Full Circle
(Once again I want to thank everyone for their reviews and encouragement for my two previous stories. I thought I would write a short one to tie things up. It's back to work and Perry has a few surprises for Della. Hope you enjoy it.)
Chapter 1
Della stretched and yawned as she came awake to the bright sun shining through her bedroom window. As the memory of last night invaded her thoughts she smiled and stretched again rolling to her side reaching out her hand, only to feel cold sheets. She sat up wondering where he was. Then she lay back on the pillows remembering he said that he was going home to get ready and he would be back to pick her up for work.
It had been a little over a month since she had been shot in the hallway of the courthouse. Since that time Perry had taken her on a wonderful trip to Cabo San Lucas and they had become even closer friends and, of course, then lovers. She knew she had loved him since that first day in his office when she had looked into those incredible blue eyes. But never in her wildest dreams could she have hoped that he felt the same way. Now they were returning to work which to Della's mind presented a new problem. But knowing Perry as she did he'd find a way to make everything work.
Climbing out of bed she slipped on her robe and headed for the bathroom to prepare for the day.
Perry used his key to enter her apartment quietly, afraid to wake her. When he heard the shower he closed the door and went to start the coffee. He entered her bedroom and carefully laid her present on the bed. Then he settled in the chair to wait. He smiled when he heard her voice singing a popular song. He seemed to learn something new about her each day.
When she emerged from the bathroom and saw him in the chair she gave a small gasp.
"Darn it Perry you scared me to death."
He rose and walked towards her, putting his arms around her, dropping a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Oh, were you expecting someone else in your bedroom at this hour? Do I need to be jealous?"
She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and returned the kiss. "No Darling, there's only you. I just didn't expect you back this soon."
He ran a finger down her jaw to her lips, "That's what I wanted to hear. Now you better get ready or we'll be late for your first day back." With that he settled back in the chair.
She regarded him with narrowed eyes. "Are you going to sit there and watch me dress?"
He smiled showing those deep dimples. "You don't seem to mind when I watch you undress, why should the reverse be any different."
"Perry, I…." but then she noticed the garment bag on the bed. She ran her hand over the black bag, stopping at the top corner where the initials EH shown in gold scroll work. She turned questioning eyes to Perry, "What's this?"
He stood and came to stand behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Why don't you look inside and find out."
Slowly she pulled the zipper down. Inside was a perfect copy of her pink suit but in a delicate shade of lavender. There was the matching silk blouse in an even paler lavender. As she reached out to touch the material she found it was much softer than hers had been. Then she saw the label in the collar of the jacket. Edith Head Designs.
"What on earth, how did you, when did.."
Perry laughed and turned her in his arms, "My dear Miss Street, for someone who is usually so articulate you are not making very good sense."
She looked from him back to the suit and back to him again. "Well?"
His hand cupped her face, "Several years ago, when I was first starting out a friend recommended me to Edith for some legal work involving copyright issues. She was very pleased with the outcome and told me if I ever needed anything to let her know and she'd be happy to help. Since your favorite suit was ruined I asked Edith if she would please try to duplicate it. I didn't think you would want pink...ah...considering. But if you don't like the color you can choose any other color and she will make it for you."
Della threw her arms around his neck and drew his head down to hers. When her lips met his it was with all the passion she could put into it. He pulled her closer and returned her passion with that of his own. When they finally broke apart, he gently wiped the tears on her cheeks. "So I take it the suit is to your liking?"
"Perry Mason you are the most amazing, wonderful, considerate, thoughtful, loving.."
He laughed, "Okay I get the message. I'm glad you like it. Oh, and if you look in your closet you will find matching shoes and a handbag." He kissed her again, "Now will you please get dressed so we aren't late for work."
"Yes Counselor, but only if you leave me alone. Otherwise," she gave him a sultry smile, "we'll never get out of this room." He took one step toward her but she placed her hand on his chest. Out, now!"
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, "Yes Miss Street." Then he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
When she stepped out of the bedroom a few minutes later he gave her an appreciative look.
"So what do you think, Counselor?"
He walked around her, as if studying every inch, finally stopping in front of her. "There's something missing."
She smiled at him, "I honestly don't think I've forgotten anything."
He stepped up to her and pulled a velvet case from his pocket. "Maybe this will help complete the look."
She took the case from him and opened it slowly. She let out a small gasp at the contents. Inside on a gold serpentine chain was an amethyst necklace, the stone an exact match to the ring he had bought her in Cabo. It also contained matching earrings.
"Oh Perry, it's absolutely beautiful."
He took the necklace from the case and stood behind her to clasp it to her neck.
"I had Evan go to the jeweler and request they make it to match the ring. It was ready the day before we left but I wanted to wait until now to give it to you."
She reached up and touched the stone then his hands as they rested on her shoulders.
"I love you Perry Mason."
He turned her to face him, "And I love you Della Street"
(Author's Note: For those of you too young to know Edith Head was a premier Hollywood fashion designer in the 50s, 60s and 70s. She had an impressive 23 Oscar nominations and 8 Oscar wins. To have a suit made by her would have been a true honor.)
Chapter 2
As they entered the elevator of the Brent Building, the operator Jimmy gave her a huge smile. "Miss Street, it's so wonderful to have you back. I've missed you."
"Thank you Jimmy. It's nice to be back." When they reached the 6th floor and Perry and Della stepped out JImmy called out, "Have a good day Miss Street"
Perry took her arm, "Suddenly I have become invisible as long as you are around."
Della smiled up at him, "Not to me Counselor, not to me."
As they entered the office, their receptionist Gertie gave a shriek and threw her arms around Della. "Oh Della I'm so happy to see you. Are you okay? Can I get you anything? Why don't you sit down and I'll get you some coffee. Oh my gosh it's good to have you back." Della gently patted the woman's back.
"Easy Gertie. Yes I'm okay, no I don't need anything, I don't need to sit down and yes it's good to be back. I want to thank you for all you have done while I was gone. I can't ever thank you enough."
Gertie stood back, "Oh that's okay Della, Mr. Mason more than compensated me. He was just wonderful." She blushed a deep crimson when Perry smiled at her.
Perry took Della's arm once again. "Gertie I think we should let Miss Street get to her office now."
Gertie went back behind her desk, "Of course Mr. Mason. I took care of everything."
Della looked back at Gertie, "What…" but Perry just ushered her into her office.
"Why don't you put your things away and then come on into my office." Looking over to make sure the door was closed, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "When you're ready Miss Street." With that he entered his office and closed his door.
Della put her handbag in her desk, checked her appearance in the mirror, then grabbed her steno pad and knocked on Perry's door.
"Come in Della." She opened the door and stepped in.
"Okay Perry, what's.." She stopped in her tracks taking in the scene before her. On the conference table there was an enormous bouquet of red roses. There also appeared to be a cake. But what really had her hesitating were the four men standing there, each one with a broad smile. In unison they all said, "Welcome back Miss Street."
All she could do was stand there until Perry walked over to take her hand and lead her to the table. She looked at the cake with the same words on top. The four men looked at her, still smiling.
"I honestly don't know what to say, except thank you, all of you." Then the tears started. She felt a hand on her arm as Perry handed her a handkerchief.
As she dabbed at the tears she walked up to Lt. Tragg. He took her hands, "I'm so happy to see you Miss Street." She put her arms around him and he whispered in her ear, "You scared me out of ten years Della, don't do it again."
She placed a kiss on his weathered cheek. "I won't. Thank you Arthur."
She then extended her hand to Hamilton Burger. He took it in both of his, "It's nice to have you back Miss Street."
She leaned in and whispered, "Thank you Hamilton."
His eyes took on a gleam, "I missed you Della. Court just wasn't the same. I can't wait to get back to normal." She backed away and smiled.
Then it was Paul's turn. Without even a second thought she reached up and pulled his head down and placed a kiss on his lips. "That was for everything." He held onto her, even seeing the scowl from Perry.
"If he hurts you I will kill him, I hope you know that."
She just smiled and patted his cheek, "I would expect no less from you. I love you Paul."
Finally she stood in front of Perry. His eyes held so much love that she almost felt she would melt on the spot. She saw him start to reach out to her but quickly dropped his hand. "Well Miss Street what do you say we start on that cake so we can finally get back to work." And with that everyone laughed. She picked up the knife and sliced into the cake, serving everyone a slice and a cup of coffee. The conversation turned to the latest case and suddenly it was everything as usual.
Epilogue
After Burger and Tragg had left, Della did cleanup while Perry went up to Paul's office to discuss a job he needed. When Perry returned he found her on the balcony, her face turned up to catch the sun, eyes closed, lost in thought. He stood for a minute just staring at this amazing woman. He knew that there had never been nor would there ever be anyone else that he loved as much as her. He quietly moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head back on his chest.
"I knew you were there." She turned in his arms, "I love your aftershave."
He bent to nuzzle her neck. "So what were you thinking about?"
"Just about the four men in my life." She felt him stiffen.
"Four men?"
She ran her hands up his chest, then wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Yes Darling, the four men. They were all here to welcome me back. And I care for each one of them."
"I'm listening, please go on."
She pulled him back into the office to sit on the couch. She took his hands in hers and smiled.
"Lt. Tragg is almost like a father to me. That's how he treats me. You don't see it but he looks out for me when we are at some murder scene when you are otherwise engaged. And I think of him as a surrogate for the father I lost." Perry smiled.
"And Burger?"
"Hamilton Burger is a friend, that's all. I realize that the two of you go at each other like bulls but he has always been kind to me. I know there have been a few rough patches along the way but he does care for me in his own way."
"Paul? That was some kiss Miss Street!"
Della laughed. "You never need to be jealous of Paul. Although he is very jealous of us. Yes, he had his designs on me from the start but he knows that I love only you. Paul is the big brother I never had. He would give his life for me, and for you. He is, if anything, overprotective of both of us. I just hope one day he'll find love the way I've found mine."
Perry nodded in agreement. "And the fourth man. What about him?"
Now Della moved into his warm embrace. "Ahh, the fourth man. The man who has had my heart from the moment I stepped through his office door. He is, at times, truly frightening. He's tough, hard-working, obsessed. When he goes after a criminal he's like a bulldog. He will defend an innocent person to the end, but heaven help them if they are not honest with him. He's devilishly handsome, has the most incredible blue eyes and makes most ordinary women swoon at a glance." She felt the chuckle in his chest. "But in private," she looked up at those eyes, "in private he is gentle, kind, loving, generous and the most ardent, passionate lover I could ever ask for. And I am madly in love with this fourth man, the man who is Perry Mason."
He looked into her hazel eyes, now glistening with unshed tears. "And I am madly in love with you, Della Street. And I promise I will love you for the rest of my life."
He kissed her once more then took her hands and pulled her to her feet.
"Now my darling Miss Street, do you possibly think we can get some work done today?"
She walked to the chair next to his desk, seated herself and picked up her steno pad, "I'm ready when you are Counsellor."
(I wanted to tell this story to complete what I started in the Pink Suit and explain how important the four men in her life are.)