When Maddie left London for her first Royal Tour, she felt prepared. She had studied briefing memos, she had checked and double checked the speeches she had written. Along with her stylist Rosie Tellington, she had meticulously planned her wardrobe for the entire trip. She was taking great care to include British designers exclusively while highlighting a few great pieces from Ms. Winifred Ellis, the now infamous designer of her wedding dress.

Harry had watched in mild amusement as their luggage was loaded into their car and he had resisted, quite successfully, every urge he had to comment on the sheer amount of it. This was the first time he had done something like this with a partner, with a woman—with his wife. He knew it was a scene he would see repeated, something he should simply become accustomed too. And he knew, his eyes flickering as he watched her gather her bag, that he was going to love this new, heavily packed, addition to his tours abroad.

"What?" Maddie's eyes narrowed when she caught him watching.

"Nothing," he shook his head, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Not nothing," she shook her head. "I can see you biting back the sass, Captain."

Harry chuckled into himself and shrugged his shoulders. "It's a lot of stuff."

"We're going to be there for two weeks."

"Yes," he nodded.

"And I need to be prepared for anything." She moved closer to him, her hands moving to his waist as she stepped into him. "What if it rains? What if something is damaged in travel? What if I spill ink all over a blouse? What if..."

"What if we need to clothe a small village?" Harry offered, his arms wrapping around her.

"Ha, ha," she rolled her eyes and grew a bit shy; showing the tiniest bit of nervousness. "This is my first trip. I want to be prepared."

"Fair enough," he surrendered, dipping his head to capture her lips. "Nervous?"

"Excited," she took a breath. "I'm almost entirely excited. Maybe five percent nervous." She hugged tighter to him. "Do you know what I'm most excited about?"

"Well..." He squinted his eyes, pretending to think it over. "It would make sense if it were seeing your family at the end...but I don't think that's it." Maddie laughed. "And I wouldn't be surprised if it were the stop in at Ella's while we're in New York..."

"Nope," Maddie shook her head, the humor of the moment passing between them; knowing this was maybe the hundredth time they had talked about it.

"But I'm going to go ahead and go with..." He bit his lip for dramatics and lifted his eyebrows. "The first pitch at the Rockies Game?"

"The first pitch at the Rockies Game!" She called out, raising her arms in the air in victory. Harry laughed, finding his wife simultaneously adorable and incorrigible. "You know...I knew there were perks that came with marrying you."

"Sure." He smirked.

"That dry wit, your ability to have fun almost anywhere..." She ran her hands over his forearms, up his biceps. "These fucking sexy arms."

"Okay," he narrowed his eyes, his arms flexing involuntarily under her hands.

"But I had no idea it would come with something as cool as throwing out the first pitch..." She smiled up at him. "And of course....you know...seeing the family and Ella and..."

"Yeah, yeah," Harry laughed with a slight eye roll. "Them too."

They had spent the night before with the Cambridges not far from where they stood now. Kate and little Arthur had finally returned home, both safe and healthy and happy to be home. Maddie was enthralled with the tiny little bundle; so sweet and quiet and chubby. Though she could tell that Harry felt the tiniest bit guilty that they were leaving so quickly after his arrival, he managed to pull himself away from him and said his good-byes. They had kissed their nephew, they had hugged their sister and with a nod to the father in charge, they had set out to complete their royal duties. Kate was recovering and happy and when Maddie had voiced concern with leaving so quickly after all that had occurred, Kate rolled her eyes and waved her off. This was how their lives worked. She was doing fine and was actually hopeful that their trip would take the spotlight off of them—if even for a moment.

And that is exactly what was about to happen. After a quick trip to the airport, they boarded a commercial flight along with Thomas Smith, Libby Florence, Maddie's hair stylist Tara Wharton, who was more than happy to take up the trip with the new Duchess, their extensive security team, and they left for the United States.

And Maddie had felt prepared; ready.

What she hadn't thought of, what hadn't even crossed her mind to prepare for was what greeted her on the other side of the pond. They had arrived at the airport relatively unnoticed. Though they had quite the entourage, the people they passed seemed to be mostly uninterested. They even managed to make it to the hotel without much fuss. They checked into the lavish three bedroom suite they were staying in, with a few members of the security team taking over a room. And, after Tara worked her magic on Maddie's hair and she and Harry changed their clothes, they were off; swept into what Maddie would describe as a motorcade and on their way to Capitol Hill.

Maddie smiled at Thomas and Libby, who sat opposite of her and Harry as they drove through the streets of DC. It was quite something to watch as they passed the historical monuments of her first country while she was being taken to represent her second. She took a deep breath, letting the nostalgia wash over her for just a moment before she would be called to duty.

"We should stop at the Smithsonian American History Museum," her voice was soft as she spoke to Harry; though turning from the window back to him. "They have these little teddy bears that were designed after Teddy Roosevelt's. Maybe Arthur would like one."

"Yeah?" Harry lifted his eyebrows, a small smile on his lips. "Maybe we can do that." He glanced over to Thomas, the mastermind of the trip.

"I'll see what we can do," he nodded, making a quick note in his binder.

"Thank you," Maddie smiled to him, her eyes shifting back out her window. "Wow...would you look at all of these people. Is there something going on here later today? A parade of some kind?" Maddie turned just in time to see the other three people in the car pass glances around, light laughter forming on their lips.

Harry squeezed her hand in his, the irony of this moment alive in his eyes. "Darling," he took a deep breath. "We are what's happening here today."

Maddie was speechless; completely without words as her eyes snapped back to the people lined up on the streets leading to the Capitol. She was stunned. In her two short months as his wife, she had seen crowds—big crowds—but nothing quite like this. At least not just for the two of them. And here they were, moving through the streets of The District while people gathered on their route to catch a glimpse, to offer a wave. Harry watched as she took it in.

He debated for a moment, wondering if he should offer words of encouragement or a pearl of wisdom. It was a lot to take in. But, knowing her as he did, he smiled and waited as her mind processed it all. She would be fine, he knew she would be fine. When they turned up the last long stretch of road, he pulled her hand to his lips and planted a kiss there and she squeezed his fingers in response.

"Okay," Thomas spoke up, pulling up a sheet of paper. "When we arrive we have Guy Willoughby and Cindy McCain, Senator John McCain's wife." He could see both Maddie and Harry nodding, taking in the information. "They are going to be the ones leading us through the exhibit. Do either of you have any questions?"

"Madeline," Harry called to her; his voice drawing her eyes to his. She met his gaze and nodded, her lips pulling into a smile.

"Sorry. No. No questions. I'm good." And she was. It was almost time to go and she kicked in to business mode. Glancing down at her ensemble, she checked her blouse for loose buttons, her skirt for a tuck. "I'm...Oh God!" Her voice came out in a gasp and all three of them turned sharply to her as her hand ran down her leg.

"Maddie?" Harry looked her over; head to toe.

"A run," she stayed calm and cool as she slipped off her shoe and rose steady eyes to Libby. "One of my stockings has a run in it." Libby nodded and quickly opened her purse.

"I don't even know what that..." Harry shook his head as he looked between the two women.

"Here we are," Libby handed a stocking across the car to Maddie.

"Thank you," her voice was heavy with gratitude, her hands working fast as they slid up her skirt.

"What are you doing?" Harry's eyes went wide for a flash of a second.

"Changing my stocking," Maddie chuckled at his expression. "Avert your eyes."

"Avert my..." He trailed off, watching as she slid a thigh high stocking down her long leg before he cleared his throat and, without moving his eyes from his wife, he commanded. "Thomas—avert your eyes."

"Already averted, Sir," Thomas couldn't help the light chuckle that came with his response; the addition of Maddie to their tours was bound to make his life more comical.

"Here you go..." Maddie passed the torn stocking over to Libby and quickly slid the new, fresh one onto her leg. With a quick adjustment, she smoothed out her skirt and slipped on her shoe. "See that," she eyed her husband. "Prepared for anything."

"God I love you," he grinned wide and the car came to a stop. "You okay?"

"Yes," she nodded; glancing over herself once more before smiling wide and nodding again. "I'm okay."

"Great."

"Are we ready?" Thomas looked from Maddie to Harry and, seeing no dissent, no discussion, he nodded to the driver and in seconds, their doors were open and Maddie was stepping from the car.

"Thank you," she smiled to the driver and, as she looked to the crowd gathered outside, she could hear the excitement, the applause, the murmur of activity and conversation. It reminded her of her wedding day and brought a new air of liveliness to the day. With a wide smile, she lifted her hand in a wave and the crowd roared in response. She turned to look at Harry over the top of the car and he was watching her with a proud grin as he waited for her to join him. Maddie offered another quick wave before she moved around the car to his side.

His hand slid around her to the small of her back and only when she was right by his side did he take the first step, with her, towards the people who were waiting for them; towards their first of many events on this whirlwind trip they were just now beginning.

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

"Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us today," Maddie smiled at the tall, strikingly beautiful woman who had accompanied them through the exhibit. Her hand slid into Cindy McCain's with a warm, firm shake.

"It was my pleasure," Cindy smiled in return.

"Mr. Willoughby," Maddie turned to the gentleman.

"Your Royal Highness," he smiled warmly as he shook her hand, just a bit enamored with the young Duchess—a reaction that would become quite common as the days progressed.

And then, as Harry stepped away from Mrs. McCain, his eyes fell on his wife; proud and awed and Thomas stepped forward, leading them back down the stairs and towards the car.

"Maddie?" Harry's voice was soft, his hand supportive as it pressed to her back.

"I'm great," she answered the question she knew he was answering, her eyes smiling up at him before drifting to the crowds of people still waiting behind the lines. "Wow. I cannot believe they are still here."

"We do have a few minutes if you wanted to walk the rope line and say hello," Thomas spoke up as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Maddie looked up to Harry with hopeful eyes. "Can we?"

"Absolutely." He nodded, thrilled that she wanted to, happy that she wasn't put off by it all. With one hand still at her back, he waved his other forward; gesturing for her to lead the way. With a wide smile, Maddie took a step towards the crowd.

And they went wild. There was applause, there was cheering and, from Harry who stood rooted in awe for a moment, there was a great deal of pride and an inordinate amount of happiness swelling in his chest. He watched her for a beat and then took a step to follow, their security team, Thomas, Libby—all close behind. They had all done this before, but this was Maddie's first time.

"I'll be just to your right, Ma'am," Libby spoke softly to Maddie as she followed inconspicuously behind her. "If you need to hand anything off to me."

"Thank you," Maddie smiled, thankful that Thomas had hired somebody as great as Libby was proving to be; full of knowledge about these things Maddie never considered and sweet enough, kind enough to help Maddie along in this journey.

"Maddie!!!" A group of young women chorused as she stepped up to the rope line.

"Hi!" Maddie waved with a wide smile, looking them over. She guessed they were college age and they were all wearing 'Team Maddie' shirts along with tiaras and feather boas. "Look at you!" She exclaimed. "My husband has that shirt!"

"We know!" They laughed as they took their turns shaking her hand.

"Can you take a picture with us?" One of the women asked, her nerves shaking her voice just so.

"Absolutely!" Maddie turned quickly as one of the women caught the moment on her cell phone.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome," Maddie nodded, continuing to move down the line; Libby leading the way so as to take the pressure off Maddie.

The smile on her face stayed strong, her hands firm as she continued to shake hand after hand; smiling and nodding and greeting face after face.

"Welcome back to the states, Ma'am."

"Oh thank you so much," Maddie smiled at the older gentleman who took her hand in both of his.

"We're very proud of all you've done over there."

"That's very kind of you but I haven't done too much just yet," her heart tugged just so; finding his words unnecessarily sweet.

"Enjoy your trip," he nodded to her as he released her hand and she continued.

And though she certainly hadn't expected it, people were handing her things; flowers, cards, notes. And she remained gracious, thanking them as she looked it over, holding it in her hands for a few more steps before passing things back to a smiling Libby.

She was truly overwhelmed by the reaction, by how many people were there on the off chance that they would have time, that their security team would allow them to make the detour over to greet people. And when she spoke with them, even that two second moment where she said good morning and shook their hand, they seemed so thrilled, so happy to have had that all-too-brief moment. It was so touching and humbling that Maddie had to refrain from thinking about it for fear of her emotions getting the best of her.

As she turned back to Libby for the second time, handing off some flowers and a card, something caught her attention. Her ears perked up at the sound, something familiar, something she recognized but—out of context. Smiling at Libby, she turned towards the sound and quickly found the source.

About ten feet from where she stood was a little boy. He was hugging one of the posts that held up the line and crying great big tears. He seemed to be completely lost in the crowd, in the excitement. As the last of the flowers slipped from her hand to Libby's, Maddie scanned the crowd, looking for somebody who might be with the kiddo and then, acting in on instinct, reflex, she moved to him. Libby and Arthur were right on her heels as she stopped in front of him and dipped down to his level.

"Hey there," even she could hear her voice change over—the way it had when she had worked with children before. Her hand reached out carefully to rest on his arm. "You seem a little lost, buddy. Why don't you open your eyes and talk to me for a minute." She could hear his crying catch, he had heard her. She was patient; calm and at ease as he let out a few more sobs and then opened his eyes. Her smile widened. "Well hello." Oblivious to the crowd around her, to the attention she was garnering, Maddie held out her hand to him. "My name is Maddie."

"I..." His bottom lip quivered and he sniffed. "I know."

"You do?" She smiled. "How do you know that?"

"My...my mom says..." He dragged his sleeve across his nose and took a breath. "My mom says you're a princess."

"She does?" Maddie laughed softly and he nodded. "Did you come here with your mom today?"

"Y-y-yes..." His eyes welled up. "But I lost her."

"Yeah, I see that," her lips turned down in a frown. "You know what, I think we might be able to help you with that," Maddie glanced up, her eyes scanning quickly to one of the Park's Police Officers that was on duty patrolling the areas. She waved her hand at him and then turned back to the boy. "Now...I told you my name but I don't know yours."

"Bergen," he whispered.

"Bergen," she smiled, holding her hand out to his. Cautiously, he put one of his hands in hers. "It's nice to meet you Bergen."

"My mom told me not to talk to strangers."

"I bet she did," Maddie grinned. "And you know what, she's right. You shouldn't talk to strangers. But what did your mom tell you about the police? Can you talk to them?"

"Yes," he nodded, his little fingers still holding tight to her hand.

"Well good because my friend here..." Maddie smiled up at the man who stood just above them. "He is a policeman, Officer..."

"Matt," the young man supplied with a smile.

"Officer Matt," Maddie turned back to the little boy, her eyes catching, for the first time, how many people were watching her. "And Officer Matt, one of his jobs is helping people find their lost mommies. Do you think it would be okay for you and me to talk to him?"

He adjusted his grip on her hand and nodded; struggling because he was scared and unsure but desperately wanted to find his mother.

"Okay," Maddie nodded and, remembering, reached into her pocket of her skirt. "Also..." She pulled out a small toy, a plastic Koala Bear with arms that moved; something she might have had in her office for her child clients—at another time, in another life. "I have been trying to find a good home for this little guy. Do you think you might like to hold onto this for me?" The tiniest of smiles cracked on his lips and he nodded. "Great!" Maddie handed him the toy, watching his expression ease slightly as his other hand wrapped around the plastic toy. Looking up to the officer, she smiled. "His name is Bergen. He said that he was here with his mother and that he lost her."

The officer nodded along, turning to speak into the radio at his shoulder as Maddie turned back to the little boy. "Okay Bergen, let's come on over and follow Officer Matt so he and his friends can start looking for your mother." Maddie led the little boy a few steps away from the line towards where the officer had gestured. She and Bergen were quickly becoming the focus of attention as her Security Team watched her, as the other spectators snapped photos, as they took mental notes. Maddie even noticed Harry glancing her way curiously from further down the line.

"Now Bergen," Maddie looked down to the little boy. "Can you tell me what your mother's name is?"