Side by side romances it seems.

The following day had been a busy one. Burger and his best friend from grade school, George had spent much of the day moving the rest of Alexandra's belongings to Burger's place and had finished not long before. Alexandra had offered to help, but the two men, Burger in particular, wouldn't have it and urged her to rest instead. Letting them do all the work didn't sit well with Alexandra, but Burger had insisted that she could help with the unpacking the next day and that he didn't want her working herself into a miscarriage by moving things. She'd argued that such a thing wasn't likely to occur as long as she didn't overdo it, but the petite blonde acquiesced when her lover had turned his stern gaze on her. She knew he was going to be stubborn about this; and she also knew that the longer the argued about it, the angrier he'd get over the lost and wasted time.

Reluctantly, she had retreated to the bedroom for a nap and awoke just in time to hear George leave. Remaining still, she heard Burger's solid footsteps approach and the door creak open. She felt the depression in the mattress as sat down next to her, reaching out to stroke her cheek gently before laying down himself and snuggling up against her. He was the tired one now. Alexandra turned her head to look at him and smiled tiredly.

Realizing she was awake, Burger smiled softly. "So I thought we'd have a private ceremony on the beach and then we'll have dinner out with our friends afterwards. Planning a big wedding would take longer than we have and most of our relatives would have to travel. We can visit them after the baby is born."

Alexandra chuckled. "Not satisfied just running down to the courthouse," she teased. "Seems to me that would be just the ticket for you."

Burger shook his head. "That's not the story I want to tell our children," he said sincerely. "Even if it won't be the fairytale wedding you had in mind, I still don't want to tell them we just ran down to the courthouse because we felt we had to. I love you, Alex. Our wedding doesn't have to be a lifeless story if we don't let it."

"You're right of course," Alexandra murmured softly. Burger's softer side could be rather romantic and sweet at times. It was a side most people who knew him didn't think he had.

W^^^W^^^W

Mason arrived at Della's place a few minutes early. The big blue eyed defense lawyer bounded up the steps with an enthusiasm he hadn't felt in a long time. He wasn't sure if it was his coaxing the night before or something or someone else that had spurred his longtime secretary to change her mind, but he was grateful to whatever or whoever had.

Della had answered the door promptly and looked almost shy and demure as she invited Mason in to her own dwelling. He had been there a few times, but not on social calls or for personal reasons. Entering fully into the living room, Mason found himself staring perhaps a little too long at Della's stunning transformation. He was so used to seeing her dressed professionally at the office that it hadn't really occurred to him what other treasures she might have lurking about in her closet that rarely saw the light of day given the long hours she put in at work.

She'd chosen a dressier, sleeveless tea length dress with a flowing skirt in a dark red color that complemented her ivory skin and dark brown hair to perfection. Mason's large blue eyes widened appreciatively as he took in the breathtaking sight before him.

"Della, you look incredible," Mason murmured when he finally found his voice again and he raised her tiny hand to his lips.

"You're too kind, Perry," Della blushed.

Mason gave her another good once over and his eyebrows lifted. "Oh no, Della… I'm quite sincere."

She glanced away shyly. Della was somewhat used to the attention; after all, Paul Drake often called her "beautiful" and Tragg had been known to turn on the charm periodically. Here, alone with Mason though she couldn't make excuses about having to return to work in order to avoid others noticing how flustered she felt inside at the attention.

"Come on," she smiled warmly. "Dinner is ready."

W^^^W^^^W

Dancing was something that Mason didn't get to do often; again, owing to the fact that his work took up so much of his time. This time though, Mason didn't think he could answer the call of duty if it rode up on horseback and tried to drag him out. Swaying in each other's arms, Mason was acutely aware of subtle, but attractive floral perfume that Della favored and he pulled her closer so he could bury his nose in her air. Della chuckled low.

"You always did like my perfume, Perry."

"I'll testify to that…," he murmured.

They pulled back from each other just enough to gaze longingly into each other's eyes.

"Do you have any idea how long I've waited for a night like this with you?"

"Too long?" Della guessed playfully.

"Too long," Mason nodded, leaning in for the much anticipated first kiss of the evening. It was much like the one the night before at Della's car; long, deep, and filled with a passion that Della hadn't realized Mason possessed outside of his work. Apparently, she still had much to learn about this amazing man she'd worked with for so long.

"Della…," Mason murmured in between kisses. He was ready to go further, but wasn't certain if she was. "If you're not ready…"

Della shushed him with a perfectly manicured finger to his lips. "Perry, hush." Taking his hand gently, she led him to the bedroom.