Step Four

"Don’t forget, Trix, I will be picking you up at seven tonight. And don’t forget to wear something really nice."

"Would I forget a date with you, Jim Frayne?"

"I hope not," he told her. "But police business sometimes gets in the way of our love life and I hardly see you anymore."

"But the school takes up a lot of your time as well."

"That is why I want to spend some time with my girl. So, I will see you tonight, my love."

*     *     *

"Detective Belden, are you in position?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then let’s give these guys some company."

Trixie ran towards the warehouse and plastered herself against the wall. She saw Dan run towards the back and Stephen and Adam hurried to the front.

"Police!"

Trixie heard the yell. She kicked open the door and ran in, gun cocked and ready.

Five gunshots were heard outside and then there was silence.

"Did we get them all?"

"Yes, Trixie, we did. Now, let me look at that shoulder."

Dan tore at her sleeve and looked at the gash on her shoulder. He pulled out his handkerchief and pressed it against the wound.

"Looks like the bullet just grazed you. How you managed to shoot that guy when you were winged is beyond me."

Trixie grimaced and then smiled slightly. "I have been practicing firing with both hands in case something like this happens."

"Well, you saved my life, Trix, and I will be eternally grateful."

"The Bob-Whites would be lost without you, Dan."

"I think that I’d better take you to hospital and have that wound looked at."

"It is only a scratch."

"Nevertheless, Detective Belden," Stephen said, "Dan will drive you."

"Okay, boss."  She smiled at Stephen.

"You both did good tonight. Now, go and enjoy your weekend and I will see you Monday."

"What about the write up?"

"Adam and I will book them and you can fill in your paperwork on Monday. Now, scram."

*     *     *

"You were lucky, Trixie," Doctor Brandon said. "It is only a flesh wound and should heal nicely.

"Thanks, Doc." She smiled as she stood up. "I’ve had a lot worse that this."

She walked out of the room and Dan stood up.

"Let’s go home, Trix, I am exhausted."

As he drove Trixie leant her head against the seat.

"You okay?"

"Just glad that stakeout is over. I hope the judge locks them away for good."

"Selling drugs to young kids is not on in Sleepyside and without your detective work we would have never found them."

"We all did this one together. Honey would have loved to be involved."

"I don’t think that Brian would have let her come home from her honeymoon."

Trixie laughed. "Neither do I."

"Jim won’t be too impressed when he sees that shoulder."

Trixie put her hand to her face. "Oh no!"

"What?"

"I was meant to go to dinner with Jim tonight. I forgot to ring him."

Dan pulled into the driveway at Crabapple Farm. He then stopped and looked at his watch.

"Don’t worry, Trix. You are only six hours late."

"Thanks, Dan," she sighed.

"Well, he is still waiting." Dan pointed to Jim’s car. "So, he must be keen."

Trixie got out of the car. "I will see you Monday if I am still alive."

Dan laughed as he drove away.

Trixie walked up the steps and into the kitchen. A small light had been left on and she made her way into the lounge. She stood by the door and smiled.

Jim had discarded his jacket and was laying asleep on the lounge. After watching him for a moment she walked towards him and knelt before him. She then kissed him gently on the lips.

He stirred and then opened his eyes.

"Hi."

"Hi, yourself," he said. "What time is it?"

"A little after one. I didn’t think you would still be here."

"I wanted to see you tonight. I didn’t know I had fallen asleep." He sat up and noticed her arm. "What happened?"

"We had the stakeout on the drug ring tonight. I was ready to leave work when the call came through that they were packing up and moving. So, we had to act quickly and I am sorry I forgot to call you."

"Your arm, Trix?"

"I got in the way of a stray bullet. But it is only a flesh wound."

"Trixie Belden, I am going to be grey well before I am thirty."

She smiled and touched his red hair. "I will love you whatever colour your hair is."

He reached over and kissed her gently.

"How about dinner tomorrow night?" she asked him and he smiled.

"I am hungry now. Let’s raid the icebox."

"Haven’t had a better offer all day."

He stood up and helped her up.

"I am just going to get changed," she told him. "This bloodied shirt will take away my appetite."

"Mine, too."

Trixie hurried upstairs and changed into a tracksuit. Moms knocked just as she was about to open the door.

"What happened, Trix?"

"We had a stakeout tonight and I forgot about the dinner with Jim."

"Jim rang the station and they told him that. He insisted he wait for you." Moms noticed the bandage and winced.

Trixie saw her looking. "It is only a flesh wound Moms, nothing to worry about."

"Another few grey hairs," Moms sighed.

Trixie laughed. "That is what Jim just said. We are going to have something to eat downstairs but we will be quiet."

Moms kissed her. "I will see you in the morning."

Trixie hurried back downstairs.

Jim had got out of the icebox some apple pie and cream, he had the cookie jar opened and had made them both a coffee.

"Wonderful," Trixie told him as she sat down. "I am in the mood for something sweet."

Jim smiled. "I don’t need anything sweet. I have you."

"My man is so romantic," she told him as she picked up her coffee. "You say such lovely things."

"I have another lovely thing to say."

She waved her hand. "Speak. I am listening."

"Marry me."

Trixie choked on her coffee. Jim jumped up and patted her on the back until her coughing ceased.

"I expected tears, but not this way." He grinned as he sat beside her.

"Whhhhhaaaaaattttt?"

"Sorry, I only ask once."

She stared at him for a moment. "The dinner tonight?"

He nodded. "But I am resilient enough to fit in with your detective work. I have been doing it for ten years now." He reached into his pocket and took out a small box. "I love you Trixie. Well?"

She nodded as fresh tears began to fall.

He placed the ring on her finger and then stood up, drawing her with him.

Their kiss would have shattered glass.

 

Step Five

When a bride wears her mother’s wedding dress, it is sure to make the mother cry even more. And when the bride is the only girl, a mother is almost inconsolable.

A son is his mother’s for a short time and when he marries, a mother knows that he will become the head of his own family and will rely less on his mother. He will become closer to his father as his needs have changed.

But when a daughter marries, a father must entrust his little girl into the hands of another and a mother must let go a little of one of the best friends she had ever had.

"Moms, don’t cry anymore. It is only a book."

"But it is so true. With Brian and Mart already married and you being married today, I have only Bobby left to mother. And he is taller than me."

Trixie laughed. "I will always be your best friend, Moms. There is so much that Jim cannot give me that I need my mother to help me with. Remember, I still need heaps of cooking lessons."

Moms adjusted the veil on her daughter’s head. "It seems like only yesterday I was wearing this dress and now my only daughter is wearing it."

"And you are just as beautiful now as the day you wore it," Mr Belden interrupted.

"Hi, Dad. Are they ready?"

Peter Belden nodded and then looked at his daughter as if seeing her for the first time. "You are just as beautiful as your mother was the day she was married."

"Peter, you are sweet," Moms said and then kissed her daughters cheek. "I will see you outside." She sobbed a little as she left.

Her father laughed. "Your mother has been crying since she woke up this morning."

"I shouldn’t have gotten her that book."

"Oh, let her cry. It is tradition." He then took her daughters hands in his. "Now, a father’s tradition is to ask his daughter if she is sure she is making the right decision."

"I have known Jim for eleven years now, Dad, and I have known for most of them that he was the only one for me. I love him with all my heart and know that he will make me happy."

Her father smiled. "Then, let’s get you married, Miss Belden." He took her hand and led her out of the room.

*     *     *

"Well, Mrs Frayne, are you happy?"

Trixie looked up at Jim and smiled.

"More than I thought possible. Who would have thought that my nosiness would land me a husband? I am forever grateful that I persuaded Honey to come with me that day to look over Ten Acres. I might never have found you otherwise."

"And then you came looking for me in the Robin and, in the process, gave me a terrific family."

"So, that is why you married me, Jim Frayne."

"Absolutely," he laughed as he planted a kiss on her pouting mouth. "Why else would I want to marry the most beautiful woman in the world, who is the whole world to me?"

"Keep thinking that, Frayne," she told him.

He hugged her. "Definitely."

Mr. Wheeler approached. "Mind it I cut in?"

Jim smiled at his father. "Only for you, would I relinquish my wife. I am going to dance with my mother."

"You have made my son happy," Mr. Wheeler told Trixie.

"No, Jim is the one who has made me happy."

"I don’t know if I ever thanked you for giving us Jim. Without you, I don’t know where he would be. I am so pleased that you and Jim married. I couldn’t wish for anyone better for him. You two are parts of a whole."

"He is my rock that I can lean on," she told his father. "He has given me so much and I want to spend the rest of my life loving him."

"I will second that, Trixie."

 

Step Six

Trixie smiled at Jim as they left the reception centre and headed out into the night.

"Well, Mr Frayne, I am glad that is over."

"Me too," he told her as he took off his tie and put it in his pocket. He then undid the first three buttons on his shirt. Trixie’s mouth became dry. "How do you feel about being Mrs James Frayne?"

She moved over and snuggled up to him.  "I wouldn’t want to be anyone else or be anywhere else than here with you."

She heard him sigh and he hugged her to him. "I am glad. There is no where else I would rather be either."

As they stopped outside the hotel, Jim turned to her and smiled.   "Ready?"

"Oh yeah."

He looked at her for a moment and then laughed. Trixie laughed with him. There was no reason, just the joy of being together.

He helped her out of the car and she smoothed down the skirt of her blue dress.

"I am glad I changed," she told him. "Otherwise, everyone would stare at the newlyweds."

"So, now they think we are here for a dirty weekend?"

"I hope so."

Jim turned to her in surprise. "Mrs Frayne."

"I calls 'em as I sees 'em."

He laughed again as he took her hand and led her inside.

Trixie walked around the large hotel room as Jim paid the man who brought up the luggage.

Then he came up behind her and put his arms around her.

"Just think," she said, "two whole nights away from work and then a week's honeymoon away somewhere that you won’t tell me."

"It definitely has been one of the hardest secrets to keep from you."

"So, when will you tell me?"

"When we get there." He turned her around. "I have other things on my mind at the moment, though."

"You mean step six."

"What!"

"Something about ooh-la-la." She laughed at the shock on his face.

"How?"

"Remember, I am a detective and sometimes I am called nosey. I saw the poem about a year ago in your dad’s study. I thought it pretty corny."

"So did I," Jim told her, "but it has a lot of truth in it."

"So, did our first kiss rock your world?"

He nodded. "I had heard people talk about fireworks when you kiss, but I always thought it was just nonsense. Until I kissed you and I thought we would surely burn the stable down."

She laughed.

"Do you remember your prom night?"

Trixie nodded. "It was the night you told me you loved me."

"I was standing there talking to Brian and you looked over and smiled at me. And bam, I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. And then it hit me. I’m in love."

"I had waited so long for you to kiss me," said Trixie. "When you did, it was as if one thousand butterflies had been let loose in my stomach. But I also felt as if I had come home. And the day you left me that rose on my desk at home when I had been studying hard for my exams, I remember thinking that is one of the reasons that I love Jim Frayne. And it hit me that I did."

"But that was months before I told you I loved you."

She nodded. "I know. And I so wanted to tell you, but I knew that it had to come from you first." She smiled. "So what about the ooh-la-la, now?"

She chuckled as he lifted her into his arms. "Let’s find out," he said.

As the dawn began to light up the world, Trixie stretched. She smiled as she remembered the wonderful night they had shared. She lifted up her head to see green eyes smiling at her.

"Good morning, Mrs Frayne."

"Good morning, Mr Frayne. So, was there enough ooh-la-la for you?"

He reached up and gently tugged on one of her curls. "Do you know that this is going to be one of my favourite steps?"

She laughed as he drew her closer into his arms.

"Mine too."

 

Step Seven

Sitting at his desk, he smiled at the photo of his wife there. Her face was framed in curls as she stood in front of the Eiffel Tower pointing upwards. She had loved the fact that he had taken her to Paris for their honeymoon during which she stopped an international drug ring.

"Not a dull moment, baby." He smiled. He  saw a flash of red by his door and he looked up.

"Can we talk?"

Jim smiled. "Anytime."

The boy walked into the room. His red hair showing signs of the curls he normally had cut short.

"Sit down, son."

Matthew James Frayne sat down and looked at his father.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"You know that Melanie Regan is getting married tomorrow?"

"Yes, and your sister and April are the bridesmaids and you are one of the groomsmen. Is there a problem?"

"I went over to pick up Katie from the Regans' house. Mum asked me to because she was still at work."

"And?"

"Uncle Bill asked me to wait awhile because they were trying on their dresses."

"Katie told me that their final fitting was today."

"Well, Katie came out to show me her dress and April followed."

Jim smiled when he saw where it was going.

"Dad, she’s a girl."

"I thought you knew that?"

"I did, but Dad, she’s got..." He put his hand up.

Jim laughed. "A cleavage."

Matthew coloured. "Yeah, but it seems like only yesterday we were swimming and she had as much chest as I did."

"Girls grow up pretty quickly."

"They sure do. And Dad, she looked so beautiful that I just stood there like a stunned mullet."

"Don’t worry, son, it is perfectly normal" He stood up. "Come here son I want to show you something."

Matthew read what his father showed him and then looked up. "Pretty daggy, Dad."

"I thought so when your grandfather showed it to me, too. But son, you are growing up. You are almost fifteen and you are starting to notice girls around you. April is fourteen, now, and a pretty girl. Remember, I was young when I first saw your mother."

Matthew hugged his father. "I think that I might ask April to the dance at the school in a couple of weeks. Would that be okay?"

"Ask her. I am sure she would like that."

"Look, both my handsome men in one room at once," a voice said proudly.

Jim looked up and smiled at his wife. "Hi, honey."

"All finished with work, so, how about we go to Wimpy's for dinner. I am starving."

Matthew smiled. "I will just go and get Katie. Can I invite April along?"

Trixie smiled. "Sure. She is always welcome."

Matthew gave his mother a kiss and turned to his father. "Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, son."

Trixie turned to her husband. "Anything I need to know about?"

"Our son is growing up. Just showing him Dad's poem."

Trixie smiled. She slipped her arms around her husband and kissed him thoroughly on the lips. "He has an interesting journey ahead of him."

"I have reached step seven and I can tell you it is the best. I get to enjoy all the other steps as well as enjoying the rest of my life with you."

"I hope that we can have a go at step six tonight again," she growled in his ear.

"Most definitely, Mrs Frayne," he told her as his lips claimed hers.

He moved away slightly and smiled down at her before claiming her lips again.

"I really like that poem."

The End

Phew finished.

This a lovey dovey the next a mystery.

Thanks guys.

TBH Main