Phineas thought his plan was going quite swimmingly. Over the course of two weeks, he had gotten past the first three steps that Ferb had placed for him to follow. He decided that he wanted to talk to Ferb a little more about what was happening, so he approached his brother after dinner one night.

"Hey Ferb," Phineas said. He approached his brother easily. Phineas always felt comfortable talking with his brother about topics like these. "So, I've been doing all those steps to fall in love like you told me to, but so far it's just been things that we've done already. We've held hands before, and hugged before."

Ferb looked up from his laptop and closed it when he saw the worried look on his brother's face. "Phineas, that's how things went for me and Ella. She only moved here this year and you've known Isabella since we were five! There's bound to be some kind of difference in your relationship than ours," The green-haired boy told his brother.

Phineas seemed to be slightly surprised at this revelation. "So what do you suggest to make it different?"

"Well, for one you could probably ask her on a date before the point that I did."

"I don't know if I'm really ready to go on a date alone with her," confessed Phineas. His eyes were slightly downcast.

"Well, then don't go alone with her. Invite her to accompany you to a social event. There's that bonfire coming up this week, why don't you ask her to that. Everyone in the neighbourhood will be there. It'll take some of the pressure off." Ferb smiled at his brother. He was happy to help with anything Phineas came to him with.

"Alright. So after that what could I do?"

"Well, next you could come on a double date with me and Ella, or if you feel comfortable enough, go out by yourselves."

Phineas nodded, considering his brother's words carefully. "Thanks, bro."

Isabella sat down at the table with Ginger and Gretchen, stirring her iced coffee with a straw.

"How've things been going with Phineas?" Ginger asked after a sip of her drink.

"Actually, better than they have been for a long time," The girls looked at her with interest. "He's been kind of more- how do I put it? more forward, I guess would be the term."

"Really?" Gretchen squealed. Isabella nodded with a smile. "So, like what's been happening then?"

"Well, he's been trying to hold my hand more than usual, and we've hugged a lot more than usual for the past few weeks. It's almost like he's following a plan about how to date someone."

The girls giggled about that for a little before returning to conversation. "So do you think he'll ask you out soon?" Ginger said. She took a bite of the brownie she just purchased.

"I really hope so. Phineas is the only guy I've ever liked, since we were seven." Isabella confessed. The Mexican-Jewish girl reminisced about the first time she ever saw Phineas, as they were pulling into the driveway with their moving van. Little did she realize that for the next years of her life, Phineas would become such an important person. Snapping out of the trance, she looked down at her phone, checking the time, then jumping up when she realized she was going to be late. "I'll see you guys later, I'm going to be late for yoga." Isabella grabbed her bag and left the coffee shop.

"Those two are so getting married." Gretchen smirked at Ginger as they, too left the shop.

Later in the week, Isabella popped over to the Flynn-Fletcher household after she saw a five story Newton's Cradle in their backyard.

"Hey there. Whatcha doin?" Isabella poked her head around the back gate, finding the two brothers examining blueprints.

"Hey Isabella. We're trying to build a giant Newton's Cradle to see if the properties are the same even when applied in larger scale." Phineas explained to Isabella while leading her closer to the experiment.

"Uhh, Phineas? You do realize that the balls will hit everything within a block from here right?"

"Yep, we planned for that. Hit it Ferb!" Over by the fence Ferb hit a button on a small metallic remote control and all the houses and fences on their block disappeared into the ground. "Don't worry, we cleared it with everyone on the street first." Phineas said, replying to Isabella's worried look. "Let's start it up, Ferb!"

Ferb pressed a different button and the ball farthest from him began to rise until it was level with the bar at the top. He pressed the button again and the ball dropped, proceeding then to hit the second one, which prompted the ball closed to Ferb to swing up, nearly to the metal bar holding up the contraption.

"It worked! Excellent. Okay Ferb, let's call the company to help us dismantle it." As he finished the sentence a large bowling ball dropped on the Newton's cradle, crushing it, and rolled away, taking the remains of the large device with it.

"Well, that was easy," said Isabella, eyebrows raised.

"I'll say." Phineas replied. "Hey, Isabella, you know that bonfire tonight?" Phineas was visibly nervous, evidenced from the twisting of his hands and the way his eyes flitted around.

Isabella's eyes lit up and her posture straightened. Hopefully he was going to ask what she thought he was. "Yes?" Her voice displayed her excitement.

"I was, um, wondering if you, uh, would liketogowithme?" He sped through the last bit, heart pounding before adding, "And beforehand I was thinking that maybe that you and I and Ferb and Ella could grab a bite to eat?"

Isabella bit her lip, so happy she could barely breathe. She wanted to scream she was so excited. Internally, she reminded herself to calm down so she didn't scream in his face like she felt like she was going to. "Yeah, I'd love to do that," her smile looked about ready to break her face it was so wide.

Phineas returned the smile with equal enthusiasm. "Great, well, we'll be at your house at five then."

"Great, I'll see you then." Isabella left and waited until she was a safe distance away until she began squealing.

Ferb walked up beside his brother, a small smile on his face. "I'm proud of you Phineas. And a little annoyed." Phineas looked up at his brother. Ferb sighed. "I don't mind that much, but you could have checked with me before asking about a double date. Ella and I were going to go to the movies before the bonfire."

"Oh. Sorry bro. Ella won't mind though, right?"

"She shouldn't. She's been wanting to spend more time with my family, plus there wasn't a movie that we wanted to see that badly."

"Thanks, Ferb. I really appreciate it. I don't think I could go on a date with Isabella by myself just yet."

"Not an issue, Phineas. I'll always help you with anything you need."

"Oh, gosh. What will I do? What will I wear?" Isabella wailed into her cell phone. She was rummaging through her closet, looking for an outfit that would work well for both the dinner, and the bonfire.

"Calm down Isabella." Gretchen said to her. "What about that one blue lace shirt you have with that one belt and some white pants?" She held the phone between her shoulder and cheek as she dipped the nail polish brush back into its pot.

"No, I don't really want to wear white pants, especially since the bonfire is outside." Isabella shoved aside an old pair of pajamas before the idea came to her. "What about my loose floral skirt and a blue top?"

"That would be good," Gretchen replied. "Things seem to be speeding up between you two, aren't they?"

"Yeah," replied Isabella "It's almost like he's followed some kind of plan to woo me or something." She pulled out the aforementioned outfit as the two girls giggled.

Across the street in the Flynn-Fletcher household, the two brothers were dressed and waiting for the time to go pick up Isabella. Ella was planning on arriving at their house, so they wouldn't have to go out of their way just to pick her up. The doorbell rang and Ferb went downstairs to answer. Phineas followed, at a distance. As he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, Ella was laughing at something Ferb said. She turned to look at Phineas.

"Hey," she greeted him. Ella was tall, taller than Phineas anyway, but not quite taller than Ferb. She had light brown hair which she wore short, often with a hairband to keep her bangs out of her bright green eyes. She had a small amount of freckles sprinkled over her nose and cheeks.

"Hey Ella," Phineas responded, though distantly.

"Are you excited for your date with Isabella?" She asked.

"Yeah, definitely." Phineas seemed absent-minded as he answered the question. The trio made their way across the street to pick up Isabella, who was pushed out of the doorway by her mother. Phineas smiled as his date staggered to his side. "You look great," he commented. Isabella blushed at the compliment.

The four young people walked a few blocks to a small, inexpensive restaurant. The atmosphere was light and happy inside the establishment, eclectic pieces of furniture and colourful curtains blocking off the private section. The group sat down and ordered sandwiches and lemonades.

Over dinner, the conversation was mainly about what everyone's schedules were for the school year, commenting on the teachers that they had and their past experiences.

After they were finished their dinners, they headed to the bonfire, which was in the park. As they walked, Phineas weaved his fingers through Isabella's smiling at her. Isabella blushed, not used to attention from Phineas. There was a DJ setting up as well as some people carrying firewood into the pit that had been made.

"Since the bonfire's not starting for another little while, why don't we split up and go for a walk?" Ferb suggested, wrapping an arm around Ella's waist. She kissed his cheek.

"Yeah, sure." Phineas replied. The two couples went their separate ways. It had been getting somewhat chillier as of late, signifying the end of summer.

During their walk, Phineas and Isabella talked about books they had read and the few TV shows they watched. Much of the walk was consumed by a comfortable silence. By the time they had reached the area of the bonfire, it was in full swing, people dancing, as well as a few people that were just standing around talking.

"C'mon, Phineas! Let's dance!" Isabella led Phineas to the dancing area and the pair started dancing. Isabella laughed when Phineas attempted some of the moves that his step brother could do, and laughed even harder when he tried out some of the funniest moves she had ever seen. After a few songs it transitioned into a slower one, and Phineas slid his hands around Isabella's waist. He left quite a gap between them before Isabella closed that gap and went to rest her head on his shoulder. Phineas jumped, a little surprised, but slowly smiled and rested his head atop hers.

A few songs later, and Isabella was exhausted. She and Phineas walked over to one of the logs surrounding the bonfire and they sat down. Isabella yawned, stretching her arms over her head. "Phew. I'm beat. Do you mind if we just sit here for a little bit?"

"No, no not at all." Phineas said with a small smile. Isabella yawned again, then shivered. "Are you cold? I wish I had a jacket to offer you..." Phineas said before wrapping his arms around the cold girl. Isabella bit her lip, pleased with the way things were progressing.

Feeling bold, Isabella swung her legs over Phineas's lap and leaned into him. Both of their hearts were pounding, happy that this was happening the way it was.

Isabella decided that she enjoyed being cuddled. She loved Phineas's body warming hers and firm yet soft muscle beneath her. It was a perfect, peaceful feeling. I could live right here for the rest of my life. Thought Isabella.

Phineas was having the same feeling. Isabella was soft and cooling against his overheated skin. He felt so needed with her wrapped in his arms. To him, this was serenity. I wish I'd never have to leave this place. Phineas thought.

At that moment in time, both Phineas and Isabella realized that they were exactly where they were supposed to be.

I am SO sorry for taking such a long time to update. I hadn't been feeling my best earlier in the summer, and then we went on vacation for two weeks, and then I got my laptop taken away from me. This chapter is a little longer than the others, so hopefully that makes up for it. I hope to get the final chapter up sooner than I got this up, but I make no promises. Until next time.