Don't Be Stupid

Shania Twain

Rebecca "Becky" Garcia-Shapiro-Flynn belongs to foobar137; used with permission.

Ten o'clock in the evening, Phineas Flynn was working on his computer, checking his e-mail and paying the bills. His loving wife, Isabella came over and tried looking over his shoulder at the screen. He quickly hit the key combination to lock and blank the screen.

"What's that for?" She demanded? Phineas turned in his seat, "It's private. I don't want you looking over my shoulder." Isabella wasn't happy with his response. "Since when do you keep secrets Phineas? You've always shared your computer with me.

He shut the computer down. "I'm allowed to have my secrets, just like you are." Isabella placed her hands on her hips, "It's okay for me to have secrets, I'm a woman." Phineas' eyes went wide, then his brow creased. "Isn't that a double standard?" Isabella laughed. "Of course it isn't. You don't know everything I talk to the girls about."

Phineas sighed, "Maybe I should." He muttered and left, down the hall, toward the bedroom. Once he closed the door, he pulled his phone out and texted Adyson and Gretchen.

Isabella couldn't believe it! Phineas walked away without telling her what she wanted to know. Specifically, who was he corresponding with… and why. She went to sit in the living room. She pulled out her phone and called Gretchen.

"Gretch?" Isabella queried when the phone picked up but no one said anything. "Just a moment," That would be Gretchen's husband, Ferb, who now goes by Frederick; but she can't get used to that. "Hey Iz." Gretchen sounded exhausted. "It's a bit late, isn't it?"

Isabella smiled to herself, that's Gretchen, she always worked the early shift and was never awake after 9pm. "Yeah, I know, but it's Phineas." Isabella heard the gasp. "What's wrong with Phineas?" Gretchen inquired. Isabella pulled the throw over herself as she made herself comfortable. "He's communicating with another woman over e-mail."

Gretchen couldn't help but yawn. "Sorry about that. How do you know he's communicating with another woman?" Isabella rolled her eyes, "Because he won't show me. He closed his programme. Does Ferb do that to you?" Gretchen yawned again. "I don't pay attention to what he does on his computer. It's late and I have to be up at four. I have to go, night."

With that, Gretchen disconnected the call.


Gretchen, worried, snuggled up to her husband. "I'm worried about Isabella." Ferb pulled her close, "She's a grown woman who can look after herself. You don't need to pick up the pieces anymore." Gretchen sighed, "I know that Phineas is trying to plan her birthday." Ferb nodded, "And Isabella's getting in the way." Gretchen shrugged, "She's poking around and, I don't know… all I do know is she shouldn't find out about the surprise."

Ferb was quiet for a minute, "Why doesn't Phineas ask Becky to keep her distracted?" Gretchen looked up at him, "Is that what you did for my last birthday? Ask someone to run interference?" Ferb raised an eyebrow and smirked. Gretchen pulled her phone out, "I'll text him that suggestion."


Phineas read the last couple of texts from Adyson, "A girls night out? I can't do anything after work, that makes for a long day and I have to be on task while at work." Phineas' phone indicated an incoming text from Gretchen. Phineas read it, "Now that's something that could work." He replied to both with a thanks and he'll be in contact in a couple of days.

Phineas checked the time and went for a shower. As he was rinsing the shampoo from his hair, Isabella knocked on the bathroom door. "Wha'ch'a dooin'?" Phineas didn't hear her, he was too busy trying to plan her birthday.

Once he finished his shower, he wrapped the towel around his waist and unlocked the door. Isabella was standing there waiting for him. "Is something the matter? What did I do wrong?" She asked. Phineas sighed, "Nothing. I don't appreciate it when you look over my shoulder at everything."

Isabella blinked, "But… that's never been a problem before. Are you hiding something from me?" Phineas shook his head and started toward the master bedroom. "Of course not. I'm just busy with work and it's very sensitive information." Isabella's eyes lit up, "Maybe I could help!"

Phineas took this as his chance. "Actually, if you could take Becky to her dance class this weekend that would be great. You could also take her out for ice cream and then meet up with Ginger and take the girls to the jungle gym complex."

"Are you trying to get me out of the way?" Isabella inquired and Phineas shook his head in reply. "If you're able to do this for me, I'll get all my work done and we can have dinner as a family." Isabella pursed her lips. "Saturday's my birthday, or did you forget?" Phineas was quick, "I didn't forget. That's why I'd like to get my work done; so I won't be distracted while we're out for dinner."


Saturday afternoon rolled around, Phineas did finish the small work project he was working on. He also coordinated with everyone for Isabella's surprise party. "How did you get her out of the house?" Adyson asked.

Phineas grinned and looked to his sister-in-law, "Gretchen suggested I have Isabella take Becky to her weekend activities." Gretchen was quick to correct him, "I didn't exactly say that. I suggested that you ask Becky to keep her distracted."

Phineas saw Isabella's car pull into the driveway. "They're back." He went to greet his wife and daughter at the door. "Did you have a good day?" Becky rushed him, "Mommy said that I am a great dancer!" Isabella came to the door, "Her instructor said she's the best in the class."

Ferb and Gretchen came out of the kitchen with trays of food as Isabella stepped through the door.

Isabella took one look at the trays of her favourite foods. "Is this what you've been doing all day?" Phineas grinned, "I had help."