Today was a Tuesday, there was exactly one week left until school started up again. The foursome had been very busy catching back up with one another since their post-punishment party. When Jo came down the next morning after the party she'd been surprised to find them all still up and busily talking about the last three weeks and what they were going to do with the next two weeks. Jo had send everyone home and told them that they were not allowed to get back together until they'd all slept at least 4 hours and had a shower. In the last week they'd done everything they could think of together. They'd swam, mini-golfed, gone to the movies and the drive-in, gone to the amusement park, the ocean, the mall...the list went on. Part of the reason they had kept so busy was to catch up for lost time and the other part was that Brad was leaving today for five days to see his Dad in Taiwan and they wanted to have as much fun with him while he was there and before they all went back to school.

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon both had business trips this week, so they recruited Gordo, Lizzie and Miranda to bring Brad to the airport and give him a good send off. The car was silent as they were all lost in their own thoughts. Brad and Miranda were sitting in the back seat of Gordo's Honda holding hands.

"Boy are we gloomy, I'd hate to see how depressing we'd be if you were leaving for good Brad," Gordo said.

"Yeah, cheer up you guys," Lizzie, turning to face Brad and Miranda, "It's only for 5 days."

"Yeah, you can handle it. We all just spent 21 days away from each other," Gordo added sensing how upset the couple in the back seat was over this little trip.

"I know, I'll be fine. It wouldn't be so bad if we hadn't just been grounded for three weeks. It's like being teased; here's your boyfriend back, but only for a week, then we're going to take him away again for 5 more days," Miranda said.

"What?" Lizzie asked clearly confused.

"I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just upset," Miranda said.

"I'll be back in 5 days and then I'll be around until Christmas. I'll be around so much you'll get sick of me," Brad said as he put his arm around Miranda.

"I don't think that could happen," Miranda pouted.

"I'd offer to stay, but I haven't seen my Dad all summer and unless I go now I won't see him until Christmas," Brad said.

Realizing that she was being selfish Miranda said, "I'll be fine. I will miss you a lot, but you need to go see your Dad."

"That's the spirit," Gordo said from the front seat.

"I have plans too," Miranda said.

"Really?" Lizzie said, "I thought you were hanging out with me and Gordo."

"You guys probably want time alone before school starts. Anyway, my Mom and I are going to go visit my Grandparents in Mexico. We're going for four days and we'll arrive back the same day as Brad does," Miranda said.

"So you're leaving tomorrow?" Lizzie asked.

"Yep." Miranda said.

When they arrived at the airport Miranda accompanied Brad into the airport and waited in the baggage check line with him. Gordo and Lizzie waiting in the car for Miranda to return. Because of the new updated airline restrictions Miranda couldn't go to the terminal and see Brad off. When he was through checking his baggage they went to a quiet corner and said their good-byes.

"I'm going to miss you like crazy!" Brad said.

"Me too," Miranda said quietly, trying to suppress tears.

"You're going to have a great time in Mexico with your Grandparents," Brad said.

"And you'll have fun with your Dad," Miranda added.

"Why is it so hard to say good-bye when we know we'll see each other in 5 days?" Brad asked.

"I don't know," Miranda said.

"I should go," Brad said.

Acting more bravely than she was feeling Miranda said, "Have a good time and when you come back we'll start high school together. I'll miss you and I love you."

"I love you too, so much," Brad said as he pulled her into a tight hug.

They kissed for a minute or two and then he was gone. Miranda couldn't believe how dependant she'd become on having Brad with her until now, it was amazing how far things could come in just a few short months.

Quietly the threesome drove back home. Gordo pulled into the Sanchez's driveway and asked, "So are you hanging out with us tonight, or is this good-bye?"

"I'm not finished packing and we're flaying out at five tomorrow morning, so you two are on your own tonight," Miranda said.

"Have a good time and try not to think about Brad too much," Lizzie told her as she hugged her best friend.

Gordo hugged her as well and said, "See you soon!"

As Gordo drove Lizzie back home he asked, "So, what are we doing tonight? Any ideas?"

"None, you?" Lizzie asked.

"Well, my parents are out of town on business for the rest of the week. We'd have the house to ourselves, what do you say to me cooking dinner for the two of us?" Gordo asked.

"Sounds perfect," Lizzie said, "Should I bring anything?"

"Just yourself," Gordo said with a grin.

"Casual or semi-dressy?" Lizzie asked.

After hanging out with Lizzie and Miranda for so many years he knew that she was asking how she should dress. "Um, it doesn't really matter, surprise me." Gordo said," Oh and be there around 7:30. Okay?"

"No problem," Lizzie said as she kissed him on the cheek and got out of the car.

Lizzie decided that she was going to wear something dressier; it had been a while since they'd dressed up for each other. She settled on a white sundress with a border of pink flowers around the hem. Lizzie carefully applied her make-up and styled her hair. She sprayed herself with her favorite perfume then headed downstairs.

"Mom, can you help me put this on?" Lizzie asked holding out the charm bracelet that Gordo had given her for her birthday. She'd only been wearing it on special occasions; it was too special to wear everyday.

As her daughter stood in front of her and explained their dinner plans, Jo knew that this was the night. Lizzie didn't know yet that this was the night, but as a woman of experience Jo knew that they had all the perfect elements to ensure that tonight would be the night. Wanting to remind her daughter to be careful, she bit her tongue. It would spoil it if Lizzie thought it might happen tonight. Impulsively as Lizzie was getting her purse and heading towards the door, Jo grabbed Lizzie and hugged her.

"What was that for?" Lizzie asked.

"Nothing, I just love you and sometimes I look at how beautiful you and can't believe you're growing up so fast. Have a great night," Jo said.

"Thanks Mom, I love you too," Lizzie said and waved as she walked out to her car.

Gordo had made Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken for their dinner. He'd put a tablecloth on the table and lit the candles his parents saved for special occasions. Thinking the same way Lizzie had, he was wearing a sage colored button up shirt and a coordinating tie. Carefully he served Lizzie then himself and they ate with minimal conversation. Starting to sense that this might be a special night, they were growing a bit anxious.

After dinner they went out on the deck, where Gordo had left a radio earlier. They slow danced to a soft rock station and watched the stars come out. Neither said anything, just enjoyed being with one another, alone. They shared a passionate kiss, which spoke volumes between the two of them. They needed no words to know that this was it. Carefully Gordo led Lizzie up to his room, he settled her on his bed and lit a few candles, turned on the radio and shut the door. This time they needed no slow dancing to warm then up, they were already warm.

Lizzie stood up and met Gordo in the middle of the room; passionately they kissed as they helped each other out of their clothing. Lizzie giggled as she struggled with his tie and Gordo cursed under his breath at the difficulty he was having with her bra. Finally they stood together naked and Gordo whispered, "Are you sure?"

"Shhhh," she whispered back and smiled at him.

He led her to the bed and they both climbed under the covers. Slowly they made out and felt their way around each other's bodies. Each experiencing things they'd never experienced before. Before he entered her he looked her deep in the eyes and said, "I love you Lizzie McGuire." She only nodded and he proceeded. She cried out a little, but when it was over it was the most amazing thing either had experienced. Afterward, they held each other until they both fell asleep. When he woke again Lizzie was propped up one elbow watching him sleep.

"Hey," Gordo said, "You're up."

"Yeah," Lizzie said.

"What are you thinking about?" Gordo asked, slightly worried that she hadn't enjoyed it as much as he had.

"That I love you very much and that I'm glad I got to share my first time with you," Lizzie said.

"Me too," Gordo said, "So, what did you think?"

"Well," Lizzie said slowly, "I have four word for you that will make it very clear about what I thought."

"Okay," Gordo said nervously.

"Wanna do it again?" Lizzie said.

Gordo burst out laughing as he rolled on top of her. Their second time around was quite a bit more playful.

Author's Note: So, I finally had to make this R rated...incase you didn't notice. I maybe should have made it R rated earlier on in the story, but I decided to wait until now. This is the first love scene I've ever written, so be kind. There is still another chapter or two after this one, then we'll move onto the sequel. Thanks for reading and reviewing!