WITHOUT A TRACE

THE MAKING OF WEST-ALLEN PART 1

THREE WEEKS LATER
With preparations underway for the biggest event of the year,the blushing bride and her super smitten groom could not wait for the big day to arrive so that they could finally be together forever.
Barry Allen felt he was the luckiest man in the world to be able to marry the love of his life.
He wouldn't hesitate to tell the entire world his news if he could.
Iris has never been this happy her entire life and in a way, it scared her but this time, she was more than ready to fight for her happiness,the love of her life and her soulmate.
As the day got closer and they are reminded of the things that were yet to be crossed off the list, they were tempted to elope: have a private ceremony just the three of them. Eventually,they decided to stick with the plans and go for the big wedding with their families and friends.....

TWO DAYS TO THE WEDDING
GUYS NIGHT OUT
Wally: So, how does it feel knowing you are getting married in 48 hours.
Barry: I feel great actually. I can't wait to marry the love of my life.
Wally: Man, What has my sister done to you? She's gotten you bad.
Barry: I don't expect you to understand but someday you will.
John D: Congrats Man. I'm so happy for you.
Barry: Thank you.
Ray P: I'm genuinely happy for you Bro. You both deserve all the happiness in the world.
Barry: Thanks.
Eddie: So, are you nervous?
Barry: Honestly,I'm scared out of my mind. I have been waiting my whole life for this. What if I ruin it again?
Cisco: You won't. Because I'm going to kill you if you do.
Ray P: He's right you know. We are all going to kill you if you screw it up again....
Oliver: Can I ask you a question?
Barry: Yeah. What is it?
Oliver: In the eight years you guys were apart. Nothing happened. Like you weren't interested in anyone? Not even a fling or anything purely physical?
Barry: Yes.
Oliver: You didn't even consider it?
Barry: No
Oliver: Why? You weren't together so it wouldn't be cheating.
Barry: It would have been...to me.
Oliver: Why? Help me understand that..
Barry: She's the only one for me. It was that simple. I always knew she was the one. The one great love of my life. It was her or no one else.
Oliver: Wow.....
Cisco: That's relationship goals my man....
Eddie: Why do you think we call them the gold standard...
Wally: My sister is one lucky woman..
Barry: No, I'm the lucky one.
Ray P: You two make me want to fall in love.....
John D: I know what you mean.
Oliver: Man...I'm suddenly sober.
Where are the drinks and the ladies...I thought we were here to have fun?
Cisco: This is not that kind of party Dude. Drinks...I can provide. You want to have fun with the ladies...I suggest you call it a night and go home.
Eddie: My brother's got a point. You are really ruining the party for us.

LADIES AFFAIR

Allison: Oh my God! You are so pretty.
Iris: Thank you.
Nora Allen: What do you think? It looks like it's in a perfect condition. I had the dry-cleaners take good care of it.
Iris: It's so beautiful. Are you sure you want me to wear it? I mean, isn't it better to keep it for Allison's wedding? She should wear her mother's dress.
Nora Allen: I want you to have it. My mother in-law gave it to me a week before my wedding and asked me to give it to my future daughter in-law. Now, I'm passing it to you with the same instruction to pass it down to your own future daughter in-law.
Iris: It's an honor. Thank you Mrs Allen.
Nora Allen: Please, call me Mom.
Iris: Mom.

THE NIGHT BEFORE
VENUE: THE ALLEN RESIDENCE

BARRY'S ROOM
Barry hears a knock on the door.
Barry: It's open.
Joe: Hey Son.
Barry: Hi Joe.
Joe: Can we talk for a bit?
Barry: Yes. Of course.
Joe: Do you remember the first time we met?
Barry: Yes... It was the night I came to ask your permission to date Iris.
Joe: Actually, that was not the first time we met.
Barry: What do you mean?
Joe: The first time I saw you, you were four years old. It was your Dad's birthday and I was in town for a meeting so I decided to surprise him. I remember thinking that you were so cute and adorable and I thought your Dad was lucky to have a son like you and when you showed up on my doorstep years later to ask to date my daughter, I was so excited.
On the night of my wedding, my father in-law gave me this watch. He said it was a gift from his father in-law to welcome him to the family. I want you to have it. And I hope that someday, you will pass it along to your own son in-law. I'm so proud to have you as my son.
Barry: Thank you Joe. It means a lot to me.
Joe: You are welcome. You know, Iris may come off as a tough cookie but she's really fragile and vulnerable and when she's backed into a corner or when things go off the rails, her default is to run. I'm not proud of it but she gets it from me. For a long time, I didn't settle in a particular place. I want you to promise me that no matter what, you will never let her run from you, that you will fight for her, for your family no matter what.
Barry: I promise. I will follow her anywhere she goes. Even to the ends of the Earth.
Joe: Thank you Barr.
Barry: You don't have to thank me. I can't live without her. I don't know how......

VENUE: THE WEST RESIDENCE

Iris was about to head up to her room when she heard the doorbell. She opened it and found Barry's Dad at the door.
Iris: Mr Allen.
Henry Allen: Hi Iris.
Iris: What brings you here. Dad isn't home.
Henry Allen: I'm here to see you. Can we talk for a while?
Iris: Of course. Please, come in.
After drinking the tea that Iris had prepared for him, Henry decided that it was time to talk.
Henry Allen: I would like to ask you a favor.
Iris: What is it?
Henry Allen: I want you to be a source of strength to Barry. He might seem like he's very tough but inside he's very fragile. I fear that I haven't been the best father to him and in order to be a better father to Benny than I was to him, he's bound to make mistakes. In times like that, his default is to shut out the people around him. He gets that from me,so I can't blame him for that. You must not let him do that. Find a way to reach out to him and let him know that you are there for him and always will be. Be his rock, his strength,his pillar of support,his friend, his partner, his everything. Can you do that?
Iris: Of course. I promise.
Henry Allen: Thank you Iris.
Iris: No, thank you for trusting me.
Henry Allen: I should get going.
See you tomorrow.
Iris: You too.

HOURS LATER
Iris hears her phone ring and answers it with a smile on her face..
Iris: Hey you
Barry: Shouldn't you be getting your beauty sleep?
Iris: I tried but I couldn't sleep. You?
Barry: Same....
Iris: Barry....
Barry: I know. I'm scared too but I'm confident that we'll make it work. I'm going to marry you.
Iris: I know.... There's still time to change your mind about eloping you know...
Barry: My mom will have an heart attack that's for sure.
They laugh together for a while....
Iris: Barry
Barry: Yeah
Iris: Are you sure you want to marry me? I'm a single mom after all.
Barry: I'm 100% sure but the question is are you willing to marry me?
I have a son...who really loves his mom and wants us to be together.
Iris: Your son sounds like an amazing young man and yes I'm more than certain I want to marry you.
Barry: I'll see you at the church tomorrow?
Iris: There's nowhere I'd rather be.
Barry: I love you Iris West. I can't wait to be your husband.
Iris: I love you Barry Allen and I can't wait to be your wife........