Really, a third Abby episode?

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Three times may be the charm for [Stella's receptionist Abby] and “How I Met Your Mother.”

With [Abby] making her second guest appearance on the abruptly popular CBS comedy, the show’s co-creator Craig Thomas tells THR.com that Monday’s episode was written to leave the door open for the pop singer to make a return appearance next season.

“She was better than the first time and I think the fans will enjoy it because her return answers a larger mystery set up earlier in the series,” Thomas said. “So there’s a good plot reason why she’s there. And when people watch [Abby's] second appearance on the show they’ll see that the door is still open for her to come back.”

[Abby's] first visit resulted in “Mother” hitting its highest rating ever. The show has since maintained an elevated audience level compared to last year. Once considered on the bubble for a fall renewal, the critically acclaimed comedy is now considered a lock to return next season.

Well, that quote pretty much confirms what’s implied in the ET Online clip.