Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or any of the Bob-Whites. Not profit is being made from their use.
Chapter two
Trixie woke to the familiar surroundings of her bedroom at Crabapple Farm. She looked lovingly at the familiar arms of Jim wrapped tightly around her. Grinning to herself, she realized it was more likely that instead of snuggling Jim was trying not to fall from the twin bed that he had insisted on sharing. Giggling, she snuggled closer, pushing him to the edge.
"Kicking me out of your bed so soon," Jim said as he tightened his hold on Trixie. "Two can play at this game," he added as he lifted her over him and plopped her unceremoniously onto the floor.
"Jim," Trixie half-joked, "my parents will hear us."
"I know, Trixie," Jim sighed with frustration. "I can't believe you wouldn't let me fulfill my fantasy last night."
"Your fantasy equals my nightmare," Trixie told him drily. "I can just imagine Moms and Dad right down the hall listening to us. Besides I thought I was very creative last night, didn't you?"
"Yes, Mrs. Frayne," Jim gave her a crooked grin, "I give you an A+ for creativity."
Jim sat up on the bed and pulled Trixie to his lap. She put her arms around him and placed her head on his shoulder.
"Will your parents be home today?" Trixie asked as she rubbed the back of his neck.
"This afternoon," Jim told her. "It was funny. Dad didn't act very surprised that we were back and Mother was in tears."
"It was horrible for her when you left," Trixie explained sadly. "It was for all of us, Jim."
"Mother and Dad would like us to stay a few days with them," Jim added. "Mother was very insistent. I think she thought I was never coming back."
Blinking back tears, Trixie hugged Jim tightly. "I wouldn't let myself think that. I don't think I could have survived it if I had."
"Trix," Jim whispered as he stroked her cheek, "I wouldn't let myself think that either. I could never survive without you."
"I'm glad I still have clothes here," Trixie stood up and went to her closet. She didn't want to be reminded of the past year and all its sadness. "And I need to go to the courthouse to get my name legally changed." Grinning, she announced, "I want everyone to know my name is Trixie Frayne."
"Mrs. Trixie Frayne," Jim delighted in saying the words. "You know you don't have to, Trixie, but I'm so glad you want to change your name."
"Jim, I want to be yours in every since of the word," she admitted with a blush, "always and forever."
*****************
The next morning Trixie left Jim to deal with paperwork that his father insisted needed to be taken care of right away. As she entered the courthouse, Trixie was surprised to see Jane Morgan behind the counter.
As usual, Jane gloated as she saw Trixie. "Why, Trixie! What brings you here today? I do hope it's not some horrible thing that seems to always happen to you."
Trying not to throw something at her, Trixie steeled herself to remain calm. "Of course not, Jane. I need to make a few changes to my records. My last name is now Frayne, you know."
"Oh, I didn't know," she replied stiffly. "I'll need to see a copy of your marriage certificate."
Smugly, Trixie took the paper out of her purse and gave it to Jane. She was startled to see a look of pleased dismay come across Jane's face.
"What's wrong, Jane?" Trixie demanded.
"Oh, gosh, Trixie," Jane gave her a confused look while trying to hide a smirk. "I don't think this certificate is valid in the United States. There's no country of origin and no way to legally verify it."
"What?" Trixie asked, stunned. Feeling nauseous, she continued, "You have got to be fooling me. Are you sure about this?"
"Well," Jane slowly chose her words, "you could have a lawyer look at it. After all, I'm just a simple clerk, you know."
Trixie could hear the glee in Jane's voice as she stressed the last two words. Trixie snatched the paper out of Jane's hands. "Don't worry, Jane, I'll do just that."
"I really am sorry, Trixie," Jane apologized, unable to sound sincere. "After all this trouble you've had trying to marry Jim Frayne, maybe it's just not meant to be. Something seems to always be interfering with your plans."
"Thanks for the concern, Jane." Trixie turned and walked out. Unable to stop herself, Trixie started retching when she reached Jim's SUV. Great, she thought, I'll get ulcers if I'm not careful.
As she got in the vehicle, Trixie pondered on just what to do. It's still early, she mused. I've got time. Maybe Quinn and Russell Davis could sort this out.
Deciding not to tell Jim just yet, Trixie headed for the train station. She was married to James Frayne and she would show Jane Morgan a thing or two.
As she arrived at the now familiar office building, Trixie inhaled deeply. Recalling her first visit, she felt a nervousness that she was unable to quell. Laughing at herself, Trixie pushed the feeling aside and entered the building. Tapping her foot, she waited impatiently inside the elevator. Finally, she heard the ding as the elevator doors slid open. Going straight to the ISA office, Trixie was met with frustration when she turned the doorknob. Locked, she moaned inwardly.
"That office is no longer occupied," called out a helpful cleaning lady.
"Did they leave a forwarding address?" Trixie inquired.
"I wouldn't know, sweetie," she answered. "You could ask at the front office downstairs. Maybe they could help you."
"Thanks," Trixie smiled with gratitude, "I'll do that."
*****************
The train ride home was long and lonely. Trixie stared unseeingly out the window. Was Jane Morgan right? Are Jim and I destined to be apart?
When she pulled into the driveway of Manor House, Trixie still had those same thoughts running through her head. Now it was compounded by the thoughts of telling Jim the news. Maybe he won't be home?
Unfortunately, Trixie did not get her wish.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Frayne," Jim greeted her at the door with a kiss.
Trixie flinched at his welcome but managed to kiss him back. "Hi, Jim."
Jim's green eyes narrowed a bit. "What's wrong, Trixie? You have that look."
"That look?" Trixie joked nervously. Licking her lips, she tried to think of more to say.
"Yes, that look," Jim answered back, "the one that lets me know that something is just not right."
Taking hold of Jim's hand, Trixie tried to find the right words. "I went to change my name on my driver's license today. Jane Morgan is working at the courthouse, by the way."
"Did she say something to upset you?" Jim asked with a frown.
Leading Jim to the privacy of the study, Trixie locked the door before continuing. "Jim, what she said did upset me," Trixie admitted, "but it would have upset me coming from anyone."
Pulling Trixie down to the sofa beside him, Jim hugged her close to him. "Just tell me, Shamus." Jim tugged his favorite curl. "Whatever it is, we'll get through it together."
"Jim," Trixie slowly exhaled, "she said our marriage was not valid, something about no country of origin."
"What?" Jim looked a little stunned. "Trixie, I know we were married and we have witnesses."
"And that's part of the problem," Trixie said as she blinked back tears. "I went to the ISA office in the city today. It was empty, and there was no forwarding address."
"Baby," Jim held her tighter, "please don't cry. I'll call Ben and see if he can straighten this out. Hey, we can just get married again. Just think how happy your mom would be."
"Yeah, right," Trixie snorted through her tears. "Her unmarried daughter is living with her future husband."
"Everyone will understand," Jim comforted her, "and Di and Honey will get their wish. They love planning weddings."
"It's not even that, Jim," Trixie sniffled. "This will be the third time we've tried to get married. Jane Morgan said it was like we weren't meant to be." Trixie couldn't hold back any longer. The tears began to fall in earnest.
"Jane Morgan is an idiot," Jim said sternly. "I love you, Trixie FRAYNE. And if I have to marry you one hundred times, it would be an honor. Besides," he added jokingly, "we can have another honeymoon."
"That was rather nice, wasn't it?" Trixie smiled as she took a handkerchief from Jim. Seriously, she urged him, "Please call Ben today, Jim. I need to know."
"I'll do that right now, Trix," Jim promised. "Will you be okay? You look a little pale."
"I'm fine," she assured him vigorously. "Go, call Ben."
******************
Ben glanced at the paper Jim gave him. "Unless you can get someone from the ISA to verify this marriage, I'm afraid Jane Morgan was correct. The ISA is not recognized by our government as even existing."
The trio was seated on the same sofa where Jim and Trixie had discussed the problem earlier. Jim glanced at Trixie and gave her an encouraging smile. Trixie pushed an irritating curl away from her eyes. She hadn't been feeling well all day and this news was making her feel worse.
"Do you think your parents are going to still let us stay here until Ten Acres is rebuilt?" Trixie asked him, trying to think of something else besides the obvious.
"Trixie, they were insistent about that," Jim reminded her. "Now that you are quitting you job, we don't have any reason to live in the city. If you're uncomfortable, we can stay there until after the wedding or we could just get married at the courthouse."
"I don't know," Trixie sighed in confusion. "Part of me just wants to get this over with and part of me would love to have a wedding with all the Bob-Whites and my family. But it would have to be a small one. I don't think anyone would be very enthusiastic about a big wedding after last summer's fiasco."
"Then that's what will do," Jim lovingly held her hand. "Perhaps the middle of May," he suggested.
"Outside with the crabapples in bloom?" she questioned hopefully. "I know Moms would like that."
"Then it's settled." Jim turned to Ben. "Would you stay for supper, Ben? I think it would be a good idea for you to be here when we explain everything to our parents."
"Dinner and a show," grinned Ben. "How could I turn down an invitation like that?"
Note: I'm not sure of NY state law when it comes to the ISA and marriage certificates, since of course it doesn't exist except in my story.