I'm so sorry for keeping everyone waiting - I am super busy right now, and don't really have time to write. I know this chapter is super short, but I will write another one in a minute to make up for it. Although, I know this story might seem like it's going no-where, but it is, and soon things will unfold. Just stick with it please.

The First Christmas

"Oh wow." Robin gasped as she, and Barney entered the apartment, she had never seen the winter wonderland Lily would create every Christmas and thus was presently surprised.

"Right?" Barney asked.

As soon as it became clear that Lily, and Marshall wouldn't go to Minnesota for the holidays, Barney had convinced Robin to also stay in the city, and celebrate with them.

"There you are, did you bring the eggnog?" Lily asked as she entered the living room.

"We did." Robin held the container up.

"Perfect, Robin what do you think about the tree? Marshall, and Ted went to a farm upstate, and picked it out."

"It's great, I love what you did with it."

Barney took her coat out of her hands, and hung it up.

"You guys should put your gifts underneath it." Lily suggested.

"Hey guys!" Ted greeted them as he came out of his bedroom.

"Merry Christmas." Robin greeted him before hugging him.

"It's so cool that you decided to spend Christmas in the States." Ted grinned happily.

"Well, Barney made it sound awesome." Robin replied.

Barney nodded, he had, but it hadn't taken much to convince her to stay, and he guessed that her family might have had something to do with her moving to New York.

"Oh, he wasn't exaggerating, it will be awesome!" Marshall exclaimed happily.

…

It truly was awesome! They had all changed into their PJ's, and hung out around the tree, drinking eggnog.

The gang had turned the sofa around so they had a better view of the tree, but Barney had opted to sit on the floor, with his back against the wall and Robin eventually joined him.

It was perfect, the sight of the beautifully decorated tree, Christmas music playing in the background, the warm mug in his hands, and Robin's shoulder touching his.

…

"Wow! You shouldn't have!" Barney exclaimed after he had opened Robin's gift to him.

"Do you like it? It's from their new collection." Robin asked.

"Like it? I love it!" Barney took the slick Louis Vuitton tie out of the box.

"Thank god, I spend eternity in that store trying to find one you don't already have, and would actually wear."

"It's perfect, but you really shouldn't have." Barney hugged her.

"No, you've done a lot for me these last couple of months…it's an attempt to say thank you."

Barney smiled at her, and finally turned back to the tie. He noticed how the others exchanged looks, but decided to let it slide.

…

Lily was finally the one who cornered him in the kitchen,

"that's a really nice tie she got you."

He simply nodded.

"Not really something you'd get a friend."

"What are you implying Lil?" He asked, while grabbing one of her cookies.

"That you are secretly dating."

"Barney Stinson doesn't date – true story."

Lily rolled her eyes, "fine, secretly hooking up?"

"Nope, let it go Lily. We are just friends, just as I promised."

"Then why would she get you something so expensive? I mean, where does all this money come from?"

Barney simply shrugged, "heck do I know."

"I smell poop, and sooner or later I am going to figure this out."

"Good luck with that…now do you have some more eggnog?"

…

Eventually Barney had to leave to meet up with his mom, and James. But all he could think about during the cab ride was that this was how he wanted to spend Christmas every year.

And that Rubertus was not his favorite tie anymore.