Chapter 1- This is a Tradition, Live with it

Year 2055

"Charles, have I ever told you the story of how I met your father?" Ellie said as she is folding laundry on the couch with her kid, helping as well.

"No mom, you haven't"

Ellie is not the story telling type of mother. Her kid never had heard her tell a bed time story before. Maybe because of the technology, their way of going to bed and falling into sleep is through watching TV or when tired playing with game consoles. This is why Charles had the excited look and smile on his face upon hearing those words.

"Well, you're in for a treat! Dad told me the story of how he met my mother and my Uncle Ted told your Aunt Penny and Uncle Luke the story of how he met their mother. So, I think we are doing this now as a tradition." She says, sounding unsure.

"Wow really? Let us hear it then mom!"

"Let's start with…"

Year 2035

I was fifteen years old and in highschool. My first boyfriend was this guy named Mike. He was twenty years old, much older than me. He was handsome-not just the face but the body too. He wears formal attires always. He is funny and adventurous. He was a guy that girls would immediately fall in love with.

The day he asked me to be his girlfriend was indeed a highlight of my teenage years. So, that afternoon, I went directly to dad's office to tell him the good news.

"Miss Stinson, your father is having a meeting with the Russians inside. Please make yourself comfortable here for the moment." His secretary told me.

"Oh sorry. Okay I'll wait"

"Would you like tea or chocolate drink or juice?"

"No thank you I'm fine" I responded with a smile. I was really excited to see the look on my father's face when I tell him the good news.

After one hour of waiting, the Russians exited my dad's office and so I ran inside.

"Dad dad dad dad!" I said giddily as I hugged and kissed him. "So how was your day?"

"Hi baby, you sound very happy" Dad hugged and kissed me as well.

"Mr. Stinson, where would I put this meeting records?" His secretary interrupted. "Oh and Ellie, I brought you juice. You must be at least thirsty for waiting an hour"

"You waited an hour?" He asked me with a cringe on his face. "You let my daughter wait for an hour to talk to me?" He sounded so angry at his secretary that my happy mood dropped.

"You were at a meeting sir" Her secretary looked down at the floor.

"Haven't I told you before that when my daughter asks for me ALWAYS let her in?" Yes, he was angry.

"Dad it's okay" I hold his hand and he calmed down.

So the conversation never happened at his office. The happiest day of my life seemed the worst for my father. I waited when we got home before I told him.

"Dad why were you so mad back there?" I asked as we were eating dinner.

"I'm just a bit stressed with work and stuff" He sounded to me that that stuff was really important.

"Do you want to talk about it dad?"

"I don't think this is something you tell your daughter"

"Okay dad, just feel good again okay?" I smiled with sympathy. "Soooo, I met a guy…" I immediately altered the mood with my cuteness.

"Wait, you sounded happy earlier. I think I'm picking up on something" Dad smiled, raising one eyebrow.

"Well, this guy Mike, we dated for one week, and he asked me to be his girlfriend"

"And you said no, right?" Still an eyebrow raised. I didn't respond.

"Whaaaat?! Young lady haven't I told you much of my stories? You should have learned from my previous mistakes. Please don't do this!" He was not mad, he was more like concerned.

My dad rarely got angry with me that's why I love him so much. He only got mad at me three times in my entire life, and each of those times it got mushy. The times he got mad at me were also the times I saw him cry. He also only cried three times in front of me. More on that later.

"But dad I really want you to like him" Ellie pleaded to him.

"Ellie, please I just can't let you do this. Please trust me on this one?" I didn't respond and so he added. "I love you don't ever forget that"

"I know dad and I love you too" I got up and went to my room.

I didn't know what to do or who to tell my feelings to. Honestly, those moments are the moments I needed a mother. I got up my bed, took the telephone and dialled a phone number.

One ring, then an immediate answer, it's as if she is waiting for my call.

"Barney, please, let's talk about this like adults" The women on the other line sounded really sorry. It was weird and I didn't know why.

"Oh sorry, this is not Barney. Aunt Robin, it's Ellie."