TED POV (PRESENT)

When Lily left the room a few minutes later, it was just me and Barney again. We didn't speak for a couple of seconds; although it felt like hours. Finally though he said;

"Ok, looks like we're ready. Nothing to stop us now." Barney tried to smile but it failed miserably and changed to kind of a wince.

"C'mon, man, It's not so bad! Lets get you a glass of whatever the hell you like and relax. We still have time and you look like you need it," Barney nodded and finally managed a genuine smile.

"That is, the best thing I've heard all day, my friend. Let's roll," We hurried out the door and down the hall to the bar in the function room. The room was large and well lit but it still seemed cozy, It was a good setting for a wedding reception.

There wasn't anyone else in the room, even behind the bar.

"Should I go and find somebody?"

"Pfft, Ted, It's me," Barney hopped over the bar and to my absolute horror, started to pour two drinks.

"Barney, isn't this illegal or something?" I hissed,

"Oh, shut up, mom. Live a little," Barney replied, chuckling.

I just raised my glass and downed it. I missed times like this with Barney, it felt right.

"I've missed you, man,"

"I never left!" Barney started on his second glass but I put a hand out to stop him,

"No way, it may not be the fairytale wedding of your dreams but you will not be drunk during it,"

"Might make it more bearable."

2 MONTHS 2 WEEKS AGO

ROBIN POV

"Whoa, Katie, what the hell?"

He looked outraged, I had been distracted and hadn't looked at her properly, but now that I did I noticed the small but very definate baby bump on her petite hips.

Katie giggled nervously and looked around at each face. Barney, in absolute stunned horror, Kyle; grinning like a fool, then me. blank. I couldn't breath, the world was falling apart. She was sixteen years old.

"Um, Robin," Katie began hesitantly, using her arms to try to cover the bump, "I know what you're thinking, but we can handle this, Kyle has a job at the arcade back home and we've been staying at his parents, they're going to help us find a place," Katie came towards me but I, shocking even myself, stepped back out of her reach.

Katie looked traumatised when I automatically didn't hug her and just accept this. that's what always happened, she always got what she wanted. Dad tried to make her do Hockey and when she refused he just let it go, she had gotten away with sneaking out nearly every night and when I was her age that house had felt like a prison.

We all stood in silence, Katie and Kyle in the doorway; standing awkwardly. Kyle broke the silence;

"Well, clearly we have quite a lot to talk about. Robin, where can I put these bags?"

It took a minute for me to realise he was speaking to me;

"Um, spare bedroom. Katie knows where it is." I still hadn't made eye contact with anybody since I saw the baby bump.

Katie and Kyle shuffled off to the room, I still couldn't move. Barney came over and put his arm around me.

"Robin, you know I'm here for you, anytime you need-"

"Barney," I squirmed out from his reach, "I think you have to leave now, I'm sorry."

An odd look crossed his face but then he was right back to being Barney,

"Yeah, cool, cool. Ya know, as I said, big date tonight at seven." He laughed and gave an awkward wave gesture on his way out. He closed the door that still hadn't been closed since Katie arrived.

I missed him instantly but knew I did the right thing, I needed to talk all this out with Katie.