Lizzie awoke the next morning to find Gordo still asleep. She smiled at the sight of him, his chest rising and falling in his restful sleep. The clock on the wall read 7:47 AM, breakfast would be arriving soon, yet Lizzie wasn't at all hungry.
"Helloooo?" A cheery voice said outside of the door. There was a slight knock, and then it was being opened.
"Oh…I'm not too hungry. But thank you." Lizzie said eyeing the tray of food that was being rolled next to her.
"Nonsense, you need your strength. And if you don't eat it I'm sure that lovely beau of yours will." The nurse left Lizzie with a tray of hospital food that didn't look the least bit appetizing.
"Mmm…do I smell badly made coffee and eggs?" Gordo's drowsy voice asked after his eyes opened. Lizzie smiled at him.
"It's all yours." She said pushing the tray over to him.
"At least eat the muffin." Gordo compromised, putting the cream into his coffee.
"I'm not very hungry Gordo." Lizzie knew she couldn't hide the sadness in he voice. Gordo set down his coffee and put his full attention on Lizzie.
"Lizzie…please don't do this to yourself. Just pretend that everything's alright." What Gordo was asking of her, made Lizzie want to cry. How could she pretend that everything was alright? How?
"If that's what you want Gordo." Lizzie said finally.
"Yes, that's what I want." Gordo went back to his coffee and Lizzie couldn't help but notice that the man she loved was trying to be strong. But she knew him better then that; she knew that he just didn't want anyone to know he was truly scared. There was another knock on the hospital door and Lizzie hoped that it wasn't a doctor letting her know that she needed to stay longer.
"Come in." Gordo and Lizzie said in unison. Jo and Sam walked in with Miranda on their heels.
"The doctor says that you can go home, honey." Jo said handing Lizzie a hospital bag with her belongings, "I also brought you a set of clean clothes."
"Thanks mom." Lizzie forced a smile.
"How are you doing Gordo? You alright?" Sam asked Gordo tentatively.
"Sure am Mr. Maguire. In fact I feel great." No one questioned Gordo's good mood. They all knew that it was just his way of coping with the situation.
"Well, Lizzie we'll step out so you can change." Jo said.
"Miranda can stay." Lizzie said.
"ok dear." Jo, Sam and Gordo let the hospital room, closing the door behind them.
"So did you talk to Gordo?" Miranda asked Lizzie taking a seat in the chair Gorfo has slept in.
"Orcourse I did. And he says he's going to be fine. The test results won't be in for another week." Lizzie sniffled, feeling the tears invade her eyes again.
"You don't think he would lie do you?" Miranda asked uneasily.
"What do you mean?" Lizzie asked, looking at Miranda.
"Well, Lizzie he doesn't want to upset us, that's for sure and he's Gordo." Miranda made some valid points and Lizzie knew that she was right.
"Gordo wouldn't lie to me Miranda." Lizzie said firmly, buttoning up her shirt.
"If it meant not to hurt you, he would." Miranda was now looking at her feet.
"Look, you may know him, but I'm his girlfriend ok? I know if he would lie to me or not and he wouldn't!"
"Lizzie, that's exactly why he would lie! You trust him! It's different with me and Gordo. He and I are friends, and when you cross that line of turning from friends to more it changes." Miranda sighed.
"So what you're saying is that he would tell you the truth about this but tell me that nothing is wrong? That's ridiculous." Lizzie finished getting dressed and she was now not only upset with Miranda but still sad about Gordo.
"Lizzie, listen to me. Gordo would do anything to protect you from pain. He loves you, but don't allow yourself to be in denial." And with that Miranda pulled Lizzie into a hug. Lizzie allowed the tears to flow once again and she felt Miranda's arms tighten around her.
"I'm scared, Miranda." Lizzie said after a minute.
"I know Lizzie…me too."