Wait For It (Sequel to Challenge Accepted)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Marriage Situation

I found an absolutely stunning dress for my bridesmaids, in the Lavender color I had chosen.

"So, how many bridesmaids are you going to have?" Lily asked.

"Just two. You guys."

"Well, whose going to be your maid of honor?"  I turned to them.

"I was thinking...both of you."  They furrowed their eyebrows. "I couldn't decide, but...Lily, you're always there for me. You're the reason I even found out that Barney had feelings for me in the first place. And Robin...I have noticed that since everything with Ted, and Barney, you avoid being alone with me." She looked down at the floor, confirming this fact. "I have been looking for a way to show you that you are forgiven. One hundred percent, completely forgiven, and I couldn't think of a better way to do it than to make you my maid of honor. But I couldn't decide between the two of you, so I decided...it's my wedding. I can have two maids of honor if I want." Robin wiped some tears away from her eyes. "What's wrong, Robin?"

"What did I do to deserve you?" She asked. "I wouldn't have forgiven myself after the first time. You've forgiven me twice, what did I do to deserve it." I shook my head.

"Life is to short to hold grudges." I assured her. "Once you were drunk, and the other time both of you were confused about what you wanted. I understand. It's ok." She hugged me, and I hugged her back. "Now, all tearful confessions aside." She laughed. "What's your opinion on the dresses?" I held them up.

"Beautiful. I love them." Lily confirmed.

"Great. We'll take 'em."

~~~

I leaned against the bar with Ted, watching Barney accomplish 'shots with strangers'. He was holding his back and his pierced ear was heavily infected.

"You ok, Barney? It looks like you hurt your back." Ted called.

"Oh, no. Just rockin' a party hunch. I like it. Closer to my booze. To youth." Barney, unable to sit up straight, poured his shot on the table and tried to catch it on the way down. I cringed. "Can I get a straw?"

"This is painful to watch." 

"he'll give up eventually." Ted assured me. I took a sip of my iced tea. "Robin told me about the conversation you guys had at the dress shop." I nodded.

"Yeah? What about it?" I asked.

"Just what happened. I thought it was very big of you, to forgive her like that. I mean, i know you still hang out, but I don't think any of us thought you'd actually forgiven us. "

"Yeah, well I did. I forgave both of you a long time ago." He nodded.

"Thank you."

"But if it happens again?" I asked. "I won't be so easy to forgive. Sleeping with my significant other three times seems to beg for a change in relationship status." 

"Yeah, Yeah. I just...you're amazing, you know that?"  I smiled, but I felt uneasy with the way he was looking at me. It was the way he used to look at me...when he liked me. I saw the couple Barney was drinking with get up and I stood, going over to sit beside him.

"Good, Lauren! You're here, you can help me with this one. Annoying two person message on your answering machine." I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "Hi, this is Barney."

"And Lauren."

"We can't answer the phone right now because-"

"He's watching sports and I'm-"