Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 13

Max and Allie hung out all day. Neither of them felt like eating, but they chatted and it gave them chance to share things they ordinarily probably wouldn't have done. Max told Allie about he and Margie's painful IVF disappointments. He explained how he took Dan under his wing when he first joined the firm, sensing his difficult relationship with his mom, the pressure she put on him not to be like his Dad who'd moved on to a new wife with seemingly little interest in the son he'd left behind.

He took her hand, "Allie honey I feel bad about it, but I tried to put some distance between you two when you first started working for us, before Dan filed for divorce and before you were with Michael. I don't know if I did the right thing or even if it made any difference, but I could see you guys getting closer and I was worried it would make Carrie mad and she'd stop Dan seeing Emmie." Allie shook her head, "Don't feel bad Max, nothing you did changed anything. We talked about it Dan and I, the week you sent me away to San Francisco. We basically agreed we couldn't start anything romantic because of exactly that. Honestly, if anything had happened between us I'm not sure we could have rowed back from it, but I know it was much worse for Daniel. He had to watch me fall in love with Michael, move on while he was stuck dealing with the divorce." Max nodded sadly and said he'd thought that was pretty much what had happened. He didn't voice what deep down they both knew, Dan was unlikely to find anyone new because no-one was her. Allie sighed and explained what had happened with Stacie the day before. "I know it must seem weird to other people but me, Dan and Michael have found a way to make it work. I'll be honest Max, I'll always have very deep feelings for Dan and he for me, but Michael understands and it never gets in the way of our marriage you know." Max kissed her, "I know Allie. I get it. Please get the restraining order though. I knew Carrie for years and we didn't see eye to eye at all, but I never in my wildest nightmares thought she'd be violent. It's taught me that we don't know what others are capable of, so we have to protect you."

Eventually they were sitting in the waiting room when the surgeon came in to say it had all gone well and Margie was in recovery. Max clutched Allie and she could feel his relief. Thirty minutes later they were taken to her room where they found her tired, but propped up in bed awake and smiling. They both gently kissed her and Max said, "Does it hurt Margie?" She shook her head "No, not at all unless I move suddenly. They must have given me the good stuff." Allie said, "I'm just going to call Daniel guys. He'll be worrying and I want to let him know you're all safe." Once she'd left Margie said, "She's a gift Max. She came into our lives out of nowhere, but I don't know what I'd have done without her in the last week." Max kissed her hand, "I know honey. We talked a lot today in all these hours we've been waiting. I'm so proud of her, of Dan and Michael."

Daniel picked up the phone in one ring and Allie said, "Hi Dan, it's me, Margie's back safe. It all went fine. She's sitting up talking to Max now." He heaved in relief, "Thanks Allie. What time do you think I could go?"
"I'll give you a ring in a little bit once I've worked out what Max wants to do okay? I literally just kissed her and ran out to call you so you wouldn't worry any longer than needed."

When she went back in they chatted for a little before Margie said, "Listen Max, why don't you and Allie go home for a break. I'm so tired after the anaesthetic I need to sleep it off so I won't be much company." Allie squeezed her hand, "Dan wants to come back with you later Max. Michael's getting Emmie and we're keeping her as long as he needs, so if we give Margie a break now, you and Dan can keep her company tonight." Max nodded, " Okay, sounds like a good plan, although I don't like leaving you on your own." Margie rolled her tired eyes, "Go Max, I'll be asleep and the nurses are in every five minutes so I'm not exactly alone." Allie leaned in to kiss her and she whispered, "Allie, thank you honey."

Margie was released a couple of days later and the following Thursday Allie went back with her and Max for a check up and to discuss the histology results. Allie could tell they were anxious, and she rubbed Margie's back as she and Max sat either side waiting for the doctor to come in. When she did Margie was taken behind the screen and examined. The doctor made approving noises and said she was happy with her progress. She opened the file and explained the results confirmed the grade two diagnosis and that the lymph nodes they tested were clear of any cancer cells, but she recommended chemotherapy explaining, "The thing with cancer Margie is that there's always a chance some cells escape off and get around the body. The chemo will mop any up and be some insurance against it coming back. But overall you have an excellent chance of never having to worry about this ever again." Max beamed in relief and kissed his wife. The nurse took them out and asked them to wait while she organised an appointment with oncology.

Before they left Margie turned to Allie and said, "We need to let Daniel know. He's been over every night this week and I can tell how worried he is." Allie smiled, "Why don't you call him now. Max and I can go get us some coffees to have on the way home and you can make his week. You mean the world to him Margie and the poor thing has been in bits." Margie's eyes shone with tears, "I will Allie."

Margie's chemotherapy was scheduled to start in two weeks to give her chance to get over the surgery. Allie and Susan had drawn up a rota between them of who would go with her so she always had company. Allie spoke to Hane and arranged unpaid leave for the times she'd be out of the office and asked him not to mention it to Max, since she knew he would insist she took full pay.

Michael had spent time pulling evidence together for the restraining order which he, Dan and Max decided should include Carrie's parents since they were most active over social media. None of them had realised until they went looking that there were vague threats against Allie and Dan. Even though none of them really thought anything would come of it, the memory of Allie's brush with death made them cautious. Candice seemed to have disappeared and hadn't commented or posted like Stacie and Nicole so they left her out of it. Although there had been no messages directly to Allie, the order was granted in light of the history. Dan had received regular demands for access to Emmie from both Carrie and her parents. There had also been complaints about Allie being involved with Emmie all of which had been handled by Daniel's divorce attorney.

On the day before Margie started her chemo, Dan opened the previous day's mail before he set off to drop Emmie at school and head to the office. He opened the largest envelope and sank to the couch laying his coffee down. It was confirmation of his divorce and sign off on the financial settlement. The custody side was on-going, but given Carrie's detention this wasn't much of a worry to Dan. It crossed his mind that being this happy to be divorced wasn't something he ever expected to feel, but he was truly happy it was over. He crossed over to where Emmie was eating cereal and kissed her head, reminding himself that this precious child was his gift out of such a painful union.

When he got to the office he checked if Max was in and then went over to his office. Knocking the door and walking through he said, "Morning Max. How's Margie? Is she feeling okay about tomorrow?" Max had looked up and smiled as he entered and he shrugged, "I think she's okay with it, just wants to get it over with now you know." Dan nodded, "Have you got a few minutes now?" Max looked uneasy, "Yeah sure, what's up?"
"Can you call Allie if she's in. I want to tell you both together." Max squinted at Dan's face, but seeing no anxiety on his features he pressed the speed dial to Allie's office line and heard her pick up. "Morning Allie. Can you come through? Dan's here and he wants to talk to us." Allie just said yes, and crossed to Max's office swiftly, worried since Dan wouldn't normally be so formal. He smiled as she came in which settled her nerves a little. He took a breath, pulled the page out of the envelope and announced, "Divorce is final" Max beamed and said, "Fuck me Dan, you almost gave me a coronary." He grabbed him and hugged him. Daniel turned to Allie who couldn't help laugh at Max's outburst, "Seems a bit wrong to say congratulations, but I'm so glad you're through it Dan." He opened his arms and she sank into him as he said, "I just hope I never have to see her again. And the financial agreement is signed off so we can go ahead, sell the house and we can ask Susan to find Emmie and I somewhere bigger to live."