Author's Note: So, this is one of the last few chapters of this story. But, there will be a sequel, I promise that. I already have loads of ideas... Thanks for all the support I have been getting with this story, I really appreciate it. I need to send a big thank you to C-Unit, as they were the only person who reviewed the last chapter! I know it was kind of a bummer chapter, but reviews get me that much more pumped to post the next chapter. So, thanks again C-Unit!
On with the story...
It was the last day before they could all see each other again. Gordo was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about how great tomorrow was going to be. He never had contacted Lizzie like he'd said he'd try to. He'd come up with a couple good ideas, but in the end he ditched them all. If the parental figures figured out that any of his schemes was actually a plot to get in contact with Lizzie, they'd receive additional weeks of grounding for sure and he couldn't risk that. It had been the longest three weeks of his life. He'd been over all the moments of his and Lizzie's relationship hundreds of time in his head. He still couldn't believe everything that had happened. He never dreamed that he'd get his chance with her. He was just afraid that when he finally got to see Lizzie again tomorrow that she would have changed her mind. Surely in the three weeks she had to think about things she would realize that she was Lizzie McGuire and he was just Gordo.
Jo had finally run out of chores for Lizzie to do and had sent her to her room. Lizzie was thankful for the final end to the never-ending list of monotonous chores. She was glad just to be lying on her bed doing nothing but thinking. It had been the longest three weeks of her life. She couldn't wait to see Gordo again and to resume their relationship. She was so glad that she had finally let Miranda talk her into admitting her feelings to Gordo; he was the best thing that had ever happened to her. The more she thought about their relationship the more she was sure that the two of them would be together forever. She was a little worried that when they finally got to see one another again that he would have realized that she wasn't as special as he'd once thought and that he'd be ready to move on to someone else. If that happened, surely her heart would break.
In the three weeks of chores and chats with Lizzie, Jo had come to realize that her daughter's relationship with Gordo was the real thing. She wouldn't be surprised if the two of them were engaged and married right out of high school. In the weeks that the kids had been grounded she'd had a few conversations with Roberta Gordon, who'd come to the same conclusion. Roberta was still not comfortable with the physical relationship that more than likely was developing between their children, but she knew as well as Jo that it wasn't likely that they'd dissuade them at this point. Jo felt certain that she'd saturated Lizzie with all the information she could about abstinence and the responsibility of being in a sexually active relationship. If Lizzie still decided to go ahead, she unofficially had her blessing.
Even though the last day of their sentence was tomorrow, Miranda was indifferent. She was sure that Brad was already in Taiwan with his father. Sure it would be nice to get out of her room and her house, but she was going to be alone. She knew she couldn't even be sure that she'd have Gordo and Lizzie to hang out with. After three weeks apart, it could be a week before they came up for air. She understood of course, if Brad was still around, it was going to be a major make-out session when they finally saw each other again. It was funny how their relation ship had progressed this summer. At first glance she was interested, then she wasn't, then she was again. With that kind of start she was sure that they were headed nowhere. But now it had been about a month and a half since he'd arrive and she was sure she was in love with him and wasn't sure how she would live without him when he went away again.
Brad had been thinking about keeping it a secret that he was staying in town until the first day of school. He imagined how fun it would be to surprise Miranda at her locker and announce that he was staying. But, he didn't think he could wait that long to tell her. Besides it would be cruel to keep her in the dark and torture her with this. He knew that she wanted him to stay as much as he wanted to stay. He was planning to tell her first thing when they saw each other tomorrow. Life was funny. Back at home he was a nerd with not too many friends and no prospects for a girlfriend. In a few short weeks he was starting school here in Hill Ridge where he had friends who thought he was anything but nerdy and he had a girlfriend! He knew that he honestly wouldn't miss his old school; he would however miss his Dad, a lot. His Dad had arranged for Brad to make a trip to Taiwan to see him for a few days before school started. His Dad was disappointed that Brad didn't want to move to Taiwan with him, but he understood his reasons and supported Brad.
Lizzie had drifted off to sleep and was started when he mother knocked on her door, then entered her room.
"Get up sweetie, we're running to the grocery store," Jo said.
"What? Why?" Lizzie said as she pulled herself up off her bed.
"Well, tonight at midnight you are officially not grounded anymore and Gordo, Miranda and Brad will all be here at midnight for a little post-punishment party," Jo said.
Lizzie's eyes lit up and she threw her arms around her Mom's neck, "I love you so much!"
"I know. Just, comb your hair and lets go," Jo said.
As Lizzie straightened her hair she asked, "So, how did you convince the other parents to let this happen?"
"Well, we've been in contact over the last three weeks and we've been really impressed at how well you all took your punishment. No complaining or anything. We decided we'd let you get together a little earlier than planned," Jo said beaming.
"You are the best!" Lizzie said, "You know, we didn't complain because we all knew we deserved it. We did a really stupid thing and I don't think we'll do anything like that again."
"Well, I'm glad you learned your lesson," Jo said.
Jo and Lizzie went to the grocery store and stocked up on junk food for the get together. They also stopped at the movie store and rented a few videos, even though Lizzie was sure they wouldn't have time to watch them with all the catching up they had to do. At 11:45 PM Lizzie went up to her room to change her clothes and freshen her make-up. At midnight she came back downstairs to wait for her friends to arrive. Sam and Matt had gone to bed a few hours earlier, but Jo stayed up to witness the reunion. At 12:02 AM Gordo's car pulled into the driveway and Lizzie bolted out of the front door and flew into Gordo's waiting arms. They kissed passionately and held onto each other as if they were afraid of being separated again soon. When they pulled away to look at one another they both had tears in their eyes.
"I missed you so much!" Lizzie said choking on a little sob.
"I know, me too," Gordo said pulling her back to him.
On the porch Jo watched them and got a little teary-eyed herself. Just watching this scene she knew that one day Gordo would be her son-in-law and she couldn't have been happier at that realization. Brad was pacing at the end of the driveway, waiting for Miranda to arrive. Miranda did not have a license yet, so she was on foot, probably running. A minute or so later at 12:09AM Miranda collapsed into Brad's arms panting.
"I ran the whole way," she said, "I couldn't wait to see if you were still here."
"I told you I would be," Brad said as he kissed her.
"I know, but I wasn't sure," Miranda said in between kisses.
"I have to tell you something," Brad said.
Certain that he was getting ready to tell her when he was leaving Miranda said, "No, not now, don't spoil this."
"It won't spoil it," Brad said, "I'm staying!"
"What?" Miranda asked in disbelief.
"I told my Dad that I didn't want to move to Taiwan. I'm staying here and living with the Gordon's. I will finish High School at Hill Ridge with all of you!" Brad said.
Miranda didn't know what to say so she hugged him with all her might and whispered in his ear, "I love you!"
"I love you too," Brad whispered back.
Jo smiled as she watched the two couples, it reminded of her of when she was their age. She had a feeling that they were going to make the most of the last little bit of their summer and she didn't blame then one bit.