all i want for christmas.

Barry knew that being a hero was going to be a challenge, between saving people as The Flash and being a CSI for the CCPD things could be difficult. He was running late and for someone with his abilities that was unbelievable. "Really Barry?" Joe west walked over to him and shook his head. "I know.. " he was quick to apologize and began examining evidence. It had been a tough couple of years for him.

With Zoom killing his father and him screwing up the time line things were not easy. He had found a nice girl he was falling for but because his job and alter ego kept him busy Barry never had time for their. He had to let her go. Christmas this year was definitely hard for Barry even if he still had Cisco and Caitlyn and not forgetting the West family.

After a long day as a CSI Barry went straight home showered Nd sat around for awhile. He rubbed his face with the palms of his hand as he thought about whT he was going to do about this new threat. His phone buzzed and there was a name he wasn't expecting to pop up. He was quick to pick up, "hey..."

---

Chloe Barnes didn't think much about what her roots were, not really. She focused on the future. Barnes was such a common last name she didn't realize we relationship with her boyfriend's best friend was than just friendship. She had spent most of her life running from her problems she didn't think about her family tree. She hated her father so much she took her mother's maiden name as her own.

"finished what do you think?" She asked her friend, Vanessa. "I think you're boyfriend is going to be embarrassed by the captain America theme Christmas tree... why would you do that to Steve?" She laughed. Chloe shrugged, "Sam and Bucky said it would be a great idea so .. don't look at me like that it's cute! And two weeks til Christmas.. hopefully he'll be home soon.."

Charlotte hadn't seen it coming at all. Sure, maybe Barry had been acting a bit distant, but she had kind of expected that when his father died. She still didn't really know how it had happened, but she wasn't about to ask for all of the details when it was still so new. She wouldn't ask Barry to explain it all to her when she knew how much it would pain him to do so, and she wasn't forceful or angry when he started acting a little distant after the fact, but maybe she should have put up more of a fight and not allowed him to distance himself from her the way that he had. Maybe they'd still be together if she had.

She never was one to dwell too much on the past, but it was easier said than done when it came to Barry Allen. It wasn't like they'd been together for a short time when he broke up with her, it had been a year and a half, and would be two years coming up soon enough if they were still together. She'd loved him, still did, and they'd had a couple of serious conversations that made her think that he might have been it for her. She wasn't the only one who had adored him either. The forensic scientist had won the hearts of many of the people in her family, including her little niece, Clara. She hadn't really thought much about the holidays and breaking the news to her until she questioned her ex's presence at Thanksgiving dinner. She'd made up an excuse that her niece had, thankfully, believed, however she knew that she couldn't make the same excuse for Christmas Eve. She thought for a while about how to break the news to her niece gently before coming to the conclusion that she couldn't do that. Which left her in her current situation, dialing an all too familiar number that she hadn't called in a few weeks.

She wasn't sure what to say at first when he answered and was silent for a couple of seconds as she realized just how much she'd missed hearing his voice. "Hey..." She finally said after a few brief moments of silence. "Is this a bad time? I totally understand if it is, busy time of year and all."

---

Steve hated being away from his girlfriend. He knew that Chloe always worried about him when he was off on a mission, especially when it was one where he was in a remote area or somewhere he needed to go undercover and then he couldn't contact her at all. Of course, that just so happened to be the kind of mission that he'd been on for the last couple of weeks now. It had been tough, especially with the time of year, and he was beyond thankful for the fact that everything was accomplished that needed to be accomplished, and some, and that he'd be going home to his best girl soon enough.

"See? I told you we'd get you home to your girl before Christmas." Sam said as he took a seat on the quinjet next to Steve. "Now I don't have to worry about Chloe murdering me next time I see her." Steve chuckled in response to his friend's words and shook his head. "I doubt that she would murder you, but she probably would have been pretty upset if I didn't get home before Christmas." He had promised her that he would after all, be home that is, and that seemed to be a promise that he was going to keep now.

Barry basically isolated himself from the people he loved and cared about, even his fans would notice the Flash's demeanor had changed. He was no longer vibrant as he once was. Sure, he would stop by and say hi to bystanders but it wasn't the same. Something had changed and the citizens had noticed. Barry wouldn't be the same, he had gotten his father out of jail only to lose him again.

Barry didn't want to hurt Charlotte that's the last thing he wanted but with everything crumbling beneath his feet he just couldn't handle the stress anymore. Some would call him a coward for just breaking up with her on the spot but Barry was doing this for her own good. He loved Charlotte and before the whole Zoom situation he was planning on asking her to move in with him. Things hadn't worked in his favor. He rubbed his head as he had picked up the phone. "No.. it's fine. I was just finishing up work stuff. Anyway, how are you doing?" He asked sitting down on his sofa. Barry knew something was up he could hear it in Charlotte's voice

Barry still cared deeply about Charlotte and though it had been almost a month since he saw her he still missed her. He wanted to hug her and kiss her. "I'm sorry I've been busy.."

---

Chloe laughed looking at her tree, "he's gonna kill you.." Chloe shook her head, "he adores me he wouldn't kill me.. been together for like almost two years I don't think this tree will bother him..." Chloe hummed as she walked over to finish up dinner. "So he's going to come home soon wheres Bucky?" She asked softly. Chloe smirked, "gotta thing for his metal arm huh? "

Chloe made sure to text Sam pictures of the tree and she would get s lot of laughing emojis. "Sam and Bucky think it's hilarious, I think you're right Nessa, Steve is gonna kill someone but not me.. probably Sam " she laughed. steeveeeee my love! I can't wait to see the Christmas tree. It's beautiful lol.

I miss you. "I've been alright, things have been kind of hectic lately, but that's the holidays for you, right?" Charlotte said. "How have you been?" She hated how awkward this conversation was. She hated that this conversation needed to be had in the first place. When they were still together, it was just a known fact that they'd spend Christmas Eve with her family and Christmas Day over at the West's. That wasn't the case any more. If she didn't make this phone call, then Barry wouldn't be coming over at all. Of course, there was a good chance that he might say no when she asked him to come over, but she was hoping that he wouldn't. She was really hoping that he wouldn't.

"It's fine, we're not together anymore, Barry. You shouldn't feel obligated to stay in touch with me." She said before shutting her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger. She hadn't meant for her words to come out that way. It was a much harsher statement than she'd wanted it to be. "I mean--I didn't mean for that to come out that way...I was actually just calling to ask you a favor...you can totally say no if you want to...I'll completely understand...." She started rambling.

---

"Chloe really isn't all that intimidating, Wilson." Bucky said as he walked over and took a seat next to Steve and Sam. "I don't really think I asked you for your input, Tinman." Steve sighed, running a hand over his face as his friends started to bicker. He had hoped that the bickering would come to an end eventually, but so far that didn't seem to be the case at all.If anything, it at least kept things interesting, though it did get annoying after a while. He was somewhat surprised when they both started laughing, though when he looked over he saw that they were both looking down at their phones. They weren't palling around, that was for sure, though there was something that clearly had them both equally as amused.

His attention shifted down to his own cell phone when he saw a text message from his girlfriend. He smiled and sent her a quick text message back. Might that be why Bucky and Sam were laughing a little while ago? If it is, I don't know if I should be scared or excited. He couldn't wait to get home to Chloe. He hated being away from her on missions, but it was even worse around the holidays. It was a time to be spent with loved ones, not off in some remote country fighting bad guys. He knew that they didn't stop just because it was the holiday season, but part of honestly wished that they did.

Barry missed her, of course he did and he didn't want things to end on a sour note but he did what he had to. Superheroes always sacrificed everything for their loved ones and that's what he did. Barry wanted Charlotte to stay safe, after what Zoom did he didn't want anything to happen to her either. He distanced himself from the rest of the team as well. He wanted to do this by himself or with other meta humans.

Barry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly runnning his hand over his face, "yeah.. I know. I just feel bad about the fallout I'm sorry." Barry walked around his apartment while he talked to Charlotte. "It's fine honestly, I think I deserved it" he chuckled. He listened as she asked him for a favor, "yeah of course anything, we're still friends right?" He asked. Barry didn't want to completely isolate himself from her but he didn't put her in danger.

---

Chloe looked in the mirror and grinned, "you think I look okay?" She looked over at Vanessa, who chuckled. "Steve might be polite but I think his jaw might drop a little bit, look at you. Gorgeous. Oh is Bucky coming?" She asked with a sly smile. "Yes, he's single so ask him out already"

Chloe grinned at the text her boyfriend sent her, it'll be fine it's just.. how the Christmas tree is set up. Anyway, dinner is ready we're just waiting for you three to get home... Chloe went to the kitchen to get out the wine out of the fridge.

@ sam winchester.

"It's in the past now, it doesn't matter." Charlotte said quietly. She hadn't called him so that she could receive apologies that she didn't want or need. What she wanted was an explanation, she still didn't fully understand why he'd ended things with her when he had. She knew that he'd been going through a hard time after losing his father, but she hadn't expected him to break up with her, and she was almost certain that there was much more to it than that. Now that they weren't together any longer though, truthfully he didn't owe her an explanation if he didn't care to give her one, and that wasn't why she had called him anyway.

I don't know if I can just be friends with you. "Yeah, of course we are, Barry." She said, knowing well enough that her response hadn't been convincing whatsoever. "I kind of haven't told anyone that we broke up...I was going to...but then Clara asked where you were on Thanksgiving, and I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth, she adores you Barry, so I made up with an excuse that I think everyone believed...I know she'll know something's wrong if you don't show up Christmas Eve though, and I don't even care about the rest of my family or not having someone during the holidays, but I care about Clara, and the last thing that I want is for her to be heartbroken on Christmas...and I know that this is putting us both in a really awkward position but would you mind coming over to my parents' house Christmas Eve?"

---

They're both cracking ribs because of how you decorate the Christmas tree? Now I really think that I should be scared...kidding...kind of. We're on the quinjet now, should be back within the hour. I'll see you soon, doll. Steve put his phone away after sending the text. He couldn't wait to get home so that he could see Chloe. And now he was kind of really curious to see what she had done with the Christmas tree. They had planned on decorating it together once he got back, but he had hoped to be home before Christmas, and it was Christmas Eve now. Hopefully next year they'd have more time together during the holidays and he could help her decorate the tree and they could watch all those cheesy Christmas movies she'd told him about.

"Was that Chloe." Bucky asked curiously. Steve nodded. "Yeah, she was telling me how you two punks were laughing about how she decorate the tree. I'm not sure if I should be scared based off of your reactions or not." He chuckled slightly. "Oh, and dinner'll be on the table once we get there."

Barry and Charlotte had spent so much time together before and while dating that they got to the point in the relationship that they both met each other's families. His dad had loved her so much just like Barry did so his death was painful for Charlotte as well. Barry just didn't ever want to put someone else in danger like that again. He didn't want to lose anymore people, he also couldn't just quit being The Flash people depended on him. He couldn't let innocent lives be put in danger. He was so conflicted.

He listened as Charlotte spoke to him about how she hadn't mentioned the break up to her family. Barry loved Charlotte's family they made him feel so included and her niece adored him. He would always tell her about his job and she'd tell him about her likes and how she loved the Flash. He had even gotten her an autograph for her. It was sweet. He missed them too, but he couldn't possibly say no to Charlotte. "Oh... well. I understand Christmas time and I don't want her to be upset. Or you.. of course I'll do it just tell me what I need to do?"

---

Chloe finished putting everything g together and turned to look at Vanessa, "they're almost here and I'm so excited to see them again!" She grinned. Vanessa smiled, "you know.. I've noticed something about you...the other day I was talking to Natasha, about Bucky because I okay have a thing for him anyway... I noticed when you smile that stupid cheesy cute smile of yours, your eyes crinkle .." Chloe was confused, "uh what are you getting at? Steve loves the way I smile he says something is really familiar about it and it makes him smile... why?" Vanessa shrugged, "you and Bucky smile and laugh very similar almost like you're relegated now I know that's not true but you guys have the same last name" she chuckled.

Chloe wasn't sure why her friend even brought that on but Chloe didn't think much of it. "No, we can't be related that's just crazy.,, my mom kept her maiden name which I wanted to keep because my father is awful., no.. let's just okay.. a lot of people look alike we don't look just stop okay" she laughed grabbing the wine and pouring herself a drink,

Maybe Charlotte would have seen it coming if their relationship hadn't been so serious. Sure, it had been a tough time for Barry, but she'd met his father, and his death had been pretty tough for her too. She'd hated seeing how much it tore Barry apart more than anything else though. She'd loved him, and she still did, and she had just tried her best to be there for him while he grieved, but then he'd broken things off with her. And she couldn't be there for him, and honestly the last month had sucked way more than she could have ever imagined it would. She had a feeling this holiday was going to suck too though. Things were bound to be awkward between her and Barry, and she knew having him around, even if it was just for a night, was bound to hurt like hell. She'd get through it though. She hoped that she would anyway.

"You're sure?" She asked slowly, her lower lip catching between her teeth. She knew that it was going to be equally as awkward for her as it would be for him, but if she was okay with it, then so was she. "I don't want you to do it if you don't want to...but if you're sure then just come to my parents' house Christmas Eve. Dinner's at six, but everyone's heading over around two or two-thirty. No one can know that we broke up though, Barry. I'm going to tell everyone afterwards, but I really just don't want Clara finding out at Christmas."

---

"I don't know if you should be scared about how she decorated it per say. What do you think, Wilson? Chloe's decorating job wasn't scary, was it?" Bucky asked Steve's other friend. Steve supposed if there was anyone's judgement that he could trust it was Bucky's, but it would be a bit more convincing if Sam were to agree with him considering, well, the two hardly ever agreed on anything at all. If they agreed about this, then he knew that his girlfriend's decoration job was likely one that would bring him amusement of some sort.

"I don't think he'll find it scary, but his reaction will definitely be one that I'm going to be recording and sending out to the rest of the team." Sam said in response to Bucky's question, causing Steve to chuckle. "Alright, I definitely need to see this Christmas tree for myself then." He said as the quinjet landed at the base. Just landed, see you soon. He sent a quick text to Chloe before he and the others exited the quinjet. "See? We told ya we'd get you home in time for Christmas, ya punk." Bucky said, clapping Steve on the back as they exited the quinjet.

Barry was now lying n his bed thinking about every thing that has happened in the last few months. He wanted so badly to hug her and tell Charlotte how he's never stopped loving and caring about her. Barry paced around the apartment listening to Charlotte's voice. He had missed it so much. He looked at the time and ran a hand through his hair.

"Yeah.. Charlie you know I'd do anything for you... I mean sorry I know you hate when people call you that..." He had called her Charlie to annoy her and get her to pout. Something he'd love about her. "I want to do it and I promise I won't be awkward ha.. or try not to be." Barry had always been the awkward person and it's somet5hjng thay wouldn't change.

---

Chloe felt a little overdressed but she didn't care she wanted to surprise her boyfriend with her new dress. She sent Steve a winking emojis and heart before returning to her conversation with Vanessa. "Don't bring that weird topic up when Bucky gets here okay, flirt but don't embarrass me..,"

Chloe stared our the window waiting for her super soldier boyfriend to come back to her. Chloe remember the moment they met and how he just made her smile.

Charlotte didn't really know why, but she actually smiled when he called her Charlie. Normally that annoyed her beyond belief, and Barry would only call her that because he knew that it did, but she wasn't annoyed this time. Maybe it was the sense of familiarity that she had missed, she couldn't entirely be sure, but it still hadn't annoyed her like it normally would have. Instead, it made her smile. She couldn't tell him that though, they weren't together anymore. He'd broken up with her.

"It's alright, don't worry about it." She said quietly. "If you're really sure then I guess I'll see you then." She didn't want to cut the conversation short, she'd missed talking to him more than she could have ever possibly imagined, but she had to. This didn't mean that they were getting back together. He was merely doing her a favor for Clara's sake. "Goodnight, Barry."

---

Steve was eager to get back to his girl and that was fairly obvious as he, Bucky and Sam exited the quinjet. "You two did tell me that we'd get back before Christmas, I'll admit to that." He agreed as they walked off. Part of him had worried that they wouldn't make it back in time, but they had, albeit cutting it a bit close, and that was what really mattered to him.

Thankfully the ride back to his and Chloe's apartment was a short one, and he wouldn't be keeping his best girl waiting for his arrival much longer as he waited for the elevator to go up to their floor. He didn't think that he could will it to go up any faster as much as he hoped that it would. "You do realize that staring that thing down isn't going to make it go any faster, right?" Sam teased him. "Shut up, Wilson. He's just excited to see his girl." Bucky said as they all stepped out of the elevator and made their way to the apartment.

Barry wanted to tell her about his other life he often struggled with that when they were dating but he also thought about the consequences of that. He didn't want to risk it, He offen felt bad leaving Charlotte to go save the world he was surprised she didn't suspect anything but she was so understanding that he felt he didn't deserve her. Charlotte is such a sweet and thoughtful person someone who cares so much and Barry just didn't deserve her. He didn't want to put her at risk so he did what he felt was necessary.

Barry nodded his head even though she couldn't see him, "I'll show up and try not to be so awkward " he chuckled. He had to play it cool, "good night Charlotte, I'll see you soon." After they hung up Barry went to sit down on his bed and sighed he missed her so much, he still had some old pictures of her and he'd look at them a lot.

---

Chloe stared at her decorated tree and smiled wide as her whole apartment screamed Christmas she was really excited. She could hardly wait to be engulfed in Steve's muscular arms. He basically towered her, at 5'2 she was short but he seemed to enjoy picking her up. "It's like you want to melt the door with heat vision or something relax. Chloe he'll be here soon. What did you get him for Christmas anyway?" Vanessa Asked as her eager friend looked at all the neatly decorated gifts under the tree. "Art stuff, like it's a tad bit expensive but I love him so much I didn't care I saved up for it.."

Chloe paced for a few minutes before she turned to look at her friend, "I think I hear footsteps!" She was so excited it was almost too cute. She pushed some of her bangs out of the way and waited.

"You already said that." Charlotte pointed out, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she heard him laugh. God, she missed him. She wanted so badly to tell him that she did, but she knew that would just make things awkward, and she really, really didn't want that. Things were bound to be awkward Christmas Eve anyway, she didn't want to add to that any more if she didn't have to. He broke up with you, remember? Just because you miss him doesn't mean that he misses you. She knew that he had a reason for breaking things off with her, whether she knew what that reason was or not, she knew that it still existed. After the holidays she'd tell her family the truth, and then she wouldn't bother him again. She'd move on, or at least try to anyway.

The days came and went, and before she even realized it, it was Christmas Eve. Charlotte had hoped to have more time to prepare herself for seeing Barry that day, however the so-called Christmas rush lived up to its full potential and she hardly had any time to herself the days following her conversation with Barry. She headed over to her parents' house a little bit early to see if they needed any help, and they even noticed that something was off. "Are you sure you're alright, sweetheart? You seem like you're on edge...it's not like you. This is your favorite time of year." Her mother said, causing Charlotte to let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm fine, mom. Work's just been a little hectic lately. I'll try to be less on edge though. I'm sorry if I'm acting strange."

---

Steve unlocked the door to the apartment once they reached it and was the first one inside. He smiled when he spotted his girlfriend, not even paying any mind to the Christmas decorations as he made his way over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. Going off on long missions never got any easier. He hated being away from Chloe for extended periods of time, but it was what came with the job. He sometimes wondered why Chloe tolerated him being away as well as she seemed to. It had to be tough on her, being with someone in his line of work. He was glad that she did though, he sometimes wondered what he'd do without her in his life.

"I missed you." He mumbled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as he held her close. It was moments like this that made it all worthwhile though. Sure, being away from her for weeks, and sometimes even months, at a time was tough, but it was all worth it when he finally did get to see her again. He cherished these moments more than he thought that she might even realize.

Barry chuckled at the memories of Charlotte and him during some holidays and birthdays. She was always giving him a hard time and most couples did that every once in awhile but they'd be the couple who constantly did that. He missed her sassy remarks and the way she laughed at his stupid jokes. Yes, sometimes she'd call him out on how cheesy they were but she'd laugh anyway. Because she loved him. He hoped that one day maybe they could. E together and that he'd reveal his secret to her. When it was safer. He didn't want to be alone on the holidays so this would be good for Barry.

Christmas Eve was here and Barry was nervous as if this was the first time meeting her family. He didn't want to come off as cold or distant so he decided he'd be as loving as he could he hoped Charlotte wouldn't mind. A kiss under some mistletoe maybe a hug. He even bought her and her family presents, to seem more convincing. That and he cared about everyone. Outside Charlotte's family home Barry knocked a couple of times dressed on his Sunday best. He cleared his throats and held the gifts close trying not to over do it.

---

Chloe's eyes lit up as soon as she saw her blonde superhero walk into her home. She had been waiting so long for him and now he was here and she was happy, he just walked right to her not even looking at any decorations to give her the most amazing hug. She wrapped her arms around him with a huge smile spread across her face. "I miss you too! So much." It was hard being in a relationship with someone who was away all the time. Chloe knew that but she wouldn't change it for the world. Steve was the most amazing man she had ever met. So thoughtful and kind and always so polite. He was sweet and she sometimes felt that she was unworthy to have such an incredible man as her boyfriend but she was grateful everyday for him.

She leaned in for a soft kiss and smiled, pulling back and staring at those baby blues. It always made her heart soar whenever he would just stare at her. "All right you two.. you look like a cheesy movie" Chloe could hear her friend gag I. The backgrounds. "Oh hush,let me enjoy our moment." She sho her head, "you're not to beat up right? "

Thankfully her parents didn't mention her strange behavior at all for the remainder of the time that it took them to set everything up, and Charlotte tried her best to act just as happy as she normally was this time of year. It was hard though, because she wasn't happy. She didn't know how things were going to pan out that night. She and Barry were going to act like nothing had happened and that they were still this super happy couple when they were really the farthest from that. It would only be for that night though, and Charlotte was pretty sure that was why she was acting the way that she was. Nothing that happened tonight was going to change the fact that she and Barry were no longer together, nothing. People started showing up before she could dwell too much on her own thoughts though, thankfully.

First, her grandparents. Then her sister and her family, including the little girl who was the reasoning why Charlotte had made those arrangements with Barry in the first place. Clara. She absolutely adored Barry, and he was so good with her. At one point, seeing him with her made her think about how he might be with their own kids some day, but she knew that tonight it would just be a constant reminder that there wouldn't be any kids of their own. Then came the knock on the door yet again, and she knew who it was. "I'll get it, it's probably Barry." She told her family as she got up from the couch and made her way to the front door. "Hey..." She breathed, mustering a small smile when she opened the door.

---

Steve smiled as he kissed her back, still holding her close. He let out a soft chuckle when he heard his girlfriend's friend gagging in the background, and he wasn't all that surprised to hear Sam clear his throat as well. "Always a pleasure, Vanessa." He said as he pulled away from his girlfriend to greet her friend. He didn't have a problem with her, she was a great girl, and she kept Chloe company while he was away all the time on missions. He had also noticed the way she eyed Bucky whenever he was over at the apartment as well, but he wasn't one to play matchmaker, and he didn't want to push his friend to get involved with anyone if he wasn't ready.

"Something smells amazing." He commented. He knew that Chloe had said that dinner was ready when she'd texted him while he was on the quinjet. She was an amazing cook, so he was sure that whatever she had whipped up was bound to be amazing.

Barry stood outside as it began to snow, he smiled softly and looked over at the door. Once Charlotte opened the door he smiled and pulled her in for a hug. "Hey.. you look fantastic " he commented. He walked inside and set the presents under the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Charlotte and her family took Christmas seriously and they went out to decorate the house inside and out. It was always a blast coming to their home for the holidays. He watched as their home filled with laughter and warm wishes and e smiled looking over at Charlotte she seemed a little strange,

Barry walked over and cupped her face, she was just as beautiful as always not that he thought that would ever change. "You don't seem like yourself" he whispered looking at the mistletoe and then back at her. "I hope you don't mind.." he gave her a soft kiss. Before hearing a soft giggle coming from the kitchen to the living room to greet him. Barry turned around and smiled watching Clara run towards him. Barry got on his knee and watched the small girl jump into his arms. "Hi Clara!"

---

Chloe laughed shaking her head, "she's been drinking way too much, that's enough Vanessa." She teased, Vanessa rolled her eyes, "in not sure if you're being sincere or not Sam but it's always nice hearing your sarcasm." Chloe grabbed her arm, "what is it with you and Bucky not getting along with Sam?" She whispered. Chloe grinned, "that's our dinner, since it's just us five I didn't make a huge turkey, it's small with a lot of sides and too much pie" she grinned.

Vanessa walked over and welcomed Bucky with a shy smile, Chloe wasn't much of a matchmaker. Though she tried to push her friend to stop acting so shy. "I don't know whose idea the whole Christmas tree decoration was. It it's hilarious" Vanessa grinned watching Steve turn around and look around. Chloe let out a small giggle, "I think it's nice."

Charlotte told herself that she wasn't going to make things awkward as she opened the door. She had asked Barry to do this for her as a favor, and she wasn't about to make things uncomfortable for him or anything along those lines. They could pretend to still be a couple for a day, it couldn't possibly be that hard, could it? She had a feeling that she was overthinking things way too much as she hugged him back, honestly not wanting to let go. She'd missed him so much this last month. "Thank you." She smiled as she pulled back. "Everyone's already inside." She moved out of the doorway so that he could come inside. There was so much that she wanted to say to him, but she knew that she probably shouldn't. Now wasn't the time.

Barry seemed to be doing much better with this whole thing than Charlotte was as they all sat and talked with her family in the front room. Her sister's kids were off in the TV room playing, though she knew Clara would make an appearance soon enough. She was somewhat surprised when Barry called her out on acting off. "I'm fine." She assured him quietly. She was fine, she could do this. It was only for a couple of hours and then they could go back to not seeing or talking to each other like they had for the last month. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion at his later words, having not realized that they were right under some mistletoe, though it made perfect sense once he kissed her. "I don't mind at all." She said quietly once they pulled away. That was a lie though, and she knew it, she did mind, but not because of the kiss itself. Because it was a reminder that after tonight they'd go back to being broken up. It was also then that she realized that she might be in far deeper than she thought that she was. Maybe she shouldn't have done this, maybe she should have been honest with her family on Thanksgiving. She was taken from her own thoughts when she heard her niece's giggles as she ran over to Barry. The reminder of her reasoning for doing this didn't make her feel any better. It just made it all hurt even more.

---

"You can never have too much pie." Bucky chimed in, speaking for the first time since they all arrived. Steve watched as Bucky greeted both of the women and gave them both hugs. Even after everything that he had been through, he was still far better with women than Steve ever would be. But Chloe liked him for who he was. She liked him for being Steve Rogers, not Captain America. He was so glad that she didn't treat him any differently because of who he was. He'd come across quite a few people who didn't seem capable of separating the Captain from the man behind the shield.

When Vanessa mentioned the tree, Steve was quick to shift his attention behind them. He simply chuckled and shook his head in response to the sight before him. "Why am I not at all surprised?" He said as he turned back to look at his girlfriend. "Was this your idea, or did those two put you up to this?" He asked her curiously. He wouldn't be surprised either way, he could see her coming up with the idea all on her own, or he could see Sam and Bucky telling her to do it.

Barry was so happy spending time with a family, it gave him so normalcy to his strange life. He enjoyed kissing Charlotte her lips were just as soft as he remembered her eyes were just as beautiful, except they had sadness in them. Barry wanted to get back together with Charlotte he wanted to share his secret with her. He didn't want her to think he was playing with her feelings.

Barry watched the young girl ramble on about her day and how excited she was to open her presents with everyone. Barry smiled as she continued to hug him and pulling him into the kitchen. Barry chuckled and grabbed Charlotte's hand. It was like things didn't change like they were still together,

---

Chloe grinned, "you love pie too huh? I can eat so much pie I wouldn't care if I got fat" she laughed. Vanessa rolled her eyes, "please you excerise three times a week and sometimes you join Steve and Bucky .. o couldn't do it" Chloe chuckled, "at least I can out run Sam I know I can't out run Steve or Bucky but it gives me great amusement that I put run Wilson" she teased.

Vanessa grinned, "I mean look you have a great dress on of course you're gonna show it off." Chloe shrugged "yup. And to answer your question it was Sam and Buckys idea. I was just pressured" she chuckled.

Charlotte knew that Barry wasn't playing with her feelings, he just wasn't the type of person who would do something like that. Having him there and acting like they were still together did hurt her though, even though she knew that was probably the last thing that he wanted. When she really thought about it though, if that really was the case, he wouldn't have broken up with her in the first place. That hurt like hell when he did, and it was totally unexpected too. She knew that he'd taken his father's passing pretty hard, but she figured they'd get through it together, though that clearly didn't end up being the case at all.

"Do you ever come up for air, munchkin?" She asked with a slight laugh as her niece continued to ramble on about Christmas and presents and everything that made this holiday extremely exciting for little kids.

---

"I love anything that isn't boiled." Bucky said with a slight chuckle. "I know that Steve will agree with me on this one." Steve chuckled in response to his friends words and nodded. One of the first major improvements today from the 1940's was the way that food was prepared and seasoned. "That's right, we used to boil everything and a lot of stuff used to come out of a can." He said, chiming into the conversation. There were other major improvements today as well, and he noticed more and more each day, however he had also noticed a number of setbacks as well. Way more than he would have ever expected actually.

"On that note, we should probably eat what I'm sure is going to be a delicious meal before it gets cold. I wouldn't want all of your hard work to go to waste, doll." He said, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend's shoulders and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Barry chuckled watching the child run around and show off her new dress. Barry smiled at the thought of having his own kids some day, maybe if his alter ego would let him. He ran a hand through his hair and stood, "I think it's about time we ate something I'm kinda hungry" he chuckled. Barry's appetite had a lot to do with his super speed, but also the fact that he didn't want to seem awkward. He looked over at Charlotte and smiled pulling her into a hug, "this isn't weird right?" He whispered in her ear. Being affectionate with your ex was hard especially since Barry still loved Charlotte.

Barry watched Clara bounce into the kitchen, he chuckled, "I don't remember her being so upbeat and energetic" he whispered. "Not a nad thing she's very sweet like another certain person I know who's name also starts with a "C" cannyou guess who?" He grinned. Barry enjoyed teasing Charlotte that was one of his favorite things about his relationship with her. He took her hand and kissed it gently, he wasn't exactly hiding his feelings and he didn't want to.

---

Chloe grinned, "I mean.. I had to boil some potatoes.. I hope that won't bother you" she teased. Vanessa chuckled, "mashed potatoes could also be baked you know.." Chloe shrugged, "I guess.. anyway. I'm going to gain like 50 lbs with all the pie I'll be eating" she giggled. "That's exaggerating a bit. Also you work out like twice or more a week. One day isn't gonna kill you" Sam pointed out. "Try working out with your boyfriend whose a constant distraction" she grinned.

Chloe lead everyone into the dining room and showed off her spread, "Vanessa helped me quite a bit but here's our food! " she smiled. Vanessa went to grab some napkins, "so when Steve does push ups do you sit on his back.. like you've seen some couples do it right?" Chloe chuckled at that. "Actually sometimes I do. He says I' don't weight much so I'm not really helping his work out but I enjoy it"