Author's note: I 'm sorry it has been so long. I used to have quite a bit of spare time to write and upload my stories at work, but times have changed. I have had this chapter written out in my notebook for a long time, I just needed to find time to type it and upload it. With a full time job and a busy child at home, no wonder I haven't had the time. Hopefully my readers haven't given up and me and hopefully I will start to find more time for this again--I really missed it. Let me know what you think of the latest installment:

Gordo and Lizzie's plan had worked. The four of them had the cabin to themselves, at least for the night. Truthfully, Gordo and Lizzie wished it were just the two of them, but there was no easy way to have planned for just the two of them to get stranded. After a lot of discussion over the past few days, they'd decided that if their plan worked this would be the night. Despite his recent self consciousness over Brad and Miranda's knowledge of their physical relationship Gordo knew they were ready. He knew that Lizzie was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and it just felt right to take the next step.

Lizzie was nervous as well, but sure about their decision. She wanted to talk to Miranda about it, but decided against it. Partially for Gordo's sake, but also because she felt that Miranda might not respect her decision. She worried that maybe they were moving too quickly, but then she reminded herself that their relationship couldn't be measured against normal timelines. They'd been friends for their entire lives. Becoming a couple had been so natural for them and this new step would be too. She knew they'd be together forever and this expression of their love could only bring them closer.

After a dinner of delivery pizza and a couple of movies, Brad and Miranda said they were going to go out and look at the stars. Gordo and Lizzie took this as their cue. They went up to Gordo's room and instantly became nervous and slightly unsure of themselves in each other's company.

"I really want to do this, but suddenly I can't stop shaking," Lizzie admitted.

"I know, I'm so nervous," Gordo replied.

"Just remember that I love you and I'm ready for this," Lizzie said.

"Me too," Gordo said and smiled, "Maybe if we just start slow and let it progress naturally this won't feel so weird."

"I'll be right back," Lizzie said. She returned a minute later with three jar candles his mom kept in the upstairs bathroom. Lizzie set them around the room and Gordo lit each with a match. Lizzie clicked on the radio to a soft rock station and shut off the lights. Gordo locked the door and progressed toward her. Still nervous they stiffly sat on the edge of Gordo's bed, not sure of what to do next.

"May I have this dance?" Gordo asked quietly. Lizzie nodded and together they stood up. They wrapped themselves around each other and slowly swayed with the music. Their bodies warmed to one another and that was all the spark they needed. Gordo's mouth moved to Lizzie's neck and her hands slid up his back, under his shirt. He pulled away after a minute, just long enough to remove her shirt and then his own. As they traded positions and Lizzie's mouth assaulted Gordo's neck, he worked on the button and zipper of her jeans. When they fell to the floor and pooled around her feet she kicked them aside as Gordo removed his jeans as well. They were slow dancing in their underwear when suddenly the phone rang. They wanted to ignore it, but they knew they couldn't.

"Hello?" Gordo said. "Oh, hey Mrs. McGuire. Sure, she's right here."

Lizzie took the phone and said, "Hi Mom!" As she listened to her mother's opening comments she wrapped the blanket off Gordo's bed around herself as if she were afraid that her mother might be able to tell that she was half naked otherwise.

"Lizzie, just because you and Gordo are unsupervised tonight, doesn't mean that regular rules don't apply. I don't want the two of you together in a bedroom with the door closed and no fooling around either," Jo said.

"Mom," Lizzie admonished, "nothing is going to happen. We know how to behave and restrain ourselves."

"Hearing that you need to restrain yourselves at all doesn't convince me," Jo said.

"You know what I mean," Lizzie said.

"Just keep our expectations in mind," Jo said.

Lizzie hung up the phone and sighed.

"You okay?" Gordo asked as he put an arm around her.

"Yeah, she just makes me feel so guilty and then I question my judgment, which makes me feel even more terrible," Lizzie said.

"Why do you feel terrible?" Gordo asked.

"Well, if I change my mind about tonight that will make be a big tease," Lizzie said.

"No Lizzie. You're not a tease. That phone call from your mom was a major mood killer. I'd be a horrible boyfriend if I still expected you to feel like doing it after that," Gordo said, "Why don't you go put on your pajamas and we'll just cuddle."

When Lizzie returned Gordo had put on a tee-shirt and pajama pants too. With the candles still burning they climbed into bed and snuggled together under the covers.

"What if we put off doing it until the end of the summer and if we still feel ready then we'll consider it again," Gordo suggested.

"You're willing to wait that much longer?" Lizzie asked.

"Lizzie, I don't think of making love to you as a something I am owed just because we are together. I think of it more like a bonus and it is certainly worth waiting for. I'd wait until you're my wife if you asked me to," Gordo said.

Lizzie's eyes widened as she turned to him and asked, "You want me to be your wife?"

"Yeah, someday," Gordo said.

"Wow," Lizzie said.

"I know," Gordo replied.