The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 48

A/N:  I hope you're enjoying the story!

When Harry woke later that morning, he was refreshed; having slept much better after his encounter with Maddie's mother on the deck. He chuckled at the memory as he rose from bed and made his way into the bathroom attached to his room. After he was showered and dressed casually for the day, he stepped out of his room. With a good morning to Jim, he made his way downstairs; Jim following behind him.

Maddie and her mother were already up; dressed and eating breakfast on the deck. Harry pulled his sunglasses onto his face—was it always this sunny in Colorado—and stepped outside. Both women looked up with matching smiles as he joined them.

"Good morning," Maddie beamed as he moved to the seat next to her.

"Good morning," he leaned to kiss her. "Good morning Hannah." Hannah's eyes met his in a silent thank you.

"Good morning Harry. Good morning Jim," she called out; waving her hand towards the fourth place setting at the table. "Join us, won't you?"

"Thank you Mrs. Forrester," he smiled and sat at the table with the three of them; with quite the breakfast spread available.

"Well kids, I hate to eat and run, but I have things to do today," Hannah wiped her hands and put her napkin next to her plate with a grin. "I'll be in class until four and then I'll be home to change and say hello and then I'm off to meet the girls."

"The girls?" Maddie laughed lightly.

"My book club," Hannah narrowed her eyes at her daughter. "Truthfully it should more accurately be called a wine club, but for appearances sake we bring books..."

Harry laughed. "Sounds amusing."

"It is," she nodded; rising to her feet.

"How long will you be with your...book club?" Maddie watched as her mom moved to hug her.

"Six till Ten," she smoothed her daughter's hair back from her forehead. "But I can always cancel, Madeline. It's very rare that you're in town and..."

"No, no, no," Maddie shook her head. "Don't change your day. I have you all weekend. Besides, I have plans for Harry."

"Ah yes," Hannah winked and patted his shoulder as she passed him. "You two have fun. I'll see tonight."

A chorus of good-byes followed as she slipped back into her house to get on her way. Harry swallowed a bit of orange juice and turned his focus to Maddie.

"So, these plans you have for me..." He began, but her attention was elsewhere.

"Hold that thought," Maddie held up a finger as she watched her mom gather her bag and slip from the front door. "Okay." And when she was sure her mother was gone, she was out of her seat, moving away from the table.

"Where are you going?" He watched with a half a smirk as she moved around the deck, peeking into potted plants, looking under cushions. And when she moved to the stone box he remembered from the night before, his eyes flashed wide under his sunglasses.

"There it is..." Maddie sighed happily; a soft smile covering her face as she pulled the box of cigars from the box. After a moment of silence, she turned to Harry. "My dad used to smoke these and...after he died...my mom started to. I don't know when or really how it started but...I think she does it because she misses him and the smell reminds her so much of him..." Maddie took one out of the box and ran it under her nose; inhaling. "She doesn't know that I know and...I know it's silly, but I kind of like that she still does it. I like that she still misses him. Is that wrong you think?"