"Were you planning on mentioning you're working in the pediatric ward until New Years?" Ferb inquired.
"Yes," Gretchen replied simply.
"When?"
"Tonight. Before you ask, there is a reason why I requested it."
Ferb raised an eyebrow in response.
"I'll tell you more as we get ready for bed," Gretchen returned.
Ferb nodded then tickled Lillian. The sandy haired girl let out a laugh, but it was short lived. She began to fuss and cry.
"What's wrong Lillian?" Gretchen inquired then checked the girl's diaper, "That's your problem. Let me just take care of that for you," She took Lillian, and diaper bag, into the living room; where she had laid out a change mat.
Ferb looked in fridge, squatting with some difficulty due to his bad leg, and pulled out some meals that Trudy made, then called out, "Gretchen? What should we feed Lillian for lunch?"
Gretchen called back, "What were you thinking of dear?"
"Some of the soup your mother made," Ferb called in answer.
"It looks as though Phineas has some jars and some yogurt here," was the return call.
"All right."
"You heat that up while I-"
"Go ahead," Ferb replied cutting her off.
Presently as Gretchen was changing the diaper, she had the misfortune of placing her hand in something particularly nasty.
Gretchen spoke, keeping her voice even, trying not to scare the little girl, "Lillian. Was that really necessary?"
What Gretchen got in response was a giggle.
Ferb's eyebrow shot up when he overheard this, "What's wrong? Do you need any help?"
Gretchen called back, "I've got everything in hand... literally. Can you come here and finish this for me?"
Ferb came in to the room, "All right."
Gretchen gave him a warning as she headed towards the bathroom, "Just watch yourself, Ferb. Her cuteness is disarming."
Ferb finished the diaper change, "That wasn't so bad. Did you really have to make that mess for Auntie Gretchen? I hope you do that for your father."
Lillian giggled and squealed in response. Ferb picked up the diaper bag and his niece before heading back to the kitchen. He placed her on the floor and rummaged through the bag for the jars of baby food.
"For your dinning pleasure this afternoon, we've got," Ferb paused to look at the labels on the jars, "Chicken casserole and puree of carrot. For dessert, we've got a nice plain yogurt."
Gretchen overheard Ferb as she walked into kitchen and started laughing, "I've never heard anyone describe baby food as 'fine dinning' before."
Ferb smirked at her, "Glad I'm the first."
Gretchen laughed, "You are something else."
"So you keep telling me," Ferb replied then added teasingly, "You know-"
She turned red, cutting him off with a muttered, "Ferb."
Ferb looked at the jar of baby food and asked, "Is this supposed to be warmed up?"
"Yes, just a little though," Gretchen replied.
"What's a little?" Ferb inquired.
Gretchen lightly hip checked him, "Allow me, I can do this," she said taking the lids off the jars.
"Oh really?"
"You of all people should know that metal doesn't go in the microwave."
Ferb snickered, "Yeah Phin learned that the hard way when we were kids."
"If you could just reach a bowl for me, I'll feed Lillian and you can get our lunch ready," Gretchen said.
Ferb leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Yes Mum."
Gretchen froze slightly and muttered back, "You are the only person who can get away with that, for now."
Ferb smirked as he pulled out a bowl, "I know."
Gretchen picked Lillian up and retrieved a small spoon out of the utensil drawer. Lunch went by without any incident. After lunch, Gretchen folded herself into her comfy chair and held Lillian as the little girl fell asleep.
"I'm just going to check something on the computer," Ferb whispered as to not wake the child.
"Okay dear," Gretchen replied.
A few hours later Phineas called. Ferb covered the mouthpiece as he spoke to Gretchen.
"Gretchen, Phineas said that Sienna's not feeling well."
"What's wrong?"
"You can ask the symptoms," Ferb said as her handed her the phone.
"What are her symptoms Phineas?" Gretchen listened for a few minutes, "I see, I'll stop by in an hour to pick-" She stopped to listen to Phineas, "Okay, I'll call Linda."
Ferb raised an eyebrow at this.
"It's not a problem Phineas. That's what family does," She disconnected call, then looked at Ferb, "Sienna's got a flu, Phineas doesn't want Lillian to get sick and I don't blame him."
"You get your little baby a bit sooner than anticipated," Ferb remarked.
"I should call Linda," Gretchen said.
"Are you sure?" Ferb inquired.
"Phineas wanted me to call her, so I will," Gretchen answered.
"You two aren't exactly on even ground," Ferb pointed out.
"It's fine Ferb," Gretchen returned.
"I can place the call," Ferb offered.
"I've got it, just hold Lillian for me," she looked at the phone, and called Linda, "Hi Linda, it's Gretchen. I just got a call from Phineas, apparently Sienna's got a flu and he doesn't want Lillian to get sick," As she listened she gave two nods and an eye roll, "Phineas was hoping that you'd be able to pick up some supplies for Lillian so she can stay with us for a few days."
Ferb was sitting on the couch, lightly bouncing Lillian on his knee. Lillian was giggling happily.
"We can handle it...Thank you," Gretchen said then disconnected the call.
"Are you all right love? You're getting that look," Ferb commented when he saw his wife's expression.
Gretchen forcefully exhaled, "I'm fine."
"Come here," Ferb called softly.
Gretchen moved to sit beside him. Ferb wrapped an arm around her shoulder. His other arm was keeping the giggling girl on his lap.
"It's okay sweetheart," he said then placed a soft kiss to her temple.
"I'm going to prove that I can do this," Gretchen said determinedly.
Ferb rubbed her arm, "We can do this."
"You really think so?" Gretchen asked.
"Yes," Ferb replied.
Gretchen scooped Lillian off Ferb's lap, "Talk about an unexpected turn of events."
Ferb glanced at his wife, seeming so natural with the small child in her arms, and replied softly, "Yeah."
"I hope Phineas remembers the folding cot," Gretchen said, giving her husband a quick look.
"I'll call him," Ferb said quickly.
An hour later Linda arrived with the supplies for Lillian.
"Ferb can you pull the cot out of the car for me?" Linda asked.
"I'll get that," Gretchen quickly intervened and went out to get the cot out of the car.
"How much does one little person need?" Ferb asked as he took a bag of clothes in on hand with Lillian in his other arm.
"Ferb, babies need more than you realize," Linda replied.
Ferb blinked. Gretchen came back in with the cot. Linda looked at the young couple.
"Now are you two sure you can handle this? If need be, I could help," Linda offered.
"I think we got it Mum," Ferb replied.
Lillian grabbed a fist-full of Ferb's hair causing him to wince. Linda was quick to act.
"Here, hand her over. You just got out of hospital after a heart attack. You should be resting."
"I'm fine Mum," Ferb replied.
"Ferb, you don't know what you're getting yourself into," Linda warned.
"You're right Linda. If we need to, may we call you for advice?" Gretchen cut in smoothly.
"Maybe I should just stay over with you for a few days, you could use all the help-" Linda began to offer before Ferb interrupted her.
"Thank you Mum, but that's not necessary. Would you like a coffee before you head home to make sure Father's okay?"
Linda was a little surprised but decline the coffee, "No. I should get back."
Later that evening, Gretchen put Lillian down to sleep. Ferb watched as she did so. He couldn't help but to smile. Hopefully they'll have their own child soon.
"Well so far so good," He remarked.
"Yeah," Gretchen mumbled in agreement.
"So your schedule change?" he asked reminding her of the promise of the explanation.
"There's a kid there, he only speaks German," she answered with a light shrug of her shoulders.
"None of the other staff members speak it?" Ferb inquired, eyebrows raised.
"Well, there's one orderly who's not as fluent as you," Gretchen admitted.
"I'm conversational at best," he took her hand and kissed it, modesty was in every word, "thanks to you."
"Besides, if I stay on the ward I'll be working more day shifts with only the occasional night," Gretchen explained a little more, a slight red tinge to her cheeks.
"I get you all to myself every evening? Don't spoil me, I might get used to that," Ferb informed her with a smirk.
"Well...Not exactly," Gretchen whispered as the small girl murmured in her sleep.
Ferb glanced over at Lillian, "Well besides that."
"From now until the New Year. If the child is still there after the New Year, then I might stay longer," Gretchen remarked, looking up into her husband's dark blue eyes.
"So, definitely for a while then," Ferb responded.
"Let's get through the next few days first then we can talk about things," Gretchen said, resting a hand on his chest.
"Doctor Thomas e-mailed me a copy of my discharge orders. He wants me to visit Dr. Hirano sometime next week," Ferb said, mentioning Stacy's and Ginger's Mother, a long time physician of most of the kids.
Gretchen nodded, "That makes sense. I'm sure he'll want to see you in his office as well in the near future."
"I also got the standard list of what I can't do," Ferb added with a sigh.
"Aww, poor baby," Gretchen's tone was a bit teasing as she looked slyly at him, "You're just ready to crawl out of your skin if you don't get a coffee or tea soon."
"That obvious is it?" Ferb asked.
She gave him a nod.
Ferb sighed.
"Don't worry honey, you'll be back to your old self soon," Gretchen reassured him.
"Well by then we could-" Ferb began.
"I know what you want to do. It was very clear this morning," Gretchen cut him off.
"I've printed the document out, could you read it over and tell me if I'm correct. I read it to say that I need to have 'near complete bed rest' for three days, then I can do mild to moderate activities. After two weeks, barring any adverse setbacks I should be able to return to work and near normal activity levels. Everything should be back to normal after four to six weeks," Ferb said.
Gretchen gave a nod, remembering the course on Cardiac patients from college, "That sounds accurate. I'll read it over in a little bit, you left the print out on your desk?"
Ferb gave her a nod in answer.
Three days passed, and Sienna was well enough to once again to look after her daughter. Sienna invited the young couple over to the small house that Phineas bought the year prior. Sienna watched as her boyfriend's brother and wife made the small child squeal with delight. She was surprised to see Ferb give her daughter an arrowroot cookie, which the child happily took and promptly began chewing on it. It was then that she thought that the girl can be safe and happy. What a difference those three days made with Lillian being with her aunt and uncle. Sienna noted that Ferb seemed to be in much better health too.