Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 51

The next day was surreal. It was a Saturday, but Allie decided not to send the girls to their gymnastics classes so they could all keep a low profile. They were up early and she'd got the girls ready and cleared breakfast away before Max and Margie arrived. The girls were playing in the garden which Allie was grateful for because she didn't want them to see their Mommy and Daddy upset. Allie heard the car on the drive and opened the door. Margie got to her first and kissed her. Allie said gratefully, "Dan's in the kitchen." Margie nodded and went through while Max gathered Allie up, her feet almost off the ground whispering, "We're here honey, it's going to be okay."

He followed his wife through still rubbing Allie's hand. Margie had taken Dan into her arms and was rocking him on the couch so Allie and Max went through to the kitchen area to make drinks. Margie was whispering in his ear, "It's okay Dan, we're here, she doesn't deserve you." Max quietly said to Allie, "Are you okay Allie? That must have been hard." She nodded, "Harder to see the effect on Dan to be honest. It hurts but a lot of it was stuff I already knew people said about us. I wasn't expecting the video in the bar with Michael though. I didn't even know it existed." She put the mugs down and looked at him through tears. "I need to see Susan, that must have been hard for her too." Max pulled her to his chest, "Oh Allie, I know honey, I know you loved him. If Dan's okay later why don't you ring them, have them come over?" She pulled back and wiped her eyes, "Yeah, I will. And the stuff about the baby Max, his mom saying that." Allie exhaled, "Nothing we can do. Some people will always want to believe bad stuff I suppose, but it's so painful and I'm scared the girls will get hurt." Max carried two of the mugs and Allie the other two. He put the ones he was carrying on the table and sat the other side of Daniel, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him close. Max held him, saying softly, "It's okay son. I know it hurts Dan."

Emmie ran in from the garden and stopped dead. Allie reached out for her and wide eyed she asked, "Why are you all sad? Daddy what's wrong with Mommy?" Allie could still just about pick her up and she hoisted her onto one hip saying, "Don't worry Emmie, Some people said some mean and untrue things about Daddy and about me. It upset us, but Maxy and Margie have come to cheer us up, and some of the others will come over later too." Emmie was focused on her Daddy who had grabbed a couple of tissues to pass to Allie "Mean things about what?" Allie kissed her and glanced at Daniel "Well, about when I got hurt, but it's over now and we're going to concentrate on the people who love us from now on yeah." Daniel got up and opened his arms to take Emmie from her, "I'm sorry little one, we got upset because sometimes words hurt, but Mommy's so right. The only people who matter are the ones who we love and who love us right back." He leaned over and kissed Allie and placed Emmie back on her feet. Margie took her hand and said, "Shall you and I go and check what your crazy little sister is doing?" Emmie towed her off through the open doors to the garden.

Daniel sighed, "I'm ashamed Max." Max raised his eyebrows, "Of what?" Daniel shrugged, "I'm ashamed of having a mother who'd do that to me." Max put his hand on Daniel's shoulder, "Do you know what I think? I think you are not your parents. You drew the shitty stick when they gave out Moms and Dads, but despite their really bad example you turned out an amazing guy and an incredible Daddy." Daniel smiled, "Thanks Max, without you and Margie I don't know what would have happened to me." Max held him and said "I'm proud of you Dan. Come on, have that drink. Thing is son, everyone has done their worst now, and for what it's worth I think it may have backfired. The internet is blowing up with sympathy for you guys. That statement was pretty powerful, and your Mom betraying you like that didn't sit well with a lot of folk. You guys need to look forward not back. You have all of us, the kids, each other and a beautiful future to plan."

Max sat back, he and Margie had an idea to give them all a break, but he was going to wait until Daniel and Allie were less raw before raising it. He sat down with his cup next to Dan and Allie joined them, rubbing Daniels's back with one hand and saying softly, "Max is right Dan. Margie came in smiling "They're fine, having fun out there." Daniel looked up, "How about I call the others, see if they feel like coming over and we can order in for dinner?"