a/n: oh my goodness! thank u all for the reviews! J they r so sweet and they r the BEST form of encouragement! i love u all! u r the best. i kno my stories might not be the best here or w/e, but im glad that yall seem to b enjoyin them J many blessings to yall! ;)

Chapter 3

"Peek-a-boo!" Miranda giggled. She was on the couch playing with her daughter. "Peek-a-boo Amelia! Where did mamá go? Huh? Where did mamá go?" She held a pillow in front of her face, as her daughter looked at it, completely puzzled. "There she goes!" The infant was completely delighted by this.

There were sounds of someone at the front door, but Miranda was too engaged with her daughter to pay attention. When the door opened she heard several items drop on the floor.

"Miranda!"

She shot her head towards the door and noticed that it was Mrs. McGuire, along with Matt and Mr. McGuire. With Amelia in her arms her headed towards the family that she had not seen in about two and a half years. A warm feeling came over her as she saw them once again in so long.

"Mrs. McGuire!" Miranda exclaimed as she gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Hi Matt! Mr. McGuire!" She hugged both of them as well. "It is so good to see you guys again."

"Miranda…when did you get back?!" Mrs. McGuire asked with enthusiasm as her son and husband carried the bags she had dropped, inside.

"A couple of hours ago," Miranda smiled. "Lizzie and Gordo picked me up at the airport."

Mrs. McGuire smiled as she stroked Miranda's shoulder. "And…who's this little one?" She then stroked Amelia's hair lightly. "Hi there…hi there…"

"This little one, is my daughter, Amelia."

"Oh! Miranda!" Mrs. McGuire reached out for the little girl as Miranda handed her to her. "She is…adorable! How old is she?"

"She'll be two in the end of August," Miranda responded proudly.

"Oh well, honey, she is just precious! Just precious!"

"She's the light of my life…"

"Mom! You're back!" exclaimed Lizzie as she walked down the stairs. She had been upstairs for the last forty-five minutes showering and changing into some more comfortable clothing. Getting ready for when Gordo was to return.

"Yes I am. Yes I am," Mrs. McGuire said as she shook her head at Amelia. She then turned her attention back at her daughter. "I was just here catching up with Miranda."

"I hate to ruin the moment here, but," Lizzie began as she approached her mother and her best friend. "Can I talk to you for a second mom? It's important."

* * *

"I told Miranda she and Amelia could stay here," Lizzie explained as she sat at the kitchen table with her mother. "Well, until she finds a job and a place."

"Oh, I think that's a great idea Lizzie. I have so many things stored away from when you were a baby, and, well, I was going to keep them for sentimental value, but I think they'll get a better use if I gave them to Miranda and her daughter."

"That's a good idea mom," Lizzie smiled.

Mrs. McGuire sighed. "Wow. Miranda with a baby…it's so…"

"Unexpected?"

Both Mrs. McGuire and Lizzie laughed. "Yeah." Lizzie fell silent, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. Her mother grabbed her hand and asked, "is this what you wanted to talk about? Miranda staying here? Because you know--"

Lizzie cut her off. "No, no, no. I--"

Her mother then cut her off. "You know, you didn't even have to mention it because Miranda is like a daughter to me and--"

"No, no, mom…"

"And I would do anything for her, even let her--"

"Mom!" Lizzie exclaimed, trying her to stop her mother from rambling on.

"What is it honey?" Mrs. McGuire asked, startled by her daughter's assertiveness.

"That's not what I wanted to talk to you about," her daughter explained. "It's about me not wanting to end up like Miranda…"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, um…" Lizzie hesitated. She was not exactly sure how to bring up the subject with her mother. "I was thinking that…um, I should get on the pill."

"Oh…Lizzie."

"Mom, I know what you might be thinking, but--"

"No, no Lizzie. I think it's a good idea," Mrs. McGuire explained. "I think, this is a very smart idea, and it's very responsible of you. It's just…it's a big step. It takes a lot of responsibility. I just want to make sure you are ready."

"I'm ready mom, trust me." Lizzie squeezed her mother's hand. "I just want to make sure that nothing gets in the way of my future."

* * *

The doorbell rang as Miranda sat in the living room with Amelia.

"Can someone get that!" she heard Mr. McGuire yell from upstairs.

"I'm busy, get it!" she then heard Matt respond.

"Miranda, can you?!" Lizzie yelled from the kitchen.

Miranda sighed. "I'll get it…I guess…" She walked up to the door with Amelia in her arms and opened it, only to find Gordo standing on the other side. "Hey Gordo."

"Hey Miranda," he smiled. "Amelia…hey…hey…" he teased the small child.

All three headed back to the couch and sat down. Gordo continued to play with the little girl as Miranda bounced her on her knee. She simply laughed and was very amused.

"When did this happen?" he asked.

"Huh?" Miranda asked, a bit startled. "When did what happen?"

"This, Miranda. You, getting pregnant…having a daughter…when did this happen?"

"Oh…" Her glance was lowered, and she pulled her daughter in closer to her. "Um, well…I thought I was in love. I met this guy, in ah, Mexico…and, he was great…things happened and I ended up being wrong. There was someone else, and…I never saw him again…"

"Miranda…Amelia…she has these blue eyes…I mean--"

She cut him off. "So did he. Um, she got his eyes…"

The two stayed silent for a few minutes, as Miranda once again began to bounce her daughter on her knee. The silence was rather awkward, but both tried to ignore it. Each seemed to have something to say, but neither would speak up.

"Miranda…this just doesn't make any sense to me…" Gordo began. "You come back, with a baby! And-and you say it's some guy's, even after--"

"Gordo," she cut him off. "Look…I…"

"Oh, hey Gordo…" It was Lizzie.

The both simply sighed.