MOVING ON

January 17

Jim opened the door to his office while carefully balancing a cup of coffee and his briefcase. With a kick of his foot, the door eased shut again and Jim moved closer to his desk to set the things down.

He sat down in his big office chair and immediately reached for the messages that his assistant Laura had left for him yesterday afternoon. He flipped through them aimlessly, his mind on the events of the day before.

Jim had left the school early in order to drive into the city for his appointment with his therapist, Lindsay Morgan. After 4 months of sessions with Dr. Morgan, Jim had dwindled from the initial 3 visits a week, down to one and now, yesterday was his last visit. At least, until or if, he would have a need to resume the therapy.

Jim sincerely hoped his anxiety over Trixie’s dangerous job as a police officer was over. His fears had defeated him in July when he had run away from Trixie at the hospital. That time, Hallie had been the one who got hurt, but for a short time, Jim had thought it was Trixie.

Jim had sought help when he finally returned home days later. Trixie had forgiven him for leaving, but she had put their engagement on hold. They still had not set a date for their wedding, but he had told Trixie she’d be the one to bring this up again. He told her he’d wait for her to be ready to set their date.

Friends and family realized the crisis the couple had worked through and respected their decision and didn’t press them.

Now that the holidays were over, Jim and Trixie had settled back into their lives. He hoped, as he did everyday, that today would be the day she would set their date and they’d finally be on their way to being man and wife.

Looking through the messages, he decided that none of them required his immediate attention, except one. He was puzzled over a message from a lawyer in Albany. Jim wasn’t sure who this person was from Wedde and Sons.

Maybe, it’s a friend of my father.

Jim tried to remember if, at any time, he’d met a man by the name of William Tesch.

Nothing came to him.

He didn’t take any more time to contemplate then, as his thoughts returned once again to his favorite blonde.

He took a sip of his coffee as he picked up the phone’s receiver.

Punching the number that he knew by heart, he waited for the sweet voice to answer.

“Hi Sweetie!” Trixie answered.

“Hi! How are you this morning?” Jim asked her pushing back in his chair and resting one ankle on the other knee.

“I am wonderful now that you called me.”

“Well, if I had known that is all it would take, I’d have called you sooner.”

“You can call me anytime!” Trixie grinned, enjoying flirting with him.

“I will remember that. What do you have planned for tonight?”

“Um, I get done with work at 5 p.m., and then nothing. Whatcha got in mind?”

“Dinner. With me. At that new Italian place in White Plains.”

“That sounds great! I’d love to.”

Jim smiled.

“How about I pick you up at 7:00?”

“Frayne, you’ve got a date! See you then. I love you.”

“I love you.”

Jim put the receiver back into its cradle and grinned.

No matter what, I am lucky to have her in my life!

The message from William Tesch was forgotten and shuffled in with the others. Jim set them off to the side of his desk and went on with his day.

Trixie was ready when Jim pulled into the driveway of Crabapple Farm promptly at 7 p.m.

She opened the door before he could knock and planted a kiss on his lips.

“Hi,” Jim grinned.

“Hi.”

Trixie stood back and let him into the warm kitchen. A quick glance assured Jim that they were alone, and placing his hands at her hips, he pulled her closer to kiss her again.

He would have ended the kiss but she snaked her arms around his neck and stood on her toes, pressing her body against his, to deepen the kiss.

They finally pulled their mouths apart and Trixie reached up to wipe her lip gloss from Jim’s mouth.

“Wow,” he said breathlessly.

Trixie giggled and looked up at him mischievously.

“Wow works for me.”

Jim looked around. Trying to cool his body, he took a short step back from her.

“Where is everyone?”

“Moms and Dad had dinner plans with the Lynches. And Bobby is with his friends.”

“So, we’re alone?” Jim waggled his eyebrows.

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Too bad we have a reservation.”

Trixie playfully swatted his arm.

“You’re naughty.”

“Just the way you like me,” Jim grinned.

Trixie matched his grin and shook her head.

“Let’s go big boy. I’m hungry.”

They walked arm in arm to Jim’s car. He opened the door for her and she slid into the passenger seat. Jim walked around to the driver’s side and was quickly seated and starting the car.

Trixie immediately reached for his hand.

They talked non stop of their day’s activities during the drive. Trixie was happy to know that the therapy had helped Jim work through his fears of her job. He could now here what had happened during her shift without getting a pained expression on his face or tension in his body.

They arrived at the restaurant about 10 minutes before their reservation but were seated immediately.

Jim brushed past the host to hold the chair for Trixie. Her beatific smile was thanks enough for him.

The waitress, Diane, was there to get them each a drink. Jim asked Trixie if she wanted a glass of wine.

“That sounds good.”

“Two glasses of the Merlot.”

Trixie reached for her purse when the waitress asked for her I.D. and then grinned when once the waitress saw she was indeed 21, spun from their table to go to the bar.

“I forget sometimes, that I am 21.”

“Me too. And I’m 23. I remember when I thought that day would never come, and then when it did, it was no big deal.”

“It’s not like any of us are big drinkers.”

“No, but it’s strange sometimes to know that I can have a drink if I want one.”

Diane returned with their wine and they took a moment to look the menu over.

“So, what are you in the mood for?” Jim asked Trixie.

“I think the cheese ravioli with their special sauce sounds good. What about you?”

“I was looking at the vegetable lasagna.”

They both looked up when Diane returned to the table.

“Were you ready to order?”

“Yes, the lady will have the cheese ravioli and I will have the vegetable lasagna,” Jim ordered for them both.

“Dressing for the salads?”

Jim looked at Trixie and raised his eye brows.

“I’d like Ranch,” Trixie answered.

“Make that two,” Jim grinned and handed their closed menus to the waitress.

Trixie sipped her wine and took in the atmosphere. There was soft music playing in the background. There was a huge fireplace in the corner with a blazing fire. The lights were turned down, with candles burning on each table and the dining room took on a decidedly romantic mood.

The table that they were seated at was a small cozy round table, making it easy for Jim to reach across to hold Trixie’s hand.

Their fingers intertwined, stroking each other. He felt himself sink into the big blue eyes of his love when they were interrupted by the waitress bringing the salads.

Trixie grinned when Jim reluctantly let her hand go.

Along with the salads, baskets of home-made bread sticks and garlic bread were brought. Trixie eyed the garlic bread and looked wistfully at Jim.

“If one does, we both have to.”

Jim grinned and looked at the object of her desire. He reached for the basket and held it out for her to take a piece for herself before taking one of his own.

Their hunger took over from there and they ate their salads and bread. Diane appeared again to clear their empty plates and they sat back again in their seats while awaiting their main course.

Feeling relaxed, Trixie sipped her wine and watched Jim over the rim.

Jim smiled at her and reached for her hand again.

“Have I told you that I love you today?” he asked.

“Yes, I believe you have, but you can tell me that as much as you want. I never get tired of hearing it.”

Trixie’s soft smile in the candle light made Jim’s heart beat a little faster.

“You know I love you too, right?” she asked.

“Yes. I thank God for that every single minute of every day.”

Jim leaned forward and raised her hand to his lips. He gently kissed the back of her knuckles, never taking his eyes from hers.

Trixie opened her mouth to say something but the waitress arrived with their food and she decided to save it for after dinner.

They ate, pausing only to ring the praises of the chef. They traded bites of their food and laughed at the picture they must have made feeding each other.

Finally when they could eat no more, Diane came back to the table to take their plates and box the leftovers.

“Can I get you another glass of wine?” she asked them.

“No, I had my limit; I am driving. Trixie?”

“I’m still working on this one, but thank you.”

Diane smiled and set their bill down before leaving them.

“That was so good.” Trixie sat sliding back in her chair.

“Yeah, it was. We’ll have to come back.”

Taking a deep breath, Trixie leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table.

“Jim, can I talk to you a minute?”

Jim grinned, “You have been all night.”

Trixie smiled in return and nodded.

“Yeah, I know, but I had something on my mind.”

Jim sat a little straighter in his seat and looked at her, now instantly alert.

“Sure, Trix, anything you want to talk about.”

Trixie’s fingers slid up and down the stem of her wine glass. She seemed lost in her own thoughts, and then she looked up at him. Her blue eyes bore into his green.

“I was thinking that we need to move on.”

Jim felt the bottom of his stomach drop. The blood drained from his face and his jaw dropped.

Licking his lips nervously, he asked, “Move on?”

Trixie nodded, “I was going to call you tonight anyway. This has been on my mind a lot lately, and I decided to just do it.”

“Do it?” Jim realized that he probably sounded insane repeating what she said. But he was afraid to know what had brought her to this decision.

Suddenly, he felt a pressing on his chest that made it difficult to take a breath. It was the fear of losing her that cut him to the quick.

I blew it! Oh my God, what have I done? I pushed her so far away that she needs to move on!

“So, I was having trouble deciding, spring or fall?”

Trixie was looking at him expectantly and he realized she had asked him a question.

“Sorry?” he rasped.

“Do you want to do this in the spring or fall?”

Jim wasn’t sure he could form a coherent word to answer her. He was dumbfounded. It actually sounded like she wanted to schedule their break-up. He looked down at his clenched hands on the table.

“Jim?”

She was still speaking. Jim tried to clear the fog he called his head.

Looking at her, he saw the frown and impatient toss of her blonde curls.

He cleared his throat. He picked up his water glass, and gulped the remaining water down. Finally, with a courage he didn’t know he had, he looked back to her.

Trixie wondered over his reaction. Finally, she noticed Jim wasn’t going to be forthcoming with his answer, she asked again, “Would you like a spring or fall wedding?”

Jim stared at her for a split second then thought about what she said. Trixie noticed the emotions that registered on Jim’s face.

They ranged from despair, to confusion, to disbelief, finally settling on joy.

Jim suddenly stood up and moved to her side of the table. He knelt down on one knee and reached for her hands.

“Are you sure? Are you sure you’re ready?” He searched her face for any doubts.

All he saw was love for him and her smile.

“Yes. I am sure that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I am sure that I love you more anything or anyone, and I am sure that I want to marry you. The sooner, the better.”

In a flash Jim stood up, he wrapped his arms around her waist and carried her with him. He buried his face into her neck and just held her. Her feet were off the floor but neither one cared.

His voice was gruff with emotion when he mumbled into her neck.

“You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”

Trixie’s fingers ran through his hair as she held him just as tightly.

Slowly Jim became aware that they had an audience. He slowly slid Trixie back down to the floor and she straightened her skirt.

Her cheeks were pink, but not from embarrassment. She hid a grin when she caught Jim’s equally disheveled appearance.

“Um, we should get out of here.” Jim said quietly, tossing enough bills onto the table for their dinner and a generous tip.

Trixie nodded and they quickly left the restaurant.

They walked to Jim’s car and Trixie stood by, waiting for him to unlock her door. He fumbled with his keys for a moment. Then with a groan, he turned to pull her once again into his arms.

Their lips met in heated hunger. Jim tasted her sweetness for several long minutes. Neither was conscious of the time.

Trixie’s hands caressed his upper arms and shoulders. They ran through his hair, messing it further.

Neither was conscious of the cold. They made their own heat.

A blaring horn was the only thing that lifted their heads from each other.

Jim looked sheepishly down at Trixie.

“Sorry,” he managed to say after clearing his throat several times.

Trixie smiled, “I’m not.”

Jim decided to open the car door before they were out of control again.

They were back on the road again before either spoke.

“I think the spring would be best.”

Jim’s head whipped in Trixie’s direction. Glancing back and forth between the road and Trixie, he asked, “Spring?”

Trixie grinned, “Yes, spring. Does that work for you?”

“I told you whenever you want, I’ll be there.”

“Good, because we decided to wait until we are married to make love, and given that display we just put on, I think the sooner, the better.”

Jim’s face turned almost as red as his hair. Trixie was having none of that though. She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

The action brought his eyes back to her. Trixie was grinning and trying to suppress the giggle that was threatening to bubble forth.

Jim couldn’t help it; he laughed and gave her hand another squeeze.

“I love you, Trix.”

“I love you, Jim.”

Author's notes:

I just have to thank my wonderful editors, Jamie and our very own Janice!!
I also need to thank El-Viv!! I would be lost without your technical support, advice and all around good thoughts, that I can indeed do this! Thank you all!!
The character of William Tesch was an actual person. Although, he wasn't a lawyer! It's just my tribute to a very close, family friend. It's coming up on a year that Bill has been gone. He died too soon, too young, and I think of him often. Many hugs to his wife Lynda, and his three sons. They still struggle to go on with their lives.