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Disclaimer: I don't own the Flash. I own only Natalie Allen and the plot.
*Caitlin's POV*
Barry and I walked into STAR Labs cradling baby Bart in my arms after another night we babysat him. Barry and I have been babysitting on Thursday nights so Natalie and Eddie could get some sleep and a much needed break. After a night of no sleep, I surprisingly felt so awake. I guess being happy does that to you, I've never been so happy in my life. Bart finally went to sleep after my alarm clock rang for Barry and I to get up and Bart hasn't stirred once.
"Now he sleeps, typical" Barry huffed as we walked into the elevator. I smiled at my boyfriend and kissed him quickly.
"You have to admit that it's worth it" I teased gazing down at my beautiful grandson. Barry chuckled and put his hand on Bart's head.
"Yeah, it is. God, I can't wait till this is Natalie. I mean I love Bart and all but it's a little weird holding my grandson in my arms before my own daughter." I had to agree with him. On one hand I loved having my grown up daughter here but I wanted to raise her myself, not hear about me raising her. The elevator dinged and we walked into the hallway leading to the cortex. Inside sat Cisco and Natalie chatting away like they always do. When Natalie noticed us her green eyes widened with happiness and she flashed in front of us.
"Hey little guy, were you good for Grandma and Grandpa?" she asked as Bart opened his eyes to smile at his mother. Such a Mamas boy, I wonder if Natalie was a mommy's girl.
"Well he didn't sleep until midnight then he woke up an hour later and fell asleep when my alarm sounded" I answered handing my grandson to my daughter. Bart looked so happy to see Natalie, it made my heart swell and I wanted so badly to have my children look at me like that. I remember when Natalie first came 12 months ago and looked at me like that but with more desperation. It was a year ago today.
"I'm so sorry Mom, Dad. Bart just doesn't like to sleep when it's dark out. He inherited my fear of the darkness I guess". Barry and I nodded in understanding. I know that Barry has afraid of the dark as a kid too. I guess Natalie got that fear from him and now Bart has it.
"Guys, I hate to break up your family time but a wormhole just opened up like five seconds and closed ago" Cisco said rushing to the four of us with a worried glance on her face.
"Did it produce weird purple stuff to fall on the ground?" Natalie asked with a suspicious expression on her face.
"Yeah, how did you?" Cisco asked turning to look at her. Natalie's face hardened.
"Vortex" was her only answer looking at Barry and I with a frightened expression. Thats the meta that caused my death and killed Barry in the future, the one who took us from Natalie.
"Where is he?" Barry asked already changing into his suit.
"A block from the station" Cisco answered with a grim expression.
"I'll go" Natalie said handing me Bart gently, "This is my fight Dad". Barry shook his head.
"Natalie, no. Your-"
"No, Dad. He ruined my life, he took you and Mom from me because he could. Vortex is from the future just like me, I did something to him in an alternate timeline and now he wants to destroy the Allen family for good. Stay here and protect Mom and Bart. Please." Natalie begged gripping Barry's arms tightly.
"We'll go together. Deal?" Barry replied after a minute of thinking. Natalie sighed but nodded. I didn't know that Vortex had a vendetta against Natalie and that was why he did all of this. It doesn't seem like she knows what she did but I knew I didn't want her to go.
"Wait, before you go. " Cisco said jumping up, "I made Nat a suit". I gave him a glare, my daughter shouldn't go out there.
"Natalie, what about Bart? If Vortex does kill you , what happens to him? Think about your son" I begged, hoping she wouldn't go. Natalie took a shaky breath.
"He won't, I've watched Dad beat him before. I'm not ever gonna let Bart grow up the way I was forced too" Natalie said turning to me with a sad look on her face, "I'm gonna come back, we both will". I nodded at her promise. Natalie kissed Bart's head then gave me a hug.
"I love you Mom" She whispered then after hugging Cisco she flashed away. Barry kissed me quickly then flashed away as well. It felt as if my heart just walked away from me.
"I'm gonna call Eddie and Joe" Cisco said somberly, "They should know whats going on". I nodded and held Bart close to me as he started to cry. It was like he knew the danger his mom and grandpa were facing right now.
*Eddie's POV*
I sighed happily as I leaned back to stretch my arms, today has been a little hectic with work but I slept great last night. I missed Bart but it was nice to have alone time with Natalie and sleep for an entire night. Joe sat down at the desk across form me and grinned.
"You look well rested. Barry and Caitlin watch Bart again last night?" He asked taking a sip of his coffee. I smiled and glanced down at the picture of Bart and Natalie on my desk.
"Yeah, slept for a full seven hours with no crying newborns" I replied looking back up at Joe. "I love my son to death but sleeping for more than three hours is nice too" Joe chuckled.
"I bet but your gonna miss these days when he's all grown up" Joe said warningly. I groaned playfully.
"I'm still getting used to the idea of having a baby, I don't even want to think about him being a teenager yet" I shuddered remembering me as a teen. Joe and I laughed again. My cell rang and I looked down to see who it was.
"Cisco?" I muttered, confusion going across my face, "Hello?".
"Eddie, you and Joe need to get to STAR Labs now. I'll explain everything when you get here." He said hurriedly, I heard Bart crying in the background and I went into parent mode.
"Is Bart okay? Where's Natalie?" I asked worriedly.
"Bart's just a little cranky right now but I'll explain the rest when you get here" I gripped the phone tightly.
"Where's Natalie?" I asked forcefully, I heard Cisco gulp.
"Fighting Vortex with Barry" Cisco answered with a sigh. My heart lurched, this is it. I could lose Natalie and Bart all in the same day.
"We're on our way" I replied grabbing my coat and hanging up the phone.
"Joe, we need to go now" He looked at me in concern.
"What's happening?"
"Vortex" I answered and he nodded in response. Joe and I rushed to STAR Labs and I ran to the cortex, I could hear Bart crying with Caitlin trying to hush him.
"Bart, hey little guy, it's okay. Daddy's here" I soothed taking my hysterical son from my future mother in law.
"He's been like that since Natalie and Barry left, I tried to calm him down but..." Caitlin trailed off looking at the ground sadly. There was as much at stake here for Caitlin as there was for me.
"Caitlin, it's fine. You did all you could" I reassured then turned my attention back to Bart who was starting to calm down. I calmed Bart down and rocked him until he fell asleep against my chest. I turned to the screen where the fight was playing out, praying that this wasn't end of everything I hold dear to me.
*Barry's POV*
When I caught up to Natalie we were faced with a brown haired man with a crazy look in his eye which were bright purple just like the dust on the ground.
"Nat, I wasn't expecting you to be here" Vortex said with a maniacal smirk on his face.
"Barton, I know you hate me, even though you won't tell me why, but you don't have to do this" Natalie said stepping forward carefully. Vortex tilted his head at her.
"You look so young, younger than your dear Daddy, the Flash." Vortex taunted, "You must be the after math of what I have planned for your retched family!" He screamed in realization. Natalie clenched her fists tightly.
"I'm giving you one last warning, leave now and I won't kill you." Natalie warned and I was a bit taken aback by her harsh words. She sounded like the girl who traveled here a year ago today, broken and angry. Vortex laughed and shot a glare at her.
"You? Natalie Nora is going to kill me. You were too weak to do it in the future, your little brat son Bart had to chase me away himself" He knew Bart, Natalie did become a mother to Bart in another timeline. A timeline that has been erased now by the events Vortex changed.
"The Natalie you know doesn't exist anymore and don't you ever talk about my son!" she spat anger entering her features at the mention of Bart.
"So you've had him already? Whose the father, not Tommy Queen this time considering he wont be born for another two years?" Vortex taunted moving around twitchingly, this guy has some serious issues. Natalie married Tommy and had Bart in another timeline. If Natalie never met Eddie then she would have married the next best thing, Oliver and Felicity's son.
"That life doesn't exist anymore, you bastard" Natalie snapped taking a step forward clearly ready to fight, "I'm not gonna let you ruin the life I've built". I came to stand by my daughters side ready to fight for the future we all wanted. Vortex grinned.
"Let's get started then, shall we?"
Bam! There is chapter 22, the next chapter is the final one. Prepare yourselves people! Thanks for reading and please leave a review:)