Part 19XXXX

PMDSXX

Perry went downstairs to check his mailbox. Reached for his key in his pocket, he inserted it into the slot and opened it. He pulled out a few miscellaneous ad flyers and a letter from Law School. He shut the lid, locked it, and hurried back upstairs, not taking the elevator, opened his door to his apartment. Della walked back through the apartment and into the spare bedroom. He found her unpacking some of her clothes. Perry came up to her side, showed her his unopened letter, and handed it to her instead of opening it himself.

"Della, you want to do the honors and open my letter?" Perry handed her the letter and she gave him a look of surprise. Holding the letter in her hands, she turned it over and noticed it was from the Law school by the seal on the letter.

"Perry, it's your letter, not mine. I don't think I should be opening…." Della trailed off before he settled his hands over hers.

"Della, go ahead." He left the room to retrieve a letter opener and handed it to her. As she slit the envelope open, unfolded the paper, and read his results. Perry waited patiently as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes and smiling with a hand over her mouth.

"Well, what did it say? Della?"

"Perry Mason, your results have been enclosed in this letter to inform you that you have passed the BAR exams with high honors, congratulations," Della read the letter aloud. He picked her up off the floor, twirled her around kissing her enthusiastically before setting her feet back down.

"Della, all my hard work has paid off. I can't wait to tell my parents tonight. It's going to be a great night for us both." Perry peppered her face in kisses and stepped back looking into her smiling eyes. Della patted his arms as she gave him his letter back and turned her attention back to her suitcase and continued to unpack the rest of her stuff. "I'm happy for you Perry I truly am." Della told him strongly, but Perry heard a crack in her voice not wanting to see her discouraged because she has not seen her results. He sat down on the bed in front of her as she stopped unpacking her suitcase and looked down at his face.

"I know Perry. You keep telling me that it is going to be fine. I still have that doubt in my mind." Della voiced her opinion. He pulled her between his legs as she stood there with his hands on her hips so she couldn't retreat from him.

"Della, stop your worrying. You're going to be just fine. I promise you," Perry said looking up at her with soulful eyes as he pulled her into his embrace, hugged her to him, and gave her a quick kiss while he nuzzled her cheek with his stubble which caused her to shiver slightly, and she pulled back from him rubbing his cheek with her fingertips.

"Going rugged on me now Perry? It's a turn-on when the season is right." Della took his chin in her hand planting a kiss on his lips.

"Della, are you telling me you like facial hair now? I will grow a beard, just for you." He looked at her with passion in his eyes.

"It looks good on you Perry. I am not telling you what to do. If you want to grow a beard that's fine. Just remember though you will get limited access from me because I don't want a beard burn from you," Della pinched his cheek and stepped back out of his embrace to finish unpacking. Perry rubbed his chin and then his cheek, grinning roguishly as he watched her unpack the last suitcase. Opening the small carry-on bag that enclosed the figurine she treasured since she was a little girl. Gently picked it up and inspected it for any damage. Placing it on the table, Perry walked over to her and examined the fine artistry on the porcelain angel.

"Della that is very stunning and looks perfect where ever you display it."

"Yes, it is. My grandmother gave it to me when I was a little girl. I think of her when I look at it. It's so very dear to me. I'm going to freshen up before we go over to my parents' place. Is that alright, or did you have any plans?"

"My only plans are meeting your folks, Della. I want to get their blessing of having me as your husband."

Perry went into the kitchen and looked at his empty refrigerator and pulled his cabinet drawers open. He knew his mother cleaned out all the food while he was away. He went into his bedroom unpacked his suitcase. While Della was in the bathroom getting ready, he pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, took a slow drag off it as he tapped his index finger on the windowsill looked out the window then back in Della's direction. Della stood in front of the mirror, fixed her dress, combed her hair and dabbed a few drops of perfume onto her neck. Joining him in his bedroom while he was perched on the windowsill and slowly exhaling his smoke from his lungs looking out the window when she touched his arm startling him out of his thoughts.

"I'm ready Perry. You want to freshen up first or not?" Della glanced up at him then back out onto the busy sidewalk.

"I better shave first. I want to be presentable to your family. After all its my first visit, and I don't want to go over there looking like a chump." He chuckled at her before snuffing his cigarette out.

"Perry, they won't think you're a chump." Della stilled him by grabbing his forearm.

"You sure about that? Just how many rugged men have your brought to your parent's place, Della?" He teased her playfully as he pulled her into his hug while his hands drifted below her waist.

"Well, since you asked, half a dozen." Della lied, narrowing her eyes at him playfully and he read her facial expression knowing she was lying to him. She put her arms around his shoulders as he dipped his hands lower on her backside.

"Hmmm…just what I always thought about you," he leered at her giving her a quick kiss before departing into the bathroom.

Della turned around and looked at his empty suitcase, which was still open on the bed and found a picture that was in the waste bin that was of Perry's ex, Laura. Della didn't know a lot of history that went on between Perry and Laura, but from what he told her and the less she knew about her; the better off it would be. Hearing a buzzing sound, Della knew he was shaving and stepped in the bathroom doorway to watch him. Moving the shaver to the other side of his face, he slowly took his time so he wouldn't nick his face while he concentrated on his task. Perry switched off the razor, toweled off his face, and rubbed his cheeks when Della approached him from behind, slipped her arms around him and pulled her to him in an embrace as he turned in her arms and hugged her.

"Do you approve my love?" Perry leaned down and rubbed his cheek against hers as she hummed approval.

"Perry, it didn't matter to me. Either way you look handsome," Della traced his clean-shaven cheeks and patted him tenderly.

They exited his apartment locked the door Perry took her arm in his and took the elevator downstairs. A young lady met them at the opening of the elevator who gave the two a second look before speaking to Perry.

"Perry, I didn't know you were back so soon. How did your term go and did something happen to Laura and you? And where did you find this lovely woman?" The young lady asked. She knew Della was a different woman on his arm and had what looked like an engagement ring or promise ring on her finger from the way it glinted in the light in the hallway.

"Oh, Glady's I just get back from law school. I did very well on my term. Laura and I broke up while I was at law school. This is Della Street. Sorry to cut and run but we have to be somewhere." Perry steered Della away from the nosy busy body and left in hurry not wanting to give any more information out to her.

Perry took Della by the arm wanting to get away as quickly as he could from the young woman who was dating a man from a news agency that was all about the gossip columns. Any dirt dished out the better, and juicy details sell their papers, whether it was the honest truth or made-up lies. The young woman shrugged her shoulders and pushed the elevator button to go up to the next floor. Perry helped Della into the car looking over at her from his seat then looked back at his apartment entrance.

"Della, she is dating a man on the second floor. He works for a gossip paper that exploits anyone and everything. Sorry I had to rush you out of the building."

"I understand Perry. So, did Laura come over here often? I saw her picture in the waste bin in your apartment." Della folded her hands on her lap and clasped them. Perry started his car, looked onto the street, pulled out then answered her when she looked back at him as she waited on her answer.

"Laura did come over often and met some of my neighbors that are still here, but some have moved out. Glady's was just one neighbor Laura met and they became good friends. I guess she figured she'd see her again." Perry said and glanced over at her while Della looked out the window shield and remained quiet.

"Della, where do your parents live? I'm about to leave the last stoplight. I need to know if I need to get on the freeway or stay on the highway," Perry slowed his car to the light as it turned red, waiting on her to say something.

"You need to get on the freeway and my parents live just outside of town. It's about five miles from here, Perry." Della finally spoke. Driving in silence Perry kept stealing glances at her as he looked at the exit signs since he didn't want to miss her exit. He reached for her hand and grasped it from her lap.

"Perry, my exit is right here. Please take the next exit ramp right here." Della finally broke the silence and nervously told him the directions to her parents' house. Pulling up to the modest house, it was two-story built with a large garage with two late models parked inside. Perry parked his car, shut his engine off and looked at the house then back at Della. Della looked in the windows of the house to see if any movement was visible catching a glimpse of her mother in the kitchen, Della smiled then looked back at Perry.

"Mom must be fixing lunch since dad's car is here. I just wonder where Joe is?" Della searched the neighborhood looking for her brother but no sign of him playing outside. Perry looked in the other direction to see if he could see her brother, but no sign of him in either direction. Perry got out of the car, walked around to open her door and helped her out of the car before shutting the door. Taking her arm in his, they slowly walked together up to the front door and rang the doorbell.

Mr. Street opened the door to be greeted by his daughter and a stranger that he never met. Her father hugged her fiercely while his wife joined him at the stoop and hugged Della and kissed her on her cheek.

"Della, it's so good to see you. We got your letter from your school and figured you would be arriving this week by train, but not on our doorstep today. It's great to have you home. We've all missed you so dearly, Della," her mother hugged her again looking at her then turned her attention to Perry. Stepping back to put space between herself and Della, she spotted the ring on her hand. Taking it in her hand, she admired her ring then let her hand slip from hers in shock.

"Della, where is Michael and who is this?" Her father asked while giving him an uncomfortable glare. Her father also noticed his car, a Cadillac no less. Her father glanced back at him waiting for an explanation to whom his daughter was affiliated with. Could she be mixed up with the wrong people, such as a racketeer, but he was about to find out soon enough from Perry himself.

"Michael and I broke up when I came back to Chicago. I know how much you liked him but it wasn't in the best interest of me to stay with him. I know Joe liked him, and I don't want to repeat myself and I'd rather tell everyone about what happened between us." Della stated then looked over at Perry.

"Perry Mason, this is my mom, Evelyn and my father, Marcus Street." He shook their hands and her father was curious as to what he did for a living. Her mother couldn't contain her happiness for her daughter and her handsome beau, she was beaming at them both uncontrollably. Her mother noticed he was much larger in stature than her previous beau Michael and knew he either worked out or was in the service at one time. She noticed his mesmerizing blue eyes and his broad shoulders along with his gorgeous locks of hair.

"So, what is your profession, Mr. Mason? Are you related to the famous lawyer Alexander Mason?" Marcus asked firmly then looked back at his daughter who had her arm around Perry's waist holding him to her looking up at him, then he returned her gaze smiling down at her and then answered.

"Yes, that's my father. I just graduated with high honors on my BAR exams and planning to go into practice once Della and I get settled. But I wanted to have your blessing to have her hand first," Perry lovingly spoke to them. Marcus pondered for a moment while his wife couldn't be happier for her daughter, and agreed for them both surprising her husband.

"Yes, you can have Della's hand! Oh, my goodness Della I'm so excited! Marcus not one word you hear me or you will be paying dearly for your daughter's happiness." Her mother warned him as she gave him a harsh look and hurried her daughter inside the house. Marcus grumbled under his breath as Perry chuckled at the scene in front of him when a young boy rode up on his bicycle and screeched to a stop in the garage.

"Hey, slow down Joe, or you going to get hurt!" Marcus called to the teenager and he appeared out from the parked cars brushing off his jeans and dirty shirt and joined his father and Perry.

"Dad, who is this? Is he selling something?" Joe added then noticed the car wasn't a sales pitch it was too fancy.

"Must be someone important to drive a car like that. Who are you mister, and why are you here?"

"Joe, he's asked your sister Della's hand in marriage and well your mother and I…." Marcus trailed off before he could finish and Joe rushed into the house to greet his sister.

"Della! Where are you? Sis!?" Joe searched the living room and then the spare room eventually found her at the kitchen table. Stopping at the entrance, he looked at her and the ring on her hand. Knowingly in fact it was true his sister was going to be married and not to his friend's uncle, Michael.

Perry and Marcus joined them at the kitchen table but remained standing so Della could explain everything to her brother who was disappointed but he slowly understood why his sister made the choice she did and having Perry's hand instead. They ate their lunch at the table comfortably talking about law school and Perry's naval adventures overseas and just enjoyed seeing their daughter back was all the happiness the family wanted since she'd been gone. They talked late into the evening. Perry noticed Della's letter on the table unopened and nudged her elbow to open it. Della laughed at one of her brother's jokes when she felt Perry's hand on her elbow.

"Perry, what is it?" He pointed to the letter that was hidden under a few flyer ads on the table and whispered in her ear. "Your letter from Law School. Open it. I know you've seen it by the way you been fidgeting in your chair all afternoon." Perry touched her hand and she squeezed it gently.

"I'm just nervous Perry that's all." Della whispered back to him as her mother entered the room.

"Della, your letter came by rush delivery today. Go ahead and open it. We're all anxious just like you are honey," Evelyn said and sat down at the table joined by her husband while Joe stood by Della's side. Ripping the envelope open and revealing the news that Della had so anxiously needed to know was about to change her future. Unfolding the letter, opened it while Perry leaned over to read the news with her, she looked back at him and then back at her parents and then at her brother with moist tears forming in her eyes; seeing the words CONGRATULATIONS YOU PASSED SECRETARIAL SCHOOL.

"I passed my exams for secretarial school. Perry you were right," Della gave him a quick kiss in front of her parents only to be gathered up in his strong arms and he returned her kiss not caring about anything but her happiness as they looked at the letter as she passed it over to her parents to read it for their selves.