Part 21
Three and a half years later
Barry smiled as he looked at the ring he had just bought. It was perfect. The diamond was not too big. But not to small either. He knew that Caitlin was going to love it. Everything was set up. In less then a week he would ask Caitlin to marry him. He had already talked to her parents. He asked for their permission to ask Caitlin to marry him. He chuckled when Dr. Snow pointed out that Caitlin wasn't the type of girl that needed anyone's permission to do anything she wanted. Barry countered with that it was tradition to ask a lady's parents for their permission. They gave it to him. Now he just needed to set up the perfect way to ask her. He had an idea. But he was going to need some help. A lot of help in fact. He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Hey Kara, I need your help."
"What do you need Barry?" asked Kara
"I am planning of asking Caitlin to marry me."
"It's about time!"
"So you will help me?"
"Of course what do you need me to do?"
"Ok I am thinking of making a romantic dinner. My mom will help me with that don't worry. What I need you and the rest of the ladies to do is take Cait out for a spa day. Her parents will pay for it."
"The hard part will be to convince Caitlin to go."
"Oh she will go. I already told her that she need a day to relax. One week from tomorrow Caitlin will complete medical school. So Saturday the following day will be perfect to take her. I believe Alex completes med school at the same time."
"She does. Kelly finished her doctorate in psychology then too."
"Then it's a perfect way to celebrate."
"What time will we need to bring Caitlin home?"
"Seven. Thanks for doing this."
"Barry, it is not a problem. I have watched you and Caitlin since I moved to town. We all have. We knew you two were in love before you did."
"Yeah I know."
"I am so happy for you. For both of you."
"She hasn't said yes yet."
"She will you know it. I know it. The whole world knows it. Caitlin has been in love with you since before she even knew what love is."
"I know. But I am still nervous about asking."
"Don't be. Just be yourself. The lovable dork she loves."
"Yeah I know. Thanks for agreeing to do this."
"Barry, I want both you and Caitlin to be happy. I still can't forget that trick that the two of you pulled on all of us when you got together. You kept it from everyone for two weeks!"
"Not everyone just our nosey friends. Our parents knew the day we got together."
"Of course they did."
"Bye Kara."
/$/$/$/$/$/$/$/$/$/$
Barry hugged Caitlin after the graduation ceremony. He was so proud of her. She was now a doctor. Not only medical, but also got her PhD in biochemistry.
"I am so proud of you Cait." Said Barry kissing her.
"Thanks Barry. Next week I start my new job at STAR labs." Said Caitlin
"Yeah I know. Cait, I promise you that I am going to keep my promise to you. I will ask you to marry me."
"I know. You just ask when you are ready. You already know my answer."
"Yeah I know your answer. I just want everything to be perfect."
"Barry, just you asking will make it perfect."
"Just trust me. I have everything planned. But tomorrow you are going to have a spa day with the other ladies. Your parents treat. In fact it was your mom's idea."
"Mom, has been a lot better. We still aren't real close but we do talk."
"I know."
"You got something planned for when I get home don't you?"
"Yeah. I do."
"Ok. I will go have fun with the girls tomorrow as long as we have fun together tonight. Well after the big family dinner."
"Yeah our parents aren't going to let us out of that. But yes we will have a private celebration at home Dr. Snow."
"I will hold you to that Mr. Allen."
Barry kissed Caitlin and they headed off to join their parents. Barry had his arm wrapped around Caitlin as they joined their parents. They waved goodbye to Kara, Alex and Kelly who were going off with their families for dinner. When they arrived at the restaurant Barry pulled out Caitlin's chair and pushed her in before taking his next to her. Caitlin's mother ordered a bottle of champagne for the table.
"Caitlin, I am proud of you. Though I do wish that you would reconsider working at Tannhouser over STAR LABS." Said Carla
"Mom, we have been over this. I don't want to be in either of your or dad's shadow. I want my work to be judged by who I am not who my parents are. I am not saying that one day I won't come to work at Tannhouser. But I want to make a name for myself first." Said Caitlin
"We understand. In fact I am proud that you want to do this on your own. It's just neither your mom or I trust Harrison Wells." Said Thomas
"Dad, I promise that I will be careful. Cisco just got hired there too. So he will watch my back and I will watch his." Said Caitlin
"Just be careful honey. I don't want to see you hurt." Said Carla
"I will. Mom, I am glad that you care about me enough to worry." Said Caitlin
"I have always cared. I was just poor at showing it to you."
"Because you lost Charlie. You were afraid that if you let me close you would lose me too."
Thomas noticed Nora and Henry seemed confused but Barry did seem to know what Caitlin was talking about. He wasn't surprised that Caitlin had told Barry about the brother that she never got to meet.
"Henry, Nora, Charlie was our son. Caity's older brother. He died of cancer two months before Caity was born, he was two." Said Thomas
"We are so sorry to hear about that." Said Nora
"It was a long time ago." Said Thomas
"Still the pain never goes away." Said Henry
"No it doesn't. But I shouldn't have used that pain to freeze out my beautiful and brilliant daughter." Said Carla
"Mom, I have forgiven you for that. I understand." Said Caitlin
Caitlin got up and hugged her mom. They then spent the rest of the evening enjoying the time together.