Fanfic challenge where I was asked to write a D/P to the song I Will Always Love You in which Della leaves Perry when his work as a judge monopolizes his life.
For Della Street, moving back to Los Angeles without Perry Mason qualified as the single hardest decision she'd ever had to make. They'd been together for about 25 years and Mason's long time and loyal secretary had been happy and content until Mason had accepted the judgeship up in San Francisco. They had been married at that point and had welcomed their only child, a daughter, Diana back in 1962.
The judgeship had made all the difference though. While Della derived much joy and pride in being a mother, it seemed as if that was all her life had been reduced to up in San Francisco. The now graying brunette had always prided herself on her fiery, independent nature and desire to have a career of her own. She hadn't wished for her identity to be swallowed whole by her husband's career, but that was exactly what had happened. Long gone were the days when she felt useful to Perry Mason in anything other than a domestic capacity. Increasingly, she lost herself in the wistful daydreams of better times a quarter of a century ago when she, Mason, and Mason's private investigator, Paul Drake worked day in and day out to outsmart the late Lieutenant Arthur Tragg of Homicide and the irascible district attorney, Hamilton Burger.
Della hadn't minded the seemingly eternal hours at work because as his secretary she'd been fulfilling her desire to be productive in the workforce and of course, because she could be with Mason, whom she'd loved for so long. The judgeship and San Francisco had changed all that. She realized that it had been an important step in the raven haired Mason's career; and she couldn't begrudge him looking out for his career and future. But at what point between all the social and political engagements, the long hours on the bench and in his chambers pouring after case after case, did Della's husband of 25 years look after their marriage? It wasn't like Mason to take anyone, especially Della for granted, but that was what it felt like to her finally after all those years. He wasn't looking after their marriage because Della had always been there, even before they'd married; and based on that past history, Mason had every reason to believe she always would be.
They had argued about that the night before when Della informed Mason of her decision. She wasn't looking for a divorce. Yet. But she wanted to stand on her own two feet again. She had been lonely the last several years. Their daughter had been an adult for several years and had left for college right out of high school. Sure, Della had worked again after Diana had left home, but she still came home to a painfully empty house so silent that Della thought she could hear her own aching heart echo in it. Mason rarely made it home before she went to bed much less in time for supper. And she couldn't remember the last time he'd made love to her.
She'd called up long time friend, Alexandra Burger, hoping to find some solace and understanding from another woman who knew what it was like to be wed to a stubborn, unwavering workaholic. Alexandra had invited her to stay with them for a while, an offer that Della gratefully accepted. It would give her time to make some decisions; and Alexandra as a marriage and family therapist might even be able to help her and Mason work through their issues. The thought gave Della some much needed hope and optimism.
The middle aged woman turned up the radio in her car as she hopped on the freeway headed south. She had taken only what she felt she needed. She didn't know what the future held and she loved Mason too much to decide anything permanent for a while. She'd hoped the radio would distract her from her thoughts, but as luck would have it, it did anything but.
If I should stay I would only be in your way
So I'll go but I know I'll think of you every step of the way