I know this update was a relatively long time in coming, but I was so busy! Thank you so much for all the reviews!

Della opened her eyes. For a brief moment, she did not know where she was or how she had gotten there. Then the memory of the last several days crashed down upon her. Perry!

Rolling over, she forced herself to look towards his bed, a lump in her throat, dreading the sight which she was sure to behold there.

Instead, she saw Perry, with his blue eyes open and fixed upon her, and after an instant, heard his weak voice:

"Good morning, Della."

"Perry!" she cried out. Leaping off the window seat, she veritably ran across the room and fell on her knees next to his bed. Grasping his hand, she found it warm, not hot, and brought it to her cheek. Perry smiled at her. It was then that she noticed Dr. Hawley standing on the other side of the bed, and she choked out,

"Will…will-" she was unable to finish the sentence.

The physician gave her a bright smile and said four beautiful words:

"He will pull through."

A deep cry of joy broke from the secretary's throat. Clutching Perry's hand, she called out with complete abandon,

"Thank God! Oh, thank God!" before she began to cry from relief.

"I'll give you a few minutes alone," the doctor murmured, giving Perry a significant warning look to not exhaust himself before stepping out of the room.

As soon as the door closed behind Dr. Hawley, Perry turned his full attention to the woman kneeling by his bed. His heart was so full of gratitude that he thought it might burst. He was alive, and Della was alive and well. He sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving and then said aloud,

"Please, no more tears, my sweet. I can't bear to see you cry." The attorney smiled. "I suppose the Almighty can't either, since I am still here."

This statement produced a shaky laugh and nod from Della, and she obediently wiped her eyes and gazed into Perry's ocean-blue ones. After so many days of anxiety, she could hardly believe what she was seeing. Perry Mason was getting better, and would live!

"I am so happy, Perry," she whispered.

"So am I. Della Street loves me!" the lawyer returned, looking at her with such devotion that the secretary found herself blushing like a schoolgirl. He freed his hand from her grasp and used it to gently cup her cheek. "But I would be even happier if she would consent to marry me. Will she marry a fool who needed to have one foot in the grave before he had the courage to tell her about his feelings?"

"I will not marry a fool, but a wonderful man who saw potential in a farmgirl from Iowa and trust her to be his confidential secretary when the manager from a meat warehouse did not trust her with his orders, and who taught her so much about generosity, and kindness, and goodness," Della answered, reaching out and stroking his hair. "Yes, I will marry you, Perry Mason."

"Thank you, dear heart," the defense attorney murmured. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her towards him. Instinctively, she bent her head, and he lifted his slightly off the pillow. Their lips met.

It was a brief and light kiss, but full of tenderness. Perry's weakness soon forced him to pull away and fall back upon his pillows. Della rested her head on his shoulder, just as she had the previous evening, and he embraced her anew. This time, there was no sobbing, only joy.

After a moment, there was a knock on the door. Della rose. The door opened, and Paul Drake came in, the doctor on his heels.

"Well, well, look who is still on earth after all!" the private detective exclaimed. He came over to the bed and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. In a more serious tone, he said, "Perry, you gave us such a fright, and we missed you. I am glad you are back. And not just because you are my best-paying client!"

"Thank you, Paul," the attorney returned. The two men warmly shook hands, and then Dr. Hawley came forward.

"I'm sorry, Perry, to have to put an end to this happy reunion, but that is all the talking and socializing I will allow you to do for now. The nurse is bringing in some broth, and you must drink it and then rest."

"I will see to it that he does, doctor," Della said, giving Perry a stern look, followed closely by a sweet smile.

Two more chapters coming!