Speed Force Tales ✔️

Ch 25

Caitlin pov
"This is definitely weird" Joe chuckled staring back and forth between me and future me.

"Another normal day in our household" Future me chuckled and I smiled awkwardly. I feel like I'm meeting the parents for the first time or something.

Barry noticing my anxiousness rested a hand on my knee to comfort me.

"You okay?" He whispered in my ear.

"Yeah its just-all of this is a little overwhelming. I think it has finally settled that I am seeing my future" I said with a small frown.

"It's okay. I'm right here" He said patting my knee before releasing it and grabbing a piece of cheesecake.

"So are two lovebirds newly-weds?" Joe asked taking a bite out of Liam's meat pie. I choked on my water as Barry choked on his cheesecake. We coughed a couple hundred times before finally being able to breathe again.

"Uh-no-no we aren't-we're not married" I explained blushing profoundly.

"oh" Joe whispered in surprise.

"or even dating for that matter" Barry added wiping his mouth with a napkin

"OH" Joe replied his eyes widening and apologizing under his breath.

"Wait so where are you guys?" Iris chuckled taking a bite out of her cheesecake in amusement.

"Excuse me?" I asked puzzled by her question.

"In your time where do you guys stand?" She asked eagerly as if our lives were the most recent gossip.

"Nora is two and very hyperactive" Barry spoke trying to subtlety imply the terms of our relationship.

"Nora is 2? Wait so we're still married? Oh my-" Iris chuckled humorously at the information while everybody else laughed.

'Why-why are we all laughing?" Barry smiled.

"It's just been so long since you two were married, we sometimes forget that you guys were once married" Cecile chuckles light-heartedly.

"So your love story hasn't even started. How cute!" Dawn squealed grabbing unto Nora's arm.

"Well you're in for a long and wild ride" Iris chuckled winking at us.

"Changing topics; I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your hospitality. You've saved my life in more ways than one. From the first moment Nora came to visit us in one of the many timelines; all the way down to Dawn confessing I was her mother, completely changing the course of my life forever. And even now you guys continue being my heroes. Every single person in this room has shaped the person I was, I am, and will be. I've been lucky enough to see a glimpse of my future and it is looks so bright and wonderful. I truly cannot wait to experience every milestone. Even though I am in a very different place in my life right now; I am truly glad this is my finish line. Thank you for being my family; thank you for the love you've given me and continue to give; thank you for all the past and future memories; thank you for being a part of my story." I spoke calmly and emotionally as everyone smiled at me. Iris was tearing up along with Cecile and both Barry's.

"Now I think its time to say goodbye or in our case a 'see you later'. Who knew taking care of a stranger in a comma for 9 months would change my life altogether. Fast forward a couple years and I can say I'll never regret choosing to start my career at S.T.A.R labs because it has been the single most important decision of my life. Team Flash has my life's greatest gift because it blessed with all of you today and you all make up the core essence of my life's purpose." I finished my gratitude speech with a few tears running down my cheek.

"we love you. I can confidently say I speak for all of us" Iris smiled as more tears ran down her cheek.

***

Everyone had left already. The kids had gone to bed, understandably tired from today's crazy events. I was waiting for Barry when Liam approached me by sitting opposite of me.

"Cait can we talk before you go?" Liam asked kindly.

"Of course Liam" I smiled sitting up straighter.

"I realize during dinner that in your timeline; we're still together. And I remember that you struggled to find yourself in the midst of this crazy world. I just-I just wanted to tell you that even when the whole world appears to be crumbling at your feet. We will always be there to help you out. I want you to remember that fate decides who comes into your life, your hearts decides who stays. Some believe in destiny, some believe in fate, I believe that happiness is something we create. You taught me to see life that way and before you go, I wanted to remind you that we often meet out fate on the road we take to avoid it" Liam smiles grabbing my hands in his and kissing them softly.

"Thank you Liam. Nothing in this world could ever help me express just how much you've help shape the person I wanted to be. The person I knew I could be. You taught me that where you are, is not who you are. I'll be forever grateful for you my entire life" I said softly a few tears running down my cheeks as I leaned forwards to wrap my arms around him.

"What is meant to be, will always finds its way. When it is all finished, you will discover it was never random" He whispered in my ear before kissing my forehead tenderly.

"Goodbye love" He whispered kissing my cheek while wiping my tears away. Seconds later Barry entered the living room eyeing me with worry.

"Cait are you okay? What happened?" He asked rubbing my arm.

"I'm just-I'm just at peace" I smiled taking a deep breath.

Future Caitlin and Barry walked side by side right in front of us.

"Before you guys head back we need to do something" Future Barry explained as Future Caitlin hesitantly looked at us directly before speaking herself.

"A few years ago, Liam and I were able to perfect a mind wiping memory machine to use for these exact situations. We had several people travel back and forth in time and we knew we needed some sort of tool to help avoid drastic changes in timelines. Before you guys go back in time; we need to wipe both of your memories. You both know way too much and we want to keep the course of our future intact, we need to make sure nothing changes. I hope you guys can understand" Future Caitlin said with a guilty frown.

Barry and I glanced at each other knowing we had no other choice.

"we understand. It's okay" I smiled sadly.

"Do it" Barry agreed grabbing my hand in his for moral support.

"Alright. Ready?" She asked pointed the white machine at our faces.

"Ready" Barry and I both said simultaneously. Before a blinding like disoriented by vision completely, I met Liam gaze and he gave his signature dimpled smile and as my mind slipped into darkness, I could feel my lips shape into a smile.
One more chapter!!!  🥺🥺