around him, moving closer to him. He nuzzled her hair softly, relishing the feel of her body against his for the first time in so many years.

“I love you so much, Greg,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

“And I love you, Jean,” he replied. “You are still so beautiful, even after all these years.”

“And you are still so handsome,” she replied. “Oh, Greg, I never should have left!”

“I never should have pushed you away,” he said. “But you’re back now. How long are you here?”

“Two weeks,” she said.

“Only two weeks?”

“Teddy needs me at home...” she trailed off.

“Why? He’s a grown man,” Greg said, his tone bitter.

“He doesn’t do well alone,” Jean said, “he was very reluctant to let me come with Chris in the first place.”

“Why should he have any say in what you do, Jean? You shouldn’t have to live your life according to what he does or doesn’t want you to do.”

“He’s my husband,” Jean said, twisting her wedding and engagement rings on her finger. They had never felt so binding.

“Don’t you think I know that?” Greg snapped. “Don’t you think I’d do anything – anything! – to make you mine? I lost out on love twice with Stacy and once with you; I’ll be damned if I let you slip away again.”

“Greg...”

He looked into her eyes. “Jean Margaret Brodie – I love you. I want you to come back to me. Please, darling, come back to me.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. “All right,” she said.

“All right?” he repeated, surprised.

“All right, I’ll come back to you.”

He smiled widely, taking her into his arms once again and kissed her. “Oh, Jean, I love you.”

She returned his smile and his kisses. “I love you, Greg. I’ll call Teddy today and tell him I want a divorce.”

“Good,” he said, kissing her again. His phone began to ring, and he sighed, picking it up. It was Cuddy.

“Where are you?” Jean heard her ask.

“I’m coming,” House said, and snapped the cell phone shut. He turned to Jean. “I’ve got to go,” he said apologetically.

She gave him a soft smile. “That’s all right, love.”

“D’you want to come with me or stay here?” he asked.

“I’ll stay here – I’ll tidy up and then call Teddy.”

He stroked her cheek lightly. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said, and Jean nodded. She lay back in bed as she watched him dress. He leaned over and gave her one last kiss before limping out the door.

Jean got out of bed and stepped into the bathroom, drawing a hot bath. As she stepped into the bath, her reflection in the mirror caught her eye.

She was absolutely covered with love-bites, the most distinct trail beginning at the base of her neck and travelling lower, lower, still lower... Jean blushed. She turned away from her reflection and stepped into the bathtub, sighing as the water caressed her body. Staying in the bath for quite some time, she allowed her mind to drift.

Finally she emerged from the bath and got dressed before walking to the phone. She sat down at the table and dialled her phone number.

“Hello?” she heard her husband’s voice, and she almost lost her nerve.

“Hello, Teddy, it’s me,” she said.

“Darling!” he exclaimed. “So you did get in safely after all. How was the trip? Has Chris started work yet? How are you?”

“Teddy, I want a divorce,” she said bluntly, closing her eyes.

“...what?”

“I want a divorce,” she repeated. “I can’t do this anymore, Teddy.”

“Jean... why? What’s happened?”

She began to cry. “Teddy, I can’t – I just can’t.”

“Jean, I’m flying out as soon as I can.”

“Teddy...”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you, Jean.”

She gave one last sob before hanging up the phone. Burying her head in her hands, she didn’t look up when she heard the door open.

“Jean, darling, are you all right?” Greg asked her, sitting down next to her.

“He’s coming,” Jean whispered. “I told him I wanted a divorce and now he’s coming to try to win me back.”

He took her in his arms and she sobbed against his shoulder, her tears finally subsiding.

“He’s not going to win me back,” Jean said. “I belong to you.”

He pulled back. “You don’t belong to anyone, Jean – you are your own person.”

“But I want to belong to you,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

“And I want you to be mine, too, but I don’t own you, Jean.”

She rested her head against his chest once more and they stayed that way until the phone rang.

“That’ll be Cuddy,” he said, and she nodded against his chest.

“Can I come back to work with you?” she asked him. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“Of course,” he said. “I’m on clinic duty, though.”

“I don’t mind,” she said. “I’ll stay out of your way – I just can’t be alone right now.”

“All right,” he said, and she reluctantly left his embrace, standing up.

“I’m ready,” she said. “Greg?” He looked at her. “I’m glad we’re going to be together.”

***

Teddy was sitting on the plane, nearly to New Jersey. Only an hour to go...

That was one thing he’d give modern technology – back when he had first gone to win Jean back, it had taken nearly twelve hours to get to New Jersey. Now it took six.

He kept replaying their brief conversation in his mind.

“I want a divorce,” she’d said.

Why? How could she want a divorce? He thought that they were happy – the past twenty-five years had been happy for him, at least, and she’d never given any indication that she was less than content. They’d raised a son together and while she never returned to teaching she hadn’t complained.

So why did she want a divorce?

He reached forward and picked up the telephone embedded in the back of the seat in front of him and dialled his son’s cell phone.

“Hello?”

“Chris, it’s Dad. I’m going to be landing at Newark in an hour, can you pick me up please?”

“Does Mum know you’re coming?” he asked.

“Yes, she does.”

“I’ll be there,” Chris said. “I’ve got to go – see you soon.” His son hung up the phone and Teddy did too, losing himself in his thoughts once more.

***

He found his mother in his new boss’s office.

“Mum, Dad’s going to be here in an hour,” Chris said, confused. Jean turned, looking out the window. “What’s going on?”

“I’m divorcing Teddy,” she said.

“What?”

“I can’t be with him anymore, Chris. There’s no point. He’s not your real father and although I do love him, I love Greg more. I always have. I’ve been lying to myself, to him, to you, for twenty-five years and I can’t bear it anymore.”

“Does he know that he’s not my father?” Chris asked and Jean shook her head.

“I didn’t want to tell him over the phone,” she said. “I’ll tell him when he gets here.”

“I’ve got to go pick him up,” Chris said.

“No, dear, I’ll do it,” Jean said. “What time is he getting in?”

“An hour,” Chris replied.

Jean nodded and scribbled a note to Greg before gathering her things together.

“Tell him I’ll be back soon,” Jean said, kissing her son on his cheek. She headed for Wilson’s office and, with his permission, borrowed his car to drive to the airport, where she met her husband.

“Jean, darling,” he said, rushing towards her. He took her into his arms and bent down to kiss her – she didn’t respond.

“Teddy, we need to talk,” she said, leading him to one of the many restaurants in the airport.

“Jean – ”

She held up a hand to stop him from speaking. “Please, Teddy. I won’t be able to finish if you say anything.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before beginning. “Teddy, I’m leaving you for Greg.”

He stood up, furious. “What?”

“Please sit down, Teddy,” she said. “I can’t help it, darling – I’ve loved him for the past twenty-five years.”

“Were you really that unhappy with me, Jean?” he asked her sadly. “I thought we had a good marriage. We had a child...” She looked away from him and closed her eyes.

“Chris is not your son.”

[kissofdeath]

Aww, I love it so far.

But how about a hint of Huddy, for a boost of drama?

[Katheryn Mae]

Lovely. And totally agreeing with kissofdeath.

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter 3

“What?” he yelled.

She covered her eyes with her hand and began to cry in earnest.

“I’m sorry, Teddy,” she whispered.

He pulled her hand away from her face so that he could look into her eyes; tears were falling down her cheeks and her eyes were filled with sadness.

“Jean –”

“Teddy, let’s go to the car; I can drive you to the hotel and then –” she choked on the following words, “Then we can talk.”

He nodded and followed her to the car. She unlocked the doors and slipped behind the wheel, resting her head for a moment against the wheel. When he got into the car next to her she looked straight ahead, not wanting to look at her husband. She turned on the car and began to drive, keeping her eyes on the road. Her husband was silent, but she could feel his gaze on her. She forced herself to focus on her driving.

Finally she pulled up to the hotel and got out of the car; they walked into the hotel and Teddy checked in. They walked to his room and entered; he locked the door behind them and sat down on the bed. He stretched out a hand to his wife and she took it, sitting down next to him on the bed.

“Jean, darling, I thought we were happy together,” he said quietly, stroking her cheek.

She closed her eyes.

“Weren’t we?” he asked.

“It was good while it lasted, and I’ll never stop loving you, Teddy, but our ship has sailed.”

“Jean, no!” he cried out desperately.

“Teddy, if only...” she trailed off.

“What?”

“If only we had been together before I moved to America!” she cried out desperately. “If only I had never met Greg, we would have been happy together!” She burst into tears, sobbing.

“It’s all my fault, Jean,” he whispered. “Oh, God, Jean!” She threw herself into his arms, still sobbing. They stayed like that for quite some time, Jean couched snugly against his chest, her tears soaking his shirt.

Finally they broke apart. “I’m going to move back to America and live with Greg,” Jean said, her voice trembling.

“Does Chris know I’m not his father?” Teddy asked sadly. Jean nodded.

“He figured it out for himself,” Jean said. Teddy nodded, looking away from her.

“Is there anything I can do to keep you, Jean?”

She looked at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears and the remains of a deep, desperate passion.

“No, there isn’t. We’ve had the past twenty-five years, Teddy, and we might have had more, but it isn’t meant to be.”

“Jean, I can’t live without you,” he said. “I’ll die if you leave me.”

She placed a gentle hand on his cheek. “I felt like that when you left me that first morning we spent together,” she said, “but I survived. You will, too, Teddy.”

“Jean, you are my heart – how can I go on without you?”

She closed her eyes. “Time heals all wounds, Teddy. In time, you’ll forget me.”

“How can I forget you?”

“You will.” She sighed and stood up. “I’ll begin the paperwork in the morning.”

“I won’t consent,” he said, standing up as well. “I won’t consent and you have no grounds to sue me for divorce. I haven’t hit you, haven’t had affairs, have never treated you poorly. You have no grounds on which to divorce me, and I’m not going to divorce you.”

She burst into tears of frustration. “Teddy, please!”

“No, Jean! I love you too much to let you go.”

“I’m not coming back to Edinburgh with you,” she said.

“You’ll have to come back when your visa expires.”

“Teddy, you want me to remain married to you, even knowing that I’ll be desperately unhappy?”

“I want you to be happy, Jean, but I want you to be with me more. I’m an extraordinarily selfish person in that sense.”

“Yes, you are,” she snapped.

“Can you blame me, Jean? If our positions were reversed, are you telling me you wouldn’t do the same thing?”

She looked away from him, walking to the window. Finally she turned to him.

“You’ve never let me be happy,” Jean said quietly. “You didn’t let me go back to teaching after Chris was born. You didn’t want to have more children with me. You didn’t listen when I told you I was unhappy. Please, Teddy, do this one thing for me – and let me be happy.”

For the first time, he realised that she hadn’t, after all, been happy in their marriage. Memories came rushing back to him; Jean crying in bed late at night (‘What’s wrong, Jean?’ ‘Nothing,’ she sobbed, and he left it at that.), the arguments they had over having more children (‘Please, Teddy,’ she had begged him, ‘I want another baby.’ ‘No, Jean. Chris is enough. I already have six others – I don’t relish the thought of having eight children – seven is more than enough.’), the fights they’d had about her going back to work (‘I make enough money for us to live quite comfortably,’ he’d told her. ‘It’s not a matter of money, Teddy, it’s a matter of doing something with my life.’ ‘Being a mother isn’t enough for you?’ ‘I miss teaching!’ ‘No, Jean.’ ‘Teddy...’ ‘I don’t want to talk about it anymore.’), and when she’d told him she was unhappy (‘Let’s go away together, Teddy, just the two of us. Have the honeymoon we never had.’ ‘I’m busy with painting, Jean.’ ‘Please, Teddy – I’m unhappy here, I need to get away for a bit.’ ‘Not now, Jean, I’m busy.’ ‘Teddy...’ ‘Maybe next year, over the summer.’).

But he couldn’t let her go. “No, Jean.”

She flung herself at him, her fists hitting his chests as she sobbed furiously. “Let me go! Let me be happy!” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close in order to stop her from hitting him. She collapsed, crying desperately, in his arms. “Let me be happy...”

“I can’t let you leave me,” he whispered, holding her to him. “I can’t live without you.”

She continued to sob.

“I’ll change, Jean, I promise. You can teach again, and if you still want more children we can adopt them. We can go away together, take some time by ourselves. A cruise around the world, a summer in Italy, a winter in Bermuda – we have money saved, we can go wherever you’d like. I need you, Jean.”

She looked away from him. “Teddy, I can’t do this anymore. You’re only offering all this now because you don’t want me to leave you – they’re empty promises. I know you; you’ll go back to your old ways in a month or so. You’ll never change.”

“I will!” he protested. “Give me a chance, please, Jean.”

“I’ve given you twenty-five years of chances, not counting the ten years before our marriage. You didn’t change then and you won’t change now.”

“I will change – I love you, Jean.”

She closed her eyes. “I can’t talk about this anymore, Teddy. I’ll come back tomorrow, all right?”

He nodded reluctantly.

“I love you.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

She walked out of the room and he watched her, before sitting down on the bed, his head in his hands.

***

She drove back to Greg’s, knowing that he’d be at home now. Indeed he was – he was waiting for her in the living room.

“How did it go?” he asked her. She couldn’t speak, simply walked over to him, buried her head in his lap, and began to sob.

“It was awful!” she cried. “He won’t consent to a divorce, and I have no standing in court to divorce him. He’s never had an affair or hit me or did anything that would allow me to divorce him.”

“We’ll figure something out,” he said. “I promise we will.”

“I have to go see him tomorrow,” she said.

“All right,” he said reluctantly. “I don’t like it, though.”

“I’m sorry, darling.”

“What did he say to you?”

“He said that we could take a vacation together, wherever I’d like. He said I could teach again and that if I wanted more children we could adopt.”

“He wouldn’t let you teach?”

“No, he wouldn’t. He said he made enough money for us to live comfortably and that I didn’t need to. I tried to tell him that it wasn’t because of money, it was for my own self respect, but he didn’t want to talk about it.”

“And children?”

“He had six from his previous marriage and he said that seven children were enough for him.”

“And what about the vacation?”

“We never had a honeymoon, and every time I suggested we take some time and go away together, he ignored me.”

“We’ll go on vacation together,” he said, stroking her cheek softly. “We’ll go for as long as you want. I won’t take you for granted, Jean.”

She looked up at him lovingly. “Thank you, Greg.”

He bent down and kissed her.

***

“If you continue to see Jean Brodie, Lloyd, whatever she’s calling herself now, I’ll have no choice but to fire Chris Lloyd,” Cuddy said the next morning.

“Why?” House asked furiously. “He’s an excellent doctor.”

“It’s a conflict of interest, House – either you fire him or you give her up. Take your pick.” She exited his office, knowing that he’d give up Jean.

***

He rested his head in his hands. He couldn’t do this – couldn’t choose between his son and his lover. She knew that – that’s why she was making him choose. What could he do?

He couldn’t talk to Jean about it, that was certain – he knew that she’d leave him so that Chris could have a chance. If Chris was fired this early in his career, he’d never get another decent job – and that’s what he deserved.

But he couldn’t lose Jean again – not again! He had gone so long without her, and now that he had her back – he couldn’t give her up either.

[Katheryn Mae]

Yay! A wonderful update (and hint of Huddy!), I hope I come home to lots more next Friday!

[Junora]

Ok at the moment I hate Cuddy, b....!

I can't wait till next chapter.
Love it. please update soon.

Big Hug Lottie

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter 4

The next morning, as promised, Jean drove to her husband’s hotel. Neither of them had gotten much sleep the night before, and Jean did not feel like speaking with her husband again. But she had to – she wanted to be free, free to be with Greg.

She arrived at the hotel and walked down the hall to his room; he opened the door a few seconds after she knocked.

He looked as tired as she felt. Ushering her into the room, she curled up on the sofa and he sat down next to her.

“How did we get to this point, Jean?” he asked her sadly.

She shook her head, willing her tears not to fall. The soft hand on her shoulder, however, broke down her defences, and she began to cry.

“I don’t know – I don’t know!” she sobbed.

“Jean, my love,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “Stay with me, please...”

She pulled away from him. “Teddy, I can’t – not anymore.”

“Jean, I’ll die without you,” he said.

“Stop saying that!” she snapped. “You won’t die – people don’t die of broken hearts. I should know – I’ve been unlucky in love, more than you ever cared to know.”

“What do you mean?” he asked her.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said, turning away from her husband.

“Jean, darling,” he said, resting his hand on her shoulder. She moved away from him.

“Please, Teddy, divorce me. Let me be happy at last.”

“I can’t,” he said.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. Opening them, she looked at her husband.

“I’ll be back this afternoon – I’ve got to go meet Chris for lunch,” she said. Teddy nodded and watched her walk out of his hotel room. He had a plan.

***

While Jean was lunching with her son, Teddy went to see House.

“I wondered when you’d pay me a visit,” House said when Teddy entered his office.

“I want my wife back,” Teddy said bluntly.

“I can’t help you with that,” House replied. “She’s not a thing, she’s a person, and she can choose who she wants to be with.”

“I won’t divorce her,” Teddy said, “And she’ll have to come back to Edinburgh when her visa expires.”

“She can get a work permit and thus won’t be forced to leave.”

“I need her.”

“If you did need her, you should have treated her like a person, not a thing, and you should have listened to her when she told you she was unhappy. You shouldn’t have taken her for granted.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Teddy said.

“It doesn’t matter – you did.”

Teddy was growing desperate.

“Please, please let her come back to me,” Teddy said. “I can’t live without her.”

House turned away from him. “It’s her choice.”

Just then, Jean entered his office and gasped when she saw Teddy there.

“Jean, please, listen to me,” Teddy begged her, catching her hand before she could turn away. “Please, Jean, come back to me. I love you, I need you – you are my life, Jean, and if you leave me, I won’t be able to go on.”

“Teddy, stop it!” she cried, turning to Greg. “Greg, say something, please!”

“If you want to go with him, Jean, I won’t stop you.” He had to give her up. He couldn’t let their son’s future be jeopardised by his desire to stay with her.

Her face wore an expression of shock. “Greg...”

He turned to face her. “Jean, I could care less if you stayed with me or went with him,” he jerked his head towards Teddy. Jean wrenched her hand out of Teddy’s and moved towards Greg, whose heart was breaking. He couldn’t let her throw her marriage away for him, and he couldn’t let their son’s future end because of his desire to keep her with him. He knew that it wouldn’t last with them, especially if Chris was made to suffer – they were too similar.

“Greg...” she said, kneeling next to him. “I love you. Don’t you love me anymore?”

He couldn’t bear to look at her but couldn’t bear to look away. He forced himself to remain impassive – no matter how much this would hurt him now, he knew it would hurt much worse later, when their relationship eventually disintegrated.

“No,” he said.

Jean burst into tears. She had once been a proud woman, refusing to cry in front of anyone, but love had changed her.

“Greg...”

“Get out of my office, Mrs. Lloyd,” he snapped, his heart shattering into a million pieces as he told her to leave. “I don’t tolerate hysterical women.”

She couldn’t move from her position at his feet, despair racking her body – even more so than the first time he’d pushed her away.

Teddy approached his distraught wife, helping her up. She couldn’t do anything but cry, could barely even breathe. As Teddy helped her out of House’s office, he looked over his shoulder one final time. House’s head was buried in his hands.

***

“What the hell did you do?” Wilson asked House an hour later. “Do you have some sort of sick punishment fetish? What is wrong with you? Twice with Stacy and twice with Jean!”

“I couldn’t let her throw away her marriage for me,” House said.

“Didn’t you take her feelings into account?” Wilson asked. “She loves you.”

“I did!” House yelled, pain lacing his voice. Wilson was shocked into silence. “It would never work between us long-term. We’re too similar. I love her enough to let her go. And Chris...”

“What about Chris?” Wilson asked curiously.

“Cuddy said that she’d fire Chris if I didn’t break it off with Jean – it was a conflict of interest. I wasn’t there for Chris during his childhood – this is all I can do for him now.”

Wilson didn’t say anything – he couldn’t say anything. He just looked at House.

***

Later that evening, Wilson went to see Cuddy.

“You won’t have to fire Chris Lloyd, Cuddy,” Wilson said, “He’s broken it off with Jean.” She at least had the dignity to look sheepish.

“You love him, don’t you?” he asked her, and watched as a tear trickled down her cheek.

“I do,” she said.

“I would tell you to let him be happy, but he’ll never be happy again.” He left her, alone once more, in her office.

***

Jean couldn’t let her son throw away his future just because Greg had left her yet again, so she told him that she had changed her mind about divorcing Teddy. She couldn’t bear to face him, so she simply told him on the telephone that night, calling from Teddy’s hotel room. Wilson had brought over her things and said good-bye to her for the last time.

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning,” Jean said, “and I hope you’ll be able to stop by to see us before we leave.”

“Of course, Mum,” Chris replied, “I’ll stop by at seven thirty.”

“We’ll see you then,” Jean said, “I love you.”

“I love you too, Mum.”

Jean hung up the telephone and turned back to her husband. He was sitting on the bed, watching her. She looked away from him again – she couldn’t bear to look at him. She picked up her nightdress and went into the bathroom to change. When she emerged, her husband was waiting for her on the bed.

“Teddy –” she began.

“Yes, Jean?”

She didn’t say anything at first, just looked at him, tears in her eyes. “Why couldn’t you have listened to me during the past twenty-five years? We could have been so happy, so, so happy...”

“I’m sorry, Jean,” he said. “I’m so incredibly sorry.”

She cried again – she had cried more in the past twenty-four hours than she had for the past twenty-five years. He held her tightly to him, stroking her hair as she sobbed.

“I love you, Jean,” he whispered. “I’ve always loved you.”

She looked up at him, choking back a sob. “Oh, Teddy...”

He took his face in his hands and kissed her, her tears mingling with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slipped onto his lap, her lips moving against his.

“Oh, God, I love you,” he said.

She rested her head against his shoulder, tears still falling.

“Oh, my love,” he whispered. She couldn’t stop crying, and eventually fell asleep, tears still slipping down her cheeks.

He gently pulled the covers over his wife, watching her as she slept. He was so grateful that House had told her to leave him. He was so grateful...

***

She couldn’t do it anymore. She couldn’t live any longer without Greg. She had been apart from him for twenty-five years, twenty five long years, and she couldn’t go without him again.

And now he had their son... she didn’t even have Chris anymore.

She couldn’t live without him...

***

They boarded the plane back to Edinburgh the next morning, after saying goodbye to Chris. She knew it would be the last time she would ever see him.

She didn’t speak to Teddy during the flight, choosing instead to stare numbly out the window. When they returned to their home, she went straight upstairs to their bedroom and fell asleep.

Teddy stayed downstairs – he knew that she wanted to be alone. It would take some time for their relationship to mend, but he would wait. He loved her, and he would wait for her.

***

The next morning, when he was out getting groceries, she began to write several letters. After they were finished, she went to the bathroom and took out a bottle of pills. She walked over to her bed, sat down, poured a glass of water, and swallowed the pills. She never saw the glass spill onto the carpet.

[Junora]

Oh,nein, nein, nein, nein!

You didn't, shit you did.
You CAN'T kill Jean Brodie at least not again.
The Story is wonderful and I love the new chapter.
But I say it again you are not allowed to kill Jean Brodie my heart can't take it.
XD

Hugs Lottie
xoxoxoxoxox

[lansburyfan1]

You can't have this one end crappy too!!! Nooooooooooooooo

[Katheryn Mae]

If you ... I was so happy ... House was playing in the next room (I actually stopped halfway through the chapter, watched a few minutes then came back) and now. I seriously think I'm gonna cry. Damn House ... damn Teddy. Going to cry now ... lol, not really.

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter 5

VERSION 1: THE HAPPY ENDING
“Jean?” her husband called, laden down with grocery bags. When she didn’t reply, he assumed that she was asleep upstairs – she always suffered from the most terrible jet lag. After he put away the groceries, he went to check on her.

When he saw the water glass on the floor he began to panic, especially when he saw her pale, pale face. He began to panic – he tried to find a pulse but failed. He reached for the phone and dialled 999.

“Hello? Yes, my wife, she’s not breathing! I need help.”

“An ambulance will be right there,” the calm voice of the emergency services woman said. He hung up the telephone and tried to revive his wife.

“Please wake up, Jean,” he cried. “Please wake up.

She didn’t move.

Mercifully, sirens heralded the arrival of the ambulance, and they rushed in to try to save Jean.

“We’ve got a pulse!” one of the paramedics called, and soon they had packed Jean onto a stretcher, bringing her out to the ambulance. Teddy followed them and entered the ambulance, sitting next to his wife. He wasn’t able to hold her hand, as the paramedics were still trying to revive her. Finally she began to vomit, and the paramedics sighed in relief.

“She’ll be all right,” one of the paramedics told Teddy, who closed his eyes, incredibly grateful.

“Oh, thank God.”

They arrived at the hospital and Jean was wheeled into an operating room to get her stomach pumped. Teddy was left to pace the waiting room. While he was waiting for news of Jean, he called her son.

“Chris, it’s Dad – Teddy,” he corrected himself.

“Yes? Is anything the matter?”

“Your mother tried to commit suicide,” Teddy said.

“What?!” Chris yelled. “Is she all right?”

“The paramedics say she’ll be fine,” Teddy replied. “I’ll call as soon as I have any news.”

He heard a doctor call his name. “Chris, I’ve got to go. “I’ll talk to you as soon as I hear anything.”

“All right,” Chris said, and Teddy hung up the phone.

“Yes, I’m Teddy Lloyd,” he said to the doctor.

“Your wife should be fine,” the doctor said, and Teddy sighed in relief.

“Oh, thank God,” he said again. “Can I see her?”

“Yes; she’s in room 154,” the doctor said, and Teddy took off down the hallway.

“Oh, Jean, thank God,” Teddy said when he saw her lying in the hospital bed. He went over to her and took her hand. She turned away from him. “Jean, my darling, why did you do it?”

“I can’t live anymore,” she sobbed. “I can’t live without him.”

“Och, Jean, Jean,” he said, looking down at her sadly. “Oh, my darling, darling Jean.”

“Stop it!” she cried. “I’m not your darling! You gave me up when you wouldn’t listen to me all the years we were married. Oh, Teddy, you made me do this!”

He began to cry, burying his face in his hands. “Jean...”

“I can’t do this anymore,” she repeated. “I can’t...”

“I can’t let you go,” he whispered. “Not again.”

“I can’t live with you anymore, Teddy,” she whispered. “Let me go, let me go!”

Teddy’s phone rang; it was Chris.

“I’m coming home,” he said. “I’ve been granted a few days off, and I’ll be arriving in six hours.”

“All right,” Teddy said. “See you then.” He hung up the phone and turned back to his wife, whose eyes were closed.

“Jean,” he whispered, but she didn’t move. He was worried for a moment, but he could hear her soft breathing. Settling back in his chair, he closed his eyes and allowed himself a few hours’ rest.

He didn’t want to leave his wife, but he had to pick up her son from the airport. He hadn’t really had time to think about the fact that Chris wasn’t his son. Perhaps that’s why she wanted more children – so that they could have a child of their own.

He should have listened to her. He should have listened to her and loved her during the past twenty-five years. No wonder she tried to kill herself!

He saw Chris outside, waiting for him, and he got into the car.

“How’s Mum?” he asked.

“She’s fine,” Teddy replied.

“What happened, exactly?”

“You’ll have to ask her.”

They arrived at the hospital soon after, and Chris rushed to his mother’s room. She lay in her hospital bed, as pale as the sheets covering her.

“Mummy!” Chris cried, rushing over to her. She gave him a weak half-smile.

“Chris, darling,” she murmured. He was crying, his face buried against the blankets of her bed, and she stroked his hair lightly. Finally he looked up at her.

“Mummy, why’d you do this to yourself?”

“I can’t live without him anymore,” Jean said.

“But you said that you changed your mind about staying with House,” Chris asked confusedly.

“I lied, sweetheart,” she whispered. “He rejected me again, and I couldn’t let you give up your future for me. You deserve to work with the best.”

“Mum, I don’t want to work under House if he hurt you – I can’t do that to you.”

“Please, Chris, don’t take my feelings into consideration. This is your life, my darling, and not mine – I want you to continue to work with him. Please, Chris.”

He nodded despite himself.

“And, Chris?” she asked. “Don’t tell him what happened. He doesn’t need to know.”

“Mum, of course he does!” Chris argued.

She shook her head. “No, he doesn’t. It doesn’t concern him at all.”

“Of course it concerns him!”

“No, it doesn’t. Please, Chris.”

He once again agreed reluctantly.

Teddy knocked on the door, and, at Jean’s nod, stepped into the room.

“Would you like anything to eat or drink, Jean, Chris?” he asked, and both of them shook their heads.

“How long are you here?” Jean asked her son.

“I have to go back in two days.”

“All right,” she sighed sadly.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay longer,” he said, but his mother gave him a weak smile.

“It’s all right, darling – I know you have your work.”

He nodded, taking his mother’s hand in his. They sat there in silence until Jean fell asleep.

***

Two days later, Jean was released from the hospital, and Chris was on his way back to America. On the plane, he opened the letter his mother had written to him.

‘My dearest, most darling son,
I am so sorry that I am about to do this, but I can’t go on anymore. I loved your father so much, for so many years, and when he pushed me away again I couldn’t bear it. You were all that kept me married to Teddy all these years – I wanted you to have a father, and I knew that Greg would never take me back, even though I was pregnant with you.

You don’t need me anymore, Chris, and I can’t live without Greg. I’ve tried but I can’t.

I’m so sorry that I won’t be there for you anymore, darling, but you don’t need me. I love you, love you forever.

Your mother,
Jean.’

Tears were rolling down his face, and he set the letter down. His mother had been so unhappy for so many years – why hadn’t he known?

***

Chris walked into Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital later that day and entered House’s office.

“Where have you been?” House barked. He had been in quite a difficult mood after having to push Jean away. Cuddy was the one who had given Chris permission to leave, and she hadn’t told House – she didn’t want him to rush off to Edinburgh to see Jean.

“My mother tried to kill herself,” Chris said quietly, breaking his promise to his mother to keep the events of the past few days a secret. He needed to know.

House dropped his mug of coffee. “What?”

“She tried to kill herself,” Chris continued, “Because you left her again. She wrote you this letter,” he said, handing him the note. “I’ll go down to the clinic.”

He left the office and House opened the letter with trembling hands.

‘I can’t go on without you anymore,’ it began, ‘I’ve loved you so long and needed you so desperately, and when you pushed me away again...

You never loved me, did you? That’s the only excuse I can think of for you pushing me away not once but twice. I can’t live without you, Greg, but it’s obvious you can live without me.

Goodbye, darling – goodbye forever.’

He rested his head in his hands and sobbed. How could he do this to Jean? He couldn’t live without her...

His tears dried, and his mind was made up. He called Cuddy, asked for two weeks off, and then drove to the airport as quickly as he could.

***

Jean was sitting at home, in the living room, her husband sitting across from her. He was desperately afraid to leave her alone – he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her again. They sat in silence, simply staring at each other, the tick-tick-ticking of the clock marking the passage of time.

The doorbell rang, and Jean jumped in surprise.

“I’ll get it,” Teddy said, and he walked to the door.

“I’m here to see Jean,” she heard Greg say, and she rushed to the door before Teddy could slam the door shut in his face.

“Greg!” she exclaimed. She couldn’t help but feel a bubble of joy rise up in her as she saw the man she loved, the man she never believed she’d see again. Both of them ignored Teddy as Greg stepped into the foyer.

“Jean, I have to explain. I love you, I need you – I didn’t want to push you away again, but Cuddy told me that I had to break off our relationship or fire Chris – it was a conflict of interest.”

“Why didn’t you TELL me?” she asked him angrily.

“I didn’t think you’d be as hurt as I was,” he admitted sheepishly.

“Of course I was – am! I love you, Greg.”

“And I love you, Jean. I don’t care about Cuddy’s rules. Damn the consequences – I love you and need you.” He took her into his arms and kissed her.

Teddy watched them in their embrace, knowing he had to let her go. She wasn’t his, would never be his again. He had his chance and had messed everything up.

He went into the study and signed the papers Jean had filled out earlier in the month. When he returned, they were standing there, just looking at each other.

“I’ve signed them,” Teddy said, and Jean looked at him, wonder and gratitude shining on her face.

“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you, Teddy.” She gave him a kiss, and he closed his eyes to stop the tears.

“Goodbye, Jean,” he said softly, and she smiled sadly.

“Goodbye, Teddy.”

Slipping her hand into Greg’s they walked down the front path and climbed into a cab. Teddy watched them leave, knowing he would never forgive himself for making her so unhappy all those years. At least he had finally, finally done the right thing.



******************************************



VERSION TWO: THE SAD ENDING
“Jean?” her husband called, laden down with grocery bags. When she didn’t reply, he assumed that she was asleep upstairs – she always suffered from the most terrible jet lag. After he put away the groceries, he went to check on her.

When he saw the water glass on the floor he began to panic, especially when he saw her pale, pale face. He began to panic – he tried to find a pulse but failed. He reached for the phone and dialled 999.

“Hello? Yes, my wife, she’s not breathing! I need help.”

“An ambulance will be right there,” the calm voice of the emergency services woman said. He hung up the telephone and tried to revive his wife.

“Please wake up, Jean,” he cried. “Please wake up.

She didn’t move.

Mercifully, sirens heralded the arrival of the ambulance, and they rushed in to try to save Jean.

“We’ve got a pulse!” one of the paramedics called, and soon they had packed Jean onto a stretcher, bringing her out to the ambulance. Teddy followed them and entered the ambulance, sitting next to his wife. He wasn’t able to hold her hand, as the paramedics were still trying to revive her. Finally she began to vomit, and the paramedics sighed in relief.

“She’ll be all right,” one of the paramedics told Teddy, who closed his eyes, incredibly grateful.

“Oh, thank God.”

They arrived at the hospital and Jean was wheeled into an operating room to get her stomach pumped. Teddy was left to pace the waiting room. While he was waiting for news of Jean, he called her son.

“Chris, it’s Dad – Teddy,” he corrected himself.

“Yes? Is anything the matter?”

“Your mother tried to commit suicide,” Teddy said.

“What?!” Chris yelled. “Is she all right?”

“The paramedics say she’ll be fine,” Teddy replied. “I’ll call as soon as I have any news.”

He heard a doctor call his name. “Chris, I’ve got to go. “I’ll talk to you as soon as I hear anything.”

“All right,” Chris said, and Teddy hung up the phone.

“Yes, I’m Teddy Lloyd,” he said to the doctor.

“Your wife should be fine,” the doctor said, and Teddy sighed in relief.

“Oh, thank God,” he said again. “Can I see her?”

“Yes; she’s in room 154,” the doctor said, and Teddy took off down the hallway.

“Oh, Jean, thank God,” Teddy said when he saw her lying in the hospital bed. He went over to her and took her hand. She turned away from him. “Jean, my darling, why did you do it?”

“I can’t live anymore,” she sobbed. “I can’t live without him.”

“Och, Jean, Jean,” he said, looking down at her sadly. “Oh, my darling, darling Jean.”

“Stop it!” she cried. “I’m not your darling! You gave me up when you wouldn’t listen to me all the years we were married. Oh, Teddy, you made me do this!”

He began to cry, burying his face in his hands. “Jean...”

“I can’t do this anymore,” she repeated. “I can’t...”

“I can’t let you go,” he whispered. “Not again.”

“I can’t live with you anymore, Teddy,” she whispered. “Let me go, let me go!”

Teddy’s phone rang; it was Chris.

“I’m coming home,” he said. “I’ve been granted a few days off, and I’ll be arriving in six hours.”

“All right,” Teddy said. “See you then.” He hung up the phone and turned back to his wife, whose eyes were closed.

“Jean,” he whispered, but she didn’t move. He was worried for a moment, but he could hear her soft breathing. Settling back in his chair, he closed his eyes and allowed himself a few hours’ rest.

He didn’t want to leave his wife, but he had to pick up her son from the airport. He hadn’t really had time to think about the fact that Chris wasn’t his son. Perhaps that’s why she wanted more children – so that they could have a child of their own.

He should have listened to her. He should have listened to her and loved her during the past twenty-five years. No wonder she tried to kill herself!

He saw Chris outside, waiting for him, and he got into the car.

“How’s Mum?” he asked.

“She’s fine,” Teddy replied.

“What happened, exactly?”

“You’ll have to ask her.”

They arrived at the hospital soon after, and Chris rushed to his mother’s room. It was empty.

“Where’s my mother?” he asked the nurse.

“Jean Lloyd?” the nurse asked, looking at her chart. At Chris’s nod, the nurse looked up. “I’m sorry, but she passed away an hour ago.”

“What?” Teddy yelled.

“I’m sorry. We tried to reach you, but your phone must have been turned off.”

Teddy looked at his cell phone – the battery was dead.

“What happened?” Chris asked, his voice sad.

“She went into cardiac arrest, and we couldn’t revive her.”

“Can – can we see her?” Teddy asked. The nurse nodded and led them down the hallway to the morgue.

Both men viewed Jean Brodie Lloyd’s body stoically, emotionlessly, before turning and leaving.

Chris drove home; Teddy’s hands were shaking too badly to drive.

“I’ll arrange the funeral,” Chris said softly. Teddy nodded. Chris continued to talk. “I think she should be buried in the Greyfriers Kirkyard – that’s what she would have wanted. We’ll bury her in two days.” Teddy nodded again. They pulled up onto their street, and they got out of the car.

Chris looked at Teddy as soon as they got into the house. “Why did she kill herself?”

“Because she couldn’t stay with me anymore, and she couldn’t live without House,” Teddy said.

“Mum told me that she changed her mind about divorcing you,” Chris said confusedly.

“She lied to you to spare your feelings – she didn’t want you to give up your job because House rejected her again.”

Finally, Chris began to cry. “Oh, Mum!”

***

Two days later, Jean was buried, and Chris was on his way back to America. On the plane, he opened the letter his mother had written to him.

‘My dearest, most darling son,
I am so sorry that I am about to do this, but I can’t go on anymore. I loved your father so much, for so many years, and when he pushed me away again I couldn’t bear it. You were all that kept me married to Teddy all these years – I wanted you to have a father, and I knew that Greg would never take me back, even though I was pregnant with you.

You don’t need me anymore, Chris, and I can’t live without Greg. I’ve tried but I can’t.

I’m so sorry that I won’t be there for you anymore, darling, but you don’t need me. I love you, love you forever.

Your mother,
Jean.’

Tears were rolling down his face, and he set the letter down. His mother was gone – she was really gone.

***

Chris walked into Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital later that day and entered House’s office.

“Where have you been?” House barked. He had been in quite a difficult mood after having to push Jean away. Cuddy was the one who had given Chris permission to leave, and she hadn’t told House – she didn’t want him to rush off to Edinburgh to see Jean.

“My mother’s dead,” Chris said quietly.

House dropped his mug of coffee. “What?”

“She killed herself,” Chris continued, “Because you left her again. She wrote you this letter,” he said, handing him the note. “I’ll go down to the clinic.”

He left the office and House opened the letter with trembling hands.

‘I can’t go on without you anymore,’ it began, ‘I’ve loved you so long and needed you so desperately, and when you pushed me away again...

You never loved me, did you? That’s the only excuse I can think of for you pushing me away not once but twice. I can’t live without you, Greg, but it’s obvious you can live without me.

Goodbye, darling – goodbye forever.’

He rested his head in his hands and sobbed.

***

After he had driven Chris to the airport and returned home, he opened Jean’s letter to him. He had postponed opening it until he was alone again.

Sitting in their bedroom, his wife’s scent surrounding him, he opened the last letter she’d ever written to him.

‘Teddy,
What is there to say? I can’t go on pretending anymore. I tried, really I did, to make myself happy with you, and it did work for a long time. But the years went on and you didn’t listen to me...

I wanted children with you, I did, but you obviously didn’t want children with me. I wanted to have your children, I truly did, but that never happened.

When you decided that we wouldn’t have any more children, I wanted to return to teaching. Perhaps then I could be happier. But you said you didn’t want me to work, and then I grew steadily unhappier.

For so many years I wanted to go away with you, just the two of us – I felt that maybe I could forget Greg if only we had some time away from everything we knew. I wanted to love you, Teddy, believe me! I tried so hard to love you...

I can’t do it anymore. Not for another twenty-five years. I can’t go on...

I did love you, Teddy, but I can’t live without Greg. Not again. Not when these past twenty-five years have been so difficult for me.

What hurts the most, Teddy, is that you never listened to me, never took my feelings into consideration. We could have been happy...

Jean.’

He realised he was crying, tears streaming down his face as he looked at the last words his wife had written to him. It was all his fault – he was the reason she had killed herself. Oh, if only he had listened to her for all those years!

He set the letter aside and walked over to their bookshelf, taking a photo album from the shelf. Settling on the bed, he flipped through the album.

He studied the pictures, beginning with the pictures from their wedding. They were married at the registrar’s office, with two of Jean’s fellow teachers in attendance. One of them had been the one to take the pictures of them.

He studied Jean. Though he had looked at these pictures dozens of times, he had never noticed the sadness in her eyes.

He turned the pages, stopping at the pictures of Jean with their – her – son. She appeared to be happy, but studying the pictures, he saw that she was desperately unhappy.

All the pictures were the same – the only picture he saw when she looked absolutely happy was when they had gone to London for a day – and even then, it hadn’t been because he wanted to spend time with her – he was giving a lecture at the Courtauld Institute of Art.

Oh, he should have listened to her! He should have wanted to have more children with her, should have let her teach, should have taken her away for the honeymoon they never had!

Why hadn’t he loved her as she deserved to be loved? Why, why, why?

She was gone now – his wife was dead – and he had lost her forever.

[kissofdeath]

I LOVED the sad ending!

[micha]

I have to admit, that I liked the happy ending better than the sad, which surprised me, but the twist with the cardiac arrest came quite out of the blue , I thought it just was one turn to many - so *yeah* for the happy end (in this case ;D)

[lansburyfan1]

I have to admit I loved both endings even though the last one made me cry.