WITHOUT A TRACE

GENES DON'T LIE

When Joe came downstairs ready for work,he found Benny sitting by himself at the breakfast table with two cartons of pizza and a jug of milk by his side.
Joe: Hey Monkey.
Benny: Hi Grandpa.
Joe: Where's your mom? Why aren't you dressed for school?
Benny: She had some errands to run so no school for me today. She ordered pizza for breakfast!
Joe: I can see that. You seem to be in a pretty good mood
Benny: Yes. Oh, she left this for you.
After reading the note Benny gave him, Joe suddenly lost the zeal to go to work.
Benny: She's running away again, isn't she?
Joe: Why would you say that?
Benny: She asked me to skip school today,let me have pizza for breakfast and asks you to meet her for lunch at the waffle house? The signs are very clear Grandpa.
Joe: You read the note?
Benny: She let me have pizza for breakfast! I had to read the note.
You should have some pizza. You're going to need the energy to get the luggages....
Joe: The car....
Benny: Don't worry. It's still there. I already checked. I guess you are taking the day off...
Joe: You and i know that if I go to work, you'll both be out of the country before lunch time.
Benny: That's true. She's your daughter. Genes don't lie.
Joe: Yeah..... How did you get so smart?
Benny: I'm your grandson.
Joe: Genes don't lie.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER
Iris was about to call for Benny when she suddenly stopped at the sight before her. Their bags were on the corner of the living room and her father was sitting on the couch drinking coffee....
Iris: Dad.....
Joe: We need to talk.
Iris: Benny?
Joe: I asked Henry to take him out for ice cream. He won't say a word to Barry. Don't worry.
Iris: Dad....it's not what you think.
Joe: Really? Because it looks like you're running...again.
Look honey...I know that you run when you're scared and I can't blame you for that because you clearly got that from me. It's like Benny says. Genes don't lie. I ran whenever I got scared or backed into a corner and I did that a lot when you were growing up. You had to change schools a lot. So much that I finally figured home schooling might be best. The only place you stayed long enough to make friends was college. Then you got that job and met Barry and when you told me he proposed,I was so happy because I knew what an amazing guy he was and you were finally ready to put some roots down and bloom. But then stuff got in the way and Benjamin was born and you returned to town,got a job but you didn't unpack. You just took what you needed out of the bags and when you were done,you put it back. Then Barry came back and at first I was worried you were going to run..... again but you stayed and I thought you were done running..
Iris: I thought I was until Barry's crazy bestfriend kidnapped my son...I can't stay here Dad...not when I know my son's in danger.
Joe: What about Ben's school?
Iris: I decided home schooling might be best.
Joe: You can't keep him with you forever just so you know he's safe. Even I had to let you go at some point. You are a parent. You are always going to worry about your son and it's never going to get easier.
Iris: When I was told he was missing,I thought I was going to die. He's my life Dad..I can't lose him....
Joe: I know....but running is not the answer..how long do you plan on running and what about Barry? Are you going to let him go again? Did you stop loving him?
Iris: Did I stop breathing Dad? I could never stop loving him.... even if my life depended on it....
Joe: Then don't run... Stay and fight... for your son....for the love of your life....for your soul mate...
It's not going to be easy, I know that but YOU ARE A WEST and WE ARE NOT COWARDS.... We've got the strength of a thousand armies and You are the bravest and the strongest person I know..
You can do this....I got you baby... Barry's got you. Henry, Nora, Allie and Wally.We are all on your side. We are your family.... Ride or Die remember?
Iris: Ride or Die... Thanks Dad.
Joe: I love you sweetheart.
Iris: I love you too.
Joe: Now,will you please unpack these bags?
Iris: Yes sir...
And with the help of her father, Iris realized that she doesn't have to run anymore. She's got people willing to fight for her and with her. She's got family...and that was more than enough for her.....
It was time to stop running......... and in order to do that,she has to be completely honest with Barry, be vulnerable with him, to trust him...to give him the opportunity to do what she didn't give him the chance to do back then.......to fight for her.....for their family..... to be her husband.....her knight in shining armor.. her protector...
It was her turn to ask him if he was willing to take the biggest leap of faith......to ask him to grow old with her....to spend forever with her....to marry her....

AUTHOR'S NOTE
Will Iris be able to ask Barry to marry her OR
Will he beat her to it by asking her to marry him......
What do you think?
Until next time..........