The following day Gretchen went out shopping with Isabella. They were in the changing area of one of raven haired woman's favorite department stores.
"But these are in your size or I thought so," Isabella remarked, as Gretchen returned with the ill fitting clothes.
Gretchen sat on the bench, "Why don't you try on a few things and let's see what combos you come up with?"
"Is it 'that time of the month?'" Isabella asked from inside the stall.
"What?" Gretchen blurted before realizing what Isabella was asking, then shook her head, "Heavens no."
Isabella walked out wearing a purple blouse and white skirt; she struck a pose, "How's this look?"
"That's a good look for you. You could go from the office to a date with just a change of shoes," Gretchen remarked.
"You have to try something on! How about this?" Isabella said holding up a pair of jeans and a blouse.
Gretchen knew they were going to be too small, she shook her head, "No."
"I'm not letting you out of the store without trying something on," Isabella warned.
"Fine," Gretchen huffed, then looked through the store a moment, and came back with a powder blue dress.
"Oh, that's a nice color," Isabella said as Gretchen went into the changing room.
Gretchen started having a problem with the zipper, and called to Isabella from inside the change room, "Iz, I'm having some trouble with the zipper."
"Do you want some help?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen paused, then said hesitantly, "Um sure."
Isabella came into the room and pulled up on the zipper, "It won't go up any further, Are you sure this is your size?"
"I think I know my size," Gretchen replied.
"Well have you put on any weight?" Isabella asked.
"Not to my knowledge," Gretchen lied.
"Any other reason?" Isabella pressed.
"Nope," Gretchen said, another lie.
"Are you sure?" Isabella asked.
'Well there is one thing.' Gretchen thought treacherously, then said aloud, "Yes."
"They're making sizes smaller and smaller these days. For me, it's great. I used to be a size six, now I'm a size one," Isabella remarked.
"I'm pregnant," Gretchen muttered.
Isabella looked at Gretchen's reflection in mirror, and saw tears trailing down her cheeks, "Uh, Gretchen... I don't know how to say this, but it seems that you've put on some weight recently."
Gretchen couldn't stop the tears, she turned to face her friend; hands on bump, "Isabella, I'm pregnant. I'm carrying Ferb's child. I'm going to be a mother."
Isabella grinned broadly, "May I?" she asked looking at the bump, her fingers twitching.
Gretchen became self-conscious, "No. Please don't."
Isabella spun Gretchen around and unzipped the dress letting it fall, "How far along are you?"
Gretchen pulled her blouse over her head, "Eight months. We didn't want anyone to know."
"Then why'd you just-" Isabella began.
"We tell each other everything remember? I think you would notice when I have a baby in less than two months," Gretchen cut her off.
"Are you saying that I'm-" Isabella started.
"Trust me Iz, you're not the most observant person in the world," Gretchen said, cutting her off.
"Do you know what it is?" Isabella asked, referring to Gretchen's unborn child.
"It's a boy," Gretchen replied.
"Are you sure?' Isabella asked.
"Pretty sure," Gretchen replied, as the two left the changing room.
"Am I the first person you've told?" Isabella asked, with the items she wished to purchase draped over her arm.
"Well, I told Ferb months ago," Gretchen replied.
Isabella quickly rubbed Gretchen's belly, "Besides him. Have you told family yet?"
Gretchen swatted at the invading hand, "Not exactly..."
Isabella gave her a stern look; then hugged her, "I knew you considered me to be your sister!"
"Iz... Everyone just figured it out for themselves," Gretchen said gently.
"Even Phineas?" Isabella asked dumbstruck.
Gretchen nodded, "Even Phineas figured it out."
"But Phineas is oblivious," Isabella blurted , as she paid for her purchases.
"Not since Lillian was born," Gretchen pointed out as they stepped out of the store.
"I should have listened to you back then," Isabella muttered.
"What was that?" Gretchen asked.
Isabella sighed, "You're gonna make repeat it aren't you?"
Gretchen raised an eyebrow.
"I should have listened to you back then. There, now you can do an 'I told you so,'" Isabella said as they walked through the mall, towards the maternity store.
"Not interested in doing that to you. How's it going with Dominic?" Gretchen asked.
Isabella turned red, "Well, he, uh..." she paused in her step.
"Yes?" Gretchen prompted.
"You and Ferb have... done some things... haven't you?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen smirked, and placed a hand on her abdomen, "Nope, never... not even once."
Isabella leaned in close and whispered something in Gretchen's ear.
Gretchen's eyes widened slightly, and she smirked, "I'm impressed. So, you're starting to feel more comfortable around him?"
Isabella was still red when she nodded, "Yeah. It's taken me so long to get to this point. There was a time when I would have let Phineas..."
"Dominic... he's the one you have to trust," Gretchen said.
"Dominic and I talked about things and he's okay with taking things slow," Isabella remarked.
"That's good. Considering after what happened with...What's his face," Gretchen said.
Isabella rubbed the back of her neck, sheepishly, "That was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made."
"You should have pressed charges for what he did," Gretchen remarked.
"But then I would have-"
"I meant about the other thing he did to you," Gretchen cut Isabella off.
"I didn't think about it at the time," Isabella admitted.
"Hindsight is twenty-twenty," Gretchen pointed out.
"I wonder what would have happened if I had given Phineas another chance," Isabella said.
"You'd have a family and be engaged to a wonderful man. Now you're with Dominic," Gretchen replied.
Isabella smiled, "Yes, I'm with Dominic. He really is a great guy, not as fun as Phineas was."
"I'm going to stop you there. You have to stop comparing everyone to Phineas. Phineas grew up. He had to. It took a while and it was painful to watch at times, but he did it," Gretchen said.
"What about Ferb? Did he ever grow up?" Isabella asked.
"He grew up when we were kids; you didn't notice. Ferb's not changed too much since we were fifteen-years-old. He's still insecure and not very talkative," Gretchen replied.
"I thought he spoke more now, compared to then," Isabella said.
"Yes and no. If he doesn't want to, he won't. It really depends on the discussion at hand," Gretchen returned.
"Has he had input on your baby's name?" Isabella inquired.
"His name was Ferb's suggestion," Gretchen replied.
"What do you think of the name?" Isabella asked.
"It sounds very nice," Gretchen answered.
"You're not going to tell me what it is are you?" Isabella inquired.
"Nope, that's one thing we can keep under wraps for sure," Gretchen replied as they entered the maternity store.
Isabella looked around at the clothing, then picked something out, "Will you try this on for me?"
Gretchen looked at the dress then nodded, and vanished into the change room. After a few moments there was an audible gasp.
"Gretchen? Are you okay?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen squeaked out a, "Yes," then opened door.
"Oh, Gretchen..." Isabella breathed, "that looks wonderful on you. I wish I could wear that."
Gretchen twirled around slowly in the dress, "Maybe one day you will."
"Maybe when I can fully trust myself-" Isabella began as she turned red.
Gretchen smirked at her, "You're getting there. And from what you've told me, Dominic's Mr. Right."
Isabella laughed as Gretchen went in the change room to change back, "Yeah...Just one question for you about your baby."
"Yes?" Gretchen prompted.
"Will he have green hair like Ferb?" Isabella asked.
"I don't think so. I believe it skips a generation," Gretchen replied as she came out of the stall.
"So that means your grandchildren might have green hair?" Isabella asked.
"Isabella! That is a very long way off," Gretchen scolded.
"What color was his biological mother's hair?" Isabella asked.
"What?" Gretchen returned.
"Ferb's biological mother, her hair color," Isabella clarified.
"Maggie? Her hair's brown, however her father's was apparently green," Gretchen replied.
"So the green's on the Y chromosome? No, that doesn't make sense," Isabella mused.
"Isabella," Gretchen called to get Isabella's attention.
"That means that your son could have green hair; being Ferb's child," Isabella said.
"I suppose, but it doesn't matter," Gretchen said then laughed, "You know, I've been very apprehensive about everything this entire pregnancy. Everything I hear or read is that one should 'enjoy' this time."
"I want to buy you a little something. Something you can wear just for Ferb," Isabella said.
"That's really not ness-" Gretchen began.
"Nonsense, besides think of it as a thank you to the both of you for introducing me to Dominic," Isabella interrupted.
"Izzy that's really too much," Gretchen said.
Isabella pulled a puppy pout, "Come on Gretch."
"I hate it when you pull the puppy pout," Gretchen muttered.
Isabella chuckled then said in a joking tone, "And what are you going to do if I teach it to him?"
Gretchen returned in the same tone, "Go after you."
Isabella grabbed Gretchen's hand and dragged her into the night-wear section of the store.
"Oh, no... You're not..." Gretchen began to protest when she realized what her friend was up to.
Isabella pulled out a red and black lace nighty, "Tell me Ferb doesn't want to see you in this."
Gretchen blushed crimson, she knew exactly what Ferb's reaction would be, "It is cute; but I can't."
Isabella grinned, "If you won't let me buy this for you, I'm going to insist you model it for me."
"I should get you something similar to wear for Dominic," Gretchen replied.
"You wouldn't," Isabella said, turning red.
Gretchen smirked, "I would."
"Okay, okay, I won't make you model it, but I am buying it for you," Isabella said.
"Then I'll buy you something for Dominic," Gretchen returned.
Isabella sarcastically responded with, "Yeah and the first night he'll see it is if we get married."
Gretchen chuckled, "And where did you say he was taking you to dinner tonight?"
"Chez Platypus," Isabella replied.
"Fancy," Gretchen noted as they headed for the register.
"I bet this is the first piece you've ever owned," Isabella remarked after the two paid for the purchases.
Gretchen blushed as Isabella handed her the bag, "No, I've got a whole drawer full."
Isabella's eyes went wide, "I didn't know that."
"I got most of them when I was in Europe," Gretchen admitted.
Isabella looked at her friend in astonishment.
"Ferb didn't know about them after we got married, I was too embarrassed to show him," Gretchen continued, a deep blush crossing her face.
"He didn't know about them?" Isabella inquired.
Gretchen shook her head, "Nope."
"But when you came home you lived with-" Isabella began.
"In an apartment and we had separate rooms," Gretchen cut her off.
"So did you wear one on your wedding day?" Isabella asked.
A smirk spread across Gretchen's face, "Nice Try Iz, but I'm keeping quiet on that."
"He must have seen something," Isabella pointed out.
"My favorite flannel pajamas," Gretchen replied.
"I don't believe this. You were living with him and that's it?" Isabella said incredulously.
"Hello kettle, I'm pot; you're black," Gretchen replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Isabella asked.
"We were young, I was nervous... You should at least understand that part," Gretchen said as the pair headed for the food court.
"Didn't you two...you know, when you got engaged?" Isabella inquired.
Gretchen turned red, "Well yes, but I didn't wear anything like that."
"So when did he find out about-" Isabella began to ask.
"After we arrived home from our honeymoon," Gretchen cut her off.
Isabella smirked. "What did you wear when you-"
"Isabella!"
"Okay... How did he find out about your lacy little secret?" Isabella asked with a giggle.
Gretchen rolled her eyes, "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
"Do tell," Isabella prompted as the two sat down.
"I was trying a few of them on, in front of the bedroom mirror," Gretchen said.
"Go on."
Gretchen blushed, "Ferb came home."
"Yes?"
"He walked into the bedroom and said 'I like that color. It brings out your eyes,'" Gretchen's voice softened, "Oh Iz, I could have died."
"Then what happened?"
Gretchen's blush deepened, "Well... he came up behind me. And well..."
"Yes?" Isabella prompted.
"He told me that maybe I should wear them more often. That he would much rather see me in that," Gretchen replied.
"Did something happen after that?" Isabella inquired.
"Yes," Gretchen replied.
"Oh?" Isabella said.
Gretchen said nothing but smiled with the memory.
"You don't say..." Isabella caught the meaning behind the smile.
Gretchen blushed and shrugged, "Since then, every so often he'll buy me a new one."
"Really?" Isabella remarked.
"He knows what he likes," Gretchen replied.
Isabella smirked, "I bet he does."
"I bet Dominic would love to see you in a lacy number," Gretchen said, jerking her thumb in the direction of one of the stores that was well known to both women.
Isabella reddened, "Oh, I.. don't know."
"I'm not saying you should wear it tonight, but maybe something to surprise him with later," Gretchen said, standing up and somewhat dragging the taller woman into the store.
"Why do I get the feeling you know something that I don't?" Isabella asked, as the two went into the nightwear section.
"Who says I know anything?" Gretchen replied.
"Gretchen, you can tell me. What have you heard?" Isabella pressed.
"I haven't heard anything. Though it's always wise to be prepared," Gretchen returned.
"Gretchen..." Isabella sighed, as she looked over a few pieces.
"Isabella, look. You've been dating him for the past five years. You admit that you're in love with him. Why don't you learn from my mistakes and have a little fun?" Gretchen paused and blushed, "Oh, my... I can't believe I just said that."
"What mistakes have you made?" Isabella asked.
"Nothing. Ferb and I've worked through it. Just nerves and whatnot," Gretchen replied quickly as Isabella selected a couple of pieces.
"Did that have something to do with your issues about getting-" Isabella began as they went up to the register.
Gretchen's blush darkened, "We've worked through it."
"You have always been one to have things planned out, When you do make mistakes, it doesn't happen that often," Isabella replied.
"Iz, could you just drop it?" Gretchen asked.
"How can I 'learn from your mistakes' if you don't tell me what they are?" Isabella pointed out.
Gretchen groaned, "I need to go home."
"But we've only been shopping for ," Isabella checked her watch, "two hours."
"I'm tired, my feet hurt and I'm no longer having fun," Gretchen replied.
"Is Ferb home today?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen nodded, "Yeah, he's home."
Isabella gave a hum.
"Don't you even think about it," Gretchen warned.
"Think about what?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen sighed, "I'm not putting ideas in your head."
"Who said you were?" Isabella replied.
"Isabella," Gretchen warned.
"I'll drive you home," Isabella said.
Gretchen bought herself a new dress, "I'll give him a quick call."
"Not a problem. You should take it easy," Isabella said.
"I have been," Gretchen replied.
"Oh really?" Isabella sounded disbelieving.
"They've just put me on maternity leave," Gretchen replied.
"Why?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen laughed, "Being a nurse sometimes requires heavy lifting."
Isabella was incredulous, "You've been working all this time?"
"Of course, for the most part I'm healthy and this is a low-risk pregnancy. I didn't want to be put on administrative duties for the next six weeks," Gretchen explained.
"I thought you would have been on leave for months by now," Isabella remarked.
Gretchen shook her head, "For the past couple of weeks I've been having difficulties with some of my tasks. My supervisor's very understanding, technically she's got me on a temporary leave of absence. Then maternity leave followed by vacation."
"And you're okay with being home all day?" Isabella asked, knowing how the smaller woman was.
"Yes... I can't have my baby with me at work," Gretchen replied.
"Oh right," Isabella said.
"I think Ferb is planning on taking some time off when the baby arrives," Gretchen remarked.
"Doesn't Ferb work for the same company as your dad?" Isabella asked.
"Yes, and your point?" Gretchen returned.
"I remember that night when he got kicked out of the house," Isabella said.
Gretchen replied sadly, "Yeah. That wasn't one of Dad's finest hours."
"I'm so sorry about that. I should have said something," Isabella said.
"It wouldn't have made any difference," Gretchen replied.
"Things worked out though, or you guys wouldn't be married; or having a baby," Isabella said with a squeal, then hugged Gretchen again, "Did you ever find out where Ferb went that night?"
"He eventually told me, a couple of years later," Gretchen answered.
"Where did he go?" Isabella asked.
"Not going to say. He asked me not to," Gretchen replied.
"Alright then," Isabella said.
Gretchen raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Isabella asked.
"What thoughts are going through your mind?" Gretchen asked, recognizing the expression on Isabella's face.
Isabella sadly looked to ground, "I want to know if I can throw you a baby shower. I want to know what it feels like to be completely honest with the one you love. I also want to know why you can't talk to me anymore."
"I do talk to you, just not about private, intimate matters," Gretchen pointed out.
"What? Do you two do some kinky stuff?" Isabella returned.
"Not telling you that," Gretchen replied.
"Alright...So about the baby shower?" Isabella changed the subject.
"Can it just be our former troop?" Gretchen asked.
"That's all who I was planning on inviting," Isabella said.
"Where would you want to throw it?" Gretchen inquired.
"The old lodge," Isabella replied.
Gretchen sighed, "Fine, but no going over the top."
Isabella asked jokingly, "Should I get Ferb's permission first?"
Gretchen became serious by comparison, "Only if you want a lecture about how easy it is for me to stress out. Ferb yelled at Candace and Linda when they suggested throwing a shower. He told them 'You will wait until the baby's born' he was so angry; I thought he was going to have a heart attack."
"It was never difficult to stress you out. But, wow, Ferb's being overprotective isn't he?" Isabella remarked.
"Maybe a little, but not without reason," Gretchen said.
"Sooo, covert?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen stifled a laugh.
"What?" Isabella asked.
"Spy talk," Gretchen said.
"What's so funny about that?" Isabella demanded.
"Ferb and I just watched our favorite spy movie last night," Gretchen explained.
"I'll make sure that it's nice and relaxed, kinda like when we used to get coffee- Do you even drink coffee still?" Isabella asked.
"No. Doctor's orders. A weak green tea is okay, water or juice," Gretchen sighed then looked skyward, "What I wouldn't give for a hot cup of rich, dark coffee. I never realized how much I depended on it until I was hit with withdrawal. It got so bad one morning... I screamed at Ferb because he put the cereal bowls on top of the salad plates. I think I frightened him."
Isabella laughed, "Seriously? I didn't think anything could frighten Ferb."
"No games," Gretchen said.
"What?" Isabella asked, confused.
"No stupid shower games. I don't like them," Gretchen replied.
"All right no games. So basically you just want a hang out?" Isabella asked.
"I want to know what the others are up to," Gretchen said.
"There is something I should give you fair warning about," Isabella said.
"And that would be?" Gretchen prompted.
"Ginger."
"What about Ginger?"
"She's engaged to be married to Baljeet."
"That's great. They've been together for years."
"That's the thing. She's been pressuring Baljeet into marriage for the past few years, she's almost six months pregnant."
Gretchen replied with a cautious, "Okay..." as she had already known about the pregnancy.
"They only got engaged last week."
"I know I've been out of the loop lately, but I didn't realize how far removed I was."
"Well it's obvious that you've been pre-occupied," Isabella remarked.
Gretchen said thoughtfully out loud, "I would have never thought that those two would go that far when they have the whole 'dishonor' thing with each of their families."
"Yeah, that was a bit of a shocker," Isabella admitted.
"Well she always liked him...The others gave her a hard time about it."
"And yet I was the one you teased about my crush."
"Only because you made it easy."
They arrived at Isabella's car. They got in, and Isabella started driving.
"I did not."
"You did. Then one day... you just gave up and went out with someone else."
"I had to. I wasn't getting what I wanted out of the relationship."
Gretchen's eyebrow went up.
"Okay, that's really creeping me out, you're almost as good as your husband."
Gretchen smirked, "Well you know we spend quite a bit of time together."
Isabella grumbled, "Yeah I can tell."
"And what do you mean by that anyways?" Gretchen demanded.
Isabella turned red, "Well...I...Ummm...You see..."
"Yes?" Gretchen prompted.
"I'm jealous okay! I'm jealous that you and Ferb are high school sweethearts who got married and are now having a baby," Isabella admitted.
Gretchen was secretly hurt, and she replied with a soft, "Oh."
"I'm sorry Gretchen. It's just that you were the last person I thought would ever get married... and Ferb; well, I didn't think he'd ever get married," Isabella replied.
Gretchen became irritated, "Why would you think that?"
"I always thought that you would've been the last to get married. Ferb was either always too quiet or too angry," Isabella said.
Gretchen replied defensively, "Ferb always had his reasons."
"What kind of reasons?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen shook her head.
"Is there something you know about your husband that happened back then?" Isabella asked.
Gretchen closed her eyes, "Iz, can we drop this?"
Isabella became concerned, "Is something wrong?"
Gretchen replied with her eyes still closed, "My stress levels are getting a little too high."
Isabella pulled into the Fletcher driveway.
"Ferb was... is my friend too. I just want to help," Isabella said.
Gretchen got out of the car, the few bags in hand, and exploded at Isabella, "It's none of your business! It doesn't concern you!"
"Gretchen, you're trembling," Isabella noted and went over to her.
Ferb stepped out of house. He saw the state Gretchen was in and rushed to her.
"It's okay love, everything's okay," he said soothingly.
"No! Nothing's okay! Nothing has ever been okay!" Gretchen's voice rose in volume and rose a few octaves.
"Let's get her in the house," Isabella suggested, putting Gretchen's smaller bags into the largest one.
Ferb replied to her gently, "I'll get her in the house, you should head home."
"I'm sorry," Isabella apologized.
"Try calling later. I'll see if I can get her calmed down," Ferb suggested.
"Okay," Isabella replied uncertainly.
"See you later Isabella," Ferb said.
"All right Ferb," Isabella said, handing Ferb the bag, before she got in her car and left.
"Do you want to sit and relax for a while?" Ferb asked Gretchen as soon as he got her into the living room, after depositing the bag on the entryway table.
Gretchen was visibly upset, "NO!"
"Would you rather lie down?"
"NO!"
"Gretchen, sweetheart, you're being irrational," Ferb said.
"I'm not irrational!" Gretchen screamed at him.
"Fine, you're not irrational," Ferb said.
"Go on! Say it! You think I'm hormonal don't you?" Gretchen near snarled.
"I never said that," Ferb said evenly.
"But you're thinking it!" Gretchen accused.
Ferb wrapped his arms around her and she broke down sobbing.
"You need to calm down," Ferb said softly as he guided her to their bedroom.
"Have a seat my love," Ferb said.
Gretchen reluctantly sat on the bed.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen shook her head, lay down, and hugged the body pillow.
Ferb sat beside her and started to massage her feet and legs, "Just relax."
Gretchen mumbled out, "Easy for you to say. You're not pregnant."
"Well men can't get pregnant unfortunately," Ferb pointed out as his hands strayed towards her Achilles Tendon.
"Not the Achilles," Gretchen said suddenly.
"Wha?" Ferb blurted, confused.
"I don't think we want an early arrival," Gretchen said.
"Oh...All right," Ferb said then started working up her legs to her back.
"You're hands are so warm," Gretchen said.
"You're tense my love," Ferb said, leaning over and gently kissed her cheek.
Gretchen sat up and looked into his eyes, "Why?"
"I love you Gretchen," Ferb said then properly kissed her, "I don't like seeing you this way."
"What way? Pregnant?"
Ferb shook his head, "You look more beautiful than ever," he rested hand on her abdomen, and kissed her, "I don't like seeing you so upset."
"I've had a few surprises sprung on me today," Gretchen admitted.
Ferb's brow furrowed, "Such as?"
"Did you know that Ginger and Baljeet are getting married and that she's almost six months pregnant?" Gretchen asked.
"No, I did not know about them getting married, Baljeet neglected to mention it. The pregnancy, yes," Ferb replied.
"Isabella's finally becoming comfortable with Dominic," Gretchen said.
Ferb kissed her neck, "About time. He loves her very much."
Gretchen lay back down, relaxed into the fluffy pillows and let Ferb hold her, "What now?"
"What would you like? I could get you a glass of water. Or would you prefer a hot bath?" Ferb offered, as he rested hand on her abdomen, and felt the baby kicking.
"Did you feel that?" Gretchen asked.
"Yes. I..." Ferb was cut off when Gretchen passionately kissed him.
"Sometimes you talk too much," Gretchen said teasingly.
"And you tease," Ferb noted.
"You know I tease you because I love you," Gretchen replied.
Ferb kissed her again.