Disclaimer: The characters in this story don't belong to me, they are owned by Erle Stanley Gardner's pen. I don't receive any economic good for them. I only write for the pleasure of doing it.

Many thanks to the incredible of tengland2, for continuing to support me in this new adventure with all their advice.

All the errors are only mine.

Chapter Two

After a long silence between the four friends, Perry and Della picked up several items off the table and headed inside, to give Paul and Margaret a few minutes to consider what they had just heard. After several minutes Perry went back out. He walked back into the garden, passing Margaret on her way into the kitchen with the last of the lunch items. He sat down near Paul, picking up his glass of tea taking a sip, wishing it was bourbon instead. He knew having a drink wouldn't solve the problem drinking had already caused, nor would it help with this situation.

"Paul, stop clutching your fists and hit me or at least say something. Get angry at me." Says Perry, "I know getting drunk was not an excuse for sleeping with my assistant, which was stupid, unacceptable. I know I've nearly destroyed my marriage and my family. I know it's going to take me a life time before Della forgives me."

'Perry, you been my best friend for years and I never thought you do something this stupid. I know it easy enough to blame your frustration and the alcohol. But me is something entirely different. I've always watched the girls go by, followed a few as well, even after meeting Margaret. But you stopped doing that when Della stopped in front of your desk." Replies Paul. "Sure, there have been temptations, women draping themselves on your arm, trying to get you attention, or into their beds, yet you always managed to get rid of them." Pausing, "you're not in love with this assistant or stopped loving Della?"

Perry shakes his head emphatically, "Paul are you crazy, I could never stop loving Della. I will always love her with every breath I take, until the day I die. I don't feel like the intelligent man that people seem to think I am and that night I proved to be the most stupid person on the face of the earth." Paul could hear the sadness in his friend's voice.

"Friend, my only question is, will Beautiful ever be able to forgive you for your indiscretion. She certainly didn't deserve your betrayal. I know she has always loved you and that won't change. What bothers me is the pain you have caused her because of your stupidity. Her health issues aren't' helping matters either." Paul pauses, "I can't give up working for you, can't make the money elsewhere to keep up the lifestyle my family has come to enjoy." He slightly smiles.

"Until now, I never realized I paid so well. You're the second person in the past month who has commented on my well paid employees. Like now the conversation involved you being paid." Smiles Perry. "Paul, I swear Della will smile again. Granted this whole incident will forever be tucked into the echoes of both our minds."

I hope you can do it, Margaret and my children would not forgive me for moving away from Della and your children. Our daughters would be the ones who would suffer the most, your princess and my little one. Hell, buddy, you really did something stupid, the only good thing about all this is that I feel more intelligent than you." Paul says with a cheeky smile to Perry.

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Margaret went inside and she puts the items she had brought in down hard on the counter. Then she crosses her arms in frustration, she stares at Della and starts talking. "Della, I don't know where to start with you, except I've always thought we were the best of friends. Friends that have always told each other everything, until now." Says Margaret angrily.

Della sighs, then looks longingly at her friend of years giving her a sad look. "Yes, we've been friends, since we were five years old and your family moved into the same neighborhood." Replies Della.

"Then why didn't you tell me about Perry's indiscretion with his administrative clerk. "She breathes deeply. "I can't believe he was willing to throw everything with you overboard. Getting drunk is not an excuse. Besides that, happened nearly two months ago, instead you both tell us about your health." Says Margaret, still angry.

"Margaret, Perry came home overnight to tell me about the incident. My health and Lizzie's just happened, to coincide with him coming home. It certainly wasn't something we could have planned." Della smiles slightly. "I had to deal with Perry admission, his behavior on my own first. Perry was the one who needed to tell Paul, not you."

"What makes you so sure I would have told Paul?" She smiles slightly.

"You know the answer to that already. Paul is the only person that I've ever known you not to be able to keep anything from. Remember who was the one who taught me to use my intuition with people." Replies Della. She fills the water container of the coffee machine, placing the filled filter into its slot, she starts the machine. "I figured it was up to Perry to tell his best friend what had happened."

"So, you want to tell me about all your health issues. Trust me, Perry taking your hand, when you were talking about it didn't go unnoticed. There is more to it isn't there?" She asks, removing cups/saucers from the cabinet.

"You know most of it. I'm extremely anemic, vitamin deficient, and have a severe infection. With a proper diet, vitamins and antibiotics, in time we hope things will be back to normal."

"We both know that your eating habits, are difficult to maintain, when Perry gets going on a case. We know why Lizzie doesn't suffer from the same issues." They both laugh. "So, what is causing the infection?"

"It's complicated." Raising her hand to stop her friend. "Let it go Margaret. We're hoping the diet, vitamins and antibiotics takes care of everything. I will tell you, if things change. I promise." Smiles Della.

"I'm going to let it go for the moment. But if I see that you do not improve and you're still the same I will call Aunt Mae, to deal with Perry. Then I will take you to the doctors and make sure I get an explanation so I understand how to help you correct this issue." Margaret said with a smile.

"Of course I understand, your threat, Margaret." She smiles as she takes Clay's package from the fridge.

"Clay's, do you have what I think you have in there?" Margaret smiles.

"Sure is. Even have vanilla bean ice cream." Says Della. "Come on let's get this set up, because it's awfully quiet outside."

"Your right it is." She opens the package. "Looks like there is more than necessary in here."

Della shakes her head, "Perry doesn't want to get in trouble with Lizzie and from the looks of it he wants to stay in Andrea's good graces as well." They laugh.

Perry is sips his tea, leaning back in his chair as Margaret and Della come out with coffee and dessert.

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After their wives brought the dessert and coffee, the four friends relaxed and decided to put aside Perry's confession for the sake of their friendship. The conversation turned to Paul's attempts again, to find out about Della's information network They laughed about the comment of Gertie's failed attempt to give up chocolates entirely and everyone's astonishment at Paul's ability to eat a double ration for dessert. Della and Margaret realized that it was time for the school bus to arrive. Then, in an unusual act, Paul told their wives that he and Perry would pick up their daughters, which surprised Margaret.

"Della, I think you're going to have to invite us to have lunch over here more often, seems to be only way for Paul to pick up his daughter." Margaret smiles.

Paul shakes on his head, "Come on, friend, we pick up our little women before our wives, make firewood for me." Everyone laughs

They walked to the bus stop and didn't have to wait long, for the bus to arrive dropping off Lizzie and Andrea. Both girls were surprised to see their Dads, waiting for them. The two girls dropped their backpacks on the sidewalk, running to greet Perry. Paul stood looking, stunned, even his own daughter had gone to Perry first. The air filled with the laughter of the group.