The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 28

The next day went just as the team of planners had intended. In the late afternoon, after the children had been fed lunch, there would be a private meeting at the Children's Home. The kids would gather in the community room and the two staff Psychologists would go in first; followed by Maddie.

This private meeting would be followed up by a community dinner in the courtyard; complete with a standard Bendal welcome—food, drink, music and dancing into the night. And as Harry, Maddie, and Khenda waited outside the Community Room for the other doctors to call Maddie in, they smiled at the good memories that evoked, instead of focusing on that one terrible moment that had proceeded their departure.

"Why am I nervous?" Maddie looked up to Harry as she fanned her face with her hand.

"I have no idea," he shook his head. "This is going to be the easiest thing you do all day."

"I know," she laughed. "Maybe I'm just excited and..."

"Doctor Forrester?" Maddie turned towards the voice of Lara, the Psychologist who had replaced her. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Maddie breathed, turning nervous eyes to Harry.

"Okay kids," Lara spoke into the room. "We have a very special guest today..."

"You got this," his voice was full of absolute certainty. Maddie nodded and, smiling wide, she stepped through the door.

Harry and Khenda could hear the uproar of excitement that erupted in the room as Maddie stepped in. Khenda felt tears come to her eyes and Harry watched in awe as the children swarmed around her. Some were crying, some were clapping their hands and jumping. But all of them were smiling wide and beyond thrilled to see her. He had always known she was a bigger celebrity in Bendal than he was.

"Look at that..." Harry's voice carried pride.

"They were right," Khenda grinned. "Those kids are so happy to see her."

"Of course they are," Harry nodded. "Look at how they watch her."

"Look at how you watch her," Khenda's voice lowered as she smiled at him.

"I can't help it," he blushed slightly.

"That bad, huh?"

"God yes," he chuckled.

"So," Khenda turned her full attention to him, seeing that Maddie's reunion was going well. "What happens next for you two?"

"I don't know," he shook his head as they turned away from the room. "I'm waiting for her to tell me."

"Oh wow," she laughed. "You're in the worst way, aren't you?"

"You have no idea Khenda," his eyes narrowed then. "And I blame you completely for this mess."

"Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes. "And you're welcome."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Maddie emerged from the room three hours later. It had been an emotional meeting for her as well. She had seen some of the children she had been working with when she left; children who had been dropped when she had been forced out of Bendal. Seeing them, hearing how they were doing, took a toll on Maddie. Even good emotions, good feeling—still took energy. When she stepped back through the door, Harry took one look at her red, puffy eyes and pulled her into his arms where tears slipped easily from her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Khenda watched, concerned that maybe this had been too much for her friend.

"Yes!" Maddie tossed her head back with a hearty laugh. "I am most definitely okay." Stepping away from Harry, she accepted a tissue from Khenda and wiped at her eyes. "That was...really great for my soul." She sniffed and smiled; her eyes shining, a smile fixing permanently to her mouth.