westallenfun

[westallenfun]

2023 Westallen Secret Santa Masterlist

A big thank you to all who participated! Mwah!

1. The Beginning And The End of Everything by AugustWriter30 Synopsis: When Joe told him he wanted to introduce his daughter to him, Iris was not at all who Barry expected to see. The world around him stopped and he had to remind himself to breathe. She was even more breathtaking than she was the first time he saw her. He remembers the last time he laid eyes on her. He also remembers asking her out and consequently standing her up. He never called her to explain why he stood her up. Even after she called him, he never returned her call. That was five years ago.

What Iris didn’t expect later that night was to be standing face to face with Barry Allen. The guy who broke her heart five years ago without even knowing it. Iris steeled herself. She couldn’t let him know how much he’s affected her.

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2. All I Want for Christmas is You by AugustWriter30 Synopsis:

“You like him. Like him. Don’t you? And don’t you dare deny it. It’s written all over your face.”

Iris looked up at her friend and sighed.

“Yeah I think I do. Is it weird?”

“No. It’s not, babe. I think you’re just late to the game.”

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3. We were meant to be together...and unexpected by AspiringLife Synopsis: AU: Barry Allen and Iris West could've never imagined that their lives would be intertwined like this years later when they meet again.

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4. tis the season by yorit1 Synopsis: Iris owns a coffee shop. One day, she spills coffee all over a man, and everything changes for her for the better.

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5. Faith, Love, Trust, Loyalty and Family by ShippersAnonymous Synopsis:

What seemed like the end was only the beginning. Neither of them knew it, saw it. But fell it. A dove left in the cold, a broken nest missing warmth.

An instant shock, an unfortunate meeting, an irrevocable bond that neither can shake.

Then out of pain, and from the rain comes a holy love story.

Teaching that life is filled with areas of grey for every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

[westallenfun]

will there be any westallen challenge this year?

Hi, anon!

Do you mean the westallen secret santa? If so, I'm sorry to say I won't be doing a westallen secret santa this year. Thank you so much for your interest, and if you participated before or read/enjoyed some of the art, thank you so much!

That said, I know there is at least one westallen secret santa being held at the moment by someone else, on twitter. I'm not too sure about the details of this event, but I'll link below if you're interested. I think it's only for fan fiction, and I think sign-ups are due by Oct 8.

Link

I hope this helps, and thank you again for the interest!

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 7/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 7 -

“You can still stay at my place tonight. It won’t be awkward. We’re still friends, right?”

Well, it was awkward.

When Patty returned, she even offered to share the bed with him the same way they’d done every night he’d been there when they were together. But they weren’t together anymore. And what ex-girlfriend would invite her ex-boyfriend to bed with her immediately after they’d broken up?

Unless she thought she could get him to reconsider, and they could have reunion sex. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen though. Not for old times’ sake and not for simple urges either. He could because he wasn’t dating Iris – yet, but the fact of the matter was, he wasn’t attracted to or in love with his ex-girlfriend anymore.

It was absolutely insane to him how that had happened so fast, in the blink of an eye. Objectively he found Patty cute like he had when they first met, but some sort of magic had bewitched him when he laid his eyes on Iris, and now no other woman compared.

At any rate, he took the couch that night, and he woke up early – usually early enough to make Patty and him breakfast. This time though, he just wanted to get out of there before Patty woke up. He knew that was a messed-up thing to do, but the awkwardness from when they walked in the door had only extended into the rest of their short evening to when they went to bed.

He’d said what he needed to say, and she’d understood. As well as any long-term, long-distance now ex-girlfriend could, of course. Their relationship had started to become strained anyway, and he knew at this point she was just being polite. He hoped she’d find someone new the way he had with Iris. She deserved that. He still cared about her, just not in a way that a boyfriend should, let alone a fiancé.

Packing his things as quietly as he could, he then got dressed, grabbed a banana off the countertop and unlocked the door. Unbeknownst to him, Patty was watching from her bedroom door down the short hallway. She didn’t alert him to her presence, just like he hadn’t made them breakfast or said goodbye.

It was for the best. He knew it, and so did she.

…

The crowded room overwhelmed him when he stepped in New York Times shortly after leaving Patty’s that morning. Everyone was moving to and fro, hardly aware of his existence or that he should need something or someone at the busy newspaper station.

He tried in vain to get someone’s attention, but everyone was either on the phone or talking to someone, and no one would give him anything except maybe their pointer finger up in his direction telling him to wait.

Sighing in frustration, he ran a hand through his hair and over his face, half-contemplating just walking out the door and trying again later. As luck would have it though, a vaguely familiar voice circled into his ears from across the room, and he turned to look.

“Barry?”

It was Iris’ friend from when they’d first met. The one that had complimented his green eyes and made Iris blush.

“Hey!” he said, relieved to find someone who would talk to him and someone he knew to boot. “Uh…”

“Linda,” she reminded him with a smile on her face.

“Linda, right. Hello.”

“It’s been a few days. You’re still looking handsome as ever.”

“I’m newly single,” he announced, then shut his eyes when he realized she was not the one he wanted to direct that information to.

Linda’s eyebrows shot up, amused.

“I’m guessing that’s something you want me to relay to Iris?”

He winced.

“Yeah. Or I could tell her myself. Is she here?” He started to peer around the station once more, but he couldn’t catch sight of her.

“Actually, she just got a new job.”

“A new job?” He frowned. “Still in the city, I hope.”

Linda laughed.

“Yes, at ABC7. It’s a news station in the city. I can get you directions if you like?”

“Just an address is fine. I’ll gps it.”

She smirked and pulled out her phone, so she could find the information, and he could jot it down.

“She should be on the air soon,” she informed him. “I think she told me there was some sort of cute story involving children she’d be reporting on this morning. In Central Park, I believe.”

Barry grinned.

“I’m so happy for her. I haven’t known her long obviously, but I know she was really looking for that change.”

“It’s her dream.”

“Thanks, Linda.” He shoved his phone into his pocket. “I owe you one.”

“Maybe I’ll see you around, for a double date perhaps?”

He blinked. “You flirted with me while dating someone else?”

She snorted. “I’m a flirt. Iris’ brother understands.”

His eyes bulged. “Iris has a brother? And you’re dating him?”

She smirked.

“I’m sure Iris will tell you all about it. Now, go! Before you catch her in the middle of her report on her first day!”

“Might be better if I do.” He smirked in return.

“Romantic,” she said. “I’ll tune in to see what happens.”

He could only grin and wave her off as he thanked her one more time and headed out the door.

He had a news story to catch.

…

Iris was a bundle of nerves, clutching the microphone as she waited for her cue from the station to start talking.

It was a chilly day and Christmas Eve to boot. The snow had started to fall in the park, making the view absolutely heavenly and her toes like icicles in the fashion boots she’d put on on her way out the door.

But it wasn’t just the temperature and it being her first time on air that had her on edge. It was her recent break-up with her on-again, off-again ex, Eddie Thawne, that had her brain muddled and her heart thudding loudly in her chest.

Eddie had been confused, mystified, hurt. Iris hadn’t said a word about Barry or their interactions that had left her loss for words. Eddie had made his case, unable to let her just walk away from him when he had done everything right this time around, when he was serious about her and them and doing right by her.

But she had said the mix-up of the jewelry from Tiffany’s was a sign that it was not meant to be, and she would not be convinced otherwise.

She could tell he was upset by her stance. Anyone would be. But he also knew her well enough to know when her opinion could not be swayed. She was a stubborn girl a lot of the time, and this was one of those times.

So, he let her walk out of his apartment with no intention to ever return.

Was she crazy? To let this guy she barely knew take a hold of her heart in a matter of hours – no, in a single moment – the way she had?

But then, had she had any choice in the matter?

It was highly unlikely she’d ever see him again, but if she did…and if he wasn’t standing with his bride-to-be, did that mean there was something to the idea of destiny after all? Of finding ‘the one’?

She saw Barry’s beautiful green eyes before her, that boyish grin, his lanky frame and silky brown hair that she ached to touch just once more, and then…as if by magic, she saw him. Right there. In front of her. Well, next to the camera man, who was telling her to start talking.

She blinked and looked at the camera, hoping zero rosy color was filtering into her chilled cheeks.

“Hi. Yes…Richard. From the station.”

She cleared her throat, and Barry ducked his head, smiling. But in the next moment, all the notes and details on the story she was supposed to be informing the audience on returned to the forefront of her mind, and she spoke.

A few minutes later, the cameraman gave her a little nod, and she smiled easily, grateful for the mostly successful story she’d told.

“Back to you, Richard.”

The cameraman shut off his video camera and lowered it beside him, and instantly Iris’ gaze shifted to Barry, who was still standing there, watching her.

“What are you doing here?” Iris asked, meeting him halfway as he moved in her direction. Her jaw had dropped, but she was still grinning, her brown eyes sparkling as she looked up at him.

“I came to find you.” He smirked.

She watched him, waiting.

“Patty and I…aren’t together anymore.”

She blinked, briefly confused, then finally…

“Oh! Patty. That Patty. Your girlfriend, Patty. Who you were going to propose to, Patty. That Patty.”

He chuckled and nodded.

“The only Patty I know, yeah.”

She ducked her head, then bit her bottom lip.

“Of course, yeah.” She cleared her throat. “Why?” Her brows furrowed.

He knew what she was asking, so he took the opportunity to slip his hand against her cold cheek and watched her catch her breath and her eyes close as she leaned into him.

“Why?” she repeated.

“Why do you think, Iris?”

Her eyes opened.

“Me?”

He smiled softly and pulled something from his pocket. He dangled it above their heads, twisting it between his fingers until she looked all the way up and smiled too.

“Mistletoe.”

Their eyes met.

“Are you and-”

She gripped his lapels and yanked him down to her.

“If we were, could I do this?”

She sank her fingers into his hair and latched her lips onto his, lingering for several moments when she finally parted.

“Iris…”

“Yeah?” She grinned, her eyes fluttering open.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Barry,” she whispered, and kissed him again.

[westallenfun]

Title of Fic (If no title just leave blank): Barry and Iris’ Momentous Moment

WestAllen Secret Santa Gift: WestAllen Fanfic Story

For: Hannah (@annacarina2, https://annacarina2,tumblr.com

From: (@wasserkupd2, https://wasserkupd2.tumblr.com)

Rating or Warnings: Teen and Up Audiences

Note (A note for your Giftee if you want): Hi, Hannah! SURPRISE! I am your Secret Santa. Here’s a gift of a semi-short WestAllen Pregnancy story. I got a little carried away. Enjoy! :o) Merry Christmas!

Fanfic Start (Fic Start): Note: This is a short story written as Barry and Iris work together. It is a beautiful surprise for both Barry and Iris, that is long overdue (get it?). Hope to see Iris and Barry finally experiencing Iris’ pregnancy, and the unexpected joy they share along the way. Enjoy Hannah!

Also, please note that Francine, Nora and Henry are also alive. The more the merrier to enjoy the new West-Allen family member! I didn’t have the heart to not include them. This is Monumental for Both Families!

Thank you for taking time to view my written effort to capture the characters and navigate their next Big stage in their lives. Enjoy, especially You, Hannah! :o)

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Barry rolled over in bed and quietly looked at his sleeping wife next to him. He never got tired of watching her sleep. She was his home, and the family he always wanted. He loved her without question, and could not imagine a life without her.

“Ummm, Bear, are you watching me sleep again”, Iris sleepily mumbled while she opened one eye, to see him doing just that.

“You caught me”, he laughingly said as he reached over and pulled her softly into his arms. She loved every moment she spent with him, especially these moments.

“Yeah, me too”, Barry said, smiling as he bent to kiss her.

The West-Allen mornings were amazing! _________________________________________ Barry was downstairs making breakfast as Iris came down. She could smell the coffee brewing. Her husband really knew his way around the kitchen, and she loved him for it. One day, she needed to find that list she made of all the things she loved about Barry, so she could add some new things! “Morning, Babe! Need any help with breakfast?”

“You know, that is a little creepy, right? But, I do love what happens afterwards”, she said as he kissed her again.

“Nope, everything is under control. All Good! Want some coffee?”

“Yes, please, she said eagerly. He placed her coffee on the table in front of her, then went to the stove and started preparing their plates. Breakfast was eggs over easy, bacon, waffles and toast. A speedsters gotta eat!

Iris only ate half of hers, and happily gave him the rest, which he wasted no time eating. She cleared the table, and washed the dishes.

She looked at their little chore wheel posted on the refrigerator, and saw it was her time to clean. Barry finished off the last of the bacon and waffles, and handed Iris his dish. He gave her a sloppy bacony kiss, too. She smiled, but continued focusing on her chore. He was always distracting her.

They both got ready to leave for work. They had been married for six years, and it still felt like it did when they first met. They loved being together, and did not want it any other way. Their friends said they were sickeningly In Love, and after six years, it was STILL sickening. If anything, Barry and Iris felt it was even more exciting being together.

There was one thing Barry and Iris really wanted, but were not able to have, and it was a baby. They had been trying for the past year, but no success. They knew they led busy lives what with Iris running her media company, and Barry working two jobs as CSI and The Flash, but they were ready and eager to start a family. Sometimes it was frustrating how they were unable to do that. Iris occasionally thought maybe the Speed Force exposure was making them both sterile, but that was ridiculous. Caitlin examined them both and found nothing that would hinder them from having a baby. So, they kept trying. It was lots of fun doing that.

______________________________________

“Morning, Lin!” Iris greeted her best friend as she entered her Central City Citizen Office, with everyone moving about getting things done. Iris was happy to have her friend return from Coast City. She had to bribe her with an offer of an Executive Producer position for their new Sports Media Division. That was a stroke of genius, because it was a revenue bonanza now. Iris was happy to have her trusted friend back handling some of the CCC Management tasks, too. That freed up some time for her to do the thing she loved, investigative reporting. She could also fill in sometimes with the podcast segments. Life was really going great!

“Morning, Iris! How are you doing today? We are expecting some major sports interviews after the FIFA World Championship ends. I’ll send you the list, and the cost sheet for those interviews. What you got planned for today?”

Oh, I guess I will review the notes I was working on for that big diamond heist last week. I need to get some quotes from CCPD detectives and CSIs on the case. Want only factual information in the story before it gets posted. My schedule is light today. Need me to help out somewhere, editing, podcasting, reception maybe?”

Linda laughed and hugged her friend. She was glad to be back, too, and here doing what she loved with Iris. “No, nothing needs a rush, so you are good. How’s Barry and your Dad?”

“Oh, they are doing great! Both of them. Still working hard at CCPD, but I believe Dad will retire soon. He’s been dropping hints. I will believe it when I see it.”, she winked and smiled at Linda.

“Hey, want to go to my family’s new Pho Restaurant? Their soups are delicious! Mom would be happy to see you again. She misses you, Iris, more than she misses me!” Linda smiled ruefully.

“Yes, I have wanted to try it. Let’s do it. How about at 12:30 this afternoon?”

“Sounds Good! See you then Boss! I am off to break some star athlete’s heart, again”, Linda said as she rushed off to interview her star athlete in the studio across the hall from the reception area, with her Lucky coffee mug in hand.

Iris smiled to herself as she sat down and began reviewing her notes. She was referencing her article and making notes where she needed corroboration from the CCPD case detective and CSIs. Once completed, she was off to CCPD. She let Alex, her office manager, know where she’d be. She texted Linda, and said she would meet her for lunch at “Pho Me”, after getting her quotes at CCPD.

Linda texted back: Tell Barry I said “Hi!” ;o) Iris just laughed.

_____________________________________________

Iris walked into CCPD, and felt the electric feel of the place where everything was abuzz with action and lots of people. She saw her Dad, Captain Joe West, in his office, but he was meeting with Commissioner Singh. She didn’t want to interrupt. Iris went to the desk sergeant and asked if Detective Reynolds was in. The sergeant called his desk, and he came out to see her. She explained what she needed, and he was glad to help. Detective Reynolds showed her what she needed, and she asked if she could quote him in her article. He referred her to the captain for authorization. She thanked him for his help, and went off to talk with the CSI. Reynolds’ report stated the case CSI was Tony Mason. He said he would call and let them know she was coming. Iris walked into the CSI Lab reception area, and asked for Tony. He came out and escorted her into the lab. She showed him her article, and asked for quotes about the crime scene that could be released to the public. He gave her that information he had. She thanked him, then asked how his family was doing. Iris knew all the CSIs, being married to the CSI Division Director has its perks. They chatted a little more until he got called away to a crime scene. He escorted her out and left. She went to the Director’s Office and knocked on the door. Barry said come in. She entered and closed the door. He had his back to the door, squinting through his old-school microscope looking at a piece of material. He turned around and his rushed to give her a kiss. “Hi, Iris! What a surprise. Why are you here?? I am glad to see you again.” He gave her another kiss and a hug.

“Bear, I am here on official business. Had to get some quotes for that diamond heist case last week. Gotta go see Dad next. He was in with Commissioner Singh when I was downstairs earlier. What are you working on? You looked so completely engrossed, and geeking out, Babe!” Barry was now more interested in his wife, than his scope. She had that effect on him, ALWAYS. He kissed her again, then released her and sat back down at his desk. Iris walked around to look over his shoulder at his microscope. “I was magnifying a cloth scrap from a crime scene to match with previously collect cloth scrap from another scene. That’s ALL I can tell for now, Iris.” “Since when, Mr. Blabbermouth?”, Iris teasingly said smiling softly at her husband. Barry sat back and pulled her onto his lap. She loved him so much, and he Definitely Loved Her, as he kissed her again, passionately. Iris knew she had to leave before things happened, but she couldn’t and didn’t want to.

_______________________________________________

“Uuum, I’ll meet you at home, Babe. I need to get the authorization to release information from Dad, and after I am meeting Linda at “Pho Me” for lunch. Do you want to come along?”

Barry stood up and walked Iris down to Joe’s Office. “I wish I could, Iris, but I have a big division meeting at 12:30.” He pulled her aside at the bottom of the stairs and kissed her again. “I Love You, Iris!” “I Love You, Bear!” The walked hand-in-hand to Joe’s Office, who happily was now available. Barry stayed long enough to get caught up on Singh’s visit, but had to leave to get lunch before his meeting. Iris grabbed his hand and pulled him down for another good-bye kiss. Joe averted his eyes as he was finishing his lunch. Barry reluctantly pulled away and ran upstairs.

“So, how are you Dad? Sorry about the PDA. Won’t happen again.” Iris smiled softly remembering. She shook her head and focused on her dad.

Joe rolled his eyes, and kept eating. “Hi, baby girl! I am doing good. Just working hard like always. What brings you here?”

“Oh, I am following up on that diamond heist story from last week. Finalizing my article, and came over for some quotes from Detective Reynolds and Tony, the CSI. Reynolds said you had to authorize information release, because I will adding a direct quote. I normally leave all names of my sources as anonymous. Do you still need to authorize it, Dad?”

“Yes, I do. That’s one thing we are clamping down on. Releasing information before it can be confirmed by CSI actions. We are implementing this to prevent the spread of misinformation. You understand that in your line of work, don’t you, Iris?”

“Actually, yes I do! I like what you are doing. Now give me my “I Love You” hug before I leave!”, she said laughing and going over to her Dad. He stood up and gave her a big bear hug, chuckling as he did so.

“How are you and Barry doing? Everything okay?”

“Dad, Barry and I are GREAT! Better than GREAT! Gotta go meet Linda for lunch. I Love You Dad! Tell Mom Hello for me!”

“You can come over and tell her yourself, Iris. It would be nicer that way.”, He grumbled good-heartedly.

“I will, I will. Bye Dad!” She kissed him on the cheek and ran off to meet Linda.

___________________________________________

Iris walked into “Pho Me” about fifteen minutes early. She looked around and didn’t see Linda. She asked the waitress that seated her if Mrs. Park, the restaurant owner was available. The waitress said she would check. Momma Park emerged from the kitchen area, a few minutes later. Iris ran over to her and hugged her tightly. She and Linda’s Auntie used to teach her how to cook lots of delicious foods, during their summer breaks. Of course they had to help out in their first restaurant.

“Awwww, Iris, it is so good to see you again! I have missed you. How are you and your handsome husband? No babies, yet?” She winked and smiled at Iris.

“Mama Park it is so Good to see you again, too! I miss coming by. I hear this is your new restaurant, and it is doing well! My husband is Great, and there are no babies for me, yet.” Iris smiled shyly.

“Don’t worry, Iris. I had a dream that I would be celebrating your baby’s birth. I am sure it will happen. Ahhh, here’s my Linda! Hi, sweetheart! You two are both here for lunch? This is Truly a Special Day! Betty, take their orders, and we will get it ready right away.” Mama Park lovingly hugged Linda, and patted Iris on the shoulder, squeezing it lightly for reassurance.

“So, you beat me here, Iris. No fun time with your hubby?” Linda joked.

Iris laughed and avoided the question. Instead, she asked how the interview went.

“Oh, it went very well. I got me a date, if I choose to accept it. If so, I will probably go to jail. Dude is young enough to be my younger brother! What’s even sadder is he is in line to make enough money to finance a small country in just two years. Amazing!” They both laughed. They talked about her Mom’s new restaurant and how successful it was becoming. Then, they talked about the summer fun they enjoyed in the old restaurant’s kitchen with Auntie. Their food arrived, and it was a feast. More than they ordered.

Betty said it was all Momma Park’s orders. So, Iris and Linda ate as much as they could. The Pho soup was just what Iris needed. It warmed her down to her toes, and was delicious. She ate some wontons and drank an orange flavored tea that really made her feel energized. She and Linda asked Betty to pack up the rest of the food, and they would bring it back to the office for everyone there. They went to the kitchen to say good-bye. Momma Park looked at Iris with tears in her eyes and made her promise to come see her again. She handed Iris some of that orange-flavored tea, and gave her a big hug. She hugged Linda, and patted her lovingly on the cheek. Linda had tears in her eyes when they left.

“So, she loves me more than you, right, Lin?”, Iris teased. Linda pinched Iris. “Ouch!”, yelled Iris and they laughed.

Back at the office, they placed the food in the refrigerator. Linda sent an email telling all the office about it, even their security guards. Iris was glad she snatched some for Barry and her, but that food did not last long! Iris was happy it didn’t go to waste. She finished her article and asked Allegra to review it. She said she would have it back to Iris by morning. Iris asked Linda if she needed any help, and was told to go home. All was good, and what wasn’t could wait until tomorrow. Linda was Wonderful!

_______________________________________

Iris got home with the lunch leftovers from the “Pho Me” Restaurant. No, Barry, yet. Good, it was now her turn to feed him. She loved seeing that adorable face of his light up when she did. She plated everything and set the dining room table. She went upstairs and took a shower before he got home. She was enjoying herself in the shower when she felt a cool breeze as she turned off the water. There he was. “Barry you gotta stop doing that! I almost socked you!”

“Ha, ha, ha! You wouldn’t be able to, my Darling! Not fast enough!” He bent down and kissed her protests away. He stepped into the shower preventing her exit. Well, the food could wait.

Later, that evening, they sat down for dinner. Barry was very impressed with the new restaurant’s food. He said they should go there for their next date night, and made a point to add it to their calendar. Iris said she would love that. Barry cleared the table when they were finished, and Iris began doing the dishes. She made them some of the orange-flavored tea Mama Park gave her.

They sat down on their comfy couch and watched a really funny movie that Barry selected. Iris was impressed, cuz he sometimes was not so lucky. They leaned back, cuddled and enjoyed the rest of the evening watching Netflix. Barry said The Flash was off tonight cuz he wanted to spend some time with his wife. He was sure CCPD could handle it just fine. Iris was Totally fine with that.

_________________________________________

West-Allen Life was going along fine, and about five weeks later, Iris sat at her desk reviewing another article, but could not focus because she was feeling bubbling in her stomach. She hadn’t had lunch yet, and breakfast was pretty bland. Barry was out of town for three days at a forensic science conference in New York City. So, she opted for coffee and a burnt piece of toast as her morning breakfast. Definitely shouldn’t have upset her stomach. She felt like throwing up, and quickly went to the bathroom, before her breakfast escaped! WHOA, here comes some more! Iris was bent over the toilet for about twenty minutes, until nothing else was left to come out. She flushed the toilet one last time, washed her hands, and wet a towel to clean her face. She looked drawn and pale. She went to the office refrigerator to get a bottle of water. She drank it at her desk. She seemed okay for now, and went back to finishing her review. Her phone buzzed, and saw it was Barry. “Hi, Babe! How’s your conference? “

Hey, Iris, it’s good, and I’m learning lots of new forensics techniques. I even got a chance to speak on one of our interesting and difficult cases. I wish you were here, Iris! I sure miss you.”

“I miss you, too, Bear, SO MUCH! Hang in there, one more night to go.”, she said half-heartedly.

“Well, they are calling us back in now. Hey, are you all right, Iris? I swear I felt a tingling feeling like you were having a problem. It was the first time I felt that.”

Yes, I am fine, Babe! No problems here. I’m at work reviewing an article. Now go enjoy your forensics conference.

Ok. Call me right away if something happens. I love you, Iris!”

“I love you, too, Bear!” He was gone. That was odd. Could he feel her throwing up? Nahh, that’s ridiculous!

Well, Iris was feeling better, and finished off her bottle of water. She got up to get another, and was hit with another bout of nausea. She ran to the bathroom and threw up again. She didn’t know what was left to throw up. She heaved for another fifteen minutes. She flushed the toilet and weakly walked to the sink to clean herself up. She returned to her office and emailed the finished review to Allegra. She authorized its posting, and left early for the day. Linda was off today, so she couldn’t talk to her. She knew who she could talk to, her Mom! She texted her to ask if she had some free time to talk. She got an immediate response to come on over now. She was in her office. Iris drove the short distance to Francine’s law office, and was able to make it to her office. “Hi, Momma!” Francine took one look at Iris, and ran to help her sit down. “Baby, what’s the matter?”

“I don’t know. I started throwing up, three hours ago. I hope I don’t have food poisoning. I only ate some toast and drank black coffee this morning. I barely ate anything for dinner last night. I, umm, Oh OH! Momma, where‘s the nearest bathroom?”

“Come with me, baby!” Francine took Iris to her own private bathroom. It seemed nice, but Iris didn’t have time to admire it, as she just got to the toilet to throw up AGAIN! This time nothing came out. Iris finally stopped throwing up nothing, and was able to wobble over to the sink and wash her hands, and wipe her face. Francine flushed the toilet. She led Iris over to a pretty little chair and sat her down. Iris looked at her Mom, and started shaking. She didn’t know what was happening to her. For the first time, she was frightened, and Francine knew it. She could see it in her tear-filled eyes. She held her daughter tightly, slowly rocking her until her tears stopped flowing. She handed her some tissue to blow her nose and wipe her face.

“So, Iris, how is your stomach feeling now? I’ll get you some water, okay, baby? I’ll be right back, promise.” Iris released her Mom’s hand she didn’t realize she was clutching, and nodded. Francine left and quickly returned with a bottle of water. Iris drank it down thirstily.

“Momma, I don’t know what’s happening to me, and I’m starving and thirsty all at once! I’m scared to eat anything. Don’t want another repeat of my previous visits to the toilet.”

“Honey, do you have a fever, let me see.” Francine touched Iris’ forehead, then went to the medicine cabinet and got a thermometer. She rubbed it over her forehead and checked the reading. “Hmm, 98.7, nope not a fever. Iris, this may not be the stomach flu or food poisoning. When was your last period?”

“Ummm, what’s today, the second, right?“ Iris thought for a moment, trying to remember. “I’m late, Momma, by about two weeks. But, that’s not unusual for me.” Iris felt lightheaded and a sudden feeling of wonder seemed to spread all through her. She finally had a brief reprieve from throwing up, which felt good, too. A trembling smile spread over her face. Francine smiled back and hugged her daughter close. “Now how are you feeling, baby? Can you walk with me into the other room. I would like to take you to see Dr. Everly.”

“Yes, I can make it, Momma.” Iris leaned a little on Francine, as she walked slowly back to her mother’s office. Francine sat Iris down in a chair, and gave her another bottle of water. She walked to the doorway and called her assistant. She explained to her that she would be leaving early. She also arranged with her backup to take on any new issues in her absence. She then put on her jacket and took her keys and purse, and walked her daughter out to her car.

“Iris, where did you park your car?”

“It's in the parking lot.”

“Okay, it will be fine there. Do you want me to call Barry? I know he will be worried.”

“No, Momma! He is at a conference for two more days, and I rather not worry him, if it is just a flu.”

“Okay, you know best. I would call him, if it were me.” Iris looked at her Mom, with a warning side-eye glance. Francine knew her daughter to well, and knew she was on the defensive. She gave in and walked Iris over to her car, gently put her in, then drove her to their family doctor. Iris was seen surprisingly quickly. She asked her Mom to come with her. The nurse got all Iris’ personal contact information first, then asked some personal questions which she answered. She was then asked to pee in a cup, which Iris provided readily. Her stomach was behaving, and it made her think maybe she did have a stomach bug. Doctor Everly came in and did a short basic physical checkup, then told her the nurse would return to take some blood. She would be free to leave afterwards. He didn’t want to prescribe any antacid until he got the lab results back in 24 hours. They thanked him and left.

Francine drove Iris home with her, because she didn’t want to leave her alone tonight. She prepared her some tea, and had her lie down on sofa while she made dinner. Joe came home to find Iris sprawled out on the couch, sleeping. Francine pulled him into the kitchen, and told him what happened. He and Francine looked at each other and smiled. “Yes, Joe, I think our baby is finally pregnant. We won’t know for sure until tomorrow when Dr. Everly gets the lab results. I asked Iris to stay here tonight. I don’t want her staying alone right now. She didn’t want me to call Barry. She said he would return from his conference in another day. I was warming leftovers for dinner. Iris’ stomach has been behaving for the last three hours, but don’t know what will happen after she eats something. She must be starving! Get cleaned up for dinner, please.”

“Sure will, honey! On my way.”

“Hmmm, Hi, Dad! How you doing?” Iris asked, groggily.

“Hi, Baby Girl!” I’m doing good. I hear you are having a rough day. How are you feeling now?”

“I’m starving! I will try to eat something. I’m gonna get myself cleaned up, Momma.”

“Okay, baby. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”

Iris got up, and lurched a little from dizziness. She grabbed onto the arm of the couch to steady herself. Joe went over and helped her up the stairs. She washed herself, then went to her old room and changed into some comfortable clothes which were in her closet. She went back down for dinner. She ate some baked chicken and drank lots of water. It seemed to go down fine. After dinner, she helped her dad clear the table. She went back to the couch for a little while and sat watching tv with him. Francine went to her home-office to check her messages. Iris glanced at her phone and decided to call Barry. She saw that he had already called her three times.

“Hi, Babe! I’m sorry I missed your calls. I was in an area with bad cell service. How was today for you?” Joe looked at Iris raising his eyebrows at her. She shook her finger at him to shush him.

“Iris, you’d tell me if something was seriously wrong with you, right?”

“Yes, of course, Bear! So, tell me what new things did you learn today?”

“Oh, they introduced new forensics techniques to help at scenes that were notorious terrible for sample collections, like near water and fire sites. That was rather useful, but stop trying to change the subject, Iris! I got another weird vibe today, much stronger. Are you SURE you’re all right? You know I can come back in seconds.”

“Oh, Barry, that’s not necessary. Stay and finish your conference. It’s over tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll be home by five. Have to stop by the office to check some reports, okay?”

“Sounds Great! I’ll see you then, Bear! I can’t wait. I Love You!”

“See you tomorrow, Iris. I Love You, too! I Miss You So MUCH!”

Iris went upstairs with her Mom’s help, and laid down in her old childhood bed. She kissed and hugged her Mom, and thanked her profusely for everything.”

Francine laughed softly and said, “That’s what Moms are for, Baby. Did you call Barry?”

“Yes, I called him, and he’ll be home tomorrow around five. Maybe this really is a stomach flu or food poisoning. I feel a lot better now, Mom. I LOVE YOU!!”

“I Love You, Too, Iris! Good Night, sweetheart.”

Francine left Iris’ room and went to get ready for bed. Joe was already asleep. Wally was nowhere to be found. His room’s door was closed, but she could hear his voice. She was sure he was inside gaming with his online friends. He had slipped in without them noticing.

___________________________________________

“Hey, Sis!” Wally said when Iris rushed by him to get into the bathroom before him. She waved and quickly closed the door. He could hear her throwing up. He knocked on the door to ask if she needed some help. No answer, so he opened the door and saw Iris hanging over the toilet. She waved him off, and whispered she was fine, and to go. He closed the door and went to his parents’ room. Joe was already up, so Wally told him about Iris. His dad looked at him and pulled him in and sat him on the bed to explain what had happened. He realized Wally had missed everything. “Morning, son. Iris was sick yesterday, and your Mom took her to see Dr. Everly. Your Mom brought her home to spend the night with us. As you can see, she’s still sick. We’ll find out what it is she’s got today. The lab results should be out in a few hours. Joe saw the worried look he gave him. Don’t worry, son, she’s all right.”

“All right Dad, I’ll go and help her out. Where’s Mom?”

“She’s downstairs getting breakfast started.” Joe followed Wally down the hall, and they both stopped at the bathroom. The door was still closed. “Baby Girl you all right in there?”, Joe said knocking on the door. Iris mumbled something incoherent, then opened the door. She looked a mess, and they moved to let her walk slowly to her room. Joe and Wally exchanged knowing glances and went downstairs.

“Morning, Mom!”, Wally said as he and Joe entered the kitchen. Joe kissed Francine on the cheek as he reached for the coffee pot, and poured himself some. He went and sat with Wally. Francine was busily making pancakes, bacon and just started the over easy eggs. Wally hopped up and set the table. “So, nobody gonna say anything about what is obviously wrong with Iris? I bet she’s pregnant!” Wally did a jig, and grinned. “We finally gonna get another speedster in the family, WooHoo!”

“Wally, stop it!”, said Francine. “We don’t know for sure. We have to wait for Dr. Everly’s report.”

“Umhuh, I’m with Wally on this one, Francine! It doesn’t take a detective to figure this one out.”, Joe said grinning at his wife, as she placed their plates on the table. They all quieted down when Iris came into the kitchen. She looked at them suspiciously, and said “All right, what’s going on?”

“Oh, nothing, dear. Are you hungry? Wally said you had another fight with the toilet, as he put it.” Francine put her arm around her daughter and walked her over to the table. “What do you want to eat this morning? I could make you something different, if you’d like.”

“ Momma, I think I’ll make myself some tea, and eat some crackers.”

“Okay, I got you, baby. Let me do that.” Francine brought it to her, and sat down to finish her breakfast.

Wally left to get ready for school. He had one late morning class at CCU. Joe left and headed to work. Iris cautioned him not to say anything about her illness to Barry if he calls. She would rather tell him after they hear from Dr. Everly. Joe nodded and left. Francine helped Iris upstairs, and left her to get ready for work. Iris said she had already texted Linda to let her know she would be out today. She went to shower and get dressed, too. So far, all felt good.

_________________________________________

Dr. Everly called Iris about two hours later. She put him on speaker so Francine could hear, too.

“Good Morning, Iris! How are you feeling today? Any new symptoms?”

“Good Morning, Dr. Everly. No, no new symptoms, just the same ole bouts of throwing up. Are the test results back? What do they say?”

“Well, young lady, you are Definitely pregnant! Congratulations, Iris! Our lab results put you at approximately six weeks. So, you’re going to need to start your prenatal plan, and we would like to refer you to our ob-gyn, as soon as possible. All right? Iris, are you okay?” Dr. Everly noticed it was very quiet on the other end of the phone. Then heard a scream, then another scream and laughter! That was the response he expected.

“Oh, Dr. Everly, THANK YOU, Thank You, Thank You!”, Iris said. Do you have an ob-gyn you can recommend?”

“Oh, most definitely, Iris. We have a wonderful one on staff, Dr. Marlene Stinson. I’ll send her a referral, and her office will contact you. All your contact information is current, correct? Good, then that should be all we need. Again, Congratulations, Iris and West Family! Now we are getting a new addition to the West Family! Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. You were a little dehydrated yesterday. How is the nausea treating you? Are you able to keep some food down? If it gets too bad, let us know. I could prescribe something to help, but I’d like for it to settle normally, maybe in about 3-4 few weeks.”

“I am able to handle the nausea for now, Dr. Everly, and Mom has already got me increasing my water intake. She is Wonderful!”

“I couldn’t agree with you more, Iris. Now, I will send your contact information to Dr. Stinson, and you should hear from her office in about 24 hours. Take care of yourself, Iris, and looking forward to seeing that new West family member. If you and your husband have any more questions, please feel free to contact us. It was great seeing you again. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Dr. Everly, you don’t know how happy you have made us! Take Care!”

Iris put down her phone in a daze, and looked at her Mom. The fact that she was pregnant was sinking in, but still unbelievable! “Momma, I’m Pregnant!” Iris jumped up and did a happy dance. She was so excited. She hugged her Mom. They both did a little dance. It was finally Happening. “Oh, Barry! Momma, I have to call him!”

She picked up her phone, and dialed him. She could only reach his voicemail. She looked at the time, and saw it was already 11 am. He was probably on his way back. She left him a message to call her when he gets back to Central City.

Iris and Francine sat down to make plans. That poor baby was going be Loved SO MUCH!

_______________________________________________

Barry was headed out to the airport, and had already put his phone on airplane mode. He was anxious to get home to his wife. Just thinking of her made him smile. He wish he could have sped home, but he was with two CCPD detectives, and had to keep his powers hidden. He did get a lot of new information he could implement in their forensics division, and he was already making plans. He even made some valuable contacts. Teaming with other CSIs really created a useful well of knowledge they all could share.

He still couldn’t shake the feeling of something being wrong with Iris. He kept getting that weird tingling feeling all over his body at different times. He would check in with Caitlin when returned to find out the problem. They made it through TSA and sat down to wait for their flight. He checked his cell and saw a message from Iris. How could he have missed it? Even listening to her voice made him warm all over. He missed her! Three days away was too long.

They finally boarded their plane, and he sat down to review his notes, and draft a plan to update their forensics collection methods.

Ahhhhhh, finally home, he thought as their plane taxi’d into the Central City Airport. He was happy to finally be home! They disembarked from their plane, got their baggage, and headed out. Barry said good-bye to the other two detectives and ducked outside. He sped back to CCPD, and stopped by his office. It was already 3 in the afternoon. He would check some of messages and get home. He sat down, and pulled out his phone. He was distractedly reviewing some emails on his computer as he dialed Iris. “Hi, Iris, I’m Back! Just stopped at the office to check my messages and drop off some research material I got. Will be home as soon as I finish. How are you? Are you at your office? I could stop by.”

“Hi, Honey! Welcome Back! Oh, I am soooo Happy! Can’t wait until I see you. No, don’t stop by. Work is work, but now it is time for you! I’ll head home and get some dinner started. See you later, Bear!”

See you later, Iris!”

____________________________________________

“Momma, Barry’s Back! He’s at his office. Can you drive me back to your office, so I cand pick up my car? Thank You So MUCH, Momma for Everything!”

Francine called Joe, and gave him the good news! “So we are going to be grandparents! It so good! How is Iris?”

“Oh, she is much better now. Barry is back, and he just called her. He’s in his office. Joe, don’t tell him anything. Iris wants to tell him when they see each other.”

“All right, Francine! I’ll just stop by his office and get him out of here.”

Francine cautioned him not to give anything away, and hung up. She drove Iris back to her office to pick up her car.

Joe went upstairs to Barry’s office. His door was open, and he was there. “Well, Hello, Barry! Welcome Back! Did you just get in?”, he stood smiling at Barry with a goofy grin on his face.

“Hi, Joe! Yes, I just got back. Sped over here to make sure everything was all right. Things are running smoothly. I have a Great Team! Anything you need from me?”

“Nope, just happy to see you!”

“Okay, Joe, I’m happy to see you, too.” He was really surprised when Joe walked over and gave him big bear hug!

“Wow! That was, ummm, thanks Joe! Are you all right?”

“Oh Yeah, just really happy to see you. Gotta go now. See you later, Bear, and Welcome Back!”

Joe walked off wiping his eyes. Wow, that was a little weird, Barry thought. He finished his messages. All done! He grabbed his bag and sped home.

__________________________________________________

Iris made it home to their loft before Barry. She was doing good. No nausea attack since she got up this morning. She was even able to drink some water and eat some toast Francine made for her. Her stomach started grumbling again, and she wish she could satisfy it, but was a little scared. She washed her hands and went to the kitchen. She decided to make some baked chicken and noodles with green beans. She was almost done, when she felt that familiar whoosh behind her. She almost dropped her cooking spoon she was using to stir the noodles.

“Bear! Oh Bear, WELCOME HOME! Babe I Missed You So!” Iris dropped the spoon and turned and put her arms around Barry’s neck pulling him down to kiss him deeply! He loved it.

“Hi, Iris! he said breathlessly. I am Happy to be BACK! I missed you, too! Three days is too long to be away from you, Iris.” He responded to her kiss by pulling her tightly into his familiar Bear Hug, he knew she loved! Iris had to pull away, regretfully, to check on their dinner.

“Dinner’s almost ready, babe. Go up and get cleaned up, while I finish here.”

“All right, I could really use a nice hot shower. I am a little funky after that long plane ride.” He made a face, and smiled at her. She laughed and just a mental note to find that list because his quirky, goofy smile had to be added to it! She reached up and gently touched his face, her eyes filled with so much love shining through. Barry went warm all over and kissed Iris again. He pulled her closer and pressed her hard against him. She was ready to drop everything and give into him. He was so dizzying, those eyes were turning that dark murky deep green-blue color she knew so well. Iris regained her senses and pulled away slowly. “Barry go up and take your shower. Dinner will be ready when you finish.”

“Okaaaay, now that wasn’t what I wanted to hear”, he said smiling slyly at her. But, he took his bag and sped upstairs.

Iris finished the noodles, check to ensure the chicken was done. She took it out of the oven and placed it on a platter to cut it. She turned off the green beans. She set the table, took out the salads, and put them together with the rest of the meal on the dining room table. She also lit a candle and turned the lights down. She was just ready to call her husband when he whooshed back down, smelling so deliciously Barry! It was a mixture of sandlewood, a soft cedar tree and musk. All combined with his natural body chemistry, made her tingle all over. Speaking of which, “Barry you smell wonderful. Are you hungry? Dinner’s ready”, she said as he kissed her teasingly.

“Uh, yes, I’m hungry, but not for food right now, Iris.” He stood behind her, pushed her hair to the right side of her neck, and slowly dropped little kisses down it. She was finding it hard to resist him. She turned, slightly pressed her hands against his chest and said, “I’m hungry too, Bear, lets eat.” Iris twisted out of his grasp and went to sit down at the table. He was left standing with a very surprised, goofy look on his face. He smiled and sat down.

“Yummy, this really looks good, Iris. I am starving for food, too!” He smiled that quirky, dorky way he does, and it made her heart skip a beat, when she looked at him. They said grace and began eating. Iris ate very little, and drank lots of water, Barry noticed. He asked if anything was wrong. She cleared her throat, and said no. She asked more about his trip and she listened while he talked excitedly about all the stuff he learned. She loved that nerdy, dorky energy he exuded naturally when he was happily engrossed in describing something he loved. His hands would start flying all over, his eyes lit up and that together with his mussed up hair really made him hard to resist, Iris thought. All needed was his glasses, and she would melt. She was so dazed, she didn’t even notice he had stopped talking. “Iris, are you all right?”, he asked. She shook her head and laughed softly. “I am so happy your home, Bear. Umm, are you ready for dessert? I’ll clear the table and bring it.” He said he was stuffed and thanked her for such a Delicious Welcome Home Feast. She laughed at him patting his stomach! He helped her clear the table and place the dishes in the dishwasher, and Iris put all the leftovers away. They forgot the chore wheel for tonight, worked together. She brought their dessert to the table. It was homemade brownies, of course! He smiled when she also brought out the whipped cream and waved it under his nose teasingly. He grabbed her and sat her in his lap. Iris protested, but he quieted every word with a kiss.

“Bear, ummm, how are feeling? Are you getting those weird vibes anymore?”, she asked.

“Huh, now that you mention it, I haven’t felt anymore since the last time I called you from the hotel. I wonder what caused it? I’ll go see Caitlin tomorrow and ask her to examine me. Maybe she can determine the cause. Now, lets finish our dessert and we can get to something more Delicious!”, he said with a wicked wink. Iris tried getting off Barry’s lap, but he wouldn’t let her. He held her with one arm, and with the other pulled the platter of brownies closer. She placed the can of whipped cream down next to it. Looking deep into his unassumingly gorgeous eyes, she put both her hands on either side of his face, and said, “Bear, I do have something special to tell you.” He was picking up a brownie about to eat it, and said “Oh, something more important than brownies, Iris?” She said it definitely was! He plopped the brownie into his mouth, and gave her his complete attention. Iris made another note to self for her list, Barry giving her his immediate attention when she spoke was The Most alluring feels he unknowingly invoked in her. She was warming all over.

“Bear, you remember that day about six weeks ago, I think that‘s when it happened, we made out in your office and also earlier that morning?” He nodded, and slowly started smiling as he remembered. His arm tightened around her waist, as a reflex. She didn’t even think he realized it.

“Well, Bear, I’m Pregnant! Surprise! I don’t know how or Why, but It Worked! We are going to have a baby. We are finally going to get our Nora Back, Bear! Bear, did you hear me, say something, babe!” Barry had a surprised, stunned look, and something indescribable, he was about to cry. Iris hugged him tightly, and started kissing his sweet, sappy, dorky, nerdy face all over! He pulled her closer, if that was possible, and put his hands gently against her cheeks as he kissed her tenderly. He was whispering something Iris couldn’t quite make out. She looked into his eyes and saw them glistening with tears. It reminded her of the way he looked when she was coming down the aisle at their first almost wedding!

“Oh Iris! Is it For Real?? Are you Sure? How did you find out? Did you talk to Caitlin? When, how, where, OH Iris, I LOVE YOU!” He didn’t even know that he was squeezing her tighter. Iris laughed and kissed his darling face all over again. “I Love You SO MUCH, Bear! Come on finish your dessert and I’ll tell you all about everything that led up to me finding out. The one thing I can’t figure out is how YOU seemed to be feeling something every time I was fighting a bout of serious nausea.” Iris turned and grabbed a small piece of a brownie, her favorite treat. She wasn’t feeling nauseated now. Maybe it would get her in the morning. She was enjoying it while she could!

“Well, it started on Monday. I was at work, just doing what I do Best, reviewing and editing an article. I felt something bubbling in my stomach, and just kept working. I drank some coffee, but that just made it worse. I barely got to the bathroom in time, and was bent over it for about twenty minutes. I thought it was something spoiled I ate for dinner. I finally stopped throwing up, and wait a second. Bear, when did you get your first weird vibe?” He was quietly rubbing Iris’ back. Hmm, it was about 6:15 am. Iris, was the time you first threw up??” He was intrigued.

“Yes! The next time was about 11 am, when I went to see Momma for help. I threw up in her private bathroom, but there was nothing left in my stomach. Uggh, that was scary, Bear! Momma rushed me to our family doctor’s office. When did you get your next vibe?”

“It was about the same time. Iris, do you think we are both connected even more now that you’re pregnant? That would be Something if I could experience some of the things you experience during Our pregnancy!” Barry was getting even more excited!

Iris laughed, and said she wouldn’t wish any of the terrible bouts of nausea on anybody, let alone the man she Loves with every inch of her being! Barry looked at Iris and kissed her passionately. Iris said to herself this was the ONLY Thing that could make her Forget the brownies! She definitely had to find that List!

Barry carefully carried Iris upstairs.

Three weeks later and Iris was still having some serious nausea. She quietly woke and ran to the bathroom, trying not to wake Barry. She closed the door, and took a position was getting used, heaving over the toilet. She thought to herself, baby Nora was getting impatient and wanted out. Iris couldn’t blame her, and smiled to herself, as began throwing up again.

The bathroom door opened as Barry entered. “Iris, oh no, having nausea again?” He handed her a moist hand towel, and held her hair while she tried throwing up nothing again. She smiled weakly at her darling husband. “Thanks, Bear! I guess I ate too much, and Nora did not approve.” She sat on the side of tub while Barry took the towel and gently wiped her face. He was looking so sweet. She hated that she woke him up, apologized. He looked at her with the softest smile on his lips. Could he get any more adorable?

“Iris, we are experiencing Our Pregnancy Together. You are doing the most work, and I am here to help you through it. After all, I did contribute something.” He said with a smirk and a wink. She giggled at that. It made her relax and start to feel a little better. He hugged her and kissed her gently on her forehead. It had an amazing, calming effect. She relaxed into his arms and laid her head on him. He lifted her in his arms, and laid her back in their bed. He got in and pulled her close, as she feel asleep. She marveled at how her stomach’s turbulence quieted at his touch.

________________________________________________

Barry and Iris had gone to see Caitlin the day after Iris told him she was pregnant. Caitlin examined both of them, and found no unexplained anomalies. She did confirm that they may be even more connected than they thought, because of the way Iris affected Barry. She supercharged his powers. It was possible the developing baby was a conduit, that allowed Barry to experience what Iris felt during the pregnancy. They were in uncharted territory, speedster and a human with no meta powers. She urged them to enjoy the whole experience. She also said it was good that Iris was seeing an ob-gyn during her pregnancy. She did not see any problem with that. ___________________________________________

Today was Iris’ second appointment with her ob-gyn, Dr. Stinson. Barry insisted going with her to ALL her appointments. Iris loved that about him, too. Dr. Stinson was always happy to answer all his questions. It was just as much fun for Iris watching Barry stare wondrously at the monitor while Dr. Stinson was running her tests, as it was seeing Nora developing. Dr. Stinson said everything was going as expected. She was having a good pregnancy. The bouts of nausea were not as debilitating as they were earlier. Then, Iris felt like she had an alien inside her fighting to escape. Now, she felt a warmth inside her and it filled her with so much love and compassion. She automatically wanted to protect her daughter and keep her safe. She followed all Dr. Stinson’s recommendations, took her prenatal pills, and tried to eat more. Barry made sure of that. They thanked Dr. Stinson for all she was doing for them, and walked out to their car. Barry was getting used to driving in a car. He didn’t want to risk anything happening to two most precious people in his life. He was actually getting used to Iris’ driving, almost.

They went out for lunch, and then stopped by the mall to shop for baby stuff. Barry was like a kid in a candy store. He was bugging the clerks, asking for all the recall information on their strollers, cribs, high chairs, car seats, almost Everything! Iris had to step in when the clerk threatened to ban Barry from the store. “Dude, I just work here to pay for college. I’m not an expert on all this stuff!”, he said to Barry as he ran to help another customer.

Iris laughed and pulled Barry over to the baby clothes section. Iris had set up their baby registry account so their friends and family could see what they needed. She was diligently updating it, as she kept an eye on Barry. She really didn’t want to get banned from Babies Are Us Store this early in their pregnancy. She finished, and dragged Barry out for some ice cream. She had to give her coffee, but she was happy she could still indulge in ice cream with her most favorite guy in the world. Barry enjoyed it, too.

They both had to return to work afterwards. Later that night they were supposed to have dinner with both their families at Nora and Henry’s. That would be fun.

__________________________________________

Barry woke to the buzz of his Flash alarm just before dawn. He checked and found CCPD needed help capturing a meta that could turn things to stone with a ray emanating from their hands. Yep, he’d have to help with that. He didn’t like leaving Iris alone, but duty called. He kissed his lovely wife on her forehead, and sped away. Iris felt the kiss and moved a little closer to his side of the bed, the warm spot he left comforted her. He returned at dawn, and Iris woke as she heard him showering. She got up to pee, because that is another pregnancy thing that happens, frequent peeing. Nora liked taking up residence just over her bladder. She smiled.

“Hi, babe! Are you all right?”

“Yeah, Iris, this was just a little tough, but we got her to Iron Heights. How are doing? I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, you didn’t. Nora did.” She washed her hands and smiled to herself. As she turned to go back to bed, Barry came out of the shower. “Barry!” She was shocked to see all the bruises on his arms and chest. They were slowly fading, because of his speed healing, but it still frightened her. She touched the bruises, and they amazingly started disappearing. Barry watched as Iris touched them and they disappeared. “Iris! How did you do that?” The aches he was feeling all from his beating disappeared, too.

She looked at him, and he thought he was imagining it, but he thought he saw her irises glowing. It must have been that fight with the meta knocking him silly. He shook his head, and looked into her eyes again, and they were normal. He held her close and kissed her. “Come on and let’s go back to bed.” He led her back to bed.

______________________________________________

Iris was beginning to show, and she was really glowing. Her hair was getting longer and thicker. She said this was a definite perk of pregnancy that she really enjoyed. The nausea had subsided, and she could eat only certain foods. Barry made sure his meals had them included. He was happy to see her appetite begin to return. They were sitting on their couch that night, watching a movie Barry selected after Iris lost their contest of who could name the most musicals in one minute. OF COURSE she lost that one! But, Barry conceded and put in a romcom with that couple whose names he couldn’t remember, but Iris loved, um initials were CP and GG or something like that. Anyway, he was loving cozzying up on couch with her. No crime to fight, and stomach full from dinner. Most Added Plus, was watching his pregnant wife enjoying herself and laughing. He rubbed her back and tried to follow the plot. They weren’t bad he told Iris. She said they were FANTASTIC! He laughed at that, and grabbed some of her popcorn. Barry had drifted off and woke off when he heard Iris’ light snore. He smiled and watched her for a moment before turning off the tv and gently carrying up the stairs. He placed her in bed, then got in himself.

_______________________________________________

Iris and Linda were on their way to “Pho Me” for lunch. Iris owed her a lunch for not telling her she was pregnant for five days after Iris found out. She was trying to ease Linda’s feelings, because she had a favor to ask her, and she hoped she would agree to do it. They entered the restaurant just after the lunch rush. They sat at their usual table. Linda got up and went to the kitchen. Iris texted Barry to let him know where she was and what she was about to do. They had discussed it two nights ago, and felt it was the right thing to do. Linda knew Barry was the Flash. They still didn’t know if their baby would have meta powers. Caitlin said it was unknown, something she wouldn’t guess at either. They had to wait until she was born. He also had to ask Cisco and Chester to be joint-godfathers. Iris put her phone away when she saw Linda bringing Mama Park to their table.

Iris got up clumsily, and hugged Mama Park close. “Hi, Mama Park! You were absolutely right about me. How did you know it would happen?”

“I felt it of course, and I also helped it along with my tea. Here is a gift of more for you, Iris.” Iris laughed and thanked her for the gift. Could it really be that potent? Stranger things do happen. Mama Park kissed them both on the cheek, and returned to the kitchen. Their food was quickly delivered. They ate, laughed and drank more tea.

“Umm, Lin. I have something to ask you.”

“Yes, what’s that Iris?”

“I would, that is Barry and I would like to ask you to be our baby’s godmother, Please?” Iris nervously said.

“ABSOLUTELY! What took you guys so long???” Linda, laughed and hugged her friend. She would care for their child like it was her very own.

Saturday, Barry was in Star Labs, just hanging out with his friends while Iris went out shopping with Linda. It was just him, Cisco and Chester. Caitlin was in the Med Bay working on some new project. The guys were in the cortex gaming, of course. Barry was enjoying being with his friends. They paused the game while they ordered pizza.

He blurted out, “Cisco and Chester would you both consider, please, being joint-godfathers to Iris and my baby?”

Barry waited tensely as Cisco and Chester looked at each other and smiled. “OH YEAH We Would, Barry! ABSOLUTELY! Having a little speedster running around would be Cool! Cis we could teach him/her a lot. For REALS Ches! That kid’s going to be tutored from birth by not One, BUT TWO Geniuses! Barry it would be an honor to be godfathers to You and Iris’ baby”, they said in unison.

Caitlin stepped in and said, “We’re not sure the baby will have Barry’s meta powers, yet. It’s more probable it will be a human baby.” Cisco and Chester looked at her as she returned to the Med Bay. The pizza guy arrived at the right time! Barry went out to get the pizza, and they returned to gaming fun for a few more hours.

Barry got home just after Iris returned from her shopping trip with Linda. Iris said she needed to find some stretch pants and larger skirts and dresses. Their future daughter was gradually changing her model figure. She even had to buy some flats. Barry saw how concerned Iris was about the way her body was changing, so he took her in his arms and told her she was becoming even more beautiful to him. It was amazing how she was growing into the Mother he always dreamed she would become, the Mother of His Child. That was so sweet, how could she NOT Love him for putting it so eloquently. It made Iris happy, too.

“So, Iris, do I get a personal fashion show, or do I have to wait?”, Barry laughingly said. Iris laughed and eagerly went to change into her new clothes to give her Darling Husband a Personal Fashion Show that would knock his Flash suit off!

__________________________________________________

Nora made her presence know late one night when Iris was rudely awakened at 1 am. Iris was lying on her side in bed because that was her most comfortable position when Barry was not there. He had been called away for Flash duty. Something to do with a rogue dinosaur? Iris didn’t know what was coming next. Anyway, she had just gotten comfortable, and felt a strong kick from within. She had never felt anything like that before and was sweetly surprised. She sat up and rubbed her tummy where the kick occurred. Nora kicked again. She must like the feel of the rubbing, so Iris rubbed again. She giggle, and the kick doubled. Nora seemed to like the sound. Iris held her tummy with both hands, and said quietly she loved her daughter. Just then she heard the familiar whoosh sound of her husband.

“Iris what are you doing up?”, Barry asked. He looked a little beat up, but nothing that wouldn’t heal quickly. He quickly showered and returned to bed. Iris kissed him on his cheek that was bruised, and it disappeared. It was something special only they knew she could do. She kissed his knuckles, and they tingled as they quickly healed. Barry was amazed at this new power she had. He believed it came from her dormant meta gene, which was stimulated by their pregnancy coupled with their closeness, and possibly Nora. He Loved Iris too much and didn’t want her experimented on to find out the origin of her power. So, he urged her to keep her secret and he certainly would do the same. They still didn’t know if their child would have meta powers. Barry didn’t want to think about it now. He just wanted to make love to his Gorgeous Wife! He could not get enough of kissing her, and he never would. Iris gently pulled away from, which troubled him. He asked her why and she said she had something to show him.

“What is it, Iris? Are you having pain or nausea? What?”

“Nothing like that Bear, just feel her on my stomach. Can you feel it?”

She took his hand and guided it where it needed to be, then slowly rubbed it on her stomach. There was something kicking! OH WOW! That is the strangest, WONDERFULEST Feeling Ever! He looked into Iris’ eyes and could not express how he was feeling, How She Made Him Feel, but she smiled and kissed him softly, letting him know she did. “Watch this”, she said and started giggling. The kicking was stronger and seemed happy. How Amazing is THAT!

“Let me try he whispered”, and leaned down to the kicking spot and spoke. “Hi, Nora, I am Your Dad. I can’t wait to meet you. Please be nice to your Mom, cuz she Loves You Dearly, as I do.” There was real movement then. It made Iris jump! Barry was happy, and tried something new, his giggling. Nora really started kicking. He then began singing a lullaby so low, even Iris could barely hear him. She loved hearing him sing and so did Nora, because she calmed down, as if she was falling asleep. Not even Iris’ giggling got any movement. Barry looked into Iris’ eyes and said,” I thought I couldn’t love you any more, Iris. I was wrong, and continue to be so.” He placed both his hands on either side of her cheeks, and kissed her with all the love he had, and she returned that love.

___________________________________________

Barry and Iris went to their next to last appointment with Dr. Stinson. Iris said, “Hi, Dr. Stinson! You’re favorite troublemakers are here., Iris jokingly greeted their favorite ob-gyn.

Dr. Stinson laughed and looked pointedly at Barry, who blushed from the tips of his ears to his cheeks.

“Hey, I am not THAT Bad!”, he said.

“No, you’re not, Barry. I wish other parents were as inquisitive as you are. Iris you have a good man!” Iris adamantly agreed with Dr. Stinson, and reached for Barry’s hand as he sat almost on examining table holding her close.

Dr. Stinson, started the monitor and ran some tests. She seemed satisfied, and voiced this, calmly chatting with both Barry and Iris. She asked if they still didn’t want to know the sex of the baby. They said they already knew it was a girl. She looked at them surprised, because they were right. They didn’t tell her how they knew, just smiled at each other. Barry carefully helped Iris get cleaned up and dressed. She was having trouble reaching below her waistline, so he sat her down and helped her put on her shoes. Iris thought to herself what could she have done to deserve a man like him. She Loved Her Bear! He kissed her on the mouth, and helped her up. Dr. Stinson gave them three printouts of their growing baby girl. They thanked her and left happily looking at the pictures. Barry and Iris gave one each to their parents who were overjoyed! They didn’t tell them the sex, yet.

___________________________________________

Closer it came to Iris’ due date, the more nervous Barry got. He kept pacing around when he was out Star Labs. He interrogated Caitlin on a daily basis, until she barred him from the Med Lab. Cisco told him that anywhere around, near or on the consoles in the cortex were “NO Pregnancy Talk Zones”. Chester, was happy to listen to Barry. He knew he couldn’t offer him any advice except what he found on Google, but he sensed Barry needed to talk to someone. Barry tried to talking to Joe and Francine, but they told him to calm down, and that the baby would be there soon enough. He talked to his Mom, Nora, and she just sat him down and they watched musicals. Henry, his Dad, being a medical doctor, gave him some insight into what possible outcomes they might encounter during the delivery. That seemed to calm down a little. He went home to his wife, who got him to express his deepest fears. Iris always was there walking him through to the light, showing him was there was ALWAYS something Better. He dealt in facts and data. She showed him heart, determination and love would ALWAYS find the Joy! That helped him, too. He didn’t realize this was helping Iris, too.

“Come on Iris, let’s do one more run through, okay?” Barry was trying to plan for every scenario when Iris went into labor. He already had two bags packed, one in the coat closet and one in the car. He had a pair of Iris’ flat shoes and clothes set aside downstairs on one of the dining room chairs. Next, he put her through a drill to enact the real thing. Iris wakes up and her water has broken, she wakes Barry and helps out of bed. Gets her dressed and down the stairs, out to the car. He timed them, too. Iris is laughing when they return to their loft, because Barry locked the car keys in the car. Thankfully, they had a spare. Another thing to add to his checklist. Iris was really rethinking Caitlin’s orders to Barry NOT to speed Iris to the hospital, because that may have adverse effects on both mother and child.

“Come on Bear, can we eat now, Please? I’m starving.” Barry looked at his wife with a smile, as she giggled from the ticklish feeling she probably was getting when Nora kicked her again. “Sure, I’ll warm up dinner. You just sit back and lift your feet up.”

They finished their dinner and both washed the dishes. Barry was humming to himself, and Iris asked what he was singing. He smiled and said it was something he was working on for Nora when she was born. Iris put her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. She loved Her Bear!

________________________________________

“Barry was running around the bedroom in his pajamas yelling “It’s go time, go time…..Iris are you all right, can you move?” He saw the wet area on the side of her bed, and his eyes went blank. He didn’t know what to do. Iris, reached up and pulled him to her. He helped her out of bed into the bathroom to clean herself up. She got him to take the sheets off the bed. After she got dressed, she asked him to call their parents and Linda. He did so, and Iris giggled at him as he tried to explain to Joe what was happening. He hung on Linda without really telling her why he called. Thank goodness she texted Iris and got the information. Linda texted her back, encouraging her, and telling her to drive, cuz Barry would get them in an accident the way he is now. Iris had to laugh out loud.

“Iris, lets go. I called Dr. Stinson, and she is on her way.”

“Okay, Barry. I left some papers in my desk downstairs for you. If I don’t make it, please read them.”

Barry looked at her in shock, and hugged her. He refused to acknowledge any thought of Iris not living through the birth of their child.

He walked her down to the car and sat her inside. He through the bag in the trunk, got in and sped off towards the hospital.

__________________________________________

Dr. Stinson met them at the check-in desk. The nurse took Iris to the hospital room with Barry following. Dr. Stinson walked along side Iris and explained all to expect. She assured both of them that it was time to meet their new baby daughter. Iris smiled and looked at Barry who was even paler than normal. He looked like he was going to faint. The nurse helped Iris out of her clothes and into a gown. She brought in two pitchers, one with ice and the other with water. The ice was to chew on. Dr. Stinson returned to check Iris’ dilation, and Barry was there right over her shoulder watching every move.

“Well, Iris you are at 6 cm, almost ready. I know you wanted natural childbirth, so you will experience excruciating pain. I’m not going to lie. The good thing is it disappears after you’ve given birth, unless you have a c-section. Then you’re a Mom forever.” Dr. Stinson turned to Barry and said, “Are you ready to become a Father, Barry?” He nodded, eyes wide open like saucers, and looking directly at Iris as he said emphatically, “ABSOLUTELY!”

Iris grabbed Barry’s hand and held on tightly.

Joe and Francine got there quickly. They gave Iris a hug and a kiss. Iris smiled at them. They both gave Barry a hug and a kiss.

Nora and Henry came into Iris’ room soon after. They hugged their son, and Henry patted him on the back. Nora came over to Iris and hugged her and planted a kiss on forehead. She held her hand and Iris squeezed it. She felt Iris jump as the first wave of strong contractions came. Iris tried not to scream. She was aching badly, and ready to cry out. Barry saw her agony and reached her side quickly. He took her other hand and reminded her to breath like learned in the few Le Mas Classes they attended. Of Course Barry was a little exuberant, and finally the instructor told them to attend classes online. Iris was glad Barry remembered some of their instructor’s guidance. The pain was horrible, but she kept breathing. Dr. Stinson returned and asked everyone except the nurse and the prospective father to go to the waiting room. A nurse escorted them there. Francine went to her baby and gave her another hug and kiss. Iris squeezed her hand, tightly. “I Love You, Iris, Baby!” Joe was saying, “My Baby Girl!”, then glared a little at Barry, who shifted uneasily on his feet. Iris squeezed Barry’s hand and smiled at him. He stood up straighter, then bent down and kissed her. Barry saw his wife shaking trying not to scream out while everyone was there. She let out one the moment that door closed. Dr. Stinson smiled at Iris, letting her know it was all right to holler. “Iris you have my permission to yell as loud as you like. You are doing fine. Let me check your dilation.” Iris was tightly gripping Barry’s hand. It hurt, but he held on.

Dr. Stinson said, “It’s time! You two ready?, she said smiling at them. Barry and Iris nodded happily. Dr. Stinson motioned to the nurse to take Iris to the delivery room. She looked at Barry and told him to go with them. She said they would give him a gown so he could witness the miracle of his child’s birth firsthand. Barry walked quickly out of the room with Iris and the nurse. Dr. Stinson followed.

__________________________________________

Two hours later Nora Marie Francine WestAllen was born to a Very Happy Iris and Barry WestAllen! She was a tiny little thing, all wrinkly and squirmy, but yelling at top of her lungs. She was small but powerful. Barry and Iris were overjoyed to see their beautiful daughter. They placed her in Iris’ arms after Barry shakily cut the umbilical cord. Iris was willed with the warmth and love she felt when she felt Nora’s first kick and more! The nurse asked Iris to let her place their baby in Barry’s arms, and she nodded emphatically. Barry felt more than any love had for anyone except Iris for the first time he looked down at his daughter in his arms. She wriggled and started quieting down. Iris and the nurse looked on in amazement. Barry grinned sheepishly at Iris. All the love had for Iris was evident in his face. He moved closer to her and kissed her, quietly celebrating their Momentous Moment!

The nurse asked them if they could take their picture while they held their daughter, and Barry and Iris enthusiastically said “Yes!” Barry gave Nora to her Mom, and let the nurse take her picture as well. Iris eagerly took her from Barry. They even took one with Dr. Stinson.

Dr. Stinson told them they did great, and complemented them on their new family. Iris and Barry thanked Dr. Stinson profusely on what she did to help them bring their daughter into the world. Dr. Stinson shook both their hands, smiled and said she would see them later. She wanted to check their daughter to ensure everything was all right. If all goes well, they could take her home tomorrow. The nurse took Nora from Iris’ arms assuring her she would bring her to them in her room. Barry was ready to follow the nurse, but Iris grasped his arm and held him back. He looked down and said, “Thank You my Darling Wife! We Really Did it!” Iris lovingly smiled up at him as she gazed into his goofy, adorable, beautiful face. He could not have loved her more.

Barry followed as Iris was taken back to her room. He asked the nurse where the nursery was. She guided him there, after he gave Iris another happy kiss. There he found Henry and Joe standing in front of the Nursery window, congratulating each other and slapping themselves on their backs. “So, what do you think of your granddaughter, Nora Marie Francine WestAllen, huh?”, Barry said proudly, all smiles. Joe and Henry just grabbed him and hugged him tightly. Barry told them Iris was returning to her room, and would be ready for visitors. They eagerly walked back to the waiting room to get their family and bombard Iris with their Love!

_____________________________________________

Nora Marie Francine Allen would bring more Joy than they ever thought possible into Barry and Iris’ lives! :o)

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 6/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 6 -

Barry knew that his cutting Jesse off so suddenly the night before and immediately turning his phone after thereafter would not sit well with the young brunette. And yet, he hadn’t known how else to go about it without taking a serious look at the situation and wondering why he was willing to throw away his long-term long-distance relationship with his college sweetheart for the sake of a chance meeting with a complete stranger and an unofficial date soon after.

A gorgeous complete stranger.

Not that it mattered. Patty was attractive too. And she had something Iris didn’t. His heart.

Right?

He turned on his phone after slipping out of Patty’s bedroom to make pancakes in the kitchen. Instantly, it blew up with 30 missed calls and 15 text messages from his cousin, Jesse. He sighed, the box of pancake mix in his hand, and looked at the most recent text. It had come 15 minutes ago.

I’m outside.

He set the box down and ran his hand over his face and through his hair. The message wasn’t even asking him to come outside to see her, but he knew it was implied. Plus, if he knew her, she likely wasn’t wearing the layers and winter clothing the 20-degree weather demanded.

Slipping into his warm boots and winter coat, Barry patted his pocket for the spare keys to Patty’s apartment and headed downstairs.

As expected, he walked practically into her as soon as he stepped outside.

“Took you long enough,” she sassed, looking at him pointedly.

“Good morning to you too,” he said, smirking as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Let’s walk. I’m freezing.”

He raised his eyebrows, amused.

“And whose fault is that?”

She did have an answer for that, so he chuckled and extended his elbow to her for her to loop her arm through. Then, they walked.

“So, you didn’t propose.”

He sighed.

“I didn’t.”

“Why?” she demanded.

He sighed, going for the truth, because if he could trust anyone with it, it was her.

“I met a girl.”

She stopped walking, and he waited for her to scold him.

“Say something,” he said, when she took a few seconds too long to respond.

“Did anything…happen?”

He hesitated, then said, “We went ice skating.”

“Did you kiss her?”

“No.”

“But you wanted to.”

He sighed.

“Jesse-”

“I’m just trying to get my facts straight!”

She started to walk again, and he went with her, mostly because she dragged him.

“So, did you want to kiss her – yes or no?”

He muttered something under his breath.

“What was that?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Or you don’t want to tell me?”

“I don’t know.”

And I don’t want to tell you, he thought.

“Are you happy with Patty?”

“Yes,” he said quickly – too quickly?

“Then why couldn’t you propose? Are you planning a more romantic setting maybe?”

“No,” he said just as quickly, then winced.

Jesse frowned.

“I guess I just don’t understand then, Barry. You were so ready. The two of you have so much in common, and you love each other. How can some…stranger change all of that in a matter of hours?”

“Seconds actually,” Barry muttered, but this time not low enough to not be heard.

Jesse stopped again, her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide as saucers. Barry couldn’t look at her.

“You’re thinking about leaving Patty for her.”

“No,” he said. “No, definitely not.”

“Is the only reason because you didn’t exchange phone numbers?”

She was fuming, and he didn’t blame her one bit. So he said nothing, and they kept walking.

“So, you’re not just feeling guilty over Patty. You’re interested in this woman you met out of the blue.” She huffed. “Who even is she?”

“Her name’s Iris,” he offered up.

“Iris,” she repeated, and he could practically here the tsk’ing on her tongue.

“Yeah.”

“Did you learn anything else about her or were you too busy staring at her lips?”

He sighed. He supposed he deserved that.

“She works for the New York Times. She’s involved with someone.”

“Of course she is,” she seethed.

“That’s how we met, actually.”

“What? On a double date?” her voice went a little too high-pitched.

“She got my engagement ring, and I got her earrings.”

Jesse stopped. He decided not to follow his instinctive reaction that wanted to ask her if she intended on stopping every time she got a little upset.

But this time, it seemed, she wasn’t upset.

“Oh.”

She sounded curious now.

“That sounds like something out of a romantic comedy.”

He watched her curiously.

“Does that mean you…approve?”

“No.” She narrowed her eyes. “But I think you need some proof before you’re going to go one way or the other.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning…I understand why you might be doubting your current situation and significant other based on how you met this woman.”

“Iris,” he said, and Jesse could hear the wonderment on his tongue when he spoke her name.

“Iris, yes.”

“So, what should I do?”

“Go ice skating again.”

He frowned.

“I don’t understand.”

“If Iris likes ice skating, she’s likely to go again…mostly like with her significant other. So, you go with Patty. Tonight. And if you see Iris there, see how you feel when you look at her. If it’s the same, if you get-”

“Butterflies?” he whispered reverently.

“Yeah.” She smiled slightly. “Then maybe it’s worth exploring. Maybe the key to your happiness isn’t proposing to Patty but giving this beautiful stranger another look.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then it’s a sign you’re just feeling guilty, and you should maybe fess up to Patty, wait for her to forgive you, and then plan a really romantic proposal.”

He cracked a grin.

“How old are you again?”

“Twenty and three-quarters.”

He chuckled.

“What a shame. I was gonna offer you a drink.”

She snorted. “At six in the morning?”

He shrugged.

“A cigar then maybe.”

She laughed.

They both knew he didn’t smoke, and the one time he tried in his teens had been disastrous. The story had been told many times.

“How about you just call me the most intelligent person you’ve ever met?”

“Alright.” He pulled her in and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Jesse Wells, you are the most intelligent person I have ever met.”

She smiled into him.

“As are you, when you take your rose-colored glasses off.”

He snorted, and they resumed their walk, stopping for hot chocolate at a Starbucks before returning to Patty’s apartment building where he bid her farewell and promised to tell her what happened after the dust settled.

“I’m holding you to that.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

…

The rink at Rockefeller Center was fairly crowded, as was to be expected the night before Christmas Eve. It was chilly, but Barry and Patty were dressed warmly with their own ice skates to boot. They planned to get hot chocolate but not until they’d spent some time on the rink.

Patty was a natural, taking to the ice like a pro. She’d taken lessons up into her teen years, entered competitions even and won some ribbons. Yet Barry had always felt insecure when around her on the ice. He hadn’t felt that with Iris the day before, even though she’d been equally skilled on the ice. He couldn’t put his finger on why though and so tried to push the thought from his mind.

Patty took his hand as they moved into the stream of people skating on the ice. They were both wearing gloves, so there was no skin-to-skin contact the way there had been with Iris when neither of them had been planning on skating until he brought it up.

Why had he done that?

He shook his head of the thought, but unfortunately for him, Patty noticed.

“What?” she asked, a silly grin on her face.

“Oh, uh, nothing. I was just thinking…”

“About what?”

“Uh…about-”

He lifted his gaze, intending to turn it to Patty, but first he looked straight ahead and saw…her.

Iris.

She looked unbelievably adorable in her little pink skirt and warm, white tights to match the plaid coat she wore and the winter hat and gloves that matched as well.

How cute.

It was also at that exact moment that he lost track of what he was doing and moved away from Patty, going straight ahead and flailing, coming right in front of Iris, slamming against the wall of the rink, almost smushing Iris as he fought to stay standing.

He could hear Patty calling his name faintly, horrified as she struggled to get to him and no doubt apologize to the woman he’d nearly collided with.

But what was stronger in his ears was the whisper from said woman before him.

“Barry.”

Butterflies exploded inside him. Nothing else existed in that moment except her. Those deep eyes and those chilled cheeks that he ached to touch. Those lips that-

“Oh, my god, Barry!” Patty practically screeched, arriving at last. “I’m so sorry.” She addressed Iris. “Are you okay?” Then she looked back at Barry. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Barry and Iris answered simultaneously.

Patty suspected nothing, apologized once more to Iris and then looked at Barry again.

“Come on, let’s get some hot chocolate.”

Reluctantly, he took her hand and went with her, hopeful he hadn’t twisted his ankle in the mess. He looked over his shoulder at Iris as he left, briefly, and found her looking back at him, mystified at his arrival and just as soon at his departure.

To avoid making another scene, he looked straight ahead, gripping Patty’s hand harder than necessary and exited the rink with her moments later.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” Patty muttered as they made their way to the beverage stand.

“Yeah, sorry.” His cheeks turned bright red. “I guess I lost my head a bit.”

Or a lot.

“It’s okay,” Patty said, brushing it aside, though he could tell she wasn’t entirely off it. “Why don’t you take off your skates, get us some hot chocolate and we’ll relax with that for a while. If you feel up to it after, we’ll go back on the ice.”

“Okay.”

So, he went and got the drinks, Jesse’s words about this evening running through his head, his heart still pounding at the memory of Iris, wondering faintly why she’d been standing there alone and then being glad that she was rather than with her boyfriend. Which was kind of awful of him, but it told him what he needed to do.

He got the drinks and returned to Patty, extending one to her and waited for her to take a sip.

“Thanks,” she said and brought the cup to her lips. It was too hot for her though, so she held it in her lap and looked up at him and presumably saw the way the wheels in his head were turning.

Of course she did. She knew him so wel…

“What?” she asked.

“Are you happy with me?”

She blinked, her brows furrowed.

“Yes. I am.” She patted the spot beside her, so she could soothe him further, but he shook his head. “What happened, Barry?”

He swallowed.

“This isn’t easy to say…”

She tilted her head, confused, and waited.

He sighed.

“Does this have to do with you exchanging the jewelry today?”

He blinked and shifted on his feet.

“Kinda.” He licked his lips. “I had a kind of revelation…” he trailed off.

“What kind of revelation?” she asked, and he could see her tensing up. Almost like she knew.

“I was going to propose.”

Her eyes widened, and he did take a seat then.

“Because we’ve felt…stuck for a while. And I thought, by moving to New York where you were, by proposing, that would somehow fulfill what was missing between us.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip.

“But I don’t think it would’ve, Patty. Not for long. I think…”

“You’re breaking up with me, aren’t you?”

He held his breath for a few lengthy seconds, and then his shoulders slumped.

“Instead of proposing, you’re breaking up with me.”

He tried to take her hand, but she pulled it out of reach, and he could see tears well in her eyes. He knew she hated this. Hell, he hated this. But he was only speaking the truth, and he couldn’t help that his heartstrings had been tugged by another, by Iris.

“Are you happy, Patty?”

She held her tongue for a moment more and then reluctantly gave him what he wanted to hear.

“No,” she said. “I mean, I was happy to see you, happy when you said you were going to move here, because I love you, Barry.”

His eyes shut slowly.

“But you’re right. Things between us have been strained for a while, and the excitement of a proposal and planning a wedding…it wouldn’t last.” She took a breath. “We should break up.”

He nodded and stopped trying to reach her.

“Before we go our separate ways though…” she started, and he looked at her. “Is there someone else?”

His eyes bulged, and she caught sight of them before he could subdue them.

She pursed her lips and nodded.

“I see.”

“It’s not what you think, Patty.”

“Did you cheat on me?”

“No. Never. I just…” he sighed. “I just met her.”

“And that was enough, huh? Enough for you to decide to end it all.”

He swallowed.

“Is she here?” She looked around, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to make it obvious by looking where they’d just been. “Oh, god, is she-”

His lips thinned when Patty spun around to look at him.

“Is she…?”

He said nothing.

Hastily, she took off her skates.

“Well, this date is over, isn’t it? Go get your girl.”

“Patty, wai-”

But she didn’t wait. She didn’t turn back to yell at him, but she didn’t wait either. She stomped off with the skates in hand and not another look back.

He looked back at the rink, approaching it with his hot chocolate still in one hand, but Iris was gone. He searched the crowd, watching as they circled the rink over and over. He searched the rest of the grounds, the bathrooms even, but she was nowhere to be found.

Had he just thrown his relationship away for nothing?

…

An hour passed before he slunk back to Patty’s place and knocked at her door. All his stuff was there, including his wallet that would get him into a hotel for the night. He had no choice but to confront her.

He knocked a couple times, waiting, despite the spare keys sitting heavy in his pocket. He didn’t want to invade her space if she didn’t want him there.

“You have keys, don’t you?” came Patty’s voice, shortly after, and he winced, taking them out and opening the door.

There she stood, in pajamas he’d given her the year before, white ones with pink hearts and little stars. He remembered the feel of her snuggling against him in them the night before. He didn’t yearn for that again, but his heart was heavy knowing she was mad at him.

“Can I come in?”

She raised her eyebrows, amused.

“To get my things,” he clarified, and her lips thinned.

“Where will you go?”

“To a hotel?” he offered up, and her shoulder slumped. He knew then that she’d figured it out. He hadn’t found her.

“You can still stay at my place tonight. It won’t be awkward. We’re still friends, right?”

And with that, she turned and disappeared down the hall into her bedroom.

He stood there, dumbfounded, then miraculously moved his feet and closed the door behind him, plopping down on the couch in the living room and dreading the moment she’d return.

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 6/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 6 -

Barry knew that his cutting Jesse off so suddenly the night before and immediately turning his phone after thereafter would not sit well with the young brunette. And yet, he hadn’t known how else to go about it without taking a serious look at the situation and wondering why he was willing to throw away his long-term long-distance relationship with his college sweetheart for the sake of a chance meeting with a complete stranger and an unofficial date soon after.

A gorgeous complete stranger.

Not that it mattered. Patty was attractive too. And she had something Iris didn’t. His heart.

Right?

He turned on his phone after slipping out of Patty’s bedroom to make pancakes in the kitchen. Instantly, it blew up with 30 missed calls and 15 text messages from his cousin, Jesse. He sighed, the box of pancake mix in his hand, and looked at the most recent text. It had come 15 minutes ago.

I’m outside.

He set the box down and ran his hand over his face and through his hair. The message wasn’t even asking him to come outside to see her, but he knew it was implied. Plus, if he knew her, she likely wasn’t wearing the layers and winter clothing the 20-degree weather demanded.

Slipping into his warm boots and winter coat, Barry patted his pocket for the spare keys to Patty’s apartment and headed downstairs.

As expected, he walked practically into her as soon as he stepped outside.

“Took you long enough,” she sassed, looking at him pointedly.

“Good morning to you too,” he said, smirking as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Let’s walk. I’m freezing.”

He raised his eyebrows, amused.

“And whose fault is that?”

She did have an answer for that, so he chuckled and extended his elbow to her for her to loop her arm through. Then, they walked.

“So, you didn’t propose.”

He sighed.

“I didn’t.”

“Why?” she demanded.

He sighed, going for the truth, because if he could trust anyone with it, it was her.

“I met a girl.”

She stopped walking, and he waited for her to scold him.

“Say something,” he said, when she took a few seconds too long to respond.

“Did anything…happen?”

He hesitated, then said, “We went ice skating.”

“Did you kiss her?”

“No.”

“But you wanted to.”

He sighed.

“Jesse-”

“I’m just trying to get my facts straight!”

She started to walk again, and he went with her, mostly because she dragged him.

“So, did you want to kiss her – yes or no?”

He muttered something under his breath.

“What was that?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Or you don’t want to tell me?”

“I don’t know.”

And I don’t want to tell you, he thought.

“Are you happy with Patty?”

“Yes,” he said quickly – too quickly?

“Then why couldn’t you propose? Are you planning a more romantic setting maybe?”

“No,” he said just as quickly, then winced.

Jesse frowned.

“I guess I just don’t understand then, Barry. You were so ready. The two of you have so much in common, and you love each other. How can some…stranger change all of that in a matter of hours?”

“Seconds actually,” Barry muttered, but this time not low enough to not be heard.

Jesse stopped again, her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide as saucers. Barry couldn’t look at her.

“You’re thinking about leaving Patty for her.”

“No,” he said. “No, definitely not.”

“Is the only reason because you didn’t exchange phone numbers?”

She was fuming, and he didn’t blame her one bit. So he said nothing, and they kept walking.

“So, you’re not just feeling guilty over Patty. You’re interested in this woman you met out of the blue.” She huffed. “Who even is she?”

“Her name’s Iris,” he offered up.

“Iris,” she repeated, and he could practically here the tsk’ing on her tongue.

“Yeah.”

“Did you learn anything else about her or were you too busy staring at her lips?”

He sighed. He supposed he deserved that.

“She works for the New York Times. She’s involved with someone.”

“Of course she is,” she seethed.

“That’s how we met, actually.”

“What? On a double date?” her voice went a little too high-pitched.

“She got my engagement ring, and I got her earrings.”

Jesse stopped. He decided not to follow his instinctive reaction that wanted to ask her if she intended on stopping every time she got a little upset.

But this time, it seemed, she wasn’t upset.

“Oh.”

She sounded curious now.

“That sounds like something out of a romantic comedy.”

He watched her curiously.

“Does that mean you…approve?”

“No.” She narrowed her eyes. “But I think you need some proof before you’re going to go one way or the other.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning…I understand why you might be doubting your current situation and significant other based on how you met this woman.”

“Iris,” he said, and Jesse could hear the wonderment on his tongue when he spoke her name.

“Iris, yes.”

“So, what should I do?”

“Go ice skating again.”

He frowned.

“I don’t understand.”

“If Iris likes ice skating, she’s likely to go again…mostly like with her significant other. So, you go with Patty. Tonight. And if you see Iris there, see how you feel when you look at her. If it’s the same, if you get-”

“Butterflies?” he whispered reverently.

“Yeah.” She smiled slightly. “Then maybe it’s worth exploring. Maybe the key to your happiness isn’t proposing to Patty but giving this beautiful stranger another look.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then it’s a sign you’re just feeling guilty, and you should maybe fess up to Patty, wait for her to forgive you, and then plan a really romantic proposal.”

He cracked a grin.

“How old are you again?”

“Twenty and three-quarters.”

He chuckled.

“What a shame. I was gonna offer you a drink.”

She snorted. “At six in the morning?”

He shrugged.

“A cigar then maybe.”

She laughed.

They both knew he didn’t smoke, and the one time he tried in his teens had been disastrous. The story had been told many times.

“How about you just call me the most intelligent person you’ve ever met?”

“Alright.” He pulled her in and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Jesse Wells, you are the most intelligent person I have ever met.”

She smiled into him.

“As are you, when you take your rose-colored glasses off.”

He snorted, and they resumed their walk, stopping for hot chocolate at a Starbucks before returning to Patty’s apartment building where he bid her farewell and promised to tell her what happened after the dust settled.

“I’m holding you to that.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

…

The rink at Rockefeller Center was fairly crowded, as was to be expected the night before Christmas Eve. It was chilly, but Barry and Patty were dressed warmly with their own ice skates to boot. They planned to get hot chocolate but not until they’d spent some time on the rink.

Patty was a natural, taking to the ice like a pro. She’d taken lessons up into her teen years, entered competitions even and won some ribbons. Yet Barry had always felt insecure when around her on the ice. He hadn’t felt that with Iris the day before, even though she’d been equally skilled on the ice. He couldn’t put his finger on why though and so tried to push the thought from his mind.

Patty took his hand as they moved into the stream of people skating on the ice. They were both wearing gloves, so there was no skin-to-skin contact the way there had been with Iris when neither of them had been planning on skating until he brought it up.

Why had he done that?

He shook his head of the thought, but unfortunately for him, Patty noticed.

“What?” she asked, a silly grin on her face.

“Oh, uh, nothing. I was just thinking…”

“About what?”

“Uh…about-”

He lifted his gaze, intending to turn it to Patty, but first he looked straight ahead and saw…her.

Iris.

She looked unbelievably adorable in her little pink skirt and warm, white tights to match the plaid coat she wore and the winter hat and gloves that matched as well.

How cute.

It was also at that exact moment that he lost track of what he was doing and moved away from Patty, going straight ahead and flailing, coming right in front of Iris, slamming against the wall of the rink, almost smushing Iris as he fought to stay standing.

He could hear Patty calling his name faintly, horrified as she struggled to get to him and no doubt apologize to the woman he’d nearly collided with.

But what was stronger in his ears was the whisper from said woman before him.

“Barry.”

Butterflies exploded inside him. Nothing else existed in that moment except her. Those deep eyes and those chilled cheeks that he ached to touch. Those lips that-

“Oh, my god, Barry!” Patty practically screeched, arriving at last. “I’m so sorry.” She addressed Iris. “Are you okay?” Then she looked back at Barry. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Barry and Iris answered simultaneously.

Patty suspected nothing, apologized once more to Iris and then looked at Barry again.

“Come on, let’s get some hot chocolate.”

Reluctantly, he took her hand and went with her, hopeful he hadn’t twisted his ankle in the mess. He looked over his shoulder at Iris as he left, briefly, and found her looking back at him, mystified at his arrival and just as soon at his departure.

To avoid making another scene, he looked straight ahead, gripping Patty’s hand harder than necessary and exited the rink with her moments later.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” Patty muttered as they made their way to the beverage stand.

“Yeah, sorry.” His cheeks turned bright red. “I guess I lost my head a bit.”

Or a lot.

“It’s okay,” Patty said, brushing it aside, though he could tell she wasn’t entirely off it. “Why don’t you take off your skates, get us some hot chocolate and we’ll relax with that for a while. If you feel up to it after, we’ll go back on the ice.”

“Okay.”

So, he went and got the drinks, Jesse’s words about this evening running through his head, his heart still pounding at the memory of Iris, wondering faintly why she’d been standing there alone and then being glad that she was rather than with her boyfriend. Which was kind of awful of him, but it told him what he needed to do.

He got the drinks and returned to Patty, extending one to her and waited for her to take a sip.

“Thanks,” she said and brought the cup to her lips. It was too hot for her though, so she held it in her lap and looked up at him and presumably saw the way the wheels in his head were turning.

Of course she did. She knew him so wel…

“What?” she asked.

“Are you happy with me?”

She blinked, her brows furrowed.

“Yes. I am.” She patted the spot beside her, so she could soothe him further, but he shook his head. “What happened, Barry?”

He swallowed.

“This isn’t easy to say…”

She tilted her head, confused, and waited.

He sighed.

“Does this have to do with you exchanging the jewelry today?”

He blinked and shifted on his feet.

“Kinda.” He licked his lips. “I had a kind of revelation…” he trailed off.

“What kind of revelation?” she asked, and he could see her tensing up. Almost like she knew.

“I was going to propose.”

Her eyes widened, and he did take a seat then.

“Because we’ve felt…stuck for a while. And I thought, by moving to New York where you were, by proposing, that would somehow fulfill what was missing between us.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip.

“But I don’t think it would’ve, Patty. Not for long. I think…”

“You’re breaking up with me, aren’t you?”

He held his breath for a few lengthy seconds, and then his shoulders slumped.

“Instead of proposing, you’re breaking up with me.”

He tried to take her hand, but she pulled it out of reach, and he could see tears well in her eyes. He knew she hated this. Hell, he hated this. But he was only speaking the truth, and he couldn’t help that his heartstrings had been tugged by another, by Iris.

“Are you happy, Patty?”

She held her tongue for a moment more and then reluctantly gave him what he wanted to hear.

“No,” she said. “I mean, I was happy to see you, happy when you said you were going to move here, because I love you, Barry.”

His eyes shut slowly.

“But you’re right. Things between us have been strained for a while, and the excitement of a proposal and planning a wedding…it wouldn’t last.” She took a breath. “We should break up.”

He nodded and stopped trying to reach her.

“Before we go our separate ways though…” she started, and he looked at her. “Is there someone else?”

His eyes bulged, and she caught sight of them before he could subdue them.

She pursed her lips and nodded.

“I see.”

“It’s not what you think, Patty.”

“Did you cheat on me?”

“No. Never. I just…” he sighed. “I just met her.”

“And that was enough, huh? Enough for you to decide to end it all.”

He swallowed.

“Is she here?” She looked around, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to make it obvious by looking where they’d just been. “Oh, god, is she-”

His lips thinned when Patty spun around to look at him.

“Is she…?”

He said nothing.

Hastily, she took off her skates.

“Well, this date is over, isn’t it? Go get your girl.”

“Patty, wai-”

But she didn’t wait. She didn’t turn back to yell at him, but she didn’t wait either. She stomped off with the skates in hand and not another look back.

He looked back at the rink, approaching it with his hot chocolate still in one hand, but Iris was gone. He searched the crowd, watching as they circled the rink over and over. He searched the rest of the grounds, the bathrooms even, but she was nowhere to be found.

Had he just thrown his relationship away for nothing?

…

An hour passed before he slunk back to Patty’s place and knocked at her door. All his stuff was there, including his wallet that would get him into a hotel for the night. He had no choice but to confront her.

He knocked a couple times, waiting, despite the spare keys sitting heavy in his pocket. He didn’t want to invade her space if she didn’t want him there.

“You have keys, don’t you?” came Patty’s voice, shortly after, and he winced, taking them out and opening the door.

There she stood, in pajamas he’d given her the year before, white ones with pink hearts and little stars. He remembered the feel of her snuggling against him in them the night before. He didn’t yearn for that again, but his heart was heavy knowing she was mad at him.

“Can I come in?”

She raised her eyebrows, amused.

“To get my things,” he clarified, and her lips thinned.

“Where will you go?”

“To a hotel?” he offered up, and her shoulder slumped. He knew then that she’d figured it out. He hadn’t found her.

“You can still stay at my place tonight. It won’t be awkward. We’re still friends, right?”

And with that, she turned and disappeared down the hall into her bedroom.

He stood there, dumbfounded, then miraculously moved his feet and closed the door behind him, plopping down on the couch in the living room and dreading the moment she’d return.

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 5/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 5 -

The next day Linda tried to pin Iris down as soon as she sat down at her desk, but she was pulled away time and time again until she had to accept a simple text asking to go out for lunch to catch up. She was surprised when Iris said yes honestly, given what Linda wanted to know – which was what happened that Iris never came into work the previous afternoon.

But she said yes, and that was all that mattered.

They didn’t leave together, but they wound up at their favorite café down the street. Linda raised her hand when Iris walked through the door, and the two smiled as they settled into their booth.

“Sorry about this morning,” Iris said. “I guess when you don’t come into work, there is suddenly work for you to do when you return.” She paused. “But it was only for the afternoon, so I don’t understand why-”

“Yes,” Linda interrupted. “I can’t imagine why your boss wasn’t fond of you not coming in without even calling.”

Iris turned to look at her best friend, her hands folded beneath her chin, and her lips parted.

“Lin-”

“The last thing I remember was you flirting to high heaven and making heart eyes with a complete stranger.” Iris sighed. “So. What happened after that? We have 40 minutes.”

Iris leaned into her hand and moaned softly.

“That good, huh? I hope Eddie knows. I could use some good drama.”

“Linda.”

“Please tell me you broke up with him. I like that more than drama. Besides, complete stranger guy was totally hot. Well, cute. Cute enough to bang. You could use a could bang. Unless, Eddie-” She scrunched up her nose. “No, nevermind. Let’s not go there.”

“Linda!”

She grinned.

“If you don’t tell me what happened, I’ll come up with my own version of events.”

Iris rolled her eyes and shook her head, but she was smiling.

“Okay, okay. We went ice skating.”

“Oh? We meaning…?”

“Me and Barry.”

“Is that his name? I couldn’t tell. I was too distracted by his emerald eyes.”

Iris slapped her arm.

“You’re taken, Missy! By my brother.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right. He’s definitely hot. Let me tell y-”

Iris held up a hand.

“Ew. Please don’t.”

Linda chuckled.

“Okay, so you went ice skating. Was it fun? Did you flirt? Did you get his phone number?”

Iris raised her eyebrows.

“Give me something, Iris! I’m dying over here!”

“Yes, well, dying or not, in case you have forgotten, Barry was trying to propose to his girlfriend before our gifts got mixed up, and Eddie and I are still very much in a relationship.”

Linda sighed.

“You don’t have to be. That’s on you.”

“I know, and I choose Eddie.”

“But why?”

Iris laughed.

“Okay, look, I know Eddie doesn’t have a good history, being a workaholic and all, but he’s been really good so far, Lin. It feels different. Like maybe he’s-”

“The one?” Linda drawled, annoyed.

“Changed, I was gonna say,” Iris deadpanned. “But yeah, that too.”

“God, I hope not.”

Iris shook her head.

“Let’s talk about something else. How is everything with you?”

“Great. Great. It’s great. You?”

“Well, I got an interview for the TV station not far from here.”

Linda’s jaw dropped.

“Oh, my god, that’s amazing! We deserve drinks for that!”

Iris laughed.

“I don’t think they have alcohol here.”

Linda frowned.

“That’s why we like it, remember? Because then we don’t get drunk in the middle of the day?”

Linda’s frown didn’t go away.

“Anyway, thank you. I hope I get it. The Times is just about draining me dry. And I’ve always wanted to reach an audience the way one can being on TV.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll get it. I’ll just miss you tons.”

Iris smiled.

“Is that why you didn’t come back yesterday afternoon?”

“Partially. But the ice skating did take up…a lot of time.”

“Are you going to tell Eddie?” She held her breath.

Iris snorted.

“No way. It was already awkward enough between us when I gave him back the bag he meant to pick up from Tiffany’s, and he said thanks, and then gave it to me again for me to open. We don’t need more awkwardness or suspicion anywhere. Besides, it was just ice skating. Not like it was an official date or anything.”

“It could’ve been,” Linda muttered under her breath.

Iris sighed.

“Enough from you!” She laughed. “I’m never going to see him again, so I better make do with Eddie or I’ll have no one at all!”

Linda’s eyes widened.

“Wha-”

“That’s…ugh. Not what I meant. I want to be with- Can we just change the subject?”

Linda knew when enough was enough, and it was time to stop pushing.

She nodded.

“Can you at least tell me what he got you?”

“Diamond earrings.”

“Big ones?”

Iris’ nose scrunched up.

“I don’t like those. They look fake to me, even if they’re not. Anyone who knows me-”

“Iris…”

She sighed.

“I’m sure I’ll wear them eventually.”

“Mm.” She started to get up.

“Where are you going?” Iris asked.

“To see if they have some wine in the back.”

Iris snorted but let her go and leaned back against the seat. A sip or two of wine might not be bad at this particular moment.

Barry’s sexy smile and vivid, green eyes flashed before her eyes, and she sighed, almost moaning.

She could definitely go for some wine.

…

Evening fell, and Barry’s nerves started to kick up. It had been a full 24 hours – and then some – since he’d felt swept off his feet by the mystery woman who’d accidentally been proposed to by his ring, except not. Not really proposed to. She’d just…opened it, and her and her boyfriend had quickly realized this wasn’t what was intended.

But now all was right. He had the ring back, and all Patty knew was that she’d received the wrong jewelry. She was unaware of his planned proposal. They’d just come back from a nice dinner on the town, talking about what life would look like with both of them in the same city, and it was time for him to make the stand.

If only he could get Iris’ gorgeous eyes out of his head.

Petite, stunning in every possible way, with a smile and a laugh he could relish in till the end of his days. His breath had been stolen from him in their first meeting. And his impetuous suggestion that they go ice skating together… Her saying yes to that… Them holding hands as they skated when he floundered onto the ice… Him feeling safe with her… Feeling overwhelmed with feelings of lust and admiration and infatuation… From one afternoon.

He couldn’t remember the last time he felt that way about Patty.

Wasn’t he supposed to be in love with her?

“It’s been a nice night so far,” Patty said, as they re-entered her apartment. “Thanks, Barry.”

“Of course.”

He smiled, closing the door behind him and helping her take her coat off.

“I’m going to go change, then maybe we watch a movie?”

She let the question hang, and he knew this was his moment. Pull her aside, tell her how in love he was and how he felt their future unfolding to a wondrous place, and then ask her to marry him.

But instead, he said…

“Sure, that sounds great.”

What are you doing?!

He pushed the accusatory voice aside and dug through his duffel bag to change his own clothes before picking out Patty’s favorite movie on her Netflix and waiting for her return.

She smiled pleasantly, getting excited when she saw what the movie was, and nestling in close to him, urging him to press play.

An hour into the movie, his phone started to vibrate. He saw who it was and immediately knew she’d see through all his lies, but if he didn’t answer at all, she might march over to Patty’s place herself and demand an answer.

So, he paused the movie and answered the call.

“Hey, Jesse, now’s not really a good time.”

“Did you do it? Did she say yes?”

“No.”

“Which one?” Her confusion was evident.

“Tell her to call back later, Barry.” Patty tugged at his arm.

“I’ll call you tomorrow, Jess. Bye.”

“But-”

Click.

And he knew then, he was in trouble.

[westallenfun]

All We Want For Christmas Is You

West-Allen secret santa gift

For: @wasserkupd2

From: @dickandcr

Ratings: General

Warnings: None

December 19th

Barry sighed, rolling over, his front coming in contact with Iris's backside. He grunted lightly, his body still sore from the day before. He slid his arm around her waist, pulling her back into him knowing some of the pain would go away if his body was in contact with hers.

A few moments passed before Iris shifted onto her back. He shifted too, accommodating to her new position. Her arm came around his neck and her hands started to play with his hair. "You ok, bear?" He heard her ask softly, her lips moving against his forehead.

"Sore," he muttered against her bare chest. "Getting thrown around sucks,"

Her chest rumbled as she laughed. Barry adjusted his head over her heart, listening to the faint thump thump. It wasn’t hard for him to fall asleep again. Iris had started massaging his scalp and humming a tune, plus listening to her heartbeat always calmed him.

Barry woke up again to little footsteps on the floor, small huffs, and tiny dips of the mattress under each of her steps until he felt her sit by his head and poke his cheek. “Dadda,”

He smiled, placing his hand on her back and cracking his eyes open. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Hungry,” she whispered, leaning forward and laying under his chin. “Pancakes,”

Barry held her against his chest, moving the blankets back and getting up out of bed. He walked down the stairs, seeing Iris typing away on her laptop with the polar express playing in the background.

His sudden presence made her look up. A smile slid its way onto her face. “I see she’s woken you up for her daily christmas pancakes,”

“Indeed she has,” he kissed her swiftly and walked into the kitchen. Iris abandoned her laptop and slid into the kitchen seat. “So, tree picking today, what tree are we getting?”

“Tall,” Nora patted Barry’s head.

“A tall tree? Taller than daddy?”

Nora looked at Barry curiously then turned back to Iris. “Yeah,” she nodded. Barry handed Nora off to Iris, starting on the pancakes. “Are Joe and Cecile joining us this year?”

“Nope, Cecile is taking dad to her family for Christmas, Wally’s with Linda’s family, and Cisco’s with Cynthia, so it’s just gonna be us this year,” Iris played with Nora’s fingers, tickling her side.

Barry scooped three pancakes onto a plate and slid it over to Iris, knowing she’d want two and share the last one with Nora. He made his own and took the seat next to them.

“You know, we still have to get matching onesies,” Iris said. “And santa hats, and matching christmas socks,”

“Shopping before tree picking?”

“Yeah, that way I can sneak things in the cart,”

Barry chuckled. “You always sneak stuff in the cart,”

“You don’t complain,”

“No, no, I do not,”

Iris grinned. “What do you say, Nora? Should we sneak stuff in the cart while daddy isn’t looking?”

Nora looked up at Iris with her big brown eyes and nodded. “See?”

“That’s because she’s a mini you,” Barry pointed his fork at her. “You taught her to sneak stuff in the cart,”

Iris gasped in mock offense. “I did not,”

“Nora, where did you learn to sneak stuff in the cart?”

Her tiny finger points to Iris. Iris purses her lips. “tiny traitor,”

Nora only smiles innocently. Barry grins. “Told you,”

“Oh hush, Bartholomew,”

Barry had been the first one to finish his breakfast, as always, and gone upstairs to shower. “Do you think they have tiny Santa hats?” Iris asked as he came out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel.

“I think they have some for dogs,”

“You want me to get a dog hat for our daughter?” she raised her eyebrow at him. Barry shrugged lightly. “Well, if they don’t have baby ones,” he defended weakly. “She’ll look cute in it,”

“She looks cute in anything but a dog hat?”

Barry pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. Nora came running into their room with her brown bear onesie Barry had gotten her. “Bear, bear,” she clapped.

“I think she’ll like the dog hat,” Barry picked her up. Iris glared at him, obviously trying to suppress the obvious smile breaking through. She brushed past him to go into the bathroom. Barry waited until the door clicked shut then kissed Nora’s cheek. “You’ll like the dog hat, won’t you?”

“Doggy for christmas?” she asked, her eyes sparkling. Iris must’ve taught her that too.

“We’ll see,” he told her and left the bedroom.

Iris came down, securing some of her locs in a bun while the others swung across her back. “Alright, I made a list,”

“You make a list everytime and never use it though,”

Iris shrugged. “I will this time,”

She didn’t.

Barry pushed the cart while Iris ooh and awed at every christmas decoration in sight, putting in the cart, which, in fact, was not on her list. Barry peeked into the cart while Iris had started looking at the Christmas onesies. Food, baby, clothes, makeup, accessories, and a flash ornament. He was pretty sure they had five already, but if she wanted a lightning bolt on the tree, he wouldn’t complain a single bit.

“Alright,” Iris laid three onesies in the cart. “Babe, you’re an elf, I’m santa, and Nora’s a reindeer,”

“An elf?”

“Yes, elves are shorter than Santa, which means if I’m santa and you’re an elf, I’ll be taller than you technically,”

Barry blinked. “Really?” he smiled. “I love that you’re short,”

“Yeah, so you can tease me about it,”

“Guilty,”

Iris shot him a look and carried Nora to the toy section. Barry smiled watching Iris put Nora down, only for Nora to curl her small hand around three of Iris’s. He followed them around slowly, watching them whisper to each other.

On their way out of the toy section, Nora spotted a blonde lady with a dog. “Doggy, doggy,” she pointed, tugging on Iris’s fingers.

“Yeah, that’s a dog, it looks like a german shepherd,”

“I want a doggy,” Nora looked up at Iris. “Doggy?” she pouted. Iris looked at Barry, who had the same expression as her daughter. She knew what this was. They were cornering her.

“I’ll think about it,”

“That’s a yes,” Barry whispered to Nora, who beamed and started to skip. “I said think about it, you know,” Iris came beside him, keeping a close eye on Nora.

“We both know you’ve been wanting a puppy since we started dating,” he told her. Iris glanced at him. “You remember when I said that?”

“I told you I had a steel trap,” he tapped his temple. Iris snorted. “You barely remember when you’re supposed to be up for work,”

“Yeah but this is something you said,” he shrugged lightly. “If it’s you who says it, I’m always going to remember, whether it’s a day later or a decade later, everything you say is important to me,”

“Barry, do not make me cry in the middle of target,”

His arm slid around her shoulders and he tugged her into his side, kissing her temple.

“You love it when I’m romantic,”

Iris smiled softly. “I do,”

Iris and Nora wandered off towards the cafe while Barry paid. He thanked the cashier and rolled the cart over to where they stood. “Hey, what’d you get?”

“Hot chocolate,” Iris handed him a cup. “Nora saw the sign and wanted some,”

Barry walked behind his two girls. Iris with Nora planted on her hip and her cup in the other hand, her cheek pressed against Nora’s hood, whispering something to her. Whatever it was, it made them both laugh.

Suddenly, everything around him slowed down. Time slowed. The car that was coming from the left slowed down, the mom and daughter that were heading for the entrance, even the dog they saw earlier stopping in the middle of its walking, its feet merely inches from the ground.

He savored the moment. Drank it in. Iris’s smile was always big and bright, even when they were younger but it was something different about seeing it now. It was brighter. He couldn’t put it in words, and maybe he didn’t want to, because he knew what it meant. It was his to understand.

Barry breathed in, peace waving over his body, the soreness from his body gone, then exhaled and time sped up again. Iris walked at a normal pace and Nora’s little legs went back to kicking back and forth aimlessly. Her laugh disappeared but the smile never did.

He packed the bags into the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat. “I found the best lot for tree picking a couple miles from here, if we go straight there, we should get there before all the good trees are gone,” she scrolled through her phone.

Barry watched her silently. The locs that weren’t in the bun covered the side of her face. She looked at him, her eyes searching his. “You ok?” she asked softly, her hand reaching over to stroke his cheek with her thumb.

“I’m amazing,” he told her truthfully. “Let’s go tree picking,”

Iris grinned and he couldn’t help but smile back at her.

The lot with the trees was bigger than he had thought. It smelled like nature. Rain to be specific. Probably because it had rained the night before.

Barry held Nora this time, while Iris went from tree to tree inspecting and criticizing it. The saw she brought with them dangling beside her. Her winter boots left small footprints in the mud. He stared down at it. He never realized her feet were that small. “Small,” Nora pointed to it.

“Yeah, mama’s really small, isn’t she?” He poked her stomach. “I can hear you,” Iris said from a couple feet away. Barry smiled sheepishly while Nora giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I am not that small,”

He nodded silently. She was, but he wouldn’t say that outloud. He’d probably get mud shoved in his face if he did.

“Barry?”

He swiveled around to see his brother in law walking towards him. “Wally, what are you doing here?”

“Linda wanted to pick up a tree before we got on the road since her parents don’t have time,” he explained.

“Is she judging every tree too?”

“Oh yeah, our wives are very picky,”

“Amen to that,”

“I can still hear you, Bartholomew,” Iris called. His smile was sheepish again. “Sorry,”

“Iris is here?” Linda’s head popped out from behind a nearby tree. Her boots sludged against the mud as she made her way over to Iris, who was inspecting the tree leaves.

“They really go all in for trees,”

“For Christmas itself,” he turned back to Wally. “Iris loves Christmas. One time, back in high school, Iris stopped being friends with someone because they said halloween was better than christmas,”

Wally gaped. “You’re joking?”

“I am not, I was there,”

Wally’s shocked expression turned into a laugh. “Now that I think about it, it sounds like Iris,”

They watched their wives for a bit. Well, only one of them was a wife, but the other would be a wife soon enough.

“Did you start christmas shopping?” Wally’s question broke him out of his gaze as he looked at the younger man. “I have and I probably went overboard but I like to spoil,”

“We know,” Wally mumbled. “Iris’s closet says it all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her repeat an outfit,”

Barry shrugged. “I like to spoil my wife, sue me,”

Wally shook his head. “Completely whipped,” he muttered.

Barry made a face then turned again and watched while Iris and Linda hugged and Linda returned to Wally’s side. “We should keep looking before the lot closes, we’ll talk to you guys when we get to my parent’s house,” she waved as they walked away.

“Bear, look, this tree is perfect,” she ushered Barry over. Barry looked at it, then at the others. They were the same. “I don’t get it,”

“Barry,” she swatted his arm softly. “It’s different from the others, taller, more branches, more spaces for ornaments,”

“More branches? How’d you notice that?”

“The first thing I learned majoring in investigative journalism back in college was that journalists needed to have sharp eyes to scope out clues that regular eyes couldn’t, you know, notice the small details,” she said.

Barry felt pride swell in his chest. He knew exactly how much Iris had grown from his best friend reluctant to go into investigative journalism to his wife who had three pulitzers, her own building and staff, and her own news media outlet that outsold CCPN in its first year of running.

It made it even more special that he got to see her grow into the woman she is today and people would probably call him dramatic, but in his mind, it was a complete privilege that he got to call her wife. That he put that ring on her finger. That he’s the father of her kid that’s sleeping on his shoulder.

His high school self would’ve probably gone into cardiac arrest if he knew about what his future held with Iris.

“Here, you cut it,” she handed him the saw and in return, he handed her a sleeping Nora, who instantly adjusted to the change and went back into a peaceful slumber.

The tree tettered back and forth as he sawed until he reached the other end and he caught it before it could fall in the mud. Iris looked around. “No one’s watching,” she whispered.

Barry nodded, picked up the tree and sped away. Iris picked up the tag that had fallen off and paid for it at the small booth near the front then waited at the car to drive home.

But she guesses Barry had other plans because what once was the lot with a bunch of trees before her was replaced with the fireplace that sat in the middle of their living room.

“I thought I’d make it quicker,” Barry said, licking the door behind him.

“The car -”

“Is in the parking lot downstairs, don’t worry I didn’t leave it at the lot,” he stopped her, kissing her cheek, putting down the bags near the tree. Iris laid Nora on the couch, using the blanket they kept on the back of the couch to cover her with it.

Christmas music started to faintly play in the background whilst Barry unpacked what they bought, singing along to the song softly.

Iris listened. His voice was one of her favorite things. She would ask him to sing for her on random nights, just because she wanted to hear it. Over the years, Barry’s voice had gotten deeper, it added a slight rasp to his singing voice but somehow, that rasp made it better, more soothing.

Barry laid out the onesies and stuffed the bags into a cabinet in the kitchen then joined her in the living room. He took her hand and interlaced their fingers, his arm slithered around her waist and he started to sway. Iris leaned into him, her head under his chin, closing her eyes and swaying with him.

She cherished moments like this. With the flash and their jobs, they didn’t have as much alone time as they would like but when they did, they made the most of it. Moments like this were her favorites, the ones that stood out in her memories, the ones she thought about in the future and smiled.

Her hand left his arm and they hooked around his back. She slowly felt herself drifting while he continued to sing, one of his hands staying around her waist while the other rubbed her back.

Soon, she was asleep.

December 24th - Christmas Eve

“Barry,” Iris called again. Barry peeked from the kitchen, his eyebrows raised because he knew exactly what she was calling him for. She huffed and planted her hands on her hips, the ornament she was holding hung from her fingers. “Help,”

He grinned and crossed the distance, taking the ornament from her and placing it where she wanted. “Was that the last one?”

“Yeah, just the star is left,” she picked up the gold star from their christmas box. “Who wants to do it?”

“Me,” Nora raised her hand. “Me, me, me,” she said as she flinged the blanket, slid down from the couch then ran until she was standing in front of Iris. “Me.”

“Hold it carefully,”

Nora nodded, taking the star and holding it tight while Barry lifted her. She slowly placed it on the top branch and clapped as Barry brought her down and onto his shoulders. Iris plugged the lights and the star in, the bright light illuminating against their dimly lit house.

“It’s perfect,” Iris whispered, tucking herself into Barry’s side. “Yeah, it is,” he agreed, but he wasn’t looking at the tree. His eyes were on the woman leaning against him.

“Just perfect,”

December 25th - Christmas Day

Barry sunk into the softness of the sheets. He had stayed up to wrap all of the gifts he bought, placing them under the tree. He hoped that one especially had made it through the night.

Iris rolled over, her body slightly shivering from the cold. Barry’s hand instinctively found her shivering form and pulled her into his embrace. She sighed, relaxed into him. He liked how she always did that. How she was able to simply relax just by his touch. She mumbled something incoherently, her nose brushing his neck as she scooted closer to him, trying to soak his warmth.

Feet thudded softly against the floor outside. Barry turns his head, watching their door be pushed open and Nora runs through it, climbing up on the bed, which he’s still not sure how she’s able to do, and crawling over the blanket until she lands between them.

“Christmas,” she whispers. “It’s Christmas,”

“It is christmas,” he pushed her frizzy curls back. “Merry Christmas, my sweet girl,” he kissed her cheek.

“Merry Christmas,” Iris said tiredly, stretching. Nora reached over and pushed a loc back into Iris’s bonnet. Barry smiled at the interaction. Iris yawned and sat up, freeing her locs. They spilled down her pack and the ends landed in a heap on the bed. He loved them. It was another thing he couldn’t put into words how gorgeous his wife looked when she had these types of styles.

“Alright everyone,” she stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Up,”

Barry sat up straight. “It’s Christmas,” she paced back and forth with her hands behind her back. “Both of you, go brush your teeth, shower, put on your respective onesie and you,” she pointed at Barry. “Will cook the pancakes, christmas ones, with whipped cream,”

“Yes ma’am,”

Barry got out of bed and set Nora down, who instantly dashed out of the room and went towards hers. He quickly got ready and sneaked downstairs, glancing at the tree. His nerves settled. Everything was right.

Iris came down with Nora right as he finished the pancakes. “I’m taller,” she sang. Barry chuckled. He’d let her have this.

After breakfast, Barry put on a christmas movie as background noise while they opened gifts.

“Barrry Allen, how much shopping did you do?”

He sat down next to her. “I might’ve went a bit overboard but I think you’ll like everything,”

Ok, maybe he went a little bit more than overboard, but he didn’t regret it at all. Barry silently watched Nora pull the last box from under the tree, curiously looking into the holes carved into it.

“Hello?” she said into it, then the box shifted on its own. She gasped and stepped back. Iris glanced at Barry with a small smile. The box shifted again, and again, a third time then it fell over and the flaps that held it closed opened.

A light brown puppy rolled out and stood on its feet. “Puppy,” Nora cheered, crouching and holding her hand out. It sniffed her hand and bumped it with its head.

“It’s a girl,” he told her. “What are you gonna name her?”

Nora sat down, scratching behind the dog’s ear and tapping her free hand to her lips. “Roxy,”

The dog, Roxy, barked, her tail wagging.

“I think she likes it,”

Later, when Nora was in bed, Roxy sleeping in her dog bed next to Nora's bed, Barry turned out the lights and retired upstairs. “Hey,” Iris closed her book upon seeing him. “I think today was a good christmas,”

“I think so too,” he got into bed. “But I also think every year is a good christmas,”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he said, curling his arm around her waist. “As long as you and Nora are here, it’s going to be a good anything,” he muttered into her hair.

“Stop trying to make me cry,”

Barry laughed and he kissed her cheek. “I love you,”

“I love you more,”

“Not possible,”

“It is so,”

“Technically not, your smaller than me which means your capacity to love is smaller than mine so therefore I love you more than you love me,”

Iris gaped at him. “I know you did not just bring science into this,”

He grinned unapologetically. “Just the facts,”

“Oh hush, I still love you more,”

“I know,”

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 4/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 4 -

Iris’ and Linda’s walk to Tiffany’s during their lunch hour wasn’t exactly the shortest, but anything to get out of the chaos that was their workplace around the holidays. Linda, as always, didn’t have the slightest problem making this Eddie’s fault.

“Shouldn’t your boyfriend be the one returning this ring, since he was the one who picked up the wrong gift?”

Iris shot her a glare.

“What? It is his fault, isn’t it?”

“Eddie is working today. He couldn’t do it.”

“Yeah, well, so are we, and look at us. What if the manager to see him anyway, since he’s the one who bought whatever the other thing is.”

Iris sighed.

“I have the receipt. That should be all they need.”

“And what if this other person doesn’t show up?”

“Um, whoever it was bought an expensive engagement ring at Tiffany’s. At the very least, I doubt they’d want all that money to go down the drain.”

Linda pursed her lips.

“Hmm. True.”

“Come on. We’re almost there.”

She looped her arm through her best friend’s, and they continued down the sidewalk the many blocks until they reached their destination. In fact, they were just about to reach for the door handle leading into the building when another hand reached it first.

“Oh, uh-”

“Sorry, you fir-”

Iris and the young man she was trying to speak over laughed. Linda watched them curiously.

“We’re going to Tiffany’s,” Linda informed him, since the two had apparently become blushing, fumbling fools.

“Oh?” He lifted his bag up. “Me too. I’m hoping to talk to the manager about some sort of mix-up I had. Hoping he can get me my-”

“Engagement ring?” Iris lifted up her bag and smiled with a slight wince.

“It’s you?” he asked, mystified.

“It’s me. Well, my boyfriend. Apparently, he wasn’t actually trying to propose.” She stifled a laugh.

He stepped away from the door and gestured for the two ladies to come with him.

“Mind if I see? Just to make sure?”

“Oh, yeah, definitely.” Iris dipped her hand into the bag and pulled out the blue box. “It’s gorgeous by the way, if it is yours. You have excellent taste.”

“Ah, I can’t take credit for that. I took my cousin, Jesse, with me, because her taste is impeccable.”

“I see.”

Iris’ cheeks had started to hurt she was smiling so wide, and she couldn’t seem to stop. With shaky hands she handed him the box, and he opened it and confirmed it was his.

“That’s the one,” he said. He handed her his bag. “Did you want to check or-”

“I better let it be a surprise from my boyfriend,” she said.

“Right. That’s probably a good idea.”

“Uh-huh.”

Linda shook her head, in disbelief that these two couldn’t seem to take their eyes off the other – or stop dropping their gazes from eyes to lips for that matter.

She cleared her throat loudly, causing the trance to momentarily shatter.

“Well, I, uh, think I actually left my lunch at work. So, I’ll see you later, Iris, okay?”

“Oh. Uh, Linda, you don’t have to-”

“Thanks for running into us…?” she waited for him to answer.

“Barry.”

“Barry. Nice name. Beautiful green eyes too.”

He blushed slightly at the compliment, and she turned to look at Iris again.

“I’ll see you at work. Take your time.”

Grinning, she turned and started heading back the way they’d come, leaving Iris’ mouth hanging open at the audacity of her departure.

“I…uh…can’t believe she did that.”

He smirked.

“I can.”

“Yeah?”

“A little.” He chuckled.

She shook her head and laughed.

“Does this mean you’re free for lunch now?”

“Oh. I…um…”

“We don’t have to eat. We could go ice skating.”

“Ice skating?”

She caught her breath in her throat.

“Unless you don’t want to. We totally don’t have to. I know I’m not very good at ice skating. I don’t even know why I suggested it. It’s just there’s a place around the corner, and you look like someone who likes ice skating. And is good at it. Not that I know what someone looks like who likes ice skating and is good at it. I mean, for all I know-”

“Barry.” She grabbed his arm to stop his rambling, then laughed an infectious laugh that had him staring at her, dazed. “I would love to go ice skating.”

“Yeah?”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

“Lead the way.”

So, arm in arm, they turned and strutted across the street in the direction of the skating rink.

…

Barry didn’t know what had been in his head when he invited to go ice skating, but it certainly hadn’t been his girlfriend. In fact it still wasn’t, and it wouldn’t be until he saw Patty face to face later that afternoon.

In the present – now – all he could see was this vision before him.

Iris.

What a perfect name for her. She was a flower, a stunning flower. He bet purple and yellow would look great on her like a real iris. He bet anything would look good on her.

“We’re here,” she announced, and he was forced to look away from her to glance at the skating rink before them. “We’ll have to rent skates, but I do have my own.”

“Me too,” he said.

“Yeah? I thought you said you can’t skate.”

He laughed.

“That doesn’t mean I haven’t tried!”

She giggled.

“Fair. Let’s go get some then,” she said, tugging at his hand to bring him along after her.

The coat on her rested just over the curve of her ass, and everything inside him was aching to touch her. She was beautiful to look at, but just the feel of her hand pressing into his threatened his sanity. He wasn’t sure how he’d manage touching her anywhere else.

“Right. Yes. Okay.”

She giggled again, and damn if it wasn’t the most glorious sound he’d ever heard.

He was absolutely losing his mind just being around her.

In time though they’d gotten their skates and were putting them on, and Barry was just grateful there weren’t too many people skating at this particular time.

“So, when did you learn to ice skate?” she asked, tying the laces on her skates.

“Oh, uh, my mom taught me when I was…six, I think? We used to go together.”

He stood up and nearly toppled on top of her but braced himself on the bench instead, making her hold her breath, not just from him almost falling but how he was suddenly very close to her face.

“S-sorry.”

“Have you not skated since you were six?” she asked, bubbling over with giggles again.

He watched her face, totally enraptured, and then he started laughing too.

She stood up, getting control of herself as she balanced on her own skates, and then she took his hand again.

“Come on, we’ll take it slow.”

She winked at him, making his pants tighten below his belt.

“Okay.”

And so they approached the ice and miraculously made it into the center of the rink without either of them falling. Then they made large strides skating in a wider circle, never letting go of each other’s hand. And then Barry fell when he made the mistake of looking at her longer than the ice in front of him.

“Oh, no, Barry!”

She crouched down and then kneeled on the ice beside him.

“Are you okay?”

She brushed some of his soft brown hair out of his face and threaded her fingers through it. He froze, only looking at her, only nodding along, hardly daring to breathe.

“Tell me about you,” he said.

She blinked. “What?”

“I want to know more about you,” he said honestly.

She licked her lips.

“Okay, uh, let’s get you up first. Then I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Okay.”

And so they carefully got up, then skated over to the side of the rink and stood there for a while to chat.

“So?” he asked.

“Oh. Right. Um, well, Linda, who you met, is my best friend and co-worker at New York Times. I’ve worked there for about five years, and I’m desperate to get out of there and get on TV.”

“As an actress?” he asked, dumbfounded.

She smiled.

“As a reporter.”

“Ah.”

“Your turn.”

“Oh, right.” He cleared his throat. “Well, I’m originally from Central City, Missouri, but I’m looking to move here. I work as a CSI at the local police station back home, so I was thinking of looking into that same position here. I’m…pretty good at it.” He smirked.

“I bet you are,” she said, and her voice ran low and gravelly, and it scandalized her seconds later, but in the moment she couldn’t get her head out of the gutter.

“So, why don’t you skate? I want to see how good you are. I bet you’re the best.”

“I’m not bad.” Her eyes twinkled. “Okay. Watch me.”

“Not a problem,” he teased, and she rolled her eyes but skated back onto the ice, doing some rounds around the rink but also going into the center to do some spins and twirling, absolutely mesmerizing him.

It completely escaped him that his girlfriend was an exceptional skater, and that he’d even gone to see her do some lower-level competitions when they first started dating. He’d probably been impressed then, but now – in the moment – he found himself so caught up in Iris, and the way she moved on the ice, that he couldn’t imagine anyone better.

And so they spent the next couple hours skating and watching each other skate, helping each other skate, walking around the park, drinking some hot cocoa when finally late afternoon approached, and almost simultaneously they realized just how long they’d spent enjoying someone that wasn’t their friend or their significant other or anyone they’d ever met before.

“I…I should go,” Iris said first, looking like she regretted saying it but that it needed to be said nonetheless.

“Oh. Right. Me too.”

She extended her hand.

“It was nice to meet you, Barry.”

He looked down at her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of it softly.

“It was nice meeting you as well, Iris.”

Reluctantly, she pulled her hand free of his gentle grasp and went up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

“Goodbye,” she whispered, stepping back slowly and then finally turning around and leaving.

Barry watched her until she was gone.

“Bye.”

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 3/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 3 -

Tiffany’s had only a handful of customers when Barry and Jesse walked in later that afternoon. Jesse had never been there before, despite her insistence on knowing so much about it. She hadn’t been able to stop talking about it the whole way over – that, and the fact that her cousin who was more like a brother to her was proposing to the sweetest girl she’d ever met.

“That’s the one,” she said, within 10 minutes of being showed a variety of rings by an employee.

Barry cracked a grin and nodded.

“She’s the boss. Wrap it up.”

Jesse skipped to the register, and Barry followed, nearly bumping into a blonde stranger who presumably was also there to buy an expensive, sparkly gift.

They paid for the ring and made their way back downstairs to the exit. The elevator took longer than usual to arrive, so much so that the man he’d nearly bumped into before came to wait beside them for the elevator.

“Might as well take the stairs,” the blonde mumbled.

Barry only nodded in response. Jesse said nothing. Then just as the newcomer was about to head for the stairs, the doors opened, and they all hurried inside.

He seemed antsy, but again Barry and Jesse made no comment. They were just counting down the seconds in their head to when the doors would open once again, and they could be free to talk more about the ring and the proposal.

The elevator was equally slow reaching the lobby as it had been opening on Tiffany’s floor, but at last it reached it’s destination, and Barry and the stranger moved so quickly when the doors opened, that they crashed into each other and their bags went flying across the floor.

“Oh, God, I’m so sor-”

“Don’t worry about it,” the man said, snatching the blue bag closest to him and making his way out of the lobby.

“Well, that was rude.” Jesse frowned, picking up the bag and then helping her cousin to his feet.

“I’m sure he had someplace important to be. Maybe he’s proposing too.”

Jesse rolled his eyes.

“I’m sure his speech won’t be nearly as magnificent as yours.”

Barry paled.

Oh, shit. A speech.

…

Iris spent the night at Eddie’s again. It had become a regular thing for the last three days, and she wondered if it would go on for longer. She wasn’t minding it. It was like he’d become an entirely different person. So, when she rolled over the next morning and found his bed empty, the frown that crossed her lips couldn’t be helped.

She crawled out of bed and grabbed one of his oversized t-shirts before heading into the kitchen.

“Eddie?”

No answer.

Maybe he went out to get breakfast, she thought to herself, letting her eyes wander until they settled on a couple of shopping bags on the couch that hadn’t been there the night before. Or at least, she hadn’t noticed them then.

One of them was a pretty blue and white, and was that…?

Oh, my God.

She immediately ran to her little black purse and fished out her phone, scrolling through her contacts before she landed on the most important one, almost screaming when the familiar voice picked up.

“Linda!”

“Whoa. Volume.”

“You’ve been up for an hour, shut up.”

“And this is the first thing I’m hearing, be gentle.”

Iris huffed.

“Tell me why you called,” Linda said patiently.

“Eddie got me something,” she said nervously, switching her weight between her feet as she hobbled over to the couch where the gift bag sat.

“Okay…”

“From Tiffany’s.”

Silence.

“Lin? You still there?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m here. Are you sure? The Tiffany’s?”

“Positive. I’m staring at the bag right now.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Should I open it?”

“No!”

Iris frowned.

“That was decisive.”

“What if it’s an engagement ring? You’ll steal his thunder.”

Iris gasped.

“You really think he’s planning to propose? Isn’t that…kind of soon?”

Linda rolled her eyes on the other end.

“I don’t know, Iris…you’ve only been together for half a decade.”

Iris sighed testily.

“You know that’s not what I meant. I meant so soon after we reconciled.”

“For the hundredth time.”

“My point is-”

“I know your point, bestie. But think about it. He quits his job, he makes time for you, you guys have several days of absolute bliss. You don’t think that has the possibility of leading up to something?”

“Oh, my God.”

Iris fell back into the couch.

“He’s going to propose.”

“Maybe.”

Iris frowned.

“What do you mean ‘maybe’? You just said-”

“I said it’s a possibility, and that’s why you shouldn’t open it. They do sell other sparkly things at Tiffany’s though, so don’t look too disappointed if he gets you some earrings or a bracelet maybe.”

“I would never.”

The sound of a lock turning in the door made Iris scramble off the couch and flee into the bedroom.

“He’s back. I’ll see you later. Bye.”

Click.

It took seconds before Eddie was inside and calling out to his presumably still asleep girlfriend.

“I have breakfast!”

Iris popped her head out of the open doorway leading into the bedroom.

“Breakfast, you said?”

Eddie chuckled.

“Maybe first you want to open that bag from Tiffany’s though. Was that Linda on the phone just now?”

Iris sheepishly looked down at her bare toes on the carpet, and Eddie smiled wide.

“Come on, I want to see what you think.”

She flicked her eyes back up to his and walked over with him to the couch.

“Okaaay. But only because you want me to!”

He smirked and gave her the go ahead to open it, pulling a chair over so he could watch her face when she saw the stunning gift he’d handpicked for her himself.

Barely able to breathe, Iris dipped her hand into the bag and pulled out the small box. Opening it slowly, her jaw dropped, and despite everything inside her telling her to say yes, instead, she said…

“I don’t know what to say.”

Eddie frowned and sat beside her.

His mouth fell open as well.

“Oh. Me either.”

On the soft velvet were not the sparkling diamond earrings he’d purchased but a massive engagement ring.

“Wait. You either?” she asked, looking at him confused.

And then it all came back to him in devastating flashes of memory.

The incident at Tiffany’s. The crash and scramble.

That man had his diamond earrings. And he had his diamond ring.

…

Barry decided the words would come to him after she opened the box. He’d dated Patty for five years and known her for even longer, but for some reason he couldn’t think of a single sentimental thing to put into his proposal. So, he thought he’d let the ring do the talking for him. Or maybe something would in fact come to him after she said yes. That would be fitting. And convenient.

“Go ahead. Open it up.”

He had had the decency to wrap the thing at the very least, so she didn’t jump to conclusions just by seeing the bag from Tiffany’s.

Sending him smirk after sexy smirk with a twinkle in her eyes, she unwrapped the snowflake wrapping paper and then the box itself.

A cooing smile flashed across her face, and her hand fell over her heart.

A good sign, he thought.

“Barry, you shouldn’t have.”

He looked at her strangely.

“I shouldn’t?”

“But I love them. Thank you.”

His brows furrowed.

“Them?”

She laughed, probably thinking he was drawing it out of her by acting confused. He only wished that was the case.

“Yeah.” She giggled, turning the box around so he could see. “They’re beautiful.”

He wasn’t imagining things. There were two large diamond earrings sparkling on the deep blue velvet staring back at him.

Not an engagement ring.

“Uh…”

Patty’s phone buzzed, preventing her from questioning the look on his face.

“Ugh, it’s work. They need me to come to a crime scene. I better get dressed and go.” She leaned forward and kissed the frown that seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face. “We’ll take more about this later.”

About 10 minutes later, Barry was still in the same position and Patty was heading out the door.

“Love you!” she called.

“Uh-huh,” he said, and the door slammed.

Breaking himself out of the trance, he immediately called Jesse.

“Hey, how’d it go? Did you propose or do you need a peptalk?”

“Neither.”

Jesse frowned on the other end.

“Huh?”

“That guy we bumped into in the elevator, you remember?”

“Of course. He was rude as hell. He-”

“I think he accidentally took Patty’s ring.”

“What?”

“Patty just opened her box, and it wasn’t an engagement ring.”

“What was it?” she sputtered.

“Earrings. Diamond ones, but still.”

“Barry! You have to get it back! That cost you a fortune, and you have to propose!!”

“I know, I know, but you don’t think that maybe this means…”

“Barry.”

“Yeah?” He winced at her menacing tone.

“Get. The. Ring. Back.”

[westallenfun]

West-Allen Secret Santa Gift

For @backtothestart02

From @annacarina2

Hi Lauren!

I was going to make a fic but I couldn't complete it on time,so I decided to make a video. This happens to be my very first video so,I really hope you like it.

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 2/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 2 -

It was a few days of newly renewed hesitant bliss before Iris found the courage to not avoid Linda at work anymore. She came early to work actually, like she knew Linda liked to do, and even brought her the newest Christmas flavor from a nearby Starbucks as a peace offering. She didn’t even take off her coat, just went straight to Linda’s desk and waited for her to glance up at her.

She spoke before she looked.

“Don’t tell me. You got back together.”

“Cinnamon coated whipped cream on top of the newest peppermint latte. From yours truly.”

Linda flicked up her gaze to the Iris’ hopeful eyes and reluctantly took the beverage from her.

“Bribes will not work.” She took a sip. “Mmm. Even tasty ones.”

Iris grabbed a chair and sat across from her.

“I’m sorry, Lin, but I was afraid what you were gonna think…and say.”

“Warranted.”

“I didn’t expect you to jump for joy, but-”

“Good, because I’m seething. Iris, honestly, how could you? After everythi-”

“He quit his job.”

Her eyes bulged, but she shook it off.

“That’s not an improvement. He needs income. What, did he expect you’d move in with him and carry the weight?”

“No…he has a new job now. Starts today.”

Linda’s brows furrowed.

“I don’t understand.”

“This one has a more flexible schedule. No nights, weekends, holidays, even a longer lunch break and vacation time.”

Linda nibbled on her bottom lip.

“He’s been looking for a job like this for weeks apparently. I don’t know, Lin, it feels like he’s really trying.”

Linda sighed.

“It does appear that way.”

“All I ask is that you give him a chance.”

“No. I ran out of chances like five chances ago.”

Iris groaned and face palmed herself.

“But,” Linda continued. “I will try to tolerate his existence and be happy for you if he’s being serious about changing.”

“He is, I think.”

“I don’t have to like him though, right?”

Iris gave a weak smile.

“That’s asking too much of me, honey. Sorry, I can’t do it.”

“Alright,” Iris said. “I can accept that.”

“And next time?”

“Yeah?”

“Less cinnamon. I feel like I’m gonna choke on it.”

Iris laughed.

“Noted.”

Linda reached for her hand as Iris stood up, intending to retreat to her desk.

“Don’t put days between us again, yeah?”

Iris smiled softly.

“Also noted.”

…

He hadn’t seen Patty in what – nine months? Yeah, that felt accurate. He cringed at that. He hoped she would be happy to see him. The fact that he wasn’t sure told him that this was the right way to go.

He’d been reluctant to see his mother’s – and it turned out, father’s – line of reasoning, but they were right. He did love Patty, and he wanted her in his life. The only way to keep moving forward was to make a grand gesture. And boy, if this wasn’t the biggest grand gesture he’d ever imagined for himself.

So, he took a flight up to New York City, a cab out to the precinct on the south side of town, and made a quick detour for a flower shop before setting inside and asking for direction to find a certain CSI that he was intent on surprising.

He was directed to the second floor and a lab at the end of the long hall. The person who’d directed him said there should be no one else up there. All the other CSIs went out to lunch, but ‘Miss Spivot’, as she was referred to on the job, liked her solitude.

He took a deep breath when he reached the end of the hall, ducked his head inside to see if she was indeed inside and then knocked lightly on the metal doorframe.

“Come in.”

He smirked. She hadn’t even looked up. So, he knocked again, this time a little harder.

“I said-” She spun around, sounding mildly annoyed, but that was until she saw the smiling face looking at her from the hall. “Barry?!”

He power-walked over to her and presented her with the array of flowers he’d picked out from the shop.

“These are for you.”

Her mouth hanging open, she dropped the pen she’d been holding onto and jumped into his arms, kissing him soundly.

“God, I’ve missed kissing you,” she murmured.

“You surprised?”

She pulled back, brushing some of his hair out of his eyes.

“Always. I can’t believe you’re here!”

“If you can’t believe that, you won’t believe what I have to say next either.”

Her eyes widened.

“I’m listening.”

“I’m staying.”

“For the holidays?” Her first thought.

He tugged her closer.

“For good.”

“What?” she asked, tears welling up. “You mean it? You’re coming to stay? For me.”

“I’m serious about us, Patty. I want us to take that next step.”

She kissed him again.

“I love you.”

He beamed, the words washing over him in joyful waves.

“I love you, too.”

…

It was less chaotic and confusing than Barry had expected it to be, yet it was still somewhat difficult finding his cousin’s dorm room on the NYU campus. After about half an hour of wandering about, he stumbled onto an information desk and explained his situation. The young woman was helpful enough and directed him to a building across the courtyard and the room number that Jesse Wells inhabited.

Two knocks had a frazzled, petite brunette looking at him with a curling rolls in her hair and a dumbfounded smile on her face.

“Barry?”

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked, grinning wide.

She lunged across the doorway and hugged him tightly. He lifted her up slightly and smiled into the curlers bopping about in her short hair.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Are you busy? I have a proposition for you.”

“I’m all ears,” she said, practically bouncing up onto her toes.

He chuckled.

“You sure? Because your hair implies…otherwise. You got a hot date, or-?”

She rolled her eyes.

“No. I have a presentation this evening for my night class. Professor said we have to look super professional, so I thought I’d curl my hair for the occasion. Now tell me what you want before I have to squeeze it out of you!”

“Alright. I’m moving.”

“Moving.” Her eyes widened. “To where?”

“Where do you think, Jess? Here. To New York City!”

“Oh, my God!” she gasped, hugging him tightly again. “For real? Like, for real, for real? I thought you were weirdly attached to your parents.”

He looked mildly annoyed at that observation.

“Sorry,” she said, obviously not sorry.

He cleared his throat.

“Mom gave me a little pushing to show me what was important, and let’s just say…I realized if I want this relationship with Patty to stay intact…”

“Oh, my God!” she declared again. “You’re going to propose! And you told me first, aww.”

He laughed.

“You want to help me pick out the ring?”

“Want to? I demand you let me.”

He shook his head, smiling.

“Okay, okay, let’s get going then.” He tugged on her arm.

“Hold your horses, Mr. Allen. Let me get these curlers out of my hair so I look somewhat presentable at Tiffany’s.”

“Tiffany’s?” he asked, brows furrowed.

She looked at him in disbelief.

“You’re in New York, and you’re proposing.” She laid her hand on his shoulder. “It has to be Tiffany’s.”

[westallenfun]

Until There Was You - 1/7 | westallen fanfiction

Westallen secret santa gift

For: @dickandcr

From: @backtothestart02

Rating: T - for some language and suggestive material

Christmas note: I hope you enjoy! Have an amazing holiday season!

Chapter 1 -

Linda could tell from the moment Iris pushed open the door at the New York Times, even from all the way across the room, that something was wrong. And that something wrong was probably Eddie.

Iris looked very fashionable in her marble, form-fitting dress beneath the black, wool peacoat she wore over and the knitted hat and gloves from her grandma Esther, but the smile on her face was forced, and it immediately fell as soon as she landed in the chair behind her desk and stared straight ahead at her best friend, her hands folded beneath her chin, waiting.

“We broke up.”

“Oh, no,” Linda tried to infuse her voice with sadness, but the flickering look in her best friend’s eyes told her she hadn’t succeeded. “What?” she deadpanned.

“You’re not very convincing, Lin.” She paused. “It’s okay to say you didn’t like the guy.”

Linda shrugged helplessly.

“I didn’t like the guy.”

“Putting it mildly,” Iris muttered, booting up her computer. “You hated his guts.”

Linda winced.

“I was that obvious, huh?”

Iris met her hesitant gaze with a deadly stare again, and Linda leaned back in her seat.

“What do you want from me, Iris? You’re my best friend, and he was treating you like crap.”

Iris frowned.

“He was no-”

“He was – is – a workaholic. He never put you first. He forgot birthdays, anniversaries, promotions? Come on. This is a good thing. You’ll find someone new, someone better. Someone who will treat you like the princess you obviously are and the TV anchor you’re bound to become.”

Iris managed to smile at that last bit.

“Baby steps.” She pursed her lips after opening up a document. “First I have to get out of this hell hole.”

“New York Times? A ‘hell hole’? Iris Ann West, I am shocked by your language.”

Iris looked up at her bestie again and sent her the third impenetrable glare of the morning. Linda only smiled in response and began typing on her own computer for the day’s work.

…

It was an hour passed when she should’ve gone home when a familiar face appeared beside her desk. Iris was only too glad Linda wasn’t there to tell him off before she did.

“Eddie.”

“Hi, Iris.”

“What…” She scrambled to put her stuff together, so she could scurry out the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I think we need to talk.”

She felt the tension building up in her. Without caring that her computer was fully shut down or not, she flicked off the monitor and started to push her arms into her coat, pulling her long hair free of the collar.

“I thought we already talked.”

“You talked, I listened. I didn’t get to talk.”

She rolled her eyes and pushed past him.

“Your silence spoke volumes.”

He sighed.

“Let’s try again.”

“No.”

“No? You don’t even want to hear my argument?”

She folded her arms and told herself she’d give him 30 seconds. She only needed five.

“I quit my job.”

Her eyes bulged, and her jaw dropped.

“You what?! I never asked you to do that!”

“You didn’t have to.”

“Eddie, you need a job. You just also need to learn a good work-life balance or you’re not going to keep anyone around for long, no matter how loyal they are.”

“I kept you for five years, didn’t I?”

“Yeah. I’m a rare breed.”

She headed for the door.

“Iris, Iris, stop!”

She stopped, her hand on the door.

“Look, they wanted me to stay really bad.”

“I’m sure they did. You’re likely their most dedicated worker.”

“Was.”

“Right.”

“Iris, I’ve already had an offer from multiple other places. I’ve been looking for someplace different for a while, someplace with a less crazy schedule, so that you and I can actually see each other.”

Slowly, she turned to look at him.

“You have?”

He nodded and cautiously approached her.

“I wanted it to be a surprise. I was planning a dinner…candlelight…maybe we’d end up in the bedroom…”

“Eddie.”

“And then you had to go and break up with me before our dinner reservation…” He lifted his watch to look at the time. “In 20 minutes.”

Her jaw dropped.

“You didn’t cancel it?”

He took her hands in his own, and for some bizarre reason she let him.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to.”

She was torn.

“Come on, Ms. West. Give me one more chance? I promise you won’t regret it.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Or at least give me dinner. I paid a pretty price for that reservation.”

“Fine.”

“Yeah?” he asked, excitedly.

“Dinner only, and only because I’m hungry, and I have a feeling you reserved my favorite restaurant?”

“I did indeed.”

She scoffed.

“Of course.”

He extended his elbow for her to loop her arm through, and they walked out the door.

“Don’t get any ideas, Thawne. This is not me giving in.”

But of course, it was.

…

Under warmer weather in Central City, Missouri, Barry Allen chowed away on his mother’s famous spaghetti for dinner. He lived across the street, which was perfect, considering how big of a mama’s boy he was. It was not convenient, however, for his long-distance girlfriend, Patty Spivot, who’d moved out to her dream location of New York City as soon as they’d graduated from college.

“That was quick,” Nora Allen said, taking note of her son’s empty plate moments later.

“Oops,” he said with his mouth full.

She tousled his hair.

“My beautiful boy…” She pushed his chin up so that his mouth closed. “Chew with your mouth closed.”

He chewed as she said and swallowed, then promptly wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Yes, Mother.”

Her eyes twinkled when she sat down beside him.

“Was that Patty on the phone?”

And it was. It had been. Shortly before dinner they’d talked…for 10 minutes. Their calls were getting shorter and shorter, their texts less and less. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d said I love you – or had phone sex for that matter.

“Oh, uh, yeah, it was.”

He got up to rinse his plate and stick it in the dishwasher.

“I was thinking…” Nora continued. “What if you went to New York for the holidays?”

“What?”

“You haven’t seen her in a while. It might be a nice surprise.”

He shrugged.

“I always have Christmas with you and dad though.”

“I know,” she said, going over to him. “But we’ll be here when you get back – or even if you decide to stay.”

He frowned.

“Decide to stay?”

“You’ve been in the relationship for a long time, honey. And your father and I can see it slowly draining the life out of you. You only have two choices here.”

“And those are?”

“Find a way to reinvigorate it – or end it.”

“And visiting for the holidays would reinvigorate it? For how long though?”

“Moving there might do the trick.”

“But you and Dad-”

“You’re almost 30, honey. The phone works fine for staying in contact. And you can visit us whenever you want.”

“But-”

“I want you to start your own life. Either here or someplace else, but don’t let us be the reason you’re not going.”

“You want me to move across the country for a girl?”

“For the woman you’ve loved for the past five years? Maybe.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Just think about it.”

He nodded halfheartedly and sunk into himself.

“Okay,” he said. “Okay, I will.”

[westallenfun]

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!

It’s almost time for WestAllen secret santa 2022!

The first present will be posted starting 13:00 EST and presents will continue being posted until about 17:30 EST

This year it will not be the westallenfun account that posts the present, but the present makers will be posting the presents on their own blog. So be sure to check out the #westallen secret santa tag. However, the gifts will be retweeted here, too!

In short, I hope you enjoy and have a blessed day, and be sure to leave your appreciation for the artists!

[westallenfun]

Last day to sign up!

WestAllen secrets santa 2022

Hi everyone!

The Westallen gift exchange is back!

During this event you get the chance to exchange an online westallen present with someone else. You make something for someone and someone makes something for you. This could be fanfic, gifs, edits, drawings, playlists etc. As long as it’s about WestAllen!

1. You sign up here. You’ll get the chance to indicate what kind of gift you would like to receive (fic, gif etc), and if possible you’ll be matched up with someone that can make that, but sometimes that is not possible.

2. After sign ups close you’ll receive your assignment: who the person is you will be making a present for and what kind of gift they would like. While these are suggestions, make sure to not include anything they have pointed out as something they do not want.

General information, rules and submit info can be read here! The submission process is a little different this year, so be sure to read!

You need to have a Tumblr account to participate

Important dates:

Sign up until:  23 Nov

Assignments given: before or on Nov 25

Assignments due: Dec 12

Event Dec 15!

I hope you sign up and have fun!

[westallenfun]

WestAllen secrets santa 2022

Hi everyone!

The Westallen gift exchange is back!

During this event you get the chance to exchange an online westallen present with someone else. You make something for someone and someone makes something for you. This could be fanfic, gifs, edits, drawings, playlists etc. As long as it’s about WestAllen!

1. You sign up here. You’ll get the chance to indicate what kind of gift you would like to receive (fic, gif etc), and if possible you’ll be matched up with someone that can make that, but sometimes that is not possible.

2. After sign ups close you’ll receive your assignment: who the person is you will be making a present for and what kind of gift they would like. While these are suggestions, make sure to not include anything they have pointed out as something they do not want.

General information, rules and submit info can be read here! The submission process is a little different this year, so be sure to read!

You need to have a Tumblr account to participate

Important dates:

Sign up until:  23 Nov

Assignments given: before or on Nov 25

Assignments due: Dec 12

Event Dec 15!

I hope you sign up and have fun!

[westallenfun]

IRIS WEST-ALLEN in “Lockdown”