The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 142

Day Four

"The Duke of Sussex, an Apache Commander and Captain in the British Army, has been on base in Khundu for the past three days. According to a statement from Saint James Palace released this morning, Prince Harry will serve out a standard four month deployment—his third during his tenure in the Army and his first in Khundu."

With a snarl at the TV Maddie turned it off and tossed the remote away from her; reveling in the thud it made as it hit the wood floor. She kicked it with her toe as she walked past it on her way to the mantle.

"The world knows, Captain," she sighed, speaking out loud into the room. Reaching into one vase, she pulled out a marble and looked it over. Every one of the antique clay marbles Harry had given her for Christmas was unique. None of them were the same. They had rich, deep colors and she loved to look them over before she moved them. "Day four." She dropped the marble into the more empty of the two and she turned away.

She could hear her phone vibrating on the coffee table; it had been vibrating for hours. Bending down to scoop it up, she took a deep breath.

32 texts.

13 phone calls.

7 voicemail messages.

The incoming call? Ella Bishop. Deciding that she could handle that particular phone call, she ran her finger across the screen and answered.

"Mrs. Bishop," her smile was small and tight, but it was genuine.

"You have to call me that?" Ella groaned a bit over the line.

"It has a nice ring to it," Maddie's shoulders eased up just hearing her friend's voice.

"I suppose," Ella yawned. "Though not as nice of a ring as Her Royal Highness."

"Ha! You got me there," Maddie sank back to the couch.

"I saw the news," Ella offered and Maddie sighed. "You doing okay?"

"I don't know," her voice was low as she spoke honestly; as honest as she could in that moment. "I have so many phone calls to return you know? And all of them are going to want to talk about it, to know how I'm doing, to know how he's doing, if I've heard from him....it's just going to be an afternoon of talking about the exact thing I don't want to talk about."

"Yeah..." Ella sighed; holding the space for a moment. "Do you want me to come over? I can't drink with you but I can eat the hell out of a cheesecake."

Despite her melancholy mood, Maddie felt a laugh push through her lips. "Do you have a cheesecake with you right now?"

"No," Ella laughed along with her. "But I would bet a thousand dollars that if I call Bishop and ask him for one, he'll deliver."

"He's a good man," Maddie pulled her knees up under her chin; hugging her legs to her.

"He is," Ella agreed. "So what do you say?"

"I can't," Maddie sighed, glancing to the clock that stood tall in the corner of the room. "I have an event this afternoon."

"That's right," Ella smiled as she remembered. "The Children's Chorale talent thing at the Children's Hospital?"

"Yes," Maddie nodded; her nervousness for the outing battling her excitement at seeing the children.

"You're going with Kate?"

"No," Maddie shook her head and looked down at her bared knees, her painted toes. "I'm going in place of Kate."

"Is Kate okay?" Ella's concern was genuine; not imposing or gossipy, but Maddie laughed it off.

"She actually has a touch of the flu. Her and Arthur," Maddie grimaced at the way Kate's voice had sounded when she had talked to her the night before. "So she's going to stay home and they asked if I could accompany Will. They like to have a woman go out with him, to soften the ticket." Maddie snickered. "And I'm apparently the only one available." In truth, she was happy to be getting out; happy to have her mind somewhere else.

"Please," Ella laughed lightly. "I've seen reports, I've read the articles. You're in demand right now."

"Yes, well..." Maddie shrugged. "That will pass, it always does."

"Good luck tonight," Ella was worried about her best friend; about the tone of her voice. "And I'm here...if you need anything."

"Including late-night, personally delivered cheesecake?"

"Including that," Ella laughed.

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

Despite her once sour mood, Maddie felt her spirits lift as she readied for the event. She smiled as Tara brought with her hilarious tales of her new nephew and she actually laughed when Rosie Tellington handed over her outfit for the day.

A simple wool pencil skirt.

A crisp white button down with three-quarter sleeves.

A bright, belted cardigan to go over it.

And the killer piece.

"Harry's turtle tie?" Maddie looked up from the smooth length of fabric Rosie had laid in her hands.

"Harry's turtle tie," she nodded. "You told me to work his clothes into yours while he's away. We'll put this under your cardigan and it will look amazing. Trust me."

And Maddie did. So she nodded and pulled on the skirt, the shirt and the cardigan and then she held her breath as Rosie tied the tie around her neck and tucked it into her layers. When she stepped aside and allowed Maddie to look in the mirror, the full effect of it hit Maddie like a sack of bricks.

Her fingers ran over the blue fabric and her eyes welled up and it felt nice and sweet and incredibly intimate; to be wearing his clothes, out in public, while he was away. But it made her feel close to him and it made her smile.

"You were right," she called out to Rosie as she stepped into her heels. "This really sets the look off." She loved how Rosie was doing as she had requested and making it look so flawless. It was so seamless that Maddie was sure that if people didn't know, they wouldn't even notice it was Harry's tie.

"I told you," Rosie smiled back at her, tucking and pulling at her outfit until it sat just so. "You're going to knock them out this afternoon. And I'm not just talking about the outfit."

"Thank you," Maddie smiled sheepishly. She wasn't so sure. She was excited about the event, even more so that Will would be there to shoulder some of the questions, some of the attention she was bound to get now that the news had dropped. But she was still a little nervous; hopeful that her emotions would hold up while they were out.

A soft knock sounded on the door and Thomas Smith appeared with a smile and a nod, alerting her to the time. "Your Royal Highness, the cars are here."

"Thank you Mr. Smith," Maddie smiled back at him; watching as Libby stepped in, gathering the clutch she had put together to take for the night with lip gloss and her cell phone. Tara sprayed Maddie's hair one last time and Maddie was done.

As she rose to her feet she very much felt like she was pulling on her royal exterior just as she had pulled on the cardigan, the skirt, the shoes. Sliding her rings onto her finger, reaching for her watch and a bracelet Harry usually wore that he had left behind, she was finished; ready to go. It felt very much like a uniform that night; what she wore to work along with her smile. Her eyes glanced back to the mirror at the tie. All except for the tie. The tie was hers.

Maddie stepped from her home just seconds before William stepped from his; smart and crisp in his suit and a smile. With their staffs and security around them, he moved to greet her; kissing her cheeks.

"Are they feeling any better?" She asked, nodding up towards his place.

"Oh no," he shook his head with a half a smile. "It's not a pretty scene up there."

"I would guess," Maddie laughed and moved around to her side of the car. Slipping inside, the doors shut behind them both and in seconds they were in motion.

"Thank you for doing this with me," Will's eyes shifted to her as they moved along. "I know it was incredibly last minute but I appreciate you going through the bother."

"It's no bother at all," Maddie smiled across the backseat. "It's actually nice to get out of the house, to not sit and stare at the phone or the TV."

"Or the papers?" Will offered, understanding the feeling more than she knew. "Or the computer?"

"Yes," Maddie nodded and a quiet moment settled between them, both thinking of him.

"Has he called you?" Will glanced over to her.

"No," she shook her head. "Not yet. You?"

"No," Will echoed her reply. "But I cannot imagine that I'm higher on the list than you." Maddie chuckled softly. "They're going to come at you, you know. At the event, the crowd is going to want to see you and talk to you and make sure you're okay."

"I know," she took in a deep breath.

"They mean well, they really do," he assured her; knowing that it was overwhelming, even when they meant well.

"I know," Maddie nodded and looked down at her hands.

"But don't worry," Will sat taller as they rounded the final corner. "Thomas and Libby will be there to pull you along..." He shrugged and looked out at the crowds. "And they brought me along for comic relief. So, you can't go wrong."

Maddie looked up to him and caught his wink, caught his stab at breaking the ice, and she laughed. "Can't go wrong." She echoed and the car slowed to a stop.

Without time to think, their doors were open and they were stepping from the car. Seeing as Maddie had been a last minute substitution, the organizers of the event were well aware that she would be there, but most of the on-looking crowd were not and there was an audible gasp when they realized.

And then a rushed murmur as everyone began to ask the questions to each other that they were gearing up to ask her. Will stood still on the opposite side of the car and waited for her to join him before they both turned towards the crowd offering smiles and waves. And then they stepped forward up the carpeted walkway to meet their hosts for the night waiting at the doors to greet them.

Just as they had all expected, the shouts from the crowd all came at once.

"Maddie!"

"Will!"

"How is Harry?!"

"Maddie!"

"How are you?!"

"Have you heard from him?!"

"Maddie! Maddie! Maddie!"

This was why they stayed towards children, Maddie smiled politely as she passed by the reporters and honed in on the group of little ones along the side; bending down to greet them, she found solace in their wide eyes and innocent questions.

"Well hello there," Maddie shook little hands as they stuck out to reach her.

"Are those turtles on your tie?" One little girl pointed to the small design.

"As a matter of fact, they are," Maddie's smile reached her eyes; her hands smoothing over the fabric.

"I like turtles," the boy next to her added in.

"Me too," Maddie agreed. "I think it would be neat to have your home with you all of the time."

"Yes," the boy contemplated that for a moment. "And also heavy."

"And also heavy," Maddie laughed in agreement. "Tell me are you all going to be taking part in the performance tonight?"

"Yes ma'am," the little girl nodded in delight.

"Wonderful," Maddie clapped her hands and looked up to Will who had come to a stop next to her.

"Are you making new friends?" He smiled down at her.

"I'm speaking to some of tonight's talent. Would you like to meet them?" Maddie tossed a wink up to him and he nodded, dipping down to their level and extending his hand to a chorus of tiny hellos.

The little boy studied William for a moment before he asked. "What do you have on your tie?"

"Sorry?" William looked down at his necktie.

"She's wearing turtles on hers, do you have animals on yours?"

"No," William shook his head and smiled softly to Maddie as he realized exactly what she was wearing. "Mine is just a boring old design. I think her tie is much better. Don't you?"

"Yes," the little girl agreed quickly, laughing as the others nodded along.

"Well now if you don't mind," Will rested his hands on his knees. "I'm going to have to steal my sister here away from you so that we can get to our seats before your show begins."

"She's your sister?" The boy looked from Will to Maddie and back again.

"She is," Will nodded. "She married my brother so that makes her my sister."

"Ewwwww!" The little girl's nose wrinkled up. "Don't marry boys! They are stinky!" As the crowd around them bubbled over in laughter, Will rose to his feet and offered his hand to Maddie so that she could follow him.

"It was nice to meet you all," Maddie smiled down at them, turning back towards her duties with lighter shoulders. "I look forward to seeing your performances."

And as they all waved good-bye, Maddie held her head high and followed Will the few short steps to their hosts for the evening. Introductions were given; bows and curtsies performed and then, with her protective brother beside her and his hand on her back, they moved into the hospital for the evenings' event.

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

The evening was an unmitigated success. The pictures that hit the internet mere minutes after they were taken showed a happy Will and a delighted Maddie and a whole host of excited children. They sat through the performances, they applauded, they met scores of people and then in closing, Will made a speech. Following the long night and the slew of photos, Maddie and Will were slipping back in the car and on their way back to Kensington.

"You know..." Will turned to her in the dark car. "Harry was right about you."

"Oh?" Maddie's eyebrows lifted.

"You're really very good at this." His compliment was warm and authentic as they pulled through the gates.

"Ha!" Maddie couldn't help but laugh at the notion, at the image of Harry telling him that. "Well, your brother is quite biased."

"He is," Will agreed with a small shrug. "But he wasn't wrong. Politely passing up the reporters, your solid rapport with the children, the kind way you made small talk with the event planners. It's really no wonder people like you so much. You're a natural." He met her eyes and smiled; he was trying to be genuine with her and despite her instinct to shrug it off, she felt compelled to take it.

"Well thank you very much for saying so."

"Mmm," he smiled and the car rolled to a stop. "Thank you, again, for doing this."

"No need," she shook her head. "I enjoyed myself a great deal. It was much better than sitting in an empty home...missing him."

"I suppose it is," their doors pulled open and Will paused for a moment. "You know if you need anything, we're only a few steps away."

"I do know that," Maddie nodded. "Thank you. Give my love to Kate and Arthur?"

"Will do. Good night Madeline."

"Good night William."

And then with soft, sweet smiles across the backseat of the car, they both stepped out and moved in opposite directions towards their homes.

Day Seven

"Ma'am," Libby's voice called out to Maddie who was pulling out of the funk that had been with her since Harry had left and was putting in some hours at the office.

"Yes?" Maddie looked up from the briefings she was reading on The Delphinium Project and its progress.

"The Duke of Cambridge is here to see you."

"Oh!" She hadn't been expecting him at all. Dropping her file onto her desk, she rose to her feet and smiled at her assistant. "Please bring him in."

Libby nodded and stepped out only to step right back in a few seconds later with Maddie's brother-in-law looking slightly more casual than he had a few nights earlier.

"Hi there!" Maddie came around the desk to greet him as Libby slipped back out. "What a nice surprise."

"Sorry to just drop by," Will kissed her cheeks.

"Don't be," she waved her hand. "It's really nice to see you. How are Kate and Arthur?"

"Much better," Will nodded and moved to the couches she had in her office. "They have both recovered their ability to eat and keep it down. Thank goodness." He chuckled.

"Are they up in Bucklebury?" Maddie sank onto the couch opposite him.

"They are. I'm headed up to meet them after this."

"Fantastic," she smiled and studied him; noting the look in his eyes, the way he watched her, the way his hands pressed together in front of him. "Will?"

"Yes?"

"Want to tell me what this is about?" She waved her finger between them with a bit of a smirk.

"Ah yes!" He clapped his hands together and moved forward. "I was wondering if you might be willing to do me a favor; a few favors in fact?"

"Sure," Maddie shrugged, intrigued. "What can I do for you?"

"Well," he cleared his throat and moved to the edge of his seat. "I thought the other night at the Talent Night at the Children's Hospital went really well."

"It did," Maddie agreed.

"Also, as you know, Kate has been doing remarkably well with her recovery from...Arthur's birth. She's been seeing Gerald and she's been doing...really well." Maddie could see the love and affection he held for his wife wash over every corner of his face and it made her heart warm.

"She's an amazing woman."

"No argument there," Will agreed wholeheartedly. "Something you said that night struck me; that it was easier to be out and busy than at home alone..."

"Surrounded by reminders that Harry's not there," Maddie finished for him. "It is. Much easier."

"So it got me thinking," he took a breath. "I'm wondering if you would be willing to step in for Kate for a few more events. It would get you out, it would allow Kate more time with Arthur and more time to continue this recovery and it would help me out. You're big with the public right now and you have an amazing way with the people you meet. I thought it might be a beneficial option for all of us."

"Oh wow..." Maddie's lips curled up at the thought.

"You can say no," he hurried ahead. "I'm here, personally, to ask you. I'm not in any official capacity at all. It's a suggestion that I thought you might be interested in and..."

"Yes," she cut him off, catching herself and smiling in apology. "Sorry. Yes. I would love to do a few events with you; Kate can be with Arthur and I can be...not at home."

"Exactly," Will nodded. "There are really only four that I'm thinking of. Three smaller ones that are local and then one weekend in Wales all over the next month or so."

"I'm in," she nodded emphatically.

"Wow, that was easy," he laughed at how excited she seemed. "I'll have the dates sent to Libby to be sure there aren't any clashes with your current schedule?"

"That would be great. And thank you Will...for thinking of me. I appreciate it."

"Of course," he nodded and brought his hands together. "Would you like to come with us? To Bucklebury?"

"Oh wow," she laughed. "Thank you for the invitation, truly. But I think I'll stay put."

"Okay," he nodded and rose to his feet. "I'll see you in about a week then?"

"You will," Maddie followed suit, leaning in to accept a hug; kissing his cheeks before he pulled away.

Day Fifteen

The first of the three smaller negotiated events Will had presented to Maddie found them both in brighter spirits and a shared eagerness. They were going to meet some of the rescue workers who had been involved in the evacuation of a hotel during a fire in the London area. Everyone had made it out unharmed due to the diligence and abilities of the men and women they were going to meet that afternoon.

Will looked across the backseat of the car at Maddie, his eyes narrowing as he studied her outfit. "Sorry, are you wearing one of Harry's flannel shirts?"

"I am," Maddie glanced down at the neatly pressed shirt under her jacket, over her cropped pants and heels. "Funny that you recognize it."

"He wears it all the time," Will's lips twitched up.

"I'm working his clothes into mine while he's away..." Her cheeks blushed at the admission. "It makes me feel closer to him."

"Sure," Will nodded. He could appreciate the gesture, the sentiment behind it. "Have you heard anything?"

"No," she shook her head, smiling softly at Harry's big brother. "Nothing yet."

"Mmmm..." Will's lips pressed together in thought. "Tell me. Did I see you running around the gardens this morning?"

"Yes!" Maddie's eyes flew wide as she looked to him, exasperated. "They have me waking up early! And they have me running miles!" Will started to laugh at the look on her face. "Don't laugh! I'm serious! This man is just...intent on taking me down."

"Well we can't have that," Will shook his head. "Would you like me to have him thrown in the tower?"

"I would love that!" She clapped her hands together, smiling at the banter between them. "Can you do that?"

"Psh..." He blew air through his lips, cocky and assured. And then he shook his head. "No not really. But if I could..."

"I appreciate the thought," Maddie laughed and relaxed into her seat finding herself more at ease and excited for the event they were about to attend.

Day Eighteen

"Ohmygod..." Maddie moaned around a mouthful of cheesecake as she sat in Ella and Bishop's kitchen eating with her best friend. "This is amazing. Did you make this?"

"Ha!" Ella laughed, scooping up another bite onto her fork. "Please. Do you not know me? I don't bake!"

"Then who?" Maddie reached for another bite.

"Who do you think?" Ella raised her eyebrows, her smile smug.

"Bishop?" Maddie's lips tipped up. "No!"

"No," Ella giggled. "But you should see your face."

"Nice," Maddie rolled her eyes.

"I had Bishop pick it up this morning before you came over." Ella shrugged and nodded over to a stack of magazines on the counter. "I also had him pick up those."

"What are those?" Maddie glanced over without moving away from the cheesecake.

"Articles about your lovely, royal self."

"What?" Maddie sat up straight and leaned a bit, looking closer.

"Yeah, I know you have people to do that now but occasionally I'll pick up a few just for fun; to see how on or off base they are. And I think the pregnancy hormones have drawn me to the ridiculousness more so than ever before." Ella smiled sweetly. "They've figured out what you're doing with Harry's clothes by the way."

"Really?" Maddie's eyebrows shot up; amused.

"Mmm..." Ella nodded and took another bite before reaching for the top magazine. "They took longer than I thought they would too. I mean...I figured after the turtle tie they would get it but it took the shirt to make them realize and then they went back over your other outfits and found the sweater and the tie..." She thumbed through the pages as Maddie reached for her cup of tea. "They love you right now, you know? You're quite the media darling."

"Come on," Maddie adjusted in her seat, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the attention drawn to her. "They have been everywhere lately but we both know how fast that fades. And I think they just miss Harry so they're clinging to me."

"Maybe," Ella shrugged. "But they can't get enough of you right now. It's fascinating to watch; how they seem to want to look out for you, take care of you while he's gone. Of course now that they know you're wearing his clothes, it's only going to get worse. It'll be a veritable 'Where's Waldo' of Harry's clothing every time you go out."

"Ha!" Maddie snickered at the image of people scanning her pictures for something that they had seen Harry in.

"Speaking of..." Ella tossed the magazine to the table. "What are you wearing to your next event?"

"Bunny tie," Maddie smiled and reached for another bite. "Around my waist like a belt with this clip that makes it look like a bit of a bow. Rosie's really outdoing herself with this."

"Sexy," Ella winked at her best friend and sighed, leaning back into her seat. "Ugh." Her hand rubbed over her growing stomach. "I'm enormous."

"You're gorgeous," Maddie corrected, her eyes sliding to focus on Ella's belly. "Can I?"

"Of course," Ella reached for her hand and moved it right over to the side. "He's been moving so much lately."

"Yeah?" For some unknown reason, Maddie's voice dropped to a whisper. "Does it feel strange on the inside?"

"Like a bloody alien," Ella laughed; her hand resting over Maddie's and holding it close. Her eyes locked with her best friends' and her head tilted to the side. "You doing okay?"

"Yeah," Maddie sighed, her head nodding heavy. "I am."

"Have you heard from him?" Ella's thumb rubbed over the back of Maddie's hand.

"Not yet," she shook her head, blinking back the nervousness and sadness she knew was coming to her eyes. "Not yet."

Day Twenty

"Oh wow..." Maddie let out a breath as she and Will drove away from their next event. "That was...different?"

Will started laughing next to her making no attempt at hiding it or control it. "Different?! Ha!" He clapped his hand to his knee. "That's the mildest way to put it. I wasn't sure if that woman was ever going to let you go."

"She had a lot to say," Maddie grinned as she remembered. "She was very sweet though."

"She was," he nodded in agreement. "For all fifteen hours she spoke to you about her cat."

"Ha!" Maddie couldn't help but laugh. "Not quite that long but...what can you do...." She let out a long breath. "Some people really love their cats."

"True," he shook his head and relaxed back in his seat as a thought occurred to him. "Listen. Kate's with her mother tonight and I'm not going up there till tomorrow afternoon..." He shrugged and smiled. "Would you care to stop off and get a drink before going home?"

"You know..." Maddie's smile was wide and real and felt easy for the first time in twenty-one days so she nodded. "I think I would."

"Fantastic," Will smiled and leaned up to the driver. He was quick with the name and address of Leo's place and before Maddie had time to tease him for knowing that off the top of his head, the car was turning and they were on their way.

It would be nice, she thought, to be out of the house, with friends and family, having a drink after a day at work. Sure, the friends owned the club and the family was the future King of England and the day at work had been documented by international press. Though those were things she pushed aside as they stepped from the car and hurried up the short walk to Leo's club to meet Leo who already had a table ready for them.

And there they stayed for nearly three hours. Leo had joined them, as did Sean and Kiki when they arrived about midway through. They sat in that corner booth and had drink after drink as Will told her some of the most hilarious and heartwarming tales of him and Harry as children; stories she would take with her that night when she finally crawled into her bed.

After they were sufficiently tipsy, Will held tight to her arm as Leo snuck them out the back and he hugged her close before they parted ways outside Kensington and went to their separate homes. And that night, when Maddie peeled her clothes from the day off of her body, leaving them in a pile on the floor, she felt lighter. And when she pulled on Harry's t-shirt and boxer shorts and crawled into his side of the bed before passing out on his pillow, she had a wide smile on her face and warmth in her heart.

She knew that this was how family worked; looking after the other, the small things that made big gains. She had an amazing family of her own—all of whom had been looking after her, keeping in touch with her since Harry had left. But it was different with Will. If there was anyone who loved Harry nearly like she did, it was Will. And forming this bond with him, this connection, made Maddie happy during a time that had been notably than happy.

And it made her heart not hurt quite as bad, knowing that she wasn't the only one desperately missing him.

Day Twenty-Two

Maddie wished she could explain to people how much differently she slept when Harry was away. It wasn't just a physical difference; an empty bed, a colder pillow. It was a mental difference. Noises in the night were louder, pauses in the quiet were longer. It took her longer to come down, took her longer to fall asleep and once she did—it was as though she never really fell completely. Her eyes felt perpetually half open, her ears always on alert. For what, she was never really sure. But when at nearly three in the morning on Day Twenty-Two her phone rang out in to the quiet room, she sat straight up in bed and grabbed blindly for the phone. With a slide of a finger, she pressed it to her ear and holding her breath, she answered.

"Hello?"

"My darling..." At the sound of his voice, her eyes welled with tears and her heart crept into her throat.

"Harry." It was him; her husband, her heart.

"I know I woke you but..." His explanation came quick but she cut him off.

"It's okay," Maddie shook her head, pulling her knees into her chest.

"We've been running different shifts and I just couldn't wait any longer to try to catch you at a better hour."

"You can always wake me up, Captain," she hugged her legs closer and smiled through the tears in her eyes. "Always. How are you? Are you okay?"

"I am," he was smiling, she could tell. "I'm well. All limbs present and accounted for."

"Good."

"But tell me about you. About home. How is everything? How is Ella? Is she still pregnant? How is Arthur?"

"Ella is still pregnant," Maddie's smile pulled higher. "She's round and huge and very pregnant. And Arthur is just amazing. I think I have Will and Kate convinced to let me have him for one night."

"A sleepover with Aunt Maddie? I'm not sure who I'm more jealous of, you or him."

"Nice," Maddie snickered. "I've gone to a few events with Will in place of Kate."

"Oh?" The concern in his voice peeked through. "Is she okay?"

"She is," Maddie was quick with reassurances. "She's spending more time with Arthur and...I think they're trying to help me get out of the house."

"Nice of them," Harry chuckled.

"It is," Maddie agreed.

"And you?" He grew soft; quiet and gentle. "How are you love? You holding up okay?"

"No," she shook her head, dabbing at the tears in her eyes with the back of her hand. "Yes. I'm...I'm fine. I...I've been trying to stay busy."

"Running?"

"Ha!" She laughed out into the empty bedroom. "Yes. Actually yes. I've been training more so you know I love that."

"I would imagine."

"I've..." She cleared her throat, her fingers playing with the fabric of their comforter. "I've started sleeping in our bed again."

"Where..."

"Your office," she admitted, pulling his pillow closer to her.

"Ah..." Her words were hitting him heavy; making him wish he were home, able to pull her from his couch into his arms, into their bed.

"And I..." Her voice cracked just a bit as she sniffed at the tears in her eyes and in her throat. She hadn't wanted to cry when he called, she had wanted to be strong and brave, but this particular bit of information couldn't be told without emotion. "Oh Harry...you remember Christmas Eve night when we exchanged gifts with each other and then we..."

"Yes," he breathed.

"I started my period," she sighed. "No baby." She pushed her lips into a smile and leaned her head to the side to rest on her knees. A calm, quiet moment passed between them as they each let the news register.

"Okay," Harry was the first to break the silence, optimism in his voice, in his words. "Well when I get home from here I'm sure I'll be more than ready to remedy that." They shared a light laughter between them, the promise passing from him to her and then they faded back into the quiet.

"I miss you." Her words were simple and heavy and when she spoke them it made her chest ache.

"Oh baby," he groaned, pressing a hand to his heart. "I miss you too. So much."

Day Twenty-Three

Maddie hummed to herself as she stepped back into her home. Having spent the morning with Kate and Arthur, she was in a great mood. The call from Harry, the additional events on her calendar, the time she was spending with Will, Kate and Arthur—all if it had gone miles to ease the tension she carried in her shoulders. She hummed as she returned home, ready to change into her running clothes and shoes and head out with her trainer—who she wasn't hating quite as much lately.

As soon as she pulled her hair high into a pony tail and hurried down the stairs, she heard her phone ring out. She had been tempted to let it ring, to catch it when she returned. But she didn't want to miss him. So she ran to grab it; snickering as she saw the caller.

"Mrs. Bishop!" She pressed the phone to her ear. "What can I do for you on this lovely morning?"

"You heard from him, didn't you?" Ella's grin could be heard through the phone.

"I did," Maddie's smile stretched higher. "He called in the middle of the night last night and I'm not going to lie to you Ella, I'm a changed woman."

"I can tell!" Ella laughed into a sigh and took a breath. "So listen. I was at the doctor this morning..."

"Everything okay?" Maddie cut in as she sat to put on her running shoes.

"Yes, of course. It was just a regular appointment. Everything's fine," Ella hurried along. "But while I was in the waiting room, there were these women flipping through the magazines and the newspapers and they were talking about an article they read in The Mail."

"We're calling them articles now?" Maddie snickered, reaching for her other shoe.

"Well I checked it out when I got home and then I looked at a couple of blogs and...It was about you."

"Yeah?" Maddie shrugged. She had been all over the place since Harry had left and she was growing more and more immune to it as time passed. "What now? Too fat? Too skinny?"

"No, no. Nothing like that."

"Well then what?" Maddie finished tying her shoes and rose to her feet.

"Okay, well..." Ella sounded a little nervous. "Remember when Harry deployed last time and there were those pictures of you and Collins that ran with a story alluding to you...God. To you stepping out on Harry while he was away?"

"Yeah..." Maddie was cautious. "I remember."

"Well..." Ella let off.

"But..." Maddie shook her head with a laugh. "But that doesn't make any sense Ella. Last time they at least had photos and...a man. This time...I mean. I haven't even been out with anyone but Will. Who in the hell do they think I'm stepping out with?"

The silence on the other end of the phone, the overwhelming sense of awkwardness and discomfort drew Maddie to the conclusion Ella desperately did not want to speak out loud. Maddie's breath sucked in as it dawned on her and Ella continued.

"They have photos of you out with him a few nights ago, getting drinks and sneaking out the back..."

"Oh my God."

"They have photos from the events where you're talking close and laughing and his hand is on your back and..."

"Oh. My. God."

"I'm sorry Maddie but...they haven't said it outright but they are absolutely alluding to something with...Will."

"oh my God," Maddie groaned and slumped back to her seat; her head pounding and her stomach sick.

And just like that, the media love and coverage of the new Duchess began to shift.