"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone you want the rest of your life to start right away"
"They're right over there," The lady pointed to a large, glass case.
Barry walked over and then looked into the case. He saw a lot of big ones, but he knew a small ring would be more Caitlin's style. There was two he knew she would love. The two rings were almost exactly the same, they had the same small diamond sitting on top of a nice band. The bands were different though, one was silver the other gold. The cashier came over to help.
"Have you picked one yet?" She asked.
"I like the small silver one and the almost identical gold one," Barry said as he pointed the two out.
"I think the silver one is nicer, but that's my opinion," The cashier told him.
"Then let's go with the silver one," Barry smiled.
The cashier took it out of the case, along with the black, velvety box. Barry walked with her over to the counter and paid. Just as he was walking out the cashier said, "Good luck, she's a lucky lady!' Barry smiled a thank you and then went back outside of the mall.
He ran back to the West house. By now everyone would be asleep, so he went back inside and set the bag with the ring in it on his desk. He got ready for bed and then climbed under the sheets.
Just as he was trying to go to sleep he remembered the pictures of him and Natalie and how much he loved them. He ordered the pictures to be printed at Walgreens so he could put them on his desk at the police station. After he ordered the pictures he went to sleep.
Joe walked in Barry's room early the next morning and saw Barry asleep in his bed. He was relieved he came home instead of sleeping somewhere else. Just as he was walking out he spotted a small, white, bag on Barry's desk. He decided to peek at it. When he looked in the ring box he was furious. He dropped it in the bag, not caring about the noise he was making.
"Joe?" Barry asked as he woke up.
"What is this?" Joe asked holding up the ring box.
Barry's eyes widened, he wasn't supposed to see that. "Nothing," Barry lied.
"This is an engagement ring Barry!" Joe shouted, waking Iris and Wally up.
"I know, I'm not an idiot," Barry sighed.
Wally put in earplugs and went back to sleep but Iris went into the hall to see what was going on.
"First you knock up Caitlin and now you want to marry her? You're out of your mind!" Joe shouted.
Earplugs weren't enough for Wally, so he got up and went in the hall with Iris. Iris felt tears stream down her face and into the corner of her mouth. The salty taste of her tears described her mood right now.
"This has nothing to do with you Joe!" Barry was screaming now.
"Nothing to do with me? I'm your father!" Joe screamed.
"Last time I checked Henry Allen is my father!" Barry screamed.
The whole world was silent. No one could believe what they were hearing. Barry rolled his eyes and used his speed to get ready. He grabbed the bag with the ring in it from Joe and ran to Walgreens.
He picked up his three pictures, the selfie, the picture with him and Natalie, and the first picture he ever saw of Natalie. He not only bought them, he bought frames as well. He slipped each picture into their frame and then ran to the police station for work.
He walked up the steps to is office. He put each frame on his desk and then hid the bag with the engagement ring under his desk.
Not long after he arrived, Captain Singh came up to give Barry his paycheck. As he handed him the paycheck he saw the pictures of Natalie and Caitlin.
"Who's that?" Captain Singh asked, referring to the pictures of Natalie.
"Oh that's my daughter, Natalie," Barry smiled.
"You have a kid? Wait, wait, you have a wife?" Captain Singh was surprised.
"I have a girlfriend and a daughter," Barry corrected.
Captain Singh's eyes widened and he walked away. Barry slipped the engagement ring in his coat pocket just in case and continued his work. Today he only had to go to work for half the day then he could go to STAR Labs and be with his real family.
Barry arrived at STAR Labs around lunch time. It was only Cisco there though.
"Where's Cait?" Barry asked.
"Coming back soon with pizza," Cisco informed him.
Barry sat in Caitlin's chair until she arrived. She walked into the cortex as she said, "I brought pizza! Oh, and a special guest!"
Natalie came trekking into the cortex. "Daddy!" Natalie cheered as she ran in for a hug.
Barry got up and bent down to catch her. He picked her up and gave her a hug. Caitlin took a picture of this totally adorable daddy-daughter moment. Cisco completely ignored the pizza and just stared at Natalie and Barry. He had never really thought of Barry as a dad.
"I'll be right back, I forgot the napkins and plates," Caitlin announced as she walked out.
Barry set down Natalie and then bent down to her height. "How would you like it if I married mommy?" Barry whispered to Natalie.
Natalie smiled, "That depends, did you get a good ring?"
Barry pulled out the box and opened it up to show her. Cisco's jaw dropped to the floor, never in a million years would he expect this to happen.
"How's this?" Barry asked.
"You have my approval!" Natalie smiled wider.
Barry smiled and put the ring back in his pocket before hugging Natalie. "Don't tell mom though, deal?" Barry made Natalie promise.
Natalie zipped her lips and threw away the key causing Barry to hug her again. Caitlin walked back in with the plates and napkins and everyone began to eat. After lunch, Barry and Natalie played while Caitlin and Cisco watched.
"Show me you running!" Natalie shouted.
Barry ran to the other side of the room and then he ran back. Natalie clapped and laughed. To keep her happy, Barry ran to an ice cream cart and got her a small, chocolate, cone. Caitlin wasn't very happy, but Natalie loved it.
Joe walked in on the fun. Barry sat down in the extra spinny chair and put Natalie on his lap so she could happily eat her ice cream.
"Did you find the metahuman?" Joe asked referring to the one that told Barry about being a dad.
"What's a metahuman?" Natalie asked.
"It's a bad guy with superpowers," Barry explained in his kid voice. "And, no, he hasn't shown up."
"Well you better start looking," Joe said, not looking Barry in the eye.
Joe walked out as Iris walked in. Seeing the little girl in Barry's lap made her cringe. Barry was oblivious to the fact that Iris knew, so his eyes widened. Barry stood up, taking Natalie off his lap.
"Sweetie I think it's time to go," Caitlin told Natalie feeling the tension between Iris and Barry.
Natalie had finished her ice cream cone, so she threw away the wrapper on the way out. Cisco left too. Before the three could fully leave Natalie went running back to Barry and he bent down to her height. The two embraced.
"I love you daddy!" Natalie yelled as she walked away, making Barry tear up.
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Dear readers,
Here's a nice long chapter. The ending is so adorable!
Going down the shore tomorrow, so I won't update until dinner time.
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Love, the author,
Elly :)