Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 52

A few weeks later Max, Margie, Daniel, Allie and the girls were flying to Miami. Max had hired a seven bedroom villa with a large pool just outside of Miami for ten days, figuring they could all use a break. Susan and John were following on a few days later. Robyn and Jeremy were coming for five days with baby Jack, since Jeremy was struggling for annual leave at work. The baby was now nearly five months old and Robyn was coming back to work four days a week in a month's time. They picked up two hire cars and followed the sat nav to the house. Allie had what she needed for the children in her hand luggage and it was past their bedtime when they arrived. Despite the excitement at seeing the big, unfamiliar house they were soon settled in their bedrooms and fast asleep. Daniel and Max had unloaded the cases and Margie had helped Allie with Rose and Emmie. Looping her hand in Margie's arm Allie whispered, "Let's have a look at this amazing house Margie. It's huge! Who's having what bedroom?" Margie laughed quietly, "They've all got bathrooms and they're all king beds so I don't think it much matters honey." Allie nodded and looked in the one nearest the girls' twin bedrooms. Daniel brought their cases up as she said "In that case it would make sense if we take the one nearest the girls." She smiled and opened the door for Daniel. Max was behind him and said, "We'll take the room furthest away from Rose. That kid is so noisy in the mornings." Margie playfully punched him and Allie giggled, "You're not wrong, no volume control on Rosie."

They went downstairs and explored the living area. It was dark but they could just make out a beautiful pool area. Max was examining the fridge in some satisfaction getting a bottle of wine out. Margie had sent the rental company a list of food so they wouldn't need to bother going for groceries in the first few days. Daniel found the glasses and they all sank onto the enormous sectional couch. Allie said, "This place is amazing. Thank you so much for doing this." Max glanced at Margie smiling and raised his glass, "Here's to a great holiday and new beginnings."

The next day after some breakfast Rose and Emmie couldn't wait to get in the pool. Allie sprayed them liberally with sunscreen. Emmie was a good swimmer but Rose, while hilariously happy in the water couldn't yet swim, so much to her disgust needed a floatation jacket. She kept unzipping it and Daniel crouched down and said firmly, "Rose, no jacket, no pool okay?" She looked him defiantly in the eye before nodding slowly and he said, "Good girl, but if you take it off again, no pool." She looked indignant and ran off to jump back in. The adults were all on the luxurious sunbeds with coffee and Allie sighed, lying back letting the warm sunshine sink into her skin.

They chatted away and Max said, "So you two, have you had any more thoughts on the wedding?" Daniel looked over to Allie, "We're worried that everywhere we've thought of as a venue is too public, and the last thing we want is there to be any disruption or photos showing up online drawing attention to us just as things are calming down." Max smiled, "Well Margie and I had an idea. We'd love you to have the wedding at our house. We could put a marquee in the garden and use the house for the caterers and bathrooms and such." Allie sat up, "Really? You'd do that for us?" Margie laughed, "We'd really love to do that for you guys. I don't know why we didn't think of it before. It's totally private, we've got that big flat lawn and the rest of the gardens so it'll really work." Daniel came over and sat on Allie's chaise, "That's so amazing of you, I don't know what to say." Max chuckled, "Just say yes Dan and let's have us a party to remember." Dan played with Allie's hair and said, "What do you say Allie." She replied, "I say that's the best wedding present ever, let's set a date." Max beamed and Margie squealed, "I'm so excited!"

As the girls splashed in the water they set a provisional date for three months' time. Margie and Allie talked wedding dress shopping and outfits for the girls and Margie said, "Allie honey, it's so lovely to be involved with this, not having kids, I thought I'd never get to help plan a wedding you know." Allie kissed her, "You are no way old enough Margie, but you are definitely the Mummy figure in my life." Daniel had sat next to Max on his sun lounger. "Listen Max, I know you walked Allie down the aisle when she married Michael, but I wanted to ask if you would be my best man? Allie knows I want you with me, so she said if you agreed she'd ask John to walk with her." Max threw an arm around him and was unusually serious, "It would be one of the proudest moments of my life to stand next to you while you marry Allie Dan. And actually, I think it would be really be nice for John. He loves that girl, and I think it'd mean a lot to him and Susan.