Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Four

Another good thing had come out of Meredith's accidental walk with the Queen, it was being allowed to go back to London for the New Year's Eve. The Queen ended up being easily convinces. When Harry heard of the plan, he was reluctant at first. Meredith kept pushing, and eventually, he gave in. It was a train ride back to London with bodyguards Bill and Bella.

Meredith popped two pills as the train pulled away from the station as her stomach started to twist and turn. A migraine started to come on. Meredith hated traveling quite a bit. When the car waited outside for them at the train station, Meredith was more than ready to walk with her stomach yet queasy. However, when she got home and finally curled into bed, she was ready.

On New Year's Eve, Meredith slept in way too late, and Harry let her sleep in. Other members of the royal family were off skiing and such, but Meredith didn't ski and could only spend so much time alone, which was why Harry wanted her to go out tonight. She needed to be with the crowds again, even though the world tour was coming up and the new year brought no alone time.

When it was time, Meredith was prepared by having turned herself into some unrecognizable, but due to the cold weather, it was easy. Harry did the same with a hat and big jacket. For Meredith it was harder as she the cold didn't bother her, but she was forced to cover up. Bodyguards Bill and Bella accompanied them, so there was no hanky-panky tonight. Bella kept an incredibly close eye on Meredith, knowing the Duchess of Windsor might try to take the duke and run off.

Meredith knew Bella watched, yet she didn't care. Wheels turned in her head as she genuinely thought about it. However, the crowds were too thick and too packed together. Harry and Meredith had a hard time moving, so escape was almost impossible. That, and Harry probably wouldn't allow it to happen. Meredith had the ability to dream.

"Well, isn't this cozy?" Meredith asked, flipping her blonde hair back under her hat to look at Harry. Harry's body wasn't the only one pressed up against her, but he was the only one with his hands on hers. "It's nice to know that if I fall, I won't fall."

"Or we'll all go down," Harry responded.

Meredith rolled her eyes. "I thought I told you to get rid of this dumb hat." She wanted it gone, but now was the wrong time. All eyes were to notice them if Harry's hat was gone and his ginger locks free.

"I like it."

"It doesn't matter what you like." She glanced toward the sky, where the stars were supposed to be nice. The nice thing about Sandringham House was at least the stars were seen, same with Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Meredith missed Scotland just thinking about it. It was too bright in London to see the stars. It was something she never realized in her suburbs in Minnesota or in Superior, Wisconsin, where she went to university. Meredith scrunched her nose.

"What?" he asked.

"The stars can't be seen."

Harry glanced up. "It's London all right."

"Did the scent tell you that?" Meredith was almost immune to the scent, which bothered her when she originally came to London. It was the smell of three-thousand years of shit being dumped into the River Thames. This close to the River Thames, she smelt it strongly.

More people crowded in, which made it harder for Bill and Bella to watch, even from right beside them. Their eyes glanced away and toward the crowd of people, slowly turning. Something about them gave them away as suspicious.

"Yes," Meredith said, "no one will think you look out of place if you do that. No one is going to glance in our direction."

The two bodyguards didn't respond.

"Really? You're just going to make it worse. I realize relax isn't something you can do in this situation, but try to look chill."

The two bodyguards bodies slumped slightly, but their eyes were still dangerous to give off the same friendly vibe as everyone else.

Scoffing, Meredith turned back to Harry, where she received undivided attention. Harry tried to kiss her, but she ducked out of the way. "Wait until the new year."

"What if I'm not done with this year yet?" Harry kissed his wife, and she didn't have the time to duck out of the way, not that Meredith wanted to do that.

The countdown started, and Meredith pulled her head back. "That's enough for now. Thank you." She felt Harry's arms tighten around her, and she did the same thing, happy to have him right here. The countdown was so close now, and everyone started to scream. Before Meredith had the ability to say anything, Harry kissed her straight on the lips. Booms and pops echoed in the sky. Bright lights spread out in rolling waves across the sky, and the bright lights began to rain down on them.

Harry finally stopped.

Meredith took a deep breath. "Happy new year!"

"Should I do it now?" he asked.

"What?"

Harry started to go down on one knee, but she kept him standing up. "This is how you wanted it."

"You did it just fine."

When Harry proposed to Meredith, it came out of the blue, and he didn't even know it was coming. The ring had been burning a hole in his pocket, and then suddenly the words slipped out on a December day in Superior, Wisconsin. It wasn't the most romantic spot. Meredith wanted it done on New Year's Eve in London, under the fireworks. Yet, she was happy with how she did it. She was proud to be married to him now.

"Are you sure, Mere?" he asked.

"I'm very sure. Stay up here."

Harry arched an eyebrow.

"We're in public," she stated. "So, for now, stay up here." A blush curled up and over her cheeks, and Meredith looked to the sky as the colorful lights filled the sky. Harry's blue eyes stayed on Meredith as long as possible, but even then, he couldn't help but feel the happiest, proudest and luckiest for marrying this woman.