A/N: I am soooo sorry that this was so late in coming. Bad girl, bad. *Hit's herself over the head repeatedly, much in the style of Dobby, the house elf* Oooh, can you all forgive me?
Here's something I hope will make it better, this chapter is as long as the other two combined. And, what's this? I do believe that more chapters are on the way. Yep, that's right, what's started off as an innocent one-parter, has now turned into something bigger. I have the next three chapters planned, after that. It's anyone's guess. Apart from this one, all the chapters end with the feeling that it could be the last. Anyway, hope you enjoy, hope you review!
My not-so-subtle sister informed me the other day while reading this story that she thought it was bogus that Gordo liked Lizzie when he was only nine. I say this; so what? Doesn't that just make it even more cute? And besides, I did say the words crush, who hasn't had a crush on someone when they were that age. Heck, I married two guys before I turned five! (quite obviously, that was not for real, you've all been there, I'm sure. Or at least, I hope)
Disclaimer: Not need for that, is there? No, not really. ________________________________________________________________________
What Could Have Been - Part 3: Together Forever
It was dark outside, being night and all. Nine o'clock, to be exact. It was a chilly November night in a small town just outside of California called Hillridge.
Two young people didn't seem to mind the freezing cold weather though, and the gusty winds blowing leaves off the trees all around them.
In fact, the two, a male and female, seemed to be oblivious to everything around them, the only exception to that fact being them selves, of course.
You see, these two people, standing outside the door of number twelve, Wilson Road, hugging and kissing and talking and smiling, were not the normal sort of couple that you would see on the street. The fact that they had only been a couple for two hours was irrelevant.
They had a history, one so long it would take a shorter time to watch the Director's cut of the Titanic than listen to what they went through in their lives.
The only thing important was, these two were best friends. They had been by each other's side since the very day they were born. They knew everything there was to know about the other, and always knew exactly what to say.
This is their story:
The guy; a fourteen year old by the name of David 'Gordo' Gordon, had been in love with his best friend; another fourteen year old: Lizzie McGuire, for about as long as he had known her.
Trouble was, he had never figured that out until only two years prior, but he had never told her for the one reason universally acknowledged as the worst thing after telling someone you like them; rejection.
It was tough, to love someone you were sure could never love you back, even tougher when it was someone you saw every single day.
So, for two years, Gordo kept his feelings hidden, even from his other friend, Miranda Sanchez.
He had never known how hard it would be, seeing her with other guys, smiling, flirting. Gordo always wished it would be him she would flirt with, him she would be seen dating. She had, however, always laughed at his jokes, even ones he didn't know he was making, which was sort of a plus. But what was one out of three when it was the other two that counted?
And it was made even less appealing considering everyone else around them laughed also. It was hard to be intimately sharing a joke with someone when everyone else was in on it as well.
But lately, as in the last couple of weeks, Gordo's feelings for Lizzie had grown ultimately stronger, more so than even he considered. Unbeknownst to him, Lizzie feelings had also been changing, at a much slower pace, mind you, but also enough for her to realise that she wasn't just dealing with Gordo; the best friend anymore. She was dealing with Gordo; the guy who had potential to be more than friends.
As absurd a notion it was to Gordo that he could love someone, especially his best friend, at such a young age, it was even worse for Lizzie, who was only then figuring out her own feelings for him. She'd had to come to terms with the fact that she had liked him longer than thought possible, and the crush she had on Ethan Craft was no more than just that, a schoolgirl crush. Developing feeling for your best friend was something no guy or girl really thought about, especially when they had been friends as long as those two had.
When Miranda started becoming less frequented at Hillridge Middle School, due to absences and the recent decision to have a few extra weeks of vacation, that was when Gordo decided to do something about his ever present feelings.
Deciding just how to do it and when exactly was the hard part.
What was the saying; 'easier said than done'? Well, when applied to this situation, it was very much an understatement.
Gordo had lucked out just two weeks ago when Lizzie decided to be the advice-columnist for their school newsletter. Gordo saw it as his perfect chance, a nice, subtle way of addressing his feelings to the very person he felt them for, without her actually knowing.
And anonymous letter had been perfect. The answer, though probably not what he was looking for, had been good enough for him to tell her, finally.
He remembered what she had written, something short and sweet, but to the point.
'Dear Confused. I wish I could tell you what to do, but I can't. All I can say is, follow you heart, it will tell you what's right.'
And so, he had, he followed his heart, and it led him here. To the McGuire's front doorstep, proclaiming his feelings to the girls of his dreams (literally) in the best way possible.
It was, well, not blunt, but hardly any stuttering on his part, which, in Gordo's opinion, was a definite plus.
Although Gordo had some hopes of what would happen after his admission, he had never, even in his most wildest dreams, expected her to admit her own feelings.
He was definitely hoping, sure, but, to have her say it, and mean it. Well, he couldn't have been happier if he tried.
He had, after that, officially asked her out. She had said yes, thankfully. For Gordo, the world had stopped, for just a few seconds, while they had both looked in each other's eyes, and smiled, perfectly content with one another.
Not long after, events led to their first official kiss. Which, in turn, led to another, and another, and another. It was a wonder that the couple didn't die of asphyxiation.
Sitting on steps of the porch, lit by artificial light coming from lamp posts all around, and from inside, the two now sat, gazing up at the night sky, wonderfully decorated by millions of stars, twinkling softly as if winking and saying; 'told you so'.
A huge full moon completed the perfect picture as it helped create light for the new couple.
They had been that way for almost an hour, not talking, not kissing, just simply sitting, staring at the sky and thinking about the days events. Similar thoughts plagued both the teens' minds as they sat, fingers intertwined, occasionally stealing glances at the other.
What had started out as a murder mystery party, had finished in a romance no one had expected. At least, not the parties involved, that is. It seemed, according to everyone that wasn't Lizzie and Gordo, that this was an event a long time in coming.
And while it would have been nice to have been informed of this particular news, the couple was at least glad that it was all finally out in the open, and that they were both happy.
That was really all that mattered.
The time had come, finally, for words to be spoken, and although neither really wanted to interrupt the blissful silence that had crept over them, they both realised it was inevitable.
"Lizzie?" Gordo started, looking down at the top of the blonde's head. Somewhere during the silence, Lizzie had laid her head down on the soft cushion-y flesh of Gordo's chest. He had, in turn, wrapped his arms around her stomach lovingly, and had rested his chin on head.
"Hmm?" was her soft reply. It wasn't at all sleepy, just, peaceful.
Smiling down at her blonde head, Gordo whispered softly into her hair, but just loud enough so she could hear.
"I'm glad you stopped me. Before, I mean. I'm glad you called me back."
Lizzie smiled, and although Gordo couldn't see it, he could feel it.
"So am I."
Gordo continued, quite unsure, but knowing e should say this.
"I don't know what I would have done if you didn't."
Lizzie let loose a soft giggle at that.
"Probably run away like the coward you are."
Gordo could help it, her laugh was contagious. He felt a chuckle rising in his chest and he let it loose. But despite that, he couldn't help thinking she was right, no matter the fact that she was joking. He probably would have ran away, and been too chicken to face her the next day. And then she would think that he had blown her off, and get angry with him and never speak to him again.
Although the logical part of him insisted that would never be true, he couldn't help thinking it. He would never voice these fears to her, for the simple reason that he didn't want to upset her, and knew that she'd just tell him he was being crazy.
Gordo realised too late that he had been silent too long, lost in his thoughts. He silently cursed himself when Lizzie got up from her position on his chest and turned herself around so she was facing him.
"Gordo, are you okay?" Try as she, Lizzie couldn't quite keep the concern from leaking into her words at the sight of his face.
Putting on a smile that was not all genuine, Gordo picked up Lizzie's hand and gently kissed it, before squeezing it I his own.
"I am fine," after seeing her disbelieving face, he continued, now slightly amused.
"Really, I'm great. I mean, why wouldn't I be? I'm out here, at night, sitting with the girl I love and...." Gordo realised what he had said only after the he had said it.
Determined not to look Lizzie in the eye, Gordo stared directly at the ground, not saying a word, and not daring to look up. He prayed that she didn't hear him, but he was granted no such luck.
After minutes of silence, that actually seemed like hours, Gordo felt Lizzie squeeze his hand, just a little bit tighter.
"Gordo, look at me." When he didn't do as she asked, Lizzie grabbed his chin between her fingers and lightly pulled his face up to stare in his eyes. Still he kept his eyes anywhere but on her face.
"Please, just look at me," she sighed, and he finally couldn't stand it any longer. Looking up into her hazel orbs, Gordo saw something he couldn't name, but it was not what he was expecting, and for that, he was grateful.
"Did you mean that? What you said?" As she said this, Lizzie eyes searched his for the answer. She found it, and his short admission proved her correct.
"Yes," he muttered, finding it almost unbearable to look at her as she pondered this.
It was too much, waiting patiently for her reply, so instead, Gordo decided to go one step further. He had already said it, why not explain himself?
"I'm sorry, if that upset's you Lizzie. Believe me when I say I don't want to hurt you, but I've kept that hidden for a long time now, longer than you could possibly imagine." He paused, taking a breath and awaiting her reaction. She gave none, her face calm and collected, as if she was expecting more.
"Everything that happened tonight, it was a dream come true. Things like this aren't supposed to happen to guys like me; we're just not that lucky. But somehow, it did, and I thank God that it did, because he gave me you, and that's all I need.
"I said before I liked you. To be blunt, I lied. I don't simply like you. Lizzie McGuire, I love you. Maybe for you, it's sudden, but for me, it feels like it's been an eternity. And of course, I don't expect you to feel the same way. It's a miracle that you even like me, but I had to let you..." Gordo's sentence was cut short by Lizzie' lips pressing firmly to his own. She had hit him with such force that she had sent him to the ground, bring her along with him.
When they came up for air, they were both grinning so widely they gave the Cheshire cat a run for its money. Gordo managed to pick himself up into a sitting position again, and grinned once again at the look in her eyes.
Definitely not what he was expecting.
"You really mean it?" She was repeating herself, but they both seemed not to care.
"Every word." Gordo replied, putting as much honesty and love into the two simple words.
"Oh Gordo, I love you too." It was a surprise, even to Lizzie, how easily the words came, but looking back on it she found she meant every word. It really wasn't that surprising when she thought about it. It was just the fact that she said it with such ease.
Love, it was a funny word. When said by different people, it could mean much different things. When said by these two, it could only mean one thing, and it caused both of them to smile.
Lizzie bowled him over again with yet another passionate kiss, but this time he was ready for her, and immediately grabbed hold of her shoulders to steady them both before sliding his hands down her arms to rest at her tiny waist.
Gordo welcomed her kiss with equal fever, revelling in the fact that where his hands had been had left goosebumps on her flesh.
After a couple of moments, the pair stopped kissing in order to get some much-needed air. The pulled apart by only millimetres though, just enough so they could lean their foreheads against each other.
"Gordo?" Lizzie broke the silence, still panting slightly.
Gordo smiled and gave her a chaste kiss.
"Yeah?" He answered, much in the same fashion as Lizzie.
"I'm cold." Her short statement made it very hard for Gordo to not laugh. Coupled with the cute pout she had just put on, he was almost bursting with suppressed giggles.
Rather than get caught up in the laughter, Lizzie simply put her hands on hips, trying, but failing to look angry.
"I'm serious," she whined; only being successful in breaking down Gordo's defences with his laughter. Lizzie waited impatiently until his laughter became mere chuckles, but decided against asking him again.
Gordo, however, had gotten the message the first time, but had just found it extremely adorable in the way she expressed it.
Being the good little boyfriend, Gordo took off his jacket and wrapped it around Lizzie's shoulders, hugging her closer to give her more warmth. She snuggled into his embrace, and they sat for a minute in silence until Gordo remembered his earlier thought.
Boyfriend!
Startled by his own thoughts, Gordo immediately let go off the blonde in his arms, prompting her to give him a look of pure concern and sadness.
"Did I do something?" As she said this, Lizzie racked her trying to come up with something she might have said or done to get him to act this way. Unfortunately, she came up empty.
Gordo, meanwhile, looked absolutely mortified at the fact that she would even dare ask that question.
"NO!" Was his immediate reply. "No, of course not. You did nothing, honestly. It's me, really, I was just thinking, and something I thought startled me, that's all." Gordo refrained from using any terms of endearment. His brain was frazzled enough as it was, he didn't want to be adding more fuel to the fire.
Lizzie, apparently, wasn't satisfied with the answer he had supplied for her.
"Gordo, I'm not going to just accept that. Please, tell me what's wrong," after a moment's pause, she added; "I deserve to know that, at least."
Realising she was right, Gordo sighed and looked into her eyes.
"I was scared, I guess. When I was just thinking before, I realised I referred to myself as your boyfriend," at this statement, Lizzie visibly relaxed, but Gordo wasn't finished. "But then I realised, are we really ready for that? Are we ready for what being a couple means? I believe in my heart that we are, I really do, but I don't know what I would do if it didn't work out. Would we remain friends, or would it ruin us and we never speak to each other again?"
He seemed to be done with his little monologue, but Lizzie let the silence take them over for a little while before she answered.
"Do you honestly believe that we will ever be the situation such as what you just referred to?" She didn't wait for him to answer before continuing. "Because I don't know about you, but when I tell someone I love them, it's pretty much a forever sort of deal. Whether we are a couple or not, I wouldn't never let something as petty as a break up stand between our friendship."
As she said this last statement, Lizzie grabbed Gordo's chin between her fingers and raised his head up for the second time that night. Unlike the last time, however, he met her eyes square on, although she could tell he was nervous.
"Do you understand?" Right then, Lizzie felt way older than simply fourteen, and Gordo could see the change.
Unable to fully speak, he contented both himself and her for simply nodding his agreement. The two hugged, and, finding his voice, Gordo looked back up again.
"Lizzie, I love you more than you will ever know, and I never ever want to hurt you. But, I guess, I'm a guy, and I do have insecurities.
"How could I not? You're beautiful, and some cute guy could come marching up to you the next day to ask you out, and what's to stop you from saying yes?"
"You are," Lizzie replied to what Gordo meant to be a rhetorical question.
Gordo nodded again, and they both smiled.
"I'm sorry," Gordo said after a while. "I guess I just think too much, huh?" The couple laughed at his question, but never did answer.
"You never did answer my question," Lizzie voice cut into the comfortable silence.
"What question?"
"The one about do you ever think we will break up."
Gordo gulped, he hoped not to let Lizzie in on just how deep his feelings for her were, but it seemed he was trapped.
"Truthfully, I don't ever want to Lizzie. I dream about the future, and the only thing that's constant is that you're in it. I can't imagine my life without you, Lizzie, I hope you realise that." Lizzie didn't bother to say that yes, she did realise that, and in fact felt the same way.
Lizzie knew what he was saying, but Gordo wasn't finished.
"And to tell you the truth, Lizzie. If I had the means to support you, I would ask you to marry me. Maybe not now, maybe not even in the next couple of years, but I know, somewhere done the track, that you will be my wife."
Lizzie smiled; more like grinned, actually. Half of her couldn't believe he was saying those things, and meaning it. The other half, the stronger half, couldn't help but agree.
"Was that a pre-proposal?" She didn't seem to realise, but her eyes were shinning with tears.
"Depends, was that a pre-answer?"
Lizzie could do nothing but kiss him after that question, answering him with the passion of her kiss.
Seconds seemed like hours until the two finally pulled away, grinning like the lovesick teenagers they were.
"We should get inside, before your mum thinks I kid-napped you and calls the police." Gordo, ever the responsible one, started lifting Lizzie up by her hand and gently tugging her towards the front step of her house.
"Maybe I should go, leave the parent dealing for the morning?" It was only a suggestion, but both teens realised it was probably the safest way of making it through the night unharmed.
"I'll be by early tomorrow. We can talk to everyone then. Is that alright with you?" Lizzie nodded, and Gordo gave her a chaste kiss in return.
"I can't believe my dad didn't check on us once. We've been out here, what, a couple of hours now?"
Gordo couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"He probably thinks he can trust his teenage daughter with her best friend," he winked, mischievously. "I guess he's going to have to rethink that, then."
His cheek earned him a playful slap of the shoulder, and a mock-glare, causing him to chuckle lightly.
"I love you," he said seriously, and she replied much the same fashion, giving his nose a playful kiss before deciding that wasn't enough and attacking his mouth.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked when she released him A nod was her reply, and she dug around her pockets for her key.
Remembering the jacket he had given her to keep warm, she started to shrug out of it, before he stopped her.
"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway."
Lizzie laughed.
"Considering this is a men's jacket, I'm not sure if I should be offended or not."
Gordo joined her in laughing.
"I'd go for not. You look cute, is all. But then, when have you ever not?"
Lizzie blushed at the obvious compliment, before blowing her now boyfriend a kiss and walking inside. As she closed the door, Lizzie heard Gordo's sweet voice whisper to her as he trotted off down the path to his home.
"Sweet dreams, McGuire."
______________________________________________________________________
Sorry about any mistakes, I just wanted to post as soon as possible because I felt guilty for leaving you guys hanging to for so long. Thanks to all who remained patient enough to read this.
A/N: This is a quick thank you to all who has reviewed so far. This was more popular than I first predicted, and for that I am grateful. Hope you like what I've got in store next. Hint: Gordo and Lizzie confront the parents, and Lizzie has an overdue talk with one Miranda Sanchez. What will everyone think of the new relationship? Will everyone approve? What surprises are in store for the new love-birds. All is revealed next chapter. YAY!!
God Bless Em
Here's something I hope will make it better, this chapter is as long as the other two combined. And, what's this? I do believe that more chapters are on the way. Yep, that's right, what's started off as an innocent one-parter, has now turned into something bigger. I have the next three chapters planned, after that. It's anyone's guess. Apart from this one, all the chapters end with the feeling that it could be the last. Anyway, hope you enjoy, hope you review!
My not-so-subtle sister informed me the other day while reading this story that she thought it was bogus that Gordo liked Lizzie when he was only nine. I say this; so what? Doesn't that just make it even more cute? And besides, I did say the words crush, who hasn't had a crush on someone when they were that age. Heck, I married two guys before I turned five! (quite obviously, that was not for real, you've all been there, I'm sure. Or at least, I hope)
Disclaimer: Not need for that, is there? No, not really. ________________________________________________________________________
What Could Have Been - Part 3: Together Forever
It was dark outside, being night and all. Nine o'clock, to be exact. It was a chilly November night in a small town just outside of California called Hillridge.
Two young people didn't seem to mind the freezing cold weather though, and the gusty winds blowing leaves off the trees all around them.
In fact, the two, a male and female, seemed to be oblivious to everything around them, the only exception to that fact being them selves, of course.
You see, these two people, standing outside the door of number twelve, Wilson Road, hugging and kissing and talking and smiling, were not the normal sort of couple that you would see on the street. The fact that they had only been a couple for two hours was irrelevant.
They had a history, one so long it would take a shorter time to watch the Director's cut of the Titanic than listen to what they went through in their lives.
The only thing important was, these two were best friends. They had been by each other's side since the very day they were born. They knew everything there was to know about the other, and always knew exactly what to say.
This is their story:
The guy; a fourteen year old by the name of David 'Gordo' Gordon, had been in love with his best friend; another fourteen year old: Lizzie McGuire, for about as long as he had known her.
Trouble was, he had never figured that out until only two years prior, but he had never told her for the one reason universally acknowledged as the worst thing after telling someone you like them; rejection.
It was tough, to love someone you were sure could never love you back, even tougher when it was someone you saw every single day.
So, for two years, Gordo kept his feelings hidden, even from his other friend, Miranda Sanchez.
He had never known how hard it would be, seeing her with other guys, smiling, flirting. Gordo always wished it would be him she would flirt with, him she would be seen dating. She had, however, always laughed at his jokes, even ones he didn't know he was making, which was sort of a plus. But what was one out of three when it was the other two that counted?
And it was made even less appealing considering everyone else around them laughed also. It was hard to be intimately sharing a joke with someone when everyone else was in on it as well.
But lately, as in the last couple of weeks, Gordo's feelings for Lizzie had grown ultimately stronger, more so than even he considered. Unbeknownst to him, Lizzie feelings had also been changing, at a much slower pace, mind you, but also enough for her to realise that she wasn't just dealing with Gordo; the best friend anymore. She was dealing with Gordo; the guy who had potential to be more than friends.
As absurd a notion it was to Gordo that he could love someone, especially his best friend, at such a young age, it was even worse for Lizzie, who was only then figuring out her own feelings for him. She'd had to come to terms with the fact that she had liked him longer than thought possible, and the crush she had on Ethan Craft was no more than just that, a schoolgirl crush. Developing feeling for your best friend was something no guy or girl really thought about, especially when they had been friends as long as those two had.
When Miranda started becoming less frequented at Hillridge Middle School, due to absences and the recent decision to have a few extra weeks of vacation, that was when Gordo decided to do something about his ever present feelings.
Deciding just how to do it and when exactly was the hard part.
What was the saying; 'easier said than done'? Well, when applied to this situation, it was very much an understatement.
Gordo had lucked out just two weeks ago when Lizzie decided to be the advice-columnist for their school newsletter. Gordo saw it as his perfect chance, a nice, subtle way of addressing his feelings to the very person he felt them for, without her actually knowing.
And anonymous letter had been perfect. The answer, though probably not what he was looking for, had been good enough for him to tell her, finally.
He remembered what she had written, something short and sweet, but to the point.
'Dear Confused. I wish I could tell you what to do, but I can't. All I can say is, follow you heart, it will tell you what's right.'
And so, he had, he followed his heart, and it led him here. To the McGuire's front doorstep, proclaiming his feelings to the girls of his dreams (literally) in the best way possible.
It was, well, not blunt, but hardly any stuttering on his part, which, in Gordo's opinion, was a definite plus.
Although Gordo had some hopes of what would happen after his admission, he had never, even in his most wildest dreams, expected her to admit her own feelings.
He was definitely hoping, sure, but, to have her say it, and mean it. Well, he couldn't have been happier if he tried.
He had, after that, officially asked her out. She had said yes, thankfully. For Gordo, the world had stopped, for just a few seconds, while they had both looked in each other's eyes, and smiled, perfectly content with one another.
Not long after, events led to their first official kiss. Which, in turn, led to another, and another, and another. It was a wonder that the couple didn't die of asphyxiation.
Sitting on steps of the porch, lit by artificial light coming from lamp posts all around, and from inside, the two now sat, gazing up at the night sky, wonderfully decorated by millions of stars, twinkling softly as if winking and saying; 'told you so'.
A huge full moon completed the perfect picture as it helped create light for the new couple.
They had been that way for almost an hour, not talking, not kissing, just simply sitting, staring at the sky and thinking about the days events. Similar thoughts plagued both the teens' minds as they sat, fingers intertwined, occasionally stealing glances at the other.
What had started out as a murder mystery party, had finished in a romance no one had expected. At least, not the parties involved, that is. It seemed, according to everyone that wasn't Lizzie and Gordo, that this was an event a long time in coming.
And while it would have been nice to have been informed of this particular news, the couple was at least glad that it was all finally out in the open, and that they were both happy.
That was really all that mattered.
The time had come, finally, for words to be spoken, and although neither really wanted to interrupt the blissful silence that had crept over them, they both realised it was inevitable.
"Lizzie?" Gordo started, looking down at the top of the blonde's head. Somewhere during the silence, Lizzie had laid her head down on the soft cushion-y flesh of Gordo's chest. He had, in turn, wrapped his arms around her stomach lovingly, and had rested his chin on head.
"Hmm?" was her soft reply. It wasn't at all sleepy, just, peaceful.
Smiling down at her blonde head, Gordo whispered softly into her hair, but just loud enough so she could hear.
"I'm glad you stopped me. Before, I mean. I'm glad you called me back."
Lizzie smiled, and although Gordo couldn't see it, he could feel it.
"So am I."
Gordo continued, quite unsure, but knowing e should say this.
"I don't know what I would have done if you didn't."
Lizzie let loose a soft giggle at that.
"Probably run away like the coward you are."
Gordo could help it, her laugh was contagious. He felt a chuckle rising in his chest and he let it loose. But despite that, he couldn't help thinking she was right, no matter the fact that she was joking. He probably would have ran away, and been too chicken to face her the next day. And then she would think that he had blown her off, and get angry with him and never speak to him again.
Although the logical part of him insisted that would never be true, he couldn't help thinking it. He would never voice these fears to her, for the simple reason that he didn't want to upset her, and knew that she'd just tell him he was being crazy.
Gordo realised too late that he had been silent too long, lost in his thoughts. He silently cursed himself when Lizzie got up from her position on his chest and turned herself around so she was facing him.
"Gordo, are you okay?" Try as she, Lizzie couldn't quite keep the concern from leaking into her words at the sight of his face.
Putting on a smile that was not all genuine, Gordo picked up Lizzie's hand and gently kissed it, before squeezing it I his own.
"I am fine," after seeing her disbelieving face, he continued, now slightly amused.
"Really, I'm great. I mean, why wouldn't I be? I'm out here, at night, sitting with the girl I love and...." Gordo realised what he had said only after the he had said it.
Determined not to look Lizzie in the eye, Gordo stared directly at the ground, not saying a word, and not daring to look up. He prayed that she didn't hear him, but he was granted no such luck.
After minutes of silence, that actually seemed like hours, Gordo felt Lizzie squeeze his hand, just a little bit tighter.
"Gordo, look at me." When he didn't do as she asked, Lizzie grabbed his chin between her fingers and lightly pulled his face up to stare in his eyes. Still he kept his eyes anywhere but on her face.
"Please, just look at me," she sighed, and he finally couldn't stand it any longer. Looking up into her hazel orbs, Gordo saw something he couldn't name, but it was not what he was expecting, and for that, he was grateful.
"Did you mean that? What you said?" As she said this, Lizzie eyes searched his for the answer. She found it, and his short admission proved her correct.
"Yes," he muttered, finding it almost unbearable to look at her as she pondered this.
It was too much, waiting patiently for her reply, so instead, Gordo decided to go one step further. He had already said it, why not explain himself?
"I'm sorry, if that upset's you Lizzie. Believe me when I say I don't want to hurt you, but I've kept that hidden for a long time now, longer than you could possibly imagine." He paused, taking a breath and awaiting her reaction. She gave none, her face calm and collected, as if she was expecting more.
"Everything that happened tonight, it was a dream come true. Things like this aren't supposed to happen to guys like me; we're just not that lucky. But somehow, it did, and I thank God that it did, because he gave me you, and that's all I need.
"I said before I liked you. To be blunt, I lied. I don't simply like you. Lizzie McGuire, I love you. Maybe for you, it's sudden, but for me, it feels like it's been an eternity. And of course, I don't expect you to feel the same way. It's a miracle that you even like me, but I had to let you..." Gordo's sentence was cut short by Lizzie' lips pressing firmly to his own. She had hit him with such force that she had sent him to the ground, bring her along with him.
When they came up for air, they were both grinning so widely they gave the Cheshire cat a run for its money. Gordo managed to pick himself up into a sitting position again, and grinned once again at the look in her eyes.
Definitely not what he was expecting.
"You really mean it?" She was repeating herself, but they both seemed not to care.
"Every word." Gordo replied, putting as much honesty and love into the two simple words.
"Oh Gordo, I love you too." It was a surprise, even to Lizzie, how easily the words came, but looking back on it she found she meant every word. It really wasn't that surprising when she thought about it. It was just the fact that she said it with such ease.
Love, it was a funny word. When said by different people, it could mean much different things. When said by these two, it could only mean one thing, and it caused both of them to smile.
Lizzie bowled him over again with yet another passionate kiss, but this time he was ready for her, and immediately grabbed hold of her shoulders to steady them both before sliding his hands down her arms to rest at her tiny waist.
Gordo welcomed her kiss with equal fever, revelling in the fact that where his hands had been had left goosebumps on her flesh.
After a couple of moments, the pair stopped kissing in order to get some much-needed air. The pulled apart by only millimetres though, just enough so they could lean their foreheads against each other.
"Gordo?" Lizzie broke the silence, still panting slightly.
Gordo smiled and gave her a chaste kiss.
"Yeah?" He answered, much in the same fashion as Lizzie.
"I'm cold." Her short statement made it very hard for Gordo to not laugh. Coupled with the cute pout she had just put on, he was almost bursting with suppressed giggles.
Rather than get caught up in the laughter, Lizzie simply put her hands on hips, trying, but failing to look angry.
"I'm serious," she whined; only being successful in breaking down Gordo's defences with his laughter. Lizzie waited impatiently until his laughter became mere chuckles, but decided against asking him again.
Gordo, however, had gotten the message the first time, but had just found it extremely adorable in the way she expressed it.
Being the good little boyfriend, Gordo took off his jacket and wrapped it around Lizzie's shoulders, hugging her closer to give her more warmth. She snuggled into his embrace, and they sat for a minute in silence until Gordo remembered his earlier thought.
Boyfriend!
Startled by his own thoughts, Gordo immediately let go off the blonde in his arms, prompting her to give him a look of pure concern and sadness.
"Did I do something?" As she said this, Lizzie racked her trying to come up with something she might have said or done to get him to act this way. Unfortunately, she came up empty.
Gordo, meanwhile, looked absolutely mortified at the fact that she would even dare ask that question.
"NO!" Was his immediate reply. "No, of course not. You did nothing, honestly. It's me, really, I was just thinking, and something I thought startled me, that's all." Gordo refrained from using any terms of endearment. His brain was frazzled enough as it was, he didn't want to be adding more fuel to the fire.
Lizzie, apparently, wasn't satisfied with the answer he had supplied for her.
"Gordo, I'm not going to just accept that. Please, tell me what's wrong," after a moment's pause, she added; "I deserve to know that, at least."
Realising she was right, Gordo sighed and looked into her eyes.
"I was scared, I guess. When I was just thinking before, I realised I referred to myself as your boyfriend," at this statement, Lizzie visibly relaxed, but Gordo wasn't finished. "But then I realised, are we really ready for that? Are we ready for what being a couple means? I believe in my heart that we are, I really do, but I don't know what I would do if it didn't work out. Would we remain friends, or would it ruin us and we never speak to each other again?"
He seemed to be done with his little monologue, but Lizzie let the silence take them over for a little while before she answered.
"Do you honestly believe that we will ever be the situation such as what you just referred to?" She didn't wait for him to answer before continuing. "Because I don't know about you, but when I tell someone I love them, it's pretty much a forever sort of deal. Whether we are a couple or not, I wouldn't never let something as petty as a break up stand between our friendship."
As she said this last statement, Lizzie grabbed Gordo's chin between her fingers and raised his head up for the second time that night. Unlike the last time, however, he met her eyes square on, although she could tell he was nervous.
"Do you understand?" Right then, Lizzie felt way older than simply fourteen, and Gordo could see the change.
Unable to fully speak, he contented both himself and her for simply nodding his agreement. The two hugged, and, finding his voice, Gordo looked back up again.
"Lizzie, I love you more than you will ever know, and I never ever want to hurt you. But, I guess, I'm a guy, and I do have insecurities.
"How could I not? You're beautiful, and some cute guy could come marching up to you the next day to ask you out, and what's to stop you from saying yes?"
"You are," Lizzie replied to what Gordo meant to be a rhetorical question.
Gordo nodded again, and they both smiled.
"I'm sorry," Gordo said after a while. "I guess I just think too much, huh?" The couple laughed at his question, but never did answer.
"You never did answer my question," Lizzie voice cut into the comfortable silence.
"What question?"
"The one about do you ever think we will break up."
Gordo gulped, he hoped not to let Lizzie in on just how deep his feelings for her were, but it seemed he was trapped.
"Truthfully, I don't ever want to Lizzie. I dream about the future, and the only thing that's constant is that you're in it. I can't imagine my life without you, Lizzie, I hope you realise that." Lizzie didn't bother to say that yes, she did realise that, and in fact felt the same way.
Lizzie knew what he was saying, but Gordo wasn't finished.
"And to tell you the truth, Lizzie. If I had the means to support you, I would ask you to marry me. Maybe not now, maybe not even in the next couple of years, but I know, somewhere done the track, that you will be my wife."
Lizzie smiled; more like grinned, actually. Half of her couldn't believe he was saying those things, and meaning it. The other half, the stronger half, couldn't help but agree.
"Was that a pre-proposal?" She didn't seem to realise, but her eyes were shinning with tears.
"Depends, was that a pre-answer?"
Lizzie could do nothing but kiss him after that question, answering him with the passion of her kiss.
Seconds seemed like hours until the two finally pulled away, grinning like the lovesick teenagers they were.
"We should get inside, before your mum thinks I kid-napped you and calls the police." Gordo, ever the responsible one, started lifting Lizzie up by her hand and gently tugging her towards the front step of her house.
"Maybe I should go, leave the parent dealing for the morning?" It was only a suggestion, but both teens realised it was probably the safest way of making it through the night unharmed.
"I'll be by early tomorrow. We can talk to everyone then. Is that alright with you?" Lizzie nodded, and Gordo gave her a chaste kiss in return.
"I can't believe my dad didn't check on us once. We've been out here, what, a couple of hours now?"
Gordo couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"He probably thinks he can trust his teenage daughter with her best friend," he winked, mischievously. "I guess he's going to have to rethink that, then."
His cheek earned him a playful slap of the shoulder, and a mock-glare, causing him to chuckle lightly.
"I love you," he said seriously, and she replied much the same fashion, giving his nose a playful kiss before deciding that wasn't enough and attacking his mouth.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked when she released him A nod was her reply, and she dug around her pockets for her key.
Remembering the jacket he had given her to keep warm, she started to shrug out of it, before he stopped her.
"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway."
Lizzie laughed.
"Considering this is a men's jacket, I'm not sure if I should be offended or not."
Gordo joined her in laughing.
"I'd go for not. You look cute, is all. But then, when have you ever not?"
Lizzie blushed at the obvious compliment, before blowing her now boyfriend a kiss and walking inside. As she closed the door, Lizzie heard Gordo's sweet voice whisper to her as he trotted off down the path to his home.
"Sweet dreams, McGuire."
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Sorry about any mistakes, I just wanted to post as soon as possible because I felt guilty for leaving you guys hanging to for so long. Thanks to all who remained patient enough to read this.
A/N: This is a quick thank you to all who has reviewed so far. This was more popular than I first predicted, and for that I am grateful. Hope you like what I've got in store next. Hint: Gordo and Lizzie confront the parents, and Lizzie has an overdue talk with one Miranda Sanchez. What will everyone think of the new relationship? Will everyone approve? What surprises are in store for the new love-birds. All is revealed next chapter. YAY!!
God Bless Em