"Rabbit, Rabbit!" Trixie yelled excitedly as she jumped out of bed then jumped straight back in. It wasn’t cold, but cool enough to know that bed was warmer and Trixie felt like she deserved the extra time in bed so she settled back down under the sheets.

"Happy Birthday, Trixie!" Yelled Bobby as he ran into the room jumping on his sister’s bed.

"Bobby you’re supposed to knock." She said with fake annoyance.

"I know but I wanted to give you your present now instead of later." He said giving her a crudely wrapped gift. "I even made a card to go with it." He explained

"Thankyou Bobby," She said, giving him a squeeze.

"It was nothing." He said starting to get embarrassed. He was now eight and public affection was not fashionable. But Trixie always seemed to understand that about him, he felt closer to his sister than his brothers, she seemed to know him better, never pushing him into being something he wasn’t.

The smell of pancakes and syrup were wafting up from the kitchen, and Mart appeared at her door, stuffing one in his mouth, "Haffee birffay, frix." Mart was exactly eleven months older than Trixie; so now for the whole month of May, they were both sixteen.

"Thanks Mart." Trixie said sarcastically, "nice to know I rank right up there with a mouth full of food."

Bobby laughed, "That’s a compliment isn’t it?"

"In who’s lifetime?" She muttered pulling the covers over her head, willing them both to disappear. When she peeked over the quilt, she saw them both still standing there. "Guess that birthday wish was wasted." She said as she looked into the blue eyes and blond hair that she herself shared.

Mart opened his mouth to reply but was cut short by their father, Mr Belden walking into the room. "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen." He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, looked at her with a question in his eyes, "and never been kissed?" He tried to make the question light hearted but failed miserably. Trixie just groaned and put her head back under the covers.

"Don’t worry about that Dad," Mart answered for Trixie. "Jim’s hasn’t and is in no hurry, so you’re safe on that one."

Trixie groaned from under the covers, this was not going well. Why on earth did her family have to harp on about her and Jim? It was obvious to her that nothing was going to happen. Jim was the adopted brother of her best friend Honey. He had been a runaway from his cruel stepfather when Trixie and Honey had met and befriended him. There had been a special friendship between Trixie and Jim, but nobody seemed to know where the boundaries of that relationship were. She had only just started to admit to herself that Jim was someone she really liked, and the teasing from her family was unbearable. Jim was at college with her oldest brother Brian and as far as Trixie was concerned that was that, and there would never be anything more. Jim would find himself a college girl and she would be, well she would be plain old, sturdy, Trixie.

"Happy Birthday Trixie," her mother said as she joined the small group crowded around Trixie’s bed. She handed Trixie a brightly wrapped gift; "This is from your father and I."

Trixie sat up, put the card aside and opened the gift. "Oh Moms, it’s beautiful." She whispered as she pulled her mother’s music box out of the wrapping. The music box was an heirloom passed from mother to daughter for generations and Trixie felt especially honored that she was now entrusted with its care. "Oh Moms Thankyou, you don’t know what this means to me. I love you and Dad so much." She leaned over to give her mother a hug.

"Open the box, Sweetheart," Her father prodded. Trixie opened the box to find a beautiful teardrop pendant. "Here let me put it on for you." Her father said as he fastened the clasp at the back of her neck. "You’re our special girl, Beatrix, we love you and are so proud of you."

Tears threatened to fall as Trixie said "Thanks Dad, I love you too." She then turned to Bobby and finished opening the gift he had given. It was a little sculpture of a horse that Bobby had painstakingly made himself.

"I made it myself. I hope you like it."

"Bobby, I love it."

"Bobby that’s really good." Mrs Belden commented and the others murmured their approval.

Bobby looking a little embarrassed picked up the card passing it to Trixie, "You have to read the card as well."

Trixie took the card, opened it, brought it close to her face and started to read. "Trixie," came the stern voice of her father, "Your glasses." Trixie reluctantly took her glasses, placing them on her face with a sigh. Of all the things she could have inherited from her father dark eyes, dark hair, height, good looks, it had to be glasses. She had only gotten them a few weeks ago. The day had been a miserable one. No one had ever said anything before about her reading with the book so close to her face. Her father insisted on taking her to the optometrist. The news had not been good. The glasses were necessary when driving and close work. Which meant she had to wear them to school. It was hard to admit they made a difference, her grades had even improved. It was just such a pity they made her look so bad.

Mart started to make a comment when Mrs Belden hushed him, "That’s enough Mart." Noticing Trixie biting her lip he wisely said nothing. He adored his sister and knew that sometimes his teasing was too much for her.

Trixie rolled out of bed. "If I can’t sleep in, I’m at least going to have a nice hot shower." With that she grabbed her robe and headed toward the bathroom. Mrs Belden followed her out of the room with a frown.

"Women,’ Bobby shook his head as he walked out the room, "go figure."

"Kids." Mr Belden said as he stared dumbfounded as his youngest left the room. Mart just laughed and led the way to the kitchen where Mrs Belden continued to prepare breakfast.

Trixie appeared half an hour later, dressed in her school clothes. Her father was sitting at the end of the table reading the newspaper. "Sunshine, you look beautiful." He smiled indulgently at Trixie who sat down; the pendant nestled in the small of her throat.

"You had better hurry up and eat before the bus comes." Her mother said placing a plate of pancakes in front of her.

"Unless of course you’d like me to eat them." Mart interjected. Trixie poked her tongue out at Mart who was still stuffing pancakes into his mouth. He was quick enough to see what she would do and grabbed her tongue. Trixie managed some strangled noise, which caused Mart to laugh emptying the contents of his mouth over his clean jeans.

"Yuck," Trixie yelled. Bobby was laughing so hard he had to run to the toilet, fast. Mr and Mrs Belden just looked at their ‘twins’ in a mixture of shock and disgust.

"Mart what has gotten into you." Mrs Belden reprimanded.

"It’s what came out that seems to be of concern." Mr Belden managed choking back a laugh at the sight.

Trixie started to laugh, "Well Mart you must admit it was rather funny, yuck, but really quite funny."

 

Chapter 2

As Trixie got on the school bus, Honey was waiting excitedly in a seat near the back. "I saved you a seat." She said patting the spot next to her. "I can’t wait till we give you your present."

Trixie couldn’t wait either. The BobWhites were going to give her their present on Saturday when Brian and Jim would be home for the weekend. The BobWhites consisted of Trixie and her brothers, her best friend Honey Wheeler, Di Lynch, Dan Mangan, and Jim Frayne. The three girls were all in the same grade. They moaned about having two years to go, especially since Brian and Jim had left for University. Mart and Dan were going to be seniors if they could get through their final exams. Summer was not to far away and everyone was looking forward to being able to spend the time together.

School seemed to go by slowly and when the final bell rang, Trixie was the first one out the door. She was anxious to get home, get changed and meet Honey to go riding. The girls waited together for the bus, and were soon met by Mart and Dan.

"I can’t wait till the weekend," Trixie exclaimed, "I’ll just die if tomorrow goes as slow as today."

"Why wait till tomorrow?" Mart asked putting his arm around his sister. She managed to quickly poke her tongue out at him. And convulsed into laughter when the memory of what had happened that morning flashed through her mind. Mart looking perplexed asked, "What dear ‘twin’ is so amusing?"

"Memories Mart," she laughed "Memories." She hopped onto the bus that had just pulled up.

"She told us what happened this morning at breakfast Mart." Di laughed.

Mart managed an "Oh." As he realized what Trixie would have told them. "It would have been funnier if it had landed all over her instead." He quipped.

"Yuck!" The girls chorused.

"What’s yuck?" Dan asked joining the small group at the back of the bus.

Mart had to relate the story as the girls were laughing to hard. Although Mart’s version was a touch verbose, Dan was soon smiling as he caught the gist of the story.

As the bus pulled to a halt at the top of the Belden driveway Mart and Trixie hopped out, Honey called out the window, "I’ll see you soon!" Trixie waved at her as she started to race Mart down the driveway into the warmth of the family home.

"How was your day at school?" Mrs Belden asked as her ‘twins’ walked into he kitchen.

"Great" was Mart’s reply.

Trixie’s "Good" was less enthusiastic as she was searching through the mail for anything that might resemble a card. She found three.

"Who are they from?" Asked Mart

"One’s from Uncle Andrew, one’s from Aunt Alicia and the other one I’m not sure." Trixie said as she quickly left the kitchen to run upstairs and get changed.

She entered her room and threw her books on the desk. She opened the envelope from Aunt Alicia and found a check for twenty dollars, "Way to go Aunty", she to herself as she reached for the one from Uncle Andrew. "Forty Dollars." She exclaimed. "I should’ve turned sixteen years ago." She laughed at the thought. She would definitely be writing thank you notes later that night. The third envelope was thicker. She didn’t recognize the writing. She tore it open, read the beginning of the letter and sank to the bed in shock. She quickly glanced at the end of the letter. Her heart was going a million to the dozen. She got up and walked to the window where she could get a view of the orchard. She sank into the window seat and began to read.

 

Dear Beatrix Belden

You are probably wondering who I am. My name is Katje Frayne. Your neighbor James Frayne is the Uncle of my late husband, Winthrop Frayne. My husband and I with our son Jimmy were visiting with Uncle James and Aunt Nell. A few months after I had miscarried a little girl. Both Win and I were very upset. We wanted a large family but the reason I miscarried and the operation I had had following stopped our plans. Jimmy was five at the time. He was too young to understand what was going on, he only knew we were sad. It was our meeting with you that changed that. You had apparently ran away from home, or more accurately, your afternoon nap. You wandered onto Ten Acres and made us laugh. You somehow made us see that our future was in Jimmy and not in what we thought we were missing. We were disappointed to be going home when the day was over. We were making plans to come back and live. They were put on hold until Win received a job offer and then five years later Win got sick. The doctors are still not sure what caused it. I now have my suspicions that his death may not have been accidental but I am too sick to prove anything. At the time I was devastated. I was so in love with my husband. I thought I would not be able to cope. Jimmy was ten and needed his father. All boys need their fathers. Jimmy was no different. I remember holding him as we stood by the fresh grave. His eyes were dry; he was being so strong for me. I was so proud of him and still am. He is a wonderful boy. Within a year of Win’s death things were going wrong. Financially we were not coping. Win’s insurance money was not coming through. I had made an appointment to see a finical adviser at the local bank when an old friend from school turned up on the doorstep; his name was Carl Jones. He was in the neighborhood and just thought he would pop in to say hello. I invited him in and he offered to help me. I knew he owned a farm and was good with figures, so I said yes. We kept in touch for a few months and finally he told me the situation was hopeless. The insurance company was not going to release the money. They had made the excuse that I could not mange my finances appropriately. I was so upset, how could I provide for my son. Carl was a good friend. He was a widower and told me that if I were to marry him in name only then maybe the insurance company would release the money and things would get better. I thought long and hard about it and finally agreed. Six months later we were married much to the disgust of Jimmy I’m sure. We moved to Albany. That was hard moving so far away from what I knew. Within a short time of moving the insurance money came through. It was gone before I had a chance to look at it. I started to learn things about Carl that scared me. I voiced my concerns to Uncle James and he took it upon himself to help me. Carl was selling all my furniture, so Uncle James bought me a property near him so those items I could sneak out of the house would have somewhere to go. I was planning on leaving Carl but I found out that I had cancer. This was hard to cope with. My plans were coming unstuck. Uncle James said he would handle everything. I managed to move all things that were sentimental to me out of the house before I got too ill. Uncle James was working on moving Jimmy to live with him. But his application to the court was refused. Carl has custody and I can do nothing. I feel so helpless. I have made a silly mistake; I should have gone to Uncle James first before marrying Carl. I thought I could handle things on my own, but I was so wrong. Too late I learned that lesson. But now I have to do something right. I am leaving you everything. Uncle James has made provision for Jimmy in his will, so what little I have is now yours. Both Aunt Nell and Uncle James thought highly of you and so do I. Carl will never know you so I feel it is safe to give you this. Within the estate are photo albums and home movies and other sentimental items that I hope you will give to Jimmy for me. Uncle James should be able to help you locate him. His eighteenth birthday is early June and I have a present I would like you to pass onto him. You will not receive the full estate until you are eighteen, but if you contact a man called Leigton Oldman at Redwood Farm, Croton-on-Hudson, he will explain the estate to you and make sure you are able to give the package to Jimmy. Hopefully he is coping well living with Carl. I’m sure you can manage to contact him without raising too much suspicion. Thank you Beatrix for doing this for me. I hope something positive can come from this. I married Carl out of desperation and have only caused myself and son grief, don’t let that happen to you. I hope that whoever you end up with will be with your forever, and no sadness will become you, I wish that for my son too. You will let him know won’t you? Let him know that I love him.

Sincerely Katje Frayne.

Trixie jumped as a knock came at the door. Mart popped his head in, "Aren’t you ready yet?" He asked then noticed her face. "Are you O.K.?" Concern showed on his face as he looked at his sister’s tear filled eyes.

"I’ll be fine." Trixie said getting up and grabbing a tissue to blow her nose. "I’ll be down in a minute."

Mart nodded his head, before closing the door behind him. Trixie quickly hid the letter in the window seat, where she hid her diary. She hurriedly changed out of her school clothes, pulling on jeans and a shirt. She grabbed her jacket as she quickly ran down the stairs to join Mart.

"Sweetheart." Mrs Belden looked at Trixie as she came through the kitchen. "Are you O.K.? Mart said you were upset about something."

Trixie looked at Mart then at her mother. "I’m fine. I received a card from both Aunt Alicia and Uncle Andrew. They gave me money, sixty dollars altogether. I guess I was just overwhelmed." Trixie hoped her mother would believe the lame excuse and hurried out the door. What was she going to do with all the information she had just learnt? What was she going to tell Jim? What was she going to tell the rest of the BobWhites? What was she going to tell Mart? She thought as she looked over to where he walked beside her. Maybe he bought what I told moms. Trixie thought. She hoped.

Mart looked over at his sister walking quietly beside him. He knew she wouldn’t just blurt out what was going on in her little head. He would have to come up with some other way to get it out of her. He left her in silence; I wonder who sent her the letter. Mart’s thought was broken by the sound of Dan’s voice. "Did you both get lost?" He asked looking at them from the door to the stables. He started to say something when he noticed the red, swollen eyes of Trixie.

"Long time no see." Honey managed as she carried a saddle from out of the tack room to help Trixie saddle Susie. Dan took it from her as Mart went to get Strawberry’s Saddle. She took one look at Trixie’s face before asking, "What’s wrong?"

Trixie shook her head "I’m sorry but something has come up and I can’t go riding."

"Trixie are you O.K?" Honey asked concerned. Trixie had definitely been crying and that was something she very rarely did.

"I’ll be fine." She replied her voice cracking as she turned towards Crabapple Farm.

Her friends watched her leave. "What happened?" Di asked coming up on Sunny. "I thought we were all going for a birthday ride.

"She got three letters this afternoon." Mart explained. "She told Moms she was overwhelmed by the fact that she got sixty dollars from both Uncle Andrew and Aunt Alicia, but there is no mention of the third. When I went into her room, she was reading it and crying her eyes out." He looked at his friends, "find the author of the third letter and you will find the source of her tears."

"Maybe it was from Jim" Dan mused. He knew as did everyone the crush that Trixie had on the redhead and if Jim wrote and told her about his girlfriend of course she would be upset.

"Jim wouldn’t have been so callous to send a letter instead of telling her to her face." Honey insisted.

"Tell her what?" Di and Mart both asked.

Honey and Dan both appeared uncomfortable at the question. "He has a girlfriend doesn’t he?" Di queried.

Honey nodded her head. "Oh man." Mart groaned. "I guess we shouldn’t mention this to her so she doesn’t feel as bad."

"Mart you may tease her dreadfully but when it comes to it you really are very sensitive towards her." Di kissed him on the cheek as Mart went a nice shade of red.

"We just can’t tell anyone how nice Mart is to Trixie, it might ruin his reputation." Dan slapped Mart on his shoulder. "We had better get going and exercise these horses before Uncle Bill gives us the what for."

 

Honey nodded, and went to lead Lady out her stall. She would have a talk with Trixie later. Jim could have told her the news a month ago rather than on her birthday and he could have called instead of writing. Honey would give him a piece of her mind.

 

Chapter 3

Trixie crawled out of bed. The birthday dinner had gone well, she had managed to make it through the meal with out telling anyone about the letter. She had decided that she would keep it to herself after the disastrous phone call the night before.

 

"Trixie!" Her mother had called. "Brian’s on the phone."

Trixie rushed to the phone, "Brian, it’s so good to hear from you"

"Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen."

"Thanks Brian."

"How are you going? Have you had a good day?"

"Great, yes, in that order."

"That’s good. What did you get?"

"Well I think you know what Moms and Dad got me,"

"That I do."

"Bobby gave me a horse he made, it’s really good. And I got twenty dollars from Aunt Alicia and forty from Uncle Andrew. And the Bob-Whites gave me…"

"What did they give you?"

"You are not going to spill are you?"

"Nope, you will just have to wait till Saturday."

"I’ll die between now and then."

"Great, I’ll get to practice my first aid."

Trixie sighed noisily into the mouthpiece. Brian just laughed. "Jim’s here he would like to say hi."

"O.K. Thanks for calling Brian. Love you."

"Love you too, Trix."

"Hey Trixie, its Jim here, how is the sweet sixteen?"

"Fine, How are you?"

"Great. Something tells me you have something on your mind?"

"I do."

"Come on Trix tell Uncle Jim all about it."

Trixie laughed nervously. "I got a letter today that was shall I say rather revealing."

"Revealing about who?"

"About you."

"Listen Trixie, let me explain."

"What’s to explain?" Trixie was confused.

"I don’t know who sent you the letter, but if it mentions a girl called Taryn then I should clarify that she is my girlfriend and we have been dating for about a month. I should’ve told everyone sooner but I guess I was too scared."

"Oh" Trixie managed. Tears threatened to fall down her face.

"Look Trixie, I’m sorry but it is not like we had a relationship or anything."

"I know that, its just you couldn’t tell me before. How come?"

"I didn’t want to hurt you." Jim knew it sounded lame. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt. He should have told her when he first started dating Taryn.

Trixie fought back the tears. "Are you still coming home this weekend?"

"Do you want me to?"

"I would really like the Bob-Whites together for my Birthday, it was my birthday wish."

"Then I’ll be there."

"Thanks Jim."

"See you Saturday?" Jim countered

"Saturday," Trixie repeated.

"Oh, Brian wants to say something."

Trixie could hear Jim hand the phone to Brian. "Trix, are you O.K.?"

"I’m fine Brian."

"I told him to tell you a while ago, but we were both unsure as to how you would take it. I’m sorry you had to hear it on your birthday."

"Don’t worry about it Brian the day couldn’t get any worse."

Now all she had to do was make it through the weekend and everything would be fine.

 

Chapter 4

The school day was long. It seemed that the clock was ticking slowly just to torment her. She had been in trouble from most of her teachers for daydreaming. Although bright spot, she had only been called four eyes once. She gathered her books together and raced for her locker when the final bell rang, she wanted to get to Croton and meet Leighton Oldman. He was sending his son Lewis to pick her up from school, who could even now be waiting for her. Jim without realizing it had given her the best excuse to be evasive for the weekend, perhaps for the rest of her life. Of course she was hurt, but she would get over it. For now she had Katje’s last wish to take care of.

Honey was waiting for her at her locker. "You were quick."

"The classroom was on fire?" Mart quipped coming around the corner with Dan.

"Has my locker become the local meeting point?" Trixie dodged the pile of books falling to meet her as she opened the door. "I have to meet someone, so you’ll have to excuse me." She slammed the door and walked down the hall.

"How did you know?" Asked Mart.

Trixie looked at him with a strange look. "How did I know what?"

They walked out into the sunshine. Mart pointed towards two young men; one brown haired and brown eyed the other red haired and green eyed. They were leaning against the BobWhite station wagon. "That!" Mart yelled.

Trixie’s mouth formed a small ‘0’ as she looked to see Brain standing talking with Jim. Her eyes scanned the parking lot looking for the man she was supposed to meet. She spied the small red sports car and a very good looking man standing with a bunch of bright flowers that would identify him to Trixie, at the far end of the car park.

"Trixie!" Brian waved out to her when he spied her coming towards them. There was a small amount of confusion that surrounded the group as they greeted each other. Trixie managed to give them both quick hugs before saying sweetly, "It’s so nice of you to offer me a ride but I already have one." With that she headed of to meet the man who had watched the exchange with interest.

"You must be Trixie?" He handed her the flowers. "Then these are for you."

Trixie put them to her face and took a deep breath. "How do I know that I can trust you?"

He laughed at her then. "I’m Lewis. My father was like a father to Katje before she got married." He noticed her looking at him strangely. "My father married at the age of forty, I was an afterthought." He opened the door for her. "Dad is anxious to meet you." Trixie nodded and hoped in, Lewis closed the door for her and then they left the parking lot.

The BobWhites looked after her with their mouths hanging open. "Who the hell is he?" Mart spluttered.

"Well he is certainly good-looking," Di said.

"Tall, dark and Handsome," agreed Honey.

Brian looked at the girls horrified. "You mean to tell me you don’t know who he is?"

The girls shook their heads. Brian looked at Dan, "Don’t look at me," He shrugged. "I have never seen the guy before in my life."

"Then why was she so upset last night?" Jim mused.

Honey looked at her brother in disgust, "because you never bothered to tell her."

"Well she never told me." Jim’s temper was beginning to flare.

"Then that guy shouldn’t be a problem." Honey yelled back.

"Honey," It was Brian who spoke. "Are you all right?"

"She never told me either." With that Honey burst into tears and hopped into the car.

It was a quiet group that made their way back to the Manor House. They had planned milkshakes at Wimpy’s then a horse ride. Now Trixie had to go ruin it. Never mind they would do it any way. Honey decided.

*****

 

"Happy Birthday dear Trixie, Happy birthday to you." The BobWhites sang as Trixie stood with her face beaming.

"Now blow out the candles." Honey prompted.

Trixie did as she was told, which was not very often and blew out the candles. "Thanks you guys, this is the best."

"Wouldn’t miss it for the world." Brian hugged her. "You’re the best sister I have."

"Here, here!" Agreed Mart.

Trixie laughed, "Where’s the knife?"

The BobWhites dived into the small junk food feast with gusto. "Good." Mart managed with a mouthful, "Very good."

Once everything had been devoured, Jim pulled out a small box. "From all of the Bob-Whites." He said passing her the small package.

Honey hugged her best friend. "We spent ages trying to decide what to get you, and this is what we came up with. I hope you like it."

"Honey I shall love it" Trixie opened the small box and gasped at what she saw. "Wow, I really do love it." She pulled out the small silver band.

Brian passed Trixie her glasses, which she had conveniently forgotten. "You might need these to read the inscription."

Trixie smiled sheepishly before taking them from Brian. "BWG friends forever" Trixie read. "You guys this is the best. Thank-you all so much." She noticed the intricate pattern that wove itself around the band. "This is beautiful." She placed the ring on her right hand, gave each of her friends a hug. "Thanks again."

"We thought you were special enough. So we thought why not." Honey said.

"You’re been a good friend to all of us and even though you totally shocked us yesterday with your tall, dark and handsome friend in the parking lot, we love you." Honey joked.

"Well you will have to get used to seeing him, because I will have a lot to do with him in the future." Honey raised her eyebrows while Trixie winked at her best friend. The group went quiet at that. It was hard for them to think that Trixie might have a boyfriend outside of their small group.

Jim was having the worst time in his life. He thought he was doing great, he had a girlfriend, great friends and yet when he saw that guy give Trixie flowers’ his heart had hit the ground. Why does she have that effect on me? He thought. Why does the thought of her with someone else make me feel so rotten?

The party ended early Sunday morning when the BobWhites had finished watching a couple of movies in the Wheeler’s big games room. They had fallen asleep in a tangle of arms and legs and sleeping bags in the early hours of the morning. Mrs Wheeler walked into the amusing sight. She quietly got Mr Wheeler’s camera from the study and took a photo. What was the most interesting, she decided were Trixie and Jim. Jim had draped his arm over Trixie who was curled up with her back to him. They would make a good couple one day she thought.

 

Chapter 5

Honey hugged Trixie, "Glad you made it." Trixie nervously nodded. She looked around and saw a few friends from school, and some people Jim obviously knew from college, but then of course it was his birthday. Trixie spotted him standing in the corner with his arm around a beautiful brunette. She was slender and sophisticated, Trixie decided. If it weren’t for the coloring she’d be exactly like Dot Murray.

Jim looked over to see Trixie looking at him. Jim whispered into his girlfriend’s ear and they started to walk towards her. "Trixie, glad you could make it." He gave her a light hug. "I’d like to introduce you to Taryn." Jim looked at the girl beside him. "Taryn this is Trixie, a good friend of mine."

"Nice to meet you Trixie." She spoke in a soft almost prissy voice Trixie thought.

"It’s nice to finally meet you." Trixie said. She passed the gift she held to Jim. "Lewis helped me pick it out."

"I’m sure I’ll like it." Jim tore at the wrapping, "The paper came away to reveal a small Chinese box. "What is this?"

"When you figure out how to open it I guess you will find out what’s inside." Trixie grinned.

"But there is no catch or lid or drawer or anything." Jim turned the box over and over trying to find a way to open it.

"Well I guess now you know how I feel when I have a mystery on the go." She laughed.

"Trixie that is a mean gift." Honey said, although rather amused at the gift.

"No the fact that Lewis helped her pick it out is mean." Mart bantered.

"Well I needed to know if a male could open it or not and well this box passed the test."

"That is low." Mart intoned. "Very low."

Trixie just rolled her eyes. "So sue me." She wandered of to mingle with the other guests.

"She seems rather highly strung." Taryn observed as she watched Trixie move to the other side of the room. She had been worried about meeting Trixie. This was apparently the girl who had a crush on Jim. She still wasn’t sure whether or not Trixie was a threat to her relationship with Jim.

"She’s not normally like this." Honey tried to explain.

Jim left the small box on the table "would you like to dance Taryn?" She nodded as Jim led her out to the space that had been cleared for the purpose.

The party was soon in full swing; young people were dancing, older people talking amongst themselves. Mr and Mrs Belden were watching their daughter mingle. She wasn’t really having a good time. Soon the buffet was over, mainly because all the food had been eaten. Mr Wheeler called for attention as a big cake was wheeled into the room. The candles were lit and someone put out the lights. Jim’s face glowed in the light and the smile on his face reached into his eyes.

"Jim we are so glad you became a part of our family and are so proud of you and your achievements. We are honored that you are now a part of us. Happy Birthday." Mr Wheeler put his arms around Jim and hugged him before passing him on to his mother, who also hugged him.

Jim looked at his group of friends and his family, "Thanks Mother and Dad for all that you have done for me. I am so privileged to call you my family and I am so lucky to have all the friends that I do. Thankyou for sharing this time with me."

Someone started singing Happy Birthday and the crowd joined in. When they had finished Jim blew out the candles. "Who wants a slice?" Jim asked as he stuck his finger into the gooey dessert then licked it clean. "Tastes nice."

"Jim," his mother reprimanded as the cake was wheeled back into he kitchen to be sliced and passed out to the guests.

Mr Wheeler called for everyone’s attention, "Jim, what your mother and I are giving you, well..." he looked at his adopted son who looked so like him and smiled. "We wanted to give you something for your future." He handed Jim an envelope. "I’m sure you can understand what this is for."

Jim reached for the envelope Mr Wheeler offered him. He opened it to find a deed to twenty acres of the preserve. "Dad, what can I say?" He looked at the group of people standing around waiting to find out. "As you know I have a dream to open a school. Dad has given me land to make that dream come true." The crowd cheered.

Mrs Wheeler hugged her son. "We love you so much." Jim hugged her back. The cake made its way back and soon people were eating and laughing and talking.

It wasn’t long before guests started to leave. It was getting late. Jim tried to spy Trixie without being obvious. He finally saw her on the phone. He walked over to talk to her but she hung up and left the room. Jim returned to his guests, continuing to thank them for coming. As he was saying goodbye to the last one a delivery van pulled into the driveway. "I have a parcel for a Mr James Frayne." The driver announced coming towards the group. Jim moved forward and signed for the package.

Taking the small rectangular box he announced, "Well I guess I have one more gift to open." He led the group inside and proceeded to open the box. At the top of the box was a letter. He opened it and began to read aloud

Dear Jimmy,

I wish that I could be there for your birthday. I know that you have become a man who your father and I can be so proud of. You are the most wonderful thing that ever came from our union. Your Uncle Jim and I devised a way so that throughout your life you will receive gifts as you reach certain milestones. I wanted to make sure that you would receive the things that I would have given you if I had been there and as I know Carl would not have done this for me, I have given the task to a young friend of mine who I know will. Have a wonderful birthday Jimmy.

With all my Love Mom.

 

The tears coursed down Jim’s face as he read the letter. He started to unwrap the box that his mother had given him. He pulled out a photo album. He opened it to scan through photos he thought he would never see again. Tears came at the sight of his father and mother in the days when they were a happy family. He passed the album to his mother who with tears took it and started to leaf through the book. He then pulled out an old tin box. "My keepsake box," he murmured. He opened it to find various items that he with his father had collected together. Only one thing was new. Inside the box was a small square jewelry case. He opened it to find his fathers pocket watch and a small note attached.

I know that your father would have wanted you to have this watch. His own father gave it to him when he started college.

Not one dry eye could be seen in the room. Jim stood asking to be excused as he took the watch and the keepsake box to his room.

Mr Belden gathered his family together announcing it was time to leave. As the family walked out the door Honey grabbed Trixie’s hand "I’ll see you tomorrow" and then they were gone. Regan and Dan moved towards the stables, leaving Honey, Mr and Mrs Wheeler and Taryn alone.

It was Taryn who broke the silence, "Well that was some birthday party."

"Yes it was," Mr Wheeler said.

He watched his wife pick up the photo album and head upstairs. "I’m just going to give this to Jim." She stated.

Honey and Taryn helped Mr Wheeler pick up the rest of the gifts and moved them to the library where Jim would collect them in the morning.

 

Upstairs, Mrs Wheeler knocked on the door. When no answer was forthcoming she slowly opened the door to find Jim sitting on His bed. "How are you holding up Jim?" She closed the door behind her, and walked towards the young man. "Would you like to talk about it?" Jim shook his head. Mrs Wheeler sat next to him on the bed. She opened the first page of the album. "Is this you?" Jim looked at the picture, a small baby boy rested in the arms of his proud father. Jim nodded. Mrs Wheeler turned the page, she laughed at the next photo, Jim smiled. There was a picture of Jim sitting astride his father’s gelding. His chubby little hand was waving at the camera a smile was plastered on his face. His father stood beside the horse holding his young son in the saddle. Mrs Wheeler commented on picture after picture. Jim was soon joining her telling stories about his childhood and opening up for the first time. He laughed and cried then told his adopted mother of the pain he went through when they both passed away. By the time Jim was finished he was emotionally drained. But relieved he was able to finally talk about it.

"I think my mum opened a can of worms." Jim joked.

"She had to find the best one to do it to." Mrs Wheeler laughed. "I wonder who the young person is?"

Jim shrugged his shoulders. "What if it’s Trixie?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well Trixie seems to be the catalyst for everything and she has been acting withdrawn and I did see her on the phone just before the truck arrived and I feel like I’m being told I should be with Trixie not Taryn."

Mrs Wheeler smiled at the way Jim was talking. "You should be with the one who makes you happy, not the one who you think you should be with."

 

"But Trixie does make me happy."

"But Trixie is only sixteen, and you are only eighteen. You have a lifetime to figure out who makes you happy, you don’t have to do it all tonight." She put her arms around her son. "You may be able to rush through your studies and get your Ph.D. early but you cannot rush through relationships. They take time, and in most cases, we never have enough time to perfect them. Just promise me you will never rush into a relationship without examining your heart and the lady’s heart in question first?" Jim nodded. "Good, I just want you to be happy Jim."

"Thanks Mother."

"Anytime Jim." She got up and walked towards the door. "Sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite." Then she was gone leaving Jim with his thoughts. He climbed into bed and as he slept dreamt of a young beautiful blond woman.

 

Chapter 6

For the past two weeks she had put up with Jim and Taryn and it was all getting too much for her. Taryn wore the perfect clothes, had the perfect figure and didn’t wear glasses. Trixie stuck a finger down her throat "I can’t even make myself throw up." She angrily ran her fingers under the cool water as she looked into the mirror. Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks blotchy, her freckles stood out, her nose was red, "lets face it I look awful," she declared to her reflection. "Well keep going until you succeed," she told herself and with renewed ‘hope’ she stuck two fingers down her throat. She managed to make herself gag, but that was not the result she wanted. In desperation she placed all four fingers down her throat. Her stomach heaved and…

"What are you doing?" Her father demanded as he walked into the bathroom.

"Forgetting to lock the bathroom door." She cried, exasperated that her constitution was just too strong.

"You had your fist down your throat."

"No I didn’t." Trixie washed her hand under the tap. "I had four fingers down my throat and it didn’t work so no harm done."

"Trixie sweetheart," he managed as he walked over and put his arms around her. "Why would you want to do that?"

"Because I’m fat and ugly I have to wear glasses and nobody loves me." Trixie cried as a fresh wave of tears coursed down her cheeks. "Why does he have to like someone who’s more beautiful than me. Everyone is."

"I think you are the most beautiful thing in the world."

"You’re my dad it’s your job to say things like that."

"So you don’t believe me?" Trixie shook her head. "Well what can I say to make you believe me?"

Trixie shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing?"

"Well let me just say this," he paused as though trying to find the right words. "I don’t know the workings of the female mind, but do know the way a guys mind works, well the average male anyway." Trixie smiled a watery smile. "I do know that Jim has had a hard time of it, and being in college, and as young as he is, he is very impressionable, and is likely to do things people expect of him in that situation."

"Are you saying he is dating Taryn because people expect it of him?"

"In a sense, although Jim is not the kind of guy to conform he is the kind of guy to live up to the expectations of those he admires. Taryn comes from a well to do family and is the kind of match a person in Jim’s current social standing is expected to make."

"Where does that leave me?"

"Just give it time Trixie. Like I said Jim is still young and as mature as we all think him, and Brian, for that matter, they are still boys with a lot of growing up to do. Jim thinks the world of you always has, its not hard to see, and I for one am glad he’s dating other girls."

"Dad!" Trixie protested.

"Well I am," he defended himself. "It leaves me more time to get used to the idea that you are growing up. I love you so much and the thought that some day you will leave home or get married is terrifying. I want you here where I can keep an eye on you and you can keep me company in my old age."

"I’ll always be here for you dad, you know that."

"If you’re not, I will ground you indefinitely."

"Love you dad."

"Love you too Beatrix." He kissed the top of her head before continuing, "And sweetie?"

"Yes."

Mr Belden took her tearful face between his hands, "Just so you know, you are beautiful."

"Whatever." She sniffed.

"Trust me I’m your dad I know these things." He watched as Trixie wiped her eyes, seeing she was not totally convinced he continued. "Let me tell you a story about a very stupid college boy."

"This wouldn’t happen to be you would it?"

"You are just to nosy for your own good. Yes it is me. Anyway let me tell you the story." He placed his finger to his lips, " Ssshhh." He grinned mischievously before continuing. "Now there was this really stupid college boy, he was in love with this really pretty college girl. Well actually she was stunning, you could compare her to all the models in all the magazines and you would definitely have to say she was the most pretty of them all."

"What did you do?"

"Acted really stupid," Mr Belden whispered before continuing in his best storytelling voice. "I brought her flowers and chocolates, wrote her poetry, really bad poetry and she scorned me each time. For three months I chased this really pretty girl around and then I met your mom, ran her down in the corridor to be exact. I was on my way to give this really pretty girl another piece of really bad poetry. And your mother got in the way. She held me up for ages while I had to do the gentlemanly thing and help her pick up her papers, well it seemed like ages to a man on a mission."

"A really stupid college boy on a mission." Trixie corrected him.

"Hey." Mr Belden protested. "Anyway, I was not happy being held up like I was. Then I heard this horrible noise, some girl was ripping into some poor guy and I felt sorry for whoever it was and then I felt angry that it was happening in the vicinity of my really pretty girl. So I followed the noise and found my really pretty girl had a voice worse than a crow on a bad day. And a nasty streak you wouldn’t believe. My eyes had been opened. I heard this laughing behind me and turned to find your mother in hysterics reading my really bad poetry. I may have been stupid but I was not that stupid. All of a sudden instead of seeing a really pretty girl, I saw quite an ugly girl. Then I looked at your mother and instead of seeing Miss Run-me-down-in-the-corridor," He grinned boyishly at the memory, "I saw these blue eyes light up with laughter and a spirit worth all the gold in the world. I knew then that not only was I looking at the most pretty girl in the world but also the one with the most beautiful heart."

"Even though she was laughing at your really bad poetry."

"Especially since she laughed at my really bad poetry."

"Well I haven’t heard the story quite like that before." Trixie exclaimed.

"No? Well I may have embellished it a bit"

"Like Mart would?"

Mr Belden winked good naturally, "Maybe, but I just wanted to make the point that although a guy may be attracted to the looks of a girl it isn’t what will keep him. Trixie what makes you beautiful is your generous spirit, your love of live and your loyalty to friends. The package on the outside is an added bonus. I think you are beautiful for everything that you are and one day some guy will too." He squeezed her tight, "and if not, then he is not worthy of my little princess."

"You haven’t called me your little princess for years." Trixie mumbled returning her father’s hug.

"You wouldn’t let me." He reminded her. "You threatened to set your fire breathing dragon on me if I ever mentioned it again."

 

Chapter 7

Trixie burst into laughter. The Bobwhites turned to face her. Her face was quite red, her hands clutched her sides and a fuming Taryn stood glaring at her. The morning had turned out to be beautiful and the Barbecue had been superb, even if Mart had burnt the steaks. They had all agreed to a morning by the lake so the Belden kids would have time to tidy the house for their parents before they returned home that evening. They were also planning on having dinner at the Farm as Jim and Taryn were leaving the next day.

Trixie had been in unusually good spirits since the day earlier when she had had a really good talk with her father. She enjoyed a close relationship with her father, probably because she was the only daughter in the family. He had made her day, not because he told her that she was pretty, but rather because he believed in her as a person. And even though Taryn was, well not nice, Trixie knew now that it did not matter, and what made it all the more believable was the fact that Trixie just found out that Taryn was really quite nasty. Now that was just the icing on the cake and Trixie finding the prospect of history repeating itself highly amusing, found it very hard to control the laughter and boy was the icing sweet.

"Trix? What’s so funny?" Asked Mart trying to hold back his own laughter.

"Taryn just said something really funny." Trixie held her cheeks in her hands "My cheeks are sore." She managed.

"What was the joke?" Jim asked, not sure whether to be pleased that Trixie and Taryn finally seemed to be getting along.

"It wasn’t a joke." Taryn stormed as she tossed her hair over her shoulder and turned towards the Manor House.

"Taryn!" Jim yelled after her. Obviously everything was not well between Trixie and his girlfriend. "Trixie what was so funny?"

Trixie gulped, "Never mind, I guess it wasn’t that funny." She lowered her eyes to avoid Jim’s gaze.

Jim unsure how to react, turned and followed Taryn home.

"Trix?" Brian asked concerned as Trixie’s shoulders began to shake.

"Do you want me steal the girl from Jim and give you free reign?" Dan joked trying to cheer Trixie up when he saw that she was struggling hard to hide her emotions.

"Dan, just because Jim is stupid, doesn’t mean you have to be." She answered before clutching her sides as another wave of laughter overcame her.

"Trixie, what has gotten into you?" Brian asked, not knowing whether to be amused or annoyed.

"Please let us in on the joke?" Honey pleaded.

"Yeah" Mart agreed pleased to see the sparkle in her eyes that had been absent since her birthday.

"She insulted me." Trixie managed.

"What did she say?" "I can’t believe I was nice to her." "She has some nerve." "Why is that funny?" Came the Bobwhites mixed replies.

"What are you going to do about it Trixie?" Di asked.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, unless of course Jim refuses to come to his senses within the next few years."

"Few years?" Brian asked.

"Well I’m not going to wait forever for him to see the light." With that final statement she brushed her hands together and went about helping to clear up the dishes.

 

Chapter 8

It had been only a few hours since the scene at the lake. Jim was still none the wiser as to what was said between Taryn and Trixie and he was at the stage where he didn’t want to know. Now he had to face an evening with all the Bobwhites at Crabapple Farm before he returned to University and a summer seminar he had enrolled in. "Taryn are you ready?" Jim called as he knocked lightly on the guest room door.

"Yes," she stated as she opened the door. She was dressed in white trousers with a pink knitted twin set that seemed to enhance her natural tan. "But I’d rather just spend the time with you, alone." She whispered suggestively putting her arms around Jim’s neck.

Jim accepted her embrace and leant down to kiss her, "Sounds tempting." His lips found hers and he tasted the peach flavored lipgloss. He hated the taste of fake peaches. Jim pulled away and smiled at her.

"Jim!" It was Honey who called out, breaking their embrace they stared at her. "Time to go," she announced before giving them a ‘look’ and leading them both out towards the Farm.

Taryn reluctantly let herself be led by Jim who was holding her hand. All too soon they reached the farmhouse where the sound of male voices could be heard.

"Yoo hoo!" Honey called.

"In the family room!" Mart’s voice called back.

"What is going on?" Honey asked. Taryn and Jim followed her into the living room.

"Dan wants to tape a movie and since Mr Maypenny doesn’t have a video recorder, we kindly agreed to do the deed." Brian explained as he handed a video to Mart.

"We just need to find an empty tape." Di explained as she took a tape from Mart and placed it in a cover. "Bobby have you found anything?"

"This one may be blank." Bobby handed Mart a video, smiled a hello to Jim and Taryn who had seated themselves on the sofa. Bobby wasn’t to fond of Taryn and was prone to excessive shyness when she came over. He was glad they would be leaving in the morning.

"Where did you find it?" Mart asked as he slipped the video in the machine and pressed play.

"Trixie’s room." Bobby muttered, "she has a whole heap.

"I’m surprised you found anything in there" Mart said, "normally it’s too messy to find anything."

"Oh come on Trixie is not that bad," defended Honey. "By the way where is she?"

"With Lewis, he’ll drop her off soon." Brian replied sitting on one of the large cushions strewn on the floor.

"Trixie is out with Lewis again?" Dan asked. "No wonder her room is in a mess. She is never home long enough to clean it."

"You know they say that the state of one’s room is equivalent to the state of one’s mind." Taryn spoke out.

Quiet descended over the group and the snow on the television screen gave Mart the opportunity to break the tension that had built up in the room. "I think this one’s O.K. to use." He went to press rewind when trees and grass started to whirl around on screen. "Amateurs." He sniffed.

The Bobwhites plus Taryn and Bobby, minus one Trixie, watched with amusement as a pair of green eyes stared into the lens. "Is it working?" An unseen voice asked.

"I’m not sure." Answered another voice.

"Jim since when have you been video camera illiterate?" Mart joked.

"I’m not." He shook his head denying his involvement, "I don’t know anything about this."

More trees and grass came in and out of focus as the video continued to play.

"Did you press the button?" The first voice asked.

"Yes." A pair of trousers and shoes came into focus.

"That’s the record button there." A hand blocked the lens.

"Uncle James, I am not stupid." An exasperated voice could be heard.

"I never said you were but I am now." Trees flew past the screen again.

Jim’s face went pale, he held tightly onto his knees and his knuckles went white with tension.

"I bet I could do it daddy – it’s that button there."

"Jimmy go play. First your uncle and now you. I should have bought a fishing rod instead of this damn contraption." Said the exasperated voice as more trees, grass, hands and trouser clad legs came and went.

"You didn’t need to be so hard on the lad Winthrop."

"I know, I’ll make it up to him as soon as…" The voice stopped as trees came into focus the right way up. "I’ve got it." Winthrop called triumphantly.

"Congratulations" and this time the voice matched the face. It was old Mr Frayne but instead of looking like a sour, wrinkled old man; he looked like a kindly gentleman given to laughter and a sense of fun. "Maybe you are only half as stupid as you look."

"Thanks Uncle Jim" Came the sarcastic reply. The camera wobbled a bit before focusing on a small boy sitting on a log beside the old mansion. His red hair glistening in the afternoon sun.

"What’s he doing?" The voice obviously Winthrop asked as the Young Jimmy got up slowly and moved forward with stealth almost unnatural for a boy so young.

"Looks like he’s stalking something," observed Uncle Jim. "Keep the camera on him."

"Already happening," Winthrop replied.

The sound of the preserve mingled with the sound of soft music as young Jimmy crept forward beside the mansion. Jimmy stopped by the corner. Suddenly a young child with golden curls took of from the side of the mansion and headed towards the trees. Jimmy being bigger and faster took chase and with a flying tackle knocked the child to the ground in an exceptionally muddy area.

"Jimmy! What do you think you are doing?" Winthrop yelled. Uncle Jim could be heard laughing as he took the camera from his nephew and continued to record as a tall, handsome, red head ran towards the two now very dirty children.

"She stole a muffin." Jimmy stood up triumphantly holding a very squished and muddy muffin.

"That’s no excuse to tackle a girl." Winthrop replied looking at the small now crying and wiping mud through her eyes. "Who’s this?" He pointed.

"What’s going on?" A petite blond woman asked as she ran from the house towards the cries. Uncle Jim could still be heard chuckling behind the lens.

"It looks like Beatrix, she must have run away from the sitter again. She is supposed to napping this time of day." An older woman observed as she walked towards them.

"We should get her cleaned up then." Katie murmured as she examined the small Beatrix for any damage. "Are you hurt? How old are you sweetheart?"

Beatrix shook her head then held up three very dirty fingers.

"Well I think I will just ring and let the sitter know where she is." Aunt Nell decided. "Katie, you can take her up to the house and get her cleaned up. There are some clothes up there that I am supposed to give to charity for Mrs Martin, there should be something in there that she could wear." She watched as Katie picked up Beatrix then headed towards the mansion. Aunt Nell then turned her attention to the ‘men’. "I’ll bring out some clean clothes for Jimmy. Just don’t let him in the house looking like that."

Uncle Jim kept the film rolling as Winthrop took his sons hand and led him to the house with a hint of a smile on his face.

The Bobwhites watched in fascination at the interaction between father and son.

Winthrop had removed Jimmy’s clothing and proceeded to squirt him with the hose. His face once again clean, and standing there in all his glory, he asked, "It was a good tackle though wasn’t it dad. She went down like a dead duck."

Winthrop tried unsuccessfully to hold back a laugh as he managed, "that it was son, that it was." He turned of the hose taking the time to compose himself some more before he continued, "but next time, make sure you are playing football before you try the same stunt. O.K.?"

Jimmy nodded his head; a broad grin covered his face. "But she stole a muffin so it was war-wanted."

Jimmy’s attempt at warranted caused Uncle Jim to drop the camera and Winthrop to finally lose it. When the video came back into focus Winthrop was drying of Jimmy and trying to explain to Aunt Nell what he had said between fits of laughter.

Jim was speechless and didn’t know how to react to what he was seeing. The video returned to snow for only a moment before it returned to father and son.

"Do I have to?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes you do." Winthrop answered. "Great tackle though it was, you do need to apologize."

"She was stealing a muffin." Jimmy protested.

"That’s no excuse." Winthrop smiled as Jimmy pulled a face.

"Ready to apologize?" Katie asked leading Beatrix out onto the verandah. Wearing a black dress with a white lace collar and a white ribbon around the waist, with her curls washed and her face cleaned she looked absolutely adorable.

"Jimmy," Winthrop prompted, "you were going to say something to Beatrix."

Jimmy moaned, "I’m sorry," his eyes were cast to the ground. Winthrop nudged his shoulder. "I’m sorry Beatrix."

"Assepped." Beatrix replied as demurely as a three-year-old could.

"I’m very proud of you Jimmy." Winthrop commended pulling the small boy into his side for a one armed hug.

Jimmy folded his arms obviously not happy about the turn of events. "Beatrix is a silly name, and she looks silly in a dress."

Before Jimmy could take a breath following his comment, young Beatrix flew at him, catching Jimmy unaware he fell to the ground with a very irate three-year-old Beatrix pummeling into him.

Winthrop lost control once more as he burst into laughter leaving Katie and Aunt Nell to try and pull the kids apart before they did some serious damage. Uncle Jim was no help as he laughed uncontrollably and continued to record with a very wobbly image being the result.

It was at this point that Trixie entered the room and saw what her friends had gotten a hold of. Silence filled the room as she turned of the video and ejected the tape. Her angry voice filled the room "Who went into my room?" She glared at her brothers for going through her personal items.

When no one answered, Taryn stood and eyed the shorter girl down. "You have some nerve that is a piece of Jim’s past and you are withholding it from him. You have no right to come in here and remove it."

"I have no right?" Trixie stared at Taryn in disbelief. "What do you know? That tape was a gift to me from Jim’s mother." Trixie’s anger was almost palpable. Before she could add an insult Jim interrupted.

"You knew my mother?" His voice betraying the emotion he felt. Trixie nodded her head. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I tried but you interrupted and told me about Taryn, and I knew then that if I told you…" Trixie took a deep breath. "Jim I’m sorry, I made a mistake I should’ve told you, but I didn’t realize I knew her until I received…"

"That letter on your birthday?" Mart finished for her.

"Yes." Trixie answered. "It was from Katie, she told me to get in touch with her lawyer at Croton, so I did and his son Lewis picked me up from school that afternoon and has been an amazing friend for me during all this."

"This has been hard on you?" Taryn snared.

"Yes it has." Trixie replied.

"I guess keeping the truth from Jim was very hard. Imagine all that guilt you had to deal with." Taryn’s sarcasm was not missed.

"Taryn, please?" Jim interrupted. "Trixie, why? I mean…" His voice tapered of, he didn’t know what to say.

"Your mother trusted me, you need to as well. I will give you everything she wanted you to have, trust me Jim I will not keep what is rightfully yours to myself. This video is my gift, not yours if you’d like a copy, ask me." Trixie stopped when she saw the hurt and tears in his eyes. "You are one of my best friends, I care about you, a lot," Trixie looked at the carpet afraid that she had said too much. She stopped and looked at Taryn, then back to Jim, "and you will always be one of my best friends it doesn’t matter how dippy your dates are."

"What?" Screeched Taryn. "I’m dippy?"

"And what was I?" Trixie demanded. "Nothing but a desperate teenager who would never have the appeal to catch anything but a cold. If you’ll excuse me I have to clean my room. You know what they say about a messy room and the state of one’s mind?"

 

Part 2

Approximately 1 year later, Mart and Dan have just graduated from highschool. Summer has just begun and Trixie is now seventeen years old. Everyone is home for the holidays and the fun has just begun.

Chapter 9

Jim knocked on the door, "Hello! Is anyone home?" He called. The handsome redhead moved through the kitchen. The place felt deserted with no one around. "I wonder where they all are?" He murmured to himself.

Jim moved to the stairs and up to Brian and Mart’s bedroom. He figured that Brian would be around somewhere as nothing had been heard to the contrary. Jim took the stairs two at a time calling out as he went up before walking into the empty bedroom, "Brian must be somewhere," he mused. He knew Dan was working with Mr Maypenny, Honey and Di had gone to lunch with their mothers, Mart was working at Whimpy’s, hopefully not eating them out of business, and he had no idea where Mrs Belden and Bobby were. As for Trixie, Jim’s heart lurched at the thought she was probably with Lewis.

Trixie and Lewis had a relationship that no one understood. Not one of the BobWhites had met him and he kept his distance from the Belden family. Jim didn’t like the jealousy that overcame him every time that he thought of them together. He paused at the top of the stairs and looked towards Trixie’s room. Jim went over to the door and knocked "Just making sure she isn’t here" He muttered as he looked about him before guiltily opening the door. He looked at the chaos that was Trixie’s room and tried to tell himself he wasn’t prying. Her bed was made but the rest of the room was messy. Books were stacked untidily on the bookcase and her desk. Her school bag surrounded by papers and notebooks was shoved in the corner. Clothes were strewn over the window seat and one of the draws to her bureau was open showing the contents, something lacy, a bra. Jim blushed as he averted his gaze to the top of the bureau where perfumes, a brush and various other feminine objects were scattered. Now Jim really did feel like a peeping Tom and rushed to the door to avoid any more guilty feelings. The sound of a cell phone ringing caught his attention. "When did she get one of those?" He picked it up unsure whether to answer it or not, deciding on the latter thinking it would probably be Honey. "Hello" he ventured.

"Lewis?" Came the voice on the other end.

"No I’m Jim."

"You must be a friend of Lewis’ then. Are you?" Came the tentative question.

Jim unsure what to say just said, "Umm, you could say that."

"Good, then you’ll know Trixie?"

"Yes, is she O.K.?" Jim asked concern growing in the pit of his stomach. It had been a long time since she had been in ‘trouble’ and everyone was enjoying the quiet.

"Yeah well she’s fine, but I think you should come and pick her up. My names Lily by the way and she’s in a spot of bother and she needs to be… well I think you should just get here as soon as possible." Lily paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "and it is probably best if you don’t mention this to her parents, and if you are a friend of Lewis then I know you can be trusted because I cannot deal with the situation anymore."

"That’s fine, Where are you?" Jim was getting anxious, what has she gotten herself into his time? Lily gave him the directions to a small property that was located just outside of Croton. Taking the phone with him he rushed out of the house and up the hill to get his car, Trixie needed rescuing again.

Jim soon found himself at a small property and from what he could see from the position of the fence line, the property was about 15 acres with a semi respectable garden and river frontage. Poplars’ lined the driveway and although the grounds were unkempt the property was obviously well thought out. The house was a simple two-story building with a wide verandah circling the lower story. The material it was made of appeared to be sandstone, and Ivy climbed over the building adding a charm that made him feel like he had come home.

Jim parked outside of a two-car garage separate from the house and walked towards the front door. A very attractive Asian looking girl, who looked to be about twenty, greeted him at the doorstep and ran down the steps to meet him. "Hi. I’m Lily, you must be Jim, Lewis’ friend."

Jim nodded dumbfounded. The girl looked worried not scared, he noticed she didn’t appear to have been the victim of any physical abuse and although she was out of breath she wasn’t fearful. "Where is Trixie?" His own fear seemed to have abated slightly.

"You aren’t going to tell are you?" Jim shook his head noticing fear of getting into trouble more than fear of danger in the girl’s eyes.

It was at that moment that Jim heard a very drunken voice singing a very gaudy song at the top of her lungs. "I just gave her enough to calm her nerves, I didn’t think she would keep drinking." Lily confessed.

Jim managed an "Oh".

"I can’t control her, she won’t stay still and I’m afraid she will leave the house, and…" Lily held up her hands.

"It’s all right just take me to her." Jim tried to assure her.

Lily looked quizzically at Jim before leading him up into the house. One of the first things Jim noticed was the old wooden stairway leading up to the second level. A once rich green carpet runner worn with years of use, the exposed beam ceiling a home to an old cast iron light fitting that reminded one of the period in which it was made, spoke of home to Jim. He followed Lily through a door that led to what would have been the parlor and where Trixie was still singing at the top of her lungs.

"Trix?" Lily spoke first.

Jim noticed a beer bottle raised to her lips, her body was hidden behind a sofa. "What is she wearing?" He asked.

Trixie hearing the voices managed to look their way with bleary eyes. "Lily" Hiccup "Jim" another hiccup. She stood to her feet and came around to face them one hand on her hip and the other still clutching the beer bottle.

Jim gulped, "She’s naked."

"I know I can’t persuade her to put clothes on." Lily looked up at Jim and then looked down. "Are you sure you are a friend of Lewis."

Jim nodded his speech momentarily lost and his mind memorizing the ‘vision’ in front of him. He closed his eyes when he saw her bleary eyes and knew that he was in deep trouble for now until forever. "Trixie I think it is time you got dressed and we head home." He noticed some clothes in the corner of the room and moved to pick them up. He held them out to Trixie while trying to keep his eyes of Trixie’s body, which he had to admit, was amazingly beautiful and stirring up more emotions than he could keep in check.

Trixie threw the bottle onto the sofa, "Why?" She placed both her hands on her hips.

"Because" Jim managed weakly, "You’ll catch cold."

Trixie laughed her body shaking as she did. Jim’s self-control was at breaking point. Trixie just looked at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "O.K." She walked toward Jim. "But only if you catch me." With that she took of. Lily could only watch in despair as Trixie ran out the front door and out into the gardens.

Jim finally leapt into action glad that that he could do something to get his mind of any other type of action, and ran after her. As if he was going to let anyone in the neighborhood look at her body the way he was. She had a head start but Jim’s long strides soon caught up with her small ones.

Trixie was laughing uncontrollably as she heard Jim come up behind her. Jim managed to grab her arm and swing her around, the momentum causing them to fall. Jim very conscious of Trixie’s naked body and not quite knowing what to do with his hands had by some small miracle managed to get them both to their feet. Trixie all the time struggling and Jim calling on every last ounce of his self-control, sanity and the threat of older brothers and father’s wrath, threw her over his shoulder so she couldn’t get away. Unfortunately the motion was too much and she vomited down Jim’s back. "Yuck!" Jim shouted as he felt the warmness run down his back. "But it’s the turn of I needed," he murmured under his breath.

Lily was waiting for them at the house. She led Jim upstairs to the bathroom where he happily dumped her in the bathtub. Lily could take care of her now.

"Is there somewhere I can get cleaned up?" Jim asked trying to lift the sticky shirt from his back.

Lily pointed down the hall. "There is a shower in the master suite. I’ll bring you some clean clothes."

*     *     *

"You took long enough in the shower." Lily commented as Jim walked into the sunny kitchen.

Jim blushed, "What was she doing drinking anyway?" He asked hoping to take the focus from himself.

"I’m an art major at NYU, Lewis and I are college friends. I decided to take a summer class and one of their requirements is to paint the naked form. He talked Trixie into sitting for me and she was uncomfortable and so I gave her a sip so she could relax and I didn’t see just how big a sip it was until it was too late." Lily’s voice tapered of.

Jim raised his eyebrows. Lily led the way back into the parlor. "I got this much done before she took of."

Jim looked at the canvas, a pencil outline of Trixie sitting on the floor looking out the window with her face in the sun. One leg tucked under her and the other bent so that her cheek was resting on it. Because she was side on the painting would not give too much of her body away. "Wow." Jim observed. "You have quite some talent. You managed to get this outline in how little time?"

"About fifteen minutes. I knew what I wanted." Lily picked up a pencil and started to add marks to the canvas.

Jim decided it was best he return to the kitchen. He sat at the table and placed his head on his hands. Feeling that closing his eyes and remembering at this point was not a good thing decided to explore the property. He headed out into the fresh air towards the river and hopefully sanity.

*     *     *

"Just because you saw me in the buff does not give you the right to tell me what to do?" Trixie yelled. She had only just woken and she had a splitting headache.

"You were irresponsible, You were drunk." Jim’s face was red. "What would have happened if I hadn’t made sure that you didn’t run all over the country side in your state. It’s a good thing it was me and not Lewis who found you."

"What…" Trixie spluttered.

Jim interrupted, "You are underage and furthermore you are naive…"

"Naïve!" Trixie exploded. "What do you mean by that?"

"You have no idea what trouble you could have gotten into."

"Is that a fact?"

"Yes."

"And you are a man of the world so you know better?" Trixie seethed.

Jim unaware of the trap he was walking into agreed. "I know more than what you do."

"Oh really?" Trixie challenged.

"Yes really." Jim retorted.

"Fine"

"Fine"

"Follow me." Trixie demanded as she stormed out of the kitchen into the parlor.

"Something the matter?" Asked Lily as she turned towards them both.

 

Trixie looked at Jim with fire flashing in her eyes before grabbing Lily’s face between her hands and planting her lips on hers in what looked to be a very passionate kiss. "I’ll see you on the weekend." She stated before walking out the door towards Jim’s car.

Jim in shock followed behind. She hopped into the passenger seat as Jim took his place in the driver’s side. He placed the key in the ignition and drove without a word towards home. Trixie immensely pleased with herself sat back and enjoyed the quiet of the ride. Jim had that one coming to him she thought with satisfaction.

Jim noticed the small smile on her face as he pulled into the driveway of Crabapple farm. He pulled up outside the farmhouse and leaned over to open the door for Trixie. "Trixie, I would just like to say Thankyou." He commented as she hopped out.

She bent over to look at him, a puzzled expression on her face, but a triumphant one none the less. She wasn’t going to let him know how he unnerved her. "What for?"

Jim smiled as he thought I am going to get the last laugh. "Did you know that your butt wobbles when you run. Not too much but just enough." He pronounced the words clearly so she would understand what he was saying.

"What?" Trixie’s voice was strangled as she looked into Jim’s green eyes.

"And the vision of you with Lily," Jim returned her gaze boldly. "That is a dream I will take with me to my grave. Thankyou" He reached over and pulled the door to the car closed before reversing down the driveway.

Trixie watched him leave her face burning red from embarrassment. "Time to take a long walk of a short pier." She muttered before bursting into laughter. "Jim, you are so dead!" She yelled towards the Manor House.

 

Chapter 10

Trixie leaned her head on the screen door. Her moment of joy had passed, or her moment of triumph had passed and now she worried if anyone else would find out. She closed her eyes to try and make the day disappear, when that didn’t work she vowed to the small spider calmly spinning its web near the porch light that she would never drink again. Not that it was a habit she regularly indulged. Trixie opened the back door and stepped into the kitchen. The lights were off and the place deserted.

"Surprise!" A chorus of voices shouted as the lights were flicked on.

Trixie let out a yell, "What the …"

"Trixie." Her mother warned.

Trixie looked sheepish as her eyes adjusted to the light and her head ached at all the noise. "It’s not my birthday," she protested.

"Yes but Mart thought it would be a trick to umm… ‘surprise’ you." A familiar voice drawled.

"Hallie?" Trixie looked surprised enough as her still taller, darker and prettier cousin walked forward to greet her. "It’s good to see you." She gave her a small hug.

"You sound thrilled that I’m here." Hallie observed amused at her cousin’s lack of normal enthusiasm.

"Sorry Hallie, I had a trying day." Trixie explained. Hallie raised an eyebrow. "So where are you sleeping?"

Hallie looked at her Aunt before replying, "In your room?"

"Oh" Trixie mused. "Have you unpacked?"

"What? You want another suitcase mystery?" Mart asked.

Trixie rolled her eyes. Hallie shook her head. "Good." Trixie commented as she grabbed Hallie’s hand and dragged her up the stairs to her own bedroom leaving an opened-mouthed Mart in their wake.

Hallie collapsed onto the bed laughing, "That was priceless. Did you see Mart?" She clutched her sides at Trixie's questioning look and struggled to compose herself.

"I guess he is not used to us getting along."

"I’m not sure that I’m used to getting along." Hallie conceded

Trixie waved her hand to show Hallie that it was of no consequence whether they were or were not used to getting along. "How long are you staying for?" Trixie asked "And why are you here?"

"Mum and Dad are at a conference in some country and the boy’s are wherever they are and so I’m here." Hallie lay down on the bed and put her arms behind her head. "As for how long I’m staying, well that could be a couple of weeks. Mum and Dad aren’t sure."

"Great," Trixie said as she sat in her chair and placed her head in her hands.

"You would rather me somewhere else?" Hallie asked with concern.

"I’m sorry Hallie, it’s just I embarrassed myself totally today and I have bit of a headache and Jim is…" Trixie paused trying to find the right words.

"Yes, do go on," Hallie encouraged, sitting up and looking at Trixie expectantly.

The sound of Honey Yoo-hooing up the stairs interrupted Trixie’s answer. "What are you doing here?" She asked as Honey walked into the room.

"Your mother told us that you were having a dinner for Hallie since she’d be arriving today. Were you surprised? Mart said that since you knew last time and he didn’t you should have the surprise this time. Anyway when Jim got home, heaven knows from where, Miss Trask immediately sent us to pick up Di and Dan and so we are all here just like old times." Honey finally took a breath, much to the amusement of Hallie. "Hello Hallie, it’s so good to see you." Hallie smiled and hugged her friend.

The rest of the BobWhites, except for Brian, had followed Honey into the room, Jim giving Trixie a small wink before offering his greeting to the cousin. There was mild confusion as everyone started talking at once. Trixie’s head started to protest at the noise. "O.K. that’s it. Everyone out." She motioned to the door.

"But I only just got here." Brian announced from the open door. "Hello Hallie."

"Hey their Brian." Hallie gave him a hug. "How are you?"

"Great." Brian replied. "What’s the ruckus for?"

"Trixie is acting strange." Dan said.

"Correction, she is strange." Mart interjected.

"Yes but it is a good strange." Brian joked.

"Fine all of you stay here, I’m going." And with that Trixie went to walk out the door.

Jim grabbed her arm, an amused smile on his face. "What’s up?"

Trixie looked at him with a flushed face, opening and closing her mouth struggling to find an answer. Then it hit her. She looked at Jim with a wicked grin on her face, "What’s up?" She paused for effect. "Why Jim…"

"O.K. Time to eat. I’m hungry." Jim tried herding everyone though the door amid protests and questions.

Brian grabbed his friends arm and managed to shush everyone. "What’s up and why does it involve my sister?" Brian's voice only held a hint of humour.

Jim’s face was red, "I think it might be best if Trixie explained it," he finally managed.

"Yes Trixie, do explain." Mart invited, his stance clearly ready to defend her honor if need be.

"It’s all very innocent" Her blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "Jim just saw his birthday present today before it was ready."

"The painting!" Jim explained. Shock clearly registering on his face.

"What painting?" Brian asked as he relaxed his grip on a very pale Jim.

"We will have the great unveiling…" she squinted at the calendar on her wall where she marked all birthdays of importance, "very soon apparently." She smiled. "Surely you can all wait that long?"

Jim gaped at her. "Is everyone going to be there?"

"Of course, it will be a monumental occasion for the BobWhites." Trixie said.

Any further comment was halted by Mrs Belden’s call. The BobWhites traipsed noisily down the stairs, to the feast Mrs Belden always managed to conjure up.

 

Chapter 11

"O.K. Trixie. What is going on between you and Jim?" Honey asked as the girls filed into Trixie’s bedroom after dinner.

"She was about to tell me something when you all arrived this afternoon." Hallie said.

"Is it about Jim?" Di asked.

Trixie nodded. "I think I’m just going to die," she stated dramatically as she fell face first onto her bed.

"What about Jim?" Honey asked, her eyes lighting up with expectation. She was looking forward to her brother and best friend finally getting together, but Jim was still dating the odd girl from college – odd being an appropriate word for them – and Trixie was being mule headed because of some reason that no one could fathom. And if the behavior between the two of them had any bearing on a future relationship, Honey wanted to know right away. So she sat forward on the twin bed and eagerly awaited Trixie’s answer.

Trixie for her part was contemplating what she would tell her friends, especially her best friend. She looked up at them and decided to confide in them the truth. "O.K. here goes…"

"Here goes what?" Mart asked poking his head through the door.

"Hasn’t anyone taught you to knock?" Honey asked with a coldness Mart had never heard her use before.

Mart gaped at her unable to comprehend why Honey would act like that towards him. Brian came up behind his brother and jabbed him in the side, eliciting a yelp that forced the door fully open. Jim and Dan were also there and from the way they were dressed and the riding boots Brian carried they were going for a ride. "We thought a ride would be in order. Jim’s offered to take Di home to get Sunny and I was going to drop Dan off so he could pick…"

"We are not going anywhere," Di announced.

"That way you won’t have to worry about not enough horses." Honey explained.

"And I don’t really feel like a ride," Hallie said, "a bit jet lagged, you know how it is."

"And what is your excuse Beatrix?" Mart asked to sweetly.

"What go riding with you? I don’t feel like being at the brunt of your jokes this evening, Martin. So if you would be so kind as to shut the door when you leave, we’ll see you in the morning." Trixie replied tartly.

The boys had the sense to leave, shutting the door with not quite a bang before they left. Honey started to giggle. "What’s so funny?" Hallie asked an amused grin on her face.

"I can’t believe I was so rude." She replied.

"And that’s funny because?" Hallie prompted.

"Well its not really funny," Honey conceded, "I guess I’m just anxious to know what Trixie has to say and Mart Belden is not going to get in my way."

"Well Mart can get in my way anytime he likes." Di giggled.

Trixie made a gagging noise. "I’m feeling very sick right about now."

"Oh shut-up." Di threw a pillow that hit Trixie squarely in the face. "You can’t talk. You made a right royal fool of yourself at dinner concerning a red headed male."

"Please don’t remind me." Trixie groaned, covering her face with the pillow.

Hallie walked over to Trixie and grabbed the pillow from her. "Spill." She demanded.

When Trixie just replied with a groan, Honey politely pushed her of the bed. Trixie fell with a thump and just lay there. Honey undeterred demanded to know what was going on. "Beatrix Belden you are going to tell us what ever it is you are going to tell us and you are going to tell us now."

Trixie groaned as she rolled over. She slowly resumed her spot on the bed, playing for a moment of time to gather her thoughts before telling her ‘story’. "Lewis has a friend called Lily…"

"Oh Trixie I’m so sorry, I know you and Lewis are, well special friends." Di consoled.

"I think you need to fill me in on this Lewis." Hallie stated.

"Well I for one would like to say I’m glad he finally has a girlfriend other than you." Honey proclaimed.

"Honey, Lewis has only ever been a friend" Trixie explained.

"Whatever." Honey just shrugged her shoulders, clearly not believing her friend, and jealous knowing that Jim was her brother yet Trixie seemed to have closer family ties to him than what she did. "Keep going."

"Lewis met Lily at NYU. They met in history, I think. She is an art major." Trixie began. Her friends sat looking at her, curiosity on their faces. Trixie sighed before continuing. "Lily is taking a summer course and one of her assignments is to paint the human form."

"What does this have to do with you?" Hallie asked, even though she was sure she was getting the gist of where this might be headed.

"She’s painting me." Trixie confessed.

"And you are giving the painting to Jim for his birthday." Honey clapped her hands together in glee.

"Ummm, if I guess correctly the human form means naked?" Trixie nodded at Di’s question.

"You’re giving Jim a painting of you naked?" Hallie looked at her cousin as if she had gone mad. Honey’s jaw dropped and was incapable of speech.

"No!" Trixie protested. "Lily will be keeping the painting for her portfolio, she told me it may go on display at some point but that she would never sell it."

"Then why did you tell Jim he was getting a painting for his birthday?" Honey finally asked when speech returned to her.

"Please let me finish without interruption." Trixie begged.

Honey nodded, Hallie made a play of zipping her mouth shut and Di prompted Trixie to "go on".

"Lewis talked me into posing for her and I agreed." She held up her hand to forestall Honey who was on the verge of interrupting her. "Please Honey?" Honey nodded and allowed Trixie to continue.

Trixie took a deep breath, "We agreed to meet up in Croton and I went there this afternoon. I was really nervous, she knew that and told me I didn’t have to be naked all at once if I felt more comfortable that way. So I just stripped down to my underwear. Well it kind of worked. Taking of your clothes so someone can ‘study’ your body is definitely the scariest thing I have ever done, and that includes some of our mysteries. When Lily noticed I was still really nervous, she produced a bottle of beer and told me it would help me get past my inhibitions…"

"You didn’t?" Hallie gasped.

"I did." Trixie confirmed. "And it worked. I was able to take all my clothes of and was quite comfortable about it. I also got a little drunk. Well since I’ve never had a drink before it didn’t take too much to get me drunk. Anyway I became a little bit of a handful for Lily and she had to call Lewis so he could make sure I sobered up a bit."

Honey covered her ears, "I don’t think I want to hear this."

"Lily didn’t realize that I had Lewis’ phone in my, well this bedroom, and Jim must have been here when it rang." Trixie explained.

"Oh my." Di exclaimed.

"Then Jim knows you were drunk this morning?" Hallie asked.

"Yes and that is not the worst of it, when Jim said he was a friend of Lewis’, Lily told him where to get me, and being the knight in shining armor he can’t resist being, he arrived."

"Oh my," Di managed.

"And you were wearing?"

"Hallie I was naked. I was drunk and naked, and Jim was there, and apparently when I saw him I took off, and he had to chase me across the grounds. I have never felt so humiliated. He had to carry me back to the house and dump me in the bathroom so Lily could try and sober me up." Trixie buried her face in her hands.

"And that’s how he knew about the painting?" Honey managed to ask.

"Oh my."

"Diana Lynch if you say ‘oh my’ once again I am going to have to hit you." Trixie managed through gritted teeth.

"He carried you into the bathroom?" Honey asked, the enormity of the situation finally hitting her. "But if you were wearing no clothes…" the sentence went unfinished as Honey’s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. "Then what happened?"

"Apparently I vomited down his back." Trixie tried smiling.

Hallie looked over at Di who was on the verge of an ‘oh my’, and started to giggle. "Trixie when you get yourself into trouble you definitely don’t do it by halves."

"And that is not the worst of it." Trixie whined.

"There’s more?" Honey asked.

"Now this is going to be worth hearing." Hallie commented.

"After I had slept for a couple of hours and sobered up a bit, Jim and I got into an argument and he lectured me like I was some kid and I got so angry that I kissed Lily."

"Oh my." Di exclaimed.

"You What?" Honey looked positively shocked, Hallie at this point was speechless.

"Well I was mad at Jim." Trixie replied defensively. "He was being a big pain in the butt. And I knew Lily wouldn’t mind if I used her like that, I mean I’m not that way inclined, even if she is, and she used me in the same manner when Lewis and I took her out last month when she was trying to get over her girlfriend dumping her…" Trixie held up her hands and shrugged her shoulders in defeat, "and the worst of it is…"

"It gets worse?" Hallie couldn’t believe Trixie could dig herself into such a hole.

"When he dropped me of at home he said thank-you."

"Thank-you for what?" Di had recovered to some degree and was now more curious than shocked.

"For my wobbly butt and the vision of me with Lily." Trixie buried her face in embarrassment. Her voice could be heard muffling something into her pillow.

"Oh my." Honey managed.

"He told you your butt wobbles?" Hallie asked.

Trixie nodded, "not to much but just enough."

Hallie could control it no more she started laughing. Di was looking at the very red face of her friend clearly amused but not enough to laugh at her predicament.

"Why would he thank you for well…you know…kissing Lily?" Honey asked.

"Well its…you know…guys…" Di decided to just shut her mouth, she didn’t really want to explain this.

"You’re very articulate tonight, Di." Hallie teased.

"Just because I get a lot of attention from the opposite sex does not mean that I know everything there is to know or can explain it really well." Di defended herself. "You have two older brothers, you explain it to Honey."

"Yes well…ummm…it’s like this…Trixie can explain it because her brothers are closer in age to her and she’s the one with all the experience apparently." Hallie replied.

"Never mind. I’ll think I’ll just go home." Honey looked embarrassed as she got up to leave.

"Honey, sit down." Trixie commanded. Her embarrassment forgotten as she noticed how upset Honey was. Although the girls did get together and talk about boys the conversation had never really gotten to this point, and when Trixie stopped to think about it Honey very rarely participated in those conversations but rather listened to the other girls. "You may not really want to hear this about your brother, or my brothers or any male to be perfectly honest, but guys think about sex…"

"A lot" Hallie interrupted.

"Exactly." Trixie agreed. "I don’t really know exactly what they think about, who how or where but according to the birds and bees lecture I got from moms, boys are not above thinking about things like two girls together."

"It’s almost second nature." Hallie put in. "Them thinking about sex, I don’t know who or how many…I think…I’ll shut up now."

"And you can’t half tell when they are thinking about it." Di shook her head in disgust. "Why can’t they think about something else, when they see a girl." Di swept her hair over her shoulders; "it makes one very uncomfortable to know when some guy is thinking about you in that manner."

"Except when it’s Mart doing the thinking?" Hallie teased.

Di had the grace to blush, "Well Mart and I have an understanding of sorts…" she couldn’t finish. "I’ll stop talking now."

"Especially since I’m sure your train of thought never entertains ideas along those lines." Hallie continued teasing.

"Don’t go there." Trixie covered her eyes. "I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight."

"I don’t see what the big deal is. As if it never crosses your mind." Hallie countered.

"Yes but I’m not about to broadcast with who." Trixie sniffed. "I’d like to think I have some dignity." Trixie sat onto the bed next to Honey, wishing that she had the tact with which to deal with the situation. "Did your mother or Miss Trask ever talk to you about, well the birds and the bees?"

Honey’s red face flushed deeper as she shook her head. "Well mother and I never really got along till I met you, and I guess Miss Trask already figured I knew or that mother had already told me, but…well it’s not like I don’t know what it is all about, I mean I understand the ummm, well the process of it, I just don’t know…well you know? Boys…feelings…sex…well I guess it’s a topic that has always been avoided around me. I mean when I was nine…well I guess everyone thought that maybe I would never need or want to know." Honey shrugged her shoulder as Trixie put her arm around her friend. The girls were silent.

It was Trixie who broke the silence, "Would you like to talk about it?"

"I mean what is there to talk about?" Tears started to fall down Honey’s cheeks. Hallie sat on the floor in front of Honey and rested her head against Honey’s knee. Di moved to the other side of Honey and sat down.

Trixie silently prayed for the words to help her best friend, for the tact she did not have. "Honey we are here for you whether you want us or not. And we will love you in spite of anything you tell us."

Honey swallowed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "He was my teacher, I didn’t understand anything about anything and I still don’t." Honey leaned into the comforting hug of Trixie. "Since then I have always been led to believe that anything to do with sex outside of marriage is wrong." Honey paused for a moment then continued, "I thought I was a bad person for feeling what I thought I shouldn’t, I was scared I would turn into the very person that did this to me in the first place. I was feeling so..." The sobs racked Honey’s body as the dark memories flooded back. *

The girls were silent as they comforted Honey and offered the quiet support of their friendship. Time seemed to pass slowly as the girls started to talk openly about their emotions, growing up, boys and life in general. None of them knew how to deal with Honey’s experience, but that did not stop the tears flowing freely, or the understanding and strength that comes from being and sharing with the friends closest to you.

"Honey, I don’t think I ever told you this but I so admire you." Honey accepted Trixie’s hug.

"Thanks, I needed this talk." Honey smiled a warm wobbly smile. "I just might make it through high school without being totally horrified and embarrassed by the opposite sex after all."

"Of course you will." Di assured her.

"Trixie there is something I want to ask you, well two things actually." Honey looked down at her hands.

"You can ask me anything Honey." Trixie said.

"You won’t get mad?"

"Why would I get mad? Just ask me already." Trixie replied in good humour.

"Do you ummm like Lily?" Honey avoided Trixie’s eyes as she asked.

"Not like that, as I said earlier I’m not that way inclined, I’m still enamored as Dad says with your stupid brother, but if I wasn’t I might just give it some serious thought." Trixie half-joked.

"You are still enamored with my brother?" Honey’s face broke into a delighted grin.

"What about Lewis?" Di asked.

"Hey I still haven’t heard the deal with Lewis." Hallie protested.

"Neither have we, but you don’t here us complaining." Brian announced as he walked uninvited into the room.

Trixie groaned, "Couldn’t you get lost in the preserve for once?"

"Yeah, good one Trix." Dan slapped her shoulder as he sat on the bed. She rubbed her shoulder in mock pain and glared at him.

"If you want to know about Lewis, ask Jim, he claims to be the man’s friend." Trixie retorted.

Jim cleared his throat as every eye looked to him. He noticed the amusement in Hallie and Di’s eyes and inwardly groaned just knowing Trixie told them something, he then looked at Honey and noticed her red eyes and then he noticed the scrunched up tissues all over the floor. Concern for Honey overtook his pride, "Honey, have you been crying? What have you girls been up to?"

Brian noticed Honey’s red eyes and telltale signs of puffiness around Trixie’s eyes. "Are you girls O.K.?" He asked in full doctor mode.

"We are fine." Hallie answered. "We were in the middle of something very important and you interrupted us because you forgot it was polite to knock on the door."

"Sorry" Brian apologized. "Would you like us boys to wrestle up some bedding so that you can all stay here the night? We’ll clear it with moms and dad." He offered.

Trixie looked at Honey who nodded. "Thanks Brian."

"I’ll ring Miss Trask." Jim stated.

"I’ll stay here and look after the girls." Dan gallantly offered.

"No you won’t." Mart protested, "you have to help me cart the bedding Brian so graciously offered to procure."

"Knew there was a reason I should have gone home early." Dan complained as he followed Mart through the door.

"Di you had best ring your parents." Trixie suggested.

"No need." Jim wandered back into the room. "Apparently Mrs Belden has already arranged everything. Parents are in agreement, Bobby is at the Lynch's and the living room is full of comfy bedding…"

"Awaiting the presence of young ladies, except of course Trixie, she is definitely not..." Mart said walking into the bedroom.

"We’ll be there shortly." Honey interrupted as she pushed Jim out the door and closed it in their faces.

"Now where were we?" Honey ribbed her hands together. "That’s right Lewis. Apparently he is the son of Jim’s mothers attorney and I want to ask my second question before I lose my nerve." She paused to find the words best suited to what she wanted to say. "Trixie would you be terribly upset if I told you that I didn’t want to be a detective?"

"No, but if you are not going to be a detective so you become a nurse I will scream." Trixie replied.

"Well the thought had crossed my mind," Trixie squealed as Honey managed to turn a delightful shade of pink. "No, I’ve been thinking of child psychology." Honey confessed.

The girls waited for Trixie’s reaction. "I’m not mad, in fact I’m impressed." Honey let out the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. "I never really expected you to be what I wanted to be, and when all is said and done, I’m not really sure I want to be a detective either."

The girls looked in shock at Trixie, "But it’s what you always wanted."

"Is it? Or did I just want to be a detective because I thought it was expected of me?" Trixie looked a little confused at her own confession.

"Have you been eating that Waldorf Salad?" Di asked. Trixie shook her head with a small smile.

"But it’s been your dream." Hallie insisted.

"Can you all do me a favor and not mention this to the boys?" Trixie asked.

"Our lips are sealed." Di assured her.

"And don’t mention Honey’s change of plans either." Trixie mused, "We’ll let them sweat a little while longer."

Honey caught Trixie’s eyes and nodded hoping that Trixie wasn’t just saying this to make her feel better. "Sure" She agreed. "I think that maybe we should get changed and head downstairs."

Trixie walked over to her dresser and fished around for some nightclothes Honey and Di could wear. "We also need to talk about Jim’s real birthday present." Trixie passed Honey and Di a pair of pajamas each that they had left behind previously. "His mother never intended me to give him what I will but I feel guilty having this so I’ll give it to Jim, and you girls can help me get it ready?"

"What is it?" Honey asked.

"I’ll tell you tomorrow." Trixie promised as she changed. "You will all be so surprised."

The girls nodded their agreement, looking forward to whatever else Trixie may be hiding up her sleeve. The atmosphere in the room lightened as the girls bantered. Hallie and Trixie grabbed the pillows of their beds, started a one-sided pillow fight and rushed downstairs with Honey and Di chasing after them.

 

Chapter 12

"Mart you didn’t?" Hallie squealed.

"What’s he done now?" Di asked as she rolled over to the sight of Hallie struggling to free herself from the sleeping bag in-between Mart and Dan.

"I’m not entirely sure and I don’t care." Hallie fumed finally freeing herself from the constricting sleeping bag. "What ever it was it stinks to high heaven!"

"Mart you didn’t?" Brian asked.

"He did." Di squealed as she jumped up holding her nose.

"It wasn’t me," Mart complained. "It was Reddy."

"Reddy is outside." Brian himself got up and went to the window to let in some fresh air. Dan was still cocooned in his sleeping bag, Trixie and Honey weren’t in the room and the rest of the Bob Whites were either holding their noses or leaning out the window for much needed fresh air.

"Man, what did you have for tea last night?" Jim managed, as the smell still seemed to permeate the room.

"I tell you it wasn’t me" Mart tried to explain between guffaws and protests around the room. He looked at the shaking form of Dan at his feet. "Methinks ‘Dan the Man’ may be able to enlighten us regarding the sweet perfume in the atmosphere." With that said he reached down and pushed his friend over with a flourish.

Dan’s head emerged with small protest. "It wasn’t me." But the smile and the laughter he tried so hard to restrain gave him away.

"So if it wasn’t you then who was it?" Jim asked in mock threatening way as the group descended on him to partake in revenge.

He put his hands up in a defensive position, "ask Sherlock and Watson."

"So this was an attack of the Schoolgirl Shamuses?" Jim raised his eyebrows.

"Thank goodness," Brian said. "I don’t think that smell is humanly possible so if it was Mart I’d be really worried."

"Here it is," Hallie said as she waved to get the attention of the boys.

"What did you say?" Brian asked as he noticed she had her hand covering both her nose and mouth and the other pointing to the incriminating object lodged under a small table near where they had been sleeping.

Jim, being the ‘brave one’, went over to the small bag that held the whatever it was that made the smell and tossed it out the window.

"That’s worse than Cap’s bee trap." Hallie commented once everyone had been able to breathe normally again.

"Now where are the perpetrators of the crime?" Mart asked as he walked to the door and yanked it open to see a very amused Mr Belden, and a laughing Honey and Trixie, standing with an ear to the door that was not there anymore.

"It wasn’t me." Mr Belden quickly said as he hurried of to the kitchen.

"It wasn’t me." Honey proclaimed as she followed in Mr Belden’s path and headed for the kitchen.

Trixie, placing her hands on her hips and a defiant look on her face, said, "Oh that’s just fine and dandy, now I suppose you think it was me?" When she noticed the unfriendly friendly faces of her friends approaching she answered her own question. "Well it wasn’t me, it was Dan" she pointed an accusing finger in his direction. They stopped and looked at Dan who looked just as shocked as the rest of them, but it was the head start Trixie needed as she raced towards the kitchen and the safety of her mothers ‘apron’. "Mum!"

Chaos reigned for a few short moments until Jim’s piercing whistle could be heard. "Thankyou Jim." Mrs Belden said as she straightened her apron and ordered them all back while she finished preparing breakfast.

"Remember, Beatrix, revenge is sweet…" Mart began

"Yeah, Yeah" she waved at him as if he were a fly. "Whatever."

"Mark my words…" Mart again tried to warn her as he left to get changed, the rest of the Bob White males following suit.

"We’ll be back." Dan mimicked as they left the room.

"Of course you will," Hallie yelled after them, "you haven’t eaten yet."

Breakfast was soon over, Mrs Belden admonished against any ‘harmful’ practical jokes anyone may have been planning, Mr Belden ‘requested’ a few chores to be done, and the BobWhites were soon ready to face a peaceful picnic at the lake and an afternoon horse ride through the preserve. These were the summer days that they all looked forward to.

After cleaning the tack under Regan’s watchful eye they returned to the lake to cool of.

Trixie sat on one of the towels spread out on the shore, exhausted from the races and games they had been playing, when Jim came and stretched out beside her. "I look forward to this all the year through." He commented.

"Here here" Brian agreed as he came towards them and sat on Trixie's other side.

They all sat in silence as they watched the others push each other of the raft and generally have fun. "Penny for your thoughts" Jim asked as he noticed the far away look in Trixie's eyes.

"Just thinking" she replied.

"About what?" Jim prompted.

"Lewis." She answered simply.

"Oh" Trixie didn’t notice Jim’s green eyes narrow as he quickly got up and head towards the boathouse.

"Trixie you didn’t have to be so mean." Brian began.

"I wasn’t…" Trixie began.

"As much as I don’t want to say this, being your older brother and all, but give Jim a chance he really likes you and this thing with Lewis…well its difficult for him."

"I know that…"

"He’s probably feeling towards Lewis the same way you were feeling towards Taryn."

"It’s not the same at all" she mumbled.

"Your right, at least Jim introduced us to Taryn where as you, well we have only seen Lewis and from a distance." Brian argued.

"I can’t introduce you to him, especially Jim." Trixie defended herself.

"Why not?" Brian asked.

"Because if you saw him you would know who he really is and then you would all be very mad at me." Trixie confessed.

"Why would we be mad at you?"

"Promise me you won’t tell anyone?" Trixie asked as she traced the outline of her foot in the sand.

"Promise." Brian agreed.

"He’s Jonesy’s son." She answered quietly.

Brian's eyes grew wide. "What?" But the voice didn’t belong to Brian; Trixie looked around to find Jim’s face turning a deep red, his green eyes blazing with anger as he had overheard her confession. Unable to say anything else he turned and ran towards the manor house.

The others seeing Jim take-off joined a now very angry Brian arguing with an equally upset Trixie.

"What happened?" Honey asked squeezing some of the water out of her hair.

Brian looked at Trixie with disgust. "We just found out why Trixie has never bothered to introduce us to her boyfriend Lewis."

No one said a word as they noticed how angry Brian was and how close to tears Trixie was. Mart finally broke the silence with "Well tell us."

"Lewis is Jonesy’s son." Brian answered through gritted teeth.

Honey looked at her best friend in shock, "Tell me that isn’t true, please tell me it isn’t true."

Trixie’s silence was confirmation enough. "How could you?" Honey yelled. "You went behind our backs, you … what kind of friend are you? I never want to see you again." Honey turned and ran before Trixie could even open her mouth.

"I never thought you would be able to do something so cruel." Di commented as she to followed the path that led to the Manor House.

Trixie finally consumed with enough guilt and ready to spend the rest of her life in her room, turned and fled down the path that led to Crabapple Farm. The remaining Bob Whites also took the path to the manor house, taking the remains of the picnic with them and maybe offering some comfort to their friend who was obviously hurting over the incident.

If the noise had have been any louder then Trixie was sure she would’ve hit the roof. As it was, being woken from a deep sleep had only made her jump high enough to miss the bed on the way down. She had fallen with a heavy thud on the floor. She heard strangled sounds behind her and turned to find Mart, Brian, Jim and Dan at the foot of her bed struggling hard not to laugh. She noticed Brian’s big Medical Dictionary on the floor that had caused the noise. Trixie just stared at it wondering whether she should burst into tears, laugh or what. She decided to just get up and hop back into bed, especially because it was getting cold.

The boy’s stopped laughing when they got no response from the girl on the floor. She just got up and hopped back into bed. "Well you are no fun," Dan said as he stooped to pick up the book.

"Sorry," But I’m not in the mood for providing the likes of you with entertainment this morning. Trixie was still half-asleep when it finally dawned on her that the boys were home. Mart and Dan had left for college the summer before, leaving the girl BobWhites to fend for themselves in their senior year. The parting hadn’t been amiable since the Bob Whites were still upset with her about being friends with Lewis. Jim hadn’t gotten his birthday gift, Trixie had spent more of the summer with Lewis than what she had planned, school had been a nightmare as Honey and Di were still too angry at her to be overly friendly. So Trixie had put her mind to her studies. Halloween and Thanksgiving saw some repair to the friendships but the process was slow and gradual. Christmas had seen a breakthrough with Trixie and Jim tentatively paving the way to restoring things to where they had once been. And now the boys were home for Easter weekend. Trixie threw the covers back and launched herself into the arms of the nearest male, which happened to be Dan, who promptly dropped the book. Trixie’s delayed squeal of surprise was drowned by Brian’s yell of pain as the book landed on his foot.

"What’s going on in here?" Mrs Belden said as she walked in the door. Smiling at the sight of her daughter greeting her brothers and closest friends.

"We’re fine Moms." Mart assured her after giving his sister a massive hug.

Mrs Belden left the room with "Breakfast will be ready shortly."

Trixie just stood with her hands on her hips and frowned at the boys. "What if I were sleeping naked when you pulled that trick?"

Brian laughed, "That’ll be the day." He gave her another hug "Missed you."

"So did you wake Honey by doing that."

Jim looked sheepish. "Honey sleeps in a nightgown as does Di so we figured you’d be the only one we could do that to." He walked to the other side of the bed where her slippers were and threw them to her when he noticed her starting to dance around on her toes.

"Here Trix, you might catch cold." Brian helped her into her dressing gown.

"Well let me warn you now," Trixie shook her finger at them to emphasize the point. "I wear less when the weather is warmer so don’t go trying that again. Unless you’re sure."

"Bobby already warned us you wear less to bed. We actually got Moms to check before we all came in here."

"Good."

Dan looked at her with a wicked grin. "Since when do you wear only your underwear to bed anyway."

"I’m a tomboy, I just do what guy’s do. What do you wear to bed?" She replied saucily.

"Point taken." Brian said knowing that all the Bob White ‘men’ slept, well you know, most of the time.

"The only guy I know who wears pajamas to bed apart from Bobby, is Lewis." Trixie laughed. "He wears pajamas with…" Trixie stopped when she noticed silence from the boys. She threw up her hands and said, "well I’m having a shower. I’ll meet you downstairs in a minute."

The boys left her room wondering just how she far she went with Lewis especially Jim. Lewis was an extremely sore spot. Trixie still insisted that nothing was happening between them but all the BobWhites had their doubts, especially since she lied about who his father was.

Half an hour later Trixie came running into the kitchen. "More awake now?" Brian asked.

"Yes thank you very much." She looked at the boys digging into waffles and bacon. "I’ll repay the favor one day."

"Sure you will." Dan teased.

Jim just smiled at her. She was wearing jeans, and a red sweater that brought out the color in her checks. Jim never grew tired of looking at her. But things were just never right to find out where they stood with each other. If she didn’t have Lewis then Jim would’ve jumped right on in to ask her out.

"So have you asked Di to the senior prom yet?" Trixie asked Mart. The two had started going out at Christmas. All the BobWhites had put of dating within the group for as long as they could. Most of the time they would ‘group’ date so no one would be left out. But Mart had decided things should change. Di had of course agreed and now the two were dating steadily.

"Of course he has." Dan said. "He insisted on doing it as soon as we got here last night which was about one o’clock." Dan hit Mart on the arm. "I think he recited the entire works’ of Shakespeare before he finally got to the point."

Brian laughed, "that’d be right, only my brother."

"Who are you talking about?" Mart asked. "When are you going to ask the flaxen haired beauty from yonder…"

"OK, OK. Mart." Brian interrupted. "I’ll ask her. Just give it a rest."

"You boys are crazy." Trixie sighed. She reached over the table to grab the peanut paste.

"So has Lewis asked you yet?" Mart asked, also knowing that Jim was dying to know.

"Why would Lewis ask me to my prom?"

"Oh come on Trix. You have been basically dating him for the past two years."

"Once and for all Brian, I have not been dating Lewis." Trixie sighed noisily. "Lewis even as my friend refuses to take me because his own prom was a disaster and he has vowed never to go to another one." She looked at the faces of her friends. "I’m not going to the prom because no-one has asked me and I’m not expecting anyone to. So just lay of it."

Mart looked at his sister with a strange look on his face. "You really aren’t dating the guy are you?"

"How many times do I have to say it?" Trixie said.

"You just spend a lot of time with him."

"I know." Trixie admitted. She took a sip of orange juice. "Lewis lets me be me. He accepts everything about me without complaint. He’s been a really good friend when I needed it."

Jim cleared his throat. "If that’s the case, would you like me to take you to the prom." Jim couldn’t believe he had just said that. His ears felt like they were burning as he noticed the eyes of everyone on his face.

Trixie just cracked up laughing. "Jim that is the most romantic thing I have ever heard." She sobered "Boy do I lead a boring life." She looked at Jim’s red face. "Do you really mean it?"

"Of course I do." He managed, though his throat felt too dry to even swallow.

"Thank you Jim I’d love to." She smiled.

"Guess I was slow on the uptake." Dan feigned disappointment by placing his hand across his chest.

Mart started to play an imaginary violin. "This is for Jim."

"Why is it for Jim? I’m the one who missed out."

"Let me correct myself." Mart tried hard to hide the smile. "This is for Jim’s feet."

 

Chapter 14

Jim couldn’t believe his luck. He couldn’t keep the smile coming onto his face as he fixed his coat.

"Not bad Jim." Dan commented from the door.

"Humph." Was the only noise Dan was rewarded with as he shut the door and made his way over to where the handsome young redhead was preparing for Trixie’s prom night, "What are you up to?" Jim looked at his friend clearly suspicious about his intentions.

"It’s not what I’m up to but rather what you could be up to." Dan whispered as he slipped something into Jim’s coat pocket. Jim raised his eyebrow at Dan’s implication so Dan explained himself a little further. "I’m not Trixie’s brother, but I do care about her, and you, so if you do, then you should be prepared, especially since the odds are against you."

"What are you talking about? The odds?" Jim queried.

"You know perfectly well what I mean." Dan slapped him on the shoulder. "And you know as well as I that if you and Trixie can get through this without any mishap, the prom that is, then I am willing to put money on the fact that you will both be an item."

"You didn’t bet on that did you?" Jim looked worried.

"Me and just about everyone in Sleepyside." Dan joked. At Jim’s horrified look he laughed, "Come on we have to go, Mrs Lynch wants to take photos and all that jazz before you go."

Jim followed Dan down the stairs where they met up with Mart and Brian looking handsome in their tuxedos. "Come on," Mart hurried them out the door; "the fairest of all maidens awaits me."

"No Tom in the limousine awaits you." Brian corrected as they filed out the door.

Five minutes later they were at the Lynchs Mansion. Harrison led them to the parlor where parents were having a drink and reminiscing about the days their children were young. When they saw the boys all dressed up they went into more memories and Dan stood by with a camera catching all those mother-don’t-kiss-me-in-front-of-people shots.

It was an ear splitting scream that broke the happy chatter of family. Mothers raced towards the stairs where a very ruffled Honey, half ready came running down the stairs with blood on her hand.

"What happened?" Everyone started running up the stairs.

Honey put up her hands to stop the stampede coming towards her. "Its O.K.!" She yelled so they would take notice of her. "It looks a lot worse than what it is." Babble broke out as mothers wanted to know what was going on and who was to blame. "Let me explain." Honey managed to say over their voices. "First of all Trixie is fine."

"Oh my baby" Mrs Belden managed as she grabbed onto her husband.

"She’s fine and its only because I had my hand on the cut that it looks bad. We will need something to put on it so that it’s protected, but she won’t die. The catastrophe is the dress is ruined."

"What happened?" Mrs Wheeler asked. A hand to her heart showing this kind of excitement was not her cup of tea.

The hair dresser just wanted to trim her hair and she tripped on a shoe and the scissors grazed the back of Trixie’s neck and tore the strap on her dress and of course there is blood on it also and since her dress is ruined, well she…" Honey was stopped by the sight of a fuming Trixie holding a small towel to the nape of her neck.

"Trixie are you all right?" Mr Belden asked as he took her free hand and led her to a seat where he could take a look at her neck.

Brian who had followed looked at the small cut and asked "Do you have a first-aid kit or something and I’ll have her patched up in no time at all."

"So its not bad?" Mrs Belden asked her color slowly returning to normal.

"I fared better than the stupid dress." Trixie managed.

Mr Belden held a smile as she said this, his little girl was still in their somewhere, didn’t matter that she was finishing her high school years and growing up way too quickly, she was still his little girl.

"We’ll find something else for you to wear and then…" Mrs Lynch began when Trixie interrupted.

"I don’t think I want another run in with that hairdresser." She commented sourly as Brian after receiving the small first-aid kit put a small bandage on her neck.

"But Trixie you just have to go to the prom," Honey whined. "We’ve been planning this for weeks, no months, you just have to come."

Trixie looked at her friend with a defeated look. "And where am I going to get a dress?"

"Well…" Honey was obviously thinking very hard about it. Trixie’s proportions were different to Honey’s and Di’s and as most of the formal dresses that they owned had been made specifically made, the likelihood that anything borrowed would not fit was highly probable.

"I have a suggestion that may be hard for some of you to swallow but that would make sure Trixie could go to the prom." Mrs Belden mused.

"What is it?" Honey asked excitedly, "we’ll all help."

"She could always ring Lewis." Mrs Belden replied calmly but firmly.

"Lewis?" Honey asked incredulously.

"Look I know that all think that Trixie was wrong for keeping the truth about Lewis from you, and I know that you all resent Lewis, but do you honestly think Jonesy let the poor boy grow up giving him better treatment than what Jim got." Mrs Belden argued.

"Are you saying that Lewis was a victim of Jonesy just as I was?" Jim asked quietly looking at Trixie as he spoke.

Trixie nodded.

"I never ever thought that a possibility." Jim mused more to himself than the people around him. He was pulled out of his reverie by the silence that seemed to deafen him. "Trixie," He began, "I’ve been looking forward to taking you to your prom and if Lewis has a dress for you then don’t you think that you had better call him and get it before its time to leave."

The smile Jim was rewarded with was worth the pride he had swallowed. The impulsive hug she gave him was worth any meeting with Lewis, the words she said made his heart soar, "Jim thank you, you don’t know how much this means to me." The subsequent kiss on the cheek was also well worth the effort.

Trixie made a quick phone call then waited with her parents for Lewis to show up. Jim was still grinning like the Cheshire cat and Honey had gone back upstairs to finish getting ready. Fifteen minutes later Di looking more beautiful than ever came down the stairs. Her dress was made of soft rich purple. The fabric flowed gracefully over her lithe figure, silhouetting her gentle curves and accentuating her tanned complexion. Thin straps held up the fine material that fluttered to just below her knees. Her hair was piled gracefully on her head and her eyes shone as she slowly descended the stairs.

"Fair Lady, what flower can compare to the beauty that stands before mine eyes." Mart gently took her hand in his and offered it a kiss before presenting her with a delicate corsage of violets.

"Oh Mart it’s beautiful." Di gushed as she helped him to pin it on her dress.

Honey soon followed, her dress reminiscent of Breakfast at Tiffany’s - a figure hugging, one shouldered black gown that fell to the floor and made her appear taller and slimmer than she actually was. Her fair complexion and the elegant do of her hair gave her a sophisticated and very grown-up look. Brian rendered absolutely speechless could only stare at her as she walked up to him. "Do you have anything for me?" She prompted.

Brian blushed, "Umm, yeah." He offered her the rose corsage and finally finding his voice muttered "You are so beautiful."

Honey returned Brian’s compliment with a "And you look very handsome." Then she too blushed as she helped him pin on her corsage.

The silence of the moving moment was broken by the screech of tires. "Sounds like Lewis is here." Trixie commented.

"Yep." Dan said, "I’d know that little red sports car anywhere. How on earth can he afford that?" He murmured to himself.

A few seconds later Lewis dressed haphazardly in jeans and a shirt with too many buttons undone for Mrs Wheelers liking strode into the house carrying a small garment bag and a silver makeup case. It was the first time that anyone had seen him up this close and the resemblance between this man and his father was obvious.

Trixie started to speak but Lewis held up his hand, "You are so lucky I know you so well." He gave Honey and Di a quick appraisal, "they look good, why don’t you?"

"Well…" Trixie tried to explain.

"Never mind, I know you are one fashion disaster after another. Lead the way." Trixie just threw her hands up in the air and led the way back upstairs and to a fate she was sure was worse than death. "Good thing you phoned the queen of fashion." Was the last thing the small group heard and which caused a giggle to escape from Di’s lips.

"He is so gay," Honey muttered as she too joined Di’s giggles.

Mart looked bewildered, Jim stood with his mouth hanging open, Brian spluttered and Dan muttered, "Well, that sure explains a lot."

"Why didn’t she ever tell us he was gay?" Brian finally asked.

"Maybe because you didn’t ask," Mrs Belden said.

"She would’ve told you but things were really difficult for a while and no one really wanted to hear about Lewis," Mr Belden said.

"And when we found out he was Jonesy’s son we wouldn’t have wanted to know anyway." Jim murmured. "I owe them an apology."

"Jim." It was Mrs Belden talking to him. "One of the reasons Trixie never told you the truth was because she didn’t want you to just like her because she knew your mother, she didn’t want you to leave a relationship because of her, and she didn’t want you give up any chance you had of experiencing life at college because you were tied to her. She wanted you to like her because of who she is, nothing more and nothing less. Can you understand that?"

"I always did, but can she believe that?" Jim wondered.

"I guess you saw a lot more than we gave you credit for." Mrs Belden agreed.

"The pieces just only fell into place." Jim admitted.

Mrs Belden gave Jim a hug, "She’s my little girl, be good to her Jim."

Jim nodded his throat tight "I will."

It was half an hour later with lots of photos taken of Honey and Di that Lewis made his way down the stairs. "Fashion shows are so much easier." He complained.

"You do fashion shows?" Di’s interest was piqued.

"Helps pay for college." He stated.

"But your car?" Dan asked.

Lewis smiled a wistfully, "Ex-boyfriend."

Any further comment died as Trixie came down the stairs. "This star only shines occasionally." Lewis stated. Jim was struck speechless as the ‘star’ came towards him. Trixie had been dressed in a strapless dress of pale gold, which hugged her figure to her waist and fell simply to the floor. Trixie’s short blond hair had been pulled back from her face and tamed to some small degree. Gold thread seemed to be woven amongst the curls and her fair skin seemed to sparkle. A simple golden choker helped to cover the small cut left by the previous hairdresser.

"He does lots with little." Trixie commented as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"And you have so little." Lewis joked.

"Be nice or I will never let you take me out in drag again." Trixie bantered.

"You are the star that shines brightest in the night, you are beautiful beyond compare…" Lewis intoned.

"Shut-up Lewis." Trixie warned.

"You had better be home before midnight for if you turn back into your old self the fashion police will come and get you." He countered.

"Trixie you look beautiful" Mrs Belden took her daughters hands and held them out taking in the sight of her daughter now grown up.

"She’s not going." A deep baritone stated.

"What?" Came the reply from several people.

"Exactly what I said," Mr Belden frowned. "My daughter is not going anywhere."

"Peter," Mrs Belden began.

"No Helen," Mr Belden glared at his wife, "My little girl is too beautiful. Someone will steal her away" he glared then at Jim. "She’ll never come home. No she’s not going. Put your jeans on Trixie we are going."

Trixie walked over to her father put her hands on his cheeks and said, "Daddy, I’ll always come home." She gently kissed him on the lips before joining her friends as they made their way to the limousine.

"She could have hid her outward beauty for a few more years." Peter sulked as he watched them leave.

They wound down the windows and waved at their parents until Tom turned onto the road and towards town. Jim, still speechless, still held the corsage as he had no idea where to put it or how. He looked at the beauty seated opposite him. Next to her was Di and Mart, and Brian and Honey were next to Him.

"Jim" Trixie began her blues eyes sparkling, "Are you going to pin that on me?"

Jim looked at Trixie, at the dress, "Where? There isn’t much dress to pin it on."

"Don’t be silly just pin it on me."

Jim looked embarrassed. "I can’t I’m all thumbs."

"Since when?"

"Since you showed up looking like…" He paused.

"Looking like what?" Trixie prompted.

Jim couldn’t speak. He noticed his friends looking at the conversation with interest. He wanted to say that she looked like the princess his mother used to tell him about when he was little. The princess he would rescue from the evil wizard. He smiled at the thought of Trixie needing rescuing from anyone. She was so stubborn. But he loved her. He loved her. He sobered at the thought. How could he tell her that? Trixie’s voice broke through his reverie. "What do I look like Jim?"

"An angel Trix." He leaned towards her so that his face was close to hers. "An angel," he whispered as he looked into her eyes. She was his angel princess. He would rescue her, and she would rescue him. This was a fairytale that could work. There would be no more mistakes. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her lips closer to his. He then lightly brushed then with his own. He looked into her eyes; "I’m still all thumbs."

Trixie looked into Jim’s green eyes, which were moist with emotion. There was a depth of feeling there that she had never noticed before. She took the corsage from Jim’s hand and pinned it over her left breast. The white of the orchid stood out against the cream of her skin. "Thank-you Jim it’s beautiful."