Title: It's Time
Rating: G
Summary: Life isn't measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
Type of fic: Story
Disclaimer: Miranda, Gordo, and all Lizzie McGuire related stuff belongs to Disney and…whoever else has rights to them.
Author's notes: I was listening to Michael Buble's It's Time, and I've always wanted to try writing a story based around an album, and straight away I knew this was the album. And that it was to be Miranda/Gordo. As for the summary, I was going to go with "Gordo falls in love, but is it too late?" – but it seemed too trite. Instead, I went with the quote. :)

-

But the age of miracles hadn't passed
For suddenly, I saw you there
And in a foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere
"A Foggy Day (In London Town)"

There were times when Miranda Sanchez missed the sun and heat of California weather. This was definitely one of those times. When it was overcast and lightly drizzling. When not even three layers of clothing could stop London's chill from seeping into her skin.

'I knew I should have taken the car,' she muttered, her breath escaping in visible puffs and blending with the light fog. The company car was available for her, but she had mistakenly decided on walking. She had thought the notion romantic.

Pulling her overcoat tighter around herself, Miranda's thoughts drifted from work to the new marriage of her bestfriend. She smiled. She had always known that Lizzie would be the first to get married. Though, she had believed it would have been the wedding of "David Gordon and Elizabeth McGuire". Certainly not "Daniel Kessler and Elizabeth McGuire".

Miranda shook her head, still finding it a little strange even after all these years. Gordo and Lizzie had started high school as a couple. They had managed to stay together until graduation, and even a few months into college. Until, one day, both of them had come to her and told that they were no longer "together".

It had been a very big surprise to Miranda. But she could see that it had been a mutual decision, and that her two bestfriends were still her two bestfriends. Nothing had changed, really. Just that there would be no more kissing and holding hands between Gordo and Lizzie. After college the three of them had moved into separate lives. Lizzie and Danny got together. Gordo worked on his films. Miranda accepted a job in England.

How she had missed her friends! Lizzie's optimism, and Gordo's common sense. It hadn't been as easy as she'd hoped, adapting to a new life without any source of familiar support around her. The trans-Atlantic calls had been great, but soon, Miranda found that they weren't enough. She needed to see her friends, to be able to reach out and touch them and hold them.

And, one day, Gordo had shown up at her doorstep with a packet of American-style hotdogs. She would never forget that moment of absolute thrill at seeing her bestfriend standing before her, offering her a plastic bag of groceries.

At the memory Miranda burst out laughing, attracting the attention of a man walking past. She ducked her head, avoiding his amused gaze.

Gordo. He had done his best, had done a lot, to make the transition much easier for her.

'Ah, there you are!' a very familiar voice called out as she turned the corner and neared her apartment. 'I was hoping I wouldn't become a Popsicle stick before you got here.'

Miranda looked up in surprise. Unable to stop the scream of delight that rose to her throat, she ran the last few steps and threw her arms around him. 'Gordo!'

His laughter washed over her, his breath warming her neck, as he returned her hug. 'Hey, Mir! It's good to see you, too!'

She pulled away, looking at him with slight amazement. 'I was just thinking about you, and then there you were! What are you doing here? I left America only a couple of days ago, you know?'

Gordo grinned. 'I was in the mood for a little cold, I guess,' he replied.

Miranda had to laugh. 'Little cold? I have a feeling that this wasn't what you had in mind.'

'No, not exactly,' he admitted ruefully, looking around at what would be termed as "miserable weather" in sunny California.

'Listen, there's a new coffee shop down the road from here,' Miranda said. 'What do you say we go warm up and you can let me know what I missed these past two days?'

Gordo just looked at her for a moment, as if studying her, and then smiled. 'Okay.'

-

Miranda laughed. It was something Gordo was fast beginning to enjoy. He wondered why he'd never before realised what a great and uplifting sound it was.

'I almost feel sorry for Kate,' she said. 'Almost.'

Gordo lifted his shoulders in a careless shrug. 'Oh, you know Kate. She'll bounce back, make herself believe that it's their loss rather than hers.'

Miranda shook her head. 'After all this time, Kate still acts like she did in middle school.'

The two sat in contented silence for a time, sipping at their hot coffees. Gordo had to force himself to keep from staring at the beautiful woman across the table. It was far from easy. He could feel Miranda's gaze on him, but he wasn't sure he could look back at her. Miranda could always read him.

'So…Gordo,' she started, her tone slow and teasing. 'You still didn't answer my question.'

Though he knew exactly which question she was referring to, Gordo offered her a puzzled look. 'Which question is that?'

Miranda raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow. 'What it is that you're doing here.'

Gordo knew that it was now or never. He had learnt the hard way that keeping his feelings hidden for so long was not always the best answer. Miranda had told him often enough in the past. "Just tell her, Gordo. You never know, she might feel the same. Just tell her."

He expected to be nervous or anxious. But as he gazed at her smiling, expectant face, he knew that there was nothing to be concerned about. What mattered was that she knew how he felt. There would be change between them, whether she returned his feelings or not, but it would not be for the worse. Because whatever happened, they were friends. Bestfriends.

'Actually, I came because I wanted to see you,' Gordo started, smiling at her.

'But I saw you at the wedding a couple of days ago,' Miranda pointed out.

'I know, but-' He stopped, wanting to make sure that his words were chosen carefully. 'I also wanted to-'

'Miranda!' The voice was strong, masculine.

Gordo watched as Miranda's face brightened considerably. She was looking past him, at something – someone – over his shoulder, and she stood eagerly. 'Connor!'

-

Miranda pulled away from Connor's kiss, and smiled up at him. 'Hey.'

His smile was soft, gentle. 'Hey. I went to your apartment, but you weren't there. So I thought I'd come look for you.'

She laughed, loving the sound of his deep, accented voice. 'You found me.' Then, she remembered her bestfriend. 'And Gordo.' Miranda looked down at Gordo, who was still sitting and seemed to be avoiding looking at them. 'Gordo?'

He looked at her, and stood. His smile seemed forced. 'Miranda?'

Miranda felt Connor wrap an arm around her waist. 'Connor, I want you to meet one of my oldest and bestest friend, David Gordon. Gordo, this is Connor Montgomery.'

The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, words reserved for first meetings and such.

Then Gordo looked at his watch. 'Mir, I'm really sorry to do this, but I have to go. I'm already late for my meeting.'

Miranda was a little taken aback. This was the first she'd heard of his meeting. 'Go?'

He looked apologetic. 'Tempus fugit, Mir.'

However, she wasn't completely satisfied. It was as if she was missing something. But Gordo had never hidden anything from her before. 'When you're having fun, huh? We'll have dinner before you leave, okay?'

'My plane leaves right after the meeting, so…'

'Well, call me,' Miranda persisted. There was something not right here, and it made her feel troubled. 'I'll come see you off.'

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then nodded. 'Okay, I will. I'll see you later, Mir.' He looked at Connor. 'It was nice to meet you, Connor.'

They watched as he turned and started walking away.

'Miranda?'

She looked at Connor, and smiled.

He smiled back. 'Ready to go?'

'Ready.' However, her eyes were drawn once more to her bestfriend's retreating back. And as she watched him, Miranda noticed that the sun had revealed itself from behind a cloud, and though it hung low over the horizon ready to make its descent, it bathed the city with a glistening, muted luminosity.

end part two.