Part 19

Caitlin followed Barry through the lot of the car dealership he brought her to. She had wanted to just get a good used car. But Barry was having none of it.

"Barry why does it have to be a new car? I mean I would be fine with a used one. They have a bunch of cars that had been leases." Said Caitlin

"Cait, I understand that. But you will be driving our daughter around. I want to make sure the car has all the best safety features. Let me do this."

"I am not going to win this argument am I?"

"Not a chance."

"When you get like this sometimes I wonder why I love you."

"I do these things because I love you. I want to keep you safe."

"I know. I just hope we don't end up with a pushy salesman who is only after a big commission."

"I won't let them push you into something you don't like Cait."

"No car with a tv in the back. I mean it. I don't believe in having a tv in the car."

"I agree on that. We did just fine as kids without a tv on long car trips. I remember reading a lot of comic books on long road trips."

"You always did like what was it the X-Men?"

"Yeah. I think it would be cool if I had super powers."

"What kind of powers would you want?"

"I would like to run really fast. Like Quicksilver in the X-Men comics."

"But you would need a better name then Quicksilver."

"Yeah I know. I am sure Cisco could come up with something really good."

"Just as long as it isn't something stupid like the Streak or something."

"Yeah that would be bad."

They walked up to a blue Chevy Blazer and started to look it over. While they were looking it over a salesman walked over to them. Caitlin shot Barry a look letting him know she didn't like the looks of him.

"She's a beauty isn't she?" asked the salesman

"If you are referring to the car it is neither male or female. If you are referring to my girlfriend then you are right. But seeing as she is the one interested in getting the car you will kindly address her as you would your family members." Said Barry

"Yes of course." Said the salesman

Five minutes after talking with Caitlin about what she wanted and didn't want in a car. Caitlin and Barry climbed into a SUV much like the one they were looking at but without all the bells and whistles that the salesman was trying to push on Caitlin. No satellite radio or tv for the kids. It did have a back up camera but that was becoming pretty standard.

"So what do you think Cait?" asked Barry after she was driving for about ten minutes.

"I like it. But that salesman was really trying to push that one with all that extra stuff on it. I don't want or need any of that."

"I know. Um I know that we aren't actually a couple but I thought saying you were my girlfriend then he wouldn't try anything stupid."

"Barry that didn't bother me. I knew why you were doing it."

"Good. Last thing I want is for you to think that I don't respect the boundaries you have put in place."

"Yeah by the way when were you going to tell me you are rich?"

"How did you find out?"

"I have known for a while. You do know Cisco and I were talking while I was gone. Besides by brother is a lawyer at the firm that handled your grandmother's estate. He just was not on that case. But it was well known in the office."

"So you know that uh I own…"

"The house? Yes. I also know that you had it redone the way it is for me. That after you proposed you planned to show it to me."

"I was going to tell you."

"Barry, no more secrets ok? I want to work things out with you. I am not going to run any more. If something happens then we will talk through it."

"Agreed. Now you want this car or not?"

"Yeah I really like it."

"Then let's head back and fill out the paperwork for it. I can buy it out right no note. That is if you let me."

"You can buy it. Only because I need a good car to drive Crystal around in."

"That is true. Cait, he won't go after Crystal will he?"

"I don't think so. He mostly ignored her. Well unless she did something to set him off. It was how I ended up with the broken arm. She spilled some grape juice on his new shirt. He was going to beat her but I stopped him. I thought that I should take the beating rather then her."

"That is being a good mom. Protecting your child."

"Crystal should never have been in danger from that bastard to begin with! Barry, if I had just talked to you and listened to my heart I never would have met Richard. We would be married and who knows maybe Crystal would have a brother or sister right now."

"Cait, lets go pay for the car and we can go home and talk about this ok?"

"Yeah ok."

An hour later Caitlin parked her new car in the driveway of Barry's house. While she knew he had bought it for her. It was still his house. They sat down in the living room on the couch together.

"Cait, why didn't you leave him the first time he hit you?"

"I don't know. I didn't stay out of some misguided feeling of love. I never loved him. I have and still do love only one man. You, are the only man I have ever loved."

"You promise that he never hurt Crystal?"

"Never. Barry, I do want to be with you. But I think it is time for me to get some long over due therapy. I need to figure out how to deal with my insecurities."

"I get that I do. I am sure there is someone at the hospital that you can talk with."

"I will talk to your dad. I am sure he can recommend someone who will help me."

"I know he can. Cait, maybe if you had gone to therapy earlier maybe you wouldn't have doubted my loyalty to you."

"I never should have. Barry, when I had that run in with Iris at Jitters it took everything I had not to punch her."

"That is something I would like to see."

"Of course you would. Barry, I am not that kind of person. I don't like violence."

"Neither do I. But sometimes it is the only way to protect yourself."

"I know. Barry, once I get myself together we can talk about going on a date ok?"

"Of course. Take your time Cait. I will wait for you."

"Thank you Bare."

Barry pulled her into a hug and held her. He vowed to himself to help her become strong again.