THE CASE OF THE BAFFLED BROTHER

This is a continuation of "No One Like You Has Ever Been Seen Before," The Anniversary", and "What About Us?" It is the next part of the saga Perry and Della get married again, sort of, their honeymoon is interrupted, Paul is missing, and things go downhill from there.I want to put a disclaimer here I am not a lawyer, I do not play one on television. For some dumb reason I decided to include courtroom scenes. Boy do I envy ESG they are so difficult to write. So please when you get to that part don't criticize me too much. I have told people if I ever think of doing this again to remind me how much anguish it caused me. Please enjoy the continuing story. I have to thank my fantabulous BETA Autumn Rose for going on this journey with me. She gave me great suggestions to make this story even better and encouraged me when I was dragging my feet through the courtroom scenes.

CHAPTER ONE-Wedding Preparations

Della Street Mason sat on the floor in the large living room of their new Malibu home. They couldn't decide where to live so they kept Perry's intown apartment and bought this beach house out on the ocean for long week-ends. Piled on the coffee table in front of her were bridal magazines, folders, and papers.

Sitting across from her in an easy chair Perry Mason admired the royal blue and yellow playsuit which showed off her beautiful long legs to an advantage. There was a pencil behind her left ear and her chestnut curls were pulled back by a matching headband. He could look at her all day and was realizing she was one of the most beautiful women God had ever created and she loved him. He smiled as he watched her rearrange papers, she had just arranged a few minutes previously.

She noticed him watching her but didn't let on as she thought how handsome and relaxed he looked in his gray walking shorts and red and gray golf shirt. He had been reading the sports page checking out what was happening with his favorite teams. Pushing an errant curl off her cheek she spoke, "Perry we have to make some decisions about our wedding party."

He looked at her over the top of the newspaper and replied, "I thought it was all set."

Della told him, "some of it is. A lot depends on whether my parents come out for the wedding. They are still not happy Mae knew we got married in Bali."

"Did you explain why we had to tell Mae?" He inquired.

Arching an eyebrow at him she asked, "did I tell my parents she caught us naked in her house? No, I did not."

The lawyer couldn't help but laugh as he recalled that scene and how he almost ended up on Bolero Beach in his birthday suit as Della yelled, "Aunt Mae, we're married!"

His wife was not amused. "Thank God you didn't get out the door before Mae understood you weren't seducing her niece."

"Quite willingly as I recall," he said smugly.

"Don't make me come over there and punish you," she threatened.

Dimples showing knowing they always distracted her he told her, "promises, promises."

Suddenly becoming very secretarial Della explained, "I have got to get these final details settled. We have the church, reception hall, flowers, caterer, invitations are ordered, and the photographer is set."

"So, what is the problem?" He wanted to know.

She raised her eyebrows and said in a patronizing manner, "Oh you men, you have no idea how complicated it all is."

Rattling his paper, he remarked, "I have complete confidence in your organizational abilities my dear."

"There are some decisions we have to make together. For example, next week we must decide on a cake and tonight we are meeting Paul and Crystal to hear an orchestra/band for the reception," she explained patiently.

"It is simple," he told her. "I like white cake best, don't put a goofy bride and groom on the top, and as long as the band plays a lot of songs where I can hold you in my arms I will be happy."

Della rolled her eyes, "fine, now let's see how simply you can solve who is going to be in the wedding party. I know you want Paul as your best man, but I really think you should ask your brother. That way if my dad doesn't show up Paul can walk me down the aisle."

"Tell me again who you asked to stand up with you," he requested.

"Well," she began, "Andrea will of course be my Matron of Honor. Estelle, Janet,* and your sister in law, Claudia, will be bridesmaids."

Perry thought for a minute. Then he asked, "won't it be awkward for Paul to be paired with Andrea if I decide on him as best man? Also, you could pair James and Claudia together. Estelle can be with Denis Giroux,* and Janet with Harvey."

"You may have a point, but I don't think Bob, Andrea's husband, would be jealous of Paul at this point." Della explained. The problem was that the break-up between Andrea and Paul had been painful. It was a year before she met Bob. Maybe she should talk it over with both of them.

Finally, folding up his paper Perry Mason went over to the sofa to sit next to his bride. "Well, have you figured it out yet? What did you say Bob does?"

"He's a freelance screenwriter. He just got his big break last year and the picture comes out in the fall. That is why they have put off having a family. Andrea has been their main support. I think we should talk it over with Paul and Andrea and see if they would feel awkward."

He ran his hand across her curls and she turned and looked up at him. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

As she moved up on the sofa next to him she said, "not today."

"Then I will have to rectify that." He said softly as he pulled her into his arms. He lowered his lips to hers and she wrapped her arms around his middle. Soon they were lost in the sensations that were created as they explored lips, and necks and shoulders. Perry began exploring farther down as the phone rang.

Wiggling away from him she said, "Saved by the bell."

Smacking her bottom, he commented, "well if you aren't interested far be it from me to force myself on you."

She stuck out her tongue at him as she picked up the receiver. He heard her say, "Oh hi mom." Then, "you can't change his mind?" He saw her shoulders slump and her voice became a whisper. Minutes later when she hung up the phone she hurried outside.

Perry quickly followed, and there she was sitting in the sand. "Are you ready to talk?" He asked solicitously.

Her head was in her hands and her shoulders were shaking. He gathered into his arms and kissed her curls. "Tell me Baby, tell me what she said."

"They aren't coming," she choked out. "My father said this is stupid, a waste of money, and we probably won't last anyway."

His first thought was he would punch the man out if he was there and how could her mother hurt her like that. "It's okay," he soothed holding her close. He ran his hand down her spine massaging as he went. Della was the most loving giving person he had ever known and the most unselfish. She asked for so little and they were even refusing her this. The wedding was not going to cost them anything at all – he insisted on paying for their wedding. How could she be a part of these uncaring people?

"Are…we..we being stupid….Perry?" she somehow managed to choke out the words.

He reassured her they were not. Personally, he did not care. To him they had been married heart and soul forever. They had exchanged vows in Bali. Then after the debacle a few months ago concerning a woman from his past, Rada,* he had proposed to her again. He knew she missed the wedding all girls dream of and all he wanted was her happiness.

Her tears were subsiding, and he could feel her begin to relax. "Leaning back in his arms she told him, "you know I think I will ask Aunt Mae and Liam to walk me down the aisle."

Smiling he agreed, "that is a great idea, then we can talk to Paul and Andrea."

As he hugged her Perry suggested, "why don't we go and take a nap."

Della sat up and arched an eyebrow at him as she replied, "I know your idea of a nap and we aren't doing anything until after the wedding."

When she saw the look of dismay on his face and he started to open his mouth she jumped up and held her hand out to him. "Get into the house Mister and start the hot tub before I change my mind."

He was up off the sand and rushing to their lanai before she took a few steps. She laughed all the way into the house.