That afternoon, Gretchen arrived at the coffee shop to find the old troop already sitting and waiting for her.
"Hey Gretch, you made it," Adyson greeted her with a smile.
Gretchen gave a slight smile in return, "I have a day off."
"Ginger couldn't make it. She's been spending time with Baljeet every chance she gets," Katie chimed in.
"So Gretchen, coffee?" Holly inquired.
"No thanks, I'll just have an iced tea," Gretchen declined, but ordering something to not arouse suspicion.
"Iced tea does sound refreshing," Milly said.
"I'll have a skinny cap," Isabella said.
"I need mine black," Adyson chimed in.
"So how are things going between you and Ferb?" Milly inquired.
"Fine," Gretchen replied softly.
Holly didn't look convinced.
Katie rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "I'm sorry about everything I said last time we saw each other."
Gretchen folded her hands in front of her, "You gave a reason and-"
"I don't expect you to forgive me. I just wanted to apologize for my actions," Katie cut her off.
"Katie, don't push it," Adyson warned.
Milly picked up on Adyson's tone, "Why are you telling her not to push-"
Adyson's green eyes flicked over to Katie, "She's well aware of what happened last time."
Isabella kept quiet during this exchange.
"What happened last time?" Holly asked.
Gretchen quickly interceded, "Nothing important."
Adyson looked at Gretchen, "Exactly."
Isabella decided to change the subject, "How's everything going with you, Holly?"
"Same as always. Work, work work," Holly grumbled.
"Bummer," Milly remarked.
"What happened to that one guy you were dating?" Katie asked Holly.
"I broke up with him," Holly said simply.
Gretchen sipped her tea, not saying anything.
"Which was stupid," Adyson sniped.
"Says the divorcee," Holly snapped back.
"He was good for you," Adyson remarked.
"Is Anthony treating you well Addy? If he isn't, Ferb can give him an attitude adjustment," Gretchen interceded.
"Gretchen, I know you've been married to Ferb for years now, but have you ever dated other guys?" Holly asked.
Gretchen scoffed, "Yes. Remember Jason?"
The women did a collective shudder.
"He was a creep. At least Ferb's better than him," Holly remarked.
"It's not too hard to find better than Jason," Isabella pointed out.
"Even though I'm married, Jason still eyed me like a piece of meat," Gretchen sighed.
This got a collective "What?!" out of the other women, save Adyson.
"It was several months ago, car accident, he was one of the drivers," Gretchen tried shrugging it off.
Adyson snickered, "You had your friend, Shane, take care of him."
Gretchen laughed, "Yeah.. For the first time Jason had nothing to say."
"Ooh, who's Shane?" Milly asked.
Gretchen blushed, "Just a co-worker."
"Doctor or male nurse?" Milly asked.
Gretchen gave a light laugh, "Shane's a nurse, like myself."
"What is he? Gay?" Holly asked.
Gretchen, Adyson ,and Isabella paused and looked at each other.
"Actually, yes he is," Gretchen answered.
"Really? And they let him near male patients?" Holly asked and Gretchen could hear the sneer in her voice.
"He is very professional," Gretchen defended her friend.
"Yeah right," Holly snorted.
Gretchen inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.
Unnoticed by everyone, except Isabella, Adyson had tensed up, ready to spring if needed.
"Gretchen?" Isabella asked worriedly.
Gretchen exhaled slowly and opened her eyes, "I'm fine Isabella."
"What does Ferb think of you working with him?" Holly asked.
"Ferb doesn't care. Shane looked after him when he was admitted," Gretchen replied non-chalantly.
"I never thought Ferb would be the type," Holly remarked.
"Ferb's not 'the type' as you say. Ferb probably didn't care," Adyson defended the green haired Brit.
Gretchen shook her head, "He doesn't care. We've had Shane and his partner over for dinner many times."
"Thank you for not inviting me," Holly snipped.
"The two that I keep in contact with is Isabella and Adyson," Gretchen retorted, her brow knitting in irritation.
"That is true," Isabella said, and Adyson nodded.
"Is he happy?" Milly asked earnestly.
Gretchen nodded.
"Then that's all that matters," Milly said with a smile as if that resolved everything.
"So, girls... I finally did it. I moved in with Dominic a few months ago," Isabella once again changed the subject.
"About time!" Adyson nearly shouted.
"Is he a good boyfriend?" Holly pressed.
Isabella blushed, "I think so."
"Do tell," Katie prompted.
Gretchen smirked.
"Why do I get the feeling that Gretchen was aware of this?" Holly asked.
Gretchen rolled her eyes.
"He knows I don't like being touched below my waist," Isabella intervened before anything else could be said.
"You're still a nun," Adyson remarked.
Isabella reddened, "Adyson!"
Gretchen snickered.
"Does he try to take advantage of you?" Holly asked.
"No. He's taking things as slow as I need," Isabella answered cautiously.
"That's good. You don't want to go through that again," Holly remarked.
"Holly, Isabella isn't going to go through that again. Dominic is a real man, he loves her and wouldn't leave her," Adyson cut in.
"Yeah right," Holly responded sarcastically.
"Holly stop it...You're just going to make someone angry or upset," Katie scolded.
Holly huffed, "Fine."
Gretchen watched the interaction quietly, as her unborn son decided to shift his position, again.
"Sorry, Iz," Milly said apologetically.
Isabella offered her a smile, "Not a problem."
Gretchen took a sip of her drink, trying to hide the uncomfortable expression on her face.
Katie noticed this and asked, "Is something wrong Gretchen? You look uncomfortable."
"Gas," Gretchen lied instantly.
"Are you sure?" Adyson asked.
Gretchen gave a half nod.
"Hey Gretchen," Milly called to get the shorter woman's attention.
"Yes Milly?" Gretchen replied.
"I heard someone say that someone has anemia...What is that?" Milly asked.
Gretchen ever so slightly tightened her grip on her cup before explaining, "Lack of iron the in blood resulting in not enough of oxygen gettting to the brain."
"That must be difficult to deal with, what would they have to do? Take injections?" Milly asked.
"You're thinking of diabetes. As long as whomever it is eats properly, and takes their supplements, they should be fine," Gretchen corrected softly.
"Guess what girls, I heard that Ginger's pregnant and that's why she won't come out anymore," Holly blurted.
"Do you always listen to rumors?" Adyson sighed, annoyed.
"Sometimes, she starts them," Isabella added.
Gretchen commented nonchalantly, "Like the one about a dating couple being married?"
The other women stared at her, dumbfounded.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Holly said, playing innocent.
Gretchen raised an eyebrow.
"You were pregnant," Holly said.
"Rumor," Gretchen replied.
Holly's mouth fell open.
"I'm sure Gretchen would have said something if she were pregnant," Katie said.
Gretchen laughed lightly and shifted slightly in her chair, "Yeah."
"She doesn't have to share everything. I mean there are things in a marriage that should stay between the couple," Milly, despite being separated from her husband at the current time, was the only one who knew what it's like to be married past two years, pointed out.
Adyson nodded.
Gretchen raised an eyebrow again.
"I doubt Gretchen does anything kinky," Holly remarked.
"Holly!" Adyson snapped, then looked to Gretchen.
Gretchen blushed.
"She's blushing," Holly pointed out.
Gretchen became a darker red, "How did the conversation take this turn?"
Isabella sighed, "This happens quite often."
"If you're blushing then that means-" Holly began.
"Can we please change the topic?" Gretchen asked.
"Why? Do you and Ferb.." Holly began.
Everyone interrupted this time, "Holly!"
"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to," Adyson told Gretchen.
Gretchen discreetly rubbed her abdomen as her son kicked, "It's no one's business but my own."
"You said it. No one knows what goes on between Dominic and me," Isabella nodded.
"You already said that you and he do nothing but hold hands and kiss," Adyson said, rolling her eyes.
Isabella reddened, "I think I want to take the next step."
"Are you sure?" Adyson asked.
"What next step are you considering?" Gretchen asked.
Isabella turned a darker red, "Allowing him to touch below my waist."
"Bold," Adyson noted.
"Well given her past experience with a guy who's not Phin-" Milly started.
"That's enough..." Isabella cut her off, then to Gretchen, "Isn't he engaged? Doesn't he have a four year old?"
Gretchen nodded.
"I've not seen Phineas in years. How's he doing these days?" Milly asked.
"He's doing well. His company is keeping him busy," Gretchen answered easily.
"So, Phineas had a child out of wedlock?" Holly asked and looked to Isabella.
"Stop it Holly. I never should have broken up with him. He was the sweetest guy. And for a first boyfriend, I couldn't have done any better," Isabella said.
Adyson decided to stir the pot, then glanced between Gretchen and Isabella, "Unless you dated Ferb."
Gretchen inhaled and closed her eyes.
"Ferb was always understanding," Isabella said.
Gretchen cracked open an eye.
"Admittedly, I nearly kissed him…..once," Isabella continued.
Gretchen opened both eyes all the way, and asked with a tightness in her voice, "When?"
"After Ferb got out of the hospital for his leg," Isabella admitted.
"What?!" Gretchen asked, then started taking shaky breaths.
"It was Phineas's idea! He felt that Ferb should kiss me since he kissed you!" Isabella defended.(1)
Everyone held their collective breaths as they waited for Gretchen to snap.
Gretchen took a deep, stabilizing breath, then said tightly, "I see."
Isabella explained sincerely, "He said he couldn't, he kissed my hand instead. I was really scared he was going to actually kiss me though; he was right there."
Gretchen nodded, "Okay. Okay," another nod, "Fine."
"Are you okay?" Isabella asked, becoming concerned for her closest friend.
Gretchen set her glasses on the table and rubbed her face with her hands, then muttered, "Just a little light headed."
"Are you going-" Isabella began to ask.
"No," Gretchen cut her off as she put her glasses back on, "I haven't had a blackout for a few months now."
"That's good," Isabella remarked, relief in her voice.
"Yeah that was scary," Adyson agreed.
"Thanks girls," Gretchen said softly.
"Did you ever find out what caused that?" Katie asked.
"Poor diet and lack of sleep," Gretchen replied automatically.
"Hold up...You had blackouts?" Milly asked, now peering at her friend.
Gretchen nodded.
"Isn't that dangerous considering your job?" Milly asked.
"Why'd you choose that profession anyways?" Holly asked, clearly not impressed with Gretchen's choice of profession.
"Fortunately, I never passed out when looking after a patient. And to answer your question, Holly, I went into nursing to help others. I had planned to study nursing when I was twelve, then I got an opportunity when Ferb came back for Tenth Grade," Gretchen replied.
"I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life at that age. It wasn't until after a year of college that I decided I wanted to work on a construction crew," Adyson admitted.
"I'm just a file clerk at City Hall," Milly said.
"How'd you keep those stitches clean?" Gretchen directed at Adyson.
"I wear sleeveless shirts upon occasion, but I usually wear long sleeves in the winter," Adyson said with a shrug.
"Did you get the shower glove after I told you about it?" Gretchen asked.
Adyson nodded, "It was much easier using both hands to wash my hair."
"Didn't you bring the troop of girls you oversee to the job site once?" Milly asked.
"Yeah...One of the girls read the crane operation manual..." Adyson shook her head, "I swear it's like having a younger version of Gretchen."
"Did they enjoy the opportunity to see how a hospital operates first hand?" Gretchen asked.
"Oh yes. Thanks for that," Adyson replied.
"Anytime," Gretchen said with a smile.
Adyson looked to Gretchen, "When do you think you'll be able to join us again?"
Gretchen was hesitant in her reply, "Uh, I'm not sure."
"I think Adyson's trying to ask if you want to join us again," Katie clarified and looked at Holly.
"As in joining the troop again?" Gretchen asked.
Adyson nodded.
"Uh…" Gretchen seemed to freeze.
"It's okay, we understand. You're busy with things," Katie said.
"It's not that, I work various shifts and can't always get together when everyone's available," Gretchen said.
"What an excuse," Holly remarked acidly.
"Fine, I'll come to your next get together. Depending on what shift I'm working either go without sleep or show up late to work," Gretchen snapped.
"We're not asking that of you," Adyson said.
"I never replaced you Gretchen. I've seen you work before, it doesn't matter if you meet up with us at every turn," Isabella said softly.
"You should have replaced her when she followed Ferb to England," Holly spat.
"Holly, you are pushing your luck," Adyson warned, her irritation beginning to show.
Holly snorted, "Yeah right. It's not like anyone is going to do anything."
"Holly, I'm warning you. One more comment," Adyson's frustration was reaching it's limits.
"And what are you going to do about it Miss-" Holly's comment was cut short by Katie's hand striking across her face.
Katie withdrew her hand, "Geez! Holly, must you always stir things up?"
Gretchen checked her watch, "Well, girls it's been fun, but I must be off."
Adyson also checked her watch, "Is that the time? I didn't realize. I've got to meet up with Anthony."
Isabella checked her watch.
Katie checked her watch, "Wow, you girls have to be somewhere early. It's only four pm."
"Addy said she's got a date and Gretchen's got her darling hubby at home," Milly said.
Holly decided it was in her best interest just to scowl.
"What's your problem?" Katie asked.
"Nothing," Holly grumbled.
Gretchen stood up, "I hope I can join another one of these chats at a later time."
"Here, I'll walk out to your car with you," Adyson offered.
Gretchen raised an eyebrow, "Okay."
Once they were out to their cars, Adyson's white two door sedan and Gretchen's sliver four door sedan Adyson gave Gretchen a hug.
"I'm so sorry about Holly. It must be the full moon that's affecting her," Adyson said.
Gretchen snickered, and hugged her back, "It's okay Adyson. I'm not going to fuel the fire."
Adyson placed her hands on Gretchen's shoulders, and said with her voice low, "I didn't want to say anything inside, but have you put on any weight?"
Gretchen blinked, "I don't think so."
"It looks good on you," Adyson said as she tapped Gretchen's cheek.
Gretchen reddened slightly.
"You seem happier than you have been in a while," Adyson noted.
Gretchen gave a shrug.
Adyson comment jokingly, "I think Holly might be a werewolf."
Gretchen snickered, then played along, "But she didn't show any signs of werewolfism before."
"I think she's jealous," Adyson said.
"Could be," Gretchen said.
"I've been meaning to ask you, would you and Ferb like to get together and double-date some evening with Anthony and myself?" Adyson asked.
"I can run that by him. As long as I'm not on shift, that shouldn't be a problem," Gretchen replied.
"Great! Have a great evening and don't do anything I wouldn't do," Adyson teased.
Gretchen shook her head at her friend's tease.
Adyson flashed her a broad smile.
"Be careful with him," Gretchen warned, passing off the feeling of being watched.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Adyson inquired.
"As in getting yourself in too deep," Gretchen said.
Adyson gave a quick salute, "Yes Mom," she said before laughing.
Gretchen rolled her eyes and got into her car, then rubbed her belly, "I hope she didn't figure it out."