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Expiration Date
VII.
I was very thankful that I had the final preparations for the festival to keep me occupied while everyone else was busy doing their own thing. Scarlett only sent me a few texts asking if I wanted to hang out at her house, but I ignored all of them. She's never exactly done that before, so I was going off of an assumption that she thought I was lonely since Ferb left.
This thought had something (well…everything) to do with a message she left for me on my office phone the first day Ferb was gone:
"Hey, you. Sorry you couldn't make it to the barbeque last night. We missed you. I think Ferb felt like the third wheel without you. Speaking of Ferb, I know he left this morning, so if you want, you can come over after work. We can have coffee…or wine, whichever you prefer (she laughed). Let me know."
I didn't call her back, but I figured that was enough to let her know I wasn't interested.
It was nice, however, to get a call from Ginger saying that her and the other girls would love to help me set up on the day of Finally Summer. I haven't seen some of them (oh, who am I kidding? I haven't seen any of them) in quite some time.
So when I saw all my Fireside girls together again on the beautiful morning of June twenty-first, it felt like I was where I belonged again. All their smiling faces stared at me as they waited for my directions on where to start and how I wanted everything to look.
"All right, Troop!" I began with enthusiasm, "Let's begin. Gretchen, you're in charge of the snow machine; turn these trees white! Adyson, hang up the solar-powered icicles! Holly, Katie, and Milly, get busy on setting up and positioning the igloo pavilions. Ginger, help me with everything else for now. Got it?"
They all saluted me while saying in unison: "Aye, aye, Chief!"
We all giggled before we got started.
Ginger and I had the best time talking, mostly about old times, when she suddenly stopped and looked at me with a ridiculously large grin, "Can I tell you something and you promise not to tell anyone else?"
"You're pregnant," I said instantly, but in a joking manner.
But when I saw the shock and disbelief clearly written on her face, the color drained from my own.
"How…how did you know?" She asked.
"I…didn't," I admitted, never even considering I would be guessing right when the words spilled from my mouth.
Ginger looked down at herself, "Am I showing already or something?"
I shook my head dumbly, staring directly at her stomach, "No…"
"Oh…" she looked back up at me and smiled again, "Okay, well…good guess. But yes! Totally pregos and couldn't be happier."
To try to hide my...feelings, whatever those were, I started unfolding an inflatable Eskimo, "I didn't know you were serious about Baljeet…"
"Well…" she started, taking another inflatable to unfold, "Truthfully, we really weren't before. I was busy a lot, he was busy being a doctor, we only saw each other every once in awhile, but…anyway, I told him as soon as I found out so we had a long, serious talk. We agreed that we wanted to get married before I started showing."
I laid out the inflatable on the ground and smoothed it out, "You don't think you're getting married for the wrong reason?"
She scrunched up her face, "I don't like it when people think a baby is a wrong reason. I mean, I guess if you hated the other parent it would be, but…Baljeet and I don't hate each other. Despite us not exactly being the perfect couple for the last seven years, we've never been with anyone else. That says something, right?"
I didn't answer. I didn't know what to say. I think I was mostly in shock in knowing that Baljeet was the first guy out of our group to get a girl pregnant. Go figure.
"Anyway, you're the only other person that knows," Ginger continued, "Mostly because I want you to be my maid of honor."
I accidentally groaned, "Not you, too!"
Ginger looked taken aback, "What do you mean by that? Do you not want to—."
I waved my hands frantically, "No, no…I didn't mean it like that. It's just…Scarlett said the same thing to me the other day."
"What?!" Ginger screamed, which, to my dismay, made the other girls run over to make sure everything was all right, "Phineas and Scarlett are getting married?!"
"What?!" echoed all the other girls.
I covered my face with my hands. Great…I really didn't want to mention anything involving them, but now they all knew, and I knew as soon as I uncovered my face that I would be met with six pairs of concerned eyes.
I shifted my eyes to the ground before I saw that pity, "Yeah…guess he's proposing tonight."
"Oh, Isabella…we're so sorry," Gretchen said before all of them huddled around me and gave me the biggest group hug.
I felt tears sting my eyes. I wanted to love all of them right now, but all I could think was how they detached themselves from me years ago because they didn't like what I became when Scarlett and Phineas started dating. Did they suddenly feel bad? Did they think that this proposal would finally be the end of everything and I could just forget about him?
I ducked out of the center and forced my way outside of them, "Come on, girls. Let's focus on making this place look great for tonight," I turned on the air blower to begin blowing up the inflatables. For once, I was glad that thing was super loud so no one would be able to talk to me.
During the five minutes it took to inflate, my mind was just as loud and empty. I couldn't believe it. Ginger was pregnant and about to get married. When we were all kids, I always thought I would be the first one. Not that I didn't have other things in life I wanted to do, but…I was the one that was head over heels in love my whole life. The others were hardly interested in one person in particular…but I guess Ginger could be an exception, since she did have a crush on Baljeet for a long time. In some way, I supposed I was happy for her. Baljeet, after all, did grow into himself and is now a successful doctor, so it's not like she picked some random bum.
As soon as I shut off the blower, Ginger called my name from behind me. I slowly stood up and turned around, but was glad when it was only her again and the other girls went back to work.
"You can hang out with Baljeet and I tonight," she offered with a small smile, "I know most people put a lot of emphasis on couples tonight, and I think the other girls found someone to bring, so—."
My heart began pounding in embarrassment, "You think I'm going to be the lonely one, don't you?"
She blushed so I instantly knew I guessed her thoughts correctly, "N-no…I just thought that—when the sun goes down—the three of us can…I mean, I know Ferb's not here, so—."
My heart jumped this time, "What does Ferb have to do with any of this!? Have you been talking to Scarlett?"
Ginger looked confused, "Not at all! You know I wouldn't do that to you…"
"Do I?!" I felt outraged and I wasn't sure why. Maybe because Ginger was being so nice to me. Maybe because she found her happily ever after first. Maybe because the world was cruel. Maybe because she reminded me that Ferb was out of town. "Because you've hardly talked to me in…in…I don't even know how long, but now you want me to be your maid of honor?!"
She didn't answer. She looked a little guilty, though, and knew we both felt horrible about the past and the present conversation.
"I am not," I continued, though my voice cracked, "about to be Jane Nichols," I finished, making a poor reference to 27 Dresses.
Ginger forced a smile, "I doubt you'll have to attend twenty-seven wedding before you find someone, Is."
"That's the problem," I admitted, throwing the Eskimo to the side, "I already found someone…"
Shit, I needed a drink. But I was on the clock and if I was caught drinking…that would just make my life worse.
We stood in silence for a moment before Ginger gave a smile that clearly said I want to cheer your depressing ass up, "You know who I think likes you?"
"If you say Ferb, I'm punching you," I warned her instantly.
She didn't feel threatened, it seemed, when she put her hands on her hips and shimmied mockingly, "Can't hit a pregnant woman."
"Damn you," I admitted and both of us laughed shortly.
"No, but seriously," she finally said.
"No but seriously," I mocked, grabbing a table and grabbed the folded legs to pull them out, "Scarlett said the same thing but it's not true. He doesn't. Not like that. He feels the same way about me as I feel about him."
"And how's that?" she asked inquisitively.
"I…" I stumbled over my words, realizing I never had to say exactly how I felt about the situation I put myself in aloud, "That it's nice just having someone there. Someone that you don't have to pretend you're someone else in front of."
Ginger sighed dreamily, "Sounds perfect to me."
"Yeah, well…" I trailed off, not quite sure how to respond to that. She didn't say anything else, so I should have just let it go—but me and my big mouth just couldn't stop, "I know I would feel a whole lot different tonight if he was here though."
She began pulling legs out from other tables, "Yeah, you two have been going to these things together since you started it."
"We haven't been going together," I corrected, "We just met here and stayed close, 'cause…well, neither of us had anyone else to bring."
Rolling her eyes good naturedly, Ginger brought up what happened last year: "You brought that guy…don't know his name, but you ditched him half way through the night 'cause he was getting on your nerves."
I chuckled, "Oh yeah, I remember that. I don't know why I thought that was a good idea."
"Well…like I said, you can hang out with me and Baljeet. I'll ask him to kiss you, too, if you want."
"I'm…I'm fine," I laughed nervously, not wanting to be put in that position. But her offer made me think of the New Year's scene from When Harry Met Sally, which made me think of Ferb.
She smiled, "Or…you know, you can just call Ferb and wish him a Happy Finally Summer Day."
I was about to dismiss that idea as well, but the more I thought about it, the more appealing it sounded. Ferb was in a different time zone but that didn't mean I still couldn't call him when the sun went down here. It almost made me wish I wasn't so cheap and invested in a video phone.
I found myself nodding, "I just might do that, Ginger."
All of Danville arrived at my festival. The park was packed and it made me glad that I heard so many people complimenting the theme this year. There was snow in the trees and on the ground, icicles hung from many ledges, just waiting to light up when the sun went down, and seeing people coming in and out of igloos was entertaining.
Mayor Doofenshmirtz thanked me for all my hard work in his speech, which made all of my friends gather around me, glad that they knew me personally.
The biggest treat, however, was when Phineas (and just Phineas) came over to talk to me.
"Hey, Isabella," he greeted, two plastic cups in his hands, "The place looks great! You know I could have helped you though…remember when I—."
I laughed and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, "Of course I remember when you made it snow. I don't think everyone wanted to freeze tonight though. Snow on a hot summer day is perfect."
His smile grew, "Your concept of perfect is fascinating. But I see what you mean. Did you do all this by yourself?"
I shook my head, eyeing the cup in his left hand (the one he wasn't drinking from) and wondered if it was for me, "No, the Fireside girls helped out a lot."
"Cool! You guys always did come through for projects," he took another sip of his drink, "By the way, I talked to Ferb earlier today. I asked him if he thought he was going to be able to make it, but he's not sure yet. Speaking of Ferb, you know what Scarlett told me?"
I flinched and looked away, pretty sure I knew what Scarlett had to say about Ferb. I specifically told her that nothing was going on, so why did she have to bring it up to everyone else for?
But before Phineas could tell me anything, Scarlett walked up next to him, grabbing the cup from his left hand, "The park looks amazing, Isabella," she said, "I wish it could look like this all the time."
I opened my mouth, ready to give the meanest comeback that may have not even slipped past Phineas' radar, but Ginger and Baljeet suddenly appeared to save the day.
Trying to get my mind off what was about to be said, I instantly blurted out: "Hey, Baljeet! Congratulations!"
Baljeet looked mortified and I mentally punched myself. Did anyone else know anything yet? Ginger told me not to tell anyone that she was pregnant…
"True that!" Phineas chimed in, "Do you guys have a date yet?"
I snapped my eyes to Ginger, wondering if she knew that Baljeet told Phineas. Ginger tried to smile nonchalantly as she held up her left hand and wiggled her fingers, a ring clearly evident on her finger.
Oh, I see…Phineas knew about their engagement.
Baljeet relaxed as well when he realized the topic we were talking about. He must be nervous about other people finding out about Ginger's state as well.
"Oh my God, you guys!" Scarlett stepped forward and grabbed Ginger's hand and I almost laughed loudly when Ginger instantly snapped her hand back. This didn't seem to deter Scarlett's excitement, "That's so great! And that ring looks remarkable on you! I can only hope that I get a ring like that someday…"
Boom, there goes one of her hints. Little did she know, though, that she didn't have to drop hints anymore…
I looked at Phineas and saw him grin as he stuck his hand in his pocket, no doubt verifying the ring was still there and ready for tonight. I felt myself flush and become light headed, so I instantly excused myself.
"Isabella!" I heard Ginger call my name before catching up with me, "You okay?"
I stopped and looked at her, feeling my anger rise again, because I hate when people ask stupid questions, "Distract Scarlett so I can get Phineas alone."
She paled, "I don't think that's—."
"I don't care what you think!" I snapped, but before I could get her to do anything, I heard the mayor calling me to arrange in getting more drinks set out.
Stupid people and their thirstiness….
I figured I would find Ginger to get Scarlett away from Phineas afterward, but before I could do anything, Candace and Amanda found me and Amanda insisted on hanging out with me for awhile. I couldn't say no, and any other time I wouldn't want to, but time was running out and if I didn't tell Phineas soon…
I was starting to panic when the sun was a half hour away from setting and, not only was I not able to spot Scarlett and Phineas in the crowd, I couldn't even find Ginger.
"Who are you looking for?" Amanda finally asked me when I kept pulling her along through the cluster of people.
"Your Uncle Phineas. Do you see him anywhere?" I asked the young girl, though doubted that she would have a better view above people's heads than I. That's when I got the brilliant idea of picking her up and setting her on my shoulders. "Keep an eye out," I told her.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, leaning forward and looking down so she could see me, "Is he hurt?"
"No, Sweetie, it's nothing like that," I reassured her, though the tone of my voice didn't match my words.
"Did something break?" Amanda asked.
I narrowed my eyes before saying, "Something's about to…"
Twenty minutes to sundown, and then: "Aunt Isabella, I have to go to the bathroom."
Why must kids always have to pee at the most inconvenient times! So I took her to the bathrooms, not at all pleased when I saw there was a line. As we stood there, I happened to spot Phineas finally and was about to run toward him, but got stopped short by Amanda again, asking me to stay with her.
Damn it, where was Candace? Or Jeremy? Or anyone else that could stay with Amanda?!
About time we got through the line and back out, it was five minutes to sundown.
"Mommy!" Amanda yelled excitedly as Candace just so happened to be there at that moment, with Jeremy holding the two boys right behind her.
"Oh good, we found you," Candace said, scooping up her daughter, "We have to all be together when the countdown starts!" her eyes widened and brightened, causing Amanda to become eager about the next few minutes. I watched the family walk away to find a good spot and suddenly felt more alone than ever.
"Three minutes!" The major boomed into a microphone.
Everyone went insane. I visibly saw the sun beginning to sink below the horizon and felt ill. People started scrambling to find who they wanted to be with when the sun disappeared and shouts of different names began echoing in my head.
That's when I saw them: Phineas and Scarlett. They were running away from me, Phineas pulling her hand to the location he chose for them.
"Wait!" I yelled, though I could hardly hear my own voice over all the others.
And for some reason, when I tried to go toward them, everyone else was coming toward me, which made it very hard to make my way through the crowd.
Oh no…oh no no no no no no….this is not happening…
Before I knew it, someone shouted Thirty! and almost instantly, everyone knew where they needed to be and stopped moving.
A few people joined in to say Twenty-nine! then a few more for Twenty-eight! and about time twenty-five was reached, everyone was involved in the countdown.
When twenty was reached, I saw Phineas and Scarlett. He was taking a mini igloo shaped box from his pocket and showing it to her. She covered her mouth this her hands in shock.
I can't let this happen…
I took a step forward, but that's when I spotted a flash of green. I stopped and stood on my tiptoes, my heart falling to my stomach. I thought I had just imagined seeing things, but it was when twelve was reached that I saw him.
"Ferb…" I said under my breath, but it was like he heard me from thirty feet away because our eyes instantly connected.
The screams began ringing in my head: Ten, nine…
I began racing toward him, dodging people left and right, glad that he was doing the same.
It was insane how I felt in that moment. I thought that I should have been running toward Phineas and Scarlett and knocking that stupid box out of their hands and letting Phineas know that Finally Summer was all for him because everything I ever did was for him!
Five, four…
But instead, I was racing toward his brother, because it just seemed to make more sense all of a sudden.
Two…one!
The sun disappeared but the darkness wasn't even given a chance before the solar-powered icicles came on with all their brilliance. And I didn't stop running until I flung myself into Ferb's arms, my arms encircling his neck as he embraced me just as he had before. I felt that strong, steady hand on the back of my head and held my breath for a long moment so I would know for certain that I wasn't about to breathe all this away.
I heard the shouts of joy and "Finally Summer!" all around us, but they were muted in my existence as I closed my eyes and rested my head on his collar bone, "You came…"
"Sorry I'm late," I heard from his vibrating chest more than his mouth.
I only shook my head slightly, "You're right on time."
Despite having to stand on my very tip tippy-toes to stay how we were, I never wanted to leave because I knew that somewhere close to me was something that went against all my hopes and dreams as they were handed over to another girl.
"It happened," I said, squeezing my arms tighter around him.
He only pressed my head harder against him in response, but it was perfect, because I felt cocooned in a place where it didn't matter, because Ferb saved me from what could have ended disastrously.
"Thanks for the huge turnout…" Mayor Doofenshmirtz began speaking into the microphone and people began walking about normally again.
But even so, I was not letting go of what I was holding onto, because that would be admitting that it was over. I was relieved that he showed no signs of releasing me, either, because…
What was his rush here if not for this?
