Chapter 35

A/N—This is the conclusion of "Dear Lizzie." Matt's POV will begin in the next chapter. Thanks for reading; I've enjoyed writing this story.

FLASHBACK SEQUENCE BEGINS

Miranda and Gordo sleep through the night. Daniella and Eduardo take turns sleeping or staying up to see after their daughter. At nearly 5 am, Miranda awakes with a big contraction.

Miranda: AAAAH!

Daniella: Startles awake and rushes to her daughter's side. Are you okay?

Gordo: Startles. Miranda?

Miranda: No! Oww! I have to push!

Daniella: Breathe, honey. She pats Miranda's forehead with a damp cloth.

Miranda: No! She knocks her mother's hand away. Call Jo McGuire. Miranda shouts.

Daniella: Are you sure?

Miranda: The baby's coming! AAAAAH!

Daniella pushes the nurse call button.

Nurse Jones: You called?

Miranda: The baby's coming! I have to push!

Nurse Jones: She examines Miranda. I think you're right. Let me page the doctor. She pages Dr. Winters.

Miranda: Dad, can you call Mrs. McGuire for me? AAAH! Please!

Eduardo: Sure. He dials the McGuires. Sam answers.

Sam: Hullo?

Eduardo: Sam? I'm sorry it's early, but Miranda's in labour.

Sam: Wha?

Jo: Rouses awake. Sam, what is it?

Sam: Miranda's in labour.

Jo: Gimme the phone. She takes the phone. Hello?

Eduardo: Jo?

Jo: Yeah. What's going on?

Eduardo: Miranda's in labour. She's asking for you. She's just about ready to deliver.

Jo: I'm on my way. They hang up.

SEQUENCE ENDS

Miranda pauses, then continues writing...

Everything happened so fast. The doctor came in and decided that yes, I was about to deliver. You were coming quickly. Your grandparents were reluctant to call Mrs. McGuire, but I'd asked her to be in the delivery room with me, mom and Gordo. She had agreed, although I have a feeling this moment would be bittersweet for her. My baby, you my darling, was a girl, another Lizzie. Although we reassured each other that you would never be a replacement for Lizzie McGuire, it was hard not to think that. You could never replace nor ever be Lizzie McGuire. You are Lizzie Gordon and my beautiful daughter. I will never ask nor expect you to be her.

SEQUENCE BEGINS

Dr. Winters enters the room and hears Miranda yelling: It sounds like someone's ready to deliver. Let me examine you. She assesses Miranda's progress. The baby's almost here. Let's get you to labour and delivery quick. Nurse Jones, take Mr. Gordon and show him where he can get dressed.

Miranda: Gordo! Don't leave me! She reaches out to her boyfriend.

Gordo: I'll be there as soon as I can. He gives her a kiss.

Miranda: Hurry!

Gordo: I wouldn't miss this for the world. I love you, Miranda Sanchez! He rushes out the door.

Miranda: Whispers to the door where her boyfriend once stood. I love you too.

Dr. Winters: Let's get rolling! She and a nurse get Miranda onto a gurney and wheel her into the delivery room. Daniella stays with her, and Eduardo leaves them at the waiting room.

Eduardo: Kisses his daughter. I love you, baby. I'll see you soon.

Miranda: Love you too, dad. She arrives at the delivery room. Gordo isn't far behind. Gordo!

Gordo: I'm here.

Dr. Winters: As soon as I say, I want you to give me a big push.

Miranda: Wait! Mrs. McGuire's not here yet. Aaaah!

Dr. Winters: I don't think you have much choice. This baby's coming in a hurry. Now, push. Miranda does as instructed. Good. I can see the head. Push again! Miranda complies.

Miranda: Owww!

Daniella: C'mon, baby. She pats her daughter's forehead with a damp cloth.

Miranda: Don't touch me!

Gordo: C'mon sweetheart.

Miranda: You did this to me! Aaaah! You knocked me up! She throws a rice bag, but misses.

Dr. Winters: Push again!

Miranda: It hurts, dammit! Jo McGuire rushes into the room. Miranda's face lights up. Jo, you made it!

Jo: I wouldn't miss it.

Dr. Winters: The head's out. Gimme another push. Miranda pushes. I've got the shoulders. Push again!

Miranda: Aaaarrggh!

Jo: You can do it, Miranda.

Miranda: NO I CAN'T! AAAAAH!

Dr. Winters: The shoulders are out!

Gordo: Weeping. She's almost out!

Dr. Winters: One more push, and you'll have your baby!

Miranda: AAAAAAAH!

Dr. Winters: Pulls the baby out and flips the baby on the foot. It's a girl! She places the baby on Miranda's abdomen.

Miranda: Oh my G-d! She's beautiful! She strokes the baby's head. Hi baby!

Dr. Winters: Gordo, would you like to cut the cord?

Gordo: Okay.

Dr. Winters: Handing the scissors to Gordo, cut right here. He does as instructed. That's right. Do you have a name for this little girl?

Miranda: Looks at Jo, who nods, and then at Gordo. Elizabeth Miranda Gordon. A tear escapes Jo's eyes.

Jo: Lizzie, she says in a hushed voice, as tears begin to fall.

Gordo: She's beautiful, just like her mother.

Nurse Jones takes the baby over to the table to be weighed and measured. Gordo and Daniella join baby Lizzie. Daniella snaps pictures.

Nurse Jones: 6 and a half pounds, 19 inches, 9 out of 10 on Apgar, born at 6 am. You've got a good looking little girl here. She passes baby Lizzie to Gordo, who brings her back over to the bedside and places her in Miranda's arms.

Miranda: Hi Lizzie. It's mama. I can't believe you're here. You're so beautiful.

Gordo: She's got your eyes.

Miranda: And your hands.

Daniella: She looks like you when you were born, mija.

Jo studies baby Lizzie, as tears fall from her face.

Miranda: Sees Jo tearing up. Would you like to hold her?

Jo: Sure. Miranda passes the baby. Hi Lizzie. You look like your mama. You're so beautiful. Lizzie. Tears stream down her face and she passes the baby back to Miranda.

Miranda: Welcome to the world, mija.

SEQUENCE ENDS

Miranda continues writing….

Your grandmother left the room to inform your grandfather and your dad's parents that you had made it safely into the world. After we were settled back into our hospital room, we made pictures of your father and me with you, and also with your grandparents and Mrs. McGuire holding you. We were all excited that you were here. It was a bittersweet moment for Mrs. McGuire, really, for all of us. On the one hand, she was happy that you were here and that your father and I chose to name her after her daughter and our best friend, but we were all acutely aware that someone who was not present should have been. Lizzie McGuire.

I don't regret a thing that happened that allowed you and your brother to come into my life, and neither does your father. We love you so much, sweetheart. You are a source of joy in our lives. We will always miss Lizzie McGuire, and wish that things could have been different. We wish there was a way that she could've met you and your brother, but if she were still here, you might not be. I think this is one of those contradictions or paradoxes, or whatever it may be, that life often throws our way.

We love you so much, Lizzie. I'm so glad that you're my daughter. I'm honoured to be your mother. I hope that you grow up to be a happy, healthy, beautiful, and lovingperson that you are.

All my love,

Mom

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A/N—Matt's POV is next, "My Sister, My Friend". I'll be wrapping up the story soon. Thanks for reading. I've really enjoyed writing it.