Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 18

Allie dropped her things just inside her office and crossed the empty space to Daniel's. He was standing bending over the desk reading an E mail when she went in, and he looked up smiling expectantly. Allie walked over and Daniel said, "We'll I'm guessing from the way you look it went well?" He scanned her face and couldn't help but think how happiness seemed to light her from the inside out. He stepped from behind the desk and caught her as she opened her arms for a hug. "Patricia, the social worker, she was really nice. We've set up another appointment to start the home study for real." He held her hands and kissed her "That's great news. Come on, let's get coffee and you can tell me all about it before the others get in."

By the time Robyn came in Allie had pretty much filled Daniel in, and they were talking about Patricia being likely to ask to speak to both Emmie and her Dad. Daniel tried to put Allie at ease that he'd really thought it through and he was happy for Emmie to talk to a social worker. As Robyn came in he said, "I'm just trying to convince Allie that Emmie will be fine talking to their social worker. And I'll try not to say anything really dumb." Robyn raised an eyebrow "It went well then?" Allie grinned playfully slapping Daniel's arm for his last comment, "It did, she was nice Robyn, really..." she hesitated searching for the right word, "understanding. Anyway, we'd better get started. I need to pull those Phillips docs together to go through with Max at ten. I can fill you in when we go over to court later Robyn." Robyn smiled as she left the room, "Look forward to it." Allie turned to leave too, but Daniel caught her hand and she looked back to him "Allie, I'm really glad for you and Michael."

At ten Allie grabbed her two copies of the documents and made her way over to Max's office. He appeared behind her with two drinks, and Allie opened the door for him, "Good grief Max, this is a first, you making the coffee?" He chuckled, "Carly's on vacation. I was going to ask you to make it, but we've only got thirty minutes and a lot to get through so I cracked. I even remembered you have yours all British, milk in it." He put them on the meeting table and she slipped an arm around him to kiss him, "Awww thanks Max." He grinned, "So how'd it go yesterday?" She filled him in briefly and he said, "Any kid who gets you guys as parents will be damned lucky. Okay, let's take a look at these documents." They rattled through the documents, with Max requesting a few changes here and there which Allie marked up on her copy. With five minutes left before Max's next meeting, Allie grabbed her mug and was about to leave. Max said, "Hang on Allie, when's your next appointment about the adoption?" Allie tilted her head, "Two weeks on Thursday why?" Max grinned and leaned across, "How about you and I take a quick trip across the pond on Monday to help close this Phillips deal?"

On Sunday they all sat in the sunshine in the park for breakfast. Robyn was sharing some professional photos of their wedding, which the others were finally getting their heads around having happened with no warning. Daniel had shaken his head when Robyn came into work and told him. He kissed her and said, "It's so you Robyn to throw a bombshell like that, but congratulations, I know he makes you happy." He laughed and added still with his arm around her, "And I'll just let you explain to Emmie why she didn't get another gig as flower girl." Max was there so she'd only have to repeat the news once and he grabbed her in a hug and laughed saying, "She'll be pissed so brace yourself. Congratulations Robyn, Jeremy's a lucky guy."

The pictures were surprisingly not very Vegas. They had used the tasteful wedding chapel at their hotel, Jeremy was in a pale grey suit and Robyn had worn a full length dress. Allie and Susan cooed over the dress, which was simple, sleeveless and form fitting. Allie said she had never seen her look more beautiful as Robyn leaned against Jeremy on the grass.

The following day Michael dropped her at Max and Margie's at midday so they could head to the airport in one car. Before they went in he grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her. He reluctantly pulled away before it became too intense, and moaned burying his face in her hair, "God Allie I'm going to miss you. Video call as soon as you get settled at the hotel yeah?" She nodded, "I'm going to miss you too, feels weird to be going without you. I love you okay and I'll be back in a few days." Reluctantly Michael left the car and went around to lift her bags out of the trunk. Margie opened the door, having told Max to give the young couple a minute when he impatiently asked why they hadn't come in. "Max, they're still newlyweds, in love and it's all so intense still. Give them a minute." He came past Margie to take Allie's bag and returned to embrace Michael. "I'll take care of her Michael. Be back before you know it." He clapped Max on the back, "Thanks Max, and hope the deal goes well." He kissed Margie then said, "I'd better get going. Last kiss Allie." He held her and kissed her briefly then was gone.

Ten minutes later the car arrived, they said their goodbyes to Margie and they were on their way to the airport. They chatted about Robyn's wedding photos on the short journey, then checked in and went through security. Max grumbled about the need to pull all the electronic devices out from bags and shoe removal. Allie laughed, "Come on, we're done now, let's go and get settled in the lounge and get a drink. We've got another ninety minutes before we board." They sat down, Allie had a gin and Max a whiskey. Max joined the Wi-Fi and video called Daniel, while Allie messaged Michael to let him know they were all checked in. She leaned over Max's shoulder to wave at Daniel and he smiled, "Can't believe you two have gone without me!" he joked, Max clapped back, "Yeah, got Allie all to myself for a change. Make sure you check on the husband Dan, Margie's glad to be free of me for a few days, but Michael looked like he was worried she was running off to join the foreign legion." Daniel laughed, "John and I are taking him for a drink tonight, Susan's watching Emmie. He'll be fine. And just in case you were worried Allie, Robyn has said she come and get coffee with me every morning." Allie blew him a kiss, "I'll bring back some proper chocolate for you to make up for my neglect."

They ended the call and Max sat back taking a sip of his drink. He glanced at Allie who was still smiling after the exchange, "I was only half joking about getting some Allie one to one time you know. This going to be fun and we can get chance to talk about what you want to do about work once the adoption happens. Hane was asking me the other day." Allie nodded and smiled, "Yeah. How do you think this'll go Max. I know they said they'll be signing tomorrow, but do you think they will." Max shook his head, "Nah, something will come up they'll need to work through, it's always the way. Might be a few days, but I promise if it drags on past Thursday I'll tell them you need to head home." Allie leaned on her boss, "I wouldn't want to leave you stuck here to do it all on your own Max." He put his arm around her, "I know, but it almost certainly will get done this week anyway, and there's isn't usually much actual legal work, it's more getting those final amendments in and copies back for review and signing. The main thing is keeping all the nerves from getting frayed, and that my little British star is where you shine brightest."

They spent the early part of the flight going through the current draft of the sale agreement and the lengthy TSA, to be fully prepared when they hit the ground. Having packed the laptops away, they ate and then chatted quietly for a couple of hours. Allie read for a while and Max noticed the magazine had dropped from her hand as she'd drifted into sleep. He looked at her relaxed features then stood up, grabbed a blanket from an empty seat and gently draped it on her so she wouldn't get cold in the air conditioned cabin.

Allie woke before their final descent and asked Max if he'd managed to get any sleep. "I dozed a bit. We've arranged an early check in at the hotel, so why don't we grab a couple of hours, have lunch and then we can call the Phillips guys to see if they want to meet us late this afternoon?" Allie nodded, "Sounds like a plan." As soon as she got to her room she sent Michael a message to say she'd arrived, conscious it was the middle of the night for him and he would probably be asleep. Within seconds a video call was ringing on her phone and she clicked to accept it. Michael was in bed shirtless, and smiling Allie said, "Michael you should be asleep, but to be honest I'm glad you're not. You are a very welcome sight after a long flight." He grinned, "I couldn't sleep before I knew you'd got there okay. Are you and Max at opposite ends of the hotel like we all were last time?" Allie laughed at the memory, "No, well we're on the same floor at least. We're just going to get a couple of hours sleep, grab food and see if the client wants to meet up later." Michael turned over onto his side taking the phone with him, "Okay beautiful, get some sleep and call me later yeah?" She smiled, "And will you please get some sleep too. Tomorrow will be evil for you if you don't get a few hours now. I love you okay." He grinned back, "I love you too Allie."