*All Ages

Originally Brian and Honey’s start of romance was to be part of my next story but it’s key to the next story that they are already together. This is mean to take place about a month after Sweet 16.

Always meant to be …..

Brian and Honey's Story

By Steph

Trixie Belden, aged 16, walked into the living room after saying goodnight to her boyfriend, Jim Frayne, as he started heading home with her best friend, Honey Wheeler, and saw her brother, Brian, standing at the picture window watching them walk away.

She and Jim had shared a nice long goodbye with a long kiss and hug and she had waved at him until he had turned around. They had been in love for a month and it felt more wonderful every day and now they had the entire summer together. She was glad that he had decided not to be a junior counselor that year and was working in Sleepyside.

The Bob-Whites had all gathered together at Crabapple Farm to celebrate the end of the school year for Honey, Trixie, their other friend, Di Lynch, and Trixie’s other brother, Mart at Sleepyside Junior Senior High School. Brian, Jim and their other friend, Dan Mangan were all in college and had finished a couple of weeks earlier.

She smiled to herself as she saw Brian’s expression. He obviously was very attracted to Honey and had much stronger feelings than he was willing to admit.

Brian turned around as they disappeared out of sight and said, "I just wanted to make sure that they got safely on their way" and he was blushing as he knew his sister had seen him.

Trixie said, "Right, Brian and pigs fly. Anyway, she’s with Jim and she’s hardly in danger when he’s around. Why don’t you admit you like her? Everyone can tell! It’s almost as obvious as it was to everyone about me and Jim. We finally admitted we love each other a month ago on my birthday. I know Honey likes you a lot."

Brian smiled at her and said "I have to admit that seeing you and Jim so happy together is kind of inspiring. He is absolutely goofy over you. I remember a talk we had the day after your birthday when he seriously asked me if I had any trouble with your relationship. I told him that as long as you were happy, everything was fine and since I would like to date his sister I couldn’t say anything else."

Trixie said "Then call her up and invite her for a date. Start out with dinner and a movie. The worst she could do is say no. To make it easier, you guys can double with Jim and me tomorrow night. We’re going to see the new Star Wars movie and have dinner at Wimpy's. I really don’t think she’s going to say no though"

Brian said "Thanks for the idea. I know she said she wants to see it and I do too and being with you and Jim will help make things easier. It would be fun just the four of us spending a fun evening together. Mart and Di are having dinner at the Lynches tomorrow and Dan has to go out of town. I think Mart and Di like each other more than they’re admitting too and Dan can’t wait for Hallie to arrive next week"

Trixie said, "Go call her or I will. It’s about time you two start dating seriously" and she smiled encouragingly at him.

He took a deep breath and rushed to the downstairs phone and dialed Manor House with his palms sweating and his hands shaking.

Honey answered the phone and said "Hi, Brian. Do you want to talk to Jim?"

Brian said "No, not right now. I actually kind of want to talk to you and was hoping you’d answer the phone. Trixie and Jim are going to dinner and the new Star Wars movie tonight. I thought I’d call and invite you and we can double with them. Trixie says it’s all right and I’m sure Jim would go along with anything she says. Of course I think we both know that Trixie could suggest bungee jumping in our underwear and Jim would go along with it. Those two are so much in love, it’s fun to watch them together but sometimes it’s a little strange"

Honey felt her heart leap to her throat as she said "Sounds great. What time?"

Brian said, "Trixie said Jim was going to be here at 6 to pick her up so I guess that’s the time."

They were both suddenly very shy and Honey said "Maybe Trixie can come over here and we can get ready together. Let me talk to her and you and Jim can get ready over there and we can all meet here or something."

Brian gave the phone to Trixie with a thumbs up sign and Trixie said "So my brother finally got the courage to call and invite you out. I’m so happy" and they made plans to meet and get ready together and the guys would get ready together at Crabapple Farm and then come over to Manor House to pick them up. Jim came on the line and said he loved the idea and everything was set.

The next day Trixie arrived at Manor House at 4:30 and found Jim about to leave. They kissed and Trixie said "Brian is so nervous about tonight. Hopefully it won’t be long before they are as comfortable going out together as we are. I’m really looking forward to tonight"

Jim said "So am I and I will try and calm Brian down before we pick you up in an hour and a half. We’re going to have a lot of guy talk I guess. I saw Honey a little bit ago. She had everything in her closet out trying to pick something to wear. I think she could show up in a gym suit and Brian wouldn’t mind. That’s the way I feel about you too."

Trixie said "I’m not wearing my gym suit tonight. I picked out something much nicer and I also don’t want to think about school until September" and they laughed and kissed again and he was off as she watched him leave.

Trixie walked up to Honey’s room and found her just out of the shower doing her hair and staring off into space and she couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of the usually calm and collected Honey beside herself with nerves.

They helped each other get dressed and with their hair and then had some time to talk. Honey finally asked, "Trixie, what is it like to be in love?"

Trixie laughed. "Well, I can only speak from my own experience but it feels wonderful. Every time I look at Jim I can see everything I’ve ever dreamed of and want in the future. My heart skips at least one beat every single time we kiss or even look at each other. Do you think you’re in love with Brian?"

Honey said, "I think I’m falling in love with him but am not completely sure. I guess tonight is the start. Seeing you and Jim so happy is an inspiration. Maybe someday we’ll be double sisters-in-law. I already know you and Jim will be married someday"

Trixie said "I think we will be. We even have talked about our detective agency plans and while he was hesitant about being accepting of you and me being in danger all the time now he knows it’s a part of me and it will be a part of our future. I can picture is in the future with three or four kids with his school and our agency."

They finished touching up their hair and makeup and were actually ready when Jim and Brian finally arrived.

Meanwhile back at Crabapple Farm, Jim also found it funny that Brian was nervous as heck like he was going out on a blind date, not with a girl he had known and liked for three years.

After they were ready to go they had a chance to talk before it was time to leave. Brian said, "I’m so happy every time I see you and Trixie together. It is really an inspiration in many ways to get together with Honey because I can see how happy you both are"

"We belong together," Jim said. "It’s as simple as that--and so do you and Honey. I guess we’re both pretty lucky in seeing our little sisters so happy and if my thinking is right, someday we’ll be double brothers-in-law. I know I’m going to marry Trixie in about seven years."

"I feel the same way about Honey. Maybe a double wedding someday."

"Trixie has said that even Mart hasn’t teased her too much. In fact Mart told me the day after the party that he was very happy for us and Trixie told me that he told her the same thing. We both felt that we probably would get a lot of teasing from him."

Brian grinned. "I think he has plans for Di and he knows that any teasing that he puts you two through he’ll get right back once they start getting serious"

Finally it was time to leave and they got to Manor House and the girls came down looking beautiful in nice skirts and light sweaters that were perfect for them, Trixie in her usual soft blue and Honey in yellow. Trixie and Jim kissed and Brian and Honey held hands and looked at each other with admiration and then they were off.

They didn’t talk much on the drive over but at Wimpy’s they had a lot of fun talking about old times as they had their traditional favorite burgers and fries. It took awhile but finally Brian put his arm around Honey’s seat back as he got the courage finally as he saw Jim with his arm around Trixie as she leaned slightly into him.

Jim spoke. "I went over and picked up tickets for us for the 8 o’clock show in advance because the sales have been through the roof for this. I heard it’s great. Trixie and I have been looking forward to this for quite a long time"

"So have I," said Brian. "This should be fun."

They finished their dinner and headed to the theater. They got there just in time and couldn’t find four seats together so the couples were separated and none of them really minded. They were having a wonderful time.

Trixie and Jim settled into their seats for the movie with his arm around her and her leaning against him, totally in love and very comfortable together.

Meanwhile Brian and Honey settled into their seats both a little nervous as he first just kind of sat there, but as the movie started he carefully put his arm around her and she slightly leaned against him, both thinking it was the most natural thing in the world.

The movie was absolutely wonderful, everything they had hoped and expected it to be and when it was over they all met outside and drove back to Crabapple Farm.

Trixie said, "Why don’t you all come inside and we can tell Bobby about the movie. He’s seen all the Star Wars movie and Moms and Dad are taking him in a couple of weeks and he wants to hear all about it and I think they do, too."

"Head inside," said Brian."I want to talk to Honey first."

Trixie and Jim grinned at each other as they headed into the house leaving Brian and Honey alone on the front porch to talk.

Brian and Honey were both nervous as they sat down on the step together. Brian took Honey’s hand in his."I had a really good time tonight," he told her, "and really hope that this can be the start for us tonight. I would really like it if we would start dating."

Honey blushed. "I would, too. I was wondering when you would ask. Tonight was a wonderful start of a great future together."

"We are meant to be," said Brian,"just like Trixie and Jim."

Brian took Honey’s face in his hands and gently kissed her and she responded and after a few moments they pulled apart and stood up and headed inside, holding hands and very obviously closer and happier than they had ever been before.

Trixie and Jim saw them walk in together and smiled at each other, knowing that they weren’t the only couple who were just beginning a new romance that was meant to be and would lead to a wonderful future.

The End