AN: Hello! Thank you so much for your response to the first chapter, and as you know, I update faster when I'm motivated, and you guys sure are motivating! I hope you enjoy this chapter; it's extra-long sit back and get ready to squee and possibly asdfghjkl!
The next few months weren't easy for Barney and Robin. Sometimes, he'd catch her crying in the bathroom because she felt guilty, or she'd wake up in tears after having terrible nightmares. She'd moved into Barney's apartment officially in mid-February, after Barney stated she practically lived there anyway. But, the real reason, apart from him wanting to wake up to her every morning, was because he was worried. Since Robin had told him of her infertility, she'd become much more emotional, as was evident from the frequent crying. He'd never let her go through it alone, as was his promise to her back in January.
It was now May 24th: the day before their wedding. Robin was glowing. She hadn't had a breakdown since early April, and was settled into her life at Barney's. It had taken her some time to adjust, but she was truly happy with him, despite and because of his flaws. Lily had taken the job of 'Chief Wedding Planner', with Ted reluctantly taking the position of her deputy. Although slight hectic and stressful, they'd somehow managed to get everything in order, and Barney and Robin would be getting married in a matter of 24 hours to the watched the clock chime at 12.00, marking exactly a day before his wedding, and looked over to Robin, smiling.
"Are you... nervous at all?" she asked suddenly, playing with her noodles.
"Well, yeah... But it's the good kind of nerves, I mean; I've been in love with you since 2008. That's five years. I've waited a long time for this day to come." Barney noticed her worried expression. "Why, are you?"
She paused for a moment before answering. "Well, kinda. I mean, marriage was never part of my big life plan, and I know it wasn't part of yours, either, but it's scary, Barney..."
Robin was meeting Lily at one to do a last-minute dress fit, because Lily was adamant that things were not going to be as stressful as her wedding day was. Barney reassured Robin for about an hour, before she soon left for Lily's.
-Swarkles-
Over an hour later, Barney had enlisted his best men, Ted and Marshall to help him to write his vows.
"Do you think I've said the words 'love' and 'inspire' too much, Ted?" asked Barney, throwing another crumpled piece of paper into the trash.
"Dude, you need to relax, it's really nice, sappy, but not too sappy. It's good." Ted assured him. All of a sudden, the sound of 'Let's Go To The Mall' echoed through the apartment, meaning Barney's phone was ringing.
"Barney Stinson." he answered.
"Barney, tell Robin she was meant to meet me at one, where is she?"
"Huh? She went like an hour ago, isn't she with you?" his panic was clear to see.
"No, I thought she was-"
Barney hung up and immediately called Robin, only to reach her answer phone. Without so much as a goodbye, he ran out of his apartment in search for his beloved fiancée. The first place he went was the bar. He thought maybe Robin had gone there to down some scotch for courage, but after interrogating Carl, he realised she wasn't there. The next place he went was her old apartment building, thinking maybe she'd been feeling nostalgic and gone there, only to fail in finding her once again. But then, it hit him. He knew where she'd be. After summoning Ranjit to escort him and sneaking past the security desk, he arrived the roof of the World Wide News building, and there she was.
"Robin?" he called out to her. Sitting on the floor, she didn't reply. He walked closer to her. "Robin, what are you doing?"
When she turned around, he felt the need to hold her close, as she looked like the whole world had just crashed around her.
"How did you know I'd be here?" she croaked.
"Because I know you. I knew that if you were feeling scared or unsure, you'd go back to the place that brings you comfort: your favorite spot in the city."
"I'm so sorry, Barney. After everything I've put you through: choosing Kevin, making you think we were having a baby, acting like a crazy person all the time... You're still here. How can you tolerate all my crazy crap?"
"Because I love you." he stated.
"And I love you. I'm sorry about this, I don't know what I was thinking... I want to marry you. I guess I had a small case of cold feet or something. C'mon, let's go." she rose.
"Wait, are you sure you're okay? What was the reason you felt scared, Robin? Is it the, uh..." he lowered his voice. "Baby thing?"
She blinked slowly. How does he always know what's on my mind?, she wondered.
"I guess it was a combination of realizing that marriage leads to kids usually, and also the realization that kids... aren't that bad. I mean, babysitting Marvin the other day... That was nice. It made me feel like maybe having kids wouldn't be as bad as I'd thought, but... I guess I'll never know." Robin let out a soft sigh.
"Hey, you know there are ways for us if we actually want kids; let's not rule it out. I mean, there's adoption, surrogacy, tons of things. I just didn't know you'd changed your mind..."
"That's what's so scary, Barney. The fact I'm getting married led me to rethink my ideas about kids, and that petrifies me. It frightens me that I could even think that way..."
"Why is that a bad thing, Robin? If you want kids, you shouldn't be afraid to tell me, because either way, you make me happy, and you can tell me things."
"I know. But, as of right now, I'm not sure, but when I am, you'll be the first to know. Now, can we get home? I need a lie-down."
And that's just what they did. For the rest of the afternoon, they lay down on the bed. They didn't have sex, or even kiss; they just lay there in each other's arms, thinking about the fact that in less than 24 hours, they'd be Mr and Mrs Stinson.
-Swarkles-
"Lily, do I look okay? Is my makeup still good? Is it smudged?" Robin rambled frantically, staring at her maid of honour in hope. She looked stunning. Her wedding dress wasn't big and flouncy, but still elegant and classy.
"You look amazing, Robin! I feel like I wanna cry right now, you're that beautiful!" Lily exclaimed. In a few minutes, it would be Robin's time to walk down the aisle, accompanied by her father, who was giving her away, after much persuasion.
She breathed in and out slowly, not letting the nerves get to her.
Meanwhile, Barney, Ted and Marshall stood at the end of the aisle, a wide smile spread across Barney's face.
"Hey, Barn, you feeling okay?" whispered Marshall.
"You know what? I feel pretty damn good."
All of a sudden, the music began playing, indicating Robin's arrival. Barney couldn't resist looking back to see her, and to say his jaw dropped was an understatement. She smiled sweetly at him as she finished her walk down the aisle, her father leaving her. This was it; this was their moment. The moment they'd been waiting for.
The time soon came for the vows; the part Barney had been most nervous about. Fortunately, Robin was to go first, which would put him at ease.
"Barney. For years, I'd been hesitant towards settling down and getting married, but you changed that. Somehow, with all your insanity and humor and crudeness, you make me feel like I have a reason to get up in the morning. You make me so happy, and feel so loved, that the idea of not spending the rest of my life with you seems completely ridiculous. I love you with all my heart, Barney Stinson. Thank you for making me realize that love is worth fighting for, and for never giving up on me." She wiped away an unexpected tear, and Barney had to try and avoid eye contact with her in order to keep his emotions in check.
"It took me five years to get you to marry me, Scherbatsky, and we've been through a lot in that time. We dated briefly, we became closer as friends, and I wish I'd have plucked up the courage to propose sooner, because I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I just didn't know it at the time. You bring out the best in me, Robin, and I am so grateful to you for that. You're so inspiring; you never give up, and I think that rubbed off on me, because I'm never letting you go without a fight. I love you so much, and whatever happens, I want you to know that you really changed my life for better. Without you, I'd probably still be a serial womanizer afraid of emotion. I can't stress how much I love you, but I hope that I can prove that to you for the rest of our lives."
Barney blinked away tears and only just managed to keep it together.
"Barney Stinson, do you take Robin Scherbatsky to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"Challenge Accepted. I mean, uh, I do." he chuckled.
"And do you, Robin Scherbatsky, take Barney Stinson to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." she smiled.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
"Finally!" Barney exclaimed before grabbing Robin, and kissing her, dipping her slowly as if they were in a cheesy movie. Robin giggled as they broke free, unable to stop smiling at her husband.
-Swarkles-
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," Ted announced. "Please welcome, for the very first time, Mr and Mrs Barney Stinson!" Many cheers and wolf whistles welcomed the couple, and both could still not refrain from smiling.
"Hm, Mrs Robin Stinson, doesn't that sound..." Barney began.
"Kinda nice? Yeah. You're gonna have to stop calling me Scherbatsky, now, though."
"Damn it! Well, you'll still be Robin Scherbatsky on World Wide News, so don't lose hope!"
They walked over to their table, where Ted, Marshall and Lily joined them.
"So, Barney, you're married. How do you feel?" asked Lily.
"Well, Lily, I'd feel a whole lot better after dancing a little. When's the first dance, chief?" Barney was eager.
"After the Best Man speech, which is... Right now. Go, Ted, go, we've gotta stay on schedule!" Lily barked her orders.
Ted rushed over to the mic again, and after hearing Barney and Robin's yell of "Go Schmosby!", he began.
"Hi, I'm Ted Mosby, best man. I've known Barney for over ten years, and Robin for almost eight. Although I've known them for so long, I'd never imagined these two, of all people, would be getting married, let alone to each other. I'm not going to stay up here long, because I know that some of us are dying to see Barney's dance moves, so I'll keep it short and sweet. You know, you can tell when two people are meant for each other. When I look at Robin and Barney, I just think 'Yeah, they're only meant for each other.' I know this because; even after all they've been through, the break-ups, being with other people, all that stuff... They're still completely and utterly in love. So, raise your glasses to Barney and Robin!"
All the guests repeated their names with glee, before Ted added "Oh, and now, if the happy couple would move on over to the dancefloor, it's time for their first dance."
A wide grin appeared on Barney's face as he took his wife's hand. Robin knew he was up to something, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Then, the music began, and she understood.
Met you at the mall... Didn't know how far I would fall...
"Are you kidding, Barney, Sandcastles in the Sand? she shook her head.
"What? It's kind of our song. We first got together whilst watching the video, which I think was very important in my falling in love with you. This song was the catalyst to our love." he swayed with her to the music, still grinning.
"You just wanted an excuse to bring up Robin Sparkles, didn't you?"
Barney just smiled. Robin leaned in for a kiss, and the two were blissfully happy in their little bubble for the rest of the song. Robin rested her head on his chest, and breathed out in relief. This felt right. This felt amazing. This felt perfect.
AN: Thank you so much, and read, review, follow and favorite!
