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Note: Credit to Bethann and Susan who helped me spawn this idea around in chat the other night. And to DQ and Cathy P for their help too!
Sudden Happenings
By: Steph
Jim Frayne, age 22, hung up the phone with his hand shaking after talking with his cousin in law, Hans Voorwald. He had just found out that his cousin, Julianna had been diagnosed with leukemia. While it was early enough that they thought she had a good chance, it shook him to the core. She was his only living relative besides her children and it scared him.
He walked around his kitchen thinking and decided to take a walk outside. His entire family was out of town to see relatives in Conneticut. He knew that the Beldens except for Trixie were visiting Uncle Andrew in Iowa.
He hadn't gone because he had been working as a volunteer at Sleepyside Junior Senior High School before he started his next year of graduate school at nearby Westchester County University. Trixie was doing an internship at a detective agency in White Plains and enjoying it. She was between her sophomore and junior years at the University herself.
All of the Bob-Whites had wound up at the same University with Trixie, Honey and Di all sharing a dorm suite on campus. Jim had his own apartment off campus and Brian was in medical school and living in the medical school dorms. Mart and Dan shared a room off campus.
It was early September a few weeks before classes started. The Bob-Whites all loved college with the long summer breaks being off the second week of May and not having to go back until the third week of September.
The sun was beating down hard despite the time of year and the fact that it was early evening just before the sun went completely down and he decided to take a walk through the game preserve under the cool trees.
Meanwhile, Trixie Belden had returned from her day of work at the agency and decided to take a walk herself. It was so darn hot outside!
As she walked through the preserve she spotted Jim sitting on a rock quietly sobbing and she rushed over to him and put her arms around him.
They had remained close friends for all the years they had known each other but it had never gone beyond that. They were both waiting until they were a little older to explore them. They knew that the feelings were there but didn’t quite know what to do with them.
Jim looked up at Trixie and the whole news about Julianna poured out. Trixie was shocked and almost started crying herself.
Finally she said "Why don't you come back to the farm with me? You shouldn't be alone tonight. We can cook something and talk."
He agreed and they walked back to the farm where Trixie calmed him down and they ate seafood salad for dinner both thinking it was too hot to cook anything.
As they ate Trixie gave him a reassuring smile and said that she and the other Bob-Whites would be there for him through everything.
Jim said "We truly are the best group of friends in the whole world."
After they finished they went into the living room to talk and while she went to get some dessert Trixie heard Jim crying again and rushed into living room where she found him holding a picture of Hans and Julianna at their wedding with the Bob-Whites all around them.
Trixie rushed over and again put her arms around him and overwhelmed by it all and thinking about Julianna and Hans and their 3 children she started getting pretty weepy herself.
After a few minutes, Jim suddenly kissed Trixie on the lips and she responded. In their sadness they turned to each other in despair and it turned into passion as their kisses suddenly grew in intensity.
After a few moments they started to pull each others clothes off very quickly as they roamed their hands all over each other until finally he suddenly laid her down on floor and not thinking about anything else but their desire for each other as when she didn’t stop him, he suddenly plunged into her as she screamed out in passion as they exploded together in a mutual earth shattering orgasm.
Afterwards he pulled out of her and they just laid there on the floor for a few minutes just letting their breathing calm down.
Finally Jim said "Trix, I’m sorry I let my passion get the better of me. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you like that. Goodness, I haven’t even kissed you before and now we just made love."
Trixie smiled and kissed his cheek and said "You didn’t see me saying no did I? I was perfectly willing and enjoyed it very much. Don’t worry about it. It was quick but wonderful. I will never think about this living room in the same way again."
They turned as they heard a loud crash of thunder outside and heard a big rain start pouring down. Trixie said "You shouldn’t be alone tonight anyway and I’m still scared of thunderstorms so why don’t you stay here. You can stay in my room. After what we just did, I don’t think sleeping in a bed would be too out of the question."
Jim said "Thank you for the invitation. I didn’t want to walk home in this and the weather said once it started it could last all night, the weather that is, not what we just did. "
Trixie said "Thanks again. I still hate storms, as you know very well."
Jim put his arm around her and said "Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from all the evil monsters lurking around in the night in the storm."
Trixie laughed, kissed him on the cheek and said "Thanks. I need that."
Jim said, as the lights went out "Why don’t we go upstairs now? We can talk and everything and I can get some candles and a flashlight. Where do your parents keep everything?"
Trixie said "In the kitchen. Good idea. And get some cool drinks before it gets too hot in here without the air conditioning. I hope this storm breaks the heat."
Trixie headed up to her bedroom and a few minutes later Jim walked in, still unclothed except for his underwear. Trixie was wearing a terry cloth robe she had grabbed from the bathroom.
Trixie turned to Jim and he saw a brief flash of her legs and she smiled at him and said "Thanks for getting everything ready and bringing the cokes in.:"
They settled back into the bed and drank their cokes while talking about Julianna and what Jim might do. They needed him over there to be tested for a possible bone marrow transplant.
Finally Trixie kissed him deeply and said "I’ll be there for you through this."
He said "Thanks I’m going to need that."
Suddenly once again their kisses grew in intensity and Trixie could feel Jim’s excitement and said "Why don’t we repear our earlier activities. You seem to be ready." Trixie reached down and stroked him through his boxer shorts.
Jim said, as he removed her robe "Sounds good to me." He groaned as Trixie pulled his underwear off and started to stroke him more.
Jim started stroking Trixie all over moving from her face to her breasts and down slowly until he was stroking her between her legs. Their first time had been so quick and this time it was slow and sure, wanting to completely give each other pleasure.
Finally Trixie took his penis and pulled him into her and they were joined and moved together slowly until they burst into another orgasm.
Afterwards they lay wrapped in each others arms and Jim said "I know this may seem a little late, but once I get back from Holland, I would like to start dating. Trixie tonight awakened those old feelings in me. Not just from sleeping with you but the way you’ve comforted me over the Julianna situation."
Trixie said "Me too. I think we should explore this relationship. I know I feel for you more than as a friend but not sure exactly how far those feelings go. I want to find out."
They kissed and then Jim said "Oh no! I just realized that in the midst of all that passion, we forgot something very important. We didn’t use protection."
Trixie said "I didn’t even think of that, I don’t think we were using our heads for sure this whole evening." Then she panicked inside as she realized that the timing was just about the worst, in the middle almost exactly between her last and her next period but she didn’t say anything.
They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms both thinking about the future that lay ahead of them.
In the middle of the night Jim woke up after a loud crash of thunder startled him. He saw Trixie sleeping peacefully next to him, a slight smile on her face.
He still was flummoxed by what had happened between them, so sudden and so intense and then once again. He couldn’t help but hope that it was the start of something bigger between them and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen.
He kissed her forehead and then fell back to sleep.
Trixie woke up herself a little later as another crash of thunder startled her. She looked over at the big redheaded man sleeping nexr to her and thought about how lucky she was. She really hoped too that it was the start of something bigger and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. She had the feeling that they definitely had a future together.
Next Morning
Trixie’s bedroom
Jim woke up early the next morning to find Trixie still sound asleep next to him. He was still amazed at the way they had spent the previous evening.
He couldn’t help but start thinking to himself "My goodness, did we really do that last night? Here we are still just friends and we made such hot passionate love last night."
He looked at Trixie sleeping beside him and thought about how beautiful she really was and what an incredible body she had. He also realized that he had taken her virginity and knew that was important. He was just glad that she hadn’t seemed to be in pain too much when he was inside her. It had also been his first time.
Trixie finally stirred, opened her eyes and looked up at him and said "I guess this means I didn’t dream what happened last night."
Suddenly they both felt very awkward and shy even after what they had shared or maybe because of what they had shared the night before.
Finally the phone rang and Trixie answered it and blushed when she heard Honey’s voice.
Honey said "We just got back into town early. Jim left a note about Julianna. She has leukemia. Do you know where he is? He has been staying here to watch the house and also since his apartment is being painted."
Trixie blushed even more and said "Actually he stopped by here to tell me the news. I’ll tell him you’re home early and send him back."
Trixie hung up and told Jim the news and Jim said "I’ll go back over there. I’ll see you later and thanks for being there for me. I’ll keep you updated about Julianna."
Trixie gave him a brief hug and said "She’ll be in my prayers. And I’m glad that I was here for you last night."
Jim said "That was incredible what happened between us but what is between us now? We’re going to have to talk about it more as soon as we have time."
Trixie said "I think that was just our worry and everything erupting into passion. I still want to be friends with you of course and as we talked about last night, when you come back, I want to explore our relationship and see where it takes us."
Jim said "Always."
They shared a quick hug and light kiss and Trixie said "You better get going."
Jim headed back to Manor House as Trixie headed downstairs to do some cleaning before her family arrived back home the next day.
While cleaning the living room she came across her bra and smiled as she remembered what had happened the night before. It had been wonderful and she started to wonder to herself exactly how she felt about Jim. She knew it was more than friendship but didn’t know whether what had happened the night before was just out of grief and needing each other or something else.
She knew that what happened was special but prayed she hadn’t become pregnant!
She admitted to herself that she was glad that she had lost her virginity to him. She knew that no matter what else, they were still good friends and they loved each other as friends and as far as anything else nobody knew what was going to happen but she couldn’t wait to find out,.
Over the next few months, Jim had decided to go to Holland and take the semester off from graduate school to spend time with Hans and Julianna.
Trixie found herself unable to take her mind off of what happened that night.
Trixie and Jim didn’t discuss what had happened that night anymore as they settled back into being friends after a conversation the next day. They figured it was a one time thing, a onenight stand and they wanted to put it behind them.
Soon though Trixie was realizing that putting it behind them would be very hard as she began to realize that she had been right about the timing as she began to experience all the symptoms of pregnancy and panicked wondering how he was going to react.
She tried to hide her symptoms from her roommates and didn’t go home at all, explaining to her parents that she was very busy with classes and everything, knowing that her mother would guess and she wasn’t ready to face them yet.
November
For the sixth day in a row, Honey was woken up by the sound of Trixie running into the bathroom and her getting sick and then coming out again.
She was confused. She didn’t think Trixie was seeing anyone but she was displaying all the signs of pregnancy. She didn’t want to but she knew that she had to talk to her best friend about it.
She went into the kitchen and made them both tea and unbuttered toast and when Trixie came in, she said "Sit down, we need to talk."
Trixie sat down and Honey asked "This is crazy but are you pregnant?"
Trixie burst into tears and said "I think I am. I have all the symptoms. I have missed my last two periods and have morning sickness and dizzyness and am weepy a lot. How could this happen to me?"
Honey shifted uncomfortably in her seat but she had to ask "Trixie, who is the father? You aren’t seeing anyone as far as I know."
Trixie said "Jim is the father. The night he found out about Julianna we met in the game preserve and came back here to talk. We wound up in bed and had one time together. It was very sudden and we didn’t stop to think about protection."
Honey was stunned speechless and finally asked "Did you take a test?"
Trixie said "Last night I bought a home pregnancy test kit but have been scared to take it to find out for sure because I know what the answer is going to be."
Honey said "I’ll be here for you. Go take it and I’ll wait with you for the results."
Trixie went into the bathroom and just then there was a knock on the door and Honey answered it. It was Brian picking her up for their breakfast date. Honey hadn’t wanted to tell him of course but suddenly the news burst out.
Trixie came out of the bathroom paler than before and Brian said "Trixie, Honey just told me. Are you pregnant? And if you are I am flying to Holland and killing Jim on the spot."
Trixie nodded yes and then burst into tears.
Brian and Honey both walked over to her and patted her on the back and let her cry it out and then when she was calmer, Trixie told them everything.
Brian said "Jim has to know. He probably has no clue since you never told him you were worried about this."
Trixie said "I’ll send him overnight a letter and ask him to call me right away. I don’t want to tell him over the phone and I’ll give him the news in the letter."
Brian and Honey helped Trixie write the letter, telling him she was pregnant from their one night together and that she wanted him to call her back and she dropped it in the overnight slot at the post office. She wanted him to call her back right away.
Afterwards they sat and talked and Brian told her what her options were and places she could go to be checked out by an obstetrician. He said she should see a doctor soon no matter what she wanted to do because she needed prenatal care.
Over the next few days she waited for the call and when it never came she knew she had to figure out what to do. Her judgement was cloudy because of everything she had just found out.
She knew that she had three options in front of her, abortion which she was against but was afraid of raising the baby alone, single motherhood and adoption.
Finally on the next Saturday she and Brian and Honey had a long talk and since they were all off on Tuesday the first day of the long weekend holiday, 2 days before Thanksgiving, Honey offered to go with Trixie to the woman’s clinic to figure out what her options were.
Brian wanted to go but Trixie said she would need him when she got home.
Honey was ready to kill her older brother and so was Brian and knew that they were going to have a hard time controlling their anger when he returned home but they weren’t expecting him until Christmas.
Brian said "I want to tear him apart limb by limb. To not even respond and Trixie checked the letter through UPS. It was signed for at Hans and Julianna’s house."
What they didn’t know was that the housekeeper had put it aside and forgotten all about it since she didn’t know how important it was.
Tuesday before Thanksgiving
Trixie was grateful that Honey was with her as they went to the clinic and checked in. She was given some forms to fill out and also gave them a sample for the official pregnancy test.
A little bit later she went into one of the examining rooms, having to unfortunately go where the abortions were performed since the regular rooms were full.
Finally a nice looking man of about 40 came in, tall with reddish blonde hair and said "I’m Dr. Paxson. I understand you want to know your options and have them fully explained to you and that you’re leaning towards having the baby but aren’t sure."
Trixie said "I think I want to have the baby but I’m not sure about what I want to do afterwards. Adoption raising him or her myself. The father knows and doesn’t even have a reaction."
Dr. Paxson said "First I am going to examine you and then I’m going to let you listen to the heartbeat. The official hospital test came back positive so you’re definitely pregnant."
He examined her and then got out the fetal heartbeat monitor and listened to it and then gave the earphones to listen to it and at that moment, listening to the beautiful sound of her baby’s heart, Trixie knew her decision was that she was not only going to have the baby, but raise it herself.
She even gave the earphones to Honey, who had been at her side through the whole exam and let her listen and she was just as fascinated by the sound.
Finally Dr. Paxson said "I’m going to go get the sonogram machine so I can check on the baby’s progress. And then we’re going to talk about what you want to do and everything."
Meanwhile, Brian was sitting in Trixie and Honey’s apartment waiting and worrying when there was a knock on the door and Brian was flummoxed beyond words when he saw Jim standing there.
He couldn’t do anything but stare for a few minutes as Jim said "I decided to come home now. Great news, Julianna’s last tests came back all clear! She’s well on the way to recovery. I wanted to be home and decided to see our sisters first. Brian, why are you looking at me like that?"
Brian asked "How can you come here so nonchalantly after what you have done? Not even responding to Trixie’s overnight letter. I can’t believe you can be such a jerk."
Jim asked "What the blanking are you talking about? I haven’t received any letters from Trixie let alone an overnight letter."
Brian said "You mean you never got the letter? I’m not sure but my sister might be about to do something drastic on a misunderstanding. Jim, Trixie’s pregnant."
Jim was completely flummoxed and said "I’ve been worried this might happen since we had our one night together but figured she wasn’t since I hadn’t heard anything."
Brian said "She’s over at the university woman’s clinic. I don’t think she’ll do anything yet but she’s completely distraught. We better go over there."
Brian and Jim hurried over to the clinic where they asked a nurse where Trixie Belden was and she checked the charts and she said "She’s in one of the abortions rooms, number 3."
Jim and Brian rushed over to the room, both panicked that she may have gone through with it already.
Jim and Brian burst into the examining room where they found Trixie lying on the table, trembling and holding back tears.
Jim immediately assumed the worst with the expression on her face and the fact that she was in tears and was angry and his temper was ready to shoot through the roof.
He said "Trix, how could you? At least you should have waited for us to really talk. I never got your letter. There was a lot of confusion over there."
Trixie said "Jim, I couldn't go through with it. I'm waiting for the doctor to come back. He is arranging a sonogram. I realized that no matter what is between us, this baby deserves to live. A few minutes ago I heard the heartbeat, it was so incredible!"
Jim walked over to her and gave her a brief hug and said "I'll stay with you if you don't mind. I'd like to see the sonogram myself and then we quite obviously need to talk. How are you? I had no idea you were even pregnant."
Trixie said "Fine, I'm almost 12 weeks so the morning sickness should be going away soon. You're right we need to talk. We're having a baby together in a little more than 6 months."
Brian and Honey left the room sensing that they needed to be alone and they would see them when they were finished.
Jim paused for a second but then reached out his hand and put it on Trixie’s stomach and he had tears in his eyes as he said "Trixie, I can’t believe there’s a baby in there and I can’t wait to see the sonogram. And I will be here for you the entire rest of this pregnancy and be there for both of you for the next 21 years."
Trixie smiled at him and said "I really should have known there was some kind of package mixup and that’s why you didn’t call me or anything. This baby is very lucky to have you for a father."
Jim said "And you as a mother."
Trixie said "We have a lot to work out but now we are going to work on it together no matter what happens."
Dr. Paxson then came in with another person wheeling a machine in and said "This is Mike Pippen, the ultrasound technician. I want to check the progress of your baby." Seeing Jim he said "I'm Doctor Paxson. You are?"
Jim put out his hand and said "Jim Frayne, this baby's father."
Dr. Paxson said "Nice meeting you. Mike is going to set up and we will explain everything you're seeing."
They rolled the machine over and in a few moments Trixie and Jim saw their baby on the little monitor, still tiny but they could see everything as Mike pointed everything out and were completely fascinated. At the end they were given copies of the pictures and even a videotape and Trixie was told to change and Dr. Paxson would talk to them in a few minutes.
Jim left so Trixie could change and then they met in the hallway and went into Dr. Paxson's conference room and nervously sat down.
Dr. Paxson smiled and said "Trixie, everything checks out. You're about 11 weeks along meaning conception was early September. I have a vitamin prescription here and also some books and pamphlets you need to read. I also want to see you in a month."
After some more questions they left and found Brian and Honey waiting for them. Brian said "Honey and I will go back in my car. Jim and Trixie, you need to talk and we will keep quiet until you're ready to tell everyone."
Both Jim and Trixie realized that not only did they need to talk they also were going to have to face everyone.
Brian and Honey left and suddenly Trixie and Jim were very nervous as they decided to go eat at the local diner and talk about what they were going to do.
They glanced at the menus and ordered and then they began to talk.
Jim said "I guess the first thing we need to do is plan our wedding."
Trixie said "I don’t want to get married just because I’m pregnant. We can raise the baby together but I don’t want you to feel you have to marry me."
Jim said "Maybe it is best we wait and see what develops between us. This is rather sudden I have to admit. I had no idea until I stopped by you, Di and Honey’s dorm to let you know I was back and that Julianna is doing great or at least as great as she can be and he was there."
Trixie said "That’s what we should do. We also have to break the news to our families. I think Moms will guess when she sees me. I was planning to go home Thursday morning for the big open house at Crabapple Farm."
Jim said "We all are going. We can gather our families in the living room after everyone else has left. I just hope your father doesn’t have a gun."
Trixie laughed and said "I will tell him that it is as much my decision as yours that we aren’t getting married now."
Jim said "Good. Or else the Belden men may gang up on me."
They laughed and then their food came and they ate together.
After they were done eating, Jim drove Trixie back to the dorm and there they saw Brian and Honey and Di waiting. Di went into the other room to call Mart sensing they wanted to talk themselves as the foursome sat down together.
They had decided not to tell anyone else yet since they didn’t want anyone to be forced to keep a secret until Thanksgiving dinner was over.
Trixie and Jim told them their plans and Honey and Brian agreed with them that it was for the best. Later Brian and Jim left and Trixie went to bed.
The next day when she woke up, she had morning sickness but she felt much better that Jim now knew and they were going to go through the pregnancy together.
Trixie spent the day thinking about what she was going to tell her family and how they were going to react. She knew everyone was going to be upset.
She called Jim and they talked about what they were going to say and decided to wait until everyone else had gone home except for their closest friends and family.
Thanksgiving
Crabapple Farm
The Bob-Whites decided to all go down to the farm together in their cars in a little convoy. So far only Honey and Brian knew the bombshell that Trixie and Jim were planning to drop on everyone.
When they arrived at Crabapple Farm they all threw themselves into helping with the preperations. Mrs. Belden saw her daughter looking a bit different and wondered what was going on. Finally she asked her and Trixie said "Jim and I need to talk to everyone after the open house people leave meaning you, Dad, the Wheelers, the other Bob-Whites at least as well as probably Miss Trask and Regan."
Mrs. Belden said "Okay we’ll let them know to stay after dinner and everything is over. Are you okay? You look as pale as a ghost. Have you been sick or something?"
Trixie said "Maybe I should tell you to let you know so you can tell me how you think Dad and Mart will respond. Brian already knows."
Mrs. Belden dried her hands on her towel and said "Everything is in control here. Why don’t we go to your room for a talk?"
They headed up to Trixie’s room where Trixie told her mother that she better sit down. Finally Trixie said "Moms, this is going to be quite a shock but Jim and I made love one time in September and I’m pregnant. We plan to tell everyone tonight."
Mrs. Belden said "I am shocked! No wonder you didn’t want to come home all semester. Are you okay? When are you getting married? I had no idea you were even dating let alone sleeping together What has your doctor said so far?"
Trixie said "Jim and I aren’t really dating, that’s what’s even stranger about it. We just slept together one time and made this baby. I’ve only seen the doctor once, on Tuesday but he says I’m okay and he doesn’t anticipate any problems. We aren’t getting married at least not yet. We aren’t in love now so we’re going to take it as it comes."
Mrs. Belden said "Even though I would prefer you were married I understand. When are you due?"
Trixie said "June 3rd. I’m almost 3 months already. I’m scared I have to admit."
Mrs. Belden hugged her and said "I’m going to be there for you. What about school?"
Trixie said "The school year ends May 6th, 4 weeks before my due date. I think I can make it until then. Hopefully everything will go fine."
Mrs. Belden said "Whatever you need to know I will be happy to share with you."
Mrs. Belden said she and Mr. Belden would help as much as they could.
They hugged again and then returned to the party.
The party was a lot of fun but Trixie and Jim were naturally very nervous as they worried about what everyone was going to say when they sprung their news on them. Everyone got the word they were to stay and all wondered what was going on.
Finally everyone but those that Trixie and Jim needed to talk to had left and they gathered everyone in the living room.
Finally Jim said "We have quite a shock for all of you except for Brian, Honey and Mrs. Belden who know already. Trixie and I are having a baby in June."
Everyone was shocked and then started talking at once and finally Mrs. Wheeler asked "When are you getting married?"
Trixie and Jim looked at each other and then Trixie said "We’re not. We don’t want to get married just because of the baby."
Mr. Belden and Mart wanted to tear Jim limb from limb but Trixie mollified them by saying that Jim had wanted to marry her but she had been the one to say no.
Finally they all talked it out and said they would support them and help in every possible way and they talked about school and everything else and how Trixie was going to handle it.
Finally they noticed that Mr. Wheeler had barely said anything but finally he asked Trixie and Jim and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Belden to step aside with him for a few minutes.
They went into Mr. Belden’s study where Mr. Wheeler said "Jim and Trixie, it might be best if you do get married. You can get divorced later after the baby comes but Jim having an out of wedlock child will look bad for you when you are trying to get your school started."
Jim and Trixie looked at each other, never having considered that and Jim said "I guess you’re right. We could get divorced later, after the baby comes, maybe when he or she is about 6 months old."
Trixie said "Jim, if it’s best for you I’ll marry you and I guess I’d rather have the baby with being married really. And we will want to have time together anyway and lots of it while we wait for the baby to come. I can move in with you to your apartment."
Mr. and Mrs. Belden and Mrs. Wheeler all agreed that it was the best idea and discussed plans for a wedding. They did want to get married right away and finally Mrs. Belden said "How about Sunday afternoon, right here at the farm? Trixie, you can still fit into my wedding dress probably. I can make a wedding cake. We can see if Uncle Andrew can fly in from Iowa and hopefully the Idaho group can fly in. Also the local relatives."
Mr. Wheeler said "I’ll send the company jet to Idaho and Iowa to get everyone if you’d like and they can come in.."
They thanked him and then returned to the family room where they told everyone of the change in plans and everyone volunteered to help with planning the wedding and getting everything together. They would call family and friends and invite them by telephone and everyone was given a job to do in the preperations.
Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler even offered Jim and Trixie the use of their cabin in Maine for a get away during Christmas break for their honeymoon and they accepted.
Jim stayed after everyone else had left so he and Trixie could talk alone and they sat in the living room to talk.
Jim said "I don’t want you to marry me just because it might ruin my image. I know it’s important but still it might be difficuilt to live together."
Trixie said "I think we can manage it. After all if it doesn’t work out we can get divorced later on. And I would rather the baby be born in wedlock so to speak to be honest. It just seems better that way. And who knows, maybe being married won’t be so bad."
Jim put his hand on her stomach and said "Whatever is best for this little one is what’s best for me to tell you the truth. Do you want to know the truth? I’m actually starting to look forward to the birth."
Trixie smiled and said "So am I. And I want this baby to have your hair and eyes."
Jim said "I wouldn’t mind a blue eyed baby with blonde hair. Do you have any sense on whether it’s a boy or a girl?"
Trixie said "I think it’s a boy. Just a sixth sense. Do you want to find out? I don’t think I do."
Jim said "No, let’s wait until we’re in the delivery room."
They talked for a bit longer and then Jim went home. Mrs. Belden saw Jim leave and Trixie watching him and thought to herself that they probably would wind up staying together.
The next couple of days were full of preperations. Trixie found to her relief that she did fit into her mother’s wedding dress. They asked Brian and Honey to be best man and maid of honor and wouldn’t have any other attendants. Honey would wear her best dress and Brian and Jim and the other men would wear simple suits.
They asked a friend of the family to perform the service in the living room and also another friend to play an organ they arranged to rent. Uncle Andrew and the Idaho Beldens all were coming and would arrive on Sunday morning.
They were even able to arrange for plenty of flowers and the Manor House cooks offered to cook a nice buffet dinner and Mrs. Belden made the wedding cake and put the layers in the freezer on Saturday night.
On Saturday afternoon Trixie, Jim, Brian and Honey moved Trixie’s things into her and Jim’s apartment. The apartment had a nice main room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a study that would be a nursery later. He and Brian had originally intended to room together but Brian had decided that the medical school dorm would be better.
Trixie settled her things into one of bedrooms. They had decided that they wouldn’t share a bed since they weren’t going to have a traditional marriage even though they both thought that they wouldn’t mind that too much and it wasn’t like she would have to worry about getting pregnant!
That night they had a rehearsal in the living room and everything went smoothly. Afterwards they had ordered out from Wimpy’s and it came in bags and they distributed the food and then gathered around to eat it.
Trixie said "Thanks everyone for helping us with this. This must have come as quite a shock to everyone. Thanks for saying you’ll stick by us through this whole thing. We’re going to need all of you."
Trixie was sitting on the floor in front of Jim and everyone smiled as they noticed how she had subconciously leaned back against him and the way he was absently stroking her hair.
After dinner everyone went home and Trixie and her mother sat down in Trixie’s room for a mother and daughter talk. The room seemed strange with almost everything in it moved out into Jim’s apartment. The Beldens were planning on making it a guest nursery for when Trixie brought the baby over.
Mrs. Belden asked "Trixie, do you think you might have feelings for Jim?"
Trixie said "I know I feel stronger than friendship feelings for him but I’m not sure that I love him yet. I think I might and it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few months as we wait for the baby."
Mrs. Belden said "I saw the way he looked at you tonight and the way you leaned against him and everything. I think everything will be fine. I always thought you and Jim would get married but maybe not this way or this young. What’s important is you’re still going to finish college and see the rest of your dreams come true."
Trixie said "I’m so scared about everything though with the baby. Labor and delivery and then 18 years of raising a baby, although I have a great example to follow."
Mrs. Belden hugged her and said "Thank you and I will be here for you every step of the way. I already talked to Dr. Paxson as you asked and I can be at all your appointments with you and Jim and also go to Lamaze classes with you and be in the delivery room."
Trixie said "And I’m going to need you every step of the way. I’ll be only 21 when the baby arrives. That seems so young. You were 24 when you had Brian."
They talked for a few more minutes and then Trixie fell asleep.
Mrs. Belden left and went to talk to her husband.
Mr. Belden was sitting at the kitchen table writing out some things for the bank. He was now President of the Bank and always had some work at home.
Mrs. Belden said "Peter, I really think Trixie and Jim are going to be happy. I see a light in her eyes when she talks about him and the baby."
Mr. Belden said "I was ready to kill him when they announced they were pregnant but we just have to be there for them. I see it too. Let’s just hope they realize it soon because then they will be much happier. He came to me this morning and asked for his great aunts ring back. He wants to give it to her along with the wedding ring they picked out tomorrow."
Mrs, Belden said "That sounds good. Did he say anything else to you?"
Mr. Belden said "Just that he is going to make Trixie as happy as possible. I don’t think they will get divorced ever. They will be together forever. I think they love each other and don’t even realize it yet."
Mrs. Belden agreed with him and he finished his work and they went off to bed.
Wedding Day
Trixie was awakened the next morning by her mother with breakast in bed. She reached for the saltines on her bedside table but realized she didn’t have morning sickness that day.
She hugged her mother and then got up and walked to the window where she saw it was a beautiful day outside. Perfect for a wedding.
After they ate, Trixie showered and changed into a sweater and a pair of jeans. The wedding was to take place at 5 pm and they needed to get everything ready. She combed her hair and headed downstairs to where she found her groom helping put candles in place and walked over and kissed him gently on the cheek.
He kissed her back and said "You look radiant today. Any morning sickness?"
Trixie smiled and said "None, the baby must be happy we’re getting married. No problems today. The living room looks beautiful so far."
Everyone soon was at the farmhouse helping get everything set up. A little later the Wheeler limosine pulled up dropping off Uncle Andrew, Uncle Harold, Aunt Eleanor, Knut, Cap, Hallie and Knut’s wife Gloria who had all come in on the Wheeler plane for the wedding.
Trixie hugged them all and then hugged Mr. Wheeler and thanked him again for making the arrangements and he said he wanted to give it to them as one of their presents from him and Mrs. Wheeler.
Then Mr. Wheeler saw another limosine pull up and smiled and said "There’s one more surprise for you. We weren’t sure if this was okay but she didn’t want to miss this for the world and the doctors said it was fine with them."
They were all surprised when Julianna walked into the house, looking pale and thin but happy.
She was followed by Hans and their children, 2 boys and a girl, 5, 3 and 1 years old.
Everyone hugged and kissed and Julianna said "I wouldn’t miss my only cousins wedding for everything on earth and the doctors all thought it was okay."
Soon everything was set up with everyone helping and devoiring the pizzas brought in since the Manor House cook was busy preparing the feast after helping Mrs. Belden decorate the small wedding cake and it was time for Trixie to dress.
She went to her old room with Honey, her mother, Di, Hallie, Aunt Eleanor, Mrs. Wheeler and Miss Trask who all volunteered to help her out since she wanted to be a beautiful bride. She already had the glowing part down pat.
Finally she was finished and everyone pronounced her beautiful and then Mrs. Wheeler said "I think it’s time to get the show on the road. This may be the fastest wedding in the west, okay in the east but it’s going to be beautiful."
Trixie said "Thank you all for everything you’ve done to help this day go so well. We couldn’t have done it without all of you. Now I just have to walk down the aisle without tripping and we’ll all be on our way!"
At 5 o’clock Mr. Belden walked Trixie to Jim’s side as the organist played the traditional wedding march and there they said their traditional vows and added their own small touches to the ceremony. Finally they were pronounced husband and wife and they kissed as everyone cheered.
It was so traditional and beautiful that everyone almost forgot the circumstances.
The reception was wonderful. They called some of their other friends around and the country who couldn’t come in and they were all very happy for them.
The cake was delicious as was all the buffet food that was served and finally Trixie threw her bouqet and Honey caught it meaning she was the next to be married.
At about 10 the reception broke up as Trixie and Jim rushed off to the waiting limosine since after all they were newlyweds but they had class the next day. The out of town visitors were flying home the next morning all only able to stay the one day.
When Trixie and Jim arrived at his apartment he picked her up and carried her over the threshhold.
When he put her down, Trixie said "Our wedding was wonderful. What a way to start off married life. I hope you don’t regret it later."
Jim said "I’m more worried about you regretting it later. But we’ll do our best to make this works and who knows what will happen. Maybe we’ll get divorced in a year maybe we’ll be married for sixty years. I kind of like the second idea better."
Trixie was stunned, it was the first time he had ever said anything like that and she said "We have to see what happens with us. I want it to work too."
They kissed and then it became quite intense and Jim started to fumble with the buttons on the back of the dress as the intensity of their kisses grew.
Trixie said "Jim, I want to be with you. I want at least this part of a marriage."
Jim stopped for a moment and asked "Is this okay? I mean can we hurt the baby?"
Trixie said "It’s fine until the last month."
That was all he needed to hear as he finished unbuttoning her dress. She helped him get her out of it and then she started to undress him as he led her to the bedroom and there they explored each other gently and made love for the first time since the day they conceived the baby.
Afterwards she lay in his arms and he let his hand slide down to her stomach and stroked her stomach and said "That was wonderful. The first time was wonderful too. I never really said that to you, did I? Or express that enough."
Trixie said "It was wonderful the first two time and this was wonderful too. At least this part of being married will be great."
They fell asleep wrapped in each others arms completely content.
The next few weeks flew by with Jim working as a consultant with the Sleepyside Schools again and Trixie going to school. They made love almost every night and their feelings for each other were beginning to deepen.
Trixie wound up staying in his room all the time, sleeping with him every night and many mornings especially after she passed 12 weeks, making her breakfast in bed before they had to leave for the day.
As Trixie’s Christmas break arrived on December 16th they took off for Maine in the Wheeler jet to have a honeymoon. They had a wonderful time walking, talking and making plans for the nursery. Everyone could tell they were in love there in the main lodge between all the cabins and thought they made a perfect couple.
On Christmas Eve everyone gathered at Crabapple Farm for the traditional party. By then Trixie was becoming a little more noticeably pregnant at almost 4 months, just a slight bulge but she was so happy that she was wearing maternity clothes more and more often.
On New Year’s Eve they went to the annual ball at the country club. Trixie looked beautiful in a black lace maternity dress that fit her perfectly and Jim looked dashingly handsome in his black tuxedo. As they glided across the dance floor together everyone could tell they were deeply in love but to themselves they hadn’t realized it.
On the 3rd, exactly 5 months before the baby was due, school began again and Jim started his graduate school again while still working with the schools.
A few weeks later Trixie and Jim were sitting on their couch studying together when she suddenly grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach and he felt the baby kick as she just had. They kissed and agreed it was the most beautiful thing either of them had ever witnessed.
Jim kissed Trixie and they snuggled together closer as they finished their studying.
In early April they started the Lamaze classes at the hospital where the baby would be born by the college campus. Dr. Paxson was still her doctor and Trixie and Jim really liked him a lot. He was very supportive of them and helped with everything, explaining everything that was happening and recommending reading materials to both of them.
Mrs. Belden went with them to the Lamaze classes since Trixie would need the extra support and Dr. Paxson encouraged mothers to be to have two people with them in the delivery room. Trixie and her mother talked a lot about everything and were closer than ever.
Mr. Belden was also very supportive as were Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler said many times he wanted to make up for missed time as a father with his grandchildren.
They spent a lot of time discussing names. After many discussions they decided they wanted to honor both their familes with the name for either a boy or a girl and discussed many possibilities.
Trixie and Jim also spent a few days registering for baby gifts at local stores so people would know what they needed and they found they needed almost everything!
On May 6th, Trixie and Jim finished the semester of classes and now it was 4 weeks until the due date. Trixie had had an easy pregnancy so far so making it through the school year hadn’t been difficuilt.
On May 13th Trixie was invited to Crabapple Farm for lunch with her mother and when she walked in she heard "Surprise!" as her family and friends were all gathered there to give her a baby shower. She saw the huge piles of gifts and the people she loved most gathered around.
Trixie hugged each one and then was escorted to the chair of honor in the middle of the room.
It all started out with all the traditional baby shower games and eating of the delicious food Mrs. Belden had prepared. Trixie joked that if she ate too much they might need a crane to get her out of the chair she was sitting on.
After they were done eating and playing Trixie began opening her gifts, not only from her friends and family there but from other friends around the country who hadn’t been able to make it.
She received everything on her registry list, all beautifully wrapped and perfect. Due to careful planning by everyone and lots of phone conversations, there wern’t even any duplicates! They were going with a teddy bear theme for the nursery.
Mrs. Lynch said "And we have plenty of baby clothes for you to borrow later."
Mrs. Wheeler said "Matthew has already promised to buy out all the toy stores in New York state once the baby comes and we know if it’s a boy or a girl. He is so crazy about this baby already and so am I. We can’t wait to become grandparents."
Mrs. Belden said "Same with Peter and me. All Peter talks about is this grandchild and all his plans and everything. He has three frames ready for his desk for pictures once the baby arrives."
A little bit later the men all arrived and Mr. Belden said he had a special surprise for Trixie and then he returned with a large object covered with a sheet.
He said "Trixie, this is something that has been in the family for 3 generations. First my mother rocked me and my brothers in this and then your mother rocked you and your brothers in this. You’ve seen this before and we would like you to have this now."
He pulled off the sheet to reveal the Belden family’s beautiful redwood rocking chair that Trixie had always loved and said that she loved it and she hugged her father and everyone gathered around to admire it.
Afterwards they packed Trixie and Jim’s car as well as those of several others and then returned to the house since it was dinnertime and shared pizzas they had brought in.
Everyone watched how Trixie and Jim interacted and knew that this marriage was going to last forever and while this was their first baby, most likely it wouldn’t be their last.
Trixie and Jim went home with everyone else that night and they helped them set up the nursery and when they were finished it looked beautiful and perfect and ready for the baby, who was due to arrive in exactly 3 weeks.
As the due date drew nearer Trixie and Jim were both very nervous and excited. They kept in close contact with family and friends as everyone nervously awaited news that she had gone into labor especially Mrs. Belden who would meet them at the hospital when the time came.
Over those weeks of anxious but happy waiting, Trixie and Jim finally both realized that they were in love with each other and wanted to be married forever. Now they just had to find the right time to say it to each other and start their future together,
Finally at 1 in the morning of June 10th, a week late Trixie woke Jim up with the news that her water had just broken. She had had a backache the entire day before. They called Dr. Paxson who said he wanted them to come to the hospital right away so she could be checked in.
They called Mrs. Belden who agreed to meet them there and left a note for her husband to call everyone and let them know the new generation soon would be there.
They checked in and Dr. Paxson examined her and said "You still got quite a ways to go, Trixie, you’re only at 2 centimeters dialated but we want you here since your water has broken. So relax and enjoy our hospitality!"
Mrs. Belden joined them and the hours started to creep slowly by. Soon at around 4 pm the waiting rooms were full of anxious family and friends as they didn’t want to wait at home and Mrs. Belden came in every once in awhile to give reports.
Suddenly at about 6 Dr. Paxson said "Trixie, I’m really worried. Your heart is beginning to act strangely and you aren’t progressing very well. I want to do a c section and get this baby out that way. Jim and Helen unfortunately you can’t come in."
Trixie and Jim agreed and they started to prepare for the delivery and to take her to surgery. As Trixie was being wheeled away, Jim took her hand and kissed it and said "Trixie, I love you"
Trixie responded "Jim, I love you too."
Trixie was wheeled away and Jim and her mother headed down to the waiting room and gave everyone the news. As Jim started panicking a little bit Mrs. Belden assured him that women had cesareans all the time and Trixie and the baby would be just fine.
A little bit later Dr. Paxson walked in with a big smile on his face and said "I am pleased to announce the arrival of a healthy baby boy! 8 pounds 6 ounces, 21 inches long and in perfect shape. Jim, you may go up and see your wife and child and everyone else can come up in a little while."
Everyone hugged Jim and then he was on his way up. Mr. Wheeler went to the phone to make some calls for things he had previously arranged and soon delivery men were arriving at the hospital as they waited to go up and see the baby.
Jim hurried up to the recovery room where he found his radiant wife holding their beautiful son and he walked over and kissed her and then took the baby into his arms and said "He’s perfect. Are you okay? And Trixie, I meant what I said earlier. I love you and I want to be married to you forever."
Trixie kissed him and said "I love you too and feel the same way."
They kissed again and then oohed and aahed over their perfect son and then decided on his name and also made one other decision.
Finally their friends and family were allowed in with Mr. Wheeler armed with flowers, balloons and Mr. Belden carrying the champagne and Mrs. Belden and Mrs. Wheeler carrying the goblets.
Trixie handed her son to her mother first and she held him and said "Welcome to the world, little one. What is your name?"
Trixie said "His name is Matthew Peter Frayne, after his two doting grandfathers.’
Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Belden both had tears in their eyes as they hugged Trixie and Jim and then admired their grandson as he was passed around to everyone.
Trixie said "We also have once more announcement. It took us awhile to realize it and say it out loud, but we love each other very much and we are going to renew our vows at the christening."
Everyone congratulated them and said they knew it would happen!
Finally everyone left Trixie and Jim alone with their son.
Jim said "I better let you get some sleep, dearest. You look exhausted. Almost 18 hours of labor and then a c section. I’ll take Matthew back to the nursery and will be here first thing tomorrow morning. I love you, beautiful."
Trixie said "I love you too." And she kissed both of them as she handed her baby to her husband and they kissed again and then he was off.
The next day her room was again full of family and friends but they asked if they could speak to Brian and Honey alone.
Everyone else left and Trixie said "We want to ask you if you would be willing to be little Matthew’s godparents."
They said it would be an honor and they all hugged.
6 weeks later on a beautiful day Matthew Peter Frayne was christened and his parents renewed their vows to each other.
And they all lived happily ever after…..
The End.