Author's note: This is the second to last chapter – it was going to be the last, but it was too long so I decided to split it up. I will try not to take too long to start on the sequel, I promise. I had a few people comment in their reviews that it was rather unbelievable that Jo would be so okay with Lizzie and Gordo having sex. So, I wanted to comment on that. I agree in a way. The Jo in the TV show would not be cool with what has happened, but this is my story and this is how I chose to write it. In this following chapter Jo and Lizzie have a conversation that will maybe clear up Jo's actions a little bit more for those readers who had issues with it. Overall, whether I even believe that this is how it should be or not, this is how I chose to write it. For me it just felt right for the story and I hope that people can respect that. Thanks!
It was their last day of freedom, school started again tomorrow. Lizzie couldn't believe that they were going to be starting high school tomorrow. Brad and Miranda had both returned from their trips the night before. So far Lizzie hadn't seem much of either of them, but the four of them were getting together later in the afternoon. Matt had also returned home earlier in the week. Lizzie was impressed that he'd lasted at the camp all summer without getting kicked out and sent back home. Maybe he was finally starting to grow up. Currently she and Matt were following their mother through the school supply section at the local convenience store.
"Lizzie, Matt, you need 6 folders apiece and let's try not to have them all be the fancy ones, we can't afford to pay two bucks a folder," Jo said.
Lizzie still couldn't figure out how her Mom was being so cool about what was going on with Gordo and herself. Her Mom was the type to totally freak out over the littlest things. It didn't make sense that she wouldn't be freaking out about this too. They still hadn't had their little talk to set down ground rules; Lizzie figured that she'd get more insight to her Mom's behavior when that happened.
After they'd picked up their school supplies, new gym shoes, a few back to school outfits and groceries for lunches, they finally headed back home.
"Lizzie, do you have some time to help me put away the groceries?" Jo asked, "I thought we could have our talk now."
"Sure," Lizzie said, feeling a little nervous, "But can I ask you something first?"
Jo nodded and Lizzie continued, "Well, you are being so cool about everything that has happened. I don't really understand why you aren't reacting like you normally would."
"And how would I normally react to things like this?" Jo asked.
"Well, you are the kind of Mom who is typically really over protective and who would normally freak out over this sort of thing," Lizzie said.
"You're right of course," Jo said, "I guess I've just realized that you are growing up and can make your own decisions. I've seen the way that you and Gordo have looked at each other for years now. I knew that one day this would happen. I could put up roadblocks to try and prevent this, but I know that in the end it is just delaying the inevitable. And as difficult as this is for me to sometimes accept I decided it made more sense to talk to you about this and to let you make your own decision. I didn't want to be one of those mothers who fights so hard against this happening that instead of preventing it I pushed you into rebelling against me over everything. I guess what it comes down to is that I knew it would happen eventually anyway. If you and Gordo had gotten to the point where you were ready to do this, nothing I said was going to stop you. I gave you my opinions and the information you needed to move ahead with whatever decision you were going to make."
"Wow Mom," Lizzie said, "You really gave this a lot of thought."
"Well sure," Jo said, "Now we just need to set down some rules."
"Okay," Lizzie said warily.
"First, for the time being, your father is not to know. I do not consider this lying to him; it's more like protecting him. I think he would have a really hard time with this. Second, you and Gordo are still not allowed to sleep over at each other's houses without parental consent. Third, there will be no sneaking around after curfews to get together. Fourth, just because you have done it now doesn't mean that you can be any more touchy feely in public. No one wants to see that. And finally, use protection! I have actually made an appointment for you to get on birth control. It is one thing for me to allow this to happen, it is another for me to allow you to get pregnant," Jo said, "Think you can handle the rules?"
Lizzie nodded then said, "Mom, thanks for respecting our decision and for seeing that I am responsible enough to take this step if I feel I am ready."
Jo hugged her daughter and said, "You know, if it was any other boy I don't think I'd be allowing this. But I feel like you and Gordo are meant to be. And I know that he is responsible and that he loves you."
"Thanks mom!" Lizzie said.
"Just know that you can always come to me and talk, okay?" Jo said.
"Okay," Lizzie said.
Brad and Miranda were sitting side by side on the swings at the park. They wanted to meet somewhere to talk alone before the four of them got together this afternoon. They had talked a little on the phone the night before when they both arrived back home, but it was late and they were both tired.
"So, did you have a good time with your Dad?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah, it was fun. Taiwan is a pretty neat place to visit, but I'm glad I decided not to live there," Brad said.
"Why?" Miranda asked.
"I'd miss you too much. I talked about you constantly. My Dad is excited to meet you when he comes back to Hillridge for the holidays," Brad said.
Miranda blushed a little and said, "Well, I'm looking forward to meeting him too."
"So, how was Mexico?" Brad asked.
"It was okay. I got to see my relatives and spend some time at the beach. But I have to admit that I thought about you and talked about you constantly too," Miranda said.
"Good to hear," Brad said happily, "So, we're starting high school tomorrow."
"I know!" Miranda said.
"Are you scared? Cause I am," Brad confessed.
"Yeah, a little," Miranda said, "What are you scared of?"
"Well, I don't know that many people here and your school is a lot bigger than where I used to go. But mostly I'm afraid that someone will realize what they were missing out on and try to steal you away from me," Brad said.
"That's not going to happen," Miranda said, "I should be the one who's worried about that. Look at the way Kate and Claire were drooling over you this summer. We'll be lucky if we make it to Halloween."
"Kate and Claire," Brad snorted, "Like they could ever get me. You are not at risk of losing me. Let's just agree to be honest with one another. I think honesty can take a relationship a long way."
"Agreed," Miranda said.
Together they stood up and started to walk towards Lizzie house. The four of them had decided just to have a pool party for their last summer afternoon. Lizzie was upstairs in her room putting on her bikini when Gordo arrived.
"Hey Gordo," Jo greeted him at the door, "Lizzie's upstairs, can you tell her that Matt and I will be out for a little while, Matt needs a haircut before school tomorrow."
"Sure, Mrs. McGuire," Gordo said.
Gordo sprinted up the stairs, realizing that they would have at least a half an hour alone before Brad and Miranda arrived. He had a surprise for Lizzie that he wanted to give her alone. He let himself into her room where she was rubbing sunscreen into her shoulders and neck.
"Hey!" Gordo said.
"Hey!" Lizzie answered.
"I have something for you," Gordo said.
"What is it?" Lizzie asked.
"Well, come sit by me and you can open it," Gordo said.
Lizzie joined Gordo on the bed and he handed her a black jewelry box. Lizzie opened it to find a tiny diamond engagement ring.
"It a charm for your charm bracelet," Gordo explained.
"What does this one mean?" Lizzie asked, "I know the others had special significance."
"I'm glad you asked," Gordo said. "This one is a promise that someday I will ask you to marry me and be my wife. I just wanted you to know that the commitment that we've made to one another and the steps we've taken together mean something to me. I wanted you to know that in my mind, everything that happens between us is ultimately moving us to one final goal, getting married."
Lizzie was speechless, "I don't know what to say."
Gordo smiled and took her hand, "You don't have to say anything, just accept the gift."
"I know that I want to marry you someday too, but aren't we a little young for this?" Lizzie asked.
"Not the way I see it. I have known my whole life that we were meant to be, I can't imagine not living the rest of my life with you. I just wanted you to be aware of that. Even though I can't imagine it, I do realize that things may change someday; but right now this is how I feel and I wanted you to know," Gordo said.
"This is so sweet," Lizzie said, "Thank you, I love it. But let's keep it a secret, the meaning of this one, for now."
Gordo agreed and he pulled Lizzie to him, "We still have almost a half an hour until Brad and Miranda get here," Gordo informed Lizzie suggestively.
"Oh yeah?" Lizzie said. "What are you getting at?"
"Oh you know what I want to get at McGuire," Gordo said as he pinned her to the bed and untied her bikini top with one hand.
Twenty minutes later, Gordo and Lizzie were still lying on her bed when her bedroom door opened. As Brad and Miranda got an eyeful of the naked couple, Gordo and Lizzie shrieked at them to shut the door. Miranda slammed the door shut and ran downstairs with Brad hot on her heels. Once there were safely in the kitchen they turned to each other and giggled embarrassedly.