Chapter four. Double Shot, Extra Hot.

Barry's eyes shot open. He was on the couch with Charlotte sleeping in his arms, and an empty bottle on the coffee table beside him. He must have fallen asleep on the couch after she was done eating.

"Good morning, Charlotte." He whispered as the baby stirred in his arms. She stayed asleep though, making Barry agree with anyone who ever said that babies are nocturnal. He also had the dark under-eyes to prove it.

Barry sighed as he pulled himself off of the couch. He wished he could just curl up in the blankets on his bed and fall into a deep slumber. But he had work, and a baby to care for.

He rocked Charlotte back and forth as he walked up the stairs to his room. He didn't want to wake her up, but he didn't think Captain Singh would be happy if his CSI showed up in pajamas.

Barry gently laid her on the bed and rubbed her stomach as she began to whimper. "No, don't cry, baby." He soothed, wanting to pick her up. "Just give me a minute, I've just gotta get ready for work."

He wished he could move faster as her whimpers turned into cries and screams. "Just a minute, baby girl!" He called, wishing he could sooth her cries from where he struggled with his shirt. "I'll be right there, Charlotte."

He sped over to her, stopping just short of the bed. "Hey, it's okay." He soothed, scooping her up into his arms. "See? I'm right here."

Charlotte looked up at him. Her tear filled eyes focused on his face as her cries reduced to whimpers. "See, baby girl? I'm right here." He said, running his fingers through her dark hair.

He sighed as she stopped crying. "Now," he began, bouncing her gently. "How about we get you some food, then we go get me a coffee?"

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Barry was surprised at the amount of comments he got over Charlotte. He didn't understand why people couldn't believe that she wasn't his kid. And no, he and Iris did not have a baby together. Why did everyone ask that?

He rubbed at his eyes as he walked up to the counter at Jitters. He needed this coffee. "One Flash, please." He said, hoping he didn't sound too desperate. (Really though, he was desperate.)

The barista, Jolene, smiled. "Hey, Barry!" She greeted, then looked down at Charlotte. "Aww! She's cute! Is she yours and Iri-"

Barry stopped her. "No, she isn't mine and Iris', she isn't even mine." He said, then sighed. "I'm fostering her."

Jolene nodded, as she worked on his coffee. (Which, in Barry's mind, was taking way too long.) "Okay, that's a good answer." She replied, looking down at the coffee. "Why don't you sit down? I'll bring this to you in a moment."

Barry nodded. "Thanks." He mumbled, then sat down.

"Hey, Charlotte." He cooed, smiling as her dark eyes locked with his. "Are you having a good morning?"

Charlotte gurgled and rubbed her eyes. Unknowingly warming Barry's heart. She was the sweetest, single most precious thing in Barry's life, and he loved her dearly.

"Okay, then. We'll take that as a yes." He told her, running his thumb over her cheek.

"One Flash, and a espresso, double shot, extra hot."

Barry's head shot up, almost colliding with Jolene's tray. "I didn't order an espresso, Jolene." He said.

Jolene smiled, placing it in front of him. "I know, it's on the house." She said, then gestured to Charlotte. "You look like you could use it."

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I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!