Suddenly
by TheRealXenocide
`
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, or anything else you recognize from the show Lizzie McGuire. The plot, at it's base, has been around since Homer. While I'm sure that, buried somewhere in the mass of stories here, there's an L/G story that sounds like this, I can honestly say that I haven't seen it. But this story came to me so fully, I had to write it.
`
Notes: First, this story has absolutely no connection to any other story I've written. For that matter, it has no bearing on anything I've thought up, but not written.
Second: At the beginning of this story, the surviving members of the trio are 30, and Matt is 27.
Third: Yes, you read that right. Surviving members. Somebody died days before the start of this story. The how will be revealed in the story. The why . . . I don't think we'll ever fully be able to answer that, either for the character or the real people who die under the same circumstances.
Fourth: This will be a very short fic. Five short chapters, and it's done. I hope, once you've read it, you'll understand why.
`
Chapter 1
Gone
`
As 27-year-old Matt McGuire placed the flowers he brought on the fresh dirt of the grave, he wiped the last of the tears away. He was glad nobody else was there, as he'd spend the last fifteen minutes bawling his eyes out. It hurt so much to think about, he'd refused to allow himself to feel anything. But her headstone brought it crashing home.
Miranda Sanchez, his best friend in the world, was dead. Murdered by her abusive husband.
Matt could never understand how Miranda, or any woman, could live like that. Oh, she'd left Todd several times. But every time, he'd wait awhile, then beg her to come back. It took some time, but she always did. 'Why? She was always such a strong person, why would she go back?'
Matt remembered the last time vividly. When she'd shown up at his door with the girls, he didn't hesitate. Of course they could stay. The girls got the large master bed, Miranda got the couch, and Matt used a sleeping bag. Not comfortable for him, but he managed. The next day, when he knew Todd would be home and Miranda would be occupied, Matt gathered his brother-in-law, David Gordon, and Miranda's father, Edward, together. Having tried other ways in the past, they spoke to Todd in a language he'd understand, fists.
Obviously, even that hadn't worked.
He remembered the day she decided to go back that last time. He'd begged her, literally on his knees, not to go. He was so afraid for her and the girls. Things had gotten so intense, he'd almost let he's secret slip. But he'd choked it back. Once she was gone, he'd broken down. Why did he hold back? Maybe, if she knew, she'd have stayed. But something kept him from saying it, every time.
And now, the woman he loves is dead, and part of him felt like he'd killed her.
Matt was sure he was alone. So he nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a familiar female voice. "You loved her, didn't you?"
by TheRealXenocide
`
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, or anything else you recognize from the show Lizzie McGuire. The plot, at it's base, has been around since Homer. While I'm sure that, buried somewhere in the mass of stories here, there's an L/G story that sounds like this, I can honestly say that I haven't seen it. But this story came to me so fully, I had to write it.
`
Notes: First, this story has absolutely no connection to any other story I've written. For that matter, it has no bearing on anything I've thought up, but not written.
Second: At the beginning of this story, the surviving members of the trio are 30, and Matt is 27.
Third: Yes, you read that right. Surviving members. Somebody died days before the start of this story. The how will be revealed in the story. The why . . . I don't think we'll ever fully be able to answer that, either for the character or the real people who die under the same circumstances.
Fourth: This will be a very short fic. Five short chapters, and it's done. I hope, once you've read it, you'll understand why.
`
Chapter 1
Gone
`
As 27-year-old Matt McGuire placed the flowers he brought on the fresh dirt of the grave, he wiped the last of the tears away. He was glad nobody else was there, as he'd spend the last fifteen minutes bawling his eyes out. It hurt so much to think about, he'd refused to allow himself to feel anything. But her headstone brought it crashing home.
Miranda Sanchez, his best friend in the world, was dead. Murdered by her abusive husband.
Matt could never understand how Miranda, or any woman, could live like that. Oh, she'd left Todd several times. But every time, he'd wait awhile, then beg her to come back. It took some time, but she always did. 'Why? She was always such a strong person, why would she go back?'
Matt remembered the last time vividly. When she'd shown up at his door with the girls, he didn't hesitate. Of course they could stay. The girls got the large master bed, Miranda got the couch, and Matt used a sleeping bag. Not comfortable for him, but he managed. The next day, when he knew Todd would be home and Miranda would be occupied, Matt gathered his brother-in-law, David Gordon, and Miranda's father, Edward, together. Having tried other ways in the past, they spoke to Todd in a language he'd understand, fists.
Obviously, even that hadn't worked.
He remembered the day she decided to go back that last time. He'd begged her, literally on his knees, not to go. He was so afraid for her and the girls. Things had gotten so intense, he'd almost let he's secret slip. But he'd choked it back. Once she was gone, he'd broken down. Why did he hold back? Maybe, if she knew, she'd have stayed. But something kept him from saying it, every time.
And now, the woman he loves is dead, and part of him felt like he'd killed her.
Matt was sure he was alone. So he nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a familiar female voice. "You loved her, didn't you?"