Disclaimer: The "Lizzie McGuire" television show does not belong to me. It
is a Disney-product.
Another Way - Chapter Five By: Taygeta
Lizzie heard her cell phone ring. She hoped it wasn't anyone at Ally Records. They said they wouldn't call her on her vacation, but she had the sinking feeling that they would if they really felt that they needed to.
The number on the caller id wasn't familiar, but it was in the Los Angeles area.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hi Lizzie, this is Gordo."
She blinked. She had seen Gordo a few times since the hospital trip. He was always asking Larry and Miranda about plans for the party and whatnot. He was always cordial to her and they had an odd exchange of words that might be considered a conversation. But she didn't think he'd ever call her...she didn't even know how he had her cell phone number.
"Oh, hi Gordo. When did you get my cell phone number?"
"I got it from your mom. Your house phone number hasn't changed all this time. I would have asked Miranda, but then she would have been suspicious. That's the main reason why I didn't call the house phone. Wait...is anyone around right now?"
"No. Larry's at work and Miranda went to the grocery store," she said, still confused. "What's with all the secrecy? What's going on?"
"I was wondering if you would mind helping me out with a surprise for Larry and Miranda."
She laughed, "You mean this whole party isn't enough?"
"Well I caught the wedding on video when I came back from my trip and there was something in the video that gave me a good idea to add to this whole party. Lizzie, do you remember what you did for their wedding reception?"
"Ooh..." she said as her confusion faded away.
~ * ~ * ~
Gordo stood up and tapped on his glass. He was at the main table with Larry, Miranda, Lizzie, Gretchen, and the parents of Miranda and Larry. The small ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel was filled with tables of guests. The anniversary party was large than the wedding...and far more elaborate than Miranda and Larry had ever thought it would be.
They looked up with beaming faces when Gordo stood up.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said into a wireless microphone that a waiter had handed to him, "I thank you all for joining us in celebration of Miranda Sanchez and Larry Tudgemen's five years of marriage. The food you eat, the room you sit in, are all reflections of my guilt of lack of attendance and participation five years ago...so be sure to attend the weddings of your best friends or...well, you might find yourself throwing quite the party five years later."
The guests laughed.
"I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and are as happy as I am about this milestone that Miranda and Larry have reached in their marriage. May all couples that wed be as happy as these two dear friends of mine."
The guests raised their glass with Gordo's, and he sat down. He turned the microphone off and put it on the table.
The chattering of the room built up again as the waiters brought dessert out to the guests.
"Gordo, thank you so much," said Miranda. "This is beautiful. You really didn't have to."
He laughed, "I wanted to. I'm really sorry I couldn't be there at your wedding, but I am glad I can give you this. The anniversary presents to follow.... might be more in the lines of a box with a piece of coal in it once I get the bill for this, but just remember this and knew that I once loved you both enough to be really stupid." He winked.
Larry laughed, "Somehow I think we'll forgive you."
Gordo smiled and then glanced at Lizzie. His eyes talked to her and she gave her head a slight nod.
Standing up again, Gordo grabbed the microphone.
Larry and Miranda looked up at him in confusion.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, trying to get the room to quiet down. "I'm sorry for this second interruption, but I know the reason will be something you won't be in the least bit sorry about. First off, I'd like to thank the Red Millers for their musical contributions to our evening."
The guests clapped as the band acknowledged their applause.
"Secondly, for those who attended the Tudgeman wedding five years ago, you will all find this very memorable. For those who didn't attend the wedding, this will be quite and enjoyable treat for you. Lizzie McGuire, who was the Maid of Honor, sang a beautiful song that she had written for the couple. Tonight, I've asked her to provide us all with an encore performance of 'You and I'."
Miranda glanced at Lizzie and smiled widely. Larry beamed with her. They only heard that song on the wedding film. Neither had heard it since they last saw the videotape, which had been a while ago.
Lizzie stood up as the guests cheered. She stood on the stage where the band was placed and looked out into the crowd. She saw the members of her own table, but she also saw her own family seated nearby looking up at her. Her parents had aged a bit since she had left, but they looked at her with the same proud faces as they had five years before.
The piano player in the band played a simple melodic opening and the band continued with a slow jazzy beat.
Larry stood up and extended his hand to Miranda who placed her hand on his and stood up. Hand-in-hand, they walked to the dance floor and began to dance to their song.
With a smile, Lizzie began to sing, "How did we get here? You and I...weren't we just dreamers flying in some imaginary sky? How did you let me be dreaming beside you about you when you were dreaming of me? You kissed me once, you kissed me twice, and I just fell in love...in a kind of love that one never falls out of. You...you...beautiful you...how did you lead me here?"
As she sang, other couples followed to the dance floor...even Gretchen and Gordo.
As Gordo danced with Gretchen he looked up at Lizzie who smiled at him. He smiled back. He hadn't danced with Lizzie since prom nearly ten years ago. He hadn't heard her sing for almost six years...not counting the wedding video of Miranda and Larry. Time had passed them by so quickly.
"Ooh...do I deserve this kind of dream come true? Oh, baby...ooh baby...oh, I do. Because a love like mine can meet a love like yours any time of day. Don't need to ask how we got here...don't need to know those invisible steps taken while walking in daydreams. Don't need to know what this is all...that's all just the details that don't matter...'cause you are all that matters. You and I...weren't we just dreamers flying in some imaginary sky? Now you stay so long...now you're here forever more. And I'm gonna love you for the rest of my dreams.... with all of my heart...with all of this breath that will ever come from me. How did we get here? I don't really know. But now that we've gotten here. I'm never gonna let go. You and I...we're still dreamers, but now we're dreaming together for the rest of our lives. It's just you and I."
When Lizzie finished singing, the couples stopped dancing and cheered.
Gordo walked over to the stage and took a microphone from the band. From the dance floor with Gretchen beside him, he said, "Ladies and gentleman, Lizzie McGuire."
"That's my daughter!" Sam McGuire said from the audience.
Lizzie smiled, "Thank you."
As she walked off stage, she noticed all the couples that were returning to their seats.
She felt more alone than ever.
~ * ~ * ~
"That was a beautiful performance," said Gretchen after the party was over. "Gordo tells me you work for a recording company?"
Lizzie smiled at her warmly, "I work in finance for a recording company. Singing has just been a hobby of mine."
"In any case, I think you're very talented. If you ever need an entertainment lawyer to represent you, here's my card," she said handing her a thick white business card.
Lizzie glanced at the card that read "Gretchen Anne Reese, Attorney at law."
"I thought you were an actress?" she said with a confused expression.
"I am," she said. "But a girl needs a day job."
Lizzie smiled, "Well, thank you. If I ever get into the business, I'll look you up."
"Always looking for new clients," said Gordo throwing his arm over Gretchen's shoulders. "That's my girl."
She smiled and gave a light shrug, "I try. Should we go now?"
Gordo nodded, "Will you be staying here longer, Lizzie? I mean, in LA."
"A few more days and back to New York and work for me."
"Well in case I don't see you, have a good trip home," he said, and then after a slight pause of thought, he gave her a hug. Into her ear he said, "Don't work too hard now, okay?"
She smiled, "I'll try. Thanks. Maybe we can all have dinner again - Gretchen, you too, of course - before I leave. I promise I won't faint."
Gordo and Gretchen smiled. He said, "I hope we can. We'll see you soon then Lizzie."
Lizzie sat down on her chair and watched the smiling couple leave the ballroom. She felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turned around to see her mother.
"Hi Mom."
Jo McGuire gave her daughter a hug, "You were wonderful tonight."
"Thank you," she said. "I hadn't sung in so long. Thank God, Gordo asked me to sing days before the party so I could practice."
"When Gordo called, I had half-a-mind to call out 'Lizzie, Gordo's on the phone,'" laughed Jo. She sighed, "He hadn't called the house in years. Always sent your father and I birthday presents, however. He was always a nice young man."
Her daughter nodded, "That's Gordo."
"He seems very happy with that young lady that accompanied him tonight," Jo said with a suggestive hint in her voice.
Lizzie glanced at her mother, "He is. I'm very happy for him. She's a very beautiful and accomplished person. They're great together."
"You know, you're beautiful and accomplished too," said Jo.
"I think you're a little bias, Mom."
"I'd vouch for her," supplemented Sam who sat down beside his wife and daughter.
Lizzie laugh, "I think you're more bias, Dad."
"Nothing wrong with a little honesty," he said with a grin.
His daughter sighed and then asked, "Have you guys heard from Matt?"
"Oh, he's having the time of his life," said Sam. "What I find amazing is how difficult it is to think of him as being so disciplined..."
They all laughed.
"Well, it goes to show you that things change and even Matt can grow up," she said. "How's Hannah?"
"Hannah's doing well," said Jo about her daughter-in-law. "She's still working on her MBA. She should be done in about another year."
"That's good. I should stop and see her before I leave."
Sam glanced at his watch, "As much as we love you, Lizzie, your mother and I really have to go back. It's a long drive back from here."
"Okay," she said kissing her parents on their cheeks. "I'll come by tomorrow to visit."
"We'll see you then," said Mrs. McGuire giving her daughter a hug.
Lizzie sat and watched her parents walk out of the ballroom. The guests were fewer in number now. Most had left. She stayed behind to wait for Miranda and Larry who were saying good-bye to everyone and thanking them for coming.
They looked so incredibly happy, and she was happy for them.
That seemed to be her lot in life: to be happy for everyone in love because she couldn't be happy for herself in that same sphere.
Another Way - Chapter Five By: Taygeta
Lizzie heard her cell phone ring. She hoped it wasn't anyone at Ally Records. They said they wouldn't call her on her vacation, but she had the sinking feeling that they would if they really felt that they needed to.
The number on the caller id wasn't familiar, but it was in the Los Angeles area.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hi Lizzie, this is Gordo."
She blinked. She had seen Gordo a few times since the hospital trip. He was always asking Larry and Miranda about plans for the party and whatnot. He was always cordial to her and they had an odd exchange of words that might be considered a conversation. But she didn't think he'd ever call her...she didn't even know how he had her cell phone number.
"Oh, hi Gordo. When did you get my cell phone number?"
"I got it from your mom. Your house phone number hasn't changed all this time. I would have asked Miranda, but then she would have been suspicious. That's the main reason why I didn't call the house phone. Wait...is anyone around right now?"
"No. Larry's at work and Miranda went to the grocery store," she said, still confused. "What's with all the secrecy? What's going on?"
"I was wondering if you would mind helping me out with a surprise for Larry and Miranda."
She laughed, "You mean this whole party isn't enough?"
"Well I caught the wedding on video when I came back from my trip and there was something in the video that gave me a good idea to add to this whole party. Lizzie, do you remember what you did for their wedding reception?"
"Ooh..." she said as her confusion faded away.
~ * ~ * ~
Gordo stood up and tapped on his glass. He was at the main table with Larry, Miranda, Lizzie, Gretchen, and the parents of Miranda and Larry. The small ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel was filled with tables of guests. The anniversary party was large than the wedding...and far more elaborate than Miranda and Larry had ever thought it would be.
They looked up with beaming faces when Gordo stood up.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said into a wireless microphone that a waiter had handed to him, "I thank you all for joining us in celebration of Miranda Sanchez and Larry Tudgemen's five years of marriage. The food you eat, the room you sit in, are all reflections of my guilt of lack of attendance and participation five years ago...so be sure to attend the weddings of your best friends or...well, you might find yourself throwing quite the party five years later."
The guests laughed.
"I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and are as happy as I am about this milestone that Miranda and Larry have reached in their marriage. May all couples that wed be as happy as these two dear friends of mine."
The guests raised their glass with Gordo's, and he sat down. He turned the microphone off and put it on the table.
The chattering of the room built up again as the waiters brought dessert out to the guests.
"Gordo, thank you so much," said Miranda. "This is beautiful. You really didn't have to."
He laughed, "I wanted to. I'm really sorry I couldn't be there at your wedding, but I am glad I can give you this. The anniversary presents to follow.... might be more in the lines of a box with a piece of coal in it once I get the bill for this, but just remember this and knew that I once loved you both enough to be really stupid." He winked.
Larry laughed, "Somehow I think we'll forgive you."
Gordo smiled and then glanced at Lizzie. His eyes talked to her and she gave her head a slight nod.
Standing up again, Gordo grabbed the microphone.
Larry and Miranda looked up at him in confusion.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, trying to get the room to quiet down. "I'm sorry for this second interruption, but I know the reason will be something you won't be in the least bit sorry about. First off, I'd like to thank the Red Millers for their musical contributions to our evening."
The guests clapped as the band acknowledged their applause.
"Secondly, for those who attended the Tudgeman wedding five years ago, you will all find this very memorable. For those who didn't attend the wedding, this will be quite and enjoyable treat for you. Lizzie McGuire, who was the Maid of Honor, sang a beautiful song that she had written for the couple. Tonight, I've asked her to provide us all with an encore performance of 'You and I'."
Miranda glanced at Lizzie and smiled widely. Larry beamed with her. They only heard that song on the wedding film. Neither had heard it since they last saw the videotape, which had been a while ago.
Lizzie stood up as the guests cheered. She stood on the stage where the band was placed and looked out into the crowd. She saw the members of her own table, but she also saw her own family seated nearby looking up at her. Her parents had aged a bit since she had left, but they looked at her with the same proud faces as they had five years before.
The piano player in the band played a simple melodic opening and the band continued with a slow jazzy beat.
Larry stood up and extended his hand to Miranda who placed her hand on his and stood up. Hand-in-hand, they walked to the dance floor and began to dance to their song.
With a smile, Lizzie began to sing, "How did we get here? You and I...weren't we just dreamers flying in some imaginary sky? How did you let me be dreaming beside you about you when you were dreaming of me? You kissed me once, you kissed me twice, and I just fell in love...in a kind of love that one never falls out of. You...you...beautiful you...how did you lead me here?"
As she sang, other couples followed to the dance floor...even Gretchen and Gordo.
As Gordo danced with Gretchen he looked up at Lizzie who smiled at him. He smiled back. He hadn't danced with Lizzie since prom nearly ten years ago. He hadn't heard her sing for almost six years...not counting the wedding video of Miranda and Larry. Time had passed them by so quickly.
"Ooh...do I deserve this kind of dream come true? Oh, baby...ooh baby...oh, I do. Because a love like mine can meet a love like yours any time of day. Don't need to ask how we got here...don't need to know those invisible steps taken while walking in daydreams. Don't need to know what this is all...that's all just the details that don't matter...'cause you are all that matters. You and I...weren't we just dreamers flying in some imaginary sky? Now you stay so long...now you're here forever more. And I'm gonna love you for the rest of my dreams.... with all of my heart...with all of this breath that will ever come from me. How did we get here? I don't really know. But now that we've gotten here. I'm never gonna let go. You and I...we're still dreamers, but now we're dreaming together for the rest of our lives. It's just you and I."
When Lizzie finished singing, the couples stopped dancing and cheered.
Gordo walked over to the stage and took a microphone from the band. From the dance floor with Gretchen beside him, he said, "Ladies and gentleman, Lizzie McGuire."
"That's my daughter!" Sam McGuire said from the audience.
Lizzie smiled, "Thank you."
As she walked off stage, she noticed all the couples that were returning to their seats.
She felt more alone than ever.
~ * ~ * ~
"That was a beautiful performance," said Gretchen after the party was over. "Gordo tells me you work for a recording company?"
Lizzie smiled at her warmly, "I work in finance for a recording company. Singing has just been a hobby of mine."
"In any case, I think you're very talented. If you ever need an entertainment lawyer to represent you, here's my card," she said handing her a thick white business card.
Lizzie glanced at the card that read "Gretchen Anne Reese, Attorney at law."
"I thought you were an actress?" she said with a confused expression.
"I am," she said. "But a girl needs a day job."
Lizzie smiled, "Well, thank you. If I ever get into the business, I'll look you up."
"Always looking for new clients," said Gordo throwing his arm over Gretchen's shoulders. "That's my girl."
She smiled and gave a light shrug, "I try. Should we go now?"
Gordo nodded, "Will you be staying here longer, Lizzie? I mean, in LA."
"A few more days and back to New York and work for me."
"Well in case I don't see you, have a good trip home," he said, and then after a slight pause of thought, he gave her a hug. Into her ear he said, "Don't work too hard now, okay?"
She smiled, "I'll try. Thanks. Maybe we can all have dinner again - Gretchen, you too, of course - before I leave. I promise I won't faint."
Gordo and Gretchen smiled. He said, "I hope we can. We'll see you soon then Lizzie."
Lizzie sat down on her chair and watched the smiling couple leave the ballroom. She felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turned around to see her mother.
"Hi Mom."
Jo McGuire gave her daughter a hug, "You were wonderful tonight."
"Thank you," she said. "I hadn't sung in so long. Thank God, Gordo asked me to sing days before the party so I could practice."
"When Gordo called, I had half-a-mind to call out 'Lizzie, Gordo's on the phone,'" laughed Jo. She sighed, "He hadn't called the house in years. Always sent your father and I birthday presents, however. He was always a nice young man."
Her daughter nodded, "That's Gordo."
"He seems very happy with that young lady that accompanied him tonight," Jo said with a suggestive hint in her voice.
Lizzie glanced at her mother, "He is. I'm very happy for him. She's a very beautiful and accomplished person. They're great together."
"You know, you're beautiful and accomplished too," said Jo.
"I think you're a little bias, Mom."
"I'd vouch for her," supplemented Sam who sat down beside his wife and daughter.
Lizzie laugh, "I think you're more bias, Dad."
"Nothing wrong with a little honesty," he said with a grin.
His daughter sighed and then asked, "Have you guys heard from Matt?"
"Oh, he's having the time of his life," said Sam. "What I find amazing is how difficult it is to think of him as being so disciplined..."
They all laughed.
"Well, it goes to show you that things change and even Matt can grow up," she said. "How's Hannah?"
"Hannah's doing well," said Jo about her daughter-in-law. "She's still working on her MBA. She should be done in about another year."
"That's good. I should stop and see her before I leave."
Sam glanced at his watch, "As much as we love you, Lizzie, your mother and I really have to go back. It's a long drive back from here."
"Okay," she said kissing her parents on their cheeks. "I'll come by tomorrow to visit."
"We'll see you then," said Mrs. McGuire giving her daughter a hug.
Lizzie sat and watched her parents walk out of the ballroom. The guests were fewer in number now. Most had left. She stayed behind to wait for Miranda and Larry who were saying good-bye to everyone and thanking them for coming.
They looked so incredibly happy, and she was happy for them.
That seemed to be her lot in life: to be happy for everyone in love because she couldn't be happy for herself in that same sphere.