The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 169

With every step that Harry took down the corridor to the waiting room, he could feel this new role changing him. He walked taller, his step was peppier. His smile couldn't have been wider and he was sure that the look in his eyes could be construed as crazy by just about anyone else. But he didn't care.

He didn't mind one bit.

Leaving Maddie's side had been difficult. At first he couldn't be pulled away from them. He was mesmerized; hooked. On Maddie and his daughter. Nothing inside of him had wanted to step out of the room. He knew there were people waiting to be told; his father, her mother—The Queen. But he couldn't seem to force himself from her side. The nurses had insisted he wouldn't miss anything. All they needed to do was finish up a few things, clean up and let his girls settle in. But when Maddie had turned her sweet eyes up to him, when she had lifted his chin and stroked his cheek, when she told him in that wonderfully soft voice of hers, "Go. Tell them the good news."—he went.

He would truly have gone anywhere she commanded him to. He was so in awe of her in that moment. So he had kissed his wife and kissed his daughter and then he had stepped from the room. And his heart was quickly torn; as excited as he was, as ready as he was to celebrate with their loved ones, he was leaving a part of himself in that room with Maddie and their baby.

Standing just outside the waiting room door was a small collection of protection officers; each one's presence telling him exactly who in his family was on the other side of the door. Their smiles lifted to greet him and he looked quickly for Arthur, finding him standing off to the side.

"Arthur," Harry called out to him as he approached them.

"Sir?" He stood tall, looking to Harry.

"We made it," Harry's smile spread higher as he extended his hand. "We made it in plenty of time and she's..." He swallowed and shook his head, a soft chuckle pushing from his lips. "They are both...perfect."

"That's great news Sir," Arthur shook his hand, feeling a sense of relief in his chest. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Harry beamed. "And thank you; for getting her here."

"Of course," Arthur nodded, happy at the news. As the others offered their congratulations, as Jim met Harry's eyes through the group of men, Harry took a step towards the door. Knowing that he could have easily been drawn into hugs and wishes of congratulations from them, he had family waiting. He had an announcement to make.

Taking a deep breath, Harry reached for the handle and pulled open the door. With a whoosh of air and the click of the door behind him, all eyes turned to Harry; conversations halted and he could almost hear their collective breath hold. Through teary eyes, he glanced around the room; at his father and Camilla, at Hannah sitting with Kate, at William talking to Bishop, at Ella standing alone by the windows. He looked at all of them and then his smile cracked wide across his face.

Harry clapped his hands together and with a voice full of more emotion than he could handle, he let them in. "She's here. She's...our daughter. She's here."

And quite suddenly the room around him was alive and in motion. There was a smattering of applause, more than one shout of celebration. There were hugs and there were tears and from his lovely sister-in-law, there was a breath of relief. As they all moved to hug him, to congratulate him, the questions began to fly.

"How is she?"

"She's perfect!" He was beaming as he answered. "She has all of her toes and all of her fingers and..."

"How's Maddie?"

"Oh God," both of his hands pressed to his chest. "She's...she's just amazing." He looked for Hannah then, finding her just to his left as he reached for her hand. "She's wonderful. She's doing just fine. Everything went really well and she's cleaning up and getting settled and then you can all come in and see her...see them." His voice caught on his words as his father's hand closed over his shoulder.

"Congratulations son," he was so proud, so happy. "How are you? Exhausted?"

"No," Harry shook his head. "I'm...wow...I'm..." He couldn't really find it, couldn't quite pick out the right word.

"Of course you are," Charles smiled, leaning to kiss his cheek, holding onto him for an extra beat.

"Well, do tell," it was William who was most curious. "Who does she look like?"

"Oh Maddie," Harry sighed. "She's just like her mother...but with my hair..." Warm, wonderful bursts of laugher filled the room as he shrugged. "Poor thing."

"Does she have a name?" Hannah asked.

"She does," Harry nodded. "It's Lillibet," his eyes shifted to his father. "Lillibet Frances K..." His eyes moved to his brother as a sentiment passed between them all.

"Lillibet Frances K," Charles repeated, pride pouring from his pores.

"K?" Bishop lifted his eyebrows, knowing exactly where the rest of it came from. "Just the letter?"

"Yes," Harry nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat. "K...for Khenda." As he said her name, he looked to Ella and both of their eyes welled up.

"Khenda," she whispered, her hand pressing to her lips to keep from crying.

"Yes," Harry nodded, not bothering to wipe at the wetness in his eyes. "Lillibet Frances K....and she is just...perfect."

"Except she has your hair," Will pointed out with a grin, bringing laughter from all around.

"Yes she does," Harry nodded, his eyes widening as he remembered. "Oh! And they let me deliver her!"

"They what?!" Ella began to laugh through her tears.

"They did," he nodded excitedly as the room rumbled with chuckles. "I mean clearly the doctor did most of the work but in the end..." He choked up as he remembered. "They let me catch her..."

"That's amazing son," Charles patted Harry on the back, his excitement contagious.

"Can we meet her?" Hannah was just as eager as the rest of them.

"You can," Harry nodded enthusiastically. "The nurse said she would come here as soon as they were ready."

"Is there anything we can do for you? Anything you need or..." Thomas' voice called out from the left.

"Thomas!" Harry smiled wide as he spun to him.

"Congratulations Sir." He was proud and happy for Harry, having watched him grow to this fine young man, to this new father.

"Jesus," Harry shook his head as he hugged him. "You stopped my heart at that rugby match. I nearly passed out in front of all those people."

"Yes Sir," he laughed. "I want you to know that I'll be here for a while. You'll let me know when you're ready to make an announcement?" He gestured towards the windows, alluding to the people who were waiting for the news.

"I will," Harry nodded with a smile. "Thank you. For everything you did tonight."

"Of course, of course."

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Harry's phone call was quick. Letting his grandmother know that he was a father—that his daughter bearing her name had arrived—it only added to the emotional flood that had taken him. Bringing her the happy news and accepting her heartfelt congratulations made it all that much more real. The call was over quickly, his duty as a grandson and as a Duke had been met and before long he was on his way back to Maddie.

And he was bringing with him quite the crew. When the nurse came to fetch them all, Bishop and Ella decided to stay in the waiting room, wanting the family to go first.

"Are you sure?" Hannah looked to them with warmth.

"Of course," Bishop nodded as Ella smiled. "We'll wait. We don't want to overwhelm them."

So as the two of them sat close together on the couch, the rest of the group followed the nurse and Harry back to Maddie. Despite the late/early hour, they were all awake, all eager to see for themselves this sweet new addition to their family. When they stepped back into the room, the scene was different than when he had left; quieter, more peaceful. The chaos from Lilli's birth had been cleaned up and Maddie was tucked into a new bed; a bigger bed with fresh, clean sheets. And when she looked up towards them, when her smile pulled wide across her tired face, Harry felt his heart swell in his chest.

"Hi," she called out to them, hugging the little swaddled bundle closer to her chest as she waved them in with her hand. "Come in, come in..."

"Oh my goodness," Hannah's voice cracked as she moved into the room; slow and in awe—just like the rest of the group that gathered around the bed. Her fingers pressed to her lips as she looked at her daughter; as she looked at her daughter holding her daughter.

Harry moved right to Maddie's side, his pride beaming from his smile, from his eyes. "How are you?" His hands moved to them reflexively; fingers of one hand tucking hair behind Maddie's ear as the fingers of the others smoothed over the bright red wisps of Lilli's hair.

"We're great," Maddie smiled up at him, so in love with him, with their little family. Her lips turned up to him as he leaned to kiss her; not caring one bit that they had a crowd. With a soft chuckle, Maddie looked to their audience as they watched.

"Is she asleep?" Hannah asked, peering at the tightly wrapped baby in Maddie's arms.

"No," Maddie shook her head, feeling her emotions swell as she looked up to her mother. "She's just quiet...and content..." Her fingers tugged the blanket away from her face. "She's eaten and had a bath and she's just...she's ready to meet her family." Maddie's eyes were bright as she turned to her mother. "Would you like to hold her?"

"Really?" Hannah's voice was soft and quiet, her eyes darting up to Charles. "Would you like to..."

"No, no," he shook his head, holding his hand up as he nodded to her. "You first."

Though he desperately wanted to hug his granddaughter, though he wanted nothing more than to kiss her pink little cheeks, he knew in his heart that she should meet Hannah first. So he stood next to the bed with a wide smile and dancing eyes and he watched as Maddie passed her daughter over to her mother. And he watched with joy as a new grandmother was born.

"Oh my..." Hannah brought Lilli close, her eyes welling up as she leaned to kiss her head, to smell her, to absorb this new little life into her senses, into her memory. "She's absolutely perfect Maddie."

"I know," Maddie nodded, a light laugh on her lips.

"She looks just like you did as a baby Madeline," Hannah smiled down at the baby, taking in her little nose, the curves of her lips. "Just like you."

"Except for the hair," Maddie reached for Harry's hand.

"Except for the hair," Hannah nodded with a chuckle.

"Did Harry tell you her name?"

"He did," Hannah smiled, her eyes not leaving the baby in her arms; mesmerized by her instantly. "Lillibet Frances K..." She spoke her name with love and devotion. "What a lovely name for such a lovely little baby."

"It was all Maddie," Harry spoke up, his voice and his eyes full of love for his wife.

"It's true," Maddie winked up at him. "Had Harry had his way, you would be cuddling with sweet little Invictus Sussex right now," the room rumbled with laughter as he shrugged.

"I have been a little single minded lately," he admitted. "Thankfully Maddie's clearer head prevailed.

"Thankfully," Charles' voice was deep and rich as he patted his son on the back, his eyes meeting Maddie's with a smile.

"Okay..." Hannah's voice was soft as she bent to kiss her granddaughter once more before she looked up to Charles. "Come now," she nodded to him. "I feel guilty keeping her all to myself. I think it's time for you to meet our granddaughter."

"Oh my," Charles pressed a hand to his chest as he looked across the bed at Hannah. "Really?"

"Of course," Hannah nodded. Handing the baby to Harry who sat next to Maddie, she turned her attention to her daughter. "How are you doing my dear?"

"I'm doing fantastic, thank you," Maddie's smile reassured them all. "Everything went so well!" She looked around at her co-conspirators. "Thank you all so much for your help. I can't believe we were able to get out of there without any sort of uproar."

"I can't either," Kate shook her head, moving closer to Maddie, catching her eyes. "You're really feeling okay? Everything's fine?"

"I am," Maddie reached out towards her, as though she were going to take her hand. "Everything went great. We got out of the games just fine, we arrived with plenty of time...and without any photographers!"

"I can't believe that," William shook his head, watching as Harry adjusted Lilli in his arms.

"I can't either," Harry chuckled taking the opportunity to kiss her once more, to run his fingers over her cheeks before he stood to hand her over to his father. "Here we are Lilli..." Harry spoke softly to her, his eyes turning up to Charles. "This is your grandfather..." Standing tall, he settled the tiny little bundle into his dad's big, strong hands and he watched him melt.

"My goodness," his deep voice was laced with emotion as he tucked her close to him. "She's just...beyond precious," he looked up to Harry with a wide, easy smile. "And she really does have your hair."

"She really does," Harry laughed along with the room. And when Lilli let out a cry, the laughter in the room only deepened.

"There, there," Charles soothed her, bouncing her lightly in his arms as he chuckled. "Don't let it upset you. Your father has done quite well with it and I'm sure it will grow on you."

"Look at you," Maddie smiled as Lilli's crying subsided. "You're quite the natural."

"Ah thank you for saying so," Charles smiled up at Maddie. "But this isn't my first time and...it does seem she has her father's wail too."

"Oh lovely," Maddie laughed, looking up at Harry who was beaming with pride, even as they poked gentle fun.

"There we go," Charles cooed down at her. "You're just fine. Now...would you like to meet the rest of your family?" He turned to look at Camilla who was melting as she watched Charles with his granddaughter.

And so it began; the passing of the tiny little bundle of baby. She was cradled in Camilla's arms. She was whisked up into William's, his eyes meeting Harry's as they shared a look, an understanding; this new bond of brotherhood now that they were both fathers. Kate kissed her soft, sweet little head and promised her years of spoiling and shopping and all of the wonderful things only an Aunt can do.

After they had all had their turn with Little Lilli, they returned the sleeping baby to Maddie's arms and decided it was time to take their leave. After making promises to come back, to bring Arthur along, it was time to go. With kisses and hugs, they began to slip from the room, making their way through corridors and out the back door, into cars that would take them through the shower of flashbulbs and to their homes. As his family drifted away, Harry closed the door behind them and turned back to a quiet room, wanting a moment with them before he brought in more excitement.

"How are you?" He spoke softly to Maddie, his eyes shining from across the room as he looked at her.

"I'm..." She trailed off, shaking her head with a great big grin on her face. "God Harry, I'm just....wow." Her last word came out as a whisper as happiness built in her throat. "She's here."

"She is," he nodded, moving in next to her on the bed, his arm moving back around her as his other hand moved to stroke their daughter's head. "You have no idea how unbelievably impressed with you I am right now," he leaned to kiss Lilli's head before leaning to kiss Maddie. "I've always been impressed that women could...create people and then bring them into the world but...watching it happen..." He laughed and shook his head, a deep breath pulling into his lungs. "I'm in awe."

"You're...something," she kidded, leaning to kiss him again, her nose nuzzling against his as she tucked into the crook of his neck.

"You know I hate to bring this up..." He smiled as he looked down at his girls. "But..."

"But?" Maddie lifted her eyes to him.

"There's an announcement to be made..."

"Ah yes," Maddie smiled. "I must have forgotten you were a Prince."

"Me too," he chuckled.

"Do you need to call Thomas?"

"No, no," Harry shook his head. "He's out in the waiting room with Ella and Bishop. Are you up for a few more visitors?"

"I am," she nodded.

"I'll go get them," Harry kissed the top of her head and took a breath as he stood up from the bed.

"Thank you," Maddie's fingers reached for his. "And Harry..."

"Hmmm?" He lifted tired eyebrows, his fingers catching with hers.

"Tell Thomas to make the announcement."

"You're sure?" He bent to kiss her hand.

"I am," she lifted a finger to stroke his lips. "She's here; safe and sound and...wonderful. We should let them know that." She shrugged her shoulders and laughed. "Maybe they'll go home."

"Ha!" Harry's head tipped back as his laughter rumbled softly from his chest. "I doubt that very much, but I'll tell him." Moving in, he bent his head to kiss her; soft and warm and slow. His lips ran over hers, his hands moving to her cheeks, to her hair; his emotions taking hold of them both for just a moment.

"Easy," Maddie teased, pulling her mouth from his and catching his heavy gaze. "Or we'll have another one on the way in not time."

"Hmmm..." Harry grinned wide at the thought, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before he stood tall. "I'll be back. With Bishop and Ella."

"Thank you." With a squeeze to his fingers, she released him, watching him step from the room before her focus returned to their daughter.

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When Harry returned to the much quieter waiting room, he sent Ella and Bishop to Maddie's room and moved to take a seat next to Thomas. Falling into it, the two men looked at each other, sharing a quiet, happy moment before Harry cleared his throat and spoke.

"Did you want to come in and meet her?" Harry's smile was tired but wide.

"No no," Thomas shook his head. "Tonight is for family."

"You've been here...all night," Harry laughed, feeling the tips of emotion take over his voice. "You've been with me for...so long. Thomas. You are family." He clapped his hand on his shoulder. "Come back and meet my daughter."

"I will tomorrow Sir," Thomas patted Harry's hand. "I just have one more thing to do tonight before I leave you with your family."

"Ah yes," Harry let out a long slow breath, his arms crossing over his chest as he let his mind drift from the bliss for a second, back to the duty of it all. "You need to make an announcement."

"But not before you're ready," he assured him with a smile. "The world can wait for another day as far as I'm concerned."

"Ha!" Harry laughed, knowing that while he meant it, it really wasn't a possibility. "No. Let's not make them do that. My wife sent me out here to ask you to let them in. Make the announcement and then go home. Get some rest. And tomorrow, come back and meet my daughter?"

"I would be honored sir," Thomas nodded, leaning in to hug Harry, kissing his cheek before he pulled back. "You'll give my love and congratulations to the Duchess?"

"I will," Harry hugged him back. "Thank you. For everything."

"My pleasure," Thomas grinned, telling the absolute truth as he pulled away from Harry. "I'll see you in the morning."

Harry nodded, rising to his feet and watching as Thomas pulled on his coat, gathered his bag, and made his way down the corridor. Looking back at the now empty waiting room, Harry took in a long, deep breath and turned towards Maddie's room, knowing that the world was about to be a part of this wonderful little secret that had, for a brief glimpse of time, been just theirs.

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When Harry returned to the room, Ella was on the bed next to Maddie while Bishop held Lilli in his arms, looking down at her with almost as much adoration as Harry held.

"I see she already has you wrapped around her finger," Harry joked as he slipped inside.

"She does," Bishop lifted a grin to his best friend. "She's absolutely beautiful Harry."

"Of course she is..." Harry moved to his side, smiling down at his daughter. "Look at her mother." Bishop lifted a smile to Maddie as Harry's smile faded. "On second thought, don't look at her mother," he reached to thump his friend's head as they all laughed.

"I don't know Bishop..." Ella called out, her eyes fixed on him. "Watching you hold her, it's really making me want another."

"Is that so?" Bishop's beaming grin turned right to her.

"It is," she giggled. "You may want to put her down before this gets out of hand." Maddie snickered next to her but Bishop stood still.

"Maybe not," he shook his head. "Buckie is almost a year old. It wouldn't be a terrible time to start trying for another, particularly one that was planned."

"Jamie Bishop," Ella blinked; shocked. "You want another?"

"You should know by now," he adjusted Lilli in his arms. "I want whatever you want."

"Okay, okay," Harry gently chided, raising a finger in warning. "Maybe you two leave your family planning for the privacy of your own home this time."

"Ha!" Maddie clapped her hands together. "Maybe they want a baby named Lindo."

"Lindo Bishop?" Harry laughed along with the rest of them.

"Lindo and Buckie," Ella shook her head as Bishop and Harry moved closer to the bed. "Sounds good to me. How about you?" She wagged her eyebrows at her husband.

"Like I said," he winked. "I want whatever you want." Tearing his eyes from his wife, he leaned to kiss Lilli's head before moving to pass her back to her mother. "Madeline, love, may I make a request?"

"Of course," Maddie smiled, taking Lilli back into her arms. "What is it?"

"I would like your permission to borrow your husband..." He stood tall and patted his suit coat, right over his breast pocket. "We have a little celebratory tradition I would love to share with him..."

As Maddie grew soft, remembering that when Bishop had become a father, it had been her who had celebrated with him because Harry had been flying an Apache in Khundu. "Of course," she whispered her answer, fighting with the emotions that swelled inside of her. "Of course you can." Looking to Harry who seemed to be almost as caught up in it as she was, she nodded to him. "Go with Bishop, Daddy. We'll be right here when you're done."

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