Happy Winter Solstice! Today's the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter if you're in the Northern Hemisphere. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, then Happy Summer Solstice! For you guys, it's the longest day of the year and first day of summer. But whatever hemisphere you guys are in, have fun and enjoy this chapter! Also, if you're in space, feel free to read my stories too.

Disclaimer: Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh own Phineas and Ferb.

Ferb's Friendship

"Ferb!"

"One moment, please." Ferb looked up towards Phineas' direction. His optimistic stepbrother was standing with Isabella, openly and casually chatting. She was grinning. After Phineas finished, he began motioning the crane to drop some more materials for their time-travel pizzeria they had finally decided to build in the sunniest spot in their legendary backyard. Ferb caught his attention by waving the hand that wasn't holding the cellphone. As Phineas' eyes fell on him, he made a gesture indicating by his ear.

He seemed to understand at once, for his reply to him was, "Okay, bro! We'll work on the kitchen while you're talking!"

Ferb smiled. How could he not appreciate his brother? Ferb seldom talked on the phone, but when he did, it was always something important, and Phineas knew that. For privacy, he turned and walked away from the site of their project, behind the great oak tree. Ferb just prefered to talk under the shade, even though he would have prefered not to talk much in the first place. He was, and always will be, a man of action. They all knew that.

As he relaxed back onto the tree, he finally spoke. "Vanessa? How are you?" Ferb realized how formal and calm his greeting had been, but it made sense. This was a girl he hadn't spoken to for quite a while and he knew she was in a relationship with someone else. He couldn't be too friendly! Besides, Ferb had thought the spark they once had was gone or at least faded almost entirely.

"Well, I… need to talk to you." The words were hesitant and softly spoken. It just didn't seem like the same spunky, rambunctious girl he had met long ago.

Ferb held the phone closer to his ear so he could hear her better, though it was unusual to him. "Vanessa?" He had to ask again, just to be certain.

She went on without addressing his question. "Ferb, you're good with advice and support. You think you can spare me some?"

"Um… sure," answered a stunned Ferb. Vanessa? Need advice? Her? Something must be really wrong. She was the most independent girl he'd ever met, and fallen in love with, mind you.

There was a pause on the other end. Vanessa finally properly greeted him, "I—uh... how have you been doing?" Ferb had almost thought she forgot her manners, or that her topic was something urgent enough to skip an official hello.

"I'm fine, thank you, and what's your worry?" Ferb usually wasn't the one to initiate a conversation, but occasionally, he would. This one seemed like it was going nowhere, and Vanessa obviously had something on her mind.

"Do you remember Monty, the boy I used to date?" she asked. Used to? What made those two words catch Ferb's attention so much?

"Yes…" he replied slowly. For a rare moment, Ferb's mind went blank. He slipped into a sensation he hadn't felt since he first met Vanessa. Used to… Yes, it was those words that made him lose his acute focus, but why? Then he found himself repeating his thoughts in the physical world…

"Yes, used to, we—" the next words she said sounded to make Vanessa choke, "broke up." Her voice sounded somber, mostly because she was too.

Now it was Ferb's turn to be temporary speechless. "Oh, that's… terrible," he finally replied. It wasn't so much the breakup to Ferb, but her enormous lack of vividness that was terrible.

"We were getting along well, and he doesn't really know yet. It's more like a rivalry kind of thing," Vanessa wondered how to get Ferb to understand without showing him how weird her life is. She went on when Ferb was still silent and awaiting more of an explanation. "Our parents don't know, but they probably wouldn't approve, but—"

"Just tell me exactly what happened if you trust me," Ferb calmly cut her off before she could be rambling and rambling and rambling on. From whom did she get this habit from?

"I do trust you!" she blurted the words out before her tongue could catch her. Then Vanessa proceeded with a softer voice, "Why do you think I chose to call you?"

Ferb was silent (not surprising in an everyday setting, but he rarely became flustered in conversations). He blinked in confusion mixed with happiness. He was the first person Vanessa chose to talk to? He chose his next words carefully, "I did not doubt you, but please explain more so that I understand."

"Oh, of course," she replied sheepishly. "Well, Monty is part of an organization, the O.W.C.A. They're my dad's mortal enemies, nothing much. He's an 'evil' scientist. But, their leader probably won't like his son dating his sworn enemy's daughter either."

Ferb nodded, but realized that Vanessa wouldn't have seen him. He let her continue.

"But Monty, he's a nice guy. My dad just doesn't realize that. They're both too quick to judge."

"I understand," Ferb's sense of empathy started devouring him at this point.

"What am I going to do though? It's not his fault, and it's not my fault. But obviously, this relationship won't last much longer. We… got caught today during a picnic in the park…" she trailed off, as if recalling the earlier day in detail.

Now Ferb's wisdom spoke, "If you guys were really meant to be, they'll see that. Regardless of anything, your dad wants you to be happy."

Vanessa sighed, "I guess you're right, but what am I going to do?"

"I know you miss him and want to see him after today as soon as possible, but wait it out. Maybe he isn't the right one, just be patient." Just be patient repeated in Ferb's mind. Just be patient… she'll come around.

There was no reply. He guessed she was figuring out the outcomes for patience.

"Vanessa, listen to me. You're smart, you're beautiful, and an amazing and independent girl. Monty's lucky to have you. Anyone would be lucky to have you. You live life to the fullest by yourself, but those you allow to keep you company will love doing that with you."

"I suppose I always knew it wouldn't last long, but just told myself that it just might. It was a good relationship itself. Eventually something will get in the way. I'm still not sure that Monty would put me ahead of his work though… He's been so busy lately and even canceled some of our plans. A part of me still misses him."

"Time heals all, doesn't it? But just remember, you'll always have me, you always had." Ferb hesitated, "Do I have you?"

Vanessa paused. Ferb instantly regretted his decision to escalate the conversation so quickly. What if she took it a different way? What if she didn't?

Her next words relieved him like a wave of serenity. "Yes, yes you do," Vanessa said with something new in her voice.

She's smiling.

"But I'm still a little too old for you, though you never really know."

Ferb was grinning now. "Well, Vanessa, 'When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.' The wise words of Alexander Graham Bell."

Vanessa spent a moment for all of what he said to sink in. "Thanks, Ferb. You're a good friend. I love you."

"Of course, you too," he said with elation prominent in his voice.

"And Ferb, Candace says you're a pretty good brother," Vanessa added.

He chuckled. "I try my best. See you later, Vanessa."

"Bye, Ferb."

Ferb hung up. His talk with Vanessa took some more time than he had originally thought it would, but he didn't regret a part of it. The rest of the gang finished the kitchen and were now sitting about, waiting and relaxing. They promised Ferb that he would get the largest part in designing the dining room. He had exquisite and admirable taste, of course. He turned around and spotted Isabella and Phineas sitting on a blue picnic blanket a little way from the opposite side of the oak tree; just out of his earshot but entirely in the shade. They were sharing a plate of freshly baked bread sticks and talking and smiling. So this was why Isabella was so happy before!

Buford and Baljeet had started a small food fight on the other side of the backyard. He made a guess that Buford made the first move. Ferb sunk down on his side of the tree and took out his book (which he would always have one on hand, just to be prepared). After seeing Isabella, it wouldn't hurt to postpone the construction a bit… it was a time-travel pizzeria anyways! He didn't mind waiting a little, and he certainly didn't want to end their little moment right now. Ferb knew Buford and Baljeet were also having fun, being frenemies, that was their idea of fun. So when he knew this was the best way to spend the rest of the day, Ferb eagerly flipped open his newest Stumbleberry Finkbat book and pleasantly started reading. He concluded with a definite thought: A satisfying day for all of us.

Did you like my little Phinabella surprise? Remember to review, dear readers, and Happy Holidays! Now, would you like to see what happens in the next chapter with Monty or Perry?

~Fyrvi