Chapter 40- A Wrong Turn

A/N: I wrote most of this and most of the next chapter standing in a line at a midnight madness sale, surrounded by Amish and Mennonites. Nothing like being on an electronic device when the people you are near don't even drive cars. Sorry it's a little short, but I needed to post. Merry Christmas to all the Christian readers out there!

The stress of Christmas sitting in bed is starting to get to Robin. The stress of Christmas period. Christmas was always stressful for Robin, but being stuck in bed makes it a million times worse. She can shop online, but wrapping is out the window. Sending out the cards is a chore. There is so much to do, and she can't even get most of it accomplished without someone's help. And she can't do most of what relieves her holiday stress. She can't go outside and enjoy snowy the weather, she can't drink her normal eggnog, even without the alcohol, and she can't have sex.

Barney can sense that she is stressed, and he is too. It's been difficult getting everything ready up to her level for Christmas without her. Plus, the two year anniversary of their engagement is coming up. What can one possibly do for their on-bed rest pregnant wife that he doesn't already do? They can't go out on a date. He could bring dinner to them again, but it's not really what he wants to do this time. He knows it will just stress her out this time. It won't help her unwind at all.

"I'm so glad that everything is ok with Bri, not that I was expecting there to be anything wrong, but still. I'm relieved every week that we get a good report," Robin sighs, as they travel back home from her doctor appointment in the back of the town car.

"Me too. It's amazing how big she is on the ultrasound now," Barney responds.

"I know," she agrees. "Wait," she interjects, starting to panic, "we missed the turn. Ranjit, you missed the turn," she shouts to the front.

"Didn't miss the turn," Ranjit replies.

"Barney," she groans and turns to Barney, perfecting her disappointed mom look. He managed to reroute the car without her knowing. Of course.

"What?" he rebuts innocently.

"Where are we going?" she interrogates. "I don't like this anymore. I thought we had a deal about no more surprises," she scolds.

"And if I remember correctly, I said I would only surprise you to make you happy."

"Well, it's kinda hard to make me happy right now," she retorts.

"Oh, I'm gonna make you happy."

"Barney, where the hell are we going?" she asks, demanding answers.

"You forgot what day it is didn't you?" he accuses teasingly. She wasn't expecting that. It's a special day?

"It's Wednesday," she replies. He's a bit disappointed that she doesn't remember what happened two years ago today, but at the same time, he knows it's the combination of not being out in the real world, and pregnancy brain.

"Not what I meant."

"What did you mean?" she questions.

"What's the date?"

"I have no idea."

"It's December 17th, Robin." He sees her features contort in frustration as she realizes that she forgot the anniversary of their engagement.

"OH MY GOD," she apologizes. "I'm so sorry, I completely lost track of the date, Barney. I didn't really forget about it, I just didn't realize it was that late in December."

"It's ok, Robin," Barney reassures her. "But the point is, today is about celebrating."

"But Barney-"

"No buts, Robin," he insists. "I've approved everything with the doctor. She didn't have a problem with anything I have planned."

"Really?" she turns to him, unable to keep the stupid grin from taking over her face. "You did that? For me?"

"I've noticed how depressed you've been," he explains. "And I know I've been surprising you a lot lately, but I can't help it. I would have told you, but I was afraid you wouldn't come to this one."

"What's the plan?"

"I have an appointment for a couple's massage for both of us at the spa, and then dinner reservations at the Russian Tea Room."

"And Dr. Black approved dinner?" she asks, surprised.

"Yes. Your massage is a specialized pregnancy massage," he explains. "They focus on all of the spots that are typically sore from pregnancy. I remembered how much you used to love Korean massages, so I thought that maybe you would love one." She's moved. It sounds incredible.

"Thank you. I can't wait now. Just to be able to truly relax is going to be so wonderful."

As she slips on the oversized robe, the only one that will fit around her and Brianna, she can't help but think how amazing this is. She hasn't been to a spa in months. She can't help but think back to their honeymoon, where they had a couple's massage, and then ended up sneaking out the back of the spa for a bang in the jungle. Even though that won't be happening this time, the massage will still be amazing.

She's whisked into a room, where Barney is already waiting for her. Sure, it's not as much whisking as her trying to hurriedly waddle behind, but still, she's eager to see Barney, already laying on the table an grinning at her like an idiot. The smell of the essential oils finally overtakes her nose, and for the first time in months, she feels comfortable, relaxed, and not at all nauseous for the first time in months.

She lays on her side as instructed, facing Barney, and she really can't help to grin from ear to ear. It's the first time she's felt truly intimate with Barney since they found out about Brianna.

And this, this is heaven. It's not quite like sex, but it's pretty damn close. She can feel the tension and pain flowing out of her limbs.

"God, Scherbatsky. I haven't heard those noises out of you in months," he teases quietly from the other side of the room.

"Shut up," she groans jokingly. "I'm trying to relax here."

"Point taken." His seductive comment doesn't throw her over the edge. It actually relaxes her more. This man she married, this baby she's having, it makes her realize just how lucky she is.

She's lulled into an almost comatose slumber by the time the massage is over, that she almost doesn't hear Barney say that there is more to do at the spa.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Huh?" she murmurs.

"It's time for the manicures and pedicures," Barney informs.

"Wait-did you say manis and pedis?"

"Well, yeah," he says obviously.

"Really? That was ok with the doctor?"

"Yeah, as long as it isn't a frequent thing, and there aren't too many fumes, which there aren't. I checked."

She thought the grin on her face couldn't get any wider. Turns out she was wrong. This is all exactly what she needed this week.

12/18/14

This week marks thirty one weeks, and the number of weeks left is now officially in the single digits. I think I am ready for this parenting thing now. And I know that even if I'm not, my husband is more than ready.

This week was the second anniversary of our engagement. He could tell that I'd been feeling down and frustrated about the stresses of Christmas, so he planned an entire spa getaway, doctor approved of course, and surprised me with it right after my weekly doctor appointment.

It worked. I feel amazing, and I am much more relaxed. The massage got rid of aches and pains I never knew I had. And I now am ready to tackle my last Christmas with just my husband.