#kidstorm

Every year one district consisting of five blocks in Central City goes all out decorating for the holidays. You actually have to sign a waver when moving into one of the houses in the Christmas Tree District since it’s become so much of a thing. All the houses and trees are covered head to toe in bright Christmas lights, so much so that it would probably appear as a light bulb on a passing satellite. Little vendors on the street corners sell all kinds of candies for the excited kids and tired parents. Barry and Iris sucked on candy canes as the grown ups slowly drink some hot coco. 

“Look at that house Barry.” Iris dragged Barry to stare at a house to point at another house. There was a tinted blue glass mimicking ice with animatronic robot child ice skaters ‘skating’ on top of it. 

“Kids, don’t get too far ahead,” Joe called out to them. Iris turned around and gave her father a thumbs up. Both their parents, Joe, Henry, Nora, and Francine followed behind the kids at a much slower pace. Wally, awake at the beginning of the trip, was now peacefully sleeping in his mother’s arms as she talked with Nora. 

Eventually the father’s managed to catch up to their kids. “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, look.” Joe picked up his daughter and rested her on his hip. 

“I see them Baby Girl. It is very cool. Having fun?” 

Iris eye widened greatly and her face broke into a big grin. “So much fun daddy. It’s so pretty, right Barry?” Barry turned towards them and nodded enthusiastically. Joe and Henry shared a chuckle at their kid’s antics. 

“Can we keep exploring, Daddy?” Iris used her big brown eyes against her father.

“Please Dad?” Barry similarly implored his father. The two men looked at each other before silently asking their wives. Nora gave a nod and while Francine gave a tight smile, slightly straining from holding Wally. 

“Just a little bit longer kids okay? It’s getting late, and your mother’s getting tired from holding Wally.” Joe told Barry and Iris. 

“No dad, wake him up, he’s missing out.” Iris was deeply insulted that her brother wasn’t experiencing the Christmas Tree District.

“No Iris, don’t wake him up, just go walk with Barry.” Iris still didn’t look too happy, but Barry seemed to be enough to distract her. They continued to walk about, Barry singing Christmas songs while Iris poked him in the chest until they got tired. Joe and Henry got Barry and Iris to say goodbye, and they went home, content. 

Christmas Central City 2025

Once again Iris and Barry found themselves walking down the streets of the Christmas Tree District. They were joined by Jax and Wally and their kids, Mariella and Samuel. Mariella and Nora were having a ball running around gaping at the different sights. Samuel was asleep in Wally’s arms as he walked with Jax. Daisy and Henry Jo were being carried by Barry and Iris, respectively, but unlike their cousin, those two were wide awake. 

They had a lot of fun, Daisy especially, tugging on her father’s collar and quietly pointing out all the cool sights. Henry Jo was a lot more quiet than either of his sisters, more like his father. All five kids were bundled up in coats, barely a face peaking out. They hated it, but their parent’s thought they looked adorable (and warm). 

“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, they’re selling cookies and hot chocolate, can I have some? Please.” The pleading look Nora gave her Father was almost identical to the look Iris gave her Father all those years ago. 

“Oh I don’t know, lightning bug, it’s pretty late,” Barry teased. He was not going to flat out say no to his daughter, who do you think he is? Barry knelt down on one knee to look his oldest daughter in the eye. Daisy was still in his arms and she stared quietly at her older sister. 

“Please.” Nora stuck out her bottom lip and tugged on her father’s sleeve. Iris rolled her eyes and nudged her husband with her foot. He gave her a smirk, then turned back to his daughter with a faux pondering look on his face. 

Just before she could flat out cry, he agrees and walks with her to get some treats. Jax also went with Mariella to get her a candy cane. Wally and Iris continued to walk with each other at the same pace. 

“You remember when we were kids and mom and dad took us here?” Iris whispered, careful of baby Samuel.

“Not always.” Wally crinckled his forehead in an attempt to remember the early moments of his childhood.

Iris softly snorted. “That’s unsurprising. You always fell asleep half-way through them until you were like eight. Not unlike mini you over here.” Iris used her chin to point at her nephew. Wally fondly smiled at his kid. 

“Son like Father I guess.” 

“Exactly. Sometimes it surprises me that we’re parents.” Iris smiled at her husband with their daughters, who made them laugh by creating a whip cream mustache. Then she turns to her son, with his big brown eyes. He’s staring right at her, and she boops him on the nose to hear his giggle.