The words of his mother sounded like a gong through his head. They'd only been back for a few days, and he still just couldn't forget that one conversation with his mom. That one conversation that happened a couple of days after he noticed his mom and Robin leaving their room with damp, puffy faces- which he thought, for the record, was totally unsettling and uncharacteristic of the two. Though, he smugly thought he was very stealthy about this whole ordeal, so neither of them would be the wiser.

Not that he had much time to think about cover-ups when he was constantly focused on the exchange.

"I don't like Robin, you need to leave her and soon. Your reputation will be crushed and I just won't let it happen, I won't!"

"What? I was sure you loved her mom… What's wrong with her?"

"What's not wrong dear? She's loud-"

"She's funny!"

Loretta pretended not hear and continued, "She's rude-"

"Independent!"

"Not to mention a horrible cook…"

"Not everyone can be as great at cooking as you, mother," he spat out spitefully, "No- You know what? I really like her! No- even more- I love her! I always have, she makes me tea when I get home from work and- and we can tease each other. Her feelings don't get hurt easily and I never feel like I have to take care of her. She's perfect for me, and if you don't approve, well, I'm sorry mom, but you'll just have to deal with it." He finished firmly, fully ready for his mom's furious retort.

But instead- instead, she hugged him. She hugged him! Like, well like she was happy! Only moments ago she'd been fuming?

"Don't let her go, wuv-wuv. Ever."

"O-okay mom, I won't." He said, firmly returning her hug.

Loretta was so proud of her son. And just like she knew Barney was, she couldn't stop obsessing over their talk.

She knew what she was doing and she was fully confident that her son would pass the test. But with such flying colors? Loretta knew her son had that side, but she was always surprised when he used it.

One thing's for sure, she and James both expected to find a wedding invitation in the mail soon.

Robin was just as freaked out as Barney. Probably more freaked out. Maybe even most freaked out.

She heard him in the hall on that day. That one day. She defended him, and while that was nice and all, it wasn't enough to calm her mind from the other things she heard.

Not Loretta, no, that was all a test for sure. The Stinson family was fully transparent to Robin. No, what had her spiraling in a tornado of her own thoughts was what Barney told Loretta.

"I really like her! No- even more- I love her!"

He loved her.