The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 26

"Khenda," she took a breath and held it. "She wants me back in Bendal."

"Wow..." Harry let the word tumble from his mouth as he sat up in bed; his heart and mind racing against each other.

"It's not what you think," Maddie moved quickly; tossing her phone aside as she climbed back onto the bed, moving towards him. "It's...I'm not..." Her eyes looked to him, wanting to take the sadness away. "She said that the community has recovered, mostly, from what happened the night..."

"The night you were shot," he provided the words she couldn't seem to say.

"Yes," she nodded. "They have repaired buildings, replanted the garden, and for the most part, morale has been lifted."

"But..." Harry's arms rested on his raised knees.

"But the kids..." Maddie smiled softly as she moved into professional mode. "Children have a more difficult time with the abstract. They are more concrete thinkers; more linear. And the last time some of them saw me..." Maddie trailed off as she met his eyes; hard and cold as he remembered. "Even though they tell the children that I'm fine, that I've recovered, they are having a hard time believing it. Almost all the people they know that are shot...die."

"Sure," Harry nodded; sad as he thought of it.

"So the staff Psychologist asked Khenda if she had any way to contact me, to see if I could come down—for a short visit—so that the kids could see with their own eyes that I am alive and well somewhere in the world."

"Okay," Harry breathed; feeling a little less tense.

"It's important, Harry. It's important that they know I'm okay, that sometimes people make it. And I'll only be gone Monday through Thursday really. I have to be back to meet with the DWB staff on Friday and...the psychologist, Khenda, they would not have called if it weren't important. My going down there could be a big turn for some of these kids and..."

"You don't have to explain," he held his hand up with a genuine smile. "I get it, Maddie. It makes sense. When do you leave?"

"When do I..." She shook her head with a chuckle. "Just like that? You're fine with it. Just like that."

"Hey..." Harry reached for her hand. "I'm sorry if I made you feel like you had to explain things to me, like you had to find an excuse for doing something other than you wanting to do it." He kissed the back of her hand. "You don't have to do that Maddie. I want you to...I want you to be wherever you want to be, to do whatever you want to do."

"But..."

"When do you need to be back in London?"

"I...I don't know. I was going to..." She looked around the room, her mind a little off as she took it all in. Harry; clearly saddened by the mention of her returning to Bendal yet being totally, completely supportive of her going. She almost didn't know what to do with that kind of support—even from him. "Hey, do you..." She took a breath and took a chance. "Do you want to come with me?" Stunned, Harry opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Maddie rushed ahead of him. "Sorry, I know you have stuff to do, a busy schedule and you probably..."

"Yes," Harry cut in.

"What?"

"What?" He laughed. "You asked if I wanted to come with you. I said yes."

"You don't have stuff to do?"

"I do," he shrugged. "But most of it is stuff I can do on the road. I have one meeting on Wednesday that I can reschedule for Friday morning when we return. It won't be a problem at all. It's a standing meeting, nothing urgent."