Two days had passed and Gretchen got a call from Linda citing that she should come over to the Flynn-Fletcher residence. When Gretchen arrived she was surprised to see not only Linda, but Candace, Linda's sister Tiana Webber, Linda's mother Betty Jo, Trudy, Sienna and Isabella. Gretchen had pulled Isabella aside and demanded, in Spanish, to know if Isabella had any inkling about the surprise shower. When Isabella replied a negative, Gretchen believed her. As far as everyone knew, Ferb and Gretchen had everything for the baby, so it was much like the Fireside Girls 'shower.' Trudy caught the pitiful look her daughter had when the cake was brought out, and a promise was made for a new one to be made after the baby was born. Gretchen was home before mid-afternoon. When Ferb arrived home, Gretchen had a trivia game show playing on the TV as she folded laundry. Ferb took his shirt, that she was folding and presented her with a bouquet of her favorite flowers, lilies. Ferb mentioned that he found out about the shower, and to Gretchen's relief, was not angry about it. The following day passed without incident, that night however was a different story.
The clock read 1:00 am, Ferb was sleeping soundly when Gretchen suddenly woke up. She slipped out of the bed, used the bathroom, then returned to bed. The second time was not more than half an hour later, and Ferb, unbeknownst to Gretchen, made note of it for a second time. The cycle continued until 5:15am when Gretchen sat up and looked down at her abdomen.
"You're wanting out aren't you?" Gretchen asked her belly softly.
Ferb rolled over, "Something wrong love?"
"I'm not sure. I'll just get myself a glass of water, go back to sleep," Gretchen replied.
Ferb started to get up, "I'll get you a water."
"I'm fine Ferb, just go back to sleep," Gretchen said and left to get glass of water.
Ferb sat on the bed, listening.
In the bathroom, Gretchen gritted her teeth, "Please settle down."
Ferb stepped into the bathroom, "Okay something's not right here."
"Everything is fine honey," Gretchen returned.
Ferb took half a step back, and watched closely.
Gretchen finished her glass of water, stood up straight and smiled at Ferb.
Ferb raised an eyebrow.
Gretchen suddenly clutched her abdomen, "I think I'm going to be sick."
Ferb became alarmed, "Gretchen?"
"Yeah, We should probably go," Gretchen managed.
"He's wanting out now isn't he? But it's not time," Ferb said, concerned.
"I don't think he wants to wait for his due date," Gretchen snipped.
"Do we need to call the doctor?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen shook her head, and her voice was tight, "No. We need to leave."
"Should I bring anything?" Ferb asked.
"Ferb, get me to the hospital! NOW!" Gretchen snarled.
"Are you sure?" Ferb asked.
Gretchen replied through gritted teeth, "You can come back later."
Ferb nodded, "All right, All right. Do you need help going down stairs?"
Gretchen gave him a dirty look.
"I'll walk backwards down the stairs while you make your way down?" Ferb suggested, as he helped her out to the top landing.
"Get. In. The. Car," Gretchen emphasized each word.
Ferb nodded, "I'm sorry sweetheart."
Gretchen pushed past him, went downstairs and paused on the landing, "Ferb!" she cried out clutching her abdomen.
Ferb rushed to her, forced calm, "Come on love, let's get you to the hospital."
Gretchen raised an eyebrow at him.
Ferb helped her to the car, and slid into the driver's seat. He pulled out of the driveway and hurried down the street without going over the speed limit, unaware of the car that was parked across the street pulling away from the curb without headlights.
"Ferb, I want you to," Gretchen said, a strain in her voice due to a contraction, "know... that no matter what I say; I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart," Ferb replied as he took her hand in his.
Gretchen winced as he pulled the car to a stop. Ferb got out and opened Gretchen's door. She took his hand and put it in a death grip as a contraction washed over her. Ferb waited for her to release her grip on his hand, and slid an arm around her waist.
"Not much further," he assured her.
Gretchen leaned heavily on him as he guided her into the Emergency Department.
"How may we help you this morning?" The nurse on duty asked without looking up.
"I'm-" Gretchen stopped and tightly gripped Ferb's hand.
The nurse looked up, "Oh hello Gretchen, what seems to be the problem?"
"It would seem my wife has gone into labor," Ferb answered for her, as she hadn't released his hand yet.
"I'll just page the doctor," the nurse said.
Ferb nodded while Gretchen whimpered and sunk further to the floor.
Gretchen's co-worker, Jen, was walking down hallway and recognized Ferb's shock of green hair, and came over, "Gretchen, is everything-"
"Shut up! I think the baby's coming," Gretchen snapped.
Jen grabbed a nearby wheelchair, "Have a seat and we'll get you up to delivery."
"You're awfully calm about that," Ferb noted.
Jen shrugged, "We've seen pretty much everything. You two were sleeping weren't you?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" Ferb replied, following Jen through the hospital.
"Your attire explains it all," Jen replied, as Ferb noted it had been at least ten minutes since they arrived.
Gretchen growled out, "Will you two stop SHOOTING THE BREEZE?!"
"Did your water break?" Jen inquired.
"No," Gretchen replied.
"How far apart are your contractions?" Jen asked, as they stepped into an elevator.
"How the hell am I supposed to know? Do I look like a clock?" Gretchen snapped.
"If I'm reading her correctly, I'd guess they're between four to seven minutes apart," Ferb replied.
"When did they start?" Jen inquired.
"I'm not exactly sure," Gretchen admitted.
"The first time I noticed you getting out of bed was one o'clock," Ferb said.
"So we are going to monitor the baby's heart rate, and Doctor Manson will be in about ten minutes to check how far you have dilated," Jen explained.
Ferb looked worriedly at Gretchen.
"She'll be fine," Jen assured him.
"Nggg," Gretchen groaned, and her chin dipped to her chest.
"Gretchen?" Ferb asked, worried.
"Go away," Gretchen replied.
Jen grabbed Ferb by the wrist and shook her head, keeping the other hand on the handle of the wheelchair.
"She wants me to go away," Ferb said.
Jen replied quietly so Gretchen couldn't hear, "It's the hormones."
Ferb went wide eyed and nodded.
Jen chuckled lightly, "My husband had the same reaction when I had our first child."
Gretchen started crying, "Make it stop. Make the pain go away."
"Here we are Gretchen," Jen said, helping her from the wheelchair. It took a good five minutes to get Gretchen changed into a hospital gown due to the contractions, "Let's get you into bed," Jen said gently, waving Ferb over.
"Is there anything she can take for the pain?" Ferb asked, noting it took almost twenty minutes to get to the room plus the five to get Gretchen changed.
"Not until we know how far along she is. There will be nothing we can do if she's too far," Jen replied.
Gretchen let out strangled cry as a contraction ripped through her.
Ferb looked to Jen, he said worriedly to her, "Her last contraction was only a few minutes ago."
Jen gave a slight nod.
"Do you think she'll-" Ferb began.
Jen shook her head, "I'm not sure."
Gretchen laid back and closed her eyes, breathing hard.
Ferb cast a look to Jen.
"How are you feeling Gretchen?" Jen asked.
"I want to go home," Gretchen replied sadly.
"You know that you can't," Jen said gently.
Gretchen gave a slight nod.
Dr. Manson entered the room and pleasantly greeted, "Hello Gretchen, I see the little one wanted to come early."
Gretchen gave him a dark look.
Dr. Manson took Gretchen's blood pressure and felt her abdomen for baby, "Has your water broke?"
Gretchen sounded exhausted, "No."
"How far apart are your contractions?" Dr. Manson asked.
Gretchen raised an eyebrow at Ferb.
"Between four to seven minutes," Ferb said.
"Give Sabrina a heads up that she's going to be needed very shortly," Dr. Manson directed at Jen.
"Of course, Doctor," Jen said and exited the room.
"I'm going to check how far along you are," Dr. Manson said.
Gretchen nodded.
Ferb held Gretchen's hand, and kissed her forehead.
"This is it, isn't it?" Gretchen softly said to Ferb.
Ferb nodded, "This is it. You're going to be a mother before the day's through."
"She's going to be a mother before the hour's up," Dr. Manson replied, pulling on a set of gloves, a smock and a surgical mask.
Gretchen switched her attention to the doctor, "What does that mean?" then gripped Ferb's hand and groaned as a powerful contraction gripped her abdomen.
"Your son is arriving rather quickly," Dr. Manson replied.
Ferb's eyes widened, "So he could have-"
"Oh most certainly..." Dr. Manson said, then added as Jen and Sabrina came into the room, "Jennifer, Sabrina, get washed up and be quick about it please."
Jen nodded, while Sabrina replied with a "Right." (1)
Gretchen sobbed, "But he's almost a month early."
"Three weeks early. Yes," Dr. Manson said, as the two nurses pulled on gloves, smocks and masks.
Jen flashed a reassuring smile to the parents, before pulling the mask up, "You guys are going to be wonderful parents."
"Okay Gretchen, push," Sabrina ordered.
A little more than five minutes later, a newborn's cry added to the sounds of the world.
"Congratulations," Sabrina said.
"Would you like to cut the cord?" Dr. Manson said, offering the green haired man a pair of scissors.
Ferb looked at Alexander, who was squirming and crying, and Ferb started shaking slightly then crumpled.
"Oh my!" Sabrina exclaimed.
"I got him," Jen said, as she stripped off her gloves.
"That's-" Dr. Manson began, as he cut and clipped the cord.
"He's not fond of blood," Gretchen said.
"Would you like to hold your son before we get him cleaned up?" Sabrina offered Gretchen her calm, quiet son.
Gretchen nodded, took her offered baby and cried happy tears.
Jen had lifted Ferb off the floor, "I need the wheelchair for him."
Sabrina brought the wheelchair over, and after removing her gloves helped get Ferb seated.
"You said things started about one this morning?" Dr. Manson asked.
Gretchen nodded, "About then."
"It's six o'clock," Dr. Manson said, glancing at his watch.
"Only five hours?" Gretchen asked, surprised.
"You know as well as I do that labor varies in time," Dr. Manson replied.
"Gretchen, I need to get him cleaned up now," Jen said gently, pulling on a clean set of gloves.
Gretchen gave a hesitant nod.
"Don't worry, I'll bring him back as soon as he's cleaned up and examined," Jen assured the brand new mother.
"Okay," Gretchen said, handing her baby over to her co-worker, then she looked over at the unconscious Ferb, "Honey?"
"How about you have a quick shower?" Sabrina suggested.
"But Ferb..." Gretchen said with a helpless glance at her husband.
"He'll be fine," Sabrina said.
"I hope so," Gretchen muttered.
Fifteen minutes later, Ferb opened his eyes to Gretchen humming a lullaby to a freshly swaddled Alexander, "I-I'm sorry love."
"I knew you weren't fond of blood," Gretchen replied softly, as to not to disturb her sleeping son.
"He doesn't have green hair...he has your hair color," Ferb said as he rose from the wheelchair.
"Five pounds six ounces," Gretchen said.
"Length?" Ferb asked.
"Twenty-two inches. A perfect little baby," Jen answered.
"Maybe he's not your son then," Dr. Manson said jokingly.
Ferb looked up, slightly worried.
Gretchen scoffed, "Of course he's your son Ferb. Who else could he belong to?"
"Eric! Not nice to tease a new father," Jen scolded.
"Besides I've already told you Ferb's the only man I've ever made love to," Gretchen added.
"I'll come in to check on you three in a little while. Sabrina, Jennifer, I think it's time we gave the new family some much needed bonding time," Dr. Manson said, and the trio left.
"How do you feel?" Ferb asked.
"Tender," Gretchen replied, and looked at the little baby in her arms, "Do you want to hold him?"
Ferb shook his head, he held out his hands – trembling, "I don't want to drop him."
"Sit with me," Gretchen said and scooted over a little.
Ferb sat beside her, "Why was he early?"
"Sometimes that's just the way things work," Gretchen replied.
Ferb lifted Alexander's tiny hand with his finger, "He's so small. I don't recall Amanda, the boys or Lillian being this small."
"Phineas and Candace may be your siblings but you are from a different-" Gretchen began.
"-gene pool and it's also who they had children with," Ferb finished.
"He's precious. He's my precious little baby," Gretchen said.
Ferb smiled slightly, "He's our precious little baby."
"We need to make calls soon," Gretchen said.
"It's early, yet," Ferb replied.
"Ferb?" Gretchen asked.
Ferb smiled at her, "Yes love?"
"I'm hungry," Gretchen said.
Jen came back in, "I'm going to move you to the ward now. Breakfast will be served shortly. Ferb, you can head down to the cafeteria for a bite to eat."
"I want to walk with her to the room if you don't mind," Ferb replied.
"That's fine too," Jen replied.
Ferb followed behind, his head hung.
A random nurse saw Gretchen and rushed over, "Gretchen! I'm so glad I was on shift, who have we here?"
Gretchen looked over her shoulder at Ferb, and replied sadly, "This is Alexander."
"Isn't he just precious?" the nurse asked.
Gretchen smiled and nodded, "Yes, he is."
"How's the proud Papa doing?" the nurse asked.
Ferb gave a slight shake of his head.
"Before or after?" the nurse asked sympathetically.
"He was fine until they asked him to cut the cord," Gretchen replied.
"That's all right, some fathers refuse to cut it," the nurse said gently.
"Actually it wasn't that," Gretchen replied.
"Not fond of blood then?" the nurse asked.
"Let's just say this isn't my finest hour and please drop the subject," Ferb replied.
Gretchen is helped into bed by Jen and the other nurse. Then the nurse and Jen left the couple alone with the baby.
"Would you like to hold him?" Gretchen once again offered Ferb his son.
Ferb shook his head, "I don't want to hurt him."
Gretchen giggled, "He's a baby, Ferb. He's not going to break."
Ferb replied nervously, "Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. You just need to support his head. Would you like to hold him?" Gretchen again offered Ferb his son.
"All right," Ferb replied.
Gretchen gently passed Alexander over, and Ferb sat down with his son.
"He's so small," Ferb said softly.
Alexander opened his eyes and yawned.
Ferb smiled, "He's got your eyes, love."
"There you go. This is your son," Gretchen said.
Ferb said to Alexander, "So, you're the one who's been making my wife uncomfortable for the past few months?"
Alexander blinked.
"I might have been uncomfortable, but now that I see him... it was all worth it," Gretchen said.
Ferb looked at Gretchen, "I guess we better start calling you 'Mum'."
Gretchen blushed, "We should make those calls."
"In a little while," Ferb replied.
"I hope he doesn't have anemia," Gretchen remarked.
"I don't think he will," Ferb replied.
Jen came in with a trolley, beaming, "I wanted to bring you your breakfast. I just can't get over it, our little Gretchen is a Mommy."
Gretchen looked at tray, "Is that..."
"Coffee, three sugar and a little milk," Jen replied, knowing Gretchen's usual.
"I love you!" Gretchen squealed.
Alexander started screaming and crying.
Ferb's eyes went wide.
Gretchen muttered a swear word in German under her breath.
"You might want to rock him...He certainly wasn't expecting that," Jen suggested.
Ferb started gently rocking Alexander, "He startled quite easily."
"That's a good sign. He's not hard of hearing," Jen said.
Ferb held Alexander protectively, "Mummy's just not been allowed her coffee for a few months, she'll calm down in a moment."
Gretchen rolled her eyes, "Are you trying to be funny?"
"I'm just telling him the truth," Ferb defended.
1: RW26Z A/EN: It was just a randomly chosen name for the nurse.