rated * all ages, some physical affection
I Can't Smile Without You
By Treanna
Trixie Belden woke up early in the morning and sat up. The next thing she did was to let out a huge sigh.
"Happy birthday," she said to herself as she stood up and stretched.
There was a knock on the door and Moms popped her head in. "Happy birthday, Trixie."
"Thanks, Moms."
Her mother walked into the room and closed the door. She then sat on the bed and patted a space beside her. "Talk to me, Trixie. You have been mooning around all week since Brian and Jim came home. I assume it has something to do with the fact that you are sixteen today and so far have not received your first kiss."
Trixie plonked down on the bed beside her mother. "Moms, I am so ugly that Jim will never notice me, much less kiss me."
"For one thing, Trixie, you are a very pretty girl. For another, Jim notices you much more than you realise."
"But he is with girls his own age at college who are much more beautiful and sophisticated than I will ever be."
"But who is to say that is what Jim wants? Brian doesn’t."
"But Honey is so beautiful and so sweet no wonder Brian likes her. And they have been kissing for ever, yuuch."
Her mother laughed. "I think that maybe Jim just needs a little push in the right direction."
"How?"
"How about lesson number one in innocent flirting. I know that Jim is coming over for breakfast with Honey so it will give you practice."
"Then tell me what to do?"
Trixe could hear laughter as she walked down the steps an hour later. And she smiled as she recognised the laugh. She caught sight of herself as she walked past the mirror and stopped for a moment to check how she looked. Black jeans and a top that was slightly too small made her look a lot thinner than she felt. She could smell the perfume her mother had given her that morning and it made her feel nice. So taking a deep breath she walked into the kitchen.
"Here’s the birthday girl now." Her father smiled, walking over to her and giving her a kiss.
"You look nice, princess, and smell nice too."
"Thank you, Daddy." She looked over at Jim and saw his smile. She smiled back.
"Happy birthday, Trixie." Honey hurried over to give her a hug. "You look great," she whispered. "My brother doesn’t stand a chance."
"I hope not," Trixie whispered back.
After everyone else had wished her a happy birthday they sat at the table. As Trixie passed by Jim’s chair she slid her hand gently across the back of his chair and his shoulders. He immediately looked up and smiled at her.
"Looking forward to the party tonight, Trix?"
"Mmm," she answered, as she sat down beside him. "It will be fun."
During the meal she would touch his hand gently to get his attention or brush his hand as she reached for something. She also moved her foot so it or her leg was in contact with his most of the time. She knew that he was watching her and she smiled inwardly. She looked up at her mother and saw the covert wink she gave her.
When they had finished eating, Jim stood up quickly.
"Who is for a ride this morning?"
"Mart and I have a date with the garage," Brian spoke and Mart groaned.
His father laughed. "The quicker you get on with it the quicker it will be finished.
"Trix? Honey?"
"We would love to," Trixie answered.
"I will meet you down there in a few minutes," he told them as he hurried outside.
"We will help you with the dishes first," Honey told Moms.
"Now, you girls run along. I think that you have a few things to say to each other."
"Yeah." Mart grinned. "Like how my sister suddenly learnt how to flirt."
"Who me?" Trixie smiled innocently as she stood up.
"Yes you."
"I don’t know what you are talking about. I am just going upstairs to get my jacket and then we are going horse riding."
"Well I am watching you, sis."
"I would rather you watched Di. I am sure flirting is what got you two together."
She laughed as she hurried upstairs.
"Well, she is nice to look at." Her father smiled and Mart made a gagging noise.
"Don’t spoil my appetite, Dad."
"Like anything could." Brian told him. And as Trixie walked behind his chair a minute later he touched her hand.
"You have grown up to be a beautiful woman sis and I didn’t even notice until this morning."
Trixie smiled. "Thanks."
"So Trix what was all that about this morning?"
"What?"
Honey laughed as she linked arms with her best friend.
"You setting my brothers blood pressure to boiling."
"Moms just gave me a few tips on innocent flirting."
"Well, they are working. If you remember that is how I got Brian to kiss me."
"I tried it then, but I was useless at it. Jim didn’t notice me anymore than normal."
"He did, but he didn’t do anything about it. He thought that you were too young."
"You’re the same age."
"But he thought that I was too young, too. He was not very impressed with Brian when he first kissed me."
"Really?"
"I had a bigger lecture from Jim that I did from Daddy."
Trixie groaned. "Then, what hope do I have? Jim is so honorable I will be eighty before he decides to kiss me. A few times this week I have wanted to ask him if he even likes me anymore."
"He does. Ask him."
"What if he says no?"
"Then my name is Diana Lynch."
Both girls were laughing as they entered the stable.
Jim was just lifting the saddle onto Susie’s back and Trixie saw the ripple of his muscles through his shirt. She sighed loudly and Honey giggled.
Jim turned. He must have seen something in Trixie’s eyes because he turned back to the horse quickly but the girls could see that his neck turned red.
"Almost ready," he said.
Both girls smiled at each other and giggled again.
As Jim walked by Susie, Trixie swung her leg over. "Help me down, Jim."
"Suddenly developed a fear of falling, Trix?"
"No, but with a big hunky guy like you around I figured why bother."
He watched her for a moment and then put up his hands. As he brought her down her body slid slowly down his.
"Thanks, Jim."
He suddenly realised that his hands were still on her waist. He quickly let go and moved away. "I will see to Susie," he stammered and she smiled.
"Thanks, Jim." She reached over and kissed his cheek. "And you won’t mind taking care of Honey’s, too."
He shook his head.
The girls walked arm in arm towards his house.
He put his hand to his cheek.
Regan smiled and then came up behind him and patted him on his shoulder. "Come on, Romeo, I will help you with the horses."
Jim continued to watch the girls until they disappeared inside. He then turned to Regan. "What was that?"
Regan laughed. "I believe that is what we call a kiss."
"She’s never done that before like that."
"Our Trixie is growing up, Jim. And she is certainly developing nicely in all the right places."
"She sure is," Jim sighed and then turned to Regan. "We had better get these horses settled."
"Yes, boss." Regan smiled as Jim went inside. "You are a goner, mate."
* * *
"Boy, you certainly caught on pretty quickly," Honey laughed. "He is like putty in your hands."
Trixie sighed. "I would rather have his lips on mine."
"It is only ten o’clock. It is still nine hours until your official birthday."
"Might as well be now. I know that I am going to turn sixteen and not have THE kiss."
"We will see."
"Don’t you dare tell Jim what we have been talking about. I would die a thousand deaths if he kissed me just to make me happy."
"I would, too," Honey told her.
"I have to go now. I want to take down the curtains in the clubhouse. Bob, Larry and Terry decided to have a tomato sauce fight yesterday and the clubhouse lost. They cleaned it up, but left the curtains to me."
"Trixie Belden becoming domesticated? What next?"
"It will keep me busy for a while. I will see you later."
"I will come down about five and help get the party ready."
"I will see you then."
As she left the Manor House, she saw Jim getting into his car. But he didn’t see her as he drove away and she sighed again.
Dan was at the clubhouse when she got there. "Happy birthday, Trix." He told her, "I was coming over later to see you but I wanted to fix the broken shelf first."
"The one that Bob fell on yesterday."
He laughed. "Luckily we had some more wood to fix it. When I saw Jim yesterday he told me about it. I offered because he has to go into the city."
"He does?"
"He is picking up his parents from the airport."
"I forgot they were coming back today."
"So what are you doing here?"
"Fixing up the curtains that my brother covered in sauce."
"So, that is why you have the long face on your birthday."
"I am just feeling a little--"
He watched her for a moment. "I would offer to give you your first kiss, but I am sure that it is not me that you want it from."
"Dan." Trixie blushed.
"Well, am I right?"
"What is wrong with me, Dan?"
"I think the problem is with our red-headed friend."
"Do you think that he has someone else at college?"
"The way he drools over you, I would be surprised."
"He does not."
"And you have developed eyes in the back of your head, Detective Belden."
Trixie took the curtains down and then turned again to Dan. "All I really want for my birthday is to know exactly how Jim feels about me. Even if it is bad."
"Well, the day is only started, Trix."
"I feel like going to bed and sleeping until tomorrow morning."
"Don’t do that or we will all have to come into bed with you."
"Thanks, Dan."
"For what?"
"For listening to me."
"Anytime, Trix."
He watched as she walked away. He smiled as he pulled out his cell phone. He rang a number and waited for the voice mail to be activated.
"Hi, Jim, it's Dan. Just wanted to remind you that it is Trixie's sixteenth birthday and you know the old saying about "sweet sixteen and never been"-- I will leave you to fill in the blanks. Will assure you that it will be well received and reciprocated. See you tonight."
He then put down the phone and smiled. "Take the hint, mate, take the hint."
* * *
Trixie took the curtains home and put them into the washing machine. She then went into the kitchen.
"Feeling better, honey?" Moms asked.
Trixie smiled. "A little."
"Well, you did well this morning. And how about when you went riding?"
"I think that he noticed me more."
"That's good."
"But it's less than eight hours until I officially turn sixteen. He will be gone most of the afternoon because he is picking up his parents."
"Then, come with me. I have a few last things to get. And we might go into Crimpers and see if they have some of that nice chocolate cake they sell."
"Yummy. But what about the boys?"
"I have left food in the refrigerator for the boys when they have finished, and Bobby is having lunch with Larry and Terry. Go get cleaned up and we can go."
"Thanks, Moms."
"Anytime, Trix."
As she went upstairs her mother smiled slightly. "You had better not upset my little girl anymore today Jim Frayne or I will deal with you myself."
* * *
"But can’t I do anything?" asked Trixie.
"It is your party, Trix," said Honey. "you should rest or something. We have enough hands to get the food ready."
"But I need to do something."
"Then why don’t you take over the curtains to the clubhouse and put them up. It is still an hour to your party and that will keep you busy for a while."
"I wanted to see the shelf that Dan put up anyway."
"Then go, but don’t be gone too long. We need to have the guest of honour here."
"Sure, Honey. I will be back before the party starts."
Trixie put the curtains into a bag and headed out the door.
Honey smiled at Brian. "Didn’t I mention that Jim is over there studying until the party?"
"Did you?" He slid his arms around her and she leant back into the embrace. "Beautiful, smart and cunning is how I would describe you Miss Wheeler."
"I can live with that."
* * *
Trixie walked slowly enjoying the evening. She was surprised when a light was on in the clubhouse. Dan should have finished hours ago, she thought as she walked quietly to the door.
It wasn’t Dan, it was Jim. He sat at the table, books surrounding him.
She wanted to rush in and demand that he kiss her but she quietly backed away. Until she tripped over the same root she did last time, and like the last time fell down with a huge crash.
"Déjà vu, Miss Belden."
"I didn’t want to disturb you," she stammered.
"I thought you would be getting ready for your party."
"I wanted to put the curtains back up in the clubhouse."
He squatted in front of her and she sat up."Are you okay, Trix?"
She nodded. "Just my pride."
He watched her for a moment and then opened his mouth to speak. And then he leant forward towards her.
This is it, she thought as she moved in his direction. They were only inches apart and she closed her eyes.
She then heard a grunt and then something wet and slobbery covered her face. She moved back quickly and then stood up.
Jim was already standing.
"Reddy, you naughty dog," she growled as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
She looked up at Jim and saw a twinkle in his eyes. "That wasn’t funny," she snapped.
"I am sorry, Trix, but it was. You should have seen your face when Reddy gave you his birthday kiss."
Trixie bent down and picked up the bag containing the curtains. She then threw them at him. "You put them up," she told him and then she turned to go and Jim heard a quiet sob.
"Trix."
She hurried away. Trixie wanted to get away from him as fast as possible.
As she ran back towards the house, she ran straight into Dan.
"What’s the hurry, Trix?" Then he noticed the tears. "What is wrong?" He put his arms around her.
Jim hurried into the clearing and came to an abrupt stop when he saw Trixie crying on Dan’s shoulder.
"How did I know it had something to do with you, Jim?"
"This is between Trixie and me."
"Like I am going to leave you here alone to make her cry again."
"Dan," Jim warned.
"Maybe I should just give her a kiss before she turns sixteen. How will that be, Trixie?" Trixie looked up at him and he smiled. "Would that make the tears go away?"
"You dare, Mangan, and I will..."
Dan smiled at the look on Jim's face the tautness of his body. "Isn’t that for Trixie to decide, Frayne?"
Trixie moved away from Dan and wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
"I hate you both at the moment," she snapped. "And you, Jim, couldn’t even put up the curtains for me." She stormed off back towards the clubhouse.
"Phew." Dan sighed. "You are definitely welcome to her, Jim. What happened?"
"She came to the clubhouse, but I was studying so she backed away and fell over the same root she did last time. I bent down to help her up and I..."
"Went to kiss her?"
Jim nodded.
"So why didn’t you?"
"Because Reddy got there first."
Dan laughed. "You are joking?"
Jim shook his head. "And I stupidly thought it was funny."
"That would have gone down well."
"So you saw. And thanks for the call. It gave me much to think of today."
"You must know by now how much she thinks of you?"
Jim nodded.
"So, why not make some sort of commitment?"
"Because at first we were too young, and then I didn’t want to tie her down to just me when I was away so much."
"Isn’t that for Trixie to decide?"
Jim again nodded and Dan looked at his watch. "You still have a little while before Trixie is officially sixteen, so if you can get past her anger you should both have an enjoyable evening."
"Thanks, Mangan." Jim shook his hand and Dan laughed.
"Anytime, Frayne."
As he walked away, Jim turned to Dan. "Would you have kissed her, Dan?"
Dan shook his head. "I know that she is not the girl for me."
Satisfied, Jim walked back towards the clubhouse.
But, Dan thought, it wouldn’t be hard to think of her that way. And he went whistling towards Crabapple Farm.
* * *
Jim walked towards the door and just watched her for a moment. When she had finished putting the curtains up, he heard her sigh.
She then turned around. "You’re too late. I have already put them up."
"Trix, can we talk?"
"I have to get back or they will wonder where I am."
"A few minutes won’t matter."
She watched him for a moment and then sighed again. "Jim, what is wrong with me?"
"Wrong?"
"I know that I am not as old, beautiful or sophisticated as the girls you now go to school with. But I always wanted us to..."
He moved closer and took her hands in his, noticing how they shook. "Wanted us to what, baby?"
In her mind, she registered the word baby and a little flame lit inside of her. "Jim, you have been one of the most important people in the world to me since I saw you asleep on that mattress at Ten Acres. I couldn’t imagine you not in my life."
"I am not going anywhere."
"But you might meet someone while you are away and I don’t know if I could stand that."
"Why would I be interested in anyone else when I have everything I need here?"
"Jim, I--"
He reached up and touched one of her sandy curls. "I admit I am totally absorbed with a beautiful young woman with eyes as blue as the bluest sky, and hair the colour of the sun, and a face that I see every time I close my eyes. And--" he paused a moment, smiling. "And who has the most kiss able lips I have ever seen in my entire life."
This time as Jim’s mouth moved towards hers there was no one to interrupt. Her body reacted instantaneously to his lips as she slid her arms around his neck and he drew her closer.
It was more powerful that either had imagined and when Jim moved away timeless moments later, it was a minute before either could speak.
"I knew that it would be perfect like this," she whispered against his lips.
"I wish I had done that a lot sooner."
"We have plenty of time to make up for lost time." She smiled, and he smiled back.
"Starting..."
That was the last word that was spoken between them for several more minutes. Then Jim moved away and pulled Trixie down onto one of the benches.
"What time is it baby?"
She looked at her watch and then looked back up. "A minute to seven."
"So sweet sixteen and thoroughly kissed?"
She laughed. "Most definitely."
"We had better go before they start a search party for us."
"Do we have to?"
"Yes, shamus, we do."
He stood up and she followed. She watched him as he turned out the light and then followed him outside and watched as he closed and locked the door. He then turned.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your scrutiny, Miss Belden."
"Jim, I--" she began.
He frowned. "Is there something wrong?"
She shook her head. "I want to say what I feel but I don’t know how to say it right or how to make it come out right. And I don’t want to mess it up and make you not understand how I feel or what I am trying to say to you."
He laughed. "I know that Honey would understand you but I am having a hard time, Trix."
She smiled. "It is really difficult to put it into words."
He suddenly understood. He walked over to her and again took her hands. "I have four words for you, Miss Belden, that will fix it all up."
"What are they?" She smiled.
He took a deep breath. "I love you, Trixie."
He watched the tears form in her eyes.
"I love you, too, Jim."
He drew her into his arms for another magical kiss. When he moved away, he smiled. "We had better go, shamus."
She nodded. "But I don’t need anything else for my birthday. I have you."
They walked up the steps of Crabapple Farm and they could hear voices inside.
Honey and Brian walked out of the house.
Honey took one look at them and laughed. She gave Trixie a hug. "Feeling better now?"
"Totally."
"Well, everyone is here now so we should go inside," Brian told them.
"I need to go and change," Trixie told them.
"I will come with you," Honey told her.
Trixie looked at Jim. "I'll be down in a few minutes."
He smiled. "Too long for me."
She smiled back and then the girls hurried inside.
Jim moved to follow but Brian forestalled him.
"It’s okay, mate. I won’t hurt her."
"She is my sister, Jim."
"And Honey is mine."
"Point taken."
"Brian, I love Trixie."
"I know you do, mate."
* * *
"So, did my sister drag the whole story out of you?"
Trixie smiled at the man in her arms. "By the time I got out of the shower, Honey, Di, and Hallie were all sitting on my bed demanding to know what happened."
"What did you tell them?"
She grinned. "It is a woman’s privilege to keep what she says to her friends secret."
"Well, while you were up there I had a serious talk with both your brothers and your father."
"What did they say?"
"You tell me yours and I will tell you mine."
She shook her head. She looked around the room.
Di was dancing with Mart, Honey was cuddled up in a corner next to Brian, and Hallie was dancing with Dan.
"How was your sixteenth birthday, baby?"
"Perfectly perfect."
As Barry Manilow began to sing, Jim sang quietly only for her ears.
"I can’t smile without you
I can’t smile without you
I can’t laugh, and I can’t sing.
I’m finding it hard to do anything."You see I feel sad when your sad
I feel glad when your glad
If you only knew what I’m going through
I can’t smile without you.""I love you, Jim Frayne."
"I love you, Trixie Belden."
The End
This is my first attempt at writing about the Bobwhites. I have used the characters without permission but I am not expecting any remuneration for my efforts
I can’t smile without you. Used without permission from Barry Manilow. And again no remuneration will I seek or get for that matter