Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 39

That night Daniel left the office early and collected Rose and Emmie from the childminder so he could take them to see Allie now she was well enough. Holly had given them some dinner and as she handed them over to Daniel she said, "Give my love to Allie." Daniel opened the door for Emmie and went around the other side to lift Rose into her car seat and strap her in before looping the belt around Emmie's seat. They were both excited and as he set off Daniel tried to prepare them. "Now girls, Mommy's been really sick and even though she's feeling better we have to be super careful to be gentle yeah." Emmie just nodded but Rose said, "Mommy coming home Daddy." Daniel glanced at her fondly in the mirror, "Not tonight Rose, Mommy needs to stay in the hospital." Rose scrunched up her little nose, "Why? Tell Uncle Jemmy bring her home." Emmie answered for her, "Mommy's had an operation Rose and that's why she has to stay there."

When they arrived Dan let Emmie out and then released Rose's harness and lifted her out of the seat. She was buzzing with excitement, so he kissed her and before putting her down he said, "Now remember Rose, gentle with Mommy yeah." She nodded and he said, "Good girl, hold my hand." Allie was sitting with Susan and John who were both extremely relieved to find her so much better. She saw Dan walk through the door with a little girl holding each hand and she was overcome with love for them. Rose wriggled free and clambered on the bed. John grabbed her to both help and control her, and Allie tucked the little girl close to her kissing her over and over. Emmie was hovering at the other side of the bed near Susan who caught her by the waist and hugged her. Allie beckoned her over "How's my big girl? Come this side Emmie. Emmie climbed up and snuggled close before bursting into tears crying, "I miss you Mommy. I want you to come home. I was scared you'd gone to the hospital like Uncle Michael and wouldn't come back." Allie held her close as John lifted Rose down before she started wriggling. She kissed her and whispered, "It's not the same Emmie I promise. Mommy's coming home in a few days. I just need this medicine to get better and then I can come home to you, Rose and Daddy. I'm never going to leave you." Susan let Daniel come in and he kissed Allie and Emmie who was wiping her face.

Allie kept Emmie close and asked, "So, tell me all about school?" Rose slid off John's knee and headed to Susan who picked her up while she shouted, "I had Spanish chicken." Allie laughed, "Did you, with rice yeah? And what about you Emmie?" She'd brightened up a little, "I got a new reading book and we did painting." Allie cuddled her "Wow, a new one already. You are flying through those colours! When you come tomorrow why don't you bring your book and we can do your reading assignment together." She nodded vigorously and Rose shouted, "And me!" Daniel picked her up and kissed her, "Yeah, definitely bring your book too." John got up and said, "So who'd like to go get a snack and a drink?" Both girls shouted "Me!" so he took a hand each and took them off to the cafeteria. Daniel came and sat on the bed next to Allie and swung an arm around her kissing her. Susan sighed, "Poor Emmie, that just about broke my heart. It's obviously been on her mind. Allie shook her head, "I know, I feel so bad. She's had so much loss to deal with." Daniel kissed her, "None of it can be helped and you'll be home soon. I did think about bringing her last night, but you were so sick Allie I was worried it would be too upsetting for them." Susan gasped, "God yes, you did the right thing Dan. I was really upset seeing you like that Allie, and Emmie definitely would have been. All you can do is reassure her like you just did."

When John returned the girls, each had a chocolate bar to eat and a carton of juice which kept them occupied while the adults chatted. Susan noticed Allie looked tired and Daniel had seen it too, so when Rose started getting restless he reluctantly told Allie he'd better make a move. Allie nodded sadly and said, "Dan would you get a facecloth and wet it in the bathroom so I can clean her face?" John grinned, "Yeah, she's wearing more chocolate than she's eaten." Daniel brought the cloth and lifted Rose up so Allie could clean her. She kissed the toddler and said, "See you tomorrow my little Rosie. Be good for Daddy yeah?" Rose's lip quivered, "Want to stay with Mommy." Allie kissed her again "You can't my petal, Mommy has to stay here, but you have to take care of Daddy and go home." The tired toddler wailed, "Mommy, mommy" as Daniel lifted her away from the bed.

Jeremy had appeared at the door and provided a distraction, "Hey Rose, want to come to me?" She held her stocky toddler arms out, and when he took her from Daniel she wrapped them around his neck, "Let Mommy come home Uncle Jemmy, please." He smiled and stroked her hair, "I promise as soon as we can we'll send Mommy back home, and if your Daddy says you've been really good for him, when you come to see Mommy tomorrow I'll have something fun for you. And you Emmie. Deal?" Rose sniffed and nodded and he dropped her to her feet. Allie smiled gratefully and cuddled Emmie whispering to her, "I'll be home really soon okay. And Daddy will bring you tomorrow after school yeah." Daniel pulled her close, "I'll call on my way to work beautiful. Love you." John and Susan held Allie too and left with Dan and the girls. Jeremy saw them out, reassuring a worried John that Allie was doing really well.

He went back in to find Allie in tears and he slid onto the bed and putting his arm around her he said, "Rose will be fine." Allie shook her head, "It's not just that Jeremy, Emmie had a meltdown because she thought I had gone to the hospital like Michael and wouldn't come back." Jeremy just pulled her tighter and kissed her head. After a while Allie said, "Much as I love your company shouldn't you be getting back to Robyn?" Jeremy kissed her and shifted off the bed, "Yeah, I should Allie. Are you sure you're okay?" She nodded, "I'm fine, promise, just tired. You in work tomorrow?" He fixed the bedclothes, "Sure am. Quiet day too, so I should be able sneak up and visit." Allie smiled, "Now if you bring a cup of coffee that would be even more perfect." He laughed as he headed for the door.