If the first month of Maddie's marriage was designed to challenge her in her new public role, the second month was meant to press her personally. The next month was full of emotion for her; great sadness and good-byes, beautiful beginnings. She felt blessed to have so much, thankful to be surrounded by the people she had in her life.

And as she waited on their front stoop for Harry return from a week long training, she could feel the bliss pumping through her veins. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her arms resting on her knees as her feet bounced excitedly. And when his car finally pulled up, Harry stepped out with a confused grin already on his face.

"Are you locked out?" He called to her as he made his way up the walk.

"Nope," she grinned wide, jumping to her feet.

"Just couldn't wait to see me?"

"You got it," she kissed him warm and firm before waving for the driver to leave his bag in the trunk. "How was training?"

"Long and hot," he groaned, glancing around. "Any chance we can go inside? Have a drink?"

"No," she shook her head.

"No?" He laughed.

"No." She held out her hand. "Come with me."

"Mighty bossy today," he chuckled but took hold of her hand and followed.

"Mmm Hmm." She nodded, clasping his hand between hers with a great big grin. "It's good to have you home but there's something I want to show you."

"Oh?" He leaned in closer, kissing her lips. "Are you cashing in a rain check on that car sex from last week?"

"No," she laughed. "But I'll store that idea for later."

"Then what?" He glanced around the grounds, looking for a clue.

"Then..." Maddie slowed to a stop and turned his body in a specific direction. "That." Harry looked in the direction she was pointing, his eyes scanning out for a brief moment before snapping into focus. His head turned to look at her.

"The house?"

"The house." She nodded. She took a step forward, turning around to face him and reaching out her hands. His drifted into hers as his mind processed and she began to walk backwards towards it. "The house we're going to sleep in tonight."

"Wait," he pulled her to a stop. "What?"

"You heard me."

"But...they told me it was another month out."

"They lied."

"They lied?" His eyes went huge.

"Well, I asked them to," she smiled, tugging him forward. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Well it most definitely is a surprise." Harry was shocked, amazed, that she—and the renovation crew—had been able to keep such a secret from him. "Madeline..."

"Welcome home baby..." They came to a stop just outside. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Mind?! No," he laughed, pulling her into his arms. "I don't mind." He tipped his lips to hers.

"Want to go inside? Have a drink?"

"Yes. Absolutely yes," he nodded his head as she stepped away. But before she could open the door, he pulled her back to him. "Hold on." He smiled that wiry smile of his and bent down, scooping her up into his arms; her laughter ringing out into the air.

"Another threshold?" She wrapped her arm around his neck.

"The very last one," he tightened his hold on her and, with a turn of the knob, they were moving through door.

Harry sat her back on her feet there in the foyer—the foyer she had stood in months and months ago, debating colors and textures and now...now it was finished. And together they took it in, they looked it over. From that very moment, they were greeted with the work, effort, and love that had gone into the renovations. Harry took a deep, slow breath as he looked around.

"Wow..." Maddie grinned; amazed at the outcome.

"Want to see the rest?" Harry nudged her lightly and she nodded eagerly. Maddie's hand drifted into his as they began to move through their new home.

And it was all there. Everything.

The painting of Bendal.

The bright pink Kitchen Aid mixer

The vases with the marbles.

Everything from their previous lives, from their time together had been moved and placed, thoughtfully, in their new home.

It felt enormous to her. Even though she had been living in a Palace for months, this place felt enormous. The rooms were huge and there were so many of them. But as they traveled from room to room, it wasn't overwhelming. It felt warm and cozy and...like home.

Harry grew more and more silent as they moved. He took in the colors, the fabrics, the placement of furniture and paintings and...and he really noticed the little things; the small touches that he missed whenever he would glance at the plans, inquire about the progress. The things that didn't show up in the blueprints, the things that were solely Maddie's doing.

Like the photos.

He, his brother, and his mother at the piano.

He and his mother on the lawn.

He in the playroom.

At first he thought nothing of it. When he found the one in the third room he thought it was an amazing coincidence. But by room five, when he started to really pay attention, it hit him. There were photos, in every room, of him and his mother, his brother; from their time together in this place.

It wasn't obvious or brash. It was subtle and sweet and it drew him to wordlessness.

"There's..." His voice cracked with emotion. "There's so much of her here." Maddie caught him staring at the photo she had put in the kitchen.

"I tried to find photos of you in the room you know? You in the kitchen for the kitchen..." She moved next to him, looking at the photo in his hands. "Some rooms were more difficult to match but it worked out for the most part..." Her words fell from her lips as he kissed her; soft and sweet and touchingly light.

"Thank you," he kissed her again. "I mean it. Thank you for doing that."

"Of course," she smiled, warm in the knowledge that there were even more strewn throughout the house; some he wouldn't find until further inspection. "This place holds a lot for you; the past, the future...I wouldn't have been able to toss it all out and start over. It wouldn't have felt right."

"You know..." Harry's voice was low as he returned the frame to its home. "You know I signed off on the first set of plans you put before me without really looking at them."

"I do know that..." She nodded, allowing him to pull her from the kitchen back towards the entryway and the main stairs.

"But," he chuckled. "I started to pay attention after that; sneaking over, glancing at your plans and Maddie..." He drew to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. "You kept so much history here..." He took a breath and smiled wide.

"History is important..." She met his eyes. His hand wrapped around hers tightly as they moved up the stairs, passing framed photos of the families; his and hers—theirs.

And it wasn't all history. It wasn't all memories. There were new elements too.

The enormous tub that Maddie had carefully selected.

The remote controlled sound system spread throughout the house; camouflaged into the décor.

The top of the line kitchen.

The framed photo Harry had given her of their wedding day. The one that still brought Maddie to happy tears.

And then there was the library.

"My library..." Her eyes were wide, her voice but a ghost. Yes, she had planned for it. Yes, she had signed off on it. But seeing it, standing in the middle of it—an entirely different set of feelings washed over her. "I've always wanted a library."

"I know," Harry chuckled lightly; crossing his arms and leaning back against a tall table that sat along the wall. "You told me that. On our first trip to Highgrove, you told me you had always wanted a library."

"I did," she smiled at the memory. "I did tell you that..." She moved to stand before him, her hands resting on his crossed arms, her eyes smiling at the ring on his finger; her heart warming. "Welcome home Captain."

"Welcome home, love."

"Hmmm..." She sighed. "I love that. I love you." Leaning in, she kissed his lips.

"What you've done here...how it all came together...It's perfect." He nodded to her with a smile. "Are you happy?"

"I'm happy." She grinned; cuddling closer, working her hands into his crossed arms; forcing them apart so she could step into them. "So...tell me...after a week of training and travel home...are you up for christening our new place? There are a lot of rooms and we're going to be very busy but we should get started...." Maddie's lips met his again; parted and warm and beckoning. Harry's train of thought wavered as he kissed her back, his arms moving around her. "Ella's Farewell party is tomorrow night..." She spoke against his lips. "And the premier is the next night..." Harry's arms tightened around her. "And we need to..."

"Shhh." He grinned, his eyes narrowing playfully. "Do you want to go over our weekly agenda or do you want to christen this place?"

"I wanna christen this place." Her eyes danced with excitement as his mouth moved over hers.

And, as he pushed away from the table he had been leaning against, as he moved her backwards—his hand slipping easily up under her shirt, they found one of the large, comfortable couches Maddie had selected for this room, as he pulled her down with him—a fit of laughter and a wealth of love.

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

When Maddie emerged from her closet, dressed and primped and ready for their night out with Ella and their friends, Harry's eyes flashed wide and he let out a low whistle.

"Was that meant for me?" She laughed as she breezed past him.

"Absolutely..." Harry rose from his chair, following behind her towards the bathroom. "I am sorry and...I know how much of a cad it makes me to say this but...Madeline...your ass looks..."

"Good?" She lifted her eyebrows with a confident smirk.

"Phenomenal." His eyes drifted away from hers with an appreciative grin.

"Yeah?"

"God yes." He shook his head and pulled his eyes to meet hers as she spun around to face him. "I love those shorts.

"You want to take them off of me, don't you." She wasn't asking as she stepped closer; pressing her chest to his as she smiled up at him.

"Yes." He nodded enthusiastically. "And..."

"And you want to leave them on," she giggled.

"It's a thin line I walk." He was smug and completely turned on; his arms wrapping around her.

"I feel the same way about you in..." Her mind drifted as he pulled her tight.

"The uniform?" His voice was low and rough.

"Mmmm." She nodded, her body tingling at the images, at the thoughts. "God yes." She leaned in and then, snapping back to the moment, she pulled away; controlling herself. "Okay. We can't do this now. I have one last thing to do and then I'll be ready to go."

"That's fine," he shrugged, holding his hands up in surrender. "But I am going to unashamedly watch you walk away."

"Knock yourself out Captain." She offered a cute wink and turned from him; leaving him groaning as she strutted out of the room.

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

Ella had booked a private room at a great club in the city complete with food and drinks and dancing and some great conversations with favored coworkers and the friends she had made while in England. Maddie and Harry were in top form, shaking hands of those they hadn't met, exhibiting grace and humility when people were stunned by their presence—having been unaware of Ella's association with the couple until they saw her appear in the wedding procession. They hugged Ella, said hello to the room and when they made their way to the table already occupied by Kiki and Sean and a mildly drunk Bishop, they settled in for a night of fun and good-byes. About an hour into the night, Bishop turned his bright smile across the table and leaned forward.

"Your Royal Highness..." He drawled.

"Which one are you talking to?" Harry chuckled at his best friend; tipsy Bishop was always great fun.

"The more attractive of the two."

"Well that's you sunshine," Maddie nudged Harry and took a drink from her glass as the two men laughed.

"No way was he talking about me," Harry shook his head.

"Not a chance," Bishop agreed.

"What can I do for you Bishop?" Maddie was happy. Though her best friend was leaving, though she knew that as soon as Ella finished making the rounds with her co-workers and settled in with her, the tears would come—she was having an enjoyable night.

"Dance with me Duchess." He held his hand out, his eyes sparkling. Maddie glanced to Harry who shrugged with a smile and held her hand out to take Bishop's. As he pulled her towards the dance floor, Maddie tossed Harry a wide grin when she caught him watching her walk away from him.

And he did. He watched her until they reached the dance floor, until Bishop's ass blocked his view, and then he turned back to the table, reaching for his drink. It was then that Ella stepped up to their table, her eyes smiling at Maddie and Bishop as she lowered herself into the chair across from him.

"Ella," Harry grinned up at her.

"Harry," she smiled, her eyes shifting away from her best friend and the man she loved.

"How are you doing love?"

"Okay," she took a breath. "I'm really hoping not to cry tonight."

"Yeah?" He chuckled. "Is that why you haven't been to this table yet?"

"Yes," she admitted, appreciating his honesty, his upfront nature.

"Well good luck with that endeavor." He held a fresh bottle of beer out to her which she took and clinked to his before they both took sips.

"Listen..." Ella seemed a little shy as she sorted out the thoughts in her head. "This is going to sound crazy..."

"It's okay," Harry shrugged. "Go for it."

"Look after her for me?" Her smile wavered, her eyes tearing up as she met his. "I mean...really look after her for me. I know that you love her and I know that she's your wife but..." She took a shaky breath. "I loved her first and she's...she's the only family I have."

"I know." He did. He knew very well how much these two women loved each other.

"And..." Ella took a deep breath and leveled her eyes to his. "If it's ever you...that hurts her...I don't care who you are or what your title is, I will be across the Atlantic and I will come for you."

"I know that," Harry nodded; all jokes falling away as he grew very serious. His hand reached out to take hers. Ella sniffed and squeezed his hand.

"Sorry. I just had to..."

"I know," he cut in with a slight smile. "You want to make sure somebody is watching out for her. And I will. I promise."

"I know..." She sighed, blinking at her tears as her hand squeezed his again. "And him too."

"And him too," Harry agreed.

"I'm never going to make it through tonight, am I?" She wiped at her eyes with a chuckle.

"Without crying? No." Harry smiled then. "But you will make it through tonight."

"If you say so," she grinned at him and took a deep breath. "So really though...you're okay with the way Bishop's dancing with your wife?"

"Ha!" He glanced in that direction with a twisted smile. "I'm okay with what she's okay with."

"Sure you are," Ella knew better as she took a long drink from her bottle. "What do you say we go out there and split them up?"

"I'm in." He slapped a hand against the table and stood. They made their way to the dance floor where Maddie and Bishop were both happy to see them. Ella moved to her best friend, not losing the beat as she wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. Harry looked to Bishop and shook his head; his voice raising as he spoke to Ella. "This is not at all what I had in mind when you said split them up."

"Aw come on..." Bishop smiled wide, opening up his arms. "Let's do this Wales."

And of course, Harry stepped in.

And of course, there was great laughter.

And of course, Maddie and Ella's tears were halted for the moment as they turned to the two men; ready to party.

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

"This has been..." Ella tried to stifle a yawn as she smiled at her best friend; having finally gathered the strength to let it all settle over her. "The most wonderful going-away party a girl could ask for." It was late, shockingly late, and they had been at the club for hours. Though Ella's coworkers had long since bid her goodnight, her friends remained, drinking and dancing and telling tales about the other that made the entire group rumble with laughter.

"I'm glad you liked it," Maddie's head tipped to the side, resting on Ella's shoulder.

"I loved it," Ella's head did the same, resting on top of Maddie's. They sat that way for a long beat; their arms linked and twisted, hands clasped as they hugged the other close.

"It's almost over, isn't it." Maddie didn't ask. She knew.

"Yes," Ella nodded.

"I'm going to miss you," Maddie sighed, trying to control her alcohol assisted tears. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Me too," Ella didn't even move her hand to wipe at the tears in her eyes.

"I...it's just that you're the only thing in London that was just mine. You're my only tie to reality."

"I am not." She laughed lightly.

"You are. You are." Maddie was certain. In that moment, she was certain.

"What about Harry?" Ella nodded to Maddie's husband, sitting across from them with an amused smirk in place.

"Harry's a Duke," Maddie pointed out with a slight irritation that only succeeded in making Harry want to take her home to bed.

"You're a Duchess," Ella pointed out with a giggle.

"I am!" She exclaimed. "And I need somebody around who can ground me...even when people curtsey to me and call me Her Royal Highness."

"Well, you have Bishop." Ella winked at the man who sat to Harry's left; just as amused.

"Bishop?!" Maddie sat up straight, her face scrunching up. "No. Not Bishop." She shook her head, despite the laughter that moved around the table. "I'm sorry. I love Bishop...I love you..." She smiled at him, her hand reaching to slap his cheek lightly before she turned back to her best friend. "But he...last weekend he was building a time machine...Ella. He can't be my tie to reality." Every single one of them laughed at that.

"Excellent point," Ella sighed. "You want me to stay here for you?" Though she knew the answer, she had to poise the question. Maddie was quick to shake her head.

"No." She smiled, leaning into her friend. "No of course not. I know you have to go. That doesn't mean I'm not going to pout about it." She stuck her lip out playfully.

"Fair enough," Ella smiled, turning to kiss the side of Maddie's head. "But you know...we'll see each other when you're in the states in a little over a month. I'll be back in September for a visit. We can cuddle and drink wine and it will be just like this..."

"Yeah?" Maddie sighed.

"Well except maybe we'll be in more comfortable clothes," she giggled slightly.

"And we can sit on a couch instead of these chairs?" Maddie laughed.

"Absolutely." Ella nodded. A quietness fell over them; loomed in the air like the reminder that this was it. It was time to go home, time to part ways.

"Well..." Bishop cut into the silence. "You can make fun all you want. But when that time machine comes together, you'll be wishing you could go back with me and I don't know...invent the