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: Fair warning: The end of this chapter could be rather upsetting. Have tissues ready.
`
Chapter 22
In the Name of the Son
`
Sam awoke again at 6:30, and went to get himself a cup coffee. The timer on the coffee maker had started it 15 minutes earlier, so it had only just finished, and was still hot. After he downed a few sips, decided to check on the kids while it cooled. When he got to the den, he lightly knocked on the door out of habit. Hearing nothing, he turned the knob.
The door opened so he saw the bag to his left, the kids' right, first. Empty. 'This could be bad.' He stuck his head in. First, he saw Lizzie, on her cot, out like a light. 'Well, she couldn't stay awake forever.' He then looked at Matt's bag. As he expected, lying on top of the bag were Matt and Miranda. This time, Matt was lying on his back. Miranda was against his right side, using his shoulder for a pillow. His right arm was wrapped over her, his hands clasped together at her left shoulder. 'Both clothed, good.' He took note of his son's arms. 'Ever the protector. I'll come back and wake them, after coffee.'
As he finished pouring his second cup, Jo entered the kitchen. She looked both amused and annoyed. "It seems you were right." She went straight to the coffee.
Sam tried, and failed, to bury his grin. "I know. The only question I have is if Lizzie consented to it."
"Why would she?"
"Matt was in here last night for three drinks. He said Miranda had a nightmare. I woke to some loud voices from there later. If we assume that was a nightmare, that's two that we know of. They may have come to the conclusion that that was the only way any of them would get some sleep."
"You made the coffee stronger than usual today."
"I figured we'd need it."
"Good thinking. Two bad ones in one night. At least it looks like they were true to their word."
"More importantly, I think it safe to assume they were able to help each other. And get some sleep." He took another sip. "Matt knows about our worries he might . . ."
"What?!? How?"
"When he came for those drinks. I don't know exactly when he pieced it together, but he noticed we had moved all the dangerous stuff. He told me flat out he wouldn't kill himself. He said Miranda needed him."
"Do you believe him?"
He thought about it. "I was only part-way awake, but yeah, I believe him. Two things trouble me about it, though."
"What are they?"
"First, he had his answer to the idea so fast, I think he had thought about it before then."
Jo nearly dropped her cup. "You think he actually though about killing himself!"
Sam placed his cup on the counter, then hers. He took her hands in his. "That's only a guess. And, IF I'm right, it also would mean he rejected the idea."
"But he's still my baby. Just the thought he'd consider that . . . Dare I ask what the second thing that troubles you is?"
"Something else he said about it. It sounds like he believes that if he did that, Miranda might also."
Jo hung her head. "I don't remember changing my name to Montague, do you?"
Sam hugged her. "I don't think it will be that bad. He wants to talk to us today."
She looked up at him. "About this?"
"While that will be part of it, he said he was already going to talk to you today."
"Did he say why?"
"No. He wanted to get back to the room."
"To Miranda, you mean." It's doubtful anyone but Sam could have caught the hint of remorse in her voice.
And he did. "He may be your baby, but he's also her man. That bothers you, doesn't it?"
"It's just that, before all this happened, he was a happy, health thirteen-year-old boy. Now look at him. I don't blame Miranda for this, she's hurting as much as he is. But is it so much to ask for him to return to his happy, healthy, free-spirit self again?"
"Not for his mother." He paused, thinking of how to frame this. "I don't think he'll ever be the same boy again, but he can become an even better man. I trust Dr. Gordon to help them. I believe, when this is done, they both will be healthy. And happier then we've ever known them, especially together. While they will never again be truly carefree, that will be because they will have each other. I don't think they'd give up together for carefree, do you?"
"No. But he's going to skip so much of childhood, growing up so fast."
"Hon, he's learning lessons now that most guys stumble around for another decade or more before they figure out. And I don't think he's going to miss that much of the joys of youth. Between you, me, and Miranda, I don't think he'll be allowed to." Jo chuckled at that. "It's going to be tough on all of us at times, but when I think of the man I believe he's going to become because of this, I can't help but envy him a little."
Jo was smiling a little. "I guess you're right. When did you become so very wise?"
Now was Sam's turn to chuckle. "Do you remember my friend David?"
"The one that came by that time you and Gordo were helping Matt make that video?"
"That's him. I met him in the park Saturday afternoon, during my walk. I couldn't help but talk to him about this, he has that effect on people. He helped me out with a lot of this. I've never known anyone so wise."
"I can think of a friend of his who's close."
"Thanks." He kissed her forehead. "What time is it?" He looked. "7:15? I must have really nursed that first cup."
"We have been talking for a while. When did you want to awake the kids?"
"How's 8:00 sound?"
Jo shook her head. "Daniella was going to come by around 8, remember?"
"Oh, that's right. 7:30 should work. That will give them time to get changed and eat."
~~~~~~~~
A little after 7:30, Sam stuck his head in the room. The kids were still asleep. They quietly entered the room. Jo went to Lizzie's right to wake her, while Sam went to the couple on her left. Jo lightly shook her daughter's shoulder. "Lizzie, honey, time to . . ."
She didn't finish, as Lizzie shot up onto her elbows. "What . . . what's wrong."
"Nothing, it's just time to get up."
"Oh, okay."
As Sam leaned down to rouse the couple, he decided to try to get both at once by shaking Matt's clasped hands, thus shaking Miranda's shoulder, which they were laying on. He realized his mistake when his hand was thrown back to him, a slight twist added to the motion, and a piercing, panicked scream of "NO!!!" coming from Matt. The look in his eyes was both panicked and deadly at first, then they focused. As if seeing his father for the first time, his eyes lit-up with joy. And incredulity. "Dad! Bloody Hell! Don't scare me like that! I thought you were a nightmare come to life!"
Sam rubbed his waist. Sore, but working. "I almost feel sorry for your dream enemies" he said wryly.
"Sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so." He saw that Miranda had awoke to the commotion. "I take it you two had a bad night."
"That's a mild way to put it."
"I know about one nightmare, and I think I heard another. Were there any more?"
"Yes," Miranda replied, "but we only needed breaking from two. Mine was first, then Matt."
"After Matt had his," Lizzie continued, "we realized that this," she motioned toward the couple laying together, "was the only chance for a peaceful night." She let out a sarcastic single laugh. "What was left of it."
"Excuse me, but can we finish this at the breakfast table. I'm hungry!" Matt declared.
"Boys!" the girls said in unison.
~~~~~~~~
As Matt wolfed down his cereal, Miranda just shook her head. "I never thought I'd see somebody who could out eat Gordo."
Matt swallowed his mouthful. Or rather, tried to. "I'm a growing boy!" Milk dribbled down his chin. When Jo went to wipe it off, he ducked from away her. "I can clean myself!" While his attention was on his mother, Miranda managed to get it. "HEY! No fair double-teaming."
Sam was chuckling at the scene. "I think you'd better get used to it. You've got a pair of formidable women looking after you. Be grateful they aren't at war with each other."
"I'd rather not think about that, thanks." They all heard a noise outside. "Hey, isn't that the mail truck? A little early today."
"It happens if the regular postman's sick. I'll check." Jo left the room. A few minutes later, she came back with the mail. "There's a card for you, Lizzie." She handed it to her.
Lizzie looked at the return address. "It's from Parker." Her eyes lit up as she looked at Miranda. "You don't think . . ."
"She was due a couple of weeks ago! Open it already!" Miranda was getting excited. Lizzie opened it. The card was plain tan, not what they thought a birth announcement should look like. Lizzie started reading it. At first, she looked confused, then she brought her hand to her lips, and it looked like she was fighting back tears. When she finished, she couldn't speak. She just handed it to Miranda. Miranda let Matt, Sam, and Jo read it over her shoulders.
~
Larry Tudgeman and Parker McKenzie regretfully inform you of the passing of their son.
Jacob David McKenzie-Tudgeman
He died as a result of pneumonia on June 3rd. He was seven days old.
His grieving parents and their families request any gifts be given as donations to one of the following charities in their son's name.
~
Jo went the comfort Lizzie, while Matt comforted Miranda. "I think," Matt began calmly, "you really need to have that talk with your mother."
"I know. I wasn't sure how to approach her about it again, but after this, I don't dare wait. Parker and Larry must be devastated."
"How could this happen?!?" Lizzie was clearly upset. "The baby wasn't premature. If Parker was right, he was born overdue!"
Jo rubbed Lizzie's shoulders. "I know, hon, but he was still just a baby. His immune system was still weak compared to ours. No matter how far technology advances, we'll never save all of them. I wish we could."
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Please don't scream about me killing the little one. Like so much of what I do here, the baby's death has a bearing on plot development. Stay tuned.
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: Fair warning: The end of this chapter could be rather upsetting. Have tissues ready.
`
Chapter 22
In the Name of the Son
`
Sam awoke again at 6:30, and went to get himself a cup coffee. The timer on the coffee maker had started it 15 minutes earlier, so it had only just finished, and was still hot. After he downed a few sips, decided to check on the kids while it cooled. When he got to the den, he lightly knocked on the door out of habit. Hearing nothing, he turned the knob.
The door opened so he saw the bag to his left, the kids' right, first. Empty. 'This could be bad.' He stuck his head in. First, he saw Lizzie, on her cot, out like a light. 'Well, she couldn't stay awake forever.' He then looked at Matt's bag. As he expected, lying on top of the bag were Matt and Miranda. This time, Matt was lying on his back. Miranda was against his right side, using his shoulder for a pillow. His right arm was wrapped over her, his hands clasped together at her left shoulder. 'Both clothed, good.' He took note of his son's arms. 'Ever the protector. I'll come back and wake them, after coffee.'
As he finished pouring his second cup, Jo entered the kitchen. She looked both amused and annoyed. "It seems you were right." She went straight to the coffee.
Sam tried, and failed, to bury his grin. "I know. The only question I have is if Lizzie consented to it."
"Why would she?"
"Matt was in here last night for three drinks. He said Miranda had a nightmare. I woke to some loud voices from there later. If we assume that was a nightmare, that's two that we know of. They may have come to the conclusion that that was the only way any of them would get some sleep."
"You made the coffee stronger than usual today."
"I figured we'd need it."
"Good thinking. Two bad ones in one night. At least it looks like they were true to their word."
"More importantly, I think it safe to assume they were able to help each other. And get some sleep." He took another sip. "Matt knows about our worries he might . . ."
"What?!? How?"
"When he came for those drinks. I don't know exactly when he pieced it together, but he noticed we had moved all the dangerous stuff. He told me flat out he wouldn't kill himself. He said Miranda needed him."
"Do you believe him?"
He thought about it. "I was only part-way awake, but yeah, I believe him. Two things trouble me about it, though."
"What are they?"
"First, he had his answer to the idea so fast, I think he had thought about it before then."
Jo nearly dropped her cup. "You think he actually though about killing himself!"
Sam placed his cup on the counter, then hers. He took her hands in his. "That's only a guess. And, IF I'm right, it also would mean he rejected the idea."
"But he's still my baby. Just the thought he'd consider that . . . Dare I ask what the second thing that troubles you is?"
"Something else he said about it. It sounds like he believes that if he did that, Miranda might also."
Jo hung her head. "I don't remember changing my name to Montague, do you?"
Sam hugged her. "I don't think it will be that bad. He wants to talk to us today."
She looked up at him. "About this?"
"While that will be part of it, he said he was already going to talk to you today."
"Did he say why?"
"No. He wanted to get back to the room."
"To Miranda, you mean." It's doubtful anyone but Sam could have caught the hint of remorse in her voice.
And he did. "He may be your baby, but he's also her man. That bothers you, doesn't it?"
"It's just that, before all this happened, he was a happy, health thirteen-year-old boy. Now look at him. I don't blame Miranda for this, she's hurting as much as he is. But is it so much to ask for him to return to his happy, healthy, free-spirit self again?"
"Not for his mother." He paused, thinking of how to frame this. "I don't think he'll ever be the same boy again, but he can become an even better man. I trust Dr. Gordon to help them. I believe, when this is done, they both will be healthy. And happier then we've ever known them, especially together. While they will never again be truly carefree, that will be because they will have each other. I don't think they'd give up together for carefree, do you?"
"No. But he's going to skip so much of childhood, growing up so fast."
"Hon, he's learning lessons now that most guys stumble around for another decade or more before they figure out. And I don't think he's going to miss that much of the joys of youth. Between you, me, and Miranda, I don't think he'll be allowed to." Jo chuckled at that. "It's going to be tough on all of us at times, but when I think of the man I believe he's going to become because of this, I can't help but envy him a little."
Jo was smiling a little. "I guess you're right. When did you become so very wise?"
Now was Sam's turn to chuckle. "Do you remember my friend David?"
"The one that came by that time you and Gordo were helping Matt make that video?"
"That's him. I met him in the park Saturday afternoon, during my walk. I couldn't help but talk to him about this, he has that effect on people. He helped me out with a lot of this. I've never known anyone so wise."
"I can think of a friend of his who's close."
"Thanks." He kissed her forehead. "What time is it?" He looked. "7:15? I must have really nursed that first cup."
"We have been talking for a while. When did you want to awake the kids?"
"How's 8:00 sound?"
Jo shook her head. "Daniella was going to come by around 8, remember?"
"Oh, that's right. 7:30 should work. That will give them time to get changed and eat."
~~~~~~~~
A little after 7:30, Sam stuck his head in the room. The kids were still asleep. They quietly entered the room. Jo went to Lizzie's right to wake her, while Sam went to the couple on her left. Jo lightly shook her daughter's shoulder. "Lizzie, honey, time to . . ."
She didn't finish, as Lizzie shot up onto her elbows. "What . . . what's wrong."
"Nothing, it's just time to get up."
"Oh, okay."
As Sam leaned down to rouse the couple, he decided to try to get both at once by shaking Matt's clasped hands, thus shaking Miranda's shoulder, which they were laying on. He realized his mistake when his hand was thrown back to him, a slight twist added to the motion, and a piercing, panicked scream of "NO!!!" coming from Matt. The look in his eyes was both panicked and deadly at first, then they focused. As if seeing his father for the first time, his eyes lit-up with joy. And incredulity. "Dad! Bloody Hell! Don't scare me like that! I thought you were a nightmare come to life!"
Sam rubbed his waist. Sore, but working. "I almost feel sorry for your dream enemies" he said wryly.
"Sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so." He saw that Miranda had awoke to the commotion. "I take it you two had a bad night."
"That's a mild way to put it."
"I know about one nightmare, and I think I heard another. Were there any more?"
"Yes," Miranda replied, "but we only needed breaking from two. Mine was first, then Matt."
"After Matt had his," Lizzie continued, "we realized that this," she motioned toward the couple laying together, "was the only chance for a peaceful night." She let out a sarcastic single laugh. "What was left of it."
"Excuse me, but can we finish this at the breakfast table. I'm hungry!" Matt declared.
"Boys!" the girls said in unison.
~~~~~~~~
As Matt wolfed down his cereal, Miranda just shook her head. "I never thought I'd see somebody who could out eat Gordo."
Matt swallowed his mouthful. Or rather, tried to. "I'm a growing boy!" Milk dribbled down his chin. When Jo went to wipe it off, he ducked from away her. "I can clean myself!" While his attention was on his mother, Miranda managed to get it. "HEY! No fair double-teaming."
Sam was chuckling at the scene. "I think you'd better get used to it. You've got a pair of formidable women looking after you. Be grateful they aren't at war with each other."
"I'd rather not think about that, thanks." They all heard a noise outside. "Hey, isn't that the mail truck? A little early today."
"It happens if the regular postman's sick. I'll check." Jo left the room. A few minutes later, she came back with the mail. "There's a card for you, Lizzie." She handed it to her.
Lizzie looked at the return address. "It's from Parker." Her eyes lit up as she looked at Miranda. "You don't think . . ."
"She was due a couple of weeks ago! Open it already!" Miranda was getting excited. Lizzie opened it. The card was plain tan, not what they thought a birth announcement should look like. Lizzie started reading it. At first, she looked confused, then she brought her hand to her lips, and it looked like she was fighting back tears. When she finished, she couldn't speak. She just handed it to Miranda. Miranda let Matt, Sam, and Jo read it over her shoulders.
~
Larry Tudgeman and Parker McKenzie regretfully inform you of the passing of their son.
Jacob David McKenzie-Tudgeman
He died as a result of pneumonia on June 3rd. He was seven days old.
His grieving parents and their families request any gifts be given as donations to one of the following charities in their son's name.
~
Jo went the comfort Lizzie, while Matt comforted Miranda. "I think," Matt began calmly, "you really need to have that talk with your mother."
"I know. I wasn't sure how to approach her about it again, but after this, I don't dare wait. Parker and Larry must be devastated."
"How could this happen?!?" Lizzie was clearly upset. "The baby wasn't premature. If Parker was right, he was born overdue!"
Jo rubbed Lizzie's shoulders. "I know, hon, but he was still just a baby. His immune system was still weak compared to ours. No matter how far technology advances, we'll never save all of them. I wish we could."
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Please don't scream about me killing the little one. Like so much of what I do here, the baby's death has a bearing on plot development. Stay tuned.