Part 23

The day of Crystal's birthday party came and Caitlin was rushing around trying to finish decorating the house. She was glad that she agreed to let Nora bake the cake. Barry was out on the deck getting the grill ready to barbeque. Caitlin had just finish hanging a streamer when there was a knock on the door. She headed over to the door and smiled when she saw her brother and his family standing there. She pulled her older brother into a hug.

"Charlie it is good to see you." Said Caitlin

"You too Snowflake." Said Charlie

"I still hate you calling me that." Said Caitlin

"Well I am your big brother. I can call you anything I want."

Caitlin rolled her eyes and turned to her sister in law.

"Hi Erin. Wow, you are bigger then I expected." Said Caitlin

"Guess your jerk of a brother didn't tell you that I am pregnant with twins." Said Erin hugging Caitlin

"No he didn't."

"I forgot! Give me a break. I was busy trying to make sure that my baby sister and niece were ok." Said Charlie

"Auntie Caity! I lost a tooth yesterday!" said Susan

"That is great. Did the tooth fairy come Suzy?" asked Caitlin

"Uh huh. She left me a dollar!"

"That is really great. Make sure you save it so you can get something really nice."

"I will Auntie Caity. Where is Crystal?"

"In the backyard with her daddy. Why don't you go with your brothers and say hi?"

"Ok come on Tommy and Davey." Said Susan

"I think I will go with them. I don't think Barry is use to having four kids that young running around." Said Erin

Erin went with the kids leaving the two siblings alone.

"I think Erin thinks we need to talk." Said Charlie

"Yeah."

"So are you and Barry back together?"

"Sort of. Not officially or anything. But we are living in this house together. There is sort of an apartment in the basement. Well there is no kitchen. Barry is staying down there I have the master bedroom."

"So how are you affording this house?"

"Barry bought it. He got a lot of money from his grandmother when she died."

"You trust him?"

"Yeah I do."

"If he hurts you again I will beat the crap out of him."

"Charlie, Eddie told you what really happened. That Iris wanted to destroy my relationship with Barry. All because she could not stand the idea of me being happy."

"I know. So mom promised she will be here."

"Yeah I know. I was surprised when I got her call. You know she never returns my calls."

"I know. I told her that she can't keep treating you like you don't exist."

"Charlie, mom is never going to change. As long as she is there for Crystal, I am ok with it."

"Caity, come on. Mom has never treated you right. That is part of the reason you are so screwed up. You never would have gotten involved with Dick if you weren't messed up. You would have been more trusting of Barry. Crystal wouldn't have spent the last six years without her dad in her life."

"Well for your information I am in therapy now. That is part of the reason Barry and I aren't actually together."

"So you are getting your head straightened out. That is good."

Just then there was a knock on the door. Caitlin sent a glare at her brother and he knew that this discussion was over. Caitlin opened the door to find Eddie, Patty and their kids. She also noticed her mother walking up the walk with Barry's parents right behind. Caitlin greeted Eddie, Patty and the kids before sending them out back with Charlie. Then she turned to her mom.

"Hi mom." Said Caitlin

"Hi honey. Crystal's gift is still in the car. You will need to have one of the young men get it." Said Carla

"Sure what did you get her anyway?"

"A bicycle. That is ok isn't it?" asked Carla

"Yeah. Barry and I were planning to get her one. But we went with something else instead."

"Let me guess a dog. You always wanted one."

"Yes we are getting her a dog. Tomorrow we are going to an animal shelter to pick one out."

"Caitlin, we really should talk not right now. But soon."

"Sure mom. Head out back. I am sure Barry, Charlie or Eddie will get the bike if you ask them. I will be out in a couple of minutes. Let me just show Nora where to put the cake."

"Of course honey."

Carla headed out leaving Caitlin to greet Barry's parents.

"Caitlin, where did you want the cake?" asked Nora

"Let's put it in the kitchen. Seeing it is such a nice day we are going to barbeque burgers and hot dogs." Said Caitlin

"Sounds good. We see your mom made it."

"Yeah while she and I don't have the best relationship but she is trying to make an effort to be a good grandmother."

"That is good. We noticed the unmarked police car out front." Said Henry

"My shadows. Richard is planning something so Captain Singh has a protection detail watching me. While I am not thrilled about it I understand why he did it. I am going to have Barry bring them each a plate of food and cake and ice cream later."

"That is nice of you." Said Nora

"Well it is the least I can do. I am the reason Richard Carson is here."

"No you aren't honey. He is here because while he doesn't care about you. He is mad that you left him. He is the kind of man that needs to be in control. He is angry that you can't be controlled." Said Carla walking in.

"How much do you know?" asked Caitlin

"Only what your brother filled me in on. That Richard started beating you shortly after you moved in with him. Caitlin, I know when it has come to you I have been a poor excuse of a mother. But you could have come to me. I do love you Caitlin." Said Carla

"Mom, now is not the time to talk about this. Let's just enjoy your granddaughter's birthday." Said Caitlin

"I do want to talk with you explain things to you."

"Ok mom. But I don't think Crystal should be here. I would rather her not hear us fight if it comes to that."

"Of course."

"Mom, why don't we head out back? Unless you want a tour of the house."

"Why don't you show me the house first?"

"Sure."

Ten minutes later Caitlin and Carla walked out to the backyard to find all seven kids climbing all over Cisco who had arrived. Caitlin couldn't help but laugh at the scene. She felt Barry come up behind her and wrap his arms around her.

"Cisco is a big kid isn't he?" asked Barry

"Yeah. But he loves our daughter. He will protect her with his life if he has too."

"Pretty sure everyone here will."

"I know they will. Barry, take Crystal out later after the party. My mom and I are going to talk and it could get heated."

"Sure you don't want me there?"

"I'm sure. Besides I get the feeling that Charlie is going to be there. I think he knows that he is the reason that mom and I are going to finally talk."

"Ok."

"Barry, it will be ok I promise."

"I trust you my beautiful Snowflake."

"I am going to kill my brother for telling that nickname."

Barry laughed then went to help Cisco. His dad had taken over the grill when he arrived.