Short on Time

Chapter 101

"What is that smell?" I questioned and then the fire alarm went off. 

"Why is the fire alarm going off?" Barry asked. 

Then the twins started screaming, "lovely."

"I got 'em," Barry said as he got up and ran off. I slipped on my robe and made my way to the kitchen, which looked like a disaster went through it. 

The disaster had a name, "Iris?" 

"Hi!" Iris said brightly.

"Is there a reason you destroyed my kitchen?" I asked.

Iris shrugged as Nora walked up, "I thought it would be fun to make breakfast for the twins' birthday." 

"That isn't until tomorrow," I yawned. 

"But you did go into labor today last year!" Iris said as she gave me a look. 

"Well, I won't complain if somebody makes breakfast," I said. 

"You can go back to bed," Iris said. 

"Like I could go to sleep after the smell of Jitters coffee," Nora said.

"Valid point," I told her.

"So, uh, I see you still know your way around the kitchen," Nora said looking around.

"What's happening?" Barry asked in confusion as he brought in the twins.

"Uh, hey, Barr," Iris said.

"Good morning," I added brightly as I took Henry from him when Esther gave me the stink-eye and clung to her father.

"Um, I, um, was thinking that we could have breakfast together for the twins' birthday," Iris said.

"Which is tomorrow," Barry said

"Yes," I said. "But Iris is an amazing Auntie and wanted to spend some time with the kids."

"Right? Like a family," Iris said quickly.

"I love it?"

"Do you need any help?" I asked Iris.

"No, no," Iris said as she grabbed some plates. "You guys just sit. Okay."

I didn't argue as I put the twins in their chairs, Esther immediately started to cry and throw a tantrum, "none of that, young lady." I scolded as I looked at her, she looked at me innocently before opting to turn to her father.

"Oh, the attitude is going to bite me in the butt one day," I muttered as Iris brought over pancakes, at least I thought they were.

"What do we have here?" Barry asked.

"Well, these are pancakes, as you can see, but I made them into little lightning bolts," Iris said as we looked down. "Well, the batter kind of got away from me, but you see the little zigzag."

"I totally see it, yeah," Barry said quickly.

Nora pulled out her phone and started taking pictures, "Nora? What have I said about phones?"

"What are-what are you doing?" Iris asked.

"Uh, I am just getting evidence that you make lumpy pancakes in every time period," Nora said to Iris.

"Let's try it out," Barry said as he took a bite. I smiled as he grimaced, "Mmm. Lumpy, but delicious."

"Yeah?" Iris asked as she looked at me.

I nodded as I took a bite and forced a smile, "it's wonderful, Iris."

"Oh, thanks, babe," Iris said beaming.