"Hey, look at me," Barry breathes, trying to catch his girlfriend's attention as the car brakes to a stop. She continues to look out the passenger window, biting her bottom lip. He softly chuckles finding the action quite adorable. He glances at the red light then reaches for her hand. "Cait," he calls out.
"Huh?" she hums, snapping her head in his direction. The warm, comforting feeling of his hand breaking her away from her inner thoughts.
He chuckles, interlocking their fingers together. "It's going to be okay," he smiles, giving her hand a tight squeeze before bringing it up to his lips for a delicate kiss. "Everything is going to be fine. You'll see," he smiles giving her hand another squeeze.
She looks over at him lovingly but can't help the sigh that escapes her lips. "Barry," she whines. "You don't know my family -"
"Because you've never introduced me to them," he smirks.
"For a very good reason!" she remarks, squeezing his hand for him to know that she is being serious at the moment.
He chuckles at her antics, then pulls their conjoined hands back to his lips for a sweet kiss. "Cait, breathe. Whatever happens, I will remain by your side," he smiles. His eyes catch a glimpse of the ring on her left finger as the light of the moon causes it to shine. The smile instantly spreads on his face.
"Promise?" she whispers under her breath as she looks over at him with a slight pout.
He looks over at her with amusement. He lifts their hands, "What's this on your finger?" he laughs.
She giggles along with him then leans over to place a sweet kiss on his cheek. "I love you," she whispers into his ear.
"I love you," he whispers back, stealing a quick peck on her lips.
She settles back into her seat and watches the scenes of cars passing by, lights flashing, and stars shining in the dark sky. She is still nervous. This is the first time her whole family will be meeting Barry. And not only that, they will find out she is engaged to him too. She glances back at him, her heart aching. She really hopes they don't ruin Christmas.
"Stop worrying Cait," he chuckles, parking the car. "It's just Christmas dinner. What can go wrong," he smiles, that dorkish smile.
She gives him a soft look, biting back a smile from his charm. "You're so cute babe," she comments with a playful eye roll.
"You ready?" he asks looking up the driveway at the lively house before them.
She bites her bottom, looking at the house then gives a heavy sigh. "As ready as I'll ever be," she sighs, looking at him. "Please, don't leave my side," she pouts.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he breathes, leaning over to place a short passionate kiss on her lips.
She kisses back, wrapping her fingers into his hair to hold him in place. He smiles back, pecking her lips a dozen more times before slowly pulling away. "No," she whines with a pout. "Just one more," she tries to bribe, pulling him back.
He places his forehead on hers. "Later Cait, I promise," he smiles caressing her cheek. "Let's go before I make a bad impression with our tardiness," he chuckles.
She scoffs, pulling away, with an eye roll. "Barry you are the definition of being late," she giggles. "But fine, let's go together," she reaches for his hand.
"Together."
Barry runs to her side to open the door. She smiles up at him as he holds his out for her, which she gladly takes. He pulls her close to his side, wrapping his arm around her waist, and kisses her temple. Slowly they walk to the door, each step harder than the next for Caitlin.
Standing at the front door, she hesitantly lifts her hand to knock, her teeth deep into her bottom lip. Barry pecks her temple and rings the bell. Her eyes widen and she snaps up at her fiancé. "Barry!"
"Just got to rip it up like a band-aid, Cait," he says nonchalantly, tightening his grip on her.
Before she can say a word, the door opens to reveal her younger sister - Crystal Snow. "Oh, look what the cat dragged in," she quips, crossing her arms.
Caitlin frowns, glaring at her, "Nice to see you again, Crystal," she mumbles.
"I guess I owe Conner money now," she rolls her eyes and moves to open the door wider. "Please why don't you come in," she sarcastically comments as she walks away.
Barry looks down at Caitlin with wide eyes. "Are you serious?" he bluntly asks.
A heavy sigh escapes her lips, "welcome to my family home," she sadly remarks then starts to walk in.
"Cait," he holds her back, grabbing her hand. "I -"
"It's okay Barry," she half-smiles. "I'll let you when I have had enough," she assures, squeezing his hand then turning on her heels to walk in.
He doesn't let go of his grip, following close behind her after closing the door. The sound of their footsteps echoing down the empty halls as they step into a grand lobby of sorts. His mouth gapes open at the elegant Christmas decorations covering every speck of furniture - colors of white and gold.
"Wow," he whispers under his breath.
Caitlin giggles, "Yeah mom always goes out with the Christmas decorations," she sighs.
"Now I know where you get it from," he smirks, pulling her close.
"Oh, really?" her eyebrows arch with a playful glare.
He chuckles, kissing her forehead, "But I love that about you"
She looks up at him, eyes sparkling with mirth. Her arms crawl up his chest to wrap around his neck. She leans in for a kiss when a booming voice scares her to pull away from the embrace.
"Caity Cat is home," her older brother, Charlie, smirks. "And she brought a boy. How adorable," he tells in a condescending way. "Where'd you pick this one from? The grocery store," he chuckles, patting Barry in the back - hard.
Barry grunts in pain, rubbing his shoulder. "Nice to meet you too," he groans.
"Chill Charlie!" Caitlin hisses. "You don't need to be an ass," she adds then checks on her fiancé as she goes into her doctor mode.
Barry gives her a reassuring smile, "I'm okay Cait, just a manly hello."
She rolls her eyes, "Yeah, okay."
"Do my eyes deceive me?" another young man hollers from down the hall. "I didn't think you would actually show up," Conner, her other brother, comments in surprise. "But I'm glad you did because now I'm $400 dollars richer," he smirks, raising his eyebrows up and down.
"So I've heard," Caitlin mumbles under her breath.
Barry clears his throat, making his presence know. "You must be Conner," he half-grins. "It's nice to meet you," he says sticking his hand out.
"Damn Caity you really lowered your standards," her brother chuckles.
As Barry lowers his hand, Caitlin steps in front of him in full defense mode. She grits her teeth, spitting out anger, "What the hell is that suppose to mean asshole."
"Dude looks like he should belong in a library. He screams nerd, just missing the glasses," her brother gestures with his hands over Barry's look.
"I thought you were into jocks like that one guy," her brother Charlie pipes in. "What was his name... Zane? Zack?" he keeps throwing out names, snapping his fingers.
Caitlin's body stiffens as her breath gets stuck in her throat. Horrible memories of pain and violence fill her mind. Out of instinct, Barry pulls her close to his body. He starts whispering calming words into her ear. Finding comfort in his touch and warmth, she feels herself melt. Finding her place back in his arms and away from the dark memories.
"Alright, boys, enough torturing your sister," an older feminine voice rings. She stares at the man wrapped around her daughter, "And her friend," she adds.
Caitlin rolls her eyes and pulls away from the embrace. "Mother this is Barry my -" she tries to introduce but her mother makes her stop talking.
"Please sweetheart, enough formalities," she waves. "The food is getting cold, and we have all been waiting for you," she remarks, turning on heels.
Her brothers smirk at her and follow their mother down the long hallway. She looks on with shock and disgust. A heavy groan leaves her lips and turns to look back at her man trying to find words but coming up short. Her fingers run through her locks as the stress of her family starts to get to her.
"Cait let's just leave," Barry bargains, pulling her hands into his. "This isn't worth it. Let's go back to our place and enjoy a small Christmas dinner - just us," he pushes, searching her eyes.
She bites her bottom lip, temptation sinking in. But a loud cry asking for presence at the table rings in her ears. She looks up at Barry for help with her inner struggle. With a deep breath, her voice cracks, "just ten more minutes."
"Cait," he scolds her.
"Please Barry," she begs. "Just ten more minutes and we can leave. I need to tell my father about us. Let's sit down at the table, nip on the food, I talk to my dad, and we leave. Short and sweet," she bargains.
A heavy sigh leaves his lips before nodding his head. She smiles up at him and pecks his lips. They walk down to find a grand dining room with a long table that could seat twenty people with only eight plates set up. He can't help but be awed by the elegance of the room. At the same time, find disgust at the overindulgence of the room. Growing up in a humble home makes him wish that he and Caitlin were at their small apartment - a loving home.
"Ah! The prodigal daughter has returned," her father chuckles as he stands from his seat. He walks over and engulfs her in his arms. He pulls away, kissing both her cheeks, then stands back to admire her. "Welcome home my sweet Caitlin," he smiles then moves to show her to her seat. "We have all been so anxious, waiting for you," he chuckles.
"I bet you were," she forcibly laughs, then glares at her sibling as they stare at her.
"Of course, we were! I mean it's been like what? Six years since we last saw you," her father talks as he opening her chair and practically pushing her into her seat.
Barry follows close behind them. He grabs the chair next to her, preparing to sit when a booming voice stops him in his place. "Oh no, the men sit on the opposite side of the table, young man," her father points to the seat next to one of Caitlin's brothers.
"With all respect sir, I would very much like to sit next to my-"
"Young man," he barks. "This isn't up for debate. Now, sit next to Connor," he snaps.
"Dad," Caitlin stands from her seat. "He is fine sitting next to me as he is my -," she fights back.
"ENOUGH!" he yells. "This is my house, and you follow my rules, Your friend will sit where I say he can and that is it," he huffs.
The room is silent. Caitlin glares back at her father while Barry looks at all the eyes watching the scene unfold with prideful smirks and amusing eyes. He leans over to her ear, reassuring her that is fine with the seating arrangement. She tries to object but he kisses her temple. "Just ten minutes, yeah?"
She weakly smiles up at him and nods. He smiles back and walks over to the other side of the table, not taking his eyes off her. As he sits, she reflects on his movements.
"That's more like it," her father smiles as he takes his seat at the head of the table.
Caitlin rolls her eyes and picks at the food before her. Conversations and voices faze out as she only looks to Barry having a conversation with their eyes. She loves how he makes her feel like they are the only two people around and no one else matters at the moment. It's so peaceful and comforting that she doesn't dare look away. Suddenly, a roar of high-pitched voices followed by a looming, dark feeling beside her snaps her away.
"Hey there Caity Cat," the low, chilling voice causing her body to stiff. "Miss me," he chuckles into her ear.
Barry sits up taller, in defense. He grits his teeth and clenches his fists. He opens his mouth to speak but her father beats him to it.
"Ah! Hunter Zoloman what a nice surprise to have you for Christmas dinner," the older man smirks.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Snow," the blonde grins as he slides his hand up Caitlin's thigh.
She yelps in fear, jumping from her seat. Barry is quick to his feet, ready to punch the guy but her brother holds him back. "Not so fast there, buddy," he smirks.
"Caitlin, stop being ridiculous," her mother snaps. "Sit back down and stop being rude to Hunter," she orders.
Caitlin looks at her mother in disgust. "No! I won't!" she snaps, shaking her head.
"Caity Cat, listen to your mother," Hunter chimes in. "I was just playing around, sweetheart," he smirks.
This fuels Barry with anger as he pushes Conner off him. He walks on top of the table to reach the blonde, grabbing him by his shirt, and pinning him to the wall. "Touch my girl again and that face of yours will meet my fists," he hisses.
The room erupts in chaos. Chairs squeaking as they rub the floors harshly. Screams and yells to make him let the guy go. Hands grabbing at his shoulders and arms to loosen his hold. None of it mattered except the cry of his name. He looks over into her eyes and sees the fear. Without a second thought, he lets go and walks over to her.
She wraps her arms around him and cries into his chest. All the dark memories in her mind as she whimpers into his chest. Her world turns black. The events that follow a mere blank. The sound of running water wakes her senses. She looks around to find herself in their bathroom.
"Barry?" she weak voice cries.
"Shhh, I'm right here Cait," his voice low and comforting.
She looks at the washing cloth in his hand in confusion. It then hits her that she is sitting in their bathtub, her arms pulling her knees to her chest. The water grows around her along with the bubbles. A faint smile appears on her face.
"Relax babe, I'm gonna take care of you, okay," he smiles, damping the cloth.
"What happened Bare?" she dares ask as he runs the cloth over her shoulders in such a gentle matter.
He sighs as he continues to wash his love, "There was a fight, I took you away and brought back you here."
She leans into his touch, humming in delight. His touch massaging her - giving her comfort.
"I know how much you were looking forward to being home with your family for Christmas, Cait," he sighs, pouring water to wash away the suds.
She turns to look at him in confusion, "But I am home for Christmas." He looks at her and she giggles. "Barry Allen, you are my home. You are my comfort. I could live my life never seeing my family ever again as long as I have you. You are all that matters to me. As long as I have you, I will always be home," she smiles.
He leans down and lays a passionate kiss on her lips. "I love you," he whispers on her lips.
"I love you," she whispers back, nuzzling her nose against his. "Merry Christmas Barry," she smiles, her hand caressing his cheek.
"Merry Christmas, my love,"
fin.