A/N

I'm working on a new story that I'm hoping to get out on Saturday! I'll update everything on the weekend. This chapter is a little similar to last chapter, but in an AU obviously. I love you guys so much, and as always, please R/R :)

New Year's Day

Squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi

2016 - 2017

New Year's Eve in your late thirties was sure different to New Year's Eve in your twenties. Barney realised how true this was as he looked around the room. It was ten to twelve, but Marshall, Lily, Ted and Tracy had all already fallen asleep. He wasn't going to wake them either. They looked like they could use some sleep. Marshall and Lily had a three-week-old baby and Tracy was ready to pop with baby #2. Robin was also two months pregnant, but they hadn't told anyone besides James yet. They were too scared that if everyone knew, it would jinx them or something. Barney looked up at Robin, who was standing in the kitchen doorway. He frowned when he saw her drink.

"What are you drinking?" He asked in alarm, looking at the champagne glass in his wife's hand.

"Calm down. It's just sparkling mineral water. It looks so much like champagne, though. I fooled Lily, mainly because she's drunk." Robin replied. She glanced around the room. "They're so boring. It's literally not even midnight."

"Lily, Marshall and Trace have reasons, but what about Ted?" Barney commented. The two laughed. Barney looked back at the TV. "It's almost midnight, come here." She walked over to Barney and sat on his lap, her arms entwined around his neck. He had his own arms holding her waist tightly to his body. They began the countdown softly, and quietly whispered happy new year to each other at midnight, before pressing their lips together.

"Happy new year, Barn." Robin broke the make out session to murmur softly into Barney's ear.

"Happy new year, babe." He replied. "This time next year, we'll be parents." He put a hand onto her still flat abdomen and rubbed gently, something he rarely did. Robin thought it was sweet. "Ooh! Fireworks are starting, come on!" He jumped up, pulling her with him and took her out of the lounge room and onto the Mosby's front porch. They sat on the porch swing and watched the fireworks explode in the clear black sky.

…

As lame as they claimed it to be, and as much as they made fun of it, after Robin and Barney went back inside, they too fell asleep on the couch. The entire gang awoke at two am to the sound of kids lighting fire crackers in the street.

"Happy 2017, guys." Robin snickered, teasingly.

"Did we fall asleep?" Ted asked, disoriented.

Barney smirked. "Yes. I get why Marshall and Lily did, with Maggie and everything, and Tracy because she's really pregnant, but you literally have no excuse."

"Penny keeps me awake." He groaned.

Barney made a noise of disapproval. "Penny's nineteen-months-old and sleeps through the night, Theodore. You can't use her as an excuse."

"Get out of my house." Ted said, annoyed. He wasn't serious, obviously.

"Actually, we should go." Marshall said. "You guys coming?"

"Yeah." Barney looked lovingly down at the woman with her head in his lap.

Marshall called two cabs, and everyone gathered their stuff and said goodnight. The Stinson's and Eriksen's went out to the front porch to wait for the taxis. Robin had her arms resting on the nape of Barney's neck and he had his arms anchored around her waist, her shoes in one on his hands. Robin's head was resting on his shoulder, and she was half asleep. It was Barney and Robin to hold each other like that in public, they did it all the time at home, but Robin looked like she was about to topple over, she was that tired, so he was holding her upright.

"You guys look natural. It's adorable." Lily said.

"We don't do adorable, Lily." Barney reminded her.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Marshall looked at the pair quizzing. "Hey, how come Robin's not drunk? She was knocking back champagne like there's no tomorrow."

"She's just tired." Barney replied, softly.

The cabs arrived and the two couples said goodnight. In the cab, Robin was sprawled across the backseat with her head in Barney's lap.

"We're gonna have to tell them eventually." He whispered.

"I know." She replied. "Just not yet."

"Okay." He replied. "Happy New Year, baby."

"Happy New Year." She replied, burying her face deeper in his shirt.

At that moment, Barney was filled with so much love for one woman, he didn't even know it was possible. She was honestly the love of his life and he was so glad she was the one he would spend eternity with, because he honestly couldn't think of a more perfect woman than Robin Scherbatsky-Stinson.

…

A/N

Woah, that got cheesy towards the end. Stuff it, I love that. Also, I believe beneath the womanizing jerk façade, Barney is a sweet man whose mind works and thinks like that.