A/N: Ok, yeah I have short chapters. That's just how they come to me. Sorry. And I'm taking a suggestion and from not on thinking of characters will appear 'like this'. It goes against all my years of English training, but I guess that's ok, caz this is just for fun. Anyway, back to the story (for those of you who are still reading). _______________________________________________________________

Lizzie woke up late the next morning. She knew that Gordo was going fishing with his dad today so she decided to spend the day with her mom.

Lizzie got dressed and went to find her mom. She went downstairs and found her mom washing some dishes in the kitchen.

"Mom?"

"Yeah, Lizzie?"

"Could we maybe, I don't know, spend the day together?" Lizzie grabbed her charm bracelet that she still wore and removed the broken piece of pointy plastic and handed it over to her mother.

"Lizzie, this is great, of course we can spend the day together!" Jo took the charm which symbolized Lizzie's wanting to be friends and set it on the windowsill above the sink. "So, what should we do then?"

"Movie, mall, dinner?"

"Sounds like a plan to me. What's playing?"

"Well, there's this one about a girl going on a class trip to Rome and becoming an Italian Pop Superstar...the lead actress is supposed to be really good!"

Lizzie and Jo headed for the car and took off for the Cineplex. They were just in time to catch a matinee of the movie. They bought their popcorn and soda and took their seats. Both women sat screaming the answers to the movie trivia together. The movie came on and both were silent.

"That was a good movie, but it went a little overboard at the end. I mean, sure, singing a duet on stage, but what was up with that other thing?" Lizzie said on the way back to the car.

"I don't know. But that Italian guy was pretty cute." Jo said, nudging Lizzie.

"I thought the best friend was cuter!" Lizzie laughed.

They took off for the mall and some good quality shopping time. They stopped at all of Lizzie's favorite stores. At Old Navy, Jo actually sprung for a new outfit for Lizzie, and one for herself. Lizzie wanted to stop by Coach House to pick up a welcome home present for Miranda, though she knew nothing would top Larry's gift.

Lizzie and Jo wandered around Coach House looking for something Miranda would like. Suddenly Lizzie spotted a display near the front. Inside the display were about fifteen hermit crabs. Since Miranda would be without all of her friends, a pet would be perfect, and her dorm would allow animals that lived in an aquarium. Lizzie picked out a tiny one in a pink shell and got all the accessories Miranda would need.

"Lizzie, are you getting hungry?" Jo asked.

"Yeah, Mom. How about Vitale's Italian?"

"That sounds good, let's go!"

They were seated at the restaurant and ordered their food. Jo took a look at Lizzie, and for the first time saw instead of the little girl that she was used to, she saw a woman. 'She's grown up so fast, I know it's typical mom, but it's so true!'.

"Lizzie, it's so wonderful to hear about you and Gordo. I knew it would happen sooner or later." Jo said.

"Mom, what makes you say that?"

"They way he's always looked at you. And then one day, a few months ago, I saw you return the look."

"What 'look' are you talking about?"

"The one I remember getting from your father when we were about your age."

"Mom!" Lizzie blushed red. She didn't know if she was more embarrassed about her mother talking about her father like that, or because she was comparing them to her and Gordo.

"So, Miranda's coming home soon, I bet you can't wait." Jo said, wisely changing the subject.

"I know, I'm so excited! I can't wait to give her my present, but it will be nothing compared to Larry's-" Lizzie suddenly knew she had said too much.

"What is Larry getting for her?" Jo raised an eyebrow.

"Umm..."

"Lizzie, you can tell me, we're friends, remember?"

"Well, um, yesterday I went with Larry to Tiffany & Co. to help him find a ring for Miranda..."

"A ring?"

"Yeah, but you have to promise not to say a word to anyone about it!"

"Sure, honey. I guess that's good news for Miranda. I've always liked Larry, and they've been together for how long now?"

"Wait, mom, you're not going to flip out about this?" Lizzie bit her lip.

"Of course not! I'll let her mother do that!" Both women laughed. "Seriously, though, if that's what Miranda wants, then that's great. Plus, it's not as if they're getting married right away."

"Yeah-"

"Although don't even think about coming home with a ring on your finger for awhile!" Jo added for good measure.

"Mom, it's been ONE day since Gordo and I started dating, I don't think you have to worry about that."

"Maybe so, but you've known each other your whole lives, it would be very easy to rush things."

"I guess." Lizzie sighed, suddenly sort of jealous of Miranda.

"I do think Matt's right though, it will happen sooner or later, just in this case, it happens to be later."

They finished their meal and their bill came. They paid their bill and left for home. Once at home Lizzie started to run up the stairs, but about halfway up she turned around and ran back downstairs.

As she hugged her mother she said, "Thanks for a really great day!"

"Thank you Lizzie!" Jo said, returning the hug.

The phone rang. Sure that it was Gordo, Lizzie ran upstairs to take it in her room.

"Hello?"

"Hey Lizzie!" Gordo said.

"How was your day with your dad?" she asked.

"Actually it was pretty cool, I missed hanging out with him. What did you do today?"

"I spent the day with my mom. It's amazing how cool parents can be sometimes."

"Yeah. Hey, I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to go to bed." Gordo said, yawning.

"Me too. Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye."

"Bye." Lizzie hung up the phone and took a deep breath. 'I must be the luckiest girl in the universe'. She quickly got ready for bed and was asleep within minutes.

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A/N: Ok, sorry about the movie thing, I really couldn't help myself! It was just too easy! ::::evil laugh:::: Flame it if you want, but I thought it was funny. BTW, I will be out of town for a little while so the next chapter might take longer. Find a nice comfy chair to sit on the edge of till then!