The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 30

The entire way home from the hike, Maddie had remained silent. She had gone out that morning seeking clarity and she just didn't know if she had found it. If anything, walking with Collins had only drudged up more for her to think about, more for her to consider. And he had pushed her; pushed her to see the reality of what was happening—called her on her own avoidance. As the car drew closer to their place, Maddie knew what she needed to do.

She needed to talk to Harry. Yes, she had put this off all on her own accord. Yes, she had hoped that the stress of it all would simply go away. But now, as she made her way closer to him, she felt like laughing at herself. What had happened to her? When had all of her years of professional training gone out the window.

The only way through this was to go through it. And that meant that she needed to tell him. She needed him to know...that she was considering Bendal, why she was considering Bendal, and why never in a million years would she have ever imagined considering him over Bendal—even though she was. She needed him to know what was happening in her head; in her heart. It was the very least she could do in return for all he had done for her.

The car pulled to a stop and Maddie rushed from the car.

"Doc..." Collins called to her, the weight of his words was beginning to get to him. He knew that he had been the final push for the avalanche of emotions that his friend was handling. This was what he wanted, but he hoped it wasn't too much for her.

But she didn't answer; her entire mind, her entire body focused on a different mission. Pushing into the house, she looked around for them.

Harry and Khenda were out on the deck; enjoying drinks and laughing loudly. Seeing him made Maddie's heart leap in her chest. Blinking back a surprising burst of tears, Maddie took a breath and moved out to the deck. Collins followed behind her.

"Hey!" Harry was the first one to see her; his eyes lighting up as he grinned up at her.

"Welcome back," Khenda smiled at Maddie before catching the look on Collins' face. "How was the hike?" Ignoring Khenda completely, Maddie looked at Harry—her emotions exposed for everyone to see.

"What do you love about me?" Her voice was soft.

"Sorry?" He looked up to her, his smile still in place. Khenda's laughter faded as she glanced to Collins.

"What do you love about me?" She repeated, stepping closer to him. "And you can't say my ass because there are plenty of women in this world with better asses than mine."

"I wasn't going to say your ass," he laughed tenderly. "I mean...it's a great ass, but that's not why I..."

"What is why?"

"You want a list?" He glanced to Collins, wondering what the hell had happened on the hike. Collins shook his head; he had no idea.

"Please," she nodded. He cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed, but willing to play along.

"Okay. Well...you're funny. Not just good-at-telling-jokes funny but, you can laugh at yourself, you don't take things too seriously. And you're thoughtful and considerate and you're so damn smart." He shook his head. "I love how smart you are. You can hold your own with anybody in the world, I am certain. You're determined and independent and...you care so much about the people around you, about what's happening around you. You have this intrinsic warmth that instantly draws people to your side and..." He looked down at his hands and back up to her. "I don't know Maddie. What is it you're looking for with this?"

"All of those things you just listed," Maddie's eyes grew soft. "All of those things you love about me...All of those things are what brought me to Bendal in the first place. All of those things are because of my time here. All of those things about me are so tied to this place....I..." She trailed off as tears rose to her eyes and just like that the entire mood shifted. Maybe that hike had jarred more loose than she had thought.