The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 77

The day of the announcement reminded Maddie of the very first New Year's Eve party she was allowed to attend. Not the kind that her parents threw, where she went to bed but snuck down to watch the revelry without ever being seen. But the kind where she dressed up, where she drove somewhere—where there were boys and girls and music and she wasn't expected home until the next morning; where they would drink wine coolers and Boone's Farm Wine Flavored Product that somebody's older brother had purchased for them and snuck into the hotel room and flirt by tossing their hair.

Now it was a completely different party she was joining; to say that it was on a new, higher, level was a massive understatement. At the end of the day, a completely different ball was going to drop, but the buildup was the same. The nerves, the anxiety, the excitement that stretched to her toes, the way her breathing was lighter, her heart rate faster. The hustle to get ready, the bustle of the people around her, the craziness of hurrying to wait; the anticipation that something big was about to happen and the entire day centered around this one moment.

And it was. This entire day, this particular countdown was centered around one great big moment; when the biggest ball of Maddie's life would drop and the party would really begin.

It all began first thing that morning when Maddie woke up, warm and snuggly—next to him.

FIVE...

"Good morning sunshine," she smiled up at him; stretching out a yawn.

"Good morning love," he leaned over to kiss her lips; lingering for a moment—enjoying the laziness of the morning—knowing it was soon to change. "Sleep well?"

"I did," she nodded, snuggling back into her pillow. "You?"

"Hmmm..." He nodded and took a breath. "Thomas called."

"Oh?" Maddie grinned. "Does he want me to call him back or did he leave a message?"

"Funny," Harry smirked, his finger tracing over the bridge of her nose. "The stylist..."

"Rosie," Maddie offered.

"Is sending over dresses now. They should be here in the next fifteen minutes."

"Are they taupe?" She couldn't help the edge in her voice as she tipped her lips to kiss his fingers still hovering over her face.

"Bisque."

"I have to get out of bed now, don't I?" She watched as he tossed the blankets off his legs and stepped out of bed.

"You don't have to," he shook his head. "But dresses are on their way and your friend...what was her name?"

"Tara," Maddie laughed. "She's Penelope's sister's best friend's roommate. She's a professional, Harry. She works at a salon in town and she was very sweet to me while you were away. She's going to do my hair and makeup for this little thing I'm doing at three."

"Ah," Harry shrugged, not necessarily needing the details. "Does she know that's what she's doing?"

"Not really," Maddie smirked as she pushed the blankets aside; groaning as she moved into a sitting position. "Penelope's going to bring her here without telling her. I'll give her the rundown when she arrives."

"Anyway," Harry moved to her side of the bed, his hand resting at the base of her neck as he leaned to kiss her. "People are on their way here to dress us. I'm going to get into the shower. Do you want to join me? Or call up for some breakfast?"

"Hmmm..." Maddie's lips pressed together, her eyes twinkling in thought. "Shower. Then breakfast."

"That's my girl," he grinned, his hand moving over her body down to squeeze her ass. "Think we have time to play out that dream again?"