Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 33

Allie arrived at Max and Margie's house and hearing them in the garden she made her way around. Dan saw her and broke into a broad smile, getting up to take her hand and bring her to where they were sitting. When he got close he saw there was there was evidence of recent tears and he searched her face, relieved when she smiled and said, "It's all okay." Margie stood up and pulled her close, "Allie honey, Dan just told me. This is so lovely, the best news. I'm so happy for you." Max said behind his wife, "Margie, let me get to her. Come here my gorgeous girl." She put her arms around his neck and he lifted her off her feet.

When Max put her down Daniel pulled her close sitting on the patio sofa, "Was everything okay with Susan and John?" Allie smiled and looked at them all, "They were really happy. I was so worried they'd be upset in some way, but they'd seen it coming. I knew you guys would be pleased, but they were so close to Michael, and I'd have been devastated if they couldn't have accepted it or have thought badly of me, but they love us and want us to be happy. They were so amazing." A few tears escaped as she said this and Dan kissed her head tenderly. Margie glanced at her husband, catching his eye and knew his heart was melting as much as hers.

They left shortly afterwards to collect the girls, and grabbed lunch in a local coffee shop before heading home and letting them play on the beach for the remainder of the day. The two little girls made sandcastles and messed around in the shallow water, while Daniel and Allie watched them carefully and chatted. Daniel watched the sun reflecting off her glossy, thick, hair with its natural wave and thought how much lighter it was than that first day he saw her in the office, now the sun had naturally lightened it up and added new golden highlights. "I was moving into the apartment you know when you first came over to meet with Max and look for somewhere to live." She smiled, "I wondered why I hadn't met you. I only really saw Max, Hane, a few of the partners and the admin staff." He lay on his front on the sand facing the sea so he could watch the girls didn't wander too far, "When I heard about you joining from London I just imagined from your resume you'd be older, all kind of serious and intimidating. Got a shock when Max called me through that first day." Allie laughed, "After encountering Candice on the way in, I remember being so relieved you were friendly and nice to me." He sat up and pulled her in, planting a kiss on her lips, "The accent had me sunk as soon as you opened your mouth." Allie laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck, "And now you'll never escape my British tones." They left to go back up to the house around five, brushing the sand off Rose and Emmie's sunscreen sticky skin. Daniel scooped both girls up to their delight as they entered the garden, and Allie thought her heart would burst.

The following day they walked over to the park. Robyn and Jeremy were going to be there and Daniel and Allie were planning on telling them. Dan and Jeremy took everyone's orders while Allie and Susan took Rose and Emmie on the play equipment. The two little girls were climbing up to use the slide, and Allie stood at the end in case Rose needed catching as she was prone to flying off. Susan hugged Allie as she stood waiting, "You're glowing Allie honey." Allie smiled, "Once we find a good moment we're going to tell Robyn and Jeremy." John eventually appeared to tell his wife and Allie that the food and drink had arrived and they called the girls.

Rose wasn't ready to leave and began to protest. Allie promised she could come back after breakfast, but the two year old was not in the mood to give in. Daniel appeared to help Allie having heard her meltdown "Hey, Rosie posey what's the problem?" Susan led Emmie off holding her hand. Rose stamped her small feet screaming, "No Daddy, want to play." Daniel smiled at Allie, "Well poor Mommy is hungry and hasn't had any coffee this morning. Shall we go and get her some?" Rose looked determined, "No, want to stay and play." He crouched down so he could be on her level, "Okay my little Rosebud here's the deal. I can give you two more goes on the slide as long as afterwards you come for breakfast nicely. If not, Daddy will just pick you up and you can scream and look silly in front of all the others. Do you want the last two goes?" Rose was weighing up her options and clenched her small fists before nodding slowly." Allie bit her lip and Daniel squeezed her hand as she left to claim her coffee.

Jeremy handed her a latte and grinned, "Terrible twos?" Allie kissed him and took the cup gratefully. "Yeah, it's hard not to feel bad for her, she totally loses it." She laughed as Robyn came to join them, "Dan thinks he's won her around, but just wait." Within seconds they could hear her rage and Dan appeared carrying her. He kissed the angry toddler and sat her on the ground where she dramatically lay down, kicking and screaming, taking a sneaky look to see if the adults were watching. Getting no attention, and seeing Emmie sitting on Max's knee eating a very enticing pain au chocolat she subsided. Allie went to her and crouched down, "Are you finished my little one?" Rose nodded, "Do you need a hug?" She reached up with her arms and Allie picked her up kissing her hair as she buried her face in her Mommy's shoulder. "What do you say for not coming when we asked you and making all that fuss?" The penitent toddler muttered "Sorry." Allie kissed her again and said, "good girl" as Daniel winked at her and she passed Rose to John who was waving her chocolate pastry which she was soon gratefully munching. Allie got her a carton of apple juice, placed it by her and peace was restored. Allie sat on the grass opposite Jeremy and Robyn and reclaimed her latte. Daniel had grabbed his and he passed Allie her cinnamon roll, locking eyes causing her face to light up.

Robyn glanced at an oblivious Jeremy then said, "Okay you two, what's going on?" Daniel smiled at Allie, Jeremy looked confused, Robyn looked outraged and Allie said nervously, "Dan and I have decided we want to be together." Jeremy looked momentarily surprised then smiling said, "Hey, that's amazing you guys, congratulations." Allie glanced at Robyn and couldn't read her face. Daniel slipped his hand around Allie's waist and said, "Say something Robyn." Robyn's eyes followed his hand and she said in a matter of fact tone, "I'm processing." Jeremy jumped up and pulled Allie to her feet, and hugged her. Then he grabbed Daniel who'd also stood up. Robyn whirled around realising no-one else was surprised, "What do you guys think? And how long has this been a thing?" Allie swallowed and gratefully let Dan wrap an arm back around her waist, "Only since Friday and we told these guys yesterday." Max came over and Jeremy squeezed his wife's hand, hoping she wouldn't say anything she might regret later. She felt him do it and got the message, "Well I guess it's congratulations then." Allie reached out and hugged her, feeling tearful.

The breakfast ended on a slightly subdued note, and when they got back to their apartment Jeremy looked quizzically at his wife, "Do you want to talk about this Robyn." She looked annoyed, "Not really." He shrugged and sat on the couch picking up his tablet. Robyn dropped down next to him, "I don't know what to think." Jeremy looked up and she carried on, "Well actually I'm worried about Dan in this. He's liked Allie from the first day she walked in the office. She's always been this unobtainable perfect girl to him, first because of Carrie and then Michael. What if it turns out he's Allie's rebound relationship?" Jeremy kept calm on the surface, but for the first time since he'd met her he didn't like how she was reacting. "Robyn, she didn't break up with Michael, he died for Christ's sake. This is Allie we're talking about. She doesn't do anything without worrying how everyone else will feel about it. She's been to hell and back. Daniel makes her happy, takes care of her, and I'm glad because I know she loves him and they have kids. Sleep on it, but please god don't say any of that in work tomorrow. It's unfair and they don't deserve it."

When Robyn got to work she avoided the kitchen and just got going with some documents. Max came out of his office and called her through. She rolled her eyes at no-one in particular and took a pad with her. Max indicated the meeting table, "Still processing?" She blushed a little understanding he was subtly communicating his disapproval at her response from breakfast the day before. He left a silence and said, "What's going on Robyn?" She looked at him impassively, "I just need some time to get used to it I guess. Can I go Max? I've got loads to do." He sighed and nodded.