TCOT Holiday Miracle Chapter 7

The week in New York passed all too quickly for everyone, especially a certain handsome attorney and his beautiful secretary. Trips to the Natural History Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, a ferry ride across the Hudson River to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty, and a tour of the United Nations filled their days from sunup to sundown. Since no trip to New York would be complete without seeing a Broadway show, Judy's brother managed to get matinee tickets to The Sound of Music and Oklahoma that included lunches at Sardi's and The Stage Deli. And of course there was time for shopping.

Evenings were spent celebrating Hanukkah with dinner at the homes of Judy's brother and sister-in-law or his parents. Between Sara Stein and Sylvia Cohen, there was an abundance of delicious food, including the holiday staple of scrumptious potato pancakes fried to a crisp golden brown. The women, as always, made more food than anyone could possibly eat, and in keeping with the holiday spirit and the children's Hebrew school's project, a good deal of the food was delivered by the families to a few downtown shelters. Perry and Della were duly impressed with the children's unspoiled and giving nature, and wanting to do their part, not only made a donation to both the Kaplan's temple and the shelter, but purchased warm clothing and blankets as well.

Of course the highlight of each evening was the lighting of the menorah, adding a candle each night as the holiday progressed. Evening festivities also included holiday songs, playing the dreidel game, and the best part, according to the children, the exchanging of presents. The beautifully decorated boxes had been stacked in one corner of the Cohen's large but homey family room and it only took a minute for the ribbons and wrapping paper to come off. Amid squeals of excited delight and laughter each gift was examined and admired and immediately put to use or tried on.

In the middle of all the happy chaos, Sara pulled Perry aside and wasted no time getting to the point. "So, Perry tell me, did Della talk to you? Did she tell you everything?"

Leaning his big frame against the counter, the attorney crossed his feet and folded his arms in front of him before answering Sara with a questioning look. "Talk to me about what?"

Impatient for an answer, Sara poked him in the chest. "Don't act innocent with me Perry Mason! You know what I'm talking about."

Perry sighed hugely. He should have known he couldn't keep anything from the older woman. Even though he was a bit surprised that Sara was questioning him about something so private, he laughed inwardly. This woman could get blood from a stone and sometimes wondered if she had worked for the C.I. A. in her younger days. He knew that Della hadn't freely volunteered any information but he also knew that Sara loved her and however she got Della to talk about what was bothering her was done with kindness, genuine love, and concern. He put his arm around Sara and tugged her to him, kissing her gently on the cheek.

"Yes Mama, she told me everything her father told her."

"Sometimes I worry about her," Sara said with a shake of her head. "She loves you, of that I'm sure, but…but I think there's something else. I think it has to do with her being afraid of something. So, you took care of her, you held her tight and kissed away her fears?" Sara finished in a firm voice.

Perry rolled his eyes but he smiled and answered her with great patience. "Yes dear, I took care of her. I let her get her feelings out and after she calmed down I told her I believe her parents will work everything out and that no matter what happens I will always be there for her, to take care of her and to protect her. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for that girl, Mama. I love her so much, sometimes I can't even tell her how much."

There was a twinkle in Sara's eye. "I know you do, sweetheart. I was just giving you a hard time. I can tell that you took care of her and helped her through whatever was bothering her because she is absolutely glowing. She looks like herself again, even her eyes are dancing."

"Dancing...her eyes are dancing? Would you care to explain that statement to me please?"

"Oye! Yes Mr. Clarence Darrow, I'll explain it to you but I shouldn't have to. Della has the most gorgeous eyes, and when she's happy, her eyes light up and sparkle. They're so…what do you call it…expressive. She can tell a whole story with just her eyes. They positively come alive…they dance."

Perry shook his head in wonder. "You know, I never could describe Della's eyes the way they should be and the way I really wanted to. Has anyone ever told you what an amazing lady you are? You always know when something is bothering someone, and you try to fix it."

"Not so amazing when you love someone. Just observant…and, don't tell anyone but being a little nosy doesn't hurt either."

Perry laughed and took hold of Sara's hand and kissed it lightly. "I won't tell anyone. After all, you have carte blanch with me. Attorney-client privilege, remember?"

"I remember, and by the way, did you find what you wanted at Tiffany's?"

"Mama! Is nothing a secret around you? How did you happen to find out about that, as if I didn't know?"

Sara was positively beside herself. "So, it's true! I knew it! I knew it! I'm so happy for you. Wait till I tell papa and the rest of the family." She put her arms around the lawyer's waist and hugged him tight, then gave him an approving, pleased look. "Just remember this, Perry Mason: that girl is one in a million. She deserves nothing but the best, and I think you're just the man to give it to her.

"Shhhhhh…Mama, please, not so loud. Your support means everything to Della and me and you have no idea how much I appreciate it right now, but I don't want Della to hear us. Besides, Christmas is in two days. I would like at least one thing to be a surprise. Anyway, I have another present for Della and it…or rather they should be here very soon."

Sara didn't get a chance to ask Perry what he was talking about although she had her suspicions because Della chose that moment to enter the kitchen in search of Perry.

"Oh, I see how it is Mr. Mason," she teased, smiling at both Perry and Sara. "The minute my back is turned you leave me for an older, more beautiful, more intelligent woman. I guess I'll just have to find someone else to cuddle up to." Della turned to leave but Perry's long arm grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close.

"Not so fast young lady," he teased back, picking up on her playful mood. "Mind telling me how long you were standing in the doorway?"

"Long enough to know you were plotting something. Why don't you come clean and confess your secrets? It will be a lot easier on you if you do."

Sara gave Perry a conspiratorial smile and looked at Della with motherly love. "My attorney has advised me not to say anything about secrets. Besides, I think it's time I rescued Papa from having tea with Bethany and her dolls. There's only so much sitting on a small pink chair a man can handle."

Sara laughed and started toward the door. Almost as an afterthought she stopped and turned to face the couple she loved like her own children. Perry couldn't be sure but he thought he detected tears in her eyes and her voice quivered slightly. "Remember what I said, you two. You love each other, that's all that matters. Everything else will take care of itself. Everything will all fall into place."

Perry pulled Della into his arms and gently caressed her face. "She is really something."

"Yes, Counselor, she is. Now do you want to tell me what you really talked about?"

"Did anyone ever tell you that you have a suspicious mind?"

"I had a very good teacher."

"What makes you think I'm keeping anything from you?"

"I call them as I see them. Something is up, I can feel it. Now spill it, mister. What did the two of you talk about?"

"Della, honey, please, for once just leave it alone. We didn't talk about anything earth shattering."

"If that's true, then why can't you tell me?"

"You are so beautiful and in case I haven't told you lately, I love you."

"I love you too, but you are you are avoiding my question."

"Della I…"

"Oh excuse me, Perry, Della, I didn't mean to interrupt." Lynn Kaplan walked into the kitchen. She gave Perry a conspiratorial look and kept her voice and face expressionless so as not to give anything away. "Della, could you come into the living room please? Judy and Amy and I could use your help."

"Oh, of course Lynn. I'll be right there." Della turned and faced Perry. "We," she said emphatically "will discuss the matter of my suspicious mind later."

"I have no doubt we will but for now, you better go help the girls. Come on Miss Street. " Perry was trying not to smile. He took hold of her hand and guided her out of the kitchen and through the dining room. Della had barley taken a step into the living room when she stopped dead in her tracks. Her face paled and her whole body began to shake. She opened her mouth to speak but no words emerged. Instead, she turned to Perry, her expression disbelieving and questioning. Her eyes filled with tears and Perry smiled as he lovingly touched her face.

"Aren't you going to say hello to your parents, baby?" His voice was soft and gentle, barely audible.

Della was quickly embraced by both her parents and basked in their welcoming hugs and kisses. After the initial shock had worn off and everyone calmed down her mother pulled away and looked at her eldest child. Peggy Street removed a handkerchief from her purse and wiped her daughter's tears.

"I'm sorry sweetheart," she said in her best soothing mother's voice. "We would have let you know we were coming but it happened so fast. I take it you're surprised?"

"That's an understatement. But Mom, I – I don't understand…how did you get here so quickly? I mean I spoke to Dad on Friday and the two of you on Sunday, and it's only Wednesday...how did you get a flight so fast?"

"We didn't. Someone got it for us and it wasn't a commercial flight. We flew here on a private plane."

Della was about to ask her mother to explain but a thought flashed through her mind. Still in a bit of shock, she turned and looked at her lawyer. Then, as realization sank in about what he had done, she shrieked and launched herself at Perry without warning, and as big as he was, he had to momentarily steady himself in order not to drop her. Not caring who was in the room, Della thanked him profusely, laughter and tears mingling together.

Perry finally gently deposited her back on solid ground and smiled as he brushed the hair away from her face.

"You are the most amazing man Perry Mason! How…why…"

Perry put his finger on Della's lips. "Shhhhh…it's all right honey. Believe me, it was my pleasure. We'll talk later but right now, why don't you go and be with your parents. I think you just may have a few things to discuss."

"Mr. and Mrs. Street, why don't you and Della go into my study. There's a nice fire going and I think you'll be more comfortable and," Steve Kaplan spoke up, motioning to the children. "If nothing else there will be a lot less noise."

"Yes, that's a really good idea," his wife agreed. "You three go in and take your time. I'll bring some coffee and food in a few minutes."

"Thank you Mrs. Kaplan." Margaret Street spoke with genuine warmth and gratitude.

"You're very welcome and please, it's Lynn and Steve. Judy, why don't you and Amy help me in the kitchen for real this time? Kids, why don't you help by picking up all the paper and ribbons? Then you can take your 'loot' upstairs and figure out who is the owner of each item. Don't forget, some of it needs to be shipped back to California. And we have to be really careful when we're addressing the boxes. The last thing we need is to have them get lost in transit or end up at the wrong house. Your Aunt Marci just went through that. It was awful. I think one of the boxes is still 'traveling' around the country."

There was a flurry of activity as everyone began their tasks. Just before Della left the room with her parents, she hugged Perry tightly one more time. He nestled her chin in his hand and gave her a wink followed by a smile, before walking away to find the men leaving Della alone with her parents so she could finally get the answers she so desperately sought.