(Untitled)

[limping_twerpmd]

Since the portal's insanity seems to have finally died down, House plans to take the opportunity to get Jeannette her kitten. He hasn't even mentioned the idea to her, in case it's something he can't pull off, but now that there's an opportunity, that's going to change.

"Jeannie?" he calls. "Can you come here?"

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[no_glass_castle]

Shoving Snape's book into her hiding spot under her pillow, Jeannette hurries out of her room and toward House. It's sad that he can't play tag with her anymore, but it always makes her grin when she sees him out of a wheelchair.

"Yeah, Daddy?"

[limping_twerpmd]

"What do you think about getting yourself a kitten?" House is fully expecting joy at the idea. At least.

[no_glass_castle]

Jeannette's jaw drops open, eyes widening.

"A kitten?" she squeals. She hurls herself at his legs, stopping herself just in time. Bouncing, she grins up at him, nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah! I want a kitty! I'd take really good care of it."

[limping_twerpmd]

House grins down at her, shifting his weight so he can ruffle her hair. "Then let's go. We'll take Blender, too. The kitten needs to like dogs."

[no_glass_castle]

"Can Blender ride in back with me? It's lonely back there." Jeannette bounces again, grinning wide. "I'll go get her and we can go right now!"

She rushes off, calling for Blender as she begins to think of names for a cat.

[limping_twerpmd]

House grabs the keys to the Volvo--he's not taking his winter car, because it's a piece of shit and he has no idea how safe the backseat really is, but the Volvo's a tank--and hobbles over to the front door. "Can you hold her leash when we're there?" he calls. If not, he'll get his wheelchair instead.

[no_glass_castle]

She's roughly the same size as Blender and possibly weighs even less, but Jeannette yells out, "Uh-huh!"

Bringing Blender into the room, Jeannette plops onto the ground, slipping on her shoes before saying, "Daddy, I can't tie 'em myself."

[limping_twerpmd]

And House can't kneel yet. "Sit on the couch," he says, and when she does, he sits beside her, tying her shoes. "Want to learn how later?"

[no_glass_castle]

"Yeah," she agrees, watching him do it carefully. "Lori already knows how. She thinks she so much better than me, just 'cause she's seven."

Jeannette gathers Blender, heading to wait by the door. Petting the dog, she coos, "Be a good girl, Blender. We're going to get a kitty for us to play with."

[limping_twerpmd]

House is much more skilled on the crutches than he'd like to be, and it doesn't take him long at all to get to the door and open it. "We're taking Papa's old car," he tells Jeannette, clicking to unlock it. "What kind of kitten do you want?"

[no_glass_castle]

"A splotchy one. You know, the kind with patches. But I won't name it Patches because that's just uncreative and stupid." As House opens the door, Jeannette lets Blender bound into the back, crawling after him. "I just want a little kitty that I can take care of. Like you found me."

[limping_twerpmd]

"White and another color, or two colors?" House stashes his crutches in the passenger seat and slides in. Driving with only one leg working is never fun, but he knows what he's doing.

[no_glass_castle]

"I'm not picky," Jeannette says. "I want one that looks like he needs a home to go to."

She bounds up, petting Blender happily.

[limping_twerpmd]

"And that likes you, and gets along with Blender," House adds as he drives down their street.

[no_glass_castle]

"Of course." Jeannette squeals again. "A kitty! This is great!" She rubs her left arm, snuggling against Blender. "Thanks, Daddy."

[limping_twerpmd]

He smiles back at her. "You're welcome."

It's not a long drive to the shelter. When House pulls in, he turns to face Jeannette. "You have to keep a tight hold on Blender until I can sit somewhere, okay? I don't know what she's going to think of cats." Or what cats are going to think of her.