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 48
Strange Friends
`
"While the incident with the dog was a concern, I'd already decided not to try this weekend." Dr. Gordon replied.
It was Saturday morning, and Matt and Miranda were on the speaker phone with the doctor to ask about his not recommending separate rooms for the night before. But instead of helping, his first answer only served to further confuse them. "But why?" Miranda asked. "We haven't had anything serious happen for nearly two weeks."
"I didn't want to do anything that might ruin your holiday."
"Holiday? What holi . . . bloody hell! How did I forget THAT was coming!"
"How interesting, using a British curse just two days away from Independence Day." The man's tone was light-hearted. "But I think you can be forgiven, all things considered."
"Yeah, well, that also means that tomorrow is our one month anniversary, which is when we had hoped to go public." Matt was remembering the jeans Miranda had bought for him to use the first time they went out in public as an official couple. He was uncomfortable with the idea of wearing them on a normal day, but on a holiday weekend?
"That's up to you two. But I would prefer for you to wait until you were in separate rooms, and not having problems with it. Driving was something that you needed to face before you could fully heal. This isn't." Without even realizing it, the doctor had just given Matt his reason to postpone.
"That makes sense." He couldn't help but notice Miranda's silence, and he turned to her. "Miranda, is something wrong?"
"Why should we wait?" She asked. "We've waited for this since this all began only because we weren't sure how you'd react if someone started hassling me. But you've already faced Clair, and you scared her off without losing your temper."
"I didn't do it alone, and she was hassling Lizzie, not you. As much as I care for my sister, there IS a difference."
"I know that. But this also could be a liberating thing for us. Once we make a point of being a couple in public, we won't have to worry about people finding out before we're ready. It would be one less thing to worry us. It's worked before." She was alluding to their decision about allowing their physical relationship to develop naturally (A/N: Chapter 36).
"That's why I said it's up to you." The doctor came in here. "I know this has to happen eventually, and I know you feel you have good reason to believe it's safe to go ahead with this. But there is also good reason not to. Remember, the last few nightmares happened after something happened that part of you thought could have put your relationship in jeopardy. If someone does hassle Miranda about your relationship, I'm concerned that might prove a trigger for another nightmare."
At the end of the conversation, Matt and Miranda agreed to talk it out before deciding what to do, and to call him with their decision.
~~~~~~~~
Later that morning, they had a talk with Lizzie and Gordo by phone, using three-way call on the speaker. Both were keen on the idea of the couple finally making it public, until they were told about the doctor's concern.
Lizzie felt guilty, as that fact also told her, all be it unintentionally, that her questioning Miranda about the agreement she and Matt had with their parents likely sparked the last nightmare. She immediately sided with caution.
Gordo, however, pointed out that they had improved noticeably since they loosened the restrictions on their physical relationship, including Matt keeping his cool with Clair. He felt that the rewards easily outweighed the risks. Lizzie wasn't comfortable with the reminder of her friend and little brother getting that close, but she admitted he had a point.
As the debate continued, Lily walked in. "Randa, who you talkin' to?"
They were both so into the discussion, they were startled by her sudden question. "Jeez, Lily, you scared me."
Lily seemed pleased that she could do that to the two 'old people'. "Who you talkin' to?"
"Hi, Lily." Lizzie and Gordo answered simultaneously.
"Hi Lizzie Hi Gordo."
"Lily, can you wait with mom for a couple of minutes?" Miranda asked. "My friends and I are trying to figure something out."
Lily, who was still feeling left out by her sister, began to look like she was going to burst into either tears or screams. Before she did either, she ran out of the room, and loudly ran up the stairs. The noise drew her mother's attention. "What's wrong with her?" When they explained the exchange, her mother shook her head. "Miranda, other than when Reggie was here, when was the last time you spent any real time with her?" The look on Miranda's face said it all. "She's feeling ignored, and she's not entirely wrong, either. I know it's not on purpose, but you really need to spend more time with her. She misses you."
Miranda was feeling guiltier by the syllable. "I have to talk to her." She hurried up, out of the room, and up the stairs.
"Matt, are you okay?" Lizzie asked.
"I'm bloody terrific." He said sarcastically.
~~
When Miranda got to Lily's room, she was surprised to find she wasn't there. She got worried after a thorough search turned up nothing. Worried Lily might have run off, she went to get her comfortable walking shoes, only to be stopped by the lock on her own bedroom door.
~~~~
They tried for nearly an hour to get Lily out of the room, but only managed a "GO AWAY!" that was clearly interrupting a crying session. What worried them more was that, until about fifteen ago, it sounded like she was talking to someone, even though she was alone in there. They were surprised by an insistent knocking on the front door. Thinking that maybe Lizzie had decided to try to help, Matt answered. He was surprised by who was there, a surprise that only increased with the person's first words.
"Care to explain just WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE?!?" Reggie looked about as angry as he sounded.
Matt knew his friend's temper was of the flash variety, normally extinguishing as quickly as it ignited, so he tried to stay calm. "What are you talking about?"
"Explain to me why a four-year-old girl calls me, someone she barely knows, crying about how mean her sister is."
Matt explained what happened. "What I want to know is where she got your number from, because I didn't give it to her."
"She told me over the phone that it was in Miranda's book."
"That explains why she went to my room." Miranda said, placing a hand on Matt's shoulder. "I put it there, in case I needed to get you. I got his, Lanny's, even Melina's."
"Have you gotten to her yet?" Matt asked.
"No."
"Let me talk to her." Reggie said.
"What? You can't be serious."
"Have any of you gotten her to talk yet?"
"Well, no."
"Then I can't do any worse."
"On one condition," Daniella said from the stairs, "I'm her parent, not you. You make no deals or promises for anyone but yourself without talking to me. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
~~
While they waited in the living room, Matt explained to Miranda and Daniella why he thought Reggie was reacting like this. "He's waited a brother or sister for as long as I've known him."
"He said something about it last time he was here." Daniella observed.
"I think that's why I visit him a lot more than he visits me, it bugs him when Lizzie and I fight. I know he has a younger cousin he's protective of, but he's in Alabama. I think that in their time together, Lily touched something in him." Matt smiled. "Strange as it sounds, I think my playboy friend has developed a big-brother's protective streak for her."
"Great, I've got competition."
"No, you've just got an extra person to help look out for her. She could do worse than Reggie."
~~
A half-hour later, Lily came downstairs, holding Reggie's hand tightly. When Miranda moved to hug and apologize, she was hurt when Lily ducked behind the boy's leg. "Lily, I'm sorry."
"You never have time for me." She spoke in an almost flat voice, which hurt to hear more than any amount of shouting would. "You're either gone with Matt or downstairs with Matt or gone with Lizzie or gone with the doctor. We used to play together. I miss you. Why can't we play anymore?"
"I'm sorry, Lily, I really am. I didn't mean to ignore you. I tried to make time for everything, but I guess I messed up, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Lily, she's trying." Miranda wasn't sure which was worse, Lily's cold agreement, or having Reggie correct Lily on her behalf. "Remember what we talked about?"
Lily finally stepped out from behind him. "I heard mom and dad talkin yesterday. They said you coulda died." As she spoke, her demeanor changed from anger to a scared little girl.
This time when Miranda moved to hold Lily, the girl didn't move to stop her.
~~
After things between Miranda and Lily were settled, the pair of them went to Miranda's room. This left Reggie alone with two people who had been observing him during the exchange. Daniella was trying to decide if this young man was somebody she could trust with her youngest child. Matt was trying to figure out this newly developing aspect of his friend.
Before either could speak, Reggie turned to Matt. "Matt, can you explain what she meant when she told me you've been sleeping with her sister, and your parents approve?"
"I told her not to tell anyone." Daniella said after getting over her initial surprise.
He turned to her. "She was upset, and she's only four. I'd bet that's not the only thing that she shouldn't have told me." He turned back to Matt. "When's the wedding, man?"
"WHAT?!? We haven't . . ." he stopped himself when he saw the look of mirth on Reggie's face ". . . you should be in stand-up, you know that?"
"Naw, that's too planned for my style. Now, what was she talking about?"
Matt thought about it a moment. "There is part of the story that only our families and the Gordons know. Not even Lanny or Melina know this much. If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. We can't even talk about part of it in public."
"Got it."
He said that a little too fast for Daniella. "Hold on, young man. A quickie 'got it' isn't good enough. Understand that if this got out, it could cause a lot of problems for Matt, Miranda, everyone involved . . ." she decided to test his reaction ". . . even Lily." She was pleased to note the not-completely covered-up shift in the young man. It seemed that his caring for Lily was more then an act. "So think before you answer. Can you keep this to yourself?"
He gave it a moment's pause. "Yes."
Matt began with the parts that were commonly edited out. The only thing left out this time were the details that not even the parents knew. When he was finished, Reggie's expression was completely void of his normal jovial nature. "The next time I say I envy you, kick me. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Having somebody else to talk to will help."
"You got it." He chanced a glance to the stairs. "How much does she know?"
Matt couldn't help but smile. "She knows we're having 'bad dreams' that only we can help each other with. She thinks the only reason for having a parent with us is to help with the dreams." Reggie gave him a funny look. "She's just a kid."
"She's smarter than you think." Now Matt and Daniella shot Reggie a look. "She doesn't understand the details, but she's overheard enough to know you're," he motioned to Daniella, "worried they might do things they shouldn't."
While Daniella looked surprised, Matt actually chuckled. "She sounds like me at that age, always sneaking into everyone's business. For that matter, that was me just a few months ago!"
Daniella had another concern. "You didn't explain anything about that, did you?"
"No way. I may have had 'the talk' early, but I needed it early! Anyway, even before you said anything, I figured that was your job."
"What do you mean you needed it early?" She was still trying to get the measure of him, and that statement both intrigued and worried her.
Reggie seemed to get very uncomfortable. "That's an embarrassing story, but basically, my parents found out I was interested in girls much earlier than normal, and I got 'the talk' when I was eight."
"Eight?!?"
"Didn't it involve you getting caught playing doctor with your eleven-year-old neighbor?"
"MATT! That was supposed to be a secret!" He couldn't miss her look to him. "But it's true. Like I said, I got interested in girls early. Not that I could DO much then, but my folks decided not to take a chance."
"You'll understand if I'm worried about the example you might set for my daughter. She seems to like you, but I need to know you won't do something to give her any bad ideas."
"I doubt I'll have a lot of chances, but when I'm here with Matt, I'll mind my manners."
Matt saw that his friend was still half-disbelieving the situation he found himself in. "Don't kid yourself, man. I've known you too long not to know what's going on. You've always wanted a kid sister or brother."
It took a second for the meaning of that to register. "It's not the same."
"If you've got another explanation for you storming here raising holy hell," Daniella spoke softly, "I'm listening."
`
They talked around possible explanations for awhile until they all finally accepted the obvious. As unusual as it seemed, the thirteen-year-old boy and four-year-old girl were becoming friends. As long as the boy was careful, both in the example he set for Lily and in not overstepping the bounds of friendship toward replacing Miranda, Daniella would not object to their friendship continuing. Of course, there was other concern that needed watching: Unless Daniella was mistaken, Lily was developing a crush on the boy.
This was a concept Matt found highly amusing, as was the look on Reggie's face when she said that.
~~~~~~~~
That afternoon was spent making plans for the next day. Matt and Miranda finally agreed to go ahead and go public. After the morning's drama, Lily would be with them, along with a reluctant Reggie. Lizzie and Gordo would also be there, insisting they couldn't miss it. Daniella agreed to drive them. The couple chose their favorite mall, figuring that, with the Digital Bean closed for the 3rd and 4th of July, the mall was the next best choice to be seen by as many of their classmates as possible.
Once everything was set, they called the doctor.
~
"If you're going to do this, then I have a suggestion for Matt." Came the doctor's voice through the speaker. "If you could pick up the receiver, Matt, I'll tell you."
"Why can't Miranda hear?"
"Your surprise."
With a nod from Miranda, Matt picked up the receiver. "Okay, I'm on."
"A lot has happened since we made our agreement with those rings. If you feel up to it, I think that maybe it would be good to give her the ring before you go out tomorrow."
Matt was momentarily stunned, then asked "Are you serious?"
"I know what those rings mean for you. I'm still concerned about you going public now, but since you're going to, I think that having the emotional reinforcement of those rings will make it less likely you'll have problems tomorrow night."
"I have to talk to our parents, but thank you."
~~~~~~~~
It took some work, but all the parents finally agreed with the idea. The rings would be given to him the following morning.
~~~~~~~~
That night, Matt's dreaming mind was in overdrive, previewing Miranda's possible reactions to the ring, and what might happen at the mall. None of these needed breaking, but some were far from pleasant.
~~~~~~~~
Sam and Jo brought Lizzie and Gordo right after breakfast and Matt's request. He wanted Lizzie's to help him pick out Miranda's outfit (A/N: Part of the deal they made in the middle of chapter 42, when Miranda first showed Matt the outfit she bought him.). Jo also brought over the rings, keeping them hidden from the girls. After she showed Matt she had them, he and Lizzie headed to Miranda's room. Miranda agreed to leave them alone.
Lizzie knew what she was looking for. The previous winter, the girls had gone shopping, spending their Christmas money, when she had talked Miranda into a pair of tight jeans she thought Miranda would turn heads in. However, after getting home, Miranda's insecurity took hold, and she refused to wear them. Lizzie's only concern was if Miranda had gotten rid of them. After ten minutes digging, she found them deep in the closet. The top they chose wasn't the tightest Miranda owned, but was enough to show off her figure. It also had emotional value for Matt, as it was the same shirt she had worn the Sunday they first got VERY close physically, a fact that caused Lizzie to blush.
~~~~~~~~
Once Reggie arrived, Matt decided it was time to give Miranda the ring. Because of the number of people, he asked everyone to the back patio. Once he had everyone there, and had their attention, he began by telling the story of his great-grandfather's courtship if his great-grandmother (A/N: You can read it back at the end of chapter 23). He was again in that voice that spooked everyone with its earnestness. When he got to the part about the promise rings, he produced a closed black case in his hand. Nobody missed the fact that it was long enough for two rings.
Miranda began to get nervous. Even though she had no doubt that this was what he had talk to her parents about the night before, she couldn't help but worrying.
When he finished the story, he began with the next part. "When great-grandma died, we got some of her things. Included in that were their promise rings, which are in this case." He held the case directly in front of him. "Miranda," he walked over to her, "we've both come very close to asking THE question, but we both know it's too early for that. And yet, I feel like I need to give you some symbol of what you mean to me. When I remembered the rings, I knew they were the answer. So, did it kinda like great-grandpa did. I asked mom if I could use them, then asked your parents for permission. Even the doctor agreed. Now, the most important question." He opened the case. "Miranda, will you accept this ring," he picked up the woman's ring, "as token of my promise to you that I will ask you to marry me, as soon as I can?"
For a moment, all Miranda could do was look at him. Not for the first time, she was amazed by the way he could speak when it was something this important to him. 'No', she realized, 'not just anything. Me.' When she found her voice, she said the one word she wanted to say for another question, the question he had just promised to ask. "Yes."
`
With tears in their mothers' eyes, their parents listened to the speech with interest. By now, they weren't as surprised as they used to be by Matt's moments like this. However, they were still amazed to remember that he was only thirteen. They also knew, better than anyone but Matt and Miranda, exactly what the phrasing of his question meant.
Gordo and Lizzie were still able to be surprised by the young man. Lizzie was moved to tears of her own, both for her best friend and her brother. Gordo surprised himself by having to hold back some water of his own, not being one normally moved by these scenes. But he couldn't help but let himself see he and Lizzie in their places.
Lily could barely contain herself. Despite the drama of yesterday, she still loved the idea of her Randa and Matt getting married. Young as she was, she wasn't sure how this was any different than all those scenes in Miranda's moves when the man asks the woman to marry him. But she remembered her mother had said it was different when she sat her down that morning before everyone arrived, so she accepted that it was.
Reggie was thunderstruck by Matt's speech. He knew Matt was in love, but this?!? It was at this moment it really sank in just how much his friend had changed. This, plus his growing suspicions about Melina and Lanny, made him wonder about his place in their lives.
`
Matt and Miranda noticed none of this as they placed the rings on each other's fingers, lost in the moment.
~~~~~~~~
A/N: A picture of the rings is in my Yahoo group. A description will be given next chapter. It's a more natural fit there than trying to shoehorn it in here. Don't worry, there's no way it will take as long to write that one.
Next chapter: Matt and Miranda go public.
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 48
Strange Friends
`
"While the incident with the dog was a concern, I'd already decided not to try this weekend." Dr. Gordon replied.
It was Saturday morning, and Matt and Miranda were on the speaker phone with the doctor to ask about his not recommending separate rooms for the night before. But instead of helping, his first answer only served to further confuse them. "But why?" Miranda asked. "We haven't had anything serious happen for nearly two weeks."
"I didn't want to do anything that might ruin your holiday."
"Holiday? What holi . . . bloody hell! How did I forget THAT was coming!"
"How interesting, using a British curse just two days away from Independence Day." The man's tone was light-hearted. "But I think you can be forgiven, all things considered."
"Yeah, well, that also means that tomorrow is our one month anniversary, which is when we had hoped to go public." Matt was remembering the jeans Miranda had bought for him to use the first time they went out in public as an official couple. He was uncomfortable with the idea of wearing them on a normal day, but on a holiday weekend?
"That's up to you two. But I would prefer for you to wait until you were in separate rooms, and not having problems with it. Driving was something that you needed to face before you could fully heal. This isn't." Without even realizing it, the doctor had just given Matt his reason to postpone.
"That makes sense." He couldn't help but notice Miranda's silence, and he turned to her. "Miranda, is something wrong?"
"Why should we wait?" She asked. "We've waited for this since this all began only because we weren't sure how you'd react if someone started hassling me. But you've already faced Clair, and you scared her off without losing your temper."
"I didn't do it alone, and she was hassling Lizzie, not you. As much as I care for my sister, there IS a difference."
"I know that. But this also could be a liberating thing for us. Once we make a point of being a couple in public, we won't have to worry about people finding out before we're ready. It would be one less thing to worry us. It's worked before." She was alluding to their decision about allowing their physical relationship to develop naturally (A/N: Chapter 36).
"That's why I said it's up to you." The doctor came in here. "I know this has to happen eventually, and I know you feel you have good reason to believe it's safe to go ahead with this. But there is also good reason not to. Remember, the last few nightmares happened after something happened that part of you thought could have put your relationship in jeopardy. If someone does hassle Miranda about your relationship, I'm concerned that might prove a trigger for another nightmare."
At the end of the conversation, Matt and Miranda agreed to talk it out before deciding what to do, and to call him with their decision.
~~~~~~~~
Later that morning, they had a talk with Lizzie and Gordo by phone, using three-way call on the speaker. Both were keen on the idea of the couple finally making it public, until they were told about the doctor's concern.
Lizzie felt guilty, as that fact also told her, all be it unintentionally, that her questioning Miranda about the agreement she and Matt had with their parents likely sparked the last nightmare. She immediately sided with caution.
Gordo, however, pointed out that they had improved noticeably since they loosened the restrictions on their physical relationship, including Matt keeping his cool with Clair. He felt that the rewards easily outweighed the risks. Lizzie wasn't comfortable with the reminder of her friend and little brother getting that close, but she admitted he had a point.
As the debate continued, Lily walked in. "Randa, who you talkin' to?"
They were both so into the discussion, they were startled by her sudden question. "Jeez, Lily, you scared me."
Lily seemed pleased that she could do that to the two 'old people'. "Who you talkin' to?"
"Hi, Lily." Lizzie and Gordo answered simultaneously.
"Hi Lizzie Hi Gordo."
"Lily, can you wait with mom for a couple of minutes?" Miranda asked. "My friends and I are trying to figure something out."
Lily, who was still feeling left out by her sister, began to look like she was going to burst into either tears or screams. Before she did either, she ran out of the room, and loudly ran up the stairs. The noise drew her mother's attention. "What's wrong with her?" When they explained the exchange, her mother shook her head. "Miranda, other than when Reggie was here, when was the last time you spent any real time with her?" The look on Miranda's face said it all. "She's feeling ignored, and she's not entirely wrong, either. I know it's not on purpose, but you really need to spend more time with her. She misses you."
Miranda was feeling guiltier by the syllable. "I have to talk to her." She hurried up, out of the room, and up the stairs.
"Matt, are you okay?" Lizzie asked.
"I'm bloody terrific." He said sarcastically.
~~
When Miranda got to Lily's room, she was surprised to find she wasn't there. She got worried after a thorough search turned up nothing. Worried Lily might have run off, she went to get her comfortable walking shoes, only to be stopped by the lock on her own bedroom door.
~~~~
They tried for nearly an hour to get Lily out of the room, but only managed a "GO AWAY!" that was clearly interrupting a crying session. What worried them more was that, until about fifteen ago, it sounded like she was talking to someone, even though she was alone in there. They were surprised by an insistent knocking on the front door. Thinking that maybe Lizzie had decided to try to help, Matt answered. He was surprised by who was there, a surprise that only increased with the person's first words.
"Care to explain just WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE?!?" Reggie looked about as angry as he sounded.
Matt knew his friend's temper was of the flash variety, normally extinguishing as quickly as it ignited, so he tried to stay calm. "What are you talking about?"
"Explain to me why a four-year-old girl calls me, someone she barely knows, crying about how mean her sister is."
Matt explained what happened. "What I want to know is where she got your number from, because I didn't give it to her."
"She told me over the phone that it was in Miranda's book."
"That explains why she went to my room." Miranda said, placing a hand on Matt's shoulder. "I put it there, in case I needed to get you. I got his, Lanny's, even Melina's."
"Have you gotten to her yet?" Matt asked.
"No."
"Let me talk to her." Reggie said.
"What? You can't be serious."
"Have any of you gotten her to talk yet?"
"Well, no."
"Then I can't do any worse."
"On one condition," Daniella said from the stairs, "I'm her parent, not you. You make no deals or promises for anyone but yourself without talking to me. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
~~
While they waited in the living room, Matt explained to Miranda and Daniella why he thought Reggie was reacting like this. "He's waited a brother or sister for as long as I've known him."
"He said something about it last time he was here." Daniella observed.
"I think that's why I visit him a lot more than he visits me, it bugs him when Lizzie and I fight. I know he has a younger cousin he's protective of, but he's in Alabama. I think that in their time together, Lily touched something in him." Matt smiled. "Strange as it sounds, I think my playboy friend has developed a big-brother's protective streak for her."
"Great, I've got competition."
"No, you've just got an extra person to help look out for her. She could do worse than Reggie."
~~
A half-hour later, Lily came downstairs, holding Reggie's hand tightly. When Miranda moved to hug and apologize, she was hurt when Lily ducked behind the boy's leg. "Lily, I'm sorry."
"You never have time for me." She spoke in an almost flat voice, which hurt to hear more than any amount of shouting would. "You're either gone with Matt or downstairs with Matt or gone with Lizzie or gone with the doctor. We used to play together. I miss you. Why can't we play anymore?"
"I'm sorry, Lily, I really am. I didn't mean to ignore you. I tried to make time for everything, but I guess I messed up, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Lily, she's trying." Miranda wasn't sure which was worse, Lily's cold agreement, or having Reggie correct Lily on her behalf. "Remember what we talked about?"
Lily finally stepped out from behind him. "I heard mom and dad talkin yesterday. They said you coulda died." As she spoke, her demeanor changed from anger to a scared little girl.
This time when Miranda moved to hold Lily, the girl didn't move to stop her.
~~
After things between Miranda and Lily were settled, the pair of them went to Miranda's room. This left Reggie alone with two people who had been observing him during the exchange. Daniella was trying to decide if this young man was somebody she could trust with her youngest child. Matt was trying to figure out this newly developing aspect of his friend.
Before either could speak, Reggie turned to Matt. "Matt, can you explain what she meant when she told me you've been sleeping with her sister, and your parents approve?"
"I told her not to tell anyone." Daniella said after getting over her initial surprise.
He turned to her. "She was upset, and she's only four. I'd bet that's not the only thing that she shouldn't have told me." He turned back to Matt. "When's the wedding, man?"
"WHAT?!? We haven't . . ." he stopped himself when he saw the look of mirth on Reggie's face ". . . you should be in stand-up, you know that?"
"Naw, that's too planned for my style. Now, what was she talking about?"
Matt thought about it a moment. "There is part of the story that only our families and the Gordons know. Not even Lanny or Melina know this much. If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. We can't even talk about part of it in public."
"Got it."
He said that a little too fast for Daniella. "Hold on, young man. A quickie 'got it' isn't good enough. Understand that if this got out, it could cause a lot of problems for Matt, Miranda, everyone involved . . ." she decided to test his reaction ". . . even Lily." She was pleased to note the not-completely covered-up shift in the young man. It seemed that his caring for Lily was more then an act. "So think before you answer. Can you keep this to yourself?"
He gave it a moment's pause. "Yes."
Matt began with the parts that were commonly edited out. The only thing left out this time were the details that not even the parents knew. When he was finished, Reggie's expression was completely void of his normal jovial nature. "The next time I say I envy you, kick me. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Having somebody else to talk to will help."
"You got it." He chanced a glance to the stairs. "How much does she know?"
Matt couldn't help but smile. "She knows we're having 'bad dreams' that only we can help each other with. She thinks the only reason for having a parent with us is to help with the dreams." Reggie gave him a funny look. "She's just a kid."
"She's smarter than you think." Now Matt and Daniella shot Reggie a look. "She doesn't understand the details, but she's overheard enough to know you're," he motioned to Daniella, "worried they might do things they shouldn't."
While Daniella looked surprised, Matt actually chuckled. "She sounds like me at that age, always sneaking into everyone's business. For that matter, that was me just a few months ago!"
Daniella had another concern. "You didn't explain anything about that, did you?"
"No way. I may have had 'the talk' early, but I needed it early! Anyway, even before you said anything, I figured that was your job."
"What do you mean you needed it early?" She was still trying to get the measure of him, and that statement both intrigued and worried her.
Reggie seemed to get very uncomfortable. "That's an embarrassing story, but basically, my parents found out I was interested in girls much earlier than normal, and I got 'the talk' when I was eight."
"Eight?!?"
"Didn't it involve you getting caught playing doctor with your eleven-year-old neighbor?"
"MATT! That was supposed to be a secret!" He couldn't miss her look to him. "But it's true. Like I said, I got interested in girls early. Not that I could DO much then, but my folks decided not to take a chance."
"You'll understand if I'm worried about the example you might set for my daughter. She seems to like you, but I need to know you won't do something to give her any bad ideas."
"I doubt I'll have a lot of chances, but when I'm here with Matt, I'll mind my manners."
Matt saw that his friend was still half-disbelieving the situation he found himself in. "Don't kid yourself, man. I've known you too long not to know what's going on. You've always wanted a kid sister or brother."
It took a second for the meaning of that to register. "It's not the same."
"If you've got another explanation for you storming here raising holy hell," Daniella spoke softly, "I'm listening."
`
They talked around possible explanations for awhile until they all finally accepted the obvious. As unusual as it seemed, the thirteen-year-old boy and four-year-old girl were becoming friends. As long as the boy was careful, both in the example he set for Lily and in not overstepping the bounds of friendship toward replacing Miranda, Daniella would not object to their friendship continuing. Of course, there was other concern that needed watching: Unless Daniella was mistaken, Lily was developing a crush on the boy.
This was a concept Matt found highly amusing, as was the look on Reggie's face when she said that.
~~~~~~~~
That afternoon was spent making plans for the next day. Matt and Miranda finally agreed to go ahead and go public. After the morning's drama, Lily would be with them, along with a reluctant Reggie. Lizzie and Gordo would also be there, insisting they couldn't miss it. Daniella agreed to drive them. The couple chose their favorite mall, figuring that, with the Digital Bean closed for the 3rd and 4th of July, the mall was the next best choice to be seen by as many of their classmates as possible.
Once everything was set, they called the doctor.
~
"If you're going to do this, then I have a suggestion for Matt." Came the doctor's voice through the speaker. "If you could pick up the receiver, Matt, I'll tell you."
"Why can't Miranda hear?"
"Your surprise."
With a nod from Miranda, Matt picked up the receiver. "Okay, I'm on."
"A lot has happened since we made our agreement with those rings. If you feel up to it, I think that maybe it would be good to give her the ring before you go out tomorrow."
Matt was momentarily stunned, then asked "Are you serious?"
"I know what those rings mean for you. I'm still concerned about you going public now, but since you're going to, I think that having the emotional reinforcement of those rings will make it less likely you'll have problems tomorrow night."
"I have to talk to our parents, but thank you."
~~~~~~~~
It took some work, but all the parents finally agreed with the idea. The rings would be given to him the following morning.
~~~~~~~~
That night, Matt's dreaming mind was in overdrive, previewing Miranda's possible reactions to the ring, and what might happen at the mall. None of these needed breaking, but some were far from pleasant.
~~~~~~~~
Sam and Jo brought Lizzie and Gordo right after breakfast and Matt's request. He wanted Lizzie's to help him pick out Miranda's outfit (A/N: Part of the deal they made in the middle of chapter 42, when Miranda first showed Matt the outfit she bought him.). Jo also brought over the rings, keeping them hidden from the girls. After she showed Matt she had them, he and Lizzie headed to Miranda's room. Miranda agreed to leave them alone.
Lizzie knew what she was looking for. The previous winter, the girls had gone shopping, spending their Christmas money, when she had talked Miranda into a pair of tight jeans she thought Miranda would turn heads in. However, after getting home, Miranda's insecurity took hold, and she refused to wear them. Lizzie's only concern was if Miranda had gotten rid of them. After ten minutes digging, she found them deep in the closet. The top they chose wasn't the tightest Miranda owned, but was enough to show off her figure. It also had emotional value for Matt, as it was the same shirt she had worn the Sunday they first got VERY close physically, a fact that caused Lizzie to blush.
~~~~~~~~
Once Reggie arrived, Matt decided it was time to give Miranda the ring. Because of the number of people, he asked everyone to the back patio. Once he had everyone there, and had their attention, he began by telling the story of his great-grandfather's courtship if his great-grandmother (A/N: You can read it back at the end of chapter 23). He was again in that voice that spooked everyone with its earnestness. When he got to the part about the promise rings, he produced a closed black case in his hand. Nobody missed the fact that it was long enough for two rings.
Miranda began to get nervous. Even though she had no doubt that this was what he had talk to her parents about the night before, she couldn't help but worrying.
When he finished the story, he began with the next part. "When great-grandma died, we got some of her things. Included in that were their promise rings, which are in this case." He held the case directly in front of him. "Miranda," he walked over to her, "we've both come very close to asking THE question, but we both know it's too early for that. And yet, I feel like I need to give you some symbol of what you mean to me. When I remembered the rings, I knew they were the answer. So, did it kinda like great-grandpa did. I asked mom if I could use them, then asked your parents for permission. Even the doctor agreed. Now, the most important question." He opened the case. "Miranda, will you accept this ring," he picked up the woman's ring, "as token of my promise to you that I will ask you to marry me, as soon as I can?"
For a moment, all Miranda could do was look at him. Not for the first time, she was amazed by the way he could speak when it was something this important to him. 'No', she realized, 'not just anything. Me.' When she found her voice, she said the one word she wanted to say for another question, the question he had just promised to ask. "Yes."
`
With tears in their mothers' eyes, their parents listened to the speech with interest. By now, they weren't as surprised as they used to be by Matt's moments like this. However, they were still amazed to remember that he was only thirteen. They also knew, better than anyone but Matt and Miranda, exactly what the phrasing of his question meant.
Gordo and Lizzie were still able to be surprised by the young man. Lizzie was moved to tears of her own, both for her best friend and her brother. Gordo surprised himself by having to hold back some water of his own, not being one normally moved by these scenes. But he couldn't help but let himself see he and Lizzie in their places.
Lily could barely contain herself. Despite the drama of yesterday, she still loved the idea of her Randa and Matt getting married. Young as she was, she wasn't sure how this was any different than all those scenes in Miranda's moves when the man asks the woman to marry him. But she remembered her mother had said it was different when she sat her down that morning before everyone arrived, so she accepted that it was.
Reggie was thunderstruck by Matt's speech. He knew Matt was in love, but this?!? It was at this moment it really sank in just how much his friend had changed. This, plus his growing suspicions about Melina and Lanny, made him wonder about his place in their lives.
`
Matt and Miranda noticed none of this as they placed the rings on each other's fingers, lost in the moment.
~~~~~~~~
A/N: A picture of the rings is in my Yahoo group. A description will be given next chapter. It's a more natural fit there than trying to shoehorn it in here. Don't worry, there's no way it will take as long to write that one.
Next chapter: Matt and Miranda go public.