As Perry carried Della to his car, Paul came running out of the building and jumped into the driver's side.
"Toss me the keys Perry and make it quick!" he shouted. Perry did as he instructed and barely had time to jump in the car himself as Paul started pulling away from the curb before Perry even had a chance to get in. Paul glanced in the rear view mirror.
"Better duck, Perry," Paul said hastily as he slid down in the seat and hit the accelerator. Perry looked behind him and fell sideways in the seat just as shots rang out from three men exiting Georgio's restaurant. One of the shooters was Michael Dominico.
The trio made it to the hospital within minutes of leaving the restaurant … their arrival marked by the squeeling of the car tires as they rounded the corner and flew up on the curb. Perry cast an angry look at Paul, muttered a curse word under his breath, and turned to check on Della. She was still unconscious. 'Thank goodness,' Perry thought, 'She's in no condition to handle Dominico firing at any of them.'
After getting Paul's call regarding Della's location, Perry had placed Dr. Cooper on standby. Dr. Cooper was waiting for them and had everything ready for Della. Perry very gently laid her down on the gurney, holding her hand and talking to her very quietly. Paul grabbed a couple of security officers, apprised them of the situation, and within seconds they were on the line with the Chicago Police Department. More security guards were pulled from other wings of the hospital and, by the time Dominico's car slowly drove by the emergency room entrance, the doors were under heavy guard, two police cars had already responded and were in the parking lot with their lights on, and security guards were guarding the hall leading to Della's room.
Once they were inside the room and Della was settled in bed, Perry sat down beside her and tenderly took her hand in his and began to kiss it, all the while speaking very softly to her. "Della, darling, it's me. Can you hear me? You're safe now. It's all over and I'm right here angel. Open your eyes sweetheart, just open your eyes please." Perry continued to stroke her hair and caress her face, while talking to her. Della opened her eyes and looked at Perry. She gave him a small smile and tried to sit up but couldn't. She laid back down and once again closed her eyes. She was drifting in and out of consciousness and Perry was getting more concerned with each passing minute. Just then, Paul knocked lightly on the door in his coded way and Perry softly told him to come in. Paul walked over to the bed and put his hand on Perry's shoulder…signaling all was well and that nothing or no one would be coming into the hospital to harm them tonight. Looking down at Della, he said to his friend, "She'll be alright Perry. You'll see, everything will be fine. Like you said, she's strong. She's strong and she has you." Perry looked at his friend and said, "She has both of us, Paul. I hope she'll be ok. She really went through the ringer this time. That bastard beat her so badly. Look at her. She's in pain. She can't even sit up and she keeps drifting in and out. Plus, you know…."
Paul looked at Perry and said, "The nurse wanted me to tell you that the Doctor is on his way. He just had to finish up something. You stay with Della. I'll sit out in the hall and be here for whatever you need."
"Thanks Paul. I really don't want to leave her, not even for a second. If she wakes up and I'm not here … well I just don't want her to be any more frightened than she already is."
With that, Paul went out into the corridor to wait for the Doctor's arrival and Perry continued his vigil, sitting by Della's side and holding her hand.
Dr. Cooper came out of Della's room and sat down across from Perry and Paul. He smiled at them and said, "I'm glad Jimmy called me Mr. Mason, for more than one reason. I have known Della a long time. She was a patient of mine before she left Chicago. I remember when she had all that trouble with that Dominico guy. I didn't like him then and I don't like him now. I hope he gets what he deserves. Forgive me for saying so, it's just that I have always been very fond of Della. I don't know if you know, but my daughter and Della are friends. I always had a soft spot in my heart for that girl …she was like another daughter to me. She spent a lot of time at my house."
"Della did mention your family to me some time ago. I can tell you the feeling is mutual. Jimmy told me that you are still practicing and that you are on staff here. I appreciate you taking care of Della."
"No trouble at all, I was glad to. Now I'm sure you gentlemen want to know about her."
Perry took a deep breath to prepare himself for what Dr. Cooper was about to say. The Doctor smiled reassuringly as he began to speak. " Mr. Mason, like you were told by my colleague, Della has a number of cuts and bruises, some of which are pretty severe. I don't know what that monster hit her with, but I can tell you it wasn't just his hand. It looks like some kind of strap or maybe even a belt." Perry gripped the arms of the chair until his knuckles turned white and there were tears in his eyes. Paul had to wipe his eyes as well. Dr. Cooper smiled and put a reassuring hand on Perry's shoulder. "Della's a fighter, Mr. Mason. She's young and strong and should recover from her injuries. However, there is another situation that I need to talk to you about." Perry nodded and the Doctor continued. "Della is completely exhausted, physically and emotionally. She is in shock, sort of a delayed reaction to the whole situation. She's still afraid that something will happen to you and she's terrified to be away from you."
Perry looked at the Doctor with a surprised expression. "I don't understand. She knows how much I love her … that I would never leave her."
"Fear can do crazy things. It can play havoc with someone and paralyze their life. Della isn't thinking rationally now. All she knows is that you were threatened and that you were almost taken away."
"What can I do for her? How can I help her?"
"Just what you've always done. Love her and take care of her and just reassure her that you're not leaving her. I can see that the two of you are very much in love. She's very lucky."
Perry smiled, "I'm the lucky one Doctor and there's not a day that goes by that I don't know it."
Dr. Cooper returned Perry's smile. "I'd like you to stay in town for a few more days, possibly a week so I can check her over again. I also think it would be best for her to have as much rest as possible. Now that she's back with you, she should start feeling better very soon. I'd like her to have complete bed rest for the next three days. After that, I'll release her but I'd like her to try and get out a little bit. You know, gradually getting back to normal. Just do the things you always do, the things she likes. There is a possibility that she will have nightmares but they should be temporary and shouldn't last too long. You may notice her sort of staring into space, almost like a daydream. This shouldn't last long either. I'll be into check on her later today and, of course, during the next few days. You could probably take her home in a week. Something tells me though that she will make a quick and complete recovery. By the way, does she realize that you…"
Perry put his hand up. "I don't mean to interrupt you,Doctor, but no she doesn't. With everything that was happening I didn't have a chance to discuss it with her, but as soon as I think she's ready, I will. I really want to thank you for everything. You have been wonderful and we really appreciate it."
"As I said, I was glad to be here for Della. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some other patients to check on. I'll see you later."
The two men shook hands and Paul shook hands with him as well. Paul turned to Perry and asked, "What are you going to do now?"
Perry smiled at his friend. "I'm going to take care of my girl. First, though, I have a favor to ask you."
"Sure pal, anything, you know that."
"Yeah, I guess I do. I am going to call Burger and Tragg and tell them the whole story. I also am going to call Dave Richards and have him act as Mike's attorney on my behalf. I want him out of jail and I want every "i" dotted and every "t" crossed. I don't want him to have anything else to worry about. When he walks out that courtroom, I want him to be squeaky clean. I don't want him to have any hint of a record. I would like you to go home and oversee everything. Tell Mike and Jill that we'll call them and let them know when we are coming home. I also am going to call Gertie and Jackson. They will be fine, but I really would appreciate it if you could just make sure that everything goes according to plan. I also have to call the Cook County D.A. and talk to him about Dominico and his men. I want to make sure he never comes near Della again. I'm going to turn over all my notes and information to him. Let him and his men investigate Dominico. I'm pretty sure now that he killed the Adams girl or had someone else do it for him. Maybe Paloma, maybe Cavanaugh. I don't know and I don't care. Mike was framed, that's the one thing I do know. I'm sure I'll have to give them a deposition, which I will do either here or back home. I know they're going to want one from Della but that isn't going to happen until she's ready. As far as Dominico goes, that scumbag can rot in jail or rot in hell. I don't give a damn. I'm going to make sure he gets what he deserves… so we need to file a formal complaint and get him charged with assault with the intent to kill…one charge for you and one charge for Della." Perry looked at Paul and let out a deep breath. "I'm sorry Paul…it's just what he did to her…what he put her through."
Paul put his hand on Perry's shoulder. "Perry, you know I love that girl in there. I'll do whatever I can to help. Don't worry about anything. Just take care of yourself…and Della. When she wakes up, give her my love and tell her I'll see her soon."
"I will Paul and th"…
At that moment, they heard a shrill, piercing scream. Perry turned and in three long strides he was in the room. Della was lying against the pillows, staring into space. Perry went over to her, sat on the edge of the bed and took her small delicate hand in his strong large one. He spoke to her very softly.
"Della, darling, I'm here now. It's okay. You don't have anything to worry about."
Della looked at him as if she were in a trance. For a moment, she didn't respond and Perry didn't know what to do. He tenderly took her in his arms. Suddenly, Della began to shake.
She pulled away from Perry and looked at him, tears running down her face. "He came back…he was here…I told him to leave me alone…I wasn't going with him but he wouldn't listen…He said he was going to kill you…I was never going to see you again."
Perry gently pulled her to him, buried his face in her neck and whispered "Shhhh, sweetheart, it's all over. He's never going to hurt you again. I'm so sorry, baby. I know it must have been terrible for you. Della look at me…look at me, angel." Perry pushed the hair away from her face. "I love you so much. Please, you're so tired … just lie back and close your beautiful eyes and sleep."
"I don't want to … Please Perry, don't make me go to sleep … he'll be here again … I'll just see him again."
"Oh Della, honey … what can I say to make you believe that this whole terrible mess is over? It was a bad dream. You had a bad dream, that's all. I spoke to Dr. Cooper and he said he wants you to stay in the hospital for a few days and then I can take you wherever you want to go. We can probably go home in a week. You know, Miss Street, I promised to take you somewhere very romantic when this whole mess with Mike was over and I intend to keep my promise. So, while you're resting, I want you to think about the most romantic place you know, and that's where I will take you. How does that sound?" Perry smiled and very gently kissed her on the lips.
Della returned the smile. She tried to look happy, but Perry saw how upset she really was. She sighed deeply and put her head on his broad chest. "I'm sorry I'm being so silly about this Perry."
"You're being anything but silly sweetheart. I'm so happy and thankful to have you here safe and sound. Now, just for me, can you lie back and sleep and dream beautiful dreams? I'll be right here. I'm going to be with you all the time. I'm not going anywhere." Perry sat back on the bed and took Della in his arms. She snuggled up as close to him as she could and buried her face in his chest. Perry left soft feathery kisses in her hair and began to tenderly caress her face.
Della looked up at him and said softly, "Perry, I need to tell you something…I need to tell you everything…why I acted the way I did…what led me to make those decisions." Before she spoke, she let out a breath so long and so deep, Perry wondered if she had been holding it in her whole life. As she began to speak, Perry heard the fear in her voice. He wanted her to stop, but he knew she needed to talk about what happened. He took her hand, brought it up to his lips and kissed it softly. In a calm and loving voice he said, "Go ahead sweetheart, tell me whatever you need to. I'm listening."
"When I left here eighteen years ago, I swore to myself that no man would ever treat me the way Michael did. No man would ever hit me. I was never going to be anyone's property. I was determined to make a life for myself…to take care of myself and be my own person. So, I worked my way through school, and then, you know, went to work at the temp agency until something permanent came along. Finally a position opened up in MacCarins firm and I stayed there until…"
Perry looked at her and smiled. "until the day that you came in for your interview," he said softly.
"Yes and that's when my life changed…that day changed everything for me. You were so wonderful. You treated me and everyone with respect and dignity. You were so kind and patient and caring." It wasn't hard to love you…to fall in love with you. Then time passed and we had this incredible working relationship and friendship and all of a sudden we were together." Della stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. Perry thought that she was going to drift out again but she opened her eyes and continued. "Even though we were honest with each other and had no secrets, I guess the reason I didn't tell you about Michael was that it happened so long ago and I wanted to put it out of my mind…and I did. Everything was perfect until I heard Paul tell you about him. I thought that if I took matters into my own hands and went to see him I could fix everything…make it right and, once and for all, put that whole part of my life behind me for good. Everything happened so fast. It was like a dream…like watching myself in a movie. Oh God Perry, I was so scared. When I went to see him at the hotel, I thought it was a joke. I thought he would tell me that everything was fine and I had nothing to worry about. When he threatened you, that was the first time I really saw him for who he was….what he had turned into. When I got on the plane with him, that's when I really began to be frightened. He had turned into a monster. Then, he started to hit me again and I couldn't believe that I had let myself make the same mistake. I felt so foolish. When you walked into his house, I couldn't believe it. I wanted to leave with you but I thought I didn't have a choice. I hated lying to you, but I thought it was the only way to save your life. When I came down the backstairs and heard the two of you speaking … heard your faith in me…how much you loved me and would never give up, it gave me the courage to admit my mistake and prepare to leave him once again, but he came upstairs and…" She couldn't finish.
"And then he beat you again." Perry finished and tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes.
"Yes," she replied. "You know… I knew I should have come into the office the minute I heard Paul speak his name and told both of you the whole story. I just thought I could help. I never thought it would end like it did. You were so angry." She looked away from him.
Perry put his hand under her chin and gently brought her face up to his. He put his finger on her lips and spoke to her very softly. "Shhh … sweetheart, I was never angry at you. I was angry at that monster and what he was doing…what he did to you, but never at you. When I saw what he did to you, how he was treating you, it took everything I had not to go after him. Do you think I believed you when you said you didn't love me? I know how much courage it took for you to do what you did. How brave and strong you were…and I love you for it… and you … you crazy maddening woman … next time you get an idea into your head and want to go off by yourself and investigate, will you please promise to tell me first?" Perry looked down at her and smiled. He kissed the top of her head and began to very gently rub her shoulders … his hand carefully just skimming over her bruises.
Della looked up at him and smiled. She put her hands around his neck and brought his face down to meet hers. Very seriously she said "I promise." Their lips met and they kissed softly and sensuously.
"Perry?"
"Yes darling?"
"I think I can sleep now. Will you stay with me?"
"Yes sweetheart, of course I will stay with you. I'll hold you until you fall asleep. Then, I'm going to sit right in this chair and finish some work. I might even have a surprise for you when you wake up, alright?"
"Uh huh," said Della sleepily. "That counselor, is the best offer I've had in days."
Perry looked down at her and smiled. He put a soft kiss on her lips and covered her with a blanket. In less than a minute, Della was asleep. When he was convinced that Della was in a deep sleep, Perry very quietly got off the bed, looked at her for a long minute, then sat down in the chair. Overcome with emotion, relief and exhaustion, he said a silent prayer of thanks.
*********************************************************
Della opened her eyes and, for a moment, couldn't remember where she was. She thought she was dreaming. She blinked and turned her face and suddenly she knew she wasn't dreaming. Perry… her Perry was right there, holding her hand, tenderly caressing her face and stroking her hair. He was smiling and looking at her with all the love that was in his heart.
"How do you feel baby?" he asked her softly.
"Better now… better than I've felt these past couple of weeks and it's all because of you." She put her hand on his cheek and looked up at him giving him the most beautiful smile she could manage. "Did you get everything finished?"
"Yes." He replied.
"Good…because I need to talk with you about something … something very important." Della smiled, but he could see the underlying worry in her eyes.
"Perry, I have something to tell you," Della started to sit up then laid right back down against the pillows.
"Okay angel, you can tell me whatever you want to, you'll just have to do it lying down. Just go ahead and tell me whatever it is." Perry took Della's hand in his, brought it to his lips and kissed it. He very gently, began to stroke Della's arm. "Well, Miss Street," he said with that unmistakable smile he kept only for her, "I'm listening."
Della took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She looked at Perry, her eyes brimming with tears and began to speak in a barely audible tone. "Perry, you know I haven't been feeling well lately. Well today, when I was here the first time, they took some tests and …well…um…you see…"
"My baby is having our baby," he said softly with a huge smile on his face.
Della looked at him with a stunned expression. "How…how do you know?" she asked incredulously.
"That, my beautiful girl, is a story for later."
Della began to cry. "Oh Perry," she said through her tears. "What are we going to do?"
Perry pulled Della close to him. "Honey, everything will be fine. I promise. You'll see, once we get home, we will make plans. It will all work out. It's going to be wonderful, perfectly wonderful." Perry gently brushed the tears from her face.
"Now, how about I turn out the lights and we look out the window at the stars together…well as many as we can see above the lights of the city." Perry stood, picked Della up in his arms, and carried her over to a chair by the window. He sat down with her in his lap and then wrapped his arms around her waist. Della looked down at him and asked softly, "Really Perry…what are we going to do with a baby? Are you really happy about his?"
Perry smiled at her and said, "We'll do what many other couples have done in our exact situation Della. You think we're the first couple in the world to not be married and have this happen?"
She nodded "no."
"Alright then…we'll deal with it in the way that is best for us. As far as being happy…what do you think?"
Della snuggled up against Perry as close as she could. "Perry, hold me tight please, as tight as you can."
Perry laughed. "If I hold you any tighter sweetheart, you're not going to be able to breathe."
"I don't care" Della said sleepily. "I just want to stay here and…"Della rested her head on top of his and closed her eyes. He gently maneuvered her body and carried her back to the bed. Perry looked down at the exquisitely beautiful woman who had just been in his arms. He climbed in the bed next to her and fell asleep while thanking God that the love of his life was back with him safe and sound and asking Him for the courage and strength to meet the challenges which lie ahead in their lives.