Part 33

Caitlin woke to a pair of strong arms wrapped gently around her and a firm chest against her back. It took her a few seconds to remember that Barry was holding her. That her father had sent him to stay with her after her brother's wedding had been attacked by Zoom also known as Lord Hunter Zolomon. She remembered that she had been forced along with her Aunt and cousins to reveal their powers to everyone.

"Go back to sleep, Cait." Mumbled Barry into her hair.

"Barry, my mother really is dead isn't she?" Asked Caitlin

"Yes. I know that you and your mother never got along. But she was still your mother."

"Barry, Carla never wanted me. I have accepted that. I will play the part of a loyal daughter. But that is all. Other than giving birth to me and telling me how everything I have done is wrong she has never been a mother to me. I had to learn everything about growing from maids and nannies."

"I know Cait. After the funeral we will go back to my home and announce our engagement and planning our wedding."

"You mean our home don't you? Barry the other day I signed away any claim I had to the throne here. So even if Zoom had killed my father and Charlie, my aunt is the next in line."

"Cait, you know my mom will be there for you if you need her."

"I know. Barry nothing happened between us other than sleeping right?"

"Nothing happened other than the fact that I found out that you have feet like ice."

Caitlin pulled out of his arms and playfully slapped him. Barry gently grabbed her and pinned her to the bed. He knelt over her staring into her beautiful warm brown eyes that had a twinkle in them. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Barry, I love you. But I am not ready to be intimate with you."

"Sweetheart, you should know by now that you are the one in charge of our relationship."

"Thank you. Barry, you should go to your room and clean up and change."

"Of course. Any rules for how to dress for breakfast today?"

"Most of the dress rules should be lifted. My dad never cared for my mother's dress code. But I would say as long as you dress where you can be seen in public you should be fine."

"Ok. See you in half an hour or closer to an hour?"

"Forty five minutes should be good."

"See you then."

Barry got out of bed and grabbed his stuff and headed out to his room.

Erin woke in the arms of her husband. She smiled. She loved that she was married to the only man she had ever loved. Though they had not been able to celebrate their wedding the way they had wanted to. Charlie and her once they returned to their room still made love. She knew Charlie was awake when she felt him kissing the back of her neck.

"Charlie, how many of our people and guests died last night?"

"Around sixty including my mother. Most of the ones that died were Zoom's men. Many more injured, most were taken to the Royal Hospital in the city. Caity's guard Lt. Eddie Thawne was taken to the medical ward here in the palace. He is not stable enough to move."

"Can any of your family help him with their ice healing?"

"The only one who has ever used that on anyone but themself or an animal is my sister. My aunt and cousins are too scared to try. Caity was in no state to even try. Besides, she has used the ability on Eddie before. He is the guard that was injured saving her from that crazy woman who tried to kill her."

"Who would have thought that a Thawne would save the life of a Snow?"

"Our families weren't always enemies. It happened after the caverns were discovered. Eddie's great, great grandfather felt the caverns should belong to them since they are in the mountains. But my great, great grandfather felt they should belong to us seeing as the only entrance is within our borders. There was a war fought over the caverns. Neither side really overpowered the other for the most part until the final battle where we pulled it out. A council was formed of the neighboring kingdoms. They decided that the location of the entrance determined ownership."

"Thawne was not pleased I bet."

"No he wasn't in fact unless you are given a pass issued by the Mountain Kingdom no citizen of the Snow Kingdom can cross their border without facing the possibility of death. Eddie's father disowned his family and asked for safe passage through our Kingdom with the promise that he had no intention of staying inside our borders to live."

Erin nodded and slowly started to get out of bed. As soon as her feet hit the floor she started to run for the bathroom. Charlie was right behind her holding her long hair back as she threw up.

"I hate morning sickness. I hope that this ends before too long."

"Erin, if you develop chills during the pregnancy then we will know for sure that our child is a girl. But you might not and still have a girl."

"Something else I can look forward to."

Charlie just kissed his wife on the top of her head before helping her up so she could clean up and get ready for what could turn out to be a long day.

Caitlin walked into the family dinning room to find her father and Barry's parents already there. Nora was the first to notice her and got up and wrapped her in a warm hug. It took her a few seconds to return the hug, not use to having a hug from a motherly type woman. Her father was the next to hug her.

"How are you holding up honey?" Asked Thomas

"Ok. I mean I really don't know how I feel. Carla never wanted or loved me. But part of me can't help but hope that there could have been some way to fix our relationship. But now that she is gone it can't be fixed."

"Honey, your mother didn't want to fix things. She never wanted the life that was chosen for her. But just know the rest of your family loves you and wants to see you happy. After you eat something you should go down to the med ward. Eddie made it through the night but you might be able to help him heal a bit faster."

"I will do that."

Thomas kissed his daughter and they both sat down at the table as Barry came in. He noticed Thomas pointing to the seat next to Caitlin and took it. It seemed that all of Queen Carla's dining rules were off.