Finally! Here is the last chapter for this fic. It has been a bit of a wild adventure this time around!

Thanks to everyone who has stuck with it, even as the story traveled different directions and the updates took longer and longer. I think I'm going to take a small break for a bit I seem to be wearing down, but I'm sure I'll be back soon with yet another story! :)

I have truly enjoyed the journey and am proud of this fic, I hope you have enjoyed it as well. Thanks for all the reviews and support, they are noticed and deeply appreciated! *hugs* You guys are awesome!

Chapter 32

A Year Later

The city blurred past Barry as he rushed toward the water front, easily outrunning the approaching police cars and emergency vehicles. Cisco's voice came over the comm.

"Are you sure you don't need any help with this? I could be there in...several minutes. We haven't seen Bivolo in a while. Remember what happened last time?"

"I'll be okay."

"Are you sure? Laurel's visiting and she looks a little bored..." Cisco's voice drifted off and it was clear he was in conversation with Laurel now. Barry shook his head with a smile.

"I'll be careful." Barry came to a stop near a pier and scanned the area. The waterfront was bustling and busy, but there didn't seem to be any disturbances. "Where was he spotted?"

"Traffic camera by Pier 53." Barry looked that way and carefully studied the people nearby. A lone figure in black was standing at the end of Pier 53, looking back and forth, letting the crowds pass him

without removing his sunglasses. Yet. He had already incited a riot in two different places today. Barry doubted he was out for a stroll at the moment.

"Got him."

Barry was two steps into rushing at Bivolo when a different voice came in.

"Barry wait!" It was Iris. The tone of her voice alone made him immediately alter his course and zip into a nearby nook to conceal himself. He had long since grown used to not hearing Gideon in his ear, but hearing Iris on the comm always reminded him of her. If Iris was talking, it was important.

"What?"

"I just ran down the footage from the the previous two hits. I talked to the staff and found out what Bivolo was doing there. He wasn't just causing mayhem, he stole two specific items." Barry could hear the sound of paper slapping the console and Cisco's chair rolling a few inches. "Look."

There was a beat of silence. Then Cisco spoke, far more serious than he had been before. "Oh man, the things he could do with his powers and those two put together..."

"Exactly." Iris spoke over the comm to Barry again. "He's counting on you to show up, Barry. It's a trap. Look at his glasses, are they different than usual?"

Barry craned out of his hiding spot to look. "Yeah, actually. They look thicker. Like they're...goggles?" Barry slid back into hiding. "Okay, so he used the two thefts to get my attention and now he expects me to show. Obviously he has something special planned for me?"

"Exactly. But the good news is we figured it out before you went rushing in. We can turn it around."

A smile briefly crossed his face as Barry listened. "I like it."

Roy Bivolo could hear the approaching police cars and shifted his feet, annoyed. Trust the Flash to be late this time, when it mattered so much. The rudeness of superheroes. He shifted his goggles and scanned the area again. The wind picked up a little, and the water slapped the legs of the pier. He'd deliberately shown his face to the camera and was sure the Flash would be arriving before the police. Any moment a blur would be speeding in. All he needed was a second of warning...

But what he got was more like a millisecond. A single creak on the wood behind him, and before he could even react his goggles were gone and a bag was over his head.

"Hey!" Bivolo abruptly found himself flat on his belly on the ground, hands cuffed and listening to the rapid approaching footsteps of police officers. He tried to struggle but it was a lost cause.

Bystanders, suddenly aware that the Flash was in their midst and apprehending a criminal, scattered and left the two men in an open space that allowed the police to move in.

Barry stood back as several policemen hauled Bivolo to his feet, then held out the goggles to the nearest officer. "Don't take the bag off until he's in Iron Heights, and do not let him have these things."

An officer nodded dutifully. "We've been hoping to get Bivolo for a long time now, Flash. Thanks for the help." The officer moved to follow his fellows, then turned back quickly. "Would it...is it too much to ask..."

The paper and pen he was holding were abruptly removed and just as instantly returned, complete with "To Brian, be proud of your dad. He serves his city well. The Flash" scrawled in untidy loops. The officer read it and blushed. Then a thought caught up to him. "Wait, how did you know this was for my kid?"

The Flash gave him a two-fingered salute. "I have my ways. Thanks guys." He disappeared over the water, droplets and lightning in his wake.

Cisco gave him the requisite high five when Barry returned to the cortex. Laurel was chatting with Iris in a side room. They ended their conversation and moved out to join the two men, each gravitating to their own preferred one.

Barry reached for Iris' hands. "Thank you, that would have been so much worse if I'd gone in and taken Bivolo head on. With those goggles, the way he had them configured he would have hit me and at least twenty bystanders. We all would have been affected, and if the police showed up he could have got them too. What was he trying to do, get me to kill someone with witnesses?"

She shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe he's still angry about being held prisoner and was trying to return the favor."

Barry accepted that thought with a rueful smile. He was really glad Iron Heights was equipped to handle metahumans now but also very grateful he wasn't one of them in need of being incarcerated..

"Well, anyway, thank you for watching my back."

Iris gave Barry a quick kiss. "Just doing my job."

Cisco and Laurel were in the middle of a debate. Laurel's eyebrows climbed as she crossed her arms. "You think you can out-sonic wave me?"

Cisco gave her a too-innocent look. "I'm just sayin', if it came down to how far we each could throw something with sonic waves, I would probably out distance you."

Laurel's eyes narrowed. "You wanna bet?"

Cisco pounced. "Yep. Loser has to move to the other's city."

Laurel's eyebrows were still up, but her jaw dropped considerably. "Move—you'd do that?"

Cisco dropped all pretense. His eyes moved up to hers slowly, suddenly self-conscious. His hands slipped into his pockets. "I'd like to live in the same city as my girlfriend. I'd like to see her every night, maybe wake up next to her every morning. It would be a sacrifice, but I think it would be worth it..."

Laurel stared at him. It had been a long time since someone had made her feel this special, if ever. Cisco would move to Star City for her? And as tempting as that was, she couldn't deny the thoughts that had drifted across her mind before now, quickly pushed away and disregarded. How as much as she loved her father, maybe it was better if she started over in a new city. How she was pretty sure that Team Arrow could get along without her. How she felt at home in Cisco's apartment, how she never wanted to leave when she visited, how she felt needed and wanted. How everything was still dangerous and crazy in Central City but it still felt full of sunlight.

And she'd seen enough darkness for a lifetime. Maybe it was time to embrace the light herself.

Her smile was the tender and vulnerable one that typically only Cisco saw as she moved closer and put her hands over his, still in his pockets. She kissed him lightly. "You're on."

Cisco beamed, happy in spite of the thought of all he'd be giving up. She was worth it. Star City could use his talents too. His friends would understand. And it's not like he wouldn't be close if they needed him. It would be fine.

Martin and Ronnie entered, still in the middle of an argument they'd started that morning.

"Ronald, I'm just saying that your talents could be put to use for more than just roof repair. You have a good brain for building, and being one half of Firestorm doesn't change that."

Ronnie heaved a sigh. "Fine...I'll see what I can do." He caught his wife's eye as Caitlin came in, and she hid a smile as she headed for a computer.

Martin rubbed his hands together. "Excellent, Clarissa has always wanted a greenhouse! You two are still coming over for dinner tonight, right?"

Caitlin nodded. "We'll be there, Martin."

Iris kissed Barry again. "I need to head back and finish my article. See you after work."

Barry's look was mournful. "Okay." He watched as she headed down the hallway, greeting her father on her way, who had just arrived.

Joe surveyed the room, surprised at the large crowd that had suddenly assembled. "Is there something I'm missing?"

In answer, the entire group turned to Barry. He stilled, eyebrows raised, suddenly confused at the expectant looks aimed his way. "What?"

Cisco pointed in the random area of Barry's suit. "Let's see it."

"See..what?"

Caitlin gave him a look. "The ring, Barry." Slightly confused, Barry held out the Flash ring he was wearing that held his suit.

Ronnie muffled a snicker. "Not that one. He thinks we don't know..." His wife giggled.

Barry suddenly caught on. He rounded on Joe immediately. "Did you say anything?"

"Not me." Joe held up his hands, shaking his head. "Hey, I've been expecting this since you got back from the speed force. I'm surprised you waited this long, honestly."

Barry made a noise of protest. "It's been a busy year!"

Cisco nodded. "You don't have to tell us. After Grodd nearly killed you and that run-in with Cold and his gang and the Weather Wizard incident, which by the way will leave me with a fear of hail for the rest of my natural life, it has been pretty crazy around here. Still doesn't hold a candle to the year before though." Laurel made a noise of agreement, her fingers intertwined with Cisco's.

Martin gave Barry an apologetic smile. "I saw you exiting a jewelry store a few days ago, Barry. And since there hadn't been a robbery there recently, and we couldn't think of any other reason for you to be there..." he left the sentence hanging expectantly.

Barry gave the group a frustrated look of acknowledgment. He wasn't sure how he'd ever thought he could keep this a secret until he actually asked Iris. There was just no keeping secrets from a group this smart. Joe gave him an amused look and waited.

Barry zipped out of the cortex to the time vault and returned with a small ring box. The rest of the team gathered around excitedly as he flipped it open.

A diamond ring was sparkling on red velvet, gold and magnificent.

Caitlin and Laurel both made female sounds of admiration. "It's beautiful!" Laurel gave it her approval. The men made sounds of agreement.

Caitlin nodded to Barry. "It's just her style. She'll love it, Barry."

Barry gave her a nervous smile in return. "I hope so."

Joe was beaming. "Oh she will. Nice choice, Barry."

"Yes, best of luck Barry. I hope the occasion goes perfectly." Martin was fingering his own wedding ring with a fond smile. The rest of the group added their best wishes.

Barry tried to still the butterflies in his stomach and smiled at the group. "Thanks guys."

Laurel looked over and realized Cisco was looking at her in a way that made her feel like she'd swallowed warm honey. She squeezed his fingers. "Well, if you will excuse us, Cisco and I have a bet to settle." She pulled him out of the room and down the hallway. Cisco fell into step beside her. Everything was going according to plan.

Thirty minutes later Cisco stood gaping in the practice room, not quite sure where it had gone wrong. The punching bags Laurel usually used for practice had been set up and hurled across the open space. Cisco had gone first. He had purposely gone easy, fully intending to be the loser so he could move to Star City. His bag had traveled maybe twenty feet, a paltry amount compared to what Cisco could do if he really gave it his all. After all he hadn't wanted to make it too obvious he was trying to lose. But Laurel's bag...he blinked and stared at it again, still disbelieving.

It was barely ten feet. The sound of Laurel's sonic scream was still reverberating off the walls, he knew how powerful that scream was. And yet, she had lost.

Laurel crossed her arms, striking in her black leather even with the mask off. "Oh well. Looks like I lost."

Cisco's brow was still furrowed as he took in her complete lack of concern over it. "Okay...I guess that means..."

"That means I move here. Right?" Laurel gave him a searching look, suddenly doubtful. Maybe he didn't really want this...

Cisco caught it immediately. "Right. But I would have moved for you. You're closer to your dad than I am to my family. Are you sure?"

Her smile was relieved. He wanted her. He'd just been trying to lose. She wasn't sure how to express the gratitude she felt, and the peace expanding inside her at the thought of living in Central City with the man who made her laugh, trained with her, fought alongside her, let her show all her darker parts and still looked on her as if she was something to be revered. She couldn't find the words, so she settled with blinking back moisture and swallowing so she could say anything at all. "Yeah. I'm sure."

Cisco grinned. "You are gonna make the most gorgeous addition to Team S.T.A.R. Labs."

She giggled. "Thanks. Do you think Central City needs another D.A.? We need to get you out in the field more. Caitlin can run the cortex while everyone is out." She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling. "We're going to make this city a safer place."

"I love you."

There was a moment of stunned silence. Cisco had been thinking it for some time now but he hadn't been brave enough to say it out loud. "I—I mean, how you beat up criminals, fight crime and stuff..."

Laurel leaned in to kiss him. She'd learned long ago it was the best way to shut him up. "I love you too."

He gave her an incredulous smile, full of disbelief and awe. "Want some Big Belly Burger?"

Her face lit up. "Chocolate milkshake and fries, here we come!"

They held hands as they left the practice room. Laurel mentioned that with Big Belly Burger in Central City, the move wouldn't bother her much at all. Cisco laughed and suggested maybe they should change out of their suits first. Laurel agreed.

She needed to mess with her Canary Cry and put the intensity of her sonic scream back up to its usual power anyway.

Barry had made it back to work and was busy processing evidence when Captain Singh wandered in.

"Allen, do you have the Johnson case report?"

"Right, yeah, I've got it—no wait..." Barry sifted through a few piles and finally came up with the correct folder. He put it into Singh's waiting hand with a nervous smile.

Singh stood for a moment, contemplating. He had known for over a year now that Barry Allen was the Flash, and sometimes it still didn't compute. He was just so...awkward. So slow. Even now Singh had been waiting for this file for much of the day. Most of the time he ignored it and tried to pretend he didn't know. It was easier that way, and he needed the line drawn for his own sanity. He appreciated what the Flash did to help the city and he wasn't in the mood to arrest him for it. But as a high ranking officer of the law, he also shouldn't be encouraging vigilante activity. It was a difficult place to be. He'd thought just being a police captain was difficult. This was even more acute. Allen was a frustrating case all around, he always had been and that had never changed. Allen aggravated him on a level he didn't know he had.

And yet, David knew that what could have been a really horrific problem in the city had been neutralized. Bivolo was in custody. No one had been hurt. He bit back the impatient dig at Allen's slow messiness and instead looked him in the eye. "Good...good job today, Allen. Thank you."

Barry's face reflected the most profound confusion Singh had ever seen on a human face. "Sir?"

Singh had the sudden irresistible urge to laugh. Allen obviously had no idea what to do with a compliment from him. "Never mind. Make sure your work is caught up."

"Of course, sir." Singh had no sooner turned the corner than he heard a gushing rush of wind in Allen's lab. He gritted his teeth and kept walking. He wasn't sure he got paid enough to put up with this. But as his thoughts turned to heading home and who waited for him there, it was easier to simply be grateful the Flash existed at all and that he was kind enough to use his powers for good.

He headed back to his office. Never a dull day in Central City.

Barry had sped his way through the rest of his forensics work and was speed reading some current research on the computer when Iris came in at the end of the day. Barry looked up as he rubbed his eyes and smiled at her before he jotted a few more notes in the notebook at his side. She moved behind him and put her hands on his shoulders, rubbing gently as she looked down at his notes.

"Getting closer?"

Barry made a quick correction before he laid down his pencil and reached up for her hand, covering it with his and giving it a squeeze. "Every day." He gave her a small smile, but she caught the tinge of sadness to it. She shifted his chair so she could sit on his lap. His arms immediately moved to hold her securely. He leaned his head on her shoulder as she gave his notes more attention. She took in the complicated equations, possible theories, half-remembered details from a year ago, computer code and reminders, the basic humanoid form drawn in one margin. Even small, it was recognizable. Picturing her was easy.

Actually creating an A.I. took time.

She turned Barry's face to hers, hand on his cheek, smiling into his eyes. "You'll get there."

Barry huffed a laugh. "Before 2024?"

Her bright eyes smiled into his. "If anyone can do it, you can." She kissed him to prove she meant it.

He melted into her, pulling her close and sliding a hand behind her neck to further the kiss. The content happiness on his face as they separated made her heart swell. "Thanks, Iris."

"Anytime." She kissed him again, then stood up. "You ready for dinner?"

Barry shifted, feeling the ring box in his pocket. "Yeah, let's go."

The darkness briefly illuminated with light as Barry sped up the side of S.T.A.R. Labs and came to a stop, carefully lowering Iris to her feet. She looked around, somewhat surprised.

"When you said we were going to the roof I thought you meant the roof of Jitters." She spread out the blanket she was holding, shivering slightly. The wind was stronger up here. She could see the place where the singularity had broken through the roof, now repaired. On one side was the also repaired area where the meta bugs had broken through, though it was too dark right now for her to see it. Looking down, she could see the parking lot where Barry had dissolved into light. This was an odd location for a romantic evening, considering all the bad memories associated with it.

Barry cuddled her from behind, lending his sheltering warmth. "I thought about that, but I had a special reason for bringing you to this one." They settled on the blanket, Barry semi-reclining as Iris cuddled close for extra heat. They were comfortably silent for several minutes.

Barry spoke first. "Do you remember when I closed the singularity?"

Iris couldn't hold in a sarcastic noise. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I remember that, Bear."

His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "I was so scared when we figured out what had happened to me. I didn't know if I was ever going to make it home."

Iris was quiet a moment as she remembered that time. It had truly been one of the darkest of her entire life. The memory of the numbness she had felt, the pain that had followed, the hopelessness. She didn't miss her metal piece one bit as she ran her fingers over Barry's hands, lacing their fingers together. "I thought I'd lost you for good."

He gave her a gentle squeeze. "I understand. Remember when you got kidnapped by that crooked real estate scammer? I was so afraid we'd never find you. Everyone was working nonstop to get you back."

Her mouth twitched in a tiny smile. "That was a good story. My article got the front page."

A reluctant laugh rumbled his chest, making her bounce slightly. "You know no story is worth your life, right?"

She laughed too. "I know. But I can't believe I'm getting lectured by the guy who risks his life all the time. Remember the speed force? How many metahumans have you gone up against? Don't forget that usually when I'm in danger it's because I'm working with you."

"I know, I know." He kissed her temple and held her close. "Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've been scared of losing you so many times in my life. But I'm not anymore."

Iris could detect the change in his tone and shifted in his arms so they could look at each other. Now that she thought about it, it had been a long time since Barry had given her that look he used to give her when they were first together. So long, in fact, that she couldn't remember the last time she'd seen it. That look that showed his terror that she would decide he wasn't worth staying for, or that something bad would happen. Bad things had happened, but they had made it through and were still making it through. Their lives were dangerous and unpredictable at times, but it didn't stop them from clinging to each other, loving each other, and stealing every moment they could. It filled Iris with warm happiness to see that Barry felt the same way. "You're not?"

He was smiling softly. "No. I don't ever want to lose you, and I will do everything I can to make sure that never happens. But I'm not so scared that I can't tell you how I feel like I used to be. I'm not so afraid that I'll lose you that I can't even try. I'll take everything I can get. Every moment. Every day. Every smile," he had to stop for a breath because the smile she gave him then took it away. "Every kiss..."

He couldn't stop himself from leaning forward to do just that. They smiled into each other's eyes, and it took a moment before his hand rose high enough between them to catch her field of vision. She looked down and couldn't hold in a gasp. The ring box was open, the diamond ring reflecting even in the dim starlight.

"Iris West, will you do me the honor of letting me give all the moments I have left to you?"

She looked from the ring into his face, and he could see her visibly trying to restrain the emotions at work in her. She reached up with both hands and put them on either side of his face smiling through the tears she refused to let fall. "Only if you let me give all mine to you."

His face split into a grin that dominated his face, full of joy. She pulled his face to hers for a kiss, and when they parted he pulled the ring from its case and laid the box aside. He held the golden circle between his thumb and forefinger, and put out his other hand for hers. She placed her small hand in his larger one, and he curled his fingers around hers tenderly to warm them for a moment. Then he gently slid the ring onto her finger. They both smiled at it and reached for each other at the same time. They held hands, secure and warm in the other's grasp. His thumb glided over her new ring, and her fingers slid over the one that contained his suit.

"I love you, Barry."

"I love you too."

She settled back against him, and they gazed up at the stars for a few moments. Finally Iris spoke again.

"So that's why you chose this place? To show you aren't afraid any more?"

"I thought it was fitting. But, I still have some work to do."

"Oh? Like what?"

His arms tightened around her briefly again. "Maybe one day if I'm with you long enough, you can teach me how to be like you."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "An ace reporter?" Her tone was dry.

He laughed. "Nah. I know when I can't keep up. And I'd rather be like you another way."

She tilted her head to look up at his face. "And what's that?"

He gave her an admiring look. His answer was simple. "Fearless."

She laughed even as she considered it. It was bizarre that Barry Allen, the Flash, would ever look at her and call her fearless. But she knew how he meant it. He didn't mean she was without fear, only that she didn't let it control her life.

She wondered if she should tell him that she had never felt fearless, and that the time he'd been gone had been instrumental in shaping the way she viewed the world now. Or if he knew how much his example had helped her in their lives, watching him grow up without his parents and still manage to maintain kindness and caring for others. She wondered if they had always had a symbiotic relationship, helping and lifting the other without even realizing it, ever changing and evolving to the point that even when the other was absent their influence remained. She wondered if he knew how much he meant to her.

But when she looked into his face again, she could tell that he did know. He knew everything. And he understood completely. And just that small detail, that he knew she felt fear and battled on anyway, that she could struggle and feel guilt and pain and loss and still be able to love him completely, made her strong in his eyes. It made her feel accepted for who she really was.

And that was amazing really, because she looked at him the same way.

She lifted her hand to stroke his cheek, watching the diamond glint on her finger as it moved. She could see years of happiness ahead of them, and the future newspaper article was the farthest thing from her mind. This was what they both chose. Whatever the future held, they'd meet it together.

"Barry. You're already there."

He beamed. "Oh. Well it must be because of how much I love you, then."

She chuckled. "I'll take it." She settled back into his arms, cuddling close and laying her head on his chest with a happy sigh. This moment. Every moment. Love. Destiny. Barry Allen. "I'll take it all."

Barry smiled, his heart in his eyes. "Me too."

They stared at the stars for a while longer.

Epilogue

She flitted, she fluttered, she moved soundlessly. She moved, seamless, in and out of times, worlds, memories. She was every one and none of them at the same time. She rolled with the clouds of speed force and surfed the memories there. Sometimes she accelerated and sometimes she drifted. She was broken down to nothing and by that became everything. She constantly moved with the ebb and flow, suspended in the light.

She was constant motion, perfect light. She watched and observed. Sometimes the memories were disturbing, chaotic with screams and a man in a yellow suit. A car accident, a dying wife. Watching a speedster sacrifice himself to become the father of this speed force was a memory she never enjoyed. A phrase was always echoing in and out. One repeated phrase. One name. Running in a singularity. A dying mother and a dying Thawne. Traveling faster than a meta bug and dissolving into light. A dying father concerned for his child, Iris. So much loss.

Sometimes she wavered, enjoying one particular scene over another. Like the newly engaged couple that lay holding each other on a rooftop, watching the stars. Or a familiar scene on a waterfront, where a boy kissed a girl and then ran faster than time. Strike after strike of lightning, hitting a young man and other young men in different times and places, imbuing them with speed power. A strong cop and her bespectacled husband in a nightclub watching an older man sing. A young speedster tearfully embracing his father, finally released from prison as his young wife hugged her father behind them, overjoyed. A lab late at night, where a newly created A.I. interacted with a hero and his awestruck wife, demonstrating her parameters and functions. A street fight and a hero chasing a villain back through time. An older speedster, running in a silver-winged hat.

There were many worlds and many times that she drifted through and to, but in every one there was always a Barry and an Iris. And the more she traveled, the more she saw that her original findings had been true. They always found each other. Sooner or later...

It was comforting to her as she surfed the difficult times, awash in strife and distress. And many experiences were joyful ones and the knowledge just increased the delight. But the times she lingered at the most involved laughing, squealing twins and super speed fathers, smiling mothers and happy homes...

Iris barely looked up, she was so exhausted as Barry came through the door. He halted abruptly and stared in dismay.

The apartment looked like it had been ravaged by the Trickster. Or one of Oliver's practical jokes. Diapers were everywhere, used and clean. There were five pillows in various positions on the couch, a blanket inexplicably hanging out of the kitchen sink, and several burp rags heaped on the dining room table. A long-forgotten pile of (thankfully clean) baby wipes were dried into stiff paper on one arm of the couch. There was a trail of used clothing, both baby and woman, down the hallway leading in the general direction of the laundry closet. A pacifier was sticking out of Iris' t-shirt pocket and Barry was pretty sure she had no idea it was there. She looked rumpled and messy and there were rings under her eyes. She still looked beautiful to him, though.

"I'm so glad you're home. Twins are exhausting." As she spoke, Don let out a wail from his nearby bassinet. Iris stood with Dawn in her arms, who was quietly fussing but looked like she was going to switch gears and echo her brother any moment. Iris was bouncing Dawn in her arms in an attempt to soothe the newborn, but the motion was becoming more and more agitated as Don's crying grew louder. Iris was clearly one step away from a nervous breakdown.

Barry wasted no time. "I've got this."

In two minutes flat the apartment was spic and span. Barry's gentle but slightly accelerated rocking of Dawn soothed her for the moment, so he laid her in her own bassinet and quickly settled Don and Iris into a comfortable position in the new rocking chair so Don could nurse. Iris received some water and crackers to tide her over until Barry sped out and back in with her favorite take out.

After both twins had been fed and settled in for as much as the night as they would sleep before the next feeding, Barry sprawled on the couch and became his wife's cushion, feeding her bites of take out and making sure she chewed before she nodded off again. After an hour of alternate eating and catnapping, Iris rolled over to snuggle up against her husband. He looked down at her with concern.

"I thought you said you could handle this. Why didn't you call me?"

Her voice was tiny. "I didn't want to admit I was wrong. They say sleep when the baby sleeps but no one ever mentioned with twins that once you get one to sleep the other wakes up. And I think they have accelerated metabolisms, Barry, they eat all the time I can't keep up!"

Barry nodded. They still weren't quite sure how much of his speedster DNA had been passed down to Don and Dawn, and they were on the alert for any signs. "I think that's normal for any baby, hon."

Iris breathed in his scent, cuddling into his shirt. "I can't do this again tomorrow. I haven't slept more than three hours at a time since we got home from the hospital."

"You're right. I'm sorry we don't have any parents to help out. What if I called Tess and asked her to visit for a bit? And I can zip home every hour and make sure you're doing okay. No one will notice."

"That sounds wonderful..." she sighed into his shirt, already drifting off again.

Barry smiled and kissed the top of her head, shifting her slightly to dig into his pocket for his phone. It looked like his research on A.I. creation would have to be put on hold for the moment, and that was fine. His new family and his wife's sanity were much more important. He was thumbing through his contacts when he noticed the new one he'd just entered that day.

"Oh yeah! Do you remember that cop Eddie Thawne that Bear and I saw outside of S.T.A.R. Labs?"

Iris gave a weary mumble "Yeah..."

"He just transferred in from Keystone, he's part of the CCPD now."

"Thash nice..."

Barry smiled, doubtful. "I don't know how nice it is, he just got divorced that's why he transferred. But from what I remember about his wife I think he's much better off. Bear said we should be nice to him. Maybe we should introduce him to one of the single ladies on the force? Fiona is nice. What do you think?"

Iris lifted her head enough to speak clearly. "That's fine, Barry. In maybe three months or something. I need rest first."

He laughed. "That sounds fair. It's times like this that I regret sending Bear home, two of me would be reeeally useful right now." He thumbed to Tess' number, hit send and waited for her to answer. "I love you Iris..."

Iris smiled against his shirt. Despite the bone-deep exhaustion sweeping her right now, she wouldn't trade one bit of her life. "I love you too." His arm tightened around her, letting her relax completely against him as she fell asleep.

"Tess, hi it's Barry Allen...

She slid and glided again, to another moment in time that looked very familiar, only this time Iris was surrounded by ladies and her father at the house, each cooing and helping with the babies. Barry walked in, fresh from S.T.A.R. Labs and ready to see his family. Henry trailed after him, face alight at the sight of his grandkids. Joe laughed and thumped him on the back.

Iris looked up from her place on the couch, beaming at her husband. Barry smiled back at her and for a moment it was like they were the only two people in the room...

Gideon moved on, keeping watch on Barry Allen and Iris West-Allen through all of time and space.

Lots of comic references here, along with a few other things. Don and Dawn are the names of Barry and Iris' twins in the comics, (referenced in chapter thirty if you read reeeeally carefully), Jay Garrick, The Flash Rebirth, etc. There is also a tiny nod to Earth 2 from the show. It was fun to combine comics, the show and my own world all together! Thanks for reading! :)