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. :)

-

Afraid and shy
I let my chance go by
A chance that you might love me too
-"You Don't Know Me"

Because he had said he would, Gordo called Miranda from the airport. She had promised that she would see him soon, and so he waited. And he thought about the events of that afternoon. There was nothing else to do.

He thought of Connor Montgomery. He thought of Miranda and Connor. And though he tried to ignore it, he felt the ache that had settled in the space where his heart lay. It was a pain he had never experience before – deep, deliberate, full of regret.

But it wasn't entirely his fault. How could he have known that Miranda had a "significant other"? Only two days ago, back in America, there had been no mention of a Connor in her life. Was it possible for her to meet and fall in love with someone so quickly? Miranda was always the more impulsive and passionate of his two bestfriends.

'Gordo!'

Gordo looked up, his heart jumping just at the mere sound of her voice. He stood to greet her, his mood brightening at the sight of her familiar figure hurrying towards him. 'Miranda.'

'I was afraid you wouldn't call me,' she said, slightly breathless when she reached him.

'I said I would, didn't I?' he replied, unable to erase the smile from his face. Just being near her was suddenly overwhelming. He could think of no place better to be than beside her.

'Now, first things first – why didn't you mention this meeting of yours earlier?' Miranda asked, her tone accusing.

'And why didn't you mention this boyfriend of yours earlier?' he shot back. A part of him wished that he had never brought up the topic of Connor, but a larger part assured him that it was the right thing to say. It was what a bestfriend would say.

Though she acted nonchalant, lifting her shoulders in a casual shrug, Gordo could tell that it was a big deal. 'Oh, you know. Just one of those things. After seeing Lizzie get married, I figure that maybe it's time for me to pay attention to my personal life.'

'So you just get together with the first guy you meet?' Gordo hoped that he didn't sound as resentful as he felt.

But by the frown that appeared on Miranda's face, he knew that he had failed. 'Gordo!'

He inwardly cursed himself, turning away to avoid her eyes. 'Mir, I'm sorry. I'm just- I'm worried. I don't remember you ever mentioning Connor before, and- I'm worried about you, okay?'

She smiled, and all was forgiven. 'I know, Gordo, and I appreciate it. And, to ease your fears, Connor is a guy who lives in the apartment complex next to mine. He's an artist, not a serial killer. We met at the coffee shop a few months ago, and it went from there.' Miranda stopped, shaking her head. 'Well, not exactly. I know he's been interested for awhile, but I wanted to do the whole "career woman" thing, you know? Then I came back to London, and Connor picked me up at the airport, and I thought, "What's the problem?"' She smiled. 'There wasn't one.'

Hard as he tried, Gordo could find no fault in Miranda's explanations. He had been far too late. That was all.

'So, everything okay now?' Miranda asked, looking at him.

All he could do was force a smile and a nod. 'I am sorry, Mir. I didn't mean to sound so harsh.'

'You weren't harsh. But now, it's my turn to ask the questions. I still don't fully understand what it is that you're doing here.' She looked at his expectantly. Trustingly.

And Gordo knew that he couldn't lie to her. The logical part of him was aware that his answer could not be construed as anything more than it is. But with the advent of new emotions, he couldn't help feeling as if Miranda would be able to see right through him.

He attempted a sheepish grin. 'I wanted to see you, Mir. And yes, I know we saw each other only a couple of days ago, but…'

Miranda was smiling at him. 'Missed me already, huh, Gordo?'

Gordo sighed softly. She wasn't going to pursue the subject. 'Something like that.'

Just then, the PA system announced the last boarding call for his flight. It was time to say goodbye.

-

Though his gaze remained fixed outside the small window, Gordo did not see the twinkling stars or the dark blue, moonlit sky. He saw only soft, silky brown hair. Flashing, playful brown eyes. A smile, freely and easily given.

Miranda Isabelle Sanchez.

With a groan, Gordo dropped his head back onto the headrest. It was as if he was doomed to repeat history. Was falling for your female bestfriend a condition for being a male bestfriend?

But this felt different to his past with Lizzie. Lizzie had been his first love – the naïve innocence of middle school devotion. With Miranda, his feelings had formed over years of experience and wisdom. It was unexpected and intense and overpowering.

And that was why it hurt so much to see her be happy with someone else.

Gordo knew that Miranda was The One. Not in the way he had felt that Lizzie was the one for him. No, somewhere deep inside of him, in a place that hid innate, profound truths, he knew that he was destined to be with Miranda.

Maybe a part of him had always known, but he had never recognised it. Until now. Until it was too late.

-

'Tell me everything!'

Gordo sighed, shaking his head. 'There's nothing to tell.'

'What are you talking about?' Lizzie demanded. 'You flew all the way out there just so that you can tell her face to face! What did she say? How did she react? Are you guys together now?'

'Lizzie, did you know that Miranda has a boyfriend?'

There was a deep silence over the other end of the line. Finally, 'What?'

'Miranda is seeing someone named Connor Montgomery, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when he showed up just before I could tell her anything. Apparently they got together when she returned to England.'

'Oh, Gordo, I'm so sorry!'

Gordo closed his eyes. 'Listen, Lizzie, I don't want to talk about this right now, and I really don't want to ruin your honeymoon either. So go have fun. I don't want Danny thinking that he's married the wrong girl.'

'But-'

'Lizzie.'

Lizzie sighed audibly over the other end. 'Okay, okay. But we'll talk when I get back.'

'Goodbye, Lizzie.'

'Take care of yourself, Gordo.'

He placed the receiver gently back in its cradle.

end part three.