Part 37

Caitlin led Crystal through the hospital to Barry's room. She had already explained to her that her daddy was in a deep sleep. A sleep that was helping heal.

"Mommy, why are the police men outside daddy's room?" asked Crystal

"I'm not sure honey."

Caitlin continued on her way to the room. The guard who she recognized as one of the football players she tutored back in high school. He just nodded and let them into the room. Nora looked up and smiled at the two of them. The most important woman in her son's life and the little girl who stole his heart the moment they met.

"How is he Nora?" asked Caitlin

"The same as when you left. Your mom stopped by. These episodes he has had where they think his heart stopped. She doesn't think that is what is happening. She thinks his heart rate is jumping to high for the monitoring machines can't register it." Said Nora

"That is possible. I had my head on his chest during one and I know I could feel his heart beating."

"Caitlin, as long as you are by my son's side he will never give up fighting to live."

"I know. Nora, when he wakes up because I know he will. I am going to tell him that I am ready to move forward with our relationship."

"You know when all those years ago when Barry told me he was planning to ask you to marry him. Do you know what I told him?"

"No."

"That he couldn't have picked a better woman. Caitlin, I know that you have always been insecure. But until Iris ruined things between the two of you. You didn't seem nearly as much. That night when I picked you up from the train station and took you home. I saw the same broken little girl my son brought home after you first moved to Central City after you lost your dad."

"I was broken. But Barry just like he did when we were kids put me back together."

"Mommy, if I talk to daddy will he hear me?" asked Crystal

"Yes he can hear you. Maybe if you talk to him he will get better faster and wake up." Said Caitlin

"Ok mommy. I will tell him about making cookies with Aunt Joan. And her tomato soup." Said Crystal

"Joan made our grandmother's tomato soup?" asked Nora

"Yes it is the best soup I have ever had. She is going to give me the recipe." Said Caitlin

"Well you are family. Even without a piece of paper or ring. So it is right that you get it."

"Nora, why did you forgive me for keeping Crystal from you? For running instead of fighting for my relationship?"

"Caitlin, Henry and I forgave you because we knew that trust didn't come easy for you. The fact is Henry and I hired a private investigator a few years ago. We knew where to find you. That you had a daughter. We even knew she was Barry's. But we kept it to ourselves because if we told Barry he would have just shown up on your doorstep and demanded to see Crystal."

"That is something he would have done. He would have sued me for joint custody. Which I would have fought if he had been with Iris. I would have had no problem with any of you being part of Crystal's life. She knew about her dad and he loved her. It was the thought that Iris could be around her that made me keep Crystal away. I knew it wasn't right. But I couldn't risk Crystal being hurt in anyway."

There was a knock on the door and the guard stuck his head in.

"Caitlin, there is someone named Laurel Lance here. Said she is your lawyer."

"You can let her in Zack. She is my lawyer and a friend of Charlie's." said Caitlin

Zack nodded and Laurel walked in.

"So why does your sleeping prince get a guard?" asked Laurel

"So that Richard doesn't get in or Iris who apparently escaped last night. You could have called with the information I asked for." Said Caitlin

"I know but I was in town visiting my mother. I found out that it is legal in this state to name anyone you want as the father of your child. But if someone else has reason to believe that they are the biological father they can get a court order for a DNA test." Said Laurel

"Thanks Laurel."

"Anytime Caitlin. So it looks like you have taken this dork back."

"Yeah. I heard Oliver Queen was found alive on some island in the North China Sea."

"Yeah."

"You going to take him back?"

"I don't know. I still love him. But he did cheat on me with my younger sister."

"Laurel, maybe he grew up on that island. What about Sara? Was she found?"

"No. Oliver hasn't been real forthcoming with information on her either."

"Laurel, ever think he might not know for sure? I mean she could have washed up on a different island or drifted into a shipping lane and been picked up. Before you say she would have called. She could have had a head injury and not remember who she is and that there are people that love her."

"You have a point. Maybe I will give him another chance."

"Of course I have a point. Now go see my brother and his new babies."

"I will. Let me know if you need anything else."

"I will."

"Now Crystal, you be a good girl for your mom." Said Laurel

"I will Miss Laurel. Daddy needs to get better." Said Crystal

"I am sure he will."

Crystal nodded and went back to talking to her daddy. Laurel headed out leaving Caitlin to think about what she was going to do.

Richard watched the hospital which was still busy after the failed Star Labs particle accelerator explosion. He was not happy that he had yet to be able to get close to Caitlin to make her pay for thinking that she could leave him without his permission. But he will get his hands on her and she pay for everything. Not just leaving him but destroying his life. For making lose his job.