I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "The Flash", "Arrow", or "DC Comics". I've decided that this will be the last chapter of the story. I want to say thanks for all the support on my first attempt at writing a Snowbarry fanfiction. Hope you enjoy the end of the story. As always, thanks for following/favoriting and commenting.
Chapter 13
A New Beginning
Caitlin finishes her glass of wine, waiting for Barry to return. While she trusts Barry with all her heart, she still feels uneasy about his conversation with Iris. She wonders what Iris wanted to talk to him about so urgently? As Caitlin continues to ponder this, the door swoops open, and Barry rushes in. She looks up and there's a frown on his face. "What's wrong?" He shakes his head, before sitting down next to her. "Iris is leaving Central City." Caitlin is surprised that Iris is leaving, considering she's lived here her whole life. A wave of guilt suddenly washes over her. "Is it because of us?" Barry turns and shakes his head. "No, she said that she's lost herself in the last few years, and wants to find herself again. She said that the best way for her to do that is working at a new news outlet in Star City." Caitlin can see the guilt and hurt within his eyes, so she grabs his hand, and his eyes find hers. "This is not your fault Barry, she just wants to find her own happiness." He gives her a nod and squeezes her hand in response. "I know, it's just hard for me to imagine her not being in my life anymore. We grew up together and have been through so much. I want her to be happy, find someone that makes her feel the way I do about you, but it's going to be weird not having her here." Caitlin stares at him for a few moments, understanding how hard this must be for him. Iris has been apart of his life for a long time and now she's leaving. Even though they aren't together, their still family. Caitlin brings her freehand to cover his cheek and gives him a smile. "I understand and I'm here for you if you ever need to talk." Barry gives her that smile she loves so much. "I could never thank you enough for always being there for me. You're my rock, Cait, I love you." She can't help but smile at his words and lean in for a kiss. She's touched that he finally sees her as his rock, something she's wished for him to see, for a long time.
A few minutes pass before Barry pulls back. The smile that's plastered on his face makes her heart skip a beat. He's looking at her as if she's the only person that matters to him and it warms her heart. "I love you too, Barry. Always." His smile grows wider as he reaches up and brushes her hair out of her eyes. "I have a surprise for you tomorrow." Caitlin smiles at her boyfriend, curiosity coming over her. "What kind of surprise?" Barry shakes his head playfully. "You'll find out at 5 P.M. tomorrow night." Without another word, he gets up from the couch. Caitlin's eyes follow him up the stairs and confusion washes over her. She spends the rest of the night pondering over how the man she loves will surprise her.
Caitlin spends the next day in anticipation. She wakes up to an empty house, but a clean kitchen. Barry had kept his promise from the night before and it makes her smile. When she arrives at Star Labs, she finds herself having a hard time focusing on her work. Caitlin tries to tell herself that the time won't move forward, no matter how many times, she looks at the clock hanging on the wall. Time passes slowly, but as the clock strikes 5, she hears Barry's voice fill the lab. "Cait." Her head snaps up and she meets his eyes. "Are you going to tell me where we're going?" Barry gives her a smirk. "Do you trust me?" She knows her answer in an instant. "Yes, more than anything." His smirk widens, as he picks her up from her chair, and they flash out.
In seconds, Caitlin finds herself standing in the middle of Paris, with dazzling lights all around her, taking her breath away. Ever since she was a little girl, she's wanted to come here. The city has always been magical to her and she's been trying to get here since College. Caitlin even planned her trip the summer before Senior Year, but her mother had made her take a Medical Internship in her lab instead. She still remembers her mother's harsh words about her lack of ambition, when she had told her about the trip. Caitlin rids those thoughts away, as she turns to Barry, who's giving her a smile. "You remembered." He gives her a nod. "I'd never forget." Her heart skips a beat at his words. Caitlin is in awe of the man standing in front of her. She can see the love and devotion within his eyes.
Caitlin is happy that he's finally looking at her the way she's always wanted him to. He holds out his hand for her to take. "I have a surprise for you." She quirks her eyebrow in curiosity. "What would that be, Mr. Allen?" Barry gives her a smirk, before leading her down the bustling street, towards one of the buildings at the end of the block. She can't help but feel like she's living her biggest fantasy right at this moment. Being in Paris and having Barry by her side. A strong feeling of euphoria washes over her, as they stop in front of a restaurant. Caitlin looks through the window and her breath catches at the romantic atmosphere inside. Candles are lit all around the restaurant and it's like a dream. Caitlin suddenly hears a swoosh and turns just in time to see Barry carrying a duffle bag in his hands. She notices that he's no longer wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but a suit. It makes her heart do a somersault. "You look handsome." He gives her a smirk and takes a few steps towards her. "You always look beautiful, but I thought you'd like to be dressed up for tonight." Barry hands her the duffle bag and she can't help but smile at how sweet he's being. He puts his arm around her and the two walk into the restaurant.
It takes her only a few minutes to change into the stunning black dress and heels Barry had brought her. Caitlin looks at herself in the mirror and smiles. She feels like a Princess tonight and it's all thanks to the man she loves. Caitlin makes her way out of the bathroom and her eyes scan the room for Barry. A few moments pass, before she spots him in the corner of the restaurant. She can't stop her heart from racing, as she looks at him in that suit. Barry looks perfect, from the candlelight shining within his eyes, to the smile plastered on his face. Everything is finally perfect. A plate crashes somewhere and takes Caitlin out of her daze. She starts to make her way towards his table when their eyes meet.
The smile on his handsome face widens, as he quickly gets up from the table, and slides out the chair on the opposite side. When Caitlin reaches him, she gives Barry a smile, and sits down. She immediately starts perusing the menu, as he sits back down across from her. Caitlin's glad that she had learned French years ago, when she was preparing for her failed trip. She makes a mental list of the entrees that she may like and tries to pick one. As she's deciding, she notices the prices for the first time, and her eyes widen. Caitlin isn't sure if Barry is aware of how expensive this restaurant is, as she looks across the table. A smile comes across her face at the utter confusion clouding his features. Catelyn wasn't sure if he knew French, but she has her answer now. "Barry, are you doing okay over there?" He looks up from his menu with a frown. "I guess I should have learned a little French before coming to Paris." Caitlin can't help but laugh at how lost her boyfriend looks right now. "Since you don't know how to read the menu, I'm assuming you also don't know how much everything is?" Barry shakes his head and a frown appears on his face. "I'm sorry, Cait." Caitlin grabs his hand across the table. "Why are you apologizing?" His eyes meet hers. "I wanted everything to be perfect tonight." Confusion sweeps over her, as she squeezes his hand. "Everything is perfect, how do you think you ruined it?" Barry sighs and then shakes his head. "I don't even know how much to pay for dinner. I had this entire night planned out and now you have to read me the menu." Caitlin tries to stifle a laugh, but it comes out anyways.
She thinks it's cute how much effort he's putting into tonight. "I don't mind reading you the menu and the night is far from ruined. I would have been happy staying home and having pizza tonight. As long as I'm with you, everything is perfect." A smile replaces the frown darkening his handsome features and her heart skips a beat. "Have I told you how much I love you lately, Dr. Snow?" Caitlin shakes her head. "Not in the last hour, Mr. Allen." Barry smirks at her and holds up his wine glass. "To our new beginning. I love you, Cait." She smiles wide, as she lifts her own wine glass. "To our new beginning. I love you too, Barry." With that, the two clink their glasses together, ready to take on the future together.