When Gretchen arrived home, Ferb was in the kitchen.
Ferb took her hand and twirled her around, then kissed her, "How was your day love?"
Gretchen giggled, "It just got better."
Ferb smirked, "Oh really?"
Gretchen laughed, "Yes really."
"Alexander behave himself?" Ferb asked.
"He didn't move around too much while I was out," Gretchen replied.
"How is everybody?" Ferb inquired.
"Holly's up to her old antics," Gretchen sighed.
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"Adyson thinks it might be the full moon," Gretchen replied.
Ferb started to say something, but gave up.
"You were going to call her 'hormonal', weren't you?" Gretchen asked.
Ferb smirked and nodded.
Gretchen snickered, "She might be, but she's always had a foul taste in her mouth about couples."
"Did anyone notice that you're-" Ferb began to ask.
Gretchen shook her head, "Adyson did ask if I had put on some weight."
"What did you tell her?" Ferb asked.
"I told her that I didn't know," Gretchen replied.
Ferb placed his hands on her waist, and gently rubbed, "You are definitely... less defined than before," he rested a hand on her abdomen, and felt a kick, "That makes you the most beautiful woman in the world."
Gretchen looked into his eyes, "Are you calling me overweight?"
"No love, I'm calling you pregnant," Ferb replied gently.
Gretchen smiled slightly, "What about before?"
"You have always been beautiful," Ferb said.
Gretchen tilted her head, and Ferb gave her a soft smile.
"Is dinner going to be long?" Gretchen asked.
"No, why?" Ferb answered.
"The baby's moving quite a bit. Do you want to feel?" Gretchen asked.
Ferb nodded, placing a hand on her abdomen, unable to hide his surprise at the amount of movement, he asked: "Are you sure there's only one in there?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I'd be as large as a house if I were carrying twins," Gretchen replied.
"Would that be so bad?" Ferb asked softly.
"My supervisor would be putting me on a leave earlier than next month, if that was the case," Gretchen answered.
Ferb smirked, "Don't like desk duty?"
"Not really," she admitted.
"Why don't you sit down and relax for a moment, I'll finish preparing dinner," Ferb suggested.
"You're too good to me," Gretchen sighed.
"I love you," Ferb said simply.
"Ferb," Gretchen looked lovingly at him, "I've always loved you."
Ferb smiled at her. Gretchen sat down on the couch and leaned back. Ferb went back to the kitchen, he came out a few minutes later to announce dinner was ready.
"Dinner's ready love," he informed her softly.
Gretchen sat forward, preparing to stand up.
"Do you need help getting up?" Ferb inquired.
Gretchen grunted and groaned, "No," she twisted to the side and eventually got up, "There, did it."
Ferb had gone wide eyed at the spectacle, "That looked uncomfortable."
"No, I'm fine," Gretchen lied.
Ferb knew her better than to believe her, "You're fibbing."
"I'm fine," she insisted.
"Gretchen..." Ferb said as he gave her the 'I don't believe you' look.
"Okay, I'm a little uncomfortable," Gretchen admitted sheepishly.
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. I'm having difficulties getting out of comfy places," Gretchen came clean.
Ferb raised the eyebrow higher.
"The couch, my favorite chair, bed, I've even had some difficulties getting out of the car," Gretchen listed off.
"Dad asked me if you wanted a rocking chair," Ferb said.
"That sounds wonderful," Gretchen replied.
Ferb smiled, "He's got one at the shop, I'll call him and pick it up for you."
Gretchen returned the smile, "Thank you."
Ferb wrapped an arm around her, "Just a little while longer."
A memory flashed quickly through Gretchen's mind prompting her to quietly ask, "Ferb?"
"Hmm?" Ferb responded.
"Are you going to want to be with me when I have him?" Gretchen asked.
"Why are you asking?" Ferb asked in confusion.
"Well, I know you're not fond of blood," Gretchen pointed out.
"If you want me there, I'll be there for you," Ferb gave his answer.
"I'd like it if you were there. I think it's sad when a new mother doesn't want the father there," Gretchen said with a look on her face that was difficult for even Ferb to read.
"Then I'll be there," Ferb said.
"I've got the best husband ever," Gretchen said softly.
"And I've got the best wife ever," Ferb returned.
Gretchen laughed lightly.
Ferb offered his hand, "Dinner is served."
Gretchen giggled, "You're such a gentleman."
Ferb smirked, "A gentleman would never do this," he pulled her close, dipped her slightly and passionately kissed her.
Even with no one but themselves around, Gretchen blushed a bright red.
"Now are you ready for dinner?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen nodded in reply.
After dinner Ferb called his father. Gretchen was curled into the overstuffed chair, watching her husband closely.
"Hello, father," Ferb listened, "Yes, I asked her and she's interested," a listening pause, "I can pick it up tomorrow," Ferb paused to listen to his father's reply, "That's not necessary," another listening pause, "Really, it's not..." Ferb listened to what his father cut him off with, "oh, very well. Thank you. We'll see you soon. Bye."
Gretchen looked at him, head tilted to the side, "What is it?"
Ferb took a breath, "My father has the rocking chair in the back of his car. He'll drop it off in a little while."
"It's like he knew," Gretchen said.
"It would seem so," Ferb replied.
"Do you think it's better? Now that they know?" Gretchen asked, uncurling and moving to get out of the chair.
Ferb shrugged, and helped her up, "I'm not sure."
Ferb watched as she headed for the bathroom, then returned. As she headed back for her chair the doorbell rang; so Gretchen diverted her course and answered the door to find her father-in-law standing there.
"Lawrence, good evening," Gretchen said with a smile.
"Good evening to you too, Gretchen. Is Ferb still awake?" Lawrence returned.
Gretchen gave a light laugh, "Of course, come in."
"Good evening Father," Ferb greeted Lawrence as he stepped into the living room.
"Son," Lawrence returned pleasantly.
"Do you need any help with the rocking chair?" Ferb asked.
"I'm sure I can handle it son," the older Fletcher male tried assuring his son.
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
Gretchen looked between the two, as if a test of wills were taking place.
"I'll give you a hand," Ferb decided.
Lawrence knew this was better than trying to convince his son that he could handle it; so he said, "Thank you son."
The pair headed out to car, opened back door and Lawrence pulled out a simple glide ottoman, then Ferb and Lawrence maneuvered the chair out.
"This is cumbersome," Ferb managed to say as they worked to dislodge the piece.
"It's solid oak, son," Lawrence pointed out.
Ferb blinked, "Dad, that's..." they finally got the chair dislodged from car, and they set it on driveway, "It's lovely."
"Do you think Gretchen will like it?" Lawrence asked.
"I think she will," Ferb replied.
"Do you want to call her out here, before we move it?" Lawrence inquired.
"That would be less of a hassle," Ferb agreed.
"Gretchen, dear, would you mind coming out here for a moment?" Lawrence called out.
Gretchen came outside, "Is something wrong?"
"Do you like it?" Lawrence asked indicating rocking chair and ottoman.
Gretchen put her hands to her face, "Oh, it's beautiful."
"Care to try it out?" Lawrence offered.
"Are you sure?" Gretchen asked in reply.
"Of course," Lawrence said with a nod.
Gretchen cautiously sat in the chair.
Ferb tilted his head, a habit he had picked up from his wife, "Are you comfortable?"
Gretchen gave a nod.
"Here, put your feet on this," Lawrence said as he brought the ottoman over, and rested her feet on top.
Gretchen leaned back and closed her eyes, looking content, "I don't want to move."
"I think we've got a winner," Ferb remarked to his father.
Lawrence nodded.
"Love, would you mind waiting for us to get this up the stairs?" Ferb inquired.
Gretchen opened her eyes and sighed, "All right."
"Can you get yourself-" Ferb's question was answered by Gretchen getting out of the rocker without any effort.
"Your mother used to love her rocking chair, she'd sit in it for hours with you in her arms," Lawrence said.
Ferb nodded, "I remember her reading to me."
"Can we keep it in the living room for now?" Gretchen asked.
"Of course we can," Ferb replied, as he picked up the chair and headed toward the house.
He paused half-way there and put the chair down. Gretchen scuttled over to him and gave him a concern filled look.
"Ferb? What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"Just my back. I'll be okay in a moment," Ferb replied.
"I'll call my dad," Gretchen said.
"That's really not-" Ferb began.
"Honey, please, the last thing you need is for your back to go out," Gretchen cut him off.
"What about your father?" Ferb asked, knowing that Will wasn't exactly a young man anymore.
"Dad can still lift the same weight he could when he was younger," she replied.
"I'll get it. I got it into the car, I can surely get it into the house. You said you don't want it upstairs," Lawrence offered.
"At least let me take the ottoman," Gretchen said.
"I've got it love," Ferb said as he picked up the ottoman and carried it into the house.
"Has he always been this stubborn?" Gretchen asked.
"Since the day he was born," Lawrence replied.
Gretchen glanced down at her abdomen, "I sure hope our son isn't that stubborn."
"Son? So you're having a boy?" Lawrence asked.
Gretchen realized her slip and simply nodded.
"If he's anything like Ferb, he may be stubborn; but he'll also be the most wonderful child," Lawrence said.
Gretchen managed a smile, "Thank you."
"Time to get this chair into the house for you," Lawrence said as he picked up the chair.
As soon as they got into the living room, Lawrence set the chair down while the pair made a decision as to where to place the chair.
Ferb looked around, "Would you rather near the window, or somewhere else?"
Gretchen bit her lip, worried, "I hadn't thought of that, let's start near the window."
"It's okay, love," Ferb replied soothingly and Lawrence moved the chair accordingly.
"I'm not sure," Gretchen murmured.
"It's okay," Ferb replied.
"Hmm," Gretchen mused, sitting in the chair, near window, "This is nice."
"Are you able to stay for a coffee?" Ferb asked of his father.
"I can stay a few minutes," Lawrence replied.
"Can we move the chair beside the lamp?" Gretchen asked.
"Of course," Ferb replied, and went to move the couch.
"Don't hurt yourself," Lawrence warned.
"I won't," Ferb replied.
"Ferb," Lawrence said.
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
Gretchen came over to help.
"I've got this, just have a seat," Ferb said trying to wave her off.
"Ferb, I'm perfectly capable of helping to move a couch," Gretchen said, digging her heels in.
"Gretchen, I don't want you to get hurt," Ferb replied.
Lawrence saw a dangerous glint in his daughter-in-law eyes that he had learned well when his first wife was expecting Ferb, so he called out a warning, "Back down, Ferb."
"What? She's going to get hurt," Ferb said, giving his father a disbelieving look.
"Ferb you really don't want to push it," Lawrence said with a shake of his head.
Gretchen pushed couch out of the way and moved the chair beside the lamp.
"How's that love?" Ferb asked.
"Hmm," Gretchen muttered while she thought for a moment, "I don't know."
"There's something to be said for the natural light," Lawrence suggested.
"True. Maybe I'll put the chair back near the window," Gretchen said with a nod.
"However with a little repositioning, the chair could be near the lamp, the couch could be here and the coffee table could go here," Lawrence offered an idea.
Gretchen thought aloud, "That might work. That would bring more light into the area from the window."
After the furniture got re-arranged, Lawrence offered, "Now if you need any help moving it later on, I'll be glad to help."
Ferb gave a slight nod.
"Would you like a coffee or tea?" Gretchen offered Lawrence.
"A tea would be lovely," he replied.
"The kettle's almost ready," Ferb said, then to his wife, "Would you like a small cup love?"
"I'd love some, not too strong," Gretchen reminded him.
Ferb nodded in reply.
"Limited on your caffeine intake?" Lawrence asked.
"Yes," Gretchen sighed.
"I'm sorry love," Lawrence said sympathically.
Gretchen gave a shrug, and placed a hand on her abdomen, "It's a small sacrifice."
Ferb brought in a cup that resembled hot water, and handed it to Gretchen.
Gretchen gave another sigh, "First chance I get I'm going to have a double espresso and a tea so strong you could stand a spoon in it."
Ferb's eyebrows shot up.
"That's going to be interesting," Lawrence remarked taking a sip out of the cup Ferb just handed him.
"I see Ferb hasn't told you about the cereal bowl and salad plate incident," Gretchen said then turned to Ferb, "For which I'm sorry."
"It's all right love," Ferb replied.
Lawrence looked at Ferb.
"I was putting away some dishes when the phone rang," Ferb explained.
Lawrence said understandingly, "I see. Then you moved onto the next task."
Ferb nodded.
Gretchen gave a sheepish smile before taking a sip of the tea.
Ferb flashed her a reassuring smile.
"Things will be easier once the little one gets here," Lawrence remarked.
"I hope so. I'm starting to worry that I'm not going to make a very good mother," Gretchen replied worriedly.
"You can always give Linda or Candace a call. I'm sure your mother will be more than happy to lend a hand as well," Lawrence replied.
Gretchen nodded, "Thank you."
"Just a word of advice from a father, everyone's going to want to tell you what you should and shouldn't do. Don't listen to them. Take their advice under consideration and do what you feel is right," Lawrence advised.
"That is excellent advice,"" Ferb remarked.
Gretchen nodded in agreement.
"I just hope that I can be as good a father to my son as you were to me," Ferb said.
"You'll do fine Ferb. Just ease up a bit, you're tense," Lawrence replied.
"Well, we've got one person on our side," Gretchen commented.
Ferb nodded.
"I must be off, thank you for the tea and I'm glad you like the chair," Lawrence said, noting the time.
"Thank you for dropping it off," Gretchen said.
"Thank you father," Ferb added.
After Lawrence left Gretchen sat in the rocking chair, "I don't think I want to move."
Ferb came up beside her, "My mother used to sit in her rocking chair and read to me."
Gretchen smiled, "That's what Lawrence was doing. Trying to bring back some good memories for you."
Ferb smiled slightly.
Gretchen tilted her head, "What are you thinking?"
"I talked to Maggie yesterday," Ferb said, speaking of his biological mother whom still lived in England.
"How is she?" Gretchen asked.
"She's well. I told her about the baby," Ferb replied.
"You did?" Gretchen inquired, slightly surprised.
"She wants to bring my old blue and green blanket," Ferb replied.
Gretchen teared up.
"Is that okay with you?" Ferb asked gently.
Gretchen wiped her eyes and nodded.
"She won't be able to come any time soon, although," Ferb said then adding, "The whole renewal of the passport thing."
"That's understandable," Gretchen replied.
Ferb still sensed she was on the verge of tears so he hugged her tight, "Shh."
"I think this baby's going to be the most loved baby in all of Danville," Gretchen murmured.
Ferb kissed her forehead, "So it would seem."
Gretchen stood up and pushed Ferb into the rocking chair before sitting in his lap.
Ferb got the hint, "So you just want me to hold you?"
Gretchen nodded, "Just for a little while."
Ferb rubbed her abdomen, and felt baby kicking, "Gretchen?"
Gretchen snuggled into him, "Hmm?"
"How do you do this?" Ferb asked.
"Do what?"
"The whole pregnancy thing. I know you're not comfortable."
Gretchen shifted slightly, "Well..."
"Gretchen.."
"Sometimes it's not comfortable, but other times when, he's not moving around too much, it's
fine. He's sitting quite a bit of ways back."
"I would have thought you would be showing more by now."
"Same, but the doctor says that everything is fine."
"That's good."
"Ferb?"
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"Do you think we'll be good parents?"
"Everyone seems to think so, and there was that girl we fostered a year ago."
"What do you think?"
"I don't know. I'll tell you that although I'm looking forward to meeting him, I'm scared I'm
going to do something that will hurt him."
"That's a normal fear for first time parents."
"To the point it keeps me up at night?"
"You didn't mention that."
"Your mother showed me some of your baby pictures."
Gretchen closed her eyes and groaned.
"More particularly the ones after you just born.." Ferb continued.
"The ones taken at the hospital?" Gretchen asked.
Ferb nodded, "You were a small one, even then."
"Yeah, I was only five pound five ounces," Gretchen admitted.
"Alexander's going to be, what? Seven pounds? Maybe more?"
"I don't know," Gretchen replied.
"I know you've said you don't want surgical intervention, if you don't need it."
"That's true. Ferb, I'll be fine. As long as you're with me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, dear."
Ferb felt the baby kick again, "I think we might have a football player when he's older."
Gretchen smiled slightly, "Maybe."
"I'm glad you're letting me hold you again," Ferb said.
"You're one of the privileged few who are allowed to touch me," Gretchen replied.
"Would you like me to hold you for a while longer or would you like a massage?" Ferb offered.
Gretchen leaned back into him, "This is nice for now."
"Why do I get the feeling that this moment is going to get interrupted?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen laughed lightly, "Because the only moments we get alone is when we go away without telling anyone, or just before we go to bed, or when I get home from the night shift."
Right on cue, the phone began to ring. Ferb rolled his eyes and Gretchen began to get up. Ferb pulled her back into his lap.
"Let the voicemail get it," Ferb said, a bit displeased that the moment had been interrupted.
"What if it's something-"Gretchen tried to protest.
"If it's important, they'll leave a message," Ferb pointed out.
"I suppose they will," Gretchen mused.
Ferb whispered in her ear, "They will, they always do."
Gretchen groaned, "I need to sit up a moment."
Ferb helped her up, "Would you prefer to sit?"
"I think I need to lay down," she admitted.
Ferb helped her to the bedroom.
Gretchen laid down on the bed and closed her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Ferb asked, genuinely concerned.
"Yes."
"Is the baby moving?"
"Yes," Gretchen replied rubbing her abdomen.
Ferb sat on bed and pulled her legs over, massaging her legs and feet, "How's that?"
"I love your hands Ferb, they're so strong yet gentle," Gretchen whispered softly.
Ferb smiled at her.
"If I fall asleep on you-" Gretchen started to warn.
"It's all right, love," Ferb gently cut her off.
"Say have you heard from Baljeet recently?"
"Not really. We were supposed to meet up for coffee last week, but Ginger wasn't feeling well."
Gretchen nodded, then added, something recently confirmed by the Asian woman, "She's having a rough time with her pregnancy."
"You had a rough start," Ferb pointed out.
"Once a few things were figured out I was fine, and it's been smooth sailing," Gretchen replied.
Ferb nodded, "You didn't tell anyone about you being-"
Gretchen shook her head, "Like you said, no one needs to know."
Ferb nodded, there was no need to alarm anyone about Gretchen's anemia.
"Unless I pass out in front of everyone, we shouldn't have a problem."
"We're doing everything we can to avoid that aren't we?"
"Yes, we are. I've not felt dizzy in a while now."
"I'm glad," Ferb said as he rubbed her foot and she flinched, "What was that?"
"Just a tender spot."
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"It's only a tender spot honey," Gretchen assured him.
Ferb nodded and continued rubbing her foot.
"Can you lay down beside me?" Gretchen asked.
Ferb placed her legs on the bed and laid down beside her, put an arm around her.
"This is perfect," Gretchen sighed, content.
Ferb gave her a passionate kiss.
Gretchen snuggled into him and warned, "Watch yourself Ferb."
Ferb smirked, "Why?"
"Because..."
"Because why?"
"I might just have to kiss you back," Gretchen replied.