Part 3

Caitlin watched as Crystal slept curled up next to her. They had been on the train for nearly nine hours. In a few minutes it would come to a stop in Central City. After six long years she had returned and would face the man she left behind but still loved with her whole heart. As the train stopped Caitlin woke her daughter up.

"Crystal honey time to wake up. We are going to have to get off the train soon."

"We're there?"

"Yes honey we are here."

The train came to a stop it was fifteen minutes later that Caitlin and Crystal made their way off the train with the help of one of the workers. They made their way slowly through the station. Caitlin spotted the woman that had treated her like family the first time she had met her. She hit with an nearly over whelming feeling of guilt at denying the woman a chance to know her granddaughter. Nora spotted them and made her way over to them.

"Caitlin?"

"Hi Mrs. Allen. Could we just head back to the house? Crystal is really tired and should go to bed." Said Caitlin

"Of course. Let me help you with those bags."

Caitlin let Nora take the duffle bag and one of her suitcases. Then the three of them headed out to the car. After the bags were in the trunk of the car Caitlin made sure Crystal was buckled into the backseat and then got in the front passenger seat. Nora got in the driver's seat and they headed for the Allen house. It was five minutes into the drive that Nora spoke.

"How long was he hurting you?"

"A little over five months. He started a few weeks after we moved in together. He never touched Crystal."

"Caitlin, you should know that Barry has never been with Iris. He hasn't even spoken to her since he confronted her about what she did."

"Mrs. Allen, I am not upset any more about what happened. I will talk to Barry. But right now I need to get my own life back on track."

"Of course. But will you answer one question?"

"Crystal is your granddaughter. I am sorry I didn't call and say something sooner."

"We can talk about that later."

Caitlin just nodded. She had a lot of explaining to do. Nora pulled into the driveway of a house she had spent a lot of time in once. The front door opened and Henry Allen walked out of the house. Caitlin stepped out of the car and Henry wrapped her in a hug.

"Henry will you help us get Caitlin's daughter in the house. I prepared Barry's old room for her. Caitlin is going to be in the guest room across the hall. We will grab the bags." Said Nora

"Of course."

Henry easily lifted the slim nearly six year old out of the back of the car. Nora helped Caitlin carry the bags in. Caitlin taking Crystal's suitcase and backpack into the room she would be sleeping in. Henry had already laid her down on the bed and removed her shoes.

"Thank you Dr. Allen. I will change her into her pajamas." Said Caitlin

"I think you might need help with your wrist in that cast."

"Actually I don't. This is not the first time I had to change her with a broken wrist. Though the first time was about two years ago. I was in a car accident and wrecked my car beyond repair. But I don't see Mr. Ruffles. It's a stuffed dog. If she wakes and he is not here she will not go back to sleep. Could you check to see if he was left in the car?"

"Of course. I think he fell on the floor of the car."

"Thank you."

After changing Crystal into her pajamas and tucking her and Mr. Ruffles who had been rescued from the car into bed Caitlin kissed her goodnight. As she turned out the light Caitlin smiled as she noticed Nora and plugged in Barry's old Superman nightlight. Caitlin walked out to find Nora waiting for her.

"I made some tea. I think it's time the three of us have a talk." Said Nora

"Yeah. Mind if I change into some sweats and a t-shirt first?"

"Of course. You want to shower?"

"No I am fine until morning."

"Ok. Ten minutes?"

"Probably less."

After changing Caitlin walked down the stairs and headed into the kitchen. She sat at the table with the parents of the man she was still deeply in love with.

"I am not sure where to start." Said Caitlin

"How about the night you left? Why you didn't let Barry tell you what really happened?" asked Nora

"I have always been insecure. After my dad died the only person I could count on was my brother Charlie. My mom even before that never had time for me. So when Barry and I got together I couldn't believe that he felt that way about me. Testing as a genius made me a target full bullies. So when one of the more popular boys in school showed an interest in me I thought it was a joke at first. But Barry proved me wrong. He still hung around with Iris who was my biggest tormenter since first grade. So you can understand how much it hurt to walk into Jitters that night and see them kissing. Iris saw me and smirked at me over Barry's shoulder."

"Honey, Barry had no idea you were there. Iris planned that to hurt you." Said Nora

"I know. Charlie told me two years ago. He saw Eddie at their class reunion. I should have told Barry about Crystal before now. I should have told both of you about your granddaughter. Charlie told me after she was born I should do it. But I thought Barry was with Iris and I don't want her anywhere near my daughter. I am sorry I denied you your granddaughter for the past six years. I didn't even know I was pregnant until after I left. She was born eight and a half months later."

"There was no way to know that early. What are you going to do now?" asked Henry

"Let both of you and Barry get to know Crystal. Find a job and a place to live. Rebuild my life."

"How long was he abusing you before you decided to leave?" asked Nora

"Not even six months. I was planning to become a doctor. But that didn't end up happening. I did become a physician assistant though. I had a job at a clinic in Hub City that catered to the poor. The pay wasn't much but I got by. I saw a lot of woman that came in victims of abuse. Richard and I were together nearly a year and a half. It wasn't until six months ago when we started to live together that the abuse started. When he broke my arm last week I started to plan on leaving. When he threatened my daughter I knew I had to leave now. He is a cop and was going undercover for at least a couple of weeks so I knew it was the best time. So my friends Valarie and Linda came over helped me pack took most of my things and put them in storage. They will send them once I have a more permanent place to live. Valarie took me and put Crystal and me on a train and here we are."

"You could have gone elsewhere but you came here why?" asked Nora

"Because I wanted to be with people that while maybe upset with my choices. But I know that they still care about me."

"We do care about you Caitlin. Why don't you go get some sleep. We can talk some more tomorrow." Said Henry

"Goodnight. I am sorry."

"Just get some sleep." Said Nora

Caitlin finished her tea and then headed up to bed. Henry and Nora followed shortly after.