The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 101

From the moment Maddie's eyes fluttered open, there was a smile with a permanent home on her lips. Despite the nervousness, despite the lack of sleep, despite the light rain that had fallen overnight; nothing was going to faze her.

"Madeline... Madeline darling..." It was Hannah at the door with a knock. Her voice was softy, syrupy, her fingers delivering another tap as she pushed further into the room. "It's time to wake up."

"Mmmm..." Stretching her arms up over her head, Maddie nestled further back into Harry's pillow. "Come in..." She yawned, patting the bed next to her.

"There are people downstairs," Hannah's voice was low as she moved to the bed; climbing in next to her daughter.

"What kind of people?" Maddie smiled, moving to her mother's side as the older Forrester wrapped an arm around the younger one.

"People cooking breakfast," Hannah sighed. "It smells wonderful."

"Bernard is amazing," Maddie nodded.

"Mr. Smith is in Harry's office. He said that the dress is en route with Ms. Ellis and Ms. Schuler and your hairstylist..."

"Tara," Maddie interjected.

"Tara is coming through the gates now with a team of people and the photographer."

"Whoa..." Maddie took a deep breath and let it out. "It really is time to get up."

"Yes," Hannah patted her daughter's hand. "I've taken a shower. I suggest you get in there. I'll go wake up Ella and we'll see you soon."

"Perfect," Maddie grinned; happy it was her mother ordering her around for the last few moments before everyone else arrived to do just that. Hannah kissed Maddie's forehead and slipped from the room; shutting the door behind her. She pulled herself from the warm, comfort of her bed and took a step forward; a step towards the bathroom, towards the day, towards him.

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When Maddie stepped from the shower, the calm peaceful morning had given way to a happy hustle flowing all around her. Clad in yoga pants and Harry's soft, blue button-down shirt she made her way towards the center of the action; Ella's room. The large, elegant space had been converted to hair and makeup central. The mood was lively and animated and Maddie instantly felt that bubble of excitement in her stomach. The photographer was already snapping pictures while Ella sat in one chair and Hannah in another; teasing and curling and spraying galore. Glancing around the room, Maddie couldn't help but giggle. There was more makeup than Maddie had ever seen outside of a department store, hot hair instruments and sprays lined the dressers. There was a table set up with tea and cakes and, from the stand by the bed, the stereo was playing the ridiculously peppy and happy "Pre-Wedding Playlist" Ella had put together. It was joyful and cheery and exactly where Maddie was at mentally and emotionally; excited and ready.

"Doctor Forrester," Joan breezed into the room, her bright, chipper voice drawing the rooms' attention to Maddie. "Good Morning."

"Good morning," Maddie smiled warmly at her mother and Ella, who was already bursting at the seams, before turning to Joan. "Good Morning Joan. Busy day?"

"Hmm," Joan's lips pressed together in a smile with a quick nod. "I am ready to give you the rundown of where we're at. Would you like some tea and a scone first?"

"No," Maddie shook her head. "Why don't you tell me where we're at first."

And, with a deep breath, Joan went into planner mode. Hair and makeup people were there. They had started on Hannah and Ella and were ready to begin hair on Maddie. Photographer was there and would be with them through the remainder of the day. The florist was on her way with the flowers. After greeting everyone with a warm smile and hellos, Maddie sighed into the seat in front of Tara who took a deep breath and immediately went to work wrapping Maddie's hair around extremely large rollers.

"Also." Joan flipped open her notebook. "There is a gentleman downstairs a...Mr. Ian Bishop."

"Bishop?" Maddie smiled, looking up in surprise; fighting the urge to look to Ella for answers. "Why is Bishop here?"

"He said that he has a delivery," Joan tried to fight the grin. "From His Royal Highness."

"His Royal..." And it dawned on her. "You mean Harry."

"I do."

"Can you send him up for me?"

"Yes ma'am." And with a quick nod, Joan handed Maddie a cup of tea and disappeared.

"He sent you a gift?" Ella clapped her hands excitedly.

"Apparently," Maddie smiled wide, taking a sip from her cup.

"Of course he sent you a gift," Ella sighed; unbelievably happy for her best friend and just the slightest bit jealous. "So...How are you doing?" Ella looked her over, assessing her mood.

"I'm great actually."

"Scared?"

"No." She shook her head.

"Nervous?"

"Not at all." Maddie sighed; leaning back in her chair and smiling. "Is that weird?"

"Little bit," Ella joked with a wide grin. "Hey, do you want to turn on the TV and see how many people are already lined up outside?"

"Oh God no." Maddie shook her head quickly. "That will most certainly send me over the edge."

"No, no, no," Bishop's voice called out as he stepped into the room; his voice booming and his eyes smiling with the kind of excitement that was usually reserved for the couple. But it was Bishop and he was celebrating too. "No going over the edge. It's a happy day."

"Bishop!" Maddie rose from her chair to greet him.

"Madeline, my love..." Bishop moved into the room, his arms wrapping around her as he hugged her tight and kissed her cheeks.

"Harry sent you?" She grinned up at him as he began to dance her around the space to the beat of the music. The excitement, the frivolity in the room was contagious. There were no sad, dead-man-marching undertones. Not on this day. Not for this group.

"He most certainly did," Bishop nodded, spinning her out and turning her around; before catching her in his arms again.

"Did he send you to dance with me?" She laughed.

"He most certainly did not," Bishop winked before kissing her cheek again and releasing her. "But I do have a purpose." But before he moved onto that, he turned to the other two ladies. "Mrs. Forrester," he reached for her hand, pressing a kiss to the top. "Lovely to see you again."

"Good morning Bishop," she shook her head with a smirk. His particular brand of harmless flirtation amused the mother in her and his obvious friendship and loyalty to her daughter and Harry pleased her. She squeezed his hand as he stepped away from her.

"And Ella," he moved towards his own love, his own heart and, with a guarded smile, he leaned to kiss her cheek. "Good Morning."

"Good Morning Bishop," Ella smiled up at him; her heart pattering nervously as she kissed his cheek. Though they held each other's eyes for a beat, Bishop's attention quickly snapped back to the duty at hand.

"Madeline my darling...how can I be of service to you?"

"Well Bishop, unless you can speed up time and get me married, I'm not sure you can be of service."

"Excited are we?" He raised his eyebrows, reaching outside the doorway for a large duffle bag that he moved to the bed; unzipping and fumbling around.

"You have no idea," she returned to her seat and Tara went straight to work. "Have you seen him today?"

"Maybe," he shrugged; playing coy.

"Come on Bishop," Maddie groaned slightly. "Have you seen him today?"

"I have." He nodded; smug.

"And?" She lifted her eyebrows.

"And what?" He shrugged; trying for nonchalant. "He was just getting out of the shower. He told me to get out and tossed a towel at my head..." Bishop met her eyes and winked. "He's ready to see you. He's been ready to see you for hours."

"Yeah?" Maddie felt tears prick at her eyes; quickly taking a deep breath. It was much too early to lose it. There were far too many emotional moments ahead of her that, if she started in now, she would never make it through the day.

"Absolutely," he nodded. Harry had been up and ready for hours—impatient, excited; eager. "Okay. Are you ready?"

"Are you going to take me to him?" She went for the brass ring.

"No," Bishop laughed. "But I do have some gifts for you. Do you want them?"

"Let's do it." She clapped her hands together.

"First..." Bishop pulled a bouquet from his bag. "We have these."

"Delphinium..." Maddie whispered, her eyes growing soft as she took the flowers from Bishop.

"It's important to note that this particular bouquet of flowers was sent on request from Charles. Every flower was picked from Highgrove this morning."

"Wow..." Maddie breathed, looking them over; impressed. Her eyes flashed to her mother and she could already see the memory of her father sneaking into the room in her mother's warm, nostalgic smile.

"Those are beautiful," Hannah's voice was soft as her eyes met her daughter's.

"Joan?" Maddie glanced around the room.

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Would you please ask the florist, when she gets here, if there would be any way she could incorporate just the smallest sprig of this into my bouquet?" Maddie took a breath. "And into my mother's corsage?"

"Yes Ma'am," Joan nodded, taking the bouquet from Maddie.

"Even just the tiniest bit would be wonderful. The rest can go in a vase downstairs."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Thank you so much," Maddie smiled as Ms. Schuler stepped from the room.

"Second..." Bishop returned to the bag. "William wanted to be sure you had a bit of liquid courage." With a chuckle, he pulled out a bottle of Maddie's favorite champagne. Pulling four champagne flutes from the bag, he sat them on the table and popped the cork.

"Liquid courage?" Maddie laughed as he handed her a glass.

"I think it's a royal mandate," Bishop nodded.

"I don't see harm in one glass," Hannah offered, shaking her head in laughter at Bishop who handed glasses to the rest of them.

"And..." Bishop hurried back to the bag. "This." Laduree Macaroons. Maddie's smile stretched further.

"Champagne and Macaroons for breakfast..." She sighed into her seat. "What kind of life is this?"

"The life of a Duchess," Ella winked, sipping from her glass; a light laughter travelled around the room.

"And finally..." Bishop pulled the final gift from the bag; a beautifully wrapped box with a card on top. "This is the last one. From Harry."

"Ohhh..." Maddie sat her glass to the side, swallowed a bite and took the box from Bishop. As Hannah and Ella selected a macaroon from themselves, Maddie pulled the card from the envelope. On the front was a Dr. Seuss drawing and a quote attributed to him "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady the emotions she felt were just at bay and she opened the card. Reading to herself, You've made my reality leaps and bounds better than any of my dreams. Swallowing back the lump that was threatening in her throat, she tore at the paper.

"What is it?" Ella's neck stretched to look at what was revealed.

"It's a picture," Maddie's tears faded fast as a smile stretched across her face. "Of me and my Stand-In. You remember..." She glanced to her mother. "The guy from the church." She turned the frame around to show them the picture of herself and a young man with "Dr. Forrester" around his neck.

"What's the note say?" Hannah pointed to the folded note taped to the frame. Maddie pulled it from the glass and opened it up. The tears returned with a slight gasp. "It says...I cannot wait to see you—the you on the left—at the altar. Hurry up. I'm waiting. Your..." Maddie felt a sob bubble up; her fingers moving to her lips in effort to hold it in. "Your Husband."

"That's very sweet," Hannah commented as Ella wiped at her eyes.

"What an asshole."

"Ella!" Maddie turned to her friend.

"Sorry!" She hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry. I just...he's not even here. The wedding hasn't even started and already I'm a blubbery mess." She wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry. He's not an asshole. He's...he's perfect."

"Okay, okay," Bishop cut in with a roll of his eyes. "Let's save the adoration until after I leave."

"Thank you for bringing me all of this," Maddie sat her photo on the stand next to her and took a sip from her glass as Tara finished wrapping the last strands of hair around the rollers.

"You're welcome love," he leaned to kiss her. "You're going to be absolutely stunning," he grinned, offered a wink. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Maddie grinned in return as Bishop moved away from her.

"Mrs. Forrester," he bowed his head and spun on his heels. "Ella darling."

"Bishop," she smiled a nod and then as he turned away from them, heading towards the door, she caught herself. "Hey Bishop?"

"Yes?" He spun back around.

"Would you..." Ella sucked in a breath, a bit shuddery, a bit nervous. "Save me a dance tonight?" Maddie's eyes swung from Ella's face to Bishop's, just in time to catch the deep breath he took.

"Absolutely," he nodded; biting back more. "Ladies. I bid you adieu. I will see you all very soon."

And, to a chorus of good-byes and a wide-eyed stare from the bride, Bishop slipped back out the door through which he came. As the room settled back to normal, Maddie's eyes remained trained on her best friend.

"I can feel you staring at me," Ella commented, reaching for another macaroon.

"Oh?" Maddie's voice was sarcastic. "You're going to dance with Bishop tonight?"

"He is an excellent dancer," Ella avoided Maddie's eyes.

"Ella..."

"Oh shush," Ella nudged her friend, finally bringing a slightly nervous gaze to hers. "It's a dance. One dance. Our best friends are getting married and...we're going to dance. You just focus on the wedding we're going to and relax." Maddie giggled into her drink. "Besides. It's not like I invited him into my bed."

"Okay ladies," Tara spoke up from behind Maddie. "While your hair sets, it's make up time. If you need to use the bathroom or..."

"Actually," Hannah spoke up. "If it's okay, I would really like to have a moment alone with my daughter..." She looked to Maddie with emotional eyes. "And I think maybe before makeup would be best..."

"Absolutely," Tara nodded and, with a quick look to the other two stylists, they laid down their tools and stepped quietly from the room; Ella following behind. As the door closed softly, Maddie took a deep breath and met her mother's eyes.

"We're going to talk about him now. Aren't we?" Hannah took a deep breath and moved from her chair; wanting to be closer to Maddie. She sank into a seat next to her and looked up; tears in her eyes.

"Yes." She nodded.

"Okay." Maddie let out a breath and let it come. There was no need, no point really, in fighting the tears. "Okay."

"I promise this will be the only time," Hannah reached for her hand and took another deep breath. "I want this to be a wonderful day full of celebration and happy tears but..."

"It's okay," Maddie squeezed her mother's hand. "We can talk about him."

"It's not so much a talk. I just wanted you to know that he would be..." Hannah's lips twitched and her eyes shimmered. "I know I'm supposed to tell you how proud he would be of you today but..." She shook her head with a smile. "But he was so proud of you anyway; proud of the girl you were, the woman you became. He was so proud when you graduated...from everything..." They shared a laugh. "When you talked about Doctors Without Borders. He was always proud of you. And today...today would be no different." She looked around the room. "He would be proud that you waited for a man like Harry, for a man who would love you like Harry does. He would have completely supported the vows you're about to take and..." Hannah paused, her throat catching, tears spilling. "He would have loved to have been able to walk you down the aisle."

"Mom..." Maddie's eyes ran over as she squeezed her hand tighter.

"It's okay," Hannah shook her head. "I just want to say, before we get too far into this day, that he loved you. He loved you so much and he would have loved Harry and loved what you were starting here today." Hannah wiped at her tears before reaching to wipe at Maddie's; a wide smile in place. Maddie moved quickly from her chair and directly into her mother's arms; allowing for a small moment of peace, a moment of quiet reflection on the man who taught her how men were supposed to be. A small moment of calm before the day whisked them away.

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"Okay..." Tara's voice was low, breathy, as she took a step back from Maddie; her eyes working over her very carefully. "I think we're done. Let me just make sure..." She was meticulous as she moved, as she scanned. Maddie's eyes glanced over to where her mother and Ella stood, both completely dressed and made up, and when she saw their faces, she felt her heart jump in her chest.

After Maddie's short and emotion packed conversation with her mother, they let the ladies back in and went into full on work mode. Make-up and hair had been finished and, while Hannah and Ella left to put on their dresses for the day, Tara and the other three stylists had secured into place, the actual Strathmore Rose Tiara—which had arrived with security that morning. Though Tara's hands had trembled just so as she lifted it from the box, she was a professional and, with a deep breath, she had pulled through—putting the historic and priceless piece of art onto Maddie's well-coifed head.

Now, as Ella and Hannah stood to the side, the three stylists were perched over Maddie, taking great care as they pinned her veil into place; wanting absolute certainty that it would stay put. And, after Tara gave the final nod, the three of them stepped away.

And Ella gasped.

"Don't do that," Maddie's voice wavered as she shot a warning glance to Ella. "Not yet."

"Okay," Ella nodded, turning her eyes from her best friend.

"How does it feel?" Tara stayed in business-mode, trying not to get drawn into the weepy, fangirl place she wanted to be.

"Good," Maddie nodded, moving around a bit.

"Secure?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Tara and the others let the veil drop to the floor, arranging it around her. "Your dress is hanging down in your room with Ms. Ellis. Let's walk down there together and we'll watch how this all flows. You let me know if anything feels like it's moving."

"Okay," Maddie took a breath and looked to her mother. "You ready for this?"

"Yes," she grinned wide, even though her head shook a slight no.

As a group, they moved down the hall to Maddie and Harry's room. Tara watched intently as Maddie walked; still in yoga pants and Harry's shirt with a tiara and veil on her head. She could feel the nervous excitement beginning to creep into her veins.

"How does it feel?" Tara asked as they reached Maddie's room.

"Perfect," Maddie sighed; pushing the door open. "Good Morning Ms. Ellis." She breathed into a smile as they all stepped into the room.

"Good Morning Ma'am," the young woman rose to her feet, eyes taking in Maddie's look for the first time. "You look amazing."

"Thank you," Maddie nodded. "I think it's time for the dress."

"Yes Ma'am," she moved then, nodding to her assistant as they walked towards the dress.

It was quite the production, getting Maddie into her dress. While Tara and her team took great care of the veil, Ms. Ellis and her assistant handled the dress and Ella and Hannah provided support and steadiness for Maddie as she stepped into the gown. Maddie couldn't help but giggle as the team of people moved around her, all under this half tent of tulle over her head. Thankfully she could hear the photographer snapping away. This would certainly be a shot for the books.

Maddie caught Ella's eyes as she held onto her hand and she smiled; a warm, heavy, emotion filled smile. "Can you believe all of this?" Maddie was quiet as she lifted her eyebrows.

"No," Ella shook her head, pressing her lips together in effort to keep from crying. "But it's happening."

"It is," Maddie nodded; swallowing back a sob. She could feel hands around her; under the dress, over the dress, above her head. They were buttoning and zipping and fluffing and arranging. Taking a deep breath in, she blew it out slowly.

"You look beautiful," Ella whispered.

"Thank you," Maddie whispered back. "So do you."

"Okay, Madeline," Ms. Ellis called up from below. "I'm going to slip your shoes on your feet."

"Thank you," Maddie called out with a bit of a giggle as the young woman lifted her feet into her shoes.

"Okay..." She came out from underneath. "Everyone step out and away." With a squeeze to Maddie's hand, Ella followed orders; along with everyone else. And Maddie stood alone as they all took her in.

"You look..." Hannah couldn't finish her sentence but the look on her face said it all. As the team of stylists and hair and makeup professionals moved around Maddie, getting everything into place, she let her eyes close.

Deep breath in. Let it out slowly.

Again.

One more time.

"Okay." Tara's voice called into her thoughts. "I'm done."

Maddie opened her eyes.

"Annnnd..." Ms. Ellis ran her hand over the back of the gown one more time before she stepped back and into Maddie's view. "I'm done."

"Are you ready to see?" Hannah asked.

"No," Maddie shook her head, feeling slightly teary, slightly shaky.

"Come on," Ella held out her hand. "I'll help you." Maddie blinked and nodded and took her best friend's hand. Turning together they faced the giant, floor-length mirror.

And Maddie breathed.

"Oh my God..." She wavered; looking over her reflection. Despite all of her modesty, all of her humility, she knew; she looked amazing. She felt tears come to her eyes as the impact of her own image washed over her. She felt so much in that moment; content, happy, bright, cheery, relaxed—in love. "I..." She tried and failed to put words to it all.

"What is it?" Hannah stepped up to her side. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," Maddie nodded, her smile stretching wide. "It's just...I look like..."

"A Princess?" Ella offered. And though she had tossed that phrase around before in jest, she was completely serious as she smiled at Maddie.

"Yes." The weight of the admission made Maddie's chest swell. She allowed for the tiniest moment of unfurl, the tiniest minute of craziness to breeze across her mind and then, with a deep breath, she took control. Deep breath in. Let it out slowly. She smiled.

This was it. She was ready.

"Okay ladies," Ms. Schuler stepped into the room, a warm smile and task-oriented eyes. "Your bouquets are downstairs and the cars are awaiting us outside."

"Okay," Maddie nodded, snapping her eyes away from her reflection and turning towards the two most important women in her life. "Now listen," she spoke softly to them, her voice full of love. "I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you for today..." She met their eyes; steady and calm. "But thank you, both of you, for being here with me today. I would not have made it through this morning without either of you."

"Oh honey," Ella blinked, tears loosening in her eyes. Hannah smiled, her hands moving to comfort both of the girls.

"Also..." Maddie smiled. "The second we step outside of this home, you should assume that everything you do, everything, is being recorded for posterity. So...if you don't want Sylvia at your salon to see you blowing your nose or adjusting your knickers..." Maddie winked at her mom. "Do it inside."

"Yes darling," Hannah laughed.

"How in the world are you so calm right now?" Ella looked to Maddie with a slight tremble. "How is it that you're not a mess?"

"Easy," Maddie smiled; a small, simple smile that spoke thousands of words. "At the end of this parade, at the end of that aisle...is Harry." Maddie blinked at the tears in her eyes, the peacefulness in her heart. "Harry, who loves me more than anything in this world. Harry, who came to Bendal to kiss me, who asked me to be his wife, who has been waiting...all day...for me."

"Wow..." Ella was going to cry. It was a done deal. This wedding was going to take her down.

"There is absolutely nowhere else for me to be." Maddie's eyes were shining, her smile bright. She was ready.

"It's time," Ms. Schuler announced. Maddie nodded and, releasing her hold on her mother and her best friend, she watched as they moved around her and towards the door. Taking one last look around the room, Maddie took a deep breath and followed.

Holding tight to the railing, she descended the stairs, noticing the way the staff, both permanent and hired-for-the-day, softened as they took her in. With her head held high, she accepted the bouquet from the florist, thanking her with a teary voice for adding the delphinium to her bouquet; remembering both of her fathers as she looked it over.

"Ms. Marshall," Joan smiled to Ella with a nod. It was time for her to go. Without words, Ella turned to Maddie; meeting her eyes with love, squeezing her hand with affection. And then, with a deep breath, she was gone; moving to the car that would take her and the little ones to the Cathedral.

Maddie took a deep breath and met Hannah's eyes.

"You look beautiful mother," she smiled sweetly, comfortingly.

"Hmm..." Hannah chuckled softly. "We're quite the pair, aren't we?"

"Yes we are." Maddie's cheeks pulled wide. Their eyes were trained on the cars lined up outside. It was all arranged; meticulously so. It had been rehearsed and rehearsed; timed down to the second. Ella's car pulled away and hers moved forward; that beautiful classic Rolls Royce. Arthur lead up the security team ready to move in the Land Rover behind it. Maddie turned then, to the team of people who had been helping her all morning. "Thank you," she was genuine with her words, with her smile. "Thank you all so much. For everything..."

"Ma'am," Joan's voice was warm; calling Maddie's attention forward. "It's time."

"Okay," Maddie nodded and looked to her mother.

"What do you say sweetheart?" Hannah held her hand out. "Should we go find out what Harry's been up to all morning?"

"Ha!" Maddie's laughter resonated around them. "Yes. Yes...I think maybe we should." She took her mother's hand and, without another look back, she took that first step through the door, that first step towards the cathedral; towards him.

And though she was nervous, her heart beating wildly in her chest, nothing could sweep the smile from her face, the joy in her soul. Slowly, they made their way to the car; taking great care as she slid into her seat. Arranging the fabric around her, she settled into the warm, plush leather seats and looked out to the gates. Throngs of people were gathered; waving flags and cheering. With her mother settled next to her, the door closed and the car rolled forward towards the beginning of the craziness.

Maybe she should have been more nervous than she was. Maybe she was naïve and young and silly and slightly high from the excitement of it all.

But she didn't care. It was time. Time to go to the Cathedral. Time to walk down that aisle. Time to marry him; Harry.

She was ready. It was time.

(To Be Continued...)