Ah! my first review! Thank you Drwhofan96! (my other favorite show, i admit it! I've an unhealthy obsession with the doctor, haha) And now, Chapter 4. PS My writing has been a little Robin-centric because they just haven't used her that much, or not well enough to my liking, hmm... ah well, haha.
Chapter 4 – Tuesday
Robin had to work the late shift again, following some story about some politician and the stupid bimbo in his car who'd been dumb enough to wave to someone photographing them "socializing". That wasn't so bad in itself, it was just being forced to work with Nora, who she'd whispered to her had arranged for the two of them to work together. Robin's sigh had caught in her throat, changed into a snarl, and was quickly covered by a cough. Nora held out the magazine in her hand, in between coffee runs and anchor prepping.
"This one would look so good on you and the girls." She pointed to a picture, the girl in which had a smooth hairdo, a bun at the nape of the neck, swept over the left shoulder with a few strands of hair spilling out. It was bad enough that she had to wear the vivid pink dress Nora had picked out, but now she was dictating hair too? She swallowed her comment, her thoughts roaming to her purse gun and what she'd like to do to Nora's magazine.
"Barney wanted to play laser tag on our honeymoon, can you believe it!" She was sitting on the corner of Robin's desk, covering the many things that made Robin Scherbatsky want to melt into the floor. Barney was recently Nora's favorite topic, and try as hard as she might, Robin never got Nora to pick up on her "Change the Topic" vibes.
WWN was a big network, huge! But how had they managed to put she and Nora's work stations so close. How had they managed to let go of the Robin Sparkles thing (although she kept the jacket in her bottom desk drawer, just in case) but still bothered her Nora-wise?
Of course everyone thought them thick as thieves, the closest of friends. After all, Robin was in Nora's wedding to Robin's "Bro" Barney. The ones who knew of Barney and Robin's past relationship just shook their heads and clucked their tongues against their teeth, not sure whether to feel sorry for Robin, having to give away the one that got away, or for Nora, who'd forever be in the shadow of the one that got away.
Her phone blipped. She picked it up, a text from Ted.
Dude tell us which socialite was socializing – T-Mose
Dude, not gonna happen. Reporter's honor and such. Not until the name's been officially released. – Robin
But Robin we've got a drinking game going trying to keep up for this thing. God the news is boring. It needs strippers. – T-Mose
We? Is Marshall there? – Robin
Yeah, He said to tell you the light in the bathroom is out, but don't panic. I'm not sure why. – T-Mose
Its an idiot Minnesota thing. Is… She started to ask if Barney was there, but changed her mind and put the phone down, cancelling the last text. Nora was flipping through the magazine again, humming while Robin stared at her.
She wants kids! Kids and the whole marriage thing… Robin said in her mind, looking at Nora's enigmatic smile. She's a total Moseby. How did Barney get stung… and by her.
Nora was talking animatedly to the anchor now, briefing him on the latest update so he'd be prepared when the go on air and they handed him the written form of what she'd just said. They laughed, sharing a joke and a smile. The anchor took her hand and commented on her ring. Mouth dropped when they realized how soon they'd gotten engaged, marrying the next week. Same old comment about real, true love while Nora basked in the warmth of their congratulations...
Robin blew a barely audible raspberry their way, before turning again to her high lighter and the page in front of her. Nora was on her way back over, a smile on her face. God I hate your face right now... Robin sighed. Sure she was friends with her. Hell, she and Nora clicked right away when they met. Had Ted been single, she'd have set Nora up to meet him.
But Ted wasn't, and Barney fell for her, hard. The dull ache in her chest started again, and sharpened as Nora pulled a highlighter out of the cup on her desk and joined Robin in her skimming. Even from the side she was pretty, no wonder Barney...
Barney... She wanted him so bad her eyelashes hurt from the strain of it. She wished so bad that they had worked out, that they never split. She wouldn't have gotten with that asshole Don. No, not a complete asshole. She'd have done the same thing he did a little while back. Still a stupid jerkface though.
But then Don had showed her what she'd had in Barney. A loyal friend, a kindred spirit, a fellow purveyor of awesome. They'd been fine, great together until Lily made them define it. It lost some of the thrill then, and then somewhere along the way, they'd started trying to be Lily and Marshall. They were together and happy, so they figured that was how they should act. Even the couple's nights, they enjoyed them because it was expected.
And then the sex. It was never bad, always fantastic, just started to get routine. Always in the bedroom after a while, and no matter what toys and surprises were in store, the rope swing, the maple syrup, even the japanese reverse double ankle chin lock with the Broadway Billfold twist, nothing changed it. They both craved excitement. She'd been looking forward to the day they'd have been banned from the Smithsonian.
But then he changed, they both did. Relationship equated boring, and with their buffer down due to labeling, they went with it. They never discussed it, talking wasn't their way. So it fell apart.
But to see him succeeding, with Nora not herself. And this one is for keeps... Is this how he felt when Don was there? She hoped not. When ever smile of Nora's fills her with disdain and every time her ring catches the light, her heart dies a little. Oh god she hopes not.
"And then you walk me down the aisle dad." Barney said. Gerome looked incredulously at his son.
"Barney, you realize that I'm the father of the GROOM right?"
"Yes of course. Father of the Awesome. Ooo Ooo! Harebinger of the Awesome! We've got to get that on your suit!"
"No Barney what I'm trying to say is that the bride gets walked down the aisle. By HER father."
"Heh, please." Gerome fell silent, sure that it wasn't a valid argument point but not sure what to say to it.
"So Barney." Ted called from the pew closest the the front of the church. Barney had brought them out to look at it, and was giving them a quick walkthrough. The wedding rehearsal was on Thursday, the wedding itself on Saturday. "Have you decided where you guys are living?"
"We're going to find an apartment after the honeymoon. I can't dispose of my lair so easily." He laughed. "God, the panties alone would take forever to clean out of the closet."
"Panties?" Ted was answered with a wink. "Oh Gross."
"It's a natural thing Ted. Plus, you never know when you need to know what the trend for panties in August of '09 was. Thongs versus French cut was an excruciating debate."
"What was the debate?"
"Which looked better draped over my headboard. Come on Dad."
"Good one Barney." Gerome laughed and slapped Barney's hand, then caught the look of the preacher who'd just joined them. "I'm sorry father." He dropped his head.
"You should be." The preacher peered over his glasses. "All of you should."
"What did I do!" Ted burst out. The preacher just shook his head.
"Nasty nasty boys." He picked up a bible from the pulpit and walked off. "Oh, Mr. Stinsin we need your vows."
"They haven't been written yet, but don't worry, they're going to be legen- wait for it, cause it rhymes with Mary and should be just as sacred, -dary!" The preacher rolled his eyes and left them. Gerome turned to Barney.
"So it is alright it if I bring Gj and my wife to the wedding?"
"Dad you guys are family."
"How about Karly?"
"Defenitly, oh one thing though." He turned to Ted. "Ted don't sleep with my sister."
"Don't worry." Ted said bemusedly, watching the look of shock cross Gerome's face. "Farthest thing from my mind."
