A/N: Another chap! To the guest reviewer who was eager for more asap, sorry for the delay! I'm posting fics in the order I wrote them, but there should definitely be more updates of this one coming soon! I'm writing chapter 19 currently, so there are many chaps ready to post. Thank you for your investment!
*Many thanks to sendtherain for beta'ing.
Chapter 5 -
After supper, Barry insisted on helping his mom with the dishes and putting away food. He knew Iris wouldn't offer, but that wasn't why he himself stood up to do it. Truth was he usually helped his mom with the dishes after supper when he came over - but even that wasn't the entire reason he was doing it now. The reason in full was to get away from Iris and give himself some time to think about what the hell was going on between the two of them and, more specifically, with her.
Iris West had made it very clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. He was fine with that. He wanted nothing to do with her either. And yet, when his mom suggested he take her to the festival later in the week, she was nothing if not enthusiastic.
Of course, it could all be a ploy, a façade in front of his parents. She could very easily make up an excuse later, and so could he, but right now not knowing was killing him.
He hated how easily she'd gotten into his head, and he hated how she'd gotten his parents to adore her, not knowing her for the spoiled, indecent brat she was.
He supposed for the time being, he had to let things go as they were. The whole situation was obviously out of his control and in hers. The best thing to do was to get out of here as soon as possible and forget about Iris West until he absolutely had to focus on her again, most likely by taking her to the festival.
"Are you all right, honey?" Nora asked, stopping to scrub the dishes and tilting her head in her son's direction. "You're awfully quiet."
"Just a long day," he said.
Nora didn't appear to be completely convinced, but when Barry insisted on finishing up the dishes himself, she chose to accept his excuse and join Henry and Iris on the front porch.
"Iris, have I told you how darling you look in that dress?"
Iris looked up as Nora stepped out onto the porch and came to sit beside her husband on the bench.
"I believe you did," Iris said with a smile. "But I don't mind hearing it again."
Nora shared in her smile and took her husband's hand in her own.
"Well, you do." She glanced at her husband and then over at Iris again. "So, what do you plan to do while you're here, Iris? Aside from going to the festival, of course. Surely you don't plan on staying at the house all day every day."
"Well…I don't exactly have means to travel," she pointed out. "And no offense, Nora, but you're not close to anything in town."
"None taken," she assured her. "Henry and I wanted to get away from the center of town, and many of the guests we've had appreciate the countryside."
"As do I," Iris said. "It's a breath of fresh air from where I come from in the city."
"But you enjoy the city, don't you?"
Everyone turned around to see Barry standing in the doorway, a dish towel over one shoulder.
"Barry, honey, come sit with us." Nora patted a wicker chair beside the bench, but her son politely declined.
"Thanks, but I've got to be heading back before it gets dark." The mournful look on his mother's face made him continue with, "I'll come by tomorrow, okay? Bring you some more flowers."
Nora gushed as she went to her son and kissed each cheek.
"My beautiful boy, you don't have to do that."
He smiled, putty in her hands. "I want to."
"Shall I put some food in a container for you to take home?"
"Nah, I've got stuff in my fridge. Thanks, though."
He started to walk down the steps when Iris' voice stopped him.
"What are you doing tonight, Barry?"
Nora's quiet gasp was unmistakable.
"Probably just going home," he said, sounding bored to tears. "It's been a long day."
"Mmm."
"You know, Barry," Nora said, joining him on the last step. "If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could take Iris in town with you tonight."
His eyebrows narrowed. "Why would I do that? I just said I'm going straight home."
"We both know that's not true, son," Henry piped up next to Iris.
Iris was clearly amused.
"Huh?" Barry asked.
"You're going to see Oliver, and the two of you are going to go out to a bar. That's how you blow steam off almost every night, and it's what you're going to do tonight. Isn't it?"
Barry shocked. His mouth fell open.
"Maybe see if Felicity is free," Nora encouraged.
Barry frowned and turned to his mother.
"Why Felicity?"
"She's so friendly! I'm sure she'd love to show Iris around tonight."
Somehow Barry doubted that.
"You know, that's okay…I don't know if I'm up for going out," Iris said quickly.
Nora turned towards Iris.
"What's wrong, dear? Aren't you feeling well?"
"Just tired," she assured.
"See, she's tired. Just like I am. And no, that does not equal me going out with Oliver. At least not tonight." Henry seemed unconvinced. "He's got a date."
"Well, I know when not to push too hard," Nora said, clearing her throat. "Goodnight, Barry. I'll see you tomorrow."
He bent down some so she could kiss his cheek.
"Goodnight, Mom." He glanced over at Henry. "Goodnight, Dad." His eyes flitted over briefly at the third party. "Iris."
"Barry," she said, not really trying to hide her amusement.
The three of them watched as Barry walked down the gravel driveway to his truck, got inside and drove away. Henry and Nora went inside then, but Iris stayed and watched until the vehicle was nothing more than a speck in the distance. Following which, she went inside and went up to her room to get into something more comfortable.
As soon as she reached her room though, she realized the task would be more difficult than expected.
She hadn't been the one to perfectly align and button the buttons streaming down the back of her dress to the base of her neck.
She cleared her throat and leaned out into the hall.
"Nora?" She waited until she heard an affirmative response. "Can I get your help with something for a minute?"
…
The next morning as breakfast was coming to an end, Nora Allen broached the subject of the day's activities with Iris.
"Iris." She dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin. "Dear, have you thought about what you're going to do today?"
Iris glanced up at her, embarrassed to not really have an answer. She shook her head timidly as she swallowed another bite of pancakes.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed, dear," Nora said, reading her so well as she lay her hand over hers. "I was just asking." She cleared her throat. "I was asking because I thought…well, maybe you want to go into town today? Do some shopping? Some exploring? I know you can't possibly want to just stay at the house the whole week you're here, and the festival doesn't start up for another couple days."
Her brows furrowed together.
"But how would I-"
"Get there?" Nora asked, and shared a knowing look with her husband. "Well, it just so happens Henry here will be going into town to pick up some things from the hardware store." She smiled at him, and then looked back at Iris. "Barry could pick you up on the way back when he comes over for supper."
"Again?" she blanched, her irritation slightly showing until she registered the couple's curious stares in her direction. "I mean…" She cleared her throat. "He comes over every day? For supper?"
"Just about," Nora said happily.
Henry leaned towards Iris to whisper conspiratorially.
"He's always been a bit of a mama's boy."
Iris offered a weak smile that turned into a genuine one when Nora burst in with, "I heard that!"
This couple was so adorable. Iris envied them for what they had. She wanted that. She wished she had parents like them growing up.
"Well, I'm up for it if Barry is." She tried to smile, but it came across a little strained. Or at least it felt that way. She was not looking forward to a long car ride with Barry where he whined about how inconvenienced he was about driving her, even if he was heading for his parents' house anyway.
"Oh, I'm sure he will be. He likes you."
Iris almost spit up her drink.
"I don't think he does actually," she said, going with the truth.
Nora frowned. "Why do you say that?"
Iris held her breath. Dare she tell them she'd been a total bitch to him when they first met, even though she still 100% stood by what she'd said and done?
"He helped you button up your dress yesterday," she pointed out, saving Iris from having to answer.
"You're right," Iris said, swallowing her distaste for the moment. "That was very…kind of him."
She ignored the curious look Henry was giving her.
"And he's taking you to the festival!" Nora cheered, making Iris' ability to fake enthusiasm even more difficult.
"Uh-huh…"
"Nora, darling…" Henry interrupted, placing his hand over his wife's. "Perhaps we should…"
"Oh, right, of course. I'm sorry, Iris. Sometimes I get ahead of myself." She leaned forward. "I want grandchildren so badly."
Heat surged into Iris' face as her eyes bulged open.
"Okay!" Henry announced, pushing his chair back. "Why don't you go and get ready, Iris. I'll meet you at the door in say…15 minutes?"
Iris nodded gratefully.
"That sounds like a good idea." She pushed her chair back in after getting up. "Thank you for breakfast, Nora," she said before turning away. "It was delicious."
"You're welcome, dear," she said, a frown in her voice.
Iris high-tailed it up the stairs and shut the door to her room a little louder than she'd intended, a chill spreading across her skin as goosebumps appeared out of nowhere.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Henry gave his wife a knowing look. He waited until she registered it.
"What? Did I do something?"
"Grandchildren?"
Nora sighed. "Too soon?"
"They've known each other a day."
She nibbled on her bottom lip.
"Well, I do want them. And I know our Barry is just perfect for Iris!"
"You said that about the last girl that stayed here too."
Nora pouted.
He shook his head and smiled, pulling her in.
"Come on, I'll help you with dishes."
Nora grinned and let him lead her into the kitchen, a pile of dishes in each of their hands.
Upstairs behind the closed door, Iris opted to wear the dress she'd come to town in yesterday. Nora had washed it for her the night before and had it ironed and ready to wear this morning. The red, black, and white number was one of her favorites, but if she was exploring town today, she knew she'd have to wear something else. Something a little more fun and summery. Some short-shorts and halter tops maybe. Some cute sandals and dangly earrings too.
The more she thought about it, the more fun a shopping spree sounded. Her only problem, of course, was where to put everything during the day if she went on to do other activities.
Maybe the store could hold everything for her…
They certainly didn't mind doing that in Central City.
But then in Central City, people knew her. Paparazzi followed her. Everyone and anyone bent over backwards just to do her bidding. It made her feel powerful and important and special. But it also made her feel incredibly alone. It was almost impossible to form a real connection with anybody.
Either way, she was a long way from home. She couldn't count on limos and assistants and chauffeurs to be beside her at a moment's notice. Those things likely didn't even exist here.
Gathering up her purse, rummaging through it to make sure she'd have everything she'd need in an eight-hour period, Iris flung the strap of it over her shoulder and put on a brilliant smile, determined to not bring up the grandchildren comment, and hopefully Nora would follow suit.
Just as she was about to leave, she remembered her phone sitting on the bed. As she picked it up, it started to vibrate. A familiar name flashed across the screen, and she smiled, answering immediately.
"Hey, Wally! What's up?" She beamed, forever enthused to talk to her brother.
His response was not so friendly.
"Where the hell have you been?"
