"Will, good to see you again." Lawrence said as he stood up in greeting, causing Ferb's eyes to widen further. "Please, join us." He finished and signalled a waiter over. Ferb turned around and saw Gretchen and her mother walk over.

Isabella insisted on sitting beside Gretchen, causing Ferb to switch seats with her so that he was now between Isabella and Phineas. Will scanned the seating arrangements. "I think that the four teens should sit across from each other, not all down one side of the table. How could they possibly hold a conversation?" He said and Gretchen smiled a little as Phineas, Ferb Isabella and herself stood up and switched seats around with Vivian and Candace. Ferb was still seated beside his brother, but was now directly across from Gretchen.

Everyone placed their orders and conversations resumed. Isabella kept apologising to Gretchen, who said that everything was alright. Gretchen then looked up at Ferb sitting across from her. "Are you guys getting together tomorrow?" Ferb shook his head and Phineas answered for him. "He's got fencing practice tomorrow then he's in tournament all weekend. I've got some work to do around the house, so I'm busy." He said, keeping his hands under the table and Isabella followed up with her excuse. "I've got some homework to finish up then I've got some... my mother wants me to help her out with something."

Gretchen had the feeling the only excuse she truly believed was Ferb's.

Dinner arrived and everyone ate and continued with their conversations. Lawrence called down the table. "Ferb, you never said you'd met Will and Trudy." This was the most inopportune time for that question to be asked, Ferb was in mid bite and inhaled sharply. The bite of food got stuck in his throat and he couldn't breathe. He then tried to cough and then started choking. Phineas hit him sharply on the back and Gretchen sprang from her seat and was going to help when, Ferb suddenly stopped moving. Phineas quickly grabbed him and leaned over as he pushed his brother forward so Ferb was doubled over. Ferb gave a final cough then took a couple of shaky breaths.

"Bro, you okay?" Phineas asked at the same time Gretchen hugged Ferb tight with tears in her eyes. Relieved, Ferb hugged her back, then started to relax a little. "Are you sure you're okay? Do you need anything? Glass of water?" She fired the questions at him faster than he could respond. Ferb nodded and waved his hands in a 'don't bother' motion. Gretchen looked directly at him. "Oh, Ferb." She said before she kissed him and he tightened his hold on her.

Almost everyone at the table sat in shock, only Trudy and Will Weiss knew about the two teens. "Gretchen!" Isabella said astounded, startling her friend causing Gretchen to blush. Phineas' eyes went wide. "Ferb?" He inquired. Ferb flushed bright red. Candace was at a loss for words, though her jaw was hanging open. Vivian and Linda just smiled and Lawrence was the one who spoke. "I'm sorry son. I would've thought you might have said something." Ferb closed his eyes tight, willing everyone to disappear.

Isabella and Phineas kept shooting questions at both Gretchen and Ferb. After the fifth time they were asked "How long have you guys been dating?" Ferb's fist finally hit the table. "I asked her to be my girlfriend three hours ago." He said as he glared at everyone but Gretchen. "But, Ferb. Why didn't you say anything?" Phineas asked, genuinely curious; this earned another glare from his brother.

"Ferb," Will called down the table. "I'd like to apologise for making you uncomfortable earlier." He said and Ferb offered a slight smile and a nod in response. Gretchen looked over to her father. "Thank you." She said as she gave her boyfriend another hug.

The rest of dinner passed in silence.

Ferb got into his mother's car and sat in the back seat along with Candace. Phineas, Isabella and Vivian took the middle bench and Linda and Lawrence were in the front. Isabella turned around and looked directly at Ferb. "What do you see in Gretchen?" Phineas and Candace both commented in unison. "Isabella!" The girl rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Fine. What does she see in you?" Ferb hung his head and examined a spot on the back on the seat in front.

Isabella continued to look at Ferb, waiting for an answer. "Well? What does she see in you?" Ferb shook his head. "I don't know." He whispered. "You're right..." He started when Candace put her arm around his shoulders, then asked her own question to Isabella. "What do you see in Phineas?" Flustered, Isabella turned to face forward. "That's not a fair question."

Ferb waited for everyone else to exit the car, he then quietly made his way up to his shared room and got ready for bed. The storm had lessened and the power had come back on; Phineas was re-setting the alarm-clock. "You asked Gretchen to be your girlfriend?" He inquired as he put the clock back on the table. Ferb didn't respond, he got into bed and pulled the covers tight around himself. "Come on Ferb, you can tell me." Phineas pried and started throwing small objects at his brother.

Ferb rolled over and sat up glaring at his brother. "It doesn't matter. Isabella's right, I don't deserve a girlfriend." Phineas sat on his bed and leaned forward. "I think that you and Gretchen make a good couple. I just wanted to know if you really liked her that way." He said, Ferb nodded and Phineas continued. "She was really worried about you when you started choking."

The next morning Ferb awoke and got ready for his fencing practice and Phineas got himself ready to plan and help set up the party for Gretchen.

Gretchen's alarm didn't go off, but at 7am her mind woke her up. She lay in bed with a headache; she then remembered how her and Ferb had lain, looking into each other's eyes before he kissed her. She imagined him beside her running his fingers through her hair and whispering to her. She then imagined his arms pulling her close and him leaning in to kiss her.

After a while Gretchen got out of bed and got ready for the day. At least there's no school today. She thought to herself as she ate her breakfast and pulled out her phone.

Gretchen called Isabella. "Morning Chief." She greeted as Isabella picked up her phone. "Do you want to get together later? I see, okay." Gretchen walked over to the sink and placed her dishes as she listened to Isabella. "What do I see in Ferb? What's that supposed to mean? What does he see in me? I... I don't know." Gretchen said then hung up the phone.

Gretchen spent the day reading her new book.

Saturday morning, Gretchen woke up. She was angry and upset at everyone; she decided to head to the coffee shop in search of something, she couldn't even put her finger on what it was she was looking for. While there, Katie came in and sat with her. Gretchen glanced up at her friend. "Gretchen, I shouldn't be saying this…" Katie started before being interrupted. "Then don't." Gretchen shot back, causing the blonde's face to fall and tears to start forming in her eyes. "Isabella's planned out a huge party for you." She said. Gretchen just sat and looked at her with a fork-full of cake half-way between the plate and her mouth. Katie then continued. "You're supposed to be happy today, it's your birthday." She said, Gretchen shook her head then reminded her friend. "My birthday was two days ago."

Katie's expression went from hurt to horrified. "Isabella said that..." Gretchen shook her head. "Isabella's said a lot of things lately. She forgot. Plain and simple, it was probably Ferb who reminded her." She said as her voice hitched on the last part. Katie's head tilted to the side. "Why would Ferb remind her?" Gretchen tried to calm herself a little by taking a few sips of her hot chocolate. "He's the only one who remembered. That's what I see in him, he pays attention to small details and makes me feel special." She said as she looked up at her friend.

Katie absentmindedly took another piece of cake from Gretchen. "You guys are going out? That's great, you have so much in common. I wish I could just sit and talk for hours with a guy. I'd run out of things to say, though. You on the other hand, you've got so much to talk about. So when did you start dating?" Gretchen's eyes widened. "What makes you think all we do is talk?" Katie's eyes widened and Gretchen continued "He asked me to be his girlfriend two days ago."

The two girls talked for another half-hour. "You have to come back with me to Isabella's." Katie pleaded with Gretchen who sighed. "Fine."

The two girls walked back to Maple Drive. "Just wait here a moment." Katie said as she walked into the Garcia-Shapiro house. Gretchen stood outside and a chilly autumn wind started to pick up again. She turned around and noticed that a car was pulling into the driveway across the street. Ferb and his father got out of the car and started heading toward their house when Gretchen started running in their direction. "Ferb!" She called.

Ferb paused in step and turned around. Gretchen caught up to him, stopped and looked up at him. "How's the tournament?" She inquired and he shook his head. "What happened?" Gretchen asked, concerned. "I don't know, I..." Ferb said as he looked into her eyes. "I..." He tried, gave up, pulled her close and kissed her. "I'm not going to listen to Isabella anymore." He said with a smile.

Gretchen walked with Ferb into the Flynn-Fletcher house. He took her coat, hung it up and they went into the kitchen. Gretchen took a seat at the table. "Isabella asked me what I see in you. She then asked me what you see in me." Gretchen commented sadly and Ferb nodded. "She asked me the same thing the other night." She looked up with a smile when he passed her a drink. "What did you say?" Gretchen inquired. Ferb took a seat and tried reaching for one of Gretchen's hands. "Isabella wanted to know what you saw in me. I had to tell her 'I don't know.' Candace then shut her up by asking what she saw in Phineas." He stated, causing Gretchen to smile and laugh a little.

The pair sat and chatted for a while.

Phineas came into the kitchen and saw Gretchen laughing lightly and Ferb smiling. "What's this?" Phineas asked. Ferb looked up at his brother and Gretchen turned around. "We're just talking." She replied and Ferb nodded. Phineas looked from one to the other and back a few times. "Gretchen, Isabella's really sorry about the other day. She's organised a party for you, everyone's there... We're just waiting for the guest of honour." She stood up, followed by Ferb who stood behind her and placed his hands on her waist. "Phineas, I appreciate that." She then looked over her shoulder at Ferb. "Will you come to the party?" Ferb pondered the question a moment. "As your friend, or your date?" Gretchen smiled and leaned into him. "As my boyfriend." She replied looking up at him. Ferb nodded and left to get ready.

Phineas stepped further into the kitchen and took Ferb's vacated seat. "Gretchen," He said, and once he had her attention, he continued. "...as I told Ferb the other night, I think you guys make a great couple. I noticed how concerned you were about him when he was choking." She nodded. "I'm so sorry, Phineas, I should have done something. Just a few days ago Ferb helped me with a First Aid demonstration for my Fireside Girls' Troop... I just froze. He..." She started to falter her words and Phineas patted her hand. "It's okay; Gretchen, relax. I think you should know something. Ferb didn't actually admit it, but I think he's in love with you." He said, his voice hushed. Gretchen nervously smiled. "Thank you." She whispered.

Ferb came back into the kitchen, wearing a shirt and tie with his jeans, and extended his hand toward Gretchen who took it and stood up. Phineas pulled out his phone and placed a call.