A/N: OK, I didn't necessarily want to get to this so quickly, but the story
is starting to drag, so its time to get to the good parts. So, for all of
you craving L/G fluffiness, this is the chapter for you! This chapter is
very long, but I don't think anyone will mind! I'm on a long weekend now,
and school is almost out, so look for more updates! Please review and tell
me what you think, k? Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own LM, or any of the songs mentioned in this chapter. Various artists do.
A Summer of Changes
Chapter 16: Happy Birthday
Lizzie awoke to the smell of her very favorite breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes. She stretched in bed and smiled at the sun pouring through the windows. Today would be perfect. Today she was 16, the best age ever! She got out of bed and threw on her purple slippers. She grabbed her robe and headed out into the hallway. She was met by a very sleepy looking Gordo.
"Good morning." She greeted cheerfully.
"Happy birthday." He returned, half smiling.
"Did you get up just so you could say happy birthday?" she asked. It was
still pretty early. Only about 8:00.
"Yep." He replied, yawning. "Am I the first?"
"Of course." She answered. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Every year, Gordo would arrive at Lizzie's house early in the morning, so
he could be there when she woke and be the first to wish her happy
birthday. It was a tradition they had started long ago.
She laughed at the sight of him. He was standing there, in the hallway, his
long curly hair a mess, in boxers and socks. It was very amusing.
"You going back to bed?" she asked. "You look tired."
"I am." He replied. "I was up late working on....stuff..." He remarked, catching himself. "But, no, I'm up for the day. I am however, going to take
a shower. So I'll see you downstairs."
"Ok." She nodded her head.
She continued on down the stairs into the kitchen.
"Good Morning 16 year old." Sam greeted her, as he stood at the counter,
pouring orange juice.
"Hi Dad." She replied.
"Lizzie!" Jo exclaimed, running over to her daughter.
"Here we go." Lizzie remarked, sarcastically, under her breath.
Sam laughed, and the two rolled their eyes, knowing how sentimental Jo got.
"Hi Mom." Lizzie offered.
"Happy Birthday sweetie!" Jo exclaimed, throwing her arms around her daughter. "I can't believe you're 16! Now you're going to be driving and soon you'll be graduating high school, then college, then you'll get a job, and get married, and have kids of your own, and you'll be doing just what
I'm doing!"
"Please, God, no!" Lizzie muttered under her breath. She wriggled free of her mother's death grip. "Do I smell chocolate chip pancakes?" she asked,
before her mother had another meltdown.
"Hot off the griddle!" Jo exclaimed. "Sit, I'll get you a plate."
Lizzie took a seat at the table, and waited for her mother to bring over a
plate of pancakes. In the meantime, Matt and Lanny entered the kitchen.
"Happy Birthday." Matt remarked, as he stole a pancake off the plate Jo had
set in front of Lizzie. Lanny nodded in agreement.
"Thanks." Lizzie replied. "Feel free to take my breakfast." She added,
sarcastically.
"Well, me and Lanny hate to eat and run, but we have major plans for the
day." Matt explained.
"Oh you do?" Jo asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Where could you possibly be going at 8 in the morning?" Sam inquired.
"Usually we don't see you until at least noon."
"I have a fish to catch." Matt declared.
"Don't tell me you are still upset that you didn't catch anything." Sam
asked.
Lanny looked at Sam and nodded.
"You McGuire men and your foolish pride." Jo retorted.
"Hey!" exclaimed Matt and Sam defensively.
"Well, you go right ahead." Jo told the boys. "But don't take that boat
out, and check in at lunch time."
"Ok." Matt agreed. With that, he and Lanny were off.
"So any big birthday plans?" Jo asked, as she joined Lizzie at the table.
"None as of yet." She replied, taking a bite of her pancake. "Gordo and
I'll probably go into town or something."
"Well, you can do whatever you want sweetie." Jo remarked.
"Within reason." Sam added, looking over the newspaper at Lizzie's
mischievous grin.
"Aw Dad! No nose ring? You spoil all my fun!" she joked.
"Very funny." Sam replied.
"That's enough you two." Jo laughed. "Lizzie, just don't forget that we
have a 6:30 reservation tonight. And you need to wear something nice."
"Sure Mom." Lizzie chirped. "I'm gonna go take a shower."
"Ok pumpkin." Jo remarked, clearing the table.
"Thanks for breakfast!" she called over her shoulder, as she headed back
upstairs.
She reached the second floor, and noticed that the bathroom was vacant. She
seized the opportunity, and grabbed her shampoo and headed in.
After she had taken a shower and blown her hair dry, she got dressed and
decided to visit Gordo's room.
She knocked, and then proceeded in.
"Hello." She called.
"Hey." He greeted, his face lit up with his Gordo half-smile. She noticed that her heart fluttered as he smiled at her. Then she snapped out of it.
She walked over and sat down on the unmade bed. Gordo rolled the computer
chair he was sitting in over to where she was.
"So what's up?" he asked.
"I'm just thinking." She replied.
"You do that a lot nowadays." He remarked. "Is this some weird thing that
came along with turning 16?" he joked.
"Hey!" she cried, hitting his arm. "You can't make fun of me today." She
announced, sticking out her tongue.
"And why is that?" he asked coyly.
"Cuz it's my birthday." She replied in a sing-song voice.
"It is?" he asked, playing dumb. "I wouldn't have guessed. I mean its not
like you've been talking about it since, oh, your last birthday."
"It's an important one." She defended herself. "16 is a big age."
"You seem to think so." He retorted. He thought for a second. "Why is that
exactly? How come 16 is such a huge difference from 15?"
"Well, for one thing, the fact that you can drive." She pointed out.
He nodded in agreement. "Why else?"
"I dunno." She admitted. "I just always thought of 16 as a magical age. Like, you wake up and life is perfect for one day. You just feel older, and
more mature, and everything works out."
"So is everything living up to your ridiculously high expectations?" he
asked.
"It's early yet." She replied. "Jury is still out. But I'll keep you
posted."
He smiled at her. Both of them knew something was up, but they kept on
acting as they always did around one another, relaxed and calm.
"So what are we going to do today?" Gordo asked.
"I dunno." Lizzie replied.
"Oh no McGuire, we're not playing this game again." He remarked. "There is no doubt in my mind that I will seriously regret this later on, but, we'll
do whatever you want to do."
Lizzie's eyes lit up. "Even shop?!?" she exclaimed.
"Even shop." He muttered.
"C'mon then!" she urged. "Let's go!"
"I can hardly wait." He replied, with feigned enthusiasm.
Many hours later (well, at least according to Gordo), they returned from their day's excursions. They had shopped, yes, but they had also gone out to lunch and gotten ice cream, so Gordo was content. And Lizzie was happy,
which added to his contentment.
"Lizzie!" Sam called from downstairs. "We're gonna be late!"
"I'll be right there Dad!" she called back. She stepped back and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a white and purple paisley skirt, and a white halter-style shirt. Her hair was up in a French twist, and she
had on black sandals. Her makeup was done, and she was ready to go. She
gave one last glance at the mirror, and then bolted downstairs.
"Ready!" she exclaimed.
"Finally." Matt retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Matt." Jo scolded. "Be nice to your sister. It's her birthday."
"Yes, so we'll forgive her for taking forever." Roberta joked.
"But only this once!" Howard added, laughing.
They proceeded to leave, and Gordo walked with Lizzie out to the car. "You
look really nice." He commented.
"Thanks." She smiled. "You look pretty good yourself." She replied. And she meant it. Gordo cleaned up well. He had a short sleeve polo and a pair of
khaki's on, which was pretty formal for Gordo.
With that everyone left and headed to the restaurant.
They all sat down and enjoyed a great dinner, and a cake brought out
afterward. Then it was time to go home for presents.
Lizzie sat on the couch and Jo handed her the gifts. Lizzie opened one from
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon first.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, as she opened the box to reveal a sweet 16 charm for her charm bracelet. "I love it!" she exclaimed, as she got up to
give them a hug.
Matt gave her a CD that she'd wanted.
Her parents gave her a bunch of clothes, a few DVD's, and a matching
bracelet and necklace.
"There's one more." Jo announced, taking out a medium sized box.
Lizzie peeled off the paper, and shrieked when she realized what it was. "Oh my gosh! My own cell phone!" she exclaimed. She ripped the box apart
and took it out, in a state of shear joy. "Thank you Mom and Dad!"
"Oh great! Another phone she can hog up." Matt quipped.
"Yes, but this is my own phone." She replied.
Lizzie examined her new toy and everyone chatted for a few more minutes. Then the adults decided to move to the sitting room for coffee, and Matt and Lanny went to their room to play video games. Lizzie looked around at
all her new stuff.
"What a great birthday!" she exclaimed. "This day rocked!"
"It's not over yet." Gordo remarked.
"What do you mean?" Lizzie asked.
"Come with me." Gordo told her. He led her out to the dock, specifically to
the TV that was hooked up over the bar area. His video camera was there
too.
"Sit." He instructed.
She did. The night air was warm and the stars were twinkling overhead. She
could hear crickets chirping as he hit play on the VCR.
Music started playing as the video began. A familiar plucking of base at
the beginning.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lizzie stared the screen. It was a montage of pictures, set to the music.
The first ones were earlier pictures of Lizzie and Gordo. As babies, on
their first day of preschool, and on family trips.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May.."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lizzie was in awe. She couldn't believe it. Gordo looked over at her to see her reaction. She looked like she was about to cry, but not out of sadness.
She was floored.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way?"
"My girl, my girl, my girl; talking bout my girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At that part of the song, a beautiful picture of Lizzie flashed across the
screen. Then more recent pictures started.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I've got so much honey, the bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song baby, then the birds in the trees.
I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl; talking bout my girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The song continued and so did the memories. Gordo and Lizzie in middle school, and in high school. At dances, and other school things. Lizzie was flooded with emotions. Then the last lyrics played as the video faded out
on the picture of them from at the fireworks.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl; talking bout my girl
My girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gordo hit the stop button and turned toward Lizzie. He waited for her to
say something.
"Gordo." She started. "That is the best birthday present anyone has ever
given me." She declared, wiping the tears from her face. "You are the
greatest friend ever." She threw her arms around him, and he hugged her
back, enjoying every moment of her being in his arms.
"There's one more part." He explained, walking over to the dock.
"There's more! Gordo, you've already done too much!" she protested.
"Well, this isn't a present you can open." He explained.
She looked confused.
He took a deep breath. "There's.something that I've wanted to do for a long
time." He started.
She nodded, wondering what he was up to.
"And it's never really been the right time to do it, but recent events have made me think that now it is." He finished. "And..." he paused, stopping himself from over-verbalizing as he had a tendency to do. He just let the
moment take over.
"Happy Birthday Lizzie." He remarked, as he closed his eyes and leaned into
her. She did the same, and before she knew it, Gordo's soft lips were meeting hers. She kissed him back. It felt so right. She felt little sparks of electricity all over her. Gordo felt the same sparks. It lasted a few more seconds, and then they pulled away. It had been just long enough. Not
too short, but very sweet.
She slowly opened her eyes, and he did the same, looking at her
tentatively, praying that she had felt what he had.
"I take it back." She announced softly.
"What?" he asked, puzzled.
"I take back what I said earlier." She explained. "That was by far the best
present anyone has ever given me." She declared, referring to the kiss.
Gordo realized what she was saying, and that same old Gordo half-grin came
across his face.
"I was hoping you'd like it." He replied.
TBC!
Review!
Disclaimer: Don't own LM, or any of the songs mentioned in this chapter. Various artists do.
A Summer of Changes
Chapter 16: Happy Birthday
Lizzie awoke to the smell of her very favorite breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes. She stretched in bed and smiled at the sun pouring through the windows. Today would be perfect. Today she was 16, the best age ever! She got out of bed and threw on her purple slippers. She grabbed her robe and headed out into the hallway. She was met by a very sleepy looking Gordo.
"Good morning." She greeted cheerfully.
"Happy birthday." He returned, half smiling.
"Did you get up just so you could say happy birthday?" she asked. It was
still pretty early. Only about 8:00.
"Yep." He replied, yawning. "Am I the first?"
"Of course." She answered. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Every year, Gordo would arrive at Lizzie's house early in the morning, so
he could be there when she woke and be the first to wish her happy
birthday. It was a tradition they had started long ago.
She laughed at the sight of him. He was standing there, in the hallway, his
long curly hair a mess, in boxers and socks. It was very amusing.
"You going back to bed?" she asked. "You look tired."
"I am." He replied. "I was up late working on....stuff..." He remarked, catching himself. "But, no, I'm up for the day. I am however, going to take
a shower. So I'll see you downstairs."
"Ok." She nodded her head.
She continued on down the stairs into the kitchen.
"Good Morning 16 year old." Sam greeted her, as he stood at the counter,
pouring orange juice.
"Hi Dad." She replied.
"Lizzie!" Jo exclaimed, running over to her daughter.
"Here we go." Lizzie remarked, sarcastically, under her breath.
Sam laughed, and the two rolled their eyes, knowing how sentimental Jo got.
"Hi Mom." Lizzie offered.
"Happy Birthday sweetie!" Jo exclaimed, throwing her arms around her daughter. "I can't believe you're 16! Now you're going to be driving and soon you'll be graduating high school, then college, then you'll get a job, and get married, and have kids of your own, and you'll be doing just what
I'm doing!"
"Please, God, no!" Lizzie muttered under her breath. She wriggled free of her mother's death grip. "Do I smell chocolate chip pancakes?" she asked,
before her mother had another meltdown.
"Hot off the griddle!" Jo exclaimed. "Sit, I'll get you a plate."
Lizzie took a seat at the table, and waited for her mother to bring over a
plate of pancakes. In the meantime, Matt and Lanny entered the kitchen.
"Happy Birthday." Matt remarked, as he stole a pancake off the plate Jo had
set in front of Lizzie. Lanny nodded in agreement.
"Thanks." Lizzie replied. "Feel free to take my breakfast." She added,
sarcastically.
"Well, me and Lanny hate to eat and run, but we have major plans for the
day." Matt explained.
"Oh you do?" Jo asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Where could you possibly be going at 8 in the morning?" Sam inquired.
"Usually we don't see you until at least noon."
"I have a fish to catch." Matt declared.
"Don't tell me you are still upset that you didn't catch anything." Sam
asked.
Lanny looked at Sam and nodded.
"You McGuire men and your foolish pride." Jo retorted.
"Hey!" exclaimed Matt and Sam defensively.
"Well, you go right ahead." Jo told the boys. "But don't take that boat
out, and check in at lunch time."
"Ok." Matt agreed. With that, he and Lanny were off.
"So any big birthday plans?" Jo asked, as she joined Lizzie at the table.
"None as of yet." She replied, taking a bite of her pancake. "Gordo and
I'll probably go into town or something."
"Well, you can do whatever you want sweetie." Jo remarked.
"Within reason." Sam added, looking over the newspaper at Lizzie's
mischievous grin.
"Aw Dad! No nose ring? You spoil all my fun!" she joked.
"Very funny." Sam replied.
"That's enough you two." Jo laughed. "Lizzie, just don't forget that we
have a 6:30 reservation tonight. And you need to wear something nice."
"Sure Mom." Lizzie chirped. "I'm gonna go take a shower."
"Ok pumpkin." Jo remarked, clearing the table.
"Thanks for breakfast!" she called over her shoulder, as she headed back
upstairs.
She reached the second floor, and noticed that the bathroom was vacant. She
seized the opportunity, and grabbed her shampoo and headed in.
After she had taken a shower and blown her hair dry, she got dressed and
decided to visit Gordo's room.
She knocked, and then proceeded in.
"Hello." She called.
"Hey." He greeted, his face lit up with his Gordo half-smile. She noticed that her heart fluttered as he smiled at her. Then she snapped out of it.
She walked over and sat down on the unmade bed. Gordo rolled the computer
chair he was sitting in over to where she was.
"So what's up?" he asked.
"I'm just thinking." She replied.
"You do that a lot nowadays." He remarked. "Is this some weird thing that
came along with turning 16?" he joked.
"Hey!" she cried, hitting his arm. "You can't make fun of me today." She
announced, sticking out her tongue.
"And why is that?" he asked coyly.
"Cuz it's my birthday." She replied in a sing-song voice.
"It is?" he asked, playing dumb. "I wouldn't have guessed. I mean its not
like you've been talking about it since, oh, your last birthday."
"It's an important one." She defended herself. "16 is a big age."
"You seem to think so." He retorted. He thought for a second. "Why is that
exactly? How come 16 is such a huge difference from 15?"
"Well, for one thing, the fact that you can drive." She pointed out.
He nodded in agreement. "Why else?"
"I dunno." She admitted. "I just always thought of 16 as a magical age. Like, you wake up and life is perfect for one day. You just feel older, and
more mature, and everything works out."
"So is everything living up to your ridiculously high expectations?" he
asked.
"It's early yet." She replied. "Jury is still out. But I'll keep you
posted."
He smiled at her. Both of them knew something was up, but they kept on
acting as they always did around one another, relaxed and calm.
"So what are we going to do today?" Gordo asked.
"I dunno." Lizzie replied.
"Oh no McGuire, we're not playing this game again." He remarked. "There is no doubt in my mind that I will seriously regret this later on, but, we'll
do whatever you want to do."
Lizzie's eyes lit up. "Even shop?!?" she exclaimed.
"Even shop." He muttered.
"C'mon then!" she urged. "Let's go!"
"I can hardly wait." He replied, with feigned enthusiasm.
Many hours later (well, at least according to Gordo), they returned from their day's excursions. They had shopped, yes, but they had also gone out to lunch and gotten ice cream, so Gordo was content. And Lizzie was happy,
which added to his contentment.
"Lizzie!" Sam called from downstairs. "We're gonna be late!"
"I'll be right there Dad!" she called back. She stepped back and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a white and purple paisley skirt, and a white halter-style shirt. Her hair was up in a French twist, and she
had on black sandals. Her makeup was done, and she was ready to go. She
gave one last glance at the mirror, and then bolted downstairs.
"Ready!" she exclaimed.
"Finally." Matt retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Matt." Jo scolded. "Be nice to your sister. It's her birthday."
"Yes, so we'll forgive her for taking forever." Roberta joked.
"But only this once!" Howard added, laughing.
They proceeded to leave, and Gordo walked with Lizzie out to the car. "You
look really nice." He commented.
"Thanks." She smiled. "You look pretty good yourself." She replied. And she meant it. Gordo cleaned up well. He had a short sleeve polo and a pair of
khaki's on, which was pretty formal for Gordo.
With that everyone left and headed to the restaurant.
They all sat down and enjoyed a great dinner, and a cake brought out
afterward. Then it was time to go home for presents.
Lizzie sat on the couch and Jo handed her the gifts. Lizzie opened one from
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon first.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, as she opened the box to reveal a sweet 16 charm for her charm bracelet. "I love it!" she exclaimed, as she got up to
give them a hug.
Matt gave her a CD that she'd wanted.
Her parents gave her a bunch of clothes, a few DVD's, and a matching
bracelet and necklace.
"There's one more." Jo announced, taking out a medium sized box.
Lizzie peeled off the paper, and shrieked when she realized what it was. "Oh my gosh! My own cell phone!" she exclaimed. She ripped the box apart
and took it out, in a state of shear joy. "Thank you Mom and Dad!"
"Oh great! Another phone she can hog up." Matt quipped.
"Yes, but this is my own phone." She replied.
Lizzie examined her new toy and everyone chatted for a few more minutes. Then the adults decided to move to the sitting room for coffee, and Matt and Lanny went to their room to play video games. Lizzie looked around at
all her new stuff.
"What a great birthday!" she exclaimed. "This day rocked!"
"It's not over yet." Gordo remarked.
"What do you mean?" Lizzie asked.
"Come with me." Gordo told her. He led her out to the dock, specifically to
the TV that was hooked up over the bar area. His video camera was there
too.
"Sit." He instructed.
She did. The night air was warm and the stars were twinkling overhead. She
could hear crickets chirping as he hit play on the VCR.
Music started playing as the video began. A familiar plucking of base at
the beginning.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lizzie stared the screen. It was a montage of pictures, set to the music.
The first ones were earlier pictures of Lizzie and Gordo. As babies, on
their first day of preschool, and on family trips.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May.."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lizzie was in awe. She couldn't believe it. Gordo looked over at her to see her reaction. She looked like she was about to cry, but not out of sadness.
She was floored.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way?"
"My girl, my girl, my girl; talking bout my girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At that part of the song, a beautiful picture of Lizzie flashed across the
screen. Then more recent pictures started.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I've got so much honey, the bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song baby, then the birds in the trees.
I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl; talking bout my girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The song continued and so did the memories. Gordo and Lizzie in middle school, and in high school. At dances, and other school things. Lizzie was flooded with emotions. Then the last lyrics played as the video faded out
on the picture of them from at the fireworks.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl; talking bout my girl
My girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gordo hit the stop button and turned toward Lizzie. He waited for her to
say something.
"Gordo." She started. "That is the best birthday present anyone has ever
given me." She declared, wiping the tears from her face. "You are the
greatest friend ever." She threw her arms around him, and he hugged her
back, enjoying every moment of her being in his arms.
"There's one more part." He explained, walking over to the dock.
"There's more! Gordo, you've already done too much!" she protested.
"Well, this isn't a present you can open." He explained.
She looked confused.
He took a deep breath. "There's.something that I've wanted to do for a long
time." He started.
She nodded, wondering what he was up to.
"And it's never really been the right time to do it, but recent events have made me think that now it is." He finished. "And..." he paused, stopping himself from over-verbalizing as he had a tendency to do. He just let the
moment take over.
"Happy Birthday Lizzie." He remarked, as he closed his eyes and leaned into
her. She did the same, and before she knew it, Gordo's soft lips were meeting hers. She kissed him back. It felt so right. She felt little sparks of electricity all over her. Gordo felt the same sparks. It lasted a few more seconds, and then they pulled away. It had been just long enough. Not
too short, but very sweet.
She slowly opened her eyes, and he did the same, looking at her
tentatively, praying that she had felt what he had.
"I take it back." She announced softly.
"What?" he asked, puzzled.
"I take back what I said earlier." She explained. "That was by far the best
present anyone has ever given me." She declared, referring to the kiss.
Gordo realized what she was saying, and that same old Gordo half-grin came
across his face.
"I was hoping you'd like it." He replied.
TBC!
Review!