The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 121

Day 7:

First Pitch-Colorado Rockies Game
Reception for Olympic Athletes hosted by Consul-General
Spend night in Colorado Springs

"Did you see me with the pitching coach?" Maddie asked Harry as they walked through the underground, stone corridors leading them to Coors Field.

"I did," he nodded, biting back the snark. They had arrived early, allowing Maddie some time to throw the ball with the coach into the pitching net; something that he had also been allowed when he had thrown out the first pitch years ago.

"He said I was a natural."

"I heard."

"He said I had a great arm," Maddie loved poking at him, loved even more that she knew he wouldn't push back. They were too close to show time and he wouldn't want to mess with her head.

"Of course he did," Harry fought it but his eyes tipped up in a slight roll.

"I'm impressed by the way," Maddie grinned up at him as they slowed to a stop at a juncture; their escorts turning to face them.

"Impressed?" He lifted his eyebrows.

"At your ability to keep it together..." She stepped closer to him and lowered her voice. "In the face of what is going to be only another example of your wife...showing you up."

"Oh-ho...." He bit his cheek as a menacing chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Just wait until it's over."

"I figured," she laughed out loud, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips before she turned to Jena, the young woman who had been taking them around. "I'm guessing this is where we part ways Jena?"

"Yes ma'am," Jena nodded and smiled; feeling a bit voyeuristic as she watched them interact so closely, so intimately. "I'll take you up to the field and Mr. Swanson," she nodded to the young man with her, "will take the rest of you up to the suite."

"Fantastic," Maddie smiled at the young woman and slid her eyes to Harry. "I'll see you soon."

"Knock it out of the ballpark, Doctor." He leaned in to kiss her again; his lips twisted into a smirk.

"But I'm pitching," she grinned against his lips.

"I know," he winked and pulled away. Maddie shook her head at him with a small laugh before she turned to follow Jena down another corridor. Harry watched as she stepped away from him, noting how damn cute she was in casual clothes, custom jersey and ball cap, before he turned to his own escort.

"Excuse me Sir," Mr. Swanson stepped closer to Harry. "While your wife was working with Mr. McLaughlin she told him that she used to play ball with her cousins..."

"Yes," Harry nodded, that particular fact burned in his mind.

"She said they used to have songs they would play for their introductions, just like in the Major's." Harry chuckled at that image and waited for the young man to continue. "Is there any chance you know what song she used to play for her introduction?"

"No," Harry grinned wide, realizing where this was headed. "But I know who does. Can I have just a minute?" He raised his eyebrows and pulled his phone from his pocket.

"Absolutely," the young man nodded and watched as Harry dialed Maddie's cousin Kyle.

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When Maddie stepped out onto the field, the roar that greeted her threw her for just a moment. She glanced around quickly before she realized that it was for her. With a slight flush to her cheeks that she was certain only Harry and her mother would be able to detect, she recovered and smiled wide. And then she heard the announcer, in a loud booming voice, introduce her.

"And tonight, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch is one of our own. Born and raised in Colorado, let's give a Mile High welcome home to Her Royal Highness, Madeline, the Duchess of Sussex."

With the ball tucked tight into one hand she turned a wave towards the crowds with the other and they went absolutely crazy. This was the first time Maddie had experienced this—this all out fanaticism. She wondered if the athletes on the field ever got used to it. Certainly this was more about hometown pride than anything with the fans, but it felt crazy to witness all the same. And then, as she took a step towards the mound, she heard a song play out into the stadium and she stalled. Fighting a roll of her eyes, fighting a smug smirk, she smiled and continued to the field. She eyed the catcher and with a big breath, she took her stance; turning the ball in her fingers.

Trying to tune out the music, she focused, took another breath and wound up. When she released the ball she knew instantly. She had done it. A wide grin spread across her face as the catcher plucked it out of the air with ease and the crowd went wild. With another wave, she moved off the mound and met the catcher in the dirt.

"Well done, Ma'am," he smiled kindly and handed her the ball back.

"Ha!" She laughed good-naturedly. "I'm sure you say that to all the ladies."

"No Ma'am," he chuckled, posing for pictures. "It was right over the plate, well within the strike zone and had a good solid oomph behind it."

"Well thank you," Maddie smiled and followed as they were lead off the field. "Any chance you can call my husband and tell him that?"

"Sure," He laughed and adjusted the mask on his head. "Maybe after the game?"

"Perfect," Maddie smiled and shook his hand. "Have a good game."

"Thank you." With a tip of her hat, Maddie left the young man to his job and followed her escort Jena off the field and back through the tunnels to meet up with Harry in the suite.

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When Maddie stepped into the suite, a smattering of applause sounded out. Harry was there with the team owners and various staff and assistants who were quick to be introduced but Harry's were the first eyes on her, the first smile that greeted her. After shaking hands and meeting everyone, Maddie slid into the seat next to her husband.

"Hey there."

"Hey there," he grinned as he leaned to kiss her. "That was impressive."

"Thank you," she grinned back. "And that's exactly what Rosario said."

"Rosario?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Wilin Rosario," she raised hers in return; gesturing towards the field. "The catcher for the Rockies."

"Ah yes," Harry nodded, loving her knowledge of the game. "So...did you hear the song?"

"Now that you mention it," she crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed. "I did hear that song. How in the world did you..."

"Kyle," he perked up, eager to let her in on the secret. "Mr. Swanson overheard you talking to the pitching coach and asked if I knew your song and I called Kyle. And he told me your song."

"No," Maddie shook her head; her mind already at work as a twisted sort of smile moved over her face.

"No?" Harry watched her confused.

"I'm a Hustler Baby?" Her forehead crinkled as she snickered. "You thought the song I chose for myself was I'm a Hustler by Jay Z?"

"Ummm..." Harry's lips pressed together as he thought about it.

"No," Maddie shook her head. "That's the song they would play...to mess with me. To get in my head."

"Noooo," Harry shook his head, his eyes growing serious as he realized what had just happened. "You're telling me instead of helping you live out a childhood moment, I..."

"Helped my cousins mess with on the pitching mound at a nationally televised Major League baseball game. Yes. That's what you did."

"Oh God." He groaned.

"That's right oh God." Maddie shook her head and smiled.

"Well." Harry's eyes narrowed and he leaned closer to her. "I apologize. This was a rookie mistake on my part and it won't happen again. I assure you."

"Oh?"

"I think it's important to note that, given my eccentric group of extended family members and the fact that we are forced to operate under the radar ninety percent of the time..." He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. "I am particularly well versed and well suited to assist you in any part of a well-planned familial revenge." Maddie's eyes slid to his and they sparkled.

"Oh really?" Her lips pulled higher.

"Use me at your will," he winked before turning back towards their hosts for the night and Maddie laughed to herself; her mind and her body ignited by his words.

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"I don't think I've seen somebody laugh so much in my life," Harry commented to Maddie as they were driven away from the reception they had attended with the Consulate General, a few local big names, Missy Franklin and various other local athletes.

"She was really very sweet," Maddie smiled; leaning back against the seat as they began their journey to their hotel.

"Oh I didn't say she wasn't sweet," Harry corrected, pulling his tie loose. "I just said I didn't think I had ever heard somebody laugh so much."

"Maybe she was nervous," Maddie offered.

"Nervous?"

"Well, meeting you can be a heart stopping experience," her hand rubbed at his knee and he rolled his eyes.

"Please."

"Or maybe she heard wind that you were going to challenge her to a swimming race," Maddie snickered as Harry brushed her hand off his knee playfully.

"You are on fire today."

"I think I'm still wound up from the baseball game."

"I suppose so," he laughed at her as she slumped back in the seat. "You know, we don't have to go over to the practice if you're not up for it."

"What?" She turned surprise in his direction.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "Nobody knows we were planning on going. If you want to do something else; go to the hotel, get settled in..."

"No way," she shook her head, reaching for his hand. "I've been looking forward to the Warrior Games the entire trip; we're going to go to that practice."

"You've been looking forward to the games the whole trip?" He was genuinely pleased that she wanted to stop in; touched.

"I have," she squeezed his fingers.

"Wait..." His eyes narrowed. "That isn't because you think this is yet another opportunity to beat me at something, is it?"

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Watching the UK Warrior Games Volleyball team practice brought life to a tired Maddie. After the baseball game, the reception, and the travel, she had truly thought that she would be too exhausted to enjoy the evening. But she had been wrong. Watching the team on the floor rejuvenated her spirit. And when Harry moved to join them in their practice, her cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

He was amazing. Though this was something Maddie had always believed to be true, there were so many moments along the tour that only served to reinforce that truth. Not only was he not at all exhausted, not only was he up and chipper and ready to go for a few more hours—he was in the best of moods. Of course that most certainly had a great deal to do with the company they were in. He loved being a solider. There was a tiny bit of Maddie that was certain he loved being a soldier more than he loved being her husband—lucky for her those two roles were not mutually exclusive. He was happy here; bright and charming and ready to dive right in. And it made her seep with pride.

"It's really great you know," Sgt. Woodford, the young woman who sat next to Maddie had a soft voice, bright green eyes—and two amputated legs after an IED blew up the Medical Transport she was traveling in as an Army nurse. She and Maddie had been deep in conversation when Harry had nearly fallen over trying to keep up with the team; bringing attention, laughter, and a smattering of photos.

"Great?" Maddie turned back to Sgt. Woodford, or Lisa as she asked to be called.

"The two of you coming here."

"Oh," Maddie smiled. "We were ahead of schedule and Harry would have been absolutely restless at the hotel so..."

"No," Lisa shook her head with a slight giggle. "Not here tonight. Well, not just here tonight. But...here. To the Warrior Games. It's really great that you're here. It's huge."

"Oh," Maddie's eyes shifted down, feeling a bit blushed, a bit embarrassed. "That's very sweet of you to say."

"I'm not just saying it," she grinned, catching the humility in the Duchess. "Your presence brings a great amount of attention to the soldiers who are participating, to the spirit that prevails even in the eyes of some terrible disabilities. It brings eyes to the cause. And that's admirable."

"I'm sure that you understand why it might be hard for me to hear that from somebody like you...who has done so much to exemplify the spirit of which you speak."

"Sure," the young woman nodded.

"We're simply shaking hands, posing for photos and meeting some amazing people."

"With all due respect, that's not all you're doing," Lisa grew serious. "If you weren't here, it would just be us playing around..."

"It would not be just you playing around," Maddie disagreed with a firm shake of her head.

"Well," the woman took a deep breath and smiled at Maddie. "Having the Duke and Duchess of Sussex here brings a great amount of international attention and, Ma'am, having you here brings the focus of the entire state—a state with military bases, with the Air force Academy—it brings the focus to wounded veterans. And, forgive me for being so blunt, but the hands you shake, the pictures you pose for...you'll never know the impact you've had; the impact you will have." She nodded then to Harry, still out on the floor playing. "Prince Harry—the Duke—he's always been such a huge supporter. The soldiers love him; his spirit, his tenacity, his character. There are quite a few here who have met him before, some who walked with him to the Arctic and everyone loves him."

"Yeah," Maddie nodded, her heart swelling with pride as she looked to her husband.

"And I must say, Ma'am," Lisa nudged her shoulder. "You've proven to be quite the supporter as well. It's an honor, truly, to have you both here."

"Well thank you very much Sergeant," Maddie nudged her back, biting back the lump in her throat. "It's quite the honor to be invited."

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Leaving the Olympic Training Facility later that night, both Maddie and Harry felt exhausted. They had enjoyed a long day; meeting people, being active and while Harry's exhaustion was mostly physical, Maddie's was a bit more than that. But it was with a small, warm smile that she slipped her hand into his as they stepped out into the Colorado night; her head tipping to his shoulder.

"How are you?" Harry's voice dropped low as they moved with their team to the awaiting SUVs.

"Good," she sighed; meaning it.

"Good," he planted a kiss to the top of her head just before she pulled away to step into their vehicles.

As they travelled, the conversation stayed business focused; Thomas running down their final two days of events, adding on a request.

"An interview?" Harry clarified. "With whom?"

"You and the Duchess, Sir."

"No, I'm sorry," Harry shook his head. "The interviewer."

"Diane Sawyer," Thomas smiled. "She will fly out upon confirmation."

"Wow," Maddie's attention was caught. "Diane Sawyer wants to speak to us?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Did we do something wrong?" She was only half joking but the others in the car chuckled lightly.

"No ma'am."

"Why do you ask that?" Harry tossed a grin across the seat to her.

"Well...Diane Sawyer wants to interview us. Not just you...me too..." She shrugged. "I don't know. I just figured..."

"Actually," Libby spoke up. "Beg your pardon. Ma'am, your popularity numbers are incredibly high."

"I'm sorry?" Maddie laughed. "My popularity numbers?"

"It's true," Thomas nodded in agreement. "The public favors you quite highly."

"They what?" Maddie glanced to Harry, who looked far less surprised than she felt. "How do you even know such a thing? Did Cosmo do a poll or something?"

"No ma'am," Libby answered. "We did."

"Sorry?" Maddie's smile faded only slightly.

"Ahem," Harry cleared his throat and turned to face Maddie. "Sometimes SJP does some polling of their own; in order to find out who might be best to send out, to bring to an event. It's harmless."

"Oh?" This was new to Maddie, though she knew she shouldn't be surprised. After all, she knew she had married into an enterprise.

"And considering requests for your photos, information, appearances," Thomas continued. "You're incredibly popular right now; in England and, most certainly here in the United States."

"The public favors you, Madeline," Harry winked at her. "More than me, more than Will..."

"That is..." She shook her head; feeling a bit flushed by it all. "That is absurd."

"Your wedding increased tourism at a higher rate than any royal wedding so far," Libby offered. "Nearly tripled American visits. The skirt you wore on the first day, to Capitol Hill, it sold out completely in three minutes."

"I..." She looked down at her hands and shook her head again. "I don't know what to say. Did you know that?" She turned to her husband.

"About the skirt?" He smirked. "Sure. I bought three of them."

"Harry," Maddie laughed, her eyes seeking his for grounding.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I knew you were popular. I've seen some of the numbers they are talking about."

"Yeah?"

"Mmm," he nodded. "You're an American Princess, Madeline." He sighed. "Look, I know how ridiculous it sounds but...people eat it up I guess. They...they want to see you and be like you and be near you and..." He caught her scattered look then and reached for her hand. "It's not that I can blame them..."

"Will you stop?" She laughed, rolling her eyes but appreciating his efforts to alleviate the weight that this carried. She took a deep breath and let it out, feeling silly for being so surprised by these revelations. She lifted her eyes to Thomas. "I'm fine with the interview. If you are and if you are..." She nodded to Harry.

"Sure," Harry shrugged; he was old hat at this.

"Great," Thomas nodded and made a note in his phone. "I'll let them know." And then, as he stuffed his phone back into the front pocket of his suit, the car rolled to a stop in front of the Broadmoor and the doors opened to their home for the last two days of their tour.

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"Harry..." Maddie's voice was low and heavy as she called to him; having finally shut the door on their day, on their staff of people.

"Yes?" He tossed over his shoulder, pulling his watch from his wrist and dropping it onto the dresser in their room. Maddie moved to stand behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face into the camouflage fabric on his back.

"Harry..." Her voice was muffled as his hands slid to her arms; warm and firm as he stroked her skin there. And he stood, tall and steady and he waited; knowing there was something happening inside his wife's head. His hand caught one of hers and pulled it up to his lips.

"Are you okay back there?" He asked. Feeling her nod against his back, he smiled and squeezed her hands under his. "Okay." He patted her hands and let her be. With one hand resting on her arm, he moved his other to begin working on the buttons of his shirt.

"Here..." Maddie sighed after a moment, pulling her face from his back and releasing her hold on him. "Let me help." She ran her hands over his stomach, over his chest, and he turned to face her. Though Harry's eyes sought hers immediately, Maddie's focused on the buttons of his shirts; her fingers making quick work of the buttons.

Harry's hands moved to her shoulders, smoothing down her arms as he stood, allowing her to undress him; wondering what was passing through that beautiful mind of hers. But he remained quiet, he let her process. They were getting better at this part of their relationship, after all—him sensing when she needed this, her working through it without running. He only wished she would let him in. But he could wait for that. With a soft smile, he watched; and she worked.

And when she finished her work on his shirt, she pushed it back and off his chest, over his shoulders and when her fingers met his hot skin, her eyes flashed up to his.

"Hi," he smiled; sweet and slightly amused and Maddie's eyes blinked; full of emotion.

"Hi," she whispered.

And his shirt fell to the floor behind him.

Maddie's hands moved to his belt and it should have been simpler than it was. It should have been easier. But for some reason, she was struggling. The stiff fabric wouldn't cooperate and the buckle was stubborn under her fingers and because she was already so close to her exhausted emotional threshold, she felt tears well in her eyes.

And she hated when tears welled in her eyes. It had been an amazing day; fun events, wonderful people. And all she could think about was the total culmination of emotions from their trip; the soldiers—those wounded and those not, their families—those grieving, those waiting, those standing tall next to their loved ones. All she could see were the children at the hospital, the little boy whose father was watching him play—from heaven. All she could hear was Sergeant Lisa Woodford with her state of the art prosthetics telling Maddie how good of her it was to make it a point to come.

All she could see was Harry standing before her, in his camouflage fatigues and his tireless, unwavering spirit and dedication and she had this slight, daunting fear that she wouldn't meet expectations; his, the family's, the people and—her emotions were getting the best of her. And she hated it even more because she used to be better at this; holding the emotions at bay.

"Maddie?" Harry called to her, wanting to draw her mind to him.

"I..." She stumbled; on her words, on the buckle. "I can't get this..."

"Hey..." His hands fell on hers. "Don't worry about it. It's..."

"No," she shook her head.

"Maddie?" Harry's voice was low and sweet and meant to sooth.

"I need you out of this..." Maddie blinked at the unexpected tears, her fingers fumbling with the buckle again; her lip jutting out in frustration.

"Madeline..."

"I need you out of this uniform. I need this to just..." She huffed in exasperation, her eyes welling up as she looked to him. "I need you..."

"Hey..." His fingers wrapped around her wrists, stalling her actions; seriousness shading his eyes. "What is this?"

"I need you." She brushed at the tears with the backs of her hands. "I need to be close to you and..." She leaned into him. "Now. I need you now." And though the words were bossy, demanding, it came out in a plea.

"Like this?" He thumbed at a tear on her cheek, his face full of concern and love and a hint of a smile.

"Like you've never made love to a weepy woman before," her laughter cut through her tears.

"Oh I have," he went in for the joke, watching her smile spread even further. "And I will again if you want me too..."

"God..." Maddie sighed; stepping into his arms and leaning against his now bare chest. "What is wrong with me?"

"I'm guessing nothing," his hands were gentle as his fingers stroked her cheeks, pushed her hair from her forehead. "It's been a long week. We've seen a lot. You've been working basically the entire time..."

"But that's just it. This...this is nothing compared to the work I used to do. I used to spend sixteen hours in the field and..."

"It's different." He shrugged; it was. They had been "on" virtually the entire time they had been there, they were constantly watched and analyzed.

"It's easier," she rolled her eyes at herself.

"It's not," Harry disagreed. "It's not. The work is different but it's not easier. Maddie, you have been working for eight days straight; without a break and sometimes that's overwhelming." His arms wrapped around her, hugging her close. "You've been doing so well I forgot that this is really your first time out there. I forgot how hard it can be."

"Oh please!" Maddie tried for sarcasm, but she felt teary.

"It is," he laughed. "It's harder than it looks. And we're not just...planting trees. We're meeting people, people with amazing stories to tell. And you carry that with you. And sometimes it gets heavy."

"Listen to you," Maddie sniffed with a smile. "You're so smart."

"I'm well-seasoned." He chuckled and rubbed her back.

"I love you." Maddie sighed; settling closer.

"I love you too," he kissed the top of her head and held her tight. Yes, she was doing amazing. Yes, her popularity was soaring. But he should have paid more attention; this was tough sometimes—even the tree planting grew tough sometimes. "Listen. It's been a long week. The Tomb, the White House, Walter Reed, the Children's Hospital, Judi's House...and tonight at the practice...it's a lot." Maddie tipped her face up to his, her chin resting on his chest. "Plus..." He grew a bit cockier. "You've been pouncing on me any chance you could."

"Ha!" Maddie's head tossed back in laughter. "Pouncing? Please." She pulled back from him then; his hands sliding down her arms to hold onto hers.

"Pouncing," he eyed her; his lips pulling higher, happy she was laughing again. "The bath tub. The stables..."

"Ah..." Maddie sighed. "The stables." Her face grew warm, her smile wide as she remembered. "That was fun."

"Absolutely no arguments here," Harry shook his head; eyes wide before he grew slightly serious for a moment. "We only have two more days. Are you going to make it?"

"Absolutely," she nodded; the moment, the stress, the upset, lifted from her shoulders as she looked to him. "I just needed...a moment. I needed to get it out and let it go. I'm good. And you...you handle me really well, you know?"

"Ha! Thank you," he squeezed her hands. "Now. You want to help me out of these pants and I'll see if I can handle you a little longer?"

"I would love that."

"I thought you might," he tugged her back to him; the mood in the room shifting entirely. His lips found hers with ease. Her hands conquered his belt with quickness and before Maddie could even stop to remember her momentary breakdown, her slight pause for reprieve, Harry was pulling her into their bed with a wide smile, soft hands and a promise to hold onto her for just as long as she needed.