A/N: Sorry for the prolonged absence. I got in a car accident (no one was hurt) and there was some damage so in order to pay for that, I had to work at my uncle's farm for practically the whole summer. It's all good now, though. I'm back but who knows how often I'll be able to update? I start school soon so yeah...what's going on with you?

Oh, and this is the last chapter of this story, but I am starting another story really soon so look for that as well. As for Cruisin, I'm a little stuck right now as to where that is going to go, but give me time, as I will try my best to produce some sort of excuse for a chapter. Also, I'm thinking about a sequel for this story, so let me know if you want a sequel.

Chapter Eight

Hearts Unstapled

After planning the party for an hour and then going down to decorate, order the food, and make all the preparations. Lizzie was surprised to see that Matt was helping, but had no objections. The place looked amazing and Miranda showed up just in time to finish setting up. She hugged Lizzie and Gordo and welcomed them back into town and they wished her a happy birthday.

Soon, twenty or so more guests arrived. Everyone was there, including Miranda's parents and Lizzie's parents, who got back in town just in time. All the parents stayed in the kitchen while everyone else stayed in the living room and danced, ate, and talked. Matt, for one, was surprised that Lizzie let him stay for all the festivities, but wasn't about to object. He stole a few glances from Miranda and a few dances with her as well, as Lizzie and Gordo hardly ever let go of each other. Miranda and Matt decided that it was safe enough for them to be themselves. They were, after all, going to eventually tell everyone the truth about them, any way. Miranda was glad that the main focus was Gordo and Lizzie for once, as after Matt told her what happened, she almost wanted to pester them for info herself, but decided that this time was hers...and Matt's.

After they ate pizza and had cake, it was time for everyone to leave, and by then, it was after nine. Miranda's parents left and Gordo and Miranda helped Lizzie and Matt clean up as Lizzie and Matt's parents announced that they were going to sleep an advised them not to stay up too late.

Gordo was helping Lizzie with the dishes while Miranda and Matt were covering the den. "Did you have fun?"

Miranda smiled, "Yeah, I really did."

"Good."

"So," Miranda said, trying to sound casual, "You never gave me the other part of my gift."

Right as she said that, Lizzie and Gordo entered, "Matt, you gave Miranda a gift?" Lizzie asked.

Matt gulped as he looked at Lizzie and he and Miranda exchanged glances, "Yeah."

"That was nice of you," Lizzie said, "Oh, and Miranda, Gordo and I also have a gift for you."

"Okay," Miranda said, "Well, after we finish cleaning up, I'll open presents."

"Sounds like a deal," Lizzie said, and she smiled at Gordo and then looked at her best friend and brother, "Well, um, Gordo and I are going to go back in the kitchen and finish things in there. We'll be back in a minute," Lizzie said, backing into the kitchen and closing the door behind her.

"Um, Lizzie, I thought we were finished in the kitchen," Gordo said.

"I know that and you know that," Lizzie whispered, "but they don't and I think something fishy is going on in there."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Lizzie said, getting a chair and placing it right in front of the door that led into the living room and stepped on the chair and looked out of the small window.

"I'm still waiting," Gordo said, crossing his arms. Lizzie's face turned white as she looked at Gordo, and then back at the window.

Lizzie got off the chair and told Gordo to see for himself. He did so and what he found was very weird. His best friend, Miranda, was making out with his girlfriend's younger brother. He tilted his head as he looked and said, "Hmm. That's odd."

"Odd??" Lizzie said, practically pulling him off the chair."

"Lizzie, they are going to hear you," he whispered.

Lizzie sighed, "What is going on here?"

He hushed her, "I think I hear them talking. That means they must have gotten their sanity back."

"No," Lizzie said, grabbing Gordo by the hand and leading him outside and walking a little to their front yard, "If we are really quiet, the window in the living room is open, so we can hear what they say."

"Lizzie, this is really none of our business."

"No, it really is. Gordo, for the past few months, I have been very suspicious of some things going on here, and I think that these two are dating."

"What?? Matt and Miranda? Are you crazy?"

"That's what I thought, but I really think something is going on now," Lizzie said, "Now, be quiet so we can get closer and hear what they are saying."

They did just that as they hung out right next to the window.

"I'm so nervous," Matt said.

"Me too," Miranda said.

"Are you sure you want to do this tonight? We can wait."

"No, we really should get it over with."

"How much longer do you think they will be in the kitchen?"

"I don't know, but we are finished in here, so we can do it any minute."

In the meantime, as Lizzie was hearing this, she was getting the wrong impression. She thought Miranda and Matt were talking about having sex. Her eyes got wider and wider as she heard things.

"I can't believe we are doing this."

"I know, it's almost like this will make us an official couple."

"I just hope people don't judge us for this," Miranda said.

"Well," Matt said, "before we do it, let me give you your gift."

"Okay," Miranda said, "Where is it?"

"Hold on," he said, "It's in my room. Let me go get it."

While Matt was gone Lizzie was freaking out, "Gordo, we have to stop this," she whispered, "Not only is this repulsive, but they are really being stupid."

"Lizzie, you are jumping to conclusions. They would never be that stupid."

They heard Matt come back into the room, "Okay, Miranda, for your birthday, I have a special surprise. I present to you...Matt McGuire...or whatever you would like to call it."

Miranda gasped, "Oh, Matt! I can't believe this! He's so cute and...he's huge!!!"

Lizzie was so disgusted and truthfully, Gordo was also a little grossed out. Lizzie couldn't stop herself, "That's it," Lizzie said, "We are going inside and stopping this...monstrous event." She pulled him by the sleeve back inside the house.

Once inside the house, Lizzie burst through the closed doors that led to the living room and looked down, and shielded her eyes at the two people kissing, "Matt, zip up your pants. We need to talk."

Gordo, who realized what was going on, started laughing and that got Lizzie's attention as Miranda and Matt broke away from each other and looked at Lizzie as if they had just seen a ghost.

"Lizzie, what are you doing?" Matt asked, looking at his sister who still had her eyes shielded.

"I'm trying to keep you from making a huge mistake. Are your pants zipped up yet?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Lizzie," Gordo said, "I think we made a mistake."

"What do you mean?" as Lizzie looked at Gordo, who was pointing at Miranda and Matt. Lizzie looked over and saw Matt, Miranda, and a large, stuffed bear.

"I think..." Gordo said, pointing at the bear, "I think that's what Miranda was talking about."

Lizzie opened her mouth, but all she could manage to say was, "Oh."

"Oh is right, Lizzie," Matt said, "I don't know what you were thinking and why you were listening, but I was giving Miranda a bear."

"Okay, that explains that," she said, staring Miranda and Matt down, "But what about that kiss?"

"Oh, that," Matt said, laughing nervously, "that is what we were getting ready to talk to you about. You see..."

"Matt and I are in love," Miranda interrupted. Matt sighed a breath of relief and then went over what Miranda said.

"We-we are?" Matt asked, "I mean, yeah, we are."

"And if you can't accept that, then maybe we shouldn't be friends," Miranda said.

Lizzie gasped, "Miranda! I've never heard such a..." Lizzie stopped to think about this. It wasn't like Miranda as giving her a choice, and then, Lizzie realized that she was wasting her time thinking, "I've never heard such surprisingly good news!"

Miranda blinked. Sure, she expected Lizzie to eventually come around, but not that quickly, "Really?" Miranda asked.

Lizzie nodded her head and stepped forward to give her friend a hug, "Miranda, I've known you all my life and if you really want to date my brother, go ahead. It will probably be a little weird to get used to, now that I know what's really going on, but for the past few months, you've been really happy and before, when you weren't, I hated it."

A tear rolled down Miranda's eyes as she looked at Matt, smiling, "See? I told you nothing bad would happen."

Lizzie let go of Miranda and went back to Gordo.

Miranda calmed down and looked at the two of them, "So when did you two get back together?"

Lizzie and Gordo exchanged glances, smiled and said, "This weekend."

"This weekend? But both of you were out of town this weekend."

"Yeah," Gordo said, "We lied. We actually drove down to Phoenix to pick up these," he said as he reached into his back pocket and presented the envelope with the Kyle Olsen tickets.

Miranda took the envelope and opened it up, "Oh my God!" she said, "You guys are so awesome."

Matt grinned, "Yeah, you really are."

"When is the concert?"

"In two weeks. I figured we could drive down and stay over night since it is on a Saturday night," Lizzie said, then she noticed Matt was looking a little jealous. She sure was learning a lot about importance that day, "But now, I realize that Gordo and I have other commitments that we have that weekend, and that leaves two extra tickets."

Miranda turned to Matt, excitedly, "Sure!"

Everyone smiled and soon it was time to say goodnight. Lizzie, who wasn't ready to give up her time with Gordo yet, she drove with him to his house and decided to walk home.

On their drive to his house, Gordo asked, "So, what made you decide to give up those tickets?"

Lizzie smiled, "First of all, I knew Miranda would be miserable the whole weekend if Matt wasn't there and second of all, once mom and dad hear about this, I know the third person is going to be one of our parents. If we were going, it would be the same way, only they wouldn't be at the concert."

Gordo shrugged, "I guess you have a point there."

"Gordo, I may be blonde, but I know enough about my parents to know what to expect."

"I'm surprised you were so cool about Miranda and Matt."

"Yeah, so am I, quite frankly. I guess everything is nicer when everyone is happy."

"Did it also help to know that they weren't having sex?"

"Ugh," Lizzie said, "I never want that image in my head ever again."

Gordo smiled as he pulled into his drive way. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

Lizzie and Gordo exchanged a quick kiss as Lizzie got out of the car and headed home. By then, Matt had gone upstairs. Lizzie went to his room to say goodnight and right as she was about to leave, Matt said, "Oh, by the way, when you walked in on us kissing, what do you think we were doing?"

Lizzie gasped as Matt laughed and threw a pillow at her. Lizzie was about to shut his door, until he said, "Lizzie?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm happy for you and Gordo."

"Thank you. I am really happy."

THE END