Legal Prejuduce 3 - Lessons In Life

Chapter 15

Max called Daniel and Allie through half way through the next morning. He beamed at them across the table, "We got the Cannon deal. Richard Bittencourt just rang. I'll get Carly drafting up the engagement letter today, I'll swing it by you guys to check we haven't missed anything and we'll look to get it out early next week. I'll set up some kick off meetings for next week too." Daniel grinned at his wife, "Tales of you walking around the hospital half naked didn't put them off then." Allie blushed and Max laughed and stood up, "Come here honey." He pulled her to him and said, "Richard told me Antonia admitted you impressed her. She must have surrendered to the Allie charm." Dan smiled, "And how could she not!" Max released her and as Daniel slipped an arm 'round her waist he smiled at them and said, "Right dream team, lunch on me to celebrate, twelve thirty."

Just before she was leaving for lunch Allie's cell phone rang and she smiled seeing it was Jeremy. She picked up and on the other end Jeremy perched on his desk, "Hey, I hear you guys got the job. Does this mean I get to hang out with you over here?" Allie laughed, "I guess it depends on where the meetings are, but yes, hopefully. You might want to warn Tom I could be lurking in your hallways." Jeremy laughed, "Hey, I saw Brian yesterday after the pitch, he said Antonia tried to knock you off track. He said you handled her like a pro. What did she say?" Allie sat back down at her meeting table and sighed, "She shared with the whole board that she'd met me walking around the hospital in nothing but a hospital gown, so I just said it was lovely to come back fully clothed. They laughed and we got the job, so I think it was okay." Jeremy couldn't help but laugh and said, "I might be biased but I think you carry off hospital chic real well Allie." Allie giggled in response and said, "At least she didn't bring that bloody documentary up and to be fair she asked a couple of really good questions." Daniel appeared at the door and Allie beckoned him in. Putting the speaker on she said, "I've just put you on speaker, Dan's just arrived. Max is taking us for lunch to celebrate." Daniel smiled, "Hey Jem, guess you heard we got the gig." Jeremy smiled, "Yeah, just rang Allie to congratulate you guys. Go, celebrate. I need to head on over to the OR. I'm working Sunday but I'll be over for quick coffee before I go in. Tell Max I said congrats too."

On Monday evening Allie had left to collect the girls, but Daniel had stayed on late to review the engagement letter Carly and Max had drafted so he could pass it over to Allie the following morning. He was rushing to leave so he could see the children before they went to sleep when he noticed a light on in Chris' room. Despite the time he did a detour and found Chris working feverishly at his desk. He looked up and said, "You off Dan?" Daniel nodded, "Yeah, it's after seven Chris, how come you're still here?" Chris grinned, "Just blasting through some draft contracts for Tytech while it's quiet." Dan looked thoughtful, "Did that come through? I thought they were on hold until they'd finished their RFI process?" Chris didn't pause, "Yeah they are but I can get ahead by drafting now. When I'm in the zone like this I can get so much more done." Daniel thought it was more than a bit strange, but mindful of getting home he just said, "Why don't you call it a night." Chris just smiled and said, "It's fine, I'll keep going until I'm tired."

When Daniel got downstairs to the parking garage Eddie from reception security shouted to him. Dan inwardly sighed feeling like he was doomed never to get home, but he merely looked up and said, "Hey Eddie, everything okay?" Eddie jogged over, "Hi Mr Miller, I just wondered if anyone was still left upstairs?" Dan nodded, "Just Chris Walshe left." Eddie shook his head, "That's what I thought. I may be speaking out of turn but I wanted to let you or Mr Russell know that guy's been burning the candle at both ends. He was in this morning before seven and the night guys say he's leaving later and later." Daniel frowned, "Thanks Eddie, I'll have a word with him tomorrow or let Max handle it. I didn't realise it was a regular thing so I appreciate you letting me know." As he drove home Daniel turned Chris' recent behaviour over in his mind and remembering Allie's observation about his reaction to Robyn's pregnancy news. Drawing onto the driveway he pushed Chris to the back of his mind. Allie opened the front door and Emmie and Rose appeared with freshly washed hair and clean pyjamas. His heart swelled at the sight and he went in sweeping the two children, one in each arm and leaned forward to kiss a smiling Allie.