The house was a picture-perfect scene of Christmas. Twinkling lights lined the roof, garlands hung meticulously over the fireplace, and the scent of freshly baked cookies wafted from the kitchen. Cuddy had spent days preparing for this, wanting everything to be just right for the visit. She had even pulled out old decorations from childhood, including the handcrafted ornaments made in elementary school. Cuddy was determined to recreate the magic of past Christmases, even if she knew her daughter wasn't a child anymore. The thought of her being away for months at college tugged at her heart. She missed her more than she ever let on and couldn't wait to hold her in her arms again, even if she knew she might squirm away like she always did when Cuddy got too emotional.

House, on the other hand, was perched on the couch, less interested in the festivities but still present in his own way. He watched Cuddy flutter around the living room with an amused smirk, occasionally throwing in a sarcastic comment about her overzealous decorating.

"You know she's 20, not 10, right? She's probably not going to care if the garland is perfectly fluffed," he quipped, earning a sharp glare from Cuddy. But beneath his teasing exterior, House was excited to see her too. He didn't say it aloud, he never did, but the months without her had left a void he wasn't quite sure how to fill. He'd thought about her often, wondering how she was adjusting to college life, if she was happy, if she missed them even half as much as they missed her.

When the sound of a car pulling into the driveway finally echoed through the house, Cuddy practically bolted to the door, her heart racing with anticipation. She flung it open just as her daughter and partner stepped out, bags in hand. Cuddy's face lit up as she pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, her eyes misting over as she whispered, "I've missed you so much, sweetheart." But when her gaze shifted to the partner, her smile faltered for just a moment. She hadn't been expecting this. Quickly recovering, she extended a hand with a polite smile, introducing herself warmly. Still, the presence of someone new, a significant other, was a stark reminder that her daughter was no longer the little girl she used to be.

House, meanwhile, stayed back, watching the scene unfold from the doorway. His eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the partner, sizing them up with his usual blend of skepticism and curiosity. He'd always been protective, and seeing her with someone she clearly cared about stirred something primal in him.

"So," he said as he leaned against the doorframe, his cane in hand, "you must be the boyfriend... or girlfriend. Or whatever." His tone was casual, but the sharpness in his gaze was unmistakable. He offered a tight-lipped smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"What's your name? What do you do? And, more importantly, do you have a criminal record?" His questions came rapid-fire, laced with sarcasm, but Cuddy shot him a warning look.

"Greg, stop it," she hissed under her breath, though she knew it was futile. House wasn't going to make this easy, and a small part of her didn't want him to. She appreciated his protectiveness, even if it was cloaked in his usual abrasive demeanor.