White Christmas
The flames in the fireplace cast flickering shadows around the walls of the cabin. In the corner, the lights on the large Christmas tree twinkled. Presents wrapped in gold and silver clustered underneath, just waiting to be opened.
The table had been set with festive plates, napkins and silverware. Candles stood in their brightly polished holders, awaiting the touch of a match to set them aglow.
Snow blew outside the cabin, turning the landscape into a winter wonderland.
Soft music played on the radio, some holiday tunes mixed in with old classics.
Della Street sat on the couch, staring at the flames of the fire. She sipped at the glass of wine in her hand, not really tasting it.
Because one very important thing was missing from this tranquil Christmas Eve scene…Perry Mason.
On Friday afternoon, as the law office of Perry Mason was closing for the holiday, a messenger entered, handing Della a note for Perry from the District Attorney.
After Perry had read the note, he picked up the phone, calling Hamilton Burger.
"Really Hamilton. Can't this wait until after the holidays? It seems like the court could delay this ruling until then."
"I'm terribly sorry, Perry. But you know Judge Granger as well as I do. He hates leaving anything unfinished. Scrooge could take a lesson from him."
"Okay, Hamilton. I'll meet you in his office tomorrow morning at nine."
"Sorry to ruin your….plans."
"I'll just bet you are."
Hanging up the phone, he looked into the crestfallen face of his secretary.
"Della, it will be alright. I want you to take my car and go on ahead up to the cabin. Burger and I can take care of this tomorrow morning and then I'll join you."
Della came around the desk, caressing his strong jaw.
"I'll just hang around the apartment and wait for you."
Grasping her hand in his, he pulled her into his lap, placing a light kiss on her lips.
"Nonsense, Della. We'll put everything in the car tonight and you can head out in the morning. I promise I'll be there as soon as I clear up this mess with Judge Granger."
Della smiled at him then nipped his bottom lip.
"Alright, Mr. Mason. But if you don't show up, I'll make sure you get nothing but a lump of coal for Christmas."
Perry kissed her again, his hand caressing her back.
"Well, since I'm counting on a little more under the tree, I'll make very sure I'm there. Now let's get out of here and get things packed."
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. With a final kiss, Perry had waved Della off, while he caught a cab to meet up with Hamilton.
The drive to their cabin at Big Bear had been pleasant enough, Della humming along with the radio. Her thoughts were occupied with the presents for Perry, especially the personal one from her, the one he loved best.
When she reached the cabin, it was just beginning to snow. Upon entering the cabin, she let out a small gasp, then smiled. Perry had obviously asked the caretaker and his wife to get the cabin ready. The fire, the tree, everything was just as it should be. She was betting the refrigerator was also fully stocked. God, how she loved that man.
She hurried to unpack the car, seeing that the snow had increased in intensity. I sure hope Perry isn't tied up too long.
After unpacking and arranging the presents under the tree, she got everything ready for their Christmas Eve dinner, only requiring it to be placed on the stove.
Making sure the fire was stoked and plenty of logs nearby, she headed upstairs to take a hot shower and hopefully be ready for Perry's arrival.
Now she rose from the couch to stare once again out the window at the blizzard, the snow obscuring her vision of everything but a few feet into the woods. Two crystal tears escaped her hazel eyes. She knew there was no way for Perry to reach her now.
Returning to her seat on the couch, she pulled the afghan from the back, wrapping it tightly around her shoulders, wishing it were Perry's arms.
The song on the radio changed to one of Della's favorites. She leaned her head back, sighing.
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow"
Remembering the Bing Crosby movie that had made the song a standard, Della could see herself dressed in that fabulous fur-trimmed red dress, Perry right beside her in his Santa outfit, walking in the snow shrouded woods. The moon shining through the trees causing the soft snow to glisten like a million tiny diamonds.
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white"
He turns, taking her in his strong arms, waltzing her through the fluffy snow, smiling down at her, the love in his eyes shining as brightly as the stars above.
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow"
As they finish their waltz, Perry takes her hand in his and drops to one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket.
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white"
As the last strains of the song echoed through the cabin, Della roused herself from her daydreams. Looking at the clock on the mantle and realizing it was almost midnight, she resigned herself to spending Christmas alone without Perry.
Rising from the couch and trudging slowly across the floor, she had one foot on the first stair when she heard the sound. Thinking she must be hearing things because of the dream, she again started up the stairs.
But the sound came again, louder now. It was definitely sleigh bells. She hurried to the window but still could only see a few feet into the snow. Seeing nothing, she had almost convinced herself she really was dreaming. Get a grip girl. He'll never get through this blizzard. You need some sleep.
"Ho, Ho, Ho."
Della laughed and hurried back, throwing open the door, letting a blast of cold air and snow enter the cabin.
The sleigh wasn't pulled by eight tiny reindeer, but by one large horse. And Santa wasn't dressed in red but bundled up in a heavy winter coat and hat. But to Della, not even Santa could compare to the sight before her.
"PERRY!"
As he climbed from the sleigh, he reached her in a few steps, enveloping her in his arms, lifting her off her feet.
"Merry Christmas Darling."
His kiss was so fiery it threatened to melt not just the snow but her heart. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, deepening the kiss. It wasn't until a loud clearing of throat that they remembered the driver of the sleigh.
"Excuse me folks."
Setting Della back on her feet, Perry turned with a laugh.
"Sorry Stan. Della meet Stan Granger…ah…Judge Granger. Come on in Stan."
The man returned the laugh.
"Thanks Perry, but I think I'll head on up. Marge will be waiting for me. And I need to get Ginger in her stall. You two have a wonderful holiday."
With that he clucked to the horse and he moved off with a final wave.
Perry once again wrapped Della in his arms, moving them back into the cabin.
"I know there must be a fascinating story behind all this, but for now all I want is to get you out of this coat and into bed."
"That, my darling Miss Street, is exactly what I had in mind."
"Merry Christmas Perry."
Sometime later, lying wrapped in each others arms, watching the dying embers in the bedroom fireplace, Perry nuzzled Della's neck.
"Happy darling?"
"Ummmmm."
"I'll take that as a yes."
Now Della raised her head to look into his incredibly blue eyes.
"So are you going to tell me the story of how you managed to get here in a blizzard?"
"If you insist. But let me take care of the fire first."
Rising from their bed, he padded across the floor, treating Della to a view of his spectacular bare backside. Watching as he added more logs and stoked the fire, she unconsciously licked her lips.
Returning to crawl back beside her, Perry chuckled at Della's dreamy look.
"See something you like Miss Street?"
Moving to snuggle closer to him, she smiled.
"Just the man I love, showing off."
"Uh-huh. So back to how I arrived. Once we finished our business with Stan…Judge Granger…we heard the radio reports about the blizzard. I didn't know but he and his wife have a cabin about a mile from here."
"We will have to try and visit them if the weather clears."
Perry placed a kiss on her nose.
"Always thinking aren't you? Well, anyway, he keeps a sleigh and a couple of horses down in town for just such emergencies. So he offered me a lift and you know the rest."
"Well now we definitely have to visit. I was expecting to spend my Christmas alone and then Santa granted my wish. Although I never expected a judge to be Santa."
"Hmmm. Do you suppose Santa will grant my wish?"
Della's hand was roaming over Perry's body.
"Oh and what would that wish be?"
Perry reached under his pillow, pulling out a small black velvet box. Placing the box in Della's hand, he waited while she hesitantly opened it to reveal a perfect diamond engagement ring.
"Will you marry me Della?"
After her sharp intake of breath, a single tear escaped her eyes. Then she carefully removed the ring from its resting place, placing it in Perry's hand, extending her own left hand for him to slide the ring on her finger.
Putting her hands on either side of his face, she kissed him and he could feel the smile on her lips.
"Yes, I will marry you."
As he covered her with his body, the last strains of the song on the radio drifted up to the lovers.
And may all your Christmases be white.