Caitlin watched as Barry washed the same dish that had been in his hands for the past ten minutes. She knew her husband was on edge. How could he not be? They were about to meet Drew for the first time. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Barry jumped half a foot into the air. Caitlin bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from laughing.
"Try to remember he's just a nervous as you are. And, don't go too hard on him, alright?" Caitlin asked, before making her way to the door and letting in the fifteen-year-old guy. She smiled at him.
"Hello, Drew," she said, and accepted the flowers Drew handed her.
"Hi, Mrs. Allen. Abby told me pink daisies were your favorite," Drew greeted her, and Caitlin nodded.
"They're beautiful, thank you. C'mon in, Drew," she said, and he followed her in, taking in their home.
"You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Allen," he complimented her, and she smiled.
"Thanks. And, you can call me Caitlin," she added. Just then, Barry appeared.
"Hello, you must be Drew," he greeted him, and Drew bobbed his head.
"And, you must be Mr. Allen," he said.
"Mr. Allen was my father. You can call me Barry," Barry replied.
"Abs, Drew is here," Barry called up the stairs, and Abby peered her head around from the bannister, before grinning brightly and walking down the stairs.
"Hey, Drew," she greeted him with a hug, and Caitlin felt her heart warm at the sight. Chancing a glance at her husband, she rolled her eyes as he frowned.
"Will you stop?" Caitlin mouthed once she caught his eye, and he frowned further, before nodding.
"Let's get into the living room, kids. I made some tea," Caitlin said.
Drew and Abby followed behind her, with Barry behind them. They all sat down, after Caitlin passed out the tea.
"So, Drew," Caitlin began. "Abby tells me she shares a few classes with you?"
Drew nodded. "Yes, English, History, and Biology."
"What's your favorite class?" Caitlin asked curiously.
"History," he grinned, and she matched it.
"It's a good subject," she agreed.
"The best," Drew said.
"What are your plans for the night, son?" Barry asked, and Drew looked at him.
"I was thinking pizza and a movie," he replied.
Abby nodded her head. "We're going to see the new film that was released last week."
Just then, Charlie peered her head in.
"Are you Drew?" Charlie asked, and he nodded.
"And you must be Charlie," he grinned at her. She matched it.
"I am," she replied.
Charlie sat down next to her mom, studying Drew.
"Don't hurt her," she said seriously, pointing at Drew.
"Char," Abby groaned, rolling her eyes.
"She raises an excellent point, though," Barry agreed. Abby looked like she was ready to melt into the couch. Drew chuckled.
"Trust me, I don't plan on it. I've liked your daughter for quite some time, sir. I'm not going to mess up my chance now that I've gotten one," he promised earnestly, and that eased some of the tension around Barry's eyes. Drew looked at Charlie.
"Got a boyfriend?" Drew asked, and Charlie scoffed.
"Boys are gross," she said, scrunching up her nose. Caitlin smiled warmly at her daughter, curious about something, but knowing she'd ask at a different time. Drew laughed a little.
"Can't argue with that," he agreed, and Charlie hummed. The family stayed talking with Abby and her date for a bit longer, before deciding they should leave if they wanted to beat the dinner rush.
"Remember, Abs, ten-thirty is your curfew," Barry said, and she nodded.
"I know," she replied, hugging him briefly. Caitlin still reveled in the fact that Abby didn't think she was too old to be hugged by her parents.
"I'll have her home at ten," Drew promised, and Caitlin nodded in approval.
"Thank, Drew," she replied. She knew they needed to go if they were going to catch their bus on time. Barry had originally wanted to drive them, but that thought mortified Abby. No matter how many hugs she gave out, she didn't want her dad being in the car with her on her first date. Caitlin opted for the bus idea, since it wasn't too far from their home, and Barry agreed, saying he'd just give Drew a ride back home instead of catching the bus that late at night. It was the best Abby was going to get.
After they saw them out of the house, Caitlin shut the door, turning around to look at her husband, who had a faraway look in his eye.
"You alright, babe?" Caitlin asked softly, walking towards him and wrapping her arm around his waist.
"Yeah, just thinking," he said wistfully.
"About?" Caitlin prompted.
"I miss the days when she'd wake me up because had a nightmare. Now she's on her first day and I'm the one having the nightmare. She's not my little girl anymore," he sighed. Caitlin kissed his shoulder blade.
"She'll still need her dad. She'll always be your little girl. We've just got to let her live her life as she grows up," she murmured, and he nodded his head.
"Yeah, I know," he said quietly.
"You've still got another daughter who thinks the whole world of you, don't forget that, either," she reminded him.
Barry laughed a little.
"Maybe we can build a fort with Char, like we used to do with Abby when she was little," he said.
"I'm sure all you have to do is mention the idea to her," Caitlin encouraged. Barry kissed her quickly, before walking off, calling for Charlie. She smiled a bit, feeling a little older than she had that afternoon. Her eldest was on her first date, and her youngest was growing up, too. She wanted to freeze time and keep them where they were. Knowing that wasn't possible, she just vowed to herself to enjoy the moments that she spent with her daughters, cherishing the times they came to her when they needed something. Everything else would fall into line. And that was good enough for her.
Author's note: Short prompt about the Allen's meeting Drew. I'll be getting to other prompts this weekend. If you have any for me, drop a comment. Xxx