The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 75

"I don't want to leave..." Maddie sighed into his shoulder on their last day in Botswana. They were packed, the car was waiting and he had come out to the deck to fetch her. It was time to go; time to leave this beautiful paradise that had given her a future husband. And, as she thought about it, about leaving, she felt tears come to her eyes laughing at herself as it happened. "Ugh...seriously? What is with the crying?!"

"You like it here," he nudged her chin up with his fingers.

"I love it here..." She nodded; her head heavy. "I feel so good here...I could live here...I would give up everything I own if I could just stay right here..."

"Including me?" His grin was soft.

"I don't own you."

"Semantics," he shrugged.

"As if you wouldn't move here in a heartbeat."

"I would," he nodded, his hands moving along her arms. "You want to?"

"I really do." She sighed again; surrendering to reality. "Time to go?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"You still have that ring?" Her hands slipped around his waist, her lips tilting up to his.

"I do," he chuckled at her. "You know, I brought it all the way down here without any incidents. Perhaps I can be trusted to get it back to London?"

"Perhaps," her smile pulling wide as he kissed her.

"Forty-eight hours, Forrester," he swatted at her ass. "You can have it back in forty-eight hours."

"Forty-eight hours," she echoed, not thinking of the ring. Thinking, instead, of him; of moving on to this next phase of their relationship.

"Come on love," he reached for her hand. "London's calling." With a smirk and snicker, Maddie allowed Harry to pull her through their suite, towards the main house and the awaiting car. Their time in heaven was finished. It was time to return to England and all that awaited them at home.

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When they arrived home, early in the morning on a cloudy Tuesday, Maddie was thankful they had decided to take the ring off until the announcement. Because, as they made their way from the plane to the car, a short distance that was behind the scenes in the Private Chartered area, Maddie counted no less than ten people who could have seen, who could have leaked. And the smile on her face was too much of a giveaway as it was.

"Thomas," Harry grinned at his Chief of Staff who was waiting with the car. Harry had told Maddie he would be there, he had called ahead to let the Palace know what was happening and he had done his best to prepare her for what they were walking back into.

"Congratulations Sir," Thomas grinned back, extending his hand to shake the young man's hand. Yes, he was his Chief of Staff. Yes, he was an employee—technically. But he had been around long enough to see the impact this woman had on Harry and he was genuinely happy for the both of them.

"Thank you," Harry's smile extended as Thomas patted his shoulder before turning the same bright smile to Maddie, he extended his hand to her.

"Doctor Forrester."

"Mr. Smith," Maddie smiled, taking his hand.

"Congratulations ma'am."

"Thank you very much," her cheeks grew rosy, her eyes sparkled and she sighed. Apparently she was going to have very little control over the visceral reaction that occurred when she thought of her brand new engagement.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked as the driver opened the door for them, the staff moving their things from the plane to the car.

"Clarence House," Thomas answered. "They are waiting for you there."