Two days later, a large celebration was underway at the Manor House, welcoming the Wheelers back home. They had returned to Sleepyside the day before. Jim and Honey insisted on meeting them at the airport.

As Trixie stood off to the side watching people mingle, she thought about the conversation the previous day when the Wheelers explained what they had gone through.

The Beldens and Lynches, as well as Regan, Miss Trask and the Bob-Whites, gathered in the living room to hear the story. Matthew told them the plane started experiencing engine trouble. The pilot set the plane down and tried to fix the engine, but he didn’t have any luck.

“The weather started to get worse,” Matt said. “The pilot told us that he thought help would be coming, but he didn’t know that the radio had been broken.”

“The pilot said we couldn’t stay in the plane, because there was no way for us to stay warm,” Madeleine said, picking up the story. “We took what we could and went in search of shelter.”

“Oh, Mother,” Honey said, taking her mother’s hand in her own.

“It’s all right,” Madeleine said, squeezing her daughter’s hand.

“We tried to call out, but the phones weren’t working,” Matthew continued. “We held on knowing help would find us soon. We found a small structure that we were able to use for shelter. We stayed there with a fire going. When we heard the planes going overhead, we went out and flagged them down. Once rescued, we were taken back to the nearest town and that’s when we called you.”

“We’re just really glad you’re back,” Jim said.

“We’re glad to be home too,” Madeleine said.

“And we’ve come to an agreed decision,” Matthew said.

Everyone looked at one another. Honey voiced the question they were thinking. “A decision about what?”

“I’ve decided to finally retire,” Matthew said.

“What?” Jim and Honey asked simultaneously.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while and have decided that with the first grandchild on the way, I want to be around more.”

“We both do,” Madeleine said, squeezing Honey’s hand. “We want to do better.”

“I think that’s wonderful.” Honey gave her mother a hug.

The tapping of a glass got Trixie’s attention. She saw Jim was getting everyone’s attention. His parents stood beside him. Honey was on his other side with Brian. Once the room was quiet, he said, “I would like to thank all of you for coming tonight for this celebration. A few days ago, Honey and I may have thought this was impossible, but now we know everything works out one way or another.”

Jim turned to his parents and raised his glass. “Welcome home.”

Everyone raised their glasses and said, “Welcome home.”

The music started and people started dancing.

Trixie made her way through the crowd, searching for a place to sit that was also away from the loud music. She stepped into the main hallway and moved over to the stairs that led to the second floor. She sat down and closed her eyes.

This is a great party for the Wheelers, she thought. They definitely deserve it. I can see Jim and Honey are relieved that their family is back together again. I’m just grateful everything turned out all right. I don’t know how any of us Beldens would have reacted if it had been Moms and Dad. But at least we don’t have to think about it. Everyone is safe.

“Hey,” a voice said interrupting her thoughts.

She opened her eyes and looked up to see Jim standing there. She smiled at him.

“I wondered where you disappeared to,” Jim said.

“I just needed to sit down away from the music.”

Jim settled on the step beside her. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Jim wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she leaned against him. From where they were seated, they could see Matthew and Madeleine interacting with the guests. They seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“You did a great job pulling this party together,” she said.

“It wasn’t difficult. I’m just glad we’re having this party instead of...”

“Don’t say it. There’s no need. Your parents are back with you, and that’s all that matters.”

“You’re right.” He squeezed her shoulder. “You know, it’s so good seeing them walking around, talking with their friends.”

“It is great,” Trixie agreed.

“Trix, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Trixie noticed the quick change in his voice. She knew whatever he had to say was serious. She leaned forward and turned to look at him. “Jim, what is it? Is something wrong?”

Jim took her hand in his and looked at it. His silence scared her as he caressed her left hand where the engagement ring was.

“Trixie, I love you so much. There are times that I wonder why you still love me.” He looked her in the eye. “I have treated you so badly this past week while all this had been going on. But even through that, you stayed by my side.”

“I didn’t plan on going anywhere,” Trixie said, squeezing Jim’s hand. “I have loved you since I was 13 and nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever change that. I love you, Jim.”

“I love you, too.” Jim leaned in and gave her a kiss.

When they broke apart, Trixie leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She felt everything was going to be perfect.

“There you two are,” a voice said, making Trixie open her eyes. She saw Matthew making his way toward them. He asked, “What are you two doing out here? The party is in the other room.”

“Trixie needed to sit down and get away from the music for a few minutes,” Jim explained. “We’ll be back soon.”

Matthew said, “That’s fine.” He turned and went back into the main room.

Trixie let out a sigh and Jim asked, “What’s wrong?”

“There is one thing that I won’t miss when we’re finally married.”

“What’s that?”

“Not having to be worried that we’ll be interrupted when we are in our own home.”

“We’ll just have to make sure all the doors are locked.”

“And that we don’t give anyone a key,” Trixie said.

“I think that can be arranged.” Jim kissed the top of her head. “Come on. Let’s join the party.”

“Lead the way.”

* * * * *

On Christmas morning, everyone gathered at the Manor House after opening gifts at their own homes. When they arrived, Trixie settled on the floor with Jim next to the tree. Honey and Brian were seated on the couch behind them. Mart and Di were on the other side of the tree with their parents spread out behind them. Bobby was sitting on the other side of the tree next to Mart and Di.

Matthew started handing out gifts until everyone had a large pile in front of them. Once the pile under the tree was gone, they started opening their gifts.

As the others opened their gifts, Trixie watched them. She couldn’t believe she was finally back with her family and friends. She thought, I can’t believe how much I missed this while I was away at school.

She looked at her parents and could see how happy they were that all their children were home for the holidays. I think that’s the only gift they wished for this year.

As she looked at her older brothers, she was glad to see they were happily married to the women they both loved and were thrilled with the families they had started. She could also see that Honey and Jim were the happiest they had been in days and knew they had every right to be. Their family was whole again.

The piles of presents quickly dwindled and comments of appreciation were offered throughout the room. Trixie set her gifts to the side and felt the wrapped gift in her sweater pocket, Jim’s gift. She wanted to give it to him when they were alone.

Their parents exited the room a short while later, going to Matthew’s study as the rest of them spread out in the room with the Christmas tree.

Trixie looked at Jim and said, “Let’s go for a walk.”

“All right.”

They got to their feet, donned their coats and made their way outside. They found the path that led to the gatehouse. Jim took her hand in his and they slowed their pace as they passed the stables.

Once out of sight of the Manor House, Trixie stopped and turned to face Jim.

“Trixie, I...”

“Jim, I...”

They both laughed. Jim spoke first. “Go ahead.”

Trixie smiled at Jim. “Jim, I wanted to give you your gift without a crowd.” She reached into her pocked and pulled out a rectangular box wrapped in green with a red bow. She handed it to Jim. “Merry Christmas.”

Jim unwrapped the gift revealing a dark green, velvet box. He slowly opened the lid and she saw his eyes go wide as he stared at the gift inside.

“Wow.”

She watched as he lifted the medallion out of the box, dangling from a gold chain. She said, “I know you don’t wear jewelry, but I thought this seemed perfect for you.”

Jim slid the box into his pocket, then fingered the medallion. “What’s the design?”

“That is the Chinese symbol for love.”

Jim looked at her. “To quote you and Honey from long ago, it’s perfectly perfect. Thank you.”

Jim leaned toward her and gave her a kiss. When he leaned back, he reached up and hooked the medallion around his neck. He slid it under the collar of his coat. He then reached into his pocket again, this time pulling out another square box, this one wrapped in red paper with a green and white bow.

“I wanted to give you your gift alone also.” Jim fingered the bow before handing it to her. “I hope you like it.”

Trixie slid the bow off the box and put it in her pocket. She tore open the paper revealing a square, red velvet box. She glanced at Jim before lifting the lid. Inside on the black velvet was a gold heart-shaped pendant with a diamond in the center on a gold chain. With a trembling hand, she fingered the pendant. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

“Oh, Jim.”

“Like you said, I know you don’t usually wear a lot of jewelry, but I thought this would suit you.”

“It’s gorgeous,” Trixie said.

“May I put it on you?”

Trixie nodded. Jim took the necklace out of the box and moved behind her. She lifted her hair as he fastened the clasp behind her neck. Once he finished, he kissed the back of her neck.

Trixie turned and looked at Jim. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” Jim said. He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, Jim.”

Trixie wrapped her arms around Jim and held him tight. She loved him so much and couldn’t wait for them to be husband and wife. Everything had turned out all right and she knew everything would be fine for all of them.

--The End --