Chapter 24

I woke up to over 30 missed calls. A few from Cisco, but most of them were from Caitlin. I didn't wake up next to Barry. Right then Caitlin's name appeared on my screen. "Hello?" I answered. "Thank god, come to S.T.A.R labs immediately." I heard her say and she ended the call. I got there as soon as I could. Barry lay on a hospital bed, but he was awake. "What happened?" I asked no one in particular. "Just a tough fight," Barry said and gave me a small smile. "You look terrible," I said. His face was still very pale which made the circles around his eyes even darker. In his hair and on his face was still some dried up blood. "You haven't seen the other guy yet," he chuckled. "Can you hand me the sweater over there?" I handed him the dark blue S.T.A.R labs sweater. He put it on and stood up, still a bit stiff. "Let's go home," he said smiling and pressed a kiss on my forehead. I laid on my bed, our bed, while listening to the running shower. Barry was humming a song I didn't know. The shower stopped and a few minutes later de bathroom door opened. His hair was still wet and his cheeks slightly red from the heat. He lay down beside me. "I'm sorry I missed our first night as housemates," he said to me. "It's fine," I muttered and snuggled closer to him. "I know our future won't be perfect," he started, "but as long as it has you in it, it is better than I deserve." I smiled. "I know we just got back together, Audrey," he looked at me, "but I truly want to be with you until the day I die." I couldn't think of a reason why he was saying all of this all of the sudden. He sat more straight up and cleared his throat. "Audrey Genevieve Raymond," he took something from his pocket, "will you marry me? It doesn't have to happen soon if you don't want to, but I want to be with you until the end of time." He opened his hand, revealing a thin silver ring with a small diamond. I kept opening and closing my mouth like some fish. "Did I mess up?" Barry asked me softly and insecure. "No!" I almost shouted it. "I want to, really. I just didn't see it coming," I said. His face light up. "Is that a yes?" He asked me. "It is a yes," I confirmed. Within a second he was attacking me with little kisses. He looked at me with the biggest smile I had ever seen and carefully placed the engagement ring on my finger. His phone buzzed. "Duty's calling. Are you coming with me, fiancee?" Before I could answer he was dressed and threw my favorite summer dress to me. "Hurry!" He was like a little child. I still had my shoes in my hands when he picked me up and sped to S.T.A.R labs. Instead of a frowning Caitlin, we were welcomed by a smiling Caitling and Cisco. And a huge congratulations sign, cake and champagne. "Surprise!" Caitlin and Cisco shouted, well Cisco shouted and Caitlin said it louder than normal. "What is this?" I asked Barry. "Our engagement party," he smiled.