The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 154

"Oh my God," Maddie sighed into a bit of a laugh as their car pulled up in front of the hotel resort where all of the wedding festivities would be taking place. "How did they find us here?" She nodded her head towards the handful of paparazzi waiting for them outside of the hotel.

"Twitter," Harry groaned. "Somebody saw us in the state, somebody else said that your cousin was getting married..." He took a deep breath as the car pulled to a stop and their protection detail stepped out.

"Honestly," Hannah rolled her eyes; mildly amused. "They really should put their investigative skills to good use and solve crimes."

"Exactly," Harry pointed to her, smiling wide in absolute agreement.

"Nice," Maddie laughed. "Come on you two. We have a few hours to settle in before the welcome dinner."

"I'm right behind you," Harry smiled across the back of the car at his wife; taking a breath as he opened the door and stepped out.

As they emerged from the car, the photographers snapped away; calling out to Maddie and Harry, hoping for a picture that was slightly better or more unique than the one being taken with the camera just next to them. With a small smile on her face, Maddie waited for Harry to round the car to her. Taking her hand in his, and waiting for Hannah, they took the few quick steps into the grand, beautiful hotel. The hotel had been prepared for their arrival and, in addition to the protective detail that had travelled with them from London, they had stepped up their own security. So once they were inside, they were free from the paparazzi that had seemed to find them; even in this exclusive mountainous location.

As soon as they stepped into the ornate lobby, they were greeted by a team of hotel personnel—the General Manager, the Lead Bellhop and the Director of Security. The GM stepped forward first, a tall older man with a smattering of grey in his dark brown hair; an easy smile and kind eyes.

"Your Royal Highnesses," his hand extend first to Harry. "My name is Benjamin Williams and I'm the General Manager. Welcome to our hotel."

"Thank you very much," Harry smiled, shaking his hand before he opened up to Maddie. "This is my wife Madeline."

"Ma'am," Benjamin turned to shake her hand. "It's your cousin who's marrying here this weekend?"

"It is," Maddie nodded with a smile.

"And this is my mother-in-law, Hannah Forrester," Harry's hand was warm and steady on Hannah's back as he brought her into the mix.

"Ma'am," Benjamin nodded as he took her hand.

"Good to meet you," she smiled.

"Well we're very happy to have all of you here," he brought his hands together in front of him and turned to the crew assembled behind him. "This is Mark Kepner. He's our Director of Security." Hands were shaken and Jim stepped forward; meeting Mark and stepping off to the side as the two teams met about their mutual needs. "This is our head bellhop Mitch Parker; he'll be taking up your luggage and this...this is Nicole Martinez, our Front Office Manager. She has your keys ready to go and will escort you upstairs to your suite. And of course, if there is anything at all that you should need during your stay, you have my direct extension. We'll be happy to serve you."

"Thank you Mr. Williams, Ms. Martinez," Harry smiled wide as he took the keys from her. "We're very much looking forward to spending time celebrating with family."

"Of course," Nicole smiled sweetly and turned her attention to Hannah. "Ma'am, we took the liberty of pulling your keys as well." She handed over the cards to Hannah who thanked her and watched as this team of people moved around them; ready to step forward as soon as they were.

"Okay," Harry looked between Maddie and Hannah. "Shall we head upstairs?"

"Mmm," Maddie nodded; ready to unpack and find the rest of her family.

And then with one quick nod of Harry's head, one half step of his foot, the crew moved towards a bank of elevators; the cameras outside of the hotel still snapping away while a few of the guests inside did double takes.

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"Harry..." Maddie breezed back into the living room of their suite. They had a full itinerary that weekend. That night, Thursday, it was a Welcome Dinner, the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. On Friday was a women's tea, the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner. Saturday was the wedding and Sunday was a brunch before everyone headed out of the mountains and back home.

"Mmm?" His eyebrows lifted though his eyes stayed trained on the phone in front of him. They had settled into their suite at the luxury hotel tucked into the mountains where all of the wedding festivities would be taking place. After they had made sure Hannah was settled in her room, they had gone onto theirs to get ready for the Welcome Dinner with the wedding party and out of town guests. Harry, already dressed, was reading an email on his phone while Maddie finished up.

"Feel this," without a second thought, she scooped up his free hand and brought it to her chest.

His eyes widened as his head turned slowly to look up at her. "Sorry?" His lips twitched into a smile as she pressed his hand around the soft roundness of her left breast.

"They're getting larger," Maddie explained quite matter-of-factly. Harry chuckled as she looked down at them; studying them from different angles. "They're rounder and bigger and..." Her eyes lifted to look at him. "You haven't noticed?"

"I..." Harry chuckled with a shake of his head. "I'm not sure it's in my best interest to answer that."

"Charming," Maddie smiled at him; finding the amusement he had already found in their arrangement. "Come on. They're bigger. Don't you think?"

"I think..." Harry turned his full attention to her, his hand sliding out from under hers, down her side, to her stomach. "I think that there are some amazing things happening to your body right now love."

Maddie smiled down at him, her hand ruffling into his hair. "And bigger boobs is one of them?"

"It would appear so," he answered with a cheeky grin before his eyes travelled to where his hand rested. "How's the little one doing?"

"Perfect," Maddie followed his eyes to look at her stomach.

"Can you feel him move yet?" Harry glanced up at her.

"Him?" Maddie's eyebrows lifted, her teeth biting into her bottom lip.

"Sounds better than 'it', don't you think?" He shrugged; not at all issuing a statement of gender preference.

"It does," Maddie nodded, moving to sit next to him on the couch; his arm moving instinctually up and around her shoulders. "And I haven't felt him move yet. Any day now though."

"You'll let me know?"

"Absolutely."

"I'm not kidding Madeline," his eyes grew serious. "You wake me from sleep."

"I get it," she laughed, leaning into him as he relaxed.

"You ready for dinner? For the Bachelorette party afterwards?"

"I don't know," Maddie smiled easily. "It will be fun for sure but I'm pregnant and, you know, not wanting people to know I'm pregnant."

"Sure."

"It will be a great time," she shrugged, bringing her lips to kiss at his jaw. "How about you? You ready to tie one on with the boys?"

"Aw, I don't know," Harry shook his head, though Maddie could see the grin forming on his face. She knew it had been a while since he had gone out and that he was actually looking forward to some time with her cousins. "Tell me darling, you want me to abstain from drinking? In a show of solidarity?"

"No, no," Maddie shook her head with a laugh. "You go ahead. Drink for the both of us."

"Well that will most certainly get one of us into trouble." With a wide chuckle, he pulled her closer; pressing kisses to her cheeks before finding her lips and warming her mouth with his.

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"Oh my..." Maddie's voice was low as she tucked in close to Harry; her arm linked through his, her fingers wrapped up in his hand. "It's beautiful out here."

"It is," Harry agreed with a smile. The Welcome Dinner was being held in a small, intimate banquet room off the side of the hotel. In order to get there, they had to walk along a path outside of the hotel, encountering a few paps struggling to get photos from the street. Harry took a deep breath to calm himself as he held the door open for his wife; happy that once they were inside, they were relatively protected from more invasions.

"You're here!" Amy and Kyle were there to greet the guests as they entered; dressed up and beaming with their own unique happy smiles.

"We are!" Maddie's smile was just as big as Amy's as she moved in to hug her. "You look so beautiful."

"Thank you," Amy held her tight as Kyle and Harry shook hands already chuckling about the late night plans.

"This hotel is amazing too, everything seems so sweet and intimate and just...wonderful."

"Isn't it fabulous?" Amy agreed with a nod.

"It is," Maddie squeezed her once more before she stepped back. "And I'm really sorry about the photographers out front."

"Don't worry about it," Amy shook her head; leaning in and dropping her voice. "In fact, it's kept my Aunt Gilda and my mother out of my hair while they go on and on about how royalty will be here." Amy's eyes turned sympathetic even as she rolled them. "And they've been a pain in the ass all week so really...I should thank you."

"Ha!" Maddie let out a burst of laughter as Harry and Kyle stepped over to them.

"Amy," Harry turned on the charm as he leaned to kiss her cheeks. "You look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you Harry," she hugged him back as Maddie hugged her cousin.

"And I'm sorry about the paps waiting in the lurch."

"You two are being silly," Amy shook her head. "It's not a problem."

"You sure? You don't want us to leave? Wear masks on our faces?"

"No!" She laughed, smacking his arm. "Of course not."

"Well if there's anything I can do..."

"Actually," Maddie grinned, tucking her hand into his elbow. "How about you let me introduce you to Amy's mother and her Aunt..." Maddie raised her eyebrows.

"Gilda," Amy smirked.

"Gilda," Maddie repeated.

"Yeah?" Harry glanced between the two women; seeing the look that they shared.

"How do you feel about running a little interference?" Maddie smiled up sweetly at her husband.

With a shrug he cleared his throat. "Anything for the bride."

"That's the spirit," Maddie patted his arm and with a quick wink to Kyle, she led him off in the direction; happy to help distract if they could.

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"Okay now," Kyle sat down next to Maddie at her table as people began to find their seats, began to settle. "Sending Harry over to Gilda was funny at first but now...fifteen minutes later..." He shook his head, smiling into his glass. "Now it's just plain mean."

"Ha," Maddie laughed, nudging her cousin with her shoulder. "He really doesn't mind. You forget what he does, you know." Her hand patted his knee. "The amount of older women he's chatted up in his lifetime would probably disturb you. It's sweet of you to be worried about him though."

"Hmmm," Kyle nodded, taking a sip of his drink before he turned his eyes to her. "How about you? How are you feeling?"

"Fine," she met his eyes, her smile tipping higher. "Wonderful."

"Good," he grinned. "Can I get you anything? What are you drinking tonight?"

"I'm drinking Mojitos with Jenna," Maddie nodded to her glass on the table.

"Oh is that so?" Kyle's grin pulled higher; knowing she must be messing with him. "Is that how the royals do it?" The it he was referring to meaning 'pregnancy'.

"We have a deal," Maddie leaned closer. "Jenna's drinking Mojitos and every time she goes for one, she brings me ginger ale and mint leaves. People just assume..."

"Ah," Kyle got it. "Smart. So you're drinking Mojitos all weekend?"

"Pretty much," Maddie sighed, her eyes dancing as she caught sight of her husband coming back to their table. "Well would you look at who's finally decided to stop flirting with other women and return to his wife's side?"

"I have a wife?" He lifted his eyebrows, smirking playfully as he leaned to kiss her. "I thought you were my own little Mata Hari, pretending to be on my team all while plotting to turn me over."

Kyle chuckled as Maddie stretched her neck to kiss Harry again. "You two are ridiculous," Kyle sighed and rose to his feet. "I see my cue to head back to the bride. I'll see you in a bit?"

"Sure," Maddie nodded as Harry took his seat next to her.

"And thank you," Kyle eyed Harry. "Gilda's been all over Amy; it's nice to see her have a moment to breathe."

"Any time," Harry shook his head easily. "She wasn't all that bad."

"Ha!" Kyle clapped his hands together. "Clearly you're ahead of me on the alcohol intake."

"Maybe," Harry smirked, reaching for his glass. "We'll catch you up later?"

"I'm holding you to that," Kyle nodded, pointing to Harry as he stepped away from the table; his smile wide and easy as he returned to his soon-to-be wife.

"You're so sweet," Maddie turned her lips into his neck as his arm draped over the back of her chair.

"And you're incredibly sexy," he turned his eyes to her; looking her over without being too obvious. "Honestly, I don't know how you do it sometimes."

"Do what?" Maddie whispered with a soft giggle.

"Stay so goddamn gorgeous; all the time..." His fingers traced over her shoulder.

"It's easy," Maddie patted his leg. "I keep my husband nice and drunk." As Harry's laughter rang out around them, the room began to settle. Hannah and Patrick made their way to their table along with Gary and Jenna; carrying two custom Mojitos and a wink for Maddie. And just as they all moved into their seats, Kyle stood from his chair and called for all of their attention.

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It wasn't just the paparazzi outside who were curious about the groom's "royal" family members. It wasn't just Amy's mother and Aunt Gilda who were fascinated with the fact that Prince Harry was among them; that the American Duchess would be in the bridal party.

During dinner there were glances; murmurs of conversation that passed around the room as people realized, as they turned to look—as inconspicuously as possible. Though Harry noticed, he didn't seem to mind; didn't seem to be effected. It wasn't as if he had had a time in his life where this didn't happen. Even Maddie had grown more used to the attention and though everyone seemed to be interested, they also seemed to relax as the night wore on.

It wasn't long before the dinner was clearing out; after Amy and Kyle had gone through the itinerary, passing out welcome baskets with printed times and locations along with treats and "free time activity" suggestions. It wasn't long before the group was splitting up; before Maddie and Harry had returned to their rooms, changed, and readied to head back out into their own night of wild, craziness.

"Okay Captain," Maddie let her fingers slide down the length of his arm into his hand. "I'm heading out."

"With Sampson?" Harry glanced behind her to where their detail were talking; getting ready to go mobile.

"Poor Sampson," Maddie chuckled.

"Are you going to be okay tonight?" Harry lifted her hand in his; his eyes searching hers.

"I'll be just fine," she smoothed her fingers over his cheek and leaned in; kissing him quickly and easily. "Are you really going to wear that shirt?"

"Hell yes," Harry looked down at it with a wide grin. "Jenna's gonna love it when we meet up with you all later tonight."

"Yes she will," Maddie nodded and kissed him again. "Okay Daddy. Be safe. I'll see you later."

"God I love it when you call me daddy," he shook his head, his cheeks slightly pink as he watched her step away from him with a smile.

"More than when I call you Captain?" She called out as she moved towards the door.

"Ha!" He called back, reaching for his light jacket and following behind. "Equally. But for completely different reasons."

"Fair enough," Maddie sighed as they stepped out of their suite, turning to the other for one last time before they headed in different directions.

"Listen," Harry moved in closer. "If you end up with strippers tonight..."

"Please," Maddie rolled her eyes. "There are photographers waiting outside for me."

"IF you end up with strippers," he repeated himself with narrowed eyes; his voice dropping as he leaned to kiss her cheek. "Please for the love of God, do not put on any RAF hats." With a wink and a pat to her ass, he pulled back.

"You got it," Maddie chuckled, rubbing his cheek with her fingers before she kissed him once more. "Have fun."

"You too," he nodded. And then with wide smiles and small waves, the two of them stepped away; each heading in their own direction, each with their own shadow of protection behind them.

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"Okay..." Maddie stopped in front of Amy's suite for the weekend, turning to look at Sampson with an apologetic smile. "You ready for this?"

"Yes Ma'am," he nodded back; calm and cool and completely collected.

"Anything I need to know?" She grinned as they reached the door.

"Enjoy your night," he shrugged. "Don't worry about looking out for me. As long as you don't try to lose me, I'll keep up; I'll have my eye on you. We'll have a car waiting outside at all times if we need it."

"Seems easy enough," she sighed and rapped on the door; laughing at the surge of energy that exploded on the other side. Giggles and running and shouting greeted her as the door to Amy's suite was pulled open.

"Happy Bachelorette Party!" The tall brunette called out as she spun to face them. Maddie instantly recognized her from the party. "Hi there! I'm Janet. I'm the Maid of Honor and you must be..." She looked Maddie over; blinked her eyes twice and took a step back. "Oh wow. You must be Kyle's cousin."

"Maddie," she nodded, extending her hand. "And this is Sampson, he's going to be with us tonight."

"Nice to meet you," Janet shook Maddie's hand before turning to do the same with Sampson. Janet had seen Maddie at the party, had known that she would be there, but she hadn't met her yet. Though she was shocked to actually see Kyle's 'royal' cousin in person, she was able to hide her instinctual surprise really well.

It wasn't quite the same for the other women already inside.

Though Amy, Jenna and Dena were there to even it out, there were two other friends of Amy's who had not yet met Maddie and they were, to put it most simply, a little star struck.

"Okay ladies, this is Kyle's cousin Maddie," Amy's smile was amused as she made introductions. "You met Janet at the door."

"Yes," Maddie smiled.

"And this is Elise, my roommate from college and this is Shelby, she's been a friend of mine since we were in grade school."

"It's nice to meet you," Maddie extended her hand first to Elise. "I hope you don't mind, but I'll be breaking the 'no boys allowed' rule." She laughed as she shook Shelby's hand. "This is Sampson. He'll be coming with us tonight."

"Hi," Elise offered a wave as they all turned to the one man in the room.

"Hello," he nodded to them, his eyes meeting with Maddie's for just a blink of shared humor. "I promise I'll stay out of the way. In the back."

"Fantastic," Janet clapped her hands together, wanting to ease into the party mode. "Now...we've all had some champagne and we were getting ready to head out but..." She turned to Maddie. "If you want me to pour you a glass so you can catch up, we can wait a bit."

"Oh no," Maddie shook her head. "Let's head out. I can catch up at the next place."

"You sure?" Janet was being a great hostess; wanting everyone to have a great time.

"Absolutely," Maddie nodded, catching Jenna's eyes as they all shuffled around; gathering handbags and jackets.

"Fair enough," Janet bounced on her heels. "Okay ladies..." She reached into a large pink gift bag. "For the bride..." With a flourish of her hands, she pulled out a tiara-ed veil, placing it on Amy's head as the others giggled and clapped their hands, following it up with a 'Bride' sash. "And..." She pulled out a giant rhinestone ring for her hand. "And..." With one last flourish, she produced a bright pink feathered boa. Wrapping it around Amy's neck, she called out to the rest of them. "There are some in there for everyone so grab one before you leave!"

"Come on," Maddie linked her arm through Jenna's and pulled her over to the bag.

As they wrapped boas around their own necks, Jenna leaned in and whispered. "If you need anything tonight, just let me know."

"You're the best," Maddie whispered back and, with a quick kiss to her cheek, they followed the party out the door and towards the elevator.

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Their first stop was a lively Mexican restaurant with a lit up patio off the back and music playing over the laughter and conversation that seemed to flow with ease. They were escorted out to the patio; off to a corner that allowed them a little bit of privacy without taking them away from the party in the air.

As they slid into their spots, Janet smiled wide. "I'm going to go up for a few pitchers of margaritas and some chips and guac, does anyone have any other requests?"

"Oh!" Jenna clapped her hands together and stood. "I'll go with you. I want a Mojito. Maddie? You with me?"

"Yes please!" Maddie nodded enthusiastically.

"Fantastic," Janet smiled at Jenna before she turned back to the group. "We'll be right back!"

And they were back in no time; rounds of drinks and snacks and before much time had passed, the whole lot of them were tipsy. Laughter emanated from their little corner of the patio as they got to know each other over drinks. Though Amy's friends were a little timid around Maddie for a while, it was finally her college roommate Elise who took a breath and went for it.

"Forgive me..." Elise, the petite blonde leaned closer to Maddie with a tipsy smile. "But I have just...I've been a fan of Harry's for just...ever."

"Sure," Maddie was cautious but amused.

"A big fan." Elise held her hands apart in front of her.

"Well, it's a pretty big club," Maddie's lips turned up into a crooked grin as her eyes darted up to meet Amy's. Though Maddie was worried about any sort of attention shifting, Amy wasn't; she was having a great time and was happy that all of her friends and bridesmaids were getting to know each other.

"I know!" Elise giggled. "And when you two announced your engagement, I honestly am not sure I've been more excited about anything in my own real life."

"Wow," Maddie took a sip of her drink.

"And on your wedding day," she took a deep breath and leaned in closer. "I woke up at three am and hosted a party with all of my girlfriends and...wow...it was just so beautiful."

"Well thank you very much," Maddie smiled. Elise was being sweet; tipsy but sweet.

"I was wondering..." Elise took a long sip of her drink. "Would it be okay for me to ask you a question?"

"Elise," Janet let out a soft laugh, her head shaking just slightly.

"It's okay," Maddie waved her hand; feeling at ease among the ladies. "What's your question?"

"Well," Elise cleared her throat and leaned in further. "What actually is your last name?"

"Sussex," Maddie replied easily. "It's Madeline Sussex."

"It says that on your driver's license?"

"Yep," Maddie nodded.

"Hmm...." Elise seemed thoughtful as she took that in. "Okay."

"Okay?" Maddie chuckled. "Is that it? My last name?"

"Well," Elise took in a deep breath, her smile sheepish. "Can I ask one more?"

"Sure," Maddie shrugged.

"Okay. When I met you earlier, when we were introduced, should I have curtsied?"

"Elise," Amy laughed.

"Sorry!" Elise rolled her eyes at herself, her own laughter joining the group. She looked to Maddie across the table. "I'm sorry. I just...I've wondered and you're here and I just..."

"No," Maddie, shook her head with a grin. "It's really okay. And no. You should not have curtsied. It's really more of a comfort level thing, you know?"

"Sure," Elise nodded, turning to Amy. "Tell me soon-to-be-Mrs.-Forrester...do you curtsey to her?"

"No," Amy smiled to Maddie as she shook her head. "I mean...I think we have sometimes as a bit of an inside, family joke..." Jenna and Dena both snickered as they remembered. "And we probably did at their wedding. But otherwise...no. I don't curtsey."

"Okay..." Shelby leaned in. "I have one."

"Okay," Maddie smiled as her eyes shifted from one friend to the other. "But I'm going to implement a new rule."

"A rule?" Jenna looked to her.

"Every question you ask me is a shot you have to buy for the bride," Maddie grinned as she glanced at Amy.

"LOVE the new rule!" Amy laughed and clapped her hands together.

"Fair enough," Elise laughed along. "I owe you two."

"Yes you do," Maddie reached for her drink and looked to Shelby. "You still have a question?"

"Mmmm," she nodded. "My friend and I at work have this disagreement. I said that when the papers call you Princess Madeline that it's incorrect; that you're actually a Duchess. But she says that because your husband is still a Prince, you're a Princess." Shelby took a sip and cleared her throat. "I was hoping you might be able to settle a bet."

"Well," Maddie took a deep breath. "You're both a little right. Because my husband is a Prince, and because I do take on the titles of my husband....you could call me 'Princess'. Though...it wouldn't be Princess Madeline, it would be Princess Henry...because he's the blood royal and I'm not," Maddie smiled sweetly. "Though the title of a Duke is technically higher and he is more accurately referred to as The Duke and therefore..." She exhaled. "It's more appropriate to call me..."

"The Duchess," Shelby clapped her hands together, happy in Maddie's response.

"Exactly," Maddie nodded.

"I knew it!" Shelby felt victorious with Maddie's answer. "That's amazing. Thank you."

"No problem."

"One last one?" Shelby smiled meekly, peeking over her glass.

"One last one," Maddie nodded.

"This is going to sound...really stupid," Shelby was almost embarrassed but had enough alcohol to go for it anyway. "Did they make you take...Princess Lessons?"

"What?!" Janet nearly spit out her drink as she laughed.

"Princess lessons?!" Amy laughed loudly, her head tipping back. "What in the hell would they teach you there? How to wave and where a tiara and..."

"Come on!" Shelby rolled her eyes. "It's a legit question. I've read about it over and over. People from the palace taking aside the girlfriends and teaching them how to be a royal," she defended. "And it's more than waving and wearing tiaras. Right?"

"It is," Maddie nodded; grinning as she reached out to pat Shelby's hand. "But I'm sorry. No lessons."

"Damn it!" Shelby stomped her foot; smiling wide as she did.

"Okay ladies," Amy spoke up, waving over the waitress and eyeing her friends. "You two owe me two shots each....and then..." She smiled at Maddie with sympathetic eyes. "We're going to let Maddie relax and enjoy herself and not...be our entertainment."

"Aw come on," Dena spoke up, nudging Maddie lightly. "She's such great entertainment."

"Thank you, thank you," Maddie smiled and then, tossing a wink across the table to Shelby, she lifted her hand and waved; smooth, easy and just like one might in a parade. And the table rolled with laughter.

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"Okay, okay," Amy giggled. They were in their fourth bar of the night and she was well passed tipsy. "I want to know where my husband-to-be is! I need to know what's going on with the boys! I know it's silly but..." She let out a long breath. "I need to know."

"Well that's easy," Elise shrugged. "Get out your phone and call him."

"No!" Amy shook her head. "We agreed to meet up and to not call before we met up."

"Well then how in the hell would we be able to know what he's doing?" Janet peered through her eyes thoughtfully.

"OH!" Jenna perked up wildly next to Maddie, clapping her hands and doing a little dance as she reached into her pocket. "I have an idea!"

"No!" Amy waved her hand. "You can't call your husband! That's cheating!"

"I'm not calling my husband!"

"Well then what are you doing?" Maddie leaned over to try to see the screen of Jenna's phone.

"Actually..." Jenna's fingers moved quickly over the letters on her screen. "I'm googling yours."

"What?" Maddie sat up taller.

"Well, the press knows you and Harry are here in the mountains...surely somebody has seen them out and about and my money says..." A grin spread across her lips. "There we go. We found him. Thank you Twitter."

"Let me see," Maddie pulled the phone from Jenna, reading the screen. "Prince Harry spotted on a behind the scenes tour of a mountain brewery. All men. All drinking." Maddie snickered. "They're touring the brewery."

"Of course they are," Amy smiled as she settled back into their seats. "Kyle loves the brewery."

"Yes he does," Maddie handed the phone back to Jenna. "They're probably going to be there all night."

"Think they'll go to a strip club?" Elise asked, thinking of her boyfriend who was out with the group.

"Nah," Amy shook her head. "That's not really Kyle's thing."

"And there's not really a strip club up here," Maddie grinned.

"Hmmm..." Jenna stayed in thought, her eyes trained on her phone as her fingers moved over the screen. "I wonder..."

"Wonder what?" Dena looked over to her, trying to see what she was doing.

"Just...if we can find Harry," Jenna tapped her phone and waited a second. "Can we find Maddie...Ah!" Her smile pulled higher and her eyes went wide. "There we go! Maddie has been spotted!"

"What?" Maddie laughed as she leaned back over.

"No way!" Shelby giggled, straining to see.

"Yep!" Jenna sat tall in her chair and cleared her throat. "Princess Maddie..." She eyed Shelby with a smirk, sending giggles around the table. "Princess Maddie is, I swear to God, drinking Mojitos at my favorite bar! Much prettier in person."

"Awww...." Maddie smiled warmly as the rest of them laughed.

"Oh! And here!" Jenna bobbed in her seat. "Duchess of Sussex out with a bachelorette party. Wonder what Harry's up to tonight. Wink wink. Nod nod."

"Hey!" Maddie's forehead pinched together. "I'm not sure I like that wink or that nod."

"Oh my God!" Elise called out, having pulled out her own phone. "Look! It's a picture!" She turned the screen out towards the table.

"Holy shit, that's me!" Shelby pointed at the image of herself sitting next to Maddie.

"Holy shit," Janet squinted. "That's here."

Everyone's eyes shifted out towards the room as they realized somebody there had taken their picture. Maddie smiled to herself as they all adjusted in their seats.

"Okay, that's a little freaky," Elise's voice lowered.

"A little?" Shelby raised her eyebrows. "People just taking photos of you without you knowing and putting them online and..." Her gaze fell on Maddie. "This happens to you all the time, doesn't it."

"It does," Maddie nodded; her smile still there.

"Wow..." Shelby shook her head. "I don't even know what to..." She reached for her drink and took a sip. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"Ha!" Maddie eyes danced in laughter. "No thank you. I'm still working on this Mojito."

"When you're done with that one?"

"Maybe," Maddie nodded. "But come on...let's not let the picture stop the party. We've got an entire night ahead of us and Amy's STILL getting married in two days. So I say...."

"Shots?" Amy suggested with a wide, tipsy smile.

"Ha!" Maddie laughed loudly. "Yes! For everyone but me."

"Wait, why not you?" Janet looked over to her.

"Because," she leaned in towards the center of the table; her voice lowering. "You see how quickly the pictures end up online. The last thing I need is my drunk ass taking shots...all over the internet."

"Ah," Elise nodded. "Makes perfect sense."

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It was just past one in the morning before they met up with the men. They were going to one last bar, one last stop for drinks together before they called it a night. And every last one of them, save Maddie and Sampson and Jim, were completely past tipsy. In fact, as they met up just a block down from the bar they were heading to, it was Harry who broke out first.

Stepping into the quiet, dead street, with a mess of red hair and a wide, loose smile, he clapped his hands and called out into the night, "My wife!" His long legs moved him to her quickly.

"My drunk husband!" She giggled as his arms moved around her waist, pulling her into a warm, tight hug. The rest of the group reunited around them.

"My baby..." His voice dropped low, his eyes dancing as his lips pulled up in a wide smile.

"My really drunk husband," she caught his hand before it rounded to her stomach. "You had a good time tonight?"

"I had a wonderful time tonight..." His arms shifted around her, moving almost instinctually to hold her to him, to pull her hand up into his as he began to sway. "It's even wonderful-er now."

"Wonderful-er?" Maddie laughed. "You're making up words."

"I know," he shrugged; so fucking cute she wanted to slap him.

"And we're dancing," she sighed as she moved with him; letting him turn them around. "In the street. Captain...we're dancing in the street."

"We are," he nodded, leaning in to kiss her. "But it's a small mountain town and there are no cars and...God you're beautiful."

"You're so drunk right now," she made fun but held tight; loving the way it felt to have him hold her like this, loving the way he was looking at her.

"I am," he agreed, tugging her tighter and pressing his cheek to hers. "But I love dancing with you even when I'm sober."

"No you don't," she snickered; settling further into their sway, their rhythm. "You always make fun of my dancing."

"I'm such a bastard sometimes," he shook his head, his wicked smile pulling his mouth up at the corner. "I don't know why I do that because I love this..." He tightened his hold on her even further.

"Ahem," Kyle cleared his throat as they caught up with them; his arm draped around Amy's shoulders. "Pretty sure people are snapping some photos. Heads up."

"What? Really?" Maddie glanced around but Harry shrugged his shoulders, unwilling to relinquish an inch of space between them.

"I don't care," he huffed.

"Is that so?" Maddie chuckled.

"It is so!" His voice rose before he caught it, bringing it back down. "Let them take pictures of me LOVING MY WIFE!"

"Easy," she warned, her fingers stroking at the back of his neck.

"I hate that they're always so surprised to find me loving my wife," though the spirit was still high, Maddie knew that he meant those words; that he felt them deeper.

"I know you do baby," she smiled. "Pay no attention to them."

"Can I kiss you? Here in the street? With the cameras?" His eyebrows lifted; desperately wanting to but wanting her permission—not wanting to plaster her all over the headlines without her consent.

"You had better," she winked and giggled as he instantly moved in; his arms dipping her back just a little as his lips caught hers. Though the strokes of his tongue were quicker than he liked, they were no less hot; no less meaningful. No less full of promise. "Come on Captain. We have one more stop before we get you back to your room."

"Where I can love my wife?" His eyes danced devilish as she stepped out of his arms; his hand pulling her fingers to his lips.

"You better believe it," she laughed loud into the night, pulling him with her as they continued on down the street.

"Tell me love, did you have fun tonight?" Harry followed along with her.

"I did," she grinned as she remembered.

"And you Amy?" Harry called out ahead of him. "Did the bride-to-be have fun tonight?"

"She absolutely did!" Amy called back to him, turning to look at him. And then she stopped in the road. "Hold on!" She giggled, giving an order to the rest of the crowd. "What the hell does your shirt say?"

"Ah yes!" He clapped his hands together, his face brightening even more. "Where is she? Jenna!" He spun around looking for her. When he spotted her, he stopped and his grin pulled wide and ridiculously proud. "Jenna! Look at the shirt!" He held out the hem at the bottom so she could see it.

It took her two seconds to read it, her eyes growing large as she bounced on her heels and clapped her hands, the rest of the group laughing as she ran over to him. "Jenna is my homegirl!" She giggled. "Oh my GOD! Harry! Have you been wearing that all night?!"

"All night," he nodded; proud and happy. "And I have one for you at the suite...but with the reverse...me being your homeboy and all."

"Oh my GOD!" She laughed, pulling at his shoulders as she hugged him. "I love it so much! You're the best!"

"I told you she would like it!" Harry called out to Maddie as he kissed Jenna's cheeks, hugging her close and tight.

"I love it," Jenna sighed and stepped from his arms. "I love it so much."

"Perfect," Harry squeezed her hands and then turned back to the group, his arm wrapping around her shoulder. "Come on. Let's have another drink." As applause rang around the group, Harry tugged Maddie back under his other arm and they all continued on to the party. And it was only their first night.