Author's Note: I should mention very quickly that in this fic Barry doesn't have superpowers. Caitlin will not be getting her powers either. I just wanted to clear that up a bit. Anyway, here is chapter two! Also, I apologize if my description or playing of pool doesn't make sense. I don't play it myself but I tried to incorporate it here by looking up what I could lol.
With Caitlin in his arms, the world felt at a standstill. Every part of him revolved around her and he was eager to soak up every part of her; her scent, the way she smiled, the way she breathed while she slept, the way she looked at him with love in her eyes. As the woman slept, he kept his arms firmly draped around her, his own breathing calm and relaxed. Wanting to wake her, he gently nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck and pressed feathery kisses onto her skin. This caused her to stir and his heart beat more erratically as nervousness flooded his core. His lips dragged upon her skin until she groaned underneath him. "Wake up," He prompted, pressing one last kiss to her ear.
"Why? What time is it?"
"It's early, I know." Barry had been up since five o'clock in the morning, making breakfast for Caitlin. He whipped up an omelet, her favorite, some bacon, hashbrowns with bell peppers and pancakes.
Peeling her eyes open, Caitlin wiped the sleep from her eyes though she was groggy. Shifting in the bed, she turned to face Barry. "What's the rush, anyway?" She asked him, curiosity dripping in her tone.
"No rush." Barry kissed her lips delicately. Gingerly, he wiped some hair from her face and pushed it behind her ear. "I made you breakfast." He added after a pause between them.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," He quirked a smile on his face, his eyes brightening at the sight of Caitlin's grin.
Pressing one last kiss to her forehead, Barry climbed out of bed and walked over to the desk. He picked up the tray the food sat upon and carried it over to her. Propping it up on the bed, Caitlin sat up and her smile grew, her dimples showing on her face. "Barry Allen, how'd I get so lucky?" She wondered aloud.
"You just did." He answered, handing her a fork and knife.
Caitlin wasted no time in cutting into the omelet and bringing it to her mouth. She chewed it around and closed her eyes, savoring the taste of the food. "There's really nothing you can't do." She had yet to find a solid piece of evidence that Barry Allen was bad at something. He continued to surprise her in the most blissful of ways.
As she polished off her dish in a peaceful silence, she brought her apple juice to her lips and took a sip. Caitlin's eyes fell upon the small table next to the bed, a little box sat idly. "Barry, what's that?" Her caramel hues swiveled up to her boyfriend who sat on the bed propped up next to her.
"Uh," His eyes flicked over to the small box where the ring sat perfectly. "Well," He began, clearing his throat. "I got you something."
"Oh?"
Scratching the back of his neck, he tried to piece together the words he wanted so desperately to tell her. His heart beat uncontrollably, his palms began to dampen with perspiration. "You see," He started. "You're so important to me, Cait. You're the one who makes me smile, makes me laugh, makes me feel good. I'm head over heels about you. Nothing in this world is as special as you are."
As he confessed these things, Caitlin's face grew warm, her cheeks flushing a rosy tint. She moved more of her hair behind her ear, growing sheepish almost. The thumping of her heart became a heavier rhythm, her eyes not tearing from his as they meshed perfectly in line with sage hues. Barry made her feel the same way, but she'd let him finish before she'd speak up. He was easily the best man she'd ever known, ever became involved with. She loved him more than she could describe; words were not enough to convey her love for Barry Allen.
"I love you in the kind of way that I see a future with you. I can't picture myself without you, Cait." He finished, bringing the small box to her, he popped it open, revealing the ring he'd picked out for her.
Caitlin's eyes widened as she peered down at it. It was so unexpected of Barry, and she instantly knew what he was going to ask her next. Still, she fell breathless, unable to mutter out a word. Her mouth dried slightly, in shock, she gazed back up at him with teary eyes.
"Will you marry me, Caitlin Snow?" Barry proposed, his eyes searching hers for any sign that she'd say yes.
Nodding her head rapidly, Caitlin's tears streamed down her face in joy. "Yes, yes I will."
The sheer amount of happiness Barry felt shone in his emerald eyes. He quickly wrapped his arms around his now fiancé, pulling her into a tight embrace. Kissing the side of her head a couple of times, he brought his face to hers and showered her with passionate kisses. Tearing his lips away, he kept his face in close proximity of Caitlin's. "I love you, Cait."
"I love you, too." She replied in a whisper.
Taking the ring out of the box, Barry placed it upon her finger, that wide smile still spread across his features. His own eyes teared up and he tried to blink away the tears but failed miserably. They streaked down his face, mirroring Caitlin's own teary cheeks. Barry brought another series of kisses to her lips, each one delicate but affectionate.
Unbeknownst to them, Eddie and Iris were in the doorway, Iris' face lit up ecstatic. Yet, she remained silent, basking in awe of her friends and their engagement. The other pair had seen most of the conversation between Caitlin and Barry. And without breaking up their moment too much, Eddie smoothly clapped his hands together a few times.
Caitlin looked past Barry's shoulder, she laughed mildly and released her hold on her fiancé. She walked over to Iris and looped her arms around the woman's shoulders, giving her a gracious hug. Rubbing her back marginally, she tried to blink away her own tears but they kept flowing. She was so joyous that she couldn't stop them from cascading down her porcelain cheeks. She could remember the last time she felt such excitement swell in her heart, it had been the day that Barry had proclaimed them boyfriend and girlfriend. It was on a Christmas Eve, and much like how he'd proposed, he'd given her an adoring little speech before asking her to be his.
"Congratulations," Iris said to her, almost in a whisper, a large smile stretched across her lips.
Eddie walked over to Barry and gave a firm pat on the shoulder to his friend. He didn't say a word but simply gave Barry that same smile he had the night before, his pearly teeth showing. He gave Barry a look, as if to say way to go, man.
Sitting atop a blanket, Caitlin gazed up at the sky, stars ablaze against the pitch black of the night. She held her legs to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. She smiled to herself, inwardly and outwardly. She couldn't believe the man of her dreams had asked her to marry him. It was thrilling yet nerve wracking as she knew all the planning she was going to have ahead of herself. Yet, she wanted this. Caitlin wanted it more than she could've said aloud, more than she could have processed in her mind.
"Where's Cait?" Barry wondered.
"I think she's outside in the back." Iris informed the brunette.
The forensic scientist slid open the patio door and took his leave from the cabin. He strolled down the steps and spotted Caitlin sitting atop one of the blankets they had towed along with them. This was one of her favorite spots to ponder things over, or maybe it had been her favorite spot. Barry wasn't quite sure, yet he could find her there pretty often. Sitting behind her, he draped a casual arm around the woman. "Hey, you," He greeted.
Caitlin chuckled, pressing her back into his warmth. "Hey," She returned, her voice still buzzing with happiness.
"Why are you out here all alone?" He questioned, curiosity slipping into his words.
"I just wanted some time to think." Caitlin hummed.
"About what?"
"About everything." She let out a generous sigh. "I'm thinking about you and me, the planning of the wedding, who we're going to invite. It's not overwhelming but I know it's a lot of work."
"And I'll be there every step of the way to help," Barry promised, rubbing a comforting hand along Caitlin's back.
She beamed, her eyes remaining on the stars above. "I know you will." The woman breathed. "You're literally the perfect man."
Barry chuckled at her words. "I wouldn't say that."
"I would." Caitlin decided. "I want it all, too. Everything you mentioned earlier. The future? I see nothing but you in mine." She expressed, honesty shining in her admittance.
"I know," Barry confessed. "I see it in your eyes every day." And it was true. Every time he gazed into her chestnut orbs, he could see clearly how much Caitlin loved him and how much she adored him. It caused butterflies to crash in his chest, in his stomach. Yet, Barry relished in every feeling he felt when it came to Caitlin Snow. "And soon, you'll be my lady forever."
Forever.
When it came out of Barry's mouth, Caitlin found it felt familiar and comforting, not foreign. She could picture herself with no one else. She always spoke so highly of Barry to her friends, her parents, her colleagues. Everybody in her world knew that mister Barry Allen was the person she wanted her forever with. Nothing could ever change that.
"A forever sounds like it has such a long meaning by definition but with you, I don't think it's long enough." The woman insisted.
"Me either," The scientist agreed. "But, I'll take it." He added.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything else," Caitlin admitted.
"I can say the same thing." Barry continued to stroke her back.
She cherished the warmth that radiated throughout her being at Barry's touch. Her entire core felt at ease, as if she were in a tranquil state of mind whenever he was around. She felt as though she could see clearer, think less intensely. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything that you bring to my life," The brunette mused.
"Thank you, too." Barry pointed out, bringing a kiss to the back of her head. His gaze turned skyward as well. He saw a small flash light up the night, a comet passing by. That's when he made a wish.
I wish to love Caitlin for the rest of my life.
"Okay, we're heading out!" Iris called to her husband, the morning sun shining through the opened cabin door.
"See you later, honey." Eddie waved at both the women. They were leaving to go shopping, just like Iris had promised Caitlin.
"So, a few games of pool sound good?" Barry suggested.
"Definitely." Eddie agreed.
"Just so you're aware, I've been working on my shot and I think I may one-up you this time." Barry boasted, his lips smacking together.
"I highly doubt it, Allen." Eddie retorted. Usually, he was the winner when they played pool together. He had a sharp eye and it gave him an advantage that his coordination was also better than Barry's.
"We'll see."
Both males made their way down to the den of the cabin. A pool table sat idly in the middle of the room, a dart machine vacated a wall nearby. A small mini bar was stashed away in the corner and Barry grinned to himself. He loved this part of the cabin. They had some great times in this very room and he could recall the first time he taught Caitlin how to play pool.
FLASHBACK
They had a bit too much to drink and it showed. Caitlin's eyes were dilated, Barry's too, but they both laughed upon the stools they sat. She placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to steady herself against her boyfriend.
"Where do you come up with these jokes?" She wondered.
"The guys at work." Barry simply stated.
"They're terrible." The doctor quickly responded, taking another sip of her martini.
"You just don't have a sense of humor," Barry teased her.
Her mouth sat agape, "I do so!" She protest, lightly smacking the male on the shoulder.
"I'm kidding." Barry laughed harder, enjoying the way she protest and how it stirred the other brunette whenever he teased her about things like that.
"Some jokes are just too irrational." Caitlin responded.
This caused Barry to laugh more, he had trouble breathing at this point. "Okay, no more bad jokes or puns. I mean it."
"Good," The woman shook her head, polishing off her martini.
"Wanna play a round of pool?"
"Me? Play pool?" She shook her head a second time.
"Why not?"
"I don't even know how to play pool." Caitlin admitted.
"Please," Barry coaxed her, putting on his best puppy dog face. "I'll make it worth your while."
"And how do you intend on doing that?" She questioned him, her brows elevating with interest.
"I'll take you to one of the greatest science museums in the country."
She pursed her lips briefly, chewing over the thought in her mind. "Fine," She finally caved. "We'll play a round of pool."
Barry brought his arm up and bent it downward at the elbow in a fashion of celebration. "Cha-ching!"
Caitlin merely rolled her eyes with a scoff and a chuckle. "Well? Don't make me change my mind."
Barry grasped hold of her hand and walked her towards the pool table. He began collecting the balls and brought over the triangular bracket, shaping the balls perfectly inside. Despite being a little tipsy, he was still in control of his coordination enough to do this. Yet, even sober, sometimes Barry was as clumsy as they came. After forming the triangle of balls, he removed the bracket and set it aside. He grasped two pool sticks off the wall. Passing one to Caitlin, he took hold of the cue ball.
"So, now what?"
"We take this ball." Barry grabbed the cue ball. "We line it up and we strike at the other balls." He simply instructed. "Once we pocket one, one person plays stripes and the other person plays colors. Whoever pockets all their balls and the eight ball first wins. However, if you pocket the eight ball before you pocket the other balls, you lose."
He made it sound very black and white and Caitlin nodded in understanding. "Who goes first then?"
"You can."
Shaking her head generously, she let out another small laugh. "Why don't you show me how it's done?"
Barry shrugged his shoulders. "Okay." With that, he took his cue stick, lined it up and brought it crashing into the white cue ball, watching as it broke the balls and they spun around the table. He pocketed a striped ball and turned to face Caitlin. "I guess I'm stripes."
"So, I'm colors?" She tilted her head, the martinis were definitely getting to her.
"Mhm."
She walked over to the table and lined up her stick, however, she took aim and tried to charge the stick forward, failing at hitting the cue ball. Barry paced over to his girlfriend and grasped hold of her arms, helping her steady her aim on the table and with one swift movement, he plunged her other arm forward and watched the stick crack against the cue ball. "Just like that."
As Eddie broke the straightened balls, he banked a colored ball and a striped ball. "Stripes it is."
Barry simply smiled generously, the memory of Caitlin's face burning in the back of his mind.
"What?" Eddie was confused by the smile gracing Barry's lips.
"Nothing, nothing. Let's just play."
