Lovely Arrangements
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Year 1 . Months 3~4"And here's your book on Pride and Prejudice, you have three weeks to return it otherwise it's a dollar for every day that it's late," Caitlin said with a smile to the student in front.
"I-it's for a class!" The young man claimed.
"English Lit?" Caitlin queried.
"Yeah," he said quickly.
The woman gave him a thumbs up.
The young student left without another word.
"Another closet romantic?" her boss deadpanned.
"Yup," Caitlin said as she put together a stack of books that would later get filed. "I don't see what's wrong with reading romantic books," she shrugged, "It doesn't make you any less manly."
The older woman shrugged, "Doesn't it? Would you be turned off from dating someone that liked romantic books?"
Caitlin wondered for a few moments, "I don't see why I would," she thought about Barry, did he like romantic books?
She giggled to herself, probably not.
"What about you ma'am?"
The blond woman rolled her eyes, "Caitlin, how many times must I tell you to just call me Leslie," she sighed, she wasn't that much older than Caitlin but she felt like an eighty-year old next to her. "Anyway. I don't think I'd be bothered," she continued checking inventory, "only if I'm still the girl in the relationship," she said as an afterthought.
Caitlin laughed, and her boss joined her soon after.
"How are things between you and Dr. Kenyon?" Her boss' long time boyfriend, and the subject of the vast majority of their conversations.
"That knucklehead? He's still testing my patience."
"What did he do now?" Caitlin started to close up shop so they could start putting the books away.
"The real question is what has he not done," she said with annoyance, "we've been dating for seven years and not even a mention of marriage."
Caitlin shook her head, "Have you told him you want to get married?"
"I shouldn't have to tell him!"
"Ma'am," her boss sent her a murderous look, "Uhm, Leslie, with what little I know of him and that one Poli-Sci class I took with him, the guy is going to need you to spell it out to him,"
The older woman huffed, "You don't say," she shoved the books harshly at the bookshelves, "Learn from me Caity, don't give in until there's a ring on it,"
Caitlin looked at her modest rose gold wedding band, "Uhm," should she?
"Don't stop now, say what you were going to say,"
She raised her hand and wiggled her fingers. The ring wasn't missed by her boss, "WHAT!? You're engaged?"
"Not quite."
"Wait...you...you are…"
Caitlin shrugged apologetically.
"MARRIED!"
"We've only been married for a few months,"
Leslie dropped the remaining books on the table, "I didn't even know you were dating!? When did this happen? Do I know him?"
Could she really say they dated? In reality they only met a handful of times before actually going through with the ceremony. Mostly at her request. Now that they were married, she wouldn't even get close to saying they were friends, but more like compatible roommates.
"We got married right before the semester started," and before her boss could ask, "it was a very small ceremony, he's a super private person."
Leslie nodded, "So is he handsome?" she gave Caitlin the good old suggestive eyebrow wiggle.
"Well," Caitlin refused to make eye contact. "I can't really say," objectively speaking —
"He is," her boss finished, "I need to meet him," she demanded, "is he picking you up or something?"
"No, he's too busy for these menial things,"
Ding! The front door signaled there was someone there. As if on cue Dr. Keith Kenyon was at the door, waiting for his longtime girlfriend with a smile.
"I got it ma'am," Caitlin motioned for her boss to leave for the day.
Leslie rolled her eyes one more time, it had been over a year since they started working together and she had to constantly remind Caitlin of just calling her by her name. It was endearing and annoying all the same.
"This conversation isn't over."
{-}
As the CEO of Allen Memorial, Barry had many obligations to the board, the staff, the patients, and the community. And when it came to tough decisions, he was the man to call.
The incident with Genevive had not been forgotten, but only Barry and Cisco knew the full details of the investigation. For better or worse, he was letting things take their course just monitoring from afar. Even Cisco was anxious about what he would do next. He probably expected Barry to turn the old woman to the authorities the next business day...but he didn't.
Barry did, however, get access to the security cameras directly on his computer, so he could oversee as necessary. He also started making his hospital rounds more regularly and would make stops to the pharmacy to see how things were going.
Perhaps all of this combined, had an effect on Genevive Felter, who was walking into his office in her civilian clothes, downcast, but resolute.
"May I help you?" Barry asked. Under normal circumstances he would question why anyone would simply walk into his office, give them his signature cold look, call security, and give Jessie a scolding for not managing the front office as intended.
The older woman took a seat but still had her head low, "Doctor...doctor Allen," she began.
"Yes Ms. Felter."
Being addressed by her last name surprised her, she wasn't sure the man even remembered her from when he was a resident. He barely even acknowledged her sometimes. "I, uhm, there is something I must say."
"Go on."
"I just," she pulled at her scarf, "I don't...well, you see," she wasn't ready, but she had to say it. She simply wasn't sure where to start.
Barry leaned back on his chair, "Are you here to confess?" he cut through the chase.
The woman looked up like a deer caught in headlights, "C-c-confess?"
"Yes," he didn't break eye contact, "Are you here to finally tell me that for months you've been stealing various alkylating agents, better known as cancer drugs," he stood up from his chair, "the amount has been hefty, almost two-hundred thousand dollars in medication,"
All color drained from Genevive's face.
"What I don't understand Ms. Felter, is why?" had Cisco and Caitlin not badgered him about getting the why he probably would not have cared.
"Please, just let me explain," she begged.
"Oh please do," he turned to her, "explain to me, why an exemplary employee, with a spotless record, and a decent salary would resort to stealing."
"I didn't...I didn't want to," tears were streaming down her face, "but I had no choice."
Barry scoffed, "There's always a choice."
"Yes, its' true," her voice wobbled, "but when I'm seeing my daughter and grandson dying, my insurance denying any sort of assistance, even though I work for a hospital for heaven's sake!" She grabbed her face in desperation and dropped to her knees, "I just, I didn't know what else to do. My husband died, I got my degree at 40, and only finished paying off my loans not too long ago. Only to find out that both my daughter and grand baby were diagnosed with leukemia."
Barry listened attentively. He knew there was more.
She brushed her tears away, "There is no excuse for what I did, but I can't say I'm sorry either," she said with conviction, "I tried, I tried by all means necessary to do things the right way, but every door was closed for me," she looked up at him, "I tried with our company insurance, applied to special programs and organizations to get treatment, but I wasn't a good charity case for them," she said with bitterness. "I didn't want to do it Dr. Allen, but one day there was that excess in inventory for the medication that I so desperately needed, and I was weak."
"But it wasn't just one time Genevive."
He knelt on one knee and looked at her.
"I didn't take away from anyone, I swear," her lips trembled.
Which was true, she didn't steal from patients, but depleted any reserves they were trying to accumulate. "It doesn't make it any less wrong."
"I will pay you back, one way or another."
She was desperate. She was well aware of the reputation Dr. Allen had, which was far less kinder than his father. At any moment he could easily call the cops on her, and he would have every right to do so.
"Wouldn't you do everything in your power to save someone you love?"
Caitlin's words came back to haunt him, and with them came a painful memory.
"Save her please," a young Barry Allen pleaded to the doctor. "Please save her, I'll do anything! Anything you want me to, just save her!"
He closed his eyes and took a calming breath as he stood up and faced away from the pharmacist.
"This is what we'll do…"
{-}
She'd read their contract, and sure enough there was nothing there about making the fact that they are married public. Sure she had shared that tidbit with Jade and Marcos, but who could they tell? The two kids had no one left in the world, and lived full time at the hospital. Rings were also a normal piece of jewelry so it wasn't like people would automatically assume she was married. And it wasn't like Barry and her did any couple-y stuff. Yet somehow she was a bit nervous about broaching the subject.
She heard the front door open and turned in that direction. Her husband was walking in as usual, but there was something in his demeanor that was a tad bit different. He seemed tired, perhaps not physically, but definitely emotionally.
Without words, Caitlin got up and came to greet him. "Hi there," she said as she offered her assistance holding his coat.
In the beginning of their living arrangement, Barry was quite annoyed at her helpful behavior, because he wanted to avoid any sort of closeness with the woman. As usual, however, she had a way of making things workout in her favor, and he stopped complaining.
"Thanks," he said mechanically.
"You don't look too good," she said with concern.
"I'm fine."
She was really starting to hate the word, "Does this call for a caramel Frappuccino?"
He looked at her and the corner of his mouth made the slightest upturn. "Perhaps," this woman was so fastidious with her concern.
Caitlin took notice and headed to the kitchen without another word.
A few minutes later she came back with a caramel Frappuccino in hand and a small plate with cookies, "Don't worry I didn't bake them."
"I'm glad," he said as he took a sip of his caramel goodness.
"So…"
And here she went again.
"Just to be sure, you are totally okay with me making our marriage public right?" She asked with some hesitation.
Interesting. Why would she even ask? "Is there a reason why you wouldn't want to make this known?"
She waved her hands in front of him, "No! No, of course not! I mean, I gain nothing from hiding it, but you…"
"Me?" He looked at her waiting to continue.
She sighed, "If we're being realistic, something like this could tarnish your reputation."
"How?" He asked in confusion.
"Well, I mean, you and I are from completely different social classes," she began, "I imagine, your colleagues think you will marry some female hot shot doctor, perhaps a CEO of another hospital chain, and you would grow your medical empire," she said in all seriousness.
At that he laughed. He laughed like he hadn't laughed in a long time. It was probably the first time he laughed in front of Caitlin, but he had no reservations. He was tired and drained. He needed that relief. Even though he wasn't expecting it, and would never ask, he was grateful to the woman in front of him.
The barista let out a nervous laugh. She didn't understand what was so funny. However, despite the nervousness she was amazed at how freely Barry laughed. She had never thought of herself as a funny person, but was surprised to see that somehow Barry did.
And she was glad for it.
Meanwhile, Barry had even set his drink on the table as he chuckled away. Caitlin was full of surprises. Like he had thought so many times before, there was never a dull moment around her.
After a while, and clearly confused, she asked, "What's so funny? I don't get it."
"You're killing me Caitlin," he said as he regained his composure.
"I don't understand," she furrowed her brow, "seriously, why are you laughing?"
"Do you think I'm some sort of celebrity?" He smirked, "This isn't like the movies. I'm just an average guy,"
"You're far from average."
Whether it was a compliment or not, it was hard for him to know, "Maybe not, but I'm not some rich socialite either. Sure I'm not wanting for things, but Caitlin, this isn't some fairy tale, where you'll get bullied for being being poor, and I'm your knight in shining armor."
"I didn't think that," she pouted and looked away, because maybe she had imagined a small scenario like that.
"You need to stop watching those Chinese soap operas."
"They are called Korean dramas, thank you very much."
He rolled his eyes at her, "Right, how could I forget."
After a while, Caitlin smiled at him, and he felt that familiar warmth that was so reminiscent of his mother.
"Now that we've broken the ice. How was your day?"
He let out a deep breath, she was good.
"And before you even say 'fine,'" she emphasized with air quotes, "I want the truth Bartholemew."
"I confronted Genevive."
"Our pharmacist thief?"
He nodded.
"And how did that go?" Even though Barry was mostly closed off, she had a feeling he needed to talk about this and let it out.
"Actually," he started with his signature calmness, "it was different than what I expected."
He began narrating the story, from when Genevive entered his office, to when she fell on her knees and promised to pay him back. Trusting people had always been hard for him, after being disappointed by the person he admired most. Unfortunately, for him he still had that small sliver of faith, even when he fought his hardest to suppress it.
Caitlin listened, enraptured by the story, and eagerly waiting for it's resolution, "And then?"
"That's it," he said while standing up and taking his cup to the sink.
"That can't be it," she followed, "there's more to this story. I want to know,"
He washed his cup and set it to dry, "That's it."
"You didn't involve law enforcement?" she asked tentatively.
He knew well what she was doing, "Caitlin, that's all," he said tiredly.
She gave him the you-really-expect-me-to-believe-that look. "Fine, be that way."
He shook his head, "Are you sure you're twenty-seven? You're acting like a five year old."
"Sure, I'm the one acting like a five year old," she filled a water bottle and was getting ready to head to her room.
"Yes, you are," he said amused.
"Let's go with that," as she walked away for the night, she hid a small smile. She had a feeling that her husband did the right thing...even if he didn't tell her.
Barry looked in her direction until she disappeared out of sight. He didn't turn Genevive to the authorities, but she did have to take responsibility for what she did and stop doing it. He asked Jessie for their insurance partners' information and had her investigate the hospital information of where Genevive's family was enrolled.
That he called in a few favors and pulled out money from his savings to help the woman and her family. Well, who really needed to know?
{x}