"Fireside Diaries: 12 Days"
Story Written by Freedom Fighter

So, out of the blue, a new "Fireside Diaries" feature, or rather, featurette! And it's a Christmas one at that. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this two-week special. What's the theme?

Well, if you read the title, you should have a good idea by now.

Also, if you're reading a "Fireside Diaries" story for the first time, welcome! You don't need to check out any of the other entries in the series to enjoy this, but if you like it, feel free to check them out later on! Thanks!

Disclaimer: The characters of 'Phineas and Ferb' belong to Disney.

It was Christmas morn in Danville
And every child was waking to presents, stacked like a hill
The wrapping paper is torn asunder
Parents happy they did not blunder
The gifts they gave from down under. (The tree)

But now with all the gifts unwrapped
And the tons of decorative paper scrapped
All that was left was to enjoy their new well-gotten gain
Though a certain group of girls were about to be in… pain?

A wireless landline phone started ringing. A girl reached over to pluck it from the base and answer it.

"Merry Christmas, Chief!" Gretchen said joyfully. "How are you…"

Before she could finish, Isabella asked her something.

"You want me to gather the girls at the lodge in an hour? Nothing personal, Chief, but there's a reason I greeted you with Merry Christmas…"

Again, she was cut off. She heard Isabella tell her to just get it done, and then she hung up.

"Boy, the girls aren't gonna be happy about this one."

-
12 Days, Act One (12.25.13)
-

The girls were all gathered inside the lodge of Troop 46231. And they were already voicing their displeasure about having to come in on Christmas Day.

"Why are we here?"

"There better be a good reason."

"Just because Christmas 'technically' isn't your holiday…"

Isabella balked at that last remark. "I'm not interrupting your Christmas, Adyson. Even if it's not 'technically' my holiday. And what's with the 'air quotes.' Who uses 'air quotes' anymore?"

Gretchen coughed, spurring Isabella to get on topic.

"Right. Anyway, there is a good reason I called you all in. We have a friend in need."

Isabella pulled out a scroll and unrolled for all to see. They all gasped at what was on it… a list of sorts.

"Even better… if we help her out, we'll be the first Fireside Girls to EVER earn the 12 Days of Christmas Patch!"

That changed all their minds immediately, voicing their approval with cheers of glee.

Isabella led the girls to a small neighborhood park. Gretchen was now holding the scroll and was reciting the first item off of the list.

"We have to find a partridge in a pear tree."

"What's a partridge?" queried Holly. "And do we even have pear trees in the Tri-State Area?"

"Found one!" announced Katie, kneeling down to pick up a pear on the ground underneath a tree.

The others ran over to investigate, but Katie's hunch was confirmed when a second pear fell from the tree, hitting her on top of her head.

"Ow! Well, Merry Christmas to you too!" she grumbled sarcastically.

As she rubbed the spot where she had been hit, the others gathered around her and then looked up into the tree.

"Wait!" Adyson exclaimed, pointing upwards. "I think I see someone up there!"

Everyone followed her gaze, and they indeed spotted evidence of a person sitting on a tree branch. Isabella took the initiative to try and get the person out.

"Pardon me, sir or madam, but why are you in a tree on Christmas?"

Instead of answering, though, the person decided to come down instead. She, an elderly woman, landed safely on the ground without incident.

"Well, what do you expect with housing prices these days?"

The group collectively gasped in shock.

"It's Shirley Partridge, of the Partridge Family!" exclaimed Isabella, identifying the celebrity.

"It's actually Shirley Jones. Shirley Partridge is the name of a character I played on TV once upon a time."

"Could you sing for us? We'd really appreciate it."

"What? A Partridge Family song? Honey, I haven't done one of those in ages."

The girls all looked up at her with sparkly eyes.

"But, if you insist…"

She cleared her throat, and then began to sing. Or attempted to, until she realized she could not remember lyrics to any of their songs.

"What? I told you it's been ages."

"Thanks for trying," Isabella said in remorse. "C'mon, girls. We need to find a partridge."

"Hold on!" cut in Milly. "Isabella, didn't you say she's a partridge?"

"A Partridge, Milly. Not a partridge."

"What's the diff?"

"You know," Adyson cut in, getting an idea. "A Partridge in a pear tree is a much better gift than a partridge."

"She has a point, Chief," added Gretchen.

"But she's an actual living, breathing person, girls!" countered Isabella. "We can't just give her to someone as a Christmas gift!"

"Actually," interrupted Shirley 'Partridge,' "if it gets me out of the cold for a few days, I'd be happy to help you in your dilemma."

"WOOHOO!" celebrated Katie. "We got ourselves a partridge in a pear tree!"

"Finally, we can go home!" Holly shouted. "You got it from here, Chief… see ya!"

Holly, along with Adyson, Milly, and Katie, all ran off.

"YOU GIRLS KNOW WE JUST STARTED! THERE'S MORE TOMORROW!"

The girls just laughed in response, not believing her at all.

End Act One