TCOT Long Range Repercussions Chapter 10
"He's pretty banged up Perry, but otherwise he's no worse for wear. When they first brought him in, he looked terrible but after we cleaned him up and assessed his injuries it wasn't as bad as I thought." Marv Kramer was outside Paul's hospital room speaking to the famed attorney.
"Exactly what are his injuries Marv?" Perry's voice held concern as he listened to his friend's diagnosis.
"The medics who brought him in said he hit his head on the steering wheel on impact. He has a concussion and a bump the size of a golf ball on his forehead, as well as a lot of bruises and scratches but otherwise nothing terribly serious. I'll say this, Mr. Drake must have nine lives. From what I understand, the car is totaled. It's a good thing he wasn't going any faster. He might have not been so lucky."
Perry sucked in a deep breath and ran a hand over his face as Marv's words sank in. He was about to ask when he could see Paul when he heard Della gasp. He turned and gently wiped the tears from her face while managing a small smile. Putting his arm around her, he felt her tremble as he drew her close cradling her to him.
Knowing how upset Della was Perry kept his voice gentle and light. "He's fine baby. You heard Marv, everything is going to be all right. You know Paul, nothing can keep him down for long. If I didn't know better I'd swear he was Houdini." The attorney and the doctor exchanged knowing looks over Della's shoulder.
"That's right Della. Paul will be as good as new. He'll have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days so we can keep an eye on that concussion and he can get some rest but believe me when I tell you that other than that I don't anticipate any other problems. By the way what are you doing here Miss Street? If I remember correctly, I believe I prescribed complete rest for the next three days did I not?"
"Yes you did, Dr. Kramer but I couldn't stay home. If it was anyone else it wouldn't matter but it's…it's Paul." Her beautiful eyes started to fill up again. "But I'm fine now, really. Perry is taking wonderful care of me like he always does. I feel like I can do anything. It was just a little case of food poisoning."
"There was no little about it and you've only had one day of recovery time and not even a full day. I believe that along with instructions for you to rest I also wanted you to stay stress-free. After what happened to Paul, I'm not sure I can do anything about the stress but I can stick to my guns about resting. So as your doctor and your friend I am pulling rank and I'm sure that your employer will concur."
Before Della could protest Perry spoke up. "Her employer concurs one hundred and ten per cent. We'll go home right after we see Paul."
"All right gentlemen, I see I'm out numbered. Tell you what. Let's make a little deal. As soon as we see Paul and I make sure he's going to be all right Perry will take me straight home." Even though Della was upset there was something in her tone that let the men know that's the way it would be.
Perry bit the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing. 'That's my girl,' he thought to himself, 'beautiful and stubborn. Marv doesn't stand a chance.'
Dr. Kramer looked from Della to Perry. Nodding his head in Della's direction he rolled his eyes and sighed. "I have one question for you Counselor. Is she always this infuriatingly stubborn?"
The attorney didn't bat an eye. "On a good day," he deadpanned.
Marv gave them both a genuine smile. "Well that's a relief. I was beginning to think it was me. All right madam, as soon as the nurses come out you can see Paul and then its home for you. I will leave word however that you and Perry can have unlimited visitation—as long as you don't upset him or pressure him with any problems. By the way, I'm going to call Nina. She should be notified. No matter what's going on between them they're still married and he's P.J's father.
"I'll call her," Della offered.
Noooo, you won't. She probably will be upset when she finds out and that's not going to be good for either of you. I'm sure she'll want to come here right away and I'll let her know that the both of you were here and that if she should need you for anything you'll be available…after your little rest period is over. Now if you will excuse me, I have some patients that I need to see."
"Thanks Marv, thanks for everything," Perry said, shaking hands with his friend.
"Again, despite the circumstances, it has been my pleasure." The Doctor returned the handshake and smiled at the couple. Leaning over to give Della a kiss on the cheek, he gave them a final admonition. "All right you two, be on your way and do me and yourselves a big favor…try to stay out of trouble."
"Come on baby let's sit over here until we can go in." Perry indicated a bench across from Paul's room. He took Della by the hand and began to lead her to it.
"Perry…" Della suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.
Any remark Perry would have made went completely out of his head when he looked down at Della and noticed how deathly pale she'd become. She swayed against him and for a minute his face registered fear thinking she would pass out. He put his arm around her and held her tightly against him, as he guided her to the seat and slowly sat down with her on his lap. Trying to remain calm for her sake, there was no mistaking the concern in his voice.
"What's wrong darling? What's the matter? Do you need some water…do you need to lie down?"
Della shook her head and took a deep breath. She looked up at Perry, grabbing the lapels of his suit jacket, her voice almost an anguished cry. "It's my fault! What happened to Paul is all my fault!"
Perry was stunned. He lifted her chin up so she could face him and searched her eyes trying to find the answer to her bizarre statement.
"Della, why in the world would you say something like that? Of course what happened to Paul isn't your fault. That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard you say." Perry raised his voice which made Della flinch and her eyes held a hurt expression.
"Now you're angry with me."
The attorney realized he'd nearly been shouting and immediately lowered his voice, taking on a gentler tone. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand then brought her fingers to his lips, kissing them softly.
"Sweetheart, I'm not angry. I could never be angry with you. I just was surprised to hear you say something like that. No one, not Marv or Nina and certainly not I, and definitely not Paul, would even entertain a notion like that. So, do you want to tell me how you came to your conclusion?"
Della sighed hugely and shuddered slightly in Perry's arms. When she finally attempted speech her voice was so low he could barely hear her. "If…If I hadn't gotten sick he wouldn't have been running around trying to get information. He does so much for you…for us…and for what? To get into an accident and almost…almost…" Della couldn't say it but she didn't have to. Perry knew exactly what she was thinking.
"And another thing, no wonder Nina wants a divorce. She's scared…she's scared that one day she'll get a phone call and someone will tell her the most awful news of all. She's scared just…"
"Just like you" Perry said quietly.
Della was silent for a time and Perry just held her, giving her time to gather her thoughts.
"I guess if I was really honest with myself then yes, I am scared when you and Paul take risks. But I also know that it's part of who you are and what you do and I never would ask you to change. I love the way you protect your clients and fight for them and go over and above for them. I love the adventure too and how you let me be a part of it. I guess that when we're actually in the middle of a case I don't think about it. But when it's all over and I've had time to breathe then yes, I feel like telling you not to take those chances and not run here, there and everywhere and just keep normal hours. But that's not for me to say. You're a grown man and you have the right to make your own decisions. It's just that I love you so very much Perry. You're my whole world. I can't see my life without you and if anything ever happened to you I don't know what I would do."
Perry kissed Della's soft curls and held her more securely in his arms. He'd always known that Della was conflicted with the crazy hours they kept and the dangers they sometimes faced, but hearing her actually say it aloud tore at his heart. His love for this beautiful, intelligent, wondrous woman was so fierce and intense he couldn't find the words to express how he felt. He only knew that she was the best thing that had ever happened to him and he never wanted to say or do anything that would hurt her.
"Oh baby", he whispered into her ear and gently began to rock her as Della shed the tears she'd been holding back…Shhh…shhhh…shhhh. It's okay, I'm right here. I'm fine and Paul's going to be fine. I know you get scared sometimes, I can see it in your eyes, but sweetheart trust me when I say that I would never purposely put any of our lives in danger, especially yours. You're right, sometimes we get carried away and take chances and the hours we keep aren't even close to normal but that's the way I've always done things. But I will make you a promise. From now on I'll make sure that we're extra careful and maybe we can cut down those crazy hours a little. How does that sound?"
"But I don't want you to change for me."
"Sometimes change can be a good thing. Besides we won't really be changing anything, just sort of rearranging things a bit, all right?
Della smiled through her tears. "All right. You're so wonderful Counselor. You always know just what to say and do to make me feel better."
"I'm glad honey. I always want to make sure you're happy and safe and content, although I do think that some of this stems from your run-in with a certain lunch platter at Carver's. You heard Marv, you're not completely better, so young lady as soon as we see Paul it's home and a nap for you."
"But Perry…"
"No buts, I'm the boss, isn't that what you said?"
"Yes but I want to tell you something."
"Go on, I'm listening."
"I'm hungry and I need to stop and buy lipstick."
"There's a woman's logic for you. All right, we'll make one stop at Macy's and since you still have to eat light, Mama Sara sent over her chicken soup. I put most of it in the freezer but I left some of it in the fridge. Does that make you happy Miss Street?
"It certainly does Mr. Mason and you know what else would make me happy?"
No, but I have a feeling you're about to tell me."
Della reached up and whispered in Perry's ear and for the first time since he'd known her the handsome attorney wished like hell that he wouldn't have promised his beautiful secretary that she could see their friend or stop for lipstick before he took her home.