Author: Michelle Weiner Fiction Rated: PG Language: English Romance/Mystery

The Case of the Deadly Toy Extended Chapter 1

This episode originally aired in May of 1959. These characters are not mine. They belong to Erle Stanley Gardner. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.

Perry, with Della and Paul's help is defending Claire Allison for the murder of Martin Selkirk. He was the father of little David Selkirk, the ex husband of Loraine Selkirk Jennings and the ex boyfriend of Claire Allison. David's babysitter is Hannah Barton an elderly woman, originally thought to be young and attractive, since young David was seen leaving with a tall, thin, blonde woman. Perry and Della pretend to be married (borrowing a baby from her friend Jill) so they can find out important information from the babysitter Hannah Barton.

After clearing Claire Allison of the murder, Perry, Della and Paul are in Perry's office. This is the following conversation

Della:" Perry"

Perry:" What's wrong?"

Della:" I just remembered, I have to take care of Jill Carter's babysitting problem tonight. You know, in payment for sort of borrowing her child."

Paul:" I'd like to help"

Della:" Oh would you Paul?"

Paul:" It would be my pleasure."

Della:" Good, I have just the sitter to keep you company Hannah Barton."

This is the end of the episode. My story begins shortly afterwards.

Paul Drake looked at Perry Mason and Della Street somewhat abashedly.

"Uh-I just remembered-uh I have to go and check on one of my operatives…he's a new guy…just started last week. I told him I would stop by while he's on duty tonight-uh I got to… get going. Bye Perry, Bye Beautiful. See you Monday."

Perry laughed "I think he really wanted to go so he could spend some time with you. After all, he does think of you like a little sister."

"I know " Della laughed too. "I just like to tease him now and then. It keeps him on his toes."

Perry tried to hide a smile "Oh… so that's what you're doing when you tease me too, Miss Street?"

"Oh no counselor," Della answered him in her smoothest voice… her eyes taking on a sultry look." I have other ways of keeping YOU on your toes."She flashed him her brightest smile and gave him a quick kiss on his lips. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

She walked out of his office, into her own, closing the door and leaving the scent of his favorite perfume lingering in the air.

Mason watched Della leave and his thoughts turned solely to her. He was so in love with her. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. No matter the time of day or night…no matter if they had been working late on a case or out to dinner, it amazed him that she always looked so gorgeous and so perfect. After all this time with them working together, he still couldn't understand how he had been so lucky. He had fallen in love with her almost right from the beginning. She was bright, perceptive, funny, genuine, charming, compassionate, caring and had incredible stamina. His clients trusted her and she always knew what he needed and when he needed it. Not to mention that she was exquisitely stunning and, every time she smiled at him, she took his breath away. They had been an "official couple" for six months and even though they had maintained professional decorum in the office, it was times like now when all he wanted to do was to take her in his arms, feel her body close to his and kiss her until she didn't know where she was.

Back in her office, Della had called Jill and set up plans for later that evening. She laughed to herself when Jill asked her if Perry would be coming as well. Jill and her husband Mike were good friends of Della's. Through her, Perry had become their lawyer. The four of them had gone out socially several times and Jill was always trying to get her favorite lawyer and his secretary together. She and Mike were thrilled when Perry and Della finally became a couple.

After typing up a contract and finishing some filing, Della sat and remembered how it all started.

When she applied for the position of Mr. Mason's confidential secretary, she had no idea how her life would change. She certainly didn't expect to fall in love with him but that's exactly what happened. Fall she did and hard! It was like being struck by a thunderbolt… the proverbial love at first sight. He was so handsome with that smile that made her go weak and those blue eyes that seemed to draw her in and make her forget everything around her. He was fierce in the courtroom…giving his full attention to the case at hand. He was protective and loyal to his clients… most times going above and beyond for them just to prove their innocence. He of course always maintained the highest professional relationship with them but he could be gentle, patient, and understanding with them and with her-especially with her. He had unbelievable character and integrity and when he spoke his voice… oh God… that smooth, rich voice. It could take on a different timbre depending on the situation. At times it seemed to her to even sound hypnotic. Della had kept her true feelings for him tucked away, deep inside her. She knew the proper decorum for the office but hiding her feelings was one of the hardest things she had ever done.

Then six months ago everything changed. They had been working on the Edwards case. Steven Edwards was a prominent business man and his wife Lynn was a beautiful socialite. They had a good marriage but Lynn was being blackmailed and then the blackmailer had been found murdered. Perry, Della and Paul had worked almost around the clock for weeks. Of course they had discovered the murderer-the blackmailer's partner. On the last day of the trial all Della wanted to do was go home and sleep. She looked exhausted. Perry even thought she looked a little pale. He had taken her to dinner, promising to take her directly home as soon as they had finished their meal. They had gone to La Traviatta. It was a small family restaurant with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The owners always made everyone feel welcome and Perry and Della appreciated having their own both in a quiet corner. The food was always delicious and the select wines superb. That night, Della seemed not to have much of an appetite. She picked at her food and only had a few sips of wine. She noticed that Perry seemed unusually quiet, but then again, they were always tired after a long and involved trial. She also thought that he seemed to be paying closer attention to her. Of course there were times when he would hold her by the arm when they walked and he always held the door open for her but tonight he was looking at her as if he had never seen her before. Maybe she was just imagining it. It was then that Perry moved next to her in the booth. He gently put one hand over hers and with the other slowly turned her face to his. She started to speak but the look in his eyes silenced her. He spoke so softly she almost couldn't hear him. "Della, you look so tired but so beautiful. You are always beautiful but I have never seen you look more beautiful than you do right now. I love you. I know I haven't said it before, it never seemed like the right time or the right moment. But I want to say it. Right here and right now. Della Street, I love you. I loved you from the moment you walked into my office. I loved you then… I love you now and I will love you forever and always."

With that, Perry bent down and his lips captured hers. It was a very soft and sweet kiss but then very quickly it intensified. Della couldn't believe what was happening. She moved closer and closer to Perry, returning his kiss with such ardor that she couldn't breathe. She settled herself in his strong arms, feeling helpless and not caring. When at last they broke away, Perry brushed a wisp of hair away from her eyelid and pulled away to look at her.

" Della, I'm sorry. I know you weren't expecting that. Maybe I shouldn't have…"

"SHHHHH… " Della put her finger on his lips. No longer tired she looked deep into his eyes, her own brimming with tears.

"Oh Perry, I love you so much. I have loved you from that very first day. I love you more then you know and I too will love you always and forever."

"Come on, let's get out of here. " Perry's voice was suddenly husky. He withdrew his wallet, leaving money on the table. He stood up, gently brought Della to her feet, helped her with her coat, put his arm around her and led her out into the cool November night to his car. He opened the door. Then, once she was settled, he went around to the driver's side and got in. Della smiled and snuggled up against him. He returned the smile with one of his own, put one arm around her and quietly drove them to his apartment. After they arrived, he quickly parked in his spot and went around to open her door. They entered the elevator and rode up to his apartment in silence. Although no words were spoken, their looks and body language said it all.

Once inside, Perry helped Della off with her coat. Wasting no time, he took her in his arms. Time seemed to stand still as they kissed and caressed each other, their feelings brought to the surface from deep inside. Perry then picked Della up in his arms and carried her into his bedroom. He very gently placed her on the bed and lay down beside her. He continued to caress and stroke her as he began to remove her clothing. She offered no resistance as he murmured in her ear.

" Della, Della, I love you angel, Oh God you are so beautiful-- You are beyond beautiful--You are incredible. Please let me show you how much I love you--It's alright my darling, isn't it ? We've waited so long. Please--it's alright isn't it?--I-love you so. "

Perry's breathing was becoming increasingly faster and heavier. Della was already lost in him. Her body trembled from his touch. His voice seemed to be coming from very far away. He heard her groan.

"Oh Perry, my love, d …don't… s….st… stop Pl…..please d…don't stop."

No longer forbidden, they gave themselves to one another with a love and a passion they had always denied.

"Della? Della?" Perry's voice brought her out of her daydream. He gently covered her hands with his and asked softly "what are you doing?"

"Oh Perry, I'm sorry, I was just thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

Della flashed him her usual brilliant smile. " Memories, counselor, beautiful memories."

"Oh, that's alright then," Mason smiled back. " You know, Miss Street, the day is almost over. We could go into my office and make some new memories right now. Hhhhhhhmmmmm?" He raised his eyebrows and gave her a devilish look.

"Perry Mason I am shocked!" Della feigned mock horror. "You know the rules. After all, you're the one who set them."

"I know," he replied, setting his lips in a boyish pout. "You can't blame a guy for trying though, can you? "

"No" Della answered him, trying to be somewhat serious. She was fast losing the battle so she took a deep breath and continued to speak. " You'll be happy to know, that when I spoke to Jill she wanted to know if you were going to keep me company tonight."

Perry's eyes lit up and he broke into a wide grin. "Of course, I'll come with you. What would make you think I wouldn't?"

"Well, it's Friday, you're tired from the week and I really didn't think that you wanted to hang around the whole evening while I took care of Elizabeth."

Mason walked around to Della's desk to where she sat. Tenderly he took her by the arm and stood her up. He looked deep into her eyes and said in complete seriousness.

"Honey, I don't mind helping you do a favor for Jill and Mike. They're our friends and I would do anything for them--and especially for you. That little sweetheart is adorable and always so good. I love to spend time with that baby--and my baby."

Perry then took Della into the circle of his arms, pressing her body close to his. He could feel her melt against him as he whispered to her. "Come on, let's go. I can't wait to spend time alone with you. The weekend is young Miss Street, and it has endless possibilities."

Della looked up to him with eyes that held the promise of things to come.

"My, thoughts exactly counselor." With that the lawyer and his secretary closed the office, went off to get a taste of parenthood and to see to those possibilities.