The Special Relationship

Chapter 1

Harry's POV

"Hello?" My voice echoes around the empty front hall of Will and Kate's apartment. I step further in, wondering where the hosts for the evening are. "Hello?"

I turn the corner to find Will sitting in one of the reception rooms, the lights are dim and the gloomy day doesn't shed much light into the space. He glances up as I walk in. "Oh Harry, you're early."

I check my watch, "Only by a half hour or so." I sit on the overstuffed white couch. The reception room isn't what I would call homey but it is immaculate. I know that Will and Kate chose everything in this room for a very specific purpose, or at least their designer did. What might be considered timeless and classic makes me uncomfortable. It feels less comfortable than the reception rooms at Windsor. I suppose it's all for the best, I don't have to live here.

I tug at my cufflinks slightly. "What are we having for dinner?"

"Honestly not quite sure," Will keeps looking through something on his phone. "Probably something simple but refined."

I sigh, "Inventive."

"What was that?" Will is still looking at his phone.

"Nothing."

I look around the space wanting to find something, anything, to occupy my time. I've been looking forward to this evening for weeks. I can finally speak to the First Lady about Invictus. Yes, our offices have been sending information back and forth but it's not the same as sitting down and discussing it.

"So you won't mind if I steal the First Lady for a bit this evening?"

Will shrugs, "I don't have an issue with it. Besides I thought it was worked into the schedule to give you two sometime to chat."

I nod, "Good."

Will and I both lapse back into silence. I slowly wander the room glancing at the photos scattered around the place. The first one I notice is a familiar picture of Will, mum and I. God, we look so tiny. Quickly I bypass the photo of the Middletons on the table. I don't notice any pictures of George or Charlotte. Odd. And then I see a particularly unflattering one of Will, Father and myself. I wince, apparently I hadn't grown into my face just yet. Glancing over my shoulder I see that Will isn't paying attention. I take the opportunity to slide the photo behind the others. Hopefully no one will notice.

"Where is the rest of the family?"

"Kate is finishing getting ready. George should be down in a moment and Charlotte is with her nanny."

"Domestic bliss eh?"

Will chuckles, "Something like that."

Silence again. I keep walking around.

"A bit nervous yeah?" Will says.

I stop. "No! Of course not."

"Sure. Just please pace around the whole room instead of that one spot. The carpet is practically new, I would rather not replace it just yet."

I pause for a moment then resume my pacing. In my head I'm reciting the points I want to make sure the First lady and I discuss. It's important. I know that the President's Office said she was interested but I need to hear it from her.

"Maybe have a drink?" He offers.

I look at him again, this time really looking at him. My brother is relaxed, almost melting into the stuffed living chair. He has his phone in hone hand languidly swiping through it while the other hand holds a crystal glass filled with some amber liquid. Truly, he's every inch the unaffected country gentleman. It amazes me. The President of the United States is visiting his home and it hasn't affected him a bit.