Chapter 11
Barney slept better than he had in months. Dealing with his divorce, his lingering feelings for Robin, and his fake relationship with Gayle made it nearly impossible for him to fall asleep, and he often found himself staring at the ceiling until exhaustion finally won out, which was generally only for a couple of hours. Now, though, he felt at peace. And Robin did, too; she was sleeping soundly with her head against his chest. He wondered if she could hear his steady heartbeat.
He groaned when his phone started ringing, causing Robin to wake up. "Sorry," he muttered to her as he grabbed his phone from the nightstand. "Yeah?"
"Barney, Lily's in labor," Marshall said.
"Really?"
"Yeah! Can you get to the hospital?"
"Yeah. We'll be right there."
Marshall paused. "'We?'" He asked in a teasing tone.
"Shut up, Eriksen." Barney hung up and turned to Robin who was sitting upright and running her fingers through her hair. "Lily's in labor."
Robin smiled. "That's great! We better get dressed, then."
Barney nodded. He wasn't sure if he should lean forward to kiss her. No matter what they're relationship was, it was still an awkward situation, considering they had just cheated on their significant others. Funny how history repeated himself, he thought.
Luckily, Robin was the one who had the guts to lean in. She kissed his lips lightly, and he felt a small smile.
They reached the hospital while Lily was, gripping her bed and attempting to keep her breathing steady. Her face was nearly as red as her hair. Marshall tried to comfort her, but her glare made him shrink back.
"Hey, guys," Marshall said as Robin went over to Lily's side. Though he was just scared a moment ago, he smirked. "You might want to check that tie, Barney."
Barney rolled his eyes and quickly fixed his tie which he had tied hastily on their way to get out of the apartment.
"So… wanna talk about it?"
"Your wife is in labor, and you want to talk about my sex life?"
"Well, she won't let me near her. So…?"
Barney felt the skin underneath his collar grow hot. Marshall was so used to him bragging about his sexual adventures, but with Robin, it felt different. He looked over at Robin; she was holding Lily's hand, talking in hushed tones that made the woman look a little more relaxed even though a child was going to force its way out of her. His stomach churned, not unpleasantly.
"It was nice," he finally said.
He felt Marshall's hand on his back. "Glad to hear it."
The doctor entered the room at that moment. It wasn't Barney's doppelganger, but a doctor with a braid falling down her back. "Okay, Lily…" She sat in front of the bed. "Let's take a look."
"Robin, let's go wait outside," Barney called before the doctor could lift the sheet, and he would see more of Lily than he wanted to at the moment.
"Okay." Robin kissed Lily's forehead and left with Barney. "She's a trooper, that one."
"Yeah. You alright?" He asked when she sighed.
Robin nodded. "I'm fine." Something was bothering her. Barney put his arm around her shoulder. "I'm just thinking about David. We'll probably have to tell them tomorrow."
"Right. Are we really doing this?"
Robin shifted to face him. "Of course we are. Are you having second thoughts?"
"Are you?" He shot back. "You're not going to back out at the last minute?"
She frowned. "Why are you throwing that in my face? Now?" She gestured to the closed door where they could vaguely hear Lily's screams.
"You're the one who brought up telling David and Gayle."
"Because we have to."
"I'm not saying we don't… it's…!"
"Excuse me?" a nurse asked, walking towards them. "I'm going to have ask you to go into the waiting room. Please, try to be quiet."
As soon as Barney and Robin went to the waiting room, the argument started again, but much quieter.
"Why are you being a jerk?" She hissed.
"I can't go through that again. I just want to be sure this is what you want." He put his hands on her shoulders, and she looked straight into his eyes. "Please, tell me you want this." His tone was desperate, but he didn't care.
"Yes." There wasn't any hesitation in her voice.
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. "Broom closet?"
"Barney!"
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
Robin smiled and shook his head. "You're an idiot." And he leaned in to capture her lips, her sweet, wonderful lips.
"What is this?" Ted asked suddenly.
"Damn, Ted; can't we have some privacy here?" Barney asked.
"You're standing in a waiting room of a hospital filled with people. But never mind that. What is this?" He asked again, gesturing to the couple.
"We'll explain in a few days," Robin said.
"I think I know," Tracy said. "But, I'll let you two do the talking." She shot Ted a look when it seemed as though he was going to open his mouth and ask more questions; Barney smiled gratefully at her. As happy as he was that Robin wanted the same thing, he wouldn't feel comfortable talking about until it actually happened; he learned not to get his hopes up.
Marshall came into the waiting room about half an hour later. He had a huge grin on his face as he delivered the news, "It's a girl."
"Alright, buddy!" Ted jumped from his seat to embrace Marshall. "Can we go see Lily?"
"Yeah." He led them to the delivery room where Lily-her red hair was sticking to her sweaty face-was beaming, though she looked unbelievably exhausted. Barney couldn't really blame her seeing as she pushed a kid out of her, for the third time.
"Here's your daughter," a nurse said, handing Lily a squalling, pink faced baby.
"Hey," Lily said softly, peering into the baby's face. "I'm your mommy."
"And I'm your daddy."
"Ew." Lily looked up at Marshall. "Don't… don't say that."
"What's her name?" Robin asked.
"Daphne," Marshall answered.
"You named her after that lady you traveled with to our wedding?" Barney exclaimed.
"She was bad-ass!"
Barney held up his hands in self defense. "I'm sure she was."
Robin smiled. "She looks like you, Lily." Lily grinned in response, probably pleased since Marvin and Daisy had Marshall's hair and smile. Barney could definitely see the resemblance to Lily in Daphne's small face and the thin red hair sprouting from her head.
Suddenly, music started coming from Robin's pocket. She apologized and fished out her phone. "It's David," she announced, going outside to take the call. Barney resisted the urge to follow her. Even though it might be better to tell him in person, he wouldn't have minded if she told him right now. Or at least arranged to meet so she can get it over with.
"Do you have everything settled at your new place?" Tracy asked.
"Just about," Marshall said. "The beds and all that are set up, but we still have paintings and other furniture. You guys should come over in a few weeks. You know, once Lily and the baby had some time to rest."
"Of course. You remember when I had Penny?" she asked Ted. "God, I was so weak."
Ted put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. "You're the strongest person I know."
Tracy rolled her eyes. "Well, I can kick your ass at arm wrestling." Ted made a face, and Barney laughed gleefully.
"I think a contest is in order," he announced.
"Shut up, Stinson."
Robin entered the room; she wore a frown. "Uh, Barney, can I talk to you?" She gestured for him to follow her, so he shrugged at the others and went outside with her. He tried to remain casual, but in truth, his stomach was twisting. Robin looked so serious, and he couldn't imagine what she had to say. Did David propose to her? Did she say yes? Did she say she'd think about it? He did seem like the guy to propose over the phone. Okay, he was going to make himself sick.
"We can't tell them," she said.
Great. He proposed. "Why?"
"David's mom just died."
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry to hear that, but what's it got to do with us?"
"Barney!"
"What? I'm just being honest here."
Robin sighed and shook her head. "He grieving. I can't tell him I cheated on him and want to break up. That's just crappy timing."
"So when's good timing? After his mom is buried? After he's had time to get over her death? Because no one's going to get over their mom's death in less than a year. You want me to wait a year?" Robin didn't answer; she didn't even look him in the eye. "Robin, are you kidding me?"
"Excuse me," the same nurse from before approached them. "I don't know why you two like to get into arguments in front of doors where people trying to rest, but I think you should just leave."
"Fine. Let's go." He took Robin's arm and led her outside, despite her protests that they couldn't leave without telling the others. He sent them a short text message. "Okay, done," he said once they were in the parking lot in front of her car. "Are you fucking with me?"
"What? His mom actually died, Barney."
"I don't doubt that, but it seems to me like you're using that as an excuse not to let this happen."
"You're crazy."
"Am I?" His voice had risen slightly, and it did give the impression that he was crazy, but he didn't care. "Sometimes I get the feeling I love you more than you love me." Robin's mouth dropped open. "Do you want this?" Before she said 'yes' without any second thoughts, but now, he believed she said it so quickly for his benefit. He was sick of her giving him peace of mind only to rip it away moments later.
"According to you, I suppose not," she said angrily. She didn't let him get another word in; she unlocked the car and drove off, leaving him to catch a ride with Ted and Tracy.
AN: Of course, I couldn't let them just have their happy ending so quickly, right? Also, if you're wondering where Marvin and Daisy are, Lily's father is taking care of them at their new place. :) I'll be sure to add them in soon. (Not sure how long this story will go, but I feel I have another 3-4 chapters.)
