I am sorry this has taken a while to post. My new computer dropped dead and had to be sent back. I have finally found a way to get this going again. Thanks to Tengland for the heads up. I have edited this, but any mistakes I missed are mine. GET READY FOR SOME SPICE! If it isn't your cup of tea maybe you should skip it. Yes, there is an epilogue. ENJOY!

CHAPTER NINETEEN

She got up reluctantly as he headed to the kitchen to start dinner. He heard her laughing as she walked into the bathroom. Behind the door on a hanger was her black and red bustier, silk stockings, garters and stilettos.

Not really wanting to take the time for a long bath she stepped into the shower wondering if he would join her. She was slightly disappointed when she had her hair washed, her skin clean and soft, and no Perry appeared. When Della, wrapped in a towel, moved into bedroom, she noticed a box on the bed. Curious she took off the top and nestled inside the tissue paper was a beautiful pink robe and slippers.

As she slipped it on and it caressed her skin she realized it was made of the softest silk and there was delicate lace on the sleeves, cuffs, and down the front. The sippers were pink velvet. She was brushing her hair as she came into the living room.

Perry was setting the table and she told him, "Look what the elves left me."

He raised his eyebrows and had a wide grin on his face as he said, "very impressive. I'll have to see what they gave you to wear underneath that robe later."

Walking over to him seductively she ran her fingers up his arm and asked, "And have we been a good boy this year?"

Pulling her to him with one arm, he nuzzled his face in her clean curly hair and replied, "after dinner I'll show you just what a good boy I can be."

As she began to say, "I'll look forward…." A buzzer went off.

Sit down," he called over his shoulder, "I have to turn the steaks." A minute later he came in with two salads, rolls, and a bottle of cabernet sauvignon."

Della was amazed, "you really did get prepared."

As he toasted her he explained, "I can't take all the credit. Our staff loves you, and when I told them what I had in mind they couldn't do enough. Did you know Jenny's brother grows pine trees and he sacrificed one for our tree? Gertie was so excited to go out to the house and get the decorations. All they asked was I bring you home safely. When I called to tell them we found you and you were safe, they cried."

"Oh Perry," she choked out the words. "I'm….not sure…..what to say."

Moving to her side he took her hand and said, "My darling isn't it evident to you, where you go love grows. Look how you changed me." He tenderly wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Now let's eat I have more surprises for you.

Over an hour later he was arranging pillows on the floor, so they could sit next to the Christmas tree. He handed her a box and told her to open it first. Inside was a gold and silver filigree picture frame and a picture of them on their wedding day.

She looked at him as he said, "That sits out in plain sight now, and I had it made so that I could see us at our happiest, until you were found."

Putting her hand on his cheek she asked, "have I told you how much I love you Mr. Mason?"

"Yes baby, you have, but I can hear that every day the rest of our lives."

Then he pulled a cashmere blanket from under the tree, unwrapped it and put it around her shoulders. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. "What's wrong sweetheart?" he wanted to know.

"I….I don't have…..ugh anything for you?" she sobbed.

"Oh Della, sweet beautiful Della, you have given me everything over and over. Your stalwart loyalty, loving our work as much as I do, how you protect me, how I feel just knowing you're near, but most of all your unconditional love, even at my grumpiest. From the day you walked into my life you have made every minute, every second better. You have given me the gift of you and what more could anyone ask.

She cuddled against him and sighed, "you make me feel so loved, so protected".

He sat her up and said soberly, "I will always try my best to protect you, but we know after what we have just gone through, I can't be with you every minute. I do want you to know that I would give my own life to keep you safe. And…..and young lady when I tell you to stay with someone who is to protect you, you will do as I say."

Looking rather ashamed she admitted, "you are right Perry, never again will I take those kinds of chances."

He looked at her rather skeptically, but hugged her anyway. "Now one more gift, and I had bought this a while ago before we got all involved in that trial."

It was heavy, and a big grin split her face when she looked down at the various bottle of massage lotions. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing darling," she said innocently. Then she added, "It is a bit obvious.

"Well," he began, "I have had them a while maybe we should make sure they are still good."

"Ugh hum," she said and then inquired, "and when do you think we should do that?"

He wiggled his eyebrows at her and said, "well there is no time like the present."

Unbuttoning his shirt she remarked, "you know you are incorrigible?"

He started to get up and said, "well if you are too tired."

Della tugged on his shirt and explained, "I think I would sleep better if I were more relaxed."

"Wait there just a moment," he told her getting up and going around turning off all the lights, except the Christmas tree. Pulling her close he said, "now let's see about unwrapping you Miss Street."

Lying in his arms she looked up at him from under her long eyelashes. "now counselor, take your time. After all you say good things are worth waiting for."

Starting to unbutton the beautiful robe he began to hum, "Joy to the World" and she began to laugh as he seemed to fumble around. "This is not funny woman there are too damn many buttons here. I want my present and I want it now."

Leaning back, she said with a wicked grin, "complain to the elves not me." Then they both began to laugh, and the tension was released.

"Come here baggage, and let me welcome you home properly," he insisted.

Helping him unbutton the robe she told him, "it will be my pleasure."

When he finally pulled the robe apart, for a long moment, he just gazed at her enthralled. Her skin loooked so creamy and smooth. Gently touching her, his fingertips skimmed the silken skin. He leaned down and began tenderly massaging her.

Next, he took the bottle of Lavender cream, warmed it in his hands, and spread it on her shoulders, and moved on down her chest, massaging all those kinks and tightness. "I'll give you a thousand hours to stop," she sighed.

Della moaned and leaned in closer. Running her fingers in his hair she kissed that special place behind his ear which drove him crazy. Moving his hands to her stomach, in between kisses, he said, "you drive me crazy woman. I need you so badly."

Perry moved his hands to her beautiful legs and slid them down to the places where she had been bound. "I'm going to make sure these heal properly. I may not be able to keep you safe 24 hours a day, but when I do have you in my sights you will get tender loving care."

"Oh Perry, no one takes better care of than you do. Every day, in every way, you show how much you care." She told him as she squeezed his hand. "I'll do as you say, but let's get back to letting each other know how much we missed each other. After all it is time for your gift."

"Flip over, young lady," he commanded. "I am going to make you so relaxed I can have my way with you."

She grinned at him as she turned over, "Is that so?",

Smacking her bottom gently he replied, "That's so, quiet down if you want to move onto even more interesting areas."

Letting him knead and press on muscles that were sore from lying in one position for so long, Della forced herself to stay awake. When he ended at her neck and began kissing her, she said, "My turn."

"Your wish is my command Mrs. Mason." He said moving his hand to her hip.

Pulling on the sleeves of his shirt Della whispered, "I'll do the same for you, so we can be more comfortable."

"You'll never know how worried I was, how much I missed you. I couldn't sleep, I had no appetite, I snapped at everyone, as Paul will tell you."

I'm sure he will," she laughed. However, I am here laying in your arms and you know something Mr. Mason I am dying to make love with you. So, could there be less talk and more action?"

He grinned at her and those dimples made her shiver and she pulled his mouth down to hers. Nibbling at his lips she didn't give him any chance to respond except for pressing his lips firmly against hers. Della was persistent slipping her tongue into his mouth as he opened to her. They began meeting breath for breath as things heated up.

His hands wandered down to her breasts as he gently rubbed her hardening nipples. Della pressed against him as her need for him increased. He decided to let her take the lead.

She moved her mouth to his chest giving him little kisses and running her hands over his wide chest as she moaned, "I love you."

Taking her hand, he moved it down to his hardening manhood and she stoked him sensuously. "You certainly haven't lost your touch my love," he said.

"You haven't seen anything yet, counselor, but you are missing YOUR massage" she breathed.

"Ugh, Huh," he breathed. "No more talking."

They were soon lost in each other kissing, touching, and renewing their love for each other. Neither one was taking for granted anything, realizing how much they almost lost.

At the point when they were ready to be joined as one they changed their positions. He raised her up so she was more open to him and he hesitated. Opening her hazel eyes she asked, "is there a problem?"

"I can't stop looking at you, and marveling you are really here and in my arms. Oh God, I almost lost you. I'll never take what we have for granted again." Lifting her hips wrapping her long legs around his waist, he joined them as one."

"Oh my! She exclaimed as he began moving with a regular rhythm that took her breath away. Soon she was begging him to move faster, and she was meeting him stroke for stroke. Slowly but surely, they were reaching a peak and all that mattered was the feeling, the sense of being one soul, one being.

As they came down from the feeling of pure bliss he pushed back her damp curls and kissed her tenderly, then hungrily. "I never get tired of touching you, loving you, and knowing you are my wife."

Still trying to catch her breath she looked at him adoringly. "Perry Mason, I have never been happier. You are everything I could ever ask for in every aspect of my life," she breathed.

"So, you'll take the job of my guardian, my guide, my everything?" He asked eagerly.

"I think I'm now up to the job, but as I told you before, don't try to get out of my sight for very long from now on. Also, I will be letting the ladies who come on to you know, you are taken."

His blue eyes were shining as he looked at her. "I agree to your terms Mrs. Mason. I suggest we take this into a more comfortable place, and I believe there is something else for you try on in the bathroom."

Sitting up she swatted his arm as she exclaimed," Perry Mason, and Aunt Mae isn't even here!

Pulling her up he said, "Get into the bedroom woman."

Looking around she said, "we have to do dishes."

Picking her up as she squealed, and throwing her over his shoulder he moved to their bedroom, and slammed the door with his foot.