Ch.18

Robin woke up the next morning to the sound of Ellie yelling 'daddy' as she jumped up and down on the edge of the bed. Robin opened her eyes and saw Ellie leap from the edge of the bed onto Barney. If he wasn't awake before, he definitely was now. Ellie landed directly on top of Barney and he jolted up with a sound that can only be described as the sound of someone who just got a knee to the groin.

"AHHHH. God Ellie, you can't do that. You hurt daddy." Barney said in a voice an octave higher than normal.

"Morning daddy." Ellie said as she crawled up Barney and placed a kiss on his cheek. She then turned to Robin and traveled the short distance between her and Barney.

"Morning Robin." Ellie then placed a kiss on Robin's cheek just as she had done to Barney.

"Good morning sweetie. How did you sleep?" Robin said, deciding that she should be the one to greet Ellie this morning since it seemed Barney was still in pain.

"Good, I'm hungry." Ellie said, immediately pointing out her hunger, probably due to the fact that she had eaten practically nothing in the past 24 hours.

"Okay well we can get some breakfast. What time is it?" Robin asked more to herself as she looked at the clock on the bedside table. It was 7:17 in the morning. "Wow, it's early. We have to get in touch with everyone else before we can eat okay. It might be a little while. Barney, do you think the others are up yet?"

"Maybe, Ted was always one for getting up early so he might be up. I'll shoot him a text." Barney reached over to get his phone to text Ted. Hey Ted, just wondering if you guys are up yet, also wanted to know what you guys want to do for breakfast.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to put some pants on." Barney said to Robin with a smile. Before he got up though he pulled Ellie to him and attacked her with kisses. Ellie got a kick out of this and hysterically laughed as he did so. He then leaned over to Robin and kissed her before getting up and going to the bathroom. While he was in the bathroom his phone vibrated. Robin picked it up and saw a text from Ted.

Hey buddy, were up over here. I tried to text Lily and Marshall and think they may still be sleeping. We'll wait until 8:00 and if they're not up well get them. And as for breakfast I think there are places at the hotel we can go, buffets and things like that.

Just as Robin finished reading the text Barney walked back into the room.

"Hey Ted texted you back, they're awake but Lily and Marshall are still sleeping."

"Okay, I guess breakfast will be later then. Do you know what we are doing today?"

"No actually, probably just hanging by the pool and beach. We can explore the resort a little bit."

"That sounds great to me. I need to get my tan on." Barney said as he looked at his white chest. "Ellie why don't we get you ready for breakfast. Do you want to go pick out your outfit?"

"Yeah!" Ellie said as she ran to her suitcase. She started pulling clothes out and making a mess. She eventually picked a shirt she wanted to wear but failed to pick any shorts.

"Here, let me help you baby."

"No!" Ellie said as she pulled away from Barney.

"No? I always help you pick your clothes out."

"No, I want Robin." Upon hearing her name Robin looked down at Ellie with a dumbfounded look.

"You want me?" Ellie just nodded her head. "Okay then." Robin stood from the bed and made her way over to Ellie. "What do you need help with?" Robin saw Ellie holding the shirt but no shorts. "Do you need help with your shorts?"

"Yeah." Robin started to go through Ellie's bag and found a pair of shorts to go with the shirt she had picked out.

"Robin, she doesn't normally get dressed by herself so she probably wants you to physically dress her too." Barney said, reveling in the fact that a child liked Robin. He just sat on the edge of the bed, watching the two girls who meant more to him than anything else in the world interacting. It actually got Barney choked up a bit and he had to clear his throat to make sure that he didn't let his emotions show. As he watched Robin dress Ellie he realized that there was no way he was letting her get away again. He loved her more than anything and that never changed. Even when they split he knew he wasn't, nor would he ever be, completely over Robin. He would love her for the rest of his days if it killed him, and he hoped she felt the same way.

"There you go Ellie, all dressed for breakfast. How did I do?"

"Thank you." Ellie said as she hugged Robin and bounced away.

"That was impressive Scherbatsky. Is it possible that you actually found a child who likes you and who you like back?"

"Like? Barney, I love Ellie. How could I not, she is a little you. I know she is only 4 years old but I can tell she is going to grow up to be an amazing young lady and make you proud."

"Robin, you honestly don't know how much that means for me to hear you say that." Barney got up from the bed and walked towards Robin who was still kneeling on the floor by Ellie's suitcase. He put his hands out for her to take and helped her get up from the floor. Once she was standing he pulled her towards him and wrapped her in his arms. He rested his forehead against hers as he said, "I love you, you know that right. I never stopped loving you and I can't believe how lucky I am to have you back in my life again, and how lucky Ellie is. She needed a woman in her life and I'm so happy that its you."

"I love you too, but I think I am the lucky one here. I was starting to believe that my life was turning into the exact opposite of what I wanted it to be. I had nobody in my life that I cared about. Everyday after work I would go back to my hotel room in whatever country I was in and just sulk. I was so lonely, but you and Ellie turned that around for me. You made me see the light in my life again and I am so thankful for that." Barney had no words to respond with so instead he just kissed her. He put every emotion he had felt for the past 8 years since the divorce into this kiss. The passion behind their kiss practically brought tears to Robin's eyes. She couldn't believe how much she loved this guy. She didn't want to let go, ever. But unfortunately she did, only after her and Barney heard Ellie say 'EWWW' from the small kitchen table she was sitting at. Barney and Robin pulled apart and just laughed.

"Ellie, get your toothbrush okay. We're going to go brush your teeth." Barney said to distract Ellie from what she just saw. Ellie ran to get her toothbrush and then pulled Barney by his hand into the bathroom. As Robin saw the two of them walk away hand in hand, she couldn't help but think that this was exactly where she was suppose to be, with her family.