RW26Z A/N: To our guest reviewer, They went to the Ski Resort every year, Ferb made it an annual trip. As for the children question, well let's see if you can figure it out by the end of this chapter.
Gretchen looked at her husband, then her brother-in-law, "You did that nerve thing didn't you?"
Ferb nodded.
Gretchen started walking to the kitchen, "You should have done that a couple of years ago."
Ferb snorted and then snickered, "Oh really?"
"He freaks out too easily," was his wife's simple reply.
"Says the woman who stresses easily," Ferb teased.
Gretchen raised an eyebrow at him.
Ferb pulled her close and looked into her eyes, "I quite enjoy making you relax."
Gretchen then purred his name, "I enjoy relaxing with you as well."
Ferb chastely kissed her, "Maybe we can relax later."
"Is that what we're calling this now?" she inquired.
"Maybe," he responded slyly.
She gave a light laugh in response.
Phineas started to moan and then opened his eyes, "Wha-"
Gretchen knelt beside him, "Did you bump your head?"
Phineas started to get up, "I don't think so."
"How are you feeling now?" she inquired.
Phineas stretched out his neck, "Fine, I guess."
"You sure about that?"
"Yeah..."
"All right," Gretchen replied as she offered him a hand and pulled him up.
"Phineas, would you like a coffee or something?" Ferb offered.
"Well, aren't you the perfect host? You knock someone out, then offer them a drink," Phineas shot back at the green haired man sarcastically.
"Do you want a coffee or not?" Ferb asked.
"I guess I'll take one," Phineas finally replied.
"Milk?" Ferb inquired.
"Please... stop changing the subject Ferb. Where were you?" Phineas asked, slowly getting upset, "I needed you this past weekend and you weren't there."
Ferb sighed, and calmly spoke, "Phineas, have a seat."
Phineas took a seat on the couch, "What is it?"
"Two things. One, you need to calm down..."
"I am calm."
Ferb raised an eyebrow at that statement.
There was a whine in Phineas' voice when he asked, "Where were you?"
"Sorry, Phineas. That's really none of your business," Ferb replied, those annual trips the past few years provided some much need relaxation time for both Ferb and Gretchen. It might even lead to something the young couple had been wanting for a few years now.
Phineas was stunned, "What? We know everything about each other."
Ferb shook his head, "We've not known everything about each other since we were twelve."
"I tell you everything," Phineas spluttered.
Ferb gave a wry smile, "Yes and you need to learn the 'Too Much Information' factor."
"The what?" Phineas blurted out, confused.
"Never mind. You had something you needed help with?" Ferb adeptly changed the subject.
"You know how Lillian's prone to night terrors?" Phineas asked referring to his now four year old daughter.
Ferb gave a nod.
"Well it was just me and Lillian last weekend," Phineas started slowly.
"Let me guess, she had one," Ferb spoke up.
Phineas nodded, "I couldn't get her to calm down."
"What did you do?" Ferb asked.
"I tried calling you guys, when I got no answer I called Candace. Then after being told off, I called Mom. She came over and helped," Phineas answered.
Ferb gave a nod.
"When Sienna came home she told me I should have just called you guys. Gretchen always sings that lullaby and you always calm me down," Phineas finished.
Gretchen simply covered her face with her hands.
Ferb sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Phineas..."
Gretchen muttered something in German.
"There's other ways of calming a child after they have a night terror," Ferb remarked.
"Like?"
"You could have held her until she fell asleep again."
"Sienna said that..." Phineas began before getting cut off.
"Phineas, you're a smart man. You need to learn to be a father to your daughter," Gretchen spoke up.
"Lillian doesn't like me," Phineas muttered.
"She loves you," Ferb pointed out.
"Tell me Ferb, why does she calm down whenever you hold her or talk to her?" Phineas returned.
"I've learned to read people," Ferb said.
"Can you teach me?"
"Sorry, no. It's something you have to learn for yourself," Ferb answered.
"Phineas, you're her father," Gretchen said.
"That doesn't mean anything. Dad doesn't understand Ferb half the time," Phineas replied.
Ferb's eyes went wide, he then got up and left the room. Gretchen looked after Ferb a moment, then back to Phineas.
Phineas realized his mistake, "Ferb, that's not what I meant."
"Phineas I think it's best if you go," Gretchen said to her brother-in-law.
"I didn't mean it like that," Phineas said honestly.
Gretchen placed her hands on her hips, and as she glared at him the light glinted off her glasses, "What did you mean by it?"
"Just that..." Phineas faltered at the hard look she was giving him.
"Ferb was never forthcoming with information, and now Dad feels that he doesn't know his son," Phineas finally managed to get out.
Gretchen took sharp intake of breath, "Did it ever occur to you that no one took the time to listen to him?"
Phineas sighed, "No..."
"Well...That might be the reason."
"Do you have-" Phineas stopped at the woman's raised eye brow, "...That is REALLY creepy."
"What is?"
"You are almost as good at the 'look' as Ferb."
Gretchen shook her head, "I have to check on my husband."
"Gretchen, wait," Phineas said as he grabbed her wrist.
Gretchen gave a sob, "What is it?"
"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to offend anyone...I need to watch what I say," Phineas said quickly.
"Phineas you need to let go of my wrist," Gretchen warned.
"Please, I really didn't mean it like that," Phineas pleaded.
"Phineas of you don't let go of my wrist, I will have to use force to make you let go." The warning tone was still present in her voice.
Phineas dropped her wrist, "Sorry."
Another sob escaped, "I need to check on Ferb."
"I..." Phineas tried.
"Just leave," Gretchen snapped at the red head.
Phineas left quickly, as not to invoke the auburn haired woman's full ire.
Gretchen went to Ferb's home office, "Ferb, honey?"
Ferb was sitting at his computer, staring at the blank screen.
"Ferb?" Gretchen asked.
When she got no response from her husband, she stepped up behind him. She placed her hands on his shoulders and softly called his name again. Yet again she was met with no response. She started to cry.
"Don't do this." A sob then, "Talk to me," follow by a sniff, "you promised that you wouldn't shut me out again."
This time she got a quiet, "My own father doesn't understand me?"
"I thought you and Lawrence had a great understanding. That's why-" Gretchen began softly before he cut her off.
"I don't know anymore."
"Ferb..."
He shook his head.
"Maybe you should call him," She suggested.
Ferb turned to look at her, and her hands dropped from his shoulders, "What do I say? 'Hello Father, I just called because Phineas said you don't understand me. Is that true?'"
He turned back to the blank computer screen, and covered face with hands.
Gretchen once again rested her hands on his shoulders, "Oh Ferb..." and sighed.
"How am I supposed to take that?"
"Well when's the last time you had a conversation that was more than a few words?"
"When I had my heart attack."
Gretchen inhaled sharply, "Ferb."
"He gave me some really good advice though."
"About?"
Ferb shook his head.
Gretchen whispered in his ear, "Remember, no secrets."
Ferb sighed, "I asked how long it took him and Maggie to become pregnant."
Gretchen sniffed, "What did he say?"
"He said it took her two years after she stopped the birth control," He said.
"Ferb, I'm not using birth control. I've never used birth control, you know this," She reminded him.
"Yes. I do..." Ferb replied with a sigh.
"Honey, if it happens, it'll happen," She assured him.
"But you want-" he began before getting cut off.
"I know. Remember we are being reviewed for adoption."
"I was assured that the damage would have corrected itself before now," some of his misery crept back into his voice.
"Please don't beat yourself up over this. It's out of your control," She said, trying to ease her husband.
"All the neurological tests and lab tests I've done over the years indicate that everything is fine. Yet it's not."
Gretchen moved around to face Ferb and took his hands, "Come here honey."
"What are you-" he began to ask.
Gretchen smirked, "You suggested we do more 'relaxing'."
"Now's not the time to..."
Gretchen raised her voice, "You will relax with me right now!"
Ferb looked at her, blinked and started to laugh.
Gretchen realized what she said and how she said it, and started laughing herself.
Ferb pulled her into his lap, "Okay then."
Gretchen kissed him lightly before removing herself from his lap.
"What are you-" Ferb began to ask.
"If you want to continue, you have to catch me first," Gretchen replied with a mischievous smirk.
"You little minx," Ferb said.
Gretchen giggled and exited Ferb's home office. Ferb casually walked to their bedroom and pulled a pair of jeans from his bureau. He smirked to himself when he heard her giggle from elsewhere upstairs. Ferb followed the giggles and found his wife.
She smiled and tilted her head, "You found me."
"Now I think we were going to continue something we started," Ferb remarked.
"It's up to you," She said with a smirk.
Ferb slung his jeans around her and pulled her close.
"That's not fair Ferb," Gretchen protested.
Ferb smirked, "All's fair in love and war."
He nudged her against the wall and kissed her deeply. Gretchen broke the kiss.
"Is there someplace more private you want to take this?"
Ferb gave her a sly smile, "This is our house and we can do whatever we please."
"Oh, really?" Gretchen inquired, teasingly.
"Yes, really."
Gretchen ran her hands through his hair as she kissed him. Then she started to pull his shirt out of his pants.
"Stop being a tease," Ferb said softly.
"Who said I'm teasing?" Gretchen returned.
"If you keep this up, I'm gonna have to-" Ferb stopped at Gretchen's smirk, "You're being very bold my love."
"Like you said, it's our house and we can do as we please."
"You asked for it," He said then started to run his hands over her back and through her hair while kissing her.
Gretchen clapped her hands behind his neck, and arched into him, "Ferb I think..."
Ferb kissed behind her ear. She bit his lower lip in return.
"Now you're really asking for it," Ferb said, his voice had gained a rougher edge to it.
"Maybe I am," Gretchen replied.
Ferb pulled her into their bedroom. The door shut with a click. A short while later as the couple were laying in their bed, both quite content with what just happened.
"I... I..." Gretchen tried forming a thought.
Ferb looked lovingly at her,and whispered, "I love you," then kissed her lightly.
"Ferb, I... I can't think," she blurted out.
Ferb smirked as she laid her head on his chest.
"Still can't think?" he asked.
She tilted her head to look at him, "Other than how much I love you and how much I enjoy our alone time? Nothing else is one my mind."
"That's good," Ferb replied.
LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO-LGO
A couple of weeks passed. The couple were getting ready for their respective jobs. Ferb wasn't going to be on site so he was wearing one of his dark blue suits. Gretchen was wearing a set of dark purple scrubs. She clipped her ID badge to the pocket of her scrub top. She looked over at him and pulled her lunch cooler out of the fridge.
"I might be home a bit late tonight, I need to stop off at the store on my way home," She said.
"Okay love. I'll start dinner for you," was his response.
"Don't bother, I'll just grab some take out," Gretchen told him.
"Gretchen, I've only got the one meeting today. I'll be home early. I'll get dinner, don't fret," Ferb said reassuringly as he tied his tie.
"All right," She said with a slight sigh.
"You caved rather easily," Ferb noted with some surprise.
Gretchen gave a slight shrug, "If you want to get dinner, then you can get dinner."
"I can grab the shopping if you'd like, what did you want added to the list?"
Gretchen blushed, "I couldn't ask you to pick up what I need."
"It's not a..." Ferb paused as realization hit, "I can if you want, but if you'd rather-"
Gretchen interrupted with a nod and a "I'd rather."
"I'll get the rest of the groceries then," Ferb said.
"Thank you," Gretchen said.
"I probably don't want to mess with that," Ferb commented.
Gretchen picked up her car keys, "I'll see you after work."
Ferb attended his meeting then picked up the few things on the list. He changed to his casual dark purple shirt and sweater and a pair of blue jeans. After a while he started on dinner. He was in the kitchen checking on the food when he heard her come in from the garage.
"Honey, I'm home," she called out.
"Dinner's still 20 minutes away," Ferb replied.
"Okay, let me have a shower and change," she told him.
"Do you need help?" he asked with a slight smirk.
"No," came her negative response a little too quickly.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Once again the answer was quick, "Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"All right," he said and returned to the kitchen and set the table.
A few minutes later, and Ferb still hadn't heard the shower turn on. Ferb went to the bottom of the stairs.
"Gretchen, are you all right love?" he called up, when he didn't get an audible response he went half-way up the stairs and called again, "Gretchen?"
He heard her cry and rushed into their room, "Gretchen, what's wrong love?" he asked as he sat on bed, and held her.
Gretchen wiped her eyes with the heel of her palms.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, concern flooding his voice.
"Just a little tired..." she replied as she extracted herself from his arms, "I'm going to take my shower," and went into the bathroom.
Ferb said nothing but his brow furrowed slightly. Gretchen turned shower on and Ferb went downstairs. After a short while Gretchen came into the kitchen in a pair of jeans and a light blue sweater.
"Bad day at work?" Ferb asked, concern still evident in his voice.
Gretchen, seeming a bit distracted, gave a nod, "Yeah... bad day at work."
Ferb smiled at her, "Have a seat, I'll bring dinner. Roast chicken and potatoes. Would you like a glass of wine?"
Gretchen thought about it for a moment before shaking her head, "No."
"Something wrong?" Ferb asked, normally Gretchen would enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner.
"No."
"Gretchen.."
"I'm fine."
"Then do you want a soda?"
"Plain water is fine honey," Gretchen replied softly.
Ferb put plate down in front of her, "Of course."
Gretchen started to take a bite, then stopped as her stomach began churning.
Ferb had returned with water and his plate by this point, "Is something wrong?
She took a deep breath, silently pleading with her stomach to stop churning and replied, "I'm not very hungry."
Ferb gave her a worried look, "Are you feeling okay? Do you want to lie down?"
"I think I should just go to bed," Gretchen mumbled.
"Gretchen, you can't-" Ferb began but was cut off as Gretchen stood.
"I'm going to lie down for a bit."
"Are you feeling okay?" he asked again.
"Just a little tired is all," was her reply.
Ferb watched her leave the table for the stairs. Once she knew she was out of her husband's line of sight, Gretchen ran up the stairs and flung herself onto the bed, crying. Ferb sighed and took a small bite of his dinner. He decided he couldn't eat either and put everything away in the fridge. Gretchen hugged her pillow tight as she continued to cry. Ferb entered the bedroom and sat beside her.
Gretchen sniffed then said, "Ferb?"
"You must have had bad day," Ferb noted.
"That, among a few things," she replied.
"Gretchen-" Ferb began.
"No secrets," The both of them completed.
She sat up, "I'm working ER this week and well..."
Ferb began to rub her back. He found a knot and started to gently massage it.
"There was a really bad car accident. Four cars involved," She continued, a few tears started to slide down her cheeks.
Ferb listened as he wiped a tear off her cheek and continued with the gentle massage.
"Eleven people were brought in. Most had a broken bone or two, but a couple of them had concussion."
"Did something happen?"
"You wouldn't believe who was involved in it."
"I hope not one of our friends."
"No."
"Then who?"
"You got physical with him once."
Ferb blinked, "I... what?"
"You got into a fight with him," She clarified.
Ferb thought for a couple of moments, "I don't recall getting to a fight with anyone."
She sat up a bit more and placed her hands on his shoulders, "It's his fault you've got nerve damage."
Ferb, realizing who his wife meant, gave a nod in understanding.
"I was attending to the female passenger of his car," she paused and took a deep breath, "and he spotted me."
Ferb's eyes narrowed, "What happened?"
"He started getting out of hand."
"Example?"
"He started making comments about me...about you...about us."
Ferb inhaled and gritted his teeth.
"It's a good thing Shane was working the ER with me," She said.
This slightly defused the green haired man, "And..."
"Don't get me wrong, Shane thinks the world of you. He told Jason 'If you think you can bad-mouth her husband, you've got me to deal with.'" Gretchen explained.
Ferb nodded, "Okay."
Gretchen gave a slight giggle, "Shane then winked at him."
Ferb snorted before laughing. That got her to start laughing with him.
"What did Jason do?"
'He shut up. The young woman started laughing because she had never seen him put in his place, by a gay guy no less."
"He sure likes you," Ferb noted of her co-worker's behavior.
Gretchen nodded, "I remind him of his younger sister."
Ferb nodded.
Gretchen spoke with a cry in her voice, "I'm so sorry. If I hadn't ever dated him he never would have..."
Ferb quickly interrupted her, "That's in the past.
Gretchen violently shook head, "But the damage is permanent."
"If it was. I wouldn't be able to enjoy our alone time."
"It's my fault."
Ferb pulled her close to him, "It's no ones fault but his."
"You still have back issues," She protested.
"Not as bad as they used to be."
"Your hip still gives you problems."
"I'm not eligible for surgery yet."
"He crushed two vertebrae in your neck."
"So I'm a couple of inches shorter than I could have been."
"If I hadn't had told him-" she started again.
"If you had you would have regretted it for the rest of your life," Ferb interrupted again.
"But-"
"Besides I love you more than anyone," He cut her off gently.
Gretchen started to sob into his chest. Ferb kissed the top of her head.
"Shh, relax, calm down."
"I can't relax."
Ferb placed light kisses on her neck, "Would you like to relax?"
"I can't," was her protest.
"Then I'll just hold you until one or both of us fall asleep," He returned.
She fell silent as her mind went in several different directions at once.
Ferb gently pushed her to the bed, "Just relax."
Gretchen abruptly sat up and made a run for the bathroom.
"Are you okay?" Ferb asked her once more.
"Yes... I just don't feel well."
"Are you coming down with something?"
Gretchen shook her head. Ferb raised an eyebrow in response.
"I did schedule a doctor's appointment for a week from tomorrow. I can ask him about it."
"Do you want some saltines or citrus soda?" he offered.
"Ferb, you know I love you. Please go away," She replied.
"Gretchen?" he asked surprised by her odd behavior.
"Go! Just let me be!" She snapped and he left the bathroom and the bedroom all together.
Ferb returned after an hour. He called out her name before spotting her on the bathroom floor, asleep.
Ferb sighed, "I knew you were tired."
He picked her up, bridal style, and in the few moments of strength he had carried her over to the bed and laid her down. As soon as Gretchen was on the bed she wrapped her arms around a pillow and breathed lightly.
Ferb laid down beside her and held her then whispered, "You're right, my back does still bother me, as does my hip. I want you to feel better love. If there's anything I can do, please tell me."
"Just this is fine," Gretchen mumbled sleepily.
