The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 147

Day 91

"Madeline..." His voice was like gold over the phone, drawing warmth to her heart and a smile to her face even in the wee hours of the morning, even when he interrupted her deep sleep.

"Captain," she mumbled as she rolled over in their bed, her eyes closing as she nuzzled into her pillow, the phone pressed tight to her ear.

"How are you love? You doing okay?"

"I am," she nodded. "Are you? Still have all ten fingers? All ten toes?"

"Of course," he chuckled at the casualness of their conversation. "Hot day today."

"Boo..." She groaned, pulling the blankets tighter. "It's freezing here; been raining for days."

"Merry ol' London," she could almost see the smirk on his face as he joked. "Tell me about home. Tell me what you've been up to."

"Mmmm..." She rolled over again, her eyes opening as she looked up to the ceiling. "I had dinner with your father and Camilla last week."

"Where did you go?"

"Clarence," she smiled as she remembered. "They had just returned from their four day tour in Germany and had some great stories to tell."

"I would imagine."

"I went to lunch and shopping with Kate this weekend..." She yawned. "It was exactly what I needed. And I bought you a shirt."

"Very thoughtful," he laughed lightly.

"And then..." She smiled wide. "Then I spent the night cuddled up with another man."

"Is that so?" He cleared his throat. "Tell me about this new man in your life. Do I know him? Should I be threatened?"

"You do and you should," she giggled. "He's short and chubby and he drools more than most but his laugh is the absolute best and he is most assuredly my favorite member of the Royal Family."

"You spent the night with Arthur."

"I did," she sighed, the joy abundantly clear to even Harry who was miles and worlds away.

"Was it amazing?" He was jealous; of so many things about that moment.

"It was," she groaned happily. "He was up a bit throughout the night but he's so happy and so adorable and he just let me hold him and cuddle him and kiss those chubby cheeks whenever I wanted..." She sucked in a breath. "It was magnificent."

"It sounds like it..." His voice was wistful as though his mind were far off. And it was; far off in the future in a time and place where they had one of their own; when Maddie was talking about the chubby cheeks of their child. He had to take a breath and clear his throat, had to move his mind away. "Speaking of chubby little babies...has Baby Bishop made an appearance yet?"

"No!" Maddie shook her head, biting back the grin that tried to move onto her face. "Jesus. Ella's due date was two days ago and she's just..."

"Miserable?" Harry offered.

"Yes!" Maddie chuckled. "Poor thing. They are trying everything to get that baby out but he's stubborn."

"Just like his mother," Harry laughed.

"Exactly." Maddie echoed his amusement. "If she doesn't have him within the next few days I would imagine they will induce her. She wants to avoid that but really...how big can they let a baby get?"

"I don't know."

"Me neither..." She sighed as her laughter died down and she sat in their quiet, peaceful room for a moment before she continued. "I miss you Harry. I hate sleeping in this bed alone."

Harry had to swallow before he could speak. "I hate you sleeping in that bed alone too. And I swear to you, there's nothing I'm looking forward to more than correcting that. Just as soon as I can."

Day 93

"So wait..." Maddie stopped on the paved path through the park and turned to her best friend. "The doctor thinks they got the due date wrong?"

"Ugh," Ella groaned, her hands rubbing mindlessly at her belly. "I want you to know that the only reason I'm not calling him all sorts of names is because I am pretty sure this baby hears every word I say and I cannot have him coming out with a mouth like mine."

Maddie's lips turned up in a laugh that faded just as soon as Ella's eyes narrowed. She was now four days passed her original due date with zero movement. She had gone to the doctor that morning and when she had called Maddie ready to burst, Maddie had suggested they walk through the park. Maybe it would help the baby along and even if it didn't, it would surely help with the stress and steam that was coming from Ella's ears.

Maddie cleared her throat and continued walking. "So. If they were wrong, then when do they think the due date is?"

"They don't fucking know!" Ella threw her hands up in the air as Maddie's eyes flashed wide.

"Shhh!!!" Maddie giggled as she moved her hands over Ella's stomach. "The baby can hear you!"

"Well if that's the case..." Ella looked down at her stomach and spoke in a stern tone. "Ian James Bishop the Fourth, this is your mother. Your enormous, tired, grouchy mother. If you know what's best for you then you will come on out of there as soon as possible. Now would be good, actually."

Maddie waited with baited breath for a beat before she arched an eyebrow and smirked. "Did it work? Is he coming?"

Ella groaned and pushed at Maddie's shoulder. "No. Turns out Ian James Bishop the Fourth listens to me just about as well as Ian James Bishop the Third."

Day 94

"Okay Thomas," Maddie took in a deep breath as she sat down in her office for the first time in a while, across from the smiling older gentleman. "What do we have?"

Sitting tall in his chair, he slid her leather folio across the table to her. "In nine days you leave for the North Pole."

"Nine days," Maddie's eyes went wide as she looked up to him, her fingers falling still on the portfolio. "Wow...that came fast."

"Yes Ma'am," he smiled with a small nod. "All of the logistics are worked out for your departure and your return; security, travel, lodging at the base before you leave and then for a few nights when you all return from the pole."

"Thank you," she smiled, her mind racing as she thought of all she still had to do before she left, as she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that she was finally leaving for this trip that had occupied so much of her time, so much of her energy. "Do I have anything between now and then?"

"No ma'am," he shook his head. "Just that morning. There will be crowds and press there to see you all off. There will be a few photo calls but no speeches for you."

"I can do that," she smiled sweetly. "Any notes for when I return?"

"No," he shook his head. "We've cleared your schedule for a few weeks after the Dukes' return."

"Well now look at that," Maddie grinned as she met his eyes. "That's incredibly sweet of you."

"Yes well," he shook his head, trying to shake it off. "Oh. One more thing. The Well Child Awards."

"Yes?" Maddie's mind slipped back to business mode.

"As usual I have sent in yours and the Duke's commitment to attending."

"Of course," she nodded, knowing it was one of Harry's absolute favorite events.

"They contacted my office yesterday to let me know they had to move up the event to the first weekend in June. The seventh to be exact."

"Our anniversary!" Maddie smiled excitedly, stunned to realize just how close a year was approaching them. "Can you tell me why they made the change?" Maddie didn't care; they were going regardless but she was curious.

"One of this years' recipients has to begin treatments in July and they don't know that she'll be well enough for the event in September. Is the change in date okay?"

"Of course," Maddie shook her head quickly. "Of course it is. We wouldn't miss it. Would you get the girls name though and remind me to have flowers sent when her treatments begin?"

"Yes Ma'am," he made a quick note and closed his notebook, looking back up to her with a smile. "That's all we have Ma'am."

"Well good then," Maddie returned his smile and sat back in her chair. "Nine days?" Her stomach was starting to feel fluttery with anticipation.

"Nine days."

"Wow..."

Day 97

"I cannot believe that in a week you're going to the North Pole." Maddie could hear Collins' laughter from Paris over the phone lines. It had been a few weeks since they had spoken and she was enjoying the levity in his voice tonight.

"Believe it," Maddie laughed. "Well believe that in a week I'll be on my way."

"Fair enough." Collins acquiesced. "Are you excited?"

"Nervous," she admitted with a small shrug. "And excited. A lot of things are coming to a head right now. The trek, Harry's deployment is almost over, Ella's going to have a baby..."

"Are we sure about that?" His laughter resounded over the phone and there was a tug at Maddie's heart again—so happy to hear him laughing.

"Ha!" She laughed with him. "Don't let her hear you say that, poor thing. She is so tired of being pregnant."

"Women are warriors, Doc. Each and every one of you."

"Awww," her head tipped to the side. "Always a way with the words Collins."

"Always," he chuckled. "I should call her, check in...see if she wants be to try to work some Native Bendal magic."

"She would love to hear from you," Maddie agreed quickly. "And I bet she'd give anything you asked if you could bring that little boy out of there."

"Lovely," Collins snickered. "Speaking of little boys...I told the one on this end that you and Harry were coming in the summer and he nearly fell over himself dancing with joy."

"Oh God," Maddie groaned happily. "I love him so much."

"He loves you too," Collins' laughter faded a bit. "I do too, you know."

"I do know," Maddie nodded, her emotions welling in her throat.

"Please be careful on the ice, Doc." She could hear the concern, the worry.

"I swear to you Collins, I swear to you...not one wrong step," she promised him just as she had promised many others.

"Good," his voice was hoarse as his mind flashed over all the loss and near loss that had happened to the lot of them. "Good."

Day 98

When the phone rang out into her dark bedroom in the early hours of Day 98, Maddie smiled to herself as she reached for the phone. She had hoped Harry would call that night. She was getting so close to leaving and she wouldn't be able to speak to him while in the Arctic and she needed to hear his voice.

"Mmm..." She moaned into the phone. "Good Morning Captain."

"Nope," Bishop's voice answered, a chuckle falling from his mouth in the next breath. "Though it's good to know you two keep it going even when he's at war."

"Lovely," Maddie groaned, sitting up in bed. "Why in the hell are you calling me in the middle of the night?"

"Well...Aunt Maddie..."

"Aunt Maddie!" She interrupted with a gasp; her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my GOD! Bishop! She's in labor?!"

"She is," his laughter faded into softness. "We just checked into the hospital, the contractions are coming every five minutes or so and from all reports...I'm going to be a father before the end of the day."

When Bishop choked on his words, Maddie felt tears spring to her eyes.

"I'm on my way."

"You know it will be a while and..."

"Does she want me there?" Maddie cut in.

"Of course she does."

"And you? You want me to stay away?"

"Don't be ridiculous." He was quick and firm with his rebuttal.

"Then I'm on my way."

In one second she had ended the call and in two she was pulling back the covers and hurrying from her bed, gathering clothes as she went.

It was a big night; a very big night.

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Maddie would never fail to find it amusing how that night, after Ella had waited and waited; past the original due date, past the second due date...she would never fail to find it amusing at just how quickly Ian James Bishop the Fourth made his appearance.

After all of that waiting, after all of the stubbornness, from the first contraction to the screaming baby boy, it was no more than four hours. It was amazing, hilarious, and nearly unheard of but Maddie couldn't imagine that the unplanned child of Bishop and Ella would make his debut in any other way. She had spent nearly no time at all in the waiting room before Bishop came to tell her the news in that loud exuberant voice of his, before she was pulled into the hospital room to hug her best friend with tear-filled eyes, before she could gaze at the sweet little face of the newest member of their circle.

"Ian James Bishop the Fourth..." Maddie's voice was low and soft and slow as she stared down at the quiet, beautiful little baby in her hands. "Are you going to call him Ian?" Her eyes lifted to look at the new parents; blissful and exhausted.

"Naw," Bishop shook his head, his hands never leaving Ella; his heart now forever and prominently worn on his sleeve. "My father is Ian."

"I think we're going to call him Buckie," Ella smiled down at her son.

"Buckie?" Maddie looked from her best friend to the baby and back again. "Why Buckie?"

"Because..." Ella took a breath. "We made him at Buckingham Palace."

Maddie's eyes blinked and it took everything in her not to fall over laughing. Her teeth bit at her bottom lip, her eyes welling up. "Oh my God..." She looked to Bishop who shared a similar expression. "I can't. I just...Oh wow..." She took in a deep breath, her eyes turning down to the baby. "It's really too bad your Uncle Harry isn't here to hear that little man."

And then it happened, she thought of him. The one who wasn't there, the one whose presence would complete their foursome. With teary eyes and swelling heart, she took a breath and remembered what Harry had asked her to do. "Can I..." Maddie swallowed against the emotions that were so strong, so heavy as she looked down at the sleeping little newborn. She tore her eyes away from his chubby little cheeks and looked up to the two new parents. "Can I borrow Bishop for just a moment?"

"Me?" He looked up with surprise.

"I..." Her smile was warm as she looked from dad to mom. "Yes. Harry..." Her words tripped over her tongue but she swallowed and blinked. "Harry asked me to do something...with you..." She nodded her head to him. "On the day you became a father."

Maddie wasn't sure who had more tears in their eyes; herself or Bishop or Ella who was emotionally spent and deliriously happy.

"Go..." Ella nudged her husband. "Do what you should be doing with Harry..." Her hand slid down his arm to squeeze his fingers and then she turned a soft smile to Maddie. "Go ahead."

"I love you Momma," Maddie leaned to kiss Ella's cheek.

"I love you too," Ella was so much more relaxed, so much more at ease than she had been for months, so relieved that he was finally there with them.

"What do you say Bishop?" Maddie smiled up at him. "Join me in a little brotherly bonding?"

"Of course," he nodded. Leaning to kiss Ella, he lingered for a moment before turning the same love and attention to his new son and then he followed Maddie through the door. It had been mere hours since he had become a father and he already felt as though he were leaving half of himself behind.

But he followed the Duchess; through the corridor, out into the stairwell and straight up to the rooftop.

"We can be up here?" He looked around at the night sky, at the buildings around them and Maddie chuckled softly.

"Let me tell you a little secret Bishop..." She took a deep breath as they walked further out onto the roof. "Sometimes people just...let me do what I want."

"Ha!" He laughed out into the night. "Fair enough. So tell me...Duchess..." He spun around to face her. "What is this task my dear friend has sent you to complete in his place?"

Maddie held onto the smile, held onto the tears that pricked at her eyes and she reached into her handbag and pulled out the two cigars Harry had shown her the night they had made all of the plans for his deployment. "These."

"Are those cigars?" Bishop moved closer, his eyes narrowing as he reached out and took one from her fingers.

"They are," she nodded.

"They're amazing cigars..." Bishop's voice was nearly reverent as he inhaled the scent.

"They are," Maddie agreed; reaching into her bag to pull out the necessary tools; a cutter, a lighter. Handing them over to Bishop, he prepared first hers and then his and before long they were puffing away at their cigars there on the roof of the hospital. After a few, slow drags, Maddie nudged him with her shoulder. "He's a beautiful baby boy."

The grin on Bishop's face rivaled the brightness of any of the stars in the sky as he nodded his head. "I know," he chuckled as he looked to her. "But look at his parents, that's no surprise."

Maddie laughed as she puffed out a cloud of smoke. "Fair enough." She took another drag and smiled at him. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," he nodded and looked down to the cigar in his fingers. "And thank you for this."

"You're welcome." Her smile was soft. "He said it was important that we do it tonight."

"It is," Bishop agreed; his eyes glossing over as he thought of his best friend, of all the pacts they had made, all of the deals and agreements.

"And I know he feels terrible for missing it himself."

"Me too," Bishop agreed.

"I'm sorry that it has to be me," she turned apologetic eyes to him. "I mean...clearly I'm not an adequate substitute for Harry but..."

"Stop," Bishop shook his head, swallowing back the emotion that bubbled up. "You're an amazing substitute for Harry and this is how it was supposed to be."

"Yeah?" She lifted her eyebrows.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Well...maybe this and some Scotch."

"Oh!" Maddie exclaimed as she opened her bag again, pulling out her flask. "I brought a little something."

"See! Look at that!" Bishop's eye danced as he took the flask she offered. Unscrewing the lid, he tipped his head back for a drink. And tipped it immediately back up. "What the hell is this?"

"Champagne," Maddie laughed at the look on his face. "It's not Scotch but it's good stuff."

"I cannot believe you're running around with a flask of champagne in your bag," he shook his head but took another drink before he handed it back to her. "Who does that?"

Maddie took the flask, took a drink, and smirked as she answered. "The Duchess of Sussex."

Bishop's laughter was loud and wonderful as he barked out into the night, bringing them both to smiles and chuckles. And as it died down he took a puff and looked more seriously to her.

"Tell me this...Your Royal Highness..." His voice tipped with teasing. "When exactly are you going to make the Duke a father?"

"Wow..." Maddie breathed; a mixture of excitement and sadness as she remembered how much they wanted a baby, how hard they had tried before he left. And her eyes locked with Bishop's. "Just as soon as he gets home Bishop. Just as soon as he gets home."

Day 103

Departure Day. So much work, so much preparation had gone into this day for Maddie; the workouts, the running, the packing, the paperwork, the security negotiations, the anxiety and excitement. So much work and here it was—time to go.

She had spoken to her mother the day before. She had spoken to Kyle. She had gone to kiss and cuddle Arthur, to kiss and cuddle Buckie.

And she had spoken to Harry the night before, or more accurately she had listened to him tell her about his day, about the men he was serving with—anything to get her mind off of the bundle of nerves that swirled around in her belly. He hadn't much time to speak to her, he never did, but he had done what he could to provide her a reprieve and then he had told her how proud he was, how excited he was and how great she was going to do.

And then he had hung up and she had laid in their bed for at least another hour before her body took over in exhaustion and forced her mind to slumber.

When she had woken on the morning of Day 103, she had showered and dressed and had a normal breakfast and then she heard the knock on the door—the call to the car. And she had sucked in her breath and gathered her travel bag and stepped out into the cool London morning.

She had snickered as she made her way to the waiting car, people rushing around her as they loaded her items. It was chilly in London; cold and dreary yet she was on her way to a place that made this look like the height of summer. With a quick glance back at her home, she nodded a thank you to the driver who held her door and she slipped into the backseat.

"Good morning Madeline." Her father-in-law was there with an endearing smile and a calm voice. He had asked if he could escort her to the airport, asked if he could ride with her and stay in the car as she exited—not wanting to take away from the moment with his presence. And she had agreed-easily and immediately.

"Good morning Charles," she smiled wide and leaned to kiss his cheek.

"How are you doing this morning?" He asked as they settled into their seats.

"Really well thank you," she took a deep breath as the car pulled out of the gates and into traffic. "Are you sure you haven't changed your mind? You sure you don't want to come along? Think of the stories we could tell." She offered a small wink and he offered a big laugh.

"As tempting as that seems," his eyes flickered with humor. "I think I'll stay behind and hold things together."

"Fair enough," Maddie laughed.

"May I say something?" Charles' voice was deep and low and would always hold Maddie's attention when he spoke to her like this.

"Of course," Maddie nodded, turning a smile to him.

"You've done remarkably well, Madeline. The first year of this is incredibly difficult and to add on Harry's deployment...you've done so well and you've been so strong." Maddie's eyes welled up but she held his gaze, held the moment. "We're so close to having our family whole again, so close to Harry returning to us," he reached for her hands then and his eyes grew serious. "Please be careful out there darling. Please listen closely to the guide, please be mindful of your footing. Please...please don't make me tell my son that something's happened to you. I've broken his heart once before. Please don't make me do it again."

She couldn't speak. For three entire minutes, she couldn't speak; so she nodded and squeezed his hand and held his eyes—promising all that he asked.

And then they were there. So quick, so soon. The car rolled to a stop and Charles pulled Maddie into a hug.

"Be careful," he repeated himself on behalf of his son, of the family, of her father. "Be careful and come back to us. And when you do...he'll be here."

"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes squeezing shut as she hugged him back, as she tried to gain the will to pull back from him and step out of the car, the will to step into this amazing new leg of her journey.

"Okay darling. You should go," he released his hold on her and nodded towards her door.

"Okay," she sniffed and took a deep breath. "I'll go." She reached for the door handle and paused for just a second, turning a bright smile back to him. "I love you."

Charles' entire face lit up. "I love you too darling."

And then she opened the door and stepped out of the car.

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

The terminal at Heathrow was buzzing with excitement as the team gathered for a few official photos. Though Maddie hadn't seen the women for a while, they were instantly welcoming; putting her at ease and making her feel at home with them. And she was so thankful; for the laughter and the smiles and the greetings that were for Maddie and not Her Royal Highness.

And even though this trek was about these four soldiers and the message they were sending, it was impossible for her not to recognize how big this was for her. This trek, this moment, this time without Harry, without the Palace, without the paparazzi and the stories and the pictures and the crazy new life that had only been hers for less than a year.

And suddenly she got it. She understood.

This was what Harry must have felt when he went on the Trek.

This was what Harry must have felt when he was serving in uniform, when he was on a base, when he was in Afghanistan and Khundu.

This feeling of normalcy in what most people would feel was the complete lack of it.

She felt the lump in her throat expand and she thought for a split second she just might cry right there in the middle of this organized chaos of their departure.

This trip was going to be about so much more to her personally than skiing to the North Pole. It was going to be so much bigger than that—she already knew it.

And while most people might panic, might want to turn and run from the emotional work this was about to be, she wasn't most people. She was going to open her arms wide and embrace whatever this trek threw at her.

It was really the only way she knew how to do this anymore.

Take a deep breath, stand tall and jump.

Upon direction from the expedition leader, they all moved towards the gate and turned to pose for one last photo; all of them lined up with wide smiles and excitement brimming eyes.

And then they turned and walked down the jetway; their first steps on this amazing journey.