Happy Birthday, Sweet 16
by Steph
Trixie Belden couldn't wait for her birthday. She was going to finally be sixteen and could get her driver's license and soon after that summer would be there.
She thought to herself about how happy she was about her birthday falling on a Friday because her brother, Brian and her, well, she didn't know exactly what to call him, Jim Frayne would be home for the weekend.
The day before she sat in study hall and thought about Jim. They had been friends for so long but now they were moving towards a romantic relationship. She knew that they would have the summer ahead of them. Jim was going to work in the summer school program as a student teacher and she was going to be working as a clerk at the police station.
Meanwhile at college, Jim was in the dorm room he shared with Brian studying for his next class but he couldn't get his mind off Trixie.
He looked at the picture on his desk of them together taken at a party during spring vacation. His arm was around her and they were smiling at each other. Every time he thought of his future he pictured himself running his school but also knew that he wanted Trixie to be part of it. He knew that they were meant for each other and maybe things could start with the sweet 16th party for the night of her birthday.
He got out a little box in his drawer and opened the present he had bought her. He had been in a store in the college town when the salesperson told him about Claddagh rings. The symbol meant love friendship and loyalty. They were always loyal to each other and had been friends for years but more than that he was beginning to realize that he was in love with her and had the feeling that someday it would be a wedding ring he would give her but for now this beautiful gold ring would be it.
Finally, the big day arrived.
Sleepyside Junior Senior High School was off for the day and Mrs. Belden woke up Trixie with breakfast in bed singing "Happy Birthday" and gave her a hug and sat with her.
They talked for a bit and then Trixie sighed and said, "Sweet sixteen and never been kissed."
Mrs. Belden said, "I have the feeling that won't last for very long with the way you and Jim act around each other. The sparks that fly between the two of you could start a forest fire."
Trixie blushed and said, "Well there was one time when we almost kissed but then Honey came in the clubhouse and that's it. We're still young. We have so much time to decide where it is we're going."
Trixie spent the rest of the day helping her mother with preparations for the party to be held in the backyard. They had hired a small band to play and had invited many people.
When Brian came home he greeted his sister with "Happy birthday. Before you ask, Jim went to Manor House to get ready for the party."
Finally, Trixie went upstairs to dress. She had chosen a simple blue dress that matched her eyes and was her best color and looked gorgeous on her. She had developed into a beautiful young woman. She had been asked out by so many boys but always said no and pretty much everyone at school now knew she was off limits.
As had been arranged, once all the guests arrived Mr. Belden came upstairs to get her and escorted her to the backyard where as she walked in everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her and then she was surrounded by her friends and family with hugs and greetings and the party began.
The party was a huge success. The band was wonderful and the highlight was when Brian, Jim, Dan and Mart sang "Happy birthday, Sweet 16".
She danced with everyone who asked and had a wonderful time and for the last dance she, of course, asked Jim to be her escort and they led the dancing as the lead singer from the band sang "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" and as they held each other close they knew that it was love.
After the dancing, it was time for her to open the presents. Jim told her he wanted to give her his present when they were alone and she blushed as everyone teased them
She received many wonderful things including, from her parents, a door sign that read "Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency" which told her they finally accepted her career decision.
The party finally started winding down and guests started leaving. Jim, Honey, Di and Dan stayed behind to help cleanup. When they were done, Mart said, "I vote we all go into the kitchen and have some of that leftover cake and ice cream."
They all started to follow him, but Jim grabbed Trixie's hand. "I need to give Trixie her present," he said,"We'll join you guys in a little bit." So they stayed on the back porch while everyone else went inside.
They sat down on the porch and Jim brought the box out of his pocket and handed it to Trixie. She opened it and gasped, "It's beautiful, I think I've read about what this means but why don't you tell me yourself...."
He put it on her finger saying, "It represents friendship, loyalty and, well, Trixie, I have to tell you something. I don't know how you feel about me for sure but I need to let this out before I explode. I love you, Trixie, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
She was speechless for a few moments and then said, "Jim, I love you, too. I don't know if I fully realized it until we were dancing that last dance. But I do love you and do want to spend the rest of my life with you. All my dreams of the future are with you in it. I don't know what will happen exactly but I know this is the beginning"
He took her face gently in his hands and finally they had their first kiss. After a few minutes of kissing and just holding each other, they went back inside to where everyone else was waiting and had leftover cake and ice cream. Everyone admired her ring and they admitted to everyone that they were in love.
Mr. Belden finally stood up and raised his milk glass and said, "This is a toast to today and tomorrow and to Trixie and Jim. May they find the mystery that is love--the greatest mystery of all."
The End