The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 74

The thing with Harry was that he did things hard. He did things big. He worked hard. He played big. When he put his mind to something, when it became his focus, the intensity, the follow-through—it was something to be rivaled. It was something to be studied and extracted and bottled to sell. At least that's what Maddie told him when she watched him in action; with an impressed smile on her face. He didn't know 'half way'. Which was why it was no surprise at all when he told her what he wanted to do for his birthday, when he presented her with The Plan—a five day itinerary that included a private dinner with his immediate family, a wild, rip-roaring party with his friends, and finally a private getaway for the two of them. He did things big. Rearranging her schedule, swapping shifts with co-workers and calling in favors, Maddie was ready for his Friday-Tuesday experience; wherever it was that it took her.

So on Friday evening, as she dined on succulent seafood served under silver while Harry's father offered up a heartfelt speech to his son, she let Harry grip her fingers under the table and smiled at the blush that rose to his cheeks.

And when she found herself attending an elaborate private bash later that night at Leo's, drinking champagne and toasting him over and over again—she smiled, drank up, and danced until Harry was ready to call it a night. Danced until he took her hand, kissed her neck, and told her it was time for them to go.

And when, hours later, the two of them boarded a private jet to take them to Botswana for the weekend, she had to admit, she was a bit giddy with excitement. Having planned the flight for overnight, they would be well rested and ready to explore when they arrived in southern Africa. Harry had warned her ahead of time—yes, she had been to Africa before—but never to his Africa and never quite like this. Already she knew the trip was going to be extravagant, the likes of which she had only heard tale of. But what could she say? Sunday was his birthday—his thirtieth, no less—and the rules were the rules. He got what he wanted. She laughed to herself as she settled next to him, still tipsy from the champagne. She figured birthdays for Harry were probably not dissimilar from any other day in the life of a Prince.

Saturday

When Maddie woke from her sleep, later in the morning on Saturday, she had made a decision—Harry was a genius. They had partied big the night before; with all of his friends, his brother and sister, and a wide representation of his cousins and, because of the flight schedule, they were waking up just over an hour from their destination. There was a brief moment, a glimpse of time, when she was stepping into the shower on the private jet when she wondered exactly how much something like this cost. But, as the warm water rained down on her, she decided it best to let it slide. It was his birthday, his money and, as he had informed her at the beginning of the trip—they were doing this his way.

They arrived in the late afternoon at a camp resort in Botswana, one of Harry's all-time favorite destinations. The staff was unbelievably friendly; welcoming them with wide open arms and a willingness to do whatever it took to make their stay enjoyable. They were shown to the their luxury suite; the furthest from the main house—as far away from the other visitors as they could possibly be. Harry's detail would be staying in the suite between them and the main house; ensuring Harry's safety, ensuring their privacy.

They settled their items and took dinner on their deck, opting to watch the sunset over the delta from their lounge chairs. When the sky was dark, when they could only hear the sounds of the water, the sounds of the wildlife, Harry rose to his feet, reached for a lantern and extended his hand.

"Come with me?" He nodded his head towards the main house that was connected to all the suites by an elevated walkway. Maddie finished her glass of wine and slipped her hand into his.

"Where are we going?" Her head leaned against his shoulder as they walked along the path, Nathan trailing not too far behind them.

"Every night after sundown, they have a...party," he grinned mischievously. "They dance and drink and sing and there are drums and...I'm one hundred percent certain you're going to love it."