Gretchen pulled into garage, and got out of her car. She went inside the house, and called out, "Ferb? Are you home?" Upon receiving no answer she started making dinner. Ferb arrived home shortly afterwards.
Ferb tentatively called out his wife's name and got a "In the kitchen," as an answer.
Ferb came into the kitchen, and asked tentatively, "Everything all right?"
"I think so...the doctor wanted to do a blood test," Gretchen replied.
"Oh. What for?" Ferb inquired, as he undid his tie.
"He just wants to make sure everything is in the clear," Gretchen commented nonchalantly.
"Are you going to eat dinner tonight?" he asked as he laid his tie on the hard briefcase.
"I don't know. I'll try. I do try every night, I just..." Gretchen paused, then clasped her hand over her mouth and ran for the bathroom.
"Gretchen," Ferb followed her to the bathroom, "sweetheart, are you okay?"
Gretchen sounded rather disgusted when she answered, "I hate this."
Ferb stood in the doorway of the bathroom, and asked again, "Are you okay?"
"I should be."
"You sure?" Ferb inquired hesitantly.
"Yeah," she mumbled.
"The doctor wanted you to take some tests?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen gave a nod, "Just routine tests," then added after a pause, "Well, there was one other."
Ferb's eyebrow shot up at this.
"He ordered a pregnancy test. I'm not going to get my hopes up though," Gretchen admitted.
Ferb blinked.
"Ferb?" Gretchen called his name quietly.
"He ordered a pregnancy test?" Ferb asked to be absolutely sure that was what he heard.
Gretchen nodded.
"Because of your symptoms?"
Another nod.
"If you are, you are, if you aren't….we can always try again," Ferb said with a slight smile.
"Ferb, I'm not. I took a home test and it was negative. I've just got some stomach bug," Gretchen replied.
Ferb reached out for her hand, "If you're not pregnant, we should wait until you're feeling better before trying again."
Gretchen gave a third nod, "That sounds like a plan. I think I'll go lay down now."
"I'll bring you up some saltines and citrus soda," Ferb offered.
"I really don't-" Gretchen tried protesting before Ferb cut her off.
"Just in case."
"Dinner's-" once again Gretchen was cut off by Ferb.
"I'll take care of it."
As Ferb went downstairs, Gretchen spoke softly to the empty room, "I'm sorry Ferb."
As Ferb finished dinner, he thought to himself, 'I didn't tell her but I spoke with Candace the other day. Gretchen's got all the classic symptoms of pregnancy. However, if she claims she's not, I have to believe her. She's my wife,' He collected the saltines and soda, then took them upstairs and placed them on bedside table.
"Ferb, you don't have to wait on me," Gretchen said as he did so.
"I want you to feel better love," Ferb replied.
"You don't have to-" Gretchen started.
"It's not a problem. I'm doing this because I love you," Ferb cut her off.
"Thank you," was Gretchen's reply.
"I'll be in the den if you need me," Ferb said as he made to leave.
"Could you stay in here with me?" Gretchen asked.
"Are you sure?" Ferb queried in return, whilst thinking, 'Please don't be hormones.'
"Yes," was the soft reply.
Ferb sat on the bed. He was a little surprised when he felt her small hands navigating across his back. He tried not to react every time she hit a tense spot.
"You're tense," she stated.
"I'm just concerned about you," Ferb returned.
"It's just a stomach bug. I'll be fine," Gretchen repeated.
Ferb looked lovingly at her, "What if you are pregnant?"
Gretchen gasped, "How could I possibly be pregnant?"
Ferb turned around and ran his fingers through her hair, "I've been calculating the dates and..."
"That's preposterous Ferb, why would I be pregnant now? I should have been pregnant a long time ago," Gretchen interrupted him.
"Maybe it was the right time for us?"
"But-"
"We both kept telling people who asked, 'It'll happen when it happens'."
"But-"
"What if it's happened? Would you be happy?"
Gretchen nodded.
Ferb tried to hug her, when she said, "What if I'm not? I don't want to get my hopes up."
"We'll wait until the test results come in. How long does that take?" Ferb asked.
"I went today, the doctor should have the results tomorrow," Gretchen replied.
Ferb gave a nod, "All right...Tell me, love, what scrubs are you going to be wearing tomorrow?"
Gretchen raised an eyebrow, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"It's February."
"Okay and?"
"What other date in February is slightly important other than my birthday?" Ferb asked with a smirk, as last year was his twenty-fourth.
"Well the fourteenth," Gretchen answered.
"What happens on the fourteenth?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen smirked, then replied teasingly, "Hmmm, Arizona's anniversary of becoming a state?" (1)
Ferb blinked, "How'd you- You're messing with me, aren't you?"
"I know it's Valentine's Day tomorrow," Gretchen said.
"Would you like to do something special?" Ferb asked.
"I'd love to do something special. I'll be home early," Gretchen said.
"What would you like me to do?"
"I'm sure you'll think of something," She suggested.
"I'm sure I will," Ferb replied with a smirk.
"And I can trust you not to go overboard," Gretchen said.
Ferb nodded, "You still haven't answered my question about your scrubs."
Gretchen smirked at him, "You'll see."
Ferb placed a kiss on her forehead, "Get some rest love. I'll see you in the morning."
Gretchen's brow furrowed, "Where are you going?"
"I was going to sleep in the den?" Ferb said, a bit confused.
"How can you sleep in your chair? It can't be comfortable and it's not good for your neck," Gretchen pointed out.
"I love you," he said as he stood up.
Gretchen grabbed his hand, "Please stay."
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"Please," The pleading tone in his wife's voice made Ferb uncertain, and another thought about hormones flashed through his mind.
"Are you sure?"
Her reply was a simple, "Hold me."
Ferb took a breath, "Okay."
"Thank you," she murmured.
Ferb sat back down and pulled her close, "Uncomfortable?"
"Don't worry about it..."
"If me holding you is making you-" Ferb started as he laid down beside her.
"Quit protesting," Gretchen told him in German.
Ferb fell silent with his own thoughts.
Gretchen snuggled up beside him, "I did miss this."
"Uh-huh."
"There's something on your mind," Gretchen stated.
"It's nothing," Ferb said quickly.
"What are you thinking?" Gretchen asked.
"It's nothing love."
"Ferb," Gretchen gave him a warning tone
"I was thinking that if you are pregnant, that would be a wonderful surprise," Ferb admitted.
"I'm not pregnant," Gretchen insisted.
"It's just, all the signs are there," Ferb pointed out.
"I've got a flu or something," Gretchen said.
"If you say so," Ferb replied in a resigned tone.
"We'll know for sure tomorrow."
"You will tell me right?"
"Of course."
Ferb pulled her closer.
"Ferb," she paused at his raised eyebrow, "I'm not pregnant."
Ferb placed a hand on her abdomen, "We'll know tomorrow."
-
The next day Gretchen was approached by Doctor Eric Manson in the middle of a slow run.
"Gretchen, can we talk?" The fair haired doctor inquired.
"As a colleague or as my doctor?" Gretchen asked back.
"I think you need to come with me," Dr. Manson replied.
Gretchen took a few strides to catch up with the Doctor, "Eric, is this as a colleague or as my doctor?"
"As both," was his simple answer.
Gretchen sighed, "Fine."
Dr. Manson lead her to his office. As soon as they stepped inside, he indicated a chair, "Have a seat."
Gretchen sat in the chair, "Is something the matter?"
Dr. Manson looked at the sheets of paper sitting on top of Gretchen's medical file, "Gretchen, you did some blood work yesterday."
Gretchen gave a nod, "Yes."
Dr. Manson looked over the paper one last time then took a breath, "You're pregnant." (2)
"What?! No. It can't be," Gretchen gaped, clearly stunned at this revelation.
"Do you know who the father is?" Dr. Manson inquired.
"My husband," Gretchen supplied.
"Your husband is the father?" Dr. Manson asked just to be sure.
"Yes, He's the only man I've-" Gretchen snipped back, annoyance in her tone until she stopped and turned bright red.
"All right, all right. I apologize for any implications I might have suggested," Dr. Manson raised his hands in surrender at the sudden change in Gretchen's mood.
"How far?"
"Anywhere between Six or seven weeks."
Gretchen went quiet.
"Something wrong?" Dr. Manson inquired.
"Ummm..." Gretchen shook her head, "No...And you're sure?"
"The blood work doesn't lie," Dr. Manson replied.
Gretchen froze as she replayed her conversation with Ferb in her mind.
"Is everything all right?" Dr. Manson inquired.
Gretchen gave slow nod, then started to cry.
Dr. Manson became concerned for his patient, friend, and co-worker, "Gretchen, what's bothering you?"
Gretchen sobbed, "I'm pregnant?"
"Yes, you are. Are you sure you want to continue with this pregnancy?" Dr. Manson inquired.
Gretchen gave another sob and her arm dropped to cover her flat abdomen, "Yes. I'm sure."
"Maybe you should talk it over with your husband," Dr. Manson suggested.
Gretchen gave a nod.
"Do you need a few minutes?" Dr. Manson asked.
Another nod.
"Are you going to be all right?" Dr. Manson asked.
He got a slow nod in reply this time.
"Take all the time you need," Dr. Manson said.
"Six to seven weeks? Which means it was…" Gretchen trialed off.
Dr. Manson looked over the lab results again, "I'm putting your due date in late September. So conception was around the New Year."
Gretchen gave a nod.
Dr. Manson put the lab work in her file and picked it up, "I need to see my next patient. You're sure you'll be okay?"
Yet another nod in reply.
Dr. Manson left the room, leaving Gretchen to collect herself.
"Ferb was right. I'm scared, what do I do now? I told him I wasn't…. How can I go home and tell him that I am?" She muttered to herself before stepping out into the hallway.
"Hey cherie, Dr. Carter is loo-" Shane stopped when he saw the expression on Gretchen's face, "Is something wrong? You look scared out of your wits."
Gretchen didn't even bother looking over at the male nurse, "I don't know."
"You and Dr. Manson must have had quite the conversation," Shane noted.
Gretchen gave him a nod in answer.
"Did something happen between you and that darling husband of yours?" Shane inquired.
"You could say that," Gretchen sighed.
"Good or Bad?" Shane asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Hopefully good," Gretchen muttered as she tried to shake off the light headedness as it suddenly hit her.
Shane stepped up to her and wiped away a stray tear, "Oh darling, don't cry. I can't stand to see someone cry."
Gretchen looked directly at him, "Have you ever been in a situation where you thought something was okay then you find out that it's not?"
"Like when you're standing in line for the movies and you forgot your wallet?" Shane asked.
Gretchen shook her head, "More like a car accident. You think there's only minimal damage, then the mechanic tells you that it's worse than it seems."
"Did he get hurt again?"
"No," Gretchen answered with another head shake.
"Then what's the problem?" Shane inquired.
"Well..." Gretchen trailed off.
"You were in a car accident. That can be dangerous to someone of your size," Shane guessed.
"I wasn't in a car accident," Gretchen nearly snapped.
"Then what's wrong?" Shane asked.
"I can't say. I need to talk to Ferb," she replied then started to walk away.
Shane caught her by her arm and tilted his head, "All right if you were in one, everyone would know."
"Shane, I don't want to have to harm you," Gretchen warned.
Shane let her go, then he reviewed what he knew, "You've been overly tired lately. And you obviously haven't been eating much. That leaves two things, one: You have the flu, which is highly unlikely because you wouldn't risk the health of the patients, or two: You're pregnant, which is the more likely option."
Gretchen visibly blanched.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Shane asked.
Gretchen slowly nodded, "You can't say anything. I've not told Ferb yet. I just found out."
Shane gave her a brotherly hug, "Your secret's safe with me."
"Thank you," Gretchen whispered.
"Not a problem," Shane said giving her a wink, "I think I know when you-"
Gretchen turned cherry red, "Shane! That is NOT appropriate!"
"Sorry," Shane said with an apologetic grin.
Gretchen stopped in her step as a rush of light headedness hit her.
"Gretchen is something wrong?" Shane asked, concern in his voice.
Gretchen crumpled as she passed out. Shane caught her in mid-fall and lowered her gently to the ground. He looked around the hall and spotted two orderlies.
"I need some help here," Shane called out to them and the pair came rushing over.
"What happened?" The first orderly inquired.
"She just passed out, what do you think just happened?" Shane snapped.
"She's a staff member," The second orderly noted.
"That's only obvious by the way she's dressed and her ID badge," Shane's irritation coming out in sarcasm.
The first orderly looked for nearest doctor and found Dr. Manson.
"What happened-" Dr. Manson stopped when he saw Shane supporting Gretchen, "is she hurt?"
"No. She just passed out. Probably because she's not eating," Shane explained.
Dr. Manson gave a nod, "She should know better."
The second orderly brought a gurney over.
Dr. Manson glanced at the orderly, "Thank you."
"Do you need-" The first orderly started to offer.
Shane had already picked Gretchen up and set her on the gurney.
"I'll ask Jennifer to keep watch on her, until she wakes," Dr. Manson said.
"I was just about to start my lunch break. I can watch her," Shane stated.
Dr. Manson took Gretchen's pulse and blood pressure, then turned to the second orderly, "Go get Jennifer."
"Doctor," The orderly left with a nod.
"Did she-" Dr. Manson was cut off by Shane shaking his head.
"I kinda figured it out. Easier for me and Jen to figure it out since we generally work the same shifts," Shane explained.
"You're not going to tell anyone, right?" Dr. Manson pressed.
"Of course not," Shane said flatly.
"Glad to hear that some people still know how to keep confidentiality," Dr. Manson remarked.
"Yes sir."
"I'm going to sign her out for the day and give her medical leave for the next three."
"Of course sir. I'll pick up part of her shifts."
"I don't want you to burn out."
"Under the circumstances, it would be a small price to pay to make sure a co-worker and friend is feeling better."
"Are you sure?"
Shane nodded, "Yeah, besides it'll help keep me distracted while Percy's in New York."
"All right then," Dr. Manson replied as the second orderly returned with Jennifer Clayborne.
"Oh no, what happened?" Jennifer asked upon seeing Gretchen on the gurney.
"She passed out. She's not been eating properly for the past couple of weeks," Shane simply stated.
Jennifer sadly shook her head.
"Jennifer, call her husband. Ask him to pick her up. I'm singing her out for the next three days," Dr. Manson said.
"Of course doctor. Shane, can you get her file for me?" Jennifer gave the doctor a nod, and then turned to Shane.
"Yes ma'am," Shane said with a nod, as Jennifer was higher ranked than himself.
In the ensuing hour and half, Ferb had been called. Ferb promised he'd be there as soon as he could. When he arrived, he glanced at his wife then at Jennifer.
"How long has she been out?" Ferb inquired.
Jennifer glanced at her watch, "An hour and half."
"How much longer until she comes to?" Ferb asked.
"Unfortunately I have no idea," Jennifer answered honestly.
Ferb sighed, "I have no choice but to wait."
"You made it," Shane noted as he came to check on Gretchen.
Ferb nodded, "What happened?"
Shane pulled up another chair and sat, "I was there when she passed out; I caught her."
Ferb gave a second nod, "Thank you."
"Ferb, did you know she's not been eating?" Shane asked.
Ferb gave a third nod, "I tried to get her to eat a little something for breakfast and dinner."
"Dr. Manson will be explaining a few things when she wakes up," Shane remarked.
"Like?" Ferb inquired.
"He'll tell you," Shane answered.
"Did he say anything about her symptoms?" Ferb prompted.
Shane looked over at Jennifer who shook her head, "He only discussed them with her."
"Do you know something Shane?" Ferb asked.
Shane looked at Gretchen, "I know that she's been pushing herself too hard and needs to take better care of herself."
Ferb pursed his lips, "I respect that you're pulling the confidentiality card out."
It was quite sometime later when Gretchen eventually opened her eyes.
"Gretchen, my love. I'm here. Jennifer called and said something happened," Ferb said, his voice carrying a worried and upset tone.
Gretchen blinked and sat up, "I was talking with Shane and then I felt light headed and next thing I know, I'm here."
"You blacked out?" Ferb asked.
"I-I think so," Gretchen murmured in reply.
"I was wondering when you were going to come around," Dr. Manson said as he came in, his voice flooded with relief.
"I'm sorry..." Gretchen stopped and her eyes went wide as a realization hit, "My-"
"Shane and Jennifer are taking care of it," Dr. Manson interrupted gently.
"But-" Gretchen found herself cut off again by the doctor.
"I'm putting you on a three day medical leave. I want you feeling better and actually eating properly."
"But, my patients," Gretchen tried protesting.
"No buts. I want you feeling better and back on your feet. I'm going to miss you around here," Dr. Manson said solemnly.
Gretchen now had tears in eyes, "I need to finish..."
Ferb's voice became more worry laden, "Gretchen, you need to get better. I knew there was something wrong. Did you talk with..."
Gretchen whimpered and replied in a small voice, "Yes, I spoke with him," then looked at the doctor.
"I've already signed the orders. Go home, relax," Dr. Manson said.
Gretchen looked down.
"You should go home now," Dr. Manson repeated.
Gretchen asked quietly, "Has anyone-"
"That is being left to you," Dr. Manson replied.
"What is being left to her?" Ferb asked.
Dr. Manson nodded at Gretchen, "She knows."
"What's going on?" Ferb inquired.
Gretchen looked between the doctor and Ferb, "I need to talk to you, but not here."
Ferb's eyebrow shot up, and he became really worried, "If not here, then where?"
"Home, in the car," she paused, "anywhere but here."
"Okay..." Ferb said slowly, now a little confused.
Gretchen turned to Dr. Manson, "Am I free to go?"
"Yes," Dr. Manson replied.
Gretchen was silent for about half the trip home. She glanced over at her husband who was giving her an occasional worried look as he drove.
"You need to pull over," Gretchen said.
"What?" Ferb asked.
"You need to pull over," Gretchen said a little more forcefully.
As soon as Ferb pulled over, Gretchen burst into tears. Ferb put the flashers on. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"What's wrong sweetheart? You can tell me," He said.
Gretchen looked at him with red eyes, "You were right."
Ferb blinked, confused he asked, "I was right?"
Gretchen nodded, "I'm pregnant."
RW26Z Notes:
(1) That really is Arizona's date of joining the Union (US): February 14, 1912. Hurrah for RANDOM TRIVIA! ;)
(2) Now who can honestly say that they didn't see that coming?