Title: It's Time
Rating: G
Summary: Life isn't measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
Type of fic: Story
Disclaimer: Miranda, Gordo, and all Lizzie McGuire related stuff belongs to Disney and…whoever else has rights to them.
Author's notes: I was listening to Michael Buble's It's Time, and I've always wanted to try writing a story based around an album, and straight away I knew this was the album. And that it was to be Miranda/Gordo. As for the summary, I was going to go with "Gordo falls in love, but is it too late?" – but it seemed too trite. Instead, I went with the quote. :)

-

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good
- "Feeling Good"

He watched as the coupled danced, both so immersed with the other that one would be led to believe that they were lost in their own universe. That they weren't in the middle of their own wedding reception. That they weren't surrounded by over a hundred people.

And as he watched, he continued to wait for the pain, the hurt, or the ache. The angst of seeing his first love marry another man. But it never came. Instead, he felt only delight and pleasure at seeing his bestfriend find true love and happiness.

'Hey.'

David Gordon – or Gordo, as he was often called – turned to look at the one who stopped beside him, nudging him gently with her shoulder. He smiled. 'Hey.'

Unmistakable concern creased her forehead. 'You okay?'

Gordo's smile widened. 'I'm great!' Seeing scepticism on her face, he laughed. 'I'm fine. Really. Would you rather I say that my world was shattering around me? That I am so utterly devastated and feel like I'm going mad with inconsolable, hopeless despair?'

His other bestfriend, Miranda Sanchez, laughed. 'No, of course not. I just want to make sure that you're okay, that's all.'

'Thanks, Mir.' He turned to look at the radiant bride and, though he hated to admit it, striking groom. 'I'm very happy for Lizzie, for both of them. I woke up this morning, expecting to feel dread, and instead I found that I couldn't wait for the day to get going.' Gordo turned once more to face Miranda. 'Honest. I wouldn't lie to you, Mir. You know that.'

'I know that Gordo. And I believe you. Though, if you keep trying to convince me, I might start to think that you really are hiding your true feelings.'

Gordo smiled impishly. 'Yes, well, I didn't want to say anything earlier, but I think that dress is hideous.'

She smacked him none-too-gently on the arm. 'On behalf of Lizzie, who picked this vile and horrid dress – Hey!' However, Miranda looked down at the maid-of-honour dress that had been chosen for her. A deep tangerine-coloured bodice, with a layered frilly skirt in alternating shades of light and dark peach. She made a face. 'I think it's probably time for me to change anyway.'

'Change?'

'Not exactly the travelling outfit I had in mind,' she said with a laugh. 'Besides, can you imagine the looks I'll get running through the airport in this thing?'

Something deep inside of Gordo seemed to cramp in protest at her words. He had all but forgotten that his bestfriend now lived in England. 'You're leaving tonight?'

Miranda gave him a strange look. 'Don't tell me you're getting already senile in your mid-twenties, Gordo. I told you and Lizzie that I wouldn't be able to stay for long, remember?'

He smiled, surprised when he found himself having to force his facial muscles to comply. 'Vaguely. I didn't realise you meant only two days when you said a short visit.'

'I wish I could stay longer and hang with you, but I've got a big meeting in the morning that I can't miss or reschedule again.' Miranda leaned slightly into him. 'I didn't realise you'd miss me this much, Gordo,' she teased.

But Gordo was suddenly not in the mood for jokes. Avoiding her eyes, he softly said, 'Neither did I.'

Miranda didn't hear him, having been momentarily distracted by an across-the-backyard greeting from an old high school friend. She turned back to him. 'Sorry, Gordo. What did you say?'

He shook his head. 'Nothing.'

'I should change, otherwise I'm going to miss my flight.' She laughed lightly. A lilting sound that sent a tingle through him. 'As tempting as that might be!' Without another word, Miranda pivoted and headed back inside the house.

Gordo turned to follow her with his eyes.

-

With her new husband – a word she had easily gotten used to – already back inside, Lizzie and Gordo watched as Miranda's taillights turned the corner and drove out of sight. She turned to her remaining bestfriend, and was surprised at the expression on his face.

'Gordo?'

He ignored her. Or maybe he didn't hear. Lizzie tried again, louder this time. He looked at her.

'You okay?' she asked, unable to hide the concern in her voice.

He smiled at her. It looked forced. 'I'm fine.'

But Lizzie was not easily appeased. 'This is me, Gordo. What's wrong?'

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then sighed. 'I don't know, Lizzie.' His eyes returned to the empty street. 'I guess I just…' Gordo took a deep breath. 'It was great seeing her again, wasn't it?'

'Miranda?'

'Yeah. Seeing her again, after so long, it was… I never realised how much I really missed her, that's all. I can't believe she's gone again, you know? It suddenly feels…'

Lizzie stared at him. Could it be…? It had never crossed her mind before. 'Gordo?'

He turned back to her. 'I'm sorry, I'm just being weird. We should go back.' He moved, turning and beginning to walk back towards the house.

She reached out to stop him. 'Gordo, wait.' Lizzie studied his face, looking for any evidence that her suspicions were right. Her eyes suddenly widened. 'You're in love with her!'

-

'What? No!' It was an involuntary, reflex response. What everyone said when confronted with something that was potentially life changing.

But as Lizzie's revelation sunk in, Gordo took a sharp breath. 'Miranda…?'

Though Lizzie's face swam before him, nodding and smiling, it was an image of a laughing Miranda that filled his vision. He could clearly see her sitting across from him, head thrown back with confident abandon, hair cascading down, teeth flashing in the sun. The sound of her laughter so filled with pure joy that he remembered just watching her for a moment, enjoying the fact that it was he – Gordo – who was sharing this with her.

'Gordo?' Lizzie's voice seemed far away. 'Gordo!'

With a start, Gordo looked at her. A new feeling, not unpleasant, started blossoming from somewhere deep inside of him. Slowly, gradually, it filled every part of him, and he could feel himself almost humming with awareness. With wonder and awe. With truth.

'I'm in love with Miranda…'

end part one.