Reviewer, thank you all and find yourself below and read my response to you!
Raquel – I'm sorry to hear that but happy you're back. You've been with this fic since the beginning might as well be here for the last chapter (insert crying face here). My leg is good; I'm having my cast off in a couple of days and having a boot fitted so it will be easier together around. I really hope you like this chapter and that you come back for the sequel. Thank you for sticking with me this far, I know it hasn't always been easy so I really appreciate it.
Fgfgmyfgtr – Maddison wasn't there, she was in bed and it was late and a good job as well as her 'parents' got down and dirty at the end haha.
Flash frost – but there is the sequel to look forwards too.
AReiss215 – I know I can't believe we're here, I don't think I've ever loved anything I've written as much as this and now it's over I want to cry or something. I don't know what I'm going to do without it but I've had this chapter for weeks so I should really be prepared for this but now I'm posting it, it's feels real now but I have the sequel to focus on but this will always be my favourite I think as it's the main one I've focused on and for a fic I planned on doing on chapter for thinking no one will like the idea. I can't believe how much I've written for it or the response it got. I'm going to go and cry for a while now.
Badlxnds – well enjoy the last chapter and I hope you do come back for the sequel, more information at the bottom.
Lolly – we doesn't love Christmas? And that is the only reason I will accept for Caitlin and Jay and nothing else and no one will convince me of anything else.
Boba – thank you I know it took a while but I'm happy it went in that direction in the end. I hope you like the last chapter.
Foreveryoung07 – I know you would probably like that but for now you will have to use your imagination haha.
Bluestriker666 – thank you… enjoy the last chapter.
Snowbarryfordays – sorry but as you know this is the last chapter but you can look forwards to the sequel if that helps.
Clashofthelegends – if I help I feel sad because I've spent so much time on this and now it is over. I feel like making it even longer than it is so I don't have to finish it but enjoy the last chapter.
This is the last chapter so all I will say is – thank you for spending your time reading, reviewing and following this story… it really means a lot to me. when I started this I expected to get around three reviews on each chapter but you all amazed me on every chapter with the response I got to it so thank you yet again and I really hope you all come back for the sequel and enjoy that just as much as this fic.
I'll let you get on with it now but please read the notes at the end as there is more information down there…
Stretching my arm out I was greeted by cold sheets instead of Barry making me inwardly groan. Rolling onto my stomach I looked at the clock sitting on the night stand to see it wasn't even seven yet so why he wasn't in bed I don't know. Rolling back onto my back the events of last night came flooding back to me, grabbing the small key hanging around my neck I couldn't help but smile and for once an actual genuine smile and not one of my forced ones I used to show the world to tell them I was ok but a real smile and the reason for that smile was now MIA from the bed.
Getting out of the bed, I pulled my panties on and grabbed one of Barry's t-shirts from the floor throwing it over my head as it came down to my mid-thigh. Running my fingers through my hair as I wanted to look somewhat presentable, I left the bedroom and went in search for Barry, his apartment isn't that big meaning I should easily find him but I am disappointed he isn't in bed with me. I followed the sounds of quiet singing to find Barry stood in the kitchen cooking breakfast and my smile grew bigger.
"Well isn't someone full of joy this morning" I said leaning against the door frame watching him. He stood mixing something in a large bowl in only his boxers. A sight I could defiantly get used to. The muscles in his shoulder contracted and released the tension as he continued to stir whatever was in the bowl.
The quiet sound of Christmas songs died as he turned around to face me and a smile took over his features, a smile that reached his eyes.
"What is there not to be joyful about, it's Christmas and I had the best night last night" he replied walking over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Merry Christmas Barry" I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his and for once I didn't care about my morning breath.
"Merry Christmas Cait" he mumbled back against my lips pulling me tighter against his body.
"Why did you leave me? I asked wishing we were back in bed together. Just so then I have another opportunity to get lost with him under the sheets again.
"I wanted to make breakfast before I got Maddison up, I'll have to feed her before she opens her present or else she will never eat" he laughed burying his nose into the crook of my neck. "But looking at you now makes me want to take you back to bed"
"Very tempting Mr Allen but didn't I tired you out enough last night?" I asked feeling a slight blush cover my cheeks.
"I recover quickly remember" he laughed into my neck sending a shiver down my spine.
"I'll have to try harder next time" I tilted my head back allowing him better access as he started kissing up and down my neck. "If you carry on you'll have no option than to take me back to bed" I groaned as his lips met the junction of my neck that met my shoulder.
Barry laughed against my neck before pulling his head away and looking at me, almost as if he was looking right into my soul. "Breakfast shouldn't be long"
"I'll go and get you little bear" I pressed my lips against his once more before unwrapping my arms from around him.
"Are you ever going to forget that?" I heard him ask as I left the kitchen and went towards Maddison's room to get her.
"NOPE IT'S CUTE" I shouted back as I pushed the door open to Maddison's bedroom. I looked at her crib to see her stood at the bottom of it with a smile on her face as a way of a greeting. "Merry Christmas Little Miss Allen" I picked her up, pressing my lips to her cheek as I left the room and headed back to the kitchen where I left Barry.
This is defiantly the best Christmas I have ever had and I don't think anything is going to ruin it.
"Oh wow you really shouldn't have" Barry said looking at the socks in his hand which I bought as a joke. They had the flash emblem on them and when I saw them I had to buy them him for a joke.
"Barry you don't have to pretend to like them, I got them as a joke" I told him noticing the way he tried to smile but looked as he wanted to burn them or something.
"Thank god, I mean I know I'm the flash and everything but do I really need flash socks" he asked staring at them no doubt wondering what to do with them. "Then again the tag does say run faster than the flash so does that mean they will make me run faster?"
"I don't want to burst your bubble but I think that's just a marketing thing" I bit my bottom lip trying not to laugh at how hard he was concentrating on them. No doubt wondering if they will make him run faster.
"I'll wear them next time and we'll see" he laughed placing them onto the floor beside him. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the next present from under the tree which was also for Barry.
"Maddison do you want to give daddy your present?" I asked holding it out to her. I went onto my knees as she took the gift from my hands and help her carry it as she took it to Barry.
He took the gift from Maddison and sat her on his lap as he opened it. "Wow, this is you again isn't it?" he looked at me.
"Santa" I reminded him with a shrug.
So what if I bought an extra gift for him from Maddison, no one else thought to buy one so I did. "Cait this is awesome" he smiled at the wireless speakers which is something else I knew he wanted as his other in his lab hardly work anymore.
"Well you did buy Maddie a pretty awesome dolls house which she could probably live in" I told him only trying to guess how much it set him back. Looking at it made me want to live in it let alone some dolls.
"Is it wrong that I'm worried about what Cisco got her?" he asked wide eyes because Cisco doesn't realize that she is only one and his gifts in the past have been a little inappropriate.
"I think he's learnt from her birthday, how he thought a one year old needed a skateboard I don't know" I laughed remember the conversation that went down after Barry and Maddison opened that gift. I think everyone in the room was in shock and had no idea what to say. "It looks like that is everything for now until we get to Joe's, why don't you play with Maddison and I'll clean the kitchen up" I suggested wanting Barry and Maddison to spend some alone time together before she's bombarded with people at Joe's later this afternoon.
"Bear do you want to play with your dolls house or rocking horse?" I heard him ask as I left them alone and went into the kitchen.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS" Iris shouted as went entered Joe's house taking the three of us by surprise.
"She's a little excited, she's been awake since five" Eddie said looking feed up already.
"Barry you said you would wear it" she pouted looking at Barry. "You promised"
"I looked like an idiot in it" he placed the gifts down on the living room floor.
"I tried, believe me I really tried to get him to wear it" I laughed, the imagine returning of Barry's pouty face when he was getting dressed an hour ago.
"No worried, I got a spare" she threw a Christmas sweater at him
"She made me wear on" Eddie said looking down at the thick Christmas sweater with Rodolph on the front with his light up red nose.
"Me too" Joe came into the room looking just as impressed as both Eddie and Joe. The difference being Joe's had a big Santa on the front. "So you can man up and put it on, we had too"
Pouting Barry took the sweater he was wearing off and out the thick Christmas on one with a snowman on the front, His face mirroring both Joe and Eddie showing his disapproval. "I feel stupid and it's itchy" Barry said looking down at the snowman now covering his chest. I bit the inside of my cheek trying my hardest not to laugh at him, I knew Iris had planned this for weeks and even roped me in to help and looking at the four of them looking ridiculous made it all worthwhile.
"I don't know what you're all complaining about" Cisco said coming out of the kitchen with a drink. I turned to look at him to see Iris had also made him wear one, only his had a tree on the front and was light up in all different colours.
"I'm sorry but I need a picture" I said pulling my phone front my bag. "Get together" I pushed Barry over to stand next to Joe, Eddie and Cisco.
"Big smiles its Christmas" Iris said as I snapped the photo, all but Cisco putting on a fake smile making us both burst out laughing at them.
"How about we do gifts now?" Joe suggested.
"Maddison you are going to love mine, be right back" Cisco jumped excitedly before running out of the room.
"What do you think it is?" Barry asked worriedly.
"No idea, he will not let anyone see it" Joe said sitting down on the sofa. We all joined him waiting for Cisco to return, all of us looking as nervous as Barry. I just hope he listened after I told him what is and isn't a good gift for a one year old.
"Maddison prepare to pee yourself"
"She does that anyways" Eddie said making us all laugh
Cisco re-entered the room sitting the smallest bright pink electric car wrapped in a large white bow, I think I've ever seen. It isn't the worst thing he could have gotten her but is it really age appropriate for a one year old, I'm not too sure and from the look on Barry's face he must be thinking the same.
"Isn't she a little young for that?" Joe asked taking the words out of my mouth.
"Nope that's the beauty of this thing" Cisco rolled out of it onto the floor before quickly picking himself up again.
"It come with a remote control meaning Barry can drive it while she's in it until she's old enough to do it herself" he handed the remote to Barry, a large and proud smile on his face.
"You do realise we live in an apartment the size of a shoe box?" Barry asked looking between the car and Cisco almost in shock at what he was seeing.
"I know but you can keep it at the lab for when she's there or even here so she can go in the garden or the street with it" Cisco pointed out as if we was all stupid for wondering when or where she was going to play with it.
"I don't believe this, my one year old daughter had a car before me and it's an Audi" Barry shook his head, still in a daze at what Cisco had done.
"Miss Maddie let's take your new wheels out for a spin" Cisco took the remote back from Maddison and sat her in the car and fastening the little seatbelt before heading towards the door to go outside.
"Be careful" I said after them as no one else thought to do so, especially Barry who looked in a state of shock.
We all sat and watched them go before turning to each other none of us knowing what to say, now I know the little car has a remote that lets an adult control it, I don't think it is the worst gift Cisco could have gotten her. It beats the skateboard for her birthday.
Having finished eating the mountain of food Iris had made, I topped up my wine and grabbed Barry a beer before going into the garden where Barry was stood at the bottom. Making my way down to join him being careful because of the snow and ice as the last thing I need is a broken bone as a gift for Christmas. I handed Barry the beer even if it did nothing for him but he looked like he needed it. I wrapped my arm around his waist and rested my head on his shoulder as any second now I might just slip into a food coma due to the amount I've eaten today.
"It's cold out here" I said as Barry wrapped his arm around my shoulders pulling me close into his side.
"I needed a little air, this thing is horrible" he started pulling at the sweater making me giggle a little at his behaviour.
"I'll stay with you, I could do with some air" I smiled even if it was a little cold. Since we arrived here we haven't gotten one minute alone together so this can be it.
"Maddison really likes her rocking horse" He pressed his lips against the top of my head making me snuggle closer to him.
"I had one when I was little and I loved it, even after I outgrew it I still kept it because it meant the world to me" I told him remembering the black rocking horse I got one Christmas off my parents and I loved it.
I would always sit on it until I got too big for it then it just sat in the corner reminding me of happier times. I planned to give it to my own child when I had one but my parents trashed it during my first year at college when they decided to move to the other side of the country and didn't even think to ask me if I wanted it. I was devastated when they told me they had cleared my room out and could come and collect what little things I left behind. When I entered my room to collect what I wanted it was gone and when I asked my parents about it they told me that trashed it as it was just in the way now. I could have cried right there, I was saving that for my own child but that dream was taken from me, so when I saw it in the store I had to buy one for Maddison and hoped she would love it as much as I loved mine when I was younger.
"So what were you so deep in thought about?" I asked changing the subject wondering what he was thinking hard about when I came out and disturbed him.
"I have one last thing for you" he said turning to look down at me.
"Barry you shouldn't have gotten me anything else, you've gotten me enough" I told him as he's already given me the necklace last night, this morning he showered me with little things like my favourite perfume, chocolates and things like bath salts as he knows about my love for taking long baths to relax.
"It's not really something to give you, more ask you" he replied making me even more curious.
"Go ahead, I'm listening"
"Today has made me realise something" he said which made me even more curious. "And I was wondering if you would move in with me, well us. I know I need to move and why not move in together and get our own place. I've been thinking about it for a while now and I've finally admitted I do have to move and I would love to live with you but don't feel you have to say yes. So why do you think?" he blurted out taking me by surprise.
"We've only been together three months" I thought aloud trying to wonder if us moving in together is too soon or not.
"I know but we've wasted so much time already and I don't want to waste anymore" he replied turning to stand in front of me, his eyes looking into mine which told me he was being serious and he really did want us to live together.
Sipping at my wine I thought more about my answer, Barry is right we wasted enough time as we both was too afraid to admit how we felt towards each other, we wasted months because of it and would living with Barry be so bad? I don't think so but what if it is and we end up ruining what we have by moving in together. I don't want to do that because both Barry and Maddison mean the world to me and I don't want us moving in together so soon to ruin what we have but on the other hand it could make us stronger.
If we moved in together then it could bring us even closer as a couple and a family, I would wake up next to Barry every morning and get to share my breakfast with him and Maddison instead of alone or in my car on the way to the lab and I will have someone to come home to at night and to fall asleep next to every night. It is the next step in our relationship and it would have happen later on down the line so why not now.
"Let's do it" I smiled at him, the pros out weight the cons so why not jump in head first and see what happens?
"Really?" Barry asked the worried look of me turning his idea down vanishing.
"Yes, let's find a new place together, let's live together" I smiled finally the idea of living with Barry settling in and bring a large smile to my face.
"Now we have so much to talk about, apartment or house. Where in the city" he started listing off things we needed to talking about.
"How about we wait until after the New Year and then we can deal with it then, I mean we can't do anything to after then anyways" I shrugged stepping into his arm to share in his body warmth.
His arms closed around me, holding me close to his chest and it made me realise I'd made the right decision because why wouldn't I want to live with him and Maddison. Why wouldn't I want to fall asleep in his arms every night and waking up to him every morning and it all made me realise how lucky I am to find someone who wants to try and build a life with me, someone who loves me just as much as I love him.
As this is the last chapter I feel disappointed as it didn't turn out the way I wanted but I wrote this four times and realised I couldn't keep writing it even if I wanted to… if only to keep the story going for long because I feeling a little sad that this story is over… it's like letting my baby go but I now have the sequel to work on which I hope you all like… it will be out sometime next week but I will let you all know when on here as I post a little something to let you all know.
I'll tell you all now that the sequel is going to be called Aftershock!
If I get 8+ reviews then I will post the sequel this week.
Thank you for reading.