Beautiful
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The First 'I Love Yous'
"Kayla, where are you?" Caitlin called out as she walked into Kayla's house. The girls were with her and Ruby ran to the couch, sitting down hugging her doll while Marley stayed by her mom's side. "Krypto, where is your mistress?" Caitlin added; Krypto was laying on the floor and he looked up lazily at this.
"Here, hold on," Kayla's voice was heard; it had been a month since the convention and, besides people still talking about her hate of Magical Creatures and the fallout from that, things were quiet. "What's up?" Kayla had appeared from the bathroom and Caitlin had to pause as her normally blonde girlfriend was supporting a hair color of dark red. "Yes, fine, make your remarks," Kayla sighed at the look.
"I like your normal blonde better," Caitlin stated with a pout as Kayla came over to give her a kiss. "I thought they would dye it when you got there?"
"It was easier to get it done here," Kayla said. "Besides, once I'm done shooting it can go back to blonde. So, you sounded like you had something to talk about when you came in?"
"Oh yeah, have you seen this?" Caitlin asked, putting a magazine down on the table as Marley moved over to the couch now. "'Kayla Kent's Stepdaughter Named After Hated Character'," Caitlin read out.
"A month," Kayla groaned. "I was wondering how long that would take to piece together – longer than I expected. I think they just had their teeth into all those stories guest stars shared, not to mention the revival being cancelled." The Magical Creatures revival was pulled just days before filming would have started.
"You don't see anything wrong with this?" Caitlin asked, pointing. Kayla shrugged. "Stepdaughter! You're not my wife… at least not, well…" Caitlin paused, not knowing how to say this. "We're so not ready for that."
"Caitlin, it's the tabloids. Stepdaughter makes a better headline than girlfriend daughter," Kayla said. "I'm surprised they didn't just get it over with and call her my daughter. Look, it's nothing. If you want, I'll ask Lucy to ask the papers for a correction."
"It's… fine I guess…" Caitlin sighed, not knowing why she came in so enraged over it. "Just… things have been a little…. Some of Ruby's friend made comments. Marley's friends are starting to talk. It's like…"
"You're getting the other side of being intimate with a famous person," Kayla said, realizing Caitlin's predicament. "People are at first in awe and want to know everything, then, once the shock and awe is over, you get the jealousy and even hate. People can be nasty to celebrities and people around them as well – especially when something like this happens. Give it time and it will calm down."
"It doesn't stop Ruby from being upset," Caitlin whispered, nodding her head towards her daughter and Kayla looked to her; Ruby was sitting on the couch hugging her doll, while Marley had joined her and seemed to be keeping her eye on her sister. Krypto had joined the upset girl.
"Want me to have a word with her?" Kayla asked.
"If you don't mind. Might mean, something coming from you…" Caitlin said, knowing her daughter idolized Kayla to the point of obsession. She hoped over time this too would lessen and that Kayla would be just another adult figure to Ruby; it helped that Marley didn't care about Kayla one way or the other.
"Before I do though," Kayla voiced. "I was wondering... I want you, the girls and Daphne to move in here." Caitlin was stunned at this. "If we're truly getting serious, this place has better security than your little apartment, and I wouldn't ask for rent or anything – money you can use for the girls." Besides, Kayla wasn't a big fan of Caitlin's two bedroom where anyone could come up and knock on their door, reporters included. "There's a better school system here; both private and public, with kids who would more understand having someone famous around. I haven't looked into it but some of the private schools might even include education for the deaf, too." Kayla hoped she was truthful here. "There are more than enough rooms here for everyone to have their own, even you if you don't want to share with me. And I don't remember the last time I walked into this house and Daphne wasn't here, so I'm pretty sure she lives here already."
"She's not here now," Caitlin pointed out, confused but lost for words at all this.
"She's in the backyard," Kayla chuckled, pointing. "She asked me why I don't have a pool just a few minutes ago." Caitlin tilted over to look at the door leading to the back but couldn't see much. "But… what do you say? I'm not going to be here basically the next few months so you can move in and get settled while I'm gone; get used to the place properly. But… just don't touch my work room."
"Work room, right," Caitlin repeated, almost on autopilot now. "I…." she paused, thinking it over – this felt impulsive and too fast and not her but also felt right. Deep down she knew this would be a missed opportunity if she didn't do it, and if it didn't work out she wouldn't be worst off – especially if she did save some money from living rent-free for a bit. "Okay let's do it."
Kayla kissed Caitlin's cheek at this, while Caitlin felt herself go red.
"Now, let me go have a word with that little one," Kayla said, going over to the living room and the girls. "Krypto, move over." Krypto moved immediately, letting Kayla sit down next to Ruby while Marley crossed her legs on the couch, eyes locked on her sister and now Kayla. "Hey, Little Gem, can we have a talk?" Ruby gave a nod, turning her head to look at Kayla.
"Your hair is red," Ruby said, going to touch it and Kayla gave a nod. "Ariel?"
"Yeah, that's why it's red. I hear you have been having some not nice too comments because of what happened last month at the convention?" Ruby gave a sad nod at this. "Well, what I do, sometimes people like to gossip – and sometimes the people close to me get the back end of that gossip. But all you must do is ignore it – it goes away soon enough, but if you let it get to you, it lasts longer. Do you understand?"
"Yeah," Ruby said.
"And you have Topar, who's an old champ at this," Kayla said, making Ruby smile a bit. "And there's… something else. You, mommy, Marley, and Aunt Daphne are going to move in here with me. It means you'll be going to a new school and make new friends – friends who might also be used to this. Is that good with you?"
"Move in here?" It was Marley as Kayla looked to the girl, who had been reading hers and Ruby's lips this whole time.
"Urm…" Kayla wasn't sure what to say to this. She knew Marley wasn't as open to things like Ruby was and was more guarded over her little family too. Before Kayla could say more though, Marley got up and moved off, out to the kitchen where Caitlin had since gone.
"Kayla, are you my mommy now too?" Ruby asked, seemingly not bothered by her sister's attitude as Kayla turned her attention back to the girl.
"Um… no, I'm… Caitlin?" Kayla called out and Caitlin came out of the kitchen, no sign of Marley though. "Little Gem, why don't you ask your mom that questions… while I prepare for the party." Kayla was having friends and family over as a little bit of a send-off celebration before she left the next day for filming.
Kayla moved into the kitchen, finding that Marley was in the backyard with Daphne and decided not to seek the girl out – giving her space. So, she distracted herself with food preparation while trying not to listen in to what Caitlin was telling her daughter.
Finally, Kara and Barry arrived with Topar.
"Hey little one!" Kayla said as Kara entered and Topar ran to his aunt, picking up her nephew and kissing him before hugging Kara "Barry, how's my co-star doing?"
"A little upset you're going to be gone," Barry said, putting a hand on Kayla's back. Kayla put Topar down, who ran to Ruby. "We did see Sam use impressive strength – seems to happen when she angry more than anything, but she's not doing anything illegal." Kayla gave a nod at the update.
"Thanks, Barry," Kayla said giving a hug. "You'll make a good brother-in-law someday." Barry blushed at that; he and Kara were not there yet. "Although Mon is tough competition..." At that moment Mik had arrived with Imra, he was carrying a large jug of alcohol.
"What are you two up to?" Kara asked as she went to help Kayla, acknowledging her own brother-in-law in Mik.
"Nothing," Kayla said.
"Kayla, I can read your mind," Kara said. "I heard. Something with Samantha Arias?"
"Kara… it's nothing," Kayla said. "She seems to be a meta human but she's not a criminal. Meaning she's not Supergirl or the Flash problem."
"If you need…" Kara started.
"Kara, you're out of the superhero game, remember? I'm Supergirl now," Kayla pointed out, and Kara nodded. She didn't regret her decision all those years ago – Topar needed her safe and Kayla had done good as Supergirl since. She had stopped some meta human attacks and aliens; besides, according to Lex, who had played around with their multiverse system, they had less crime on this Earth than most other Earths anyway. He wasn't sure why. "And when you got out you said you didn't want to know." Kara nodded, remembering that as well, asking Kayla not to tell her unless she thought her and Topar were in danger. "So, has something changed?"
"No," Kara said, shaking her head.
"Hey, little cousins," Clark's voice was heard as he walked in with Lois, Jason and Ella. "We've got a surprise for you…" After Clark came a familiar face of Lana Lang – the sisters' foster mother.
"Lana!" Kayla and Kara said at the same time, going to hug the woman who'd raised them since their teens. She had given them the strength to get where they were today.
"My girls, I can finally tell you apart," Lana chuckled, causing laughs around the room as they acknowledged Kayla's red hair.
"Same joke every time I dye my hair…" Kayla said with an eyeroll but was still smiling. She hadn't expected Lana here today. "How are you doing?" Lana had a major health scare recently with cancer; most doctors had told her to get her affairs in order, but Lex and Lena managed to find an experimental treatment for her which, last Kayla knew, was fighting the cancer.
"Well, I'm cancer-free," Lana said with a smile. "Officially in remission; I wanted to tell you two in person." Lana kissed both of them. "Now, where's my grandson? Topar?"
"Grandma!" Topar called out excitedly, and literally jumped over the couch to run at Lana at super-speed; Kara intervened to stop the boy damaging his grandmother, but Lana just laughed as she got to hug the little man.
Ruby sat on the couch, looking sad – the only family she'd ever had was her mom, sister and aunt, the latter two who were still in the backyard.
"And you must be little… Ruby?" Lana tried once she was done hugging Topar, glad she'd got the correct girl at the look on Caitlin's daughter's face. Lana walked over, smiling at the little girl.
"Now, girls, will you introduce me to your partners?" Lana asked; Kara and Kayla looked at each other before introducing Lana to Barry and Caitlin.
Soon the Grants arrived, having been invited by Kayla via her new connection to Carter.
"There's my little co-star," Kayla said, holding out her hand for Carter to high-five. "Excited for tomorrow?"
"Yes, and nervous! I've never had to travel before," Carter said.
The Little Mermaid was one of the first movies using a new type of animation – instead of the voice actors recording their voices and being inserted in later, now the voice actor did the recordings as the pre-designed animation was inserted and watching the scene. It wasn't perfect but gave a better idea as they could even control the character to a certain extent. It meant paying the voice actors more but also saved money in editing later.
"You're going to have to do it more even for voice roles now," Kayla added with a smirk.
"I'm also nervous about the cameo," Carter said – The Little Mermaid was having all their voice actors have a cameo in the movie. Carter was also playing a servant-boy for Prince Eric.
"Oh, that's nothing - you don't even have to speak," Kayla said, putting an arm around Carter. "I got you. And Ray Palmer's a sweetheart, he'll take care of you."
"Thank you for agreeing to watch after him," Cat interjected. "Neither me or Joel can get there and letting someone we don't know take care of our son was…"
"Don't mention it. Sara and I have got him," Kayla said with a nod. After all, Carter was coming with her and Sara on the plane tomorrow and would be staying with Kayla in her hotel suite. Cat Grant and Joel Foster had made her his caretaker while away for this movie, and with her connection to Kara, any worries or doubts Kayla could have about looking after the little actor was moot.
"I would have sent Kara, but Carly and Dawn need her," Cat said as even Kara waved this off, now carrying a pile of food on a plate and sharing it with Topar. "Are you sure you don't want any compensation…?"
"Nah, I make more than enough money. If you want to pay me back, give Kara a nice Christmas bonus," Kayla said with a wink.
"Done," Joel said, and Kara looked up at this, having heard some of it but her mouth was full of food now.
"Who is his agent?" It was Lucy, she had appeared during the conversation, along with Barry's sister and Cisco. Kayla had decided to invite everyone to this party, making it one of her bigger ones. The media camped outside would have a field day in the press tomorrow.
"I've been taking that role," Cat said. She had been the one to discover opportunities and contact the right people to get Carter auditions, after all.
"Well, you've been doing a good job clearly. Got him on the Little Mermaid, but you have another business to run and he's about to get more offers in. I can take him to the next level," Lucy stated. "Look what I did with this one," she nodded to Kayla who had to laugh
At that moment, Daphne appeared with Marley beside her and Kayla had to pause, wondering what the two thought of asking them to move in. Kayla was surprised though as Marley moved over to hug the actress who looked at Daphne now who simply smirked as she went to grab a plate of food.
When Marley broke from Kayla, she skipped off to her sister, leaving Kayla a little lost for words as Daphne returned with a plate of food which she handed to Kayla.
"Thank you," Daphne stated simply, Kayla not sure what else to say as Caitlin moved over, smiling widely now.
The party was going on well as Kayla had to chuckle shortly, when Sara walked in last – her hair dyed red too, being Kayla's stunt double during the movie.
…
The next day, Kayla was saying goodbye to Caitlin and the girls at the airport; Kara had turned up with Topar for a goodbye, while Cat was dropping off her son – giving him a lecture at the same time and hugging him.
It was time for them to leave as Kayla indicated to her co-star and Carter pushed his suitcase as he went to walk with her. Krypto was next to Kayla, walking besides her. Kayla had bought him his own first-class ticket and made sure the airline would let him use it – the studio had bought the ticket for her and Cat upgrading Carter from what the studio gave him to first class to be next to Kayla. Sara was there as well, she also having a first-class ticket.
It wasn't long before the four were on the plane, Carter sitting next to Kayla who was in the window seat. The moment they were airborne though, Kayla set her chair back and closed her eyes. Krypto was curled on his seat by the other window next to Sara, giving Carter a look.
It hadn't been more than 15 minutes when Carter started to feel restless.
"Kayla?" He asked; Sara was also sleeping as it was an early morning flight. "Isn't this exciting?"
"A plane ride? No," Kayla said, eyes still closed.
"But Kayla…" Carter tried.
"Carter, this is a long flight and I spent the entire night up with Caitlin last night. I need a few hours sleep. If you don't want to sleep, watch a movie or something…" Kayla said. She didn't like flying the commercial way, preferring her own methods, but when she did have to fly for appearances she preferred to sleep through it.
"Okay," Carter said with a nod. "Kayla… why is Krypto giving me a death stare?"
"Because you're sitting in his seat," Kayla said, causing Carter to frown now. He had taken the seat next to Kayla automatically when they entered. Kayla hadn't opened her eyes. "Check your ticket…" Carter looked at the ticket and then the numbers above the seats.
"Oh," Carter said, not sure what to say. Kayla didn't seem to care, but Krypto did. "You know what I don't want him mad at me…" he knew Krypto was a Kryptonian dog after all, so he undid his seat belt and stood up. Krypto was fast to take the seat as Carter went to take the seat he had been in, sitting next to Sara now.
"Good choice kid," Sara told Carter as Carter took out headphones to find a movie to watch. "Once we land Kayla will be good. I'm here for you now though."
"Thanks," Carter smiled at the other woman.
"And yes, this is pretty exciting. I've never been to he Caribbean before," Sara pointed out, Carter grinning at her. "If we have time off set, we'll have to explore. Kayla will want to too. Then again I don't know if she's been this way or not."
"I'd love that," Carter grinned.
-Beautiful-
"Thanks so much for the help," Caitlin told Mik and Imra. It had been a week since Kayla had left and Caitlin had started moving things from her apartment to Kayla's house.
"Well… Kara would have killed me if we didn't," Mik confessed. "And so would Kaylar, come to think of it." Mik seemed to like purposefully using her Kryptonian names at times; Caitlin had realized that as the added 'r' gave the name an extended sound. Kayla and Mik got along, but seemed to like to tease each other – Caitlin not sure if Kayla was annoyed by the use of her Kryptonian name from the man though.
"Is that everything?" Imra asked
"Yeah, thank you," Caitlin nodded as Mik came back down the stairs.
"Awesome." Imra nodded.
"In that case, see you soon." Mik took Imra's hand and the two had left.
Caitlin moved off from the front door to see Ruby in the living area.
"Oh, Ruby sweetie, no," Caitlin called, seeing the DVD boxes in Ruby's hands and Ruby finding a place under the TV of them. Caitlin moved over and took the boxes – the Magical Creature boxset. "These go upstairs. We only watch them up there and when Kayla is not here."
"But we love this show," Ruby said, seeming confused. She knew Kayla didn't like Ruby Nightingale on the show, but it hadn't sunk in that she didn't like the entire thing.
"You know Kayla doesn't," Caitlin reasoned. "She really dislikes it and we love Kayla more than this show so we're going to keep it away. Understand?" Ruby nodded. "Now go put it upstairs and start unpacking your room. Marley's already unpacking her stuff," she could hear her other daughter upstairs.
"My very own room?" Ruby asked, taking the boxes and running up the stairs.
"Good call," Daphne appeared coming down the stairs, making Caitlin raise an eyebrow. "You ever looked in this cabinet?" She added, moving to a cabinet in the room. Caitlin shook her head as Daphne opened the cabinet next to the TV. "Every single TV show, movie, or play she's ever been in – everything but Magical Creatures. I noticed it earlier."
"Why keep everything?" Caitlin asked, shocked as she took out a random box. It didn't look like something that could be bought. A handwritten DVD box, and on the front was 'Beautiful on Broadway' and a date – it must have been the date the play was recorded. She must have gotten permission to film it.
"I don't know. The real question is, why does she still use DVDs and BluRay? Most people just download or stream. These things are going the way of the VHS," Daphne commented as Caitlin put it away and tilted her head at her sister. She still used DVDs and BluRays as well. "And she has a full-length mirror on wheels in that closet – it has some weird tech in it I never seen before. I plan on playing with it."
"Daphne, no," Caitlin groaned. "I know we live here now but let's not mess with Kayla's stuff. No going into her room – or her work room. Leave her things where they are. If you need room just move them slightly."
"So, you're not curious about this folder and notebook I found in that draw?" Daphne asked, holding up a notebook and a blue folder that seemed to be packed. The notebook had papers coming out of it as well. "There's a lot more in there as well."
"Put it away," Caitlin snapped, annoyed with her little sister. "I thought I raised you better," Caitlin's phoned binged and she took it out.
"Have you two told each other you I love you yet? Because you just told Ruby you loved her and she loves you," Daphne pointed out.
"What?" Caitlin asked, confused.
"I never felt what she felt. Never knew what my sister knew. Until she walked into my life. Beautiful girl makes me stop in my tracks. Now I know what's falling in love like," Daphne was reading from the notebook. "They're song lyrics. Never heard them before. I think Kayla writes songs. This one is dated soon after she met you."
"Give me that," Caitlin said, grabbing the notebook and folder. "What draw?" Daphne pointed and Caitlin opened it up to find more folders and notebooks. She grabbed them all and put them in her work bag. "Dr. Wells asked me to come into the lab. Stop going through Kayla things and unpack your own – and watch the girls!"
"Yes ma'am," Daphne said as Caitlin headed out.
-Beautiful-
"So, what's this big important thing Dr. Wells needs to tell us?" Cisco asked.
Barry, Amelia, and Jesse were all in the Cortex, hanging around. All three shrugged at him. "You're his kids and you have no idea?"
"All dad said was he wanted us here," Jesse pointed out.
"Good thing I got off set early," Barry said, glancing at the clock. It was the afternoon and Barry had run here after he got off set – assuming he had been running late – but Caitlin wasn't even here yet or Harrison. He did have to meet with Kara soon, though.
Caitlin came in at this point, focusing on Barry the moment she did. "Barry, good," Caitlin called, taking all the notebooks and folder out of her bag. "Give this to Kara to keep safe."
"Um… okay?" Barry said, taking all the books. "What is it?"
"Apparently Kayla writes music," Caitlin said. "Daphne was snooping so I decided until Kayla's back and can hide her things she doesn't want us to see, they're better off with her sister."
"Good idea," Barry nodded.
"Moving in stressful?" Amelia asked.
"A little," Caitlin said with a nod. "So, what is this all about?"
"No one knows," Cisco added with a shrug, but was saved the moment Dr. Wells came in.
"Oh, good you all got here," Harrison Wells called, walking in. "I have some news and I wanted all of you to know before I announce it to the public tomorrow."
"That's a quick turnaround," Amelia pointed out to her adopted father, turning her chair a bit to face the man.
"Well… Tomorrow I will be announcing STAR Labs is officially closing its doors and shutting down," Harrison stated, a little humbly, causing shock to spread across everyone in the room.
"What…?" Amelia finally broke the silence, shocked.
"I'm sorry Amelia," Harrison said, sadly now – Amelia had been the only kid he raised to get his love of science. Jesse, when she was young, looked like she was going that direction, but the media had called her destiny; and Barry had wanted to be an actor for as long as Harrison had known him. "I know you wanted to take over these labs someday and it would have been my pleasure to give them to you – but I don't have a choice. The labs are losing money, more money than we can make. That sound system was supposed to be our way back, but we all know what happened there."
"Kayla," Caitlin whispered.
"That was a bad weekend," Cisco added, grasping Amelia's hand now.
"Oh, it's not her fault," Harrison pointed out. "The error would have happened eventually. I mean, it doesn't help it revealed a major celebrity secret…"
"What will happen? To you?" Jesse asked concerned more about her father's dream than anything.
"I have more than enough money to retire and live the life I want; I still own this building and land so I'm going to look into what I can do with it. Maybe tear down the building and make condos? Or maybe a museum for Central City history? There are many things I can do," Harrison mused. "This does mean everyone currently working here is out of a job, and that pains me. You're all brilliant and I wish I didn't have to do this." Caitlin, Cisco, and Amelia, who were all losing their jobs, took deep breaths in at this.
"It relieves me you found Kayla and are now living with her," Harrison pointed out to Caitlin. "It was my great honor to save you from Hunter; I think of you like a daughter too Caitlin, and Cisco you are like a son."
"Thank you," the pair said weakly. It was little comfort with being out of work but both thought of Harrison Wells like a father.
"I am looking into outlets for all my employees," Harrison added. "I'm hoping most of you, most of them, can move on to something better."
"I can't believe this is happening," Amelia finally spoke, Harrison about to move over to hug his daughter but Cisco moved first.
"Amelia," Cisco said as Harrison paused. "Maybe we can do something together? Open our own little business… as husband and wife."
"What?" Amelia asked as the room fell quiet once more.
"I was going to do this later," Cisco took the ring out of his pocket. "But now is as good as any, I think. We've been together for years, so let's start a new life now." Cisco opened the ring box to show the diamond ring. "Marry me?"
Amelia kissed Cisco head at this.
"Yes!" Amelia said as Cisco smiled and put the ring on her finger, the room erupting into applause.
"Well, it seems I have a wedding to plan," Harrison spoke with a smile. "And a daughter to bring down the aisle." Amelia smiled at Harrison now.
"Maybe Kayla can write your song," Barry added, eyes going to him. He had been glancing to the notebook. "She's not bad – I mean, I've seen better but seen worse too. I wonder why she doesn't make an album?"
Caitlin put her hand on her hip. "I gave that to you so Daphne wouldn't snoop. Not so you could!" Caitlin pointed out.
"Um… yeah I'll go give this to Kara," Barry muttered, closing the notebook he was looking at and grabbing the rest. "Congrats." Barry smiled at his sister and Cisco. "I think I got to figure out a new place to run Flash from though." Barry was out before anyone could comment on this.
"You know, Cisco marries Amelia…" Jesse started. "And if Barry marries Kara, and Caitlin marries Kayla that makes us all family."
"I… um… I got to unpack," Caitlin muttered at this, the shock of what just happened finally settling in and realizing she was out of a job too as she walked out. On the plus side it wasn't like this job was her true passion, maybe she could look for something else?
"Since this is all over, mind us taking the day off?" Cisco asked and Harrison nodded as Cisco smiled at Amelia. The two leaving Harrison and Jesse alone.
"So, any boy in your life?" Harrison asked Jesse who sighed. "Girl? I don't care."
"Bye dad," Jesse groaned, waving as she walked out.
-Beautiful-
Barry was sitting in the Grant kitchen, going over the notebooks and folder he had.
Since he had come here, he could hear Carly and Dawn arguing and Kara trying to break them up. It seemed she finally got the two to stop as Carly went to her room and Dawn sat in front of the TV where Topar was already.
"School starting will be a life savior," Kara groaned as she walked in.
"You know, after this day – both good and bad – Kayla's music is very calming," Barry pointed out. "She could use some work, but I found some I really like. I think this one is talking about me."
"That leads to a lot of questions," Kara chuckled. "But instead I am going to go with why exactly you have Kayla's diary?"
"Diary?" Barry paused. "These are song lyrics."
"That's how Kayla writes her diary," Kara pointed out.
"With accompanying music?" Barry asked, holding up the sheet music.
"She's weird," Kara shrugged.
"Well then… this just became awkward," Barry muttered, putting the music back in the folders and closing the notebooks. "Caitlin wanted me to give this to you for safe keeping because Daphne was snooping. I shouldn't have snooped myself."
"You shouldn't," Kara pointed out. "Of course, Kayla didn't think about hiding it when she told them to move in though," she took the books and ran up to her room, coming back down almost as fast as Barry could have. "They are safe from all prying eyes except mine. And considering I can read her mind I can look at her diary."
Barry made a face at this, wondering if Kayla would be pissed at the amount of people who read her diary today. "So what good and bad happened today?" Kara asked.
"Harry is shutting down STAR Labs," Barry stated, putting his elbow on the counter and his head in his hands, finally letting this sink in. "Amelia is upset, and I got to find a new place to be the Flash from."
"Lena and Lex won't mind another hero hanging out at Luthor Corp," Kara stated, putting an arm around Barry and kissing his head. "So, what good happened?"
Barry went into his pocket and took out a couple of keys. "The contract on the house I wanted closed," he surprised Kara with this – she knew he had mentioned buying a new place but had not known he had gone out and done it already. "It's beautiful Kara. Right on the water. There are 5 bedrooms. A study. Living room. A pool in the backyard as well. A giant kitchen where we can hire someone to cook. Or we can cook. Whichever you want."
"We?" Kara asked.
"It's for both of us," Barry stated. "I know you're not ready to live with me full time – and I get it, I do," Kara raised an eyebrow. "I know why you're not ready when Caitlin was: the father of your child wasn't an abusive dick; he was the love of your life and moving on will be slower for you. But maybe you could take this key," Barry put the key in Kara's hand. "Move some stuff in for you and Topar. Spend nights, with me. Topar can have his own room. We can get a dog or cat, if you like cats, or frogs. I don't mind."
"Topar a little too strong for human pets," Kara pointed out at this. "But I would love to take this key and come to the house. To stay there on my days off." Barry smiled at that. "There is one thing I need to know though," Barry raised an eyebrow. "Where is it?"
"Oh," Barry said with a smile, writing down an address. "It's in Central. I hope that's okay?"
"I'm fast enough to get to and from," Kara pointed out. "I'd like to see it."
"Now?" Barry asked.
"Carly, Dawn, Topar! We're going somewhere," Kara yelled out. "I'll take Topar and Carly, if you got Dawn."
"On it," Barry said grabbing Dawn, to the surprise of the girl as Kara took Topar, who laughed, and Carly.
Barry ran, and Kara followed Barry speed trail from the air, and landed in the backyard.
"Wow, look at that pool!" Dawn said, easily getting over being ran by Barry as she went to the edge. "You could have told me to bring a bathing suit!" she turned around and noticed the water behind. "And the ocean…?"
"Carly, keep an eye on her," Kara sighed, and Carly saluted.
"Why does she do that? The saluting thing?"Barry asked as Kara, Barry, and Topar walked into the house. Topar ran around the large room.
"She says it's practice for when she's in the military," Kara shrugged it off. "This place is pretty bare."
"I just got it today and the previous owner took all their furniture, so I need to shop a bit," Barry explained, but showed Kara around the living room anyway.
"I was thinking this could be Topar's room," Barry stated when they got outside. "It had a nice view of the ocean."
"My room?" Topar asked, coming up the stairs and running in. "Can I get a large Lego set? And cars? And action models? And –?"
"Topar," Kara said. "We still live in Grant house. This is only part time." Topar pouted. "Besides, you already have all that at the Grants." He did have his room there too, even if it was smaller than this place.
"But I'll get you some toys," Barry spoke up, and Kara gave Barry a look as Topar smiled. "For when he's here, I mean. He can't bring everything with him, after all." Kara sighed. She figured it was better to let Barry spoil Topar for the moment. "Let him enjoy the room. Come on."
Barry took Kara's hand to a room at the end of the hall, opening the door.
"The master bedroom," Barry pointed out. "Walk in closet, en suite… and balcony," Barry brought Kara out to the door and opened it. Kara could see Dawn sitting at the of the pool, kicking up water. Carly was there as well, watching her sister and looking around. "You like?"
"Much better place for a family than your studio apartment," Kara said with a smile. "I like it. Still needs furniture though. But I do see myself and Topar spending nights here and when we're ready moving in... I can see even raising more kids here." Barry had a smile on his face at that. "But you're right, I need more time. These last few months have been amazing but I just…"
"You need time," Barry repeated. "So, how about we make a deal?" Kara raised an eyebrow. "You keep the key. You come here whenever you want and when you're ready for us to be a family, you ask me."
"What?" Kara asked.
"I will not ask you to move in fully. When you're ready, you ask me. I won't ask you to marry me – when you're ready, you ask me," Barry said.
"Okay," Kara said with a nod. "Deal." Kara kissed Barry's lips to seal the deal. "I do want to spend the night here soon." Barry smirked. "But you're going to need to get a bed. And furniture and well… everything."
"I know, I know," Barry groaned; Kara has mentioned the lack of furniture quite a few times now. "It's on the way," Barry said as Kara's phone rang.
"Cat," Kara said, picking up the phone. "Sorry, Barry had to take us somewhere. We're on our way back." She told her boss with a smile.
-Beautiful-
Caitlin came back into the house and was now lying on the couch.
"Hey," Daphne said coming down the stairs. "Me and the girls have basically unpacked your…" Daphne paused, seeing her sister was upset. "What's wrong?"
"STAR Labs is closing down," Caitlin sighed as Daphne paused. "I'm out of a job."
Daphne was silent for a moment, shocked at the news, before coming up to Caitlin. "Urgh. That sucks… but it's all going to be okay," Daphne said. "It's got to be okay. You'll get unemployment for a bit and then… hey, didn't Lex and Lena offer you a job?"
"They did! I forgot about that," Caitlin sat up at this before pausing. "But… I just… I don't know," Caitlin paused. "I love STAR, not because of the work but because of who I was with. I don't know what I want to do with my life now – if I even want to continue in laboratories."
"Well… look around," Daphne stood at this. "We're good. We have a home – and Kayla is making millions off Little Mermaid." Caitlin gave her sister a look. "It's true. We're fine on home and food. You can take time and figure out your life now."
"What if this doesn't last though?" Caitlin asked. "If I'm still out of a job and Kayla and I don't work out…"
"Don't look at the negatives," Daphne stated. "You're doing good now."
"And even if we did last and I didn't get employment, there's added problems," Caitlin said, not listening to her sister as she wallowed in confusion. "Insurance – we're covered through my job; and Ruby needs that insurance for her inhaler and for medicine. Marley for her hearing aids, and…"
"Caitlin…" Daphne sighed, bite her lip not having thought of that.
"It's all going to come out of pocket now," Caitlin stressed. "I got some savings, but I need…."
"You can use my college fund," Daphne spoke quickly, making Caitlin glare at her sister now. "I want to be a photographer. I don't need college."
"But it would be helpful. No, you're going to that college you got into," Caitlin stated firmly; Daphne was starting college this year. "It's already paid for anyway – and it's an amazing school for photography right in National City."
"Well then, at least let me get a job," Daphne said. "I can help."
"If you want a job get a job," Caitlin said with a nod hugging her sister.
"Mommy!" Ruby yelled out, clearly happy. "Come see my room." Caitlin put a smile on her face as she moved toward the stairs.
….
It was a few weeks later and Caitlin was on set at STAR Trek Galaxy, on a Saturday.
Ruby and Marley had started their new schools, while Daphne had started college, meaning Caitlin had a lot of time to herself. Barry had invited her to the set.
Kara was there as well with Topar; Ruby going to stand next to them as they saw Barry. He was squatting behind something – Caitlin wasn't sure what the prop was. He had a phaser in his hand and was talking, apparently on the con.
"Do you understand what's going on?" Caitlin whispered.
"Barry is under attack… I think," Kara whispered back, giving Caitlin a smile as the director called cut. Barry stood and moved and over to them.
"Hey Caitlin, happy you came!" Barry said. "I've missed seeing you. And you Ruby." Barry smiled at the girl. "Where Marley?"
"With Daphne – both doing homework," Caitlin smirked at this. With Daphne's college so local she had decided to commute each day to the college.
"Barry can you watch the kids for a bit while me and Caitlin have a girl talk?" Kara suddenly asked, knowing she and Caitlin had a lot to talk about.
"Oh, girl talk? Sure," Barry said. "Come on you two, I'll show you the props. I don't need to shoot my next scene for an hour or so," Barry gave a nod at the two kids who happily followed him as Kara put a hand on Caitlin's back, leading her to find a place to sit.
"How are you doing?" Kara asked and Caitlin shrugged at this. "Lena's been asking if you're going to accept their offer." Caitlin, once again, shrugged, she still hadn't decided what to do with her life. "Have you talked to Kayla?" Kara moved on.
"She calls every day to say goodnight," Caitlin said. "To me and the girls… although the calls come in the middle of the day."
Kara laughed. "Yeah, I get them too. Kayla's not good with time differences."
"Should we tell her?" Caitlin asked.
"Tried once, she just stopped calling and Topar got sad," Kara said, frowning. "But have you actually talked to her? About what's going on with you?"
"She's busy," Caitlin implored. "She doesn't need to listen to me going on about life." Caitlin looked down. "But I miss her. I wish she was here with me. All I want is her."
"Caitlin, have you ever been in love before?" Kara asked now.
"I thought I loved Hunter but now…" Caitlin paused as she talked.
"Let me tell you about Mon," Kara said making Caitlin look to her.
"When I met him, I was young, I'd only been… Supergirl," Kara whispered this bit to Caitlin, "for a year… maybe a little over. I had just started as a nanny – just out of my teens. My twin sister's career was taking off; it was just after Magical Creatures. I didn't know where I was going with my human life but then he dropped out of the sky. And he was a… Daxamite. You don't know how bad that was to a Kryptonian," Kara was whispering as she spoke those lines. "He was everything we thought bad, and not to mention he was one of the Princes of Daxam too! I should have hated him – I did at first, but there was something about him. Something… charming. And he changed. He stopped drinking, stopped partying and even took up a costume to help me. Because of me. I fell hard and fast."
Kara paused as she remembered. "It was an all-consuming love. I just wanted to be with him and he wanted to be with me. Whenever we were apart we missed each other. We were married and pregnant within a year – I had Topar by the time I was 22. But we were happy," Kara said. "He was the one person I could tell anything to. He changed my world – my first love and… I thought my last. And when he died… well, remember that movie Kayla did, Dance Call?" Caitlin nodded at the film title. "You know the scene where she started crying as she's talking to her best friend?"
"I heard that wasn't in the script. Kayla just started doing it and the director liked it," Caitlin said.
"Yeah, she started doing it because she felt my grief," Kara said, Caitlin's mouth opening at this. "Right after filming she was with me. Came to the Grant house where I had already confessed everything to Cat. Mon was gone; he saved everything but left a hole in my heart. He left me with a son to love, but not himself. I never thought I would feel that way again – and then Barry showed up. It's not the same as when I was with Mon; love is never the same twice, but love is love. And I know Barry is my second chance."
"That's very sweet," Caitlin voiced.
"So, my question is… do you love Kayla?" Kara asked.
"I do," Caitlin said. "It's so much different than what I feel for anyone else."
"What Kayla feels for you is what I felt for Mon," Kara told Caitlin truthfully. "Kayla's been with other women before, but she's never loved before. Sara was close, but the two were quick in realizing they were not it. And she always knew it because she knew what love was like thanks to our bond. So, if you need Kayla, ask her to come. She'll fly home even for a night."
"I don't want her to come home for me," Caitlin pointed out. "Because I love how much she loves her job. You can see it when she's on set. I want to see her happy like that."
"Then go to her," Kara said. "Take Ruby and Marley out of school or a few days and fly off. Be spontaneous."
….
Caitlin almost couldn't believe she was out of the airplane, luggage in hand and Ruby holding onto her other hand, Marley holding Ruby's hand. It had been a long flight and the girls' first flight.
They hadn't been too thrilled with it, but it was worth it to see Kayla and be in the Caribbean. The extra luggage Caitlin had was being wheeled behind her by airport staff, but she wasn't sure where to go. She hadn't gotten a hotel room and she didn't know where Kayla was. She was starting to see the flaw in this plan.
But she had received a text from Kara almost the moment she started to doubt everything, telling her where to go. Marley now had the wheeled luggage as Ruby kept hold of her hand, and when she got to where Kara had told her, she saw a crowd – people being kept held back and she knew what this was: A live filming on the beach outdoors.
Caitlin kept good hold of Ruby as she squeezed her way to the front, telling Marley to stay put at a safe distance, and when she got through the crowd, there was Kayla on the beach in what looked like a bin-liner that looked a lot like what Ariel had worn when she first got her legs. They currently weren't shooting as another redhead there with wet hair and towel over her was talking to a crew member nearby.
"Sara!" Caitlin called out, knowing she needed help to get passed security. "Sara!"
Sara looked up from her own conversation to see Caitlin. Sara came up and whispered to security, pointing at her. The officer came over and let her and Ruby in. Caitlin and Ruby moved near Sara. "Kayla didn't tell me you were coming," Sara said. "Where's Marley?"
"She's safe," Caitlin stated, luckily able to see her other daughter through the crowd. Marley was quite confident for a girl of her age. "And Kayla doesn't know," Caitlin said. "At least, I hope not with her bond to Kara…" Kayla was up on a rock and Krypto was barking at her now. They were filming again and Ray Palmer, of Lovers of Tomorrow fame, was calling him Max – the scene was exactly out of the Little Mermaid when Eric had first seen Ariel with legs. Ruby was smiling as she watched.
"Oh, she'll love this," Sara said.
"You're wet," Caitlin pointed out.
"Yeah, I was the one pulled out of the water," Sara said as the scene ended, and cut was called. "Kayla!" Sara yelled out.
Kayla looked to Sara and paused at seeing Caitlin, a smile coming across her face.
"Caitlin," Kayla said, coming up with Krypto by her. "What are you doing here?"
"Kayla!" Ruby yelled out and ran at Kayla, Kayla grabbing her. "Oh, Little Gem, you're all wet now," Kayla kissed the top of Ruby's head as Ruby laughed. Kayla herself was wet as well clearly having been in the water too.
"Where's Marley?" Kayla repeated Sara's question.
"Safe," Caitlin pointed out, indicating to her daughter. Kayla though moved over to another security guard and whispered to him. After a moment, he left, heading toward Marley. Caitlin watched with a smile as he signed to the girl, who followed him into the filming area.
"Mario knows sign language. He's been helping me learn more," Kayla explained, coming up and kissing Caitlin. "What are you doing here?"
"Surprising you," Caitlin said, as Marley came up to them now, Mario the security guard taking control of the luggage.
"Well this is nice," Kayla said.
"I see kissing," it was a male voice; Ray Palmer had come up. "This must be the girlfriend. Caitlin, right?" Caitlin nodded. "And you have to be Ruby and Marley. Kayla talks about all of you of all the time. Where's the little sister? Daphne?"
"Ray, shut up!" Kayla whispered, blushing a bit but Caitlin had to smile.
"Okay," Ray said with a smile and wink. "Ray Palmer or Prince Eric as I am around here."
"Hi," Ruby said with a smile; Marley waved.
"Well I'll let you go back to kissing," Ray said, backing up to receive a light slap from Kayla.
"So, how's Krypto working out as Max?" Caitlin asked as Marley went to pet the dog and Kayla put Ruby down.
"Great," Kayla pointed out, rubbing her dog's head. "He seems to get on well with Ray, which is a bonus."
"I'm pretty sure the dog is getting more than me," Sara pointed out, joking.
"Kayla, they want us to redo the last part of the scene again," Ray yelled out.
"Ah," Kayla rolled her eyes. "I got to do… stay right here." Kayla turned around. "Hey Mario," she addressed the guard who had left Caitlin's luggage next to Caitlin. "Do me a massive favor please, and bring my girlfriend luggage to my hotel? You can tell the front desk to put it in my room."
"Sure thing, Ms. Kent," the man said, going back for the bags as Kayla and Krypto moved back off to the filming part of the beach.
….
"This is a hotel room?!" Caitlin asked as they walked into the room; Carter was sitting on a couch in like a living area with books.
"This is what you get when you're famous and star in a Disney movie," Kayla stated. "Carter, how was your lessons today?" Carter gave a non-committal nod at this. "Well you better be done soon. You're needed in the recording studio tonight. Go get some sleep – it's going to be a late night. And show the girls your room. I've arranged with reception for them to get an extra kids' bed in there."
"Okay," Carter sighed. "You could just say you want some time alone with your girlfriend. Come on girls," Carter waved his hand and Ruby and Marley followed him while Krypto went to take a nap on a chair.
"You even have a little kitchen in here!" Caitlin pointed out, moving over to worktop with microwave and small fridge.
"Yeah," Kayla said with a smile "So… any other reason for this visit or did you just want to see my hotel room?"
"I missed you," Caitlin corrected, going over and kissing Kayla. Being here with her made Caitlin realize how much she missed her girlfriend. "And I needed you. I had to tell you about STAR Labs… it closed down."
"I know," Kayla said, surprising Caitlin. "I'm in the Caribbean – not on the moon."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Caitlin asked, taking a step back at this. Kayla sat down though on the other couch Krypto wasn't on.
"I didn't want to pry," Kayla said truthfully. "I figured you would tell me when you were ready." Kayla looked up at her at this. "I know you haven't taken Lex and Lena up on their offer too."
"Well… I'm torn," Caitlin sighed, sitting next to Kayla now. "On one hand it's a good offer, and on the other hand… I don't know if I love my work. I mean, not the way everyone else loves theirs. Look at you, you love acting. I always wanted to be a doctor, or something in the field of medicine and now I'm questioning my life choices." Kayla just sat there though and listened. "But the girls need me to get medical insurance again. So, I don't think what I want matters. I'm a mom first."
"Hey, it matters," Kayla said. "Look, take your time. I got you. I got the girls. Talk to Lex and Lena or figure out exactly what you want. It's important you're happy." Caitlin had to give a little smile at that. "But not this weekend. Because this was the perfect weekend for you to show up. I got to do 'Kiss the Girl' tomorrow night and a few other small scenes during the day, but this weekend is mostly just voice actors catching up. I have some time off. I'll take you and the girls around." Caitlin smiled at that.
"Settle into the room," Kayla stood up at this. "Order room service on Disney – anything you want." Caitlin laughed at this. "I got to get Carter to his recording tonight, but Sara can bring him back so I'm not out late." She was trying her best to keep an eye on Carter, but it didn't come as naturally to her as it did Kara. Luckily though, Sara had stepped up and was surprisingly caring for the boy.
…
That night Caitlin was lying next to Kayla in her bed, Krypto was at the foot of the mattress, giving her looks – upset about Caitlin taking his spot again.
Caitlin turned around to the sleeping Kayla.
"Kayla?" Caitlin whispered and kissed Kayla to wake her; she knew Kayla woke even though she didn't move. "Kayla…" Kayla mumbled something. "I love you." It might not have been the time or place, but Caitlin had to finally say it.
"I love you too," Kayla muttered, putting an arm around Caitlin and bringing her closer. Caitlin snuggled into her girlfriend, putting her head on Kayla's chest to use her like a pillow. Smiling as she closed her eyes.
Post Chapter Note: This weirdly proved a challenge for Sigma to edit but worked out well in the end. Hope you all liked it!
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Karry Master OUT!