A/N: Well here she is. The last chapter! I'm so happy I actually finished it! ChristyLee will be so proud! Dario and Ali: Thank you guys. If it wasn't for your reviews on every chapter it would have been hard to keep going. I have so many ideas about a sequel and a prequel. I JUST CANT DECIDE! Well I hope you guys liked the story and if you have any ideas or comments about this story or an idea for the next one, let me know. Here's to the end…ENJOY!
Chapter 17
"You ready big guy?" Ethan asked helping Larry into his tux jacket. The groomsmen and Gordo were in a small room in the church changing into their tuxes.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Larry seemed very nervous. Gordo put his hand on his shoulder.
"You have nothing to worry about. This is the easier part. Just get up there, repeat a few lines and you're done. Simple as that." Gordo said.
"You're right." There was knock at the door.
"You guys ready?" Miranda's dad poked his head in.
"Yep." They all said. They headed down the hallway towards the sanctuary. Gordo could hear the music playing and a few people talking. They got to the door and stood in their lines. A few seconds later the girls, minus Miranda, came walking up. Gordo stared at Lizzie. She looked beautiful. The girls all had matching gold dresses, but Lizzie stood out. She smiled at him as she rounded the corner. Her eyes then went to Rod. They two shared a moment. Rod's and Gordo's eyes followed Lizzie until they crossed paths. Their eyes met. Gordo stared into him. He nodded his head and smiled. "Just treat her right." Gordo thought as he still looked into Rod's eyes. He seemed to understand when he gave Gordo a small nod, a smile and a wink. Gordo felt his heart lighten. Something released in him. He no longer looked at Rod as an enemy. He was friend. Someone who was taking care of his best friend. Gordo trusted him. He was no longer jealous, and it felt good. He sighed a happy sigh as Kate came up next to him.
"You look good Gordo." Kate leaned over and whispered to him.
"Thank you Kate. You too." He offered his arm to her. The music began and everyone started inside the sanctuary. Gordo walked tall with a smile on his face. He found his parents in the crowd as he and Kate walked down isle. He smiled and winked at them. His mom was crying, not surprising to Gordo. His dad had a huge smile on his face. Gordo was so happy.
He and Kate made it to the end and took their spots on the stage. He watched as the ring bearer refused to walk down the isle. Everyone laughed and smiled. The flower girl tried to drag him down, but to no avail. Then the music changed. Everyone stood. The doors flew open and their stood the beautiful Latina in her white gown. Her dad stood proudly beside her. They started their walk down the isle. She was beaming. Gordo looked at Larry and saw a tear drop down his cheek. He then sifted his eyes to Lizzie. She was almost baling uncontrollably. Gordo felt the tears start to swell in his eyes. It was perfect.
"It is my great honor to present for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Larry Tudgman." The audience clapped and hooped and hollered. Larry and Miranda quickly made their way down the isle as everyone else followed. The wedding party hugged Miranda and Larry before they left to set up the reception, which was a few streets from the church.
"Congratulations." Gordo said as he shook Larry's hand. Miranda then wrapped her arms around his neck. Gordo gave her a peck on the cheek.
"I'm so glad you were here."
"Me too. I love you Miranda."
"I love you to Gordo. I'll see you at the reception."
Once at the reception Gordo talked to a lot of people he hadn't seen in a long time. Everyone sat down to eat and watch Larry and Miranda's wedding video. After it was over Ethan stood up and gave them a toast. Ethan had actually turned out to be a very good public speaker. He had everyone laughing.
"Well here's to my best friend Larry and his new wife, Miranda."
"HERE HERE!" Everyone said and took a drink of whatever they were having. Gordo stood and tapped Ethan on the shoulder. He held out his had and Ethan smile. He handed him the microphone and sat down. Gordo cleared his throat. Miranda looked up at him with her mouth dropped open. No one knew Gordo was going to make a speech, especially Gordo.
"Well…I really didn't write anything down." He said and laughed. It caused a few people in the audience to laugh as well. "But I just wanted to say a few things about Miranda and Larry. I…uh…I have known Miranda for well…about forever. She was and is one of my best friends. As some of you know…I…uh…I had a rough time in highschool, and Miranda was always there for me. No matter what. When she called me to come back to Hillridge to be in her wedding I almost said no. But like she was there for me, I felt I needed to be here, now, for her. Needless to say I was very shocked to find out she was marring Larry!" Everyone laughed. "But seeing Larry now, I can understand why. Larry you are a great guy, and I know you will treat Miranda like a queen." Larry nodded his head and mouthing 'Thank you' towards him. Gordo then shifted his eyes to Miranda. "And Miranda, thank you. Thank you for all the memories; all the fun, and all talking-to's I got. Without you as my best friend, there is no telling where I would be right now." He smiled as tears feel down his cheek. He looked down and saw Lizzie, who was sitting beside him, take his hand. He looked in her eyes, which told him to be strong and continue. "This is a day of new beginnings. Two people begin one life together. We all have those days when we start a new beginning. I hope you all can hold on to that moment and cherish is…just like I am now. Here's to Larry and Miranda, and new beginnings. I love you two."
"HERE HERE!" Gordo looked out and saw tears in almost everyone's eyes. His eyes were filled with tears of happiness. It did feel like a new beginning to him. He sat down and Lizzie leaned over him.
"Why do you always make me cry?" She said with a smile as the tears continued to flow down her cheeks.
"Oh stop crying." He wiped away the tears from her cheek. "Be happy." The DJ announced the first dance as Larry and Miranda made their way to the dance floor. Everyone watched with smiles on their faces as they started dancing. Halfway through the song they motioned for everyone else to join them. Gordo watched as Kelly's eyes became fixed on him. Gordo quickly tapped Sophia on the shoulder and asked her dance before Kelly could get to him. Sophia's eyes lit up.
"I would love to." She said with a smile. They joined the dance floor by Lizzie and Rod. The song soon finished and with everyone on the dance floor the DJ started playing some fast songs. Gordo didn't hesitate to dance. He was having the time of his life.
"Ok everyone this is going to be the last song of the night and then we are going to wish Larry and Miranda off as they leave for their honeymoon." The DJ announced as he started to play a slow song.
"Rod do mind if I dance with Gordo on this one?" Lizzie asked.
"Not at all. I'll just sit this one out. My feet are killing me anyway." Rod said and gave Lizzie a quick kiss. She walked over to Gordo who was sitting at a table in chair watching the dance floor. He didn't see Lizzie come up behind him.
"Mr. Gordon." She said stepping in front of him. He stood up and smiled. "May I have this dance?" Gordo laughed.
"I think I'm supposed to say that." He moved Lizzie into a chair and held out his hand. "May I have this dance Elizabeth McGuire?"
"Why I thought you'd never ask." She said fakely. She took his hand and they walked to the dance floor. Gordo held her tight around the waist as he draped her arms around his neck. Gordo still stood a few inches taller than her even with her high heels on. They danced in silence for a bit until Lizzie finally spoke up.
"You really have to leave tomorrow?" She asked with a sad look in her eyes.
"Yeah I do. Have to get back to work." He smiled a weak smile at her.
"I wish you didn't." She said as she laid her head on his shoulder and he brought her closer to him.
"Me neither Liz. Me neither." He said closing his eyes and sinking in the moment. They song finished and there stood Lizzie and Gordo, still dancing. It felt like there was no else in the room. It felt right…too right. Gordo's eyes flew open and he saw a few people looking and them. He laughed nervously and gently pushed Lizzie up off of him. She too realized what had happened and her face became red. She looked around to see if she could see Rod. He was standing the corner talking, and thankfully for Lizzie had not been watching. She and Gordo smiled at each other and walked in opposite directions.
"If everyone would line up so we can wish Miranda and Larry off." The DJ announced. Gordo picked up one of the bottles of bubbles and as Miranda and Larry walked by everyone blew bubbles at them. They ran to Larry's car, and before she got in, Miranda turned towards Gordo.
"Thank you for being here Gordo."
"Thank you Miranda. I can finally move on now."
"I know. Just no more goodbyes in the rain, ok?" Miranda got a smirk on her face and jumped in the car. Gordo turned towards Lizzie, who had heard everything. She shrugged her shoulders and mouthed 'I didn't tell her'. Miranda rolled down the window as they pulled off.
"Remember, I know everything." She laughed. "I LOVE YOU GUYS!" Gordo stood there waving and shaking his head.
"I'll be home for Thanksgiving." Gordo said throwing his bag in the back seat, then turning to face his parents. His mom had tears in her eyes. He gave her a hug.
"Be careful honey."
"I will mom. I love you."
"Love you too." Gordo turned to face his dad. He looked at him square in the eye and took his hand and shook it.
"I love you son."
"Love you too dad." His dad pulled him into a big hug. Gordo smiled. He was so happy him and his father had fixed things.
"You better get goin. You got a long drive. Call us when you get home."
"I will." Gordo said as he climbed in his car and backed it down the driveway. He honked his horn and waved goodbye to his parents, but he wasn't leaving town just yet. He had one more person to say goodbye to first. He pulled up in front of her house and shut his car off. He walked up the drive and rang the door bell. He waited…and waited…rang the bell again…waited…waited. There was no one home. Gordo smiled slightly and sighed.
"Goodbye Lizzie." He said as he touched the door.
He got back into his car and headed for the main road out. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw a car coming up on him fast. The headlights flashing and horn blaring. Gordo laughed and pulled his car to a side street and got out.
"Geez Lizzie, you drivin fast enough?" He asked as she climbed out of her car.
"I'm sorry. I was trying to get to your house before you left. I didn't want you to leave without saying goodbye again."
"You didn't think I was just going to leave without saying goodbye to you did you?"
"Well I was going to make sure you didn't." She said with a smile. They stood there awkwardly for a moment. Gordo shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked a few rocks on the ground. Lizzie smiled at him and grabbed his arms. "Just give me hug." She said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Ok." Gordo said with a small laugh. Gordo held on tight to her. He didn't want to let go. He wanted to remember this feeling forever. Lizzie wasn't letting go either. He could feel her breathing and her heart beat.
"I'm so glad you came home." She finally spoke.
"Me too Lizzie." He squeezed her tighter. "I really missed you."
"I missed you too. And now I'm going to miss you again."
"I know…I know." Gordo felt his shirt become wet and he felt her sob in his arms. "Why are you crying Liz?"
"I don't know. Everything is hitting me at once. I'm happy that we worked through everything. I'm sad you are leaving. I already miss you. Just everything."
"It's ok. Please don't cry. I want to leave seeing that smile, not tears." He leaned her head up and wiped away her tears. "I'll be back at Thanksgiving. And we can always talk on the phone."
"I know, but it's just not the same."
"You'll be going to L.A. anyway."
"Move to L.A. Gordo." She said burying her head in his chest again.
"I don't think so Lizzie. To hot for me." He said with a laugh. They hugged in silence for a bit longer. When they broke their hug Gordo looked in her eyes and smiled. "It's been great weekend Lizzie."
"Yes it has. Well…be careful." She said trying to put on the best smile she could.
"I will. I'll call you soon. Or you can always call me."
"I know. I will." Gordo looked into her eyes. There it was. That look that drove him crazy. He leaned forward as she closed her eyes. His lips came closer and closer to hers. Before their lips touched, Gordo shifted his head and kissed her on the cheek. He knew he couldn't kiss her on lips. It wasn't right. He wouldn't want some guy kissing his girlfriend. She smiled a weak smile when he kissed her. She seemed to understand as well that they didn't need to kiss. He pulled away and smiled at her.
"I love you David Gordon."
"I love you Lizzie McGuire."
"Good bye."
"Bye." Gordo again shoved his hands in his pockets and turned towards his car. He opened the door and put one foot in.
"Gordo?" He turned and looked at her. "Will I ever see you again?"
"Of course you will Lizzie." He smiled her as he tried to hold back the tears. "If you ever need me, you just call. I'll be right here for you." She smiled a weak smile.
"Ok. Bye Gordo."
"Bye." He got in his car and drove off. He watched her standing in the road through his rearview mirror. She waved at him as he drove off. "Goodbye Lizzie." He said out loud.
He got to the road that he left on almost 5 years ago. Five years ago he had look at that town in his rearview mirror and he saw a dead end place. Now he watched as that town grew smaller and smaller in the tiny mirror. It was no longer a place of bad memories, but it was a place that he left his heart in. It was place that he didn't really want to leave, but he knew he could move on now. He couldn't fix what he did in the past, but he help what he did in the future. He sighed as he rounded the corner and the little town of Hillridge went out of sight.
