The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 186

A/N:  This is going to be the last chapter of The Unexpected Journey.  But no worries.  I'll be back with Part Two....and a significant time jump.  If you want to know where the Sussexes end up in five years, stay tuned.  I hope you've enjoyed this.

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

The next month of their lives was a time of reconciliation. As they stepped out of those dark, angry days that had surrounded the wave of attacks hurled at them, Maddie and Harry were finally able to see things begin to settle.

The Polo Team of attorneys had negotiated and out-of-court ending for Ernie and his illegally obtained photos. There was an admittance of guilt, a very public apology and monetary compensation--the full amount of which was immediately donated on behalf of the Sussexes. It felt too easy after how big it had become but it had brought with it decisions made by the court that would forever impact the coverage of the royal family and on the eve of those announcements, Maddie and Harry received more than a handful of phone calls from royalty from around the world--all offering their support.

As full attention turned to Cassandra, she found herself knee deep in litigation and upside down in a child custody case that couldn't possibly end well for her. Though her personal involvement in the attacks on the Sussexes would continue to be fought out in the courts, the media outlets who had participated in the stalking and harassment of the Duke and Duchess were brought to a quick and swift justice.

"Do you think it's enough?" Harry had asked Maddie late one night when they were reviewing the notes from the day over a bottle of wine.

Maddie gave it a moment of thought as she finished a sip and shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not sure I'll feel completely vindicated until I get to personally deliver a black eye to the bitch..." She punched her right fist into the air, making Harry chuckle. "But short of that..."

"Yeah..." Harry had sighed; deep and heavy and resolute.

He wasn't sure it was enough either. But the best possible scenario seemed to be laying out in front of them, and that was something--especially given where they had thought they would be. So they let the legal team continue to press, they let the spin doctors do their thing, and they turned their attention forward.

To Bendal.

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

"I can't believe we're going to be back in Bendal..." Maddie shook her head over the salad she was eating.

"I know," Harry nodded, smiling as they finished up a quick lunch in his office.

"Tomorrow. We're going to be back in Bendal tomorrow." Her smile was so wide, her demeanor so giddy that Harry was half curious if she had been drinking champagne with her meal.

"Yes," he chuckled, finishing his food and wiping his mouth with his napkin. "After one incredibly long afternoon today and a night of packing, we'll fly to Bendal tomorrow."

"True," Maddie sighed, allowing her mind one last moment imagining the honey colored sand and the heavy heat. "Speaking of...what's your busy afternoon look like?"

"Meetings," Harry groaned as he rose from the table, tugging down his shirt sleeves, buttoning up the cuffs. "Nothing but meetings until I walk out the door."

"Important ones?" Her eyes followed him as he put himself back together, tucking away the casual, bringing back the formal.

"Mostly last minute details for Bendal," he answered with a small smile.

"Very important ones," Maddie replied.

"Yes," he straightened his tie. "And you? You're picking up your mother at the airport?"