Chapter 11 — The Limo (Rolling Chaos & Resolutions)
Ted Mosby believed New Year's Eve was about finding the perfect party.
Barney Stinson believed New Year's Eve was about finding the perfect moment.
And Ivar Scherbatsky? He believed New Year's Eve was about survival: choosing your people, stocking your whiskey, and making sure your driver didn't hate you by midnight.
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The Plan
Ted burst into MacLaren's with manic energy. "Guys, this is it! I've rented a limo. Tonight, we're hitting the five best parties in New York. We will have the perfect New Year's Eve!"
Marshall cheered. Lily clapped. Barney slapped Ted's back like a proud father.
Then Ivar spoke up, calm as a glacier. "You rented a limo?"
Ted blinked. "Yeah."
Ivar raised a brow. "Cute. I upgraded it."
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Enter the Limo
At 9 p.m., a black stretch limo pulled up. But this wasn't Ted's rental. This thing was obscene: neon lights, leather seating, full bar, and — somehow — a live jazz trio crammed into the corner.
Barney's jaw hit the pavement. "This isn't a limo. This is a legendary ark."
Robin whistled low. "Of course it's Ivar's."
Ivar opened the door with a smirk. "Get in. We'll hunt your perfect party in style."
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The Ride
Music thumped, champagne popped, and Barney climbed onto the seat to declare: "This is the best New Year's Eve of all time. ALL TIME."
Marshall and Lily snuggled in their corner, already buzzed. Ted checked his watch nervously, muttering about schedules.
Robin leaned against Ivar, smirking. "This is ridiculous."
"Ridiculous is the only way New Year's works," Ivar said.
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The Stops
Party #1: Too crowded. Barney got rejected at the door.
Party #2: Marshall lost Lily in the crowd. Found her dancing with a guy in a Viking helmet.
Party #3: Robin got cornered by a drunk anchor from Metro News. Ivar pulled her out with surgical precision.
Party #4: They couldn't even get inside — line wrapped the block. Ted panicked, insisting they'd miss midnight.
All the while, Ivar stayed unshaken, sipping whiskey, letting the chaos swirl.
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The Countdown
At 11:55, the gang was still stuck in traffic, nowhere near Party #5. Tension boiled.
Ted: "This is ruined. Everything's ruined."
Barney: "No! We're making it. We HAVE to."
Robin: "Relax, it's just midnight."
Then Ivar raised his glass. "New Year's isn't about where you are. It's about who you're with."
Everyone quieted.
"Five minutes," the driver called.
"Then we celebrate here," Ivar said. He tapped the glass, signaling the jazz trio to play.
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Midnight
The limo shook with laughter, music, and champagne fizz.
Marshall kissed Lily.
Barney kissed whoever was closest.
Ted leaned toward Robin, hope burning like fireworks. She smiled — warm, but noncommittal.
And Ivar? He toasted silently, green eyes glinting, watching his sister's friends become something like family.
The clock struck twelve.