The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 99

There were three weeks left before the wedding when Maddie's family began to arrive. First it was Kyle and Amy. They had the most time off from work and Kyle had things he wanted to do, sites he wanted to see that he wanted to include Maddie in. So, they arranged their vacation to extend before the wedding.

The day they arrived, Maddie picked them up at the airport with a mile wide grin on her face and a lump in her throat. She hadn't expected to be nearly as emotional as she was when she saw them and she knew...this didn't speak well for the expected reaction to the rest of them. They drove to the place that the Middletons were lending them for their stay and met with Kate's father, Michael. He was warm and friendly and, after pointing out the nuances of the place, he handed over a few sets of keys. He kissed Maddie on the cheek and wished her luck and left her with her family.

They had a few days before the others began to arrive and they made great use of the time. While Harry went to work, finishing up a few military responsibilities, a few royal duties, Maddie explored around with Kyle and Amy. They went on an Architectural Tour of London. They went hiking in Wales. They visited the coast in Sussex and Amy, drunk on the local brews, giggled for under an hour about Maddie being the "Duchess of THIS."

Next it was Hannah along with Gary and Jenna. They flew out two weeks before the big day and Jenna couldn't give over how much Hannah seemed like a seasoned world-traveler. She knew details of the trip, various travel tips. It was adorable how on top of things she was. Of course all if it fell to the floor when Mother was reunited with Daughter. At least they made it to the car before the tears came; followed by an immense laughter.

It was a celebratory time after all.

Though Maddie and Harry had insisted Hannah stay with them at Kensington, she had been adamant about staying at the home they were so graciously loaned during their stay. She wanted to give them space, wanted to have her own space. Being as this was not her first trip to London, she wanted to have free time to roam. Though Maddie reminded her she had obligations, that didn't stop her from scheduling her own events; a shopping trip with Amy and Jenna, lunch with Carole Middleton to thank her for her hospitality and to likely gather some Mother-In-Law information about the big day. Maddie spent much time at the large home with her family; reminiscing, laughing, allowing a few tears. She and Harry had them all over for dinner at Kensington.

They asked about the wedding, they asked about the new place, they asked about the kidnapping attempt. Maddie noticed the way Harry hardened when she recounted the incident for them. She watched as Kyle began to pace, watched as Jenna bit at her nails. She even watched as her mom tried to deep-breathe it away, moving out of the room to process it; Harry right behind her.

Nobody understood the fear of losing Maddie like he did.

When they came back they were both smiling. Maddie learned later that Hannah had eased up only when Harry assured her that Arthur would have very easily, and with no regret, put a bullet in the man's head before he put his hands on Maddie again.

Though Maddie had shuddered at the image, she knew he was right. And she knew that after that particular hallway conference, Hannah broke all kinds of rules the next time she saw Arthur; hugging him close and offering to cook him dinner. Though he politely declined, Maddie knew that the gratitude wasn't over for her mother.

At one week out, Maddie's family had all descended upon London; leading the way for an onslaught of media and royal watchers.

"You know..." Dena lowered her voice as Derek took their children up to the rooms they would be staying in. "The media is estimating that there will be more people watching this one than his brother's."

"Oh?" Maddie smiled; humored.

"It's true," Jenna jumped in. "By like...fifty percent."

"That's insane!" Dena's eyes were wide. "Can you even imagine that many people watching while you..." Meeting Maddie's smile, she stopped. "Sorry."

"No, no," Maddie shook her head, shrugging. "I mean. I'm not nervous enough as it is. Let's talk about all the crazies that are going to get up at four in the morning to watch this."

"Oh!" Jenna perked up, her hands clapping rapidly in front of her. "I brought you something."

"Oh?" Maddie shifted from nervous as Jenna moved to her luggage, ruffling through before she pulled out what appeared to be a red t-shirt. With a wide smile, she handed it over to Maddie.

"Let me see..." Holding it by the shoulders, Maddie let the t-shirt unfold. She started to laugh. "Keep Calm and Marry Harry? Are you kidding me with this?" As the rest of the room fell into laughter, Maddie turned the shirt around so they could all see it.

"Jenna!" Dena smacked her arm.

"Listen..." Jenna began her defense. "I know it's..."

"Weird?" Dena laughed.

"No, no," Jenna shook her head. "Listen. This week is going to be just...nuts..."

"That's true," Dena nodded. "And I'm just speaking of the wedding part. Forget the royalty spin on things."

"Exactly," Jenna pointed. "And I just thought...you know...it's kind of cute. You can look at it and remember to be calm and remember the whole point of all of the craziness..."

"Marrying Harry..." Maddie's smile turned to mush. "That's actually pretty sweet. Just...Okay. Be honest. How long have you had this? Have you had it since Will and Kate's wedding when they printed them?"

"What? No!" Jenna laughed. "I bought it on ebay like a month ago. I thought it would be funny. I had no idea you would all be so uptight and..." She reached for the shirt. "I'll take it."

"No!" Maddie pulled it out of her reach. "This is my shirt. I'm the one marrying Harry." Maddie heard her own words and suddenly felt choked up; tears springing to her eyes. She looked up at the two women. "I'm marrying Harry...This weekend. I'm marrying Harry this weekend."

"You are," Jenna grinned warmly.

"Okay," Maddie took a deep breath, steadying her emotions. "Okay. I can't do this right now. We need to get you settled and get ready for the party tonight." She wiped at her eyes. As the entire family was now in town, they were hosting an informal party at the house. All of Maddie's family would be there along with Harry and Maddie. Maddie took a breath and pulled off her cropped jacket. Shedding her blouse, she pulled her new t-shirt over her camisole and pulled her jacket back on. "There. How's that?"

"Actually...that looks pretty good." Dena looked her over and Maddie laughed. "I'm sure Harry will love it."

"Ha!" Maddie clapped her hands together. "I guess we're going to find out. Now come on. I want to show you around the place before the caterers get here."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Six days!" Maddie called out to Harry as she moved around their room, tossing items onto the bed to be packed for her trip.

"Six days," he leaned back against a dresser; arms crossed, lips pulled up in a grin as he watched her move.

"And tonight..." She sighed happily. "I'm going to Paris."

"Yes."

"With my girls."

"Yes." He chuckled; sensing correctly that the champagne had already been flowing.

"And in six days..." She moved to him then, her hands resting on his crossed arms as she tipped up to kiss him. "I'm marrying the man of my dreams."

"Oh-kay," he laughed with a shake of his head. "When are you leaving?"

"In about thirty minutes," she moved back to her packing. "I'm going to pick up Ella first and then we're heading to pick up mom, Jenna, Dena and Amy. Anna, Penelope, Kiki, Bea, Zara, and Eugenie are meeting us at the airport where we are taking Bishop's Father's plane to Paris...And we're picking up Khenda when we get there."

"Kate's not going?"

"No," Maddie frowned. "She hasn't been feeling well and she figured I would have a better chance at incognito without her. We'll go out after the baby is born; tie one on."

"Sure," Harry nodded, pushing away from the desk with a serious expression on his face. "Listen. If you get into any trouble..."

"Trouble?" She looked up from her bag. "It's a Hen Night. What kind of trouble are we talking?"

"I don't know," he shrugged with a small smile. "Anything. If you get arrested, caught with drugs...if you flash somebody and the paps get a shot..."

"Flash somebody?" Maddie laughed out loud. "I don't think we need to worry about that. Or the drugs for that matter. Seriously, what kind of party do you think Ella's hosting?"

"I'm not judging," he held up his hands, palm out. "All I am saying is...if you get into any trouble while you're out tonight, any trouble at all, call my father."

"Your father?" Maddie zipped up her bag and sat down on the bed. "If I get so drunk that I flash somebody and a pap ends up with a picture, you want me to...at three o'clock in the morning...call your father, The Prince of Wales."

"Yes."

"You can't be serious."

"I am one hundred percent serious," he moved to stand in front of her then. "Listen to me Maddie. I know you're going to have a crazy night. I want you to have a crazy night—the kind of fun that's going to make you blush tomorrow."

"Oh?" She cocked her head to the side, finding this equal opportunity debauchery side of him fascinating.

"Do it up, love. But. If anything happens, anything. You call my father. He'll know how to help you. And...he knows we're both headed out tonight so I'm sure he's sitting at the ready all night anyway." Harry was heading out with the men later that evening for his own party.

"Nice," she reached out to him then, looping her fingers into his pockets and pulling him towards her with a bit of a wicked smile on her face. "I suppose I can do that."

"Promise?" He waited for answer before he would crack.

"I promise," she sighed, her hands moving around to run over his ass. "I promise if I get into any trouble with the police, drugs, photos..."

"Hookers," Harry offered.

"Hookers," she giggled. "I promise if I get into any trouble, I will call your father."

"Okay," he nodded, his hands finally moving to her, running up her neck to tilt her face to him. His lips moved to hers feeling slightly territorial, slightly protective. "And don't lose your Protection Officers."

"I won't," Maddie shook her head, pulling him back to her for another kiss.

"Speaking of—who drew the short straw for this trip?" He was curious.

"Sampson and Williams," Maddie smiled against his cheek. "I'm sure they're both going to love the wild lady's night Ella has planned."

"Oh!" Harry clapped his hands together and moved away from her. "Before I forget..." He went to the top drawer and pulled out an envelope; moving to put it in her overnight bag.

"What's that?" She watched as he moved.

"Euros," calm and casual as he zipped her bag closed. "Small bills."

"A whole envelope of them?" Her forehead knotted. "Harry..."

"Madeline..."

"Do you know what we're doing tonight?" She rose to her feet, stalking closer to him.

"I do," he nodded; arms opening to her as she moved into him. "I know some."

"Are you going to tell me?"

"No way." He shook his head and kissed the tip of her upturned nose. "Just...throw it all out there. Have a great time. And come home to me in one piece."

"You got it."

"And if you run into any problems..."

"I know. I know." She rolled her eyes; hands slipping around him to meet his belt buckle; dimples flashing in her cheeks. "Now...How do you feel about a little pre-party action?"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

As Harry watched Maddie slip into the car that afternoon, slightly rumpled from their go at it, he couldn't help but smirk. He was dying to be there when her night unfolded; wishing he could see the look on her face when she realized what the ladies had planned for her. With a chuckle and a shake of his head, he watched as she drove out of sight and turned back towards the house. He still had hours before he needed to be anywhere.

The truth was, Harry knew exactly what was lined up for Maddie that night. It had been a little over a month earlier when Ella had called him up, asking to meet him to speak about Maddie's Hen Party. Curious, he agreed; meeting her one evening for a drink.

"Thank you for meeting me," Ella seemed somewhat businesslike as they settled into a booth.

"Of course," he smiled and ordered them both drinks from the waitress.

"So..." Ella leaned forward. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Shoot," Harry nodded.

"You know I'm throwing Maddie's Hen Party."

"I do," Harry's smile morphed into a bit of a smirk. With every wedding-related event they checked off their list, he was one step closer to just being married to her. "You need my help with that?"

"Ha! No." Ella laughed; adjusting in her seat. "This is actually really awkward for me to ask."

"Okay..." He chuckled at how uncomfortable she seemed. "Just ask."

"Hmmm..." She smiled and let out a big breath. "I want to get her a stripper."

"Oh." His eyes flickered.

"If she were marrying anyone else, I would just hire one, get a ton of bills and nobody would be the wiser. I certainly wouldn't be going to her future husband..." She waved her hand with a laugh. Harry stayed silent, waiting for her to finish. "But. She's marrying you. And I really don't want to do anything that will get her into trouble, you know? I don't want her...or you...to catch flack for any of this so..." She let off and huffed out a breath.

"I'm sorry," he leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Are you asking me if you can hire a stripper for Maddie?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm asking you how. Or...who I should go through..."

"Because you think I've hired a lot of male strippers in my life," he was messing with her and, though it annoyed her a bit, she was also thankful for it; thankful things weren't too altered between the two of them.

"I think you've hired more than your fair share," she volleyed back, her own smirk in place.

"Nice."

"Come on. You know I just don't want somebody to call the press and tell them that the future Duchess was given a lap dance by a man named Hot Chocolate Charlie."

"Hot Chocolate Charlie," Harry's eyes narrowed as he smiled into his beer. Taking a long pull, he sat the bottle onto the table and sighed. "Talk to Kiki. She'll be able to...Jesus, I can't believe I'm helping you find a...Talk to Kiki. We've hired...people...before and she'll know how to find somebody who can be...discreet."

"Thank you!" Ella clapped her hands together. "You're the best."

"I swear to God, Ella, if I hear about Hot Chocolate Charlie coming anywhere near..."

"Nananananana!" Ella pressed her hands to her ears and mumbled; blocking him out until his lips stopped moving. And then she slowly moved her hands and smiled. "I did not come to you for permission or warnings or...any of that territorial bullshit you do."

"I..."

"No!" She waved her hand. "I only came to you because I didn't want to cause any problems with the press. That's it. Keeping my girl out of trouble."

"Fine."

"I don't want any other thoughts or opinions on the matter."

"Fine." Harry shrugged; surrendering.

"As if you won't be watching women disrobe..." Ella shook her head as she took a sip from her drink.

"I won't," his eyes flashed wide.

"I know better than that." She laughed. "You forget I know Bishop."

"Yeah," Harry laughed along with her for a moment as both of their minds drifted to him.

"How is he by the way?" Her fingers fidgeted with her glass as she suddenly shifted into shy and nervous. Harry's laughter quickly faded; leaving only a hint of a smile at his lips. He looked down at his bottle, debating his response. His eyes swung up to meet hers.

"He's...He's okay."

"Yeah?" Her voice tipped up; hopeful.

"Yeah. Listen...I don't like to get involved..."

"I'm sorry," Ella looked down; embarrassed. "I should never have..."

"But," Harry's hand reached across the table to halt her. "But. Bishop has sent Maddie back to me more than once and..." He took a deep breath. "What's going on Ella?"

"I miss him," her voice came out shaky; with tears. "Every day, I miss him." Harry tried to hide his surprise at her confession, at the emotions that came with it.

"Tell him." It seemed obvious to him; glaringly so. "Ella...you have to tell him..."

"I can't," she shook her head, wiping at her eyes.

"Why not?" Harry's eyebrows shot up. "He misses you. Every day."

"It's hard to tell with all the pictures of..."

"No, no." Harry waved his finger in her sudden defensiveness. "No. That's not fair. Tell him you miss him or..."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm sorry. You're right."

"Ella..." Harry hated to see the both of them in such pain for the other, especially when, in his eyes, the answer was simple.

"I know," she nodded; sniffing and taking a breath. "I know." Shaking her head, she pulled a smile to her face. "Anyway. Thank you for your help with the stripper."

"Ha!" Harry laughed. "No problem. Show her a good time."

"I will."

"Take very good care of her."

"I always do."

"I know," he agreed; she always had. "You're a good friend, Ella."

"Not so bad yourself," she met his eyes.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Hen Party was an unmitigated success. An entire night of raucous debauchery and not one photo was taken by anybody but Ella. Even the Protection Officers were pleasantly surprised by how smooth the night had gone; not one single incident and an entire group of women who were agreeable and not trying to lose them.

There were drinks. Good Lord, there were drinks. Maddie had started the night collecting the corks from every champagne bottle opened but, when her clutch was struggling to close and her pockets were bulging, she gave up on the count.

There was a cake. A beautiful creation that rivaled some priceless artwork Maddie had seen—with a great big, giant phallus protruding offensively up from the middle.

"Oh my." Maddie's eyes flashed wide when it was presented to her not long after they all arrived in Paris and made home in their top floor penthouse apartment they had rented for the night.

"Yeah..." Ella sighed. "I did not know at the time that your mother was going to come along. Otherwise..."

"Oh my." Hannah giggled, slightly tipsy, as she caught eye of the cake. "That's..."

"Big." Jenna offered.

"Is it?" Amy's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't seem that big to me..." She trailed off as the eyes in the room swung around to her.

"Well look who's the lucky lady..." Penelope spoke through the side of her mouth as the rest of the room lit up in laughter; Amy blushing profusely

"I didn't mean..."

"Riiigght." Zara giggled.

"Hold on." Hannah pointed to the chocolate shavings near the base of the protrusion. "Are these supposed to be...pubes?"

And now the room was rolling.

"Mother, please don't say that again," Maddie shook her head, her cheeks flushed.

"I'm sorry but..." Hannah shrugged. "Shouldn't they be...red or something?"

"Oh my God." Maddie hid behind her fingers as the room roared around her.

"I think it's just supposed to be somebody's penis," Ella explained. "Not necessarily Harry's penis."

"Fair enough," Hannah shrugged again; accepting that answer.

"Plus..." Kiki spoke up. "I'm pretty sure Harry's not circumcised. Maddie? Can you confirm that for us?"

"No no." Eugenie held up her hand; face twisted as the others fell over themselves in laughter. "Can we please stop talking about Harry's...penis."

"I think I'm going to die." Maddie groaned.

"Don't die yet," Khenda wiped at the tears in her eyes. "The party is waaay to young. And you are waaaay too sober."

"I think I need a drink," Maddie laughed as her mother hugged her close and kissed the side of her head.

"I'm on it!" Dena called out as she returned to the room, champagne in hand.

And the party continued.

There were favors. Maddie had no idea that so many things came in the shape of a penis; suckers, confetti, hats, shot glasses.

"I don't understand," Maddie studied the penis champagne flute in her hand as they listened to music and got ready for a night out. "Is it really necessary for everything to be in the shape of a penis?"

"Ha. Maddie needs more champagne!" Ella called out into the apartment. In seconds, Bea was around the corner with a bottle; remedy.

They ate, they drank, they presented Maddie with the obligatory ridiculous, raunchy, and unbelievably sexy lingerie. As the champagne flowed, Maddie grew completely at ease with the night; giggly and happy and ready for whatever the night brought to them.

And, of course, there were strippers.

"Women strippers?" Anna seemed only slightly confused as she looked up from her spot on the couch next to Dena.

"They aren't here for a show..." Ella grinned as three beautiful women followed her into the room. "They are here to teach."

"Okay ladies," one of the women smiled at the group. "Everyone find a chair. Tonight...we're teaching you how to give a lap dance."

Laughter, squeals and straight up cheering could be heard throughout as the women scattered, pulling chairs from other rooms and getting ready for an education.

"Now." The same woman spoke. "Which one of you lovely ladies is the bride to be?"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Okay." Amy sighed as she slumped onto the couch along with Kiki, Zara, and Ella; all with wide smiles and drunken giggles. "That was a workout."

"I know!" Maddie exclaimed, adjusting the ridiculous tiara she had on her head; part of her designated get up.

"You were amazing," Ella winked at her best friend. "A natural."

"Thanks!" Maddie laughed with a role of her eyes.

"Tell me...have you done this before?"

"Ha!" Maddie clapped her hands together, falling back in her chair. "Never."

"Well..." Khenda sighed as she returned to the room with more champagne. "I'm sure His Highness will appreciate the efforts." Leaning to kiss Maddie's cheek, the others let out catcalls.

And the night of debauchery continued.

They went out on the town; dancing and drinking and, when Maddie spotted a Stag Party at the same club, they bought the men a round of drinks and danced a few songs before Maddie over-applied Khenda's bright red lipstick and added her kiss to the collection he had going on his white t-shirt.

"Wait..." He did a double take as she pulled away from him. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"No," Maddie shook her head with a giggle as Zara linked her arm in hers and pulled her away. "Congratulations!"

"You too!" He called after her, the sense of déjà vu setting over him—positive he recognized her face.

They took a group photo in front of the Eiffel Tower. They danced across the lawn. They drank shot after shot and then, finally, they went back to their apartment.

Where they were greeted by a group of four men; two police officers, a doctor and...

"I'm sorry. Are you in the RAF?" Maddie giggled as she looked them over. "Your hat is just...familiar."

"I'm so confused right now," Jenna shook her head with a laugh.

And then the music started.

And the girls began to scream.

And clothes began to drop.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Okay..." Maddie sighed, dropping to the oversized chair with a satisfied, exhausted smile. "The mattresses were a genius idea." She nodded to her best friend as everyone began to settle. Ella had, in great foresight, ordered mattresses and bedding to be delivered to the apartment and, as they spoke, the massive living room was peppered with these amazingly comfortable sleep areas. They had all decided to stay together, allowing Hannah and the Protection Officers to take the actual bedrooms. As they all came down from their night, they were slipping into pajamas, washing faces, finding bottles of water; hoping to curb off a hangover.

"I'm happy you approve," Ella smiled across the space to Maddie. "Did you have a good night?"

"You have no idea." And she really didn't. Never in her life had Maddie felt so...content. Her night out had been amazing and now, she looked forward to nothing more than going home to Harry.

"Is there anything else you want to do?" Amy grinned mischievously. "We can go out, find you one last fling..."

"Ha!" Maddie clapped her hands together as everyone began to relax, to settle; as sleep crept closer. "No, no. Harry is my last fling. I just get to keep him...forever."

"Awwww..." Chorused throughout; amidst wide smiles and few eye rolls.

"Can you believe you're getting married in...like five days?" Jenna asked.

"To...Harry..." Eugenie grinned.

"Hmmm..." Maddie took a deep breath and let it out. "I...actually...I really can. I just. It's funny how we got here..." Her eyes flittered around the room, landing on Khenda who was watching with a warm, content look on her face. "Did you know?" Maddie nodded in her direction.

"About?"

"Harry and I. When you brought him to Bendal for the opening...did you know that all of this would happen?" Khenda held Maddie's eyes as she formulated a response.

"I hoped." Her voice was quiet but strong.

"You hoped we would meet on accident and fall in love?"

"No," she shook her head. "I hoped you would."

"Just me?" Maddie laughed.

"I knew he would."

"Khenda..." Maddie suddenly felt emotional but Khenda continued.

"I just...I knew he would adore you. I knew he would." She shrugged and leaned in a bit. "But I hoped that, when you met him, you would see past the Prince thing, the playboy thing and see what I had known for a very long time."

"What's that?" Dena asked; curious.

"What a great man he is," Khenda smiled. "And you did. You saw that, just as I hoped you would."

"And look at what you've done..." Zara was warm and open as she winked at Khenda.

"Thank you," Maddie was serious as she spoke to Khenda. "Seriously. Thank you. For bringing him there, for pushing me towards him, for refusing to let me consider coming back to Bendal when Harry wanted me in London, for..." Maddie blinked, looking down at her hands in effort to squelch the tears in her eyes.

"You're welcome," Khenda grinned wide. "You're so, so welcome."

"And look at what you've done," Maddie laughed, repeating Zara's words. "I'm going to marry him. In five days."

"Yes you are."

"I'm going to...wow..." She took a deep breath. "I'm going to marry Harry. In five days."

"Yes," Kiki laughed. "You are."

"I just...I want to yell it. At the top of my lungs but..."

"But nothing love," Ella cut in, pointing to the balcony just beyond the doors. "Nobody knows you here. Nobody who does know you knows that you're here. Go for it."

Maddie's eyes travelled to the doors and then, with a mile wide grin on her face, she was out of her chair, running to the balcony; a group of friends behind her.

"I'm getting married!" She yelled out into the night; pressing her hand to her lips as she giggled—still incredibly tipsy. "I'm getting married in five days! Do you hear me Paris?! I'm going to be somebody's wife!"

"There you go," Penelope smiled her encouragement.

"Wow..." Maddie turned to face them then, exhilaration in her eyes. "That felt good."

"Good." Ella grinned.

"So..." Zara crossed her arms. "In five days you're going to marry Harry, a Prince. You're going to be a wife and a Duchess and a public figure..."

"Yes." Maddie gulped; the smile not fading a millimeter. "Yes I am. In five days."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Madeline..." Harry's voice was low, trying for soft, as he gently nudged her awake. After the flight home from Paris, she had gone straight up to their room where she showered, crawled into bed, and had been sleeping until late into the evening when Harry returned and found her just as she was that moment; snuggled up under the covers as he grinned down at her. "Madeline..."

She groaned as she rolled towards his voice. "You're home..." She breathed; rested and smiling up at him through half opened eyes.

"I am." He sat next to her on the bed.

"Did you have a good time?" Her arms slipped out from under the covers, reaching for his hand.

"I did," he nodded, bringing her hand to his lips. "You?"

"Mmm..." She nodded and pulled back the blanket. "Join me?"

"Definitely." Harry climbed right in next to her, pulling her to him; kissing her hello. "So...about last night."

"I thought we weren't going to talk about last night. I didn't get in any trouble or have to call your father or..." She nuzzled into his chest.

"I'm talking about the messages you left me..." Her eyes flew wide open.

"The messages?"

"All four of them."

"Four?!" She moved to sit up, looking down at him in surprise.

"Pretty drunk, huh?"

"Oh my God. I don't even remember..." She trailed for a moment, her hands running through her hair. "I mean. I barely remember having my phone and..." Harry was smiling in great amusement. "I thought Ella took my phone. But maybe..."

"There's this one in particular where you detail all of the things you're going to do to me the next time you see me..." He brought his hands back behind his head; cocky and entertained.

"Oh God." She groaned.

"Did you want to hear it?" He pulled his phone from his pocket. "So you can have the details of, what I am guessing, is going to be a very...lovely...evening."

"Oh Jesus." She smiled helplessly at him. "I honestly don't even remember calling you. I didn't mean to be that lady. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," he shrugged. "Also. Just so you know. You sent me a few pictures."

"Okay. I know I didn't take any photos and..."

"Or maybe Ella sent them since you're in all of them," he scrolled through his phone and stopped. "And I gotta tell you...there's one that has me a little disturbed."

"Listen..." Maddie began her defense.

"You're sitting on the lap of what I can only assume is a stripper..." He turned the phone around to her as his face grew serious.

"He was just a stripper. Just..." Maddie took a deep breath and tried for calm. "And I didn't touch him. I mean...I kind of touched him but..."

"I'm not talking about the stripper," he shrugged. "I don't care about the stripper."

"But..."

"The hat." His eyes narrowed. "It had to be an RAF hat? Really? Couldn't have been...I don't know...Army or..."

"You're razzing me about the hat." Maddie's voice went flat; faced deadpanned. "You're joking."

"I'm not!" He exclaimed. "You're going to be my wife. I'm in the Army."

"Yes. But he wasn't."

"Was he in the RAF?" Harry's eyebrows lifted.

"No!" Maddie laughed, pushing at his chest. "He was a stripper Harry. He wasn't in the RAF or the Army. Just like the one who wasn't a doctor who wanted to 'take my temperature' or..."

"Whoa." He interrupted. "Too much information about the strippers."

"You wanted to talk about the strippers!"

"I wanted to talk about the hat you're wearing in this picture."

"Relax. He wasn't in the Army. He wasn't in the RAF." She sighed and leaned back. "Just like I'm sure that flight attendant from last night wasn't really a flight attendant, if you know what I mean."

"There was no flight attendant." Harry's eyes sparkled as his lips pulled into a grin.

"French Maid?" Maddie offered.

"We agreed not to talk about last night," Harry avoided the question.

"That's what I thought." Maddie laughed. "Teacher? Librarian? School girl?"

"Not a word." Harry shook his head; teeth biting into his smile. They both relaxed into the laughter, into each other. "Did you have a good time baby?"

"I did," Maddie nodded; a fond smile spreading over her face as she leaned into him. "You?"

"Mmm." He nodded; turning to kiss her forehead. He had enjoyed himself the night before; that was certain. And he knew that his friends enjoyed showing him a wild night. But if he were being completely honest, this was exactly where he had wanted to be the entire time. In his bed, with her. That really was the point, wasn't it? In getting married? Wanting to return to this every night.

"You know..." Maddie turned in his arms; eyes flashing brightly. "There is something I wanted to share with you from last night."

"Oh?" His eyebrows arched.

"Mmm..." She nodded, her smile growing slightly wicked as she moved from the bed. "Something I learned from somebody named Hot Chocolate Charlie who said I was a natural."

"Hold on." Harry's voice shifted; eyes narrowing. "Did Ella tell you to say that?"

"Ella?" Maddie shook her head, pulling him towards the edge of the bed. "No. Why do you ask that?"

"Because..." He watched as she moved away from him then, curious. "While I am completely in support of whatever it was you did last night...I do not want to know what some man who is wearing an RAF hat taught you..."

"Shhh..." Maddie's fingers moved to his lips and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Who said Hot Chocolate Charlie was a man?"

"Oh?" Harry's surprise quickly faded to something else entirely as he watched her move to their stereo, shuffling through her playlist for the perfect song. And, as it played loudly out into the room, he watched her walk—strut—back over to him. "Ohhhh..."