A/N: Thank you everyone for the support of my first story. If you haven't read it, it's "Always There." Welcome to my new story. It has all of the Bob Whites, plus a person we haven't seen much of since the original series. I hope you enjoy. I own none of these characters, with the exception of a love interest for Regan, whose name I don't know yet.
Chapter 1
Introductions
"Shake. I'm James Winthrop Frayne II, but everyone calls me Jim." "I'm Trixie Belden and I live over there at Crabapple Farm with my parents and 3 brothers." "I'm Honey Wheeler and we just moved into that house on the hill." "What a cute boy," Trixie was thinking. "I hope Mr. Frayne gets better, so Jim can stay here. Gleeps, I wish I was old enough to date."
Months Later
Trixie opened the box. Nestled in it was a silver bracelet. She picked it up and as she did, she saw Jim's name on it. "Oh Jim," she said, "put it on for me." "You know what it means, don't you Trixie?" "What," she asked shyly. "It means you're my special girl." "Oh Jim," she murmured again. She couldn't help but wonder what it meant. She was still a month away from her 14th birthday and even then she was still too young to date by 2 years. "Does this mean he likes me," she wondered. At the same time, in the seat next to her, Jim was wondering what she was thinking. "Does she like it? Of course she does you dummy! She let you put the bracelet on. Doesn't mean a thing." His mind was in a fight with itself. He desperately wanted Trixie to like it. He also hoped it conveyed the message that she was indeed special to him. Jim knew she was too young to date and he didn't mind waiting. He'd been attracted to her since he had first seen her and Honey standing over him last summer. "She's not even 14 yet dude," he had to keep reminding himself. "And even once she does turn 14, she's not allowed to date until she is 16." They were both so lost in their thoughts that neither one said anything for a couple minutes. Trixie was broken out of her thoughts when she felt a large warm hand take hers and hold it tightly. Her eyes flew open and raised up to meet Jim's emerald eyes. She didn't say anything, just smiled and wrapped her fingers around his. Last thing she remembered as the plane was taking off, was falling asleep with her head on his shoulder. She felt so safe with him. Her and Jim against the world.
3 years later
It was the day of Trixie's Sweet Sixteen; at least, it was her 16th birthday and it was supposed to be sweet, but there was absolutely NOTHING sweet about today. First off, she had to go to school, and she hated school, but that was normal stuff. Second, Jim had said nothing to her about it being her birthday, even when Honey and the rest of the Bob Whites wished her a Happy Birthday. Third, after riding with Honey and Di, she had twisted her ankle. It was true the swelling and pain had already gone down, but these sorts of things weren't supposed to happen, were they? It was supposed to be a magical sort of day. Now, it was suppertime and she had been stuck with watching Bobby. Life wasn't fair! Trixie was so busy feeling sorry for herself she neither saw or heard the other cars pulling into Crabapple Farm or saw Mart mysteriously motion for Bobby to sneak away. When she finally did look up, Bobby Belden was nowhere to be seen. "Bobby," Trixie yelled, "where are you?" No answer. "That's it," she thought, "I can't take this anymore!" Trixie stormed into the house and noticed the lights out. She went into the living room where she was blinded by the lights being thrown on and stunned to hear everyone yell, "HAPPY SWEET 16 TRIXIE!"
For about five seconds Trixie didn't move or say anything. There was Honey, Di, Dan, Mart, Brian, and of course her parents and….Bobby! Little rascal was in on it too. He'd gotten better at keeping see-cruds as he called them. Look around, she still didn't see Jim. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Whirling around, there was Jim, holding a single blue orchid, grinning that lopsided grin of his. "We must have really surprised the squaw for her to be rendered verbally silent," stated Mart. He still loved to use big words to try and confuse Trixie. That was enough to snap Trixie out of her daze. "Oh Moms, Dad, everyone, even Mart," she said, grinning at him, "thanks a bunch!" "What about me Shamus," Jim asked from behind her still. "Well," she stammered, having seen a look in Jim's eyes never quite seen before, "I did say everyone, you know?" With that, the ice was broken, and everyone laughed.
Supper was a noisy affair, with everyone trying to talk at once. Moms had made Trixie's favorite: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, and fresh homemade bread. "Gleeps Mom, you make the best bread ever," Mart said, or at least that's what everyone assumed he said, since his mouth was stuffed with the aforementioned bread. For Trixie's birthday cake, Moms had made her famous double layered double chocolate cake. And on her cake, were 16 candles. As everyone sang to her, Trixie looked around the table with tears in her eyes. They fell on Jim, who was singing along with everyone else, but all of a sudden she noticed a strange intense look in his emerald green eyes. She looked again and the intensity was gone, but before she could think about it anymore, it was time to blow out the candles. "Make a wish Trixie," several of the Bob Whites called out. She closed her eyes, made her wish, and blew out all of her candles with one breath. "What did you wish for," everyone was clamoring to know, Bobby the loudest. "I can't tell," she replied, "or it won't come true." She looked at Jim and there it was again, that strange intense look. "I'll figure it out later," she thought, "tomorrow.
After everyone was finished eating, and all were stuffed, they made their approval of the meal and cake, and got everything cleaned up. After they were done, they moved into the living room, where everyone sat in pairs on the furniture or the floor. It was time for gifts! From Honey, Trixie received a detective sleuthing kit and book. After college, Trixie and Honey were going to open a detective agency together. Trixie loved it. "Thank you Honey," she squealed excitedly. From Brian, there was a music box that she had been eyeing in White Plains. Mart, who was next, got her a dictionary. "Was he kidding," she thought. "Look in it," he said, knowing exactly what he was seeing. Inside the dictionary were two tickets to the circus. Trixie screamed, "thank you Mart!" Diana, the raven haired beauty, got Trixie a set of decorative combs to put in her hair. They matched her blonde hair, which she'd allowed to grow out, perfectly. From Dan, she got handcuffs. "So you can catch the bad guys," he said with a wink. From her parents, Trixie got some clothes, a new bike, and a new suitcase. When Trixie looked up with a question on her face, they replied, "well, since you go on so many trips, we thought you'd want a new overnight bag. That one you have upstairs isn't going to last. And who knows,"
and a new suitcase. When Trixie looked up with a question on her face, they replied, "well, since you go on so many trips, we thought you'd want a new overnight bag. That one you have upstairs isn't going to last forever, and who knows," they teased her, "you might be able to use it to knock out some of those bad guys you catch and handcuff." Everyone laughed at that. They all knew Trixie never looked for a mystery, they all found her. Trixie loved Bobby's gift. He had drawn pictures of Trixie and Honey capturing bad guys, of course having inserted himself in there as saving the day. "Thank you Bobby. I love them."
Jim came up last with his gift. He was a bit nervous about whether or not Trixie would love her gift. He had gotten a charm for the ID bracelet he had given Trixie 3 years ago. Unbeknownst to her, and with the help of Mrs. Belden, he had taken the bracelet and had repair work on it to make it stronger and put the charm on it. Also, he was planning on asking her out on a real date, but that was to be in private later. He had already received permission from Trixie's parents and the ground rules had been laid out. "Um, Trixie," he said. Hearing something in his voice, Trixie turned to see Jim holding a little box. Giving it to her, he watched her open it. "Oh Jim, you put a charm on my bracelet and fixed it. But how….?" "Well, I had a little help from your mom," he replied. "Look at the charm." On her bracelet, there was now a little magnifying glass charm. "Jeepers, I love it," she said slowly. Trixie was so touched. Whirling back around, she hugged Jim before she could think. "Thank you so much!" Suddenly, she realized what she was doing and stepped back blushing. Everyone laughed. After that they played games for another hour or so before the party broke up and they all headed for their respected homes, of course for the Belden's, that meant where they were. Hugging Honey, Di, and Dan, she thanked them again for their gifts.
Jim was the last to leave. "Sit with me Trix," he said, patting the porch swing. "Today was perfect," sighed Trixie, "although I didn't think so at first." Sitting down, Jim casually put his arm on the back of the swing. However, he was feeling anything but casual. He was so nervous, his heart was pounding. Trixie tentatively leaned into his shoulder, feeling the muscle and warmth underneath her cheek. "Trixie, I have something I want to ask you," Jim began. "As we both know, you weren't allowed to date until you turned 16. Now that you have, well, I was wondering if, well, you know…" "Spit it out Jim." Patience still wasn't a virtue with Trixie. Jim took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "Would you go to dinner and a movie with me this weekend Shamus?" "You mean, like on a date," Trixie asked hesitantly. "Well….yes," Jim replied, "I've already cleared it with your parents, as long as we're back by 10pm. So, how about it? Will you go with me on a date? Will you be my special girlfriend?" "Yes, yes, yes," Trixie whispered, still in awe that Jim Frayne wanted to go on a date with her, that he still was interested in her, Trixie Belden."
So lost in thought was she, she didn't notice Jim lower his head. She quickly snapped out of it when she felt his lips on hers. So soft, so sweet, so gentle. All too soon it ended and Jim stood up to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow night Trixie. I'll pick you up at 6:30." "Okay," she replied, fingers still on her lips. Jim smiled to see her in such a daze; of course he was feeling that way himself. She stood up and gave him a hug. Before he left, he leaned down and gave her another kiss. This time she was prepared, or so she thought. Her mind melted even more. "Goodnight Trixie. Happy Sweet Sixteen." "Goodnight Jim. Thank you for the orchid and the charm for my bracelet." With that, Jim turned and walked back to the Manor and Trixie went inside to get ready for bed. That night, both Trixie and Jim had trouble sleeping, too excited by the day's events and those of the next day. Eventually they did fall asleep, both thinking, "This was the best sweet sixteen ever!"