Chapter 34- Day of Empathy

A/N: I had a guest review asking about Mara's name (when Tracy was Mara), and if she was named after a Star Wars character. She is not, she is named after a coworker of mine. It was a happy accident! I really hope that we find out her real name soon.

"So this is what your life is like?" Tracy asks. Robin, Tracy, and Lily are perched on Robin and Barney's bed after just finishing a chick flick. The gang had finally all had the time on a Saturday to have their empathy experience, as Robin had been calling it.

Robin had laid down ground rules for the day. Lily and Tracy were only allowed to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Marshall and Ted were to do everything for their wife, and for Robin too, so that Barney could have the day off. So far, both Robin and Barney had heard everyone complaining since noon. They all came over at nine, and now, at six in the evening, it had only gotten worse.

"Yep," she answers Tracy, because it seems that finally, they seem to understand.

"Ok. You're right," Tracy admits. "This sucks."

"Yeah," Lily agrees. "At least it was fun having the guys wait on us."

"Yeah, but this actually a lot more fun than a normal day. I actually enjoyed myself," Robin admits.

"I bet Barney enjoyed it too," Tracy adds.

"I think he did," Robin answers. "It was a nice break for him. I feel so bad for him."

"Why do you feel bad?" Lily asks.

"Because he has to do so much for me. I feel like I am tying him down," Robin sighs. "You guys know how much he likes the bar."

"Robin, you know he would do anything for you," Tracy says.

"I know. It just… it sucks to be like this. It sucks to not be independent."

"I get it. It hasn't been easy depending on Marshall today. Besides, I'm sore."

"Me too. My back is killing me. Although that could just be the baby," Tracy says. "My back normally hurts. Does your back hurt?"

"Sometimes. I think I am used to it. I spend a lot of time on my side though. Oh! Did you see that new stroller that folds up on its own. How awesome would that be?"

Lily rolls her eyes. For her, the day has been agonizing. All the baby talk made her miss Marvin, and she feels left out.

"Pretty awesome," Robin agrees. "I saw it when I was looking at things to add to the registry though. Although I kinda have my heart set on one of the Bugaboos."

"Do you guys have a name picked out yet?" Marshall asks after the Pixar movie they were watching for Marvin finished.

"Yes, but it's a secret. Robin wants to keep it a secret," Barney says nonchalantly.

"Aww man," Marshall whines.

"What?" Barney asks.

"I came up with the perfect middle name for her and I want to know if it fits."

"You want to pick her middle name?" Barney questions.

"You got to pick Marvin's middle name, I figured it is only fair that I get to pick her middle name," Marshall argues.

"I don't know Marshall. That was differ-" Ted starts.

"Deal!" Barney exclaims.

"Really?" Marshall squeals excitedly.

"Wait! How is that a deal?" Ted questions.

"We can't come up with a middle name. We've talked about it, and we've got nothing. I am sure Robin will be fine with it," Barney answers.

"Dude, Barney. Are you really going to agree to that without Robin's input?" Ted chastises.

"She'll be fine with it. Trust me."

"I figured I was too late," Marshall utters, "and that you already had a middle name already."

"You don't even want to know the name?" Ted inquires.

"Nope. If Marshall says it's perfect, it's perfect."

"Yes!" Marshall exclaims excitedly. "I can't wait to see Robin's reaction."

"So what is it?" Barney asks, figuring that now that he has agreed, Marshall will tell him what it is.

"Not telling. You can find out when she is born, when we find out the first name."

Damn it. All he can think is that it better be worth it, and Robin better be ok with what he just agreed to.

Later that night, after everyone left, Barney and Robin started to get ready for bed.

"I kinda did something," Barney admits as he pulls down the cover to climb in with Robin.

"What did you do?" she asks skeptically.

"I uhh…" She stares at him, waiting for his admission of guilt. She tries not to jump to conclusions, but she hopes it isn't anything horrible. "I kinda agreed to let Marshall pick Brianna's middle name."

She starts to laugh. That's it? "Oh. See, I thought you did something serious."

"Wait," he questions, stunned by her nonchalance. "You don't care?"

"Nope. It's a middle name. Whatever he picks can't be nearly as bad as Charles."

"So you are ok with whatever he picks?" he questions, just wanting to make sure she isn't lying to him.

"Yep, and that isn't the pregnancy brain either. I am ok with it. Marshall has a pretty level head on his shoulders."

"This is why I love you," Barney replies before turning out the light and pulling her into his arms.

"I love you too."

"I got Barney to agree," Marshall states as he walks into the bedroom that night.

"You did?" Lily asks gleefully.

"Yep."

"Robin's not going to go for it you know," Lily says dejectedly, trying to let Marshall down easily.

"Not true. Barney just texted me and said she agreed," he grins happily, waving his phone back and forth in front of her.

"No way. Let me see." She pulls the phone out of his hand. "Wow. She is going to FLIP when she hears the name though."

"Yes, but she agreed," Marshall argues.

"Yes, but as soon as she finds out the name is Miracle she is going to take it back. You know she doesn't believe in miracles. You know she hates that word altogether."

"Which is exactly why I am not telling them until she is born, because by that time, she will realize that the baby is a miracle."

"Hopefully you will be right," Lily pauses before snuggling into bed next to Marshall. "Hey Baby?"

"Yes, Lilypad?"

"Never mind." He can tell that something is bothering her, so he presses further.

"No, Lily what is it?"

"I don't know. I just feel… well... left out lately."

"Because you're not pregnant?" he guesses.

"Yeah," she sighs. "I mean, I just thought that we would be the ones going through this with Ted. The whole day today was just about babies."

"I know. I feel it too."

"Really?" She is a bit shocked to hear Marshall say that. She wasn't expecting him to feel the same way.

"Yeah. Even when it's just us guys Ted and Barney always have something baby to talk about."

"Why am I not surprised? Well, by Ted at least, but Barney? He talks too?"

"Yep. It's kinda weird actually. I never quite expected to see this side of him. I mean he invented Not A Father's Day for crying out loud," he chuckles.

"I kinda wish I was pregnant right now, though, you know?"

"Yeah," Marshall nods. "Wait. Are you being serious, or is that just the jealousy talking?"

"I don't know. Maybe a little bit of jealousy. I don't know," she answers. "I mean, Marvin is two. If we are going to have a second baby, now would be the time."

"Do you really mean that?"

"Yeah. I think do. Let's have another baby."

"Yes. Let's have another baby."

11/6/14

Well readers, it's week 25. Sleeping is starting to get more and more uncomfortable, as is sitting around all day. She is even the size of a head of cauliflower. That is crazy to think about.

The day finally came this week for my four friends to gather at my husband and my apartment for our day of empathy. Turns out it worked pretty well. My husband had a whole day off, and they all agreed that this isn't as easy as it looks. The girls were both sore by the end of the day.

While we they were there, one of my husband's friends got him to agree to let the friend pick the middle name of our daughter. My husband had picked this friend's child's middle name a few years back, and the friend thought that we should return him the favor. I agreed. Maybe I should be a little worried about it, but he is not only a really good friend, but a judge as well, so I doubt that he will pick anything stupid.