June

Perry Mason, Hamilton Burger, Arthur Tragg, and Paul Drake entered a night club one night after work. "I can't believe I let you drag me here," Perry said.

"They have great food," Paul said.

"And?"

"And what?"

"Come on, Mason," Burger said, "loosen up a bit."

"Yeah, even I'm happy to be here," Tragg said.

Just then, the manager announced the club's singer, Della Street. Perry took one look at her and was gone. She sang for a half hour. Perry was mesmerized. Della's final song was 'Always'. "Paul, I want you to make a note of this. In one year, I'll be married to that girl."

"She's so far out of your league," Paul said, "she's out of everyone's league."

"I'm going for it."

"What are you going to say?"

"I don't know. I will when I bump into her," Perry smiled and stood as Della finished the song. He walked towards the hall where the restrooms were, which also led to the backstage. He kept walking until he nearly bumped into her. "Oh, I'm so sorry," Perry said.

"That's quite alright."

"I should have been paying more attention."

"Oh, I think you were completely paying attention," she smiled.

Perry gave a guilty smile, "I guess I'm not a good actor."

"No, I hope that's not your job."

"No, I'm a criminal defense lawyer."

"I'm Della Street," she said as she extended her hand.

"Perry Mason," he said as he took her hand.

"Well, Perry Mason, don't think I didn't see you staring at me all night."

"You were the performer, Miss Street."

"Did you notice that I was staring at you?"

"I didn't want to assume, but I felt that you were."

Della looked past Perry, "uh-oh, we have company."

Perry turned and saw Paul. He waved the man over, "Paul Drake, this is Della Street." He looked at Della, "Paul is a private investigator."

"I can't believe you did it," Paul said.

"Did what?" Della asked.

"Paul didn't think you'd talk to me. None of my friends did. Hey, where are Tragg and Burger?"

"Flirting with the waitresses."

"Well, I'd love to talk to you," Della said to Perry. "That was my last set for the night."

Perry turned to look at Paul. The detective sighed, "it's a good thing I drove."

After Paul left, Della took Perry to her dressing room. He waited outside while she changed. Two hours later, they had gone over their entire lives. "I'm having a great time talking to you," Perry smiled. "It feels so easy and effortless."

"I feel the same about talking to you," Della said.

"Marry me?" Perry asked.

"You're crazy," Della said with a smile.

"So?" Perry asked.

"Why would you want to marry me after knowing me for two hours?"

"You're smart, talented, kind, caring, funny, and gorgeous."

"Well, you've got me there," she joked causing Perry to laugh.

"You don't have to answer. See, I told Paul that in a year, you'd be my wife."

"You're very confident. I'll make you a deal," she said. "I'll go out with you and you can ask me again later."

"How much later are we talking?"

"Surprise me," Della whispered.

That night, Della gave Perry a ride home. The two began dating. Della also became close with Paul, but Perry was the only man for her. Six months after meeting, Perry convinced the club owner to give him an hour in the club, just him and Della. When she walked in, Perry walked out to the microphone. "I've been waiting for you, Miss Street."

"Perry, what on Earth are you doing?"

"Six months ago, I saw you for the first time, right here. I asked you to marry me and you'd said that we could date. Then I could ask you later. Well, it's later. Della, I've never met a woman like you and I don't want to look anymore. I love you more than anything and want you to have everything. Will you marry me?" She stood there in shock for a moment before walking towards Perry. Della sped up, the closer she got, and threw her arms around him as she kissed him, "is that a 'yes'?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Did you hear that?" Perry yelled. The club staff and Paul walked out cheering and congratulating the couple. "See, Paul?"

"She hasn't married you yet," he joked. Well, five months later, in May 1955, Della married Perry on that stage. They danced to 'Always' and that was just the beginning.