Ferb carefully put the box back into the gift bag. He picked it up and walked out of the room.
He went downstairs, knowing his parents would be having a drink with their cake. Ferb quietly, even for him, stepped into the kitchen. "Mum, Dad." He quietly called out, trying to get his parents' attention. Lawrence looked up. "Ferb, is there something we can help you with? You look troubled." He said. Linda then turned in her seat. "If it's about today, everything was perfect."
Ferb smiled slightly. "Phineas thought you should have this." He said as he handed the bag over and left.
Linda raised an eyebrow. "Will he be okay?" Lawrence looked at the bag. "Knowing Ferb, he'll be fine after he and Phineas talk." Linda pulled the box from the bag and opened it. She gasped. "These are beautiful." She pulled out one of the glasses and held it up for Lawrence to see.
Engraved in gold around the glasses' bodies was a simple phrase: "10th Anniversary". Their initials were engraved along the top of the base of the glass. Lawrence took the glass by the stem and spun it between his fingers. "Did Phineas get these for us?" Linda looked back at where Ferb had left. "I...don't think so, dear."
Ferb closed the bedroom door behind him. Phineas hopped up from the bed. "How did it go?" Ferb shrugged. "I gave it to them and let them be." He walked over and sat on his bed, running a hand over his face
Phineas sat back down and cocked his head to the side. "What happened? Didn't they like them?" He asked and Ferb shrugged his shoulders in response. Phineas watched his brother for a moment. "Is something wrong Ferb?" He inquired, then heard a knock on the bedroom door.
"Boys?" Lawrence said as he stepped into the room. Both Phineas and Ferb turned their attention to their father. "The glasses are a very thoughtful gift." He said. Phineas quickly glanced at an expressionless Ferb who then said. "It was Phin's idea that you should have them."
Phineas' eyes went wide. "Ferb! That was your idea. Quit twisting the truth."
Lawrence walked over and sat down beside Ferb. "Ferb, is there any reason you didn't want us to think that you gave us the glasses?" Ferb shook his head. "No, but it's the truth. After such a great night, I wasn't going to give you the glasses. Phin worked hard on that restaurant and I didn't want to rain on his parade." He looked up at Phineas. "He wanted you guys to be happier than ever. It was his suggestion to give you the glasses."
Lawrence stood up and started toward the door. "Your mother and I would like to thank you both for today." Phineas grinned broadly and Ferb nodded. "Not a problem Dad, so what are you and Mom going to do now?" Phineas inquired causing his brother to turn away, with a shocked expression on his face. With a slight chuckle, Lawrence replied. "I'm taking your mother out for a while. We'll see you both tomorrow, mind your sister now." He then closed the door leaving Phineas looking more confused than ever.
Ferb stretched his arms high above his head. With a sigh, he lay back on his bed. Phineas scratched his head. "I wonder where they'll be off to." Ferb chuckled lightly. "Don't think so hard on it." He closed his eyes. Phineas got up and plopped down beside his brother. Ferb grunted in annoyance. "I said don't think on it." Phineas shook his head. "I want to ask you about something else." Ferb cracked open an eye. He saw that Phineas was staring off. He sat up slightly. "What is it, then?" Phineas gulped. "D-do you think...that they'll make it?"
Ferb raised his eyebrow a moment "Phineas, I can only hope that one day I'm so lucky; to find 'that special someone'." He replied. Phineas let out a slight laugh. "I think you've found her Ferb. I don't think she knows you exist." Ferb looked directly at his brother. "Thanks a lot." He said disdainfully.
Phineas stood up and walked over to the window. "Hey, Ferb?" He inquired and his brother glanced in his general direction and raised an eyebrow. "How is it you know about romance but you don't have a girlfriend?"
"I read about it often. Creativity often leads the way to truth. Romance is no different. As far as putting it into practice...that's a little harder for the socially awkward." Phineas glared out the window. Ferb saw that inquisitive look in his eyes. "Why do you want to know?" Phineas looked back at his brother. "I...I think Isabella loves me, but I'm not sure." Ferb raised an eyebrow at his brother, holding in the urge to slap him. "Also," Phineas continued, "I've seen the way Gretchen looks at you. Is something going on there?" Ferb swallowed nervously. "That's none of your concern."
Phineas turned back to the window. "I heard the girls talking earlier... something about you pulling a sliver out of Gretchen's hand." Ferb grabbed the nearest book off his shelf and threw himself onto his bed as he opened it and started reading. "It's your fault she had the sliver in the first place."
Ferb tried reading then groaned when he discovered he'd picked up a thesaurus. Phineas came over and looked over his brother's shoulder. "Interesting choice of reading material bro." With a growl Ferb read aloud. "Annoying: Aggravating. Bothersome. Disturbing. Irritating. Troublesome."
Phineas snatched the thesaurus away. "It's not my fault you can't talk to her. Sounds like you're afraid of her answer." Ferb jumped up and glared harshly at his brother. "Better that than being completely ignorant." Phineas' eyes widened. "What do you...?" Ferb slapped his forehead. "You seriously don't see it? SERIOUSLY!?" He snatched the thesaurus back, flinging it back on the shelf, and made his way out of the room. Phineas followed him out. "Ferb...what are you talking about?" Ferb stopped in his tracks and spun on his heels. "Why don't you ask Isabella?"
Ferb kept his eyes wide and saw Phineas' jaw drop. "What are you talking about Ferb?" The tall teen shook his head, turned around and went downstairs. Phineas followed. "Ferb?" Ferb lifted his hand. "Go away Phin." He said as he entered the kitchen.
"What are you doing twerp?" Candace called out to her step-brother as he entered. Ferb shot a look at her that caused her to stop talking. Phineas followed him into the kitchen. "Ferb..." Ferb spun around. "What?!"
"What's wrong with you?" Ferb took a few calming breaths before answering. "I'm sick and tired of people trying to fix the problems of others when they can't even see their own." Sliding the glass door open, Ferb made his way to the backyard. He stomped towards the fence, flinging it open. He barely stopped before running into Isabella. "Hey, Ferb. What's wrong?" Ferb moved past her and gestured towards the house. "Just get him off my back, please." Isabella turned and saw Phineas watching Ferb curiously from the kitchen door.
Isabella glanced after Ferb then went into the Flynn-Fletcher backyard. "Hey, Phineas... Whatcha' doin'?" Phineas waved to his friend. "Trying to find out what Ferb's problem is." He said then smiled at Isabella. "Come on in, it's starting to get dark."
Isabella entered the house through the kitchen door. "Evening, Candace." She greeted. Candace nodded in return. "You'd better stay downstairs. I don't want to explain to Mom and Dad what you two might have done upstairs." Isabella blushed and Phineas had a quizzical look.
"Okay, then we'll be in the living room. Come on, Izzy." Candace shook her head as Phineas lead the way to the living room. "Oblivious as a rock."
Phineas and Isabella plopped down on the couch. After flipping through numerous channels, they determined they were better off without television. Phineas sighed. "I wish Ferb wasn't being so difficult right now. It makes it hard for me to get creative." Isabella leaned back on the couch. "So he still hasn't said anything, huh?"
Phineas shook his head sadly.
