[: Author's Note :]
My dear friends, I am afraid that this is the last chapter to my story. I know that there hasn't been too much fluff, but that is how I had to make it, so that this ending would be possible.
Much of the contents of this chapter is something I have extracted from the episodes of my dear boyfriend and me. The lyrics used are from the song, "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. I hope it will be enjoyed.
I would like to thank all of those who have constantly praised me for this story and to those who may have read it from the beginning, but never placed a review.
And now, for the final time in the tale of 'Strands In Your Eyes', on with the story!
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
[: Narrator's P.O.V :]
Fall break had long since ended and with an end, there came a beginning..
The McGuire family came home the next day to find their Lizzie asleep, holding the hand of Gordo who remained faithfully by her side.
As Lizzie slept, Gordo remained clasping her hand and he told them everything, in as much detail as he could remember. The McGuires were shocked that what had happened did and once the phone lines were fixed again that day, they called the police and Ronnie was arrested.
Ronald Jacobs was sent to trial for breaking an entering and for the attempted rape of Elizabeth McGuire.
For the next few weeks, Lizzie saw a therapist, who was pleased to report that Lizzie had experienced less trauma than most, apparently because of the support of her best friend, Gordo.
Lizzie was very cautious around strangers and even more shy around the 'male species,' but Gordo was carefully watching her around school. Always at her back, ready to receive her beckoning calls. And with winter break about to begin, we come once again to the first entry of this chapter.
Fall break had long since ended and with an end, there came a beginning..
- -
Gordo opened the door to the McGuire household and walked in.. He had always seemed like a part of the McGuire family and even more so since the incident. Sam and Jo gave him permission to just walk right in, seeing as he protected their daughter with all he had. They trusted him and loved him like a son.
He was greeted by Jo, who was in the kitchen, and as usual, making baked goods. He smiled as she spoke gently, humming afterwards. "Hey, Gordo.. Waiting for Lizzie to come down?"
Gordo gave her a lopsided smile, almost sheepishly. "Yes, ma'am.."
Jo laughed, smoothing back the tendrils that had fallen from her messy bun. "Would you like a brownie? Or a cookie? I've just made them."
It was Gordo's turn to laugh. "No, thanks, Mrs. McG.. I'm not very hungry. I just have something important to tell Lizzie."
When Jo heard this, her heart leapt.. Would they finally give in to fate or was it just something else?
Lizzie entered the room, her hair in waves about her shoulders and a sweet smile on her face. She hugged her mom before looking to Gordo. She hugged him as well, seeming a little cheery today. "Hey, Gordo."
Gordo smiled and replied, "Hey, Lizzie.. Umm.. Would you like to come outside with me? For a walk or something?"
Lizzie looked to Jo, who nodded, and then smiled at him. "Sure. Let's go."
- -
Lizzie and Gordo walked side by side through the park.. Their shoulders brushing occasionally and they would glance over at each other with small smiles. Gordo finally stopped in the middle of the park, at the fountain he had seen in his dream.. He sat and Lizzie immediately sat at his side, looking at him questioningly.
His bright, blue eyes gazed solemnly into her hazel ones and she asked gently, "Gordo? What is this all about?"
And with her question, the heavens opened, shedding a slow, gentle shower of rain.
:: The strands in your eyes, that color them wonderful ::
:: Stop me and steal my breath ::
:: Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky ::
:: Never revealing their depth ::
Gordo took a deep breath and stood, taking her hands in his. He stood there in the rain with her, gazing into her eyes that had sprays of blonde locks billowing in and out of her sight. He finally smiled.
:: Tell me that we belong together ::
:: Dress it up with the trappings of love ::
:: I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips ::
:: Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above ::
Lizzie looked into his eyes, so bright and caring, and she slowly inhaled a breath.. Looking into those eyes, she remembered all the memories she had with this person.
:: And I'll be your cryin' shoulder ::
:: I'll be love suicide ::
:: And I'll be better when I'm older ::
:: I'll be the greatest fan of your life ::
The times they played tickle-monster under the maple tree between their two, front yards.. The times she didn't have that extra quarter to get an ice cream.. The day Ronnie broke up with her.. The time he helped her try to trap Ethan Craft.. The notes in her yearbook.. The times he lied to Mrs. Ungermeyer when she ran off with Paolo.. The endless encouragement and a shoulder to cry on that he always seemed to have there for her.. The kiss they shared on the rooftops of Rome..
:: Rain falls angry on the tin roof ::
:: As we lie awake in my bed ::
:: You're my survival, you're my living proof ::
:: My love is alive and not dead ::
Gordo smiled as rain drenched them, pounding against the pavement. Lizzie reached up and wiped a drop from his cheek. And there it was.. A spark, a jolt, like lightning.
His hands dropped to her waist and in response, she let her hands fall from his face to rest on his shoulders. Once again, like so many times before, their heads tilted and they went for it.. Only, this time, they completed it. Their lips resting together, soft and warm.. The most eloquent silence that of two mouths meeting in a kiss.
:: I've dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead ::
:: Tuned in, turned on, remembered the things you said ::
The kiss ended, but the embrace did not. Gordo looked at Lizzie and Lizzie looked at Gordo. Lizzie's eyes became wide, feeling their hearts pounding together. Tears glazed her eyes as she finally knew what she had always known within, but had been too afraid to realize.
Gordo frowned and wiped her eyes, his voice hushed, afraid. "Lizzie? What's wrong?"
She sobbed softly, putting her head against his chest. "Oh, Gordo.. I'm so sorry.."
He became puzzled as he hugged her tightly, wanting to know why she mourned so. "Lizzie.. It's okay.. Whatever it is, it's okay.."
She clenched her fists, arms still thrown around his neck. "No, Gordo! It's not! It's not okay! I never meant to hurt you all those times! With Ronnie, Paolo, Ethan.. I'm sorry that I never took the time to thank you for all the times you've been there for me! Thank you, Gordo! Thank you!"
Gordo's brows raised in surprise and strange flutters grew within his heart as he heard something from her that he had never heard before. That apology, that sudden fragility that she had.. The coward within him disappeared and he lifted a hand from her waist, putting a finger beneath her chin to lift her gaze to his. "Lizzie?"
She sniffled, her tears leaving slight trails of mascara beneath her eyes. "Yes, Gordo?"
:: And I'll be your cryin' shoulder ::
:: I'll be love suicide ::
:: And I'll be better when I'm older ::
:: I'll be the greatest fan of your life ::
He smiled and released her chin, wiping her tears. "I.. I love you, Elizabeth Brooke McGuire."
And for once, Gordo had been more courageous than Lizzie and said the one thing that she never could have said, the one thing she finally realized only moments ago.
"I love you too, David Zephyr Gordon."
My dear friends, I am afraid that this is the last chapter to my story. I know that there hasn't been too much fluff, but that is how I had to make it, so that this ending would be possible.
Much of the contents of this chapter is something I have extracted from the episodes of my dear boyfriend and me. The lyrics used are from the song, "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. I hope it will be enjoyed.
I would like to thank all of those who have constantly praised me for this story and to those who may have read it from the beginning, but never placed a review.
And now, for the final time in the tale of 'Strands In Your Eyes', on with the story!
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
[: Narrator's P.O.V :]
Fall break had long since ended and with an end, there came a beginning..
The McGuire family came home the next day to find their Lizzie asleep, holding the hand of Gordo who remained faithfully by her side.
As Lizzie slept, Gordo remained clasping her hand and he told them everything, in as much detail as he could remember. The McGuires were shocked that what had happened did and once the phone lines were fixed again that day, they called the police and Ronnie was arrested.
Ronald Jacobs was sent to trial for breaking an entering and for the attempted rape of Elizabeth McGuire.
For the next few weeks, Lizzie saw a therapist, who was pleased to report that Lizzie had experienced less trauma than most, apparently because of the support of her best friend, Gordo.
Lizzie was very cautious around strangers and even more shy around the 'male species,' but Gordo was carefully watching her around school. Always at her back, ready to receive her beckoning calls. And with winter break about to begin, we come once again to the first entry of this chapter.
Fall break had long since ended and with an end, there came a beginning..
- -
Gordo opened the door to the McGuire household and walked in.. He had always seemed like a part of the McGuire family and even more so since the incident. Sam and Jo gave him permission to just walk right in, seeing as he protected their daughter with all he had. They trusted him and loved him like a son.
He was greeted by Jo, who was in the kitchen, and as usual, making baked goods. He smiled as she spoke gently, humming afterwards. "Hey, Gordo.. Waiting for Lizzie to come down?"
Gordo gave her a lopsided smile, almost sheepishly. "Yes, ma'am.."
Jo laughed, smoothing back the tendrils that had fallen from her messy bun. "Would you like a brownie? Or a cookie? I've just made them."
It was Gordo's turn to laugh. "No, thanks, Mrs. McG.. I'm not very hungry. I just have something important to tell Lizzie."
When Jo heard this, her heart leapt.. Would they finally give in to fate or was it just something else?
Lizzie entered the room, her hair in waves about her shoulders and a sweet smile on her face. She hugged her mom before looking to Gordo. She hugged him as well, seeming a little cheery today. "Hey, Gordo."
Gordo smiled and replied, "Hey, Lizzie.. Umm.. Would you like to come outside with me? For a walk or something?"
Lizzie looked to Jo, who nodded, and then smiled at him. "Sure. Let's go."
- -
Lizzie and Gordo walked side by side through the park.. Their shoulders brushing occasionally and they would glance over at each other with small smiles. Gordo finally stopped in the middle of the park, at the fountain he had seen in his dream.. He sat and Lizzie immediately sat at his side, looking at him questioningly.
His bright, blue eyes gazed solemnly into her hazel ones and she asked gently, "Gordo? What is this all about?"
And with her question, the heavens opened, shedding a slow, gentle shower of rain.
:: The strands in your eyes, that color them wonderful ::
:: Stop me and steal my breath ::
:: Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky ::
:: Never revealing their depth ::
Gordo took a deep breath and stood, taking her hands in his. He stood there in the rain with her, gazing into her eyes that had sprays of blonde locks billowing in and out of her sight. He finally smiled.
:: Tell me that we belong together ::
:: Dress it up with the trappings of love ::
:: I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips ::
:: Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above ::
Lizzie looked into his eyes, so bright and caring, and she slowly inhaled a breath.. Looking into those eyes, she remembered all the memories she had with this person.
:: And I'll be your cryin' shoulder ::
:: I'll be love suicide ::
:: And I'll be better when I'm older ::
:: I'll be the greatest fan of your life ::
The times they played tickle-monster under the maple tree between their two, front yards.. The times she didn't have that extra quarter to get an ice cream.. The day Ronnie broke up with her.. The time he helped her try to trap Ethan Craft.. The notes in her yearbook.. The times he lied to Mrs. Ungermeyer when she ran off with Paolo.. The endless encouragement and a shoulder to cry on that he always seemed to have there for her.. The kiss they shared on the rooftops of Rome..
:: Rain falls angry on the tin roof ::
:: As we lie awake in my bed ::
:: You're my survival, you're my living proof ::
:: My love is alive and not dead ::
Gordo smiled as rain drenched them, pounding against the pavement. Lizzie reached up and wiped a drop from his cheek. And there it was.. A spark, a jolt, like lightning.
His hands dropped to her waist and in response, she let her hands fall from his face to rest on his shoulders. Once again, like so many times before, their heads tilted and they went for it.. Only, this time, they completed it. Their lips resting together, soft and warm.. The most eloquent silence that of two mouths meeting in a kiss.
:: I've dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead ::
:: Tuned in, turned on, remembered the things you said ::
The kiss ended, but the embrace did not. Gordo looked at Lizzie and Lizzie looked at Gordo. Lizzie's eyes became wide, feeling their hearts pounding together. Tears glazed her eyes as she finally knew what she had always known within, but had been too afraid to realize.
Gordo frowned and wiped her eyes, his voice hushed, afraid. "Lizzie? What's wrong?"
She sobbed softly, putting her head against his chest. "Oh, Gordo.. I'm so sorry.."
He became puzzled as he hugged her tightly, wanting to know why she mourned so. "Lizzie.. It's okay.. Whatever it is, it's okay.."
She clenched her fists, arms still thrown around his neck. "No, Gordo! It's not! It's not okay! I never meant to hurt you all those times! With Ronnie, Paolo, Ethan.. I'm sorry that I never took the time to thank you for all the times you've been there for me! Thank you, Gordo! Thank you!"
Gordo's brows raised in surprise and strange flutters grew within his heart as he heard something from her that he had never heard before. That apology, that sudden fragility that she had.. The coward within him disappeared and he lifted a hand from her waist, putting a finger beneath her chin to lift her gaze to his. "Lizzie?"
She sniffled, her tears leaving slight trails of mascara beneath her eyes. "Yes, Gordo?"
:: And I'll be your cryin' shoulder ::
:: I'll be love suicide ::
:: And I'll be better when I'm older ::
:: I'll be the greatest fan of your life ::
He smiled and released her chin, wiping her tears. "I.. I love you, Elizabeth Brooke McGuire."
And for once, Gordo had been more courageous than Lizzie and said the one thing that she never could have said, the one thing she finally realized only moments ago.
"I love you too, David Zephyr Gordon."