The bedroom was dark except for the new moon shining through the slats of the blinds that were hung in the large window overlooking the woods. At 3:00 am it was quiet and peaceful, but something woke thirty-one year old Trixie Belden-Frayne from her sleep.

Clicking the lamp on low, Trixie peered at the clock through her sleep-filled eyes. She still was not awake as she reached over to touch her husband of 5 years, Jim Frayne. As her hand felt nothing but sheet, Trixie remembered he was out of town for the next 3 days. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, but this meeting of investors was so important to his continuing to add dormitories to the school that she had insisted.

"Jim, I will be fine. My mother is only a phone call away, and you know both Honey or Diana would come and stay with the kids if I needed them."

Trixie remembered laughing at her husband, and telling him not to worry, he would be sharing much of "this" with her.

Shaking her head and peering at the clock one more time, Trixie leaned over to switch off the lamp wondering again what woke her. Suddenly, she heard a slight whimper from the wooden cradle at the end of her bed.

"Oh, Katie, I guess you were the one who woke Mommy up. You need to make a little more noise, sweetheart. I didn’t realize you were hungry again."

Leaning over to pick up the two-week old infant, Trixie pulled her close, and walked downstairs to the kitchen to get the bottle for Katie. After heating it in the bottle warmer, Trixie tip-toed back up to the nursery where Jim had put the antique wooden rocker he had refinished for her. Although Katie was still sleeping in their bedroom, Trixie loved to come in here to feed her.

Before she sat down, Trixie turned on the radio and quickly found her favorite country station which she knew played ballads and mellow music all night. After settling comfortably in the chair, Trixie placed Katie in the crook of her left arm, and brought the bottle to her lips.

As she rocked gently, Trixie began to speak to Katie who looked at her with a wide-eyed baby look as she sucked on the nipple, "Oh, sweetie, sometimes, it scares me to wonder what kind of mother I will be. I am sure we will have moments when we disagree and when I won’t do the right thing, but I hope you will always know how much I love you."

The room was silent except for the sucking sounds Katie was making, and the soft song playing on the radio. As Trixie heard the song, she began to hum along, and finally, as the words sunk into her sleep-deprived brain, she began to sing to her daughter.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

As her eyes filled up with tears, Trixie said softly, "Katie, I hope God sends you the love in your life that I have felt. You have parents, grandparents and other family to love you. My wish is that you find friends like I have to push you toward your dreams, and to help you when you need it."

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean.

Trixie gently touched Katie’s hand, and as the baby wrapped its tiny fingers around her, she smiled and said, "Life is full of choices, sweetie. And fate brings us some we aren’t always sure of but it works out. Someday I’ll have to tell you about meeting your Daddy and bringing him back when he ran away. He had so many doors close, and open. He’s happy now because of you, and he sees so many doors for this family."

And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance,

"Remember, Katie Madeline, you have to take the chance to feel the joy. Daddy and I did, and here you are."

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Kissing the top of Katie’s head, Trixie marveled at the faint red fringe that was beginning to grow on her daughter. "Don’t be afraid of life. . . or love. . .or the mountains. You never know what you will find on the other side. I made some wonderful friends taking chances. . .Honey, Dan, Diana, Ned, Pete, and many who can’t wait to meet you."

Living might mean taking chances

"Oh, Katie, I want you to have a happy and love-filled life, but I can’t control what is out there. If I could keep you safe here in this house, I would. . .and I am sure your Daddy really wants to, but we both know you will take your own chances and make your own mistakes. I did. Well, we won’t talk about the mistakes right now, but I took a chance when Aunt Honey and I started the agency. Why did I think anyone would come to us for detective work, but they did. Loving your Daddy was never a mistake, although it hurt sometimes." As she said these words, Trixie saw her daughter’s eyes close slightly as she drifted in and out of sleep.

Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter

"Finding love is the most wonderful thing in the world. I still remember the feeling I had when your Daddy gave me the ID bracelet. I hope you have a heart for love, and that love gives you joy and not bitterness. God was very good to us, Katie, and we have so much to be thankful for. Heaven is full of angels watching over us--Grandma and Grandpap Frayne, and my grandparents, too. Remember that when you are outside playing under the blue skies."

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,

"Sometimes, you just need to have fun and be happy. Your Daddy and I have learned that, sweetie, from our love. We take the time to dance--with family, friends and each other." Taking the bottle out of Katie’s mouth, Trixie placed her over her shoulder and gently patted her back. Feeling the warmth of her baby next to her brought tears to Trixie’s eyes.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Trixie continued to talk to Katie as she placed the bottle next to the chair, and quietly walked into her own bedroom. Gently lying Katie down, Trixie softly touched her hand and said, "The world is a very big place. Compared to the ocean, you are small. But faith in yourself and those you love can make you strong. Your Daddy and I will be here to help you, even though we wonder if we will do the right thing. See, I never was a Mommy before and when I was pregnant with you I never thought much about a baby. And then after hours, you were here. It was so amazing to realize that you, Katie Madeline, were inside me one minute, and the next I had you in my arms wondering what I was supposed to do now. Thank goodness Grandma came by to help and give me some advice. But the most important thing she told me was to love you. . .and you know what. . .I didn’t need her to tell me that. I already did."

Trixie leaned over and kissed the sleeping baby on the forehead as she watched her drift back to sleep. Looking down at her child, Trixie, remembering her Grandmother Johnson’s way of quoting, said softly, "God’s in his Heaven; all’s right with the world."

Smiling, Trixie knew how true this was as she climbed back into bed, and curled up to sleep.

The End

Author’s Note: This is a short, short story that was screaming to be told every time I heard the song "I Hope You Dance" by LeeAnn Womack. It is a part of my universe and happens 5 years after "You Are the Love of My Life." It has also inspired me to write more, so look out readers. J My thanks to the Spirit of Friendship who takes the time to help out with stories and by listening.