Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 45

When Dan and Allie reached Max's house on Sunday afternoon they found Susan and John there waiting. Rose and Emmie ran out to the car to meet them, excited at their return. Daniel carried Emmie and Rose was in Allie's arms as they came through the door. Daniel put Emmie back on her feet and Margie grabbed him. He clung to her tightly as she whispered, "I'm so happy for you my sweet Dan you deserve each other and we love you both." Daniel kissed her, "And we love you Margie." John had taken Rose from Allie so Max could get to her. He lifted her clean off the floor and held her close. The children had run off through the house and into the garden and they walked into the living area. Susan held Daniel while Margie hugged Allie and looked at the beautiful antique ring. Susan grasped Daniel's hands and her eyes glistened with tears as she said, "This is amazing Daniel, we're so happy for you. Do you know, when Michael told me he was going to ask Allie to marry him I said only a girl as special as Allie would be good enough for him. Well you know what, if Michael could say I know he'd agree with me that only a man as wonderful and as special as you would be good enough for Allie." Daniel felt tears rolling down his face and Susan wiped his cheeks with her thumbs as he choked out, "I loved him Susan. I'll take care of her, make her happy I promise." Susan smiled and kissed his cheek, "And she'll love and take care of you." John was listening and grabbed him leaving Susan to hold Allie.

They followed the children into the garden where Max had recently installed a swing set for them to play on. Margie brought a bottle of champagne and a tray of glasses out. As Max popped the cork and poured, Allie held Dan's hand and said, "Actually Dan needs to tell you all something else." She whispered in his ear, "Tell them Dan." He was suddenly nervous and Allie kissed his hand as he said, "I've asked Allie and she's agreed that after we're married we'll all be legally called Stevenson-Miller. We'll never forget Michael, he'll live on in our family every day." Susan burst into tears and Allie moved to hug her. John held Daniel whispering, "I don't know what to say Dan, you can only imagine how much that means to me and Susan." Max came over passing the champagne bottle to his wife and embraced Daniel saying, "I am so damn proud of you son." Dan leaned on his shoulder, "That means so much Max." John held Allie's face in his hands and he kissed her before she joined Max and her fiancé who took her between them.

An hour later Daniel and Allie gathered up the children's belongings and headed home. Rose was asleep in her car seat and Emmie said, "So Mommy, are Rose and I going to be in the wedding?" Allie turned around in the passenger seat and said, "Of course Emmie. You and Rose are as important as Daddy and I to this wedding." Emmie smiled and asked, "When is it?" Allie glanced at her new fiancé smiling, "We haven't figured that bit out yet chicken, but you can help us plan it okay?" She nodded and looked excited then a little concerned, "Daddy, why did you look sad before?" Daniel reached out to Allie with his right hand, "Sometimes people cry because they are so happy Emmie. And we've decided we're all going to have a new last name to help us remember Uncle Michael and because we all loved him so much. You'll be Emily Stevenson-Miller instead of Emily Miller. Is that okay with you?" Emmie nodded but added, "You'll have to help me write it for school." Allie smiled, "Of course, we can practice Emmie."

Emmie looked out of the window then across at Rose, "And will you be our real Mommy and Daddy now?" Allie's heart broke a little and she sent up a prayer hoping she found the right words, "Emmie sweetheart our family is different, but that's what makes it super special. Max isn't my Daddy, but I couldn't love him more if he was, because he looks out for me and takes care of me like your Daddy does for you. And Daddy loves Rose just the same. I can't have babies from my tummy, but you and Rose grew in my heart and we chose one another, and that's a rare and special thing. If I'd have had a baby grow inside me I'm sure I could never have felt as much love as I feel for you two. Daddy and I will always be there for both of you. Real Mommies and Daddies are the people who take care of you and love you, not the people whose bodies you came from. Sometimes the people who made us just can't be the ones who look after us." Allie turned away before Emmie could see her trying not to cry and Dan squeezed her hand tight. Emmie was quiet for a minute and then said, "My first Mommy, Carrie hurt you. That's why you can't have babies isn't it?" Daniel kissed Allie's hand and said gently, "Yes, Emmie, but she was sick." The seven year old looked momentarily angry, "I don't want to ever see her." Allie said gently, "That's okay Emmie. You don't have to unless you want to when you're older. Just know Daddy and I love you yeah."

They spent the rest of the afternoon quietly. Allie unpacked all of their things and put some laundry on. When the children tired from their exciting weekend had been bathed, Daniel joined her first to read Rose a story and then Emmie. He made them a drink and they settled on the couch. Allie rubbed Daniel's arm and said, "I'm drained Dan, happy but exhausted." She smiled and added, "And not just because you wore me out in that cabin." Daniel finished his drink and pulled her to his chest kissing her forehead, "I know what you mean. Seeing Susan so happy and so upset all at the same time and then all that stuff with Emmie. How do you do it Allie?" She looked puzzled, "How do I do what?" He kissed her again, "Know what to say." Allie moved her hand to his chest, pressing her cheek into him, "I have no clue what I'm doing Dan. I just pray I find the right way to explain it to her. I don't want her to feel like I hate Carrie or she can't ask about her, but at the same time it kills me a bit inside to have to confront the reality that I'm not her mother." Daniel looped his arm under her legs and pulled her onto his lap where he could hold her properly, "You do Allie, find the right words, every time. As she gets older she's joining the dots, people talk and she must take it in. And Allie you are her Mom, like you told her today, in the ways that matter, the times she will remember." They sat like that for a long time and Allie drifted into sleep. He tried to carry her to bed without waking her but she stirred. She looped her arm around his neck so he could carry her more easily, placing her back on her feet in the bedroom so she could use the bathroom to get ready for bed.