A/N: Well, this is the penultimate chapter. Time is going to speed up a bit these last two chapters, and the story will end with another wedding. That's all I'll say. ;) Also, I did let a reviewer know that I would be including Lily paying Marshall because Ted and Robin ended up together, but in the final edit of this chapter, it didn't fit. Suffice it to say, that she did pay up.

Chapter 11 - The Big Moments

October 2033

For the first time in many years, Ted Mosby had decided to hold a Halloween party at his house for both adults and teens, and the theme was super heroes and sidekicks. Subsequently, the house was teeming with people both old and young. Ted was dressed as Iron Man. He turned and saw his wife approaching him, dressed as SHIELD Agent Maria Hill. The resemblance to the actress who played her in the films was striking, and even at 53 Robin still looked great in the skin tight outfit. "Gorgeous."

"Shut up," she said as she pulled him in for a kiss. "Have you seen The Stinsons yet?"

"Nope. I'm really curious to see what Barney is coming as. All he would tell me is that it was 'legendary'"

"Original," she laughed and shook her head. "Do you suppose he'll ever fully grow up?"

"God, I hope not. Life would be dull with a boring Barney."

Just then, they heard the theme from Superman blaring throughout the house as the front door burst open, admitting Barney as Superman, and Quinn as Wonder Woman. Following behind them were Ellie, looking embarrassed at her father's antics and dressed as Supergirl, and Ben, dressed as Batman. "I hope no one has any Kryptonite, because I plan on having a super time." Quinn punched him in the shoulder, and he shut off the music. "Bro, I told you it would be legendary!"

Ted laughed and hugged his friends as they came in. "You were right. Totally legendary. Ellie, Ben, the kids are all in the backyard." The two kids ran through the house to the backyard. "Come on in guys. Food's in the dining room, drinks are in the kitchen."

Robin hugged them both as well, and then asked "Did you guys hear from Marshall and Lily? They were supposed to be here by now."

"No," Barney shook his head. "The last I heard, they were coming straight here from Wesleyan."

"I know that Marvin had some big news for them, so they might be taking longer than expected," Quinn added.

Ted slapped his forehead. "That's right. I forgot that he had some news for them." He slung his arm around his bride, and the foursome walked to the dining room to scour the food.

HIMYM

Marshall and Lily arrived with Teddy in tow an hour and a half later, their two oldest children both now attending Wesleyan. Teddy was dressed as Spiderman, and Marshall and Lily were dressed as Cyclops and Jean Grey from the X-Men. Lily looked furious and not at all in a festive mood as she pushed passed everyone straight to the kitchen. The party had died down a bit, so when they followed Lily and Marshall into the kitchen, the six of them were the only ones there, Teddy having gone in search of his cousins in the backyard. Lily was busily chugging down a bottle of wine, much to the astonishment of Ted, Robin, Barney, and Quinn. Marshall grabbed the bottle out of her hand. "Lilypad, that isn't going to solve anything."

"I know that, but it sure as hell makes me feel better," she said as she picked up a bottle of Glen Mckenna and took a swig.

"Guys, what the hell is going on? First of all, you're late. Second of all, Lily comes in here and tries to drink herself to death. What's up?," Ted asked, putting voice to the concern evident on everyone else's faces.

Marshall put his arm around Lily, who had begun to cry softly. "Marvin got married."

HIMYM

After everyone had left, the six friends sat in the study, finally ready to talk about what had happened. "Start at the beginning."

Marshall shrugged. "Honestly, there's really not much to tell. Marvin met this girl at college. Her name is Isabella Thurston. Well, it was anyway. They had been dating since last year. In August, when they got back to school, they apparently weren't that careful. She got pregnant." Everyone gasped. "Marvin knew that he was going to marry her someday, so decided to make that someday now. They got married two weeks ago."

Everyone sat back in their seats. Robin spoke first. "Well, he's being responsible at least."

Lily spoke through her tears. "It's not that. We're proud of him for that. I just wanted to be there. He's my firstborn."

Marshall hugged his wife tighter to his side. "Baby, don't worry. We have two more. And after the reaming you gave Marvin, you can believe those two will at least be inviting us to their weddings." The friends all laughed as Lily swatted Marshall.

"Damn straight."

April 2036

Ted sat in his office at Columbia, thinking. He was ready to make a big decision. But he really needed Robin's input. Their five year anniversary had just passed, and their lives had settled into a good rhythm. Both Penny and Luke were now off at college, Penny at Wesleyan, and Luke right here at Columbia. He was grateful that they had both decided to stay so close to home, but now was time to truly branch out and do new things. A knock at the door pulled him out of his reverie. "Come in."

Robin walked through the door and smiled as she greeted him. "Hey, honey."

Ted rose from behind his desk with a smile of his own and kissed her. "Hey, yourself."

"So, what's up? What did you want to talk about?", she asked as she sat on his couch.

He sat on the chair in front of his desk, and sighed. He picked up his water bottle, and took a small sip. "I want to retire."

Robin looked stunned at the news. "Really? But you love it so much."

"I do. But I'm ready. I've been teaching here for almost thirty years. I want to do something new."

Robin smiled at her husband's enthusiasm. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I'd like to get back into designing buildings again. Maybe do some freelance lecturing or writing. But most of all, I want to slow down and spend time with you. I want to see new things, experience the sights and sounds of this big, wide world. But without agenda. Not because either of us is on business, but just because." He sighed. "I just want to live and have fun."

Robin grabbed his hands in hers, smiled, and kissed him. "That sounds like an excellent plan, Mr. Mosby. Count me in."

He laughed and picked her up in a big hug. "Let's do it, Mrs. Mosby. Let's conquer the world."

February 2038

Ted and Robin stood silently as people dressed in black continued to file passed them, shaking hands, offering condolences. Robin looked at her grief stricken husband, and could tell he was holding up well. He smiled, and was engaging each person as they came through the line. If he was wallowing, he would be completely shut down. Time and the counseling he had been through had definitely matured and changed him. As the last people said their condolences, Robin gestured to the small living room of his mother's house.

Ted sat, and Robin sat next to him. "Well, I'm glad that's over."

"You did so well. I'm so proud of you. How are you feeling?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm happy for her. She was so sick these last couple of years. I'm just glad she's not in pain anymore." Ted wiped the tears from his eyes, gathered up his kids, said goodbye to Clint, and made their way back to New York.

HIMYM

The ride back to New York was a good one, with the little family enjoying each other's company. Penny, however, seemed to be fiddling with something in her pocket. Robin looked at her and mouthed Tell him.

Penny smiled at her stepmother, and said, "Hey, Dad. I'm getting hungry. Can we stop?"

Ted looked at the exits they were near, and pulled off to New Columbia, Pennsylvania and the Bonanza Steakhouse. "Alright guys, lets eat."

After their food had been ordered, Penny cleared her throat. "Dad, there's something I have to tell you."

Ted straightened up at his daughters tone. "What is it, Pen?"

"Jared asked me to marry him. I said yes. But not until after Graduation. Actually, Not until June of next year."

Ted's jaw dropped nearly to the floor. He had known for some time that Jared was going to ask, but in this moment, he was not expecting it. Not even a little. "Wow. Just…. wow. Well, congratulations." He smiled, got up and went over to the other side of the table to hug his daughter.

After Ted sat back down, Penny had a complete look of bewilderment on her face. "Dad. That's it? That's all you have to say? No going crazy, sending Jared death threats, none of that?"

Ted and Robin both laughed. Luke and Penny looked at each other as if they had grown three new heads each. "Penny, Jared came to me, what, 7 months ago and asked for my blessing. I knew this was coming. So did Robin."

"Robin! You let me think dad was going to flip his lid."

Robin smiled. "Of course I did. It was hilarious."

Luke laughed then, and was joined by Ted and Robin, as Penny crossed her arms in a huff. "It wasn't funny," she said, which caused the other three to laugh even harder.

June 2039

The gang was all gathered together once again for one of their big moments. The wedding of Penny Mosby. They were in the church where her parents had married nineteen years earlier. Penny was wearing her mother's wedding dress, at her request. She sat in her preparation room with her bridesmaids and Robin, awaiting the news that they were ready to start. "I am so ready to get this done. What is the holdup?", she asked , her nerves getting the better of her.

Just then the door opened to admit her father. "Ready."

Robin hugged Ted and went to find her seat, as the bridesmaids all giggled and tittered and lined up in the correct order. Ted helped his daughter up and took her arm. "How did Jared look, Dad?"

"Good. The tux is nice."

"I meant does he look nervous at all?"

Ted smiled, "Of course he does. All men are nervous on their wedding day."

"I remember how you were when you married Robin. You were a wreck."

"That was nothing compared to when I married your mom," he said wistfully.

She laughed. "I was only five, but I remember that too. You know, I've been thinking about her a lot today."

Ted turned to her. "She would have loved to be here. Absolutely would have loved to be here for you. Helping you get ready. Picking out the right jewelry…" He wiped his eyes.

"She is here, Dad. She always has been."

HIMYM

Ted and Robin sat in bed later that night, after the reception had ended. He was looking very wistful as Robin finished a magazine. "What a great wedding."

Robin looked at him and smiled. "It really was. Penny looked just gorgeous in Tracy's dress."

"I thought about her a lot today. Tracy, that is."

"Hard not to when her spitting image is getting married, but I know what you mean. When I was putting Penny's hair up, I kept thinking about how it should be Tracy doing this. I even told Penny that. But she just took my hand and said, 'If she couldn't be here to do it, I'm glad it's you who is.'" Robin sniffled, and then blew her nose. "Gross." She smiled at Ted again. "You have some pretty great kids there, Mr. Mosby."

"No. We have some great kids."

HIMYM

Ted had just started the coffee the morning after the wedding, when his vidphone rang. "Answer. Hey there, Marshall. What can I do for you this fine Sunday morning?"

Marshall's eyes were rimmed in red. "Ted. You have to come. Barney had a heart attack. They don't know if he's going to make it."