Part 22
Eddie was standing in line at Jitters waiting to get his coffee when his phone rang. He was surprised to see who came up on the caller ID.
"Hey Ronnie, I was going to call you in a little while." Said Eddie
"Let me guess about Richard Carson." Said Ronnie
"How did you know?"
"I know he is planning on going after Caitlin Snow and her daughter. Wants Iris West to hire a hit man he will find for her."
"That is bad. Really bad. Crystal is just a six year old kid."
"I'm the hitman. Eddie, don't worry the kid is going to be just fine."
"Good to know."
"Carson told me he has a plan for Caitlin to end up in the hospital where he will finish her off himself. But have Iris put her there."
"Ronnie, I know what Iris will do to put Caitlin in the hospital. Are you aware of what Caitlin is deathly allergic to?"
"I can't remember. I remember Charlie getting pissed off when I tried to eat a mini peanut butter cup in his car when Caitlin was there once."
"Caitlin is deathly allergic to peanuts. She carries at least one epi pen with her at all times."
"So he will have Iris slip some peanut oil in her coffee or something."
"Not if Courtney can prevent it. She has taken to either making or supervising anything that Caitlin orders at Jitters to make sure there is no contamination."
"Wasn't Iris working there?"
"Was until last year. She got fired for poor costumer service. I think she is working at Big Belly Burger."
"Well with her grades it is not a surprise she ended up in a dead end job."
"True. So you have been undercover with Bertenelli's organization?"
"Yeah my partner is staying while I am going to be arrested and pulled out in a couple of weeks."
"Well when you get out you should come and meet Crystal. She is so much like her mom. Though it is too bad that you won't be out before Saturday. That is Crystal's 6th birthday party. Charlie and Erin are going to be there with their kids."
"Yeah well I can't finish this up that fast. But make sure Caitlin knows her daughter will not be hurt."
"Thanks man."
Eddie hung up and watched as Barry, Caitlin and Crystal came in together. He knew they were grabbing a quick breakfast before the almost six year old went to her first day of kindergarten. He had another year or so before Mikey would be starting school. He got his coffee and then headed over to the small family.
"So Caitlin are you ready for today?" asked Eddie
"Not really. But she needs to be around kids her owe age. I know Barry is not ready for this. But he has only been in Crystal's life a couple of months." Said Caitlin
"Yeah, I mean I was surprised when Cait came back and with our daughter that I knew nothing about." Said Barry
"I did apologize for that." Said Caitlin
"I know and I forgive you. By the way those two cops following us are not being very subtle about it." Said Barry
"That is Captain Singh's idea. Carson is over in Keystone and we have reason to believe that he is not going to go anywhere until he hurts you Caitlin."
"I am not running. I only ran from Hub City because there was no one there that could really help me. Here I have a lot of people that can and will. My brother isn't real far away and neither is my mother not that she returns my calls."
"Well until we can bring Carson in you are going to have that protection detail." Said Eddie
"Eddie, we are going to put you and Patty down as people who can pick up Crystal besides Barry's parents from school." Said Caitlin
"That's fine. I should get to the station. See you later Barry." Said Eddie
Eddie headed off to work leaving Barry alone with Caitlin and Crystal. Caitlin took Crystal over to a table while Barry went to order for all of them. He returned to them only a few minutes later with Caitlin's latte, orange juice for Crystal and regular coffee with cream for himself. He also had some Danishes.
"Courtney assured me that these Danishes are completely peanut free. They were never in contact with peanuts." Said Barry
"That's good." Said Caitlin
They ate breakfast then headed over to the school. Crystal held both her parent's hands as they walked in. Caitlin led the way into the office. It only took a few minutes to complete the paperwork to register Crystal for her kindergarten class. Barry and Caitlin then both walked their daughter to class. Crystal tried to hide behind her parents as they reached the door.
"Hello I'm Ms. Marks." Said a woman a few years older than Barry and Caitlin
"Hi I'm Barry Allen and this is Caitlin Snow. This beautiful girl is our daughter Crystal." Said Barry
"Hi Crystal. Are you excited to be coming to school?" asked Ms. Marks
Crystal shook her head and held on to her parents tighter. Caitlin pulled her hand away and knelt in front of her daughter.
"Honey, I know you are scared. But you are going to have a good time in school. You want to be as smart as daddy and me right?" said Caitlin
Crystal nodded.
"Then you need to go to school. Ms. Marks is going to teach you all kinds of neat things." Said Caitlin
"Ok mommy." Said Crystal
"Sorry she is kind of shy and doesn't like new people very much." Said Caitlin
"That's ok. I like to keep my own list of any allergies my students have. Is there any I need to know about with Crystal?" asked Ms. Marks
"None that we know of. But Caitlin is deathly allergic to peanuts. So Crystal has never been exposed to them." Said Barry
"Well my classroom is peanut free already. I am allergic to peanuts as well. So nothing with peanuts or peanut butter is aloud in my classroom." Said Ms. Marks
"That is good to know." Said Caitlin
Caitlin turned to her daughter.
"Crystal honey, you are to be good. Grandma Nora will pick you up later."
"Ok mommy. Love you mommy. Love you daddy."
"Love you sweetie." Said Barry giving her a kiss.
Barry and Caitlin both hugged and kissed their daughter before turning and heading out of the school. In the parking lot they each headed to their own car to head for work.
"Mom will be on time to pick her up at noon." Said Barry
"I know. Unlike her son your mom is never late." Said Caitlin
"Cait can I ask you something?"
"Sure. But I might not answer if I don't like the question."
"If I had gotten home before you left that night. Would you have still left or let me tell you what really happened?"
"I probably would have still left. But I also would have come back after I cooled down."
"That is good to know. Cait, I would never cheat on you least of all with Iris West."
"I know. We can talk later. I need to get to work."
"Ok see you at home. I get off before you so I will pick Crystal up and start dinner."
"Ok. See you later."
Caitlin climbed into her car and headed for the hospital. Barry got in his car and headed for the police station.