A/N: Well, hells bells! Check out who is updating. Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that I am trying to overcome some major regrets I have about this story. It has taken me too long to realize that the direction of this story has surpassed the expectations I originally had for it. Here this was, a supposedly fun story with slight dramatics that I feel like I have taken too far. As a queen, I feel it is my regal duty to try to mend this mistake and do what I can to bring this story back to the level of fun that it was supposed to have in the first place. As my first story, I hope I have learned from my mistakes and I thank you so much for your patience. Now, I ask my readers this question: Should I leave this story as is or shall I go back and rewrite the last few chapters? I appreciate your support and I know that whatever I ultimately decide might cause complication and confusion, but I, like you, strive for happy endings. Sincerely, QD.

Chapter Three

Sam couldn't precisely explain his intentions when he decided to fly to Chicago. All he knew was that his only daughter was unhappy. At first, he thought he should just let all be. He wasn't thrilled when he learned that in order to protect his daughter from public scrutiny, he would have to pay a large sum of money, but it didn't take long for him to work out an agreement with Lizzie that made everything seem worth it in the end.

Six weeks later, nothing had really changed. Sam found himself concerned with his daughter's life and even though she was an adult, he couldn't bear to see her this unhappy. Sure, she seemed forever grateful when he helped with the settlement, but he could tell that her spirit was damaged. What she struggled so hard to overcome these past five years was ruined and she was back at square one, only this time it seemed worse.

With the settlement, Sam was given the footage of the show and planned on burning it at some point, but after thinking about how his daughter was behaving, he started watching it. When he watched it, he was stunned by what he saw. Whenever Lizzie was with Gordo, she seemed so happy. That was how he remembered it, but this time, from the footage that was there, he saw his little girl slowing learning what it was like to be in love again. He showed this to Jo, and she agreed. After watching the last of it with Jo, he turned the TV off and sighed, "You know, they really should be together," he said and Jo put her head on his shoulder.

"I know, honey, but this is something that they have to work out. They're young and still trying to figure out what they want."

Sam sighed. He knew she was right. He just hated everything about all of this. He wanted to do something, but he knew that there was nothing else to say to Lizzie. It suddenly occurred to him that maybe Gordo was just as unhappy as Lizzie. He'd watched Lizzie the past few years and while he didn't know precisely what was going on at the time, he knew she was having a hard time. Now that he knew what went on, he couldn't help but sympathize with Gordo, who had no prior knowledge of the abortion. He'd also seen the immense strength Lizzie had shown throughout her freshman year as she tried to move on from the past and make something of herself. He was proud of his daughter. While he didn't understand exactly what she was going through, he knew that this was hard for Lizzie. He knew it was hard for Lizzie then, and probably harder for Lizzie now.

That is why he flew to Chicago. That was why he visited Gordo. He had no idea what he intended to say, but now that he was standing there in Gordo's living room, he couldn't turn back. He cleared his throat and turned to face Gordo, "David," he nodded, extending his hand.

Gordo, who seemed more surprised than anything, shook his hand and cleared his throat as well, "Mr. McGuire," he said.

The room was tense. The mood was uncomfortable. Here, David Gordon was facing the father of his first love. Sam McGuire was a man to fear because he knew too much. He knew that Gordo left Lizzie pregnant and he knew that he had probably seen Lizzie at her worst, on account of him. This man, who deserved a lot of Gordo's respect, had flown here to berate him and yell at him for what he did to his family.

Then again, maybe there were other reasons. Sam didn't say anything for another few moments and he didn't look like he was about to explode. He was eerily calm. Gordo was beginning to feel that it was probably appropriate to play some dramatic chords for the dramatic effect of the uncomfortable silence when Sam finally spoke, "I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time."

"No, sir," Gordo said, "I…I wasn't doing anything important," he said, lamely, realizing that he was headed for the kitchen, on his way to end his sober and dismal state.

"Good," Sam said, and then he pointed to the chair beside him, "Do you mind if I sit?"

"N-not at all."

Sam sat down and Gordo sat down in the sofa across from him. More silence followed as Sam peered around the room, inspecting the room. Gordo prayed he didn't notice the empty bottled of alcohol, but if Sam saw them, he said nothing to recognize their existence. Gordo waited for Sam to say something.

"How are you?" Sam asked, looking at Gordo and making eye contact with him.

"I'm okay," Gordo said, knowing he was lying. For as much respect as he had for the man, he knew that Sam wouldn't appreciate the truth. He also figured that Sam knew that he was showing some sort of façade, and preferred that Sam come up with his own conclusions, s the truth was too brutal to explain.

Sam nodded, "That's good to hear. I'm sure Lizzie will be happy to hear that you are well."

Gordo gulped. He said her name. "Th-that's good."

Sam nodded and then leaned forward, "Actually, that was a lie."

Gordo could feel his eyes widen. He didn't expect Sam to be so blunt about everything. "Wh-what?"

Sam looked at Gordo warily. He hadn't meant to come out and say that, but when it came and he saw the expression that Gordo had on his face, he found comfort in knowing that Gordo cared. "I thought it might be of some interest to you that Lizzie, unlike yourself, has become overly distraught recently."

"Oh."

"Before I go on, I want you to know that I don't blame you for being angry at her and whatever ultimately happens between the two of you, I just want to make sure you both are completely happy with yourselves."

Gordo nodded, trying to take in what was being said to him.

"If you are truly happy right now, then I am happy for you. I sometimes felt like you were a second son to me and I certainly want what is best for you."

Gordo nodded once more. The situation was not getting any less comfortable.

"However," Sam said, still wary of Gordo's response, "As Lizzie's father, I find it difficult to watch Lizzie miserable knowing that there is nothing I can do for her."

Gordo sighed, ""Mr. McGuire, if…"

"I didn't know either."

"About what?"

"The abortion. Lizzie never told me and Jo, well, respected Lizzie's right to her privacy."

"Well, she may have had a right, but…"

"When I found out last month, I was angry, but since I witnessed Lizzie's behavior when all of this was going on, I guess I wasn't too shocked."

"With all due respect…"

"It is my opinion, as I am sure it is yours that she made a mistake when she didn't tell you any of this as it was going on."

"I would have…"

"I'm proud of my daughter for overcoming such a traumatic experience, but I know how much you loved her and would have been there for her if she told you. On the other hand, as I recall, you and Lizzie hadn't parted as friends that summer and when you left, she wanted desperately to rip your head off."

"I'm sure she did."

Sam sighed and leaned back into the chair, "Gordo, sometimes I feel like it would give me the greatest pleasure to find you and yell at you for 'ruining' my daughter and taking away some of the spirit she had before college. However, as much as I would like to do that, I know that it is not fair. None of this is fair."

Gordo sat there dumbfounded. So Sam wasn't there to yell at him?

Sam squinted and waited for Gordo to say something. He knew that before he seemed anxious to interrupt, but now he seemed at a loss for words, "Gordo, let me put it this way. This is your life and you know that you have to make decisions that will hopefully lead you to your ultimate goals. People aren't perfect and they make mistakes. Now, as a parent, I always hope the best for my children, but overcoming things in life is what I truly believe makes them stronger. It's hard for me to sit here and talk to you when I have no idea what is going through your head. I'm not asking for you to forgive my daughter, as I understand that you may need a little more time, but I will leave you with this one question. What will it take for you to move on with your life?"

With that, Sam stood up and walked to the door. Before Gordo could even attempt to answer the question, Sam turned and added, "I trust you, David. I've always trusted you. If you decide to forgive Lizzie now or fifty years down the road, I'll still think you're a good guy."

With that, Sam let himself out of Gordo's apartment and left Gordo to ponder. He glanced over at the empty bottle of alcohol and sighed. Something wasn't right in his life. Actually, the only time he ever felt like anything was right in his life was when Lizzie was right there beside him. Sure, Sam McGuire didn't tell him anything he already knew, but strangely enough, It kind of gave him hope.

He wasn't sure what this meant, but for the first time throughout this whole ordeal, Gordo was able to imagine what he would say if he did ever decide to talk to Lizzie again. That is, assuming she would let him.

999

Later that week in California, Lizzie was going through the classifieds looking for a new job, out of the country if that was possible, when the phone rang. Lizzie saw on the caller ID screen that it was Miranda and decided to let the machine pick it up. She wasn't sure that she could handle something like that right then.

"Hey, Liz," she heard the familiar voice from the machine, "I was actually hoping that I'd catch you but I guess your not home. Anyway, give me a call when you get this. Something weird just sort of happened to me and I'd like to talk about it with you. Bye."

Lizzie sighed. She could tell it wasn't urgent. She'd call back tomorrow, when she got around to listening to the message again.

888

A/N: So, let me know what you think about this story in its current state and once I have enough feedback, I'll get back to you with some sort of update. Thanks!