Destiny

Fifty three

The next morning, Caitlin began to pump a little, slowly but surely. Not much happened that morning besides more mourning. The rest of the team tried to give Barry and Caitlin the space they needed. Iris stopped by once to meet Nora and take her turn to bring in food and coffees to the team. Julian would get food and coffee whenever Iris didn't. Joe stayed a bit in the night and came back the next morning, to grieve his grandson and also comfort his son. Charlie stayed the night but went back home the next morning to change the nursery at home. Barry told him to, knowing that seeing two cribs might break Caitlin. Cisco stayed the whole time, supporting his two friends while also giving them space. Carla stayed the entire morning and night, watching her daughter and monitoring her granddaughter's vitals while also mourning the loss of her grandchild. 

Barry sat in a chair beside Caitlin, watching as she tiredly fed Nora.  

"I think I'm done..." she said, as her eyes drooped. 

Barry nodded and took Nora from her, laying her down in the crib beside her. 

"Alright, why don't you get some sleep, Caitlin," Carla said, adjusting the medical bed so she could lay down. When Caitlin's eyelids fell, Carla signaled to Barry to follow her out of the room. 

"What's wrong?" he asked, as they reached the cortex. 

"Barry, I'm worried this birth might have affected Caitlin even worse than we thought."

"I mean we're grieving," Barry said cluelessly. 

"No, Barry I'm talking about PPD. She's been acting lethargic and down on herself. Her milk supply is low which is bad for Nora's health." 

"How long does it last postpartum?"

"Sometimes just around six months untreated, others for years."

Barry looked down and pondered what to do, which wasn't easy since his mind was still riddled with his own grief. Before he could think of a response his phone rang. Looking at his screen he saw that it was Captain Singh.

"I'm sorry I have to take this," he said. Carla walked back into the med bay.

"Hello?" 

"Allen?! You've really reached the point of your tardiness that I have to start calling you now?" Captain Singh jokingly scolded him over the phone.

"Uh- I'm sorry, Captain Singh. But I think I'm going to take my paternal leave now."

"Oh then, congratulations to you and Dr. Snow!"

"Yeah, thanks," Barry replied.

"I'll tell the staffing office now," Singh said. "Steven! Allen is going to be off for the next two weeks on paternity leave, have Hart and Albert cover for him!" Barry heard him yell through the phone, before hanging up. 

It took a moment for Barry to process what would happen next. It wasn't until seconds after he heard that name through the phone that he remembered what would happen next.  

All of a sudden, Barry felt something grab him by the shoulder and pull him in a flash of lightning. Suddenly he was somewhere on the outskirts of Central City, under a bridge. He looked around for a second and had a feeling of familiarity. Centering his focus finally, he looked up forward and saw him, God Speed.

"Looks like Christmas came early for me," he chuckled under his mask. 

"You're a monster!" Barry yelled, getting back up on his feet. 

"Oh, you are so close Barry," he grinned, slowly stepping closer. "I'm more than just a monster... I'm a god." 

"More like the devil," Barry murmured. 

Running towards him, Barry tried to land a punch, but August caught him before he did. 

"Ah, ah ah," he sang, "Don't forget our deal or your fiance and the rest of your friends and family die." 

Barry sighed and slumped down, as August let go of him. 

"Be back here in an hour with my new heir, our everyone you love will die," he said before flashing away. 

Barry crouched down, punching the dirt ground. 

"AAAHH!" he yelled. 

Minutes of anger, grief, and sadness passed before Barry picked himself up and raced back to Star Labs.

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