A/N 1 - hey guys! There's only 2 more chapters left in Junior Year before everyone goes into their Senior Year at Hamilton J. Polk High School.
A/N 2 - I don't own the rights to the song As If We Never Said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard. It belongs to the awesome Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber
CHAPTER TEN
(chapter title - Loving You For Who You Are)
Gretchen was walking to one of her classes when a notice on the bulletin board near the office caught her attention.
HOMECOMING COURT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED:
KING AND QUEEN - Marshall Eriksen and Lily Aldrin
PRINCE AND PRINCESS - Barney Stinson and Gretchen Wallace
DUKE AND DUCHESS - Ted Mosby & Phoebe Buffay
HOMECOMING COURT:
Rachel Green & Ross Gellar
Joey Tribbani & Belle Whitehouse
Chandler Bing & Monica Gellar
Robin Scherbatsky & Tiana Williams
HONORARY COURT MEMBERS:
Cassandra & Stephanie Stinson
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!
Gretchen stared at the paper for what seemed like forever, only snapping to reality when Stephanie began crying. Gretchen went to the cafeteria to nurse Stephanie, since it was lunch time.
Barney sat next to Gretchen, "did you see we made Homecoming Court?"
"I did - I'm really excited" Gretchen said, "did you see that Cassandra and Stephanie are honorary members of the court?"
Barney nodded and held Gretchen close as their friends joined them at their usual table, chatting excitedly.
"I wonder what the Spirit Week themes are gonna be this year?" Tiana said, eating a French fry.
"We'll have to wait until next week to find out" Robin said, smiling at her girlfriend.
That Friday, the Spirit Week themes were posted:
Monday - Disney Day
Tuesday - Crazy Hair / Dress Day
Wednesday - Wear Your Favorite Color Day
Thursday - Favorite Character Day
Friday - School Colors Day
"Love it!" Lily said, turning to the girls, "we need to go shopping for dresses."
The girls nodded and made plans to go shopping that day after school.
Gretchen looked at Barney, "are you okay taking Stephanie home and picking Cassandra up from daycare?"
"Of course" Barney said, kissing Gretchen's forehead, "have fun. I love you."
"I love you, too" Gretchen said, looking at the guys, "don't forget to do tux shopping and don't put it off to last minute."
"Of course not" the guys chorused.
Gretchen looked at Stephanie, who was asleep in her stroller, "bye sweetie. Have fun with daddy and uncles Joey, Ted, Marshall, Chandler and Ross. Momma loves you so much."
The girls headed to the mall crammed into two cars - Gretchen, Rachel, Monica and Lily went in Rachel's car while Robin, Tiana, Belle and Phoebe went in Robin's car.
Barney looked up as Gretchen entered their bedroom, holding a garment bag in her hand.
"No peeking" Gretchen said, putting the garment bag in their closet. She then closed the door and put on the lavender lingerie that she had bought at the new lingerie store in the mall.
Barney propped himself on his elbows as he saw Gretchen, "hot mama" he was fully naked and laying on the bed.
"The girls asleep?" Gretchen asked, walking towards Barney.
Barney nodded, looking into Gretchen's eyes as she sat on his lap, "I love this color on you. Let's see what it looks like off" he purred, moving the straps down and kissed Gretchen's shoulders. He then carefully removed the lingerie and pulled Gretchen on top of him, kissing and licking her skin.
Barney and Gretchen ended up falling asleep shortly after they were done with their lovemaking session.
While Gretchen slept, Barney laid on his side, tracing hearts, stars and doodles on Gretchen's skin. He gently nibbled her skin, starting at her neck and ending at her navel. His fingers massaged her skin.
Gretchen continued sleeping, loving the feel of Barney's lips and fingers on her skin.
Barney gently turned Gretchen on her back, watching her sleep as he gently rubbed between her legs, finding her sweet spot, rubbing it slowly and gently. He kissed her breasts and gently sucked on them.
Gretchen opened her eyes, "Barn, as much as I'm enjoying this, we really need to get some sleep. Stephanie will be up in a couple hours and I really need to pee."
"Of course. I'm sorry" Barney said, kissing her cheek.
"It's okay" Gretchen said, heading upstairs to use the bathroom and wash her hands before going back to her bedroom. When her head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep.
Barney went to wash his hands and went back to the bedroom he shared with Gretchen. He climbed into bed next to her and got under the covers, holding Gretchen close.
It was now the Homecoming Dance.
The girls got ready at Gretchen's house while the guys got ready at Marshall's house.
Hannah watched the girls so Gretchen and Barney could enjoy themselves at the dance.
The location of the dance was at a conference center / hotel in downtown.
Many of the students, including everyone on the homecoming court, got rooms at the hotel.
Barney and Gretchen took the elevator to the 8th floor. Soon, they were the only ones on the elevator.
"We have a 5 month old and a 2 year old. Let's not have more kids until after college. Deal?" Gretchen asked.
"Deal" Barney said, getting off the elevator with Gretchen, "we can still get naked, right?"
"Yes, but no sex" Gretchen said, getting the key to the room and entered it.
The room was huge - there was a massive king bed in the middle of the room. To their right, there was a large bathroom and to their right, there was a large walk-in closet.
Barney kissed Gretchen, carefully undoing the zipper on the back of her red dress that came to her knees.
Gretchen kissed Barney, taking off his tuxedo jacket. She kicked off her heels and walked forward, feeling the dress come off of her. She whimpered as Barney yanked off her undies and started fingering her.
Within minutes, both of them were naked and laying on their sides on the bed.
"Beautiful" Barney said, caressing Gretchen's face in his hands.
Gretchen smiled, "and you're handsome" she whimpered as Barney blew gently on her skin, "whatcha doing?"
"Nothing" Barney said, blowing on her skin.
"That tickles" Gretchen said, giggling.
"I know we said no sex, but can I finger you?" Barney asked.
Gretchen nodded, "only if I can massage your member."
"Of course" Barney said, moving closer.
Gretchen put a condom on Barney's member and began rubbing him as Barney fingered her. She laid on her back so Barney could kiss and touch her breasts, "they're a little sore, so be gentle."
"Of course" Barney said, kissing one breast, then the other, "by the way, Gretch, I'm so turned on right now."
"Me too" Gretchen whimpered, continuing to rub him a little faster. She felt her heart race as Barney fingered her roughly, "you can go further, if you want."
"Okay" Barney said, putting two fingers deeper into Gretchen, "I don't wanna hurt you."
"This feels so good" Gretchen whimpered, closing her eyes and spread her legs further.
Barney smiled, "can I kiss you down there?"
Gretchen nodded, feeling sweat dappling her skin.
Barney removed his fingers and began kissing her inner thighs and gently nipped them, his hands on her knees. He looked into her eyes, "ready?"
Gretchen nodded, closing her eyes as Barney began kissing between her legs, feeling his lips and tongue inside her, "mmmmm."
The two of them continued for two hours straight before getting tired.
Barney and Gretchen held each other in their arms, still naked as the sun rose.
Gretchen groaned as Barney kissed her neck before going back to sleep.
"Care to have a little morning sex before we join our friends for breakfast?" Barney asked, kissing Gretchen's shoulders, neck and collarbone.
"Dgy stle" Gretchen mumbled, her face to the pillow.
"Are you awake?" Barney asked, moving to get behind Gretchen, the condom still on his member.
"Yeah" Gretchen said, feeling Barney mount her and began thrusting gently at first, then went harder and faster. He stroked Gretchen's shoulders and back, "this feels so good."
"Good" Barney purred in her ear.
Once the two of them finished, they took a quick shower together before getting dressed and headed to the dining hall to meet their friends.
After breakfast, everyone packed up and headed to their respected houses.
"I have a lot of homework to do, so would you mind hanging out with the girls?" Gretchen asked as they entered their bedroom.
"How about we have a family day?" Barney suggested, "we'll do homework tonight once the girls are in bed."
"Okay" Gretchen said, kissing his cheek before heading upstairs and kissed her mom's cheek, "hi mama."
"Hi sweetie" Hannah greeted Gretchen, "we're doing a puzzle."
"That sounds fun" Gretchen said, going over to Stephanie, "how's my monkey doing?" She picked up Stephanie and went to her mat, "let's do some Tummy Time."
Barney sat with Cassandra as they did a puzzle, "wanna have a family day?" He asked his eldest.
"Ya!" Cassandra said, "can we play all day?"
"We'll play until you girls have a nap, then continue afterwards. Stephanie doesn't have all her shots yet, so we can't go outside" Gretchen said, laying Stephanie on her stomach.
Stephanie fussed angrily - she HATED Tummy Time almost as much as Cassandra did when she was a baby.
"I know" Gretchen soothed, "it's almost over."
Stephanie continued fussing, then began crying.
Gretchen picked up Stephanie and held her in her arms, "wanna go in your bouncy seat?" Gretchen carefully put Stephanie in her bouncy chair after securing her, "weee."
Stephanie cooed happily.
The girls took a nap on the couch. Barney and Gretchen watched the live action Cinderella with the girls, holding each other.
All four of them had been so healthy, but suddenly all four of them got really sick with a flu that was going around at Cassandra's daycare.
Hannah called off work to help care for the four of them, but Barney's aunt Matilda ended up coming to help.
Within a week, Barney, Gretchen and the girls started feeling better, but decided to stay home with the girls, since all four of them weren't better yet.
Matilda made homemade chicken noodle soup for Barney, Gretchen and Cassandra and filled a bottle with water for Stephanie.
"Thanks for caring for us" Gretchen told Matilda from the couch. She held a sleeping Stephanie on her chest, supporting the baby's head and bottom in her arms, holding her over her heart.
"You're welcome, dear" Matilda said, "I even took the liberty of going to your school to get the schoolwork both you and Barney missed."
"I - I mean we - appreciate it" Gretchen said, gently kissing Stephanie's forehead.
"You go rest - I got her" Matilda said.
"Thanks" Gretchen said, carefully handing Stephanie to Matilda and went downstairs to join Barney in their bedroom.
Barney was watching America's Got Talent when he felt Gretchen lay next to him, "hi honey."
"Mh" Gretchen mumbled, cuddling next to Barney.
"I'm watching some AGT. Wanna watch?" Barney asked.
"Sure" Gretchen said, cuddling into Barney as they watched the show.
After the two of them had enough watching America's Got Talent, Barney turned off the TV and held Gretchen in his arms as he drifted off to sleep.
Gretchen had fallen asleep just as a really cute child magician had come on the screen.
A week later….
"And the musical is…. Les Miserables" Ms. David announced in her theater class, "auditions will be today after school."
Gretchen squealed - Les Miserables was one of her favorite musicals, along with Hamilton, Wicked, RENT, Legally Blonde and The Little Mermaid.
"What role are you auditioning for?" Barney asked Gretchen as the two of them, along with everyone else auditioning, headed for the auditorium.
"Fantine - she's one of my dream roles, along with Eliza Schuyler, Glinda, Paulette, Maureen, Gretchen from Mean Girls, Belle, Ariel and Maria Von Trapp" Gretchen said, holding Barney's hand.
Everyone had auditioned and now it was Gretchen's turn. She took a deep breath and looked at the accompanist, who was Kiko.
"I'm Gretchen Wallace and I'll be singing As If We Never Said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard. I'm auditioning for Fantine" Gretchen said, smiling at Kiko.
Gretchen took a deep breath and began singing.
"Don't know why I'm frightened
I know my way around here
The cardboard trees, the painted scenes, the sound here
Yes a world to rediscover
But I'm not in any hurry
And I need a moment
The whispered conversations in overcrowded hallways
The atmosphere as thrilling here as always
Feel the early morning madness
Feel the magic in the making
Why everything's as if we never said goodbye
I've spent so many mornings
Just trying to resist you
I'm trembling now
You can't know how much I've missed you
Missed all the fairy tale adventures
In this ever-spinning playground
We were young together
I'm coming out of make-up
The lights already burning
Not long until the cameras will
Start turning
And the early morning madness
And the magic in the making
Yes, everything is as if we never said goodbye" Gretchen sang.
The director and assistant director applauded, leading a standing ovation.
A few days later, the cast list was posted.
Gretchen scanned the cast list and smiled - she had gotten the part of Fantine.
"I can't believe it" Gretchen said, "I got the part of Fantine."
Everyone congratulated Gretchen and scanned the cast list, calling out what part they got.
Barney looked at the cast list and frowned, "I didn't get a part."
Gretchen hugged him and kissed his cheek, "I'm so sorry, sweetie."
"It's okay" Barney said, smiling at Gretchen, "I'll pick up Cassandra from daycare and take Stephanie home with me after school. Is that okay?"
"Of course. I'm gonna be staying after for the table read and start rehearsal" Gretchen said, kissing Barney's cheek again, "I love you."
"I love you, too" Barney said, kissing Gretchen's forehead. He got his cell phone out and looked at Gretchen, "aunt Matilda is gonna pick up Cassandra at daycare. Do you mind if Stephanie and I hang out for rehearsal?"
"Not at all" Gretchen said.
After school, Gretchen, Barney and Stephanie stayed after for the first table read and rehearsal for Les Miserables.
Two months later
Barney found a seat towards the front of the auditorium, smiling at Marshall, Lily, Ross, Rachel, Joey, Belle, Robin, Tiana, Monica, Chandler, Ted & Phoebe took seats around him.
"Where are the girls?" Ted asked, sitting next to his best friend.
"They're at home with my aunt Matilda" Barney said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hamilton J. Polk's production of Les Miserables. Please take a moment to turn off your cell phones, open any candy wrappers and take a moment to locate the exit nearest you. There will be a fifteen minute intermission, in which snacks and drinks will be available in the lobby. Food and drink are not permitted in the auditorium. Now, sit back, relax and please, don't sing along, no matter how tempted" a male voice came over the loud speaker.
Barney smiled as the lights dimmed and the stage lights came up on a ship yard with Valjean and the Chain Gang.
Gretchen waited backstage to go on for At the End of the Day.
"Okay, ladies, you're on" the stage manager said as the orchestra played At the End of the Day.
Gretchen played the part of Fantine extremely well, making most of the audience cry with her rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream'.
Gretchen looked up at her costar playing Valjean as she laid dying in the hospital bed.
"…And tell Cosette I love her and I'll see her when I wake….." Gretchen sang as she died, going limp.
The guy playing Valjean kissed Fantine's forehead, holding her hand.
The first act ended and now, it was time for the finale of Act 2. The cast sang the reprise of Do You Hear the People Sing as they took their bows.
Everyone cheered loudly as Gretchen walked onto the stage.
Gretchen smiled as she took her bow and stood to the side as the guys who played Valjean and Javert came onto the stage, taking their bows.
Once the large cast was all onstage, everyone took a few stage bows together before backing up, waving to the audience as the curtain came down.
The stage lights dimmed as the house lights came up.
Barney wiped tears out of his eyes, "that was phenomenal."
"Agreed. Gretchen did a fantastic job" Ross said.
"Let's go to the lobby and wait for Gretchen" Monica suggested.
Everyone agreed and went to the lobby, waiting for the cast to greet their friends and family.
Gretchen walked over to her friends wearing a Les Miserables T-shirt and jeans. She hugged her friends, then planted a long kiss on Barney's lips.
Barney kissed her back, smiling on her lips, "you were fantastic."
"Thanks" Gretchen said, smiling as Phoebe placed a large bouquet of roses in her arms, "these are beautiful. Thank you."
"You're welcome" Phoebe said, hugging her friend.
"Let's get you home - I bet you're exhausted" Barney said to Gretchen as they walked out to the car.
"I am" Gretchen said, getting in the front seat.
"I am so proud of you, sweetheart" Barney said, "mind if I bathe with you?"
"That's fine" Gretchen said.
Barney pulled into the driveway of Gretchen's house and smiled over at his sleeping fiancee, "honey, we're home."
"Mkay" Gretchen said, unbuckling her seatbelt and walked inside with Barney.
Matilda and Hannah looked up from having coffee.
"I'm gonna help Gretchen with a bath, then we're gonna go to bed" Barney said, placing the bouquet of roses on the kitchen counter before picking Gretchen up in his arms, carrying her to the bathroom.
"I'll get you guys some pajamas" Hannah said, "both girls are asleep and dinner's in the fridge, if you want any."
"Thanks" Barney said. He carried Gretchen to the bathroom and closed the door, helping her undress after turning on the tub.
Gretchen smiled as she felt Barney get in behind her and gently began washing her back, "that feels good."
"I'm glad" Barney said, "you were fantastic as Fantine."
"Thanks" Gretchen said, leaning back against Barney in the large bathtub.
Barney washed Gretchen's hair gently, "I love you so much."
"I love you, too" Gretchen said, laying her head on Barney's shoulder.
After the two of them soaked in the tub for a while, they got out, changed into their pajamas and went to bed, instantly falling asleep as their heads hit their pillows.