Wait For It (Sequel to Challenge Accepted)

Chapter Fourteen: Let It Go

"Are you ready to order?" The waiter asked.

"Not yet. Oh, can we get some of those almonds for the table?" Ted asked.

"Certainly."

"Nice call, Lily. This place looks great." Ted told her. "Who told you about it?"

"You know, I don't remember." It was right then that I remembered.

"I do." I said, with wide eyes. "And Ted you're not gonna like it." I didn't get the chance to tell him though, because Stella walked through the door. I pointed and they all turned to look at her at the counter.

"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Ok, ok, just be cool."

"I'll show her cool." I stood up, only to have Barney pull me back down into my seat and wrap his arms around my shoulders to keep me there.

"We're just gonna have to deal with this. Everyone...follow my lead." And with that, Ted dove under the table.

"Oh, you're kidding me. Is he serious?"

"I am not getting under this table. I'd maybe get under that table." I slapped his chest with the back of my hand. "Ow! Sorry, force of habit." I rolled my eyes.

"She's turning around." They all got under the table, and I took the opportunity to sneak over there.

"Stella. Hey." I said. She looked up from the menu.

"Lauren...hi."

"How is the life of backsliding and betrayal treating you?" I asked.

"It's...fine. How's...everyone."

"Like you care."

"I do. Really I do, it's just, things are complicated and-"

"I don't care about your reasoning, Stella." I replied. "I just saw you and thought I'd let you know that you're the scum of the earth and that you've made an enormous mistake." I gave her a fake smile, walking back to my table and sitting down. A hand grabbed my leg, pulling me down.

"Ow!" I whispered as my head came in contact with the table.

"Sorry." Barney whispered.

"Why did you do that?" Ted asked.

"I had things to say. I said them."

"Did she seem happy? Did she talk about me? I don't care. Where are those Almonds?"

"Where would Ted's nuts be. Hey, why don't you check the vise in Stella's garage?" Barney asked.

"What did you tell her?" Lily asked.

"That she made a huge mistake, she was the scum of the earth, she doesn't care about anyone's feelings, and I think I led with 'How is the life of backsliding and betrayal treating you?'."

"Ouch." Marshall said. I shrugged.

"What can I say." But even if I lashed out at Stella, I knew from experience that that wasn't what he should do. I wanted Ted to be more mature than I was then.

"Ok...I'll do it." We all climbed out from under the table to see that Stella was gone.

"She's gone. I'm going after her." He grabbed his coat, running off. I waited for Barney as he pulled out his wallet and threw some money on the table.

"There she goes! Taxi!" We all climbed in, me on Barney's lap once again.

"We've got to stop meeting like this." I told him. He rolled his eyes, digging his fingers into my hips.

"I see her. She's two cabs ahead on the right. Just stay with her, ok?" The driver nodded.

"Finally. Finally, you're doing this. You're gonna confront her." Marshall said.

"Yes, I am gonna confront her."

"This is so exciting."Robin added.

"Totally."

"What are you gonna say?"

"I'm gonna say 'Stella...I'm sorry things didn't work out'."

"No!"

"Yes. We're gonna talk about this like adults. She can tell me her side and I'm going to listen. Probably should have done a little more of that before." I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Good for you, Ted."

"Driver, can you drive us into the nearest lamp post? Everyone buckle up. Not you Ted."

"Ted, Ted, you gotta get mad right now. Come on, dig deep."

"Dude, this isn't about me waving my arms, stamping my feet and getting really mad. This is about Stella and I finally communicating. I mean, clearly, that was-"

"Stella hated Star Wars. She lied to you." Marshall interrupted. "Search your feelings, Ted. You know it to be true."

"Well, the maturity was fun while it lasted." I said, leaning back against Barney.

"That's her business."

"Oh, maybe not."

"Ted, she left you at the alter." Barney pointed out. Everyone started yelling.

"Wait wait wait!" Lily interrupted. "Where is she going? Her cab just missed the turn for the Lincoln Tunnel. "

"Why would anyone buy take-out food and bring it all the way back to New Jersey anyway?" Robin asked.

"Because she's not. Because she moved to New York for Tony. She was gonna make you move to New Jersey, but she'll move here for him." I realized.

"She was gonna make me move to New Jersey and then she moves into the city with Tony!" Ted was mad now.

"Finally. Finally, buddy."

"I am so angry right now!"

"I know, and I love it!" He ripped the window crank off of the door.

"Yeah! Sir, we'd be happy to cover the cost of that window crank." Marshall told the driver excitedly." I love angry Ted."

"So do I."

"She's stopping, she's stopping."

"Oh, it is on. It is on!"

"Yes Ted! Go get her, buddy!" Marshall told him.

"Go get rid of your demons." Robin added.

"My leg is asleep." Barney threw in.  Ted got out of the cab, and I knew as I watched him walk to her steps that he wasn't gonna say anything. Because I know Ted...and Ted is a good guy.

So I got out of the cab, ready to say all of that stuff, ready to explode, but then...it all just went away. And That was it. In that moment, I wasn't angry anymore. I could see Stella was meant to be with Tony. Kids, you may think your only choices are to swallow your anger or throw it in someone's face. But there's a third option. You can just let it go. And only then, is it really gone, and you can move forward. And that kids, was the perfect ending to a perfect love story. It just wasn't mine. Mine was still out there, waiting for me. And it was a lot closer than I thought.