The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 162

"Let us give thanks to the Lord our God." The Minister's voice rang warm and solid as he called out to the congregation.

"It is right to give thanks and praise," Maddie—along with Harry and the rest of the congregation—answered the Minister's call.

As Maddie held a quiet, smiling Buckie in her arms with Harry standing just next to her, the Minister continued on. "We thank you, almighty God. For the gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life. Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through water you led the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, The Christ, to lead us from the death of sin to the newness of life."

The church they stood in was small and ancient, the altar at which they stood the very same where Ian Bishop the first, second and third had all been baptized. Maddie smiled down at Buckie, her finger lifting to stroke his little cheek as he squirmed just a bit and the Minister continued.

"We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, we baptize into his fellowship those who come to him in faith."

The Minister stepped closer to the baptismal font, smiling at Maddie and Harry as they did the same and turning to look out at the small congregation of Bishop and Ella's friends and family.

"Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, they may be cleansed from sin and born again. Renewed in your image, may they walk by the light of faith and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and forever."

Maddie could hear Harry's voice close to her as they all answered, "Amen."

"Brothers and sisters," the Minister looked to them, out around the church. "I ask you to profess together along with Ian James Bishop the Fourth, the faith of the Church."

Maddie's eyes flashed up to Harry, catching the way he looked at her, the way he watched her with Buckie; the love in his eyes making her cheeks flush. Her eyes shifted back to the baby in her arms as the Minister began.

"Do you believe and trust in God the Father?"

They answered together, "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth."

He nodded, a small move meant to encourage, and asked, "Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?"

Adjusting Buckie slightly in her arms, she smiled down and answered along with Harry and the congregation, "I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead."

"Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?" The Minister called out.

"I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, and forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

As the Minister moved over the baptismal font, Maddie leaned in closer, feeling Harry's hand at her back as she held Buckie tight and smiled down at his curious expression. As the Minister brought water up to pour over his little head, he continued. "Ian James Bishop the Fourth, I baptize you in the name of the Father," water trickled over Buckie's forehead, causing his eyes to flash wide. "and of the Son," the second dribble of water made his face scrunch up. "And of the Holy Spirit." The third made him grunt, a loud burst of a sound that drew chuckles from everyone around them.

As Maddie pulled him back and bounced him lightly in her arms, they all answered with smiles, "Amen."

Harry reached around Maddie then, his fingers tickling lightly at Buckie's tummy, making a slight face that drew an instant smile to the little boy. Maddie had to bite at her lip to keep from laughing as the Minister turned his attention to the two of them.

"We have brought Ian James Bishop the Fourth to baptism knowing that Jesus died and rose again for him and trusting in the promise that God hears and answers prayer. We have prayed that in Jesus Christ he will know the forgiveness of his sins and the new life of the Spirit." He smiled down at Buckie. "As he grows up, he will need the help and encouragement of the Christian community so that he may learn to know God in public worship and private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith, serve his neighbor after the example of Christ, and in due course come to confirmation." He looked back up to Maddie and Harry, his face slipping slightly more serious. "As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to support him by prayer, example and teaching. As his parents," he looked off to Bishop and Ella. "And godparents, you have the prime responsibility for guiding and helping him in his early years. This is a demanding task for which you will need the help and grace of God. Therefore let us now pray for grace in guiding this child in the way of faith."

Their heads bowed as Buckie cooed.

"Faithful and loving God, bless those who care for this child and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith. Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love, and protect their home from all evil. Fill them with the light of your presence and establish them in the joy of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

"Amen," Maddie answered, swallowing back the lump of emotion that was creeping into her throat. There was something about the request for healing and reconciling love that made her awash with feeling.

"God of grace and life, in your love you have given us a place among your people; keep us faithful to our baptism, and prepare us for that glorious day when the whole creation will be made perfect in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ."

"Amen."

As the hymnal played out into the hallowed halls, Maddie turned back and with tears in her eyes and smile on her face, she passed the tiny bundle of baby back to Ella. With a kiss to her cheek and then to Bishop's, Maddie moved to stand with Harry, just off to the side. Her eyes slid up to his, catching the same sort of emotion she carried reflected right back in his smile, in his gaze. She felt his hand rub softly, soothingly over her back as their attention trained on their best friends and the baby they all loved.

"As a royal priesthood, let us pray to the Father through Christ who ever lives to intercede for us." The Minister called upon them all to bow their heads. "Reveal your kingdom among the nations; may peace abound and justice flourish. Especially for Ian James Bishop the Fourth. Your name be hallowed."

"Your kingdom come." They answered in unison.

"Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit and renew your church with power from on high. Especially for Ian James Bishop the Fourth. Your name be hallowed."

"Your kingdom come."

"Deliver the oppressed, strengthen the weak, heal and restore your creation. Especially for Ian James Bishop the Fourth. Your name be hallowed."

Maddie could feel her eyes getting teary as she answered, "Your kingdom come."

"Rejoicing in the fellowship of the Church on earth, we join our prayers with all the saints in glory. Your name be hallowed."

"Your kingdom come."

"There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Ian James Bishop the Fourth, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body."

Harry's hand was warm on her back, reminding her he was there, reminding her of their union, of their rebirth; of their own little miracle as they answered with the congregation. "We welcome you into the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome you."

As a smattering of applause rounded the sanctuary, little Buckie squirmed in his mother's arms, letting out a loud, adorable coo; one that brought a tug to Maddie's heart.

As the applause faded, the Minister continued, "We are all one in Christ Jesus. We belong to him through faith, heirs of the promise of the Spirit of peace." He nodded out to the room. "The peace of the Lord be always with you."

"And also with you."

"Let us offer one another a sign of peace."

As those out in the pews turned to their friends and family to do just that, Maddie turned to her husband; the tall, wonderful man who stood at her side. Despite everything that had been handed to them over the last week, she felt closer to him than ever; stronger than ever. Blinking at the tears that seemed to teeter on the edge of overflow, she lifted a smile to him and moved to kiss his cheek. "Peace be with you."

With his hands soft and steady on her arms, he kissed her cheek in return and responded with probably a little more emotion than one might expect at a Christening. "Peace be with you."

Pulling from each other, they moved to greet Ella and Bishop, bending to kiss Buckie's cheeks, softening further at his wide smile that danced towards cheeky. And then they returned to their spots, watching as the Minister drew it all to a close.

"The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always."

"Amen," there was a lightness to the room, to all of them; a brightness and warmth that seemed to travel among them.

"Go in the light and peace of Christ."

As Harry's hand slid down to squeeze Maddie's fingers, they all answered together, "Thanks be to God."

As the music sang out and the congregation rose to their feet, the proud parents and the bubbly baby began down the aisle together. There would be a reception immediately following; a celebration for the tiniest member of the Bishop family. Maddie and Harry stood still, watching for their cue. And as they began down towards their friends, Maddie's hand tucked into Harry's elbow and his smile pulled high.

Recovering from the hit they had taken from Cassandra was going to require more than just the trip to Highgrove—they had both known that. Though it had begun among the delphinium and the rain and truly even before that, it was something they would have to work at; something that would require more nurturing, more time. Finding out the source of it all, the lies that lay beneath it all certainly helped settle some of the upset. But knowing that there was somebody out there as callous as that, somebody who would make up bold faced lies and try to use them to drive a wedge between them—it made Maddie sick. Even after Cassandra had left the party, even after she and Harry had explained to Bishop and Ella the simplest version of what had happened—even after they had gone home together, it still stuck in Maddie's mind. It had still worn her down, it had shown her this awful, disgusting truth. There were people out in the world who just might be out to get her, out to get him. And those people could come masked as friends.

It was quite unsettling if she gave it too much time, too much thought. So she had woken that morning with a new mindset; a mission. The longer she let this sit in her mind, the longer Cassandra had a say in what happened in her marriage.

And she was one hundred percent finished with that.

She was reclaiming what was hers. Settling into his arms, holding his hand, kissing him whenever the hell she wanted. Yes, they had dents to smooth out—but they were going to be fine. Better than fine. They had fallen and they had risen again.

And as they stepped out of the church that morning, dressed in their finest and smiling wide, they looked—and felt—like a couple in love.

A married couple with struggles and strengths with lots of love and an abundance of joy—and a baby on the way.

With her hand tucked into Harry's, they slid into the car; him right after her and they were on their way to the party for their Godson.

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"You do know that this Godparent thing does not end with just the church," Bishop sighed as he sank into a chair next to his friends. He had shown the last guest out and now it was just them at the house.

"No?" Harry lifted his eyebrows, his arm draped around the back of the couch with Maddie tucked close.

"Not at all," Bishop shook his head, his smile brightening as his wife returned from having put their son down for a nap. "If anything should happen to the two of us, the two of you are the beneficiaries to all our worldly fortunes. Including our son."

"Really?" Maddie looked from Bishop to Ella. "You would leave Buckie with us?"

"Of course," Ella smiled over to her, amused at the surprise. "Did you think it would be my brother?"

"No," Maddie shook her head. "I suppose I hadn't really thought of it."

"Do you mind?" Bishop looked between them. "We could always..."

"No," Maddie shook her head forcefully, leaning forward. "We don't mind. We would love to take him...well, not love because that would mean..." She waved her hand between them as Harry snickered. "We would absolutely take care of Buckie if anything happened to you." She glanced up at Harry. "Right?"

"Absolutely," he nodded without a doubt, without a flinch.

"Also," Bishop added with a smirk. "If anything happens to Ella, you get me too."

"Ha," Maddie sat back in her seat, back into Harry's side. "Fine but Harry's in charge of bathing you." She nudged him as they all laughed.

"Fine by me," Harry shrugged, his arm moving off the back of the couch, tucking around her.

"Can't wait," Bishop winked, adding to the laughter among them.

"Jesus," Ella rolled her eyes with a sigh. "You two are ridiculous."

"You love us," Bishop smiled over at her, his own adoration abundantly clear.

"Yeah, well," she sighed and winked at him. "I'm pretty ridiculous too."

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"My God," Maddie shook her head as she looked down at her stomach, smiling as she ran her hand over it. Two weeks had passed since Buckie's baptism and she and Harry were nearly back to normal. While Harry was preparing to head into work, she had an easy afternoon planned with Kate and Arthur.

"You okay?" Harry called to her from the shower. He was getting ready to head in to preparation meetings for his new, high profile project—The Invictus Games. He was excited and happy and loving every minute of all of the hours he was putting in to getting them off the ground.

"Yes," she laughed, amused that he had heard her. She wiped at the fog on the mirror. "It's just my belly...I swear it gets bigger every day."

"Really?" She could hear the smile on his lips; the intrigue clear in his voice—even before he pulled open the door, sticking his head out. "Let me see." His hair was soaped and spiked up and the water splashed around him, but he was serious.

"You're getting water everywhere," she shook her head at him, even as she turned to the side, pulling her shirt closer to her body so he could see.

"I'll clean up the water," his smile bared all of his teeth, crinkled the corners of his eyes. "That's my baby in there."

"So I'm told," she snickered. "Now shut the door. Finish your shower. You have somewhere to be."

"God, Madeline," he groaned as he did as he was told, stepping back into the stream of water. "I can't wait to meet our baby."

"Me neither," she sighed, turning back to the mirror, back to getting ready for the happiest little play date she was expecting in a few hours. Biting at her bottom lip, she beamed at the reflection of her stomach in the mirror. "Me neither."

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When the doorbell rang out later that afternoon, Maddie rushed to answer it, her smile pulling even wider when she saw the two people on the other side of it. "Arthur!" She clapped her hands at the site of her chubby, beaming little nephew.

"Maaaaaaaaaaaah!!!" He squirmed in his mother's arms as he called out his best rendition of Maddie, happy to see his aunt who eagerly held out her hands.

"My God he's getting so big!" Maddie chuckled as she pulled him from Kate. "I bet you give your mum quite the workout don't you big boy?"

"It's the truth," Kate sighed as they moved inside Maddie's living room where freshly poured drinks were waiting. "It's better than lifting and now that he's walking, he's running and I get to chase him down."

"It's a good thing you're cute little man," Maddie laughed as she snuggled into his cheeks, kissing him as he cooed. "And...how have you been doing?" Maddie glanced over at Kate.

"I'm great," Kate nodded, her eyes scanning down over Maddie's stomach. "And you? How's the baby?"

"Oh God," Maddie sighed. "I'm good. The baby is good but it's...it's starting to move so much more, I can feel him flip flop and it's just the strangest sort of thing."

"I know," Kate laughed. "Just wait."

"Ha! So I've heard," Maddie lifted Arthur up in the air, making him giggle and squirm even more. "Okay buddy. You can play now..." With a sigh that was half born of regret, she sat him on the floor and watched as he ran over to his bin of toys she had pulled out in preparation. "Ugh. He's growing up too fast."

"Tell me about it," Kate watched as he pulled out a few toys before finding one he was satisfied with, plopping down on the floor to play with them. "You look good, Maddie. You're feeling good?"

"I'm feeling great," Maddie smiled, her hand rubbing over her growing belly. "I feel...big. And I know I'm only just over sixteen weeks and it's only going to get bigger but....it's just so...out there. Does that make any sense?"

"Absolutely," Kate nodded. "Can I feel?"

"Mmmm," Maddie nodded eagerly, sitting next to Kate on the couch and reaching for her hand. "Though you really can't feel much from the outside."

"No?" Kate settled in anyway, her hand rubbing over Maddie's belly. "Harry hasn't felt him yet?"

"No," Maddie shook her head with a smile. "Though he is seriously dying to. You should see the way he just...focuses completely on the belly sometimes; eyeing it like he can make it happen by sheer willpower."

"Well if anyone could," Kate laughed along with Maddie, sighing as they both relaxed. "When do you two leave for Sweden?"

"Day after tomorrow," Maddie reached for her glass. "We have a final meeting with Thomas about upcoming events tomorrow and then we pack up to go."

"Excited?" Kate reached for her own drink, watching as Arthur swapped out his toys, making crashing sounds as he did.

"Nervous," Maddie shrugged. "It's really the first time since the wedding I've been around so many...royals." Her eyes rolled slightly as she said the word, knowing exactly how ridiculous she sounded.

"You mean aside from Family Christmas?" Kate smirked over her glass.

"Aside from that," Maddie chuckled, enjoying the light back and forth she had always shared with Kate.

"You shouldn't be worried," Kate shook her head. "Everyone is really friendly and it will be a relaxed atmosphere and...you're pregnant! Everyone's going to coo over you and talk about babies. You'll do fine."

"Well thanks for the vote of confidence."

"You got it," she sat her drink down. "So...which tiara did you end up going with? I know you were debating. Did you decide?"

"I did." Maddie smiled, her eyes meeting Kate's with a slight mischievousness to them, remembering the debate they had weeks ago. "I'm going to wear The Teck Crescent."

"Chicken," Kate's eyes danced as she snickered.

"Please!" Maddie nudged her. "I told you I'm not wearing THAT one."

"But you have that beautiful necklace Harry gave you! It would look perfect with the Lover's Knot."

"Stop it," Maddie rolled her eyes. "I'm never wearing it. I told you then, I'm telling you now. That particular piece of artwork will not end up on my head. You should move past it."

"Never?" Kate's eyebrows lifted.

"No," Maddie shook her head. "It's...Jesus...it has your name in it. You should absolutely be the one to wear it first and...I don't know...I'm not as strong as you. I can't handle the comparisons."

"Well now we both know that's not true," Kate insisted softly, knowing fully well they had both been held up to the Diana Standard; knowing they had both stood tall against the comparisons to their late Mother-In-Law.

"Either way," Maddie smiled. "I feel like that one should be saved for you and I'm not likely to change my mind on this. So there's really no point in arguing."

Kate listened, sought a place of understanding and then, with her beautiful smile, she moved on. "Fair enough. The Teck Crescent is incredibly beautiful."

"It is," Maddie nodded. "And it reminds me of the Strathmore...it reminds me of our own wedding." She grew soft and sweet. "And I really like that."

"Yeah," Kate agreed. "Tell me. You two doing better?"

"We are. Worlds better," Maddie was quick with the reassurance. Kate had been one of the few people she had told about the Cassandra Whitworth ordeal, knowing that she was the only one in her life who understood this wild dynamic, this crazy life they led. "They filed the protective orders nearly immediately. Our numbers have all been changed and as far as I know she hasn't tried to contact either of us."

"Good. Good." Kate's lips pulled tight as her anger and detest for this woman broiled up. "And Harry? Is he still apologizing every chance he gets?"

"No," Maddie smiled wide, her breath easing as she sighed. "That only lasted for a few days. Thank God."

"Not one for the groveling?" Kate let in a small smile.

"No," Maddie shook her head. "Not in this instance anyway. The longer he felt guilty, the longer he felt he owed me those words—the longer that woman was in our marriage and, frankly, she was in my marriage long enough."

"She sure was," Kate lifted her glass to her lips, mumbling into the cup. "That bitch."

"Whoa," Maddie's eyebrows shot up.

"Sorry," Kate apologized instantly, her features softening. "I hate to see people take advantage, I hate to see people come at you and Harry. I hate it when people think they can just..."

"I know," Maddie agreed; understanding completely. "I know."

"Well I'm happy you two are back to normal," Kate sat down her cup. "You'll enjoy the wedding so much more."

"Yes," Maddie sighed, her smile slipping soft as she thought about it. "It will be nice to get away, to see Harry in uniform...not a bad way to spend a weekend."

Kate wrinkled up her nose and shrugged, smirking as she did. "If you're into that sort of thing."

"Oh I am," Maddie laughed. "I definitely am."

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As Thomas wrapped up the details of their itinerary for the weekend, he turned to the next page in his folio; Maddie and Harry smiled and did the same. "Now, looking forward past this weekend, you can see the projects you've been working on. Harry, you have the announcement of The Invictus Games and a variety of appearances, along with Madeline, that follow to promote the Games. Madeline, you have meetings at The Delphinium Project and a visit to the Children's Hospital."

"With Dr. Colvin?" Maddie smiled as she remembered her former job, her former life.

"Yes Ma'am," Thomas nodded. "Further out there is a request for the two of you to attend the Christmas benefit at St. Joe's..."

"I'm in if you are," Harry looked to Maddie with a grin.

"Of course," Maddie nodded enthusiastically; anything to help out there.

"Oh..." Thomas's eyes narrowed as he read the next item on the list. "There's been a request for the Duchess at Camp Bastion again this year."

"Really?" Maddie leaned forward.

"No," Harry answered quickly, easily; dismissively.

"Sorry?" Maddie turned to look at him with a soft laugh on her lips.

He glanced up from the paper in front of him, looking to Thomas and then to her. "No." He repeated with a shake of his head. "The request for you to visit Camp Bastion at Christmas..."

"You're just going to go ahead and make that decision for me?" Her eyes narrowed in on him as she sat taller in her chair, something about her posture, her expression daring him to say it again.

Harry caught it, took a deep breath and sat up, turning his body to hers. "Madeline, you'll be eight months pregnant at Christmas. If the doctor's allowed you to fly, I don't think you should be going into the middle of a war zone. Do you?"

"I..." She blinked, swallowing back her intuitive drive to fight back when somebody told her what to do. "No. Not necessarily."

"Not necessarily?" He laughed and softened. "Maddie, love. I know you're headstrong and brave and...you want to take our baby into Bastion?"

"No," she shook her head quickly, his wording making it all sound more simple. "No. You're right. I just...ha..." She took a breath. "Maybe I wanted to be the one to say no."

"Ah," he smiled knowingly, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Well by all means," he waved his hand towards Thomas who sat silently across from them.

With a roll of her eyes and a slight blush to her cheeks, she sighed. "No. Thank you."

"Of course," Thomas nodded, seemingly undeterred by their back and forth. "I'll decline and pass it on to another office." He turned over a page in his own notebook. "Now. There was one last request. It's for next summer but I think you'll both be pleased."

"Next summer?" Maddie's eyebrows lifted. "What is it?"

"Where is it?" Harry was intrigued by the smile on Thomas' face.

"It's the opening of a School and Children's Home..." He slid the info sheet across the table to them. "In Bendal."

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They were miles from the city before either of them spoke. After the meeting with Thomas, Harry had helped her into his Range Rover and slipped into the driver's seat; silent and thoughtful. He hadn't said a word as he pulled away from the curb and she hadn't made a peep when he had turned in the opposite direction of their Kensington home.

As they left the city, as the country side began to drift by, Maddie didn't even question it. In fact, she felt relief and peace and when she turned to look at him, her fingers wrapping softly around his forearm as he drove, she could see that he felt it too.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to make sense of all of the emotions swirling in her heart and then, without really looking over to him, she spoke; her lips curling into a reflexive smile as she did. "Bendal."

Harry chuckled; a light, low rumble as he exhaled and glanced over to her. "Bendal."

Maddie's smile pulled higher, her eyes blinking as she drew herself back to present, back from all of the memories. "Are you ready to go back?"

"Honestly?" He lifted his eyebrows and she nodded. "I hadn't even thought of it until he mentioned it but..." His fingers rubbed at his jaw, up over his pursed lips. "I don't know Maddie. I might be."

"I know..." She smiled hazily, her eyes drifting out the window; watching the trees fly by. "It's been such a high and low kind of a place, hasn't it."

"It has," he nodded, reaching out to take her hand in his; pulling it to his lips and keeping it there even after the kiss he had intended. "But in the end..."

"You love the place," she finished for him, knowing she was right.

"God I really do," he pulled her hand to his chest, lacing his fingers in hers and holding it to him. "A school? A Children's Home?" He shook his head and laughed a little. "We can't pass that up can we?"

"No," Maddie's smile pulled higher, excitement building in her belly. "And you know...it's next summer. That means we'll be taking the baby with us...we'll be taking him...or her to Bendal." Tears swam in her eyes as she envisioned that; her husband, her baby on the red sand she had called home. The red sand that had saved her, had held onto her; had guided her to Harry.

The silence settled over the vehicle again, both of them wandering in thought. The memories they had, separately and together, were strong and crucial to who they had become. For Harry it was a place his mother had been, a place he had been trying to help for most of his adult life, a place he had met Khenda. A place he had said good-bye to her. It was a place that had given him peace and escape and his wife.

And it was a place that had nearly taken her; more than once, in more ways than one.

And for Maddie...it was home. In ways that her other homes could never be—it had been. Everything had changed for her in Bendal. Even before Harry and certainly after him—her life hadn't been the same.

The last time they were there was shrouded in a cloud of sadness; saying good-bye to Khenda.

They had to go back. They were both keenly aware of that, knowing without words that the other was in. And there was something about taking their child with them on this next trip; something renewing and right.

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly, glancing over to her—seeing the same sort of resolution in her eyes. "Do you want to tell Thomas? Or shall I?"

"Hmm..." She smiled, warming at his voice, at his conviction; at the way he knew. "You should."

"Okay," he nodded, looking back out the window at the sky turning orange and dark as they drove. "Okay."

As he turned the car around, towards home, Maddie settled back into her seat, keeping his hand tight in hers as her other ran over her stomach. They would be taking their child to her home, to the place that had brought them together. And she knew, without knowing, that this baby—boy or girl—would fall in love with it. Just as his...or her...parents had.

They had a lot ahead of them; the wedding in Sweden, the Invictus Games. Soon they would find out the gender of the baby and even sooner—they hoped—Harry would get to feel the baby move. They had their birthdays and the holidays and all of the preparations that came with their growing family.

But off, on the horizon, they had a return to where this journey had all started; Bendal.