BEGINNING PLANS-Part 2

The sound of wedding bells was reverberating throughout the Racer house as Mom Racer and Trixie dove headfirst into the plans for her and Speed's nuptials. They told his parents that they wanted to wed the weekend of the Mont Royale Grand Prix and Pops was ecstatic that they decided to marry the first weekend of the new season. So now everyday after she worked at Pops Motors as their director of public relations, Trixie was over at the house with Mom Racer, pouring over every bridal magazine and journal they could get their hands on. The Racer males, including the groom-to-be, watched the women with a mixture of puzzlement and amusement as they clipped and discarded pages of dresses, centerpieces, veils, and other wedding accouterment.

Speed and his father watched as the two ladies sat at the kitchen table, covered with magazines and bridal books. He sighed and the two men retired to the den.

"Pops, can I ask you a question?" Speed asked as they entered the inner sanctum.

The Racer patriarch sat and reclined in his favorite chair then eyed his son. "Sure, Speed, what's on your mind?"

Speed perched on his father's desk. "What's it like to be married? I mean, building a life with someone other than the family you've grown up with, what's that like?"

Pops leaned back and closed his onyx eyes in thought. "Well, son it's very different. First of all, you and Trixie will be together always."

Speed grinned, "That's gonna be groovy."

"Wait a minute, son. When I say that, I mean that the two of you will see everything that you don't see when you're just dating. You'll see the real person."

Speed examined his father closely. "Pops, me and Trixie haven't exactly had your average run-of-the-mill dating relationship. Remember the first year I began racing? We went all over the world together, with a lot happening to both of us."

"Yes, you have. And the two of you have been through a great deal together. But marriage is a whole new kettle of fish. Everything you are and everything you do from the moment you say 'I do' is with the two of you in mind. All decisions concerning your life affects her too," Pops informed him.

Speed took a moment to ponder that as Pops went on. "And as you give Trixie your love, you'll also be giving her your name, and she will have to be considered for every job you take, every plan you have for your life. If you get sick or hurt, it affects her and the same goes for her. And lest I forget, everything you own becomes hers too. And I mean everything."

Speed let out a long whistle. "Wow," was all he could manage as he mulled over Pops' words. He suddenly began to wonder why he wanted to get married. Then Pops' next words cemented the idea in his mind.

His father leaned forward. "Speed, son, let me say this. Marriage has its ups and downs but knowing that I can depend on your mother to be there when I need her, to know that no matter what happens, disaster or joy, that she's there, accepting and loving me sustaining me and giving me strength."

Speed nodded in understanding. "I see it, Pops. Trixie's always stood by me, encouraged me, and made me believe in myself even when my faith was fading. She's saved my life so many times, she's just incredible."

"I know, son," Pops answered, patting Speed's arm. "She reminds me of your mother. Grace under pressure. You're a very lucky young man."

"I know," Speed said reverently as he listened to the musical laughter emanating from the kitchen. He was feeling the enchantment he always felt when he heard Trixie's laugh and couldn't wait to be alone with her.

Pops chuckled as he witnessed the moony look on his son's face. It reminded him of how he was when Anyi accepted his marriage proposal. He had felt like he was walking thirty feet in the air that someone as beautiful and gentle as her would marry a rough character like him.

The front doorbell interrupted their individual musings. Speed hopped off the desk and said, holding up his hand up to his father, "Stay there Pops, I'll get it." He strode to the front door and called to the kitchen, "Don't worry, Mom I got it."

Speed opened the door to a uniformed courier with an official envelope of elegant stationary. Politely, he asked, "Yes, can I help you?"

The man smiled courteously in return and replied, "I have a special delivery letter for Mr. Speed Racer."

Speed answered, "That's me." The man handed him the letter and then tipped his cap and left. Curious, he opened the envelope with the official seal of Mont Royale. He pulled out the missive, took note of the Mont Royale crest on the sheet of stationary, and began reading the polished scrawl:

Dear Speed,

I heard about your engagement and I want to wish you and your future bride

the very best. Since you will no doubt be racing in the Grand Prix it would be an honor

for you and your bride to use my formal garden for your nuptials. I have included a

recent photograph of the area by the gazebo and rose trellis which have been refurbished

and a panoramic shot of the entire garden for you and your bride to view and decide.

It would be a privilege to host your wedding.

Please let me know of your final decision.

Sincerely Yours,

Rudolph Gabriele, President

Commonvealth of Mont Royale

Speed blinked his eyes in astonishment as he re-read the words. He was quite taken aback with the generous offer from Mont Royale's president and after skimming through the note at third time, he called his fiancée.

"Trixie, ya got a minute? I need to talk to you."

In the kitchen, Trixie looked toward the living room quizzically. "What is it, Speed?"

"Could you come here, please? I want to talk to you a minute."

Trixie eyed Mom Racer inquiringly who shrugged. With a sigh, she rose and walked over to where Speed was standing, engrossed in perusing the photographs that had accompanied the note. She sided up to him and asked, "What's up?"

Speed glanced at her and handed her the note. "Take a look at that."

Perplexed by his shocked expression, Trixie took the sheet from him. She skimmed through the note at first quizzically then as she read the words again her eyes grew wide and she looked at her fiancé. "Is this a put-on?"

Speed shook his head. "I highly doubt that the president of a European commonwealth would send a put-on across the Atlantic Ocean by special courier."

"Is that who was at the door?" Pops asked as he joined the young couple. He took the note from Trixie's hand as Speed handed her the snapshots.

"He also sent the pictures of his formal garden to show us the place he's offering. So what do you think?" he asked as Trixie studied the photos.

"Oh, Speed, it's like a dream!" Trixie exclaimed in delight.

Mom Racer joined them from the kitchen and took the photos from Trixie. She gasped at the lush splendor of the garden with its gazebo, rose arbor and fountains sparkling in the sun. "It's positively breathtaking! Dragon, what do you think?" she asked her husband as she handed the photos to him.

"Humph! It's quite a spread. I wonder why he's offered it to Speed and Trixie for their wedding?"

Speed replied, "It's probably 'cause he's such a big racing fan. The media's been going non-stop about my engagement since I proposed to Trix." He reached over to run his fingers down her cheek in a light caress and her eyes sparkled at him.

"So, baby, what shall we tell His Excellency?" Speed's cobalt eyes danced as he waited for her answer.

Trixie smiled coyly. "I think we should accept his invitation."

"Well, then it's settled. I'll send a wire to him tomorrow morning saying we accept his offer and that we'll get married in his formal garden the day after the race." Speed said decisively.

A few days later, President Gabriele sent a wire to Speed saying he was pleased at their acceptance of his offer. He also said that his entire household staff his chief housekeeper and his personal secretary were also at their disposal and the latter would be in touch to assist Trixie and Mom Racer with the details of the wedding. He shared the news with a very strained Trixie.

"Well, we've got the place all set, Trix. President Gabriele wired me and he said that everything's ready. Oh, and he mentioned that his private secretary is available any time you need her," he informed Trixie cheerfully at her office at Pops Motors.

Trixie nodded and sat back with her eyes closed as she took the information in. Speed noticed her stressed appearance and was immediately concerned. He came around her desk and squatted down beside her to brush the stray hair from her sea-green eyes.

"Hey, are you okay, angel? You look tight as a drum," Speed said gently.

Trixie opened her eyes and sighed. "Yeah, I'm okay, just trying to take care of everything. Thank goodness that most of the guests will be there already, the drivers their, wives and girlfriends, the crews, and of course the media. I've asked Lilly Marker, Janine Trotter and Calcia Bone to be my bridesmaids so I'll be getting tickets for them and as soon as I have my gown picked out, I'll get them measured for their gowns. Thank goodness my father had an insurance policy that was worth $1.7 million and a trust fund for me of $750,000 that I have to pay for all the things I need to."

Speed put his hands on her shoulders. "You know that you wouldn't have to worry about expenses even if you didn't. My winnings last year totaled almost $20 million and finally money is absolutely no problem anymore."

"But Speed, traditionally it's the bride's family that pays for the wedding," Trixie pointed out but Speed laid a finger on her lips.

"True, but you have no family. And I won't let you foot the entire bill for this wedding. So I'm gonna pitch in to help pay for everything. And that's final," he said with a stubborn tilt to his chin.

Trixie sighed resignedly and decided to change the subject. "So have you decided who your ushers and your best man is?'

Speed rose to his feet and sat on the corner of her desk to face her. "Yeah. I really wish Rex could be with me but since he can't, Sparky of course is gonna be my best man and Spritle will be an attendant. I figure I'll ask Rusty Muffle to be an usher and if you don't mind, Trix, I'd like Racer X to be usher too. He's been a true friend to me and I'd really like him to be in our wedding. Since my big brother Rex can't be with me on the happiest day of my life, I want Racer X to. Although," he said thoughtfully "They could be one in the same."

Trixie examined Speed closely. "You still think that Racer X is really your brother Rex?"

Speed sighed as he crossed his arms. "Trix, I don't know what to think. Remember the Trick Race when I found Racer X's mask next to me when I came to? And he's always been around to bail me out of jams I've gotten into."

"Uh-huh. I'm so grateful that he's rescued you those times that I thought I could've lost you," Trixie said softly, her eyes glistening and focused on him.

Speed answered huskily, "You'll never lose me, baby." He was so touched by her sweet comment he reached and took hold of her chin, leaning in to place his mouth on hers. He cupped his hands around her face and deepened his drinking in of her, his senses virtually singing as the heat in his body rose.

They continued their passionate expression until there was a knock on the office door. Trixie pulled away while Speed groaned as he hopped off the desk and whirled around. She called out, "Come in!"

A young man with russet curls and emerald eyes came in. He was of average height, maybe a half inch shorter than Speed and he approached Trixie with an envelope, which he placed on her desk.

"Here's the pictures I promised to show you, Trixie."

"Oh, thanks, Pete. Pete Parks, I don't think you've ever met my fiancé, Speed Racer." Trixie rose and presented Speed to him. He smiled politely and offered his hand.

"Hi Pete, it's nice to meet ya."

"Wow, it's a real pleasure to meet you!" Pete said enthusiastically pumping his hand. "I've just started this job and I've been to the track to take pictures but I hadn't been introduced to you yet."

Trixie explained, "Pete's the new promotional photographer for Pops Motors. He's only been here about a week but he's a fabulous photographer and he wanted to show me some of his portfolio." She opened the envelope and rifled through the stack, handing each picture to Speed as she finished looking at it.

Speed noticed how good the photos were and commented, "These are really something."

Pete grinned widely at the compliment as he gathered his photos together and put them back into the envelope.

Curious, Speed inquired of her, "Why'd you want to see them?"

Trixie replied, "I thought that Pete could be the photographer for our wedding since he has to go to Mont Royale to take publicity shots for the race. What do you think, Speed?"

Speed nodded, "It's okay with me. Have you ever taken any pictures for anything like a wedding?" He studied the young man carefully.

"My sister got married last August and I took the pictures for her wedding," Pete replied. "I didn't bring any of those but I could if you both want to see them."

Trixie shook her head. "I don't have to unless you want to see them, Speed."

"Nope. Whatever Trixie decides is okay with me," he said matter-of-factly.

Pete grinned at the two of them. "Thanks both of you. You won't be sorry." He took his envelope and headed to the door. "Well, see ya," he said as he left.

Trixie picked up a clipboard and checked off a line written on a list. "Well, the photographer's been picked. One more thing that's done."

Speed reached over to take the clipboard and study it. "Hmmm, you've really got the bases covered, huh? I'm impressed." He saw how Trixie had listed everything having to do with the wedding, right down to the last detail. "I had no idea that planning a wedding took so much."

Trixie sighed as she took the clipboard back. "Men seldom do. They just sit back and enjoy the ride. Your mother and I are pulling this thing together, we've less than two months to get it done."

Seeing the stress in his fiancée's eyes, Speed decided to change the subject. "So back to what we were discussing before, what do you think about Racer X being one of the ushers?"

Trixie's expression softened. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she said definitely "I wouldn't have it any other way."

TO BE CONTINUED . . . . THE PREPARATIONS GO ON AND PAINFUL MEMORIES ARE RELIVED AS SPEED'S THOUGHTS FLUCTUATE BETWEEN HIS WEDDING AND HIS MISSING BROTHER . . .

NEXT—A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE