Honestly, Laura wasn't exactly looking forward to Christmas.
After the chaos the man in yellow had wrecked, she would have very much preferred to sit at home alone, listening to some non-festive music while enjoying several glasses of fine wine. had decided to stay home after almost being beaten to death by their newest adversary, and Laura could relate - she was almost ashamed to admit that every time she came home, she found herself checking and double-checking the locks.
There was also the change in her abilities that she had to deal with. Despite Ronnie's reappearance, Caitlin seemed to be looking forward to performing tests on her in the next few weeks, which only assuaged Laura's concerns for her friend somewhat. However, Laura had yet to inform the others about the more significant change in her powers. Some part of her wasn't just ready for that to come out yet, at least until she had it figured out.
Still, despite her reluctance to celebrate considering the current circumstances, when Joe had pulled her aside earlier that day to invite her to their holiday party, she hadn't been able to refuse. The look on Barry's face as she'd headed home to clean up told her that he would need the holiday spirit, and after that it had been settled. Which meant not only was she spending Christmas Eve with other people, but also that she needed presents.
The door swung open a few seconds after she knocked, and Laura smiled when she saw Barry standing in the doorway. He looked a little worse for wear, but she knew that she probably didn't look much better. Underneath her sweater was more than a few injuries her cold hadn't been able to heal, but at least the bruises around her throat had faded.
"Sorry I'm late."
"It's no big deal. Come on, I'll get you some of Grandma Esther's eggnog."
Laura gave Barry a grateful look as she hung her coat on the rack near the door, and greeted the others, who were milling about the living room. Eddie and Iris were cuddled upon on the loveseat, while Caitlin scolded Cisco for sprawling out on the couch – looking a little spaced out but nonetheless happy. Something about the way Iris's eyes followed Barry as he strode toward the kitchen made her do a double take, but she didn't want to pry. The fireplace had been lit, the house smelling like pine and peppermint, and she settled herself on the far end of the couch at Cisco's feet just as Barry returned with a mug of eggnog.
"We were wondering if you would make it." Cisco's grin was contagious, and the soft holiday music mixed with the hearty smell of pine and peppermint left her smiling as well. She almost choked on the eggnog at the heavy taste of bourbon, but after a few moderate sips, she found it tolerable.
"I wouldn't miss this. Oh, that reminds me, I got you guys something."
"You didn't have to." Barry sounded as if he genuinely believed it, and she sobered a bit before she smiled at him.
"Hey. If I want to get you guys gifts, I will do so, and you will enjoy it." Laura sniped at him as she reached into her purse, pulling out each of their presents one-by-one. Cisco's grin grew wider – if that was even possible – when he saw the set of lollipops she'd gotten him, each with the image of a planet inside of them. Caitlin's face softened at the sight of the light blue teardrop charm on a silver chain, but Laura couldn't blame her for being a bit more subdued than usual. Barry, however, looked even less enthusiastic than Caitlin as he stared down at his gift, and while Cisco helped Caitlin put on the bracelet, Laura made her way over to her partner.
"Is it alright?"
"It's great, really." It was an old fantasy book, from some obscure series that she'd only heard of in passing. "How…how did you know?"
"Joe told me you loved these when you were a kid."
"...yeah, I did. Thanks, Laura." Still, Laura could tell that something was bothering Barry. But she wouldn't press – at least not until he was ready.
Half an hour later, Laura was looking down at the Wests' backyard as she nursed her second cup of Grandma Esther's 'light' eggnog, the chatter of the rest of the party drifting out into the night. The yard was once again lit up, and Laura found herself smiling at the sight for the first time, savouring the warm glow. However, she soon found herself joined by Barry, carrying his own cup of eggnog, and they stood there for a while, simply basking in the silence.
"Something on your mind?"
"What makes you say that?"
"You're only this quiet when something's bothering you. What's going on, Barry?"
Almost immediately, Barry's face clouded over, and Laura watched him carefully as he sat down on the steps that led down into the yard. A twinge of sympathy hit her right in the heart, and Laura sat down beside him, setting her cup aside. He looked adrift, a feeling she had once known all too well, and far too many times. But that only meant that she knew how to get through to him. "Talk to me, Barry."
"He got away, Laura. He was right there and I let him get away. You and everybody else got hurt because I couldn't stop him. I - I failed again" Laura would be lying if the way his voice cracked didn't break her heart. She hesitated as she reached for his hand, the memories of harsh crackling still fresh in her mind. What would he think of her if she told him about the way her body became something entirely inhuman? What would he say? With a sharp shake of her head, she buried those thoughts. Slowly, she reached down and rested one of her hands over his, just lightly enough to show him that she was still there.
"Did I ever tell you about what my mom was like?"
"No."
"I think your mom would have liked mine."
"Really?"
"Yeah - Barry, you know what she told me once?"
"What?"
"She told me no matter what happened to me, no matter what path I chose, no matter who I became, she would always be proud of me. Listen, I know you're disappointed in yourself, Barry. I know how much it makes you angry that he's still out there. But you haven't failed anybody, Barry. You've survived. Whatever that man tried to do to you all those years ago, whatever he was trying to prove, you prove him wrong every day by living. I don't know any parent who wouldn't be proud of their children for that."
When Laura was finished, Barry remained silent, but, eventually, he raised his head to meet her gaze. There was an imperceptible flicker in his eyes and in his face, almost resembling a smile, and he nodded, before speaking, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "You sound so much like Joe."
"I hope that's a good thing."
"Trust me. It's definitely a good thing."
"If I didn't love science so much, I would have become a therapist." Laura smiled as Barry chuckled, and for the first time that day, Laura's heart felt just a tad bit lighter. Suddenly, he pulled his hand away, startling her, and Laura watched as he produced a small holiday themed gift bag from literally nowhere.
"Listen, I know it's not much…but I saw it and I thought you'd like it." Laura smiled as she lifted out the gift from the bag, the mug resting solidly in her palm. It was elegant and well-crafted, with a dark blue base and silver snowflakes decorating the entire thing. She realized, suddenly, that he must have picked it out just for her, and the thought made her smile grow even more.
"Thanks, Barry."
"No problem."
They lapsed into silence once more, but as they sat there, soaking in the warm glow from the lights, an idea came to Laura.
"Do you think we could use some snow?"
"Why - what are you thinking?"
Smiling secretively, Laura stood up and made her way down the stairs, setting her gift aside. Barry watched her curiously as she summoned a decent amount of cold before she thrust her hand up at the sky, the energy leaving her hand in a stream of white light. She watched as it traveled up higher and higher into the thick blanket of dark clouds, until it disappeared from view. Barry watched as well, and his face broke into an awed look as the clouds above the city suddenly grew just a tad lighter. A few seconds passed before the first snowflake fell down past their noses, and as snow started to fall all around the pair, shouts from within the house told them that everybody else had noticed as well. Soon, everyone was gathered on the back porch, relishing in the first white Christmas in Central City in years. While the others watched the snow fall, Laura snuck a glance up at her partner, who looked as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders, his eyes alight with joy.
"Merry Christmas, Barry."
"Merry Christmas, Laura."
And as she stood there among friends, watching as snow fell on the city, Laura felt at peace.
Maybe this life wasn't so bad after all.
"Good evening, Dr. Wells."
"Gideon, have you already deconstructed the restraints?"
"Yes, Doctor. Shall I construct another pair?"
"No, no that won't be necessary. Actually, keep a blueprint of the schematics on backup; they might come in handy."
"Of course, Doctor. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"...run a complete search of historical records. Look for all references to 'Frostbite' and Laura Sanders."
"No results, Doctor."
"That's not possible. Search again."
"I have completed multiple searches. There are zero references of 'Frostbite' or Laura Sanders anywhere within the historical record."
"Try harder, you useless machine!"
"…as you wish, Dr. Wells."
"Who are you, Laura Sanders?"
Who are you?
