Happy Holidays VII
In NO way am I making a profit from these characters- they are owned by Random House. And any references made to other things are not making a profit for me. I am using the songs, characters, etc. without permission.
Author's Comments – If I remember correctly our last story had Trixie and Jim sharing their first kiss at Christmas. But nobody knows they’re dating. Let’s just see what happens when some people find out.
Happy New Year
by Country
Girl
Jim felt like he was on cloud nine when he remembered his conversation with Trixie from about a week ago. Nobody knew yet that they were dating, but Trixie said she felt she should at least tell her parents. So tonight they would tell everyone that they were dating and had been for almost a week. The only reason they had agreed to not tell anyone sooner was that Jim had a small job that he was going to quit at the start of the year. Seeing as how Trixie refused to tell everyone herself they agreed that at the New Year’s Eve party at Manor House to tell everyone.There was a knock on Jim’s door.
"Come in," he said.
"Jim," Miss Trask said, "I just wanted to make sure you were getting ready. I’m sure your date for this evening wouldn’t want to see you like this." She nodded and briskly departed.
Jim shook his head. If I show up dressed like this to the party, Trixie will demand to be allowed to wear her jeans too. I better go ahead and get my tuxedo on. I still can’t believe we’re going to tell everyone, although I think some people have suspicions.
A few hours later Jim was fully dressed and nervously pulling at his tie, waiting for Trixie. When she arrived Jim could hardly breathe. Trixie was wearing a strapless, floor-length gown, which was white and trimmed in gold, with beautiful designs in the gold all over the dress. I can’t believe I’m dating her; she’s so beautiful and doesn’t even realize it. It’s like she’s floating on air.Jim moved over to Trixie to give her a purple orchid. He then escorted her to the living room where the ball was being held.
"Wow, Trixie, you look amazing," Jim commented as they danced.
"You’re just kidding, but I must say in that tuxedo you’re not an eyesore."
Jim chuckled to himself, leave it to Trixie to compliment you without coming straight out and saying it.
"Thank you, would you like to dance?" Jim held out his hand.
Before Trixie could answer they both heard a shrill scream. Suddenly Reddy was running over to the dessert table. Two of the valets came rushing in and managed to grab Reddy before he leaped into the deserts and knocked over the ice sculpture of Frosty.
"Oh Jim! Look now, I bet your sorry you invited us to come. This is awful."
"It’s alright Trixie. The band’s starting to tune up right now. So let’s dance."
"Okay, but, Jim, I really am sorry about Reddy."
"Mother will live and Dad’s laughing about it right now."
Jim led Trixie onto the dance floor as the band began it’s first song, All I Want For Christmas Is You. Until dinner was served Jim and Trixie went around and around the dance floor not noticing anyone else. Several people murmured about what a cute couple Jim and Trixie made. Once dinner was announced both knew they would have to tell everyone. They were seated next to one another so low conversation was possible.
"Jim, are you sure we should tell everyone?"
"Yes, why are you so nervous?"
"Brian might kill you. He’s too overprotective."
"Somehow I doubt he’d kill his best friend. Also, I’m on his side on certain matters. There’s no way he’d kill me."
Trixie’s detective skills were on when Jim mentioned ‘certain matters’.
"What certain matters?"
"Quiet down. You’d have to ask him that; I’m promised to secrecy."
"You just would be. You can’t even tell your wittle giwl fwiend?"
"No, I can’t. It’s about time to tell everyone. Are you ready?"
"Of course not! But I’m in if you’re in."
"Good, here goes nothing." Jim stood and asked for everyone’s attention, “I’d like to announce something to you all--with the help of Trixie, of course." Jim nudged her with his foot.
"Well, uh, what he’s trying to say is, um, well, ah, well, we’ve been dating for the past week."
Leave it to Trixie to stutter and then finally blurt it out. Sometimes I wonder how I ended up liking her.
Cheers went up from most of those gathered. Only two didn’t cheer, Mr. Belden and Brian. Mr. Belden looked like he wanted to murder Jim. As for Brian, well he too wanted to hurt Jim, but knew he couldn’t. Jim was his best friend and was on his side. Everyone stopped congratulating and looked at Mr. Belden.
As Peter Belden stood he cleared his throat, “I guess I should have seen this coming. I knew it would happen eventually. Just a little sooner than I expected."
Maddie Wheeler sensed some tension and in typical hostess style suggested that everyone try the Christmas cookies she’d had made.
"I didn’t know Mrs. Wheeler baked," Trixie commented.
"I didn’t either. When I asked Honey she said that Mother doesn’t bake for the most part. But that when Mother was little her grandmother taught her how. Every year Mother would go to her grandmother’s to help bake the Christmas cookies. It’s the one time of year she bakes."
"Wow, I never would have guessed she could bake. That’s sweet to carry on such a tradition."
At that moment Mrs. Wheeler decided to come over to congratulate Jim and Trixie.
"I knew the two of you would get together eventually. You just somehow fit perfectly. That makes me think, Jim there’s something your father and I forgot to give you. I think it couldn’t have come at a better time. Matt, bring in Jim’s present."
"Mother you and Dad have already given me so much, I’m sure whatever it is can wait."
"Somehow I doubt you’ll want us to send this back." As she spoke Mr. Wheeler wheeled in a huge present and stopped it in front of Jim.
"Go ahead and open it, son."
"This is all to much." But Jim did as he was told and opened the package. He pulled the lid of the present off to reveal, it can’t be, he gasped. Inside the package, giggling, was Juliana.
"Juliana, what are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t come in for Christmas."
"I couldn’t, but Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler asked if I could be here for New Year’s and I said yes. So here I am. I heard the announcement. Finally you two admitted that you liked each other. I planned on playing matchmaker while I was here. Now I see that I won’t have to."
Trixie hesitantly spoke, “It’s so good to see you, Juliana. Where’s Hans?"
"Hans is sick and told me to come see my cousin. He was doing better when I called him at noon. Trixie you look so beautiful in that gown."
"Thanks," as always Trixie started blushing in embarrassment.
"Hurry up all of you, the countdown’s beginning," the usually calm Honey exclaimed.
"I say that we all head to the living room and watch the ball drop," Mrs. Wheeler commented.
As all of their families and friends gathered around the large television to welcome in the New Year, Jim and Trixie shared a special glance.
"Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two….."
Jim and Trixie both missed out hearing exclamations of Happy New Year. Both were content holding onto each other and sharing a kiss to welcome in the New Year.
The End
I apologize, this year I didn’t have anyone edit my story
because I did not finish it until New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year everyone!
I forgot on my last story to thank Steph H. for editing my Christmas story from
last year. So a very special thank you and apology Steph.
On to the elements
* An unexpected guest was Juliana
* A gift was Juliana coming to the party for Jim
* A holiday song was All I Want For Christmas is you
* A holiday food was Mrs. Wheeler’s Christmas cookies
* A holiday decoration was the ice sculpture of Frosty that Reddy almost knocked
over
* A family tradition was Mrs. Wheeler and her grandmother baking
* An animal was Reddy
As always I hope those who read this enjoy my story.