Ferb kept a watchful eye on the rest of the way home, fortunately it was uneventful. Ferb pulled into the garage, parked his car then nudged his wife gently.
"Honey? We're home," he said as he opened the back passenger door.
"Huh?" Gretchen groggily responded.
Ferb got Alexander out of the car, carseat and all, "We're home sweetheart."
Gretchen got out of car, "I want a shower."
"You go do that, I'll start tea," Ferb replied.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," Gretchen said.
Ferb nodded, "All right."
Gretchen went upstairs and Ferb placed Alexander's carseat where he could watch him as he started preparing dinner. Ferb placed the Chapange in the freezer. Alexander let out a coo as he watched his father go about the kitchen easily. Ferb put a pot of tea on as he continued about his task.
Gretchen came down to the kitchen shortly after Ferb pulled the kettle off the burner, her hair damp, "You made tea."
Ferb gave her a slight smirk, "Of course I did, would you like some?"
Gretchen nodded, "That would be nice."
"He's been watching me since we got home," Ferb said as he poured the hot tea into a cup for his wife.
"Oh really?" Gretchen asked.
"Yes," Ferb confirmed.
Gretchen glanced at her son and smiled softly, "Still can't believe he's here."
"We had better get used to the idea," Ferb remarked setting the cup in front of her.
Gretchen took a sip of the tea before asking, "What makes you say that?"
"It's just us,"Ferb pointed out.
"I feel so empty," Gretchen said as she placed her hands on her abdomen.
Ferb hugged her.
Alexander made a small coo.
Gretchen looked over and smiled softly, "Do you want out of your car seat?
Alexander yawned in reply.
Gretchen laughed softly, "Let's get you in your nice soft bed."
Ferb whispered in her ear, "Funny I was about to suggest the same thing to you."
"I can't, at least for a few days," Gretchen replied.
"What if I were to just hold you?" Ferb inquired.
"I'd like that," Gretchen replied softly.
"I'll let you get him upstairs," Ferb said standing up.
"I'll give him a change and see if he's hungry before I put him down," Gretchen told him.
Ferb nodded and Gretchen took Alexander upstairs. Ferb turned on the intercom and started making lunch for the mother of his child. He could hear her talking to the small boy.
"This is the start of a real adventure. I just know that we're going to learn just as much from you as you're going to learn from us," Gretchen was saying.
Ferb let a smile creep across his face. Then he heard her singing the lullaby he'd heard her sing only a couple of times before.
He spoke quietly, but his voice still carried, "I always thought you had a lovely voice my dear."
Gretchen laughed softly.
Ferb replied in a calm voice, "I've got some tea and sandwiches for you when you're ready."
Gretchen said through the intercom, "Thank you dear. I'll be down in a few minutes."
Ferb kept his voice calm, "We'll keep the intercom turned on, that way we can keep an ear on him."
Gretchen's voice came through the intercom again, "That's a great idea."
"You look happier and more comfortable," Ferb noted when Gretchen reappeared in the kitchen.
Gretchen gave a slight smile, "Well I don't have the little one putting pressure on me."
"Are you still wanting another one?" Ferb inquired.
"We can discuss that later. In a year or two," Gretchen replied.
As soon as they sat down for lunch the phone rang.
Gretchen gave out an annoyed sigh, "I don't want to see anyone for a few days."
Ferb smiled, and answered phone, "Hello?" he paused, "I'll have to check with my wife, can I call you back later today?" a listening pause, "Yes, I can call you back in a couple of days. Thank you. Bye." He then hung up.
"Who was that?" Gretchen asked, curious.
"The adoption agency. They said that we've been approved," Ferb replied.
"But we put in that application a few years ago," Gretchen noted with a slight frown.
"We never nixed it," he reminded her.
Gretchen smiled slightly, "Maybe this is a sign."
Ferb raised an eyebrow in reply.
"Think about it Ferb, we finally have a baby and then we are told that we've been approved. There must be a child that needs our love," Gretchen replied.
Ferb smiled, "That's one of thing I love most about you."
Gretchen tilted her head, "And that is?"
"You're very loving," he replied softly.
Gretchen's voice took on an urgent tone, "Call them back."
"The worker said he had other clients he had to meet with and wouldn't be available until tomorrow," Ferb replied.
"Just try, you might catch him," Gretchen said and gave him puppy dog eyes.
Ferb picked up the phone, and placed the call, "Hello? This is Mr. Fletcher calling back. I checked with my wife and we'd like to set an appointment to meet with you." He smiled, "Tomorrow?"
Gretchen nodded when Ferb glanced at her.
"Tomorrow is fine, ten am?" Ferb said.
Gretchen gave another nod.
"We'll see you then," Ferb confirmed and hung up.
Gretchen smiled at him.
"You are something else, love," Ferb mused aloud.
"And you are a very understanding and caring man," Gretchen replied.
"Another baby would keep Alexander busy," Ferb remarked.
"It will be just like having twins in the house," Gretchen pointed out.
"I hope that we can narrow down our choices," Ferb said.
"We'll find out. We should ask someone to look after Alexander for a few hours tomorrow," Gretchen returned.
"Candace, maybe?" Ferb suggested.
Gretchen tilted her head to one side, "Maybe."
"Other options are your mother and Linda," Ferb remarked.
Gretchen frowned slightly, "I don't want to impose on anyone."
"I understand. Do you think it would be best if we brought him with us?" Ferb asked.
"No. I'll try calling my mom," Gretchen decided.
"Okay," Ferb replied.
"Mom would be the easiest," Gretchen stated.
Ferb gave a nod, "She's very caring."
"Yes, but don't go to her if you get bitten by a bug," Gretchen replied as a memory flitted across her mind.
"Why?" Ferb inquired.
Gretchen shuddered, "Smelly pink lotion."
"Good to know," Ferb replied.
Gretchen called her mother, "Mom," she paused, "I'm doing well, thank you. I was wondering if you could look after Alexander for a couple of hours tomorrow?" a listening pause, "I can drop him off at nine am," she paused to listen, "No more than a few hours." Another pause, "Thank you. Bye." She looked at Ferb and smiled.
Ferb gave her a thumb up.
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The next morning at nine am they stopped by the Weiss household. Trudy cooed over her youngest grandson.
"He's a precious little thing isn't he?" Trudy asked, peering at him in his carseat.
"I would like to think so," Gretchen replied.
"You two have a handsome little boy," Trudy remarked.
"It was all Gretchen," Ferb said.
"You had a part in it honey," Gretchen cut in.
Ferb rolled his eyes causing Trudy to laugh.
"I've fed him and here's some diapers," Gretchen said quickly.
"What if he gets hungry?" Trudy asked.
"We should be back in a couple of hours," Gretchen replied.
"Okay," Trudy said with a nod.
"He'll probably take a nap shortly," Gretchen remarked.
"He likes the lullaby Gretchen sings to him," Ferb said.
Trudy looked at Gretchen, "The one your father and I used to sing to you and Greg when you two were little?"
Gretchen nodded a confirmation, "Very same."
"We'll be back as soon as we can," Ferb assured Trudy.
"I just hope he doesn't get hungry," Trudy said.
"Thanks again Mom," Gretchen said gratefully.
Gretchen and Ferb left and arrived at the Adoption Agency a short time later. They were shown to a room to wait for an agent to meet them.
"I'm nervous, what if we're deemed not suitable parents," Gretchen said, wringing her hands, in the absence of serviettes.
"Relax," Ferb said, as the door opened.
"Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher?" the agent inquired.
Ferb and Gretchen nodded and stood.
"Follow me please," he said and lead them to his office, indicated they take a seat as he sat behind his desk.
"Your paper work seems to be in order, however there seems to be one slight concern," the Agent, Mr. Simmons, said, looking at the file in front of him.
Gretchen's hand wringing intensified.
"What might that be?" Ferb inquired.
Mr. Simmons looked across desk at him, "Neither of you tried contacting the agency to expedite your application."
"We were told not to," Gretchen said.
"Exactly, that's why your file never fell to the bottom of the pile," Mr. Simmons replied.
"Is that a bad thing?" Gretchen asked.
"You've been on the list for the past four years," Mr. Simmons noted.
"We knew that there would be a waiting period," Ferb replied.
"Have there been any changes in your jobs or status?" Mr. Simmons asked.
Gretchen bit her lip, "We had a baby."
"Well, that changes a few things," Mr. Simmons said.
Ferb cast a cautious look to Gretchen, who was trying desperately not to cry.
"Are you sure you still want to adopt?" Mr. Simmons asked the couple.
Gretchen replied for both of them, "Yes, we're sure. There has to be a child who needs a loving home. I know we can provide that."
"Do you want to meet some of the children?" Mr. Simmons asked.
"Yes. That would be nice," Ferb answered.
A short time later found the couple standing in a room full of children playing. They were unsure of what to do.
"I'm not sure that we'll be able to find-" Gretchen stopped as a little dark haired girl hid behind her.
Ferb looked at her, "Hi there, What's your name?"
The child's eyes widen as she spoke, "S-skye."
Gretchen's voice was gentle, "Is there something wrong Skye?"
Tears threaten to spill out of her eyes, "Dennis Avery took my bear. Devin promised me he'd get it back."
"Devin?" Ferb prompted.
"My brother," Skye answered.
A boy with the same colored hair came over and handed Skye a stuffed teal bear, "See Sis? I promised you I'd get him back for you."
"You must be Devin, Am I right?" Ferb asked.
Devin nervously replied, "Y-y-yes sir."
Gretchen knelt down to the kids height level, "How old are you Devin?"
"Four," Devin answered.
Ferb tilted his head, watching.
Gretchen turned to the other child, "Skye how old are you?"
Skye held up four fingers.
"Are you two twins?" Gretchen asked.
"Yes. Skye and I have been together for a really long time," Devin answered, confirming Gretchen's suspicion.
Gretchen smiled slightly, "I bet."
Skye looked to her brother, then to the floor.
"It's okay," Devin reassured her.
Ferb looked around the room at other children playing.
"Follow me, there's another room just through these doors," Mr. Simmons said and lead Gretchen and Ferb through doors to the nursery.
"I didn't realize there were so many children who needed families," Gretchen said.
"They each have their reasons for being here. I presume you're looking for an infant?" Mr. Simmons said.
Ferb looked to Gretchen, "What about the older children?"
Gretchen looked to Ferb, "They need homes too."
"Most people don't want to adopt an older child. However, if you want, we can go back to the play room and observe the older ones again," Mr. Simmons said, hiding his surprise quite well.
Gretchen and Ferb nodded.
Devin grinned as he spotted the couple, "Hey! You came back!"
Ferb quirked an eyebrow, "Well someone is quite the enthusiast."
"A what? Is that a bad thing?" Devin asked confused.
Gretchen stifled a laugh, "Not it's not a bad thing."
Skye tugged on Gretchen's pant leg.
Gretchen looked down at her, and asked gently, "Yes, what is it?"
"I have to potty," Skye stated.
"Alright, do you want me to take you?" Gretchen asked.
Skye nodded in reply. Skye then pulled Gretchen by the hand toward the bathroom. Devin looked up at Ferb, who looked at the young lad.
"You're tall," Devin remarked.
Ferb raised an eyebrow in reply.
Devin tried to imitate Ferb's facial expression.
Ferb chuckled, "Tell me, Devin, what do you do all day?"
Devin pulled Ferb by the hand to a corner of the room, "I read. I also try to protect my sister from the others."
While Ferb and Devin were having the conversation in the playroom, Gretchen fixed her hair in the mirror while Skye sung 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' while she went to the bathroom. She came out and continued to sing while washing her hands.
"That was a nice song you were singing," Gretchen said.
"It's my favorite song," Skye said with a smile.
"I can tell," Gretchen replied, smiling.
"I like you. You're nice," Skye stated.
"What do you like to do?" Gretchen asked.
"I like to build things, but the bigger kids always knock it down," Skye said, starting with a smile and finished frowning.
"That's not nice of them," Gretchen remarked.
"Devin gets mad at them when they do it. They call him mean names," Skye said as they came out of the bathroom.
"That's not nice," Gretchen repeated.
"They call me names as well," Skye added.
"Oh, dear," Gretchen sighed as she spotted Ferb sitting on a chair that was much too small for him, Devin on his lap.
"Is the man with green hair your brother?" Skye asked.
Gretchen gave her a smile, "No, sweetie; he's my husband."
In the reading corner Ferb and Devin continued their conversation.
"That's my favorite book," Devin said as he closed the book.
"You read that very well," Ferb noted.
"Why is your hair green?" Devin asked.
Ferb chuckled, "Because my grandfather's hair was green."
"Oh...Who's the nice lady with you?" Devin inquired.
"She's my wife," Ferb answered.
"She's very nice. I like her, and I like you," Devin decided.
Gretchen came up with Skye and put her hands on Ferb's shoulders, "What were you two talking about?"
"I was just getting to know young Devin here. How was the potty?" Ferb returned.
Gretchen gave him an amused look, "Just fine. I got to know Skye a little better."
Mr. Simmons returned, "Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, I hate to interrupt, but I've been informed that it's time for the kids to go get their meal. Would you mind re-joining me in my office?"
Ferb and Gretchen nodded.
The caretaker approached, "Devin, Skye come along it meal time."
Devin and Skye reluctantly followed the man.
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When they arrived back in Mr. Simmons office they sat to talk.
"Have you two decided?" Mr. Simmons asked.
Ferb and Gretchen exchanged looks.
"How long have Devin and Skye been here?" Ferb inquired.
"Since they were a few days old. We've tried separating them but we found that we can't. Not a lot of couples wanted to adopt twins," Mr. Simmons replied quickly.
"They are sweet little children," Gretchen said.
Mr. Simmons raised his eyebrows, "Are you sure? Devin's a bit unruly. And Skye is very timid."
"We're sure," Ferb replied.
"If it's not too much trouble, we want to adopt the both of them," Gretchen added.
Mr. Simmons pulled a file out, "I don't want to get their hopes up. They were adopted once, a year ago, and returned."
"I know twins can be a handful, my sister-in-law has a set," Gretchen stated.
"Both our families live close by, my step-brother and I were young when our parents got married and we might as well be twins," Ferb added.
"If you'll wait here a moment," Miss Simmon said then left.
Gretchen and Ferb sat in silence until his return. Mr. Simmons returned shortly.
"If you can stop by tomorrow, you can take them on an escorted day trip," he said.
"We can stop by anytime tomorrow," Gretchen said, glancing at Ferb who nodded.
"How about eleven until two?" Mr. Simmons suggested.
"Thank you," Ferb replied.
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Gretchen glanced at her phone when they got to the car, "Mom's texted me."
"You better see what she wants," Ferb said.
Gretchen nodded and dialed the number, "Hey Mom. What's the problem?" she paused to listen, "We'll be there in a few," another listening pause, "Okay...Okay. Bye."
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"Alexander's getting ready to cry," Gretchen said.
Ferb's eyebrows rose higher.
"He's getting hungry," Gretchen clarified.
Ferb checked watch, strapped to his left wrist, "It's been almost three hours."
"That would explain why I feel full," Gretchen remarked.
"I hope he's hungry," Ferb said.
They got in the car and headed to Weiss residence. Gretchen went inside, and took the infant from her mother. She sat on the couch and began to feed him. Ferb entered the house and addressed his mother-in-law.
"Thank you Trudy," Ferb said.
"He was perfectly good until he got hungry," Trudy replied.
"So he wasn't too much trouble?" Ferb inquired.
Trudy shook her head.
Ferb went into kitchen, got Gretchen a glass of water and brought out to her, "Here you go love."
"Thank you." Gretchen replied.
Trudy watched as the young couple interacted.
Gretchen took a sip of water, then handed Ferb the cup as Alexander continued to feed.
Ferb set the cup on a coaster then glanced at his son, "He's not going to make himself sick is he?"
"Gretchen, you'll want to burp him," Trudy decided to chime in.
Gretchen nodded, "I got it mom," she turned to Ferb, "He'll know when he's full."
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
Alexander let go suddenly, and Gretchen shifted him. Gretchen patted his back.
"See?" Gretchen said to Ferb.
Ferb nodded.
Alexander started crying, and Gretchen became worried.
"What's wrong?" Gretchen asked.
"He's got a burp in him," Trudy answered.
Gretchen tried to burp him, and was eventually successful.
Alexander whimpered at Gretchen. Gretchen continued to feed him.
"He's got more of an appetite now," Ferb noted.
"That's way it always works," Trudy replied.
Ferb became concerned, "What if she runs out?"
Trudy smiled slightly, "That's something you won't have to worry about."
"What?" Ferb blurted.
"Unless there's a problem, which you would have found out by now. Greta will produce enough for him," Trudy answered.
"That's impressive," Ferb remarked.
Alexander let go for a second time and started crying.
"Okay, time to burp him again," Gretchen muttered to herself.
Alexander cried then screamed, then stopped with a burp.
"He's got a set of lungs," Ferb noted.
Alexander started hiccupping.
Gretchen looked worried and cast a look at her mother.
"He just drank a little too fast," Trudy said.
"How do you get them to stop?" Ferb asked.
Trudy laughed lightly, "They pass."
Gretchen was still worried, and rubbed Alexander's back. Ferb offered Alexander a finger to hold. Alexander burped and hiccupped, then stopped with a whimper. Gretchen let out a sigh of relief, and Alexander snuggled into her.
"Now he's ready for a nap," Trudy remarked.
"We should be heading home," Ferb said as Gretchen adjusted her top.
"I can make you a quick lunch," Trudy offered.
"That's not necessary, we'll take him home. He should sleep well in the car," Gretchen declined her mother's offer.
Trudy helped strap Alexander into car seat, "Where did you have to go today?"
Ferb shot Gretchen a look.
"We had to take care of something," Gretchen replied.
Trudy knew that her daughter was hedging the question, "Greta?"
"Nothing to worry about. It was just someplace we couldn't take him," Gretchen sidestepped the inquiry.
Ferb gave a nod.
"Okay, this is something that's on a 'need to know' basis?" Trudy asked.
Ferb nodded again.
"Sorry Mom, but we can't say right now," Gretchen said.
"I understand. Would you like your father and I to visit later today?" Trudy inquired.
Gretchen shook her head, "I really want some time to sit with Alexander for a couple of days."
"Get to know your child without interruption?" Trudy asked with a knowing smile.
Gretchen nodded.
"I understand," Trudy said.
"Danke mom," Gretchen replied.
Ferb picked up the car seat and balanced himself with his cane.
"Ferb, let me take him, I don't want you to hurt yourself," Gretchen said.
"I'm fine, love," Ferb replied.
Gretchen looked disbelievingly at him.
"I promise you, I'm fine," Ferb assured her.
"Ferb..." Gretchen sighed.
"Gretchen.." Ferb returned.
"Just please be careful," Gretchen said.
"I will," Ferb promised.
Gretchen turned to her mother, "I'll call you in a couple of days."
Trudy hugged her daughter, "Take care sweetie."
Ferb got Alexander into car and strapped in.
"Ready to go honey?" Gretchen asked.
Ferb nodded.
"Let's go home," Gretchen said.
Ferb smiled and nodded.
After Ferb and Gretchen drove off Trudy called Will, "Honey do you have any clue how long Greta was in the hospital when she had her son?" she paused to listen to her husband's reply, "Really?" another pause, 'They cut it kinda close there don't you think?" a listening pause, "I know, I know we did that ourselves with-" she pause then retorted, "How was I supposed to give directions?"