"Della are you sure we can't bring Kassi with us?"
Perry asked as they packed for Catalina Island to meet with a client as Della sighed,
"No, Perry. I've already have a sitter picked out, remember Lana Martin? The cute redhead that lived across the hall from us but is living with her boyfriend? She agreed to come and babysit her tonight, and her mother is still living across the hall so if Lana needs help, Ellen will be more than willing to step in."
Kassi was only 6 months old and Perry's client sounded desperate over the phone that Della insisted that Perry went and she went with him.
Perry knew that Della was right as he looked at Kassi sleeping in her crib as they stood outside the nursery.
"OK, since you've known the Martin's for quite some time, I feel comfortable leaving Kassi with Lana."
Della nodded as she heard the quiet knock on the door, as Perry finished packing the one overnight bag for both of them.
"Hi, Mrs. Mason. Now don't you worry, Kassi's going to be just fine with Mom and I. I hope you don't mind Mom helping me since I've never really babysat a 6 – month – old before."
Della nodded,
"No, it's fine. I knew that you mentioned that over the phone. I've left instructions for you and your Mom and Kassi, for the most part, has been a pretty easy baby."
Lana nodded as Ellen walked over before the parents left, not after kissing Kassi 'goodbye' and quietly leaving.
As Perry drove to the dock to board their boat for Catalina Island, his thought kept going back to Kassi and how she was doing with Lana and Ellen.
"Perry, she's going to be fine. I knew what I was doing when I asked Lana to babysit her and also allowing Ellen to help her."
Perry sighed,
"I know but…"
Della smiled,
"…But you're beyond attached to your daughter. I understand Perry. But, if she's anything like you, she'll take it all in stride and hopefully be alright with people other than us being around her for an extended amount of time."
Perry nodded and as they sailed to Catalina Island – true to Della's word, Kassi was her usual easy self with her neighbors.
While they were talking with Perry's client, he was able to focus but every so often Della could see his gaze shift from the client to the window, something he always did when he was thinking about someone special, either herself or Kassi.
"You were thinking about Kassi weren't you?"
Della asked once they got back to their hotel room as Perry nodded,
"I tried not to but it's hard. This is the first time we've left her with a sitter overnight."
Once Della and Perry got ready for bed… Perry laid on his back staring up at the ceiling, still thinking about Kassi.
Much to Lana and Ellen's delight, Kassi slept through the night without waking up. Which was something that they were exceptionally excited to tell Della about.
Once Della and Perry made it back to the apartment,
"Hi, Kassi!"
Perry cooed as he placed a raspberry on her cheek as Kassi broke out in to peals of laughter as Della smiled,
"How was she last night?"
Lana beamed,
"Mom and I are sorry you missed out on this but, she slept through the night and woke up with a smile."
Perry and Della looked at each other as Perry kissed Kassi's head with a smile,
"That's wonderful news! Thank you both."
Della said as she pulled out her wallet to pay Lana and Ellen as they began to decline the payment,
"Don't bother."
Della sighed as Lana said that,
"Can't I at least give you something for watching Kassi last night?"
Lana shook her head,
"No, it was my pleasure. *she walked up to Kassi and rubbed a finger on a hand as Kassi giggled* Goodbye, Kassi."
Della and Perry smiled and when Ellen and Lana went back to their respective homes,
"Wow, maybe Kassi's easy – going personality might be a blessing for us."
Perry said as Kassi cooed happily in his arms as she snuggled under his chin as he rubbed her back gently as Della smiled at the scene in front of her.
Even if they decide to not have anymore children, her life was already complete with Perry and Kassi.