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.

I want to thank tengland2 for continuing to support me. Thank you!

Also, thank you very much everyone for your kind reviews.

All the errors are only mine.

Chapter Twelve

For Perry and his two young companions, it had been a fairly quiet walk through around the mall. After looking at several shop windows, the three finally got into a store a children's clothing store. Once there Della chose a few summer outfits for her daughter, hoping that all those clothes, would last at least, until the end of summer, because as her sweet dawn grew more and more each day, they would have to be discarded. Della couldn´t help but sigh when she felt a deep pain in her heart, to think of all those happy moments that she was missing because she was not close to her girl, feeling even more sad when she realized that those moments would never recover.

The next stop was made in a bookstore, Alba had asked her mom, for a book from the collection of "A Little Maid." But Della was really there, in look for another book a very special one for her. It was the book of Frances Hodgson Burnett "A Little Princess." That book brought Della, many happy memories, but also some sad memories of her childhood next to her parents. That was the book her parents always read to her every night, before she went to sleep, even when she was old enough to do it alone, they continued to read her. That was a kind of family ritual, which was lost from the moment her parents died in that terrible accident. Because from that moment, she would never dare, to read it anymore. But now she felt it was time to read it again. But this time Della would read, it to her daughter in the same way her parents did to her, making Alba connect with the grandparents she never met.

Their last stop was at the toy store. Once there, Alba choose a small stuffed cat, whom she called Mr. Griffith. Della told her that this little stuffed animal, was for her to remember her, during the days that she was not at her side. Despite Della's refusal, Perry paid the toy telling her to take it, as a sign of affection for her cousin that stuffed toy would be for Alba to remember the time the two met.

Then the three headed to Alba's favorite restaurant. As they walked towards the restaurant, Della felt a small tug on her hand. Realizing that it was Alba who was pulling her, toward the carousel. Della could not help but smile complacently when glanced down, to be meet with the pleading look of her little girl. Nodding, to her child, "My little one is fine, but only once. Did you understand?" Telling her in warning signal.

Just as Perry glanced at Della, he realized that Alba was dragging her toward the carousel. All he did was shake his head, not understanding at all what was going on there. Although he still did not understand why Della was so complacent with that little girl. He forced himself to breathe to calm himself, also reminding himself that he had invited himself on this trip to the mall and had no right to interfere. So he just let it go to keep Della happy. Thinking that maybe this would help Alba to would realize that he was not the bad man she believed.

Alba had allowed Perry to help her ride the chosen horse. After helping the girl, Perry went to where Della was sitting on the bench behind the carousel, to join her, as they waited for the girl to finish her ride on the carousel. Della smiled at Perry thanking him, since she knew him very well and knew that although he had invited himself, and he had practically begged for accompany them, the reality was different, as he really was not enjoying it. But in spite of everything, Perry was doing his best for the simple fact that he loved her and wanted her to be happy and calm.

A proud smile lit the face of the young secretary when she realized that her daughter did the same that Perry. Because even though to Alba still didn't like the boss of her mother. Even so, she was trying to be nice to him, thanking him for putting her on the carousel's horse. Della knew they were both trying to get along, they wanted her to know they both loved her and them wanting that she to be happy. Anyone who had seen the three of them together, would never have doubted that they were a Dad and a Mom with side their little daughter, spending a Sunday of shopping in family. The only thing that Della wanted at that moment was that between Alba and Perry a bond began to form, that special connection that could only exist between a father and a daughter, scoring to herself, that she would do everything possible, so that this became in reality.

Once at the restaurant, Alba ordered a hamburger with French fries and a chocolate frappe. Della, realizing that the shake would be too big for her girl, asked to one of the waiters to serve it in two separates glasses, so she could share it with her daughter. Della, she made Alba promise, that she would not tell Mae anything, about what she had had lunch. She did not want to hear from Mae another speech about the importance of a child eating healthy. All she wanted was for her daughter to have a special day at her side, as the rest of the week her aunt would see to it that Alba would ate healthy.

Perry, couldn't help but smile when he saw Alba put ketchup on the edge of her plate, then pointing to the container of mayonese on her mom's plate. Della spread a dab on the bun and then put another dab on top of the ketchup, letting Alba mix the two ingredients. Della had been the only person Perry had known who ate her fries in the same way. Della caught Perry's curious gaze, making her just shrug.

As they finished their meal, a photographer approached them, asking if they wanted a family photo taken. Della was about to refuse, but Perry nodded quickly. Then he moved Alba for she sit between the two of them. Once the photo was taken, Perry requested to the photographer, three copies one for each of them. As Della saw the photo, she realized that that would betheir first photo together as a family, she feeling how the tears began to accumulate in her eyes. Knowing very well that she would have to keep those photos away from the office, exactly away from Gertie, but in special from Paul Drake. Because if he could see any of the photos surely the detective would suspect that something strange was happening, between Della and Perry.

As they stepped outside of the mall, Perry looked at his watch, realizing that they still had some time to spend together before taking Alba home and start their return trip to Los Angeles.

"Well, my dear ladies, as I were driving on the way to the mall. I could noticed that there was that a fair being held, not too far from here. Perhaps we three could go there, to enjoy a sunshine walk and some more." Says Perry, as bending his knees to talk directly to Alba. "Little Missy, what do you think? Perhaps, we can find some games to play and if there is a carousel, we can take a ride or two on it."

"It's right, but if there a carousel. Do you promise to help me get on and off the horse? " Asks Alba, raising her eyebrows at Perry, who could only smile and nod yes. As he got up, he turned his gaze to Della, realizing that she was watching them, her eyes full of tears.

After Perry drove his car for a short stretch, the three arrived at the state fair. Once there, they could see many families enjoying all the activities, getting lost among all that crowd, as one more family that they had arrived there in search of fun. When they found the carousel, Alba stood watching it for several minutes. Until she saw the horse she wanted to ride.

Once Alba was settled on the horse chosen, Perry bought several tickets for her. After, he and Della sat on a bench behind of carousel. From there they were able to monitor Alba while they talked.

In that, Della looked at Perry, with the most radiant smile he had ever seen. She leaned toward him, to kiss his cheek sweetly. Leaving Perry speechless for a while, he would never have imagined that Della would be able to show his affection for him, in a public place and with so many people around their. "Perry, I want to thank you, for what you are doing for me. I know very well, that this was not the way you expected to spend the day with me, when you decided to stay last night here in Bolero Beach. But even so, I'm happy that you decided to do it and that you have accompanied us."

Then Perry looked at Della with that naughty smile that made her fall in love more with him. "My mother always told to turn the other cheek." Perry smiles, turning his face, Della rolls her eyes, then quickly gives him another kiss.

"Although my dear Mr. Mason. I'm sure your mother was referring something along very different from this." Della pauses, then she lets out a loud sigh. "Perry, I want to tell you, I am very grateful that you love me as you do, especially for accepting my conditions about Alba. Although I know you do not understand very well, why she is so important to me, but I hope that with time you can understand. I also hope that she too will be equally important to you as well."

Suddenly, the Perry's face changed becoming more serious, "Della, I cannot deny that until now I do not completely understand just why you worry so much about your cousin. I can imagine that perhaps it is the fact, that she's being raised by an older parent and you feeling the need for her cousin, to have someone at her side that understands her more. I also know how difficult it must be for a girl to live alone with her mother, without having a father present. Perry gives Della a nostalgic smile. "I understand that very well, because I was raised by my mother alone, after my father death. For me there were times hard, I felt that my father had abandoned me, even though it wasn't. That's, why I imagine that for an abandoned child, the pain and confusion is much greater. But even so, it seem me that you are you are exceeding the limits and after a while, that could become a big problem for you and Alba."

"Perry, I do not understand, why loving and protecting my cousin would have to become a problem for me or her." Della asks Perry a little disconcerted by what he was talking.

"Because that little girl has a mother and that mother isn't you. Della understand, the mom of Alba is your aunt, she is the only one who can interfere in their upbringing and behavior of your cousin and no one else should do it. That's why Alba and you should always keep it in mind, especially you. That girl shouldn't depend so much for your affection and your time." Perry pauses taking breath, "Della, think for a moment, if someday we get married and have our children. How do you think that poor girl will feel, when you do not pay her more attention, because you already have your own children? She will only feel, that you abandoned her and that you stopped loving her. That's why you should not spend all weekends with her, you should understand that at some point she will not be your priority, that there will be other children in your life."

Della shuddered at Perry's words. She could not help feeling that her heart was breaking into a thousand pieces, thinking about the pain that her daughter would feel to not be able to spend all weekends together. Her little girl was already suffering enough, as she not to have her real mother by her side every day. But if she and Perry now married and had another child. The little girl would think, that her mom was abandoning her and taking out her away from her life. Because she would only be a nuisance to her mother, as she, was forming a new family, where she would not take any place. Her little one would think they would stop being mother and daughter, only to become cousins and nothing else. She shuddered again just thinking about her baby and the pain that she would cause her all of that. Della took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, clearing her throat began to speak. "Perry, even if you and I got married and had another child. I could never forget about Alba and leave her aside." Della was so angry and frustrated with Perry that she started talking without thinking about what she was saying.

"Other children? Miss Street, you are surprise me! I never would have imagined that you, all a demure and professional young lady, would have that kind of thoughts about your boss. I even see that you already talks about our future children." Perry mocks Della, far from imagining reality. But as he could imagine that the little girl, which it was the reason for her disagreement, was really the daughter of both.

"Perry, please, stop making fun of me, for something I said without thinking because of my frustration and anger with you. It hurts me a lot that you cannot understand or accept the deep love that I have for Alba. I really love my cousin as if she were my daughter and I know that if you will take the time to get to know her better, I am very sure that you would also begin to feel the same way that I feel for her." Della replies him, hoping to escape gracefully from her slip.

"Della, I think that you and I need to clear some things about Alba at this time. I have always thought that the greatest treasure of a man, is to be a father, much more if that child is a beautiful girl. I will not deny you, that I can have a certain affection for your cousin, she is a sweet girl, maybe with a little bad temper, but still it is not difficult to get attached to her, but I could never love her as my own daughter. because she simply is not. I have always thought that this kind of affection should only be given to your own children. I know this may sound very cold to you, from me. But I do not want that you false illusions about Alba and me. Della honey, imagine if at one moment we got married and we have our own children, my greatest affection would be for them, not for someone else. Even if I wanted to, I could not love Alba in the same way that I would love our children that would make her feel bad and excluded. That's why I think that from the beginning we should mark the limits. It may sound cruel but it is for the good of the girl," says Perry. Della, love, please, try to understand me. Perry looks at her as he wipes her a tear with his thumb.

Della takes a big breath, she had to calm down, because she feel that her nerves were about to explode. She gets up from the bench to get away from Perry for a moment, felling that she could not be close to him, his thinking had disappointed her.

After taking several steps forward, she turned to face him. Della could not believe that it was the same man she had fallen in love with. She had so many things in mind, that she wanted to scream in his face. How could he have dared to say that this love was only reserved for his own children? What an idiot Perry had seemed to her when he uttered those words, as all he wanted to do was deny his love to his own daughter. Why simply he could not open his heart without conditions? She did not know what to think or say, she began to wonder if she really knew him as well as she believed.

She felt ridiculous and absurd to think that the moment Perry saw their daughter, he would love her from that moment. She was very difficult for Della to accept the fact that he could not love a child that was not his. It hurt her to think that he did not want to deal with Alba more than necessary. That he was even trying to get her away from her little girl. She recriminated herself for being so deluded and letting herself be blinded by her love for him, believing he was a good-hearted person, capable of loving any child, regardless of whether he carried his blood or not.

But now she was realizing that she really was wrong with him. That he was not the person she had fallen in love with.

Della forced herself to breathe again and to calm down she could not let her emotions betray her. Telling herself that she needed to calm down and that she simply had work harder so that Perry would give all his affection and affection to Alba. She knew or wanted to believe that he was a man with a good heart and that the power of love would be stronger in him, that sooner or later he would love Alba as his daughter. Even if he did not know that she really was.

"Della, what's happening?" come a worried tiny voice, she taken out of all her thoughts. Della, upon hearing her daughter´s voice, wiping her eyes quickly, then turned to her and looked at her smiling

"No, my precious girl, nothing is happening. Now, say me, how did you get off that horse?" Della replies, as she frowns her daughter.

After the carousel stopped down, I just slide off at the end of the ride jumped down of the carousel, to run towards you." Alba gives a naughty look to her mother. "Della, why do you sound like you've been crying?"

"No, my sweet dawn, I'm not crying, why do you think that? It's just was some little dust that got blown up, directly to my face and apparently I'm allergic to something in the air. But do not worry I'll be alright." Della smiles at her daughter, then she takes her hand, turning back to where Perry was still sitting. After the two arrive at the bench, Della sits down and pulled Alba to sit on her lap.

Perry looks at Alba, giving smiles. "Are you having fun, young lady?" Asks Perry.

Alba nods. "Yes, sir. I'm very glad, you brought us here. Thank you so much, Mr. Mason." Alba flashes one of her dimpled smiles at him.

"Miss Alba, you don't need to thank me for anything, it has been a pleasure to spend this time with you." Perry smiles at the little girl. "But I'm sorry to have to put an end to the fun we've been having. But I think it's time to leave. I need to drop the two of you off at your home. So you can have a bit more time together. While I go get my things for the return trip to Los Angeles."

"Della, do you have to go?" Asks Alba looking up at her mother, with teary eyes.

"Yes, my girl, you know I need to go back to work," Della hugs her daughter, kissing her forehead. "I promise you, no matter how much work I have to leave undone, I will be back next weekend, so we can start reading the new book, I bought for you."

Della, do you mean the book that your parents read you, when you were my age?

Della smile, even though her daughter's pain mingled with her own. "That is right, my sweet dawn, you have all the reason, that's the same book my parents would read me before I went to sleep."

"Miss Alba, you don't need to feel sad, I promise you, that I will send Della back to you next weekend. We will get as much as possible to finish all the work before the weekend arrives. Perry smiles. But if I still can not keep my promise, I have a proposal for you, I understand that summer vacations begin in the next two or three is not like this?" Alba nods. "So what do you think, if you and your mother come to Los Angeles for a couple of weeks? I know there will be a county fair that will start soon. Plus in Los Angeles there are several large amusement parks to visit, like Disney." Perry laughed when Alba's eyes widened in surprise. "Tell me you would not like to visit them all or almost all?"

"Mr. Mason, could we go to another fairs and also to Disney?" Alba looked at Della then back at Perry, with her big blue eyes. "Perhaps, could we go to where there is..." She stops, putting a finger on her chin, as she thought for the right word.

"Will not be, hispanic music and food, young lady?" Della smile her little one, as Alba nod yes.

"Of course yes, Miss Alba, everything you and your cousin wish. Perhaps, also we could get my friend Paul to go with us to one of the water ride parks." Says Perry as he smiles at Della.

Less than hour later the three of them returned home from the fair. Della and Perry were about to start their journey back to Los Angeles. As always to Della, she had a hard time leaving and getting away from her daughter. How difficult it was for her to return to Los Angeles after having had her baby for a whole weekend, feeling even more sad when she could see that sadness reflected in the her daughter's eyes. Many times she wondered if it was not better, staying in Bolero Beach, giving up her job with Perry and finding one near there, where she could return home every day with her daughter. After Perry put all of Della's all things in his car and they say goodbye to Mae and Alba. The two marched to Los Angeles. While the car moved towards the exit. Della looked back to see her little girl looking out the living room window as the car was leaving. Della raised her hand to say goodbye, while Alba did the same without stopping until the car disappeared from her view.