Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Trixie or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.

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Epilogue

Trixie called Mart excitedly, "Did you see our article in the New York Express?"

Mart grinned, "I can't believe it, our first byline."

"Martin Belden and Beatrix Belden," Trixie giggled. "Who would have thought that I would have been so excited to see that name?"

"This calls for a celebration," Mart suggested. "Let's invite all the Bob-Whites to dinner tonight."

Trixie agreed and made plans with Mart. "Now that Jim and I have moved temporarily back to the city, it's easier for us to join the rest of you."

After Jim and Trixie had a chance to catch their breath from their latest adventure, both decided they wanted to stay in the city until Jim was ready to open his school. It had been a hectic few weeks preparing for a wedding, moving, and writing the story with Mart. Trixie was ready for a night of fun and relaxation with her friends.

When Jim returned from his job at Wheeler International, he was met by a very happy Trixie.

After kissing her soundly, he whispered huskily, "I'm glad you're so happy to see me."

"That's not why I'm so excited," she smacked him playfully on the arm.

"Oh," Jim arched his brows, "should I be offended? Maybe I should rethink this marriage idea."

"Don't you dare!" Trixie pouted before kissing him. "Not that you don't make me excited, but there is something I'm dying to show you."

"What could that be?" Jim feigned innocence. "Could it be this?" Jim pulled out a paper from his coat pocket.

"Jim," she said as she grabbed the paper from him, "you've known all along. Who told you? I wanted to see your face."

"It's kind of hard to keep something a secret when part of the story was about me," Jim laughed somewhat embarrassed. "Do you realize how many times I had to tell this story? As if reading about it wasn't enough."

"Oh, sorry," Trixie grinned sheepishly, "I probably should have warned you."

"No, problem, sweetie," Jim assured her with a hug, "now tell me, why are you so dressed up?"

"It's a Bob-White celebration," Trixie announced. "You'll have to listen to Mart all night. He's very excited."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Jim told her, a sudden seriousness in his tone. "In fact," he hugged her close again, "I think I'm going to enjoy it."

"I must be spending too much time with Mart lately," Trixie joked. "He's ruining my appetite. I'll see how you feel when dessert arrives."

"I expect I'll have dessert at home," Jim wagged an eyebrow suggestively at Trixie.

"I expect you will later." Trixie dragged a willing Jim out the door to meet their friends.

Saturday, May 8th….

Trixie looked out the window of her old bedroom at Crabapple Farm. She could barely catch a glimpse of the trees in full bloom in the backyard. Knowing later that afternoon she would officially become Mrs. James Winthrop Frayne II, she flung back on the bed dreamily.

Quinn and Russ had assured them there would be no problems in making their current marriage legal, but Jim and Trixie decided to go ahead with the plans for a marriage in front of their family and friends. Not only did they want to be sure it was official, they wanted to share it with their loved ones.

"Trixie," Mrs. Belden knocked and opened the door, "I've made a breakfast fit for a bride."

"Ugh," Trixie groaned, "I'm sorry, Moms, it must be nerves. I couldn't eat a thing right now."

Mrs. Belden looked sharply at her daughter. "I wonder…," she let her voice trail off as she continued to stare at Trixie.

"What?" Trixie asked, curious about the tone in her mother's voice.

"You know, Trixie," Mrs. Belden smiled knowingly, "it could be something else. You've had morning sickness quite a few times lately."

"Jim," Trixie said weakly, "what will I say?"

"I think you need to find out for sure before you say anything," Mrs. Belden advised. "Have you gone to the bathroom yet? I could buy a home pregnancy test. You could find out today."

Stunned into silence, Trixie just nodded in agreement and watched her mother leave. What will Jim say? Trixie flung back onto the bed in agitation this time. I'll have to tell him before we get married. What if…? Trixie couldn't let herself finish the thought that was forming. Then she couldn't help it, she smiled. A baby.

It was official. Trixie Belden was going to have a baby. Mrs. Belden hugged her only daughter with joy. Happy tears flowed freely between the two women.

"Now I need to tell Jim," Trixie said nervously. "I hope he's excited about the news."

"Oh, he'll definitely be excited," Mrs. Belden laughingly assured her. "If nothing else, he'll be excited."

"Please call Jim for me, Moms," Trixie begged. "He'll think something is horribly wrong if he hears my voice. He always knows when I'm hiding something."

Trixie could hardly contain her own excitement as she waited for Jim to arrive. Excitement didn't accurately describe what Trixie was feeling. Scared. Shocked. Happy. Confused. Confused by all the conflicting feelings that were assaulting her senses. A longing to be comforted that could only be eased by Jim's arms was uppermost in her mind.

So wrapped up in her thoughts, Trixie was startled to hear Jim's knock on the door.

"Trixie," Jim called to her a little nervously, "you wanted to see me."

"Close your eyes, Jim," Trixie instructed him, "and keep them closed. You're not supposed to see me."

"Okay, Trix," Jim obliged, amused by her antics, "they are closed. Can I come in now?"

Trixie opened the door and pulled Jim inside. "Keep them closed."

"Trix," Jim said with a smile, "this is our third attempt at a wedding. I don't think seeing you now is going to jinx it."

"Oh, alright," Trixie agreed gracefully, "I want to see your eyes when I tell you anyway."

"Tell me what," Jim looked intently into her eyes searching for a clue. "What's going on, Shamus?"

"Jim…," Trixie bit her bottom lip nervously, "Moms bought me a gift today."

"A gift?" Jim asked curiously. "It must be something special to get you so worked up."

"It was," Trixie confessed. "Actually, Moms said it was a gift for her, too, since tomorrow is Mother's Day."

"Well, what is it, Trixie?" Jim looked expectantly at her.

Trixie walked over to the dresser and pulled out the test stick.

"Here," Trixie gave it to him breathless with anticipation.

Jim looked even more confused. "What is this, sweetie? What are you trying to tell me?"

Trixie patted her stomach and looked at Jim teary-eyed. "You're going to be a daddy."

Jim's eyes got wide, and he pulled Trixie into a hug so strong it took her breath away. "Oh, baby," Jim murmured in a husky voice full of emotion, "are you sure?"

"Pretty sure," Trixie grinned up at him. "Moms figured it out before I did."

"A baby, Trix, we're having a baby," Jim raised his voice with excitement.

"A baby, ewww," Bobby Belden shouted from the doorway. "Brain overload! Gross! My sister is having a baby!" Bobby ran downstairs shouting the news.

"Somehow I don't think we'll have to worry how we're going to announce our secret," Jim chuckled, still holding Trixie in his arms.

"I'll make him read Peter Rabbit to the kid every night," Trixie vowed.

"I won't mind doing that myself," Jim insisted contentedly. Pulling back, he looked at Trixie with concern. "Are you feeling okay? Is the wedding going to be too much for you?"

"Jim," Trixie said forcefully, "I'm not sick. Are you trying to get out of marrying me?"

"And miss a honeymoon for three," Jim nuzzled his face against her curls. "Definitely not."

When Trixie was escorted down the aisle by her father, all she could see was the happiness on Jim's face. She could feel her father tremble with emotion as she held on to his arm. Thanks to Bobby, the news of her pregnancy had been spread and many happy tears of congratulations had been given before the ceremony. She gave her father a kiss on the cheek before taking Jim's hand.

Jim pulled both her hands to his lips and kissed them. Later, she would vaguely recall the sound of Honey and Di sniffling but at the moment she was focused on Jim and the future she saw in his eyes. The green eyes that had been suspicious the first time they met. The green eyes that had been angry when someone had tried to harm her. The green eyes that had been full of concern every time he lectured her. The green eyes full of desire when she had agreed to marry him. And now, those green eyes were full of happiness and love, the emotions displayed openly for all to see. And Trixie realized she wouldn't have it any other way.