FEBRUARY 3

Trixie blew her curls off her forehead in frustration.

“Grrr!”

Helen stood at the counter, mixing the dough for chocolate chip cookies. “Problems, dear?”

Trixie pushed back the kitchen chair, and stood. She strode to the cabinet and retrieved a glass, promptly filling it with water from the faucet.

“It’s just-!” She motioned hopelessly to the stack of magazines and notebooks she’d abandoned on the table.

Moms smiled, “It takes a lot of work to plan a wedding, especially, THE perfect wedding.”

Trixie stared at the notebook, chewing her lip, lost in thought.

“Trixie, you know you have help. Honey and Diana are more than willing to help you. As am I, and there is always your future mother-in-law. Let us help.”

Trixie looked back at her mother.

“Moms, I know you’re right. I wanted to do this myself. But, I don’t know anything about halls, flowers, photographers, or…” Trixie held her glass in one hand, and motioned helplessly with the other.

Helen set the cookie dough off to the side, and wiped her hands on a towel, and looked at her daughter.

“Sweetie, maybe you should invite the girls over and ask them to bring their mothers. What they don’t know about party planning, and I’m sure that will transfer over to wedding planning, can be engraved on the head of a pin.”

Trixie laughed softly and gave her mother a quick hug.

“MY mother isn’t exactly a slouch either.”

Helen ran a comforting hand across her daughter’s shoulders.

“Thank you! Now, go call the girls and see what you can set up.”

Trixie ran to the phone, calling first Honey, then Diana. She came back with a definite spring in her step.

“They agreed to help me plan the wedding, even Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Lynch.”

The sparkle was back in Trixie’s eyes, making Helen smile.

“I knew they would. Now, don’t worry about this so much. We’ll get it done.”

Trixie felt the relief at knowing the cavalry would be riding in soon. She walked to the kitchen table to gather up her notebooks and magazines.

“Moms, maybe I should talk to Jim. We might not be able to get this wedding off the ground and set by May 13^th. It might be better to postpone the wedding, as opposed to doing this half way.”

“Trixie, honey, I have faith, in not only you, but the friends we have. You want the wedding to be May 13^th, and May 13^th it will be!”

Trixie grinned at her mother’s unwavering trust that they could do this.

The kitchen door eased open to allow the guests to enter while Trixie was still setting up the dining room table.

She had pens, pencils, notebooks, along with the magazines for reference.

Honey came into the room undetected.

“So, are you ready for this?” she asked softly.

Trixie raised her head and smiling dreamily at her friend, said, “I’ve been ready for this, for a long, long time.”

Honey leaned against the door jam, saying, “You and my brother, both. Honestly Trix, I have never seen him like this, not even when he was planning to propose.”

The worried look returned to Trixie’s eyes as she chewed her lip.

“He did that proposal perfectly; maybe I should turn the planning of the wedding over to him.”

“Trixie, we can do this! Mother is in the kitchen with your mother and Di said she’d be here. We have a great team, we will help you. Please, let us do this! We are here for you!”

Trixie stared at Honey long and hard, feeling the tears pool in her eyes.

In two steps, Honey was in front of her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Once Honey closed her arms around her, Trixie let the tears go.

They were the tears of her frustration, and the tears of the emotional turmoil that she and Jim had over come to get here.

Tears of the overwhelming love she felt, not only for that man, but also, for her best friend in the whole world.

“I couldn’t do this without you by my side,” Trixie whispered into Honey’s ear.

“Hey, is this a private moment, or can anyone get into this hug?”

Honey and Trixie separated long enough to let Diana into their arms.

“I am so happy for you, Trixie,” Diana gushed.

Trixie sniffed, “Thanks, I’m happy for me, too.”

The trio stepped back from their embrace.

Honey giggled, “I love you both!”

Trixie and Di both said they loved Honey, too. That was worth another group hug. They stood together, until the gentle clearing of a throat could be heard.

“Do you think we should get started?” Moms stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen.

“Sure, Moms, we’re ready.”

Helen Belden walked into the dining room, followed closely by Maddie Wheeler and Janet Lynch.

They, along with the girls, pulled out a chair and sat down.

Trixie took a deep breath, feeling she should speak first at such an important moment in her life.

“First of all, I want to thank you all for helping me. I wanted this to be perfect for me and Jim, but had no clue how to do it.”

“That is quite all right, my dear. Please! If we can’t plan this wedding with you, then our years of party planning will have been a waste,” Maddie smiled.

Trixie smiled in return and blinked back her tears of gratitude.

“Tell us what you have in mind,” Janet said.

“Well, that’s just it,” she huffed out her breath, bracing her elbows on the table and burying her face in her hands. “I haven’t started yet. I don’t know where to start. Jim and I have only talked about this briefly.”

“I think you should start with the basics,” Maddie began.

“OK, what are the basics?”

“The dress.”

“The ceremony.”

“The reception.”

Three different opinions were called out simultaneously.

Trixie inwardly groaned. Chewing her lip, she rubbed her hands across her eyes. She looked helplessly from one member of her planning team to another.

“What do you and Jim have in mind, Trixie?” Moms asked, seeing that her daughter was beginning to get overwhelmed again.

“Well, I am glad we decided to get married in the spring. I have always wanted to get married here, at Crabapple Farm. I thought an outdoor ceremony. The orchard should be in full bloom. I thought maybe we could add a lattice archway, for the bridal party to walk through, at the entrance of the orchard.”

Trixie waited to see if anyone disagreed.

“I think that will be beautiful,” Diana sighed dreamily.

The rest of the group all nodded.

Trixie relaxed, feeling at ease, when they didn’t immediately dismiss her idea.

“I was hoping you’d think that way, too,” Moms said, patting Trixie’s hand.

“Well, that’s settled. I offer you the Manor House for your reception, then,” Maddie said hopefully.

Trixie looked at her future mother-in-law in surprise, “Really? Can we do that?”

“Of course, you can. We’ll have the dinner catered; the ball room will serve as your reception hall. We can rent tables and decorate,” Maddie’s voice trailed off.

Trixie still looked rather shocked.

“Is that all right?”

Trixie nodded, “That would be perfect. Jim will be so happy. Thank you!”

Honey made notes and lists of the items that had been decided, while Diana paged through the bridal magazines, looking for new ideas in decorating and fashion.

“What about your gown?” Janet asked.

“I- I guess I have always thought I’d get married in Moms’ dress.”

Trixie looked nervously at her mother.

Moms smiled proudly, “It’s yours, if you want it. You don’t have to; we can buy a new one. But, I would love to see you wear it.”

Trixie shook her head, “No! I want to wear your dress. It’s beautiful, and I love it.”

“I don’t think I have ever seen it, Mrs. Belden.” Honey said, while setting her pen aside.

“I was hoping Trixie would want to wear it and I pulled it out of my closet upstairs. Let me get it.”

Helen went to get the dress, and Diana took the opportunity to show Trixie a couple of the bridesmaid dresses she liked from one of the magazines.

Helen returned carrying a garment bag. Everyone stood as she lovingly laid it across the table. “Well, it will need to be freshened and pressed. It’s been stored for a few years, but this is it.” She opened the zipper and pulled the white dress out.

Gasps were heard from around the group.

Trixie looked at the dress she’d fantasized about wearing. The short sleeves, the tight fitting bodice with the pearls embroidered on it, the tulle skirt. It looked as beautiful as the pictures. She reached and touched it reverently, looking up at her mother.

“Moms, I can’t wait to wear it. Do you think it will fit?”

“Of course, it will. You’re the same size as I was then. If anything, we’ll need to take it in.”

“Can I try it on?”

Helen held the dress out to her.

“Go ahead, hurry, we can’t wait to see you.”

Trixie took the gown from her mother and hurried to the downstairs bathroom. She opened the door a few minutes later and turned her back for Honey to button the dress.

Honey made quick work of the tiny buttons. She began to giggle as she buttoned the last one.

“What is so funny?” Trixie demanded.

“I’m sorry, it isn’t really.”

Honey giggled again as Trixie turned around to look her in the eye.

“Something is funny, you can’t stop giggling.”

Honey made the genuine effort not to laugh again, but failed.

Trixie tossed her curls and tapped her foot, waiting for Honey to control herself once again. Honey slowed her laughter, but still grinned.

“OK, I’m sorry.”

“Are you finished?” she grumbled goodnaturedly.

Honey nodded, “I’m really sorry. It wasn’t funny, really. I just pictured Jim’s big hands, and these tiny buttons. And then, one thought led to another and I pictured you and him and your wedding night…”

“Enough, I get the picture,” Trixie grinned at her best friend, ducking her head in embarrassment.

Diana and the mothers got up from the table. They each took a turn and slowly circled Trixie. Trixie couldn’t stand it another second and asked, “Well? Will it be OK?”

Helen stopped in front of her daughter and grasped both of her hands. She blinked back tears and said, “Better than OK. You look beautiful, sweetie.”

Maddie and Janet didn’t bother to blink back the tears; they both quickly wiped a finger under their eyelashes.

Diana presented a box of tissues and they each took one.

“You do look lovely, Trix,” Diana complimented.

“You’re going to knock my brother’s socks off,” Honey grinned clapping her hands in her glee.

Trixie smoothed the skirt of the gown and stepped back into the bathroom to have another look in the mirror.

She made eye contact with her two best friends in the reflection.

She couldn’t contain the delighted giggle. “Wow, is this really me?”

“Yep, it’s you!” Diana assured her.

“Let me help you unbutton, then we have more of this wedding to plan,” Honey motioned for her to turn around again.

A few minutes later, Trixie came back out of the bathroom carrying the gown. After returning it to its garment bag, she sat back down at the table. “What else do we need?”

“Flowers,” Maddie said, then added, “A lot of them!”

“OK, um, I guess I’ve always pictured roses. Although, you know, orchids do hold a special place in my heart.”

The group shared a knowing glance.

“You could always use roses for the bouquets and boutonnieres, then use orchids for decorating the ball room.”

“Can I do that? Isn’t there a rule, somewhere, that says you can’t mix your flowers?” Trixie chewed her lip, worried over breaking a taboo during their wedding.

“You can do whatever you want! You’re the bride and it’s your day,” Maddie assured her, patting her hand.

Trixie grinned, boosted once again, and nodded.

“OK, we have my gown, the hall, the location for the ceremony, the flowers discussed, and…?”

“You have already asked your attendants?” Janet chimed in.

“Yeah, Honey is my maid of honor, and then Diana and Hallie are bridesmaids. Jim has asked Brian to be best man; Mart and Dan are to be groomsmen.”

“Regan and Bobby are going to be ushers,” Honey added.

Helen pulled a sheet of paper from her notebook. “I made out a partial guest list from our side of the family.”

“I did, too,” Maddie produced her list.

Trixie took them and filed them into her own notebook.

“Jim and I are each making out a list also, so I’m sure we’ll remember everyone.”

“Dad said he’d ask Mr. Belden about having Pastor Miller perform the ceremony.” Honey added.

“What about invitations?” Di asked.

Smacking her head, “Oh, I forgot,” Trixie looked around the group.

“Can I make a suggestion?” Di cleared her throat, continuing when they all nodded, “What about Nick Roberts?”

Trixie frowned in her confusion, “For…?”

“The invitations. I think he would be able to design something marvelous for you.”

“Of course, he’s an artist, but, would he want to do something like that?”

“He’s always liked you and Jim, Trix, I’m sure he’d be happy to do that. It couldn’t hurt to ask him, if he isn’t able to do it, there is always the printers in Sleepyside.”

“What about a photographer?” Moms added.

“Jim said he’d take care of that. A friend of his from college does photography as a hobby, and he wants to see if he’d be interested in doing our wedding,” Trixie explained.

“I think that’s everything,” Helen breathed a sigh of relief, “At least everything we should get started on today.”

Trixie physically relaxed and took a deep breath.

“Thank you all. I couldn’t make heads or tails of this, and you’ve taken a great weight off my shoulders.”

“Oh, Trixie, you would have been fine,” Diana corrected.

“I don’t know about that. I just want this day to be perfect for us.”

“Nothing is perfect, but we will do everything in our power to make this an incredible day for you and Jim,” Maddie promised.

Tears pricked the back of Trixie’s eyes again. “Thank you all.”

They were interrupted by a knock on the kitchen door. Trixie stood to answer the door when a familiar red head appeared.

“Is it safe to come in?” Jim asked, green eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Jim! I wasn’t expecting you!”

Jim stepped into the kitchen, shutting the door behind him, just in time to catch his fiancée when she jumped exuberantly into his arms.

Trixie’s arms were wrapped firmly around his neck. Jim felt her grip tighten, when he’d thought she was going to turn him loose. “Are you OK?” Jim whispered into her ear.

Trixie buried her face into the side of his neck, and nodded.

“Perfect!”

Jim stole a quick glance towards the other inhabitants of the room. “Trix? If everything’s OK, why do have my neck in a death grip?”

Trixie relaxed and slid her feet back to the floor. Releasing Jim, she looked up at him, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. “Sorry,” she mumbled, reaching up to straighten his collar.

“It’s all right. Now, are you sure everything is ‘perfect’?”

Trixie quickly nodded. “It really is! We’ve gotten some plans done for the wedding. I hope you like what we came up with so far,” she smiled shyly.

Jim spared the table another glance and grinned, “I’m sure I will.”

He allowed himself to be pulled over to the table to look over the plans and lists they’d made. Honey and Diana quickly explained their ideas thus far.

“It sounds wonderful,” Jim replied, when they’d finished. He noticed Trixie had been quiet while the girls had been speaking. He reached his hand down and gave hers a gentle squeeze.

Helen, Maddie, and Janet gathered the notebooks and magazines and took them into the kitchen. Before she left the room, Helen announced she’d put fresh coffee on and they could expect to have a piece of her chocolate cake with it.

Honey cleared her throat softly, catching Di’s eye.

“We’re just going to hang this up.” Honey said, motioning to the garment bag containing the wedding gown.

“Yes, that’s a good idea, Honey. Trixie, do you want it in your closet or would you prefer your mom’s?” Di walked behind Honey, following her to the archway leading to the stairs.

“Mine’s fine,” Trixie’s reply was quiet, almost too quiet.

They quickly moved to walk up the stairs, carrying the gown carefully.

Jim narrowed his gaze on Trixie as soon as they were alone.

She looked down at her feet, trying not to look at him.

He frowned, raising his hand; he used one finger to lift her chin.

Making eye contact with those blue eyes he loved, he eased his tall frame into a chair, pulling Trixie onto his lap. “What is it?”

Trixie sat stiffly upon his lap, still avoiding eye contact.

Jim smoothed his palm over her back, pausing to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“Trix, you can tell me anything. Is it something I did? Did I upset you? Did something happen here today?”

Jim’s mounting concern was evident. Trixie bit her lip, blinking rapidly to stop the tears.

“No, you didn’t do anything! You’re perfect!”

Trixie glanced up at Jim and the tears began to slide down her cheeks when she saw his face.

Quickly wiping the droplets away from her eyes, Jim continued to wait patiently for her to answer him.

He lifted his left buttock from the chair to retrieve his handkerchief.

He pressed it into her hand and she smiled through her tears.

“I don’t deserve you! You are perfect! You deserve someone perfect, too!”

Jim looked on helplessly when she buried her face into the clean white cotton linen, muffling the beginnings of her sobs. He continued to soothingly rub her back and shoulders, while his free hand pulled one of hers from her face, clutching it tightly.

“Trixie Belden! I am far from perfect!” Jim shook his head in disbelief and confusion, “Sweetie, why would you say these things? What happened?”

Trixie took a deep shuddering breath and wiped her face with the damp handkerchief, before bravely looking up at her fiancé.

Her voice was raspy from the tears, “Jim, I love you so much! I want you to be happy.”

Jim waited, knowing there was obviously more to the story.

“I’m not sure what good I’ll be to you, Jim. You have a different lifestyle from what I grew up with. There will be times we’ll be expected to entertain, to host parties, especially for the school.”

“I’m sure we will, but…”

“You deserve someone who can easily walk through your world. I can’t even manage to plan our wedding alone, what makes you think I can do all of the things you need from a wife?”

Trixie’s look was so desolate, it broke Jim’s heart.

Placing his large hands on each of her cheeks, he held her head firmly, forcing her to look at him while he spoke.

“Trixie, the only thing I need from a wife, from you, is for you to love me. I love you more than I could ever tell you or show you!”

Jim’s proclamation brought another onslaught of tears to her eyes. He lovingly stroked them away from her red, swollen eyes.

“J-Jim, I love you too, that’s why I think you deserve better. I can’t even plan our wedding! I had to have Di and Honey, along with all of our mothers, here to help. I didn’t even know where to start. I- I am so sorry.” Her lips trembled.

Jim cocked his head to the side, staring into her vulnerable blue eyes. “Trixie, there is nothing wrong in needing help. You’ve never planned a wedding before, and I don’t plan on you ever having to plan another, unless it’s to help our daughter with hers. I guarantee our mothers, Honey and Di loved every second of helping you, well, us. I should have been helping you all along.”

Jim frowned in his disappointment in himself, realizing he’d let her down.

“No, Jim. It isn’t your fault,” Trixie was quick to reassure him.

Jim placed a finger on her soft, tear-swollen lips.

“It certainly isn’t your fault, Trixie. I wish I’d paid better attention to your feelings. It is too much for one person. It’s my wedding, too. I shouldn’t have left it on your shoulders alone. I’m glad you had the help today.”

Trixie wrapped her arms around Jim’s neck, this time refraining from the death grip. She sighed. “It’s OK. I know how busy you are with the kids and the school.”

Jim shook his head, “It’s never OK to be too busy to help you.”

Seemingly to chime at the ‘right’ moment, Jim’s cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, and promptly silenced the ringer.

“Jim, who was that? The school?”

Trixie frowned when Jim shook his head again, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

“It’s nothing that can’t wait.”

“Was it the school? You should really take it. Please, take it. There could be a problem.”

“There’s a problem right here, and it’s one that I am not letting go of until it’s settled.”

“It’s settled. I really should have asked for help when I felt I was out of my league.”

Jim looked deeply into her reddened eyes. His thumb gently stroked her cheek. “I love you, Trixie. I can’t wait until we’re married.” His eyes bore into hers with such an intensity she was left breathless.

Trixie’s fingers threaded through his hair and held him to her.

Their tongues met, softly exploring each other’s.

Jim shifted her on his lap. She opened her eyes and peeked at him. She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped.

Jim lifted his head from hers, “Something funny?”

“I, um, was just, um, noticing something,” Trixie’s cheeks turned red.

Jim laughed softly, “I’m sure you did.”

He looked at her long and hard for a moment, “Are you OK now? I will take a look at the lists you started today, and I will try to think of anything else I can do to help out. If you have something on your mind, just tell me, please? I want to help, it’s ‘our’ day.”

Trixie solemnly nodded, “I won’t try to take this on all by myself, again,” she vowed.

“Good!” Jim was pleased he seemed to make her understand.

It nearly broke his heart in two, to know she was so stressed over planning their wedding. Planning it alone, as she thought she should be.

Honey poked her head from the kitchen, “Excuse me, Jim, your assistant Laura is on the phone. She says it’s important.”

Trixie leapt from his lap, “I told you!” She tugged on his hand until he stood, frustrated he was moving so slowly into the kitchen to take the phone call.

“Laura?”

Trixie watched and listened. She chewed her lip while waiting for the phone call to end.

Jim wrapped up the phone call, finishing with, “Tell him I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He hung the phone on the wall, and turned to see Trixie waiting for him.

“Trixie, I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“What happened?” Trixie frowned.

“Nothing happened,” Jim assured her, “There is a man waiting to see me. I’m not sure what it’s about.”

Trixie nodded, “OK.” She took his hand and led him to the door.

“Trixie, I hope you know how much I love you.”

Trixie smiled up at her fiancé. “As much as I love you?”

Jim grinned before ducking his head for a sweet kiss.

“Call me later, when your meeting is over?” she asked him hopefully.

“You got it.”

Jim waved good-bye to the ladies at the table, and with a final kiss from Trixie, he was out the door.

Trixie stepped over to the window, watching Jim. He’d walked over, even in the cold. She stood there, watching, until he was out of sight. She shivered. She wasn’t cold, but a feeling had just washed over her.

It was a feeling of foreboding.

Why? What is happening? Trixie wondered.

Suddenly, she became very worried about Jim. There was something about this meeting, something about this man he was going to meet. She wished she knew what was going on at the school.