~Chapter 12~
A Serious Step Lightly Taken
(originally posted November 24, 2007)
Dan woke up, expecting to see the morning light streaming in through the window of the Beldens’ guest bedroom. Darkness greeted him however, broken only by the soft red glow of the clock on the bedside table, 3:25 a.m. Dan groaned. Why was he awake at this hour? He lay on his side, staring at the clock, trying to let it hypnotize him back to sleep. He hated not having Trixie beside him, especially tonight...
He could still feel the cool softness of her small hand as he slid the ring on her finger. He could still remember how his own fingers trembled with nervousness, excitement, and joy. Hearing her say “yes” was the happiest moment of his life. And as she looked into his eyes with complete, total, unconditional love, he had loved her and wanted her more at that moment than he ever had before.
They were kissing passionately under the starlight when Trixie drew back with a somewhat guilty look on her flushed face. “Dan, I need to tell you something.”
“Okay, I know you’re not pregnant, so is this something like you can’t marry me because you’re secretly in love with a warthog?”
Trixie gave him what she hoped was a dirty look, but even in the dim light of the moon, her blue eyes sparkled teasingly. She knew Dan was jealous of her crush on John Travolta. “That’s Sweathog, smart-aleck, and no, that’s not it.”
Dan grinned widely and pulled her back into his arms. “Then it isn’t important right now.” He began backing up gently towards the boathouse. Suddenly, Trixie stopped and looked at the building with a peculiar expression.
“I know too much about the action that boathouse has seen this summer, Dan. I couldn’t possibly. Not without giggling through the entire thing.”
Dan raised an eyebrow and tried to imagine various Sleepyside couples he knew... coupling...in the boathouse. “What about the clubhouse?” he suggested wickedly.
“No way!” Trixie said adamantly. “It just doesn’t seem right. I’d never be able to set foot in there again. Besides, it’s locked and I don’t have the key. Making love in the clubhouse would be bad enough without having to break in to do it.”
Dan laughed as he nuzzled her neck. As he stared off into the night he saw a light softly glowing up at the stable. “Uncle Bill will be talking baseball with your dad for a long time, won’t he?”
Trixie smiled and nodded and the two of them hurried up to the Wheeler stable. After a quick surveillance established that they were alone, Dan grabbed a blanket from the tack room and led Trixie to an empty stall. He laid the blanket down on the straw and turned to Trixie, all ready to make a punny comment about a “roll in the hay”, when she threw her small, sturdy body into his, catching him off balance and tumbling them both to the floor. They laughed as they literally rolled in the hay. Things quickly heated up, Dan using one hand to unbutton Trixie’s blouse, the other to unbutton her shorts. Trixie purred seductively, pulling her body still closer to Dan and letting her fingers trail downward from his chest, down his stomach, tugging at his belt...
Dan groaned again. They had been so close! And then Tom Delanoy had come into the stable looking for Regan. Dan had put his finger to his lips, urging Trixie to be silent. He thought Tom would quickly leave once he realized Regan wasn’t there. But Trixie was half undressed and was struggling to cover herself up when she had fallen backwards, banging her head on the side of the stall. She had cried out, Tom had discovered them, and they had all exchanged awkward greetings and explanations before Tom hurried out of the stable red-faced. They tried to laugh it off, but the mood had definitely been broken and even hurrying back to Crabapple Farm to share their engagement with their family had not been enough to distract Dan from what might have been. He had had to take a cold shower before crawling into bed...alone.
Dan closed his eyes and rolled over. He stretched his hand to the other side of the bed, imagining he was throwing his arm over Trixie’s side. His aim was decidedly off however, for the next thing he heard was a soft, “Ouch! That’s the second time I’ve gotten whacked on my head tonight.”
His eyes flew open and there she was, curled up opposite him. “What are you doing here, Trixie?”
“I missed your snoring.”
“I do not snore!”
Trixie giggled and put her hand on Dan’s hip, stroking lightly as she inched closer to him. “I missed you.”
“Trixie,” Dan gulped, growing aroused instantly. “Your parents’ bedroom is directly over our heads.”
“Mm-hmm. Kind of exhilarating, isn’t it?” she whispered, sticking her tongue in his ear.
“I don’t consider running down Glen Road with my pants down and your dad chasing me with a rifle exciting.”
“Dan, don’t be silly. We’re engaged. We’re living together. My parents aren’t that old-fashioned.”
“They put us in separate rooms every time we visit, Trixie. And I really...really...really... want to marry you,” he murmured, letting Trixie punctuate each word he whispered to her with a perfectly placed kiss. It was getting very hard...er, difficult...to resist her, Dan thought. “So I’d rather not take any chances, if you don’t mind.” Reluctantly, he gently pushed her away.
Trixie sighed dramatically, “Very well then, Officer Blandman, I mean Mangan. I’ll just go back to my own room.” She languorously pulled back the sheet and rose out of bed, making sure Dan saw her jiggling her behind to slide her nightshirt back over her panties.
Dan shut his eyes, but it was too late. The image was seared on his brain. Flinging back the sheet, he scrambled out of the bed, slamming the door closed just as Trixie was opening it. The sound reverberated through the quiet household like a gunshot as Dan wrapped his arms around Trixie and tried to coax her back to the bed.
“Swift move, Dan,” Trixie scolded. “That’ll wake everybody in the house. Make sure you don’t sign up for undercover work at your new job.”
Sure enough, Dan and Trixie could hear movement above them. Shuffling feet moved from Peter and Helen’s bedroom towards the hallway. Trixie gave Dan a swift kiss, lightly smacked him upside the head, and disappeared from the bedroom, shutting the door softly behind her. Dan pressed his ear to the door and in a moment he could hear her father’s questioning voice in the kitchen. Trixie mumbled something about being unable to sleep and getting up to get some warm milk and accidentally letting a cabinet door slam.
Dan quietly pounded his head against the door and wondered if the sound of another cold shower running would wake anybody else up.
*******************************************
The next time Dan opened his eyes, the sun was streaming through the curtains. He glanced at the clock by the bed and quickly sat up, running his hands over his face and through his disheveled hair to shake the cobwebs of sleep away. It was after 9:00, early for a city family’s Saturday morning; but he figured the Beldens would be up and about by now, and his nose informed him he was correct. He stretched, inhaling deeply and letting the tantalizing aroma of coffee and bacon wake him up. He got out of bed, pulled on a clean t-shirt and jeans and headed out to the kitchen, his bare feet padding softly on the hardwood floors.
The Beldens were already working on breakfast when he came in. Mr. Belden was hidden behind the morning paper at the head of the table. Bobby was reading a comic book as he worked on a towering stack of pancakes. Trixie sat next to him, nursing a cup of coffee while she waited for the second batch of pancakes to arrive. Mrs. Belden was in her customary spot by the stove. She smiled at Dan as he yawned and came over to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Good morning, Dan. Would you like some pancakes?” she asked.
“Please!” he said eagerly, giving her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “They look fantastic, Mrs. B.” He held out a plate, which Mrs. Belden heaped high with fluffy, golden brown pancakes, nodding towards Trixie to indicate he should share them with his fiancée.
Dan sat down at the table and Trixie reached across to steal a short stack from his plate. She smiled puckishly at him. “You look tired, sweetie. Were you up all night?”
Dan spat out a mouthful of coffee, most of which landed on Peter’s newspaper. “I am so sorry, Mr. Belden!” he said, mortified, as he handed him a napkin and they tried to salvage the newsprint. “It – it was just...really hot.” He glared at Trixie, who winked at him.
“Coffee is supposed to be hot, Dan,” Peter replied, looking unflappable, as if he was quite accustomed to people spewing beverages at the breakfast table.
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you okay, darling?” Trixie asked, trying hard not to burst into laughter.
“Just not quite awake yet baby doll, but I’m all right. Thank you for your concern, buttercup.”
“Gross!” Bobby mumbled, “I’m trying to eat here.”
Helen came to join them at the table with her own plate of pancakes. “When are you two planning to leave?”
“We don’t have any set time, Moms. Just when we get around to it.”
Dan stretched his legs underneath the table and gently kicked Trixie’s shins as he added, “Yeah, I thought we’d take a ride together this morning before we left.”
Trixie started to choke on a piece of bacon. Her father tipped down a corner of his paper, looking at her with one eyebrow raised. Without looking up from his comic book, Bobby reached over and gave his sister a few swift thumps on the back.
We’re even, babe, Dan’s eyes twinkled at her.
That’s what you think, was Trixie’s twinkled reply.
“Ashley’s coming over for a ride this morning, too,” Bobby told them.
“What?!” Trixie yelped, as Dan started to cough furiously, his mouth full of pancakes.
Peter put his paper down with an exasperated look. “What is the matter with you two? Don’t you know how to eat good home cooking anymore?”
Bobby looked at Trixie as if she had two heads. Speaking slowly and carefully enunciating his words so she’d be sure to understand him he said, “Ashley is coming over. We’re going to go up to the stables. Regan will let us have a couple of horses. We’ll get on them and go for a ride through the woods.” He turned back to his plate with a roll of his eyes. “Sheesh!”
Helen, as imperturbable as her husband, changed the subject, “I already emailed your brothers with your news, Trixie, but since Diana is still in town, I thought you might like to tell her in person.”
“That‘s a great idea, Moms!” Trixie enthused. She glanced at the clock above the sink. It was still early and Diana would surely grumble at being roused from her precious beauty sleep, but Trixie couldn’t wait. She got up from her chair and headed towards the den. “Maybe she’ll want to go riding with Dan and me,” she said, shooting a threatening look at Dan before he could intimate anything. “I’m going to give her a ring right now.”
“Don’t give her the one I gave you last night,” Dan joked, earning a beaming smile from his fiancée, who blew him a kiss. Dan “caught” the kiss and placed it on his lips, causing Trixie to giggle as she left the room.
Bobby rolled his eyes. “Gag me,” he grumbled. He bent his blonde head, curly hair still tousled from sleep, down to his comic book.
His mother smiled poignantly. At least one of her babies wasn’t quite ready to grow up yet.
*******************************************
After Trixie had arranged for them to meet Di and Tad on their morning ride, she and Dan helped Bobby clean up the breakfast dishes before they headed up to the stables hand in hand, stopping frequently along the way to kiss. Dan was starting to regret not getting in a cold shower before their ride. As they neared the stable doors, he pulled Trixie close to him for one last embrace, running his fingers through her hair as he tangled his tongue up with hers. Trixie slid her hands down inside the back pockets of his jeans and they stood there enjoying one another for several seconds, until they heard a cough behind them.
“Why don’t you two get a room?” Regan grumbled, but with a twinkle in his green eyes. “And by room, I do not mean empty stall, either.”
Trixie blushed. “How did you – ? Tom!”
Regan chuckled, “Yes, he was quite appalled to find somebody else using the Delanoy love nest.”
“Tom and Celia?” Trixie gasped, her blue eyes wide. She put her mouth close to Dan’s ear and whispered, “Well, there’s another building on the Wheeler property despoiled.”
“What was that?” Regan asked over his shoulder.
“Nothing, Uncle Bill. Really, you don’t want to know,” Dan grinned. Laughing, they followed the russet-haired stable foreman into the barn, where he had Starlight and Susie already saddled for their ride.
Even though it was still early, the day promised to be hot and sultry. As they rode single file down the narrow path towards the Lynch estate, Dan watched Trixie thrusting her hips and thighs up and down in a rhythmic posting trot on Susie’s back and shut his eyes in frustration. He should have gone ahead of her. This was killing him. It was the first time in his life that he wished he was a horse.
The trees soon began to thin, the path widened, and the two riders came out of the preserve at the edge of an open expanse of land that led up to the back of the Lynch property. As Dan pulled Starlight next to Susie, he saw Di and Tad coming towards them, doubled up bareback on Di’s palomino, Sunny. Now that’s the way to go, he thought, as he observed Tad’s arms around Di’s waist. He was no longer interested in the horseback ride. He only wanted to be on his motorcycle, with Trixie’s arms securely around him as they raced off towards their beachside hotel.
Trixie waved, and she and Dan nudged their horses into a canter as they rode to meet their friends. As they all met and came to a halt, Tad slid awkwardly off Sunny’s back, gingerly rubbing the back of his hip with a grimace. Di hopped off too and went to greet Trixie with a hug as she dismounted Susie. Pulling her friend off to the side, she eagerly asked, “What did your parents say when you told them you and Dan were moving in together?”
Trixie grinned and opened her mouth to reply, but Diana continued on hurriedly before she could say a word, “I’m hoping you smoothed the path for Tad and me.”
“What? You haven’t told your parents yet, Di? Tad asked you more than a month ago!”
“I know, I know,” Diana moaned, “I’m a grown woman and I’m afraid to tell my parents I’m living with a man I’m not married to. But when we were all in New York and you told me you and Dan were going to move in together before the fall term, I thought I’d wait. I just thought if Mummy and Daddy could see how calm your folks were about it, then they might be okay with it too. Your parents were okay about it...weren’t they?”
“Well,” Trixie hedged, “we kind of sweetened the deal on our side.” As Diana looked questioningly at her, Trixie held up her left hand with a smile, the diamond glittering in the morning sun.
Diana’s violet eyes popped wide. She squealed excitedly and threw her arms around her friend, causing Sunny to shy away with a nervous snort. Diana lost her grip on the reins and Sunny galloped off across the meadow towards the safety of his own barn.
“I’ll get him, Di,” Dan said, swinging quickly back up into his saddle and heading off after the runaway. As Di and Trixie turned to watch the swarthy young man on the golden chestnut horse galloping across the dewy meadow, they both sighed dreamily.
Tad turned to stare at them. “What is the matter with you two?”
Diana sighed again, “Don’t you know all girls are in love with cowboys, Tad dear?”
“Great,” Tad mumbled, his posterior aching, “now I have to learn how to ride. How I’m going to do that in downtown Chicago, I have no idea.”
Diana kissed him on the cheek consolingly. “Never mind. You may not be Robert Redford, but I still love you.”
“Robert Redford, huh?” Tad replied.
“Mmm-mmm, yes!” Trixie murmured. “The Sundance Kid, the Electric Horseman, the Horse Whisperer. Yes sir, sexiest cowboy ever.”
“What about the Urban Cowboy, Trix?” Diana teased.
Trixie blushed, “Okay, second sexiest. I’m a sucker for any man in tight jeans and a cowboy hat. Yum.”
“Why thank you, ma’am,” Dan drawled, tipping his imaginary ten-gallon hat as he returned with Sunny in tow. Trixie was sorely tempted to drag him off of Starlight and take him right there in the middle of the field while Tad and Diana watched.
“Not you, Hopalong,” Tad snorted, “She’s dumping you for Redford.”
“Well, crap, that engagement didn’t even last twenty-four hours,” Dan grumbled, winking at Trixie.
She reached up to rub her hand alluringly along his thigh, “Don’t worry, we’re still on. Robert Redford is too old for me.”
“Otherwise?” Dan questioned with raised eyebrows, trying to ignore his sudden reaction to Trixie’s hands on him.
“Well, I’d have to think about it,” she grinned. “But first I’d have to see if he looks as good on a motorcycle as you do.” She squeezed his leg and with a slightly pink face turned back to adjust Susie’s saddle.
Tad’s eyes lit up. “You got a bike, Dan? Oh man! Think I could take a spin before you leave town?”
“Sure thing, Tad. Wait ‘til you get Diana’s arms wrapped around your waist. You’ll be writing a check out for one of your own soon enough.”
Diana sniffed, “Not me. I refuse to have helmet hair. You can ride that thing alone, Tadster.”
“Hey! I rode that thing with you,” Tad retorted, poking an accusing finger at Sunny, who pinned his ears back at him and twitched his creamy white tail in irritation. The two obviously had mutual feelings for one another.
“Don’t call my baby a thing,” Diana cooed, cradling Sunny’s head in her arms. “He’s been so neglected since I left for college.”
“Don’t your brothers or sisters ride him, Di?” Trixie asked.
“No. Larry and Terry are all about dirt bikes. And as for Kristy and Kayla,” she rolled her eyes, “they’re miniature versions of my mother. High society is all they care about. The mere possibility of breaking a nail gives them hives.”
“You and your mom still not getting along?” Trixie asked with mild concern. Diana had been upset when they all got together in New York last month. Trixie just couldn’t imagine being on the outs with Moms.
Diana sighed, “I love my mother, but it’s been a long summer and I’m more than ready to go back to school. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Yes, let’s,” Tad quickly agreed. The strain between mother and daughter had been hard on him too. He was very eager to get Diana back to Chicago where she could relax again.
“Well, there you go,” Trixie said with a glimmer in her eye, “Wait until you’re back in Chicago and then tell her that you and Tad moved in together.”
Diana laughed, “Or maybe I won’t even tell them until they knock on Nick’s door Thanksgiving Day and find out I don’t live there anymore.”
As Trixie and Diana laughed together, Tad mumbled to Di, “Your family is coming to Chicago for Thanksgiving again this year?”
Diana bussed his cheek reassuringly, “Not if I can help it,” she murmured, “Even if we have to follow Nick and Mike to Vail.”
Trixie mounted Susie and turned to Di and Tad. “So, we’re on for lunch, right? I’ve had the worst craving for a Wimpy’s burger for weeks!”
“Noon?” Diana asked.
“No, let’s make it about 1:00,” Dan countered, “Trixie and I are going over to visit with Edwin for a little while.”
“Who?” Tad asked.
“Mr. Maypenny, you moron.”
“Wow. I didn’t know Mr. Maypenny had a first name. Next thing you know, you’ll be telling me Old Brom actually has a last name!” Tad flashed his lop-sided grin and they all laughed.
“1:00 then,” Diana agreed and bent her knee for Tad to give her a leg up onto Sunny’s back.
He looked at her doubtfully. “And how, pray tell, am I going to get up?” He looked around the open meadow. “Why doesn’t your dad install those mounting blocks like every fifty feet out here?”
Diana giggled, pushing her outstretched foot against his leg, “Just get me up there and I’ll pull you up.”
Tad didn’t look convinced, but cradled Di’s leg in his hands and boosted her up. Dan pulled Starlight close to Sunny and grabbed his headstall to hold him steady. Diana batted her eyelashes at him flirtatiously and drawled, “Thanks, cowboy,” then reached down to offer her arm to Tad, who pinched her jealously before attempting to mount up behind her...attempting being the operative word.
After several pathetic hops that brought Tad’s leg nowhere near clearing Sunny’s broad hindquarters, Dan rolled his eyes. Leaning teasingly towards Diana he said in a stage whisper, “The guy lettered in like nine sports and can’t get up on the back of a horse.”
Diana giggled again as Tad glared at his friend. “Hey! How about shut the hell up, stop flirting with my girlfriend and help me?”
Trixie tried to hold back her own giggles as Dan let go of Sunny’s bridle and reached a hand out to help Tad. The supposedly athletic young man grabbed hold then hopped up and down several times before finally pulling himself up across Sunny’s back with a grunt, nearly pulling Diana off in the process. Sunny gave a little buck in protest, and Tad scrambled wildly for Diana’s waist with his free hand to keep from falling off.
Dan waited until they were situated before letting go of Tad’s arm with a chuckle and turning Starlight back towards the woods. “We’ll see you two soon. Hopefully, Tad won’t have to stand through the whole meal.”
Tad made the mistake of letting go of Diana’s waist in order to send some impertinent sign language Dan’s way, just as Diana turned Sunny’s head towards home. Tad had to fight to maintain his balance and he inadvertently encouraged Sunny to move faster as he dug his heels into the palomino’s sides to keep from falling off. Dan and Trixie laughed as they watched him bump along gracelessly behind Diana until the comic trio disappeared over a rise, then they steered Starlight and Susie into the game preserve towards Edwin Maypenny’s cabin.
When the path widened enough so that they could ride side-by-side, Dan reached out and grasped Trixie’s hand, twisting the ring around her finger fondly. In spite of his physical desire being constantly thwarted during the past day, he still couldn’t imagine being much happier than he was at this moment. And the thought of being blessedly alone with Trixie for an entire week – no work, no school, no family – just made him ache all the more.
*******************************************
“Please enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Mangan,” said the desk clerk.
Trixie blushed and lowered her eyes as Dan smiled over at her. He liked the sound of that. They were going to have to take some time this week to talk about setting a date. Dan took her hand and they followed the bellhop up to their room, which had a balcony overlooking the ocean. The soothing roar of the Atlantic could be heard even before Trixie opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside.
Dan tipped the bellhop and sent him on his way, turning to watch Trixie as she stared out to sea. Alone, at last, he thought, feeling his body again react to the mere sight of her. The wind was catching her curls and bouncing them along her shoulders and neck. She had her eyes closed, deeply inhaling the salty breeze, and her cheeks were rosy pink. Whether that was from the motorcycle ride, or the ocean air, or...something else, Dan didn’t know. But he was darned sure going to find out.
He quietly moved behind her and stole his arms around her waist, burying his face in the curls gathered around her neck. “I love you, Trixie,” he murmured, closing his eyes and inhaling her fruity scent. “Mmm...what is that? You smell good enough to eat.”
“Wild raspberry,” Trixie answered softly. “And help yourself.” She turned around and tilted her head up for a kiss. Dan did not hesitate, placing his mouth squarely over hers and letting his tongue slide along her lips until she opened them willingly and eagerly, emitting that soft little sigh that made him crazy with desire.
He slid his hands under her shirt and up her back, fumbling with the clasp on her bra. Always do the bra first, he grumbled to himself. Freakin’ bane of mankind...or at least Dankind. Trixie put her hands on his tight, flat stomach and pushed him gently from the balcony across the bedroom until the backs of his knees hit the bed and he toppled backwards, pulling Trixie down on top of him. Finally getting the infernal brassiere loose, he let Trixie pull it deftly out her sleeve while he watched in awe. He never could understand how women did that. It was the single greatest trick he had ever seen in his life. David Copperfield had nothing on a woman with a bra.
Straddling Dan’s legs, Trixie undid his belt and slid it out of the loops with a snap, flinging it onto the floor with one hand, while her other hand undid his button fly and pulled down his zipper. Dan slid his hands up her thighs. He badly wanted to kiss her, but the logistics of it seemed to be a problem at the moment. Her mouth and neck were too far away. Her hands and fingers were...otherwise occupied, and he had no intention of interrupting that. His hands slid around her waist and cupped her bottom as he inched her closer to him. He licked his lips, desperately wanting to taste her again.
Trixie noticed and stopped what she was doing to put her hands on the bed on either side of Dan’s head, leaning down to quench his thirst for her. “I love you, Dan,” she whispered as she touched her lips to his. He drank her in, slowly and thoroughly, letting his tongue linger...everywhere.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “Damn it! Are you kidding me?!” Dan yelled in complete frustration. “Who the hell knows we’re here?”
“Everybody, now,” Trixie snorted, “Again with the shoddy covert operations, Officer Mangan. I swear, you’re going to get fired before you even start your new job.” She reluctantly pulled herself off of him and stood, glancing down to make sure her unfettered breasts weren’t too apparent under her thin top before she opened the door.
The bellhop, red-faced and mumbling, thrust forth an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne in it. “This is for you, Mr. and Mrs. Mangan.”
Hearing that heavenly phrase again, Dan almost forgot his annoyance. He propped himself up on his elbows and stared longingly at Trixie’s posterior while she stood at the door.
“Actually...” she hesitated, feeling bad about the mistake that had apparently been made. It looked like an expensive brand of champagne. She’d seen that same label at parties at the Wheeler estate.
Dan leapt out of the bed and bounded to the door. “Actually, we’re very flattered. Please thank the manager for us.” He dug in his pocket for a bill, shoved it into the bellhop’s hand, grabbed the ice bucket and shut the door.
“First of all, babe,” he chided Trixie, “never turn down free champagne. If they want to think we’re honeymooners, let them. And secondly, I guess it was my own fault for not taking better precautions.” He pulled the “Do Not Disturb” sign off the door handle, opened the door, and placed it purposefully on the outside handle before shutting and locking the door behind him.
He turned to Trixie who was studying the card that came with the bottle, smiling dryly. “It’s not from the manager,” she said, holding out the card to Dan.
He took it from her and read: Have a great vacation, cowboy. Enjoy the ride. Tad and Diana. “I’m going to kill him!” Dan grumbled. “That putz has always had the absolute worst timing of any man I have ever met. And how did he know we were here, anyway?”
Trixie looked at him guiltily, “I may have told Diana where we were staying.”
Dan rolled his eyes skyward. “And I’m sure Tad convinced her to blab.”
Trixie’s blue eyes flashed briefly, “That’s a pretty sexist remark, Dan. Di can keep a secret. Just because she’s a woman, doesn’t mean she gossips every minute of the day.” She stopped short and took a breath, “We are not having a fight on our first day of vacation.”
Dan brushed away his annoyance at Tad and grinned at his fiancée, “No, we are not. I know Diana can keep a secret. All I meant was, if Tad did this to her,” pulling Trixie to him and tracing his hands lightly across her breasts, down to her stomach, around her waist, up her back, and into her hair, “do you think she would be able to resist?”
Trixie smiled up at him, “I don’t really care what Tad did, or is doing, to Diana. But if you want me to spill state secrets, Mr. Bond, you’re going to have to try harder than that.”
“It will be my pleasure, Miss Belden,” Dan leered.
“Hopefully, it will be mine too,” Trixie murmured as she pulled him back to the bed.
*******************************************
“So, what do you want to do today?” Trixie asked, resting her head on Dan’s chest as they lounged in bed on Sunday morning, listening to the ocean and the activity on the beach below them.
“You,” Dan replied. He stroked Trixie’s bare arm with one hand, while the other pulled the sheet over them to emphasize his desire to stay in bed all day.
Trixie laughed under her breath and raised her head. She laid an arm across Dan’s chest and rested her chin on it to gaze into his dark eyes. With her other hand, she carelessly traced around the tattoo on his left shoulder. Her hair was tousled and her eyes were still heavy with sleep, and Dan thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. “And what do we do about meals?”
“Room service. They serve until midnight. I say we take advantage of that.” He stretched out his hand to the bedside table and picked up the menu that lay there. “Are you hungry now?”
“Yes, but I think I need a shower too. Do you want to join me?” she asked with a sleepy smile.
“Absolutely,” he said seriously, “It’s been a dry summer. We should probably conserve water whenever possible.”
“Yeah, I’m sure there’s a big water supply problem here on the ocean,” Trixie snorted. She got out of bed, earning a swat on the behind from Dan for her impudence, and headed for the bathroom, while he ordered breakfast.
They ended up spending so much time in the shower that they totally negated Dan’s high ideals for water conservation. But it had dual showerheads and a bench seat in the wall where Dan sat and watched in fascination as Trixie balanced first one foot, and then her other on his knee while she shaved her legs. Trixie had to ask him more than once if she needed to turn the cold water on him, but he didn’t care. This was by far the best vacation he had ever been on and it was only the second day. And as Trixie washed his hair for him, he suddenly could have cared less about all the B.W.G. trips he had missed out on as a teenager.
Trixie was handing him the shampoo bottle for him to return the favor when they heard a knock at the door. “Do you suppose that’s Tad?” Trixie giggled.
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Dan grumbled, “but I think it’s probably room service.”
“Well, I’m starving, so go answer it. I’ll be out as soon as I wash my hair.”
Dan reluctantly got out of the shower, toweled off and pulled on his swim trunks. He wondered briefly if he was actually going to use them on this trip. He opened the door for room service, and as the waiter rolled the breakfast table into the room, Dan looked around for his pants. He wasn’t exactly sure where they had ended up last night and his wallet was still in the pocket.
The young man in the red coat, Jack his nametag said, waited patiently as Dan scoured the room. Suddenly, Trixie broke out into song from the shower, “Lather, rinse, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat…as needed!”
Jack grinned as Dan, finally having found his pants and wallet, handed him a tip and escorted him quickly to the door as Trixie sang on. Young lovers were the best tippers, Jack mused, because they were so anxious to get him out of their room they often didn’t even notice what kind of bill they were handing him.
Dan turned and shouted into the bathroom, “Hey, Phoebe Buffay, breakfast is here.”
In a few minutes, Trixie came out of the bathroom wearing nothing at all and sat down to a wonderful breakfast of fresh fruit, bagels and cream cheese, orange juice, and coffee. Dan stared at every inch of her creamy white skin in delight and tossed her the room service menu.
“What’s this for?” Trixie asked, a slice of cantaloupe halfway to her mouth.
“Pick out what you want for lunch and dinner. We’re not leaving this room,” Dan said.
*******************************************
“It’s not that I don’t enjoy being locked in this room with you 24/7, Dan,” Trixie said late Monday morning as she pulled a brush through her hair, “But I did promise Moms I would find a New Jersey or Atlantic City spoon for her collection. And all the Bob-Whites will be expecting postcards. And Bobby will want a souvenir. And Dad gave me $50 to gamble with. Face it, we’ve got to do something besides shag all vacation.”
“All right,” Dan grumbled, trying to sound put out. But he was actually looking forward to spending some time on the beach that afternoon, and in the casinos that night. And it wasn’t just because he had gotten a good look at the slinky dress Trixie had brought for their evening out either.
Right now she was wearing an incredibly cute two-piece swimsuit in varying shades of blue, revealing enough to flatter all the best curves of her figure, but not so much so that Dan would be fighting men off with a stick all day.
Trixie made a face at herself in the mirror. “I don’t know why I’m bothering. Salt water, sand, wind, humidity; there’s definitely no hope for my hair today. And no matter how much sunscreen I slather on me, I’m sure I will have freckles popping out everywhere by the end of the day.”
“And yet somehow, you will still be incredibly beautiful,” Dan interrupted. He rubbed his hand against the bare middle of her back and kissed her on the cheek. “And I will be happy to slather sunscreen or whatever on you. All you have to do is ask.”
“Whatever?” Trixie queried, raising an interested eyebrow at him.
“Later,” he promised with a grin. “The beach is calling.”
Trixie was determined to spend all day relaxing at the beach, so she carefully packed a bag with the necessities she would need in order to stay put all afternoon – sunscreen, sunglasses, beach towels, a wide-brimmed hat, a light t-shirt, reading material, a small CD player and a handful of CDs, lip balm, bottled water, and a bag of potato chips.
Dan impatiently tapped his foot while he waited for her to finish. “Is a bag of potato chips going to hold you over until dinnertime?” he asked doubtfully.
“No, but I’m sure there are hot dog stands or something like that on the beach.”
“But won’t that require you getting up from your spot?”
“Not if you go get lunch for us,” Trixie said, smiling sweetly at him.
They took the short walk to the beach, then wandered down a little way until they found a suitably isolated spot to make camp. They lounged there for several hours, enjoying the tranquility of merely being close to one another with little conversation or activity, until Dan’s stomach started to growl. As he suspected, a few handfuls of potato chips did not satisfy him, so he sat up and scanned the beach for the closest concession stand. He glanced over at Trixie, who had her nose buried in the most recent Lucy Radcliffe mystery. “Are you hungry?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure,” she mumbled, engrossed in her book. Dan hesitated and Trixie looked over at him. “You’re not really going to make me go get lunch, are you?”
“No, but I’m not crazy about leaving you alone here.”
Trixie made a face at him. “Why? Afraid I’ll run off with a lifeguard?”
“No, afraid if I leave you for five minutes, you’ll find some mystery to get us embroiled in for the rest of the vacation.”
Trixie stuck her tongue out at him. “It usually takes me at least ten minutes to get into trouble, so walk fast.”
Dan reached across her into the bag to grab his wallet, kissed Trixie on her neck, and quickly set off to find food.
When he came back several minutes later, juggling two hot dogs, two cans of soda, and a huge basket of cheese fries he had been unable to resist after the long wait behind a line of jabbering teeny boppers, he found Trixie chatting with a man that could only be described as a stereotypical beach bum frat boy. His blond hair stood up in stiffly gelled spikes. A couple of gold chains hung down on his beer keg of a chest. A blotch of white zinc oxide covered his nose. And his too-tight Speedo revealed far more than Dan ever wished to see on any man.
Dan considered slowing his steps. Watching his pint-sized princess take on this Neanderthal could be amusing. But he wasn’t having an easy time balancing their lunch, and Trixie had just caught his eye with a steely “Help me!” gaze, so he quickened his step to draw closer to their spot on the beach.
“Danny darling, this is Chet,” Trixie introduced with sappy politeness.
Chet stretched out a meaty paw, but Dan held his overburdened hands up with a shrug and a fake smile. He thought if he shook Chet’s hand and found any trace of sunscreen that he may have rubbed on Trixie’s back, he would lose it. He suddenly wanted to flash his badge and pull his gun on the guy. Then he remembered he hadn’t been issued either a badge or a gun yet, and certainly wouldn’t have any jurisdiction in New Jersey if he had.
“Hey, dude, I was just talking to your wife here. Didn’t know she was married. No harm meant.”
Dude? Wife? “No problem. My wife is a very charming woman.” He handed Trixie a hot dog and a can of soda, then watched in astonishment as Chet reached over and helped himself to a handful of cheese fries.
“Well, remember what I said, Beatrix. Maybe we’ll run into each other tonight.” And with that, Chet sauntered off down the beach in search of another conquest.
“Beatrix?” Dan asked with a raised eyebrow. Trixie hated her given name.
Trixie rolled her eyes. “With some guys, it’s just better that they not know my name is Trixie, if you catch my drift.”
“Where are we going to run into Chet tonight?”
“God willing, we’re not! Thankfully, he was more than eager to tell me his favorite casino to hang out in. We can carefully avoid it tonight. He even has his preferred slot machine to hang out at.”
“Slot machines, eh? I guess he doesn’t have enough brain cells rattling around in his skull to appreciate the finer points of blackjack or poker.” He rolled his eyes. “For crying out loud, Trix. How did he latch onto you?”
Trixie giggled. “I told you it would take me at least ten minutes to get into trouble.”
“You know, Beatrix, if we had stayed in the room all day, this never would have happened.”
“Shut up and pass me the fries...dude.”
*******************************************
Dan smiled broadly as Trixie emerged at last from the bathroom Monday night. “Well, we’re definitely not going to be able to take the bike tonight.”
Her black dress clung to every curve of her body perfectly. It ended a couple of inches above her knees in a tight skirt and two narrow straps held up a bodice that glittered in the light. She had on sheer black stockings and simple black heels. A plain gold chain around her throat and small matching hoop earrings were her only adornments other than her engagement ring.
“I’m sorry, Dan. I didn’t even think about that. Maybe I should change into something else.”
Dan grabbed her by the arm before she could get to the closet. “Uh-huh,” he said adamantly. “We’ll take a cab. I’m not letting you get out of that.” He pulled her close to kiss her teasingly. “At least not until I’m ready for you to get out of it.”
“You approve, I take it?” Trixie grinned, pulling away and giving a little runway twirl for him so he could fully appreciate every inch of the dress.
“Mm-hmm!” Dan nodded. “I’m definitely going to have to stick to you like glue tonight and fight off all the Chets of Atlantic City.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me. What was the name of that casino we’re avoiding again?”
“The Showboat. Don’t worry, I won’t forget.” He took Trixie’s hand possessively and they headed downstairs to find a cab to take them to the casino strip just five miles up the road.
For awhile, they casually strolled along the boardwalk, stopping in various casinos from time to time to try their luck at the games of chance. The slot machines quickly bored them. At the third casino they stopped at, they played a little roulette. Dan played some blackjack and bought them a round of drinks with some of his winnings. By the time they got to Caesar’s, Trixie was anxious to play some craps.
“I’ve been told it has the smallest house advantage,” she said sagely.
“Where did you learn that?”
“Oh…some guy,” Trixie grinned.
“Not Chet, I take it?”
Trixie laughed, “Definitely not!”
They made their way to the craps table and watched for a little while before starting to play their chips. Eventually, Trixie gained possession of the dice and then her luck started flowing freely. Her small pile of chips started to grow until she had a fair-sized stack in front of her.
Dan snitched a few chips off her stack. “I’m going to get a beer. What do you want?” he asked.
“How about a martini, Mr. Bond?” she asked glamorously.
“Shaken, not stirred?” he laughed.
“No, get me something flavored and girly. I’ve never actually had a martini before. It just seems appropriate here in the casino.”
Dan kissed her cheek and headed off for the bar. They had a large variety of beers and he had trouble deciding what he wanted, finally getting two different bottles, as well as a chocolate martini for Trixie. By the time he got back to the craps table, he was astounded to find her single stack of chips had become several stacks. She was shouting and smiling, bantering with the other gamblers around the table. “Babe, you are out of control,” he smirked, handing Trixie her drink.
Trixie’s eyes sparkled as she sipped her martini. “I’m not the one drinking two beers now, am I? Hey, this isn’t half bad.” She popped the cherry into her mouth, planted a kiss on Dan’s lips and turned back to waggle her fingers at the croupier as she reached for the offered dice.
Dan sat on a stool behind her and watched. He loved how her whole body was lit up with excitement, from her china blue eyes all the way down to her toes, which danced with impatience between each roll of the dice. She quickly finished her drink and ordered another from a passing waitress. The atmosphere was jovial; after all, everybody loves a winner. One very large, very drunk man stuffed a couple of cigars in Dan’s breast pocket and told him, with a lecherous eye squarely on Trixie’s behind, that he was a lucky man. Trixie tried several variations of martinis, each one better than the last, she claimed. Eventually however, her luck started to go sour and as the multiple towers of chips started to dwindle downwards, Dan suggested they quit while they still had a profit.
Trixie’s eyes were slightly bleary as she stared at her chips. “You’re right,” she agreed. She swept up the chips into her hands. She didn’t have her purse with her, so she stuffed the chips into Dan’s pants pockets, brazenly fondling him as she did so.
Dan’s face turned red and he gently pulled Trixie’s hands up his chest. “Miss Belden,” he scolded with a smile, “We are in a public place. That’s in direct violation of New York Penal Code 245.”
“Good thing we’re in Jersey,” she said. She balanced precariously on tiptoe to kiss him on his lips, adding in a whisper, “Maybe we should get a room.”
Dan looked closely at her. “I think you might need a restroom. You look a little green, Trix. You okay?”
Mindlessly unaware of the crowd around her, she said in a loud voice, “Yeah, m’okay, but I do have to pee!”
Dan held back a chuckle. “Okay, but then we’re going back to our hotel. I think you’ve definitely had enough fun for one night.”
“’Kay. That sounds like a plan, Dan.” She laughed at her own little joke. “You comin’ with me?”
“To the ladies room? Um, no. I’ll cash us out and wait for you outside. You gonna be all right?”
Trixie nodded, inexplicably removing her jewelry and placing it carefully in Dan’s hands. “Watch thiz stuff for me, ‘kay? I don’t wanna drop it in the toilet or sumthin’.”
Dan looked carefully at her and asked, “Are you sure you’re going to be okay by yourself?”
Trixie waved him off as she stumbled towards the ladies room. Dan cashed in their chips and stepped outside into the cool night air. He had been waiting for several minutes, growing increasingly more anxious, when he finally heard her familiar, if somewhat slurred, voice.
“Look wha’ I got!” She had a bottle of champagne in her hand.
“Great!” Dan said sarcastically, “More alcohol. Where did you get that, Trix?”
“At the bar, duh,” she replied. “It’s Dum…Don…Dim…something.” She swung the bottle by the neck and Dan swiftly took it out of her hands before it could end up on the sidewalk.
“Dom Perignon. It’s very expensive, Trix.”
“Only the bess for mah man,” she smiled, throwing herself against him. She stared intently into his eyes. “Dan? Are you drunk?”
“Am I drunk? No. But I’m not the one who had half a dozen martinis, either.”
“I din half tha’ many, did I?”
“I’m not sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me. You were on quite a roll there at the craps table.”
“Tha’ wuz fun. Hey!” she shouted suddenly, “When I started to lose, did I say ‘Crap!’” She laughed again at her joke.
“Good one, babe.” Dan rolled his eyes as he scanned the street for a taxi.
Trixie rubbed the back of her hand along his cheek, then turned him to face her. She looked very serious all of a sudden. “Dan? Will you marry me?”
She was so earnest that it was hard not to smile. “I think I already asked you that question, didn’t I?”
“No. I mean tonight. Now. Marry me.”
Dan laughed in amazement. “Trixie, are you serious? That sounds like a very bad idea.”
“Why? Don’t ya wanna marry me?”
“I most certainly do. But not when you’re drunk. And besides, I asked your father for permission to marry you just a few days ago. I did not ask for his permission to get married within the week by an Elvis impersonator.”
Trixie giggled and snaked her hands up under his jacket to rub his back. “Yur a pardy pooper, Danny. I thought you were one of the wild ones.” But she didn’t resist when Dan gently pushed her into the cab and they returned to their hotel.
As soon as they got to their room, Trixie collapsed on the bed and curled up on her side. “Danny?” she mumbled.
Dan knelt on the floor and brushed back the stray ringlets from her forehead, kissing her tenderly. “Yes, Trixie?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said, kissing her on the nose.
“And dare’s somethin’ impordant I needa tell you ‘bout too.” And with that, Trixie passed out.
“Well, I guess you can tell me tomorrow, babe,” Dan chuckled.
Did Trixie mean what she said earlier? Was he really a party pooper? Had the police academy made him too straight-laced? With a sigh, Dan pulled off Trixie’s shoes and stockings and pulled a sheet lightly over her.
As he automatically checked to see what time it was, he glanced at the items scattered on the bedside table where he had dropped them when they came in – the unopened bottle of champagne, a couple of stray poker chips Trixie had wanted to keep for souvenirs, the cigars from the drunken gambler. He emptied his pockets before taking his pants off and found Trixie’s jewelry that she had given him for safekeeping earlier. He slid her engagement ring carefully back on her finger. He wasn’t planning on telling her that she had taken it off just days after she had sworn never to remove it. He stared for a moment at the necklace and earrings before tossing them onto the table beside the rest of the loot. As he crawled into bed beside her, a smile slowly slid up his face and he kissed Trixie on her cheek and went to sleep.
*******************************************
Trixie kept her eyes tightly closed as she tried to figure out why she could hear three separate oceans roaring in her ears. She remembered where she was and that accounted for the sound of the actual ocean outside their hotel room. She stretched one hand out to the opposite side of the bed and finding it empty, determined that the second ocean must be Dan taking a shower. That meant the third roaring must be coming from her own skull. She groaned, but even that slight noise was too intense for her. She cracked open her eyes then quickly shut them again. Why was it so ungodly bright in their room? She pulled Dan’s pillow over her face and snuck a peek at the clock on the bedside table. It was nearly noon. Dan had placed a glass of water and two aspirin by the clock and Trixie started smacking her cotton-filled mouth. She ached for that water, but it seemed so far away. One ocean stopped roaring and in a minute or two Dan appeared at the bathroom door, a towel swathed around his waist. Trixie lifted her pillow just enough to glance at him and smiled weakly.
“Good morning,” Dan said softly.
The smile evaporated. “Dan...please,” she whimpered, “not so loud.” She replaced the pillow over her face.
Dan tiptoed over and sat on the edge of the bed, picking up the glass of water and the aspirin. As quietly as he could, he whispered, “Trix, you need to take this aspirin.”
She blindly reached out with one hand and Dan put the tablets in her palm. Reluctantly, and with eyes tightly shut, Trixie removed the pillow, sat up on her elbows and popped the aspirin in her mouth, then reached out for the glass of water.
“Drink it slowly,” Dan cautioned.
She took a few sips then gave the glass back to Dan and flopped back onto the bed with a groan. Dan gently patted her leg and silently retreated to the bathroom to finish shaving.
He must be mad at me, Trixie thought, He’s so quiet. She had already forgotten that she had asked him to be quiet. She had never gotten drunk in her life, and she swore to herself that she’d never drink another martini again as long as she lived, not even if Sean Connery himself were to come in the door at that moment and offer her one.
She pulled the pillow from her face and slowly opened her eyes, letting herself get accustomed to the early afternoon light. Dan was in the bathroom shaving, but he wasn’t whistling or humming like he usually did. She furrowed her brow and tried to bring back the events of the previous night, but she could only draw back bits and pieces that popped in and out of her mind like a trailer for an upcoming film. Trixie wondered if she had said or done something so heinous the night before that Dan no longer wanted to be with her. She pulled her left hand out from under the sheets and saw the silver and diamond engagement ring there, nestled safely against the thin gold band. She closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.
With a sharp intake of breath, Trixie shot up in bed, sending a wave of dizziness to her head. Her eyes flew open and she looked again at her now shaking left hand. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to speak, but no sound made its way from her throat. Finally, she managed to croak out, “Dan?” but it was a small, feeble sound, incapable of making its way to the bathroom. Unable to take her eyes off the gold band on her finger, she tried again. “Dan?”
Dan poked his head out of the bathroom. He raised his eyebrows at her and asked, “Yes, Trixie?”
Trixie pried her eyes from her hand and stared at him in shock. He raised a hand towel up to his face and wiped off a few spots of shaving cream. He didn’t even seem to notice her holding her trembling hand out. She gulped hard. She wanted to speak, she needed to speak, she thought maybe she could speak...but she had no idea what to say.
Swallowing again she spoke, attempting to sound calm and rational, even as her bottom lip trembled, “Dan...what did we do last night?”
“Don’t you remember?”
“I remember going to the casinos...I remember playing craps...I remember drinking martinis...a lot of martinis.”
Dan nodded patiently. “Yeah, you got pretty wasted, babe.”
“Then what happened?”
Dan smiled and came to sit next to her on the bed. He said nothing. He simply took her left hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing her with a look of total adoration in his eyes.
Trixie started whimpering again and in seconds she was in a mild state of hysteria. “Ohmigod, Dan! We got married? And I don’t remember anything about it? I wore black to my wedding? I was drunk at my wedding? Oh, my parents are never going to forgive me! My brothers are going to kill you, Dan!” She put her face in her hands and cried out, “I’m going to be a fiancée, a bride, and a widow all in one week!”
Dan couldn’t go through with it anymore. He tried not to laugh as he grabbed her hands in his. “Trixie, look at me.”
She raised her eyes to his, a wide spectrum of emotions storming underneath her lovely golden lashes.
“Trixie, we did not get married last night.” He pulled the gold band off her finger and held it up so she could see it clearly. “It’s just an earring, babe; one of the ones you wore last night. You did ask me to marry you, and I just thought it would be fun to play a little joke on you.”
“We didn’t get married?”
“No, Trix. There’s a three-day waiting period in New Jersey for marriage licenses. Otherwise, I’m not sure how I would have resisted your drunken charms,” he chuckled.
Trixie’s mind worked slowly, processing the information through her muddled brain. “We’re not married?” she repeated.
“Not yet.”
“I’m not going to be a widow?”
Dan laughed, “Not today.” He kissed her lightly on her lips. “You’re still just my fiancée, same as when you woke up yesterday.”
Trixie jumped out of the bed, swayed for an instant on her shaky legs, then hurried to the bathroom. The door shut and Dan heard the lock click ominously. He hesitated for a moment, then walked quietly to the bathroom door and knocked. “Trixie? Are you okay?”
There was no answer. Suddenly, it occurred to him that he might be in trouble. Was Trixie really peeved about the joke he had played on her? After a minute, he heard water running in the bathtub. He and Trixie had discussed a romantic evening in the gigantic jacuzzi tub. But with the bathroom door locked, and Dan on the wrong side of the locked door, that now seemed like a remote possibility.
He thought about running out to get Trixie some breakfast to make it up to her, or chocolate, or flowers, or something. While he waited for the tub to fill, he pulled clean clothes on and put on his socks and tennis shoes. He could hear nothing from the bathroom but the endless running of the bathwater. How big was that tub anyway? Dan ran his hands through his hair and walked over to the bathroom door. He knocked tentatively. “Are you mad at me, Trix?”
There was no answer except the continuous flow of water.
“Trixie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you mad. You kind of accused me of being boring last night and I just wanted to remind you that I’m still one of the wild ones,” he joked.
Nothing. Maybe he shouldn’t have implied it was her fault.
“If I had known you would be this mad, I never would have done it. You know that, right?”
Still nothing.
“Just how mad are you, Trix? I mean is this like not-speak-to-me-for-the-rest-of-the-day mad? Or let’s-go-home-right-now-because-this-vacation-is-over mad?” Dan gulped. “Or is this fling-the-ring-back-in-my-face mad?”
He listened hard at the door, and just when he was starting to wonder if Trixie was drowning herself, the water turned off. He heard her bare feet pad across the tile floor. The lock softly clicked back. Dan waited, but the door did not open. Finally he took a deep breath and hesitantly opened the door, fully prepared to have a diamond ring-shaped welt on his forehead at any moment.
Trixie was in the tub, a mountain of bubbles covering her up to her neck. Her hair was twisted up into a loose knot on the top of her head. Her eyes were closed and her arms were resting on the edges of the tub. Dan noted with relief that she still had the ring on her finger. He took that as a good sign.
He cleared his throat softly, but she did not acknowledge his presence in the room. He tiptoed over and sat on the edge of the tub. Carefully, he put his hand over hers. She didn’t pull back. “I really am sorry, babe. Honestly, I didn’t know it would make you so mad. I thought it would be sort of funny.” He tried to laugh. “I guess I’ve spent too much time with Mart and Tad, huh?”
She opened one eye. She wasn’t exactly glaring at him, but she wasn’t exactly oozing love and affection, either. She shut her eye again without saying a word.
Dan fondly twisted the ring around her finger then let his fingers trace gently up her arm. “I don’t blame you for being mad. I’m sorry.” He tugged gently on her earlobe.
She opened her eyes. “I’m not mad, Dan.”
“You’re not? Because you seem mad.”
She smiled. “I’m not mad. I’m plotting my revenge.”
She grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him down into the tub on top of her. She dunked his head under the mountain of bubbles. Dan floundered, trying to gain his balance without crushing Trixie underneath him. His shoes squished as they scrambled on the slick porcelain. Finally, he managed to get a foothold. He stood up in the tub, knee-deep in bubbles, a leg on either side of Trixie, sputtering water and soap out of his mouth. He had a cap of bubbles on top of his head, dripping down the sides of his face. Trixie was laughing hysterically as she stared up at him.
Dan tried to look angry, but he knew he deserved that. And he was so relieved that Trixie wasn’t really mad at him that he couldn’t help but smile down at her. He stripped off his t-shirt and sat down on the edge of the tub to take off his soaking shoes and socks. He threw the right set over his shoulder, but as he leaned back to pull off the left pair, he fell backwards out of the tub onto the tile floor. Trixie started laughing all over again. As Dan crawled over to the tub on his hands and knees, she leaned over the edge and kissed him soundly. Dan kicked off his shorts and boxers, climbed back into the tub and took Trixie into his arms. “I love your idea of revenge. I may have to tick you off more often.” He kissed her on her nose.
She slid her hands under the bubbles and pulled him closer to her. “Oh, that wasn’t my revenge, sweetie. You’ve still got that coming.”
Her eyes sparked fiercely, but Dan didn’t care. She was in his arms and the ring was on her finger. They were in a tub full of bubbles in Atlantic City and he suddenly remembered there was an unopened bottle of Dom Perignon in the other room. He leaned back against the side of the tub and pulled Trixie down on top of him, whispering in her ear, “Let’s see what else we’ve got coming, shall we?”
*******************************************
The rest of the day threatened to pass with multiple calls to room service again, but Trixie finally pulled herself out of the tub, fingers and toes puckered, insisting she had to go out shopping before the whole week passed her by.
Dan sulked for a few minutes in the now cool water before Trixie pulled the plug. When he came out into the bedroom to get dressed, Trixie handed him a brochure that she had picked up in the lobby the day before. There was a surfing contest on the beach that afternoon and Trixie suggested he go watch it.
“Doesn’t that sound more fun than shopping with me?” she teased.
“Yeah, definitely. You sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not!” she encouraged. “I can meet you there later.”
“Are you sure?” he repeated. He wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of shopping, but he didn’t need her mad at him again either.
“Of course, I’m sure. We don’t need to be joined at the hip constantly.” She leaned over and kissed him. “We’ve certainly done enough of that this week already, haven’t we?”
“Enough? Doubtful. But I suppose you’re right. If we can’t be apart for a couple of hours, it’s going to make real life pretty rough.”
“I’ll take a cab up to the boardwalk, do my shopping, send out postcards and then I’ll come down and meet you on the beach and we can go to dinner. Sound good?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Dan finished getting ready, but found himself reluctant to leave as he kissed Trixie good-bye over and over.
“Go!” she finally giggled, pushing him out the door. “You lothario!”
She turned away, but the door cracked open and Dan poked his head back inside. “I just wanted to point out that Mart would be very impressed with your vocabulary there.”
“Get out!” she laughed and Dan disappeared.
She waited to be sure he was really gone this time, then went to the desk and opened the bottom drawer. She pulled out a telephone book and started leafing through it. When she found what she wanted, she wrote down the necessary information and carefully replaced the book where she had found it. Then she gathered her things and left the room.
When she reached the lobby, she looked around, her forehead wrinkled. There was one small problem that she wasn’t sure how to get around. She didn’t know anybody in Atlantic City...unless you wanted to count Chet, which she definitely didn’t. Suddenly, she saw a familiar face. Her eyes lit up and she went to head off their room service waiter on his way out the door. “Jack, right?” she asked eagerly.
“Yes?” He looked confused for a moment then it came to him, “Oh, Room 418. Mrs. Mangan, right?”
“Um, no, not really,” she smiled, “But that’s okay. Are you off duty?”
“Yep, just got off. Why?”
“I need some help. Do you have a few hours?”
Jack shrugged. “Sure, Mrs. –“
“Trixie. Just call me Trixie.”
“Okay, Trixie. What can I do for you?”
She looked at his round babyish face with skepticism for a moment and asked, “Are you eighteen?”
“I’m nineteen, why?”
“Just making sure,” Trixie replied happily. “Do you have a car?” When he nodded, she looped her arm through his and the two of them left the hotel, Trixie rattling off her plans for him.
*******************************************
Jack dropped her off near the surfing tournament later that afternoon. Before she got out of the car, Trixie leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. “Thank you, Jack. You have no idea how much help you’ve been. You’ll be available Friday afternoon then, if I need you?”
He nodded and handed her a scrap of paper with his phone number on it. “Sure thing. That’s my day off.”
Trixie jumped out of the car, stuffing the paper into her pocket as she bounced down the steps to the beach, looking for Dan. Though the beach was crowded with surfers and spectators, she had no difficulty finding him, for as soon as he saw her a smile lit up his face and he waved to get her attention. She strolled over to him and put her arms around him. “Are you having fun?”
“Yeah, it’s been great. You think surfing, you think California and Hawaii, not the east coast. But these guys are really good.”
“Thinking of giving it a try?”
“Not a chance. I can get my thrills from my motorcycle…or you,” he hinted teasingly.
Trixie laughed and rolled her eyes, then took in the scene around her. “It looks like they’re not quite done yet. How about I run by that Chinese place by the hotel and get us dinner and meet you back at the room?”
“Sure thing, babe. See you in a bit.”
“What? This morning I couldn’t get you out of the room and now suddenly you have no problem being separated from me? Is the romance gone already?” Trixie put her hand to her heart in feigned shock.
“I’ll never stop romancing you, Trixie, even when we’re old and grey.” Dan leaned down and kissed her.
“That’s good, because I bought something today that I think you might be very interested in romancing.” She smiled alluringly and turned to go. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“You sure you don’t want me to go now?” Dan asked hopefully.
She shook her head. “Give me a head start, okay?”
Dan watched her bound up the steps towards the street two at a time. When she got to the top, she turned and waved to him. He waved back, then turned to watch the conclusion of the competition, trying not to think about what Trixie might have in store for him.
After the contest was over and the beach started clearing out for the evening, Dan started up the stairs towards the hotel. He groaned when he saw Chet on his way down. He wanted to pretend he didn’t see him and slip by, but he wasn’t going to be able to get past the human glacier without being seen.
“Dan Dude! How were the waves?”
Dan smiled half-heartedly, “Great. I didn’t see you out there though.”
“No way, man. I tried it once and got whacked on the head with my board. My career was cut short in primetime.”
“Too bad, Brady. I guess you shouldn’t have worn that tiki doll around your neck.”
“Dude, it’s Chet, not Brady.”
Obviously the joke went right over his over-moussed head. “Right.” Dan tried to edge past him. This conversation had already gone on too long.
“Hey, dude. Didn’t know you and your wife were so uh, liberal. I might have stuck around longer yesterday.”
Dan raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
“I saw her with that dude earlier.”
“What dude?”
“Hey man, I don’t know his name. She gave him a kiss and got out of his car. I think he gave her his phone number.”
Dan wondered how recently Chet had been hit on the head with that surfboard. He thought about asking him to elaborate, not confident he’d get any clear answers, but Chet saw some of his fellow frat dudes and lumbered away, leaving Dan bewildered on the stairway. He shook his head and continued on his way to the hotel.
He intended to ask Trixie about Chet’s mysterious sighting – Oh no! Not mysterious! he thought with a rueful grin, but when he walked in the door of their room Trixie had on an extremely provocative teddy, the complete package including garter belt and stockings, and all other thoughts flew right out of his mind as his jaw dropped to the floor. The boxes of Chinese food grew cold as they made love long into the night, and Dan had no trouble pushing Chet and his hallucinations out of his mind.
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The next two days passed quietly as Dan and Trixie spent their days at the beach and their nights on the boardwalk or in their room. But on Friday morning, Trixie suddenly seemed restless and anxious to get out and about. “It’s our last day of vacation. Let’s do something fun,” she begged.
“Having sex isn’t fun anymore?”
“You know what I mean. Something different. Something we can take pictures of...” Dan leered at her “...and show to the family,” she finished, making a face at him.
He was more than content to lounge out on the beach again, but Trixie insisted he join her for the afternoon. He wasn’t looking forward to a shopping trip, but then again, he never knew Trixie to enjoy much shopping either, so how bad could it be? Besides, she promised to buy him some saltwater taffy and like a little kid, he accepted the sugary bribe.
Trixie wore a simple white sundress that was very becoming on her, Dan mused. Her summer tan set off the snow-white eyelets on the hem of the dress that brushed across her legs and swayed in the summer breeze. A thin border of blue daisies rimmed the neckline and a heart-shaped pendant hung around her neck on a delicate gold chain. She had her hair piled up elegantly on top of her head, much as she had the night he took her to prom, with a stray curl here and there hanging down to frame her face. She looked fresh and cool, even in the heat of the afternoon, and her blue eyes sparkled with...anticipation? That was the first word that came to Dan’s mind, though he couldn’t figure out why. The second word that came to his mind was mischief, which seemed far more appropriate, but again, he wasn’t sure what brought that on.
They had lunch at a beachside café with cool, crisp salads and refreshing iced tea. Dan had barely paid the bill when Trixie leapt out of her seat and said, “Let’s go!”
“Go where, Trixie? Why don’t we sit here and relax a little while before we finish shopping?” The morning had been relatively painless, but Dan decided he’d much rather people watch than seek out souvenirs.
“Because...” Trixie’s voice trailed off and she chewed on a fingernail, something she only did when she was nervous...or hiding something.
Dan raised an eyebrow at her, “Because...?”
Trixie pressed her lips together; that spark of mischief back in her blue eyes. “Please, Dan?”
Dan grinned and stood up, taking Trixie’s outstretched hand in his. “I never knew you were such a shopaholic, babe. Sure seems out of character for you.”
She kissed his cheek and murmured, “I’m full of surprises today, just wait and see.”
Dan allowed Trixie to lead him up the street, bypassing several promising looking stores, until they were suddenly out of the shopping district and wandering amongst the business section of downtown Atlantic City. From time to time, Dan looked over at his lovely fiancée, wondering what she was up to, for she was surely up to something.
Finally, in a little park nestled oddly between two shabby brick office buildings, Trixie stopped. Dan looked around, seeking the reason for this unusual destination. He saw nothing out of the ordinary, and looked down to Trixie for answers.
She looked at him solemnly. “Dan?” As he grinned mischievously down at her, she added hastily, “Don’t ask me if I’m pregnant!”
Dan laughed and hugged her. “I won’t, I promise. I’ve learned my lesson. Serious conversations can be about something other than you being pregnant.”
She was smiling up at him, but bit her lip, looking very nervous all of a sudden. She raised a hand up to chew on her nails, but Dan grabbed it and squeezed encouragingly.
“I remembered something I said to you Monday night,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dan chuckled softly. She had been pretty drunk that night. He was surprised she remembered any of it. “What was that, babe?”
“I asked you if you’d marry me.”
Dan’s brow wrinkled. “Yes, you did. Isn’t that what set off the whole hangover, practical joke, argument, revenge debacle Tuesday morning?”
Trixie blushed, “Yes. And I’ll admit, this whole thing started out as revenge...but...it turned into something else.”
Dan was truly puzzled now. “What whole thing?”
Trixie exhaled slowly. “As long as we’ve known each other, you still don’t know half the trouble you’re in for Daniel Mangan, wanting to spend your life with me.”
Dan took her into his arms, “I welcome the trouble, Miss Belden. As long as you come with the package, I’ll take all the trouble you can rustle up.”
A wide grin brightened Trixie’s face. “Good!” She hesitated, then reached into her purse and pulled out a folded document, which she handed to Dan.
He unfolded it and immediately saw across the top, in a large, bold script font, “Marriage License Application – State of New Jersey”. Half of it had been filled out, and Trixie’s signature was in one of the blank spaces at the bottom. Somebody named Jack Harris had signed underneath in a spot labeled, “Witness”.
Startled, he looked up from the paper into Trixie’s sparkling blue eyes. “Are you serious about this?” he asked, not sure whether to be excited or alarmed.
Slowly, Trixie nodded. “Initially, I was going to get it just to freak you out – the way you freaked me out Tuesday morning. But when I was filling it out...I don’t know...it just felt right, I guess. I wanted it to be real. And it can be real...if you want it to be. As of 3:30 today – if you fill out your half – we can get married.”
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AUTHOR'S NOTES
CHAPTER 12 (12,933 words)
It may have been Trixie and Di swooning, but that crept over from my mindset. Yes, I do think Robert Redford is the sexiest cowboy…ever. That man on a horse is what makes watching crappy movies like The Electric Horseman and The Horse Whisperer totally worthwhile. John Travolta was the Urban Cowboy.
Diana's suggestion that she just move in with Tad and let her parents find out when they showed up on Nick's doorstep on Thanksgiving is a not-so-subtle poke at my brother, who came to our grama's duplex one Thanksgiving or Christmas, only to find out she had moved. I guess nobody told him! She moved again this summer, but we made sure we mentioned it to MIke before he came to town (which was a good thing, since she moved considerably farther away this time).
I’ve used lyrics from one of Phoebe Buffay’s (Friends) infamous songs. I often sing this song in the shower myself. It rivals Smelly Cat and the song about the barnyard animals as one of my favorites. <g>
The "some guy" Trixie learned about craps from was my friend Jake. I wish I could say his explanation took. When he explained it, it made perfect sense to me, but I couldn't recall enough to make the scene more detailed. It does have the smallest house advantage though. <g>
There really is a 3-day waiting period in New Jersey to get a marriage license (which I now realize screws up a West Wing fanfic I wrote – but never finished – from several years ago) and yes, one person can start the waiting period as Trixie did to surprise Dan. From about.com: "If both the bride and groom are unavailable to complete the application at the same time, either applicant may complete his/her part of the application and start the waiting period. The other applicant must return with the same witness (who must be at least 18 years old) to complete his/her part of the application. The application must be completed by both parties before the license will be issued." Of course, whether they'd actually let you take the half-completed license out of the courthouse, I have no idea; nor do I care (grin).