2030 (Wednesday)

"And that, kids, is how I met your mother", Ted Mosby finished his story.

"Thank GOD! It's finally over", Penny shouted and stretched out her limbs.
"I think, I dozed off for a while", her brother Luke replied.
"Seriously, Dad. You've been talking for five hours", Penny said.

"Hey, I told you this story, so you would feel closer to your mother. You were both so young, when she died."
"Yeah, and that was a nice idea, but Mom was hardly in the story", Penny commented.
"I thought, the story of Aunt Robin and Uncle Barney was much more interesting, anyway", said Luke.

They hadn't known much about the history of these two. They were just told that they got married, and a few years later divorced, because it didn't work out. Nobody ever told them, what really happened.

"Yes, they've really been through a lot together. It's so sad, they got divorced", Penny agreed with her brother.
"I liked, how he got her a job, so she wouldn't have to move back to Canada."
"Or 'The Robin'! That was so romantic!", Penny gushed.

"It sounds, like they were perfect for each other", Luke thought out loud.
"Yeah, really. Don't you think so, too, Dad?", asked Penny.
Their father was suddenly so quiet.

"Well, actually, there's a reason, I told you this story today", he began carefully. "As you now know, there was a time, when I was with Aunt Robin, as well. I was thinking about asking her out again and I just wanted to know, that you'd be okay with it."

"WHAT?", Penny asked in horror. "NO!"
"We're so NOT okay with it", said Luke.

"But the other day, you told me, you'd be okay with it, if I wanted to date again. After all, it's been six years, since your mother passed away." Ted was shocked about the unexpected reaction from his kids.

"But not Aunt Robin", said Penny.
"I thought, you liked her", said Ted.
"We love her. But you can't date her", said Luke.
"Why not?", Ted asked and sounded like a whining child.

"She is Uncle Barney's ex-wife", said Penny. "You can't ask her out, without at least talking to him beforehand."
"They've been divorced for fourteen years. Why should he have an objection to that?", Ted asked.

"Maybe, he still has feelings for her", Luke answered quietly and Penny thrust her elbow into his ribcage.
"Can't you keep anything to yourself?", she hissed at her younger brother.

"Keep what? What are you talking about?", Ted asked, curious.
"We should tell him", Luke said to Penny.
"Shush, will you!"
"He will understand, once we tell him."
"He'll be devasted!"
"Not as much, as he will be, when Aunt Robin rejects him."

"Hey!", Ted shouted loudly, to finally be heard over his kids' squabbling.
They looked at him startled, seemingly having forgotten about him, sitting in front of them and hearing every word.
"Just tell me", Ted said and Penny sighed, giving in.

"Okay, Dad. You remember last weekend, Ellies birthday?", she asked and her father nodded.
"Well, you see... I witnessed something there..."