May Kristin West was born on a beautiful summer morning. The weather was perfect and birds were singing. Sun light was beaming softly through the white hospital curtains illuminating the pale baby's face, as if God himself was smiling down on this tiny angel. Mary West held her daughter with so much joy in her heart. She was just as happy when Wally was born yet she always wanted a little girl to love. A little girl who could go to the salon with her, someone she could mentor, a little girl she could teach all about boys, and yet…she could tell something was not quite right. While the child herself was beyond perfect, the energy coming from her easily angered husband, Rudolph West, was eerie. Mary cooed and cuddled the swaddled bundle, Rudolph was hesitant to even touch the child, the opposite reaction he had when Wally was born. When Wally was born Rudolph was more than excited, he was nearly prancing around the room talking about how his son would be the smartest and toughest boy in school and make them proud parents. Yet now he was silent, forcing a smile for the people in the room. Mary knew he wanted another boy, but could he really hold resentment towards a baby? The thought quickly left her mind as her 5 year old son, Wallace West, came running into the hospital room.
"Wally, come meet your new baby sister." Mary kept her voice quiet as to not disturb the sleeping baby. Hesitant, yet smiling, the toddler perched on his toes to get a better view of the waking bundle. Mary pulled the pink cotton blanket away from the baby's face to allow the boy a better view. As soon as Wally looked into those watery emerald green eyes he knew he would be her protector, he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, that was his job as the older brother. May was fragile, soft, and adorable, he wants her to stay that way forever. This was the moment Wally vowed to be the best big brother he could. They would grow up together, play together and would be each others best friends, he couldn't wait until she was old enough to play in his tree house with him.
A year and a half passed and the West family reunion was in preparation. Mary was running around the kitchen tossing salads and icing cupcakes and Rudolph was marinating meat and warming the grill. Wally sat on the living room couch with one year old May on his lap, being sure to stay out of his parents way. The two were enthralled in a TV show about a purple dinosaur when May started to cry.
"Hey, May, what's a matter? Are you hungry?" Wally looked down at the pink squirming baby.
"Wally? What's wrong?" Mary popped her head into the living room.
"I don't know." The six year old Wally handed the baby to his mother.
"I'll take care of her, why don't you go finish up in the kitchen."
"Yes ma'am!" Wally was happy to get off his butt and move around.
"My goodness it looks like someones cranky." Mary bounced the bawling baby on her hip, bringing her up to the nursery for a nap. Only three minutes passed before Mary was back downstairs helping her son finish the food with May fast asleep upstairs.
"Is she okay?" Mary chuckled at her sons over protective behavior.
"She's fine, just tired." Wally tilted his head confused.
"But she didn't do anything. How can she be tired?" This caused Mary to giggle at the child's innocent eyes.
"Baby's have to sleep a lot more than grown ups, they have quite a bit of growing to do so their body's get pretty tired."
"Oh, is that why I used to have nap time?" Mary ruffled her sons bright red hair.
"That's right sweetheart."
"So since I'm not a baby anymore and I don't have nap time, does that mean I don't need a bedtime either?"
"Nice try, Wally."
An hour passes and some guests have already shown up, the party starts with cousins, grandparents and a lot of food. However there were two more guests Mary and Rudolph were expecting that have yet to arrive. At least until the doorbell rings. Mary rushes to the door, excited to welcome the new arrivals.
"Iris!" In the doorway stood a young woman no more than twenty five with red pony tail and a tall blonde man on her arm.
"Mary!" The two excited women hug and the young gentleman looked a bit out of place and felt more than awkward as the ladies started to gossip. "Oh! I'm so sorry! Mary this is my husband, Barry Allen."
"Ah! The mystery man finally reveals himself, how was the wedding?" Barry stepped into the house following the women into the kitchen.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. West, and the wedding was wonderful thank you for asking." Barry was an incredibly friendly man with a smile that could melt hearts.
"Please call me Mary, I'm not that old yet." The three adults laughed.
"I wish you could've been there Mary." A solemn look passed Mary's face at Iris' regret.
"So do I but you know Rudolph, he does whatever his father does and unfortunately Ira was not so keen on the idea of you getting married so young."
"I swear I love that man but I won't forgive him for ostracizing Barry without even meeting him." Barry once again felt very awkward.
"Come on Iris, let's try to get on their good side while we're here." His smile working over the red head woman.
"You're right Barry, let's get this over with and say hi to everyone." Just as the three were leaving through the back door into the backyard a young boy came running in bumping into Barry and spilling his soda on the blonde's polo shirt.
"Wally!"
"Oh! I'm sorry! Um…who are you?"
"Wally! Be polite, this is your new uncle, your Aunt Iris' husband." Mary rushed to dry the spill before it stained, Barry on the other hand could care less. He was more focused on the furious mustached man grabbing his son by the arm, yanking him away from the adults. Barry knew the women were talking to him but he channeled them out listening to the yelling man.
"Damnit Wallace! What did I tell you!? You are not supposed to be running around like a lunatic and so help me God if you say 'The Flash runs around' one more time then you won't leave your room for a week!"
"Barry?"
"Huh?" Barry turned to find his wife looking at him and Mary holding a clean shirt.
"Mary said you can borrow Rudolph's old shirt while she washes yours."
"Oh, thank you Mary, thats very kind." Barry slips on the old t-shirt, giving the polo to Mary for her to throw in the wash. "Iris, who is that kid?"
"Oh, that's Wally, Mary and Rudolphs little boy."
"Then I assume that man yelling at him…"
"Is Rudolph, yeah." Just as the two looked over again at the young boy and his angered father Wally was sobbing quickly making his way through the living room and up the stairs. "Poor Wally. Maybe I should talk to him, I know he always liked me." Barry chuckled at Iris' statement.
"Who couldn't like you?" Iris bumped him with her elbow.
"Oh hush you." Before Iris had the chance to follow her nephew Rudolph approached.
"I'm sorry, he's young and very clumsy. You must be Barry?" The polite mask Rudolph held was obvious and Barry hated it, but he played the game for his new wife.
"Yes sir, it's a pleasure to meet you, and don't worry he's just a kid, it's really not a problem."
"Yeah Rudy, he looked really upset. Did you have to be so hard on him?" Iris chastised.
"Unfortunately, I did. Otherwise he'd never learn." Silence overtook them and before another could speak a baby's cries could be faintly heard over the party outside. "Crap. I was hoping she'd sleep through the whole party."
"Oh! That must be your new baby! May right?" Iris was excited to meet the new member but was disconcerted at Rudolphs every growing annoyance.
"Yeah, she's a little over a year old now. Poor Mary's been taking care of her nonstop. I swear she's more trouble than Wally when he was a baby." Iris laughed pretending it was a joke but Barry knew better. He decided to interrupt before Rudolph got to angered by the crying of both his children.
"Well, all babies are different. Maybe you and I could grab a beer, huh?"
"Please." The two men left leaving Iris alone in the kitchen. From the corner of her eye she saw Mary running around trying to get people drinks, serve food and now the crying of her baby had her distracted. Iris approached the frantic woman.
"I'll go check on her Mary, don't worry."
"Thank you Iris! You're a life saver! If she's hungry there's formula in the fridge." Mary continued to run around more efficiently now that Iris was taking care of May. Iris went up stairs and listened for the ever growing baby wails, finding her room at the end of the hall. Opening the door she found the little orange haired baby reaching up and looking for attention. Iris was happy to oblige.
"Poor baby, you just want some lovin'." Iris cradled the child until her cries turned to coo's. Iris never held a baby so precious before. May's bright green eyes sparkled from the remaining tears as she relaxed into the mysterious woman's arms. "Wanna come downstairs and join the party?" Iris playful voice and tiny bounce got a small smile and giggle out of the baby. "I'll take that as a yes." Iris took the child through the hall and now that May had stopped crying she could hear another small whimper, it must be Wally. Iris knew which door was his and knocked with her hand not cradling the baby's head. "Wally? It's Aunt Iris, are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you." His voice was scratchy and shaky, making it obvious he was not alright. However she didn't want to pry and decided to let him try to relax on his own, she'd come back if he wasn't down within the hour.
"Okay sweetheart." Iris said softly through the door.