Chapter Seven
Jim didn’t need to be moved to a hospital; Brian was pleased at his friend’s recovery. Trixie had a few small bandages on her face and some bruising to her body but was fine. A heavy snowstorm was moving in fast, and would possibly trap the Family for an extra day or two. The school hallways filled with the rich scents of freshly baked pumpkin pie and Christmas music played through the stereo system. The festive decorations the boys and Di had hung earlier in the week brought cheer to the school. “I did my shopping early so I didn’t have to listen to all the crappy Muzak in the malls,” Trixie said happily as they finished decorating the tree. “I was done before Daylight Savings kicked in!” “Why Trixie, that’s the best part of the holidays! All the glorious music!” Honey exclaimed. Trixie snorted. “Why do you think I turn your music off everyday? You’ve been playing it since Thanksgiving!” “That is a little early,” Mart agreed. “I fancy to sanctify my eardrums with the enthralling holiday composition not prior to the central point of –“ Dan smacked his best friend in the head lightly. “I’ll listen to it on Christmas Eve,” he said firmly, “and then I’m spared another year. Unless of course, I’m out in a store somewhere and being tormented with it.” “I think Thanksgiving is just fine,” Madeline smiled at them, as she looked up from Jim’s scrapbook of the boys that had passed through the school over the last ten years. “Though admittedly, by Christmas Day, I’m ready to shut it off.” “Mother, are you planning that New Year’s celebration again this year?” Honey asked. Madeline frowned at her. “Honey, I told you about it months ago, I expect you and Trixie and Dan to all be there. Didn’t you get your invitations?” “That’s my fault,” Trixie said sheepishly. “They’ve been sitting on my desk for weeks, I kept meaning to RSVP.” “No problem dear, we have you three factored in. I swear this new secretary of mine is a complete birdbrain! She’s supposed to be following up on RSVPs. If I didn’t stay on her about the caterers and the band-I may just replace her after the New Year!” Peter set aside Trixie’s copy of 100 Years of Solitude with a smile as he surveyed the scene. Wesley was telling Matthew how Trixie and Mart had saved him from the lake when the ice cracked under him. His skates hadn’t been ruined thankfully by the dip in the water. Justin had been tailing Dan around, asking questions about being a police officer. As always, Dan was patient with the teen, describing some of the scenes he had come across. “Hey, time for presents!” Mart announced, leaping to his feet. The brothers Belden distributed the gifts, making sure every boy had several presents. Trixie took a sip of her sparkling cider, noting how her lipstick was smudged all over the glass, yet Madeleine’s was as perfect as ever, and made a note to ask her what she used. Chatter filled the room as the papers were torn off, there were loud exclamations and bursts of laughter. Peter looked puzzled
at his gift, and looked at the tag. “This has my name but uh, I promise I read on a higher level than this,” he held up a copy of the book Where the Wild Things Are. Mart slapped his head. “Bobby, I told you to label that for Trixie!” He narrowly dodged the wad of wrapping paper that came flying at him. The families stayed for two days past Christmas until the snow melted down enough to leave. Trixie made sure she and Jim were never alone together, and avoided him as much as possible. Trixie and Honey were packed to leave as well, and her brothers loaded their SUV. A lot of tears later, the caravan rolled out to head back to New York. Trixie stared out the window as Honey drove, recalling her good bye with Jim. He was laying in bed, still breathing some of the oxygen unit he smiled when she appeared in the doorway. Brian had him on strict bed rest. “We leave in the morning,” she said softly. “I know,” he removed the mask. “Trix-“ “Don’t,” she whispered. Taking his hand gently she looked deep into his eyes. “I will always love you Jim Frayne,” she murmured. “But we took our paths years ago, and so it will be.” “No, Trixie-“ She put one finger over his lips. “Our lives don’t work together anymore. But thinking you could have died in that fire made me realize how much I do love you. What could have been is neither an issue, nor what could be, for that is nothing. You need to stay here and fight for your dream. Get the school back on track,” she smiled at him, determined not to cry. Standing up she pressed her lips against his briefly. “Fight for your dreams, Jim Frayne.” His emotions caught in his throat as she slipped out the door, and out of his life again.
EPILOGUE The New Year came and went, then all of January. Valentines’ Day approached and business picked up. Spouses always cheated around this time of year, and it was easy to catch them. The publicity on the school’s accidents and their solving crime only boosted their solvency. Dan had quit the NYPD, and the Belden Wheeler Detective Agency added Mangan to their name. And Honey admitted to still not telling Brian about her cancer. It had been almost 6 weeks, Trixie thought, depressed. Part of her had hoped Jim would suddenly appear in the doorway, having given up the school and ready to be with her. Silly, she thought. Trixie stood at her window, staring down at the city of White Plains. Leaning against the huge glass pane, daydreaming, she didn’t flinch when she heard Honey’s voice. “Did you read up on that file I gave you this morning?” she asked. “No, I will this afternoon.” “Please do, it’s important,” there was something in her partner’s voice that made Trixie half smile. They always gave each other presents on the silliest of holidays, including Valentine’s Day. Dan usually took them both out to dinner, which always caused a stir among other diners. One man with two women, and they were obviously close. The three had gotten drunk in celebration the other night at the girl’s apartment. Honey’s final test results had come back, and the cancer was in full remission. Honey’s secret was safe, for now, despite her promise to
tell Brian and the others. “What’s it on?” she asked vaguely. “A guy who lost what was most dear to him,” a husky voice answered. “I’d like to hire you to help me find her.” Trixie didn’t turn, just smiled to herself, as she felt hot tears hit the back of her eyes. “The police can probably help you for free, find a missing person, I mean,” she knew he had moved behind her and sure enough, a minute later, there were his strong arms wrapping around her. “She’s not exactly missing. I just need her to come back,” he murmured in her ear. Trixie closed her eyes. This was so unfair! “I can’t move to Vermont, Jim,” she whispered. He turned her around gently. “I sold the school.” “You what?” she exclaimed. He covered her mouth with his strong hand. “Listen before you flip out. I sold it to that group that wants to use it as a brat camp. Made a small fortune off of it. Manor House has been empty a while, and I made enough to temporarily move everyone up there until the new school is built. There’s plenty enough to catch up on the payroll I owed your brothers. Mart and Diana are building a little cottage on your parent’s land, so they’ll be close enough to the school to walk to work. Brian is staying with Honey in Manor House. It’s being freshened up, and where Uncle James’ mansion used to be, construction has started on something else, like your parents house, for me. Since I own all that land, well, technically, Honey and I do, we agreed to rename the school Ten Acres Academy. Honey will be co-owner. ” Trixie’s mouth fell open. “Someone told me to do it a long time ago,” he said smiling down at her, “and I didn’t listen. Mother and Dad agreed, and we’ve spent the last few weeks moving everything, redecorating and solidifying the deal. Everyone wins, including the boys, who I admit, do need to be somewhat in tune with technology. Also, being closer, it will be cheaper. The boys will take over the gamekeeper jobs, and I’ll start bringing in younger boys as well. We’re revamping into something more like a big foster home and school for boys.” “The Manor House,” Trixie said dimly. Jim laughed. “It’s got the stables, the lake, the woods. Smaller scale, but that’s ok.” “Jim, that’s wonderful,” she breathed. He slipped his arms around her waist. “All I need now is you Trix. You told me to fight for my dreams, so here I am. I’m here to fight for you.” Trixie opened her mouth to speak and shut it again. “That’s about the sixth time in our entire lives I’ve seen you speechless. Maybe I should do this properly since I botched it all up last time,” he mused, letting go of her and kneeling. Trixie’s china blue eyes widened and she didn’t see her brothers and partners crowded in the doorway, grinning. He took her left hand in his and held out a small ring box, which held a stunning diamond and sapphire engagement ring. “I thought about the one I gave you all those years ago, but I decided we needed a fresh start,” he smiled. “Trixie, please forgive me for being a stubborn, mule headed idiot. I need you, and I love you, and I’m asking you to be my wife.” Trixie opened her mouth again, and again, nothing came out. Finally she nodded. Jim grinned and stood up, pulling her into an enthusiastic embrace as Mart, Di, Dan, Brian and Honey all piled into the room, applauding and blowing noisemakers. Jim held Trixie tightly in his arms, blinking back his own tears. He might be ten years too late, but he planned to make it up to her.
Author's Notes
Thanks for reading!
This Universe is just beginning… so stay tuned as Dan the Man takes center stage,
Honey struggles with keeping her 'see-crud' (you didn't really think I'd give away everything did you?) and even Regan gets some lovin’!
-This chapter was also part of the Jix Holiday 2005 CWP3. Required elements are: Pumpkin bread, Muzak, mislabeled gifts (Peter’s), daylight savings time,
lipstick smudges (Trixie’s on the glass), blizzard or snowstorm, ice skates (Wesley’s), someone organizing a big holiday event (Madeleine’s New Years Eve party), the book Where the Wild Things Are (Peter’s gift), and a carryover element
(100 Years of Solitude ) that Trixie was reading in chapter one, for the Dia De Los Muertos Challenge, a piece of Mexican art or literature)
-and again, a mucho gracious thanks to Dana, my editor. As usual, I went and tampered with things!
-word count, 1,750
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