Chapter 10

The rest of Robin's second trimester seemed to fly by, Barney had spent most of the trimester, picking up food for Robin's cravings. The worst craving, she had in his opinion was chocolate ice cream in taco shells with a squirt of ketchup, she seemed to be craving that particular combination of food three or four times a week.

Robin was at 26 weeks and the baby was the size of a cucumber, and she now had a noticeable baby bump, which she tried to deny as long as possible. Ultimately, she had to admit that she needed new clothes, so while Barney and Marshall were at work, she and Lily went shopping for maternity clothes.

"This is cute" Lily held up a baby-grow that said Just done 9 months inside. "If only we knew if the baby was a boy or girl."

"Ppfft, I am not telling you the gender."

"Why" whined Lily, "I don't get why only you guys and your mum get to know, but I can't know."

"Barney and I decided that we were not going to tell anyone the gender because we want to keep that to ourselves." Robin picked a couple of maxi dresses in different styles and colours. Leaving Lily looking at baby clothes, Robin went to try on the dresses and trousers/ leggings.

"Robin, why don't you want a baby shower?"

"I don't really want to have one. There are not that many people I know or would want to invite. "

Lily shrugged in agreement; it was true most women attended to hate Robin. That's why the two of them got along so well. Robin came out of the changing room, with a pile of clothes, "I am getting these." As she headed off to pay for them.

The rest of the day was spent looking at baby furniture, that would match the beautiful nursery that had been painted just two days ago, Barney had hired a painter after seeing the painting she had done for GNB's entrance. The nursery had been painted a bright sage, with glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. One wall was painted in the jungle theme with painted trees and monkeys swinging in the air, giraffes grazing, parrots flying through the air and lions lazing in the grass. By the end of the day, Robin and Lily had selected a gorgeous dark walnut cot, changing table, cupboard, and a dresser, that would go in the nursery. Robin had also fallen in love with an incredibly comfy rocking chair, in a dark walnut and sage. Robin had made sure to book the delivery and opted to have the option to have the furniture assembled. Knowing that Barney had no idea how to use tools, she didn't want to embarrass or remind him of his lack of fatherly presence.

The rest of the week had been spent packing, Barney had surprised Robin with tickets to Canada, knowing that Robin had been advised not to fly after the 29th week of pregnancy. Barney had thought it would be a good idea to go see her mum and sister before then.

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A week later

It was the last day of their trip to Canada, the week had been spent shopping, sightseeing, touring anything that had to do with Robin Sparkles and of course spending time with Genevieve and Katie. The grandmother and aunt-to-be had bought a lot of gifts for the baby. Robin was lavished upon and took the time to rest, and she spent the time asking her mum all the questions she had burning inside her. Genevieve talked to her about the birth plan, post-birth plan and Genevieve's plan to come and help with the baby.

During this week Genevieve couldn't help but notice some things that made her glad that Barney was the father of Robin's baby, she saw the attention, the care, and the love that Barney had for her daughter.

Seeing as they had a couple of hours before Robin and Barney had to head to the airport, Katie and Robin decided to get a facial and a manicure. While the girls were out, Barney was packing all their things up.

"I hope you still have some space, those two will be back with more toys or clothes."

Barney laughed and nodded, "We might have to pay for the amount we are taking back."

"I am glad you know that it's you. You love her, you love my daughter so much."

"I… I.."

"You don't have to say anything, I just want you to know that she loves you too. Even if neither of you are not ready to see it or say it. I need you to take care of her and the baby and that you love that baby with all your heart."

"I do, I loved that baby from the moment I heard his heartbeat. And you're right I do love your daughter, but I also know that she is not ready to hear it not yet at least. But I am going to make sure that I am there every step of the way, and when she is ready, I will tell her, just how much I love her," promised Barney. Genevieve smiled and patted Barney's cheek in a motherly fashion, just then they heard the front door open and "We're home!" Barney and Genevieve headed down to meet the two sisters who walked in with at least fifteen shopping bags.

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Robin was now in the final trimester; she was a week into her maternity leave and there were not many things left to keep her occupied. With nothing occupying her time, Robin seemed to feel more uncomfortable and back pain was unbearable. The back pain usually led to some of the most erotic massages Robin has had in her life. This inevitably led to some mind-blowing sex, even if some of the positions were no longer comfortable, Barney loved experimenting with new positions. The two of them loved the reverse cowgirl, with her favourite massaging wand which gave her some of the most powerful squirting orgasms.

One morning, late in her pregnancy, Robin woke up With Barney curled around her, her need to pee was more overwhelming than her desire to stay in the warmth of her bed. So, pushing Barney's arm off her, she headed to the bathroom. Once she had peed, Robin freaked out seeing the blood blotted on the tissue paper, pulling her knickers up, when she noticed the blood blotted in her knickers. Panicking, she yelled, "BARNEY, WAKE UP, BARNEY!"

Barney jumped up hearing Robin yelling for him, rushing into the bathroom he found her in tears and with her knickers around her ankles. "What? What's happened? Is the baby coming?"

"I am bleeding," Robin choked out tearfully.

Barney took and deep breath, trying to rein in the panic that was bubbling inside of him. He looked at Robin and nodded, "Okay, let's go."

"Where?"

"You need to take a deep breath and calm down. Everything will be okay; we will make sure that you and the little guy are okay. So, we are going to the hospital. Are you in any pain?"

Barney's calmness helped Robin to calm down, she took a couple of deep breaths and shook her head in response to Barney's question. "Right, I am going to call for a cab and you go get ready" said Barney heading back to the room to call the doorman, to get them a cab. Robin quickly got a new pair of knickers and clean clothes.

An hour and a half later found Robin and Barney at the hospital, getting an ultrasound, the doctor was checking on the baby to make sure that the baby was not in distress. Meanwhile, the nurse checked on Robin's vitals and drew some blood.

Once the doctor had confirmed that the baby was okay and there was no immediate concern, they would do some tests. As they watched the doctor leave the room, Robin let out a deep sigh of relief, knowing that the baby was fine. While Barney sat on the bed next to Robin, he had one arm around her back and holding the side of her bump, this helped to reassure him that the two most important people in his life were going to be fine.

It was another couple of hours before the doctor came to speak to them, "Ms Scherbatsky, you will be happy to know that there is nothing to worry about. All the reports have come back clean for you and the baby."

"The bleeding? What caused that?" asked Robin, still anxious about the blood.

"During this stage, there is an increased blood flow to the pelvic area and due to the sensitivity of the cervix, this can cause slight bleeding when you engage in sexual intercourse."

Robin and Barney looked at each other, Barney then asked, "Would you recommend that we not have sex?"

Robin could see the slight forlorn look that was hidden away on Barney's face, anyone who didn't know him wouldn't be able to catch it. They both loved sex, it was their way to feel closer to each other. She also the relief on Barney's face when the Doctor shook his head, "No you can continue to have sexual intercourse, you need to be more cautious as there is a risk of stimulating contractions. At this stage, you may want to consider alternative ways to maintain intimacy with your partner."

Robin nodded, this was something that she and Barney had discussed previously and clearly, the night before had been too rough for her. They both thanked the Doctor before they left the hospital. Both of them were starving seeing as neither of them had eaten since the previous evening and they headed to the diner to get some food.

Robin snacked on some tinned peaches as Barney drank his milkshake. Robin wanted to ask Barney something, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer, but she couldn't help herself. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"What are we, Barney?" she carried on talking before Barney could interrupt her, "Usually you would be hitting on anything with tits. But now, please don't think I am complaining; I haven't seen you even look at anyone. You have been with me since I got back."

Barney put down his milkshake, "I thought this was it, I want to be with Robin. I get that we haven't spoken about it, but I thought actions spoke louder than words. I want this Robin, I want us, I want the baby and you." Robin watched as Barney came over and slid in next to her, wrapping his arm around her. "You know I never wanted to be like that, I wasn't like that. I had to change to be able to get Altrucell shut down, I did what I had to, and I changed everything about myself. But now I have the chance to be the man that I want to be, to be myself."

Robin leaned in closer to Barney, the waitress set their food in front of them, giving Robin the chance to recollect herself and think about how to respond to Barney. However, before she could get a word out, Barney had taken hold of her hand in his free hand.

"Robin, you are going to have my baby, I am here for you in any way you want me," Barney said emphatically. He needed her to know that he wasn't going anywhere and that she could trust him.

Robin still wasn't sure how to respond, all she knew was that she was glad that he was there with her, and this was what she needed right now, him here with her. So, she decided to tell him just that, "I need you here with me. I know you changed yourself to take down Altrucell, and I am glad that you finally have the chance to be yourself and that I get the privilege to see you the way you are."

The two of them finished their food and they spent the rest of the day relaxing, the scare this morning was too much for the both of them. So, instead, the two of them talked about their future, their baby's future, and their plan for after the baby was born. Barney spent the day reassuring Robin that everything was going to be okay, and he figured that he needed to continue showing Robin that he was going to be there for every step.

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Two days before the due date

Robin was officially done, she had enough of being pregnant. Her baby boy had no space to move around anymore, nearly every morning she woke up with her baby boy lying on her spine and being kicked in her kidneys.

She had been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions for the past day and her back was killing her. It didn't help that her instincts made her clean the entire apartment, she got things ready for the baby, washing the clothes and bedding. The rest of the baby's things were ready now it was just a waiting game. The day before Robin hadn't bothered to tell Barney about the pain or the Braxton-Hicks contraction and he had gone to work, but the moment he walked into the apartment last night he could see the pain she was in. The two of them argued, Barney had wanted to take her to the hospital to make sure that she wasn't in labour, and all Robin wanted to do was soak in the bathtub. Barney finally agreed, after making Robin promise that she would tell if anything changed.

This morning, Barney had taken one look at her and called in to work saying that he would be working from home for the next couple of days. He gave her some space and headed to his office to get some work done.

After finally getting some work done, Barney was surprised to see that it was already past noon. No wonder he was starving, so he went to find Robin, who he found in the kitchen warming up leftovers. He went and helped her and the two of them ate, he purposely ignored the pain that Robin was in, knowing that she didn't want him to say anything.

"I think we should go for a walk; we could do with the fresh air" suggested Barney. Robin had enough of being cooped up in the apartment and was more than happy to agree with Barney's suggestion. "You go ahead and get ready, and I will wash up," said Barney, taking her cleaned-out bowl and his into the kitchen.

They walked to Riverside Park, and they would stop every 15 minutes whenever Robin had a contraction. Robin would grip Barney's hand tightly, while he encouraged her to breathe and stealthily timed the contractions.

"They are getting more and more intense. Are you sure you are not in labour?"

"No, I am not sure, but I can't be in labour, Barney. We still have two more days," snapped an irritated Robin.

The two of them continued to walk around the park, it was a quiet, warm day with only a few young children and babies out with their mothers or nannies enjoying the weather. They watched as a young toddler slowly crawled across the blanket where she was perched with her older sister.

"I think we should have Italian for dinner, we have all the ingredients to make spinach gnocchi bake," said Barney, knowing that Robin could never resist a gnocchi dish.

But Robin didn't hear a word Barney said, she was distracted by the intense pressure she was feeling in her womb. The pain seemed to get more and more painful until there was a moment of calm and suddenly it felt like a balloon had been popped. Suddenly there was amniotic fluid gushing all down her trousers and over hers and Barney's shoes. Barney looked at her shocked, "Did you just-"

"NO, YOU IDIOT. MY WATER JUST BROKE!"

"OH SHIT!" yelped Barney, "Okay, okay it's fine, everything is fine. Right, we are going to the hospital."

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10 hours later

Barney looked at Robin who was clearly exhausted, she was sweaty, and her hair was a mess and clinging to her forehead. She held his hand in a tight, crushing grip as she pushed, he didn't dare to say a word in regard to the grip she had his hand in. How could he? She had been in labour for nearly 48 hours.

Robin grimaced, "I can't do this anymore, I need this baby out of me."

"You are doing great," reassured the doctor, "Now with the next contraction I need you to push."

"You're amazing" whispered Barney, brushing the hair from her forehead.

Robin takes a deep breath, getting ready for the next contraction, she clenches Barney's hand and feeling the contraction, she pushes with all her might. Barney watches in amazement as her face contorts in pain and starts to get redder and redder. "That's it, you can do it. You're almost there, our baby boy is almost here," encouraged Barney. Robin let out one more final guttural cry and she gave one final, powerful push. The room falls silent for a moment before a baby's cry pierces the air.

"It's a boy!" announces the doctor.

Robin falls back onto the bed, she is filled with pure joy and exhaustion, the doctor places the baby on her chest. Robin finally lets go of Barney's hand and traces her baby's face as sniffles and roots at her chest. Barney wraps one hand around Robin and the other on the baby's back, he gives Robin a deep passionate kiss, and he quietly thanks her for the greatest gift of his life. He kissed the baby on the top of his head, Robin cradled her baby boy closer and said, "Welcome to the world, Arlo Wilder Stinson."