TCOT Sunbather's Diary Extended Chapter 2

It was well after midnight when Perry and Della finally left the restaurant and started for home. They had thoroughly enjoyed their dinner and the dancing which followed. As always they were happy to have some uninterrupted time to themselves. It was hard to find these special moments and the handsome lawyer and his beautiful secretary tried to take advantage of these opportunities as much as possible. Perry knew that Della cherished their time alone, as did he, so he tried to make sure that he planned for times like these. Of course it wasn't always possible. There was the client that just had to have an appointment…the phone that wouldn't stop ringing…as much as they loved him, Paul stopping by…Gertie or Jackson needing something and of course the inevitable …the man or woman that was charged with murder and he or she or someone close to them would then beg Perry to take their case.

Perry thought about all this as he was driving. Although it was January, the night, even for Southern California was unseasonably warm. Della had begged Perry to leave the top down so that she could look at the stars and of course he had obliged her. She had snuggled up against Perry and he was driving like he always did with Della…one hand on the wheel and one hand around her. Della had fallen asleep and as he looked down at her he also thought of the conversation they'd had earlier. He was determined to get to the bottom of what was troubling his precious love. When Perry made his mind up to solve a problem…especially if it involved someone he cared about, nothing could stop him….and Perry cared for Della more than anyone or anything in his life. She was his life…she was his soul From the very first day that he saw her, he knew there would be no one else for him That was the day he fell in love with her and that was also the day he vowed to himself that he would protect her forever… no matter the cost.

As the big Cadillac moved along the dark road, Perry looked quickly up at the sky. The night was brilliantly clear. The moon seemed to be so close that one could almost touch it. It was so bright, as if its glow could reach down and envelope its own special warmth around anyone in its path. The mysterious orb seemed to wear its own halo as a light haze surrounded it in perfect compliment. The stars were just as bright, shining like tiny glittering diamonds against a pallet of black velvet. As Perry drove he thought of a song his mother used to sing to him when he was a boy. They would often sit out on the porch, gently swinging, his head in his mother's lap and her delicate fingers combing through his hair. Inevitably her soft soprano would fill the air...

*I see the moon and the moon sees me;*

*God bless the moon and God bless me.*

*There's grace in the cabin and grace in the hall;*

*And the grace of God is over us all.*

*I see the moon and the moon sees me;*

*The moon sees the someone I want to see.*

*God bless the moon and God bless me;*

*And God bless the someone I want to see.*

For Perry, that "someone" was always Della. Always.

About an hour and a half later Mason had reached his intended destination. He turned off the main highway and drove down a small winding road. There were trees on either side. They were set back a bit from the road and in front, bordering them were beautiful, lush plants and flowers native to the state of California. The road eventually turned wider and led to a circular drive with a pebbled walkway. Perry pulled onto the drive and stopped the car. He shut off the engine and then turned his attention to Della. Perry looked at her for a long moment then gently began to wake her. He bent down and softly whispered in her ear. "Della, Della, wake up sweetheart." Della moved a little but made no attempt to wake up. Perry laughed and tried again. "It's time to wake up, my sleepy girl." This time he ever so lightly applied gentle pressure to her arms.

"Mmmm"…Della slowly opened her eyes and said in a soft voice "Perry, I have to get my key..." She never finished her sentence. As she sat up, she looked around her, and then looked up at Perry totally baffled. She blinked and then looked around again to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "Perry," she asked, "where are we? What time is it? How long have I been asleep? And why aren't we home?"

Perry gently wrapped his arms around Della, breathed in her scent and kissed her lightly on her forehead. He then pulled away and smiled as he looked down at her. "My dear Miss Street, have you forgotten so soon?"

"Forgotten what?" Della asked groggily.

"Why your surprise of course," he smiled charmingly.

"Ohhhhh…..my surprise," Della raised a delicate eyebrow while feigning disinterest. "Yes, Counselor, somehow I do have a vague memory of you telling me about a surprise."

"Good because here we are. Now come on," Perry said with a twinkle in his eyes "Let's go inside and I will be happy to answer all your questions as well as…help you with whatever else you might desire."

As they entered the house that was already lit to welcome them Perry took a quick inventory. The heat had been turned on, the kitchen was well equipped and stocked, the beautiful red roses were in their vase on the dining room table and there were plenty of logs stacked by the fireplace. Perry lit a fire, then went over to the stereo and selected an album. After putting the record on, he turned and walked over to Della who had a look of wonder on her face. He took her in his arms and as she started to speak, he put his finger on her lips and said, "shhh….I'll tell you all about this place in a little while. Right now, all I want to do is just hold you." Della looked up at him, put her arms around his neck and brought his lips down to meet hers. They kissed softly at first, then more deeply. When they broke away, they were both breathless. They gently swayed together, listening to the music. They stayed like that for a few minutes then Perry took Della over to the soft comfortable sofa. He sat down and as he did so, very gently pulled her down into his lap. He smiled at her and softly brushed a bit of hair away from her face. Della laid her head on his big chest, snuggled up to him and sighed, a deep sigh of utter contentment. Perry wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her closer into him. They stayed like that for some time, happy just to be alone together, neither one wanting to move. Della then sat up and giving Perry a beautiful smile said in a soft voice, "Mr. Mason, I believe you were going to answer my questions."

"Yes, Miss Street, you are right. I will be happy to answer all your questions now. First, you fell asleep in the car two minutes after asking me to leave the top down. Second it is very late; it's actually very early in the morning, and in answer to your other questions we are not home because this is all part of your surprise." Perry took Della's hands in his and brought them to his lips, kissing them tenderly. He then went on with the rest of his explanation. "You see my darling, we have been working so hard lately that I thought we could use a little break. I know it's hard for you and you're always so wonderful, you never complain. It's hard for me too, sweetheart. Just when I think we are getting a break…a little lull, something always happens. So, I decided to take you away, even if it was just for a few days. I called a real estate company and told them what I was looking for. They had this house available for this weekend so I seized the opportunity. It's by the beach which we both love and it's peaceful and out of the way. Also just in case you are wondering where your things are, I took the extra clothes you keep in the office and packed them. I was hoping you wouldn't need them and discover them missing. I hope you're not too upset with me for not tell…." Perry didn't have a chance to finish. Della had thrown her arms around him and was very busy giving him her full attention. She was kissing him ravenously on his lips and holding him so tight, it was as if she would never let go. After a few minutes of this, Perry pulled back and extricated himself from Della. He then helped her up and tenderly took her in his arms. They began to dance to the song that was now playing softly on the stereo.

*I have dreamed that your arms are lovely,**I have dreamed what a joy you'll be. **I have dreamed every word you whisper.* *When you're close,* *Close to me.* *How you look in the glow of evening**I have dreamed and enjoyed the view.* *In these dreams I've loved you so* *That by now I think I know* *What it's like to be loved by you,**I will love being loved by you.* *Alone and awake I've looked at the stars,* *The same that smile on you;* *And time and again I've thought all the things* *That you were thinking too.* *I have dreamed that your arms are lovely,**I have dreamed what a joy you'll be.* *I have dreamed every word you whisper.* *When you're close,* *Close to me.* *How you look in the glow of evening* *I have dreamed and enjoyed the view.* *In these dreams I've loved you so* *That by now I think I know.* *What it's like to be loved by you**I will love being loved by you What it's like to be loved by you,**I will love being loved by you*

As they danced, Della looked up at Perry with tears pooling in her beautiful eyes. "Oh Perry," she said, her voice filled with emotion, "Thank you. Thank you for doing all this. It's so…so beautiful here…it's…its perfect. You don't know what this means to me…you …you always know how to get to me."

Perry pulled back and looked at Della. He gently brushed the hair away from her face and said softly "Oh baby, believe me, the pleasure was mine. Like the song says, "I love being loved by you" and I do Miss Street…and in case you need a reminder, I love you too…very much."

"I don't need a reminder," Della said, her voice muffled against Perry's chest.

Perry bent down and kissed Della on her forehead. He then kissed her eyelids and finally his lips found hers and he kissed her sensuously and deeply. She returned his kiss with just as much ardor and passion and trembled from his touch.

When at last they broke away, Perry picked Della up in his arms and carried her into the master bedroom. He very gently lay her down on the bed and slowly began to undress her, tenderly kissing her, all the while repeating the path he had taken while they were dancing. After undressing her completely, he quickly shed his own clothes and then returned again to Della and where he had left off. This time he continued down her neck, under her throat and then to her shoulders. His hands softly caressed her arms and then traveled back up to her breasts where he left the lightest of touches. Della's heart was racing and her pulse was pounding. At this moment, nothing and no one else mattered….she was in Perry's arms…those wonderful strong arms. He was there with her …keeping her safe…loving her and making her forget everything but him. As Perry continued to take Della to a place belonging only to them, he himself felt his own heart pound and as he heard Della moan, he brought his lips to hers, shutting out everything but the two of them in the beauty and wonder of their own private world.

Much later, they lay quietly, Della in the safe and loving protection of Perry's arms. He gently wiped the hair way from her face and rubbed her arms up and down while leaving soft kisses in her hair and forehead. Della shivered and Perry brought the quilt up and covered her. She snuggled even closer to him and looked up at him with a soft smile.

Perry?"

"Yes darling?"

"I love you…I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without you."

I love you too sweetheart and as for being without me, you never have to worry because that will never happen. Now how about if we get some sleep?. It's almost time for the sunrise."

"Mmmm…sounds wonderful counselor" Della answered him, her voice already drowsy with sleep.

Perry pulled Della even closer into him and wrapped his arms completely around her, leaving a soft kiss on her lips. As they both fell into a deep peaceful sleep, the dark figure that had been hiding in the bushes moved and silently crept along the driveway and up the small winding road. .