The McGuire Family Ties—Rewrite
Chapter 1
A/N1—Italics denote Toon Lizzie. Rating T (PG-13; TV-14) This takes place the school year after the movie. Lizzie and her classmates are freshmen at Hillridge High School. Matt and his friends are in sixth grade at Hillridge Intermediate School. Lizzie and Jo are the main characters of the story. The rest are supporting characters.
A/N2—I'm updating this story, as well as making minor additions and corrections to the first part of this story. I feel I didn't develop this part as well as I really wanted, especially since Jo's my favourite Lizzie McGuire character. Also, I shortened and divided some of the chapters in the first half for easier reading. So, read, enjoy, and review. Thanks!
-------MID-NOVEMBER------
Lizzie awakens suddenly. "Oh crap!" She had overslept! She throws the covers off, jumped out of bed, and runs to the bathroom. The door is closed. "Matt! Get out!"
"Go use the other one. I'm busy."
Mmmm! I don't have time for this! She runs to the bathroom in her parents' bedroom. Locked! I gotta go to the bathroom! She knocks on the door. No response. Suddenly, she heard someone wretching and knocks again. "Are you okay? Mom?"
"Go downstairs and get some breakfast. I'll be down in a minute," she replies, between gags.
Lizzie and Matt are in the kitchen eating cereal. Jo McGuire, wrapped up in a robe, walks into the kitchen. "Mom, are you feeling okay?"
She groans, "I'll be fine."
"You look like you're gonna hurl," Matt remarks. As if on cue, Jo turns green and runs back upstairs. "Mom doesn't look so good."
"Matt," Lizzie replies, "she's sick. I think we'll need to get ourselves to school."
"You mean, take the bus?"
"Yeah, or see if dad's still here."
"Daaad!..." Matt walks off to find their dad.
The kids finish getting dressed. "Kids!" Sam calls from downstairs, "Let's go." As the kids run down the stairs, Jo opens the bedroom door, "Have a good day."
"Honey, go back to bed."
"Okay," she replies weakly.
----------AT SCHOOL---------
Miranda is at her locker when Lizzie arrives. "Hey Miranda!"
"You're late, what's up?" Miranda asks.
"I overslept and dad had to drive me to school." More like, I overslept, Matt hogged the bathroom, mom was sick in the other and I want my own bathroom!
Gordo joins them, "What, your mom couldn't?"
"Mom's sick. I think she's got the stomach flu. I heard her throwing up in the bathroom."
Miranda makes a face, "Don't give it to me!"
"Hey, she could be pregnant," Gordo retorts.
"Don't even go there, Gordo! My mom can NOT be having a baby." No, no, no, no, no! That's too weird!
"So, Miranda, how'dya think you did on the Math test?" Gordo asks.
"Don't remind me, Gordo!" Miranda hits him on the shoulder.
"What about you, Lizzie?"
"I think I did okay."
"Hey, losers," Kate brags.
"Oh, hi Kate," the trio groans.
"Hey, Lizzie, get dressed in the dark again?"
Lizzie sneers, "Hey, Kate, get hosed down with Pepto Bismol again?"
"What-ever, losers!" She and her posse walk off.
"I can't believe we were ever friends with her!"
"Yeah, I know." Miranda agrees
"What was that thing around her neck, a pink snake with fur?" Gordo asks
"Yeah, it looks like something died." Lizzie laughs.
--------Later, at home----------
Later that afternoon, Lizzie comes home from school and sees her mom asleep on the couch. She awakens, "Lizzie, I didn't know you were home."
"I just got in."
"How was your day?"
"Fine, how are you? Feelin' any better?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired. Give me a sec, and I'll start dinner." She starts to rise from the couch. Suddenly, her world starts spinning.
"Mom, why don't I just order a pizza for us?"
"Okay, sure. Is your dad home?" Lies back down.
"He's picking Matt up from school. He got detention."
Jo sits up too fast and gets a head rush, "What now?" She lies back on the couch.
"I don't know, something about putting silly string in someone's shoes?"
"Oh, that's just great, "she sighs, "What am I gonna do with your brother?"
"Umm, put him in military school?" Please, please, please, mommy!
"Very funny, Lizzie. I'm going upstairs. When your dad gets home, send him up and order the pizza."
"Okay."
Jo walks upstairs and Lizzie begins her homework.
A few minutes later, Matt and Sam walk through the door. "Matt," Sam booms, "Go to your room. We'll talk about this later." Matt walks past his sister, not bothering with an insult.
"Umm, mom told me to send you upstairs when you got home. Can I have $20 for pizza? Mom said we could."
"Here's $30. Order two." He walks upstairs and knocks on the bedroom door, "Jo, it's me." Sam walks into the bedroom and sees Jo lying in bed. "Hey, how are you feeling?" He sits on the bed beside his wife.
"I'm tired," Jo groans, not opening her eyes.
"What did the doctor say? Is it the flu?"
"No, it's not the flu."
"So?" Sam asked concerned.
"Sam," she replies, sitting up, "I'm pregnant."
"What? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I took a home test and then Dr. James ran tests of her own."
"How far along?"
"10 weeks."
"A baby!" Sam picks up his wife and swings her around.
"Sam, umm, Sam. Put me down. I'm gonna hurl."
"Oh, sorry." Jo fights to regain her balance and stave off the wave of nausea. Cold sweat begins dripping down her brow. "Are you okay?"
"Get me some water." He grabs a cup of water from the bathroom and Jo lies down on the bed. "Thanks, honey."
"I can't believe we're having a baby."
"I know. I thought we were done after Matt."
"Me too."
"I miss having a baby to hold. Remember when Lizzie was a baby? She was so sweet."
"She was my little princess."
"Matt was a great baby. He was such a cuddlebug," Jo's eyes misted over, "I could hold him forever, but he had a streak in him."
"I think Matt was a prankster from day one."
"Sam, what are we going to do about Matt? His pranks are going too far."
"I don't know."
"If this baby turns out to be a prankster, I think I'll run away."
"I'm right there with you."
"Matt's a good kid."
"He is. He keeps things interesting."
"I love our kids."
"Me too." The couple snuggles on the bed.
-------Pizza's here----------
The doorbell rings. "Mom, dad, Matt, pizza's here."
Matt races out of his room, past his parents and down the stairs, "All right pizza! Ahh my last meal!"
After they finished their pizza, Sam announces, "We need to have a family meeting. Kids, load the dishwasher and meet your mother and me in the living room in ten minutes."
"Great, I'll never see the light of day," Matt groans.
"Whad'ya do anyway, dweeb?"
"It was great, a masterpiece! First, I put silly string in Neal's shoes during gym. When he put his shoes on, squishhhh! Then, I covered Derek's seat with rubber cement. When he got up, his pants ripped. I was in rare form today!"
"You're gonna go too far one of these days." She rolls her eyes.
"Oh, Lizzie, lighten up."
"C'mon kids," Sam calls from the living room.
"What's up?" Lizzie asks.
"Yeah, is this my last day of freedom, or what?" Matt whines.
"Matt, we'll talk about your punishment later," replied Sam, "Your mother and I need to talk to you about something else."
A concerned look spreads across Lizzie's face. "What, mom are you okay?"
"Lizzie, I'm fine."
"I heard you throwing up in the bathroom. You're not fine."
"Yeah, mom, you act like you're pregnant or something," Matt laughs.
Lizzie scowls, "Good job, dork!"
"Well, when Lanny's mom was pregnant with his sister, Keisha, she was sick a lot," Matt rebuts
"Don't be such a double e, freak."
"Well, I am."
"WHAT!", the kids said in unison.
"You, you can't be, you're too old," Matt whines, "Great. My life is over!"
"Matt, we're not too old, and no, your life is not over," Sam replies.
"Mom, when's the baby due," Lizzie asks.
"In 6 1/2 months," she caresses her abdomen, "How do you feel about this?"
"I don't know." Ack! What Matt said! My life is over! What am I going to tell my friends! Lizzie continues, "I guess I'm okay with it."
"I hope I don't have to give up my room. Please, please, please don't make me room with Lizzie!"
"No way, twerp!"
Jo corrals her children, "We'll discuss rooms later. One thing at a time. The baby's not going to be born tomorrow."
"Mom, can I go call Miranda and Gordo? I've got homework anyway."
"Sure," Jo replies, "We need to talk to Matt about detention. Matt, what were you thinking?"
"Later, loser," Lizzie snarks, "Enjoy what's left of your freedom!"
Matt sticks his tongue out at his sister.
---------Lizzie's Room----------
A baby? Mom's gonna have a baby? That's just weird. What, is Gordo psychic? She dials Miranda's and Gordo's phone numbers. "Miranda, Gordo, it's me."
"What's up, Lizzie?" Gordo asks
"Mom and dad had one of their family meetings."
"I bet that was fun." Miranda rolls her eyes.
"Loads. Gordo, are you psychic or something?"
"Why?"
"Mom's gonna have a baby."
"Oh my gosh are you serious," Miranda squealed.
"Yeah, in 6 1/2 months."
"Whoa," Gordo exclaims.
"You won't have to give up your room or anything, will you," Miranda asks.
"I dunno. I don't think they've thought that far yet."
"So, do you wanna hang out at the Digital Bean tonight?" Gordo asks.
"I don't think tonight's good; Matt got detention today and mom and dad are steamed."
"Uh, Gordo, Lizzie, my mom just told me to get off the phone. I'll see you tomorrow."
Lizzie hears a knock at the door. "That's my mom. Gotta go."
"Lizzie, can I come in?"
"Sure mom, what's up?"
"I just thought we could talk."
"Sure."
Jo sits down on the bed next to her daughter. "How do you feel about the baby?"
"I don't know. I'm still in shock. You and dad having a baby, it's just too, uh."
"Weird?"
"Yeah."
"I remember when my mom was pregnant with Dianne. I was mortified."
"Mmmm, I don't know."
"It's okay, you know."
"I know. Just let me get used to this, okay?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"We're going to need a room for the baby, and your dad and I discussed it."
"You want me to give up my room?"
"Well, we thought you might want a bigger room. Plus, we don't trust Matt."
"Gee, wonder why?"
"Okay, Lizzie, that's enough. As I was going to say, if you want, you could either have the guest room downstairs, or we could remodel the basement for you and turn it into a suite."
"I don't know."
"You don't have to decide right now. Just think about it." Jo rises to leave the room.
"Umm, mom?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I was wondering, could you tell me how you found out you were pregnant with me?"
Jo smiled, "Sure, sweetie," she sits back on the bed, "Your dad and I were living in that apartment across town..."
"On 5th street?"
"Yes, that one. Your dad had just gotten a job at the newspaper and I was working as an intern for Dr. Smith."
"He was the psychologist, wasn't he?"
"Yeah. Anyway, I was feeling rather tired and I thought I had the flu..." Hmm, like this one. Does that mean mom's having a girl? Jo continues, "...and I couldn't keep anything down. One day at work, I got dizzy and passed out. So, Dr. Smith got me an appointment with Dr. James that day."
"So? Go on."
"When the doctor told me I was pregnant with you, I was elated. I jumped up and screamed. I think she thought I was nuts."
"Well?"
"Thanks a lot! Do you want to hear the story?"
"Yes, please!"
"Anyway, after I left the doctor's office, I went shopping. I wanted to tell your father right. I wanted a girl so badly, so I bought a onezee that said 'daddy's little princess.' I also bought a maternity shirt that said 'under construction.'" Lizzie laughed. "I got home before your father got off work and cooked his favorite meal."
"Supreme pizza?"
"No, steak."
"Oh."
"I wrapped the onezee and put the shirt on under a button up blouse."
"Umm, mom, is this going to be too much information?" Ack! This could be as bad as those talks about HORMONES! UGH!
"No, don't worry. Anyway, your dad came home, and we sat down to eat a nice, romantic, candlelight dinner." Jo got a far away, dreamland look in her eyes, "When your dad was regaling tales about adventures in journalism, I found it hard to curb my excitement..."
----------FLASHBACK SEQUENCE--------------
Sam: Dinner was delicious.
Jo: Thanks. she blushes
Sam: You seem to be feeling better.
Jo: I am. Wait, I've got dessert.
Sam: Wow, what's the occasion?
Jo: Just stay right there, I'll be back. She steps into the next room and grabs the gift and dessert.
Sam: Strawberries and cream. A mischievous grin spreads across his face. He looks at the present. What's this?
Jo: Open it. As Sam opens the gift, she takes off her blouse, revealing the maternity shirt.
Sam: A shocked and puzzled look spreads across his face as he takes out the onezee. Does this mean...?
Jo: Smiles and nods. Yes.
Sam: Looks up and reads Jo's shirt. A baby? Are you sure?
Jo: Still smiling and nodding. Yes. I'm gonna have a baby! She giggles.
Sam: Puts the onezee on the table, stands up and swings his wife around in an embrace. I'm gonna be a daddy! I'm gonna be a daddy!
Jo: Yes, put me down. Sam, I'm getting dizzy. Now! I think I'm gonna throw up.
Sam: Sorry! You okay?
Jo: Yeah. beads of sweat appear on her forehead
Sam: We're having a baby!
Jo: I know, isn't it wonderful?
Sam: I love you!
Jo: I love you, too. He pulls her into a deep kiss.
---------SEQUENCE ENDS---------
Lizzie is grinning, "Aww, that's so romantic, mom! But, how did you know I was I girl?"
"A mother just knows these things."
"What about Matt? Did you know he was going to be a boy?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Well, my pregnancy with Matt was completely different from when I was pregnant with you."
"How so?"
"I was really moody and weepy; a lot more so than I was with you. If your dad said the littlest thing wrong, I would break out into tears. Plus, I got weird cravings like french fries dipped in chocolate or pizza with macaroni and cheese and hot sauce."
"Eww! No wonder Matt's weird."
"I'll ignore that."
"So, how did dad find out about Matt?"
"Well, actually, he told me."
"Okay?"
"I had been in a mood all day long. You were tired and cranky and nothing was going right. Your dad forgot the dry cleaning and the downstairs toilet sprung a leak. I burst into tears right on the spot. Your dad tried to comfort me, but I got even more agitated..."
------FLASHBACK SEQUENCE-------
Sam: Honey, it's okay. We'll call a plumber and I'll pick up the dry cleaning tomorrow.
Jo: It's not okay. sniff! It's just, it's just...
Sam: It's just what?
Jo: It's just been one of those days. she says between sobs. Lizzie's been acting up. She won't stop crying. And, and, and the toilet broke and the dry cleaning...
Sam: puts his hands on her shoulders and looks her in the eyes Can I ask you something?
Jo: Uh, huh. What?
Sam: Are you pregnant?
Jo: No.
Sam: Are you sure?
Jo: Why?
Sam: You're moody and cry at the drop of a hat.
Jo: angry. So I'm moody, thanks a lot!
Sam: No, that's not what I meant.
Jo: So what do you mean?
Sam: I meant you're never moody like this. The last time you were moody like this is when you were pregnant with Lizzie.
Jo: Okay, I'll take a test, but I'm not pregnant. I'll get one in the morning when I drop Lizzie off at preschool.
Sam: How about I run to the drug store and get one now?
Jo: Sure, but I'm not pregnant.
------SEQUENCE ENDS--------
"So," Jo continues, "your dad got an EPT and I took it that night. Of course, it was positive."
"So, did dad twirl you around like he did with me?"
"No, he knew better after I nearly hurled on his shirt when I told him about you."
Lizzie giggled, "So, what did he do?"
"He, uh, well, uh, we made out on the couch..." A sly grin spreads across Jo's face. La! La! La! Too much information, mom. Jo continued, "...until you woke up from a big nightmare."
"So, what do you think this one is?"
"Actually, I'm not sure. I have a mean case of morning sickness, like I had with you, but I've also got a craving for marshmallows dipped in ketchup."
"Okay mom, that's kinda gross!"
Jo laughs,"I know, but I'm hungry. Would you like to split a bag of popcorn?"
"Sure!"
"With M&Ms?"
"That sounds great." The pair get up to exit the room. "Um, mom, I'm glad we talked."
"Me too."
"It was nice," Lizzie hugs her mother, "Oh, and, congratulations."
"Thanks, sweetie."
"You're a great mom. This baby's very lucky to have you as their mom."
Jo blushes, "And the baby's lucky to have you as a big sister." They walk out of the room with their arms around each other.