In Time | The Flash

Chapter Nineteen | Aspen

"And he took her in his arms and kissed her under the sunlit sky, and he cared not that they stood high upon the walls in the sight of many."

- J.R.R. Tolkien

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CHAPTER NINETEEN

>>> Aspen's P.O.V. <<<
>>> Christmas Day <<<

Christmas morning, I hear two, very distinct noises: the screams of excitement from my daughter and the sizzling of food from the kitchen. I pull myself out of bed and wrap my mocha-colored robe around my body. I fix my long, braided hair and walk out into the living room.

As my eyes adjust to the daylight, Persephone tackles me in a hug, exclaiming, "Merry Christmas, Mom!"

Stunned, I hesitate in hugging her back. "Merry Christmas, darling. What's all the shouting about?" I look up, towards the smells in the kitchen, and see a skillet of veggies being cooked on the stove. "Who's here?"

Before Seph can reply, a familiar speedster skids back into the room, in his hands, a basket of muffins. "Crap!" Barry exclaims, placing the muffins down and stirring the skillet of veggies. Once he's recovered, he looks up at me with a nervous grin. "Surprise?"

Confused, I look between Barry and Seph. "Who let you in?" I laugh, walking into the kitchen, taking a deep breath through my nose. "Mmm, something smells good."

Barry grins shyly. "Thanks...I...kinda, let myself in. Sorry, but I wanted to make breakfast. Seph heard me, though. She helped me out, didn't you, Seph?" He and Seph high-five each other.

"Sure did! Tofu and veggie breakfast scramble, just like you like, Mom." She leans over, whispering to me, "I even convinced him to run to our favorite bakery to get those vegan muffins we love!"

Barry turns around, picking up a steaming hot tea cup from the counter. He offers it to me with a smile. "Green tea with a teaspoon of Agave syrup, just like you like it, right?" He winks at Seph, and Seph gives him two thumbs-ups.

I take the cup of hot tea from Barry's hand, replying, "You are a goddess-send, Barry Allen." I turn and kiss Persephone's forehead. "This is amazing, you two. It smells wonderful! Let's eat, then we'll open presents! Then I need to run an errand before we head to the SoA."

"Yeah, about that," Barry says, "I'd like to come along and help. Y'know, just tell me what to do."

"She's good at that," Seph mumbles under her breath. I give her a look, and she innocently smiles, grabbing two muffins and running off towards the Christmas tree and her presents.

Barry and I share a laugh, and we turn back to each other. "This was really sweet, Barry. Thank you."

He grins wide, his eyes squinting. "It's the least I could do. Merry Christmas, Aspen."

I smile. "Merry Christmas, Barry."

I start to lean in, and Barry follows suit, but we're cut short by Seph saying, "Mom, Barry, hurry up! I made both of you gifts!"

I pull away, embarrassed and red in the face. Barry turns away to get breakfast for the two of us. The feeling in my stomach, the butterflies, they don't go away. And I feel the fireflies on my fingertips warm my palms. "Coming, darling."

>>>·<<<

"Are you sure you want to do this alone?" Barry whispers as well pull up in front of the District Attorney's office in downtown Central City.