No Time to Waste
by TheRealXenocide
`
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, or anything else you recognize from the show Lizzie McGuire. The plot, at it's base, has been around since Homer, and this variant since Henry Ford. However, this is the first I've seen it applied to Lizzie.
`
A/N: As much of a problem as last chapter was for me, this one was easy. Less then a day! Must be a personnel record. If last chapter left you in disbelief, don't worry, a lot of it is sorted out on this chapter. Dear Matt isn't as strong as he lets on. I designed the chapters that became 13 and 14 to run this way, hoping you all would stay with me through the admittedly hard to believe 13 to get here. Probably not the best design in the world, but I've always told you that I wasn't a great author.
`
Chapter 14
Fears
`
When the McGuire family got home, Matt send his goodnights and went straight to his room. Once there, he finally allowed his shields to fall. With those gone, his tears and worries returned. "Too fast," he said quietly to himself, "I'm moving way too fast. Everything in me knows it's true, but, my god, MARRIAGE? What's wrong with me? Who can I ask? Mr. Gordon? It's late, I shouldn't bother him tonight. But I need help! Who does that leave? Mom? She might panic. Dad?" The light dawned. "Why not? He's been a thirteen-year-old boy. He's been, still is, a man in love. I'm definitely in over my head." He decided. "I'll talk to him about this." With that, he gathered his strength, cleared the tears from his face, and headed downstairs.
His parents were surprised by his return to the living room. "Something on your mind, son?" Sam asked.
"Yes. Dad, can I talk to you, alone?"
Both parents could clearly see that something was bothering him. "Sure, son. Where should we go?"
"My room, if that's okay."
That was a bit of a surprise. "If that's what you want, sure." He stood up and turned to his wife.
"Go ahead. I'll wait up." Jo said. She was clearly worried about Matt, and hoped this talk would help.
When they were in has room, Sam sat on the bed while Matt closed the door. Matt then turned to his father. "Dad, what I'm about to say may scare you. It scares me. No, that's not it. It's more what it might mean that scares me."
Sam interrupted. "Matt, please stop for a minute, take a deep breath, and tell me what's troubling you."
Matt took a breath, then began again. "Tonight, when I was talking to Mr. Sanchez, I heard myself say something. I said . . . I said that if I had the means to support her, I'd be willing to ask Miranda right then to marry me."
Sam was clearly stunted. "You said THAT?!?" came the half shout-half whisper.
"I know! And you want to know something? I MEANT IT. No fears, no hesitation. I would do it."
"Matt, please don't take this the wrong way, but that's . . ."
"Crazy?" Matt interrupted. "That's what has me worried. Dad, I've never been in this position before, but even I realize that this can't be normal. I'm only thirteen! I only realized my feelings a week ago! Yet here I am, talking about getting married! Take Ethan. He's about three years older than me, yet when he caught himself dreaming of a wedding with Kate, he panicked, broke up with Kate, and started seeing Lizzie. It took the crash for him to face his fears."
"Bingo."
"Huh?"
"The crash. Your sudden, rushed maturity can be traced to that. That was when you realized your feelings. The fear it caused you is what has driven you to be so protective of Miranda, and worried about Lizzie to the point of sleepless nights."
"Yes, but . . . wait," Matt's eyes suddenly got wide, "you know what I said about . . . protecting her?"
Sam nodded. "Her father thought I should know."
"And?"
"And I was troubled, until I realized I would do the same for the three of you if I had to."
"Still, dad, when I take that, my willingness to marry, and a dozen other things, I'm afraid. Not of any of them by themselves, but what they, together, mean for me." His tears were starting to show. "What have I become, dad? If this is about the crash, then what has it done to me? This isn't me. Mr. Sanchez said it himself. I'm a renowned troublemaker. I'm the veteran orange thief. Yet, suddenly, I'm in love, I've sung to her to comfort her, I've sworn to protect her with my life, I've talked her into helping me in playing matchmaker, and now I'm thinking about marrying her! I'm thirteen! It's not normal! What . . . what's wrong with me? What have I become?" He finally stopped, unable to talk through his tears. Instead, he collapsed into Sam and cried on his shoulder, not caring what his father thought of him just then.
Sam was surprised, but held his son, letting him do what it appeared he desperately needed. He used the time to gather his thoughts about all this. He figured Mr. Gordon would know more, but he also knew that Matt needed help now. His son needed him. When he though Matt had calmed down enough to understand him, he began. "Matt, I'm proud of you." Matt's tear stained face looked up at him, the unspoken question clear on his face. "I think you'll be fine. I think so because of what you've said tonight. You have exposed your fears to me. And guess what? What I think you're feeling isn't just the normal fear of growing up, but of growing up too fast. And I think that goes to your talk with Ethan."
"What . . . what does he have to do with it?" Matt asked through his tears.
"You said it yourself. He's three years older then you, yet he feared what you didn't. I'm not saying that you were already thinking marriage when you spoke to him. But you remembered what he said. And when you had those thoughts, you had nothing to compare to but him."
"Yes, but . . . but how can this be normal?"
"It's not." Matt looked terrified. "Listen, Matt, what I'm going to say will be tough to hear, but I think you need to hear and accept it. While I'm sure you will become more like your old self in time, I don't think you will ever be completely normal for your age again. This past week has made you face things and make choices you shouldn't have had to for a long time. That forced you, in some ways, to grow up far faster than you were meant to. This isn't something that you can take back. You can fight it all you want, but you will fight a losing battle. I think that you need to learn to accept that you are going to be, in some ways, more mature than your peers."
"I'm not worried about my peers, dad." Matt cut in. "I'm afraid of myself, what I might do . . . dad, even if you're right, how do I keep from scaring Miranda? Losing her? hurting her? Dad, I'm afraid I'll try to move too fast. Hell, I'm already thinking marriage, it doesn't get much faster than that."
Matt was surprised to see his father smiling. "Matt, that is better proof than I could give you that you've matured. Let me ask you something. Have you told Miranda about your thoughts of marriage?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't think she was ready to hear that. She was scared when she heard me tell her dad about protecting her. She hadn't even said she loved me until halfway through our talk with the moms. I didn't want to hit her with that."
"So you held that back from her because, even though you feel emotionally ready, you were worried that she wasn't, so you RESTRAINED YOURSELF. Matt, there's your proof. You have the strength to hold yourself back. You've already done it."
"Do you have any idea how much I wanted to, STILL want to tell her? It hurts to hide things from her."
"Nobody said growing up was easy. But you're not alone. You can come to me and your mother at any time. We can make arrangements with Mr. Gordon to help. Anything you need, Matt. Just ask."
Matt finally had a smile, if a small one. "Well, would you mind not telling mom about me crying like a girl?"
Sam shook his head. "First piece of advice. Don't ever let your mother, Miranda, or any other woman hear you say something like 'crying like a girl.' You'll regret it, if you're lucky."
Matt allowed himself a chuckle. "Okay."
"Are you feeling better?"
"Some." Matt stood again. "It will take time to accept this. I'm still afraid, and I think I need to take you up on your offer about Mr. Gordon, but talking to you has helped."
"Good. I'll call him in the morning. I'm sure he'll be able to help." Sam stood, then took his son's shoulder. "By the way, congratulations about Miranda."
"Huh?"
"You said, indirectly, that she told you she loved you tonight. Congratulations."
Matt smiled. "Thanks."
"Think you can get some sleep?"
"Not yet. Too wound up. I think I'll go downstairs for a drink and a snack."
"Sounds good. Mind if I join you?"
Matt laughed. "Not at all."
Together, they left his room and went downstairs. When they reached the bottom, Sam stopped. "I'll be there in a minute. I want to let your mother know you're okay."
As Matt continued to the kitchen, Sam walked into the living room. Jo looked up as he entered. "How is he?"
Sam sat next to her. "Well, he's not okay yet, but he will be."
"I know I shouldn't ask, but what's wrong?"
"While I can't tell you everything, I will say that he's very scared right now. It will take time, but I think that, with our help, and the help of Mr. Gordon, he should be okay."
"Can I ask what he's afraid of?"
"Myself." Matt said as he entered the room with a glass of juice. "I'm not comfortable telling you everything right now, mom, but I will in time."
"Thought you'd check up on your old man?" Sam asked playfully.
"Yes, but . . . have either of you ever felt something in the back of your mind, a feeling that something is wrong, but you have no idea what it is?"
"Well, yes" said Jo, puzzled but interested. "A couple of times, when you or Lizzie were in trouble, I had that kind of funny feeling you describe before I know what was going on. That can happen to a parent sometimes."
Now Matt was confused. "But I'm not a parent, so why do I have that feeling now?"
That was when the phone rang. Jo froze, remembering the call almost exactly a week ago to the minute. Sam answered. "Hello?" A pause. "Yes, he's up." Another pause. "That's not good." A longer pause. "Yes, I agree. It's not ideal, it's not normal, but what's normal anymore?" A brief pause. "I really don't think there's any doubt, do you? I'll bring him. See you soon. Goodbye."
He hung up the phone, and turned to see two expectant faces. "Miranda." Matts voice proved he was starting to panic. "Something's wrong with her, isn't there?"
"She's fine, physically." Sam began. He grabbed Matt by the shoulders. "But her mother said she just woke up screaming . . . she seems to think you're dead."
"Oh, god. I have to go to her, dad, I have to."
"Yes, you do. I'll drive."
Matt turned to his mother. "Mom, I think I know why this happened. It's my fault. And don't try to tell me it's not. I told her something yesterday that spoked her. I had no idea it was this bad, but I have to at least try to help."
"Alright, Matt. But when this is settled, I want answers. This whole week has been one question after another, and it gets unnerving at times."
"I will. I owe you that." Matt then kissed his mother on the check. "See you later."
"Be good."
He smiled, then turned to the door.
~~~~~~~~
When they got to the Sanchez home, they were met at the door by Mr. Sanchez. "I brought her to the living room." He turned and led the way.
When they reached the room, Matt nearly collapsed in sorrow. Miranda was sitting on the couch, back toward him, knees up tightly to her chin, rocking slowing, and crying softly. Matt never thought he'd ever see something as wrenching as when she had heard about Ethan. He now knew he had been mistaken. When he felt confident in his knees, he moved to her. He hadn't even noticed her mother there until she moved to him. She looked like she had been crying. "Please, help her if you can. I don't know what to do anymore" she whispered to him. She then joined the men at the door.
He sat on the couch on front of Miranda. There was so little room, he had to sit lightly on her bare feet. He saw he head flinch up, and took her cheeks in his hands. Moving her head until she looked at him, he said "I'm here. I'm okay. I'm here." She looked lost in her mind. He keep up his chant as he grasped for an idea. Then it hit him. He turned to look at their parents, mouthed silently 'I'm sorry', then he turned back to face Miranda, and kissed her full on the lips.
At first, she did nothing. No fighting, no kissing back, nothing. He was about to give up when he felt her start to return the kiss. She then suddenly shoved him off. "What the . . ."
"Hello." Matt said with a grin. "Welcome back."
When she realized he was here, and real, she started to put her legs under her. "Matt? You're here? You're alive!" With that, her legs now under her, she lunged to him. He was expecting it this time. "Oh, thank god! I thought, I thought . . ."
"I know."
"What?" "How?"
"Your mom called, said you woke screaming, saying that I was dead. It didn't take too much to figure out the cause. I'm so sorry I did this to you."
"Matt, stop. Yes, my nightmares the last two nights were about you, but I've been having nightmares since I woke up Monday."
"What? Miranda, who have you told?"
"No one. Lizzie found out last night. But, they've never been this bad. Why now? What's changed?"
"You mean other than me, us?"
"Oh, yeah. That could be involved."
Matt chuckled a little at that. That's when he noticed. "Where are our folks?"
Miranda turned her head to see the empty doorway. "That's odd."
"I'll say." Matt remembered his talk with his father, and the talk with her father.
"Matt." Miranda was facing him again. "Will you hold me? Please?"
Matt was both delighted and terrified. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. Just cuddle with me awhile."
Matt gulped, then nodded.
~~
A half hour later, the three parents returned to find them both asleep. Matt was lying with his back against the back and arm of the couch, while Miranda had her back against him. His arms were wrapped securely around her stomach. Both fathers were in disbelief. Mrs. Sanchez took each by a shoulder, and steered them back to the kitchen. Once there, said started laughing. "I'll bet neither of you were ready for that yet?"
"No, but maybe it's a good thing." Sam said, sounding surprised with himself.
"I don't like this, but compared to earlier . . . to see her like that, and neither of us able to help her." Mr. Sanchez was clearly torn. "I don't want a repeat again tonight. I don't know if I could take it. As much as I dislike the idea, I think we should leave them tonight."
"I agree." Mrs. Sanchez added. "I think that, for tonight, it's the only choice we have."
"You're right." Sam said. Then he smiled. "I think Mr. Gordon is going to have a very busy morning tomorrow. I should call home."
"We have an extra room, if you'd like to stay."
"Thank you. I'll talk to Jo about it."
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Tomorrow morning should prove unforgettable, wouldn't you agree? See you there.
by TheRealXenocide
`
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, or anything else you recognize from the show Lizzie McGuire. The plot, at it's base, has been around since Homer, and this variant since Henry Ford. However, this is the first I've seen it applied to Lizzie.
`
A/N: As much of a problem as last chapter was for me, this one was easy. Less then a day! Must be a personnel record. If last chapter left you in disbelief, don't worry, a lot of it is sorted out on this chapter. Dear Matt isn't as strong as he lets on. I designed the chapters that became 13 and 14 to run this way, hoping you all would stay with me through the admittedly hard to believe 13 to get here. Probably not the best design in the world, but I've always told you that I wasn't a great author.
`
Chapter 14
Fears
`
When the McGuire family got home, Matt send his goodnights and went straight to his room. Once there, he finally allowed his shields to fall. With those gone, his tears and worries returned. "Too fast," he said quietly to himself, "I'm moving way too fast. Everything in me knows it's true, but, my god, MARRIAGE? What's wrong with me? Who can I ask? Mr. Gordon? It's late, I shouldn't bother him tonight. But I need help! Who does that leave? Mom? She might panic. Dad?" The light dawned. "Why not? He's been a thirteen-year-old boy. He's been, still is, a man in love. I'm definitely in over my head." He decided. "I'll talk to him about this." With that, he gathered his strength, cleared the tears from his face, and headed downstairs.
His parents were surprised by his return to the living room. "Something on your mind, son?" Sam asked.
"Yes. Dad, can I talk to you, alone?"
Both parents could clearly see that something was bothering him. "Sure, son. Where should we go?"
"My room, if that's okay."
That was a bit of a surprise. "If that's what you want, sure." He stood up and turned to his wife.
"Go ahead. I'll wait up." Jo said. She was clearly worried about Matt, and hoped this talk would help.
When they were in has room, Sam sat on the bed while Matt closed the door. Matt then turned to his father. "Dad, what I'm about to say may scare you. It scares me. No, that's not it. It's more what it might mean that scares me."
Sam interrupted. "Matt, please stop for a minute, take a deep breath, and tell me what's troubling you."
Matt took a breath, then began again. "Tonight, when I was talking to Mr. Sanchez, I heard myself say something. I said . . . I said that if I had the means to support her, I'd be willing to ask Miranda right then to marry me."
Sam was clearly stunted. "You said THAT?!?" came the half shout-half whisper.
"I know! And you want to know something? I MEANT IT. No fears, no hesitation. I would do it."
"Matt, please don't take this the wrong way, but that's . . ."
"Crazy?" Matt interrupted. "That's what has me worried. Dad, I've never been in this position before, but even I realize that this can't be normal. I'm only thirteen! I only realized my feelings a week ago! Yet here I am, talking about getting married! Take Ethan. He's about three years older than me, yet when he caught himself dreaming of a wedding with Kate, he panicked, broke up with Kate, and started seeing Lizzie. It took the crash for him to face his fears."
"Bingo."
"Huh?"
"The crash. Your sudden, rushed maturity can be traced to that. That was when you realized your feelings. The fear it caused you is what has driven you to be so protective of Miranda, and worried about Lizzie to the point of sleepless nights."
"Yes, but . . . wait," Matt's eyes suddenly got wide, "you know what I said about . . . protecting her?"
Sam nodded. "Her father thought I should know."
"And?"
"And I was troubled, until I realized I would do the same for the three of you if I had to."
"Still, dad, when I take that, my willingness to marry, and a dozen other things, I'm afraid. Not of any of them by themselves, but what they, together, mean for me." His tears were starting to show. "What have I become, dad? If this is about the crash, then what has it done to me? This isn't me. Mr. Sanchez said it himself. I'm a renowned troublemaker. I'm the veteran orange thief. Yet, suddenly, I'm in love, I've sung to her to comfort her, I've sworn to protect her with my life, I've talked her into helping me in playing matchmaker, and now I'm thinking about marrying her! I'm thirteen! It's not normal! What . . . what's wrong with me? What have I become?" He finally stopped, unable to talk through his tears. Instead, he collapsed into Sam and cried on his shoulder, not caring what his father thought of him just then.
Sam was surprised, but held his son, letting him do what it appeared he desperately needed. He used the time to gather his thoughts about all this. He figured Mr. Gordon would know more, but he also knew that Matt needed help now. His son needed him. When he though Matt had calmed down enough to understand him, he began. "Matt, I'm proud of you." Matt's tear stained face looked up at him, the unspoken question clear on his face. "I think you'll be fine. I think so because of what you've said tonight. You have exposed your fears to me. And guess what? What I think you're feeling isn't just the normal fear of growing up, but of growing up too fast. And I think that goes to your talk with Ethan."
"What . . . what does he have to do with it?" Matt asked through his tears.
"You said it yourself. He's three years older then you, yet he feared what you didn't. I'm not saying that you were already thinking marriage when you spoke to him. But you remembered what he said. And when you had those thoughts, you had nothing to compare to but him."
"Yes, but . . . but how can this be normal?"
"It's not." Matt looked terrified. "Listen, Matt, what I'm going to say will be tough to hear, but I think you need to hear and accept it. While I'm sure you will become more like your old self in time, I don't think you will ever be completely normal for your age again. This past week has made you face things and make choices you shouldn't have had to for a long time. That forced you, in some ways, to grow up far faster than you were meant to. This isn't something that you can take back. You can fight it all you want, but you will fight a losing battle. I think that you need to learn to accept that you are going to be, in some ways, more mature than your peers."
"I'm not worried about my peers, dad." Matt cut in. "I'm afraid of myself, what I might do . . . dad, even if you're right, how do I keep from scaring Miranda? Losing her? hurting her? Dad, I'm afraid I'll try to move too fast. Hell, I'm already thinking marriage, it doesn't get much faster than that."
Matt was surprised to see his father smiling. "Matt, that is better proof than I could give you that you've matured. Let me ask you something. Have you told Miranda about your thoughts of marriage?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't think she was ready to hear that. She was scared when she heard me tell her dad about protecting her. She hadn't even said she loved me until halfway through our talk with the moms. I didn't want to hit her with that."
"So you held that back from her because, even though you feel emotionally ready, you were worried that she wasn't, so you RESTRAINED YOURSELF. Matt, there's your proof. You have the strength to hold yourself back. You've already done it."
"Do you have any idea how much I wanted to, STILL want to tell her? It hurts to hide things from her."
"Nobody said growing up was easy. But you're not alone. You can come to me and your mother at any time. We can make arrangements with Mr. Gordon to help. Anything you need, Matt. Just ask."
Matt finally had a smile, if a small one. "Well, would you mind not telling mom about me crying like a girl?"
Sam shook his head. "First piece of advice. Don't ever let your mother, Miranda, or any other woman hear you say something like 'crying like a girl.' You'll regret it, if you're lucky."
Matt allowed himself a chuckle. "Okay."
"Are you feeling better?"
"Some." Matt stood again. "It will take time to accept this. I'm still afraid, and I think I need to take you up on your offer about Mr. Gordon, but talking to you has helped."
"Good. I'll call him in the morning. I'm sure he'll be able to help." Sam stood, then took his son's shoulder. "By the way, congratulations about Miranda."
"Huh?"
"You said, indirectly, that she told you she loved you tonight. Congratulations."
Matt smiled. "Thanks."
"Think you can get some sleep?"
"Not yet. Too wound up. I think I'll go downstairs for a drink and a snack."
"Sounds good. Mind if I join you?"
Matt laughed. "Not at all."
Together, they left his room and went downstairs. When they reached the bottom, Sam stopped. "I'll be there in a minute. I want to let your mother know you're okay."
As Matt continued to the kitchen, Sam walked into the living room. Jo looked up as he entered. "How is he?"
Sam sat next to her. "Well, he's not okay yet, but he will be."
"I know I shouldn't ask, but what's wrong?"
"While I can't tell you everything, I will say that he's very scared right now. It will take time, but I think that, with our help, and the help of Mr. Gordon, he should be okay."
"Can I ask what he's afraid of?"
"Myself." Matt said as he entered the room with a glass of juice. "I'm not comfortable telling you everything right now, mom, but I will in time."
"Thought you'd check up on your old man?" Sam asked playfully.
"Yes, but . . . have either of you ever felt something in the back of your mind, a feeling that something is wrong, but you have no idea what it is?"
"Well, yes" said Jo, puzzled but interested. "A couple of times, when you or Lizzie were in trouble, I had that kind of funny feeling you describe before I know what was going on. That can happen to a parent sometimes."
Now Matt was confused. "But I'm not a parent, so why do I have that feeling now?"
That was when the phone rang. Jo froze, remembering the call almost exactly a week ago to the minute. Sam answered. "Hello?" A pause. "Yes, he's up." Another pause. "That's not good." A longer pause. "Yes, I agree. It's not ideal, it's not normal, but what's normal anymore?" A brief pause. "I really don't think there's any doubt, do you? I'll bring him. See you soon. Goodbye."
He hung up the phone, and turned to see two expectant faces. "Miranda." Matts voice proved he was starting to panic. "Something's wrong with her, isn't there?"
"She's fine, physically." Sam began. He grabbed Matt by the shoulders. "But her mother said she just woke up screaming . . . she seems to think you're dead."
"Oh, god. I have to go to her, dad, I have to."
"Yes, you do. I'll drive."
Matt turned to his mother. "Mom, I think I know why this happened. It's my fault. And don't try to tell me it's not. I told her something yesterday that spoked her. I had no idea it was this bad, but I have to at least try to help."
"Alright, Matt. But when this is settled, I want answers. This whole week has been one question after another, and it gets unnerving at times."
"I will. I owe you that." Matt then kissed his mother on the check. "See you later."
"Be good."
He smiled, then turned to the door.
~~~~~~~~
When they got to the Sanchez home, they were met at the door by Mr. Sanchez. "I brought her to the living room." He turned and led the way.
When they reached the room, Matt nearly collapsed in sorrow. Miranda was sitting on the couch, back toward him, knees up tightly to her chin, rocking slowing, and crying softly. Matt never thought he'd ever see something as wrenching as when she had heard about Ethan. He now knew he had been mistaken. When he felt confident in his knees, he moved to her. He hadn't even noticed her mother there until she moved to him. She looked like she had been crying. "Please, help her if you can. I don't know what to do anymore" she whispered to him. She then joined the men at the door.
He sat on the couch on front of Miranda. There was so little room, he had to sit lightly on her bare feet. He saw he head flinch up, and took her cheeks in his hands. Moving her head until she looked at him, he said "I'm here. I'm okay. I'm here." She looked lost in her mind. He keep up his chant as he grasped for an idea. Then it hit him. He turned to look at their parents, mouthed silently 'I'm sorry', then he turned back to face Miranda, and kissed her full on the lips.
At first, she did nothing. No fighting, no kissing back, nothing. He was about to give up when he felt her start to return the kiss. She then suddenly shoved him off. "What the . . ."
"Hello." Matt said with a grin. "Welcome back."
When she realized he was here, and real, she started to put her legs under her. "Matt? You're here? You're alive!" With that, her legs now under her, she lunged to him. He was expecting it this time. "Oh, thank god! I thought, I thought . . ."
"I know."
"What?" "How?"
"Your mom called, said you woke screaming, saying that I was dead. It didn't take too much to figure out the cause. I'm so sorry I did this to you."
"Matt, stop. Yes, my nightmares the last two nights were about you, but I've been having nightmares since I woke up Monday."
"What? Miranda, who have you told?"
"No one. Lizzie found out last night. But, they've never been this bad. Why now? What's changed?"
"You mean other than me, us?"
"Oh, yeah. That could be involved."
Matt chuckled a little at that. That's when he noticed. "Where are our folks?"
Miranda turned her head to see the empty doorway. "That's odd."
"I'll say." Matt remembered his talk with his father, and the talk with her father.
"Matt." Miranda was facing him again. "Will you hold me? Please?"
Matt was both delighted and terrified. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. Just cuddle with me awhile."
Matt gulped, then nodded.
~~
A half hour later, the three parents returned to find them both asleep. Matt was lying with his back against the back and arm of the couch, while Miranda had her back against him. His arms were wrapped securely around her stomach. Both fathers were in disbelief. Mrs. Sanchez took each by a shoulder, and steered them back to the kitchen. Once there, said started laughing. "I'll bet neither of you were ready for that yet?"
"No, but maybe it's a good thing." Sam said, sounding surprised with himself.
"I don't like this, but compared to earlier . . . to see her like that, and neither of us able to help her." Mr. Sanchez was clearly torn. "I don't want a repeat again tonight. I don't know if I could take it. As much as I dislike the idea, I think we should leave them tonight."
"I agree." Mrs. Sanchez added. "I think that, for tonight, it's the only choice we have."
"You're right." Sam said. Then he smiled. "I think Mr. Gordon is going to have a very busy morning tomorrow. I should call home."
"We have an extra room, if you'd like to stay."
"Thank you. I'll talk to Jo about it."
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Tomorrow morning should prove unforgettable, wouldn't you agree? See you there.