The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 64

It wasn't long before Hannah returned to the living room, refreshed and changed. Before Hannah could pour thanks at Harry for convincing her to make the trip, the bell rang and Ella and Bishop were headed up. Maddie greeted them with amplified enthusiasm, pulling them into her place with warm hugs and introducing her mother with pride. While Ella beamed brightly at the chance to finally meet Maddie's mother, Bishop jumped ahead of both of them; pulling her into a crushing hug and kissing both of her cheeks. Maddie laughed as her mother hugged him back; unsure if she was really able to handle someone like Bishop. Wanting her mother to taste and approve of the chili, Maddie pulled her into the kitchen, leaving Harry to open a bottle of wine for their friends in the living room.

"You flew her mother in for Christmas?" Ella spoke in a hushed voice.

"I did," Harry nodded; popping the cork out and reaching for a glass.

"Nicely done. You are going to get lucky on this for a good solid month," Ella chuckled while Bishop shook his head with a grin.

"Maybe longer." He added.

"Come on," he poured the wine into the glasses. "I'm leaving tomorrow. You're going to be with Bishop for Christmas at his parents. It makes no sense for her to be here alone if she doesn't have to be."

"Awww...." Ella's head tipped to the side, her lips pulling into a smirk. "Two months. Easy." While Bishop laughed along with her, Harry shook his head and finished off the glasses.

"The chili's ready," Maddie grinned as she carried the pot into the dining room, her mother behind her. And then, as her friends—and her family—gathered around her lovingly decorated table, as she served them her meticulously prepared meal and drank bottles of wine, her mother stepped with ease into the circle of friends. She was sweet and motherly with Ella, she laughed at Bishops insane attempts to entertain her and amused them all with tales from Maddie's childhood.

As they finished dinner and moved the laughter and the wine into the living room, Maddie sat between Harry and her mother and the party continued late into the night. Harry revealed the rest of his present; an itinerary for Maddie and her mother that included spa time, lunches at some of the finest restaurants, and tours of the highpoints around London—including a Private tour of Buckingham Palace and a trip to Highgrove at the end of the week to meet up with Harry, Charles and Camilla before Hannah had to leave. Maddie thought it was all too much, knew it was all too much, but her mother was so happy to be there, Harry was so happy that he was able to make it happen and keep it a surprise that Maddie decided to let her protests slide and simply be happy—just like the rest of them. Finally Hannah rose to her feet with a big yawn.

"Okay kids. I have been traveling for about a day and I am exhausted. I've had a great time but I'm done for the night." Her surrender was met with a series of groans; followed by a series of hugs. Bishop held onto her for the longest, drunkenly delirious as he told her good-night and slipped her his phone number in case she needed to get away. Maddie swatted at Bishop as Harry moved to Hannah. As he embraced her, she pressed a kiss to his cheek, held tight to him for an extra beat and told him thank you with such weight, it left him speechless. This trip was more than just a flight to London; he had helped her do something she had never done before; she had a passport, she was traveling internationally. And the way it made her daughter smile was something Hannah would carry with her forever. Harry watched as the two women walked down the hallway, Maddie making sure her mother had what she needed and telling her goodnight.

When Maddie returned from her mother's room, Ella and Bishop were in their coats, waiting to tell her good-bye and then, just like that, Maddie was alone with Harry. She knew her time with him was limited, he had a plane to be on bright and early in the morning. She knew he would need to leave soon and, especially following his great surprise, she was feeling reluctant to let him go. Harry watched from where he sat on the couch as Maddie moved around, flipping off the lights in the room; leaving only the glow from the tree.