Chapter 10

The Ball! (Finally.)

The beginning part of this chapter is kind of tedious to read (for me, personally. Might not be for you guys), but it just got away from me while writing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Phineas and Ferb or Beauty and the Beast.

Isabella was feeling really confused about a lot of things. Well, two things really. The main one was Ferb. He was so quiet, but she felt like she could tell him anything and he wouldn't judge her. She was also confused about why she felt so much better just spending a little bit of time with him. After her breakfast picnic with him in her room, she couldn't keep from smiling—even when it started to rain and she got completely covered in mud, she still had that grin.

But, again, he was quiet. She felt like she knew so much about him, but when she thought back she realized she didn't. She didn't know about his family or his childhood—things like that. However, she did know that he liked it better outside when it was partly cloudy instead of an empty blue sky, he liked apple pie over cherry, and he knew so much about everything. She had yet to find a topic that he didn't have some knowledge of.

The second thing that Isabella was confused about was, well, everyone else. She was almost positive that when she left her room this morning, she'd see Ginger or Baljeet or even Buford and they would wish her a happy birthday. But she didn't see anyone—either in the castle or out on the grounds. On her way to her room, after putting Jack back into his stall, she was feeling a little left out—to the point where she felt like all she wanted was to skip dinner and soak in a hot bath.

When she opened the door to her room all of the girls (Stacy, Ginger, Holly, and Adyson) were waiting for her. They all shouted, "Happy Birthday!" in unison, smiling brightly at her.

Isabella's eyes widened in pleasant surprise and she beamed. "Thank you!" Then she noticed steam coming from the doorway to the bathing room. Before she could ask why, Adyson pushed her towards the room.

"We drew you a nice hot bath," the vase said.

"Yes, we even added some lavender oil," Holly exclaimed, hopping in place and clapping two of her feathers together like hands.

"Um…thank you, but why?" Isabella asked.

Stacy gave her a strange grin—kind of a mix of being friendly and mischievous. "It's a surprise. You just relax, and when you're done we'll tell you."

Isabella looked unconvinced. Ginger chuckled and the face she was giving them. "It's a birthday surprise. Nothing to be worried about. We promise."

Isabella playfully narrowed her eyes at the two sisters while the vase and the duster guided her into the bathing room, but the sight of the bath waiting for her was enough to nearly forget about any kind of birthday surprise.

It was perfect! The smell of the lavender wasn't too intense, like some of the women that had perfume in the village—though to be fair they used it more to cover odor between baths than to compliment themselves. This was more like an undertone of the smell—just enough to know what the smell was. And the bath even had bubbles! She had never had a bath with bubbles.

After stripping down and stepping in, Isabella sighed dreamily. Even the water was perfect. She leaned back, her neck resting on the edge of the tub. Adyson came up behind and used the arms of her vase to pull her hair out to hang over the side of the tub. She began to brush it, sometimes rubbing water and soaps into her hair to clean it.

Holly pushed over a stool to the side of the tub and hopped up onto it. "Raise your hand, please," she whispered, not wanting to interrupt the tranquility of the room. Isabella did so and Holly started rubbing a feather over her nails. Never before had Isabella felt so…pampered. She never wanted it to end.

After probably ten minutes in, Holly switched sides to buff the nails on her other hand while Adyson cleared the oils and soap from her hair with a pitcher of water. She brushed it smooth then started taking strands and wrapping them around strips of fabric. Isabella had no idea why she was doing that, but was too relaxed to ask. She trusted her anyway.

Holly finished the other hand and left the room. Adyson finished what she was doing soon afterwards. "If you need anything please call for one of us," she murmured. "I will be back in a little while to check on you."

Isabella nodded in response, not wanting to open her eyes or mouth to give a clear answer. She heard Adyson leave also, leaving her alone in the peaceful bath just enjoying the comfort of it. This, plus the breakfast with Ferb, was quickly making the day her best birthday ever. I wonder what else I should expect, she thought distractedly.

She must have fallen asleep or gone into a trance, because it felt like no time before Adyson was gently shaking her shoulder and asking if she was ready to get out. Isabella blinked quickly to help clear her thoughts before sitting up. Adyson was already holding a towel for her and she quickly wrapped it around her before stepping fully out of the tub.

Adyson led her to her vanity where she was finally able to see what the vase had done to her hair. It looked so strange and in little knots. She could see the ties of the fabric straps here and there. Adyson must have noticed her face and where she was looking because she chuckled. "I know it looks odd now, but I will take the fabric out before we are done."

Isabella nodded. "Alright…" She looked around the room. Holly had hopped up onto the vanity in front of her while Adyson was looking through small boxes that looked to be filled with different colors. Stacy was standing nearby with a wistful smile on her face. Ginger was missing. "Where is Ginger?" Isabella asked.

"She had to help Baljeet with something," Stacy answered. "Now, face forward and close your eyes."

Isabella was confused but she did so. She started slightly when she felt a soft touch on her face and cracked and eye open. Holly was in front of her, smiling apologetically for startling her. The duster was using her hands—er feathers—as makeup brushes (why bother using a brush when your hands are brushes?).

Now knowing what to expect, Isabella relaxed and allowed Holly to color her face. When she was finished (a lot sooner than the girl thought), the duster said, "You can open your eyes now." There was really very little difference except a light shade of purple over her eyes. Everything else looked completely natural, if more enhanced.

Adyson came up behind her and began to loosen her now dry hair from the knots. Isabella was surprised when they fell smoothly down her back (no tangles!) in soft curls. Her hair was naturally fairly straight unless it was really humid (which wasn't often). After all the fabric strips were removed, Adyson started pinning her hair up in a formal twist.

That made Isabella start to think about how…special this birthday surprise would be. Her thoughts were confirmed when, after Adyson was finished, Stacy hobbled over and opened her doors to show a breathtaking soft pink and purple gown. "Wow," Isabella whispered. She missed the triumphant look the other three girls gave each other.

Adyson and Holly helped her into the exquisite ball gown, smoothing the skirts and lacing up the back. She stepped into the matching shoes and felt like a princess. She spun around in front of her mirror, admiring everything the girls had done to her.

"There's one more thing," Holly said brightly from the vanity. Isabella turned towards her and the duster pushed a box to the middle of the small table. Curious, Isabella walked over and picked it up.

"It's from Ferb," Stacy said with a faint teasing tone to her voice.

Isabella looked from the box to the wardrobe then back again. Hearing that it was from Ferb made her a little wary of opening it, and she had no idea why. Pushing that thought from her mind, she lifted the top and nearly dropped the box in shock.

Inside was a necklace. A large purple crystal (Amethyst, she thought) rested on a cushion. The crystal was surrounded with small diamonds that followed the chain about half way. Isabella reached in and pulled it out with a shaking hand. It was beautiful—and probably worth more than her family home.

She must have stared at it for a good while, because Stacy spoke up. "Aren't you going to put it on? Or are you just going to stare at it the whole night?"

Isabella swallowed, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. "I—I couldn't…"

"Yes you can," Adyson remarked.

"No. I…"

"Isabella," Stacy said seriously. "Ferb wanted you to wear it, or he wouldn't have given it to you. If you go out there not wearing it, it will make him feel bad."

Isabella looked at her for a moment, then nodded in agreement. Her hands were still shaking as she put it on, but she was able to connect the ends. The gemstone complimented the dress perfectly. Looking at herself in the mirror again, she didn't just feel like a princess. In her heart, she was a princess.

Someone knocked on the door. Adyson went over and opened it, letting Ginger inside. When the book saw Isabella all dressed up, she smiled brightly. "Are you ready?"

Ferb wanted to pace the floor in front of the stairway, but he forced himself to remain still. He hadn't completely forgotten his royal training. Head up, shoulders back, arms at his side. The picture of a perfect prince—covered in fur, with claws and fangs.

He shook the thoughts from his head. Just in time, apparently, because he heard the clicks of women's shoes coming down the stairs. He readied himself before looking up, knowing that she was going to be beautiful, but it didn't help. She looked gorgeous, elegant, perfect. When she smiled brightly at him, it was all he could see for a good minute or two.

A clearing throat brought Ferb back to reality and he blinked. She was standing in front of him with a teasing grin on her lips. He coughed once to help clear his mind and smiled back at her. "You look beautiful," he said softly. Isabella bushed brightly and took his arm when he offered it to her.

"Thank you," she murmured. "And thank you for letting me wear the necklace. It is very nice."

Ferb looked down at said necklace. "It looks great on you. And it's a gift—for your birthday."

"What?" she asked, shocked.

"It's yours," he answered, grinning at her astonished face.

"Oh, um…" she blinked, unseeing. "Th-thank you."

Ferb noticed that she was lost in her own mind and simply led her into a room she had only seen once—on her first day there—the ballroom. She looked around the elegant room with an amazed look in her eyes. "Wow," she whispered. Ferb grinned, feeling proud of what he had pulled off, and led her to the small table (just for two) that was set for their meal and helped her into her chair.

"This is amazing, Ferb," she said, still looking around. She giggled at the sight of Buford next to a music box, playing along with the soft song.

"I'm glad you like it."

She looked at him, smiling brightly. "Oh, I do like it."

As they tucked in to their gourmet meal, Ferb couldn't help staring at her—she was just so beautiful. Isabella would sometimes catch him and she would blush and look away, but he saw the small pleased smile she had every time.

After their meal, Ferb got up. "Wait here," he requested softly. She nodded and watched as he walked to a set of doors different than the ones they came in through. He opened one a crack then he let out a broad smile. Looking back at her with the same smile, he opened the doors wide.

The rest of her friends in the castle came through the doors, pushing a big cake on a rolling cart. When the stopped in front of her, they all shouted, "Happy Birthday!"

"Oh!" Isabella put a hand on her cheek and stood from the table. The cake was decorated with her name and some candles. "This is beautiful, thank you," she said, looking at everyone, her eyes lingering on Ferb's for a moment longer than the rest. She closed her eyes and blew out the candles.

Almost instantly it was taken away to be cut. When a piece was placed in front of her, she gasped. "Is that…?"

"Red velvet," Ferb finished. "It's your favorite, right?"

She could only nod and quickly put some into her mouth before she could say something embarrassing. She closed her eyes—the taste was divine. "Oh, this is so good," she purred. She looked up and saw Ferb's face turned down, as if hiding. She frowned, confused. Then her eyes widened as the reason why suddenly became clear. "Ferb, did you make this?"

Ferb would have been red if his face wasn't covered in fur. "Well…I had help," he said modestly.

Isabella couldn't look away and it made him a little uncomfortable. After a while, she spoke quietly to herself, but he still heard. "You are the most perfect man in the world."

They finished their cake in silence.

Isabella noticed a change in music and saw Buford leaving the ballroom. Now the only music came from the music box, a little louder than before while dinner. She looked back at Ferb, who looked like he was still lost in his own thoughts, and made a snap decision. She stood and walked over to him. Putting a hand over his paw, she waited for him to look up at her. When he did, she asked, "Dance with me?"

He nodded and stood as well, taking over and leading her to the middle of the room. As they danced, she felt like she was floating on a cloud. He would spin her around the room, moving as if he had been dancing his whole life. After one spin, she leaned closer and closed her eyes happily, listening to his heart pounding.

As they danced, her subconscious filled with the image of a broad shouldered, green-haired, regal young man…one she didn't know.

So, I had a thought the other day. While reading fanfiction, I have realized that in my mind's eye, I see Adult!Ferb differently than most—or all—of you. I see him kind of like how he looked in their superhero cartoon they made. Ferb Guy! Sort-of tall (around 6'), broad shoulders, not-quite lean but still fit. Phineas I can see as really tall (like 6'3" plus) and thin. That is how I see my Phineas and Ferb, so as you read keep that in mind.

And before anyone asks, yes. Isabella's last image was of Ferb without the curse. But, please take note that it's her subconscious that holds the image. Really, it's only in there to get the fangirls squealing. :D

More Ferbella fluff coming up! And this time it's actually romance-y fluff. Cant wait!

Review please!