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.
`
Chapter 27
Choices
`
When it looked like Melina was coming around, Matt, Miranda, and Reggie left the living room to give her and Lanny some time to talk. 'Or,' Miranda thought, 'whatever it is they usually do to communicate with him.' When the group reached the kitchen, she addressed both boys. "Tell me something. Do all thirteen-year-old boys this days yell at the girls they fall for?"
Matt started laughing again. Reggie just hung his head and smiled. "I haven't. But then, I haven't done it in the middle of a scene like that."
"Or with as much meaning, you playboy!" Matt managed through his laughter.
"What! So I like a pretty form! Can I help it if I'm not as whipped as you?" The silence the followed told him that his jest may have gone too far. "Hey, man, that was only a joke."
Miranda didn't know quite what to make of Matt's expression. She walked up to him. "Are you okay, hon?"
"Yeah." He looked at Reggie. "I know it was a joke. I'd have used it in your place a couple of weeks ago. But, now I know the reality. If all the good, strength, and other feelings there are no words for, that I get from this woman make me whipped, I'll wear that word as a badge of honor."
Reggie, who'd never heard Matt in one of his 'moments' before, looked at his friend like he was a total stranger. "When did you get so profound? Been reading romance novels behind my back?"
"It's moments like this when I know what kind of man he's becoming." Miranda placed an arm around Matt while looking at Reggie. "I know it's normal for a boy your age to 'play the field', or rather try to. But please, don't hold our relationship against Matt. He still needs his friends."
"I get it. Really. It will take a little getting used to, but I'm not going to abandon Matt over this. I do have one question for you." He pointed to Miranda.
"What's that?"
"I heard Matt say it once today, but my attention was on Melina. What is your name?"
~~~~~~~~
In the living room, Melina came to just as the others reached the kitchen. Lanny slid in behind her to support her weight as she sat up. He then handed her the water. "Thank you." She took a couple of sips, then looked around. "Where is everyone? I guess they didn't want to be around the psycho-bitch, right?"
Lanny grabbed her chin and forced her to look into his gaze. Or rather, his reproachful glare.
She got the message. "What else do you call somebody who's behaved like I have?"
Whatever means Lanny uses to communicate with his friends wasn't getting the next message across. He guessed it was because of the power, and newness, of the emotions involved. So, once again, he broke his silence. "Today, I call her a person in emotional turmoil. Always, I call her the girl I love."
She managed to stay conscious this time. "How long have you felt like this? Why are you telling me this now?"
He figured he'd end up setting a personal record for words in a day at this rate. But, she's worth it to him. "I've known since spring of last year. I knew you still had feelings for Matt, so I said nothing. After Monday, I was trying to work up the courage to tell you, but I was afraid of hurting our friendship. Today, I thought my silence was going to cost your life. That's why I told you today."
"And so my life becomes a soap opera." She sighed in exasperation. "K-rist, I hope being a teenager isn't always like this!" She returned her gazed to his. "So what do we do now?"
"Seeing as how I still have to win you, I'm willing to do whatever you ask."
An idea flash across her mind. 'Down, girl! That's how you scared Matt off last summer!' She winced inwardly at the memory. "How about a picnic? It's simple, romantic . . ."
"Okay."
~~~~~~~~
Not long after this, Jo pulled into the driveway. Before she could close the car door, another parked at the curb in front of the house. Turning to see who it was, she became worried when she saw that it was Melina's mother. 'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'
They met at the door. Just before they spoke to each other, Reggie stuck his head out of the door. He looked relieved. "Good, you're both here. If you'll follow me to the kitchen, we'll explain what happened." Both ladies looked at each other, then followed. As they passed the opening to the living room, Melina's mother saw her and Lanny. Melina's back was to her, but Lanny's face was as intent as she'd ever seen. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turned to see Jo. "That explains some of this." She was whispering. "Let's get the rest of the story in the kitchen. I think those two need to be alone." In silent agreement, they went to the kitchen.
The tension in the kitchen spiked as soon as Melina's mother caught sight of Matt, and vice-verse. After an awkward moment of silence, Matt began. "Mrs. Bianco, if I'd known how she felt, I would have handled it differently."
"I know, Matt. I don't know the whole story about Monday, but know my daughter, and I have no doubt she holds a lot of fault in whatever happened. I would like to know what happened that day. I'm sure it has some bearing on today."
"I'd like to know what happened while I was gone, but I'll wait. You deserve to hear this."
Matt was not looking forward to this, but he knew he'd have to eventually. He stood up and gestured for her to take the seat. "You should sit for this." She did. "Where should I being? Just with the events of Monday, or should I tell you what I was going to tell her?"
"I think the background would be helpful, but I'll leave it up to you."
"Alright. Before I start, an introduction is in order. This," he walked to Miranda, and placed his hand on her shoulder, "is my sister's longtime best friend, Miranda. She has become much more than that, but that's what I'm about to explain." As he started the tale, he wondered how far he should go. When he got to Friday, he decided to stop short. "A lot happened between getting her home and Monday, but I think you have enough to understand what happened then." So he started that story, starting with his calls to his friends. He finished with Melina and Lanny leaving, but he chose to leave out his belief that he could have killed her. Miranda and Jo were relieved by his editing. "I'm not proud of what happened. But she struck Miranda. I can't let that go unanswered."
She just shook her head. "Matt, I can tell in your voice that there is a lot being left unsaid, but I'm not going to ask about it. I'm not surprised at all she behaved like that." She turned to Miranda. "I hope she didn't hurt you."
"I'm okay."
She gave Miranda a look that said she thought there was more, but let it go. "I don't know where I went wrong with her, but I hope that boy has a good influence on her."
"You shouldn't blame yourself." Jo said automatically.
"She's right. There are kids at school much worse than her. She basically a good person, she just let's her temper get to her sometimes." Matt said. "There is her adventurous streak, but don't forget, I've got plenty of wild child in me. This woman at my side has been a great influence on that. Lanny's always been the one who could influence her away from her wilder ideas. I think he'll be good for her."
"I hope you're right."
Jo was smiling at her son.
~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere that day, Larry and Parker spent an intense hour with Mrs. Gordon. By the end, Larry finally accepted two very important things. First, that he wasn't the only one responsible for the pregnancy. Second, that it was okay for him to grieve WITH Parker. While she needs his strength, she wants and needs the gentle, caring young man she first fell in love with.
Although Mrs. Gordon wasn't keen on this, the couple decided to spend the afternoon facing the unhappy, but necessary, job of planning Jacob's funeral. Together.
~~~~~~~~
Lizzie and Gordo spent the rest of their time together talking. Sometimes light, sometimes serious. When they weren't talking about their future, they were talking about Matt and Miranda. Lizzie filled him in on what she knew, while trying to keep her promise to Miranda not to tell anyone about her willingness to say yes if Matt proposed. Gordo, however, knew there was a gap in the story. "Lizzie, you still haven't said why you two were talking about engagements." He recognized the squirm she gave. "You promised her not to tell, didn't you?"
"Yes. I think you should know, and I want to tell, but . . ."
"It's okay, Lizzie, really. I'll find a way to ask her that's safe for you." He got a sideways grin on his face. "I just hope Matt didn't beat me to THE question."
Lizzie's eyes got huge. "GORDO! Don't even think like that! And whatever you do, DON'T let mom hear you say that."
~~~~~~~~
When their guests left the McGuire home, it was 1:30. Once the door closed for the last time, Jo turned to her son. "I'm proud of you. You handled that very well."
"Thanks, but I didn't do all that much."
Miranda had come up behind him, and wrapped her arms loosely around him. "Don't sell yourself short, love. When she insulted me, you allowed yourself to be held back. You took command when she fainted, trying to help her. And you were the one that gave them the time alone to try to sort this out."
"Not to mention how you thought to edit your story about Monday so you wouldn't scare the already rattled woman." Part of Jo was uncomfortable watching them, but she realized she'd have to learn to accept such lightweight things as this embrace.
"I wasn't sure I was doing Lanny any favors. Jared's nose never did heel right."
"Who's Jared?" Miranda asked
Matt realized Miranda didn't know the story. "He asked her to last year's homecoming dance. She replied with a hard jab that broke his nose." As he recalled that episode, another detail came to his mind, and he smiled at the memory. Seeing the ladies looking at him confused, he explained. "Miranda, do you remember why we had the talk that sparked my earlier crush?"
Miranda was embarrassed when she realized she didn't. "Not the details, no. Just that Melina wasn't paying attention to you."
"It's okay. It has been awhile. The short story is she had started causing trouble with, and thus paying attention to, another boy. Jared."
Now Miranda choked back a laugh. "Oh, you're kidding! The same boy!" Matt nodded. "Still, I think maybe we owe him a small 'thank you'."
"How do you figure that?"
"If he hadn't taken Melina away from you that time, you never would have come to me. If that happened, there may never have been a crush. And I believe that crush helped opened the door to your, our, thinking about this." She moved to kiss him, and was interrupted by Jo clearing her throat. "Sorry."
"Actually, I was noticing the time. You two have a joint session with Dr. Gordon today at four. If you want to exercise your legs before you go, you should take that walk now."
"WE should go, you mean."
"Matt . . ." A Miranda storm was brewing.
He turned in her still loosely encircling arms to face her, reached his arms up inside her grasp, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Don't ask me not to go with you. You've only had one good, long walk since being in a bed for a week. And I still remember your near pratfall going home. We've had this talk before, and I know you're not made of glass. But I still worry, and I'd rather be overprotective than risk you getting stuck somewhere without help."
She was going to protest, when she realized that it would be a good opportunity to talk to him alone. "Oh, fine. I guess I could use the company." Then she remembered something. "But in all the excitement, we forgot to eat lunch, and I'm not going anywhere until we do."
~~~~~~~~
While Melina's mother was going to punish her for her behavior toward Matt and Miranda, her immediate worry was Melina's health. The girl hadn't been eating right since coming home Monday, and her mother had no doubt that played a put in her fainting today. So when she found out that Melina and Lanny had set their first date for a picnic that afternoon, she quickly agreed, hoping he could get some food in her.
~~~~~~~~
After an amiable lunch, Miranda and Matt left for a walk in the park. To Miranda's annoyance, Matt got his mom to agree to pick them up at the park so they wouldn't have to push themselves. It was 2:00.
~~~~~~~~
Lanny had gone home to gather things for the picnic. He returned about a half-hour later with a closed basket, refusing to let anyone look. Taking Melina's arm, he lead her to the park. It was 2:15.
~~~~~~~~
As they walked, Matt and Miranda talked about simple things, just enjoying each other's company. Although they were walking slowly, the were in the park before they realized it. They were even more surprised when the clock near the entrance said 2:53. "Wow. It normally take just 15-20 minutes." Matt said.
"We did keep a slow pace."
After a long stroll with no particular direction, they came upon a quiet spot with a bench, about ten yards off the main path. It was partially screened from the path by trees. A worn-in dirt path led to it. If you followed the path farther, it wound gently down, around a thick patch of woods, into a hollow with a meadow that seems more at home in the great plains than in a park in California. For a more spectacular view of the meadow, you could walk, carefully, through the thick woods. On the other side was a clear shelf of land about five feet wide which overlooks the whole meadow. You needed to watch your step, though, as it was a twelve-foot drop from shelf to the meadow.
Miranda sat on the bench, and Matt joined her. "Nice spot. Isn't the meadow farther along?" he asked.
"Yes. But I wanted to sit here for awhile and talk. Where parents can't hear."
That sparked his memory. "Oh, so this is when we have that talk you wanted. What's on your mind?"
She drew a breath and began. "There are a couple of things. First, I want you to be comfortable around me. I'm not going to freak out over natural things."
"What, exactly, are you talking about?"
"Don't be embarrassed, but I saw your . . . condition when you woke." He winced, and was starting to turn red. "No, it's okay. I understand about that." He looked puzzled. "I've heard things, and there's a story for later you'll find funny, but the point is I understand. You don't need to be ashamed about it around me."
"Nice of you to say, but it's not a situation I'm used to."
"Neither am I. But I'm not going to overreact about such things. Don't parade it around, but don't be ashamed, okay?"
Matt had a slight chuckle at the image of 'parading around'. "I'll try, but it will take some getting used to."
"That's okay." She paused, then moved on to her other topic. "Matt, the other thing is, I want to be completely open with you, and I want you to be completely open with me. Including our romantic pasts."
He looked incredulous. "Romantic past? Me? I've told you, you're my first love."
"And you're the first I've felt anything close to this before." Her tone was serious. "But I have dated before, and I've been interested in boys before you. I think it's only fair to let you know some things. And don't try the innocent little boy routine. You don't kiss like an amateur." He reddened. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm not objecting. Whoever you learned with taught you well."
"You might not like the answer." He said that with a particularly evasive tone.
She realized what that had to mean, and her eyes got wide. "Melina?"
He nodded. "We quit playing boyfriend/girlfriend middle of last August. A couple of weeks before that, she came home from her summer camp. You only know the tip of the iceberg with her. She is ill-tempered. But she's also impulsive, willing to try anything once, without really thinking it through first. Well, she wanted to try some things the girls at camp told her about, and choose me for her guinea pig." He reddened at the memory.
"Things? Did you do something more than kissing?" His red deepened. "No, wait. Let's do it like this. You've told me about kissing with her, and you face tells me there was something else. How about we save the detailed lists for later, and just go with firsts and how manys?" He nodded. "I'll tell you about me, then you can finish." She took a deep breath. "My first deep kiss was . . . maybe I shouldn't tell you his name. It could be uncomfortable to be around him."
His eyes got HUGE. "GORDO?!?"
HER eyes got huge. "NO WAY! I could never hurt Lizzie like that!" She calmed herself, then continued. "You've told me about Melina, so I'll tell you. For a month right after eight grade, I dated . . . Larry Tudgeman."
He looked amazed. "As in Larry and Parker?"
"Yes. On one of our last dates, he asked to kiss me. I agreed, and it developed to include tongues. Neither of us were ready for more, though. I think we both felt the relationship was ending, and the kissing was a try to save it."
"I see. So, Larry was your first deep kiss." Something hit him. "You said firsts, plural. Why?"
"There have been two others between him and you. The last of those was the first, and only, I've let . . . put his hand in my shirt." His eyes widened. "I'm not proud of it, but it happened. He tried to move too fast, so I ended the evening, and our dating."
"Good for you. So that's all you've done?" She looked like she was getting angry. "I'm not saying I think you're one of those girls. It's just, as beautiful as you are, I'm surprised the boys are falling all over themselves for you."
She blushed. "I'm not all that. Lizzie gets more attention, but she rarely notices. Do you think you can talk about your experience now?"
"I guess I should." He took a breath. "I've never been in a girl's shirt, but . . . remember when I told you Melina was impulsive, willing to try anything once." She nodded. "One of the other things she wanted to try was . . . for each of us to put a hand . . . in the other's pants."
"WHAT!"
"I'm not proud of it. She never got the chance to touch me, anyway. She had me go first. But before I got very far, I pulled back. It just seemed wrong. I left her room, and her house, without a word. Of course, she had several colorful words for me as I left."
"I'll bet. So, was that why you broke off being her boyfriend? She was moving too fast?"
"Yes. Strange, really. I know she agreed, so I can't figure why she thought she had any claim on me."
"The day somebody figures her out is the day Dr. Gordon retires. But, is that everything for you? No other girls?"
"Only one, and all we did is kiss on the cheek."
"So, I owe your talent at kissing to her." A look like she just bit into a lemon crossed her face.
"I know she's been mean to you, but once she starts dating Lanny, I think she'll get past it, and start to be more accepting of you." An unpleasant thought crossed his mind. "I just hope she doesn't scare him off first."
"Listen, Matt, I want to ask you something. We've both made promises about waiting before we make love, and we already had our own reasons to wait. But, would you be willing to try some of the more intimate things couples do?" His eyes got huge in shock. "I don't want to push you, I'm not going to do that to you. But, there are things we can do beyond kissing that won't break our promises. Are you willing?"
"Am I willing? ARE YOU KIDDING? I'm very willing! I hadn't said anything because I didn't want to scare you off, but every time we kiss, I have to fight to keep my hands from roaming."
"We still have to fight the urge most of the time, but when we know we're alone and safe . . ."
"One thing, though. We should wait until we're in our own beds again. Having you in my arms at night once we've started doing those things will be too tempting."
She laughed. "I think you're right." She turned her voice sultry. "But I can't promise my hands won't 'accidently' roam once or twice."
"Neither can I." They moved in for what could have been a most interesting kiss. But before their lips met, they began to hear a VERY pleasured moaning wafting though the thick woods from the meadow. It came to them softly at first, but was slowly getting louder. "Well, it sounds like somebody's having a good time."
"No kidding." She saw the look on his face stiffen. "What's wrong?"
"The girl's sound seems like I should know OH, HELL." He bolted from his seat and started through the woods. Miranda tried to catch his arm, but she reacted to him too slowly. So she waited. A couple of minutes later, he returned, looking shocked. "Damn."
"What on earth were you thinking, going to look at a couple . . . like that?"
He looked sharply at her. "I don't normally, but I thought I recognized one of the people moaning, and had to be sure."
"And?"
"Somebody needs to have a talk with Melina and Lanny."
Her eyes got big. "You don't mean . . ."
He nodded. "I guess she tried with him, and he was willing. VERY willing."
~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, in the otherwise vacant Craft home, the hope Kate had expressed to Ethan when they were in Gordo's room was being realized. When they were too tired to continue, they agreed that the old saying is true. It does feel better with someone you love.
~~~~~~~~
A/N: When Matt said she acted without thinking, I guess he meant it! The question becomes did either couple make Larry and Parker's mistake, and if so, will anything result. 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.
`
Chapter 27
Choices
`
When it looked like Melina was coming around, Matt, Miranda, and Reggie left the living room to give her and Lanny some time to talk. 'Or,' Miranda thought, 'whatever it is they usually do to communicate with him.' When the group reached the kitchen, she addressed both boys. "Tell me something. Do all thirteen-year-old boys this days yell at the girls they fall for?"
Matt started laughing again. Reggie just hung his head and smiled. "I haven't. But then, I haven't done it in the middle of a scene like that."
"Or with as much meaning, you playboy!" Matt managed through his laughter.
"What! So I like a pretty form! Can I help it if I'm not as whipped as you?" The silence the followed told him that his jest may have gone too far. "Hey, man, that was only a joke."
Miranda didn't know quite what to make of Matt's expression. She walked up to him. "Are you okay, hon?"
"Yeah." He looked at Reggie. "I know it was a joke. I'd have used it in your place a couple of weeks ago. But, now I know the reality. If all the good, strength, and other feelings there are no words for, that I get from this woman make me whipped, I'll wear that word as a badge of honor."
Reggie, who'd never heard Matt in one of his 'moments' before, looked at his friend like he was a total stranger. "When did you get so profound? Been reading romance novels behind my back?"
"It's moments like this when I know what kind of man he's becoming." Miranda placed an arm around Matt while looking at Reggie. "I know it's normal for a boy your age to 'play the field', or rather try to. But please, don't hold our relationship against Matt. He still needs his friends."
"I get it. Really. It will take a little getting used to, but I'm not going to abandon Matt over this. I do have one question for you." He pointed to Miranda.
"What's that?"
"I heard Matt say it once today, but my attention was on Melina. What is your name?"
~~~~~~~~
In the living room, Melina came to just as the others reached the kitchen. Lanny slid in behind her to support her weight as she sat up. He then handed her the water. "Thank you." She took a couple of sips, then looked around. "Where is everyone? I guess they didn't want to be around the psycho-bitch, right?"
Lanny grabbed her chin and forced her to look into his gaze. Or rather, his reproachful glare.
She got the message. "What else do you call somebody who's behaved like I have?"
Whatever means Lanny uses to communicate with his friends wasn't getting the next message across. He guessed it was because of the power, and newness, of the emotions involved. So, once again, he broke his silence. "Today, I call her a person in emotional turmoil. Always, I call her the girl I love."
She managed to stay conscious this time. "How long have you felt like this? Why are you telling me this now?"
He figured he'd end up setting a personal record for words in a day at this rate. But, she's worth it to him. "I've known since spring of last year. I knew you still had feelings for Matt, so I said nothing. After Monday, I was trying to work up the courage to tell you, but I was afraid of hurting our friendship. Today, I thought my silence was going to cost your life. That's why I told you today."
"And so my life becomes a soap opera." She sighed in exasperation. "K-rist, I hope being a teenager isn't always like this!" She returned her gazed to his. "So what do we do now?"
"Seeing as how I still have to win you, I'm willing to do whatever you ask."
An idea flash across her mind. 'Down, girl! That's how you scared Matt off last summer!' She winced inwardly at the memory. "How about a picnic? It's simple, romantic . . ."
"Okay."
~~~~~~~~
Not long after this, Jo pulled into the driveway. Before she could close the car door, another parked at the curb in front of the house. Turning to see who it was, she became worried when she saw that it was Melina's mother. 'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'
They met at the door. Just before they spoke to each other, Reggie stuck his head out of the door. He looked relieved. "Good, you're both here. If you'll follow me to the kitchen, we'll explain what happened." Both ladies looked at each other, then followed. As they passed the opening to the living room, Melina's mother saw her and Lanny. Melina's back was to her, but Lanny's face was as intent as she'd ever seen. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turned to see Jo. "That explains some of this." She was whispering. "Let's get the rest of the story in the kitchen. I think those two need to be alone." In silent agreement, they went to the kitchen.
The tension in the kitchen spiked as soon as Melina's mother caught sight of Matt, and vice-verse. After an awkward moment of silence, Matt began. "Mrs. Bianco, if I'd known how she felt, I would have handled it differently."
"I know, Matt. I don't know the whole story about Monday, but know my daughter, and I have no doubt she holds a lot of fault in whatever happened. I would like to know what happened that day. I'm sure it has some bearing on today."
"I'd like to know what happened while I was gone, but I'll wait. You deserve to hear this."
Matt was not looking forward to this, but he knew he'd have to eventually. He stood up and gestured for her to take the seat. "You should sit for this." She did. "Where should I being? Just with the events of Monday, or should I tell you what I was going to tell her?"
"I think the background would be helpful, but I'll leave it up to you."
"Alright. Before I start, an introduction is in order. This," he walked to Miranda, and placed his hand on her shoulder, "is my sister's longtime best friend, Miranda. She has become much more than that, but that's what I'm about to explain." As he started the tale, he wondered how far he should go. When he got to Friday, he decided to stop short. "A lot happened between getting her home and Monday, but I think you have enough to understand what happened then." So he started that story, starting with his calls to his friends. He finished with Melina and Lanny leaving, but he chose to leave out his belief that he could have killed her. Miranda and Jo were relieved by his editing. "I'm not proud of what happened. But she struck Miranda. I can't let that go unanswered."
She just shook her head. "Matt, I can tell in your voice that there is a lot being left unsaid, but I'm not going to ask about it. I'm not surprised at all she behaved like that." She turned to Miranda. "I hope she didn't hurt you."
"I'm okay."
She gave Miranda a look that said she thought there was more, but let it go. "I don't know where I went wrong with her, but I hope that boy has a good influence on her."
"You shouldn't blame yourself." Jo said automatically.
"She's right. There are kids at school much worse than her. She basically a good person, she just let's her temper get to her sometimes." Matt said. "There is her adventurous streak, but don't forget, I've got plenty of wild child in me. This woman at my side has been a great influence on that. Lanny's always been the one who could influence her away from her wilder ideas. I think he'll be good for her."
"I hope you're right."
Jo was smiling at her son.
~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere that day, Larry and Parker spent an intense hour with Mrs. Gordon. By the end, Larry finally accepted two very important things. First, that he wasn't the only one responsible for the pregnancy. Second, that it was okay for him to grieve WITH Parker. While she needs his strength, she wants and needs the gentle, caring young man she first fell in love with.
Although Mrs. Gordon wasn't keen on this, the couple decided to spend the afternoon facing the unhappy, but necessary, job of planning Jacob's funeral. Together.
~~~~~~~~
Lizzie and Gordo spent the rest of their time together talking. Sometimes light, sometimes serious. When they weren't talking about their future, they were talking about Matt and Miranda. Lizzie filled him in on what she knew, while trying to keep her promise to Miranda not to tell anyone about her willingness to say yes if Matt proposed. Gordo, however, knew there was a gap in the story. "Lizzie, you still haven't said why you two were talking about engagements." He recognized the squirm she gave. "You promised her not to tell, didn't you?"
"Yes. I think you should know, and I want to tell, but . . ."
"It's okay, Lizzie, really. I'll find a way to ask her that's safe for you." He got a sideways grin on his face. "I just hope Matt didn't beat me to THE question."
Lizzie's eyes got huge. "GORDO! Don't even think like that! And whatever you do, DON'T let mom hear you say that."
~~~~~~~~
When their guests left the McGuire home, it was 1:30. Once the door closed for the last time, Jo turned to her son. "I'm proud of you. You handled that very well."
"Thanks, but I didn't do all that much."
Miranda had come up behind him, and wrapped her arms loosely around him. "Don't sell yourself short, love. When she insulted me, you allowed yourself to be held back. You took command when she fainted, trying to help her. And you were the one that gave them the time alone to try to sort this out."
"Not to mention how you thought to edit your story about Monday so you wouldn't scare the already rattled woman." Part of Jo was uncomfortable watching them, but she realized she'd have to learn to accept such lightweight things as this embrace.
"I wasn't sure I was doing Lanny any favors. Jared's nose never did heel right."
"Who's Jared?" Miranda asked
Matt realized Miranda didn't know the story. "He asked her to last year's homecoming dance. She replied with a hard jab that broke his nose." As he recalled that episode, another detail came to his mind, and he smiled at the memory. Seeing the ladies looking at him confused, he explained. "Miranda, do you remember why we had the talk that sparked my earlier crush?"
Miranda was embarrassed when she realized she didn't. "Not the details, no. Just that Melina wasn't paying attention to you."
"It's okay. It has been awhile. The short story is she had started causing trouble with, and thus paying attention to, another boy. Jared."
Now Miranda choked back a laugh. "Oh, you're kidding! The same boy!" Matt nodded. "Still, I think maybe we owe him a small 'thank you'."
"How do you figure that?"
"If he hadn't taken Melina away from you that time, you never would have come to me. If that happened, there may never have been a crush. And I believe that crush helped opened the door to your, our, thinking about this." She moved to kiss him, and was interrupted by Jo clearing her throat. "Sorry."
"Actually, I was noticing the time. You two have a joint session with Dr. Gordon today at four. If you want to exercise your legs before you go, you should take that walk now."
"WE should go, you mean."
"Matt . . ." A Miranda storm was brewing.
He turned in her still loosely encircling arms to face her, reached his arms up inside her grasp, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Don't ask me not to go with you. You've only had one good, long walk since being in a bed for a week. And I still remember your near pratfall going home. We've had this talk before, and I know you're not made of glass. But I still worry, and I'd rather be overprotective than risk you getting stuck somewhere without help."
She was going to protest, when she realized that it would be a good opportunity to talk to him alone. "Oh, fine. I guess I could use the company." Then she remembered something. "But in all the excitement, we forgot to eat lunch, and I'm not going anywhere until we do."
~~~~~~~~
While Melina's mother was going to punish her for her behavior toward Matt and Miranda, her immediate worry was Melina's health. The girl hadn't been eating right since coming home Monday, and her mother had no doubt that played a put in her fainting today. So when she found out that Melina and Lanny had set their first date for a picnic that afternoon, she quickly agreed, hoping he could get some food in her.
~~~~~~~~
After an amiable lunch, Miranda and Matt left for a walk in the park. To Miranda's annoyance, Matt got his mom to agree to pick them up at the park so they wouldn't have to push themselves. It was 2:00.
~~~~~~~~
Lanny had gone home to gather things for the picnic. He returned about a half-hour later with a closed basket, refusing to let anyone look. Taking Melina's arm, he lead her to the park. It was 2:15.
~~~~~~~~
As they walked, Matt and Miranda talked about simple things, just enjoying each other's company. Although they were walking slowly, the were in the park before they realized it. They were even more surprised when the clock near the entrance said 2:53. "Wow. It normally take just 15-20 minutes." Matt said.
"We did keep a slow pace."
After a long stroll with no particular direction, they came upon a quiet spot with a bench, about ten yards off the main path. It was partially screened from the path by trees. A worn-in dirt path led to it. If you followed the path farther, it wound gently down, around a thick patch of woods, into a hollow with a meadow that seems more at home in the great plains than in a park in California. For a more spectacular view of the meadow, you could walk, carefully, through the thick woods. On the other side was a clear shelf of land about five feet wide which overlooks the whole meadow. You needed to watch your step, though, as it was a twelve-foot drop from shelf to the meadow.
Miranda sat on the bench, and Matt joined her. "Nice spot. Isn't the meadow farther along?" he asked.
"Yes. But I wanted to sit here for awhile and talk. Where parents can't hear."
That sparked his memory. "Oh, so this is when we have that talk you wanted. What's on your mind?"
She drew a breath and began. "There are a couple of things. First, I want you to be comfortable around me. I'm not going to freak out over natural things."
"What, exactly, are you talking about?"
"Don't be embarrassed, but I saw your . . . condition when you woke." He winced, and was starting to turn red. "No, it's okay. I understand about that." He looked puzzled. "I've heard things, and there's a story for later you'll find funny, but the point is I understand. You don't need to be ashamed about it around me."
"Nice of you to say, but it's not a situation I'm used to."
"Neither am I. But I'm not going to overreact about such things. Don't parade it around, but don't be ashamed, okay?"
Matt had a slight chuckle at the image of 'parading around'. "I'll try, but it will take some getting used to."
"That's okay." She paused, then moved on to her other topic. "Matt, the other thing is, I want to be completely open with you, and I want you to be completely open with me. Including our romantic pasts."
He looked incredulous. "Romantic past? Me? I've told you, you're my first love."
"And you're the first I've felt anything close to this before." Her tone was serious. "But I have dated before, and I've been interested in boys before you. I think it's only fair to let you know some things. And don't try the innocent little boy routine. You don't kiss like an amateur." He reddened. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm not objecting. Whoever you learned with taught you well."
"You might not like the answer." He said that with a particularly evasive tone.
She realized what that had to mean, and her eyes got wide. "Melina?"
He nodded. "We quit playing boyfriend/girlfriend middle of last August. A couple of weeks before that, she came home from her summer camp. You only know the tip of the iceberg with her. She is ill-tempered. But she's also impulsive, willing to try anything once, without really thinking it through first. Well, she wanted to try some things the girls at camp told her about, and choose me for her guinea pig." He reddened at the memory.
"Things? Did you do something more than kissing?" His red deepened. "No, wait. Let's do it like this. You've told me about kissing with her, and you face tells me there was something else. How about we save the detailed lists for later, and just go with firsts and how manys?" He nodded. "I'll tell you about me, then you can finish." She took a deep breath. "My first deep kiss was . . . maybe I shouldn't tell you his name. It could be uncomfortable to be around him."
His eyes got HUGE. "GORDO?!?"
HER eyes got huge. "NO WAY! I could never hurt Lizzie like that!" She calmed herself, then continued. "You've told me about Melina, so I'll tell you. For a month right after eight grade, I dated . . . Larry Tudgeman."
He looked amazed. "As in Larry and Parker?"
"Yes. On one of our last dates, he asked to kiss me. I agreed, and it developed to include tongues. Neither of us were ready for more, though. I think we both felt the relationship was ending, and the kissing was a try to save it."
"I see. So, Larry was your first deep kiss." Something hit him. "You said firsts, plural. Why?"
"There have been two others between him and you. The last of those was the first, and only, I've let . . . put his hand in my shirt." His eyes widened. "I'm not proud of it, but it happened. He tried to move too fast, so I ended the evening, and our dating."
"Good for you. So that's all you've done?" She looked like she was getting angry. "I'm not saying I think you're one of those girls. It's just, as beautiful as you are, I'm surprised the boys are falling all over themselves for you."
She blushed. "I'm not all that. Lizzie gets more attention, but she rarely notices. Do you think you can talk about your experience now?"
"I guess I should." He took a breath. "I've never been in a girl's shirt, but . . . remember when I told you Melina was impulsive, willing to try anything once." She nodded. "One of the other things she wanted to try was . . . for each of us to put a hand . . . in the other's pants."
"WHAT!"
"I'm not proud of it. She never got the chance to touch me, anyway. She had me go first. But before I got very far, I pulled back. It just seemed wrong. I left her room, and her house, without a word. Of course, she had several colorful words for me as I left."
"I'll bet. So, was that why you broke off being her boyfriend? She was moving too fast?"
"Yes. Strange, really. I know she agreed, so I can't figure why she thought she had any claim on me."
"The day somebody figures her out is the day Dr. Gordon retires. But, is that everything for you? No other girls?"
"Only one, and all we did is kiss on the cheek."
"So, I owe your talent at kissing to her." A look like she just bit into a lemon crossed her face.
"I know she's been mean to you, but once she starts dating Lanny, I think she'll get past it, and start to be more accepting of you." An unpleasant thought crossed his mind. "I just hope she doesn't scare him off first."
"Listen, Matt, I want to ask you something. We've both made promises about waiting before we make love, and we already had our own reasons to wait. But, would you be willing to try some of the more intimate things couples do?" His eyes got huge in shock. "I don't want to push you, I'm not going to do that to you. But, there are things we can do beyond kissing that won't break our promises. Are you willing?"
"Am I willing? ARE YOU KIDDING? I'm very willing! I hadn't said anything because I didn't want to scare you off, but every time we kiss, I have to fight to keep my hands from roaming."
"We still have to fight the urge most of the time, but when we know we're alone and safe . . ."
"One thing, though. We should wait until we're in our own beds again. Having you in my arms at night once we've started doing those things will be too tempting."
She laughed. "I think you're right." She turned her voice sultry. "But I can't promise my hands won't 'accidently' roam once or twice."
"Neither can I." They moved in for what could have been a most interesting kiss. But before their lips met, they began to hear a VERY pleasured moaning wafting though the thick woods from the meadow. It came to them softly at first, but was slowly getting louder. "Well, it sounds like somebody's having a good time."
"No kidding." She saw the look on his face stiffen. "What's wrong?"
"The girl's sound seems like I should know OH, HELL." He bolted from his seat and started through the woods. Miranda tried to catch his arm, but she reacted to him too slowly. So she waited. A couple of minutes later, he returned, looking shocked. "Damn."
"What on earth were you thinking, going to look at a couple . . . like that?"
He looked sharply at her. "I don't normally, but I thought I recognized one of the people moaning, and had to be sure."
"And?"
"Somebody needs to have a talk with Melina and Lanny."
Her eyes got big. "You don't mean . . ."
He nodded. "I guess she tried with him, and he was willing. VERY willing."
~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, in the otherwise vacant Craft home, the hope Kate had expressed to Ethan when they were in Gordo's room was being realized. When they were too tired to continue, they agreed that the old saying is true. It does feel better with someone you love.
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A/N: When Matt said she acted without thinking, I guess he meant it! The question becomes did either couple make Larry and Parker's mistake, and if so, will anything result. Stay tuned!