After Gretchen left to finish her shift, Ferb leaned back, deep in thought. The conversation gave him a lot to think about. By mid-afternoon, Dr. Thomas came in to see Ferb.
"Good afternoon," Dr. Thomas greeted the green haired man.
Ferb gave a nod in answer.
"I'm just about ready to discharge you home," Dr. Thomas informed him.
Ferb gave another nod.
Dr. Thomas looked at him, "Do you have someone who can drive you?"
A green eyebrow rose in response to the question.
"Do you need to call someone?" Dr. Thomas asked.
Ferb shook his head and the Doctor came to a realization.
"Let me guess, Gretchen?" He inquired.
Ferb gave a nod, then added, "I hope that's okay."
"Of course that's okay," Dr. Thomas replied.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Ferb inquired.
"I've got some papers for you to review and sign off, prior to discharge." Dr. Thomas answered.
"Of course," Ferb said in understanding.
Ferb was discharged shortly before Gretchen finished her shift. Gretchen chose the least stressful route home. Ferb simply watched her as she drove. A slight smile touched his lips when he saw her brow scrunch up when another driver cut her off. When they arrived home, they had a light dinner and then Ferb found himself being shepherded upstairs to the master bedroom by his wife. He quickly found himself back in a place where he didn't want to be: in bed.
"I'm kind of tired of being in bed," Ferb remarked to his wife.
"Well tomorrow you can be up and about," Gretchen replied as she changed into her favorite set of pajamas.
"I know," Ferb said with a sigh, while making a mental note about a plan that had been formulating in his mind since that afternoon.
Gretchen sat on the edge of the bed.
"Have you considered my idea?" Ferb inquired.
"I have," Gretchen replied as she laid down and snuggled up next to him.
Ferb pulled her close, and placed soft kisses on her neck and shoulders. He was able to smell the usual hospital smells on her: antiseptic, soap, and something else he could never place. But he was also able to smell the soap she had used that morning, and the slight hint of perfume.
"You would rather talk to a stranger instead of a family member?" She asked.
"Yes. It's not that I don't love our families and value their experience, I just don't think they need to know everything," Ferb answered.
"I can see your point," Gretchen mused.
"I'll make a few calls tomorrow," Ferb remarked.
"Okay," she said.
Ferb muttered into her ear, "I know of something we-"
Gretchen cut him off, "You're not allowed, but nice try."
"There are some things I can do," He replied, smirking as he looked into her eyes a moment then kissed her passionately.
After few minutes, Gretchen spoke with a breathy voice, "Oh, Ferb... I love you."
Ferb pulled her closer and enjoyed holding her this close, for the first time in days.
Gretchen made a contented sound, "This is nice."
Ferb caught the smell of a new scent from her hair, it was different but very pleasant. He then muttered, "Did you change your shampoo on me again?"
Gretchen smirked at him, "You tell me."
Ferb suddenly released her. Gretchen became instantly concerned.
"What's wrong? Please tell me it's not your heart again," She said as she looked at him.
"It's not my heart," Ferb responded.
Gretchen's brow scrunched slightly, "Then what's wrong?"
Ferb gave a soft laugh, "My arm's falling asleep. Here, let's try this," Ferb laid back and pulled her onto his chest, and held her.
She laughed lightly, "Won't this make it difficult for you to sleep?"
"No," He answered then added with a smirk, "Besides, I'm sure you remember how often we would lay like this."
Gretchen reddened then informed him teasingly, "You are so bad."
Ferb ran his fingers through her hair, "You're beautiful."
Gretchen found his hand and started playing with his fingers, "You're trying too hard."
"I'm not trying anything... should I?" Ferb protested slightly.
Gretchen gave his arm a light smack, "I'm not going to let you harm yourself."
"I know my limits," Ferb returned.
"And you need to keep in mind the doctor's orders," Gretchen scolded him softly.
"And if we were to-" Ferb began.
Gretchen flushed a bright red, "Ferb!"
"I don't think I could be blamed," Ferb continued.
"I missed this," Gretchen said as she melted into his chest, pulling his arm around her.
"Tomorrow's your day off," Ferb observed.
"Yes," She replied.
"The doctor put me on home rest for the next two weeks," Ferb informed her.
"You're not to do anything strenuous," Gretchen remarked.
"Is having breakfast with my wife strenuous?" Ferb inquired.
"No," She admitted.
"Then I'm not doing anything strenuous," Ferb pointed out, eliciting a light laugh from his wife.
They fell asleep in each others arms. Both slept peacefully during the night. Ferb smiled at the sight of his wife curled up next to him in the morning. She was already awake. Ferb slid his hand to the small of her back and she looked up at him. Ferb smiled at her as she reached for her glasses.
"Good morning sweetheart," He greeted her.
Gretchen put her glasses on and gave him a loving smile, "Morning. What would you like for breakfast?"
Ferb smirked, "I'll have toast and jam."
"Would you like a juice with that?" She asked him.
"No, however since that's all I'm allowed, sure," Ferb admitted.
Gretchen smirked at him, then said teasingly, "If you're a good boy for the next two weeks, you might get a reward."
Ferb's eyebrow rose, "And if I'm not?"
Gretchen gave him a wink, "We'll see."
They got out of bed and put their robes and slippers on. Ferb came up behind Gretchen and wrapped his arms around her. She turned around to look at him.
"Do I get to pick my reward?" He asked.
Gretchen pulled the tie on his robe, "Maybe."
Ferb pulled a faux pout, "Now you're just teasing."
Gretchen gave him a slight smirk.
Ferb pulled her closer, "Two can play that game."
Gretchen stood on her toes and gave him a light kiss. In response Ferb trailed light kisses down her neck. He made extra sure to kiss behind both of her ears before leaving the room. This had the effect of Gretchen having to sit down on the bed, breathing heavily due to Ferb's intention.
She whispered to herself, "Never mind not lasting the week, I'm not going to last the day."
"Would you like a coffee, love?" Ferb called up from the kitchen.
Gretchen called out softly, "Um sure..." Then she said a little louder, "That's fine...I'll be down in a minute."
Ferb smirked to himself.
Gretchen leaned in their bedroom doorway, "You are something else Ferb."
Ferb walked part way up the stairs and looked through the rail at her, "Good morning Mrs. Fletcher." He then smirked at her.
Gretchen shook her head, "What am I going to do with you?"
"You're going to nurse me back to full health," Ferb replied simply
Gretchen sat in the hall. She stuck her hand through the rails, and ran her fingers through his hair, "You know me so well."
"Then after that, as thanks I should-" Ferb remarked offhandedly.
As he expected there was a gentle, "Ferb..."
He smirked at her, "You know it would be fun."
Gretchen sighed then stood up, "Let's go get breakfast."
"Your coffee should be just about ready," Ferb informed her, offering his hand as she came down.
She gladly took the offered hand. After a short while, as the young couple finished their morning meal, Gretchen looked at her husband, "So, what would you like to do for the rest of the day?"
Ferb raised eyebrow. There were a few things he wanted to do but he was certain that the doctor wouldn't approve. Gretchen seemed to read his thoughts.
"What would you like to do that you're cleared to do?" She clarified.
"How is your chess?" He asked.
Gretchen gave him a look, "You know I haven't played in a while."
"Care to make a friendly wager?" Her husband asked with a slight smile.
It was Gretchen's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Loser kisses the winner," Ferb decided.
A half-hour later, Ferb was scrutinizing the board. His finger hovered above the rook. Gretchen was watching him closely. After a few moments she started to laugh. Ferb looked up at his wife.
"What's so funny?" he demanded.
"Nothing," She replied trying to stifle her laughter.
Ferb narrowed his eyes, and chose a bishop, then moved it across the board, "Check."
Gretchen easily took the bishop. Ferb raised an eyebrow. Gretchen nervously bit her lip. Ferb gave a nod, then moved a pawn and claimed her last knight. Gretchen gave a whimper, and moved her now defenseless King over a space. Ferb took a breath and exhaled through his nose. He moved a pawn to one final square.
"Queen," he said simply.
Gretchen eyes went wide as she realized what that now meant.
"Checkmate," Ferb declared softly.
Gretchen sighed, "I guess I lost."
"Yes. Yes you did," Ferb said.
"You know what you get now," Gretchen remarked.
Ferb raised an eyebrow. Gretchen got up. She took Ferb by the hand, and led him to the couch.
"Have a seat," She said.
Ferb sat, then reached for her hand. She pulled it away.
"No. I'm the one who has to kiss you," She stated.
Ferb raised an eyebrow. Gretchen gave him a slight smirk.
"What are you thinking?" He asked her.
Gretchen leaned over and kissed him. He pulled her into his lap. Gretchen broke the kiss briefly.
"Relax," She told him.
"I am relaxed," was his response.
She kissed him again. Ferb kissed her back. She pressed herself into him. The kiss became passionate. Ferb held her tight and enthusiastically returned the kiss. Gretchen broke the kiss for a second time.
"Someone is getting-" She never got the chance to finish as Ferb softly kissed the back of her ears.
She turned a bright red, "You just made my mind go numb."
"Good," He muttered and placed a few soft kisses along her neck and collarbone.
"Ferb, we can't do this," She whispered as she ran her hand through his hair.
"We're married," He replied, placing another soft kiss on the nape of her neck.
"That's not what I meant. We're downstairs," She said with a shudder.
"We'll go upstairs then," he muttered as he kissed behind her ear again.
"Ferb..." she took a breath, "stop. Please stop."
"What's the problem?" he asked.
"You just got out of the hospital," Gretchen pointed out.
"Yes..." Ferb mumbled; he knew what was coming.
"No strenuous activity. What we are getting very close to doing counts as that," Gretchen told him softly.
Ferb put his hands on her waist. He looked at her, then sighed, "You're right."
"I'm sorry I put you in that situation," She said quietly.
"I'm not," he replied, "I've got a beautiful woman, whom I love very much, sitting on my lap."
Gretchen blushed, and rested her hand on his chest, "Maybe we should go for a walk in the snow."
"Do you want to build a snowman?" Ferb asked her with a smirk.
Gretchen laughed.
"What?" Ferb asked.
"You are-" She stopped and laughed again and gave a shake of her head.
"I'm serious. Maybe we can call Phineas and ask if he wants to bring Lillian over," He replied.
"That's a great idea. I'll give them a call while you..." Gretchen trialed off.
"Yes?" Ferb prompted.
"I'm supposed to keep an ear out for you while you have a shower," She said.
Ferb gave a sigh as he remembered the last time. He kissed her on the cheek, "You are better looking than Phineas." He then got up and went upstairs to change.
Gretchen sent a text to Phineas before going upstairs herself. Ferb heard her enter the bedroom.
"Everything okay out there?" he called out.
"Yeah," She answered.
Ferb had his shower without incident. As he was shaving, he nicked himself.
Gretchen poked her nose into the bathroom, "Phineas will bring Lillian over in an hour, Sienna's gone shopping."
"Sounds good," He answered while dabbing alcohol on the cut.
"You cut yourself while shaving?" She asked.
Ferb raised eyebrow, "I guess I need a new set of blades."
"Put them on the list. I'll pick it up tomorrow," Gretchen told him.
"Are you sure you will remember them?" Ferb asked, knowing that sometimes she would be so tired when coming home from work, she would forget something.
"Yes," She answered.
Ferb went into their bedroom to change, "I guess if we're going to be playing outside I should put on some track pants."
"Why?" Gretchen asked.
"Have you ever had to wear wet jeans for more than two minutes?" he asked back.
"Oh, right," Gretchen replied.
"Do we have any hot chocolate mix left in the house?" He looked up, and took in her quizzical look, "For Lillian, do you think Phin would let her have some?"
Gretchen decided to answer both in one go, "I think we do and I'm not sure."
"Eh, we'll see about it later," Ferb muttered.
Gretchen tilted her head, "Hmm..."
"What are you thinking?" Ferb asked.
"Well, you know how we really want to have children of our own?" She asked him
Ferb nodded.
"I was wondering if Phineas and Sienna would let us.." Gretchen trailed off.
Ferb raised eyebrow, curious as to why she had stopped.
"It's preposterous. They'd never agree. Forget I said anything," She said quickly.
"You were wondering if Phineas and Sienna would let us what?" Ferb prompted his wife.
"Forget I said anything," She returned.
"You have an idea...Why not share it?" He asked her gently.
"Let us take Lillian for a weekend," Gretchen blurted out.
Ferb tilted his head, "A test run?"
"Like I said , they probably wouldn't agree," She replied.
"It doesn't hurt to ask," Ferb pointed out.
"First you need to be cleared by the doctor," Gretchen pointed out.
Ferb gave a nod, "Right now, I don't think I'd be able to keep up with her for more than a few hours."
"Ferb?" Gretchen asked, sounding somewhat scared.
Ferb raised an eyebrow, letting her know he was listening.
"When my mother was over yesterday, she commented that she thinks I'm too stressed," Gretchen spoke quietly.
"After I get cleared by the Doctor, I think I should just spirit you away, how does that sound?" Ferb suggested.
"Ferb..."
"You get a little tense, but that something a little loving can't solve."
"Ferb."
"I admit you do get quite stressed at times. It's why I suggested we leave town for a few days,"
It was Gretchen's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"However, I also think it's important for us to talk with someone about what is causing not just your stress; but mine as well," Ferb remarked.
"What are you stressed about?" Gretchen asked.
"I'm just worried that we're missing something. I'm flying blind in this marriage, I have no idea what I'm doing and I..." Ferb stopped when Gretchen wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Shut up Ferb," She told him before kissing him.
Ferb broke the kiss and gave her a soft smile, "I love your method of getting me to stop talking."
"I do too," Gretchen replied with a smirk.
"You should get changed, they'll be here in five," Ferb noted.
Gretchen looked down at her flannel pajamas, "Right."
"Do we have any juice left in the fridge?"
"Why?"
"I'm parched."
"We should. Do you want me to go get it?"
"No, I can manage. You get changed."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"I don't mind."
Ferb looked at her, and gently responded, "I'm fine, as long as you didn't put the glasses on the roof I should be able to get them."
Gretchen giggled, "The glasses are in the cupboard."
"I'll get you another coffee while you change," Ferb said.
Well, well Seems like Ferb is wanting to do something with his wife. Though there is something neither of them know yet…*evil laugh* And it won't be revealed anytime soon.