CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Again, thanks so much for the encouraging reviews. We are nearing the end of our saga. When this happens I am a little sad, and yet a little relieved to be done. I hope you enjoy how this tale is being wrapped up with the happy endings we so enjoy. I hope the journey had been worth it. My muse is the best there is, I am very lucky.

TWO MONTHS LATER

Della was tapping her foot as she stood in the Los Angeles airport waiting for her best friend's plane. She was so excited to see Andrea and there was so much to share. Finally, the passengers began to come through the doorway. Waving to get her attention Della was greeted by a big smile and then a big hug.

"I thought I would never get here." Andrea revealed. "There was a delay in Chicago, no surprise, and then a delay landing here. It is so good to see you Del."

Hugging her friend again Della said, "It seemed like forever. I have so much I want to talk about."

Her best friend suggested, "let's get my luggage and some food, then we can talk."

Half an hour later they were sitting in a booth in at Pink's famous hot dog fast food restaurant. As they waited for their order Andrea asked, "Okay what is happening now?"

Taking a sip of her drink Della reminded her about what had happened at the fundraiser. "I haven't heard a word from him, so I assume he hired a secretary or he went into partnership with this Laura."

"You haven't heard anything through the law association grapevine?" she wanted to know.

Shaking her head Della went on, "not a peep. I guess it was not meant to be. To tell you the truth I'm not sure I would have considered his offer if her had made one."

"It doesn't make sense Del, he seemed to be pursuing you. What were you afraid of anyway?" Andrea seemed stumped.

Their food came and after taking her first bite Della admitted, "I am attracted to him and that is not the way to start a working relationship. Also, a year and a half ago I was supposedly in love with Michael and planning a wedding and family with him. Maybe my instincts are way off. He sure left me to be with Laura the minute she spoke to him."

"You admitted he asked you to stay, and that he still wanted to talk to you." Andrea reminded her friend.

Looking at her friend with arched eyebrows she asked, "would you have waited?"

"Probably not," Andrea admitted. "So, tell me again what Paul Drake said about me."

"He said to get in touch with him when you were in town. Maybe we could all get together."

Her eyes got dreamy as Andrea considered her words. "He was rather terrific and handsome. How does he look now?"

Della laughed, "I think maybe the uniforms got to us that night. He looks thinner. I do know they both were injured when the boat taking them to their assignments blew up. I'm not sure about their injuries but Paul was hurt worse than Perry."

Her eyes full of mischief Andrea said, "Maybe he just needs a little tender loving care."

"I don't think he would fight you off. Let's change the subject," she suggested. "What is new at home?"

Della knew something was wrong when her friend hesitated. "Well as you might expect when I talked to your mom, before I left, she told me how much she misses you. She doesn't know I am visiting you. Your Grandmother and Dad are adamant about not forgiving you for running away. I give your mom credit she hasn't told anyone else where you are living. Your brother is working with your dad and the big news is Michael married Bernadette Caruso. They are expecting."

The news left Della rather breathless. "I guess I expected he would look for someone else. Wow, a marriage and a baby."

Looking at her friend carefully Andrea asked, "Are you regretting your decision?"

She hesitated, "No, I don't think I am. I guess I am surprised. I hope Bernadette knows what she is getting herself into. As for my grandmother and father, I guess I am not really surprised. Mother sort of indicated that might be the case. There seems little reason to go back. What about you?"

"Actually," things are falling into place. "My sister lives in Florida and is getting a divorce. She has the twins, dad can be transferred down there, and they are moving to Florida this summer. They wanted me to go but really didn't argue about moving out here. I have three interviews at the Los Angeles Schools, Orange County schools, and at Warner brothers."

Della's eyes got big, "At Warner Brothers?"

"They are moving into television soon and they will need teachers for kids they hire for that and their movies too. I may get to travel as it is set up like a regular school."

"That could be exciting, and you might get to meet stars too," Della told her.

Andrea got serious. "It could be fun, but Della what are you going to do about this situation with your Mr. Mason."

"He is NOT my Mr. Mason." She informed her friend. "I don't know what to think. I told you I have never heard from him since that night at the fundraiser. You know when he walked off with her. For all I know he has his practice going, and he's hired a secretary with her approval."

Finishing her iced tea Andrea wanted to know, "so are you going to wait for Tim to come back to the firm? Are you happy with your job now?"

Della thought for a moment. "Tim has had some major setbacks. His leg has not healed correctly, he faces another operation, and there have been several infections. He could be off for a year more. My job is alright, but I loved being a personal secretary. I'm not sure what I want to do."

"Alright, if Perry Mason offered you a job what would you do?" She queried.

"Andrea, I don't know if I trust my judgement. I love working. Marriage right now seems a remote possibility. How do I know he is interested in marriage after all he has not married Miss Greer?"

Her best friend looked at her and offered, "as pushy as you say she is I'm sure if he was that interested in her then she would have hooked him by now."

"I guess you're right, but let's go," suggested Della. "I want to get you settled and then we are invited to Aunt Mae's for her famous chicken and dumplings. We can go and relax by the ocean, get some sun, and do a little sightseeing."

"It sounds like fun," her friend agreed. "I have to tell you Del I am excited about starting my new life and seeing Paul Drake again."

Taking her friend's arm Della Street said, "Well let's get going you never know will happen next out here." The two girls hurried happily toward Della's ragtop chatting excitedly about what the future might hold.

LATER THAT NIGHT.

The girls were up in the guest room at Aunt Mae's changing from bathing suits to sleeveless summer dresses. Della's was a pink and white stripe and Andrea wore yellow with red and white tiny flowers all over it. They both wore white sandals and had their hair pulled back with matching head bands.

Andrea handed Della her charm bracelet and fastened hers on her left hand." You look terrific," she told the brunette. Della returned the compliment."

They heard the doorbell. "That's probably is Liam."

"Was your Aunt expecting other guests? I hear more than one male voice."

Della looked startled. "Oh, I hope she isn't trying to fix us up with any of her friend's sons."

Her friend got that mischievous look on her face. "Well as you said you never know what is going to happen around here. One last look and let's go."

Taking a deep breath Della moved reluctantly, "Oh alright we can't very well escape."

When they got downstairs, there was no one in the living room. They headed for the sunroom and could see the tops of three men's heads. When Mae saw them, she stood up and said, "It's about time girls. Della, I believe you have met Perry Mason and Paul Drake."

Andrea grabbed her friend's arm as she felt her begin to sway just a little. She led her friend to the sofa, sat her down, and said, "I think Della got too much sun today."