A/N

Love you guys :)

Story of Us

Used to know my place was a spot next to you, now I'm searching the room for an empty seat.

2016

Robin steadied the pile of presents in her arms as she reached to knock on the door. She wasn't a hundred percent sure why she agreed to this. She could be in Hawaii or Argentina right now, but no, where was she spending Christmas? Here. In New York. With her ex-husband. At least the rest of the gang would be there. The door opened and Lily was standing on the other side. There was a child in her arms. Penny, maybe? They grow so fast. Robin didn't think it was Daisy, the baby was too little. Daisy was almost three. Yeah, must be Penny.

"Hey!" Lily said, drawing her friend into a one-armed hug.

"Hey Lil." Robin said. She looked past her friend. Marshall was stepping forward to take the pile of presents she was about to drop from her arms. Ted and Tracy were sitting on the couch. Tracy was heavily pregnant. Robin had no idea how far along she was. Eight months, maybe? Then there was Barney. He was on the other couch, Marvin on his lap, and they were reading a children's book. Barney didn't even look up when she entered. He had come over to her house two months ago, after having a nightmare. Yeah, a freaking nightmare. She had left for Mexico in the morning and he hadn't spoken to her since. He ignored every single text she sent and declined every call. Safe to say she wasn't really in a mood to talk to him. As she was about to say something, Marvin bounded off Barney's lap and ran to Robin. She knelt to hug him. Crying noises started through the baby monitor.

"Marshmellow, can you get her?" Lily asked, emerging from the kitchen. She had a second child in her arms. Daisy. Where do these children come from?

"Sure, Lilypad." Marshall responded. He disappeared into the hall. Robin went to sit down next to Ted, but Lily sat there first. The only free spot was besides Barney and there was no way in hell Robin was sitting there. Instead she looked helplessly at Lily who was staring into Penny's face and cooing. She stood awkwardly in the kitchen doorway until Marshall emerged from the hallway. Maggie was in his arms. It was December 25th, and Maggie was born on the 16th. Maybe. Must've been. Robin was in London when Marshall called. That made her nine days old.

Marshall paced over to Robin. "Here." He placed Maggie in her arms and went to sit beside Lily. Robin looked helplessly at the baby in her arms. She felt Barney glaring at her. What was his deal? She looked around the room and remembered Christmas last year. It was so much better.

December 2015

Barney and Robin had arrived no later than five minutes ago, but had already claimed their spots on the couch and were passionately making out. They had been fighting a lot at home recently, but didn't let the gang know that. Instead, they just consummated their love in the cleanest way possible. Ted was still complaining though. He was such a wet blanket.

"Guys, there are kids around." He groaned.

"Shut up, Theodore. We're busy." Barney snapped, before turning back to his wife.

"Barney, Robin. Come on. Let's open presents now, before Marvin loses his mind." Marshall said. The two separated and looked at their four-year-old nephew. He was jumping up and down near the tree and cheering. Robin smiled and got off the couch, pulling Barney with her. They sat next to Marvin beside the tree and watched as he distributed the gifts.

The look on Marvin's face when he opened the iPad Barney and Robin had given him was worth the two hours of scolding they had received from Lily. She said it was 'inappropriate to give a four-year-old such an expensive gift' but they waved her off and completely ignored her.

…

Later that night, after the kids had all fallen asleep, the adults had climbed up to the roof and were drinking champagne. As Robin leant into Barney's ear and whispered something really dirty, she watched as he burst out laughing, and realised how much she never wanted this to change.

Back to the present – 2016

It had changed. It had changed so drastically, Robin hardly even knew what happened. Now, her beloved ex-husband was glaring at her and hadn't spoken a word to her in eight weeks. She hadn't seen the gang for ages either. How she wished she could turn back time and go back to those endless nights in MacLaren's she had taken for granted. She wanted to be young and stupid again, giggling but at the same time feeling sorry for whatever girl fell for Barney's tricks, laughing at how cheesy Marshall and Lily were, cracking jokes at Ted's expense. Sharing an entire bottle of wine, a few beers and a couple of scotches without being hungover the next morning. The good old days.