The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 85

Maddie thought it was funny really, how things had changed in her life. Most people; her family, the public, noticed only the big things. They noticed the constant armed shadow she had with her wherever she went. They noticed the palace, they noticed the car and driver, they noticed the ring, they noticed the famous, royal, soon-to-be husband. What they didn't see were the little things; the minute everyday things that most people took for granted. Maddie laughed to herself as she remembered one of her first conversations with Harry—where she mocked him for coveting her anonymity.

It was the little things that made the biggest impact. It was the way the staff cleaned up after her, after them—the way it seemed to be an honor to do so. It was the way she had to go through three checkpoints to take a walk through the park. It was the way Bernard knew what she liked for breakfast, what kind of soda she liked the best. It was the way that information traveled around the staff at the other houses. It was the sheer amount of prep work that went into the simple gesture of picking up friends at the airport. Collins, Khenda, and Isaiah's arrival brought out those little things. The royal watchers who went wild with excitement at the photos of Harry carrying baby Isaiah through the airport in his newly gifted stocking cap that made him look like a dinosaur. Maddie's picture would be nowhere near; it was all Isaiah the dinosaur smiling blissfully up at his proud Uncle Harry.

Maddie laughed to herself as she remembered the giddy way Harry had prepared for their visit. The very second he had confirmation they would be coming, he had hurried about making lists—or more accurately calling out items for Bernard to order for the household; play pens, beds, toys, food, the now famous hat.

"You know, if this list gets out, people are going to think we're expecting," Maddie had giggled at him one afternoon. She hadn't quite been prepared for the way he looked at her then; that far off, blissful look in his eyes that made her chest constrict. "Easy tiger," she breathed. "We have a wedding to get through first. Remember? Duke. Duchess. Then baby." Harry had offered her a wink, a ridiculous grin, and went about his preparations.

Harry's interest in his surrogate nephew did not end with preparations. They continued straight on into the weekend.

"You know," Khenda had smirked as she sank onto the couch next to Ella, her eyes watching Harry as he carried Isaiah so casually, so instinctually, around the place with him. "Had I known that Uncle Harry would take over like this, I would have just sent Isaiah. Collins and I would have caught up on our sleep."

"There's a thought," Collins winked while Ella laughed and Maddie joined them with more wine.

"I would be happy to book you a room somewhere," Harry called to her, his eyes never leaving the baby. "I could send you off for the weekend..."

"It's appealing," Khenda winked at her husband.

"I don't think he's joking," Bishop shook his head, amused by Harry's attachment to the child, by the way he was entranced.

"He's not joking," Maddie smiled across the room at him.

"He's not." Harry confirmed, his eyes meeting Maddie's.

"You know you're going to have to share him eventually," Maddie called out, the beginnings of a playful pout on her lips.

"No way." He shook his head. "I've never had to share a thing my entire life. Except for with Will, but I don't see him around here, do you?"

"Come here little buddy," Maddie turned her focus to the more flexible of the twosome. Holding out her hands, she smiled at the bubbly bundle. "Come see Aunt Maddie. You know you wanna..." And, because he really was quite the agreeable baby, he smiled wide and held his arms up to her. She lifted him from Harry with a gleam of victory in her eyes.