Lizzie was stunned! Pleased, but stunned. She never expected Gordo to say
that to her, not yet anyway. They really had only been together for a
little over a week. She knew she felt the same way, he was her best friend,
she had always loved him. It surprised her slightly to realize that she
loved him as more than a friend.
Gordo was still standing next to her. It had been almost a full minute since he made his declaration and she hadn't uttered a single word. He wondered if he should say it again. "Lizzie?"
Lizzie slowly turned to him with tears glistening brightly in her beautiful eyes and said, "Gordo, I love you too."
Gordo took Lizzie's hands in his and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. He smiled down at her and she smiled back. "Are you ready to go?" he asked. She nodded yes and he quickly paid their bill.
Gordo and Lizzie got into the car and looked at each other. Gordo broke the silence and said, "Wow!"
Lizzie smiled lightly and said, "Yeah, I know."
"Can you believe this?" Gordo asked.
"No, but it's real, isn't it?" Lizzie countered.
"I know I meant it," Gordo answered hopefully.
"So did I," Lizzie said.
Passionately Gordo grabbed hold of her hands and pulled her to him. Awkwardly she climbed over the gear stick and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and sought out her lips with his own. They made out for what felt like only minutes, but was actually a half an hour. They were careful not to get too carried away as they were still in Marco's parking lot and they still had a party to attend.
Pulling away from each other for a breather, Lizzie asked, "What time are we supposed to be there?"
"At 7:30. We still have about 15 minutes, I guess we better head over there," Gordo said, "Remember to act surprised."
A block before they arrived at the McGuire house Lizzie reached over and took Gordo's hand and said, "After what happened between us earlier this evening, I'd almost rather skip the party and just be alone with you."
"I know, me too, but I wasn't the only person who worked hard on this party. Your parents, Miranda and Brad all chipped in a lot. Besides, it will be a lot of fun and we'll have lots of other times to be alone," Gordo said.
Gordo pulled into the driveway and walked around the car to open Lizzie's door. Lizzie climbed out and was surprised at how normal the house looked. No extra cars were parked in the driveway, there didn't even appear to be anyone home. The house was dark.
Gordo said, "We have the party set up in the back, so let's walk around the house."
The two made their way around the house to find that no one was there. The pool lights weren't even on.
"Where is everybody?" Lizzie asked.
"I guess they might be in the house," Gordo said, confused.
The two walked into the house and found it too, to be deserted. They walked around the entire first floor and then upstairs looking for Lizzie's parents, Miranda or Brad. Gordo and Lizzie made their way back down stairs and sat down at the dining room table in the dark. Lizzie looked crestfallen, maybe no one cares about me after all, she thought.
Gordo moved closer to her and took her hand. He didn't understand what was going on, but he could tell that Lizzie was feeling bad about it. Just as he was about to try make her feel better, the lights in the backyard came on and they could see lots of people in the backyard. As Lizzie and Gordo stepped out onto the deck from the dining room everyone shouted, "Surprise!" Lizzie wasn't the only one who was surprised.
Her parents, Miranda and Brad were standing in front of the crowd of people. The four of them came up onto the deck and let Miranda explain. "I told your mom that I let the surprise slip and that I knew Gordo had too. Your mom decided we were going to change things up so you would be surprised. After all that's what this is, a surprise party!" Lizzie laughed and hugged Miranda.
"Where were you all hiding?" Lizzie asked.
"In your neighbor's yard, behind the fence," Miranda said laughing.
"Wait, how does Miranda know that I told you?" Gordo asked.
"After she spilled the beans, I told her that it was okay because you already had," Lizzie said.
Gordo blushed then said to Miranda, "I know why she got the surprise out of me, but I sincerely doubt she used the same tactics on you. So, what gives?"
Miranda shook her head disapprovingly at Gordo and said, "She's my best friend, girls can't keep secrets like that from one another."
Gordo escorted Lizzie around the yard to greet all her classmates that were in attendance. As an AV expert Brad had arranged for music to play through tiny speakers all through out the yard. When Lizzie was done greeting her guests her father approached and asked, "May I have this dance?"
While Lizzie and her father danced, Gordo helped Jo, Miranda and Brad set up the refreshment table on the deck. Lizzie and her father were enjoying a slow dance when her father said, "I can't believe you are 16 years old!"
"Dad," Lizzie said in that whiney affectionate way that teenage girls do when their father is embarrassing them.
"I remember when you were born. I can't believe you are this old. You can legally drive, you're starting high school in September and you have a boyfriend. The time just goes by so fast," he said.
"I know Daddy, but I will always be your little girl," Lizzie said, understanding that he felt like he was loosing her.
"And I will always be your Daddy," he said, "And I can pummel any guy who tries to take advantage of you or hurt you."
"Dad, you know that Gordo would never do anything like that. Even if this doesn't work out, he is my best friend and he always will be. Okay?" Lizzie asked seriously.
"Okay," he said.
They finished their dance and Gordo asked he could cut in. "Absolutely," her father replied enthusiastically.
A slow song came on and Jo smiled at her daughter and her boyfriend. The two couldn't get much closer. Lizzie's head was resting on Gordo's shoulder and she had a happy smile on her face. Gordo was whispering something in her ear causing her to beam even more brightly.
"They are so sweet together and yet, it makes me sick," Miranda said to Jo.
"Aren't you the one who got them together?" Jo asked.
"Yeah, but every time I see them together it just makes me sad that I have no one," Miranda confided.
"You just have to be patient. It'll happen," Jo said reassuringly. Just then Brad approached and shyly asked, "Miranda, will you dance with me?"
Miranda was not sure she wanted to dance with him, but knew it would crush his feeling if she declined. The two awkwardly walked out into the yard. As they were preparing to join in during the next song, Miranda noticed there were quite a few girls pointing at Brad and whispering with their girlfriends. When they had started dancing, Kate and her girlfriends came over to where they were and Kate asked, "Who's your cute friend? Claire would like to dance with him."
Miranda was going to ignore Kate and Claire, but then Brad stuck out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Brad. I'm Gordo's cousin. I'm staying in Hill Ridge for the summer." Instead of shaking Brad's hand, Claire grabbed onto it and pulled Brad to the other side of the yard to dance with her. Miranda felt a tiny pang of jealously, but she ignored it. She didn't like Brad, who cared if he was dancing with Claire, right? Miranda wasn't sure she believed herself.
Gordo and Lizzie eventually came back up the deck to get a snack. Miranda was there and she was glaring in Brad's direction. He had now danced several times with every girl in Kate's group and didn't seem to notice that he'd totally ditched Miranda. The three sat down at the picnic table with food and Lizzie said, "Why do you care who he's dancing with? I thought you didn't like him."
"Well, maybe I changed my mind," Miranda said quietly.
"Have you told Brad?" Gordo asked, "Because I bet he'd be more interested in being with you than with Kate and company if he knew you liked him."
Miranda thought about it for a minute then said, "I'll tell him later. I'm too chicken. Plus, you have to open your presents." Miranda motioned towards a huge stack of gifts. A few people stopped dancing and chatting to watch Lizzie open her gifts, but mostly it was Gordo, Miranda and her parents. Lizzie got a lot of gift certificates, body lotion and candles from people who didn't know her as well. From closer friends she got more personal gifts that catered to her unique style. Miranda had given her a funky assortment of nail polish and a picture frame collage with several photos of the three of them from over the years.
"What did Gordo get for you?" Jo asked.
Lizzie held out her wrist for her mother to admire her bracelet.
"Gordo, this is beautiful! I guess that means your father and I are last," Jo said.
Jo held out a tiny box to Lizzie. Lizzie carefully opened it and a single key on a keychain with a pink high-heeled shoe lay in the bottom. Lizzie plucked it out and looked at it for several seconds before asking, "You finally took my request for a lock on my bedroom door seriously?" Her parents chuckled and her dad said, "No, we bought you a car. A used car, that we felt it's very you. Sorry we couldn't afford a new car."
"Where is it?" Lizzie asked.
"In the garage," Jo said.
Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda hurried to the garage. The party guests chuckled when they heard Lizzie squeal in delight. In the garage Lizzie had found a pinkish colored Plymouth Neon. Lizzie. Gordo and Miranda climbed in and explored the interior of the car. Lizzie hurried back out to the deck and hugged her parents.
"Can I take it for a ride?" Lizzie asked.
"Not yet. You still have guests here and we haven't had cake or sang you happy birthday yet," Jo said, "But after that you can go, I guess."
Gordo and Lizzie decided to dance a little more while they waited for the cake to appear. They hadn't decided where they were going to go, but they knew they wanted to be alone. When they finished the song there were dancing to, Jo called them up to the deck. Lizzie's father was carefully carrying the blazing cake out from the kitchen. Everyone broke out into singing happy birthday when they saw the cake coming. Lizzie blew out the candles. One was left burning and Lizzie looked at Gordo and smiled. Lizzie stood up on a chair and thanked everyone for making this the best birthday ever.
Gordo and Lizzie chowed down their cake and hurried upstairs. Lizzie changed out of her dress into jeans and a hot-pink tank top and in the bathroom, Gordo changed into jeans and a t-shirt. Lizzie was taking her hair down and brushing out the long blonde waves. Gordo was lying on her bed and watching her. "You are so beautiful," he said.
Lizzie lay beside him on her bed and kissed him, "Thank you for making this the best birthday ever!" The two were kissing gently when Jo walked into the room.
"Alright, you can go, just say good-bye to your guests first," Jo said, sensing the couple wanted time alone.
The two quickly made the rounds saying good-bye and thanking everyone for the gifts. They hurried out to the garage and climbed into Lizzie's car. They still weren't sure where they were headed, but knew that wherever it was they would be together.
Author's note: I haven't decided if this story is done yet or not. This would be a perfect place to end it, but I'm not sure. What does anyone else think? Should I keep going? Let me know. Thanks, Tinkerbell
Gordo was still standing next to her. It had been almost a full minute since he made his declaration and she hadn't uttered a single word. He wondered if he should say it again. "Lizzie?"
Lizzie slowly turned to him with tears glistening brightly in her beautiful eyes and said, "Gordo, I love you too."
Gordo took Lizzie's hands in his and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. He smiled down at her and she smiled back. "Are you ready to go?" he asked. She nodded yes and he quickly paid their bill.
Gordo and Lizzie got into the car and looked at each other. Gordo broke the silence and said, "Wow!"
Lizzie smiled lightly and said, "Yeah, I know."
"Can you believe this?" Gordo asked.
"No, but it's real, isn't it?" Lizzie countered.
"I know I meant it," Gordo answered hopefully.
"So did I," Lizzie said.
Passionately Gordo grabbed hold of her hands and pulled her to him. Awkwardly she climbed over the gear stick and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and sought out her lips with his own. They made out for what felt like only minutes, but was actually a half an hour. They were careful not to get too carried away as they were still in Marco's parking lot and they still had a party to attend.
Pulling away from each other for a breather, Lizzie asked, "What time are we supposed to be there?"
"At 7:30. We still have about 15 minutes, I guess we better head over there," Gordo said, "Remember to act surprised."
A block before they arrived at the McGuire house Lizzie reached over and took Gordo's hand and said, "After what happened between us earlier this evening, I'd almost rather skip the party and just be alone with you."
"I know, me too, but I wasn't the only person who worked hard on this party. Your parents, Miranda and Brad all chipped in a lot. Besides, it will be a lot of fun and we'll have lots of other times to be alone," Gordo said.
Gordo pulled into the driveway and walked around the car to open Lizzie's door. Lizzie climbed out and was surprised at how normal the house looked. No extra cars were parked in the driveway, there didn't even appear to be anyone home. The house was dark.
Gordo said, "We have the party set up in the back, so let's walk around the house."
The two made their way around the house to find that no one was there. The pool lights weren't even on.
"Where is everybody?" Lizzie asked.
"I guess they might be in the house," Gordo said, confused.
The two walked into the house and found it too, to be deserted. They walked around the entire first floor and then upstairs looking for Lizzie's parents, Miranda or Brad. Gordo and Lizzie made their way back down stairs and sat down at the dining room table in the dark. Lizzie looked crestfallen, maybe no one cares about me after all, she thought.
Gordo moved closer to her and took her hand. He didn't understand what was going on, but he could tell that Lizzie was feeling bad about it. Just as he was about to try make her feel better, the lights in the backyard came on and they could see lots of people in the backyard. As Lizzie and Gordo stepped out onto the deck from the dining room everyone shouted, "Surprise!" Lizzie wasn't the only one who was surprised.
Her parents, Miranda and Brad were standing in front of the crowd of people. The four of them came up onto the deck and let Miranda explain. "I told your mom that I let the surprise slip and that I knew Gordo had too. Your mom decided we were going to change things up so you would be surprised. After all that's what this is, a surprise party!" Lizzie laughed and hugged Miranda.
"Where were you all hiding?" Lizzie asked.
"In your neighbor's yard, behind the fence," Miranda said laughing.
"Wait, how does Miranda know that I told you?" Gordo asked.
"After she spilled the beans, I told her that it was okay because you already had," Lizzie said.
Gordo blushed then said to Miranda, "I know why she got the surprise out of me, but I sincerely doubt she used the same tactics on you. So, what gives?"
Miranda shook her head disapprovingly at Gordo and said, "She's my best friend, girls can't keep secrets like that from one another."
Gordo escorted Lizzie around the yard to greet all her classmates that were in attendance. As an AV expert Brad had arranged for music to play through tiny speakers all through out the yard. When Lizzie was done greeting her guests her father approached and asked, "May I have this dance?"
While Lizzie and her father danced, Gordo helped Jo, Miranda and Brad set up the refreshment table on the deck. Lizzie and her father were enjoying a slow dance when her father said, "I can't believe you are 16 years old!"
"Dad," Lizzie said in that whiney affectionate way that teenage girls do when their father is embarrassing them.
"I remember when you were born. I can't believe you are this old. You can legally drive, you're starting high school in September and you have a boyfriend. The time just goes by so fast," he said.
"I know Daddy, but I will always be your little girl," Lizzie said, understanding that he felt like he was loosing her.
"And I will always be your Daddy," he said, "And I can pummel any guy who tries to take advantage of you or hurt you."
"Dad, you know that Gordo would never do anything like that. Even if this doesn't work out, he is my best friend and he always will be. Okay?" Lizzie asked seriously.
"Okay," he said.
They finished their dance and Gordo asked he could cut in. "Absolutely," her father replied enthusiastically.
A slow song came on and Jo smiled at her daughter and her boyfriend. The two couldn't get much closer. Lizzie's head was resting on Gordo's shoulder and she had a happy smile on her face. Gordo was whispering something in her ear causing her to beam even more brightly.
"They are so sweet together and yet, it makes me sick," Miranda said to Jo.
"Aren't you the one who got them together?" Jo asked.
"Yeah, but every time I see them together it just makes me sad that I have no one," Miranda confided.
"You just have to be patient. It'll happen," Jo said reassuringly. Just then Brad approached and shyly asked, "Miranda, will you dance with me?"
Miranda was not sure she wanted to dance with him, but knew it would crush his feeling if she declined. The two awkwardly walked out into the yard. As they were preparing to join in during the next song, Miranda noticed there were quite a few girls pointing at Brad and whispering with their girlfriends. When they had started dancing, Kate and her girlfriends came over to where they were and Kate asked, "Who's your cute friend? Claire would like to dance with him."
Miranda was going to ignore Kate and Claire, but then Brad stuck out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Brad. I'm Gordo's cousin. I'm staying in Hill Ridge for the summer." Instead of shaking Brad's hand, Claire grabbed onto it and pulled Brad to the other side of the yard to dance with her. Miranda felt a tiny pang of jealously, but she ignored it. She didn't like Brad, who cared if he was dancing with Claire, right? Miranda wasn't sure she believed herself.
Gordo and Lizzie eventually came back up the deck to get a snack. Miranda was there and she was glaring in Brad's direction. He had now danced several times with every girl in Kate's group and didn't seem to notice that he'd totally ditched Miranda. The three sat down at the picnic table with food and Lizzie said, "Why do you care who he's dancing with? I thought you didn't like him."
"Well, maybe I changed my mind," Miranda said quietly.
"Have you told Brad?" Gordo asked, "Because I bet he'd be more interested in being with you than with Kate and company if he knew you liked him."
Miranda thought about it for a minute then said, "I'll tell him later. I'm too chicken. Plus, you have to open your presents." Miranda motioned towards a huge stack of gifts. A few people stopped dancing and chatting to watch Lizzie open her gifts, but mostly it was Gordo, Miranda and her parents. Lizzie got a lot of gift certificates, body lotion and candles from people who didn't know her as well. From closer friends she got more personal gifts that catered to her unique style. Miranda had given her a funky assortment of nail polish and a picture frame collage with several photos of the three of them from over the years.
"What did Gordo get for you?" Jo asked.
Lizzie held out her wrist for her mother to admire her bracelet.
"Gordo, this is beautiful! I guess that means your father and I are last," Jo said.
Jo held out a tiny box to Lizzie. Lizzie carefully opened it and a single key on a keychain with a pink high-heeled shoe lay in the bottom. Lizzie plucked it out and looked at it for several seconds before asking, "You finally took my request for a lock on my bedroom door seriously?" Her parents chuckled and her dad said, "No, we bought you a car. A used car, that we felt it's very you. Sorry we couldn't afford a new car."
"Where is it?" Lizzie asked.
"In the garage," Jo said.
Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda hurried to the garage. The party guests chuckled when they heard Lizzie squeal in delight. In the garage Lizzie had found a pinkish colored Plymouth Neon. Lizzie. Gordo and Miranda climbed in and explored the interior of the car. Lizzie hurried back out to the deck and hugged her parents.
"Can I take it for a ride?" Lizzie asked.
"Not yet. You still have guests here and we haven't had cake or sang you happy birthday yet," Jo said, "But after that you can go, I guess."
Gordo and Lizzie decided to dance a little more while they waited for the cake to appear. They hadn't decided where they were going to go, but they knew they wanted to be alone. When they finished the song there were dancing to, Jo called them up to the deck. Lizzie's father was carefully carrying the blazing cake out from the kitchen. Everyone broke out into singing happy birthday when they saw the cake coming. Lizzie blew out the candles. One was left burning and Lizzie looked at Gordo and smiled. Lizzie stood up on a chair and thanked everyone for making this the best birthday ever.
Gordo and Lizzie chowed down their cake and hurried upstairs. Lizzie changed out of her dress into jeans and a hot-pink tank top and in the bathroom, Gordo changed into jeans and a t-shirt. Lizzie was taking her hair down and brushing out the long blonde waves. Gordo was lying on her bed and watching her. "You are so beautiful," he said.
Lizzie lay beside him on her bed and kissed him, "Thank you for making this the best birthday ever!" The two were kissing gently when Jo walked into the room.
"Alright, you can go, just say good-bye to your guests first," Jo said, sensing the couple wanted time alone.
The two quickly made the rounds saying good-bye and thanking everyone for the gifts. They hurried out to the garage and climbed into Lizzie's car. They still weren't sure where they were headed, but knew that wherever it was they would be together.
Author's note: I haven't decided if this story is done yet or not. This would be a perfect place to end it, but I'm not sure. What does anyone else think? Should I keep going? Let me know. Thanks, Tinkerbell