Reviewer, thank you all and find yourself below and read my response to you!
Fgfgmyfgtr – thanks but I do try my best. I hope you like this chapter.
Flash frost – yes I wanted her to be the female Cisco and it looks like it worked. Only one left after you've read this but then you can look forwards to the sequel haha.
AReiss215 – No Barry didn't asked Caitlin indirectly that he wanted to have sex with her again; he just wants to wake up Christmas morning and spend the morning with the two girls in his life. One chapter after this but I'm 4/5 chapters into the sequel so that should be fun. I'm actually a little nervous about the sequel as I don't know what people will make of it or if it can stand beside this one… I hope it can because I have received more reviews on this fic than I ever imagined. I thought I'd get like 4/5 on each chapter not what I did. That is why I feel the need to reply to every single person who reviews.
Guest – thank you, I do try my best to correct every mistake but some fall through the net haha.
Lolly – not going to lie I think Barry and Patty are cute but Snowbarry is still my OTP and nothing will replace that as for Cait and Jay I don't know how I feel about that just yet but it's not Barry so not completely happy about it but if the writers put them together then it has to be for some reason even if it's only to keep Jay around to help Barry maybe Cait thinks if she can start a relationship with Jay then he will stick around and he'll help Barry. In my head she's doing it for Barry and no other reason plus I live for a Snowbarry heart to heart.
Boba – I now Cisco needs a girl in the show and no, he's not going to propose but that would be fun because Barry would probably mess it up or something haha.
Deliriouz2468 – that is if Hayley makes it to the sequel it is five years later we pick it up haha. (Spoiler she probably will)
Mr Panda – why are you sad and enjoy this chapter… happy moment I think…
Foreveryoung07 – I'm in the middle of writing the Cait and Maddison focused chapter which looking at it will be chapter 4/5 of the sequel.
Ramen-luver101 – I don't get to see my niece and nephew much as they don't live near me but we are spending Christmas together.
RockinInMyName – the announcement is in this chapter so I hope you like it because this chapter is my favourite compared to every other chapter. I feel the next and last one might be a let-down and I should just finish this one here but I have the next one written so might as well use it.
Ecb523 – one chapter after this but I'm four chapters into the sequel so it will continue if that is what the people want.
Bluestriker666 – thank you so much… enjoy this chapter.
Snowbarryfordays – well I hope you like this chapter… I did fall a little bit in love with chapter.
I hope you enjoy this chapter, this is my favourite chapter I have written, so I hope you like it as much as I do…
I paced back and forth in Joe's living room while Iris, Eddie, Joe and Cisco sat looking at me, I had to tell them about Caitlin and I told her I would do it before she arrived which is going to be any moment now but I'm nervous, Iris already knows and she was happy for me but I don't know how everyone else is going to react to my news. I'm hoping they're happy for me – for us but until I can find the words to tell them I don't know how they will react. My gaze shifted to Maddison sat on Iris's knee and smiled, I know she will never judge me for anything I do in my life – if only everyone was like that.
"What's this all about?" Eddie asked looking around the small circle sipping on a beer.
I thought about what I said to my dad this afternoon when I went to visit him and I told him straight out and he was more than happy for me, happy that I had finally found someone who made me happy but he's always liked Caitlin since the first time he met her so I didn't have any worry with that and I know the group in front of me all know Caitlin and well. I just don't know if they'll like the idea of us together. I mean we work together she is a key part of my team at S.T.A.R Labs but will they like the idea of me dating and being in a relationship with her?
"What do you want to tell us?" Joe asked calmly but I could tell from his eyes that he was worried about my announcement no doubt thinking the worst thing possible.
"You're no running for mayor like Queen are you?" Eddie asked moving to sit on the edge of the sofa looking at Iris as if she had the answer which she did.
"No I am not running for mayor" I rolled my eyes as if I have time for that. I already have a day job, a secret life and a daughter to look after where would I fit being mayor of Central City into it?
"You've knocked some other girl up?" Cisco shot at me which I returned with a glare.
"One child is enough" I responded wiping that idea straight off the table, I already have my hands full with Maddison now that she's walking I have to watch every move she makes without adding another baby into the mix.
"How about we let Barry tell us without sitting here guessing" Iris shut the both us, both slumping back into their seats in defeat.
I took a couple of deep breaths and focused on Maddison as this announcement also involves her, Caitlin is going to be some sort of mother figure to her and personally I couldn't think of a better female role model for her, I mean Caitlin is smart, independent and always goes after what she wants.
"For so many years I was hung up on someone I knew I could never have" I started looking at Iris as I was talking about her. "In my mind I knew it would never work and that it was just a school boy crush but I could never let it go and then all off a sudden my eyes were opened and I found someone new to be hung up on, someone I can be crazy about and someone who makes me happy and I mean really happy"
"So all this is to tell us you met a girl?" Cisco asked as I paused to gather my thoughts.
"Why didn't you invite her tonight, I mean one more mouth to feed isn't that bad" Eddie shrugged looking at Iris who just shook her head at him as she knew who I was taking about and that she would be here any moment.
"I did invite her tonight" I informed them looking at Joe who had a small smile on his face which I took as him being happy for me.
"Do we get a name for this mystery woman?" Joe finally spoke as the doorbell rang.
Walking towards the door, I pulled it open to see Caitlin stood on the other side and all the tension and nerves I felt disappeared replaced with a smile, I took the pie out of her hands holding it in one of mine. looking back to the living room to see all eyes focused in this direction with a deep breath I took Caitlin's hand in mine and stepped back allowing her to enter the house, closing the door behind us.
"Are we getting a name or not?" Cisco asked always being the inpatient one of the group.
Rolling my eyes I let go of Caitlin's hand and wrapped my arm around her shoulder pulling her into my side as hers went around my waist holding on to me as tight as I was holding onto her. Our eyes met as we smiled at each other hoping Cisco would get the answer he wants, he's smart enough to work it out himself.
"You all better pay up" Joe clapped his hands together. "I told you this would happen, a man knows his son"
"Let me get this straight, you and Caitlin?" Eddie asked looking between us both confused.
"It's great, I'm so happy I'm not the only one who knows anymore. I've been waiting for this moment for almost three months"
"Oh man, now I gotta put up with you two in the lab" Cisco slumped into his chair while handing Joe what looked like twenty bucks.
"You all bet on us?" I asked as money exchanged hands.
"Yes and these three said it wouldn't happen but I know you" Joe folded the money, sliding it onto his pocket. "Christmas just got better" he clapped his hands together standing up from his chair. "Who needs a top up; Caitlin would you like a wine?" he took the pie from my hands and headed towards the kitchen.
"Just a soda please, I'm driving" she replied releasing her arm from around my waist and going into the living room.
I stood by the door as I watched her greet everyone, a hug from both Iris and Eddie, fist bump with Cisco and then she picked Maddison up and kissed her cheek while looking at me. I smiled and made my way back into the living room to joint them, sitting down on the sofa next to her, feeling as if the weight of the world was now off my shoulders, leaning in I pressed my lips against her knowing we didn't have to hide anymore. We're free to show affection towards each other whenever we wanted to, keeping it a secret for almost three months has been hard but it was for the best as it gave us a chance to get to know each other properly without interfering from others around us.
Dinner turned out to be better than I expected, Barry did what he said he would and told the group before I arrived which I was thankful for as I don't think I could have stood or sat there and told them, I had expected to have questions thrown at us throughout dinner but they never came and I couldn't have been more relieved.
Sitting in Barry's apartment in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate having just finished placing all the presents under the tree for when Maddison wakes up in the morning I couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a while I will be spending Christmas with someone I want to, not being forced home to sit through family arguments and awkward silences around the table, this year I will be spending it with my new family but most importantly Barry and Maddison. They are my home, they are my own little family and I couldn't be happier than I am right now, sat here in front of the fire with Barry, the glow of the fire lighting up his face with Miracle on 34th street playing in the background, one of my favourite Christmas movies, a movie I've loved since I was a kid. Our knee's touched as we sat looking at each other crossed legged.
"Do you ever wish you could freeze time at a certain point in your life?" Barry finally spoke breaking the silence that had fallen between us.
"Deep thoughts?" I asked placing my hands onto his knees, resisting the urge to climb onto his lap and cuddle up with him in front of the fire.
"I was just thinking that I would freeze time right now if I could because it's perfect, I have you and Maddison and I've never been happier and I want to stay like this forever" his long slender fingers started to play with mine.
"That would be perfect" I sighed wishing we could stay like this forever, cooped up in our little bubble. "You never know you might have the ability to freeze time and you don't know it yet" I raised my eyebrow at him knowing he probably can't but it would be nice if only for a couple of hours to freeze us like this. I looked around me, the tree, decorations the stockings hanging above the fire, mine filled by Barry, his filed by me and Maddison's filled by both of us and just imagined what it would be like to freeze time but we kept living within it while no one else did.
Barry let go of my hands and crawled towards the tree "I want to give you one of my gift now as tomorrow is about Maddison" he grabbed a small box from underneath it before returning to his spot in front of the fire.
"I'll get yours" I went to the tree and grabbed his main gift I got him.
"Do you want to go first?" he asked looking at the neatly wrapped gift in my hand.
"It was your idea, you go first" I know we shouldn't open them until tomorrow morning but Barry did have a point that tomorrow will be about Maddison so why not do it now while we're alone.
"No, ladies first" he smiled. I nodded and handed him my gift wondering if it as the right gift to get him.
I sat biting my lower lip as he ripped the paper off, dropping it to the floor as he opened the box. "Cait I can't believe you got me this" he took the watch out of the box and studied it. "I've been looking at this for ages"
"I know, I went back and got it because I knew you wanted it" I smiled due to the smile on his face. He had first seen the watch in the store window on our trip to the mall with Maddison and I knew he wanted it as he stood talking himself out of it, telling himself that he had a daughter to support now and he can't waste money on watches and other material goods but knowing how much he wanted it. I went back a month ago and got it for him knowing how much he wanted it.
"Thank you so much, I love it" he smiled handing me his gift "I hope you like it" he awkwardly smiled, almost nervous.
"It's from you how can I not like it?" I asked pulling at the paper covered in snowflakes from the box.
Looking between the small felt covered box and Barry I slowly opened the lid making a small piece of paper fall onto my lap. Picking it up, I found a little note written in Barry's handwriting. "The most important gift I can give to you this Christmas is the key to my heart" I read aloud feeling tears flood my eyes as I looked inside the box to see a necklace with a small key pendent hanging from it with a heart at the top. "Oh my god Barry" I looked up at him as a tear slid down my cheek.
"Do you not like it?" he questioned a worried look on his face.
I shook my head no, "No I love it, my gift sucks compared to this" I laughed thinking about how much effort he must have put into this." Thank you, can you help me put it on?" I asked taking the necklace from the box and handing it to him.
"Your gift is perfect, I love it" he replied taking the necklace from my hand and moving behind me.
Turning around I lifted my hair up, his hands going around my neck, his fingers brushing against my neck as he secured the clasp before letting it dangle around my neck. "I know it's cheesy but it's the truth" he said pressing his lips against the skin by my ear. I took the small note and placed the small note inside the now empty box not wanting to lose it.
"It's perfect" I told him turning around to look at him, wiping the couple of stray tears from my cheeks. "I love you" the words left my mouth before I even knew what I was saying but I didn't care, it was the truth I did love him and I couldn't think of a better time to tell him for the first time.
"I love you too" he smiled our lips meeting in a passionate kiss.
Threading my fingers in his hair, Barry's hands on my waist we lost ourselves in each other. If Barry does have the ability to freeze time then I wish he would do it now because I never want to forget this moment, I will not forget this moment for as long as I live.
"Merry Christmas Cait" Barry whispered rested his forehead against mine.
"Merry Christmas Barry" I whispered back before my lips found his again.
Gripping the bottom of his white t-shirt I pulled it over his head and discarded it within the room somewhere as we both sank to the floor, my legs wrapped around his waist as he supported his weight on his arms, the hot chocolate and movie long forgotten, all I wanted now was Barry - us being one together and nothing more. Pushing myself up into a sitting position forcing Barry back onto his knees I pulled my sweater over my head and dropped it onto the floor between us, the small chill in the air being replaced by the warmth of the fire beside us allowing my fingers to then roam over his muscular chest and abs.
I really hope you like it … for once I am happy with this chapter.
Only one chapter left which is Christmas day... and yes Maddison will be in that obviously
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