It wasn't unusual for Perry Mason to run into Burger or Tragg and their families out and about during or after the work day. As lawyers and detectives, they all brought in enough green to be able to run around in the same circles and establishments. The fact that they had offices in roughly the same area and presented their cases in the same building had encouraged the frequenting of nearby restaurants and other establishments. Marchand's was popular among the two lawyers. It was close to their offices and served as the perfect interruption between the regular work hours and those extra hours that were often required. So it didn't surprise Mason and Della to find Burger and his wife enjoying a quiet evening out, this time sans their four daughters who had been with them in this same fancy restaurant about a month previous. The sounds of dishes clinking and quiet conversation permeated the air around them

Mason had to admit it was difficult to pry his keen blue eyes off of the couple as Burger caressed Alexandra's shoulders and got her chair for her. They shared a quick, tender kiss before Burger took the seat across from her. So used to seeing the gruff, sarcastic version of the district attorney in the courtroom that the softer, tender expressions Burger saved for his wife made Mason wonder if he was seeing a different man entirely. It was obvious watching the couple hold hands across the table and the way their faces lit up around each other that they were still very much in love with each other. It was a rare thing to see in a couple who had been together for so many years.

Idly, Mason wondered if that could be him and Della in a few more decades.

"They do make it look effortless, don't they?" Della's voice held amusement and a wee bit of wistfulness as she noticed who her man was watching.

"It wasn't effortless a few weeks ago," Mason reminded her.

Della shook her head. "I don't think their marriage was ever in any real danger of ending. Hamilton is so obviously taken with her still that I don't think she'll ever have to worry about losing him. Four daughters though… Can you imagine being outnumbered by all those women. No wonder he's so grumpy."

That made Mason chuckle quietly as he took the final sip of his coffee. The check had arrived at the table a few moments prior and Mason took care of it, leaving a generous tip. "Question is… how did a guy like him get a gorgeous woman like Alexandra?"

"Maybe she's never seen him in the courtroom," she smirked. "If he has always treated her like he's doing now, I don't wonder why she fell for him."

Della was fervently glad that the couple was so smitten with each other that they hadn't noticed Burger's courtroom opponent nearby. Mason was still staring. He wanted what Burger had; a warm, happy family life to go home to after the long hours in the office. It was just that though that stopped him. He rarely had such time to devote to a family. He'd asked Burger about that once after they'd bumped into each other in the local coffee shop. Burger had said that if it was important to a man, he'd find a way to make the time.

With a monumental effort, Mason tore his eyes away from Burger and his wife and gave Della a serious, solemn look. They hadn't been dating long, but they knew each other like the backs of their hands and had worked together so long that Della could usually tell what Mason needed or wanted before he even did. And along with that had always been the simmering physical and emotional attraction that they just recently acted upon. Perhaps Burger was right. Perhaps Mason could have his cake and eat it too. Fortunately, it was Friday night.

"Della?"

"Yes, Perry?" Della responded curiously.

"How would you feel about eloping tonight?"

That took Della's breath away and her lovely hazel eyes widened in delighted surprise. She hadn't expected Mason to take the plunge so soon, but it was apparent that Burger's happy marriage had made an impact on the workaholic defense attorney.

Mason smiled with a patient, but expectant and hopeful glimmer in his eyes.

"Oh Perry, I'd love to!" Della responded joyfully.

"Come on then," Perry grinned happily as he took her hand and helped her out of the booth.

W^^^W^^^W

Burger and Alexandra found themselves out dancing after dinner. Even though they had enjoyed ballroom dancing lessons when they were dating, Burger was adamant that they do nothing strenuous given Alexandra's condition so essentially they'd reduced themselves to slow dancing and swaying in each other's arms. Her health during this pregnancy stressed the prosecutor to the point that he feared making himself sick just as Alexandra was struggling with her morning sickness. They weren't young anymore and Burger desperately hoped everything was okay with their coming baby and that the delivery wouldn't harm his wife.

Still… the pregnancy, while unexpected, did fill Burger with joy as well. After the realization that they'd be starting over had sunk in and he'd accepted it, he'd found the joy and positive in having another baby. The glow that he'd seen in his wife when she'd been expecting their first four children had finally found her now that Burger had embraced the idea of their fifth. Burger was amazed at how young he felt now. He'd expected to feel even older at the prospect of having a new baby in his 40's, as if the weight of raising a youngster during middle age would press down on him like a lead weight. But it didn't feel like that at all. It brought back the old excitement he'd felt when he was younger at bringing a new life into the world, to feel their baby's strong kicks.

Alexandra grinned in surprise as her husband's hand moved to caress her middle. It was the first time since he'd returned home and it told her that he'd finally embraced the new son or daughter that would be joining them in late March or early April.

"You're so beautiful, Alex. And an amazing wife and mother. I don't know how I came to deserve you," he whispered softly. "Everything is perfect. I can't wait. Helen's wedding. A new baby. It's incredible."

"Everything is happening at once, isn't it?" She laughed. He sounded like the Hamilton she'd loved all these years and she relaxed contentedly in his arms. He was right. Everything was perfect now. She hoped their baby would be born that way as well. Like Hamilton, her age worried her. Hamilton though, had a way of being a rock for her even when he himself was worried and she needed him to be that for her now.