Hey guys long time no see. Sorry it took forever to get this chapter up. Please dont kill me for taking this long. I know it's like a month into summer too. I totally intended to have this out like three weeks ago. But I was kinda busy and i totally forgot about this and I had a little bit of writer's block. But that's enough with the excuses you guys just want to read the chapter now. Sorry it's not my best and it's fluffy but i promise next chapter will have action.
Only the plot is mine
"Dad?" Irey asked softly looking up from her paperwork. "Can I ask you something?"
Wally set down the morning paper and took a sip from his coffee. He and Irey were sharing brunch at their favorite café in a small town outside of Keystone.
"Sure honey." Small creases formed at the corners of his eyes as he smiled.
"When did you first know you were in love with mom?" The young woman wondered. "I-I'm just curious."
A sad smile spread across her father's face. Wally would never forget that painful moment Artemis Crock stole his heart forever. "I remember that day like it was yesterday. We were both fifteen at the time and we absolutely hated each other." The man chuckled softly.
Irey looked at him in confusion. "You guys hated each other?" Honestly she couldn't see that in her parents.
"I couldn't stand her mother. When we first met she was such a bitch to me. Well I wasn't that nice to here either, but needless to say we definitely didn't get along."
"So how'd you fall in love?" The speedster took a sip from her frappuccino. "I can't picture you and mom hating each other."
"Neither can I." Her father agreed. His gaze was somewhat distant as he continued his story. "That day I realized I loved Artemis we were doing an exercise. The whole team was participating in a mental simulation meant to prepare us. It was supposed to be a no win situation and we all knew that going into it. At first we stat back and watched the whole league perish in the simulated alien invasion and none of us even flinched as we witnessed out mentors disintegrate into nothing. Then it happened. We were somewhere in the arctic near the fortress of solitude trying to take out one of the alien craft when Artemis was hit with the disintegration beam." Wally's voice started to shake as the memories came back to him.
The young woman paled. Her knuckles turned white as she grasped the side of the table.
"She was killed instantly, but unlike the others her death felt real. When we all got on the bioship I went crazy. That was when I realized that I loved your mother and I was absolutely crushed with grief because I thought she was gone forever. When I woke up and saw her next to me alive I was overjoyed, but then I tried to deny my affections. I pretended I overreacted and that my feelings weren't real. It wasn't until new years that year I realized that my feelings were real and I accepted it."
"And now you're married to her with kids." His daughter smiled.
Wally let out another warm chuckle and ran his fingers through his red hair. "I don't regret a minute of it." He replied half-heartedly. He really didn't want to think about his estranged son at the moment.
Irey stared off distantly into her drink for a moment ignoring the elephant in the room like her father before changing the subject. "So…I've decided to actually show up for this year's Flash appreciation day."
"Really?" Her father's face lit up. "That's good." He picked up his paper again and started to read it for a moment before setting it down again to give his daughter a look. "Wait a second. Since when did you stop going to Flash appreciation day?"
The current Flash chuckled nervously. "Well, Dad, you see that past few years I've either haven't had time or something came up or I was fending off villains. Like two years ago I had to put that icicle bitch back in prison—"
"Language, Irey." The retired hero reprimanded from behind his paper. The young speedster rolled her eyes and continued.
"And last year I was— actually I don't remember what I was doing but I'm sure it was important." Irey tried to recall as she sifted through her papers.
Wally took another sip from his coffee. "So you're telling me that for the last few years the Flash has not shown up to Flash appreciation day?"
"No…Not exactly." The young speedster replied as she stirred her drink uneasily.
"Irey…" Wally said in a familiar warning tone. "So who does show up to Flash appreciation day?"
"Jay usually shows up. I mean he was the original Flash. Jessie came last year." The scientist answered and shrugged. "I really don't see why it's a big deal. I mean I really appreciate the sentiment and all but I really don't get the whole point of receiving the key to the city and then proceed to give a speech every year."
"It's about letting the people thank you Irey. I know you think it's pointless but to some people Flash Appreciation Day is very important. And if I remember properly didn't you used to want to get a key to the city?" The older speedster wore a slightly playful smile.
Irey let out a snort. "Dad I was thirteen when I said that. A lot of things have changed since then."
"True." He smiled sadly. "So what made you decide to show up this year?"
The red headed woman frowned and murmured something under her breath that sounded like a curse to Wally. "Milagro…." She indignantly admitted.
"Milagro? What'd you do? Lose a bet?" The retired hero laughed.
Irey sighed and crossed her arms. "Yeah. It was either show up and give a speech for Flash Appreciation Day or go on a date with Damian."
Wally tried his best to restrain from laughing. "And you chose Flash Day?!"
"Yeah." The disgruntled speedster frowned. "Did it ever occur to you that there was a reason why we broke up?"
"And that was?" Her father inquired. He never actually figured out why his daughter broke up with boy wonder.
"I'd rather not discuss that." Irey brushed him off.
Wally nodded and went back to reading his paper while Irey finished off her report. A good ten minutes went by before either of them broke the awkward silence.
"I could help you write your speech if you want." The retired speedster offered. "I mean the ceremony is next week and you're busy with work and other things. With your mother at work and all I have nothing to do all day. "
Irey looked up from her papers and smiled. "Thanks Dad, I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."
"Great!" Wally folded up his paper, stood up and looked at his watch. "You better get going Irey you need to be at work in a few minutes."
"Oh crap you're right." She gasped and hastily collected her things. "My boss will have my back if I'm late anymore this week."
"I remember when I used to be late to work every day." The redhead recalled with a smile. "Ironic, isn't it?"
The current Flash got up and hugged her father. "It sure is Dad. Thanks for brunch I really enjoyed spending time with you."
"Anytime sweetheart. I always love spending time with you. You better get to work now. It's good to be on time every once and a while to offset your absences." Wally reminded his daughter before she dashed out the door.
Irey smiled. Her father had been back for around six months and finally it was starting to seem as if he never left. Though that painful gap was still there the scars were fading.
"I love you Dad." She said from over her shoulder as she walked towards the exit.
"I love you too dear. Have a nice day at work." He replied and watched his daughter disappear into a blur. Wally couldn't help but feel proud of his daughter. Proud of the successful woman she had become.
Well guys what did you think? I know it was fluffy but we'll get back to the action and feel next chapter. I have a few questions to ask you guys. I mentioned earlier in the chapter that artemis has a job but i have not yet decided what said job/career is so I need your suggestions. I also would like to know what you guys think happens next. I'm just curious to what you guys think of the story. Please review. Feedback is always appreciated. I'll also try to have the next chapter out by july i have a lot of other ignored stories i need to update. Thanks for reading.