Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 43

Robyn was only three weeks from her due date, and even though she felt huge and tired her mood actually felt lighter. She reasoned it was probably because she was on the home straight, but she was also worried about the birth, petrified of the pain even though Jeremy and her OBGYN Mary had reassured her she could have an epidural. A couple of weeks before Allie, Susan and Margie had organised a baby shower for her at Allie and Dan's. Allie had to admit she wasn't entirely sure what happened at a baby shower as she'd never been to one. Susan asked, "Don't you have them in the UK Allie?" Allie shrugged, "It's becoming more of thing now I think, but the only people I knew at work who had one didn't invite me. I suppose in the past there were christenings instead." It was a lovely afternoon and Robyn and Jeremy left loaded up with baby supplies.

Robyn was planning on working up to her due date so she could have as much time with the baby as possible. A new paralegal called Amanda had started after a couple of hiccups with the recruitment process. She was a little ditsy, but fun to be around and learning quickly mentored by Robyn. Daniel was in court and Allie was working with Robyn on some straightforward documents they were going to get Amanda working on. Allie noticed Robyn squirming a bit on her chair and she said, "Are you okay? You look uncomfortable." Robyn grimaced, "I'm always godamn uncomfortable these days." In truth she'd had backache all night and all morning which she thought was probably the weight she was carrying. They carried on working and just as she was about to leave she had a sharp paid low down and couldn't help yelping. Allie jumped and said, "Oh my god Robyn are you okay?" Robyn sucked in a breath "Yeah, I'm like a damn elephant. Must have been sitting for too long."

She got up and another sharp stab hit her and she gripped the back of the chair. Allie was now alarmed and said, "Robyn I'm calling Jeremy to let him know we're coming. It might be nothing but you need checking over." The pain had gone but Robyn nodded, "Okay Allie." Allie dialled Jeremy and to her relief he answered. She explained and he said he'd meet her at the entrance. Cutting the call she speed dialled Max from the desk phone saying, "Max, can you come over? I need to get Robyn to the hospital." Max jogged 'round and Robyn grabbed her phone from Allie's desk. He had his keys and said, "I'll drive, Allie can sit with you in the back." Allie rubbed his arm, relieved he was with her as she steered Robyn past to leave. When they got to Max's car Robyn had to stop and grip the back door as another sharp pain hit her. Allie looked down and then back up in panic at Max, "Robyn lovely, I think your waters just broke." Max gulped, "Shit. Don't have the baby here Robyn!" Allie almost laughed, but still holding onto Robyn she said, "Max, I'll get Robyn in, then you need to just keep calm and get us there okay?" She didn't wait for an answer and concentrated on getting Robyn in the back seat. She ran around the other side and said, "Okay, go Max." As they drove along Allie noticed the pains were getting much more frequent and Robyn had started screaming as they came. Max glanced around desperately, but Allie just concentrated on comforting Robyn saying, "It's going to be fine Robyn, we're nearly there. Just breathe through it and squeeze my hand yeah." In between what she was now sure were contractions Allie messaged Daniel to let him know. She was relieved to see the entrance and Max drove right up spotting Jeremy. He got Robyn out, shouting thanks behind him and they disappeared inside. Max put his head on the steering wheel and Allie came 'round to the front passenger seat and rubbed his back saying, "Best move the car." He sat up and nodded, "Yeah, then I might need fucking Valium. I had visions of you delivering a baby in the back seat." He started the engine and swung the car 'round and parked. They got out and Allie walked 'round and wrapped her arms around Max's waist. He pulled her to his chest and said, "You okay?" Allie smiled up at him "Yeah, just a bit shaky." Max kissed her, "Bet my back seat's a mess." Allie laughed and let him take her weight "Max!" He held her up and kissed her, "Come on, let's get in."

When they got inside Max asked at reception where they should wait and they were directed to another part of the building. There was a coffee stall so they grabbed a couple and sat down to wait. Max asked, "How long do you think it'll be Allie?" She looked aghast, "How the hell do you think I'd know?" Max said, "I don't know, you're a girl." Allie slapped him playfully, "and last time I checked I wasn't a doctor or a midwife." He chuckled, "You were actually pretty amazing just then." She laughed, "I was actually absolutely petrified." They sat drinking the coffee and Max said, "Can you imagine the birth certificate, place of birth, Max's BMW" Allie laughed, "No, I can't!" Allie took the empty cups and put them in the trash. Max threw an arm around her and she lay on his chest still giggling as he carried on chuckling, "They might have called the kid Freeway or something." Daniel appeared grinning at them, "Have we got a baby yet." Allie jumped up and kissed him, "No, still waiting." Max leaned forward, "Fucking hell Dan, her waters broke right before we got in the car. That journey shaved years off my life. I was convinced Allie was going to deliver the baby on the back seat. Good job this girl's got nerves of steel." Daniel kissed Allie and the two of them sat down next to Max to wait.

Thirty minutes later Jeremy appeared in scrubs carrying a tiny bundle in his arms and all three of them jumped up to meet him. His eyes were full of tears as he bent down to show them the tiny baby and Allie gasped and said, "Oh my God, so gorgeous! You're a daddy! Is Robyn okay?" He nodded, "She was amazing Allie. She needs some stitches but she wanted me to come out and show you guys the baby. Daniel said, "Boy or Girl Jem?" He grinned, "Boy, meet Jackson, Jack for short." Allie stood on her tiptoes and kissed Jeremy, "Congratulations, he's beautiful" Max squeezed his shoulder and said, "He's cute isn't he." Jeremy said, "I'd better get him back to his mom." Allie rubbed his arm, "Tell her we love her and we'll come see her tomorrow." He nodded and was gone. Allie sank into Dan's chest and Max said, "Let's go get some lunch to celebrate the new arrival."