Part 10

PMDS

Darkness fell with the full moon high in the sky. Not paying attention to time, they walked together in silence before Perry spoke.

"What's your plans after you hear word on your results?" He slowly walked with her down the gravel path that led down to the pond.

"I plan to work in an office or for an individual that needs a secretary. I just don't want to sit home all day and do nothing." Della looked ahead then back at him.

"What if you meet a rich, handsome man, and then you wouldn't have to work?" Perry nervously said almost a whisper but she heard it.

"You worry over nothing. I am fine just where I am now, and I couldn't be happier, Perry," Della grasped his hand in hers and reached to touch his cheek. He held her hand and continued to walk hand in hand.

"Della, I know that I'm going to be an attorney after this term. It's what I want to do, and it's something that I am passionate about it. What if I never see you again? I can't bare being apart from you for very long even though we've just started seeing each other a short time ago." Perry pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly as she relaxed into his arms.

"If I work for a firm or an individual that's going to bother you? Don't worry about me I keep telling you that I'm a grown-up, and I can handle myself." She put her arms around his neck leaning up for a quick kiss, and he captured her lips with his. He slowly loosened his grasp around her waist but still held her in his arms. Pulling apart from her eager mouth, she looked puzzled at him.

"Della, have you heard of the term, office wolf? Because that's what will happen to you if you are not careful. It's a term that I rather not think about since most of the girls get hit on and chased in the office. Unless you happen to have a husband, but in some cases that don't really matter." Perry asked her rubbing circles on her back then her nape as he gently played with her curls.

"Perry, I've heard the term in our class too many times. I'm very knowledgeable on the subject." She leaned back into his arms, looking at him seductively, and rubbed his forearms. "Are you going to be an office wolf when you get your own office, Perry?" She asked him with a coy smile, raised her eyebrow at him, and smiled.

"I never thought of being an office wolf. On the other hand, if I get a beautiful woman to work with me that has sexy long legs with a pretty face, then just maybe I might." He playfully said before he pulled her into his arms once again and captured her lips in a heated heavy make-out session, which left them both breathless for a moment. He finally retreated from her hungry mouth which still tasted of chocolate. Gazing into each other's eyes, and knowing what the other was thinking, there was a question that delved into Perry's mind for far too long ever since he had seen her at law school.

"Della, are you planning on staying here in Chicago or going back to Los Angeles once you get your results? He asked seriously clearing his throat and looked down at her while she fumbled with the front buttons on his shirt.

"I'm going back to Los Angeles once I get my exam results because I want to see my family. Then I'll decide what I want to do." She told him cocking her head to one side then smiling at him as she picked at the buttons on his shirt. Perry took her hands in his guiding her towards the pond that was nestled beside a gazebo. Della stepped inside while Perry touched her lower back guiding her towards a chair, but she remained standing looking out into the water and listening to the cricket's chirp in the background.

The moonlight hit the water reflecting a beautiful glow that bounced back on her face illuminating her skin. Perry walked up behind her, encircling her with his large arms, and pulled her back against him with no resistance. Holding her for a moment, then he let out a sigh against her ear just holding her and not wanting to let her go.

"It really is peaceful out here." Della stroked his hands resting them atop hers.

"Yes, it is. Living in the city does get on your nerves. The countryside is always within reach if you can find it." He whispered into her ear. His emotions were running high, and his heart was beating rapidly against her back. He had a question that he had to ask before the night was over, and he took the opportunity as he slowly released her from his arms.

She opened her eyes as he pulled away from her and she turned to face him. Studying his face and knew something was on his mind, she watched him as he bit his lip and sucked in a breath knowing it was now or never. She literally could walk away if she wanted to or laugh in his face, but she stood intently waiting on him but nothing came out.

"What's the matter, Perry? I can tell you have something on your mind so what is it?" Della asked him touching his cheek, but he stopped her and she looked confused.

"Della Street, I do have something to confess to you at this very moment. You can answer yes or no, but do not think for a moment that your answer will be wrong when your reply to my question." Perry told her looking into her emerald greens as the moonlight reflected back against his cool orbs. He continued holding her hands when he knelt in front of her looking into her eyes. She pulled one hand from his grasp and gently cupped her mouth knowing what he was going to ask, for she had gone through it with her ex. "Will you do the honor of being my wife? I can't stop thinking about you or being near you, and I wouldn't take too kindly if someone else got the pleasure to have you. It would rip my heart out if I lost you." Perry kissed her hand pleading for the right answer from her as tears welled up in his eyes as his emotions got the better of him.

"Oh, Perry. Yes, I will marry you." She cried joyfully as tears streamed down her cheeks. He quickly pulled her to him hugging her as she stroked his hair while he held her for a moment turning his head kissing her on the stomach. He finally looked up at her from his still knelt position and slowly rose to meet her face to face and she wiped the tears out of her eyes and hugged him.

"Perry, you've just made me the happiest woman on the planet. You are kind, gentle, sincere, and most definitely hard working. I know nothing would have stopped you if I had said 'no' to your question." She touched his brow, and he leaned into her touch as she caressed his chest.

"You bet your life. I would have hounded you day in and day out. Because you wouldn't get a minute's peace while you walked on this Earth." He teased her jokingly capturing her lips again. She responded to his kiss giggling at him. She finally broke the heated kiss from his eager mouth looking seductively at him while stepping back as he watched her curiously.

"It's getting late Perry. I think we should head back. Your aunt might start worrying about us." Della took his hand and tugged it.

"Alright, who is going to break the news to her?" He chuckled.

"We can bring it up before we leave for Los Angeles," Della said as she turned and walked away from him out of the gazebo. He put his arm around her shoulders then slowly let them drift to her waist as they walked back towards the house. Aunt Fay was seated in her living room enjoying a good novel. About the time she finished her page, the screen door opened. Turning to see who it was, she spotted her nephew and Della.

"Well, did you have a nice walk, Perry and Della?"

"Yes, we did actually. It's getting late Aunt Fay. I was going to take Della back home and I'll be back tomorrow." Perry said looking over at Della.

"I have an extra spare room in my apartment if Perry doesn't feel up to driving back here," Della spoke up giving him the sweetest of her smiles.

"Or, I could just rent a hotel room for a couple of nights." Perry eyed her and then back at his aunt.

Aunt Fay got up from her seated position slowly, raised her arms hugging him, and then released him and gave Della a quick hug too. "I will see you again tomorrow then?"

"Yes, I will finish what needs to be done." Saying their goodbyes, he escorted Della to his car holding the door open for her. She slid in and he hurried to his driver's side. They held hands for the entire ride back to her apartment. When they arrived, they both noticed that Michael's car was still parked down the street.

"He doesn't give up, does he?" Perry inquired pointing down the street.

"Oh, he's a damn fool if he thinks I'm going to forgive him."

"I hate to see you mad at me Della. You would hold a grudge." Perry parked his car and shut the engine off.

"Yes, Perry. It would have to be a good reason for me to hold one especially on you." She leaned forward giving him a passionate kiss, and he pulled her closer kissing her deeply.