Chapter 42- New Year's Eve
A/N: Fun Fact: I found a 'did you know' on tumblr that 'some individuals who claim never to have felt romantic love suffer from hypopituitarism, a rare disease that doesn't allow a person to feel the rapture of love.' This is the condition that Robin has in this story. I was shocked, because it would explain how Robin feels she is wired wrong.
"So you remember last New Year's Eve?" Barney says lustfully the day before New Year's Eve. "You and me in Times Square?"
"I was working," she groans, still somewhat annoyed over the whole thing. Why she agreed to let Barney come along that night, she'll never know. It was their first year as a married couple, and he had his heart set on seeing Miley Cyrus making a fool of herself, so she agreed to let him tag along at her report, as long as he didn't do anything foolish. It turned out that neither of them made a fool out of themselves, which she was quite thankful for.
"We kissed at midnight and then snuck into the bathroom at the studio and had our first bang of the New Year."
"Ok. You're right," she admits. "That part was pretty amazing."
"Of course it was!" he says excitedly before his voice takes on a more melancholy tone. "This year is not going to be nearly as fun."
"Come on now. If you look at it that way it won't be," she tries to comfort him.
"Come on. How can it be anything like our past New Year's Eves?" She had already thought of a way to make the night memorable, even though it was a requirement to stay at home.
"I'll let you solve that puzzle on your own," she hints.
Barney spends about thirty seconds thinking about what she could be saying before he figures it out. In the moment of realization he ends up emitting a large gasp. "Really? We are going to open Puzzles here?"
"Only if there are only 4 drinking guests," she reminds him.
"Ok, not quite as much fun."
"You get to be bartender," she adds.
"Yes!" he exclaims like a three year old. She loves it when he gets this excited about things. "I'll go get the signs ready!"
He leaves her alone to ponder her thoughts. This year isn't just going to be like the fresh starts she's wanted in the past. This is going to be a completely different start. This year, they are going to become parents. There is a part if her that wants to turn around and go right back to being just the two of them like last New Year's Eve. Banging in a bathroom after a night on the town? That certainly won't be happening anymore. But then again, that would involve giving up Brianna and at this point, there is no way she could imagine doing that. She resolves to stop worrying about it, pulling out the computer to start getting things ordered for the party.
As Barney searches around for the Puzzles sign he knows he put in storage, he can't help but think about how things are going to change in 2015. He is going to become a dad. A dad. To a baby. They are going to become Marshall and Lily and do lame parent stuff like fall asleep before midnight. Ok maybe not that bad, but there certainly won't be any following Robin to Time Square with a little girl in tow. He'll be at home with the baby. He questions to himself, should he really be left alone with a baby? Yes, he's been alone with his niece and nephews, but that's different. He was always going to give them back. He won't be able to walk away from this girl when he screws up. He won't be able to have someone correct the mistakes he's made. She's going to be there no matter what.
He tries to stop thinking about it and works on getting everything ready for the party.
Both of them had been in their own little world since that day, not wanting to share their silent worry on what the New Year means to them. When December 31st finally arrives, it is time for them to face the truths head on.
"What time is the gang coming over?" Robin asks a fidgeting Barney.
"I thought around 8. Why?"
"Just curious."
"You're worried that things aren't ready," he asks.
"A little," she admits.
"I've got it under control," he says somewhat unconvincingly. "I have all the food you ordered and I went to the liquor store for the champagne. I also got the non-alcoholic stuff for you and Tracy and the place is all decorated," he says, proud of his accomplishments.
"You sure?" she questions again.
"Yes. Stop worrying."
"Sorry. It's just we've had so many memorable New Year's Eves before, I just want it to be legendary," she admits.
"Don't worry about it Scherbatsky. It will be just fine. I've got this all under control." And he does. He isn't just saying that to make her feel better. He really has everything ready. He is just waiting on the guests. He's actually quite proud of himself for pulling it off. He's ready to walk out the door of the bedroom to finish up some things when she stops him.
"Hey Barney?" she calls out behind him. He can tell by the tone of her voice that it's something serious.
"Yeah?"
"Can I talk to you about something?"
"What's that?"
"I'm not really nervous about the party," she admits. 'I'm nervous about what 2015 really means."
"You mean that she is going to be here soon, that we are going to be parents, and you are worried that we are going to screw her up?" he rattles off quickly, because once he opens the flood gate of emotions, it's almost impossible to stop.
"Yeah," she chuckles, because he couldn't have been more on the money playing his favorite casino game. "Pretty much. How did you know?"
"It's the same thing that's been on my mind all week."
"We're not really going to screw her up. I know we aren't. It's just a lot to think about. How our lives are going to change, you know?"
"I know. Our lives are going to change," he replies. "But at least we have people around us who do know what they are doing. They aren't going to let us screw her up."
"Very true."
"We've always got them. Just like we do tonight. Plus, she isn't going to slow us down that much, because she's got that awesome-legendary gene in there" he says, rubbing her stomach.
"Very true. Thanks Barney," she sighs. "I needed to hear that."
"Thank you to you too. I needed to hear that myself," he openly admits. "Now, I have to go keep getting ready, unless you don't want everything to be done by the time everyone gets here."
"No. Go."
"Just call me if you need anything."
It's only a few minutes later when the Eriksons arrive.
"Uncle Bawney!" Marvin shouts as soon as he gets in the door.
"Hey Little man! How you doing kiddo?" Barney greets him,, throwing him high up in the air.
"I'm gweat! Whewe's auntie Wobin?"
"Back in the bedroom!"
"Kay!" Marvin shouts, running off in the direction of the bedroom.
"Hey! Happy new year!" Lily greets.
"Happy New Year to you guys too! What are you guys doing here so early? I thought we said 8."
"We did, but Marvin was ready to go," Marshall explains, "and Lily thought it would be a good idea to come over here and see if you needed any help."
"I think I've actually got it covered," he says proudly, admiring his work.
"This is a Puzzles themed party?" Lily asks, surprised by the throwback.
"Yes ma'am! As head bartender, can I pour you some champagne?" He asks.
"Uh, sure," she says unsurely, eyeing Marshall.
"Great! Marshall?" Barney continues, not skipping a beat.
"Yeah sure. I can have one for now," he says, know he needs to pace himself tonight.
"Why for now?" Barney questions skeptically.
"I...uh... have to make sure we get home safe." Barney can see right through that lie. For a judge, Marshall is really a horrible liar.
"Hi, Auntie Wobin!" Marvin exclaims while running in the bedroom. "You sitting wight? I can jump on you?"
"Yes, Marvin," she chuckles. His enthusiasm is just so cute sometimes. "Just don't jump really hard on the baby."
"Ok!" he shouts, as he leaps onto her, trying to avoid her stomach.
She cherishes these moments these where she is alone with Marvin. It calms her down. It makes her forget about being stuck in bed for a while. But most of all, it reminds her that she can do this. She can be a mom. She can care for a child and not screw him up. Except for that time that she left Mike Tyson hold him, but that was a different time back then. She has no reason to do anything like that anymore. She can take care of him all by herself.
"I'm going to stay up weally late tonight!" he shares
"Yes, you are Marvin. Do you know what today is called?"
"New Yeaw's Eve?"
"That's right Marvin."
"What's that mean Auntie Wobin?"
"It means the night before the new year," she explains, grinning ear to ear. He just keeps getting cuter and cuter by the second.
"What's the new yeaw?"
"It's a new time for us. It's when we start over our time."
"So we stawt ova life?"
"Not quite Marvin. It's just an expression. When we change the calendar. Sometimes new good things happen, like new babies."
"You mean like youw baby? And Auntie Tracy's baby and Mommy's baby?"
"Just like my baby and Tracy's baby. You're mommy's baby."
"But what if thewe was anothew baby?"
"There is. She's in here. Do you want to feel her? She's kicking." He nods his head, and she can't help but wonder what he was talking about when he said mommy's baby. He must be confused about how it all works. After all, he is only two. She takes his hands and put them on her stomach at the last place she felt Brianna kick. He kicks him really hard, and he tries to pull away.
"She's weally stwong Auntie Wobin."
"Yes, she is Marvin."
"Can I hold her soon?"
"Soon. Sometime next year."
"Next yeaw, but that's so faw away."
"The new year starts tomorrow. She will be here really soon," she promises.
"Ok."
"Is Marvin in here with you Robin?" Lily shouts, peaking her head in the door.
"I's hewe Mommy," he answers.
"Oh good," Lily says, breathing a sigh of relief. There are just too many places for a child to get lost in the fortress.
"Marvin and I were just hanging out."
"We was talking about new yeaws."
"That's great honey," Lily says. "Ooo! Can I take a picture?" she asks.
"Sure."
"Say cheese!" she shouts, right before taking the picture. "You two look really cute together!" she exclaims, admiring the picture on her phone. "Marvin, I think Uncle Ted and Aunt Tracy just got here."
"Weally?"
"Yes, really, why don't you go say hi?"
"Okay mommy!"
"Remember, watch the baby!" she shouts to him as he's already halfway out the door.
"I will!"
"Are you ready to come out and join us?" She turns to ask Robin once the room is quiet. "Barney asked me to come see if you are ready."
"Almost," she says, adjusting herself on the bed. "I don't quite have to pee yet, so I thought that I should wait a bit so I can do both at once."
"Probably a good idea," Lily agrees, deciding to settle in beside her. "How have you been feeling the past couple of days?"
"Alright," she sighs. "It's just with the new year, that it's starting to hit close to home that she'll be here soon. I'm just getting really nervous now."
"That happens."
"It does?"
"Yeah," Lily answers. "I was so worried. I had no idea what it was going to be like. I had never been around an infant before. I knew I wanted to be a mom, but I was so terrified of screwing up. You have a one up on me. You were at least around Marvin. I had nothing. It's part of the reason I sent Marshall to Atlantic City with Barney right before he was born."
"I can promise that I will not be sending Barney away with Marshall anytime soon," Robin says adamantly.
"Good. I don't really want to be holding your hand through labor." Robin looks at Lily, somewhat offended, but she gets it. She wants Barney by her side. "Anyway, my point is that it's a natural feeling to be apprehensive about her arrival. It's also normal to have hard days sometimes. It's not all rainbows and unicorns like everyone makes it out to be. But it's worth it, because you love them. There is nothing you wouldn't do for them. Take what you feel for Barney and multiply it by a hundred. That's how you're going to feel about her. I know you, and I know you are going to be a great mom, so don't think of today as leaving behind the good life, because you are leaving to start an even more amazing journey. And I know it won't be quite the life you saw for yourself, but I promise you that it will be worth it."
"Thanks Lil," Robin says, smiling. "I really needed that."
"I know. Sometimes my stories are like waterfalls; they just keep running and gushing-"
"And now I have to pee," Robin announces, as she pushes herself out of bed.
"Knew that would work," Lily mutters to herself, once Robin is out of earshot.
"Dude! You got out the puzzles banner?" Ted exclaims.
"Yes I did. I thought if we were going to throw a party, we should do it right!" Barney declares.
Robin clears her throat as she waddles into the living room, before saying, "and whose idea was that again?"
"Uhhh..." Barney trails off.
"Well, I think it's cute," Tracy announces.
"Did they ever tell you about the two different times they started puzzles?" Robin asks. She knows that Tracy's heard a lot of stories, but she has a feeling that this one might be new.
"No."
"Well..." Barney starts, anxious to tell her about the legendary nights.
The story telling went on for hours, the reminiscing about the old days, large blizzards, party school bingo, an escaped from Time Square Sandy Rivers, and not Moby and the miraculous story of the five parties. It was somewhere around the three days of snow story and the marching band at the airport that Lily tucked Marvin in for bed in a sleeping bag in Robin and Barney's bedroom.
Before they knew it, it was almost time to ring in the New Year.
"Guys, we have something to say," Marshall announces.
"It's almost midnight, can it wait?" Ted asks.
"No," Marshall replies.
"But we're at less than thirty seconds," Tracy adds.
"We really want to tell you before the New Year," Lily insists.
"Is it really that big of a deal?" Robin questions.
"Yes."
"But midnight-" Barney whines.
Ten, nine, eight...
"We're having another baby!"
Seven, six, five, four...
"Oh my god!"
Three, two, one, happy new year!
1/2/15
Happy New Year to the readers of this blog and to all the viewers of WWN. New Years is a day that I always associate with work. Four years ago, I started my first day as a research assistant two days after the New Year. My first on air appearance was on New Year's Eve a year later. I don't know how many of you viewers remember that year. Frankly, I hope many of you don't. But it was in doing that broadcast that I came to an enlightening conclusion. New Years is a time for a fresh start. A time for new and better things to happen to us. A time to look forward with hope. I never thought that I would find something more to celebrate than my engagement two years ago, or my marriage last year, but it turns out, I do. I'm ready for a fresh start. A fresh start of expectations. A fresh start on life. A fresh start for my family. 2015 is going to be the year of babies for my little group. We will be ringing in 2016 with three new lives. It's going to be different, but it's going to be amazing.