Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire or any other characters you recognize from the TV show.

Chapter 10

Miranda's POV

"So you're going out with him tonight?"

"Yeah," I replied, twirling the phone's cord around my finger absentmindedly. "And I think this may be it!"

"Oh, wow. But, Miranda, what about-"

"Wait, Liz, I gotta go, but see you at lunch," I said hurriedly, noticing my boss standing outside my cubicle.

"Miranda, don't forget that the 'Winter Wonderland' article has to be in by Thursday, at the latest," she reminded me.

"Almost done with it, Joanna," I assured her. When she left, I turned back to my computer.

"You've got mail," it said. I hastily clicked open the message after seeing who it was from.

Good morning Miranda! I missed you so much last night. I'm sorry I had to work late. But I'll make it up to you tonight. Until I see you, I'll be pining for you!

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile.

I love you forever and always.

Love,

Kevin

I grinned and closed the email. Checking the time, I realized it was time to meet Lizzie.

***

"Auntie 'Randa!" called a little voice.

"Hey! It's my favorite girl, Abby!" I laughed as I picked up the two-year-old that toddled up to me. "How are you doing?"

"Cold!" she giggled. I tugged down her hat and hugged her.

"Hey Miranda!" Lizzie said, joining us.

"Hi Lizzie!" I answered, giving a squirming Abby back to her mother.

"Let's go inside!" Lizzie exclaimed. "It's freezing out here!"

We stepped inside the cozy café and sat down at a table by the window. Waiting for Lizzie to finish pouring juice into Abby's own special cup, my eyes drifted to the busy New York scene outside. The winter wind was blowing hard, and I gazed wistfully at a couple walking together.

"So, Miranda," Lizzie said, bringing me back to the real world, "we never finished talking. So, you think Kevin's going propose tonight?"

"Shhh, don't jinx it!" I whispered excitedly.

"If he does, will you say yes?" Lizzie asked, giving Abby her bowl of cereal.

"I think I will," I said with a big smile on my face. "I mean, we have been together for over two years. And I think he's the one."

"You're so lucky," Lizzie sighed. We paused for a moment as the waitress brought over our sandwiches. Abby was engrossed in her newfound-ability of using her spoon to eat the cereal. Unfortunately, most of it was landing on the table, and not in her mouth.

"But anyways," Lizzie said, leaning closer to me. "What about Larry?"

When the sound of that name reached my ears, my smile diminished and I stiffened. Ever since I had told Lizzie and David about that incident, they had been pretty good in obeying my wishes when I said I didn't want to talk of it again.

"What about Larry?" I said uncomfortably.

"You know," Lizzie said softly. "If it had worked out between you two. You would have made a great couple."

"Lizzie, we've talked about this. I can't just sit around and wait for him to come back. It's been two years. It's over."

"But Miranda-"

"Liz, there's no but. For the first time, in a long time, I feel settled. I have a great job working on a fashion magazine I love, I have an apartment, I have you guys, and I have a boyfriend who is a very successful businessman." I shook my head. "I just can't throw that away to go after an empty hope."

We sat silently for a while, just eating our sandwiches and watching Abby.

"You're right, 'Randa," Lizzie murmured. "I guess I just wanted you to be as happy as I am with David."

"I am happy," I said, softening. "I'm happy with Kevin, with everything. Thank you."

"Well," Lizzie replied, with a big a smile, "if you're happy, I'm happy!"

"Are you sure don't want me to come over tonight?" I asked Lizzie as we were getting ready to leave.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," she answered, stuffing Abby back into her coat. "David's coming back tomorrow."

"Oh, that's right, from Japan? How's the movie coming?"

"I don't really know about all their technical stuff, but I'm happy at least they're editing it in New York," Lizzie said, pushing Abby out the door.

"Ok, so I'll see you soon! Call you later!" I called as we parted ways. "Bye Abby!"

"Bye!" Abby waved. I waved back to her and Lizzie.

I walked slowly back to my office, feeling a little distracted. Why, all of a sudden, did the mention of a name send shivers down my back? A name that hadn't bothered me for two years. I pushed open the glass doors and entered the warm, bustling center.

"Miranda?"

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I barely noticed someone calling my name.

"Miranda!"

Brought back to my senses, I whirled around and saw one of my coworkers.

"What do you need, Karen?" I said with a small smile, pushing other thoughts out of my head.

"Miranda, the photographer just arrived, and he refuses to start with that outfit," she said breathlessly. "He says he needs to shoot in chronological order."

I groaned. "According to what? They're clothes!" I exclaimed exasperatedly. So began a hectic afternoon.

***

I put on my feather earrings and surveyed myself in the mirror. I had to say, I looked fabulous in my black dress, from my sleek hair to my pointy-toed heels. With a quick once-over, I barely had time to apply my lipstick before the buzzer rang.

"Miss Sanchez, this is George. Kevin has to work a bit late, so he asked me to drive you."

"Ok, George, be right down," I replied to Kevin's driver, who was now a friend of mine.

I quickly grabbed my clutch and wrap, and hurried downstairs.

"Good evening, Miss Sanchez," George said, opening the door of the car for me.

"George, how many times do I need to tell you, just Miranda?" I said, slipping into the Rolls Royce. The elderly, English man just shook his head and went around to the front seat.

***

Arriving at the expensive and fancy restaurant, we saw Kevin, who hurried to open the door for me.

"You look gorgeous," he murmured, kissing my hand.

"Why, thank you!" I said. He offered his arm to me and we went into the restaurant.

"So how was work today?" Kevin asked as we were seated.

"It was…busy. We had a disastrous fashion shoot, where the photographer was pickier than the models! But it's ok now. Because you're here," I said with a smile.

We made it through dinner without any problem, and had just ordered chocolate mousse for dessert. The waiter had just refilled our glasses with the best wine.

"Listen, Miranda," Kevin said softly, rubbing my hand. "These last few years, while we've been dating, I've been happier than I'd been in a long time. You make me feel…different, like no woman has ever made me feel before. In a good way," he added, hurriedly. I smiled and bit my lip, hoping to hear those four words. Kevin reached into his jacket and took out a velvet box.

"What I'm trying to say, is that I love you, and I want to be with you forever." He opened the box, revealing a lavish and beautiful ring. "Miranda Sanchez, will you marry me?"

Looking at Kevin, the love of my life, I was all set to say yes. But suddenly, my gaze was drawn to the entrance, where somebody had breathlessly rushed in.

That moment, my heart stopped and time froze.

"Larry?" I whispered, not daring to breathe.

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A/N: hehehe, I think I'm going to stop there for now! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, those things get me to write, and please keep them coming! Hope you like this so far!