Hamilton Burger smiled politely at Gertie as he entered the reception area of Perry Mason's office.

The cheerful young blonde returned the smile and nodded at the metal cake carrier in his hand. It was an ivory color with a pretty spring time floral design on it.

"I see Alex's cake carrier is making the rounds again," she quipped.

Hamilton chuckled as he held it up and studied it for a moment.

"I suppose you girls have seen it enough to recognize it," he acknowledged.

"Every time one of us has a birthday," Gertie nodded, her smile widening. "She can make whatever you want and they are spectacular to look at."

They were interrupted by her phone ringing and she gave the District Attorney a thumbs up to indicate that Perry was ready for him.

Hamilton nodded his thanks and knocked on Perry's door.

"Come in," came the Defense Attorney's slightly muffled reply.

It was still loud enough to be heard clearly and Hamilton let himself in.

Perry leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk and Clasping his hands in front of him. He smiled at his guest. Or rather guests.

"Hello, Hamilton. And Alexandra's cake carrier," Perry joked.

Seated near Perry, Paul's blue eyes widened with hope. He exhaled a plume of cigarette and pulled his feet off the desk, sitting up straight in anticipation of diving into the cake.

"I hope there's still cake in it!" He said sincerely.

Hamilton was almost certain he could hear the private detective's stomach growl from across the room. He set the carrier down on the table and undid the clasps, revealing Alexandra's hard work in all its painstaking, yet gorgeous glory.

"Does everyone recognize my girl's cake carrier?!" He asked, incredulously.

Perry's smile broadened into a cheeky grin.

"Oh, we've all had it over at our places for dessert at some point. The Case of the Traveling Cake Carrier."

Perry was obviously full of jokes tonight.

"What's the occasion?" Paul asked, curious.

Hamilton shrugged.

"That's the thing. There isn't one that I know of. She just made me one she knew I'd like and brought it work for me. I can't eat it all by myself though. I'm putting on weight as it is," he chuckled ruefully.

Paul got up and ambled over to have a look at the sugary confection. He whistled in appreciation.

"It almost looks too good to eat. Not that that will stop me, mind you."

Drifting over to the office door, Paul poked his head in at Gertie, grinning sweetly.

"Hey Gertie, you ought to come see Alex's latest cake!"

Gertie shook her head at Paul with amused disbelief.

"I'll be there in a few minutes to cut it up for you," she sighed with mock irritation.

Paul's smile widened and he thanked her, closing the door again.

Wmwmwm

Della returned to the office with Alex in tow. They were chattering away about getting their circle of friends together for a picnic in the park sometime that weekend, but stopped when Gertie motioned for them to come closer.

"Mr. Burger is in there with Mr. Mason and Mr. Drake. He brought over your cake carrier and seemed in unusually good spirits. You don't think he'll pop the big question soon, do you?" She asked almost in a whisper.

Alexandra blinked at that and set her purse down near the edge of Gertie's desk. She dug around in it for her powder and lipstick, fervently glad that Gertie had warned her of Hamilton's presence. He has yet to see her looking out of sorts on a regular day and he'd have to be wed to her before she'd let him see her that way.

"I-I don't know. He hasn't seemed any different to me," Alexandra shrugged, opening her compact and checking her appearance in the little mirror. Her powder was holding up pretty well, but she gave her face a few more gentle pats for good measure and then touched up her cherry red lipstick.

Della watched Alexandra primp with amusement, cradling a few law books in her arms.

"It has been two years, Alex," she noted.

"Ah yes, the magic number," Alexandra chuckled. She tucked her makeup back in her purse and glanced at Della to lead the way.

"Let's put these books away and go see the boys," Della winked.

Gertie snorted.

"I suppose I should get up and go cut the cake for Mr. Drake before he starves to death," Gertie said, rising from her chair.

"That sounds about right," Della laughed and she and Alexandra vanished into the law library.

Wmwmwm

"So… she cooks, she bakes, she's pretty and smart, and your office is neat as a pin. What's the holdup, Mr. Burger?" Paul asked as he exhaled yet another cloud of cigarette smoke.

Perry's eyebrows lifted in curiosity at that. Paul was being a bit nosey, but he was a detective and nosey sort of came with the job.

"I'm rather curious myself, Hamilton," Perry admitted. "It has been about two years now, hasn't it?"

Hamilton winced in self recrimination. Two years of dating was about average, but he knew he was being overly cautious. Some might even accuse him of being afraid to make it official.

"Actually," he began, smiling slightly. "Marriage has been on my mind a lot lately and proposing is on the agenda soon. Maybe even tonight if I can get my act together."

The men were startled by the sudden sound of an avalanche of books hitting the floor in the law library.

A few seconds later, a chagrined Della swung the door open and smiled sweetly.

"Sorry. They were heavy. I'll be in momentarily," she said, exchanging a smirk with Perry.

Paul sat up straight again.

"Can you cut this cake when you do? We're still waiting on Gertie."

"Oh, I'm right here, you big baby!" She scolded him teasingly as she stopped to help Della pick up a few books. She had also heard the books fall and rushed in to make sure no one was hurt. "Alex just showed up too. Something about a hot date with the District Attorney."

Hamilton grinned at that and stood up to peek into the law library for Alexandra.

She and Della were finishing putting the last few books away and then they made their way into Perry's office. Hamilton put an arm around her for a moment.

Alexandra pretended not to have heard anything she wasn't supposed to and looked over at the cake on the table, confusion written all over her features.

"You haven't had any yet?" She asked, sounding hurt.

Hamilton frowned and give her a gentle squeeze.

"I wanted to share this time, honey," he said.

Della gave Paul a teasing look and fetched plates and utensils to set on the table near the cake.

"Our growing boy thanks you," she joked.

Hamilton pulled out a chair for Alexandra and she thanked him as she sat. Della set the first piece down in front of her. He rested a hand on her shoulder and she offered him a bite off her fork.

"It is true though. Alexandra and I do have dinner reservations at six so we'll need to leave after cake," Hamilton said.

He and Alexandra kept smiling happily at each other.

"I'm not sure what's sweeter. Those two or the cake," Della teased.

Alexandra took a bit of the cake she had spent hours on and wondered if it would be a different experience to make her own wedding cake.