This is another story I found a few days ago that I wrote years ago.

 

A Wedding

By Steph

 

Trixie Belden woke up on the morning of her wedding day and immediately saw the sunlight streaming through her bedroom window.

She was stretching and yawning when her mother burst in singing "Chapel of Love" and Trixie even joined her for "Bells will ring, the sun will shine, I’ll be his and he’ll be mine, we’ll love until the end of time and we’ll never be lonely anymore."

They hugged and Mrs. Belden said, "In case you haven’t noticed you picked a very nice day to get married. It’s absolutely gorgeous out there! And the ceremony is really close, only 11 hours away!"

Trixie laughed. "I woke up at 7 on a day I don’t have to go to work! It must be a special day then! I think something happens at 6 doesn’t it?"

Mrs. Belden laughed and said, "Yes, you’re marrying the man I’ve known you would marry since the day you came back from the trip in the trailer to find him and told me about the most wonderful boy in the world, your exact words."

Trixie blushed and said, "You really knew way back then?"

Mrs. Belden said "Mothers sense things like that and you know what? Your father and I have loved Jim like another son since the day we met him and we couldn’t be happier. And he and Brian, Mart and Bobby are already like brothers so it’s perfectly natural."

Trixie said, "And we’re all going to be related someday anyway because we all know Honey and Brian and Mart and Di and even Dan and Hallie will marry someday. Jim and I are just the first. When I see my wedding dress I find it hard to believe what a tomboy I once was."

Mrs. Belden said, "I’m glad that despite the society wedding you and Jim are having that you were able to still use parts of my wedding dress in your dress. But with your father being mayor now and the Wheeler’s social position the society wedding is necessary."

Trixie and Jim were getting married in Sleepyside’s beautiful St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with a huge reception afterwards at the country club. They felt like the whole world had been invited but they would only have eyes and hearts for each other on their big day.

There was a knock on the door and Mr. Belden poked his head in and said, "Breakfast is ready downstairs. Our last one all together. By the next breakfast Trixie you’ll be an old married woman."

Trixie said, "But we will still come over for breakfast once in awhile. Hey we can’t miss Mom’s famous blueberry pancakes."

Mrs. Belden had given Trixie as a special wedding present a book of her favorite recipes but Trixie knew that no matter how hard she tried the food would miss her mother’s special touch but she hoped Jim would be patient while she learned.

Mr. Belden said, "I think we’re all a little tired still from moving your things into Jim’s house on the school grounds yesterday. But we’re glad you decided to wait til you actually were married to live together."

Trixie said, "We’re only 23 and 25 it’s not like we waited really long to be married!"

Trixie had graduated college the year before and she and Honey had gone into further training immediately in White Plains, and on Christmas Eve she and Jim had gotten engaged and started planning their wedding and now at the end of June, they were getting married.

Trixie and Honey would get their own agency going the following summer.

The long dreamt of boys school was still a couple of years from really getting started. It was going to be on the original 10 acres of the Frayne landed plus 40 total acres of Manor House land Mr. Wheeler had given Jim over the years. The old mansion had been rebuilt almost exactly like it had been in its heyday where Trixie and Jim would move in to start their married life.

Trixie and her parents headed down to the kitchen where they found her brothers waiting.

Trixie hugged each of her brothers one by one and they hugged her back. Even the normally embarrassed at such things, 15 year old Bobby, hugged her back and then she sat down and they all enjoyed a delicious breakfast while of course all the talk was about the wedding.

Everyone agreed that it was nice of Uncle Andrew, Uncle Harold, Aunt Gloria, Knut, Cap and Hallie to clear out so the family could have breakfast alone together this last morning. They were all having breakfast at the Glen Road Inn, which was the gathering place for most of the out of town guests.

Trixie and Jim had invited all the people they had met that weren’t crooks during all those mysteries during their teenage years and Sleepyside was full to bursting just of their wedding guests.

Many joked that the population of Sleepyside had doubled!

After breakfast Trixie headed up to her room where everyone said that she needed some time to herself. There Trixie worked for awhile on her own vows. Trixie and Jim were having the traditional wedding ceremony but were adding some of their own touches.

Then she worked a bit on some thank you notes and most importantly of all to her, a letter to her parents on her wedding day. She wrote:

"Dear Moms and Dad:

Time may fly by today and we might not get much of a chance to talk but I wanted to take this chance to thank you for giving me the foundation in my life that has helped to bring me the happiness I have today.

You have given me an example of how life should be and the parents Jim and I should be in the future when we are lucky enough to have children of our own.

You gave me wings when I was ready to fly but also helped hold me back when I needed to be. You always believed and encouraged my dreams and picked me up when even I was ready to give up.

I love you both so much and I always will. The old saying is a son is a son til he takes a wife (but I don’t think that will happen with Brian and Mart and Bobby) but a daughter is your daughter the rest of her life. I will always be your daughter, and no matter how many years go by, I will always count on you both for your guidance and your love.

And someday when the time comes, I will bring your grandchildren by (and yes we will be giving you some!) and they will learn to turn to you in times for comfort, love and support.

This is as much a day for you to celebrate and be celebrated as it is for Jim and me. Enjoy it! We love you so much.

Again I could never ever begin to thank you both for everything you ever have done for me but I hope this letter is at least a bit.

Your loving daughter,

Trixie.

Trixie put it on the desk in a place she knew her mother would find it the next morning when putting things away but she didn’t want her to find it til then.

A little bit later her mother knocked and asked "Are you ready for a visitor?"

Trixie smiled and invited her in.

Mrs. Belden said, "The others will be here any minute. The men went over to Manor House to get ready and your father will be back here later to take you to the church. But I wanted to take a few minutes to see if you have any questions before everything gets going."

Trixie said, "You covered everything I need to know tonight although I’m a little nervous. I like our honeymoon plans. A few days at the Glen Road Inn before going to Europe for five months. I hope you won’t miss us too much!"

"We will miss you and look forward to your return and helping you settle into the house and then you and Honey will get the agency going. All of your dreams finally coming true all at once. Trixie, I know this day is going to be perfect and so is tonight. You and Jim love each other and belong together. That’s all that really matters."

Trixie said, "I think I better take a bath! I know everyone else has and I hope there’s hot water left!"

Mrs. Belden went in and drew Trixie’s bath filling it with perfumed bubbles and left as Trixie stepped in and washed herself thoroughly and was washing her hair when she heard the women of the wedding party starting to arrive and gather in Mr. and Mrs. Belden’s room where Trixie was to dress.

Trixie walked into the room to find everyone ready and waiting for her to arrive.

Honey and Di chorused, "Happy Wedding Day!" and they rushed to hug her and then everyone else did.

Trixie said, "You all look beautiful!"

Trixie had enlisted her attendants help in getting the dresses and they all looked perfect. The dresses were all of pure silk and ankle length with matching white lace jackets. As maid of honor, Honey was in a soft blue base dress, the bridesmaids, Di, Hallie, Juliana, and Knut’s wife Gloria were in pink and the flower girl, Hans and Juliana’s daughter, Betje in yellow. Honey and the bridesmaids wore picture hats in the color of their dresses and Betje wore a circle of yellow and white roses and ribbons in her hair.

Their mothers were in matching soft lilac simple ankle length dresses and looked fantastic.

For flowers Honey carried a simple round bouquet of white roses, the bridesmaids carried pink roses and Betje carried a white china basket full of yellow and white roses and babies breath.

Finally it was time to unveil Trixie’s wedding dress and she and her mother were the only ones to have seen the finished project so far and it was breathtaking as everyone oohed and aahed.

The dress was floor length in front and had a 5 foot long train in back and was of pure white silk. The top part had a heart shaped neckline lined with lace and the rest of the dress was covered with glittering white sequins and pearls in a pattern of hearts and flowers. She wore a veil of white tulle with a waist length layer in front and a floor length layer in back held in place by a crown of pearls and silk. She would carry a cascading bouquet of white, yellow and pink roses, babies breath, orchids and gardenias. Some of the lace in the dress was from Mrs. Belden’s original wedding dress so at least in a small way Trixie was still wearing her mother’s dress at least part of it. The crown was also Mrs. Belden’s crown from her veil. She wore white satin slippers with small heels and would wear light makeup and jewelry.

First Hallie who had done some modeling did her hair and makeup and then everyone helped her get into her wedding dress.

After that was done Trixie said "Something new is the dress, something borrowed are Honey’s diamond earrings something blue is my garter and now all I need is something old."

Mrs. Belden went to her dresser and took out a small box and said "Trixie, this is something my mother gave me on her wedding day that her mother gave her and I hope you’ll wear today"

She opened the box to reveal a beautiful pearl brooch and Trixie said "This will be perfect for the center of my neckline."

Mrs. Belden helped her put it in place and she was ready to walk down the aisle.

Everyone oohed and aahed and then they heard the sounds of cars honking outside.

Honey said "Those are the cars for us ladies. We better get going. It’s almost time. Trixie you look fantastic!"

Trixie hugged everyone as they left everyone leaving but her and her mother waiting for Mr. Belden to arrive to take them all to the church.

Meanwhile over at Manor House Jim arrived from his home in the early afternoon and soon all the men in the wedding had gathered.

One of the first things Jim did was give his father a letter to give to the Beldens the next day when the families all got together for a post wedding breakfast at Manor House.

It read:

"Dear Mom and Dad Belden:

Today I am going to marry your only daughter and officially become a member of your family.

You have always, since the day I entered your lives, made me feel welcome and like another son and I have always been grateful for that.

You have raised the woman of my dreams to be the beautiful woman we all know and love Trixie to be and I am grateful for that.

I promise that I will be the best husband I possibly can be and do everything in my power to make Trixie the happiest we possibly can be.

I will give Trixie all that I am and all that I have and make our home as happy as it can possibly be all our lives together.

I have always known since the day we met, at least deep down that Trixie and I would spend the rest of our lives together and I want both of you to always be a part of our lives and that of our children.

Love,

Jim."

Jim also wrote a letter to his parents and Trixie wrote one to them but they were a little less emotional. Sometimes Jim and Honey too felt closer to the Beldens than they did to their own parents.

Soon all the men were gathered at Manor House and got ready together with a lot of joking around mixed in with the seriousness.

Naturally Jim had asked Brian to be his best man. Mart. Dan, Bobby and Hans were groomsmen and Hans and Juliana’s son, Hans Jr. was the ring bearer. Knut, Cap, Peter Kimball and Ned Schultz were ushers.

All the men in the wedding party were in black tuxedos with coattails including the fathers and looked splendid.

Finally it was time for all the men to head to the church except for Mr. Belden who headed over to Crabapple Farm to gather his wife and daughter.

A few minutes later Mr. Belden walked into Crabapple Farm and saw his wife, looking absolutely gorgeous seem to float down the stairs.

Mr. Belden took his wife hand and said "You look wonderful. Better be careful or you’ll outshine the bride."

Mrs. Belden kissed him and said "That would be impossible. She’s so beautiful, Peter. Go up and get her and I’ll wait."

Mr. Belden hurried up the stairs and knocked and Trixie said "Come in, Daddy."

Nothing could ever have prepared Mr. Belden for the sight of Trixie turning to face him, looking so beautiful in her wedding dress.

He had to swallow a few times before saying "You look beautiful, sweetheart. Are you ready to go?"

Trixie said "As ready as I’ll ever be. I guess this is really it."

Mr. Belden escorted her downstairs to where her mother was waiting and Trixie hugged them both and they headed out to the limousine.

The trip to the church was short and sweet. Very little was said and very little had to be said. They passed Town Hall and Trixie said Hi to Hoppy of course. She remembered her and Jim’s first kiss almost 6 years to the day right there.

Finally they pulled up in front of the church and the trumpeter heralded their arrival.

Brian said inside where he was standing in the vestry next to Jim "That trumpet means that Trixie is here. Dreams do come true."

Jim said "With a little help from our friends. I love you, brother."

They hugged and were joined by the minister and the groomsmen except for Mart.

Trixie and her parents arrived in the vestibule where everyone fussed over Trixie and finally agreed she looked perfect.

Mart was waiting there to escort Mrs. Belden down the aisle and stepped forward and hugged his sister whom he considered to be one of his best friends in the world and said "You look beautiful tonight, Trix. I’d be proud to be called your almost twin."

Trixie smiled at him and said "Just don’t try putting on a wedding dress. I think you’d look a little silly in this long dress."

Everyone laughed and suddenly the bells started ringing marking the hour of 6 o’clock.

First the men came out of the vestry and down the center aisle first came Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler and then Mart escorting Mrs. Belden as Bob Hubbell sang "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)".

Then Trixie’s attendants made their way down the aisle as Barbara Hubbell sang "Through the Eyes of Love" and as soon as they were all in place, Bob and Barbara sang "You and I".

Then there was a fanfare from the small group of musicians and the double doors to the vestibule were opened as all the guests stood up and then Trixie and her father started down the aisle as the organist started the traditional "Wedding March".

The walk down the aisle was slow and nerve wracking but Trixie and Jim only had eyes for each other the entire time.

Finally Trixie and her father arrived at the altar and Mr. Belden gave Jim Trixie’s hand and said, "There has never been a more beautiful bride. Be happy my baby girl." And he turned and walked back to his place next to his wife.

After that Bob and Barbara sang Atlantic Starr’s "Always".

Then they had the time honored traditional wedding ceremony before it was time for their own vows.

First, Jim said, "Trixie, one day 10 years ago almost to the day, a lonely 15 year old boy found friendship, a family and love all in one day. Trixie, you found me a family and now we are going to make our own family. We have belonged together since that fateful day in the mansion and now we’ve rebuilt that mansion for our family we have together. Yes, we’ve had some rough times but the course of true love never does run smooth or else life would be boring. Our lives together will be full of romance, adventure, love and joy surrounded by the people who are with us today, the people we both love most in the world. I can’t wait to build our family together and raise them in our home filled with life and love. So today in front of our family and friends, all the people we love so much, I take you as my wife cause I love you, you love me, the best is yet to be."

Then Trixie said, "Jim, my heart body and soul are with you a hundred percent all the way and I will the rest of my life. We have been two souls joined together since that day 10 years ago and always will be and someday our joined souls will expand to form new souls together in the children we bring into the world. Yes we’ve not always had it easy but we’ve always found our way back to each other and the love between us. Our adventure together has just begun and I for one can’t wait to see what happens next. I vow to you to be your wife, your lover and your friend, the mother of your children and your partner in the future. Someday soon I can’t wait to carry your child and bring a new generation forth in our families because you are the heart, the soul, the very eyes of me. You have command of every part to live and die for thee, forever and ever I’m yours my love, yours."

Then the minister said, "Whom God hath joined together let no one put asunder. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride."

Jim lifted the front layer of Trixie’s veil and they shared their first married kiss as everyone cheered and the trumpets blared.

Then the minister said, "It is with the greatest pleasure that I present to you for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Frayne!"

Trixie and Jim fairly floated down the aisle as the organist and trumpeter played Trumpet Voluntary followed by their parents and attendants.

They greeted their guests as everyone walked out and then gathered on the front steps and then they walked out to their waiting limousine as Bob and Barbara sang "Up Where We Belong" so they could head to the country club for their reception.

The reception was a lot of fun with a delicious buffet dinner, a lot of dancing and a lot of fun.

The most touching part for many were the toasts.

As best man, it was Brian’s job to make the first toast and he said "I am doubly lucky. Not only do I have the greatest sister in the world, but the greatest best friend in the world and now they have found happiness and their future together. Trixie and Jim, you were the last of the club to start dating but the one everyone knew would be together eventually and now your dreams have come true. So I toast you and your wonderful future and not to give too strong a hint, but I really look forward to becoming an uncle! To Trixie and Jim!"

Finally at about 2 am the reception ended and there was one last toast this one by Mr. Wheeler who said "To Trixie and Jim, the past full of love the present full of love and the future full of love and everything else in the world. To the future!"

And Trixie and Jim were off in a shower of rice and flower petals.

The End For Now

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