Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 24

The following few days were surreal for Michael and Allie. Everyone was so pleased and wanted to help as much as they could. When Allie told Max he beamed and hugged her so tight she squeaked that she couldn't breathe. He rang Margie while she was there so Allie could tell her. She was so excited and Allie promised to drop 'round with a copy of the photograph on her way home. They ended the call and Max came around to Allie and held her hands, "Now listen Allie, just cancel anything you can, make a list of anything outstanding and we'll pick up from there. You just concentrate on the new baby yeah?" Allie gasped, "I can't quite believe the new baby is ours you know." Max cupped her face, "Allie honey, you deserve this, you and Michael. Work will be waiting for you when your little one is all settled." He laughed and held her tight again, "Of course Daniel and I will probably go insane without you." She laughed through her tears and letting her go he said, "Right, dry those tears and I'll call Hane to come 'round so we can sort out all the admin."

Allie's next port of call was Robyn and she called her through to her office so she could tell her privately. She squealed and hugged Allie and gazed at the photograph, "This must be like the most weird experience. One day you just suddenly get a baby!" Allie laughed, "It definitely doesn't seem real yet. We're ordering a cot and stroller tonight, maybe that'll do it." Robyn nodded and said dryly, "Maybe you could practice with one of Emmie's dolls. Right, I need to go call Jeremy." Allie smiled, "Tell him I said Hi." She nodded and left.

Thirty minutes later Allie was working through her diary cancelling meetings, sending E mails of explanation and typing a list of work she was part way through. Her phone rang and she smiled seeing Jeremy's name. She picked up and he said, "Hey, Robyn just told me your news. Congratulations Allie. I'd come round in person, but I'm stuck on call." Allie smiled and he could tell she was by her tone, "Thanks Jeremy, wish we could have told everyone in person, but it's all happening so fast. You do know I'm going to be totally paranoid about the health of this little one, and we'll probably drive you mad asking if she's okay." Jeremy hummed and answered in his usual dry way, "And you do know Allie I'm a general and trauma surgeon not a paediatrician?" Allie laughed, "Doctor, covers all bases." He let himself chuckle, "Well since I'm kind of fond of the Mom and the Dad's okay I'll be available for the over anxious parents twenty-four seven." There were voices in the background and he sighed, "Got to go Allie, duty calls. Tell Michael I said congrats." Allie replied laughing, "I'll leave out the bit about him being just okay. Go, I know you're busy saving lives. Thanks and we love you Jeremy." He sighed, "Yeah, you guys too, send me a picture." And with that he was gone.

When she got home he told Robyn he'd called Allie, "She sounded so happy." Robyn nodded, "She was literally glowing all day." He sat down at the table to eat dinner, "I'm so glad for them, it makes me feel a little bit better about being the one who took away the chance for her to have a baby you know." Robyn looked up frowning, "That's stupid, you just fixed the damage, it was Carrie who took that from Allie." He nodded, "I know, and I've replayed that night over and over, and deep down I one hundred per cent know it was the only way to save her. I just can't help feeling just a little guilty for it." Robyn took his hand across the table, "Like I said, stupid."

Allie finished up work that week, promising to bring the baby in for a visit as soon as she was settled. The house was piled up with boxes of baby equipment which had been delivered. On Saturday morning John and Susan came over so that Allie could take Susan with her to buy things they needed for the baby at the mall, and John could help Michael erect the crib and nursery furniture. Daniel had arranged for Max and Margie to collect Emmie from mini gym, so he could go over to help out once he'd dropped her off.

Allie had reluctantly swapped her small BMW for a more child friendly SUV a couple of months before, and to Michael's satisfaction this one was an automatic. Allie had laughed saying how she'd miss her gear stick, but he rolled his eyes arguing that no-one needed to be using so many pedals. She and Susan left and Michael and John started to unpack the boxes so they could build the furniture. Daniel arrived with coffee and pastries for them, and they soon discovered Michael was completely incompetent when it came to ready to assemble furniture. Daniel couldn't help wheeze laughing when John said, "Jesus Michael, how can someone so smart be so incredibly shit at following simple instructions." Michael shrugged, "I don't know John, but I admit I am truly really crap at this, although to be fair you guys have had practice. Good job you're here though, left to me the poor baby would be falling through the bottom of the crib!"

By mid-afternoon Allie and Susan had made several trips back to the car, and had ticked everything off their list when they stopped for a coffee and a rest for their aching feet. Susan smiled across at Allie and squeezed her hand, "This has been so much fun Allie. This week is going to be so massive for you guys and I can't wait to hear all about it." Allie grinned, "It's starting to all feel a bit more real now you know?" Susan nodded, "And listen Allie, if you guys need us for anything we're right here okay?" Allie nodded and rubbed Susan's outstretched hand as she continued, "For John and I this is such a gift too, you know with Jess away at college and Olivia going in a few weeks. We get to be there for you guys and be involved with this new little one." Allie smiled, "And you have no idea how grateful we are to have you so close. We're super lucky to have you and I never forget that."

They finished up and Susan said, "Come on, let's see how the boys are doing with the nursery. I love the colours by the way." Allie smiled thinking of the nursery. They had decorated it once they were approved in a very soft green since they had no idea whether they would have a boy or a girl and what age. Allie had ordered a pretty, pink, circular rug, a pink blind and had matched them with soft pink and green crib bedding with different animals on it. She found some with prints in the same colours to hang on the walls.

When they got home Susan and Allie looked at one another seeing the three exhausted figures sprawled on the couch holding beers, and burst out laughing. Susan walked over and sat on the arm near John, putting her arm around his neck saying affectionately "Awww are you guys tired." Allie was dropping a couple of bags by the island unit and Michael heaved himself up to walk towards her as John responded, "Dan and I are more exhausted trying to keep Michael from severing a limb than putting the freakin' furniture together." Michael grinned sheepishly and Daniel winked at Allie as Michael said, "Want to come see Allie?" She nodded excitedly and Susan said, "Me too!" He led them upstairs and into the pretty room. Allie squealed and burst into tears as she took in the crib, changing unit, small wardrobe and rocking chair." She grabbed him around the waist and choked out, "I love it Michael, it's actually a proper nursery." Susan rubbed Michael's back and said "It's lovely guys." Downstairs Daniel and John exchanged a look hearing Allie. John said, "Think she likes it Daniel."

The following day everyone was at breakfast in the park, knowing that Allie and Michel wouldn't be able to really see anyone for a couple of weeks once they had met Rose on Tuesday and the period of handover began. Jeremy was going into work so he only had time to grab a quick coffee before he had to leave. Allie was sorting Emmie with something to eat so he had a quick word with Michael before crossing over to her and bending down to where she was crouched helping Emmie. Seeing him she smiled, "Hey, didn't think we'd see you today!" He grinned and steadied her as she got to her feet. "Couldn't miss seeing you both to say good luck for this week." He hugged her and said, "Sorry, I do have to run though." He let her go but kept hold of her hand, "But Allie, I was only joking the other day. If you need me or you're worried about the baby, call me okay." She nodded saying, "Thanks so much." Before laughing and adding, "You might regret saying that though." He smiled and reached down to kiss her cheek, "I doubt that Allie. I got to go." He shouted goodbyes to the rest of the group and kissed Robyn and he was gone.

The rest of the day Allie and Michael worked non-stop to put all the new baby stuff away, unpacking the car seat and washing and drying the new bedding and clothes in the same detergent and softener used by Rose's foster carer, so it would smell familiar to her. Allie wrapped a new baby doll and a book about becoming a big sister for Emmie and she placed it next to the doll stroller they had bought her, which was the toy version of the one they'd bought for Rose.

The following day they finished off all the unpacking, cleaned and tidied the house and called 'round to see Susan and John before collapsing into bed, knowing when they woke it would be to go and meet their little girl.