"I miss you."
"I miss you too, and Alyx is here with me."
"Alyx? She came to get you?"
"Yes, she showed up with a hamburger. I don't know how she does it."
Marshall smiled. "That girl is special."
"She is, like you."
"Can I talk to her?"
Lily passed the phone to Alyx.
"Marshall?"
"Alyx, thank you for taking care of Lily."
"She's always my girlfriend too, it's my responsibility."
"And you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I miss you."
"I miss both of you too."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow. I love you, Alyx."
"I love you, Marshall."
They hung up, and for the first time that night, the three of them were able to sleep.
Barney's Apartment - days before the contest
Barney was in his living room practicing his run for "Barney Stinson, come on down!" He had three versions: the fast one, the elegant one, and the one that included a somersault.
There was a knock at the door. It was Alyx.
"Alyx? What are you doing here?"
"I've come to see you. Can I come in?"
"Sure."
Alyx entered. She saw the living room full of notes about product prices, The Price is Right videos, and a blackboard with statistics.
"You're taking this very seriously," she said.
"It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I can't fail."
Alyx sat on the sofa. Barney sat next to her.
"Can I tell you something?" asked Alyx.
"Tell me."
"I also grew up without a father."
Barney looked at her. "Really?"
"Yes. I don't know who he was or where he was. I only know he wasn't there."
"And you never wanted to meet him?"
"At first, yes. But then I understood that I didn't need someone who didn't want to be there."
Barney looked down. "I do need him."
"Why?"
"Because if Bob Barker is my father, it means someone loved me, someone made me, and someone thought of me."
"And if he's not, then what?"
Barney didn't answer.
Alyx put a hand on his. "Barney, it doesn't matter if Bob Barker is your father or not. What matters is that you are you, and you are amazing. Besides, you have a family that loves you, even if we don't share blood."
Barney looked at her. "You love me?"
"Of course I love you. You're an idiot, but you're our idiot."
Barney smiled. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
"Well, get used to it, because I'm going to tell you more often."
Barney was silent for a while. Then he said: "Alyx, do you think I should tell him the truth? To Bob Barker?"
"I don't know, but I think you should enjoy the contest. Have fun and fulfill your childhood dream. Remember, when you were little, you watched The Price is Right and dreamed of being there. That Barney, the kid, didn't want to find his father. He wanted to have fun, shout 'Come on down!' and feel special. Don't kill that kid's illusion. Enjoy it for him."
Barney nodded. "Thanks, Alyx."
"You're welcome. Now, show me your run. I want to see if the somersault is as impressive as you say."
Barney stood up. He did the fast run, then the elegant one, and finally the one that included the somersault.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"The somersault is too much, but the elegant one is fine."
"Sure?"
"Sure. Trust me."
Barney smiled. "I trust you."
Los Angeles, California - The Day of the Contest
Barney was in the front row of the audience, in an impeccable suit and with an ear-to-ear smile.
"Rich, what is the name of our next contestant?" said Bob Barker.
"Bob, it's Barney Stinson!"
"Come on down!"
Barney ran out. He did his elegant run, without a somersault. The audience applauded and Bob Barker smiled.
"Welcome to the contestants' row, Barney. Nice suit."
"Thanks, Da... Bob."
The first round was watches. Barney bid well and won.
The second round, a video camera. Barney bid better and won.
The third round, a computer. Barney bid exactly.
"Barney, that was exact!" said Bob.
Barney was euphoric, but it wasn't just the excitement of winning. It was being there with him. With Bob.
The moment came for the big wheel. Barney had to spin it and get 100.
"I'm ready, Bob," said Barney.
"Do it," said Bob.
Barney spun the wheel. It went around once, twice, three times... and stopped on 100.
"You did it, Barney!"
Barney jumped for joy, but then he approached Bob.
"Bob, before we finish, I want to tell you something."
"Go ahead, Barney."
"I want to congratulate you for 35 wonderful years hosting The Price is Right."
Bob smiled. "Thanks, Barney."
"And I also want to tell you something else."
Bob looked at him, waiting.
Barney hesitated. He looked at the audience and imagined Ted, Marshall, Lily, Robin, Alyx, all cheering him on from their homes (because they couldn't travel, but they watched him on television).
He remembered what Alyx had told him: "Enjoy it for the kid you were."
And then, Barney smiled and said: "Thank you for making me happy, for making me believe that dreams come true. That's all."
Bob Barker smiled. "Have a happy life."
Barney completed, "and have your pets spayed or neutered."
The audience applauded. Barney smiled.
He didn't tell him the truth, but it didn't matter because, as Alyx had told him, sometimes it's not about finding your father. It's about finding happiness and fulfilling the dream of a kid who watched television and dreamed of being there.
Ted, Marshall and Lily's Apartment
The afternoon arrived when they broadcast the contest on television, and with everyone gathered, they watched as Barney didn't tell Bob that he was his father as he believed. Which brings us to the end.
"I did it!" shouted Barney.
Everyone hugged him.
"Why didn't you tell him?" asked Ted.
Barney shook his head. "I couldn't."
"Why?" asked Robin.
Barney looked at Alyx. Alyx nodded.
"Because I didn't need to tell him. I needed to enjoy it. And I did it for the kid I was. The one who watched The Price is Right and dreamed of being there. That kid was happy, and so was I."
"And your father?" asked Marshall.
"Bob Barker is not my biological father, but he is my father because he made me happy, and that's what matters."
Lily hugged him. "You're a good man, Barney Stinson."
"I try."
Alyx approached and gave him a drawing. It was Barney on stage, with Bob Barker, both smiling. But below, in the corner, Alyx had drawn a little boy watching television, with his eyes shining.
"So you don't forget why you did it," said Alyx.
Barney looked at it. "That boy is me?"
"That boy is you. The one who believed in dreams and who deserved to be happy."
Barney felt his eyes sting. "Thanks, Alyx."
"You're welcome. That's what friends are for. To remind you who you are when you forget."
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