Part 4

Trixie moaned as she slowly regained consciousness. She hurt and couldn’t understand why. She knew she had to open her eyes to figure out where she was. Slowly forcing her eyes open, she was greeted with a dim light. From the IV bag hanging beside her, she knew she was in the hospital.

Before she could even wonder how she ended up there, the door to the room opened and a shadow stepped in. Straining to see who it was, Trixie gave a small smile when Jim stepped into the light.

Jim smiled as he moved to the bed. He dropped his coat on the chair before sitting down on the bed beside her.

“Hey, sweetie,’ he said softly, touching her face.

“Jim?” Trixie croaked.

“Shhh,” Jim said putting his finger to her lips. “Just rest.”

Trixie weakly reached for Jim’s hand. He slid it into hers and gave it a squeeze. She had so many questions, but the pain in her head wouldn’t let her form them on her lips. She felt a sense of calm was over her as she held her husband’s hand. Within minutes, she was asleep.

* * * * *

Trixie woke a while later to someone brushing the hair off her forehead. Opening her eyes, she saw Jim still seated beside her. Jim smiled as he took her hand in his. He leaned in and gave her a kiss.

When he pulled back, Jim asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Sore,” Trixie admitted. She found the bed controls and settled into an upright position. Looking at Jim, she asked, “How long have I been here?”

“About two days.”

“Do you know how I ended up here?”

“I’m not really sure.” Jim looked down at their intertwined hands. “Honey only told me that you were here. She didn’t go into any details.”

Trixie closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the pillows as her head began to throb. Reaching up, she felt a lump.

“Are you all right?” Jim asked quickly, squeezing her hand.

“My head hurts.”

“I’ll get the doctor.”

Trixie listened as Jim left the room. Her head hurt worse than any headache she ever had. She couldn’t understand why it was so bad.

A few minutes later, she heard the door open and forced herself to see who was there. Jim and a man wearing a white coat entered the room. Jim moved to her right side and sat down on the bed. The doctor moved to her left.

“Your husband said your head is bothering you.”

“Yeah,” Trixie said leaning back. “It’s never hurt like this before.”

“We can give you something, but we will have to monitor you closely,” the doctor said.

“Just for a bump on the head?” Jim asked, perplexed.

“Actually, there is more concern than just that,” the doctor said. “You see, when your wife was brought in, she was unconscious. Your sister was with her and told us how Mrs. Frayne had been ill for the past few days.”

“You’ve been sick?” Jim asked quickly, squeezing her hand once again.

“It was just a little stomach bug.” Trixie looked at the doctor. “Right?”

“Well,” the doctor said. “The upset stomach you have had could have been a lot of things. But it was one thing in particular.”

“Is it serious?” Jim asked.

“It is.”

“Oh, no.” Trixie closed her eyes and held Jim’s hand tight. She had a bad feeling.

“Mr. and Mrs. Frayne, I would like to congratulate you. In seven and a half months, you will be parents.”

“What?” Trixie asked, her eyes flying open in shock. She wasn’t sure she heard the doctor correctly.

“Did you just say we’re going to be parents?” Jim asked, stunned.

The doctor nodded his head. “Now, Mrs. Frayne, we can give you something to help with the pain. I’ll send a nurse in to take care of that.”

“Doctor, are you sure?” Jim asked.

The doctor smiled as he nodded his head. “I’m sure.”

“Will the medication hurt the baby?” Trixie asked, finally finding her voice. She put her hands to her stomach.

“We will give you something that is used during child birth. It will ease your pain but won’t hurt the baby.” He looked at them both. “I take it this news is a surprise to both of you.”

“It’s something we didn’t expect,” Jim said.

“Well, I think I will leave you alone now with your news.”

As the doctor left the room, Trixie looked expectantly at Jim. She couldn’t believe she was pregnant. Jim looked at her in return and cupped her face in his hands. She could see the shock on his face.

Jim broke the silence. “I can’t believe we’re having a baby.”

“Are you all right about this?” Trixie asked softly. “I know we really haven’t talked about this.”

“Trix, what do you think about it?”

Trixie looked at her stomach, shocked that a baby was growing inside her. She looked at Jim, a smile crossing her face. “I’m happy.”

Jim slid closer. He leaned in and gave her a kiss. “I’m happy too.”

“Really?” Trixie asked as Jim leaned back.

Jim nodded. “My first dream was to have you as my wife. This baby is fulfilling another dream of mine: a family.”

“I’m so glad this is our family.”

“So am I.” Jim kissed her again.

As they broke apart, a nurse walked in with a syringe. After Trixie had the shot, the nurse left.

Trixie was still shocked with the news. “We’re going to have to tell everyone.”

“It’ll wait until you’re out of here,” Jim said. “You just need to focus on getting better.”

“I guess you’re right,” Trixie said and tried to stifle a yawn.

“I am right.” Jim squeezed her hand. “Get some rest.”

“I am a little tired.” Trixie leaned back against the pillows closing her eyes.

“Then rest. I’ll be here when you wake.”

“Okay,” Trixie mumbled as she drifted to sleep.

“I love you, sweetie.”

* * * * *

“She’s still sleeping, Honey,” Jim said. Trixie listened to her husband as she woke up. “No problem. She will probably want to talk to you about what happened. All right. I’ll see you soon.”

Slowly opening her eyes, Trixie saw Jim closing his cell phone. He smiled when he saw she was awake.

“Look who’s awake.”

“Hi.”

Jim sat down on the bed as she pulled herself up. He said, “You look like you’re feeling better.”

“I am.” Trixie touched her stomach as she looked at Jim. “Did I hear the doctor correctly before?”

“You did,” Jim said, placing his hands on top of hers. “We are having a baby.”

“I can’t believe it.”

Jim reached up with his right hand and cupped her face. “When we talked, why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”

“I didn’t think it was anything important. I just thought I had a stomach bug.”

“Well, we need to be careful. We don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”

“You’re right.” Trixie decided to switch subjects. “So, how was your trip?”

“It was all right. I’m just glad to be home with you, though. I hate being away from you.”

“I hate it too.”

“And now I have more reason than ever before to stay here in Sleepyside with you.”

“I like the sound of that,” Trixie said with a smile. Jim leaned in and gave her a kiss.

* * * * *

A little while later, a knock on the door got their attention. The door opened and Honey came into the room.

“How are you feeling?” Honey asked as she moved over to the bed.

“I’m all right. I have a little bit of a headache, but it’s going away.”

“I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Thanks,” Trixie said and then eyed her best friend and partner critically. “I have a feeling you want to talk about something important.”

Trixie noticed the puzzled look cross Honey’s face. She asked, “What, Honey? What is it?”

“Do you remember what we were doing before you got hurt?”

Trixie thought back. She remembered going to the studio with Honey in the darkness, but nothing after that. “Sorry, Honey. My mind is blank.”

“You really can’t remember?”

“I have no clue.” Trixie looked at Honey closely. “Why? Did something happen at the studio?”

“We caught the person stealing Melanie’s designs.”

“Really? Who was it?”

“Let me explain from the beginning.” Honey told them how they had been at the studio anticipating the culprit coming back to steal another design. Eva had showed up first and denied any involvement. Then Heidi showed up, pulling a gun on them.

“She pulled a gun on you?” Jim asked. Trixie noticed his face had gone pale.

“She did, but she only threatened us with it,” Honey said.

“What else happened?” Trixie asked.

“You were trying to distract Heidi so you could disarm her. You struggled with Heidi to get the gun, but Heidi hit you in the head with it.”

Trixie rubbed the side of her head where the lump was. “Honey, did you catch her?”

“Heidi was surprised she hurt you that she turned her attention away from us and I was able to knock the gun out of her grasp.”

“Where is this Heidi now?” Jim asked, taking Trixie’s hand in his.

“She’s in jail,” Honey said. “Melanie is pressing charges against her as much as she hates to do it, though.”

“Then the case is solved?” Trixie asked.

“It is. When Heidi hit you, I was really worried. You were unconscious and it scared me that we couldn’t get a response.”

“I’m all right. So don’t worry.”

“I can see that. I just think you risked your life for some clothes. There are more important things. We could’ve found another way to catch her.”

“I think Trixie will be more careful in the future,” Jim said with a sly smile.

“Has Trixie ever been careful before?” Honey asked with a grin.

“I am trying to turn over a new leaf,” Trixie said. “A person can change.”

Honey looked at both of them. “Am I missing something?”

Trixie shook her head as she tried to stop smiling. “Everything’s fine.”

“If you’re sure?”

“We’re sure,” Jim said.

“All right,” Honey said slowly. “Well, I need to go meet Brian. Take it easy. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks, Honey,” Trixie said.

After giving them both a hug, Honey left the room. Once they were alone, Jim took Trixie’s left hand in his and fingered her engagement ring and wedding band.

“You know, I’m going to have a hard time keeping a smile off my face,” Jim said.

“So am I. How about once I’m released, we have a little party at the house and tell everyone the new?”

“I think that’s a good plan.”

“I’m glad you agree because Moms is going to know something is up when she looks at me. She always seems to know.”

“Maybe you should tell her before the party then,” Jim suggested. “She’ll probably keep it a secret if you ask.”

“She probably will.”

A knock on the door got their attention.

“Come in,” Jim said.

The door opened and Melanie stepped into the room. “Hi, Trixie.”

“Hi, Melanie. Come on in.”

“I’m going to go get something to drink,” Jim said, getting to his feet.

“All right.” Trixie knew Jim was giving them a chance to talk.

Melanie moved over to the bed as Jim left the room. Once they were alone, Melanie asked, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m doing all right.”

“That’s good.” Melanie started wringing her hands. “Trixie, I want to apologize for Heidi hitting you in the head. I have no idea what has gotten into her.”

“What has she been charged with?”

“Theft, assault, and three counts of attempted murder.” Melanie looked down at the floor. “I am sorry. I know this is partially my fault. If I had been paying closer attention to how she was acting, maybe none of this would have ever happened.”

“Melanie, this wasn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself for what Heidi did. She’s an adult and needs to take responsibility for her own actions.”

“I just feel bad all this happened.”

“You didn’t tell her to steal your designs. You also didn’t tell her to pull a gun on us. You shouldn’t feel bad.”

Melanie switched subjects. “So, how long will you been in the hospital?”

“Maybe a day or two more,” Trixie said. “The doctor wants to make sure I’m really all right.”

“Well, I’m going to let you rest,” Melanie said. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you.”

Melanie left the room and Trixie closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the pillows. She was glad the case was over, but part of her felt bad that Heidi had been the one hurting Melanie. She couldn’t understand how one sibling could do that to another. She was glad she had a good relationship with her brothers, knowing none of them would hurt the others.

* * * * *

A week later, Trixie was at home taking it easy under Jim’s watchful eye. She had been released three days earlier after being advised to take it easy.

As Trixie got dressed to head to the party Jim’s parents were throwing, she thought about the first night back home with Jim.

When they arrived at Ten Acres, Jim picked Trixie up in his arms and carried her inside.

“Put me down!” Trixie squealed as she wiggled to get him to set her down.

“Never.”

Jim finally set her down on the couch, giving her a kiss. “I love you, Trix.”

“I love you, too.”

Jim leaned back and caressed her cheek. “I hate it when we’re apart.”

“So do I,” Trixie said softly, staring into Jim’s green eyes. “Promise me something.”

“I’ll promise you the world.” Jim kissed her cheek and then moved down and started nuzzling her neck.

“Jim, I’m serious,” Trixie said, trying to find her voice.

She watched as Jim leaned back and looked at her. ‘Trixie, what is it?”

Trixie sat up and took Jim’s hand in hers. She wasn’t sure how to say what she had been thinking for the past few days. Jim took his right hand and cupped her face in it.

“Sweetie?”

She raised her eyes to his and wondered why she was scared. She leaned her head against Jim’s shoulder closing her eyes.

“Jim, promise me.”

“Promise what?” he asked softly as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Promise me that we’ll always be together?”

“Forever.”

“But promise,” Trixie said quickly. “Anything could happen. You could find someone who is more attractive or you like better or…”

“Shh,” Jim said putting his finger to her lips. “Look at me.” She lifted her head and looked at her husband. “I will love you for eternity. My heart has been and always will be yours. Nothing will ever change that.”

Looking at Jim’s eyes, she could see his love for her and knew she didn’t need to be scared that he would leave her. She didn’t see that happening.

“I love you,” Trixie said and gave Jim a kiss.

She was now struggling with the zipper of her dress when Jim stepped into the master bedroom. Stepping up behind her, he zipped the back of her black dress up.

“You look beautiful,” Jim said giving her a kiss on the neck.

“Thank you.” She looked at Jim’s reflection in the mirror. “You look quite dashing yourself.”

“Thank you.” He was wearing a dark blue suit with a white shirt and a blue tie. “Are you ready to go?”

Trixie took a breath. “I think so.”

Jim wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Don’t worry. Once we tell everyone, they will know the news.”

“I just can’t believe we kept it a secret this long.” Trixie turned in Jim’s arms. “None of us could keep one when we were younger.”

“We’ve all grown up,” Jim said brushing a curl behind her ear. “Come on. We need to get going.”

“All right.”

Three hours later, Trixie was standing in the living room at Manor House watching the others talk. The others included her parents, Jim’s parents, her brothers and their wives. Jim was in deep conversation with their fathers across the room. She was hoping to catch his eye so they could tell everyone the news.

“Trixie, would you like a drink?” Madeleine Wheeler asked.

“No, thank you,” Trixie said.

Madeleine lowered her voice. “Are you feeling all right? You hardly had anything at dinner.”

“I’m okay,” Trixie said. “My stomach is still trying to adjust from the hospital food. The doctor said it would take a few days.”

“We’re all just glad you’re all right,” Madeleine said.

“We sure are,” Jim said coming up beside them. Jim gave her a kiss.

Madeleine smiled and moved over to talk to Honey and Brian.

Trixie looked at Jim. “We should probably get this over with. I think people will start guessing.”

“All right, Trix,” Jim said. He turned. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”

Trixie watched as everyone turned to face them, stopping their conversations. Brian asked, “What’s going on?”

Jim took Trixie’s hand in his. “We have something we need to tell everyone.”

“Are you two all right?” Helen Belden asked.

“We’re fine,” Trixie said. “There’s nothing for you to be worried about. It’s not bad news.”

“Then what is it?” Matthew asked.

“Well,” Trixie began as she squeezed Jim’s hand. “Jim and I just found out that in about seven and a half months, we’re going to be parents.”

“You’re pregnant?” Helen asked.

Trixie nodded.

Bedlam ensued as everyone started talking at once after giving Trixie and Jim hugs and congratulations. Trixie felt Jim wrap his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He said into her ear, “I think everyone is just as excited as we are.”

Trixie gave a laugh. “I think you’re right.”

As the congratulations continued, Trixie grew happier. She was looking forward to having this baby because it was a part of them. She couldn’t wait for the seven months to go by and finally hold their baby in their arms.

The End