Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 9

Allie went up to Dan and Emmie's room when they got back, and as Dan helped Emmie brush her teeth and change into her pyjamas, Allie repacked their cases. She managed to get most of Emmie's new toys in, protecting them from getting broken by using the clothes. She took a couple of items out to take into her luggage and said to Daniel, "I've got those new outfits for her in our cases too Dan." He came out of the bathroom carrying Emmie and he passed her to Allie for a cuddle. "Can you read me a story mommy?" Allie's heart melted, "Of course I can. Have you got a book ready?" She jumped into bed and lifted a new book Margie had bought her called "Five minute Bedtime stories for girls".

Once she was finished Emmie's eyes were drooping, so she gave her a final kiss and headed to the door picking up the toys. Dan kissed her cheek and said quietly, "Thanks Allie. Hey, do you think Margie's okay? She was really quiet tonight." Allie hated lying to him, but she told herself it was for a good reason and tried to sound light as she replied, "Yeah, think Max and Michael talked enough for all of us tonight. And she's probably thinking of that long journey back tomorrow." He laughed quietly, "True. This has been fun hasn't it Allie, well apart from going into the office." Allie hugged him and said with feeling, "Yeah, it really has Dan. I'll see you at breakfast at seven yeah?"

The next morning they had a quick early breakfast before checking out. The office had arranged a minibus to take them to Heathrow, and after battling through check in and the security checks they settled down in the lounge to wait for boarding. Allie took Emmie and Margie to look at the duty free and she took the opportunity to check Margie was coping, "Hey, you okay Margie?" She gave Allie a watery smile, "Yeah, I'm doing okay, just want to get to Monday you know?" Allie gave her a quick hug, "I know. We're on our way home now though, so one step closer."

The flight was around eleven hours but easier to do with a child when it was daytime. Allie had packed a little handbag with cheap toys and surprises to help keep Emmie amused. Sitting back down next to Michael he kissed her and whispered, "You are so good with her Allie. You really are her mommy in every way that matters honey." She kissed him back and lay on his shoulder. Bracing herself for the lie she said, "By the way, I've booked a doctor's appointment on Monday morning and asked Margie to come with me. Nothing serious, just hormones." Michael lifted up to look at her and her stomach twisted at the concern and slight hurt in his face, "I can come Allie. What's wrong?" She traced her hand along the dark hair of his forearms, "I've just been having some mood swings and stuff, easier to talk about with a woman." She sat up and looked him directly in the eye, moving her hand to lay on his chest and saying firmly, "But I promise you Michael, if I felt ill or was worried I'd one hundred percent tell you. There's nothing to worry about with me I swear." Michael smelt a rat but didn't push it. He looked over at Margie and realised she'd been unusually quiet for the last couple of days.

Later in the flight Max had moved to stretch his legs and sit at the small business class bar area. Allie joined him and he grabbed her a drink. She said as casually as she could, "Hey, I hope you don't mind but I've booked a doctor's appointment first thing on Monday. Not sure how long it'll take so I can't say what time I'll be in." Max frowned and she quickly added, "I'll make up the time though."
"I'm not concerned about the time Allie, you work damned hard. Is everything okay with you, are you seeing Jeremy?" She shook her head, "No, nothing like that, hormones, having some..." Max cut her off and she couldn't help think how he reacted exactly and almost comically as she'd expected, "Woah! Okay, already more than I needed to know Allie!" She laughed and added as if it was an afterthought, "Oh, and I've asked Margie to come with me."

Allie and Michael went 'round to Susan and John's on Saturday at lunchtime and spent the rest of the day with them. Everyone was meeting up in the park the following morning for breakfast, but they were never usually away from Susan and John this long so they were anxious to see them. The apartment was also half packed up ready for their move, and Susan's lovely, ordered home was balm to their jet lagged souls. They'd eaten outside and caught up about the trip and what they'd done. Michael followed Susan into the kitchen with some dishes while Allie told John about Michael convincing Emmie she went to Hogworts.

He started to fill the dishwasher as Susan put a few dishes in the sink. "God we're glad to have you back Michael. I'm glad you had fun but we missed you guys." He leaned over and kissed her cheek, "Next time we need to take you guys. You'd love Allie's house over there Susan. " He sighed and she knew something was on his mind. She turned away from the sink to face him, "What's wrong honey?" Michael looked serious, "I'm not sure, but I think something's wrong with Margie." He explained Allie's sudden medical appointment with Margie, her careful wording about nothing to worry about with her, and how quiet Margie was the last couple of days of the trip. Susan mirrored his worried look, "All you can do is see what happens Monday. And it's definitely not Jeremy she's seeing?" Michael shook his head, "She says not and Jeremy's told us she won't be able to see him officially in the future anyway, because we're personal friends now, not ethical and stuff. But anyway, I've just spent a week with her pretty much twenty-four seven and she seems totally fine." He'd finished loading the dishwasher and he closed the door. Susan hugged him, "Let me know Monday Michael yeah?" He held her tight, "I will."