When Burger had finished questioning the defendant, the man stepped down and began walking back to the defense table. Instead of sitting, he yanked Della, who was now seven months pregnant, up by her arm and held her closely. He took a letter opener that had fallen out of her purse and held it to her neck. "Drop the charges, or she dies."
"What are you doing?" Perry asked.
"I'm surviving," he answered.
"After everything we've done for you, you're going to kill my wife and unborn child?"
"Not if he drops the charges."
"He can't..."
"It's okay," Burger said, "look, I'll drop the charges, but you have to let Mrs. Mason go first."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"I guess you don't." Burger slowly moved towards the two. He held out his hand, "let her go." The man looked around before shoving Della towards Burger, who caught her. "Take a seat, and I'll get things going," he said as he held a shaken Della. The man sat down and Burger walked Della back over to Perry. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she said a bit shakey. "Hamilton, you know that you can't do that."
"You two get out of here. I'll have things taken care of then, but right now you're in danger. Della, I want you to leave this courtroom and I want Perry to go with you."
"Come on, sweetheart," Perry said. He held his wife close as he ushered her out of the courtroom. He helped her to sit on a bench in the hallway, "are you sure that you're alright?"
"I'm just a bit shaken up. I didn't see that coming."
"Neither did I."
The people from the gallery began leaving the courtroom. Then, there was a commotion coming from the courtroom. Della tensed up so Perry sat next to her, "I wonder what that was?"
"I'm sure we'll find out shortly. Are you having any pain or contractions?"
"No, but I'll tell you if that changes. Hopefully, it doesn't since I still have two months."
Burger walked out with Perry and Della's things, "thank you," Perry said.
"What was all that commotion?" Della asked.
"They arrested him for attempted murder in addition to the murder charge he still faces," Burger answered.
"You won't be seeing me defend him," Perry said.
"It never occurred to me that you would," Burger smiled. "Are you sure that you're alright, Della?"
"Yes, thank you for saving me."
"Hey, don't mention it. I'm just glad nothing happened to you or the baby."
"What about me?" Perry asked as if he was insulted.
"Well, a guy can dream," Burger joked making the couple laugh.
"Thanks again," Perry said, "I owe you."
"I'm going to say no now, but one day I may collect."
"I'd better get her out of here." Perry helped his wife up, "I'm sure spending time with the kids will help."
Hamilton carried the Masons' things to the car for them so Perry could help his wife. The three said goodbye and the couple drove back to the office.
Back at the office, Perry took Della to his office and helped her to sit on the couch. Perry told Jenny she could take the rest of the day off and the young woman left. Gertie was on maternity leave after giving birth to a baby girl. Gertie chose Paulie's first name and Paul chose his middle name. This time, Paul was choosing the first name. He picked Gertrude after her mother. Gertie wasn't crazy about it, so Paul made Gertrude the middle name. Gertie suggested the name Bella, and Paul loved it.
"Little girl, your mama needs some love right now," Perry said to his almost one-year-old daughter. Maureen crawled up onto the couch with Perry's help.
"Mama," Maureen said before kissing her mother's cheek.
"I love you too," Della said. She hugged her daughter and began to cry.
"It's alright, Della. You're here and you're safe. Try to think of the party this Saturday."
"That's why I'm crying." Perry sat next to his wife. He took her and Maureen into his arms as Della broke down.
Nicky walked out of the bathroom and saw the scene, "mom, what's wrong?"
Della looked up, "oh, nothing."
"You can tell me," he said. Perry explained what had happened in court. After he'd finished, Nicky went to hug his mother. "I'm so glad you're alright."
That Saturday was Maureen's first birthday. Her parents threw her a party. The Mason family came out along with Della's aunt and Mr. Renzi. Burger and Tragg even made the list. Della's aunt knew everyone there very well except for the Mason family. "I never thought I'd see Mason so soft," Burger said.
"He's a sucker for her," Paul said.
"So are you," Della added as she put some more food out. "Now you have one of your own to spoil."
"And spoil her, he does," Gertie said.
"Now, Della, why don't you let us help you?" Paul asked in exasperation.
"I have everything under control."
"It's your daughter's party. You should be enjoying it."
"I am," she said.
"You've been through a lot the past few days."
"I'm fine now, Paul."
"You're also seven months pregnant."
Della gasped, "really? You're kidding?"
Nicky, Anthony, Burger, and Tragg silently chuckled. Paul rolled his eyes and sat with Gertie who was holding Bella and smiling. "Is there anything we can help you with, Della?" Tragg asked.
"Thank you, but that was the last thing I needed to put out."
"Boy, a year sure does go by quickly," Burger said.
Della smiled and looked at her husband and daughter, "it sure does. Although, I am enjoying her turning into her own little person. Even if Perry is her favorite."
"Of course, he's her favorite," Tragg said, "he lets her get away with everything. At least you're Nicky's favorite."
"I don't have favorites," the boy said.
"Yes you do," Perry yelled from his spot on the floor.
"Okay, maybe I favor mom a little more."
"You're not the only one," Burger said.
Paula looked at Gertie, "what happened a few days ago?"
"I don't know if I should say."
"Say what?" Della asked.
"What happened a few days ago," Gertie said.
"Oh," Della said, "go ahead. I don't mind." The woman walked over to her husband and daughter.
"Gertie, I can do it," Burger said. The woman gratefully nodded. "A few days ago we were in court. Perry's client had finished testifying. On his way back to the defense table, he grabbed Della by the arm and pulled her close to him. He then grabbed her letter opener and held it to her neck. I lied to him and said we'd drop the charges. He let her go and Perry rushed her out of the courtroom."
The others were in shock, "is she really okay?" Della's aunt asked.
"She seems okay," Gertie said.
"She just doesn't like to talk about it," Paul added.
The party was a success. Most of the guests had left. It was just Gertie, Paul, Tragg, and Burger. Della started to clean up. "Don't worry, Della," Paul said, "we won't ask if you need help."
Della looked at him and smiled before turning back to her task. Perry had taken Maureen to change her clothes. He walked out and sat the little girl on the floor. "Della, why don't you sit down? I'll take care of that."
"I'm fine, Perry."
Perry didn't take 'no' for an answer. He walked over and took his wife's arm before leading her over to the couch. Perry looked at the others, "see," he said, "that's how it's done."
He started cleaning up. After a few minutes, Della called for him, "Perry, I think she's going to walk."
Perry literally dropped everything and ran for the camera. He set the camera up, "this time, she's going to mama." Perry took his daughter a few feet away and held her hands as he set her on her feet. "Maureen, walk to mama," he said.
Everyone had gathered around the couch. "Come on, sweetheart," Della encouraged her daughter. Maureen held onto Perry's hands as she took one step, then two, and let go as she made her way to her mother. Della picked her daughter up and kissed her, "that's my girl." She looked at her husband who appeared a bit down, "you okay?"
"I didn't like how it felt when she let go."
"Perry, this girl will never let go of you."
Everyone smiled and helped Perry finish cleaning up. After everyone left, he joined his wife and children in the living room. "Look at how happy they are," Perry said with his arm around his wife as they watched Maureen and Nicky play with her new toys.
"Makes it all worth it, doesn't it?"
"Remember that when you're in labor in a few months."
Della smiled and the two sat there enjoying their little family.
