Gretchen gave a nod, and followed the nurse into room.
"I need you to get up on the table," The nurse said, and Candace saw her name was Marisa.
Gretchen whimpered, "I know."
Candace held Gretchen's hand during exam. Gretchen was mumbling quiet and rapid German to herself, Candace caught a few words.
"Let's see..." Marisa said as placed the device against Gretchen's abdomen.
Candace was staring at the nurse while Gretchen lay on the table, her eyes closed tight but a tear escaped. Candace gave Gretchen's hand a gentle squeeze.
Marisa performed the ultrasound, and peered at the screen, "Hmm."
"What! What is it?" Candace nearly snapped.
"Just a moment, let's see. Hmm," Marisa said gently, moving the wand.
"You're driving me crazy! Is the baby okay?" Candace asked as Gretchen started to cry.
"There he is. He's moved quite a bit," Marisa said finally.
Gretchen's tears weren't stopping, "Is he okay?"
Candace looked at Gretchen, surprised that she wasn't bothering to hide the gender of the baby at this point.
"He seems to be fine, he's not a happy camper though," Marisa said taking another look at the monitor.
"What's wrong?" Gretchen inquired.
"He seems to be feeding off your anxiety," Marisa replied.
"What does that mean?" Candace asked.
"Are you feeling anxious?" Marisa asked Gretchen calmly as she removed the wand off Gretchen's abdomen.
"Of course she is, she was assaulted earlier today and she's worried about her baby," Candace said.
"Thank you Gretchen," Marisa said to Candace with some note of sarcasm, she turned to Gretchen, "You may get up now."
Gretchen sat up, "So he's fine?"
"Yes, but again, he's feeding off your anxiety, so it's probably why he's moving more than normal," Marisa replied.
Gretchen gave a slight nod.
Manson is going to want to talk to you after we're done here," Marisa stated.
Gretchen sobbed as she got off the table and pulled her top down.
Candace hugged her tight, "That's some good news."
Gretchen held onto her, sobbing, but she nodded. Candace walked Gretchen out to the hallway where Shane was waiting with the wheelchair. Candace directed her over.
Shane saw Gretchen's expression, and helped her into the chair, "Oh, no. I'm so sorry cherie. Everything will be okay, we'll get through this."
"The nurse told her that-" Candace started.
Gretchen sniffed, "He's feeding off my anxiety."
Shane tilted his head, "What's causing your anxiety?"
Gretchen replied hollowly, "Jason."
A flicker of irritation crossed Shane's face, "He's behind all this?"
"He assaulted her earlier today," Candace said.
A scowl darkened Shane's usually bright features, "Should've stitched his lips shut and his hand to his-"
"Shane!" Gretchen exclaimed.
"That was unprofessional of me, sorry. Though as a friend, I can tell you that he needs to be put in his place," Shane amended.
"The other nurse was saying that Dr. Manson will want to talk with her," Candace said, indicating Gretchen.
"I don't want to stay over. I want to go home," Gretchen said sobbing, realizing there was a likelihood of it occurring.
"We'll see what the doctor has to say, Shane said as he took her back to Dr. Manson.
"Ah, here's my patient. I've been looking at your ultrasound," Dr. Manson said as he turned computer screen around to show her, "As you can see everything seems in order. I just want to do a non-evasive examination, if you don't mind."
"I need to know for sure that my baby's okay," Gretchen said.
"I'll be able to tell you for sure after the exam," Dr. Manson replied.
Gretchen nodded slowly.
"You can have your...sister-in-law, I presume, with you," Dr. Manson said with a nod at Candace.
"Please," Gretchen said.
"I'll wait outside, sir," Shane remarked and exited the room.
"Just lie down on the exam table," Dr. Manson instructed.
Gretchen got on the table, with a little help, sobbing and hyperventilating.
"Just relax. Have you been taking your vitamins?" Dr. Manson said as he placed his gloved hands on her abdomen and began to feel for the baby.
"Yes," Gretchen replied.
"Good," Dr. Manson said with a nod, "There he is. Just take a deep breath and hold it for three seconds then slowly breathe out."
Gretchen did as instructed.
"Have you passed out recently?" the middle aged doctor inquired.
"Excuse me?" Candace spluttered.
"No," Gretchen answered her doctor slash co-worker slash friend's question.
Dr. Manson looked at Candace then at Gretchen, "I see you kept that on a need to know bases."
Gretchen nodded.
"What about light-headedness?" Dr. Manson inquired.
"About a week ago, but I had forgotten to take the morning dose," Gretchen admitted.
"What's this about her passing out?" Candace asked.
"I'm just going to take a listen to him," Dr. Manson said as he pulled out his stethoscope.
"Don't worry about it Candace. It's under control," Gretchen said after the doctor took a listen and had put his stethoscope around his neck.
Dr. Manson pressed on her abdomen, "Does this hurt?"
Gretchen winced slightly, "It's uncomfortable."
Dr. Manson made a note of it, "What symptoms were you having earlier?"
"I was feeling a pressure I'd never felt before and I also noticed him moving more than usual," Gretchen replied.
"You've probably got some mild bruising, but I think he's going to be okay. I want you to call me if you experience any sharp abdominal or pelvic pains," Dr. Manson advised.
Gretchen nodded, "Okay."
"All right, is there anything else that I should know?" Dr. Manson inquired, stripping off his gloves.
Gretchen shook her head, "I don't think so."
"Any questions?" Dr. Eric Manson asked, his honey colored eyes revealing his concern.
"We're getting a lawyer involved; can I have something in writing indicating your findings?" Gretchen inquired, as she slid off the exam table.
"I could quickly put together a quick note for you," he replied with a nod, personally relieved to know that the incident wasn't going to go unpunished.
"Do I have to stay overnight?" Gretchen's quiet question caused the doctor to look at her.
"You don't have to, do you want to?" he returned.
Gretchen shook her head vigorously.
"I kinda figured you wouldn't since you tried going AWOL on Shane a few months ago," Dr. Manson noted.
"I had to see my husband," Gretchen said dryly.
Dr. Manson gave a light chuckle at her tone, "I'll put together a report for your file as well."
Gretchen sat in the chair next to Candace and tried to get her breathing under control.
"You've passed out?" Candace asked.
"It's nothing Candace," Gretchen said.
"No, it's not 'nothing'. What happened?" Candace pressed.
Gretchen, anguished, closed her eyes, "I've got anemia, it's no big deal. I take vitamins and some extra iron every day."
"Gretchen?" Candace spoke her name softly.
Gretchen opened her eyes and looked at her.
"You and Ferb are keeping tight lipped about the baby. Everyone keeps referring to 'him'. You're having a son, aren't you?" Candace inquired gently.
Gretchen gave a slow nod.
Candace tilted her head, "That's wonderful."
"You have to promise not to tell," Gretchen said, her eyes pleading with the older woman.
"Obviously Ferb knows...So does anyone else know?" Candace asked.
"Lawrence does. It was when he brought over the rocking chair," Gretchen admitted.
Candace gave a light laugh, "What is it with Fletcher men? They seem to excel at keeping secrets. Though there were times Dad would let something slip."
"He's been great. You all have been so understanding," Gretchen said then started sobbing again.
"We're family. I know Ferb's about as stubborn as they come, but if you need anything. A suggestion, advice or even just an ear to bend for a while... call me," Candace said as she helped Gretchen to her feet, "Now let's get you home," she opened office door after the doctor handed Gretchen a sheet of paper, and saw Shane waiting patiently.
"You ready to go home to that darling husband of yours Starshine?" Shane asked.
"Yes," Gretchen replied.
"He must be pretty upset," Shane noted.
"He sent me with her," Candace explained.
Gretchen nodded, "He's pretty worked up."
"I have a day off in a couple of days, if you want, I could stop by with Percy," Shane offered.
"Percy's back?" Gretchen inquired, surprised.
Shane smiled broadly and his eyes lit up, "Yerp. He got back last week."
"I think I've got a Pino Grigio in the cabinet I could pull out," Gretchen said.
"Don't be ridiculous, you can't drink," Shane replied.
Gretchen gave him a slight smile, "Percy always enjoyed a glass."
"I'm going to call Ferb, let him know that everything's okay," Candace said pulling out her phone.
Gretchen gave her a nod.
"Is Ferb going to be home?" Shane inquired.
"Considering what happened today, he's probably going to call in," Gretchen replied.
"Phineas? What are doing answering Ferb's phone?" Candace said into her phone.
Gretchen gave her a worried glance.
Candace held up a finger, "I see, nothing happened?" she nodded, "Good. That's a relief," she paused, "We'll be back soon. Will you still be there?" another pause, "We'll see you soon. Bye," She said and hung up.
"What is it?" Gretchen asked worriedly.
"Phineas came over at Buford's request. Ferb's indisposed at the moment, that's why he couldn't come to the phone," Candace explained.
"All right Starshine, let's get you signed out and back to that loving husband of yours. Hopefully the next time you have to stay is when that little one wants out," Shane said.
Gretchen reddened noticeably, "Thanks Shane."
Candace stifled a laugh.
"If he wants out early, I expect a call from you. Any time, day or night. Percy would understand," Shane continued.
"Thank you Shane," Gretchen replied.
"Let's get you home, it's late and I'm sure the next thing you'll be told is that you need to rest," Candace said, after glancing at the time on her phone, almost eleven PM.
Shane nodded, "That's right."
The car ride home was uneventful.
Ferb heard Candace's SUV pull up to the house and he rose from Gretchen's overstuffed chair. He strode over to the window and looked out.
"Ferb maybe you should-" Phineas started.
Ferb's hard look silenced him.
"Hey Gretchen I think someone is anxious to see you," Candace said noting the flash of green hair.
Gretchen looked at Ferb standing in front window, and started sobbing, "He still looks angry."
Candace got out of car then helped Gretchen, "Can you walk?"
Gretchen shook her head. Candace slipped an arm around her sister-in-laws waist. She half carried Gretchen towards the house. The front door opened as Candace got to the front steps. Candace helped Gretchen inside, Ferb was waiting and Candace could see how angry he still was.
"Ferb, you need to calm down," Candace advised.
Ferb glared at Candace, then softly looked at Gretchen as he held out a hand to her.
Gretchen took the offered hand and let Ferb embrace her as she cried.
Ferb whispered in her ear, "What happened?"
"Tell her you love her. Kiss her. Support her," Candace told him.
Ferb shot another look at Candace, then spoke softly in German to Gretchen, "What happened?"
Gretchen replied in German, "He's fine. I'm just a little bruised."
Ferb let out a low growl, and continued in German, "He's a dead man."
"Ferb, please calm down, you're going to cause another one," Gretchen pleaded, still clinging on to him as if her life depended on it.
Ferb kissed her forehead, "I want him punished. I'm angry because he's hurt you. You have no idea how much I love you."
"Probably as much as I love you," Gretchen replied softly.
Buford was looking around, pretending not to hear this exchange.
Phineas came over, his bright red hair standing on end, "Gretchen, are you sure you're okay? Shouldn't you be spending the night in hospital?"
"Everything will be fine, Phineas," Candace said.
Phineas looked at his sister, "You weren't here for the past three hours. You don't know the torment Ferb's been through!"
"I was with Gretchen in hospital. You have no idea the torment she's been through. She's pregnant genius! She could have lost the baby due to this ordeal!" Candace snapped back.
"The peanut is okay though?" Buford inquired, worried.
Gretchen replied from Ferb's chest in English albeit muffled, "Yes, I'm still pregnant."
Ferb let out a sigh of relief.
"The movement was from the baby feeding off my anxiety," Gretchen said, lifting her head from Ferb's chest.
"Does Candace know?" Ferb inquired.
Gretchen nodded.
Ferb sighed, he decided there was no use in trying to hide the gender from those present, "If we tell you, you must promise not to tell anyone."
"Buford ain't saying anything about yer peanut," Buford said.
Candace and Ferb both looked at Phineas.
"Tell anyone what?" Phineas asked.
"The gender of the baby," Candace remarked.
"You guys know?" Phineas inquired incredulously.
Ferb hugged Gretchen tighter and nodded.
"Why are you not saying anything?" Phineas asked.
"Remember how Mum reacted when she found out?" Ferb countered.
"Yeah, she got all excited. Gretchen had to sit down," Phineas said.
"That's what we want to avoid until after the baby is born," Ferb said.
"Am I missing something? This is wonderful news! If you guys know you should tell us," Phineas remarked.
Ferb rested his head on top of Gretchen's and looked at Phineas, "Phineas, we wanted to keep things as calm as possible."
"Look where that got you," Phineas remarked.
Ferb looked into Gretchen's eyes, "Would you like to sit down, love?"
Gretchen gave a nod in reply.
Ferb guided her over to the rocking chair. When she looked up at him, he sat and pulled her into his lap. Gretchen rested her head against his shoulder.
"So what are you guys going to have?" Phineas asked.
Gretchen's reply was quiet, but everyone heard it, "We're going to have a son."
Buford exclaimed in excitement.
An ear-to-ear grin spread across Phineas' face, "That's great!"
Ferb became ram-rod serious, "You can't tell anyone."
"Do you have everything planned out for-" Phineas began to ask.
"We painted last week," Ferb interrupted.
Buford laughed, "Beanpole is having a son before you Dinnerbell."
Phineas went wide eyed, "Sienna's father would murder me if I got her pregnant again before we got married."
"Still not on good terms with him even after he gave his blessing a few years ago?" Gretchen inquired softly.
"I have to make sure the wedding is absolutely perfect," Phineas replied.
"I'm helping her out, it will be perfect," Candace informed him.
"You don't understand. It has to be traditional," Phineas said.
Gretchen commented behind her hand, "A little late for that."
"What do you mean?" Phineas inquired.
Ferb rested a hand on Gretchen's abdomen, but neither replied.
"Yer girl has a dress picked out," Buford said.
"Buford you have the pictures on your phone correct?" Candace asked.
"Yeah, just lemme pull it up," Buford replied as he pulled out his phone.
"Just a moment? Am I allowed to see the dress? I thought I wasn't," Phineas said.
"There's a lot of things you weren't suppos't ta see b'fore the weddin'," Buford said.
Candace shook her head, "Don't worry about it Phineas," she indicated Ferb and Gretchen, "They're the most 'traditional' couple here."
"Only because I'd otherwise be a dead man," Ferb stated.
"Dad wouldn't have killed you," Gretchen assured her husband.
"He seemed pretty angry when he thought I got you pregnant at fifteen," Ferb replied.
"And then you pulled that very-" Gretchen started.
"It all worked out in the end," Ferb interrupted her gently.
"So are you saying the first time you two-" Phineas began incredulously.
Gretchen turned a bright red and Ferb rubbed the back of his neck.
"No. Two months before the wedding," Ferb cut Phineas off.
"You know that everyone thought you two were... you know... for years," Phineas said.
"Under other circumstances, that might have been the case," Ferb remarked.
Candace became confused at that statement.
"What 'other circumstances'?" Phineas voiced.
Gretchen looked up at her husband.
"It's not exactly dinner conversation," Ferb said.
"What are you talking about?" Phineas asked.
Ferb sighed, "You know how I had nerve damage after I got assaulted?"
"Yeah," Phineas answered.
"Well it prevented me from doing certain things because I had no feeling in my extremities," Ferb explained in the simplest terms he could think of.
Phineas and Buford had sympathy pains for the tall green haired man.
"You never said anything," Phineas said.
"It was none of your business," Ferb replied.
"Did you ever tell Gretchen?" Phineas asked.
"Of course," Ferb answered.
"You must have gotten better," Phineas said.
Ferb rolled his eyes and rubbed Gretchen's abdomen gently, where his unborn son kicked his hand, "Obviously."
Phineas reddened upon realizing the stupidity of the question, "Right..."
"You tellin' us that you were sixteen years old and couldn't..." Buford trailed off.
Ferb nodded, "Precisely."
"That's gotta be someone's idea of a sick joke," Buford said.
Ferb shrugged.
"It was frustrating, let me tell you," Gretchen spoke up.
"How so?" Candace asked.
Ferb smirked.
"You were a teenager once Candace. Surely there were things you wanted to- " Gretchen replied.
Candace cut her off by raising her hands, "I got it."
"At least ya knew ya loved him," Buford remarked.
Gretchen snuggled into Ferb, and he wrapped his arms completely around her.
"How are you feeling now?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen replied with a soft, "Better."
Candace glanced at her watch, it was nearing midnight, "I'd really love to stay longer, but I must be going."
"That's all right Candace," Ferb replied.
"I'll see you later," Candace said then went out to her car and pulled away.
"You seem to be a lot calmer now Ferb," Phineas noted.
"I've got my Gretchen back and she's still expecting," Ferb said then kissed her cheek and rested a hand on her abdomen.
"I want you to keep that peanut safe," Buford said.
"Exactly, that's my nephew. I want to meet him in a couple of months, I'll teach him how to draw up a blueprint," Phineas added.
"I'll teach him how to stand up for himself. He's not allowed to be anyone's nerd," Buford stated.
"What are you going to teach our son Ferb?" Gretchen asked.
"How to be a man," Ferb replied.
"If he turns out anything like you, he'll be a great man," Gretchen said softly.
"He'll definitely know how to treat a girl right," Phineas said.
"He'll probably be a genius given yours and Short Stuff's brains," Buford noted.
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
"But he's not allowed to be a nerd!" Buford remarked.
Phineas laughed, "If he's anything like Ferb, that won't be an issue."
"You're lookin' tired Short Stuff," Buford said as he caught Gretchen nearly nodding off.
"I've had a busy day," Gretchen replied tiredly.
"Maybe you should get some sleep love," Ferb suggested.
Gretchen gave a nod.
"Do you want me to-" Ferb began.
"I should be fine.," Gretchen cut him off.
"I gotta head home anyhow. Take care you guys. I'll call ya this weekend Ferb," Buford said.
Ferb nodded.
"I should be heading home as well. Sienna will be getting worried," Phineas said.
Gretchen folded herself out of Ferb's lap, and hugged Buford, "Thank you."
Buford hugged her back, "Take care o' that peanut... yer son."
Gretchen smiled at Buford, then hugged Phineas, "Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'm really looking forward to meeting him," Phineas replied as he hugged her back.
"You're not the only one Phineas," Ferb remarked, as he rose from the chair.
Gretchen gave Ferb a loving smile.
"I'll walk you two to the door...I need to set the alarm after you leave," Ferb said.
"Taking extra security precautions...Good on ya...I'll talk to Irving tomorrow," Buford said as he and Phineas stood on the threshold.
"Goodnight Buford, and thanks," Ferb said.
"You take care of that little wife of yours. I don't like seein' her hurt," Buford said.
Ferb nodded and smiled at the husky man's concern, "Neither do I."
Buford got on his motorcycle and the roar of the engine was heard echoing off the houses as he went down the road.
"I'll get some ideas down tonight and send them to you as well," Phineas said, once the sound had faded.
"Thanks Phin," Ferb replied.
"See you later," Phineas said, then got into his orange Malibu.
Ferb locked the door and set the alarm, "Ready for bed?"
Gretchen nodded.
"You're getting ready for a burn out again," Ferb noted.
"Maybe," Gretchen admitted.
Ferb wrapped an arm around her and helped her up the stairs, "While you have a nice hot shower, I'll toss your favorite jammies in the dryer to warm up."
Gretchen's breath caught in her throat.
"What's wrong?" Ferb asked.
"That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me today," Gretchen said.
"You just get nice and relaxed," Ferb said softly.
Gretchen muttered something in German, which Ferb didn't quite catch.
While Gretchen was showering, Ferb double checked all entry points into the house as well as the windows to make sure they were locked down. The dryer buzzed and Ferb retrieved Gretchen's favorite set of flannel pajamas. He noted that it was a set she had since before they were married, and the shirt was a size larger than the pants. He recalled her mentioning that it had been a factory error but she didn't mind it. When Ferb got to the master bathroom, he found that Gretchen had just finished her shower and was toweling off. He offered the warm pajamas to her which she put on after pulling on a particular undergarment.
Once they were in bed, Ferb pulled Gretchen close to him, and inhaled the scent of her: Vanilla and Apple Spice, "That comfy?"
"Yes," Gretchen replied, as she snuggled in closer to him, enjoying his scent.
Ferb wrapped an arm around her, then looked at and saw she had fallen asleep, "Good night Love."