Chapter 11 — How Lily Stole Christmas (Grinches, Gifts & Grand Gestures)
Ted Mosby believed Christmas was about tradition.
Barney Stinson believed Christmas was about mistletoe logistics.
And Ivar Scherbatsky? He believed Christmas was about strategy — timing the right release, the right gift, the right move.
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The Grinch Voicemail
At MacLaren's, Ted seethed.
"Do you know what Lily did? She left me a voicemail calling me… a grinch!"
Robin frowned. "That's not even that bad."
"No," Ted snapped, "she used the other word. The one with four letters."
Megan winced. "Ouch."
Yvonne sipped her drink. "Correction: deserved."
Ted scowled.
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Lily's Guilt
Cut to Lily in her apartment, decorating alone. She replayed the voicemail over and over, regret twisting her gut.
"I ruined Christmas," she muttered.
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Ivar's Holiday Drop
Meanwhile, Northern Star HQ buzzed like Santa's workshop on caffeine.
The NS Horizon phone — faster, sleeker, with battery life that put iPhone and Samsung to shame.
The NS Forge gaming PC — raw power at half the price of competitors.
The NS Titan laptop — built for work, portable, affordable.
And for the holidays? All slashed in price.
Reporters crowded the lobby, headlines already flying: "Northern Star Delivers Tech Christmas Miracle."
Ivar stood at the podium, Megan and Yvonne flanking him like a power duo.
"Technology should be for everyone," Ivar said calmly. "Not just for the wealthy. Merry Christmas, New York."
The crowd roared.
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The Gift Move
Later that night, Ivar slipped out alone. He left a small package on Lily's doorstep — wrapped perfectly, with her favorite art supplies inside, and a note:
'Stop punishing yourself. Some debts don't need paying twice. — I'
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The Clash
Ted confronted Lily at her apartment.
"You called me a grinch!"
Lily's eyes welled. "I was angry. I didn't mean it."
"You abandoned Marshall," Ted snapped.
She broke. "I know. I regret everything. And now I've ruined Christmas too."
Ivar stepped in from the doorway. "Correction: you ruined one voicemail. Christmas isn't that fragile. Neither are you."
Lily looked at him, tears spilling. "You paid some of my debt, didn't you?"
Ivar didn't answer. Just walked out, green eyes steady.
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Closing Beat
By Christmas Eve:
Ted and Lily were shaky, but mending.
Marshall still loved her, even if he couldn't admit it yet.
Barney wore a Santa suit and got banned from two department stores.
Megan roasted him until he sulked.
Yvonne used NS Gaming prototypes as stocking stuffers.
And Ivar? He lit a cigar on his balcony, the city glowing with lights below.
Because for him, Christmas wasn't about carols or cookies.
It was about giving people what they needed — before they knew they needed it.
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End of Chapter 11.
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👉 Next is Chapter 12 ("First Time in New York") — Robin's sister visits and chaos ensues. Do you want Ivar to play the "protective big brother" role hard here, while Megan and Yvonne mock him for overdoing it?