Stepping up to the door, Caitlin raised her hand and lightly knocked on the door doing her best not to drop the two large pizzas in her hand – one cheese the other pepperoni. Why she was here she didn't know, after leaving the hospital the idea of going home to an empty apartment was the last thing she wanted to do; instead set on autopilot she found herself heading in the direction of Barry's house telling herself she needs to check up on her patient which she knows is a lie – if it was any other patient she wouldn't be making a house call to check up on them. Stopping off long enough to get the pizzas then before she knew it she was knocking on the door. With her mind now thinking clearly Catlin doesn't know if this is the right thing to do – just turn up on his doorstep as if they are best friends, maybe a phone call or a text would be better for all she knows Barry is busy making dinner for them both and she's turned up with two huge pizzas that she is going to have to eat herself. Hey for all she knows Barry might not even let her into the house meaning she will have to eat pizza on her way home to save it from becoming cold.
The door slowly opened to reveal Barry looking as if he hadn't slept in a month but if he is taking the pain medication she prescribed for him then that would explain it. His eyes took a moment to focus on her confirming it was the pain medication and not a lack of sleep.
"Caitlin I didn't know you was coming over" Barry half smiled at her which Caitlin returned thankful he hadn't slammed the door shut in her face.
"I'm sorry I should have called but I wanted to check in on you and I brought pizza" she responded bringing the two boxes up under his nose allowing the scent of the cheesy goodness to fill his senses.
"Come on in; we're in the living room" Barry stood aside allowing Caitlin into the house, the smell of the pizzas making him realise how hungry he is, his stomach decided to unleash the whale trapped inside.
"CAIT" Evie shouted as Caitlin entered the room, bring Barry back into the world only to make him realise that he is now stood at an empty door inviting in only the bitter cold weather from outside into his home. Closing the door Barry headed back into the living room where Caitlin had made herself comfortable on the sofa while Evie sat on the floor beside the coffee table where the two pizzas had now set up home. Smiling at his daughter he passed them and went into the kitchen to grab some plates and to get Caitlin a soda knowing she is probably driving again.
Caitlin felt like a fool the moment she stepped into the living room – wanting to kick herself for not calling before showing up. Upon entering the living room she was greeted with the sight of a large almost seven foot Christmas tree and boxes upon boxes of decorating's; clearly she had walked in on them trimming the tree. Something she hasn't done since her parents died, refusing to have a tree because what is there to celebrate when she is on her own for the holidays. She doesn't have any gifts to put under it so why bother having one in the first place and as for Christmas songs on the radio she would prefer to go deaf than have to listen to them. All of them going on and on about spending time with family and friends it makes her want to laugh really. Instead she connects her phone to her car and plays the music she wants to listen to.
"I've got plates" Barry spoke ripping her away from the dark path Caitlin knew she was heading for. "I got you a soda" he handed the tall glass to Caitlin which she happily accepted taking a small sip before placing in on to a small area of the table that wasn't being over taken by the pizza boxes.
"Which would you like?" Caitlin asked Evie who sat gooey eyed staring at the pizzas.
"Cheese please" Evie pointed to the one she wanted. Pulling one of the pieces from the other she placed it onto Evie's plate taking a slice of the cheese for herself and biting into it; resisting the urge to groan at the deliciousness overtaking her taste buds.
The trio ate in silence, breaking the silence every now and then as one of them would mention something or Caitlin asked Barry how he was feeling – almost having a heart attack when he told her that he could do with another better but only for it to be a joke at her expense; after all she warned him not to drink any alcohol while taking the medication she prescribed for him. The two do not play well together.
Barry collected the plates and left over pizza from the coffee table and took them into the kitchen, Caitlin watched as he left her alone again with Evie allowing her to think of her excuse for having to leave so they can get back to trimming the tree, she didn't want to look rude and just shoot off not after Barry is welcoming her into his home when he didn't have to. Since the last time she was here Barry doesn't look as tense as he did that first time which made her feel more welcome and the last thing she wants is to come across as rude by running out of the door.
"Cait, would you like to help us trim the tree?" Evie ask, her bright green eyes looking up at Caitlin from her position on the floor.
Stunned Caitlin didn't know how to answer, outside of work she has no experience of kids so how do you let a little girl down who looks so excited at the idea of you staying to help. How can she say no but not make it sound mean. Rattling her brain she couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't upset the youngster and that is the last thing she wants to do. For someone as smart as Caitlin is she couldn't for the life of her think of anything her eyes unable to leave Evie's as she looked hopeful waiting for an answer.
"Evie maybe Caitlin has other things to do" Barry came in to recuse her, why she couldn't have thought that up herself she didn't know. How hard is it to say that she has other plans and can't stay this time but the more and more she looked at Evie the more she felt herself soften to the little girl.
"I would love to help – if it is ok with your daddy" Caitlin found the words left her mouth because she could stop them. One of the things she hates most about this holiday season she has agreed to do all because of one little girl who somehow has this power over her; the power to make Caitlin agree to anything she asks. At this point Evie could ask her to jump out of a plane without a parachute and she would probably agree because those big green eyes are so hard to say no to.
"YAY" Evie jumped up from her spot on the floor and charged towards the boxes of decorations pulling them all open so she can start.
"Evie indoor voice" Barry said to her looking more like his old self now that he has had something to eat. Walking over to where Evie stood pulling decorations out from the boxes; he scooped her up into his arms and onto his shoulder while she laughed and wriggled around trying to free herself.
Caitlin found herself watching the pair, a small smile tugging at her lips close to breaking out in a full blown smile the more she watched them. There is no doubt that they have a tight bond but when you grow up with only one parents that is bound to happy she thought to herself. If anything it makes her miss her own parents more seeing how happy Barry and Evie look together. Swiping her drink up from the table, for once wishing it was something stronger but knowing she can't as she has to drive home and be up early in the morning for work so soda will have to do – now a little vodka in the soda would have made this situation all the better; but she will just have to hold herself together and wish for the best.
Surprisingly Caitlin found trimming a tree to be fun, especially when both Barry and Evie are involved. Her soda has been changed for a nice mug of hot chocolate, whipped cream on the top with little marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles to finish it off. At the time it sounded like a good idea then came to drinking it – having only taken one sip from the mug and Caitlin ended up with whipped cream all over the end of her nose which Evie found to be the funniest thing in the world, using her hand Caitlin brushed at the end of her nose to rid the cream from the tip; putting her finger into her mouth and sucking the cream off only for Evie to tell her inbetween her giggling fit that she had missed some.
Stepping forwards Barry used his thumb to rid the rest of the cream from her nose taking them both by surprise. Barry not knowing why he did that and Caitlin in shock that he had done it but then proceeded to stick his thumb into his mouth to stuck the cream off. They pair stood in a trance looking at each other neither of them knowing what to do after the surprised move. Caitlin felt as if the end of her nose was on fire from the brief moment Barry's flesh touched hers.
"Daddy can I put the angel on the top?" Evie asked breaking them both out of their little worlds, Barry turned to look at his daughter who was half on the arm of the chair half falling off giving Caitlin the opportunity while he is distracted to bring her palm up to her nose just to make sure it wasn't on fire. Satisfied that it isn't she quickly rubbed back and forth on her nose before dropping her hand to her side once again.
"Not yet, we have to finish decorating the rest of the tree – you know the angel goes on last" Barry told her causing the youngster to pout at her father in disappointment.
Looking at the tree to see half of it decorated and the other half still in need of some attention, Caitlin grabbed another ornament and placed it onto the tree. While Barry made himself busy by wrapping tinsel around the two pictures of Evie on either side of the fire; following Evie's instructions to decorate the top while she does the bottom because in her worlds "she is little and can't reach the top so she does the bottom" Caitlin continues to place the ornaments onto the tree smiling as she did so. There was a time she would do this with her parents and with every ornament she placed onto the tree the fun memories came flooding back to her and even if she tells herself she hates doing these Christmassy things secretly she knows she likes it may even go as far to say that she loves it.
Barry stood back checking his handy work with the tinsel but couldn't stop his eyes from wandering over to Caitlin; well her back. Why he thought getting that cream was a good idea, what made him do that he doesn't know but now he can't stop thinking about it – watching her. The way her pony tail sways when she moves to get another ornament for the tree and he knows it is wrong – he shouldn't be even thinking about Caitlin not when a photo of his dead wife is in front of him, her smiling face there for him to see as he moved around the house. He should be thinking about Emma and no one else. He knew inviting her into his home that first night was a mistake because look where it has got him. as much as he wanted to ignore her his eyes wouldn't allow it not when he can see her trying to stretch to reach the top of the tree to place one of the ornaments onto it; without thinking Barry made his way over to her, his hand resting on her hip while he stood behind her. Taking the little glass ornament out of her hand he placed it onto the tree where he thinks she was trying to reach.
"There" he found himself saying to her as they both looked at the little glass snowflake which Barry could see the irony in it because not only for Caitlin's last name but because Caitlin is also unique just like a snowflake. Once again he mentally slapped himself for thinking like that.
"Thanks" Caitlin breathed out as she stood frozen in place.
Barry's breath hitting her neck making the hairs stand up, his large hand gripping her waist, the cold of the metal of is wedding ring hitting her bare skin from where her shirt had ridden up while she was trying to stretch to reach the top part of the tree. She knows she should move, do anything to put some contact between them but she can't move – she is frozen to the spot; almost as if time had slowed down or come to a complete stop. Getting her wits about her she cleared her throat making Barry take a stop back, his hand dropping form her waist allowing her shirt to fall back down to cover her skin once again. She stepped back allowing Barry to finish the top of the tree' she watched as the muscles in his back tightened with each move he made or the small stretch to reach the top until it was completed, all the ornaments in place with only two things left to do – place the angel on top and turn the lights on.
Barry picked Evie up and sat her on his shoulder both of them turning to look at Caitlin "Can you pass us the angel please?" Barry asked making Caitlin snap into action and collect the angel from the coffee table, taking a moment to straighten out her white and silver dress before handing it to Evie to place in position. Taking a couple of steps back she stood and watched as Evie placed the angel onto the tree, memories of her father picking her up to do it on the family Christmas tree each year while her mother stood and watched sometimes getting emotional because with each year that passes Caitlin didn't have to stretch as far to reach meaning she was growing up.
With the angel securely in place, Barry placed Evie down on the floor only for her to move to stand next to Caitlin while Barry found the on switch for the lights. "Are you ready?" he asked waiting for them both to answer before turning the lights on.
"Yes" both females responded at the same time.
"Good then here we go… 3…2…1" as soon as Barry hit one he flicked the switch making the lights come to life on the tree as they twinkles in time with each other. "What do you think?" Barry asked moving to stand on the other side of Evie but looking at Caitlin for her opinion.
"It's the best tree I've ever seen and it's been a while" she answered honestly apart from the main tree in the centre of town and the ones at the hospital this is the only other tree she has seen for years and it makes her miss everything about Christmas even for just a moment.
"Have you done your tree yet Cait?" Evie asked making Caitlin smile.
"I don't have a tree"
"Why not, everyone needs a tree at Christmas?"
"Because I spend the holidays alone so I don't have anyone to share a tree with" Caitlin told her honestly, she doesn't see the point in having a tree when no one is going to see it; no gifts are going to be left under it and she always works on Christmas day so she doesn't need one, it's just a painful reminder of the time of year whereas she is more than happy to do her best to ignore this time of year which isn't working out of her this year.
So this is part 2 what did you think?
I hope it was worth the wait.
So things are beginning to become a little complicated … what do you think they will do… do you think they should talk about what happened or just ignore it and pretend it didn't happen?
Thank you for reading.
All feedback is welcome.
also sorry for any mistakes I fixed the ones I spotted.