*All ages, future
This was inspired partially by Drew Carey show on November 17th
Home Is Where the Heart Truly Is
By Steph
November 20th
Jim Frayne, age 26, closed up his office at his boys school as he prepared to head home to another evening of pizza and TV.
The day was actually pretty nice for mid November but he knew that the weather would hit fall like very soon and then it would be winter.
At least he had Thanksgiving to look forward to!
He made one last check around the office area of the school to make sure everything was turned off and headed out.
He went to the parking lot and climbed into his Lexus and drove to downtown Sleepyside where he had an apartment in a new building in town.
He reflected on his life so far. It had been good especially since he was 15 and had moved there. He had gone to college and graduate school, finishing at 24 and a year earlier having opened the boys school of his dreams.
There were about 30 kids at the school all living in dorms. He had had a very nice building built with nice rooms for the kids along with nice rec rooms, a full library and private sit and think areas as he called them.
He had a nice staff that included his long time best friend, Brian Belden as staff doctor and science teacher, Brian’s brother Mart teaching agricultural and English and running the farm on the school, his sister Honey administering the school, his friend and Mart’s wife, Di, teaching art and also working in the town museum and their friend Dan, the chief of police in Sleepyside being a mentor for the kids and teaching safety and other lessons.
He had 9 other staff member teachers as well as counselors, custodial staff, office staff, house parents and the like. His school was everything he had ever dreamed of but something was missing.
Deep in his heart he knew what was missing. A woman to share it with. He had never had a serious relationship in his entire life, just a few dates here and there, he was never able to make any kind of commitment so most women moved on to others when they figured that out. He had never been in love.
Or to be more correct he had been in love, and he knew it for 11 years with the girl of his dreams, Trixie Belden who currently was living in Chicago working for the FBI while waiting to open her detective agency with Honey in a few years.
He knew that he would eventually lose his school administrator to the agency but knew it was their dream.
But since they never had even discussed it, he had no idea how she felt about him and anyway, she was halfway across the country.
Jim walked into his apartment and checked his machine for messages. There were a couple of little interest and then he heard Honey’s voice.
She said, "Jim, this is your little sister although I know you know it’s me. I have some exciting news. Meet me and Brian at the country club at 7:00."
He wondered to himself if Honey and Brian were going to finally become engaged. They had been serious for awhile and Honey had caught Di’s bouquet at the wedding 5 months earlier.
He hurried to shower and change into a nice suit and pulled up in front of the country club promptly at 7.
He saw Honey and Brian sitting there and walked over and joined them, shaking Brian’s hand and kissing Honey on the cheek.
He sat down and asked, "What’s the news? I’m dying to know."
Honey said, "I have to tell you that I’m turning in my six months notice as your school administrator. Trixie’s coming home in a month and we’re starting the detective agency next May. Her assignment with the FBI ended and she wants to be home for Christmas and the New Year."
"That’s great, although I will miss having your help. I’m surprised Trixie didn’t tell me herself."
Brian said, "She called Moms and Dad this afternoon and we actually want to tell you something else too so we decided to have you over for dinner tonight. The other news is we’re now officially engaged but we want to keep it secret until Christmas if you don’t mind. Only Trixie knows yet."
Jim got up and hugged his sister and shook Brian’s hand and started to ask for wedding plans. They said they were considering Valentine’s Day, they didn’t want to wait very long.
They had a pleasant dinner and finally they all went home. Jim was very happy to know that Trixie was coming home and wondered what would happen when she returned.
Meanwhile out in Chicago
Trixie Belden, age 24, walked into her apartment carrying some boxes ready for her big move.
She knew it was time to come home for good and get the rest of her life going. She had loved working with the FBI and the training she had received was invaluable for her future.
But she really missed her friends and family back home.
Trixie walked over to her mantle where her pictures were and saw all the people she loved most in the world.
She saw her family picture, taken of her, her parents and brothers at her brother Mart’s wedding. She loved them all so much.
Then there was her, Di and Honey together, all the Bob-Whites together, individual pictures of everyone until her eyes landed on Jim.
She picked up his picture and thought about the man she had always thought she would marry someday.
She hadn’t seen him except for Mart and Di’s wedding in two and a half years. They had written each other and had a few emails but not much communication.
Now they would be living in the same town again, she couldn’t help but wonder how he felt about her and what would happen.
She did know that she loved him and always would.
December 20th
The month seemed to fly by and suddenly it was December 20th, the day Trixie was coming home and everyone was very excited as they gathered at Crabapple Farm for the welcome home party and Mr. and Mrs. Belden headed to Westchester County airport to pick her up.
Everyone couldn’t help but notice that Jim was very excited but trying to hide exactly how excited he was not wanting to give away his feelings.
Finally the door opened and Trixie was there saying "I’m home!" as everyone surrounded her at once, hugging and talking and laughing.
Finally she said, "Let me sit down!" and they all laughed as she walked into the living room. "Home at last! I only was able to be here 3 days for Mart and Di’s wedding only time in two and a half years. I missed you all so much."
Everyone noticed how Jim sat down next to her and how they kept looking at each other and smiling.
Jim was totally bowled over. He had barely seen her at Mart and Di’s wedding and now it really hit him what a beautiful woman she had turned into and what poise and self confidence she now had after 2 and a half years on her own.
Trixie looked at Jim and saw that he was as handsome as ever.
Everyone looked at both of them and thought it was just a matter of time until the romance that was always meant to be got started.
The party was a lot of fun and as everyone left, Trixie promised that she would be coming by to see them soon.
After everyone but her parents and Bobby were gone, Trixie said, "I can’t wait to sleep in my old room in my old bed."
Trixie was staying at Crabapple Farm until she could find a place of her own to live in.
She headed up to her bedroom where she packed and changed into her pajamas and fell into a deep sleep of dreams about Jim.
Christmas Eve
Trixie had spent the last 4 days reacquainting herself with her friends and her hometown. She had even enjoyed stopping by Mr. Lytell’s old store where the storekeeper even though he was pretty old, still was there running it.
When she saw Dan at the police station she remembered the days of Sergeant Molinson who had actually wrote her a very nice letter when she had joined FBI training saying he had come to really believe in her abilities.
The Beldens were having a huge party at Crabapple Farm before everyone headed over to the Community church for midnight services.
That afternoon Trixie stopped by the school to help Jim and the others with the Christmas party there and then she left saying she would see them all at the farm when they arrived for the party as she was heading home to help her mother.
She knew that the party would be extra special as Brian and Honey announced their engagement. She and Jim still were the only other people who knew it for sure although most suspected it.
Everyone noticed the way Trixie and Jim interacted and had noticed it the entire time she had been home. It was completely obvious to everyone what was going on but as soon as Trixie was out of earshot, Brian asked "So, Jim how do you really feel about my sister?"
What they didn’t know was that Trixie had left her gloves and was heading back into the room just in time to hear Jim say "I love, Trixie, I have loved her for what has seemed like my entire life and if she loved me, I’d get down on my knees and ask her to marry me and spend the rest of our lives together."
Everyone heard Trixie gasp and turned to see her standing there.
Jim started stuttering and stammering a little bit as everyone else smiled and stepped aside and Trixie walked over to him.
Trixie put her arms around Jim. "Jim, I love you too and if that offer still stands, I accept!"
They shared a long and loving kiss as everyone cheered.
After they pulled apart, they said they wanted to be alone for a bit naturally.
The others immediately said that they would finish the cleanup and meet them at Crabapple Farm.
Trixie and Jim headed to his office arm and arm whispering to each other, neither quite knowing exactly what to say but reveling in their love.
Finally, they reached his office and sat down together on the couch.
Jim said, "I know we’re rushing into this but I do want you to be my wife. We’ve waited 11 years to be together."
Trixie kissed him."I want that too. I love you so much. I’ve always loved you."
"I have loved you, too, always," Jim said. "And I always will."
That night
Crabapple FarmThe party was already going when Trixie and Jim arrived at the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Belden had only been told that Trixie and Jim were together and would be late. They were happy to hear that something was happening.
Finally Trixie and Jim arrived arm and arm, obviously very happy and obviously very much in love.
They called for everyone’s attention and Jim announced, "Trixie and I tonight have finally said I love you to each other and not only that we’re engaged and are going to be married on New Year’s Eve."
Everyone surrounded and congratulated them and then Mr. Belden asked everyone to join in his toast.
"To my future son in law and my beautiful daughter who have discovered that love is the greatest thing on earth and Trixie, you are finally home at last. Where love is, is where home is. Congratulations to you both and best wishes…."
Trixie and Jim were married a week later, Honey and Brian on Valentine’s Day and Dan married Hallie in June a month after the agency started.
And they all lived happily ever after…..