Part 31
Six months later
The trial only lasted a few more days. The defense hadn't had much they could do. The jury ended up returning with a verdict in less then an hour. Hunter Zolomon was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to Iron Heights for thirty years. Caitlin was able to come up with a treatment for Jacquie's headaches. While it wasn't a cure they were getting better. As a thank you Jacquie made Caitlin a charcoal portrait. Caitlin cried when she saw it. While she knew next to nothing about art she did know that it was one of the best things she had ever seen. Caitlin's relationship with Barry had become stronger. While they had not made love yet, it wasn't like they hadn't come close. They had to stop when Caitlin had a panic attack. She had started to cry fearing that she would never be able to give him what she felt he deserved. But he just held her telling her he loved her and was willing to wait forever for her to be comfortable with being with him that way.
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Barry walked into the office of Carla Tannhouser. Caitlin's mother. He was nervous. While he knew Caitlin nearly as well as he knew himself. But he even after nearly twenty years hardly knew her mother.
"Mr. Allen what brings you by?" asked Carla
"Dr. Tannhouser, I know you are busy. So I will get right to the point. I want your blessing to ask Cait to marry me."
"Barry, you know my daughter better than I do then you know the only one you need permission from is Caitlin to marry her."
"That is why I am not asking your permission. I am asking for your blessing. Caitlin, may never tell you but she does care what you think."
"Barry, when Caitlin and I moved to Central City after her father died I was so consumed in my own grief that I failed to notice Caitlin's. Turns out my decision to move here was the right one. While I was neglecting her, you came into her life. It took time by you helped her to heal then as you have now. You made her smile again. For that I will always be grateful. So if my daughter makes the choice to marry you then you will have not only my blessing but my permission. Barry Allen, Caity is lucky that you came into her life. Just keep taking care of her like you have for nearly twenty years."
"Thank you Dr. Tannhouser."
"Call me Carla. I may not know my daughter as well as you do. But if you felt the need to come to me then you know she will say yes. So it's Carla since we will be family."
"Ok Carla."
"Make sure that you let me know Caity's answer."
"I will."
Barry smiled and headed out to plan the perfect romantic dinner to ask the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with to marry him.
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Caitlin walked into her apartment after a long week. She was surprised to find a candle lit dinner for two. She took off her coat and hung it the rack by the door. Barry walked out of the kitchen into the living room dressed in a suit complete with a tie. She raised her eyebrows.
"Well I feel very under dressed for a dinner at home." Said Caitlin
"You look perfect. This way malady."
Caitlin let Barry lead her to the table. She sat down and Barry pushed her in. He then served her.
"So what is this about Bare?" asked Caitlin taking a sip of her wine.
"What do you mean? I have cooked for you before."
"Not like this. Grilled shrimp with garlic butter and lemon sauce. Wild rice and spinach salad."
"I just wanted to do something special for you."
"Bare, I know you are up to something."
"No I'm not."
"I talked to my mom yesterday. She said you came to visit, and that you had a nice talk. But refused to say what it was about."
"I just had to ask her something. Nothing you can worry about."
"Just so you know I am not buying that story. But it's ok."
They ate dinner just enjoying each others company. When Barry brought out dessert Caitlin really knew something was up. She knew for a fact that while he could cook rather well. He couldn't bake. That strawberry shortcake was most definitely not something he could make.
"My mom made it."
"Then I know it will be good."
Caitlin went to take a bite when she noticed something shiny in the dessert. She dug in and pulled out a diamond ring. She used a napkin to clean the whipped cream off it. Barry gentle took the ring from Caitlin and knelt in front of her.
"Cait, I know we haven't dated long. Some may say this is fast. But we have known each other for close to twenty years. We have seen each other at our best and at our worse. You bring out the best in me. While I can't say what the future holds for us. I know that I don't want to face that future with out you by my side. Will you make me the happiest man alive and agree to marry me?"
Caitlin looked at Barry with tears in her eyes. She hadn't expected this. Her best friend the man she had been in love with for years was asking her to marry him.
"Yes Barry, I will marry you."
Barry smiled placed his hands on either side of her face and kissed her passionately. He broke the kiss only long enough to slip the ring onto her finger. Caitlin placed her forehead against Barry's and looked into his eyes.
"You asked my mom for her permission to marry me didn't you?" asked Caitlin
"No Cait. I asked for her blessing. But she gave her permission anyway. Even though she knows you don't need it."
"You are so sweet. Though I do think that there is like a fifty year old man in that cute body of yours."
Barry laughed. They then fed each other dessert before heading to the bedroom where they finally made love for the first time. After making love Caitlin laid curled up with her head resting on Barry's chest right over his heart. Barry had his arms wrapped around her drawing circles on her back with his finger. Between the sound of his heartbeat and the soothing patters Barry was rubbing on her back Caitlin soon fell to sleep feeling safer then she had in a long time.