WestAllen Love Story (Book 2)

Chapter 5: Perfect Distraction

"Barry?  You're still here?"  Barry glanced up from the computer seat where he was sitting to see Iris walking into the lab.  He let out a small smile once he saw her.  He knew he saw her everyday before coming to the lab and at night when he went home, but lately it had been different.  With everything happening with Zoom, things had been hectic.  Normally, Barry was the last to come to the lab and first to go.  But today it was different.  He had decided to stay later, and had forgotten to let Iris know he wouldn't be home till later.

'Iris hey.."  He got up and met her halfway into the room.  'Is everything alright?"  She asked wrapping her arms around him.  He took a deep breath.  "Honestly..  I'm not exactly sure.  I don't know what to do..."  He wrapped his arms around her in return pulling her in for a hug.  "How is Henry?  I meant to call you that I was staying late to figure things out.  I'm sorry."  She glances up at him giving a small smile.  "It's alright.  I knew you were here..."  "Speaking of Henry where is he?"  Barry raises his eye slightly at Iris.  "About that.  I called Cisco.  He agreed to keep an eye on him for a couple of hours." "Hours?  Where are we going?"  He asked curiously.  Iris smirked a little.  "You will see.."  She stepped back pulling away from the hug then took his hand in hers to lead him out of the lab.

Once he got into the car, he glanced over at Iris as she got in the driver's side.  "Where are we going?"  He asked again. She laughed a little.  "You're quite persistent Mr. Allen."  He smirked back.  "Did it pay off Mrs. Allen?"  He teased.  She glanced over at him for a split second.  "We are going to the restaurant for a dinner.  The second half is a surprise."  She grinned.

Once they got to the restaurant and Iris got the car parked, Barry stepped out of the car and walked around to help Iris.  She linked her arm with his and the two of them walked into the Motorcar diner.  Once they walked into the restaurant, a waitress was already there waiting for them to help them get seated.  "Do you have reservations?"  She asked the two of them.  "Yes.  Mr. and Mrs. Allen?"  Iris answered.  The waitress smiled.  "Right this way."  Barry slipped his hand back over Iris' and walked with her following the waitress to their table.

"You know you didn't have to go all out on this."  He smiled glancing across the table at her once they were seated and the waitress had left and taken their drink orders.  Iris smiled back.  "Yes.  I did.  You needed to get your mind off things."  Barry took a deep breath and nodded.  "I know I have been too focused lately with things.  I'm sorry."  "It's fine Barry..."  She gently reached across the table placing her hand over his.  "No it's not.  I've been neglecting.  We should really get back home to Henry.."  Iris smiled.  "Barry.  Henry is fine.  And you will have plenty of time to spend with Henry..."  She pulls her hand away as she sees the waitress coming back towards their direction to take their food order.

"How has Henry been doing lately?"  Barry asked.  It seemed like he was missing certain family things that he shouldn't because the flash was taking up his time.  He let out a small sigh not even having realized it.  Iris smiled.  "He's been doing fine Barry.  He does what all babies do.  Sleep."  She smirked.  Barry laughed a little.  "Well at least he has been behaving well for you."  Iris grinned a little.  "There's the old Barry that I knew.."  Barry stayed silent for a few minutes.  "Thank you.  You were right.  I did need to get out. And I plan on not letting the lab take over everything anymore.  I know we need to defeat Zoom, but you and Henry are more important..."

Iris nodded.  "I know you want to be there for your family.  And you are...  And once you defeat Zoom, you will have all the time in the world.."  Barry shook his head.  "It's not just Zoom Iris.  If it's not one villain, it's another.."  "Barry.  That is who you are.  You're going to always be there to save others."  She smiled.  Barry gave another slight shake of his head.  How could Iris be so understanding?  He thought.  "What if I told you that I have been considering hanging up the suit?"  He said quietly in case someone may overhear.  Iris looked at him a little surprised.

"You know that I will back you up with whatever you decide right?"  Iris asked looking at him.  "I know you will.  It's just.  I was hoping I would get to spend some more time with you and Henry...  And now.."  Barry's thoughts were all over the place.  He wasn't even sure how to get them out.  Hearing the band starting to play a song, Iris smiled.  "Come on."  She said standing up and extended her hand towards Barry.  Barry glances back up at Iris and smiles.  He stands up accepting her hand letting her lead him towards the dancefloor.

Barry wrapped his arms around Iris and continued to sway to the music with her.  "You will figure things out Barry.  You always do."  Iris smiled.  "And I will always be right there to help you along the way."  Barry took a deep breath.  "I know that you will.  And I am glad you are."  He smiled back leaning forward to give her a kiss.  She returned the kiss then rested her head against his shoulder.  "I love you Barry."  She said quietly.  "I love you too Iris..."

Barry laughed.  "We are seriously going to come here?"  He asked seeing the bowling alley not too far ahead of them.  Iris smiled.  "I figured that whenever you needed a distraction, this place always seemed to work..  Come on." She said getting out of the car.

Cisco had left a couple of hours ago.  Iris was finishing getting ready for bed, and Barry was sitting in the living room watching Henry as he was laying on his back playing with one of his favorite toys.  Barry smiled as he continued to watch him then slowly placed his hand over Henry's, then felt Henry's hand grip tightly around his thumb.  "Hey there big guy..."  He said quietly.  "I promise I will be around here more.."  He smiled as Henry's eyes seemed to turn towards his direction as he heard Barry's voice.

Iris came back downstairs after she had gotten ready and smiled as she saw Barry with Henry.  "I think you are doing a pretty great job.."  She said.  Barry glanced up.  "You think so?"  He asked as she approached the two of them and sat down next to Barry.  "I know so."  She grinned.  "You're a great father Barry.  I just wish you could see that more."  She leaned in to kiss his cheek.  "Did you want to put Henry to sleep?"  She asked.  "Yea.  I think I would like that."  He smiled.

Iris stood up and headed upstairs to their bedroom.  Barry gently picked up Henry and carried him upstairs to his room.  He sat down in the rocking chair and slowly began to rock.  It seemed like it was taking awhile for Henry to fall asleep.  Barry slowly began to hum a tune and after a while, Henry's eyes slowly closed.  "Goodnight Henry.."  He whispered leaning forward to kiss him on the forehead.  He slowly stood up and placed Henry in the crib and placed the blanket over him.

Barry made his way into the bedroom and began to quietly get ready for bed so he wouldn't wake Iris.  "How did it go?"  Iris whispered once he had crawled in bed next to her.  He turns direction to face her figure in the dark and smiled.  "He's asleep..  Thank you Iris.  For tonight.  It really did help.."  Iris smiled in return and scooted in closer to rest her head against his chest.  He wrapped his arms around her.  "You're welcome..  Goodnight Barry."  She said slowly beginning to close her eyes.  He leaned forward slightly to kiss her forehead.  "Goodnight Iris.."