To the reader: The following story was written by Elaine (former know as “wana-be-shamus”). Unfortunately, Elaine’s brother had an accident and she wants to stand by him now. But since this story is part of a Circle Writing project, it would be too late if she would post it in a few months. So I, as her editor, am hosting this story for her now. Please note that I edited this story, but Elaine did not have time anymore to go through my editing. Since I’m German, I am mainly an editor for spelling and logical mistakes, but not for grammar mistakes. All mistakes of these kind are completely my fault and not Elaine’s ones.

This story is part of a bigger story. Elaine didn’t want to post the complete story because it would have been too long for a CWP. When editing the story, I asked her to include some more information from the rest of the original story because without, it was a little confusing sometimes. But as I said she didn’t give me a feedback about my editing yet, so I didn’t get these information. I went through her story several times and hope I did figure out things correctly. So to make it easier for You to understand, I’ll try to give You the needed pre-information. Please note that this is how I understood the story, and may not be the way how Elaine had meant it.
1st The Bob-Whites are a little odler than in the books. I am not sure how old, but I would say young adults.
2nd Honey is the granddaughter of a wealthy British lord, “Lord Hart”. The media is very interested in this lord.
3rd Trixie and Jim had had an arguement short before the story takes place.

Enjoy the story,
Kari

“Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh over the fields we go…” Trixie giggled as she looked out over the beautiful lighted displays and turned to Jim who was sitting with her in said one horse open sleigh that Trixie’s new horse Ornery, the Black Arabian stallion that she was presented with as a reward for helping Mr. Wheeler solve a very pressing business mystery the month before, was pulling. “The Christmas party will be fun this year, I can already tell.”

“You are so right,” Jim agreed. He was silent for a moment, smiling pleasantly. “My little angel,” he added then, watching her in her glittering angel costume.

The clubhouse was decked out with Christmas decorations, blinking lights and huge beautiful displays all over the yard. It was the time of the year when the Manor and its grounds were decked with Christmas cheer. The Wheelers opened the iron gates on the front entry way drive and allowed the public to drive up its circular drive to enjoy the light display. Donations to the exhibit were always appreciated but never demanded. All proceeds were to go to the “Toys for tots”-programs for the needy children of the area, so most people donated generously. For the last two weeks, the Wheeler’s home was open for tours. Regan regularly picked up guests down by the road where the parking was allowed. Then he guided the sleigh that was driven by four of the Wheelers prized pets, their horses Lady and Ginger Strawberry as well as Jupiter and Susie. They were dressed beautifully in festive bridle costume. The Christmas carolers that followed the sleigh steadily increased because many of the guests didn’t feel the need to ride. It was much more fun to sing Christmas songs with the others already singing. The marching through the snow and up Glen Road was finished at the Manor’s main entry port.

Maypenny normally always was their Santa, laughing “Ho, ho, ho” for the kids as he presented gifts and sang happy carols. But this year, due to Mr. Maypenny’s illness, Matt Wheeler took his costume and filled his belly with a big pillow. He was having fun with the children in the gently falling snow as the little ones got their gift. Matt would toss up a handful of pretend magical glitter that would make a gift appear in his magic box as he played with the children. The reality of it was, under that platform were three very busy helpers: Terry and Larry Lynch as well as Bobby Belden were rushing the gifts through according to the name tag that he would drop into the magical mailbox that fell down to them. It was all in good fun and the kids seemed to love the magic show. Then Mr. Wheeler would hand the parents a food voucher with a small gift for them, too, as he said, “From Wheeler Enterprises and associates and the Bobwhites of Glen.”

“We hope you enjoy. There are cakes and cookies and refreshments in the clubhouse for anyone interested in things like these,” Matt would announce every few minutes.

Trixie was dressed as a pretty angel but she wasn’t passing gifts. She had the karaoke machine on the wagon cranked up and Trixie, Diana, Honey and Dan were singing carols, having fun with Christmas as children climbed into the sleigh and took little rides.

“Look at the Christmas angels, aren’t they pretty?” a little girl asked her grandmother as she helped her off the sleigh.

Trixie looked down at the child and her mother, and suddenly noticed it was Mrs. Vanderpoel’s daughter and grand daughter. Mrs. Vanderpoel herself stood next to them and smiled friendly towards Trixie. Trixie lifted her hand and winked at them.

“Hi Mrs. Vanderpoel, what an unexpected surprise you guys are. Hi Becky,” Dan called down to the elder lady and her family. Dan was happy to see them, especially since he had recently started dating Mrs. Vanderpoel’s granddaughter Becky.

“Boy, aren’t you the picture!” Mrs. Vanderpoel smiled as she shielded the winter sun from her eyes enough to see him standing next to Trixie like he was.

“What brings you down here?” Dan skillfully jumped off the wagon as he asked. “I was bringing some more gifts for the children. You guys are on the news, and this little display is cute,” the sweet faced older lady said with a smile as she took a hug from her granddaughter.

Honey and Diana were skating on the ice skating rink in picturesque formation behind them.

“We spared no expense this year.” Trixie hugged her old friend.

“Are you ready to get married yet?” Mrs. Vanderpoel said with a big smile.

“Not exactly..!” Trixie just smiled sheepishly. “Nobody’s asked me to get married.”

“Why not? Aren’t you engaged to Jim?” Mrs. Vanderpoel seemed shocked.

“No, we’re just really close good friends in a non serious friendship, ma`am,” Trixie answered nicely.

“Oh, I thought it was him.” The old woman gasped mysteriously. “The television says you have some royal courtship,” she explained then, “Are you sure that it’s only a friendship, dear?”

“That is new’s hype,” Dan smiled. “He hasn’t asked her yet.”

“It is a long story and it deserves an explanation but not here with the reporters milling everywhere,” Trixie smiled. She preferred keeping her private life out of the news.

“Matt, we are going to go take a warm up break,” Trixie called over to Mr. Wheeler.

“Okay, you do that,” Matt answered with a good natured wave.

“Bring me some hot chocolate when you get back,” Jim called out to them as Trixie led her old friend and her family to the Bobwhite clubhouse where the warming station was being used.

“This whole place is beautiful, mommy,” the little girl said nicely to her mother, Mrs. Vanderpoel’s daughter.

“It sure is,” her mother replied, nodding.

“Hi guys, are you cold?” Tad Webster greeted them as they entered the warming station and held out a cup of hot chocolate to each of them.

“Just a smidgen. Do you have a nice pot of coffee?” Mrs. Vanderpoel answered as she took the cup as well as a little plate of Christmas cookies and candies.

“This looks good. But that turkey and, um, do I smell stuffing and mashed potatoes?” Mrs. Vanderpoel sniffed the aroma as she spoke.

“Yes, the actual meal that you smell will be served in the solarium by the veranda where the banquet tables are being set up now. We are using mother’s roasters for the extra food that is needed down here,” Hallie Belden explained.

“Are you guys warm?” Trixie asked.

“Yes, we will take your places out there,” Hallie promised as she stopped taking photos of the little children standing by the Christmas backdrop canvas.

“So this is your famous Bobwhite clubhouse?” Mrs. Vanderpoel looked around at the cute furnishings and then up at the wall of pictures of their various ages and group projects that were displayed in full swing.

“Grandmother, your picture is on the wall, look at you,” Becky said loudly.

“I have been a long time supporter of the Bobwhites,” Mrs. Vanderpoel said with a smile as she looked down at Lizzie, her second daguhter. Five year old Lizzie came to live with Mrs. Vanderpoel along with Becky nearly a year ago. Mrs. Vanderpoel was very happy for the company and the opportunity to help her son raise his daughters.

“So are you coming to my Christmas dinner tomorrow?” Mrs. Vanderpoel asked Dan.

“Yes, I’ll be in town for a few more days before I have to go back to work,” Dan answered.

“How do you like your job now?”

“It is challenging, but I miss my girl,” Dan replied, sighing.

“You have a girlfriend?” Becky asked with a big innocent smile.

“Um, I wish I just have a really great friend,” Dan replied mysteriously as he gave her a hug spontaneously.

Just then a huge group of children came in for hot chocolate and cookies interrupting them. Honey and Diana came in as well, looking like frozen ice cycles. They were cold and their cheek’s rosy.

“Girls, you are going to catch your death,” Mrs. Vanderpoel warned.

“We know, but it is so much fun out there,” Diana laughed. “Say have you seen Mart?”

“No. Why?”

‘He left a bit ago, saying he had a surprise for me and now I can’t stand the wait,” Diana giggled.

“Oh!” Trixie giggled, too. She knew what that surprise was. Mart had spent six weeks deciding how to prepare for that decision and he was ready to take the plunge. He and Diana had stepped into a relationship that had become serious lately. So he planned to top off the day by asking her to marry him fairytale style.

“Come on, let’s find him.” Trixie giggled after a ten minute laughing good time warm up in the warm clubhouse. “Guys, you might want to bring cameras, this is going to be great,” Trixie whispered to the others.

Just as the girls made it back to the festive displays where many people were in line for pictures near the garden filled with fiber optic angels and glittering Christmas trees decorated with lights and squared off with long boughs of holly, Mart rode up on a snow white horse with Reddy running in circles around him, barking happily. Mart was wearing an old world Norman Rockwell type costume. He dismounted gallantly and bowed to the children that stopped to watch. He turned around, walked up to Diana, took her hand and led her to the large platform where Santa was once sitting in his fancy golden chair under a dome of fancy garland strands of holly and sparkling ice cycles and candy canes.

Trixie grabbed her dog back out of the way and held his collar. That Irish setter could be a pain sometimes. She assumed that he had found a way out of the garage where he was locked inside before the party began.

“What is going on?” Diana gasped.

When Mart went to one knee in front of her and held up a ring box, she nearly fainted in shock. “You know you mean the entire world to me don’t you?” Mart started to say but he stumbled some with the words.

“Oh I think so.” Diana looked down at his kneeling, so shocked that she was speechless. Was what she thought was about to happen really going to be what happened? The butterflies that churned in her stomach felt gigantic to her as she thought inwardly, Am I going to say yes. Oh gosh what do I say?

Someone snapped a picture of them and a bright light flashed in her eyes. She blinked some with the light as she brushed back her long black hair from her eyes.

“I would like to take this moment to ask you if you might do me the honor of marrying me.” Mart wanted to say more but he was so nervous. He just went directly to the point.

“Oh Gleeps, yes,” Diana screamed. “Yes, yes, yes!” She hugged him, jumping with happiness.

Brian started to laugh at that reaction. Mart had been so nervous that he had kept Jim and Dan and himself up all night the night before, worrying if she would say no or not. News cameras were aimed their way. Trixie paused to tell them who Mart and Diana was. After the proposal, fireworks burst from the background spontaneously. After he placed his ring on Diana’s finger, Mart picked her up and twirled her in a happy circle. Then he carried her back off that platform while the audience yelled congratulations.

“Oh.” Peter Belden just looked at his pretty wife and grinned as he leaned down and took a kiss. The news reporters had their cameras trained on them.

“Is this the famous adopted daughter of Helen Belden?” one of them asked. Helen smiled as she looked down at the little bundle she carried close to her, and said, “Yes, but I can’t expose her to the wind. We are going to the warming station, thanks for asking.” Helen had adopted the infant of a friend of hers that sadly passed on due to a car accident shortly after she was born. It had been Helen and Peter that consented to be her godparents should anything happen to her mommy and daddy. They didn’t expect to be needed so quickly but they didn’t hesitate to take the child immediately.

They didn’t stay long in the cold. They headed for the solarium for dinner after a few minutes conversation with Jim and Trixie and Mrs. Vanderpoel and her daughter Elizabeth who showed up to watch the festivities as well. The local church group had finally got their Christmas play ready to go. This year’s theme quickly became a Wheeler Christmas tradition that everybody loved this time of year. It would recreate the night Christ was born. Trixie happily ate her turkey meal with her friends as they watched the play. By the time the minister had his service most of the guests were ready to head back home.

“Come here.” Jim tugged on Trixie’s arm the next morning.

“What?” she asked curiously as she stopped running the small electric chainsaw that she was using to make a hand carved bear from a large cut log of a tree standing in front of her for a Christmas present for Mr. Maypenny’s front yard. She had acquired this skill during the summer when Nick Roberts taught her how to make wood carving lawn ornaments. Mr. Maypenny always wanted one but never could afford one so Trixie hoped this nice surprise would brighten his day since he was under the weather during the holidays.

“You are going to have to make me one of those,” he said to her with a big grin.

“Do you like it?” Trixie smiled brightly.

“Girl, you must have inherited your mothers talent for art.” Jim gave her a big hug. He was grateful Nick Roberts took that scholarship to study art in Italy. That meant his competition for his best girl was out of sight, out of mind finally. Jim had plans to take advantage of that fact soon.

“Let’s go for a walk. I want to show you something.” Jim looked anxious.

“What?” she asked as she put on her coat and boots. She could sense his anticipation. Something seemed a little bit off. She wondered what.

“Just come on,” Jim begged as his handsome green eyes caught hers.

“Where are we going that requires a snowmobile?” Trixie asked as she walked up to the brand new snowmobile sitting in the drive.

“Now Baby, snowmobile rides are awesome,” Jim laughed.

She climbed on behind him and grabbed his waist. Jim’s new snowmobile was an early Christmas present from his father. He was happy that it snowed during the night enough to finally get good use of it.

Jim gunned that snowmobile a little and it took off across the freshly fallen snow up the Ten Acres drive.

“What the heck?” Trixie gasped in complete disbelief as she looked up the drive that Jim was taking her. It wound around until it stopped right in front of the exact replica of his uncles mansion when it had still been in good shape. “Did we drive back in time?” She looked way up at the brand new home, it was huge and beautiful. She couldn’t remember a time when the mansion was nicer than this.

“I figured you already came over here to see what the noise was by now.” Jim smiled happily as he realized that she hadn’t noticed the new building yet.

“You’re rebuilding the old mansion?” Trixie stared at the new sight just beyond the trees that shielded it from view down on the roadway.

Jim pulled his snowmobile up to the front entry, stopped and got off, turning to her, saying, “Yes, this is hopefully going to be my gift to you. I mean for us actually. Oh, come on in. It isn’t completely done yet but you can get the gist of what it will eventually be like.”

“I can’t believe I haven’t even looked the mansion’s direction. How long has this been going on?“ Trixie stared at this huge home in amazement as she walked around.

“Nearly seven weeks,” Jim grinned smugly, satisfied that he surprised her, “I know college and second shift work with my dad at his company has had you distracted. I told everyone to keep it a secret and then your mom placed plastic on your bedroom window that would kill your view out it completely. We had it camouflaged for a while but everyone promised me not to say a word. I wanted the perfect surprise,” Jim said nervously.

“Oh Gleeps, it is beautiful.” Trixie walked into the front entry and gasped as she looked around.

“I recycled what I could from the old building. Some of the hardwood floors was reusable after they were re-sanded. I thought the front entry cried out for the old authentic look,” Jim went on to explain, “We found the original blue prints in some boxes in the back of the house that didn’t burn when we were up here looking for anything salvageable. Once we got the collapsed roof off the place, we found a lot of things that were still in good or restorable condition. It is amazing how fast they can restore something with today’s technology. I have more to do, but I didn’t think I could wait much longer before you noticed and got mad at me for trying to hide it from you.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets nervously as he spoke.

“What did you mean about gift for me?” she asked with her eyebrows arched upward curiously.

“I mean I was going to invite you to live here with me,” he said awkwardly. Then he clarified it. “I mean as my wife. Will you marry me?” Jim asked, hopeful that she would say yes. His whole world hinged on what she would answer.

“What?” She panted in blown away shock. She gasped for breath. This was so out of left field that she nearly fainted. Nothing prepared her for that question. She and Jim were very good friends but they hadn’t even begun to think seriously yet.

“I love you Trixie. I know you just wanted a not serious relationship until you could clear your thoughts because you’re still so confused about everything, but I really would rather that you consider this now.” He held up a ring as he finished speaking. “I’ll never love another person more, it is impossible. I know we got off to a rough start but I want to change all that, please say yes.”

He waited for several moments, but got no reply from Trixie. Tears started to fall. He studied at her face. What did her reaction mean?

“Do you not want to?” Jim asked as he stood there, staring at her tearful reaction. His stomach churned in near panic.

“No.”

Jim’s whole demeanor seemed to change. His eyes went from worried to upset.

“No, I mean I am not saying I don’t want to,” Trixie clarified herself, “I am so blown away. I never expected. Are you sure you want to ask me? I thought we would never get past everything from before.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to?” Jim asked as he searched her eyes for some sort of explanation.

“I don’t know. I guess we have been through so much. I wasn’t sure if.” She teared up.

“What? Oh Trixie, I know the last few months have been completely chaotic,” Jim answered as he pulled her close, “But you are my best friend in this entire world. I have always loved you. There is nothing I can’t forgive and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You are my angel. My whole world. I am in love with you. I won’t be okay with it if you walk out of here saying no.”

“I won’t! Oh Jim, I love you too.” She jumped into his arms, moved to tears she cried.

He grabbed a big hug before he leaned down for a kiss.

“Does this mean you will marry me?”

“Um, yes…I love you, Jim!” she whispered in his ear.

Jim placed that ring on his finger and hugged her for a full five minutes as they danced romantically together to the song “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you”. It was playing on the portable radio in the middle of that empty room that still smelled of sawdust.

“Say Jim, how much more work needs to be still done?” she asked as she pulled away from his kiss.

“We’re to the point of paints or wallpaper flooring, the kitchen and then picking out the best furniture to make this place perfect.”

“Oh, can I help pick that out? I want to help do stuff. This is so cool,” she said eagerly.

“Of course. This is your house, too.” Jim just grinned from ear to ear. He was so happy she said yes.

“Hey, hello...” Honey and Brian came, knocking on the wall as they entered.

“We figured you brought her up here. Did she freak out?” Brian asked.

“For once in her life she didn’t have a clue,” Jim laughed loudly. “It is a 17 thousand square foot mansion right outside her bedroom window and she didn’t even notice it coming back to life,” Jim teased.

“He is right, I didn’t,” Trixie giggled. “I have been working non stop lately. I haven’t spent much time here at the farm.”

“17000 square feet, that is a lot of feet!” Trixie gasped.

“Oh, and by the way: I just thought you guys would like to come with us tonight. We’re flying to Vegas to get married,” Honey said, trying to sound casual.

“You are going to Vegas tonight?” Jim blinked. Honey and Brian had been engaged for nearly six months but so many things kept coming up in their wedding plans that kept causing them to cancel them.

“Yes, Dad agreed to take it to Vegas. We are flying my closest friends and family out there,” Honey informed. “I would much rather have a small intimate wedding than a huge blow out like mother kept insisting on,” she added.

“Okay. I can see where you’re going with this. You are trying to beat us to the alter, huh?” Jim asked.

“I know it is out of left field.” Honey giggled at Jim as she spoke. “But we want to do this simple and you know how high society weddings get going around here lately.”

“Did you know he was going to ask?” Trixie whiespered to Honey.

“Yes, I helped him pick out your ring,” Honey answered happily.

“Oh you, and here I have been so worried that he was going to dump me forever.” Trixie nudged her.

“I kept telling you that wasn’t going to happen.” Honey gave her a big hug. “So do you want to come?”

Trixie returned the hug. “We wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world, Honey.”

They locked the house back up and headed for the airport along with the Belden’s, the Wheeler’s and the Lynches for the jet that Matthew had chartered for this wedding event in the big city where Honey wanted it to take place.

Things died down and the trip was underway a few minutes later as that Limousine drove down the streets of Vegas. Those bright lights were blinking their bling/ bling all over the place. Caesars Palace was huge and very accommodating. As they got out at the curb they were shown to their suites in the penthouse areas. Helen and Peter’s room had three bedrooms in it so the kids called dibs on the spare rooms. Brian was staying with his fiancée until it was too late to stay another minute. The wedding was set for the morning in a huge cathedral style ballroom. The hotel help was working over time to get this wedding perfect before morning.

Secret service men were milling all over the halls, talking to each other about their schedules and reports of suspects and stuff. Dan was hard at work keeping them organized as he prepared for the British Lord to arrive.

Reporters were already outside the hotel, announcing the arrival of the British Lord as he prepared to attend his granddaughter’s wedding to Brian Belden, son of Peter and Helen Belden.

“Oh my lord.” Trixie nudged Jim. “They just announced that Lord Hart was arriving as well.”

“I heard.” Jim just hugged Trixie from behind as they stood in the sports bar, listening to the news before going back to the hotel rooms.

“We better get back soon,” Jim whispered. Trixie nodded and they both went to sleep.

Trixie woke up to see Brian panicking over his tux. Bobby was nearly dressed already.

“Why didn’t someone wake me up?” Trixie asked.

“Because you would have had to wait on the showers anyway…” Helen answered.

“Hurry, shower and change. Honey wants you in her room pronto.”

“Got it….” Trixie took a fast shower, then jumped out tossing on some clothing and grabbing her shoes and went running for the door.

“Hi, Uncle Andy, bye, Uncle Andy. I am late, I’ll talk more, later,” she said as she nearly knocked a camera man down.

“Hi, Trixie. Bye, Trixie….” Andy laughed.

Trixie knocked on Honey’s hotel room door and smiled when Jim answered.

“Oh man, we got wall wall guards in the hall, some in black suits and some in red ones, too,” Trixie exclaimed.

“The queen couldn’t make the trip, but she sent her grandsons.” Honey looked overwhelmed. “I didn’t think anyone would make the trip on such short notice. I am dying here. Dad told the hotel to make the wedding fit for a queen and spare no expense but I didn’t organize anything. I have no idea what to expect. We don’t even have time for rehearsals and what if he stands me up and… Oh god I am petrified here.”

“Don’t panic.” Trixie gave her a reassuring hug. “Brian would never stand you up. I know huge society event has you really scared but really, Honey, those guys are just your family. It is okay, so what if they have fancy titles?”

“I am panicking. I can’t take this.” Honey teared up.

“Oh, we will get you through it.” Trixie hugged her. “You need to just remember, no matter what, they are just your family, your flesh and blood and they love you. Just look at Brian. Focus only on him, don’t worry about the audience. Practice the don’t look down routine. Remember when we had to cross that log over that huge waterfall a couple years ago and you were so scared. I told you to focus on me not to look down. Same thing applies now. Focus on Brian, don’t look out, not until the hard part is over. Okay?” Trixie asked.

“Okay. I can do it.” Honey took a deep breath.

“Calm down. Take a deep breath and relax,” Jim ordered

“Get that television off. It is making her worse,” Trixie ordered Hallie.

“This thing just became the social event of the year,” Hallie whispered to Trixie.

“My dress isn’t good enough,” Honey said suddenly.

“Why isn’t it?” Trixie asked, “You have been working on that dress since you were thirteen.”

“Oh, that’s the problem! I made it, it isn’t some designer creation. The reporters will have a field date.”

“No, it was a designer creation,” Diana said soberly. “Now you hold your head up high and you model your best creation all by yourself. This master piece was designed and created by Lady Madeleine.”

“I...”

“Honey, you are Lady Madeleine. Use that name, it suites you,” Diana encouraged. “Let them say what they want. Lady Madeleine makes exquisite gowns. Look at Trixie’s and mine. Why, you even have extras and Hallie fits into one of them.”

Soon, Juliana, Jim’s cousin, arrived. The young woman gasped when she aw what they had created with Honey’s hair and gown.

Juliana hugged Trixie instead of Honey so she wouldn’t mess up the bride’s gown.

“You made it?” Juliana asked. Honey tried not to tear up but she couldn’t help it.

“Hey, you are breathtaking? Who made that dress?” Juliana repeated, puzzled.

“I did.” Honey cringed.

“Oh, I love this. It is awesome,” Juliana squealed.

“I am going to throw up again,” Honey groaned.

“Keep it down,” Trixie said sympathetically. Just this moment the door opened and Mart stepped in.

“I just came from the groom’s camp,” he said with a big grin as he walked in all decked out in his tux and smiling.

“Brian is so nervous over there. He is scared that you wont take the pressure and you bolt and run on him.”

“Oh.” Honey started to laugh some. “Trixie promised to get me through it this time, no matter what.”

“I have a jar of glue here. If I have to, it is going under her shoes.” Trixie giggled as she held up the jar of glue.

“It is noon. Lets go,” Diana told Honey with a big grin.

“Oh!” Honey took a deep breath and listened to her friends saying, “You can do this. Get out there and show us how brave you are.”

Trixie stared at the entry. It was so amazing. They even had a huge row of soldiers in British uniforms with swords held up, creating a wall of steel to walk under. It was nearly one hundred feet long. The British royal symphony music was playing in the background and now Trixie just wanted to run instead of walk down that aisle for her best friend but she didn’t. She took her place right after Diana who took Mart’s arm and walked down the aisle with him first. Juliana and Hans had gone just before them. Mrs. Vanderpoel’s little granddaughter was holding the flower girl peddles and Jessica Lynch was decked out in a junior bride and her junior groom was Bobby.

Now came Honey, holding on to her father’s arm, shaking so badly she was barely able to move on her own. But somehow she managed to focus on Brian who was staring at her as she caught his eyes. She was so beautiful, it took his breath away.

Trixie said… Oh what did Trixie say? Honey thought panically, Don’t look at the audience. Just look at Brian. He is so handsome. Boy, I hope he really loves me.

The vows were traditional because it was happening so fast that they didn’t organize anything else. Finally the minister said, “You may now kiss your bride” and cameras flashed like strobes. For a minute, time stood still for Brian as he kissed his bride. His love for her soared. Inside his inner thoughts he sure hoped she loved him back.

Matt and Madeleine were holding hands and grinning, they knew their daughter didn’t want all the fuss, but this wedding was beautiful.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have the pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Madeleine Belden?” the minister called out loduly.

Honey and Brian started off from that alter quickly, so happy it was finally over. The reception was in the next room. Wedding gifts presented mostly in the form of cards filled with hefty checks. Some came in the form of family traditional heirlooms. Lord Hart presented his granddaughter with a special tiara that had been in the family for hundreds of years. It was real and it was hers to for use on special occasions, so she ended up placing it on her head and kissing her grandfather happily.

When they had a moment for their own, Brian draw Honey nearer, his fingers gently gliding over her cheeks.

”I love you, Honey,” he whispered softly. His eyes closed when his lips received his new wife’s silent reply.

Circle Writing Project

Required elements:

Holiday: Christmas

unexpected guest: Mrs. Vanderpoel and her family

animal: Reddy running loose

Holiday food: Turkey dinner and festive cookies

family tradition: the Christmas play

the gift: Jim’s gift to Trixie - the mansion he just built

people singing: Christmas carolers

Christmas ornaments: the whole display outside.