*-*-Disclaimer: I do not own, nor have I ever owned, Lizze McGuire. All characters belong to the creators of Lizzie McGuire.-*-*

The New...Everything

Chapter Eighteen

The two slowly pulled apart from their kiss. They looked at each other and smiled. Lizzie, baffled, spoke up, "Gordo, is this my present?"

He smiled hopefully, "Yes. Yes, it is."

She wrapped him in a hug, "Thank you so much, Gordo. You are amazing."

"Thanks, but Lizzie?"

"Yeah?"

"Where did you get my gift?"

She blushed, "Oh? That?" She truthfully didn't want to tell him because she knew that he probably wouldn't accept it once he knew.

"Lizzie, that camera...it's so, so perfect. It's great. The fact that it's more of an old-fashion photography camera just makes it that much better. Where'd you find something like that?"

She bit her lower lip, "You promise you'll still keep it once you know?" He nodded. "Well...um, I used to have a fetish for sunrises and sunsets. So, I got a camera...not really realizing the significance or anything. I just liked the way it took pictures. What I'm trying to say is that, it used to be mine."

"But Lizzie! I can't-"

She held up her hand, "Gordo, you said you'd still keep it."

"But, it's yours, Lizzie. I think you should keep it." Lizzie shook her head. "Well, why not then?"

"Gordo, you're the photographer/filmographer. You deserve it more than I do. You'll use it more than I did. Please? For me?" She playfully batted her eyelashes to lighten the mood.

He smiled, "All right, if you insist."

"I do!" She looked up at the sky. It was getting darker now, and they should probably head home...but she didn't want Gordo to have to leave. She'd do anything to stay with all night with him until Christmas morning came.

Gordo didn't want to leave Lizzie's side either, but he knew they should head home. It was getting dark, and it was starting to snow harder now, surprisingly enough. He grabbed Lizzie's hand, "C'mon. Let's go home."

"Okay," she smiled. Once they got home, Gordo thought it best if he headed straight for his house so that he wouldn't have any problems walking home. He ran up to Lizzie's room right quick and got his present she had given him. He was just about to leave when Lizzie came barrelling into the foyer, "GORDO! WAIT!"

He turned around, "What, McGuire?"

She turned her glance towards the floor, studying the tiles carefully. She began to speak softly, "Mom says you're not allowed to go out there with the weather like that. She says that it's too dangerous, and that you might get lost." Mrs. McGuire appeared behind Lizzie and nodded in agreement to her daughter's testimony.

Mr. McGuire appeared and winked, "You know, she's right." He glanced out the window, "I know you probably want to spend Christmas with your family, but it's just too dangerous. You can stay here for the night."

Gordo looked at the McGuire parents and then to Lizzie, "I guess I should call my parents and make sure they don't worry about me."

Lizzie blurted out, "All ready done!" She blushed and bit her lower lip.

He smiled and chuckled, "Oh, all right." Gordo turned and walked up the stairs to put his present back on Lizzie's bed. Mr. McGuire followed so as to offer Gordo some things to wear later that night to bed. Mrs. McGuire left her daughter in the foyer to go back to Matt and the movie. Lizzie glanced up and mouthed a simple phrase, 'Thank you'. When it was time for bed, Lizzie began to grab some pillows and blankets. She headed downstairs to the couch. She began to lay out everything; Gordo looked at her, "Um...McGuire, what are you doing?"

She glanced up at him, "Getting ready for bed. What's it look like I'm doing, Gordo?" He smiled, no way was he letting Lizzie sleep on that couch. Even he had to pry her from it, or sit next to her...she wasn't sleeping down there alone. He wouldn't allow it. It wasn't right. He should be sleeping there, not her.

(A/N: Okay, so, I don't really know what that kind of camera is called. I'm drawing a blank right now. If you've ever seen the move "Where the Heart Is" - that's kind of camera I'm talking about. But the name escapes me at the moment! Well, I hope this holds you over until I have another time to update, which should be soon - DON'T WORRY!)