Perry had decided to just consult with Nicky on cases. He didn't want to practice without Della and he also didn't want to ask her to quit when he encouraged her to take the job, to begin with. Perry took on taking care of the house while Della was at work and he wasn't at the office with Nicky. When Perry turned off the lawnmower, he heard his wife, "Perry!"
He rushed into the house and found her on the floor, at the bottom of the stairs, "what happened?" he asked as he rushed to her side.
"I tripped and fell down the stairs," she winced in pain, "it hurts so bad."
"I'm going to call an ambulance."
Della ended up needing surgery for a broken hip. Perry himself wasn't in the best shape, but he did a great job taking care of her.
Six weeks later, Perry walked into the living room. "Della, the police are on their way over here."
"Why?"
"Arthur Gordon was found murdered."
"What?"
"They have some questions for you."
"I haven't been to that house in six weeks."
"That's what I told them."
The officers arrived a few minutes later. They searched the Mason house and then confronted Della. "Mrs. Mason, your earring was at the scene. Your shoes are covered in mud and your dress was in the trashcan."
"You can't possibly think that my wife murdered Gordon? She can hardly walk and can't even get in and out of the car."
"What else am I supposed to think?"
"Look, we're not going anywhere. Can't you look at this a bit more first? I can get you Della's medical records and physical therapy notes."
The detective looked at Perry and then the walker that sat next to Della. "Okay," he said, "for now I will leave Mrs. Mason here. Get me those things and stay in town."
"Thank you," Perry said. He walked the detective out before returning to his wife, "are you alright?"
"He really thought I killed Gordon. He was going to arrest me. If you hadn't been here..."
"Hey, it's okay. First of all, those records I get will prove that you couldn't have committed the murder. Plus, I know you were here all night. Once they narrow the time of death down, I can prove it." He could tell she was emotionally drained. "Why don't I help you go lie down?"
"Will you stay with me?"
"Of course," Perry helped his wife up and stayed close by as they slowly made their way to the bedroom. Once she was settled, Perry crawled in next to her.
It only took a couple of days to clear Della. Two weeks later, Della was getting around with a cane. She and Perry had no idea what was about to happen. The phone rang, and Perry went to answer it.
"Who was that?" Della asked as he sat down.
"Maureen," he said.
"What?"
"She's been arrested."
"For what?"
"The murder of Arthur Gordon."
Della gasped, "I don't understand."
"I guess she was working for him while you were off."
"Will you do me a favor when you go see her?"
"Sure," he said.
"Tell her I miss her and I love her."
Perry helped his wife get situated in a chair in the living room before going to see his daughter.
"Daddy, why can't I just go back to my apartment?" Maureen asked after her father bailed her out.
"You need support right now. Besides, it will be easier for me to represent you if you stay at the house. Your mother can get around well enough, but I don't like leaving her alone for too long."
"Is she mad at me?"
"No, she's confused. So am I."
"I plan on explaining everything to you both tonight. Well, I hadn't planned on it, but now I have to."
When they arrived at the house, Maureen stood by the car as Perry walked around from the driver's side, "it's okay." He placed a hand on her back and guided her to the door. When they walked in, Della was sitting in a chair.
"Maureen," Della made to stand but Perry stopped her.
"This young lady said she'd explain everything to us. I think she'd like to get it over with." Perry sat on the couch with his daughter for support. He knew she was more afraid to tell her mother.
"I'm so sorry for leaving the way I did. I was scared and ran. Then I was too afraid to come home. I didn't know how to explain everything to you and I thought you'd be ashamed of me."
"Whatever made you think that?" Della asked.
"I don't know. I've screwed up a lot and I didn't want to come back a failure."
"You were a teenager. I had similar arguments with your sisters," Della said.
"They weren't as bad."
"No, but they learned from you."
"I was pregnant," Maureen blurted out, "my roommate is bringing them over along with some of our things. They're thirteen months apart. Daddy, I need to have something that says you and mom have custody in the event I'm convicted."
"I agree, but you won't be convicted."
"How do you know that."
Della smiled, "because he's Perry Mason."
The doorbell rang and Maureen went to answer it. Her friend didn't come in. She decided it was best if she didn't. Maureen walked over with her daughters who were four and three. "Mom, dad, these are my daughters," she knelt down next to them, "Faith Nadine Mason and Grace Milagra Mason." The couple smiled at their adorable and beautiful granddaughters. "Girls, this is your grandma and grandpa."
Perry knelt down, "hi, girls."
The little girls smiled before throwing their arms around his neck, "grandpa," they said.
"I hate to let you go, but I think your grandma is dying to hug you."
Perry put them down and the little girls walked over to Della. They held her arms up, "Perry, could you?" Della asked.
"Oh, sorry," Perry lifted one granddaughter at a time so they could hug Della. "I forgot grandma has a boo-boo."
"I don't know how," Della said, "you've been doing everything around here lately."
"I'm going to show them to their room and I'll be back." Perry walked away with the girls. He returned moments later, "are you okay?"
"It's a lot to take in."
"I know what you mean."
"They look just like Maureen."
"I know," Perry said.
"Can you help me up?"
"Are you going to get into trouble?"
"No more than usual."
Perry took his wife's arm while she held onto her cane. "You're getting better at this," Perry said once she was on her feet.
"Good, because I'm tired of not being able to do anything. Do you really think you can clear Maureen?"
"Are you doubting me?"
"No, but I'm worried."
"Well, I'll need your help and the help of a good private investigator. I know just the one too."
"Perry, we can't take care of Faith and Grace if Maureen goes to prison. They're four and three years old. I'm barely getting around and you're not doing much better."
"I take offense to that."
"Perry," Della said sternly.
"I doubt her siblings know. We'll sign the papers and if it gets to be too much then we'll call one of them. Besides, the doctor expects you to make a full recovery."
"You better start getting in shape, counselor."
"I'll do my best. Now, are you ready for bed?"
"Are you guys going to bed?" Maureen asked when she walked in. "Of course you are. It's after midnight."
"We can stay up for a bit," Della said.
"I was just wondering if I could make myself something to eat? I didn't get to have dinner."
"Help yourself," Della said, "I could make you something."
Maureen smiled, "I think by the eye roll dad just gave, that I should just do it myself."
"Perry Mason, did you roll your eyes at me?"
"Yes, yes I did." Perry looked at his daughter, "do the girls need to eat?"
"No, they already ate. Plus, they just crashed. It's way past their bedtime."
"Ours too," Perry chuckled.
"Thanks again, dad."
"You don't have to thank me."
Maureen started for the kitchen while the couple started for their room. "Mom," Maureen said. Della and Perry stopped before turning towards their daughter. Maureen wrapped her arms around her mother for the first time in five years. "I'm so sorry," she cried.
"Shh, it's alright, sweetheart. It's all going to be alright."
