The ABC's of Montessa

Disclaimer: I do not own Monty Monogram, Vanessa Doofenshmirtz or any character from Phineas and Ferb, including the series. I apologize if some chapters may be OOC, but what can I say? It's Montessa I'm doing.

P.S.: This chapter is perhaps the most darkest of them all. I don't know why. Just to let you know, this is a 'What If' scenario. This wouldn't happen in the shows, but I'm deciding to go deeper with this.

Chapter 19: Sympathy

It was a dark day around Danville. The sky was raging with the velocity of a rainstorm. Apparently, it was nothing but a three-day storm event. The wind blew so strong and violent, that it was practically enough to break every tree branch and flip every car rolling through the slick highways.

But it got so dark inside OWCA. All of the animal agents were all dressed in black and had grief looks on their faces. As if someone important in their lives had died and passed on to this earth. Apparently, someone important did die:

Major Francis Monogram.

He ended up being the unfortunate victim of an unexpected heart attack. The news came as a shock to his son Monty Monogram. His father was as close to him in his life more than anything. He couldn't explain why all of this happened in the first place. Was it because of his old age? Was it because he was too unstable with his job.

It wasn't any of those things. But perhaps, it was only one thing that caused him to die...

...

...it was because he finally found out about Monty's relationship with Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, the daughter of evil genius Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. The shock was so severe to his heart that he end up collapsing on the floor. He ended up calling the paramedics to help save his father. They tried pumping Francis's heart over and over again to a good effort.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be enough to save him. Around 6:12 p.m., Major Francis Monogram had died.

The news brought a shock to his arch-rival, Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. He didn't know what to make of his hated rival dying out of nowhere, due to Monty and Vanessa's secret relationship. Apparently, Heinz did know about their relationship, but much to Vanessa's surprise, he ended up supporting her and Monty together. But Major Monogram was always against his son dating the daughter of one of his enemies. He thought it was a bad idea.

But the image of his son and Heinz's daughter together was more than enough to kill him.

And Monty had no one but to blame himself for causing it.

Heinz felt so bad for him that in return, he finally agreed to change his evil ways, just for her daughter and everyone around OWCA. All of the animal agents, including Perry The Platypus, still held a grudge against Heinz Doofenshmirtz all because he wanted to rule across the Tri-State area. But much to Heinz's safety, the grudge was only minor, especially when Heinz decided to make plans for his rival's funeral. Heinz thought he was more than a rival...

...

...

...he was a friend.

The funeral was nothing more than grim. Everyone, especially Heinz, all got up to say a few words in his passing. It went from Heinz to Perry to Pinky and even went to Lyla, who also showed up to pay her respects.

And then finally, Monty stepped up to the plate to say a few words to his animal friends, who were shedding a tear. The 19-year old stood up with a brave face and spoke out on behalf of his departed father

"Ladies and gentlepets," He sighed, "We're here to pay our respects to a man who was more than a leader. He was more than a leader to me in many ways. He helped me through every obstacle we've faced together. We've helped learn together. We've went everywhere together. We've respected one another. Although we've might have differences with every opinion we had, we've always found a way to make things up with each other. I've always thought that he'd be there to see me get married, have kids, and save the world on my own..."

But then, Monty's voice started to tear up a little. Seeing this, Vanessa managed to get up from her seat to pat and rub his back, just to soothe him

"Now I know that he won't be here to see it all happen," He sniffled, "But even though he can't be with me forever. I'm still happy to say he's still with me in spirit. In closing, he was more than a leader, a friend, and an ally. Deep down, he was my father. And he always gave the best gift I know I'll never repay: Life. That's the way I'll always remember from him..."

He had enough words to say from here. Monty was so stressed from the tears that he had to go to the back room and cry a bit. No matter how much he hated it, he had to face the hard truth:

His father was gone.

Soon after the guests were out of here, Monty was standing before his father's casket. He was still tearing up inside, but he had to be strong and vigilant about this situation Monty was going through.

Around few minutes later, the love of his life Vanessa walked to him.

"Monty," she sighed, "I'm so sorry about your father. I didn't know he wouldn't take it dating like this."

"It's not your fault, Vanessa." Monty sighed as well, "I don't understand why my father let me understood why we we're dating in the first place. The next minute I knew, we were arguing and the minute after that, he's gone. I wish that I would've let him understand why we loved each other. But he was nothing but blind to you and me."

"Don't get yourself beat up like this, Monty." Vanessa said, patting him in the shoulder, "I've could've taken a stand with you if I had. If he'd let us listen, then maybe this should never happened in the first place."

"Yeah, but it had to happen anyway." Monty said, tearing up a bit, "There was nothing you and me could've done to save him."

"You're right." Vanessa nodded.

A moment of silence soon occurred between both of them for a good minute or two.

"The truth is, I think your father would've accepted us hadn't he listened to us for once." She informed him, feeling sympathy for his fiancee, "Maybe he would be happy with us dating. I know my father is happy accepting us. I know this hurts you now, but I wanna let you know that I'll have your back everytime, no matter what happens."

"Thanks, Vanessa." Monty replied, "I know it's not gonna be easy without my father around, but I'm still happy to know that you're always with me to cheer me up. And I'm gonna live life with you 'til the end."

A small smile was displayed on the face of Monty Monogram himself, especially when he felt the warmth of Vanessa's hand around his shoulder.

"I can definitely live with that." Vanessa said, kissing him in the cheek.

Looking down on his father, Monty still managed to smile even in tears. With one final goodbye, Monty gave out his final words to his father for the last time before Vanessa closed the coffin.

"Goodbye, dad. Hope to see you around again."

As the coffin finally shut, the funeral had finally come to an end. It was never gonna be the same for Monty after this, but with Vanessa showing a lot of sympathy for him, he knew he'd move on. Along with the memories of his proud father, whom would he share it in his heart forever.

It was very nice to see Vanessa be by Monty's side during this horrible time for him. I'm certain she would be nice in real life once you get to meet her.

This came to me recently after hearing the song "Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg, which was written as a tribute to his father Lawrence Fogelberg, who was a musician and the leader of a band, who was still alive at the time the song was released. His father died a year later.

Suddenly, that song felt right at home with this chapter. I suggest hearing it on YouTube. It's that sad and dark, and you'll enjoy it.

Anyway, next letter will be "T" so send some feedback if you can!