I DO NOT OWN LIZZIE MCGUIRE!!! I know, I know, it's been almost as bad as the last time with the wait. At least I'm updating. Truth is, as much as I love this story, I've been working on this other story for over a year now and while I want to post it, I really want to try and finish a few stories up before I do so and since I've been working on this story for almost two years now, I think its about time that I wrap it up. I'm not going to rush through anything, though. Anyway, enjoy and look for an update on one or two of my other stories soon.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lizzie blushed at what her father just said, "What?" she said, trying to decide if she should tell him the truth or act like he was crazy, "I mean, dad, what are you talking about."

Sam smirked. "Lizzie, you don't have to try and cover this up. This isn't just some wild guess. In fact, you could be due tomorrow and if I wasn't positive and you hadn't said anything about it, I'd believe you."

"Then how do you know?"

"The day Gordo called," Sam said, opening the hotel door and letting in his daughter, "I went by your apartment to look for some insurance information and while I was there, I called your doctor to see if what happened to you was explainable and after the nurse checked the files, she kept referring to 'your condition' and how it was perfectly normal for someone who was pregnant to be tired and exhausted. I hung up thinking they were misinformed, but then I found the doctor's bill from before you left on the side of your bed and well, honey, I wasn't born yesterday."

Lizzie looked down as they waited for the elevator, "So, I guess you're a little disappointed that I'm pregnant before I'm even married, huh?"

"Honey," Sam said, in an assured voice, "There are very few things you could do that would disappoint me, and this is not one of them. You are an adult, Lizzie, and sure, if this happened five or six years ago, I'd have more to say about it, but you didn't live with Gordo five or six years ago. If anything, I'm happy for you. The only thing that sickens me when I think about it is that I'm going to be a grandfather."

Lizzie smiled and looked at her father, "So you're not mad?"

Sam shook his head, "Nope. You have told Gordo, haven't you?"

"Oh yeah," Lizzie said, remembering his reaction, "I told him, all right."

"And he's okay with it, right?"

Lizzie nodded her head, "I think he's okay with it. I don't think he expected it, but I think he might be getting used to the idea."

"Have you two talked about getting married?"

Lizzie shrugged, as they opened the door to her room, "Not really. This whole week has been sort of hectic."

Sam nodded, "Well, I always knew you and Gordo would end up together and I have a feeling that this next year will be a pretty big year for you."

Lizzie smiled. She was glad someone knew, and she was actually glad that it wasn't her mother. She loved her mother a lot, but her mom had a tendency to be sort of controlling at times.

"I'm going to get some rest, dad," Lizzie said, lying on her bed.

"Can I do anything for you?"

"Nope. Thanks for taking me here, though. Why don't you take a nap? I'm sure you could use some sleep from that flight."

"Good idea," Sam said, "I'll check on you later, Lizzie."

Sam left to his room, which was ready. Lizzie didn't fall asleep. She just lay there in bed, and starred out the window. She felt a little better about everything knowing that her dad was okay with her pregnancy, but there was a gray line between her and Gordo at the moment. Also, she still had to tell everyone else and she was sure a frank discussion about their future would take place with their parents. At least her father was on her side. At least, she thought he was on her side.

Maybe Sam was right about something, though. Maybe this year would prove to be extraordinary for her and Gordo.

She lay there thinking about everything, especially things between her and Gordo. She wondered how Gordo was handling sightseeing with her mom and his parents. The fact that he was willing to do that meant a lot to Lizzie. She still had no idea what she wanted to say to him or how this would work out if Gordo really wasn't ready for all of this right now.

In the meantime, Gordo followed his parents and Jo as they walked around the city and even went into some of the museums and shops. Gordo was about to lose his patience when they went into a leather factory and tried on just about every jacket and looked at everything. Gordo's parents offered to buy him a jacket, as an early birthday present, but Gordo didn't seem interested. It was summer and it was really hot. His girlfriend was pregnant and his life was about to change dramatically. The last thing he wanted to do was buy a leather jacket.

His parents bought themselves leather jackets and Jo bought some shoes. All Gordo could think about was Lizzie and how these people were about to become grandparents and they had no idea what was coming.

Four hours later, they finally decided they would call it a day. After they bought some gelato, they headed back to the hotel in a taxi. Gordo sat in the back with his mom and hopefully future mother in law while his dad sat in the front with the driver. Gordo was glad they were finally going back to the hotel, and hoped they would just do their own thing for the rest of the night, as Gordo was anxious to talk to Lizzie.

When they got to the hotel, Gordo was glad to hear that the other room was ready and even happier to hear that Sam got all their luggage out of their room so the room was all theirs. When he entered their room, Lizzie was sitting on the bed, talking on the phone.

"I feel fine, Miranda. You really don't need to come here. Actually, we have enough going on right now with our parents coming in today," Lizzie said. She turned around, smiled and waved at Gordo, and turned back facing the window. After Miranda said something, Lizzie said, "Well, we haven't gotten that far yet, so I don't know." After Miranda responded with something, Lizzie said, "Yeah, well, Miranda, I'm going to have to call you back. I'm glad you're having fun with Ethan, though. Enjoy your dinner tonight!"

After they said their goodbyes, Lizzie hung up, stood up and greeted Gordo, "Hey," she said, "So, how was it?"

Gordo rolled his eyes and fell onto the bed, "It was all right. What have you been doing?"

Sitting back down on the bed, Lizzie said, "Well, my dad went to go take nap, so I rested, watched some TV, and then Miranda called and we talked. Miranda is thinking that they are going to go home in about a week which means that we should probably head back in a few days and return the car and everything."

Gordo nodded, "Okay. Tonight we'll ask our parents how long they want to stay here and then go from there."

Lizzie bit her lip, "Are we going out to dinner with them or something?"

"I don't know, but we'll probably see them again tonight."

Lizzie sighed, "I don't know why they decided to come here in the first place," Lizzie said, "I mean, I know my parents care about my health, but I'm fine now and I don't want to hang out with them right now."

Gordo nodded, looking at Lizzie, "I know, today, we went to a leather factory and my parents were trying on all these jackets and all it did was remind me why I didn't go with them on their vacations as I got older. This is a completely different type of trip for them. Here we are trying to figure things out about our relationship and I didn't need this right now."

Gordo didn't mean to say the last sentence, and when he realized what he said, his voice sort of drifted and he waited to see what Lizzie's reaction was to that. Lizzie just looked away and contemplated.

Finally, not wanting to talk about them just yet, Lizzie said, "My dad knows I'm pregnant."

Gordo's eyes widened, "Really? You told him?"

Lizzie shook her head, "No, he just told me he knew and said when he called the doctor to see if he had any explanation, the nurse explained to him that pregnant women can be a little light headed and this was fairly natural."

"Wow," was all Gordo could say, "was he okay about it?"

"Yeah, he was perfectly fine. He seemed happy for me, Gordo…he seemed happy for us."

"That's good," Gordo said, "I mean, it's good that he's not mad."

Lizzie nodded and the room became sort of quiet. Lizzie finally cleared her throat and reached out to touch Gordo's hand. Gordo looked up at Lizzie, waiting for her to say something as his heartbeat became faster, "Gordo, no matter what happens between us, I'll always love you. You know that, right?"

Gordo swallowed, "I love you, too, Lizzie. I said some stupid things the other night and I did some stupid things these past few days, but its only made me realize how much I love you and, well, I've decided that I can handle this new step and responsibility, as long as I do it with you."

A tear streamed down Lizzie's face and Gordo sat up and looked right into her eyes, "I know you love me, Gordo. I was mad about what you said, but I was even more upset when you lied to me about everything."

"Lizzie," Gordo said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "I didn't tell you about the argument because I was ashamed. I acted like an idiot that night when I should have done nothing but support you. I never lied to you when you asked me how I felt about it when you couldn't remember, though. I told you I could handle a child with you and I wasn't lying. I'll love our children more than I love anything in this world…besides you. I didn't tell you about the tension because I didn't want to lose you like I thought I did. Our child is a blessing. I don't want to lose any of that."

Crying, Lizzie nodded her head, "I know. The reason I became angry was because I'm scared, too. Everyday, I've been asking myself if I'm sure that I'm ready for all of this and I wasn't sure. I mean, here we are, two people who live with each other, love each other, but we aren't married, which means that none of this was planned. I was angry with you because you said the things I were fighting with every time I thought about it, and I didn't want to make this baby come into this world unloved and unwanted. I thought if you could be positive, I could be positive and we could do this together. I don't want to lose us, either, Gordo."

"But I thought about it, Lizzie, and this baby is a positive thing. Sure, this was unplanned and unexpected right now, but that doesn't mean its unwanted or unloved. I love you, Lizzie, and not to sound cheesy or anything, but love can conquer all, and I do think this will work out."

Lizzie nodded, "So do I."

Gordo smiled at Lizzie's words. Her saying that meant they could work this out, "Marry me, then, Lizzie."

Lizzie looked at Gordo, confused, "what??"

"Marry me." Gordo stood up and opened his suitcase and presented Lizzie with a box. Lizzie took the box, still confused, and opened it, "Elizabeth McGuire, I love you. I should have proposed to you a long time ago, but now that I've waited this long, I don't know how much longer I can stand it. Will you marry me?"

Lizzie shook her head, which scared Gordo, "Why? I mean, are you sure?"

Gordo got on his knees and crawled a little closer to Lizzie, "Liz, I've never been so sure about anything in my life."

After contemplating this for another few seconds, Lizzie finally smiled, "Okay, I'll marry you."

Gordo's face lightened up and he took the ring from the box and placed the ring on her finger. It was a prefect fit. The couple smiled at each other and Gordo reached in to give Lizzie a kiss.

Now, both of them knew what everyone knew all along…they were going to live together happily ever after.

Oooooo ! oooooO

The story isn't over quite yet, but it only has one more chapter…maybe two. I'll update as soon as possible. Much love.

piacere