The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 83

"I would like to propose a toast," Bishop raised his glass, the humor evident in his eyes as they glanced around at the three other people at the table. Dinner had been cleared and they were all nice and tipsy.

"Oh-kay," Harry was smirking as he lifted his glass from the table.

"To Madeline..." He sent a wink across the table.

"Oh here we go," Maddie rolled her eyes.

"Bishop," Ella warned but he ignored her and lifted his glass higher.

"To Madeline," he smiled sweetly in her direction. "My most heartfelt congratulations on the passing of your English Test."

"Nice," Harry chuckled with a shake of his head. Maddie sighed dramatically and waved her hand for him to continue.

"I would like to say that I am particularly impressed at your ability, as an American, to adequately read, write and speak The Queen's English." His eyes sparkled in the dim light of the restaurant where they had met up for dinner.

"You're such an ass," Ella shook her head, taking a sip of her drink.

"What? They often butcher it and...are you drinking?!" A flash of mock shock settled on his face. "I'm not finished with my toast and..."

"Finish." Ella glared, causing the other two to laugh lightly.

"To Madeline..." He turned back to her. "One step down in your return to the Motherland. Congratulations love."

"Thank you," she smiled, despite his mockery.

"Can we drink now?" Ella raised her eyebrows.

"Yes my darling," Bishop smiled at her. "To Maddie."

"To Maddie..." They echoed. They drank.

"So," Ella's smile widened, her hands coming together in front of her. "What's next on the list?"

"Which list?" Maddie lifted her eyebrows, setting her glass back on the table. "The citizen list or the wedding list or..."

At the very same time that Bishop answered, "The citizen list." Ella grinned, "The wedding list."

"Nice," Harry laughed into his drink.

"Okay, well," Maddie sighed happily; either way it brought a smile to her face. "I have three weeks before I take the British Life test and then I have to wait until February when my residency requirement is up...then I'll submit my paperwork and wait to hear about the swearing in ceremony."

"Right." Bishop nodded.

"And on the wedding list..." She sighed again. "We have been meeting with Ms. Schuler..."

"Jooooaaaannnn," Harry strung out her name with his warm buttery accent, making Maddie giggle.

"Yes. Joan. Tomorrow we're meeting her at St. Paul's for our first look around the place."

"First?" Harry's eyebrows arched.

"Okay, my first look around the place. We're meeting with the Archbishop."

"Saucy," Ella's eyebrows wagged.

"No," Harry pointed his finger at her, eyes narrowed. "The Archbishop is not saucy."

"She thought you were talking about me," Bishop pointed to himself, leaning to kiss Ella's exposed neck. "Bishop. And I am saucy." Maddie rolled her eyes as Harry groaned.

"Stop it," she swatted at him. "Is there anything I can help with?"

"Actually," Maddie finished off her glass as Harry paid the bill. "I need to sort through the designer portfolios and narrow it down. Maybe you could come over tonight and help me?" Her voice turned sing-songy as she looked hopefully to Ella, then Bishop, then back to Ella.