At nine o'clock the next morning, Perry Mason was sitting at his desk when he heard Della come into the office. He took a deep breath.
His secretary knocked on his door.
"Come in."
She came in. She was dressed in a lavender suit, looking so lovely that his heart skipped a beat. But in her hand, she carried an envelope, and the expression on her face was so professional and serious that it reminded him of her countenance when she had come in for her first interview. He could scarcely draw breath from grief. So she had not changed her mind. She was going to resign today.
Ms. Street walked up to his desk.
"Good morning, Mr. Mason."
"Good morning."
"If you have a moment, there is something which I would like to discuss with you."
Perry steeled himself.
"I would rather talk about it later. First, I need you to pull Frank Walker's file out for me."
Slight surprise crossed Della's face – Perry was not in the habit of denying her requests – but she nodded and went to the file cabinet.
When she pulled out the drawer marked "W"; however, she found that it was completely devoid of files. All it contained was a bouquet of tastefully arranged red roses.
"What in the world?" she began to say, but the attorney interrupted her.
"I also need Robert Ink's file."
Della dutifully pulled out the 'I' drawer, and found a box of imported Belgian chocolates.
"And please also give me Fredrick Matron's papers."
The only thing in the 'M' drawer was an adorable teddy bear holding a plush heart.
"Perry, what is the meaning of this?" a thoroughly mystified Della asked, turning to her boss.
He stood up from his desk and slowly came towards her.
"It means," he said gently, "that you deserve so much more than a life of typing and filing papers. You deserve a rich life, filled with roses, sweets, and love. And although I am unworthy of you, I would be honored if you would let me be the man who tries to give you such a life. Della, for a long time I have seen you as so much more than my secretary. You are my closest friend, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and raise children with." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box, and went down on one knee before his shocked secretary. Opening it to reveal a sparking diamond ring, he asked, "Della Street, will you marry me?"
Tears sprang into Della's eyes. A moment passed, the most nerve-wracking of Perry's life, and then she finally whispered,
"Is this real, or another one of my dreams?"
"It's very real, and very true, Della. Please say yes!"
She broke into a wide smile.
"Yes, Perry, of course I will marry you!"
Relieved, almost giddy with joy, Perry stood up, plucked the ring out of its box, and slipped it onto Della's finger. Then he put his arms around the woman he loved, looked into her brilliant eyes, and very gently, pressed his lips to hers.
Two more chapters to come!
