Chapter Text
The shrill beep of the alarm sliced through the stillness of the morning, dragging Barry from a sleep filled with a frankly strange dream. In the dream, his mom was alive and he and Emma weren't married. Wally was Kid Flash and had taken on the Rival, Edward Clariss, only to end up severely wounded. It was a strange dream. Oddly detached from his real life, yet strangely vivid, like a life that could have been if the world had been a little different.
Barry groaned in protest, his hand blindly reaching out to silence the noise. As his fingers made contact with the clock, Hope's cry suddenly pierced the air. It was high and insistent, echoing through the walls of their loft. A familiar sound now, one that never failed to pull him from his dreams into the reality of their chaotic life.
Barry blinked, his mind still foggy with sleep, his eyes squinting against the early morning light that filtered through the curtains. The light was soft, almost golden, and it cast long, sleepy shadows across the room. It was Mother's Day, and already, their world was in full swing—disorder, love, and the hum of parenthood.
In the doorway, Emma stood, framed by the soft morning light, a picture of exhaustion and chaos. She wore her favorite worn-out pajamas, the ones with faded patterns of stars and moons, dotted here and there with faint traces of applesauce—likely from the previous night's attempt at feeding Hope. Her brown hair was pinned messily into a bun that had long since lost its shape, stray strands falling around her face like she had just stepped out of a battle zone. Her eyes were bleary from lack of sleep, but even in her fatigue, there was a spark of humor.
"Guess who decided to wake up early on Mother's Day, feed, and finally decided to go to sleep now until the alarm went off?" Emma said, her voice a mixture of frustration and exhaustion, as she rested her hands on her hips. She didn't look annoyed—just weary, like she had been fighting an uphill battle all night. She let out a little laugh, one of those tired, defeated chuckles. "I swear, if she wasn't so cute..."
Emma trailed off, her voice faltering for just a moment, and then she added, with a tired smile, "I so want to go back to bed, but I have that brunch with Mom, babe. I'm exhausted."
Barry's heart softened at the sight of her—so strong yet so drained. He could see how much she gave, even when it felt like there was nothing left to give. Pulling himself up, he stretched his arms and let out a groan as the bed creaked beneath him. He rubbed his eyes, his mind still struggling to process the events of the past few months. Parenthood was nothing short of transformative.
He turned toward Emma, a smile spreading across his face despite the exhaustion pulling at his own body. "Hey," he said softly, his voice hoarse with sleep. He reached out to her, pulling her into a gentle embrace. The warmth of her body against his was comforting, grounding in the midst of the chaos that had become their new normal. "After brunch, I promise you can nap the rest of the day. Just some quality time sleeping in. I'll put her back to bed again. Everything will be alright."
Barry pressed a kiss to her forehead, a brief but grounding moment amidst the whirlwind of parenthood. For a second, it was just the two of them—Emma and Barry—away from the crying baby, the laundry piling up, the world outside their door. It was the calm before the storm of the day ahead.
As they pulled apart, he saw the tiredness in her eyes but also the softening of her features, the relief in knowing she wasn't in this alone. She leaned into him, and her voice was quieter now, full of vulnerability. "You're sure?"
"Of course," Barry promised, brushing a strand of her messy hair away from her face. His fingers lingered there for just a moment, soft and reassuring. "I've got this, Em."
Emma sighed deeply, and for a second, the weight of the day seemed to settle into her shoulders. She kissed his cheek, her lips lingering there for a moment, a silent thanks for the reassurance. "You're the best. I really don't know how you do it all."
"I don't," Barry admitted with a smirk, offering her a playful glance. "But I've got you to back me up."
Just as Emma was about to reply, Hope's cries grew louder, more frantic. It was as if the tiny girl knew her parents were just a moment too late in getting up. Barry squeezed Emma's shoulders, his fingers lingering on the worn fabric of her pajamas before he pulled away.
"Alright, baby speedster, time for Daddy to do his thing," he said softly, his voice warm with affection. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips, despite the exhaustion clouding his own thoughts. He slipped out of bed and stood, stretching the kinks from his back as he padded toward the nursery. His bare feet made no sound on the hardwood floor as he moved through the dimly lit hallway, the soft light from the window casting gentle shadows across the walls.
Emma watched him go, a small smile tugging at her lips. Even in her exhaustion, she found strength in watching him take over the little moments, the small but important acts of fatherhood. She let herself sink back into the softness of the bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin, allowing the warmth to pull her back toward sleep, even if just for a few more minutes.
Barry's footsteps were quick but measured as he entered Hope's nursery. The walls of the room were painted a soft yellow, with a few stuffed animals and pastel-colored bookshelves lined with children's books. The crib was in the far corner, a mobile gently turning above it, casting delicate shadows on the walls. The air smelled faintly of baby lotion and lavender, and the hum of the white noise machine was a comforting backdrop to the soft cries of his daughter.
Barry stepped to the crib, his heart swelling with a familiar, protective love. Hope was kicking her legs in frustration, her tiny fists reaching up, desperate for comfort in the unfamiliarity of the moment. She was just so small, so fragile, and yet, as soon as Barry lifted her into his arms, everything felt right.
Without a second thought, he cradled her close, her tiny body warm and soft against his chest. The cries faded almost immediately, replaced by a steady, rhythmic breathing as her little fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt. He rocked her gently, the instinctive movement soothing both her and him in the way only a father could understand.
"Shh, it's okay, little one," Barry murmured, his voice soft and calming. He adjusted her in his arms, letting her settle against his chest. As he rocked her, the room seemed to quiet, the noise of the world outside fading away. He hummed a soft tune, the lullaby that had become their go-to in the early months.
"Hush, little baby, don't say a word," he began, the familiar words flowing from his lips as he rocked her gently in his arms.
"Daddy's going to buy you a mockingbird," he continued, his voice soothing, low, and full of affection. Hope's little fingers twitched, as if responding to the sound of his voice.
"And if that mockingbird don't sing," Barry sang, his tone playful now, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Daddy's going to buy you a diamond ring," he added, his voice a little warmer, a little more melodic.
Hope stirred just slightly, her eyelids fluttering, but she didn't cry. She was listening, feeling the comfort in the rhythm of his voice.
"And if that diamond ring turns to brass," he continued, the words floating out like a promise.
"Daddy's gonna buy you a looking glass," he finished, the last note soft and lingering in the air.
Hope's little body relaxed further in his arms, her breathing evening out. Barry continued to rock her slowly, lost in the tender moment. His heart felt full, wrapped in the warmth of his daughter's tiny body and the quiet, unspoken bond they shared.
"I've got you, kid," Barry whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. The weight of everything—the endless responsibilities, the unknown future, the chaos—seemed to fade away, replaced with something pure and unwavering. Something that felt more important than anything else.
Hope's tiny hand curled into a fist around the fabric of his shirt, and Barry smiled softly, rocking her just a little longer. He didn't know what the future would hold, but with Emma by his side and Hope in his arms, he knew one thing for sure: he was exactly where he was meant to be.
***
The morning light spilled through the windows of their cozy loft, casting warm golden beams over the quiet space. Barry stood by the door, watching as Emma worked her way through the last few finishing touches, making sure Hope was properly dressed for their Mother's Day brunch. Emma was a vision in a lavender sundress, the soft fabric flowing around her as she adjusted Hope's little sunhat, the vibrant yellow of her daughter's dress matching her own. Hope giggled in her stroller, oblivious to the earlier fussing that morning, the little girl now radiating joy.
Barry leaned against the doorframe, a smile spreading across his face as he watched his two favorite ladies. There was something effortlessly beautiful about the way they looked together—Hope, with her tiny hands grabbing at the air, and Emma, the epitome of motherhood and grace.
"Okay, sweetheart," Emma said softly, gently smoothing Hope's hair back as she smiled at her. "All set for brunch. How's my little girl look?"
Hope let out another giggle, tugging at her sunhat as if it were the funniest thing in the world. Barry's heart melted, watching the two of them so happy and at peace.
Barry grabbed his phone off the counter and, with a quick smile, aimed the camera at them. "Alright, smile!" he said, snapping a photo just as Hope beamed up at him with that pure, innocent joy only a baby could have.
Emma gave a small, knowing smile, her eyes twinkling as she caught sight of the photo. "You're going to put that one in the memory book, aren't you?"
Barry grinned and nodded. "Absolutely. I have to remember these moments before they grow up too fast," he said, his voice filled with warmth as he lowered his phone and gave Emma a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be here when you get back. You two go have fun."
Emma smiled, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us? It's Mother's Day. You deserve to be there, too."
Barry chuckled and shook his head, his hand brushing her arm affectionately. "I've got some things to catch up on at the CCPD. Don't worry about me," he said, his voice light, though his heart squeezed at the thought of missing out on the day. "You two go have some fun. I'll join you later."
Emma sighed softly, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer before she gave him a teasing smile. "Okay, well, don't work too hard, Mr. Allen."
Barry laughed and nodded, watching as she carefully picked up Hope and placed her into the stroller. "You two are going to look fabulous," he added, giving them both a final smile before watching them head out.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Barry stood in the quiet of their apartment for a moment longer. The stillness felt a little emptier without them, but it also gave him a moment to appreciate the little details. This was his life now. And even on the busiest days, even when everything felt chaotic, he wouldn't have it any other way.
***
At the bistro, the peaceful atmosphere was in full swing. Emma, Hope, and Iantha settled in at a corner table outside, the sun casting a perfect spring warmth over the patio. Iantha had arrived early, as usual, already chatting up the waitstaff as they brought her coffee. She greeted Emma with a warm kiss on the cheek, pulling her in for a hug.
"Looking beautiful as always, sweetheart," Iantha said as she gave Hope a playful squeeze. "And look at you, darling. Ready for a sunny Mother's Day!"
Hope, ever the curious little one, was happily babbling, reaching for the flowers on the table, while Emma took a seat beside her mother, settling into the moment.
"I think she might have more energy than I do today," Emma said with a laugh as she took off her sunglasses. "She's still on baby time. Hopefully, we get a little nap later, though, I'm not counting on it."
Iantha chuckled. "Naps are a myth at that age. Just wait until she's a toddler. Then you'll really be chasing after her."
Emma rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, I can only imagine."
The waitress arrived, and they placed their orders—scrambled eggs, pancakes, and fresh fruit for Emma and Iantha, while Hope was already enjoying a bottle that her grandmother was holding out.
As they settled into conversation, the soft clinking of silverware and background murmurs of other brunch-goers filled the space. Emma felt a brief moment of peace, the chaos of her life settling into the warm hum of a Sunday morning.
The peacefulness was shattered moments later.
The front door of the bistro burst open with a violent crash as two men, dressed in dark clothes and ski masks, rushed in. They were waving guns, shouting for everyone to get on the floor.
"Everybody down! This is a robbery!" one of them shouted, his voice grating with panic.
The restaurant froze. The clink of silverware and murmur of voices stopped instantly. Emma's heart leapt into her throat. Her eyes flicked to Hope, whose wide green eyes were still blissfully unaware, and then to Iantha, who immediately reached for her hand, squeezing it reassuringly.
Emma's breath hitched, her mind racing. She instinctively reached for her phone, pulling it from her bag. Her fingers moved with practiced ease, tapping on the panic button she'd set up months ago, considering Team Flash members had gotten kidnapped numerous times as a trend. It was discreet, a simple app that sent a signal directly to the Cortex—and more importantly, to Barry.
"Stay calm," Iantha whispered softly, her voice full of confidence, as though she had seen far worse in her life. "It's going to be fine."
But Emma knew better. It never hurt to take precautions, especially when her daughter was involved.
The robbers, still focused on the other diners, hadn't noticed Emma's quick move. Emma's finger hovered over the screen as she sent out the signal.
***
Barry had just settled into the quiet of his apartment when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the alert. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the panic app notification.
Without hesitation, Barry moved. In the blink of an eye, he was out the door, already racing through the streets, his mind focused entirely on Emma and Hope.
***
The Flash arrived in a blur, his red and gold suit a streak of color that appeared out of nowhere. In less than a second, he was in front of the two armed robbers. Before they could react, Barry disarmed one of them, sending him into a pile of chairs. The second thug had no chance as Barry's hand shot out and pinned him to the ground in an instant.
The restaurant erupted into chaos as the robbers were swiftly neutralized, and within moments, The Flash brought them to the CCPD, Joe and Captain Singh who cuffed them.
Barry, still in his Flash suit, sped back to the scene. His first glance was to Emma, who was still holding Hope tightly, both of them looking shaken but safe. He exhaled in relief, feeling the weight of the moment lift off his chest.
"You okay?" Barry asked, his voice soft and full of concern as he walked toward them.
Emma gave him a tight smile, still holding Hope close. "We're fine. Thanks to you."
Iantha, ever the mischievous mother, gave Barry a sly wink. "Well, now that you've saved the day, there's an extra seat here for you," she said with a teasing tone. "We're just waiting on you now."
Barry grinned, feeling the tension drain from his body. "I think I could use some brunch," he said, looking at Emma and Hope.
In a flash, he disappeared, reappearing moments later in a button-up shirt and khakis, slowly jogging, ready to join them for the rest of the Mother's Day celebration.
As he slid into the seat next to Emma, he kissed Hope's forehead and then leaned over to kiss Emma on the lips. "Happy Mother's Day," he whispered.
Emma smiled, her eyes filled with warmth and relief. "Happy Mother's Day, babe."
The moment was perfect. The world felt right again.
***
After brunch, the trio made their way to STAR Labs, with Barry feeling a mix of lightness from the morning's joy and the lingering weight of his strange dream. Emma, still radiant in her lavender sundress, was pushing Hope's stroller, the baby girl's bright yellow sunhat perched carefully on her head. The scene felt idyllic, and for a moment, everything was right in the world.
As they walked into the Cortex, Cisco looked up from his station and grinned. "There's our favorite mother-daughter duo," he said, his usual exuberance lighting up the room.
Emma shot him a playful wink, while Hope, ever the charmer, let out a soft giggle. The young baby's small hand waved as if greeting everyone.
"No one tries to ruin Mother's Day brunch and gets away with it," Caitlin chimed in, stepping forward to boop Hope on the nose. Hope giggled again, and Caitlin smiled warmly, her eyes softening as she looked at the pair. "You both look adorable today," she added, her voice a little more tender than usual.
Barry felt a warmth spread through him at the sight of his family being so effortlessly embraced by the team. His heart swelled with love for Emma, Hope, and for the makeshift family they'd all built together. He shifted his gaze back to Cisco, noting the quiet way his friend was watching them.
"Hey, how's the support group going?" Barry asked, his voice dropping slightly as he moved toward Cisco.
Cisco's expression shifted just a little, but the usual energy never fully left his voice. "I'm getting through it," he replied simply. He'd been attending a support group for a while after his brother, Dante, had tragically died in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. The loss still hung heavily in the air around Cisco, but he was slowly finding his way through the grief, one day at a time.
Barry nodded, offering a sympathetic smile. "I'm glad to hear it, man."
Before Cisco could say anything more, Barry ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts returning to the strange dream he'd had the night before. "Dude, I had the strangest dream last night," he began, his voice taking on a slightly distant tone. "At work, Captain Singh was replaced with Captain Mendez, Em and I weren't married, and... my mom was alive. It felt so real."
Barry paused, feeling a weird sense of disorientation as he thought back on the vivid details. "There was another speedster named Rival, Edward Clariss. Wally was fighting him—Wally was a speedster too-Kid Flash—and he got hurt. I couldn't save him, Cisco. Do you think I had some sort of vibe? Like, a warning or something?"
Cisco raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the strange mix of details. "Wally was in Keystone when the Particle Accelerator went off," Cisco said slowly, glancing at the terminal where the information on speedsters was stored. "But I'll check on this Clariss guy for you. See if there's anything weird with him."
He started typing quickly, pulling up details. "Dude's a mechanic. Pretty normal life, nothing that screams speedster. Clearly, I didn't name him Rival—because I would've totally picked something way cooler."
Barry snorted despite himself. "Yeah, knowing you, I'm sure you'd have come up with something much more dramatic."
Cisco chuckled, a little humor breaking through the heaviness of the conversation. But the thought of the dream still tugged at Barry. He rubbed the back of his neck, turning to Caitlin, who had been quietly listening.
"And the last time I remembered," Caitlin added thoughtfully, "dead people can't come back to life, right? Maybe your brain is just processing all the things you've lost. Maybe it was your subconscious telling you how much you miss your mom."
Barry sighed, nodding as he ran a hand over his face. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe I'm digging too much into it. It just felt like... like it meant something."
Emma, who had been standing beside Barry, placed a gentle hand on his arm. Her presence always had the ability to calm him, especially in moments of uncertainty. She looked up at him with a soft smile. "Remember you promised we were going to nap the rest of the day after that early wake-up call Hope gave us?" she asked, her voice light but filled with the comforting reminder of simple, quiet moments.
Barry smiled down at her, feeling a wave of affection. "I remember," he replied. His heart warmed at the thought of a peaceful afternoon with his two favorite girls. "I'll see you guys later."
With one final wave to Cisco and Caitlin, Barry ushered Emma and Hope out of the Cortex, his body moving at a near blur as he sped them back home in a flash. The world outside turned into streaks of light, but in the small bubble of their family, everything felt steady, like he could finally breathe again.
As they landed softly at their loft, Barry took a deep breath, his thoughts still dancing between the strangeness of his dream and the comfort of his present reality. Today was supposed to be a day of rest, of enjoyment with his family. And with Emma and Hope by his side, he was determined to let nothing spoil that.