Once outside Candace gently called, "Gretchen?"
Gretchen swiveled her head to look at her sister-in-law, "Yes?"
"Why didn't you mention your run-in with Jason?" Candace inquired.
"It wasn't important," Gretchen replied.
"Gretchen, he could have harmed your baby," Candace pointed out.
"I'm fine Candace," Gretchen replied.
Candace looked at the younger woman, "No you're not."
"What do you know?" Gretchen shot back, looking away.
"I know you," Candace replied.
"What do you mean by that?" Gretchen whirled around to face the taller woman.
"When something's bothering you, you retreat in to yourself, and don't talk," Candace said.
Gretchen started quietly sobbing, "Jason..."
Candace hugged her tight, "I know. Calm down. Can you tell me?"
Gretchen gave a slight nod and said between sobs, "He, he was looking at me….I believe he's been stalking me."
"Buford said he came to your rescue," Candace noted.
Gretchen gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
"What makes you think he's been stalking you?" Candace asked.
"Have you ever got the feeling someone was watching you?" Gretchen returned.
"Sometimes?" Candace replied somewhat disarmed and confused.
"I've had that feeling for a couple of months, every time I would get in my car to go to work, or the store, or just to meet up with someone," Gretchen admitted.
"Have you told Ferb?" Candace asked seriously.
"I've mentioned that I sometimes feel nervous when I'm by myself in a parkade or large parking lot," Gretchen answered.
"Did you tell him why?" Candace inquired.
"I didn't want to worry him," Gretchen replied.
"Oh, for the love of... Gretchen, tell him. He'll get you a panic button or a teleporter app. Did you forget who you married?" Candace exclaimed.
"I'm well aware of who I married. And it's a bad idea for the teleporter app, at least right now," Gretchen retorted.
"Stalking is a serious offense," Candace said.
"I know," Gretchen replied.
"You haven't mentioned this to anyone else have you?" Candace asked.
Gretchen shook her head.
Candace hugged Gretchen tight, "Look honey, you've got to take your safety seriously. Ferb's going to have kittens when he finds out about this."
"Buford all ready called him," Gretchen replied as Candace released her.
"Once we're finished here, I'll walk you to your car and follow you home. I want to hear you talk to Ferb about this," Candace said.
Gretchen resigned herself to the fact that Candace would not relax until she heard the conversation, "All right."
"So are you carrying my second niece, or my first nephew?" Candace tried to get the secret which Gretchen and Ferb had been keeping for the a while.
Gretchen smiled slightly at Candace's attempt, "Nice try, but, you'll find out when the baby is born."
"Whichever is fine as long as you're happy with it," Candace said, relieved that Gretchen was able to catch her attempt to find out the gender of the baby.
Candace walked back into coffee shop with Gretchen.
"Hey Short Stuff, I got you a square," Buford said setting one down in front of her seat.
Gretchen hugged him, "Thank you."
Buford hugged her back quickly, "Buford don't do mushy. C'mon eat yer square and let's look at cake."
Gretchen rolled her eyes, "Of course you don't do mushy," then she smirked, "Unless you had a girlfriend."
"Yeah right," Buford scoffed.
After a little bit of conversation the foursome headed out to the cake shop. Sienna looked around as they entered. Candace and Gretchen exchanged looks while Buford caught sight of the cupcakes that were on display.
"Hmm..." Sienna hummed.
"What is it?" Candace asked.
"I wonder what everyone would like," Sienna remarked.
"It doesn't matter what everyone else would like, what do you like?" Candace replied.
"I have no idea. What type of cake did you have Gretchen?" Sienna said turning to the shorter woman.
Gretchen blinked, "We had two cakes, we had a two tiered lemon and vanilla. Then we also had four dozen chocolate cupcakes done up."
"I don't remember the cupcakes," Sienna said with a frown.
"You had to be 'one of the guys' to get one," Buford piped up.
Candace rolled her eyes.
"Uh..." Sienna blinked.
"Didn't you have quite a few of those Buford?" Gretchen asked, recalling the former bully having chocolate all over his face for the majority of the reception.
"Yep. Took some home with me," Buford declared proudly.
Gretchen put her hands on her hips, and pursed her lips.
"You look so cute when you're angry," Buford said.
"Buford I wouldn't patronize her," Candace warned.
"But she is cute when she's angry," Buford protested.
Gretchen reached up and used the Vulcan nerve pinch on Buford, and he dropped like a sack of potatoes.
"You learned that from Ferb didn't you?" Candace inquired.
Gretchen nodded.
"He's three times your size...and that simple thing took him down?" Sienna asked in awe.
"It's not that simple. I asked Ferb to teach me, I didn't understand what he was talking about," Candace said.
"It's not that difficult, just pinch these nerves here," Gretchen said and demonstrated on the unconscious Buford, "and you can drop anyone like a sack of potatoes."
"I'll have to ask Phineas about that," Sienna said.
"So, cake. What are your thoughts? How many tiers do you want?" Candace redirected the conversation.
"Well there's undoubtedly going to be more people for Phineas than me. So maybe a three tier cake," Sienna mused.
Candace nodded, "All right."
"It has to be buttercream frosting though," Sienna said.
"What type of cake?" Candace asked.
"Well lemon is pretty good. I'm drawing a blank on Phineas's favorite cake for some reason," Sienna replied.
"Black Forrest," Gretchen and Candace said at the same time.
Sienna looked at them, "That's scary."
"If it's any consolation Ferb's favorite is vanilla," Candace said.
"Personally, I like dark chocolate," Gretchen added.
"Then why was your wedding cake lemon?" Sienna asked.
Gretchen smirked, "Chocolate is predictable."
"That's a sound argument," Sienna noted.
Gretchen smiled slightly.
"So which types do you want?" Candace asked the Dutch woman.
"Hmmm..." Sienna hummed thoughtfully.
"Why not ask what they recommend?" Gretchen suggested.
"Okay," Sienna said.
Candace went up to the counter where a clerk was waiting patiently, "Excuse me, we're planning a wedding and need to talk cake."
"Let me get the baker, just a moment," the clerk replied.
"Okay, so do you two have a date in mind?" Candace asked Sienna.
"Not really," Sienna admitted.
Gretchen felt the baby move and rubbed her abdomen gently.
The baker came to the front, "I was told that someone's planning a wedding."
"I am," Sienna said.
"What is the date?" the baker inquired, pulling out a binder.
"We're thinking late September or early November. We don't have a fixed date yet," Sienna said.
"That's still a couple of months away, good," the baker said and marked something in his binder.
"She doesn't know where to start, can you show her some pictures?" Candace suggested.
The baker looked up and noticed Gretchen, "I remember you, lemon & vanilla with cupcakes."
"After five years you remember that order?" Gretchen asked.
"Not every day I get a fairly quiet couple with a green-haired groom, and his bride ordering something," the baker replied.
"May I see some pictures please?" Sienna asked.
"Sure," the baker said.
The baker pulled out a catalogue of cakes. Candace and Sienna looked through at the various cakes. Meanwhile the baker turned his attention to Gretchen.
"Have you any children?" he asked.
"No, not yet," Gretchen replied.
"When you do, please come back for your baby shower cake," the baker politely suggested.
Gretchen smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."
Candace glanced over, "I heard that."
Gretchen raised an eyebrow at her.
"Just saying," Candace replied.
"Oooh, this one is lovely," Sienna said as she found a cake design.
The baker looked at the picture, "That arrangement is a very nice one."
"Let me see," Candace said and turned a couple of pages, "oh, look at this."
"That's gorgeous," Sienna said.
"It's very popular. How many guests do you have?" the baker said.
"I don't know," Sienna admitted.
"Maybe over guess rather than under guess would be good," Gretchen suggested.
Candace nodded, "That is true."
"We could do a cake set for say two fifty?" the baker suggested.
"Could we call you if there's going to be more?" Candace asked.
"Of course. We could always add another tier or a tray of cupcakes if there will be children present," the baker said.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Thank you," Sienna said.
"Do you need any cookies to go with that?" the baker asked.
"What for?" Sienna returned.
"Favors, place cards, decorations or all of the above," the baker listed off.
"Can we get back to you on that?" Sienna asked.
"Of course," the baker said.
"Thank you," Candace said.
"Not a problem at all," the baker returned with a smile.
"Have you got a business card?" Sienna asked.
"Of course," the baker said, pulling one out.
Gretchen went up to the counter, "I'd like half a dozen vanilla cupcakes please."
"Of course, just a moment," the clerk replied, then boxed up the cupcakes.
"What's that for?" Candace asked.
"Ferb," Gretchen replied, smiling slightly as she paid for her purchase.
Buford groaned as he sat up, "Dirty ploy Short Stuff."
"You shouldn't irritate people," Gretchen replied.
"You need to have cupcakes at your wedding. Buford likes cupcakes," Buford remarked to Sienna.
"Would you like to sample a cupcake?" the baker offered.
"Oh, yes," Buford agreed enthuastically.
"You've got a lovely bride," the baker said.
Candace burst out laughing.
Gretchen gave a light chuckle.
"Am I missing something?" the baker asked, confused.
"Buford's a family friend," Candace explained.
"Then who are you marrying?" the baker asked.
"Remember the red head?" Gretchen provided.
"He was insistent on an ice sculpture," the baker remembered.
"That's who she's marrying," Candace said.
"Ah," the baker returned.
Gretchen's phone rang, and she looked down at the call display.
"It's Ferb," she noted.
"Well, answer it," Candace said.
Gretchen gave a small smile and answered it, "Hello?" she paused, "Yes." A listening pause, "We're looking at wedding cakes," another pause, "Candace said she'll come over when we're finished," she paused to listen, "I love you, bye."
"That's cute," Sienna said after Gretchen disconnected the call.
Gretchen flushed a bright red.
"We all done here?" Candace asked.
"Yes," Sienna said and Gretchen nodded.
Candace turned to the baker, "Thank you, we'll be in touch soon."
"Thank you," the baker replied.
They left the bakery and started walking through the mall.
"I should sit down with Phineas and figure out a guest list I guess," Sienna said.
"If you can get that to me by next weekend, I'll help you look at some invitations. You don't have time to order custom invitations, we'll have to create our own," Candace replied.
"You could also ask Adyson and her Troop of Fireside Girls to help with the invites," Gretchen suggested.
"Adyson's overseeing a troop?" Candace asked, surprised.
Gretchen nodded then noted, "The guest list should be easy."
"I hope so," Sienna sighed.
"Well, there will be our family, your family. Phineas' friends, your friends. Do you have any out of town family we need to make arrangements for?" Candace rattled off.
Sienna was stunned, "You're acting exceptionally calm about this whole thing."
"Once you start to lose focus, it's hard to get it back," Candace pointed out.
Gretchen gave an agreeing nod, "She has a point."
"How do you-" Sienna began to ask.
Candace laughed, "I used to lose focus a lot."
Buford checked his watch, "I gotta head out," he handed Gretchen a paper, "This is my new number. You call me if you ever need anything," he then handed Sienna a paper, "That goes for you too. My best friends' girls are always gonna 'ave me lookin' out fer 'em."
"What about me?" Candace asked.
"What 'bout you? You don' need protectin'," Buford pointed out.
Candace rolled her eyes.
Buford handed her a paper, "Kiddin', jeesh. Can't a guy make a joke?"
Candace smirked at him, "All right 'Mr. Angry Wall of Meat.'"
Buford laughed and shook his head.
"Thank you Buford," Gretchen said.
"You should really label your contact list," Buford noted.
"I know what the numbers are for, so there's no need," Gretchen replied.
Buford nodded, "Makes sense."
"If you lose your phone, the first three numbers are the ones that people try calling first. Unless they're labeled," Gretchen pointed out.
"You've got privacy issues?" Buford asked.
"Privacy, security... whatever you want to call it. That's why the first number is the Chinese take out we use most often followed by the German consulate and then..." Gretchen started to snicker.
"What's so funny?" Buford asked.
"Look up the third number on-line," Gretchen replied and showed the number to him.
Buford searched telephone number on-line, and his eyes went wide, "I had no idea you and Ferb were into that."
"We're not, Ferb thought it would be funny," Gretchen replied.
"That is pure evil," Buford said.
Gretchen smirked, "I know which numbers are which."
"Yeah, your phone is confusing...are some of the settings in German?" Candace chimed in.
Gretchen nodded.
"I should be heading home, Phineas will be concerned," Sienna said.
"He's a big boy, you're out with the girls. Have fun," Buford cut in.
Sienna looked at him, "Huh?"
"I should be heading home anyhow, I've got to get dinner ready," Gretchen said.
"What's for dinner?" Buford asked.
Gretchen smirked again, "It's a secret Bufe."
"What kind of secret?" Buford inquired.
"Oh we might start eating then retreat to our bedroom for the rest," Gretchen said, getting a bit cheeky herself.
Buford went wide eyed, "Pass."
Candace snickered.
Sienna was shocked that the Germanic woman would say something like that.
"You don't play fair," Buford said.
"She doesn't have to, she's married," Candace said.
"Point," Buford said.
"I don't understand," Sienna blinked.
"We keep treats in our room," Gretchen said with a slight shrug.
"Oh, so that's what you call them?" Candace asked curiously.
"TMI ladies. Now I've got to talk to Ferb," Buford said.
"About what?" Gretchen asked.
"How you're such a little..." Buford trailed off looking for the right word.
"Little what?" Candace prompted.
"I didn't know she could be so mischievous...like a fox," Buford said.
Gretchen raised her eyebrow.
"Does Ferb know about that?" Buford asked.
Gretchen smirked and nodded, "More often than not it winds up-"
Buford covered his ears, "Buford don't wanna know what you do with Bean Pole, Short Stuff."
Candace came up behind Gretchen and placed her hands on Gretchen's abdomen, "I think it's obvious what they've been up to."
Gretchen flushed bright red and swatted at Candace's hands.
Candace hugged Gretchen from behind, "You're making my little brother a father. Thank you."
Gretchen turned crimson.
"You two deserve this," Candace continued.
Gretchen, not liking this excessive attention, muttered, "Candace..."
Candace dipped Gretchen back, "I'm going to be right beside you giving you words of encouragement."
Buford smacked his face, "Bad Buford. Don't think that way. Bad, bad Buford."
Candace set Gretchen upright.
Sienna asked Gretchen, "He's a friend of yours?"
"Since childhood," Gretchen confirmed.
"Really?" Sienna asked.
Gretchen nodded.
Candace smirked, "Dirty thoughts Van Stomm?"
"You could say that, or maybe they're my wildest dreams come true," Buford said with a wink.
"You're incorrigible, you know that," Gretchen remarked.
"And you love me anyway," Buford replied.
"Walk a lady to her car?" Gretchen asked.
"But of course," Buford answered.