The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 140

"What do you mean you don't have any new t-shirts for me?" Harry's laughter rang out as he turned wide eyes to Jenna who sat next to him on the sofa in Hannah's living room. "You've let me down." He shook his head in mock disappointment. He and Maddie had finally arrived in Colorado after a long flight and, having finished a wonderful dinner, they were lounging around with Jenna and Gary and Hannah as the evening wound down.

"Ha!" Jenna laughed with a heavy sigh. "You know I did see one on amazon that said 'Prince Harry is my Homeboy' that I nearly bought but you know...I wasn't sure if we were tight like that."

"Come on!" Harry nudged her with a roll of his eyes. "Of course we're tight like that. Though it would be strange for me to wear one."

"It would," Jenna snickered as she nodded.

"Maybe we could find one for me that says 'Jenna is my Homegirl'?" He winked as the rest of the room laughed along.

"I'll see what I can do," Jenna agreed, her cheeks flushing a bit at the idea.

"Good lord," Maddie rolled her eyes, pulling herself up from the big chair she had been snuggled up in since dinner had ended. "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to handle the two of you for three days in the mountains."

"My thoughts exactly," Gary agreed, taking a long drink from his bottle and looking to Harry. "Are you going to stick to the skis this year or are you going to give in and try boarding?"

"I think I'm going to stick to the skis," Harry shrugged, reaching for his own drink. "Why? Are you switching it up?"

Maddie stood at the door to the room, watching as the conversation moved to their trip into the mountains the day after tomorrow. Her eyes travelled to the tree with presents underneath; gifts they would be opening the next day when they celebrated their own Christmas with her mother. And then she looked to her mother sitting in a chair next to the fireplace, a blanket tucked around her legs as she laughed lightly at the conversation in her living room. She was watching Harry as he seemed to animate with the story he was sharing. And Maddie felt a tug in her stomach. She had to tell her.

"Hey mom?" She called out softly, gaining her mother's attention with a wave of her hand a nod of her head. "Can I talk to you?" She glanced out of the room and back to her mother.

"Sure," Hannah nodded and with a smile, she lifted her blanket up into her arms and followed her daughter out of the room.

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Harry was quiet as he moved through the house later that night, stepping softly as he slipped from their bedroom and made his way down the stairs. It was dark out, the snow filled clouds having blanketed over the stars and the moon. He chuckled to himself as he pulled on the heavy coat he had haphazardly tossed aside when they had arrived to a warm, sunny evening. He remembered the way Maddie had laughed and assured him he would need it sooner rather than later. She had been right.

He wasn't surprised to find her outside. Even though it was cold, even though snow threatened to fall any second, it was Friday. And this had been a standing date for her for years. With a smile, he zipped up his coat and slid open the large glass doors.

"Can I join you?" He called out quietly, stepping onto the deck and closing the door behind him.

Hannah looked up with a smile and waved him over. Though she had grown accustomed to him joining her when they were together, she had thought the long travel and the late hour might have kept him inside. After her conversation with her daughter, she was happy and relieved to see him step out onto the deck that night. "I thought that you might be asleep. You had a long day...aren't you exhausted?"

"Not really," he shrugged. "Nothing I can't handle." His smile was wide as he sat in the spot next to her. "Your daughter on the other hand..." He shook his head with a chuckle. "She barely made it to the bed."

Hannah laughed along with him, remembering the way Maddie seemed to fade almost instantly when she was tired. "She's had a long day," she offered Harry a cigar.

"She's had a long year," Harry took the cigar from her fingers; reaching to the lighter on the table in front of them; his voice dipping into serious for just a moment, finding it pointless to dance around the news his wife had dropped on her.

Hannah nodded and sucked on the cigar. "She told me, you know."

"I guessed," he nodded, tossing the lighter back to the table and inhaling from his own cigar. And there they sat for a few minutes; their acknowledgments hanging in the air like the smoke they blew out into the night; heavy and very present. Hannah was the first to speak.

"Please be careful over there..." She was soft and pleading instead of demanding; gentle instead of angry. "Please don't let anything happen to you."

Harry took a full drag; in and out and then he leaned forward to ash into the tray and his eyes swung up to hers. "I'll be careful." He wasn't placating her. He meant it. "I won't let anything happen." He also didn't need to go into the details, the chances, the mechanics of it all. She was like a mother to him, all she wanted was a promise for his safe return.

"It's just..." Hannah's lips twitched up just a bit. "You're my only hope for grandchildren." He watched as a crack of a smile swept over her face.

"Is that so?" Harry chuckled lightly, his heart tugging at the mention of children crept into his forethought and Hannah continued.

"And if something happens to you...I'll never get to be a grandmother," she smiled a bit higher, happy to see he found amusement in her words. Tucking her feet up underneath her, she watched as he took another drag and exhaled.

"Well, that's not entirely true," he shrugged with the ease and lightness that usually came with him. "She's young and gorgeous and brilliant...I'm sure there would be a line of suitors eager to help you with the grandchildren predicament."

"Ah," Hannah nodded and gulped at the sudden, unexpected lump in her throat. "I see you're under the misguided notion that she would ever, ever move on." Her voice caught and Harry's face shifted. When Hannah spoke, she reminiscent and full of gravity and the entire mood on the deck was altered. "As if she would ever get married again, as if she would ever have...somebody else's children." She chuckled and tried to look away. But she couldn't, she was caught there with him and she watched as Harry blinked at the emotion that hung between them and then she took a deep breath and moved her hand to rest on his arm. "You're my only hope for grandchildren, Harry." She snuffed out her cigar and held his eyes. "And you're much too young to leave this world." Her hand slid up to his face in a sweet, gentle gesture that made him want to hug her. It made him want to cry. "Take care of yourself over there."

Harry blinked; a long heavy reflex trying to calm his nerves, trying to quiet the thoughts running through his mind about Maddie and children and a future without him in it. He gulped back the lump in his throat and his fingers moved to Hannah's that laid against his cheek. Meeting her eyes, he nodded. "I will. I promise."

And then because she had no other words to say, because she was afraid that if she tried to find words to say it might come out in nothing but sobs and pleas, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "We love you around here Your Royal Highness," her eyes danced as she spoke the words that made him pull into a chuckle. "You should know that."

"I do," he nodded, pulling her into a hug. "I love you too. Mrs. Forrester."

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Harry watched Maddie for a few minutes before he stepped inside their room. He watched from afar as his wife slept; her breathing steady and a small smile on her lips—as though she fell asleep with a wide smile that faded with every deep breath. He shut their bedroom door softly and began to shed his clothes as he walked towards their bed.

The conversation with her mother had stuck with him since they had finished their cigars and come inside, since he had told her goodnight and climbed the stairs to his room. Her words raced through his mind over and over, making him feel dizzy with it all. And now as he looked down on her, all he wanted to do was wake her up and make her promise.

To live without him.

He sighed; a heavy, weighted sound as he reached for his t-shirt and shorts and dressed for bed. When they had left Sandringham after the Christmas holiday was over, Maddie had been in a better space; a lighter space. It wasn't as though she had totally moved on from his impending deployment. It was more like she wasn't letting it control all of her thoughts. She had gone days without crying, without tearing up and it seemed as though it wasn't hanging over them as much or as heavily. And here he was, wanting to wake her up and bring it all back to the front. He brushed his teeth, washed his face and by the time he slipped into bed next to her, he knew he had to or he wasn't going to sleep.

He rolled over onto his side, wrapping his arm around her and snuggling close, he tucked her back against his chest and he closed his eyes; his body molding against hers. He felt bad waking her, but he had to.

"Maddie..." Harry's breath was soft against her shoulder, his lips right behind. His fingers pulling her hair back and away from her face as he called to her again. "Madeline..."

"Mmmm..." She moaned, rustling as she snuggled back into him and shrugged closer underneath the weight and heat of his arm. "You smell like cigars," she whispered, her lips hinting at a smile.

"I know I do..." Harry kissed her shoulder again. "Can you wake up for just a second? I need to talk to you baby..." His hand smoothed over her side, trying to rouse her awake.

"What is it Captain?" Her hands warmed over the arm he had wrapped around her and she turned just a bit, just enough so she could look up at him through her half-opened, sleepy eyes.

Harry looked down at her for a beat, his eyes dancing over her soft features; her warm eyes, her tiny nose, the soft upturn of her lips, and he smiled. "You told your mother."

"You knew I was going to tell her," her arm snaked up, winding around him and pulling him close. She could feel the tension in his neck, the stress in his shoulders. "Harry?" She opened her eyes wider, taking in his heavy eyes, his worried brow. "What happened?"

"Nothing," he shook his head, his chin rubbing against her shoulder as he moved. "She just...she mentioned something I honestly never thought to talk to you about..."

"Oh?" Maddie was waking up more and more, turning to look at him. "What's that?"

"Moving on," he sighed, watching her face for a reaction. "She told me..." He took a deep breath and held her eyes. "She told me that I was her only chance for grandchildren."

"What?" Maddie chuckled halfway; the laughter dying down as she let it settle, as she took in the look in his eyes.

"She told me that if something happened to me she couldn't imagine you ever moving on and having children and..." Maddie's expression changed, her smile slipping away completely. Her mouth opened to say something, but he held a gentle finger to her lips and he continued. "You do know that I would want you to."

"Harry," she groaned, nudging his shoulder with the heel of her hand.

"I would want you to move on and fall madly in love and have a family..." He tried to hurry ahead, seeing her protest building, but she cut him off with a huff as she moved in his arms; turning her eyes from his.

"Don't be absurd, Harry. I couldn't possibly move on to somebody else..." She sighed heavily and bit the corner of her lip. "Bishop's already married."

"Oh Madeline, really," Harry groaned, rolling away from her with a half chuckle. "Be serious for a minute." His head rested back on the pillow and his eyes lifted to the ceiling.

"I am," she sighed, turning to face him. "While I think he would be okay with having two wives, I'm not so sure Ella's prepared to share and..."

"I'm trying to have a conversation with you." His eyes found hers in the darkness; turning his head to look at her.

"And I'm trying to not," she opened her eyes wide and moved so she was facing him. Her hands went to him; holding the sides of his face as she focused on him. "I'm done with the planning Harry. I'm done with the preparations. You're leaving in a week and...if something happens to you...it happens. And it would kill me." She nodded; knowing for sure that she was speaking the truth. "But I can't...I don't want to focus on this part of it. I don't want to talk to you about me loving somebody else," she let the tears come as her anger gave way to something greater; more powerful. "I don't want to talk about...babies. Harry. Babies? If you want me to have babies then you do your job. You be careful and you get your ass back home to me." She lifted her head from the pillow, tilting her lips to his.

"Maddie..." He whispered above his emotions as she moved closer to his side, cuddling into him. "I don't want you to be left alone."

"I won't be," she kissed his t-shirt covered chest. "I am surrounded by people who love me."

"You know what I mean," his fingers pulled into her hair; stroking gently.

"I do," she nodded and nudged her way under his arm; tucking close. And then in a voice that held as many tears as her eyes did at that moment, she confessed. "I can talk about plans for houses and money and cars and...God...I can talk about plans for a funeral and a service but..." She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to his. "I can't talk about plans for loving somebody else. Okay? Please..."

"I just want you to know that I would be okay if you..."

"Okay," she cut in. "I know you would be okay. I'll...God. If something happens, I'll remember that. But I don't want to make plans for loving somebody else, for somebody else's children. I just..." She sniffed and rolled her eyes as a few tears pressed from her eyes. "If you want my mother to have grandchildren, you'll get your ass back to me. Okay?"

And because he couldn't make her cry anymore, because he couldn't stomach the way she was looking at him in that moment, because he couldn't refuse a request such as that, he nodded. Cupping her head in his palm he leaned in to kiss her.

"Okay," he whispered. "Okay."

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Harry did as she asked that night; he dropped the discussion. He had said his piece and she had said hers and he wasn't really willing to spend more time than that trying to convince his wife to love somebody else in his absence. So he let the conversation go. But that didn't mean he stopped thinking about, that didn't mean he didn't continue with the planning. He had one more conversation to have while they were in Colorado. And he was finally able to have it on their first night in the mountains with her cousins.

They had spent Day two of their trip celebrating Christmas with Hannah. They made pancakes, they hung stockings, they watched A Christmas Story over and over on DVD. They decorated the tree, they ate, and they exchanged gifts. It was warm and cozy and Maddie's heart swelled at the sight and the feeling of it all.

On Day three they had piled into the SUVs with Gary and Jenna and they waved good-bye to Hannah and Patrick and they left for the mountains. Kyle and Amy had already been there for a few days and Derek and Dena would be meeting them, they were ready to ring in the New Year with their long standing tradition; cousins, skiing, and lots of drinking. Harry had tried to convince Hannah to come with them, to take advantage of the time they had, but she had waved them off and promised she had her own New Year's plans.

So off they went.

They had arrived earlier than any of them had expected and Amy and Kyle were ready and waiting with excited smiles and opened drinks. The cousins made no haste as they mixed cocktails and slipped into this special sense of relaxation that came with this trip. They had plans that night to go out after dinner. There was a mountain pub that was having a New Year party and when Maddie lifted her eyebrows to Harry, he couldn't tell her no—not that he wanted to. The mood had been set and he was diving in head first.

But first, he had one conversation he needed to have.

He watched as Kyle went out to the deck to check the meat he was grilling in the snow. He glanced to where Maddie was going through wedding details with Amy and then, grabbing two bottles of beer, he went to join Kyle outside.

When Harry stepped out onto the deck, the chilled air slapped against his cheeks and he could see his breath push from his lungs. He slid the door closed with a click and moved further into the cold night.

"Hey man," Kyle looked up from the grill with a quick nod in Harry's direction.

"Hey," Harry nodded back, offering one of his bottles.

"Thanks," Kyle took it from him with a smile and a tip of his drink to Harry.

"Sure," Harry lifted his bottle to Kyle and glanced back towards the house to ensure their privacy. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Out here?" Kyle's eyebrows shot up in confusion as he tipped his bottle of beer to his lips.

"Yeah," Harry shrugged. "We're alone out here."

Kyle glanced towards the doors, a half smirk spreading across his lips. "Listen, if you're about to hang me over the edge to pay me back for Maddie's ankle this summer..."

"No," Harry shook his head, waving his hand dismissively. "It's nothing like that."

"Okay," Kyle put down the tongs next to the grill and turned to Harry, his eyes scanning him for some sort of hint. "Go ahead."

Harry took a deep breath, his fingertips pressing together as he let it out slowly, his eyes swinging to Kyle's and refusing to beat around the bush at this point, he hit him with it. "I'm being deployed."

Kyle flinched at Harry's words, taking a step back in shock; eyes wide in surprise. "What do you mean you're..."

"I'm flying out in a week," he continued, knowing that Kyle understood. His brother had been deployed before, he had served in a war before. They were both keenly aware of what Harry was talking about.

"Where?" His voice was soft; a breath.

"Khundu."

"Oh my God," Kyle's hands moved to his mouth. "In a week?"

"Yes," Harry nodded, watching as Maddie's cousin absorbed this news, as he took it in, made sense of the words.

"Jesus Christ," his hands scrubbed up into his hair and he looked to Harry in disbelief, in fear, in all of the scattered ways that everyone had when they had learned the news. "How long?"

"Four months." Harry paused for a moment, letting Kyle sit with it for a blink and then he continued. "Not many people know this. In fact, I can probably count on my hands how many people know other than essential military personnel."

"I won't say a word," Kyle held his hands up in surrender.

"I didn't think you would," Harry shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "But I'm not worried about that."

"What are you worried about?"

There was only one answer to that; there had only ever been one answer. "Maddie." Kyle had no words; only dark eyes and a heavy nod. "She's...worried."

"Sure."

"She's afraid and she's..." Harry took a deep breath. "We've had a lot this year. She's had a lot this year and this is just pushing her right to the edge and..." He let out a dark chuckle. "Honestly Kyle she's been doing better but I'm still worried about her. And I know she trusts you and I trust you and she'll listen to you and..." He shrugged. "Not many people speak to her the way you do. She's a Duchess now and they're afraid or reserved or... Not many people feel free enough to talk to her the way you do. Not many people will look after her like you will. Not many people are close enough to her for her to feel she can speak freely or trust them or..."

"What can I do?" Kyle cut in; all of the jokes and pranks that had passed between them having drifted away. This was serious; he could see it, he could feel it and despite all the back and forth, he loved Maddie and he loved Harry. "What do I do?"

"Just..." The lump in Harry's throat cut him off; the overwhelming need to cry flooding his thoughts for just a moment. His hand moved to his chest and he gulped; pulling it together. "Just look out for her. Call her and check in..." He ran a hand over the back of his neck. "I'll give you my brother's number and my assistant Thomas and...just check in with her and Kyle..." He grew stark serious for a moment; stepping in closer as his voice dropped with the gravity of it all. "If something happens to me you just...get on a plane. Don't listen to what she says just...get to London."

"Of course."

"Promise?"

"I swear."

The relief was evident; the way his shoulders eased, the way his face relaxed, the way the tears in his eyes seemed to manifest. Harry nodded; thankful in so many ways. "Thank you." He lifted his bottle to his lips and took a long, slow pull.

"Is there anything else I can do? For you, I mean?" Kyle asked; knowing the next four months were going to be difficult for both of them.

"You just did," Harry smiled; wide and relaxed. "You just did." And just before he could come back with a crack about retribution for the events of the summer, the glass doors slid open and the blonde love of Harry's life poked her head out.

"So..." She was grinning ear to ear, the champagne she had been drinking already taking effect. "The group inside has elected me as our spokeswoman."

"What do you need a spokeswoman for?" Harry's eyes squinted as he looked to her.

"The group would like to know..." She cleared her throat and tried to fight the smile on her face; going for as serious as she could muster. "If you were going to finish grilling that meat anytime soon or if we should just order pizza while you two bond in the cold?"

Harry laughed as Kyle's jaw tensed and the normal rivalry and punch between them returned. "Actually..." He sat his beer down on the table next to the grill. "I have something you could take back to 'the group'."

"Oh?" Maddie couldn't help the sass the bled into her voice. "I can't imagine that it's dinner."

"Nah," Kyle shook his head and reached for a ball of snow. As he tossed it in Maddie's direction, she squealed and slid the door shut; narrowly missing the snowball and the three that followed.

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"Harry..." Maddie could see her breath as she turned her face up to him as they walked. She was tucked close and warm under his arm as the group made their way to the pub where they would spend the rest of the night ringing in the New Year.

"Yes love?" He turned a smirk down to her, his arm flexing around her shoulders; tugging her closer.

"I'm freezing," she giggled softly. "And a little drunk I think."

"You think?" He raised his eyebrows and laughed; his eyes up and watching as they walked past a group of partiers trying to warm themselves by a tall outdoor heater smoking cigarettes. "How many bottles of champagne did you ladies finish before you let Kyle and I off the deck?"

Maddie snickered as she remembered the hilarious battle that had ensued, the way Harry had finally managed to get back inside. Her hand slid up inside his coat wrapping closer to the warmth of his torso and sighing. "We had a few."

"I thought so," he nodded. "Throwing caution to the wind tonight?"

"Throwing everything to the wind tonight," she sighed as they came to a stop outside the doors. "Is that okay?"

"Okay?" Harry laughed, reaching ahead of him to hold the door as Jenna and Gary stepped through. "Drunk Maddie? Giggling and laughing, trying to get me to dance and then talking dirty in my ear? Why wouldn't I be okay with that?"

"Ha!" She tossed her head back. "Dancing and talking dirty..." She patted his chest as he ushered her ahead of him. "You know me so well."

"Here we go..." Harry grinned as she moved past him through the doors. "You just keep with me all night, Doctor." His hand slipped down to pat her ass.

"You've got a deal, Captain," she turned a wink back to him and followed her cousins inside. Maddie had been here before, though it had been a long time. She loved the place; loved the way it felt spirited and fun and still managed to keep it low key. There was a band playing and steady flow of partiers. And for the most part, Maddie and Harry seemed to go by unnoticed. Either people didn't recognize them or they didn't care. Whichever it was, they had made it through the crowds to a booth towards the back of the dimly lit place. Harry had made a stop off at the bar with Derek and Kyle while Maddie had continued on with the ladies and Arthur; who blended in quite well with the locals.

When the boys returned to the corner booth with the drinks, they were well received and quick to be relieved of their load. Harry shook his head in amusement and handed his wife a drink before slipping in next to her. The party had officially and effectively begun.

Harry had been absolutely right about the course of the night. Drink after drink after drink and Maddie was just as he expected. Of course, he was right behind her; laughing right alongside her as their entire group seemed to run headstrong into party mode.

"I cannot believe you are going to ski to the fucking North Pole," Amy shook her head at Maddie; her cheeks pink from the warmth in the pub, from the alcohol in her system.

"Believe it," Maddie nodded, tipping a bottle to her lips and setting it back on the table with confidence.

"God, you must be training your ass off," Dena guessed.

"I am," Maddie nodded. "My trainer is ex-army and he's....seriously. I think he has something against Americans because he is fucking mean."

"Ha!" Harry laughed, pressing the back of his hand to his lips to keep from spitting beer. "That's not true."

"He doesn't hate Americans?" Jenna giggled. "Or he's not mean?"

"Neither," Harry pointed to her with a grin. "And you're not an American." He turned to his wife.

"Well, I'm not anymore," she nodded. "But he is mean."

"He makes her run," Harry offered with a dry voice and lifted eyebrows and Maddie's cousins couldn't help the laughter that came.

"You're running?!" Kyle held his hand to his chest.

"Ugh," Maddie groaned. "Yes. I'm running. It's ridiculous. I run once a day. Sometimes twice..." She caught Harry's amusement from the corner of her eye and nudged him with her elbow. "And this one thinks it's hilarious; bought me sweat bands for Christmas."

"Hahahahahah," Kyle clutched at his stomach as his laugh took him over. "Shit. That's great."

"They are very nice sweat bands," Harry smirked.

"Please," Maddie rolled her eyes, unable to keep her own smile at bay.

"You should have worn them tonight," he wrapped an arm around the back of the booth behind her.

"Shit..." Kyle wiped at his eyes and looked to his brother. "Derek, remind me tomorrow to get online and look for pictures of Maddie running. Somebody must have documented that at least once, right?" He looked to Harry who nodded and took a drink. "Fantastic. I'll have to print those babies up and keep them for future use."

"I hate you," Maddie's eyes narrowed across the table at him, though her smile widened.

"Hate me enough to come dance with me?" He nodded towards the dance floor. "You don't mind do you?" He looked to Harry.

"He's not my keeper," Maddie spoke up as Harry shrugged.

"No man. They're your toes."

"Hey!" Her hand slapped against his thigh as she pushed him lightly. "Would you excuse me? I'm leaving you for a braver man."

"Who's also your cousin," Harry laughed as he moved to let her out. "Maybe you are still an American."

"Hey!" The rest of the table called out, tossing napkins and groans his way.

"Sorry, sorry," he held his hands up in surrender. "I sometimes forget the company I keep. My apologies. Let's get back to the part where Maddie's running."

"Ha!" Jenna snorted into her drink, bringing more laughter from around the table. "Sorry! I just can't..." She snorted again.

And the laughter continued.

Before the song was over, before Kyle could bring Maddie back to the table, Harry drained his drink and stepped from the booth, telling the others he was going after his wife. Though he loved to tease her about her dancing, loved to crack jokes about steel toed boots, in truth there was nothing he loved more than holding her close, than feeling her body pressed to his. So he shrugged off the giggles and the 'awwwws' that followed him and he moved through the dancing people; finding them just as the song came to an end.

When Maddie saw his mess of red hair and his wide smile, she had forgotten about their exchange of words at the table and was only happy to see him. Kissing Kyle's cheek, she watched her cousin leave to find his own date and she turned into the arms of her husband.

"Feeling brave tonight, Captain?" She turned bright eyes up to him as he tugged her close and began to sway to the music.

"I figure the sooner we get to the dancing, the sooner we get to the dirty talk," he winked down at her and she laughed.

"Well you're in luck tonight..." She leaned in closer, her hand smoothing over his tight stomach, around to his strong back—her other gracing over his chest towards his shoulder. "Because there's some dirty talk headed your way right now."

"Is that right?" Harry hand slid a little lower towards her ass, his head dipping closer to hers.

"Mmm..." She nodded, biting her lower lip as they continued to move to the music. "Seriously Harry, I will say this about all the preparing you've been doing..." She blinked as she referenced his upcoming deployment, refusing to get stuck there. "Your body is...Jesus. I'm not sure it's fair."

"Ha!" He chuckled. "It's not fair?" He didn't even know what to say to that, his laughter pushing through any thoughts.

"I feel like it's selfish of me to keep this for myself," she sighed into him. "Like maybe I should be sharing this with the rest of the world."

"Sharing?" His face twisted up. "Okay. You've had way too much to drink because you've never been one for sharing."

"Not you, silly," she waved her hand and slid her arms up around his neck. "Just maybe...pictures or something."

"Wonderful," Harry shook his head, tightening his hold on her. "My wife wants to sell pictures of me. Tell me love, when did you start working for The Sun?"

"Shoosh..." Maddie shook her head and leaned up to kiss him. "I would do no such thing..." She kissed him again. "I just...I don't know..." She sighed again and lifted her eyes to his; a slight smolder taking over her mood, her expression. "I get to press this body against mine whenever I want..."

"Well," Harry's voice dropped low. "Not whenever...there are those times when we're in church or..."

"Or the stables?" Maddie cut in, bringing his quick wit to a stall. His breath sucked in as his lips twisted up.

"Wow..." He breathed, his eyes taking on the same wicked, smug, pleased look on his lips. "You liked the stables?"

"I loved the stables," she corrected nearly before he had finished his question. "I also loved the night after The Golden Bee, when you had been carrying my black lace around in your pocket..."

"Jesus," Harry adjusted against her, his entire body remembering that night.

"Harry..." Maddie looked up to him with a flash of innocence that told him that whatever was about to come out of her mouth was far from innocent.

"Madeline," he warned only slightly. "Please don't tell me you're about to hand me your panties."

"What makes you think I'm wearing any?" She lifted her eyebrows and watched as Harry let that sit for a moment. Her lips twitched up higher and she continued. "Do you remember our honeymoon?"

"Yes," he whispered, completely caught up in her, in this moment; her voice, her eyes, the way her body moved against his.

"When you handcuffed me to that chair and..." His lips caught hers then; hot and insistent against her mouth. He remembered. Fuck, he remembered.

"Ohhh..." She smiled against his lips, moaned into his mouth. "You liked that night too?"

"I loved that night," his voice was gruff as he pulled back from her. "And you have to stop talking like this."

Maddie shook her head, her smile teasing him. "What about that night you took me in the bathroom of that pub..."

"That hasn't happened between us Madeline."

"Yet," she stopped moving and cocked her head to the side, her eyes flashing towards the back of the pub. "That hasn't happened between us...yet."

"Madeline Forrester," his eyes grew dark, his voice serious.

"It's Sussex now," she reminded him without blinking.

"It is," he nodded, dropping his lips to her jaw just next to her ear. "You can tease me all you want, love. I'm not going to take you in the bathroom of this bar."

"Booo..." Her lips turned down slightly; her eyes dancing. "Is it because you're worried I'll sell my story to The Sun?"

"Ha!" Harry's head tossed back. "Not at all." His smile shifted to sweet and he shrugged. "I didn't bring...anything...with me."

"Ah," Maddie caught on, her smile softening. "Maybe later then?"

"Definitely later," he promised with a kiss to her lips. "Now come. Let's get you another drink."

"Another drink," she grinned wide. "Big fan of drunk Maddie, I see."

"It's the snoring that comes when you pass out," Harry joked and turned her towards the booth; walking behind her as they moved off the dance floor and back to their seats. Amy and Kyle were out dancing while Gary, Jenna, Dena and Derek held conversation.

"So Maddie," Derek leaned his elbows on the table, looking across it to Maddie as they slid in and found their drinks.

"So Derek..." She stopped when she reached the corner; tucking in close to Harry in their own little section of the booth.

"When you go to the North Pole, will somebody be going with you?"

"Somebody?" Her forehead crinkled as she took a drink.

"Arthur?" Derek nodded to the table where their officers were stationed; relatively relaxed as they kept an eye open.

"Ah," Maddie nodded and sat her drink down. "He will be coming with me."

"Short straw?" Gary asked.

"Nah," Maddie nodded. "They asked if anyone wanted to volunteer. He did."

"Arthur has a soft spot for Maddie," Harry offered with a smile that spoke of thanks and gratefulness. He had been pleased and touched when he was told about Arthur's intent on going with her. Though all of her PO's were fantastic and took their jobs very seriously, he knew Arthur was particularly loyal to his wife. And that made him happy.

"Got it." Derek nodded and turned to Harry. "What about you? Is it going to be odd for you to wait in London while she's up there?"

Harry blinked, looking down into his drink before he could respond; his eyes swinging to Maddie's with a soft smile. "Sure," he shrugged. "I mean...I'm terribly proud of her. It's going to be a big thing she's doing. I think I'll just...I'll miss her is all."

Maddie's eyes swung to his and she smiled a smile full of so much more than she was willing to share with everyone else in the booth. Her hand slid to his thigh under the table and she gave him a light squeeze. "I'll miss you too." When he leaned in to kiss her, the only thing he really could do at that point, he was answered with groans and laughter from around them.

"Alright, alright," he rolled his eyes as he turned back to them, sitting back and wrapping an arm around Maddie whose hand still rested on his leg. "What was going on over here before we came back?"

"Actually," Gary finished his drink. We were going to head back the shuffle board table," he nodded to the far side of the room. "You two want to come?"

"Nah," Maddie shook her head; relaxed and comfortable. "I think I'm going to stay put."

"Harry?" Gary looked to him.

"No thank you," he smiled. "I'm sticking with Maddie tonight."

"Seems smart," Derek winked and chuckled as the four of them slid from their seats; leaving Harry and Maddie tucked into the corner of the large booth, in the back corner of the dark bar. Nearly alone in their corner of the world.

Maddie leaned into Harry's side, cozying up to him as they kicked back and tucked into each other. They worked on their drinks and watched people as they went about their partying, as they went about their celebrations.

"It's like they don't even know we're here," Maddie commented, her hand sliding along his thigh. "Like we're back in a corner that nobody can see."

"Hmm," Harry smiled; warm and content as his arm squeezed her shoulders. He looked down to her then, catching a look on her face as he swallowed back the end of his beer. "What's on your mind?" He sat the empty bottle back on the table and reached for a new one, sliding it closer to him.

"You," she answered without missing a beat; her eyes turning up to his as she leaned in. "I was just wondering..." Her fingers tightened on his thigh as her voice dropped. "If you had a favorite...time?"

"Time?" He lifted his eyebrows and caught her eyes. His chuckle, deep and humored, rumbled in his chest. "Ah," he nodded and tipped back his bottle. "You really think that I'm able to sort through all of the times we've been together and pick a favorite?"

"I think that maybe a few could come to mind," she nudged him lightly. "Like maybe that time in my office at St. Joe's, when you came for that Christmas party."

"Up against your door?" He lifted his eyebrows, his cheeks flushing the tiniest bit as his smile tugged higher.

"Mmm..." Maddie nodded, her lashes fluttering slightly as she remembered. "You do like to take me against the door, don't you Captain."

"Maddie..." He shook his head, a knowing look flashing in his eyes.

"Remember that time we flew to Australia for Sean and Kiki's wedding and we were back in the cabin and you teased me mercilessly?" Her hand began to stroke at his thigh as she remembered. "Made me tell you exactly what I..."

"Madeline," he cleared his throat, adjusting in his seat as his eyes flashed out and around them.

"I loved those times," she bit at her bottom lip, her fingers dancing higher on his leg. "Are you telling me that not one time comes to mind? Not one single incident that sticks out over the others? Not even..."

"Buckingham Palace," he whispered, turning his eyes and his attention back to her. "Just after the interview when you locked the door and persuaded me to..."

"Me!" She gasped, laughter passing between them. "That was all you!"

"Or when we went to see the Northern Lights and you told me..." He sucked in a breath and tipped his lips to her ear. His words were hot against her skin as he whispered. "You told me to fuck you."

"Oh..." She couldn't help the moan that escaped her mouth, her lips curling higher; her body warming.

"And then..." His smile grew soft. "The first time after you we threw away your pills."

"Harry," she tilted her head to the side. "That's..."

"Sentimental," he sighed. "I know. But it was..."

"It was," she agreed, allowing a moment of sweetness to pass between them before she tuned a bit; angling herself closer to him. "Do you remember..." She looked coy, smug; adorable as she leaned in. "When we were on the boat in the Maldives and it was like we were...all alone out in the open..." She held his eyes and bit her lip as her hands slid over him; one up his thigh, one down his chest—both headed right towards the place where all his blood seemed to be rushing with this topic of conversation.

"Madeline," he breathed; watching her closely but making no move to stop her.

"And you had to keep your eyes up, keep a normal look on your face..." She found him then, hard and stiff beneath the fabric of his jeans, and her face brightened. "While I..." She wrapped her fingers around the bulge in his pants and stroked down his length. "Enjoyed myself."

Harry let out a breath and watched her eyes, not daring to glance down at what she was doing underneath the table of their booth. She would always have the ability to light his senses on fire and he loved that she pushed limits like this; even when he knew nothing could come of it.

"Do you remember?" She whispered again; her fingers tightening just a bit.

"Jesus," Harry groaned, the look on his face washing hazy for a moment.

"Harry?"

"Of course I fucking remember," his voice was rough as she moved over him.

Maddie tilted her lips to kiss him, just under his jaw, the scruff of his facial hair rough on her lips. "You smell amazing..." She spoke against his skin. "And you feel..." She sighed, her fingers stretching out over him.

"Maddie..." He groaned, his head tipping back against the back of the booth, his mind at war with his body.

"You're so incredibly sexy, Harry..." She grinned at his reaction, watching his fingers twitch as he debated his next move. She loved that she could read him enough to see the struggle; how much he loved what she was doing with her hand and how much he knew he needed to stop her. "I don't know if I tell you that enough...just how often I want to..."

Harry moved then; his hand lifting to her face, tugging her chin towards him so he could kiss her. His mouth was hot over hers; his tongue insistent as it slipped between their lips and stroked into her mouth, much the way she was now stroking against him. He felt her moan into his mouth; felt it deep down in the pit of his stomach and despite the way his mind was trying to reel him back in, every single part of him wanted to move this to the next level.

"The time at Highgrove," he spoke against her lips in a muffled voice. "After our first date, on my desk..."

"Oh..." Maddie sighed, the image flooding her memory.

"The night you came back to me..." He pulled his lips from hers, moving to kiss her jaw as his hand slid down her arm.

"Came back to you?" Her head titled back as he kissed into her neck.

"When you chose London over Bendal." He moved back up to her lips.

"I chose you over Bendal," she pulled his face so that she could see his eyes.

"I know," he grinned. "And that night...was amazing." He kissed her again; more firm, more solid. His fingers slid to her wrist, wrapping firmly and holding her to him. "My favorite time?" He chuckled and pulled back, keeping her close to him. "The time after the photos when I realized I was going to marry you. The time we finished what we started in that greenhouse. The time after you came back from the earthquake, the time I came home from Afghanistan...Maddie. The time between our wedding and our reception, when you were my wife..."

"You're such a romantic," she nudged his nose with hers, her fingers letting up on the madness she was stroking against him under the table.

"The time in the bathtub this summer," he grinned, a wicked gleam flashing in his eyes. "The time on my kitchen counter after you moved in..." He pulled her hand away from his body then, knowing that if she kept going he was going to end up in an incredibly precarious and potentially embarrassing position.

"Mmmm..." Maddie bit back a moan as he kissed her again.

"And damn it if I didn't love that time in the stables," he chuckled at the pleased look in her eyes. His fingers released her wrist and moved to her thigh making no haste as he slid up the inside of her stretch pants, up under her oversized sweater, right to her hot center. Maddie's eyes snapped to his and her body arched against him. "Don't make me pick a favorite, love." He stroked her quick and steady and then he pulled his fingers away, his lips pressing into hers. "I'm not sure that's fair. And..." He took a deep breath. "If we keep talking like this, we're going to have to leave. I'm going to have to have you. And we're going to miss the New Year."

"What if I'm okay with all of those things?" She turned wide eyes up to him, her last effort to pull him in that direction; though she already knew the answer.

Harry shook his head and let a groan pull from his lungs. "Sometimes I don't know what to do with you."

"Now we both know that's not true," she winked at him then, allowing him to kiss her once more before he reached for her drink; holding it to her as he reached for his.

"We have twenty minutes till the New Year love, think you'll make it?"

"It's incredibly doubtful," she joked, taking the drink from him and relaxing into his side. "But I suppose I'll give it a shot."

"You're a good woman," he nodded with a laugh and tipped his bottle to his lips; adjusting in his seat with a groan as he pushed back all of the dirty thoughts that she had drawn to the surface.

"Twenty minutes?" Maddie snickered, seeing the look of want on his face.

"Twenty minutes," Harry nodded; nearly certain he could make it.

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

The buzz of his phone drew Harry from a deep, heavy sleep. They had partied late into the night; ringing in the New Year with Maddie's cousins and a slew of other partiers who had crowded the pub at midnight. He had wrapped his arms tight around her and kissed her wild with promise for the rest of the night.

They had finally come home and, after falling into bed in a mess of giggles and clothing being tugged in every which direction, he had added another time to his list of favorites. And then they had drifted off to sleep; wrapped up in each other.

His phone buzzed out again, bringing a groan from the sleeping blonde next to him as he chuckled and reached for the nightstand. It was later than it felt and he was actually a little surprised one of Maddie's cousins hadn't come bounding in demanding a trip to the slopes. Maybe they had partied just as hard as his wife had. Bringing his phone into bed with him, he squinted at the screen.

"Who is it?" Maddie turned over to face him, her hands running over her face; pushing into her wild strands of hair.

"Bishop," Harry yawned, swiping his finger across the screen to open the text message.

"My God," Maddie laughed, pressing her face into his side, nuzzling up under his arm so she could lay on his chest. "Can he not make it one week without you?"

"Apparently not," Harry laughed and hugged her close. "He sent a link to something..." He tapped the blue underlines in the message and let out another yawn; his eyes scrunching closed as he did. And when he opened them, when his head tipped back to look at the screen, his heart thumped in his chest. "Holy shit."

"What?" Maddie watched as Harry rubbed his eyes and sat up; his arm moving out from around her. "What is it?"

"It's..." Harry wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or scream or break something. "I..." He shook his head as he scrolled through a post online that held a series of photos; every one of them making his eyes wider, his shoulders tighter.

"Harry?" Maddie tugged at his arm.

"It's..." He turned to look down at her. "It's you."

"Me?" She scrunched her face up.

"And me," he sighed and held his phone out to her. "In a booth that...apparently wasn't quite as hidden as you thought it was."

"What are you..." She took the phone from him and sat up and as though all of the words had fallen from her conscience, her mouth hung open and her eyes went wide. There on his phone, in a link Bishop had sent to Harry, were pictures—grainy and dark but clear enough—of Maddie and Harry tucked into the corner booth at the pub the night before.

They were snuggled together. They were alone. And her hand was clearly groping...

"The Royal Jewels?!" Maddie gasped as she read the headline, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my God! Harry!" She scrolled through the photos, each one more telling than the other; gasping and groaning as she did. "Somebody took these!"

"It would appear so, yes."

"And they sold them to..." She got to the last one; Harry's head tipped back against the back of the booth, her lips in his neck and her hand clearly stroking against him. "Oh my God...." She groaned. "This is going to be all over the place."

"Going to be?" Harry lifted his eyebrows and took the phone back. He scanned the article, reading through the handful of sentences quickly. "Look at this..." He found a quote. "The young party-goer was certain she was catching wild Prince Harry up to old antics and was surprised to find that the groper in question was in fact his wife, Doctor Madeline Forrester."

"I wish they would get my name right," Maddie rolled her eyes, falling back onto the pillow with a huff.

"I wish they would stop being surprised that I'm making out with my WIFE." It irritated him that there were people who were constantly waiting for him to step out.

"This is so..." Maddie sighed and looked up to him. "Are we going to be in trouble over this?"

"Trouble?" He thought about it for a moment, sliding his phone to the nightstand with a shrug. "Not really. I mean...it's not ideal but...you're my wife and your hand's not actually in my pants. So we have that going for us."

"You know," Maddie turned to watch him as he laid back down next to her. "If people ever want us to have those babies they keep demanding in the papers, they are going to have to get a little more comfortable with the idea of me touching your...jewels."

"Ha," Harry laughed; small and a bit bitter.

"You know..." Maddie moved next to him; knowing that they would soon be having a conversation with Thomas, with Charles. "I'm not sure what bothers me more, knowing Bishop has seen these or knowing that eventually my mother will."

"Oh God," Harry groaned, pressing his fingers to his forehead. Before he could offer up the sheer mortification he felt at knowing Hannah was going to see them, there was a knock on the door. "Yeah?" Harry called out.

"It's me," Kyle's voice called in. "Can I step in for a second?"

"Sure," Maddie answered; noting they were both dressed and presentable. Kyle stepped in and turned to look at them. And then with a stone cold expression he crossed his arms over his chest and looked to his cousin.

"So...the group has elected me their spokesman."

"Spokesman?" Maddie asked cautiously.

"Mmm," he nodded. "You see I got online this morning, looking for photos of you running to tease you with, and instead I was greeted with...you know...The Royal Junk."

"Get out." Maddie called out as Harry snickered in bed next to her.

"Or was it The Royal Jewels?" Kyle's eyes squinted.

"Get out!" She pointed towards the door, her face serious despite Harry's laughter next to her.

"And we...the group...were wondering...is that something that is always going on with you two? Like when you're in that carriage or on the balcony or is that hands-all-over-each-other thing something that only happens in Colorado?"

"I said Get Out!" Maddie reached for a pillow and hurled at him; even though her own face was cracking, her own smile pushing out. Kyle dodged the pillow and slipped out the door, amidst wild laughter from the other side. Maddie turned to look at Harry who smiled up at her from his pillow. "I'm never going to live this down, am I?"

"No," he shook his head. "I'm sorry love but no..." His phone buzzed out from the nightstand and he reached for it. "Oh look. It's my father. You want to tell him that line about grandchildren? Or should I handle this?" His lips curled up as he tossed her a wink and answered the phone.

And Maddie sank back into her pillow with a sigh. She was irritated somebody had taken photos, even more so that they had sold them to be printed. But as she looked up at Harry, smiling as he dealt with his father, she had absolutely no regret; not when it came to this man beside her. She would take the fun making that would come with this, she would handle it all with ease and aplomb because after all, at the end of the day—she was waking up with him.

And that was something she planned on doing for the rest of her life.