DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN LIZZIE MCGUIRE. I was thinking about it, and you know what this story needs? A really long chapter? Well, not terribly long, but long for me maybe. This chapter right here is NOT the really long chapter that I have in mind, however, it is the introduction into the chapter that I hope to make long. Anyway, thanks for the reviews. They were great. I should be doing homework, but sometimes, sacrifices have to be made. 7 and 17 are my lucky numbers.
Chapter 19
~Gordo~
Gordo never felt the way he felt when he walked into his hotel room. After picking up something to eat, he went to his hotel. He needed to think about things. Those "things" he were thinking about all had to do with Lizzie. With all the confusion he felt then, there was so much more emotion. He never doubted his love for Lizzie, but if he ever needed a reminder of why he loved Lizzie so much, his feelings were proof right now.
As hard as it was to watch Lizzie treat him like he was a stranger and as hard as if was to answer some of the questions she asked, watching her do this made him fall in love with her. The visit wasn't like he expected. He half expected her to be cold or uncomfortable, but she wasn't. Of course, Gordo knew coldness was not Lizzie's natural character, but he definitely wasn't prepared for the questions, and if he thought he wasn't prepared for the questions, he most certainly wasn't expecting for her to kiss him.
A certain wave him as he walked home that night. It was something about walking alone in Rome in the summertime that causes one to think. He remembered doing this once the first time he came to Rome, when Lizzie was busy rehearsing with Paolo. Instead of going straight to the hotel that evening, something provoked him to walk around and take in some of the air.
To Gordo, everything in Rome was almost like new. He didn't remember his way around at all, but as he started walking and the sun started to set, he somehow found his way home and found part of himself in the process.
Since when did life get so complicated? Since when did every single thing you say make a difference? Gordo watched some of the people around him as he walked past the Trevi Fountain. If one traced everything back, this is where Lizzie and his relationship began, in Rome. Would it be where it ended?
~~~
~Lizzie~
"Ms. McGuire, don't you think it's time to get some rest?" the redheaded nurse said to Lizzie.
Lizzie, who was staring out the window looked over at the nurse and smiled. She had been so deep in thought that she had no idea how long she had been looking or what she was looking at. When she looked over at the nurse, however, she saw something very comforting with her. Maybe Lizzie was just looking for someone to talk to, but something seemed very friendly about her. Lizzie sighed and asked, "What's your name?"
The nurse, who had been busy cleaning up the food tray, looked up and laughed a little, "Shannon Doyle," she said, pausing a little, "And what is yours?"
Lizzie was taken aback slightly, "You don't already know?"
Shannon laughed a little, "Of course I know. I just thought it was a polite thing to ask, though. Besides, with all this memory loss, you'd be surprised how easily you will forget."
Lizzie sighed, "How did I end up here?"
"A helicopter took you in from somewhere south of here. I don't know how you ended up in Italy, though. I presume you flew in on a plane, but who knows. Some people come in by boat, and, well, not you, but some people come by train or boat," she said.
Lizzie shook her head. Although she liked the nurse's personality, that wasn't what she was asking, "No, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I mean, how did I get to where I am now? How did I lose my memory and feel so displaced in the world and so confused about everything?"
The nurse walked closer to Lizzie and sat down in the chair next to her, "What are you so confused about?"
Lizzie thought for a moment. Was she usually the type of person to simply pour her heart out to anyone who would listen? "A lot of things. I mean, well, that guy that was in here before, the guy that I have supposedly known all my life and been in love for almost half of it---I hardly recognize him. I mean, I don't even remember his name, but when he was with me, I felt something was there."
"Well, that's not too uncommon. You are in love with the lad, so its natural to feel some sort of feelings for him, even if you don't remember him."
"Yeah, I know that," Lizzie said, "But there was something about his presence that felt completely new to me. I mean, I don't remember him at all, but him being here today somehow made me fall in love with him, but it's almost like he's a perfect stranger. Why do I love this person so much when I feel like its wrong?"
"Hmm," Shannon said, nodding her head, "I see. You know, I'm certainly no expert on love or anything, but maybe you should go with these feelings. I mean, if they feel so natural, and if he loves you back, it wouldn't hurt to at least try, would it?"
Lizzie shrugged, "I don't know. There's a very large part of me that wants to open up to him and give him my full heart."
"What about the other part?"
"The other part is just unsure. It's telling me I'm crazy to jump into this."
~~~
~Gordo~
Had it really been nine years since they started dating? No wonder Lizzie asked him about marriage. Maybe he was being irrational with the "being ready" thing. All things considered, he had been living with Lizzie for the past year and that is similar to marriage. Maybe he wasn't ready to process the thought of them growing up. As painful as the days when they were sneaking around and worrying about college were, they represented so deep and meaningful, that when the days are gone, what happened to them? Gordo was still living in the world that he could live in, with no major responsibilities. Maybe he feared that marriage meant growing up completely. Like many, Gordo wanted to preserve as many things in his youth as he could, and at this point, marriage was the only thing that allowed him to do this. It was the only thing left.
Was he being unreasable, though? While he didn't feel selfish for not wanting to get married, he felt something was wrong with this picture. He had a career, an apartment he shared with Lizzie, and he took care of himself. He was as independent as he could be with Lizzie living with him.
Maybe that was what was wrong with him, though. Maybe what he thought he was content with wasn't what he wanted at all. He did, eventually, want to get married to Lizzie and he always knew that, but he didn't think the thought would have to occur to him so soon. The truth was in the hospital he just came from: he was in love with an amazing woman who was carrying his child. This child that, unless Lizzie has a change of heart, he won't be able to be involved with. Besides his parents, he could loose the only two people he loves.
Love. . .the process was quicker than he ever imagined it would be. . .the love of a child. He didn't know that someone who wasn't even born and he didn't know anything about would have such an affect on him. He loved Lizzie with all his heart, but this baby. . .this baby was a part of him. Not only did it carry half of his DNA, but it was something that represented the love he shared with Lizzie.
Never in his life was he prepared for anything like this. He always thought babies followed marriage, not the other way around. He never even gave this thought consideration. Sure, he knew his life wouldn't turn out perfectly, but this was such a huge thing. Bringing another life into the world was another huge step he didn't think he was prepared for.
As Gordo almost reached his hotel, he came up with a conclusion. Maybe it was time to face reality. The greatest things in life are surprises and unplanned. This baby thing was certainly a surprise and it was also unplanned. From now on, his life would change, but it can only be changed for the better. It was time to face the reality of certain situations and prove to himself and other people that he could do this. He also decided that he should give marriage more consideration. He had a lot to do and a lot to prove, but he had to convince himself that he could do it. In years to come, he was sure he would learn a great deal about responsibility, and he decided that now was the time to start showing responsibility. Now was his time to gain a new perspective and now was his time to start convincing Lizzie was he was wrong before . . .with or without a memory.
~~~
The nurse left shortly afterward, and Lizzie tried to go to sleep, but she couldn't. She was trying to remember more about the one she was supposed to be in love with, but she couldn't remember anything. It seemed like she could remember everything in her life but him.
After a while, she finally decided that thinking about it wasn't doing anything, so maybe not thinking about him would spark more memory.
Little did she know that not thinking about him was too much of a challenge? Her mind was too busy trying to figure out why she was so in love with him and it was driving her crazy that she didn't even know his name. Why was remembering him such a challenge for her? It was almost as if he only existed in her dreams up until that afternoon.
But, even if she only met him that afternoon, there was still something about him that made her kiss him. To Lizzie, that was the greatest kiss she remembered, and even though she didn't remember him, she felt like there was something familiar with the way he kissed, that it only seemed right kissing him. When she pulled him in for that kiss, the expected him to pull away, but was honestly glad he didn't because not only did she feel comfortable, but it also gave her a little more assurance. It this was the man who was responsible for her getting pregnant, she felt like was a good thing. The time she spent with him was almost perfect.
The only thing that broke the perfection was the way he acted about the topic of marriage. Despite her amnesia, Lizzie somehow knew that she wanted to get married. It just felt like a natural feeling to her that seemed like a childhood dream. With him, though, he didn't have much to say. Maybe he never planned on marriage in the first place. Maybe he liked the way they were. But if he liked the way they were so much, why were they having a baby?
Maybe his comments on marriage meant nothing, but for some unbeknownst reason to Lizzie, those are the comments that stuck to Lizzie that night.
~~~
Like I said, this is the introduction of what is to come. The next chapter should be fairly long, but I have no idea when it will be ready. I thought this chapter was important to show the feelings of Lizzie and Gordo and sort their thoughts a little. Anyway, tell me what you think and I will be working hard on chapter twenty, but I have no idea when it will be ready. Please review if you have the time, though.
Chapter 19
~Gordo~
Gordo never felt the way he felt when he walked into his hotel room. After picking up something to eat, he went to his hotel. He needed to think about things. Those "things" he were thinking about all had to do with Lizzie. With all the confusion he felt then, there was so much more emotion. He never doubted his love for Lizzie, but if he ever needed a reminder of why he loved Lizzie so much, his feelings were proof right now.
As hard as it was to watch Lizzie treat him like he was a stranger and as hard as if was to answer some of the questions she asked, watching her do this made him fall in love with her. The visit wasn't like he expected. He half expected her to be cold or uncomfortable, but she wasn't. Of course, Gordo knew coldness was not Lizzie's natural character, but he definitely wasn't prepared for the questions, and if he thought he wasn't prepared for the questions, he most certainly wasn't expecting for her to kiss him.
A certain wave him as he walked home that night. It was something about walking alone in Rome in the summertime that causes one to think. He remembered doing this once the first time he came to Rome, when Lizzie was busy rehearsing with Paolo. Instead of going straight to the hotel that evening, something provoked him to walk around and take in some of the air.
To Gordo, everything in Rome was almost like new. He didn't remember his way around at all, but as he started walking and the sun started to set, he somehow found his way home and found part of himself in the process.
Since when did life get so complicated? Since when did every single thing you say make a difference? Gordo watched some of the people around him as he walked past the Trevi Fountain. If one traced everything back, this is where Lizzie and his relationship began, in Rome. Would it be where it ended?
~~~
~Lizzie~
"Ms. McGuire, don't you think it's time to get some rest?" the redheaded nurse said to Lizzie.
Lizzie, who was staring out the window looked over at the nurse and smiled. She had been so deep in thought that she had no idea how long she had been looking or what she was looking at. When she looked over at the nurse, however, she saw something very comforting with her. Maybe Lizzie was just looking for someone to talk to, but something seemed very friendly about her. Lizzie sighed and asked, "What's your name?"
The nurse, who had been busy cleaning up the food tray, looked up and laughed a little, "Shannon Doyle," she said, pausing a little, "And what is yours?"
Lizzie was taken aback slightly, "You don't already know?"
Shannon laughed a little, "Of course I know. I just thought it was a polite thing to ask, though. Besides, with all this memory loss, you'd be surprised how easily you will forget."
Lizzie sighed, "How did I end up here?"
"A helicopter took you in from somewhere south of here. I don't know how you ended up in Italy, though. I presume you flew in on a plane, but who knows. Some people come in by boat, and, well, not you, but some people come by train or boat," she said.
Lizzie shook her head. Although she liked the nurse's personality, that wasn't what she was asking, "No, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I mean, how did I get to where I am now? How did I lose my memory and feel so displaced in the world and so confused about everything?"
The nurse walked closer to Lizzie and sat down in the chair next to her, "What are you so confused about?"
Lizzie thought for a moment. Was she usually the type of person to simply pour her heart out to anyone who would listen? "A lot of things. I mean, well, that guy that was in here before, the guy that I have supposedly known all my life and been in love for almost half of it---I hardly recognize him. I mean, I don't even remember his name, but when he was with me, I felt something was there."
"Well, that's not too uncommon. You are in love with the lad, so its natural to feel some sort of feelings for him, even if you don't remember him."
"Yeah, I know that," Lizzie said, "But there was something about his presence that felt completely new to me. I mean, I don't remember him at all, but him being here today somehow made me fall in love with him, but it's almost like he's a perfect stranger. Why do I love this person so much when I feel like its wrong?"
"Hmm," Shannon said, nodding her head, "I see. You know, I'm certainly no expert on love or anything, but maybe you should go with these feelings. I mean, if they feel so natural, and if he loves you back, it wouldn't hurt to at least try, would it?"
Lizzie shrugged, "I don't know. There's a very large part of me that wants to open up to him and give him my full heart."
"What about the other part?"
"The other part is just unsure. It's telling me I'm crazy to jump into this."
~~~
~Gordo~
Had it really been nine years since they started dating? No wonder Lizzie asked him about marriage. Maybe he was being irrational with the "being ready" thing. All things considered, he had been living with Lizzie for the past year and that is similar to marriage. Maybe he wasn't ready to process the thought of them growing up. As painful as the days when they were sneaking around and worrying about college were, they represented so deep and meaningful, that when the days are gone, what happened to them? Gordo was still living in the world that he could live in, with no major responsibilities. Maybe he feared that marriage meant growing up completely. Like many, Gordo wanted to preserve as many things in his youth as he could, and at this point, marriage was the only thing that allowed him to do this. It was the only thing left.
Was he being unreasable, though? While he didn't feel selfish for not wanting to get married, he felt something was wrong with this picture. He had a career, an apartment he shared with Lizzie, and he took care of himself. He was as independent as he could be with Lizzie living with him.
Maybe that was what was wrong with him, though. Maybe what he thought he was content with wasn't what he wanted at all. He did, eventually, want to get married to Lizzie and he always knew that, but he didn't think the thought would have to occur to him so soon. The truth was in the hospital he just came from: he was in love with an amazing woman who was carrying his child. This child that, unless Lizzie has a change of heart, he won't be able to be involved with. Besides his parents, he could loose the only two people he loves.
Love. . .the process was quicker than he ever imagined it would be. . .the love of a child. He didn't know that someone who wasn't even born and he didn't know anything about would have such an affect on him. He loved Lizzie with all his heart, but this baby. . .this baby was a part of him. Not only did it carry half of his DNA, but it was something that represented the love he shared with Lizzie.
Never in his life was he prepared for anything like this. He always thought babies followed marriage, not the other way around. He never even gave this thought consideration. Sure, he knew his life wouldn't turn out perfectly, but this was such a huge thing. Bringing another life into the world was another huge step he didn't think he was prepared for.
As Gordo almost reached his hotel, he came up with a conclusion. Maybe it was time to face reality. The greatest things in life are surprises and unplanned. This baby thing was certainly a surprise and it was also unplanned. From now on, his life would change, but it can only be changed for the better. It was time to face the reality of certain situations and prove to himself and other people that he could do this. He also decided that he should give marriage more consideration. He had a lot to do and a lot to prove, but he had to convince himself that he could do it. In years to come, he was sure he would learn a great deal about responsibility, and he decided that now was the time to start showing responsibility. Now was his time to gain a new perspective and now was his time to start convincing Lizzie was he was wrong before . . .with or without a memory.
~~~
The nurse left shortly afterward, and Lizzie tried to go to sleep, but she couldn't. She was trying to remember more about the one she was supposed to be in love with, but she couldn't remember anything. It seemed like she could remember everything in her life but him.
After a while, she finally decided that thinking about it wasn't doing anything, so maybe not thinking about him would spark more memory.
Little did she know that not thinking about him was too much of a challenge? Her mind was too busy trying to figure out why she was so in love with him and it was driving her crazy that she didn't even know his name. Why was remembering him such a challenge for her? It was almost as if he only existed in her dreams up until that afternoon.
But, even if she only met him that afternoon, there was still something about him that made her kiss him. To Lizzie, that was the greatest kiss she remembered, and even though she didn't remember him, she felt like there was something familiar with the way he kissed, that it only seemed right kissing him. When she pulled him in for that kiss, the expected him to pull away, but was honestly glad he didn't because not only did she feel comfortable, but it also gave her a little more assurance. It this was the man who was responsible for her getting pregnant, she felt like was a good thing. The time she spent with him was almost perfect.
The only thing that broke the perfection was the way he acted about the topic of marriage. Despite her amnesia, Lizzie somehow knew that she wanted to get married. It just felt like a natural feeling to her that seemed like a childhood dream. With him, though, he didn't have much to say. Maybe he never planned on marriage in the first place. Maybe he liked the way they were. But if he liked the way they were so much, why were they having a baby?
Maybe his comments on marriage meant nothing, but for some unbeknownst reason to Lizzie, those are the comments that stuck to Lizzie that night.
~~~
Like I said, this is the introduction of what is to come. The next chapter should be fairly long, but I have no idea when it will be ready. I thought this chapter was important to show the feelings of Lizzie and Gordo and sort their thoughts a little. Anyway, tell me what you think and I will be working hard on chapter twenty, but I have no idea when it will be ready. Please review if you have the time, though.