Chapter 10 - Beginning Again

April 2031

Ted Mosby woke up the morning of April 5th, 2031 to a noticeable absence from his bed. Then he remembered why. He smiled to himself as he thought about what this day meant. I'm getting married. He laughed lightly as he flung his legs over the side of the bed to begin his day. Robin had stayed at a hotel in the city, as she had given up her apartment two weeks ago. He padded into the bathroom in his bare feet to begin his morning routine, when he heard a knock at the bedroom door. "Come in."

Penny walked into her Dad's room, brushing out her hair as she had already showered. She would be standing as Robin's Maid of Honor today, with Lily as Matron of Honor, and Quinn as a bridesmaid, as Luke would be standing as his best man alongside Marshall, with Barney as a groomsman. "Hey, Dad. Just making sure you were awake. I know how you like to sleep in on the weekends."

"Well, I was hardly going to sleep in today, Pen." He laughed at the look on his daughter's face. "I almost didn't get to sleep last night. I'm not afraid to say that I am a bit nervous."

"Really? That's crazy, Dad. What do you have to be nervous about, it's Aunt Robin."

"I know, I know. I'm being silly. Quick question though. Have you thought about what you're going to call her after today?"

Penny looked thoughtful. "Well, I don't really feel the whole 'mom' thing would work too well. And continuing with the Aunt Robin thing seems super weird. I was thinking, maybe just 'Robin' for now, until we figure something out."

Ted smiled at his eldest child. "I think that sounds perfect."

HIMYM

Ted, Penny, and Luke arrived at the venue right on time. Ted and Robin had decided to get married at the lighthouse at Pier Sixty in Chelsea. It was among the highest rated and in demand wedding spots in the city, so Robin had had to pull in a few favors to get it locked down, but it all worked out in the end. The wedding would be a medium sized affair, with just a cocktail reception. The excitement flowing through the people there was evident as Penny broke away from her father and brother to find Robin, and Ted and Luke made their way to the room reserved for the groom. "Hey, Marshall, thanks for getting here early. I really appreciate it," Ted greeted as he entered the room.

"No problem, buddy, like I would do anything to upset this day. You're marrying Robin! I'm super excited!"

"Calm down! I know it's exciting but we don't need to get overly worked up about it!", Ted laughed. "Luke, you go ahead and get dressed over there, I'll dress over here."

"Ok, Dad. Do I really have to wear the flower though?"

"Yes! Robin picked out that flower just for you."

Luke grumbled as he went to get dressed, "Fine, fine."

Ted looked over at Marshall, whose smile had only gotten bigger. He laughed, "OK, quit grinning like an idiot, and help me pick out a tie."

HIMYM

Ted stood nervously at the altar, waiting for Robin to come in. Quinn, Lily, and Penny were already there. The tune changed to Pachelbel's Canon in D, and slowly, Robin made her way into the room. Her father had passed away a year and a half ago, so Robin walked alone down the aisle, wearing a beautiful ivory colored dress with blue trim.

She smiled at Ted as he began to tear up at the altar. Seeing him standing there filled her with a joy that she would never be able to fully express. She arrived at the altar, and took Ted's hand, and they faced the officiant.

"We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Theodore Mosby and Robin Scherbatsky. The bride and groom have written their own vows, and will now share them with each other, before they exchange rings."

The officiant nodded to Ted, who turned to face Robin. "Robin, I never thought I would be ready to love again after I lost Tracy. That loss put a huge hole not only in my life, but the lives of my kids, and your life as well. Even though she told me I would, I never believed I would be ready. I fought this for as long as I could, but I give up. I give up pretending that I'm not in love with you. I give up pretending that I can live my life without you. I give up. I cannot believe how lucky I am. Most people only get one chance in this life at happiness, but I have been blessed enough to have two. Thank you for loving me, Robin. Thank you for loving Luke and Penny. Thank you for standing by me in my darkest days, and celebrating in my greatest joys. Thank you for allowing me to become your husband. I promise, from here until the end of my days, that I will love you as deeply as I can, I will treat you like you deserve, and I will be there for you, whatever the need. I love you."

The officiant nodded to Robin, and she blew her nose and wiped her eyes, and looked at the man she loved, "Ted, I never thought this day would come. I never thought I would get married again, and I never in a million years dreamed that it would be to you. What you and Tracy had was special, and a once in a lifetime love. I admit that I was at first envious of her, but as I got to know her, and saw the two of you together, I knew that what you had was something I could never have given you. And I loved Tracy so much. She was my best friend, like a sister to me. So it scared me when I started to have feelings for you again after she died. It scared me so much, that I buried it , hoping it would die. But like my love for Penny and Luke, it kept growing and growing until I could no longer deny it. I made a vow to myself that I would never pursue my feelings, because I would never want to betray my friend. But then, 10 months ago, you showed up beneath my apartment window with the blue french horn, and I knew you were ready to know my feelings. I still had my doubts, especially worrying about what Tracy would think, but wouldn't you know she wrote me a letter telling me to love you and give you happiness. So that is what I promise you, Ted Mosby. I promise to love you as long and as hard as I can, and bring you the happiness you so deserve. I love you."

Nearly everyone in the room was crying at this point. The officiant even had to wipe his eyes before continuing. "Ted, do you have the ring?" At Ted's nod in the affirmative, he continued. "Then take the ring, place it on her finger, and repeat after me, 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

"With this ring, I thee wed." Ted smiled as he slid the ring on Robin's finger.

"Now Robin, take the ring, and repeat after me 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

Robin, smiling brightly enough to light the entire room, said, "With this ring, I thee wed."

The officiant smiled, "Then by the power vested in me by the State of New York, and by Almighty God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!" And Ted did just that.

HIMYM

Ted and Robin Mosby sat at a table with their closest friends, winding down after partying into the night. The kids had all been taken to a nearby hotel for the night. Marshall and Lily were cuddling across from Ted and Robin, and Barney and Quinn were kissing each other quite passionately on a third side of the table. Robin finished her champagne, looked at her new husband, and said, "Ted, let's go to the hotel."

Ted grinned at Robin and stood. "Good night guys. And Barney, Quinn, go get a room."

Barney paused long enough to flip Ted the bird, then continued making out with his wife. Marshall spoke quietly as not to wake the sleeping Lily on his shoulder. "Have fun you guys. We'll keep Penny and Luke entertained tomorrow." With that, the bride and groom left.

HIMYM

Ted unlocked the door to the Parkview Luxury Suite at the Gramercy Park Hotel. He and Robin stopped to admire the decor for just a moment before moving to the bedroom. Robin looked at her new husband and sighed. "Could this night get any more perfect?"

Ted smiled at her as he began to help her out of her wedding dress. "Well, Mrs. Mosby, lets find out…"