Chapter 9

A/N: As I was going over some of my Trixie characters, I realized I got the name of Barbara Schulz wrong. It's actually Barbara Hubbell. So sorry about that folks. Our story picks right up from the end of the last chapter.

Trixie started scooting around the side of the stable. She had turned off the light so that Regan couldn't see her. "If he can't see me, he can't find me," she reasoned. "Trixie, where are you?" Regan's voiced dripped with mock concern and she could hear a teasing note in his voice. Silently she kept moving. "I will find you, you know, and when I do, you're mine." Suddenly, she stumbled, and fell backwards. Thankfully she landed in the hay, but she was unable to completely muffle her response. Regan, hearing her quiet "oomph" followed the sound. He knew the stables like the back of his hand and now he knew where she was. Trixie held her breath until the movement stopped. "Whew," she giggled silently, "he doesn't know where I am." All of a sudden, two arms grabbed her around the waist. Surprises, she let out a shriek. "Bill Regan, you scared the daylights—," her words were drowned out by a pair of lips landing on hers. Trixie felt her mind melt, felt her heart pounding. There seemed to be little she could do but put her arms around his neck. She knew that if she wasn't already sitting in the hay, she would've been by now. Her knees were quivering. She pulled away to catch her breath. "Regan, we really need—." For the 2nd time in 5 minutes, cut her off with his lips.

Regan couldn't seem to stop kissing her. Her lips were so soft and sweet, her hair was so wild and curly. He was slowly drowning in her kisses. She pulled away a 2nd time and before he could stop her, she stood up. Slowly, feeling along the wall, she made her way to the light switch and turned on the lights. Turning around, she jumped to see him standing right behind her. He hadn't made a single noise! How did he do that? She started backing away, while Regan continued to come after her. He still hadn't made a single sound. "Regan, we need to talk," she rushed to get the words out. He stopped at her words. He nodded. "You're right Trixie. We do." He led her into his office, but left the door open. He didn't want to be tempted any more than he already was. "How do I begin," he wondered.

Trixie sat there in his office, trying to regain her senses. This was a side of Regan she had never seen before. She had questions, but she sensed the nervousness in him and wisely decided to let him start. "When I first met you Trixie, you were but a girl. I watched you grow up into a beautiful young woman. Yes, beautiful, he continued when she opened her mouth to protest. I watched you and Jim, always together, figuring, just like everyone else that you two would end up together. I was there for you and any of the Bob Whites when needed. I don't know when exactly I realized that I loved you. I just woke up one day, as if out of a daze. I love your spirit, your courage, your loyalty. You would never do anything to hurt those you cared about regardless of how you felt. At least never intentionally. You have such a big heart and everyday I pray that you would find it within yourself to share it with me. I'm not asking you to marry me, not yet, though that's what I want to do someday. I'm just asking you, well, what I'm trying to say is, will you be my special someone?"

Trixie just sat there a few moments trying to let everything he said sink in. He looked miserable as he stood there. And realizing in those few moments, she did love Bill Regan. "Yes," she whispered. Slowly his head rose and he stared at her as if not being able to comprehend what she was saying. "You mean….?" "I mean yes, Regan, I will be your girl. You have to realize though, that I'm about to turn 19 and next year I won't be here in Sleepyside, I'll be at NYU studying for a degree in Law." Hope rose in his chest. "She said yes," that little voice shouted. He wanted to do a victory dance but instead nodded his head in understanding. "I understand Trixie, and I support you 100%." With that he stood up and walked around the desk to where she sat. Pulling her up out of her chair, he wrapped his arms around her and just held her, like he'd been wanting to for a very long time.

Several Weeks Later

June was here and summer was beginning. All the Bob Whites were here and celebrating Mart and Trixie's birthdays, and even though they were 11 months apart, decided to share this special day with each other. Trixie's birthday had actually been a couple weeks ago, but she wanted to wait and celebrate it with all of her family and friends. Jim, Dan, and Mart had just made it back last. Everyone was surprised when Jim showed up with Barbara on his arm, and Dan had Jane Morgan with him. Trixie hadn't been surprised about Barbara, but Dan and Jane were a bit of a stunner. Trixie and Jane had a bit of history with each other. At one point, when younger, Jane had been quite a bit jealous of Trixie and the Bob Whites, going so far as to spread false rumors, but everything changed when Jane had gotten caught up in one of Trixie's mysteries. After that, while never best friends, they were at least friendly and respectful of each other. Jane had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She had run into Dan at NYU and he had been smitten at once. Having heard of Dan's reputation of being a lady's man, she had been quite hesitant to get involved at first. However he had proved himself worthy of her love as the year had progressed.

Barbara, Jim's date, was from Iowa. They had met the summer where the Bob Whites, minus Dan, had gone to help the Belden's Uncle Andy while his sheep were being stolen. Then they had all reunited in New York for another mystery. Trixie really liked Barbara and she was happy for Jim. When Jim had shown up with Barbara, all the Bob Whites had held their breaths, waiting for a reaction, but there was none. Trixie, instead, ran up to Barbara and hugged her as if they were the best of friends. There had been an instant kinship.

Brian was there as well sitting with Diana. After all those years of putting him and Honey together, he had ended up with the raven haired beauty next to him. Trixie thought they were very suited for each other. Both were dark, quiet, and fairly serious. But they also loved Trixie very much and wanted her happy.

Mart had ended up with sweet Honey Wheeler. Truth be told, everyone had been surprised by that. She was quiet and sweet, while he was loud, and loved to use big words. But Mart made her laugh. Honey had shyly confided in Trixie about how she felt for Trixie's almost-twin and had blushed when she said that she was happy for her. The biggest surprise for everyone however, was Trixie's date.

Regan was a little nervous right now. Brian and Mart had already taken him aside and made sure he knew that he wasn't to hurt Trixie or they'd be there. Of course, he assured them he would never ever hurt her. And while, everyone had been surprised, they had all been quick to agree that he was the perfect match for her. They complemented each other.

The rest of the summer was perfect and at the end, Trixie, Honey, and Di packed their bags up and headed to NYU. Regan and Trixie had already made promises to each other and gave their hearts to hold. He was going to miss her but both knew that the future was full of hope.

Three Years Later

Regan stood with the rest of the crowd as Trixie walked across stage to accept her diploma. His cheer was the loudest. He had been accepted full force into both the Wheeler family and the Belden family. They had made him feel as if he truly belonged. Originally, Trixie had wanted to study law, but she actually went into Criminal Justice degree. She had worked extra hard and during the summer to ensure she graduated early. Soon the ceremony was over and Trixie had rejoined Regan and her family to celebrate. They were finally together again. After everything had settled down, the Lynch's, Wheelers, and Belden's went out to a nice dinner to celebrate Trixie's success. Trixie noticed Regan getting quieter but didn't want to push him into saying anything yet. As she reached for his hand, he stood up and got everyone's attention.

"As you all know, Trixie and I have been together for 3 years and I've loved her longer than that. And now that she's graduated, I would like to ask her a very important question." Kneeling down before Trixie and taking the ring out of his pocket, he said, "Trixie, I love you so much and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, raising a family, solving mysteries, and growing old together. I've already spoken with your parents and they've given me their blessing. Trixie Louise Belden…..will you marry me?" Gasps showed around the table as everyone waited for the person in question to give an answer.

Trixie didn't answer for a second, but then she raised up her head, blue eyes sparkling with unshed tears, and said one word….."Yes."

Thank you all for reading and supporting me in this story. As I said, it was my first. Sorry to all you Trixie/Jim fans. However, tune into my next story to see if Trixie and Jim do end up together, if Regan finds love, and if Dan will ever find that special someone to cherish.