Here we go. Whoa, summer is almost over. I've been writing this story for a long time. Please review!

Define romance. Are the sappy cards sold at Valentine's Day romantic? Is romance just an excuse for women to suck a man's bank account dry? Is it just foreplay? Is it fake? Is it real? I used to think the only things that were romantic were expensive dinners, love songs, and red roses. Until I fell in love.

Suddenly, everything seems romantic. When I'm working, I think of physics and I think of her. When Buford makes a joke about us, it reminds me that she's mine. Cooking seems just as romantic as going to a restaurant. Nightgowns, handcuffs, cookies, giggles, soda, my house, my friends, my brother, the color pink… everything reminds me of Isabella!

"Hello?"

"Hi Bella." I said softly into the phone.

"Ferb." She said in a breathy tone. "I'm just um, working. I'm leaving soon."

"Can I meet you again?"

"Well… I… yes, yes."

I hung up a little after she said that. Yes. It's the answer I was looking for. Oh, why can't I tell her I'm in love with her? I've said it in French, while she's asleep, I've told just about everybody else. The words escape me.

"Ferb's smiling to himself again." Phineas said, in a sing-song voice. I glared, and he stopped what I assume was his version of teasing. "Ferb, you love her. As in, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Candace and Jeremy, love." Nice to know he throws our sister and brother-in-law in there with those suicidal love stories. "Why don't you two just… be together?"

I sighed. "I would if I could. It's complicated."

He gaped at me. "No, no it isn't! When I liked Isabella, I asked her out. It was easy. That's what everybody does. I know you think you're in a tight spot, but I think she cares as much about you as you do about her."

I nodded, not in agreement, but in understanding. As I left, I thought more about it. By adding sex to friendship, we had made it a lot harder to define ourselves. I loved being friends with Isabella, but once you've become as intimate as two people can be, it's hard not to want to be more. I firmly believe that what I feel about Isabella is true love. If my true love rejects me, everything will break. I'm willing to take that risk, but I'm still looking for affirmation she loves me back.

When I reached her office, she was already standing outside, wearing a short skirt that blew around in the breeze. She gave me a strange look, as though she couldn't exactly understand why I was here.

"Did you walk?" She asked. I nodded. "Do you want to take the long way?"

She walked with her head down, shyly, until we reached the park. "Let's stop here." She said.

We sat between some thick trees and the large duck pond. Isabella dug up the remains of her lunch and gently tossed them around for the ducks to enjoy. The setting sun made the water look golden. I happily leaned against a tree. This was perfect. Could anyone but Isabella make an activity as mundane as feeding the ducks romantic?

"There you guys go." She said gently, brushing her hands together. "That's all I have."

"I'm sure they're grateful." She glanced towards me and then back down. "Why do I feel like you'd rather speak to the ducks than me, Bella?"

She stood up and brushed all the crumbs away. "That's dumb." She mumbled.

"No, it isn't." I stood up as well. "Just a little while ago, you wanted to be with me. You were willing to try crazy outfits and personality changes. What changed, Isabella?" I gently stroked her cheek.

"Nothing changed." She said, stepping backwards.

"Now you're running away from me." I said.

"I'm not!" She said in frustration. "I just…" She backed up as far as she could, and now she was against a large old oak tree. "I'm confused."

"I'm not."

I crashed my lips onto hers. I had her pinned against the tree, with her little skirt rising a little too high on her thighs. It was passionate and possessive. My tongue dipped greedily into her mouth. She ground against me and moaned.

Suddenly, her fingers that were wound in my hair sharply pulled my head off of hers. "Ferb!" She reprimanded. "This is a public place!"

"I'm sorry." I said lightly.

"You're forgiven." She said, in the most normal tone I had heard in a while.

I think the gang got over Isabella and I. Or at least it wasn't so fascinating that they had to talk about it, no matter what, regardless of whether or not I was there. If they were still talking about that behind my back, I didn't know. I did know, however, that Phineas was still badgering me about loving Isabella. He wasn't even acting as though I was in the wrong the way Baljeet had; Phineas genuinely seemed to really want me to date Isabella. He had plans and ideas, and the craziest thing was, I did too. At least, I did tonight. There was not a square inch I hadn't thought out. Now I just had to work up the nerve to ask her.

I knocked on her door. There was no response. I knocked just a little louder. God, this was stressful. I had done it all; a fancy dress shirt, a jacket, and cologne. I ran my hand through my hair. I turned my back to the door, muttering the same things over and over again to myself. Was this a terrible idea? Another mistake on my part? Then, the door opened.

Isabella was wearing normal sweats. She shyly wrung her hands. "Were you supposed to come over tonight?" She said, looking down.

I shook my head. I wanted to ask her if she was still confused. There was a lot I still wanted to ask her. But, no words would come. I opened my mouth, then closed it quickly. Then, I tried again, and began to stammer.

"Isa… Bella… do… would… I…" I stuttered quietly. I don't think I've ever been so nervous.

Isabella tilted her head curiously. "Ferb?'

"These are for you!" I suddenly stuck out a bouquet of roses. I made sure to get the brightest red, the most vibrant that I could find, because they were Isabella. She stared at them. It was over. It was the same rejection all over again. Doomed, unrequited love all over again. I turned around. "I'm sorry. I was going to ask you to come with me, but…"

"Ferb," I turned around. She was cradling the roses as if they were the most precious things in the world. "Give me a minute."

She ducked back into her apartment. I was sweaty and anxious. Suddenly, barely a few minutes after she disappeared, Isabella was back, in a floating red dress instead of sweats. She took my arm. It was like a sudden shot of ecstasy went through my body.

We walked into the elevator. "Where are we going?" She asked cautiously. I didn't say a word. I just hit a button and pulled on my collar nervously. We went up and up, and suddenly, we stopped.

"Close your eyes." I whispered. I led her out, up some stairs, and… "Open them."

"We're on the roof." She said in wonder. Every light from every building looked like a sparkling star. And, sitting in the middle, illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight, were a table and two chairs.

I pulled at my shirt again. I was so nervous. I pulled out a chair, and gestured towards her. She silently sat down. She didn't even make eye contact. I hurriedly sat down on the other side. The food was already sitting at the table, still perfectly hot. "Are you hungry?" I asked cautiously. Again, she said nothing, but she started eating her food. "Are you cold?" I pulled my jacket off and handed it to her. "I need to play music or something if you're not going to talk to me."

Isabella looked up and laughed. A completely genuine, beautiful, Isabella laugh. "Ferb!" She said. "Why are you doing all this?"

"All what?" I responded, jokingly.

"The flowers and dinner and dressing up." She said. "No other boy would ever do this for me."

"That is why you have me." I said. "Do you want dessert?"

"Of course." She laughed. "Did you make everything?" I nodded. "You're just amazing." I placed it in front of her. "Red velvet!"

I just sat back and smiled at her as she ate quietly. Was all of this working? I said I would back off, but I didn't. Did she need more time?

Suddenly, I heard a loud thunderclap. "Oh no, it's going to…" Isabella began. With another boom of thunder, raindrops began pattering down. "…Rain." She finished.

The melting candles were put out and the drops clinked against the empty plates. Isabella ran to the door. I stood up and closed my eyes, cutting off my senses to everything but the rain. And my Isabella.

"Ferb!" Isabella called. "Ferb, you're going to get sick!" I spun around and ignored her. She ran and I heard the splashing sound her feet made. "Ferb, come on, Ferb…"

I caught her hands midair, and I kissed her. It was the first time all night that I felt confident, not scared. She would kiss me back. I ran my tongue against her lower lip and she opened her mouth. I knew it.

As we continued to kiss in the rain, we got completely soaked. She broke it as if she was scared. "Ferb, let's go inside now." She whispered. She took my hand and we ran back down the stairs.

I shook my head like a dog before we got into the elevator. Isabella had her back against the wall. "What's wrong?" I asked her, as it traveled down to our floor.

"Nothing." She said shakily. She jumped at the chance to escape as the elevator doors opened. She was still shaking a little as she opened her door. I gripped her shoulder. She tried to shrug me off, but I followed her into her apartment.

"Isabella, why are you running? You're still the beautiful confident Isabella. I admit it, I was the coward before. But, I'm not running. I'm never going to run from you again."

I kissed her and she moaned. One smooth leg wrapped around my waist and I pushed the wet fabric up and over her head. I tossed it somewhere as I pushed closer to her, then unhooked her satin bra. This wasn't a crazy, lust driven moment. This might be the purest I've ever felt. I picked her up, bridal-style, and took her to her room. I hastily took off my clothes, because I was getting water everywhere.

"Isabella," I muttered, as I caressed every part of her. "You are beautiful. I'm yours. You're my everything."

"Oh Ferb." She kissed me, so sweetly, so lovingly.

I moved in and out of her, very slowly at first, but gradually increasing speed. I kept hitting it, she moaned out my name and I moaned out hers. No obscenities at all, we were just completely connected. A final thrust and we both lost it.

I didn't lay down next to her; I pulled her partially on top of me. I kissed her cheek, and a couple of minutes later, kissed it again. What a night! It was just magical. All I wanted was for things to go off without a hitch. I didn't expect a night of intimacy like this that was more special than ever. I didn't expect the rain or the kiss. I didn't even think she'd want to say yes. But now I felt confident.

An update as of 8/25, expect long waits for the remaining 4, count them 4, chapters. We all know that getting back to college and school is stressful. Be patient.

Love, Silver