The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 41

The night of Eugenie and Jack's engagement party was full of significant moments for Maddie and Harry; from start to finish. The event was black tie which, after seeing Harry in his tux, Maddie was infinitely thankful for. And when Harry saw her dressed and done up, he honestly debated the ramifications of missing his cousin's party. With promises of revisiting the images in his head, Maddie convinced him it was in both of their best interests to remain clothed and attend the party.

It was also a private event which meant two things. First, once they were inside the private estate, there would be no press, no cameras. Second, it meant that Harry's entire family would be in attendance. Having met most of them, Maddie felt considerably more at ease than she had before. And when Harry told her that after the "adults" left many of their friends would be joining the all night extravaganza, Maddie relaxed even further.

Even though it was a private party at a private residence, the press was still lined up outside; ready to snap pictures of the royal family as they made the short walk from the car through the arched gate that was the entry to the party. As per usual, when Harry stepped from their car and took her hand, pulling it through his arm, the cameras went crazy. But Maddie didn't care. It was a night of celebration and they weren't going to be able to chase the smile from her face. So she held tight to Harry and watched where she was headed and the glaring white light in her vision only lasted for a brief moment. It wasn't until the next day when Ella saw the pictures that Maddie would learn of the significance of Harry arriving at such a high profile family event with Maddie already on his arm; the level of seriousness it implied.

Once inside, Maddie was in awe. It was amazing. The home was grand, immaculate; with a large pool out back and a deck built with entertaining the masses in mind. The gardens were well manicured and expansive. They had set up a large tent complete with floors, lighting and overhead fans to help with the heat. And inside the tent was no less than impressive. Maddie was certain she had never been to a party that was quite this caliber. She glanced at the house, the mansion, and wondered which of the multitude of rooms she would be staying in and if they had put her and Harry in separate rooms for the night. Though Maddie had initially been unsure about staying, after Eugenie insisted that all of their friends were staying, she gave in. This amazing property would be their playground for the next twenty four hours.

As they walked along the candlelight path to the tent, champagne was handed to them by well-dressed waiters and waitresses. Harry held tight to her hand as he passed her one before taking one for himself.

"To Eugenie," he held his glass to hers.

"To Jack," Maddie countered; clinking her glass to his before drinking.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"You did," Maddie nodded as they continued on. "Right about the time you were trying to convince me to lose the dress."

"Well, it wasn't because I didn't like the dress."

"Fair enough," Maddie laughed.

"Think it would be entirely inappropriate for me to pull you off the path for a quick..."

"Entirely, yes," she nodded and then, tugging him to her lips, she gave into impropriety for a moment.

"That's lovely," Harry sighed when she stepped away from him. He reached out to wipe at a bit of smudged lipstick with his thumb.

"Thank you," she turned her head so she could kiss his hand before it left her face to pick her hand back up.

As they neared the tent, they could hear the band playing lively, fun music and the atmosphere was complete. It was going to be a glorious night full of family and fun and wild celebrations that Maddie had only heard tale of. And now there she was, right in the middle of it all.