Ok so I am blown away by the response to the first chapter and I just want to say thank you to those of you who spent the time to review – I love reading the positive feedback – it made me smile lol.

Well here's chapter two so enjoy it.

Barry stood in the kitchen responding to Caitlin's text confirming that she is still coming to dinner and to be there for around six-thirty, it's a little later than they normally eat but as a once off he doesn't really mind due to the fact she is working until five-thirty. The sound of little feet stamping down the stairs then over the hardwood floor grew louder the closer his little monster got to him. Re-reading his text to make sure it was correct with no spelling mistakes, he hit send as Evie reached the kitchen making him lift his head to look at her. Halting in front of him, he looked down at his daughter – looking into a smaller version of his wife's eyes while Evie smiled back up at him before looking around the kitchen at all the food on the kitchen counters that they had bought earlier in the afternoon.

"You know the rules little lady – no charging through the house like a while animal" Barry told his daughter – telling her again after so many times of her not listening to why she would listen to him now he doesn't know. Who know maybe the thousandth times a charm he thought to himself.

"I want to help" Evie took slow carful steps into the kitchen to save herself from another telling off for what her father would really call her normal bull in a china shop charge thought the house.

"I thought you might" he responded to the youngster who is always more than happy to help him when it comes to cooking. "But wash your hands first, put your apron on and grab the vegetable peeler from the draw, you can do the carrots"

Running to the kitchen sink, Evie began to wash her hands as instructed making Barry roll his eyes at is young daughter wondering if there will ever be a time when she will listen to him and not run in the house. For years he has been telling her to walk while inside the house but today is clearly not that day. Having washed her hands, Evie took to drying them on her thighs while heading over to the hooks on the wall by the door to grab her apron, slipping it over her hand Barry stood leaning against the dark wood counter watching Evie move around the kitchen then make her way towards him so as normal he can tie the apron behind her back. Placing a kiss on the top of her head as a sigh he is done.

Hearing his phone vibrate against the counter top, he gave his attention to his phone instead of Evie who bounced over to the draw to get the peeler. Snatching his phone up, quickly unlocking it with this thumb print he saw a text from Cait telling him she will be there on time and is looking forwards to seeing them both again. Surprisingly Barry found himself smiling down at the screen of his phone not wanting to admit he is looking forwards to seeing her as well – he may have only spoken to her for no more than ten minutes the previous night but he finds himself wanting to know more about her, who she is, what is her story and how did she end up on this town? She can't be from here or else he would have noticed her once in his thirty two years.

Evie cleared her throat making Barry look up at her, abandoning his phone once again wondering what she needed help with. "Urmmm Daddy, my stole"

Rolling his eyes once again at his daughter, he opening the cabinet door of the small centre island to the kitchen where they always do their prep work and pulled out the small stepping stool for Evie to stand on so she can reach the top of the surface, something he's notice she will be able to do in no time due to the rate she is growing. In his mind she is still the new born baby girl, that baby girl who didn't have a name for three days as they couldn't decide on one, going back and forth with each name before settling on calling her Eve after Emma's grandmother, who raised her since Emma was a child and had died just before Evie was born.

Positioning himself opposite Evie he began to wrap the chicken breast in bacon, another of Evie's favourite foods – a suggestion Evie told him to make as well as his mac and cheese because in her opinion they are really good together. Upon hearing the front door open, Barry turned his head to look in the direction of the door – almost thinking he could see though the wall between him and the noise wondering who it could be after all he isn't expecting anyone right now.

"What's cooking, good looking?" a female voice said from behind him, entering the kitchen and giving Evie a kiss on the top of her head. At hearing her voice Barry couldn't help but smile as he circles the island and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

The doorbell rang through the house signalling Caitlin has arrived as was a little early which Barry doesn't mind, Evie ran towards the door to open it only for Barry to hold her back to stop her from doing so, yes they are expecting Caitlin but he can't one hundred percent say it is her and he doesn't want Evie opening the door as anyone could be on the other side. Barry couldn't ignore how his heart began to beat faster in his chest at the idea of Caitlin. When he invited her he wasn't really thinking he just wanted to thank her properly for finding Evie and making sure she was ok and now that she is here he knows it is too late to back out now.

Evie pulled the door open as he stood behind her to reveal that it was Caitlin on the other smile, she smiled upon seeing them both not knowing herself how fond she had become of the duo in such a small time of meeting them – more so Evie who she had spent more time with and seeing Evie looking up at her with a smile on her face couldn't help but smile back.

"I'm not too early am I?" Caitlin asked wondering if she had turned up a little too early for dinner, after all it was only just past six and Barry had told her six-thirty but she decided to come straight from the hospital or else it meant going past Barry's to her apartment then back again and she didn't see the point – that and you never know what the traffic in Central City will be like around this time so coming straight from the hospital was the sensible idea as the last thing she wanted is to turn up late

"No, dinner is almost ready. Come on in" Barry opened the door further to allow Caitlin inside, relieved that he wasn't struck by lightning or something for allowing another woman into his house.

"I brought red and white as I didn't know what you liked" Caitlin handed the two bottles of wine to Barry. "And for you I brought you some orange soda" she handed Evie the small bottle of soda who gladly accepted it.

"You didn't have to bring anything with you" Barry closed the door with his foot, motioning for Caitlin to follow Evie into the living room. "And you're not drink all that in one go" he told Evie knowing she will be bouncing off the walls all-night if she did – having learnt from experience in the past. Six year olds and a full bottle of soda doesn't end well, he might as well have just given the kid a red bull because the soda had the same effect on her as red bull.

"I didn't want to turn up empty handed"

"What can I get you to drink?" Barry asked wondering what colour she would prefer.

"Just a soda for me, I'm driving" Caitlin responded knowing just because she can't drink then that shouldn't stop Barry from doing so.

"You can have half of mine" Evie offered handing the bottle to Caitlin to open for her.

"That is very kind of you; I would love to share it with you"

"Two glasses it is then" Barry excused himself and headed into the kitchen, placing the wine on the counter he grabbed two glasses out of the cupboard for Evie and Caitlin and grabbed a beer from the fridge for himself. Taking a moment to compose himself; not wanting to come across as nervous, not for something as innocent as dinner. It's not as if he is allowing Caitlin into his bed – just his home, He is just having dinner with a new friend he reminded himself.

Twisting the cap off his beer, he disposed of it into the trash and headed back into the living room, handing a glass to Caitlin and placing the other onto the table for Evie who took it upon herself to act as hostess and pour Caitlin's drink.

"You have a lovely home" Caitlin commented wondering why she would say something as lame as that but it wasn't a lie, the semi open plan layout of the house, the living room is large and painted in neutral colours with personal little trinkets scatter around the room, a large fireplace in the centre of the main wall with two large photos of Evie on either side as a baby, the mantel surrounding the fire had photos on top of it, one of a blonde woman no doubt his wife. She didn't see it the other day due to the fact he was wearing gloves and it was dark when they met but sat here now she can see the sliver band wrapped around his finger. Another photo of Barry, Evie and the blonde woman on the other end, which only made Caitlin wonder where his wife is – she had expected her to be here but she didn't want to ask Barry so she deciding she must be working tonight.

"Thank you – we like it" Barry laughed looking at Evie who had placed herself onto the sofa beside Caitlin, close enough that she might as well just be sat on her lap.

"And dinner smells amazing" Caitlin commented unable not to notice the smell of the food, the small alone making her stomach rumble in anticipation for it, until now she hadn't realised how hungry she actually was having only grabbed something small at lunch time due to the amount of work she had sitting on her desk.

"It's almost done, ten maybe fifteen minutes."

Nodding to say she heard him as she took a sip of her soda, her mouth suddenly become very dry. Placing her glass down on the table beside her noticing a lipstick sat on the table with an eyeliner beside it, seeing the shade of lipstick on the end of the black plastic surrounding she has to admit it is a very nice shade one she might consider buying herself, it isn't as in your face as the bright red she is currently wearing – more of a natural pink colour.

Biting into the food Caitlin held back the moan that she wanted to let loose, Evie wasn't lying when she said Barry made a good mac and cheese because this is probably the best she has ever tasted and compliments the bacon wrapped chicken perfectly. Not wanting to look like a pig or that she hasn't been fed in a month, she took her time eating the food on her plate instead of shovelling it all in as quickly as she possible could which is how she wanted to eat it. Looking across the table to see Evie watching her with a crooked smile, shooting her a smile back she went back to focusing on the food on her plate leaving Caitlin to focus on her own as they all ate in silence. Barry sat on her right at the head of the table casually sipping on his beer. She doesn't know why but she can't help but notice how tense he seems to be compared to last night and she doesn't know why – maybe it's because you're in his house alone with him and his daughter while his wife is working Caitlin thought to herself.

One the chair beside Evie she noticed a female's leather jacket and wondered if that is where his wife normally sits when they eat because compared to all the other chairs it isn't the sort of place where you put a jacket when you come in so it only leads her to think that is where she sits.

"This is amazing" Caitlin commented knowing now that the smell from the living room does justice to the food in front of her.

"Evie wanted to have this tonight" Barry spoke up his fork pausing just before it reached his mouth.

"And I did the carrots" Evie looked at Barry only for him to nod to confirm she did them.

"They are the best carrots I have ever had"

"Really?" Evie asked in excitement which mirrored her face with the biggest smile anyone had ever seen.

"Really – Really" Caitlin told her, it's not like you can really go wrong with carrots unless you over cook them but seeing the look on Evie's face is worth it because she looks so happy at her comment that Caitlin couldn't help but wonder about this little girl and the innocent within her.

"Daddy did everything else apart from the pie, we got that from the store because daddy can't bake – he burns everything" Evie told her which made both Barry and Caitlin laugh which helped to break the tension between them. Caitlin had tried to ignore it but it was always there looming over them.

"Thank you Evie, so much for passing off the pie as home baked" Barry said sarcastically reaching over the table to tickle the six year old who began to squirm in her seat as Barry's fingers tickled her ribs.

"Daddy….. Stop….. Stop" Evie said between laughs as she tried to push Barry's hand away from her.

Caitlin sat watching the pair and smiled at the bond they both had, just like her bond with her father before he was taken away from her. Her mother was the serious one where as her father was the fun one, always playing with her and sneaking her cookies when her mother wasn't watching and couldn't help but wonder if Barry and Evie's relationship is the same. From what she has witnessed Barry comes across as a fun dad always willing to play with Evie whenever she wants, which made her wonder if Evie's mother is the serious one between them both she is the one lays down the rules with Evie just for Barry to break them for his little girls just like her childhood.

"Do we get ice-cream with the pie?" Evie asked a glimmer in her eye as if she already knew the answer.

"Don't we always?" Barry responded causing Evie to punch the air as if she had just won the lottery.

Dinner passed over with casual conversation and Barry threatening Evie with his hand again, pretending he was going to tickle her every now and then which set her off into a fit of giggles. Barry cleared the plates declining Caitlin's offer to help him clear the table only for him to return with the pie, a tub of ice cream, bowls and spoons making Catlin comment on how home baked the pie looked setting Evie off into another fit of giggles which she tried to hide behind her hands – a sound Caitlin has decided is one of her favourite sounds – The innocent laugh of a child.

So this is part one of two … which I hope to update ASAP

What did you think?

What do you think will happen in the next half?

Thank you for reading.