Day 6:

Fly to Denver, CO
Visit to Children's Hospital
Luncheon and Visit at Judi's House
Production and Reception at Denver Center for the Performing Arts

"You know, I see what you're doing," Maddie grinned as she looked to him from the side of her eyes.

"Do you?" He grinned in return, his eyes sweeping over her from his side of the backseat.

"Did you really think I wouldn't see you, checking me out?" Very purposefully she uncrossed and re-crossed her legs; her skirt slipping just a bit higher.

"Did you really think I was trying to hide it?" He reached out, resting his hand on her bared knee; the silk of the stockings soft against his palm.

"We're almost there," she nodded towards the Children's Hospital just ahead of them.

"So you're saying there's no time to..." His thumb rubbed at her knee, his fingers slipping up under her skirt just a bit.

"Ha!" Maddie laughed, her hand moving over his. "That's exactly what I'm saying. Maybe later?"

"Definitely later," he nodded, clearly sucked into the same insatiable vortex his wife had been lured into. As the car slowed to a stop, Harry squeezed her leg in his hand and, regrettably, released her.

When Maddie stepped from the car, Ms. Florence was at the ready, a large tote bag on her arm. Maddie smiled wide at her. "Are those the balloons?"

"Yes Ma'am," she nodded as the foursome made their way from the car.

"Latex free?"

"Just like they asked. Yes Ma'am."

"Latex free balloons?" Harry smiled at her as they took to the steps, the staff from the hospital waiting at the top to greet them.

"You'll see," Maddie promised with the quickest of winks in his direction before she turned to business and brought a wide smile to the people there to welcome them.

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"How is it that I am only now discovering that you know how to make balloon animals?" Harry watched in awe as she turned to the last little girl in the room, having already completed at least a dozen balloon requests. The kids, the families, the staff, the press; everyone was eating it up. And to be totally fair, so was he.

"I don't know," Maddie spoke to him through her grin as she turned her attention to the little girl before her. "What would you like sweetheart?"

"A giraffe."

"Excellent choice." Maddie nodded. "Now, what color would you like your giraffe?"

"Do you have purple?"

"I do," she pulled out a purple balloon and pumped air into it before tying off the end.

"Are you going to get one?" The little girl looked to Harry with something of a shy smile.

"Well...I suppose I should..." He flashed a smile to Maddie before he shifted to sit closer to the little girl, leaning in as though they were conspiring. "What do you think I should ask for?"

"Hmmm..." She looked at him, her tiny finger tapping on her lips. "I think a flower."

"A flower?" He raised his eyebrows.

"One that you wear on your head," she smiled cautiously unsure if this particular adult would go for it or not.

"Sounds about right," Harry's face warmed to the little girl and he looked up to Maddie who was just finishing up with the purple giraffe. "What do you say Duchess? Can you make me a flower to wear on my head?"

"I absolutely can," Maddie's cheeks hurt from the smile on her face. "What color of flower do you think?" She asked the little girl, handing over the purple giraffe.

"Thank you," she held onto the giraffe with both hands, her eyes lighting up. "I think purple."

"Is purple your favorite color?" Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Yes."

"Purple it is." And then he watched as his wife inflated balloons, twisting and turning them in her hands until it was ready. "I like purple too," he admitted to the little girl.

"It's a pretty color."

"It really is," he sighed; knowing exactly how this was about to look.

"And..." Maddie bit her lip as she put the finishing touch on her creation. "Here. Here you are Sir," she smiled wide as she handed it over to him.

"Thank you," he took it from her and then without any hint of reservation, no ounce of shame or doubt, he put the flower on his head and turned to the little girl. "What do you think?"

"It's perfect."

"I agree," he laughed and nodded to the girl's mother who was snapping away. "Thank you for the suggestion," he leaned to hug the little girl.

"Thank you for the giraffe," she turned to look up to Maddie. "And the flower is so pretty. Where did you learn how to do that?"

"Yes," Harry turned proud eyes up to her. "Where did you learn how to do that?"

"Well," Maddie leaned closer to the little girl. "Don't tell him this but..." She lowered her voice though she knew he could still hear her. "I was once a part of a traveling circus." The little girl burst into giggles as Harry shook his head.

As Thomas stepped up, signaling time to move on, Harry rose from the little girl's side and Maddie accepted a hug of thanks from her. As a chorus of tiny voices called out, "Thank you!" for the visit, for the balloon animals, for the priceless photo opportunities, the Duke and Duchess smiled wide and waved. And then, slipping through the door, Harry's hand found home on Maddie's back and he whispered.

"A traveling circus?" His lips tugged into a smirk. "Were you a clown?"

"Says the man with a purple flower on his head," she turned sweet eyes to him.

"You know me..." He winked. "Anything for the ladies."

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When Harry and Maddie left the Children's Hospital for Judi's House, the mood between them shifted significantly. Judi's House had been established to work with children who had experienced great grief and loss; a parent or a sibling. And with their collective history, the feeling was much more somber. Maddie knew they would be meeting with the staff and then participating in some art therapy techniques with the kids; creating art projects.

No doubt they played with the kids, no doubt there were smiles and laughter and pride when the children showed them around the center. But both Maddie and Harry would take away a small conversation Maddie had with a seven year old boy who had been coming there for two months. They were waiting for the art project to begin and he was enthralled with the mystique that had surrounded the visit from the Duke and Duchess and, as the curious little boy that he was, he was entranced with Maddie. And then he grew quiet, opened his mouth and took up a permanent place in her heart.

"My daddy died." He was so matter of fact, as though he had been saying it over and over to himself; trying to convince himself no doubt. Maddie felt tears spring to her eyes and she swallowed it back.

"Yeah?" She could feel her brain shifting to professional mode.

"Yeah...My mom says that your daddy died too," he looked up to her then, through the large, thick frame of his glasses and Maddie shifted completely out of professional mode.

"He did," she nodded. "Your mom is right. My daddy died too."

"Were you little?" He pushed at the plastic over the bridge of his nose.

"No," Maddie shook her head, wanting to scoop him into her arms while he worked to make this connection with her; wanting to hug him tight. "I wasn't little. I was big."

"Were you sad?"

"I was very, very sad."

"Me too," he admitted, looking down at his hands that were held together in his lap. "Do you miss him?"

"Every day," she nodded, mirroring his actions and looking to her hands in her lap.

"I miss my daddy too," he took a breath and smiled. "My mom says he watches me from Heaven. Do you think that's true?"

"I think that sounds wonderful," she smiled back. "Do you think that's true?"

"I do," he nodded and then his face lit up. "Do you think he's watching right now?"

"Well I suppose he probably is."

"I bet he's sad he can't be here."

"I'm sure he's sad he can't be here to play with you."

"Yeah..." The little boy nodded. "I bet your daddy is sad he can't play with you too."

"I'm sure that he is," Maddie nodded, blinking back the tears in her eyes. She took a breath and pulled it together. "Maybe the two of us can play together for a bit?" She nodded to the art supplies in front of them.

"Okay," the little boy nodded and she was touched by how quickly he moved his attentions. His hands reached for the crayons as Maddie's eyes met Harry's across the table. And she nearly lost it; the way he was looking at her, the wetness in his own eyes as he watched her with the little boy. She hurried to look down at the supplies and then the little boy handed her exactly what she needed to pull out of the emotion of the moment. "You know...you smell good."

"Oh?" She smiled at the transition only children could make seem so seamless.

"Yes," he nodded, flipping over a cut out shape and using a glue stick on the back. "Just like a Princess." And though she resisted, what she really wanted to do was pull that little boy into her arms and smother him with kisses. But she refrained; she took a deep breath and refrained.

Their time at Judi's House continued on into a meeting with the staff, discussing techniques and programs they offered and Harry took a backseat to Maddie as she lead discussion; asking questions, making suggestions. In all honesty, he was silenced with pride for her. And when they stepped out of the building and back towards their car, what he really wanted to do was pull her into a bone-crushing hug, what he really wanted to do was tell her how much he loved her, how amazed he was at the way she moved in the world—but there were crowds and press and he knew she was holding onto her smile. So instead he took her hand in his, running his thumb lightly over her knuckles and he winked when she glanced up at him. And together they slid into the car, on their way to their hotel to change and leave for the production they were seeing at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

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"I see you," Harry's voice was low as he reclaimed his spot next to his wife. It was late and they had been working all day and it was starting to take a toll on her; physically and emotionally. He could tell. And it wasn't just the way she was trying to hide a yawn just then. "You okay?"

"I am," she smiled sleepily. The production had ended and they were well into the reception and in all truth, this was really the first time on the trip when she felt ready to be done; ready to go back to the hotel and turn it all off. "I'm sorry," she turned her body to his, closing in the space between them; drawing their conversation more to privacy than it was just moments ago. "I'm just feeling the weight of it all today."

"I know," his finger was light on her cheek; his eyes sweet on her. "You know...watching you with those children today..." He moved in closer, his hand dropping to her hip; his eyes scanning over the way her dress flowed around her, the soft curves of her body making him warm inside. "Madeline, you blew me away."

"Hmmm..." She smiled softly, her eyelids heavy as they blinked. "The kids are easy. Balloons and honesty."

"And smelling nice," he offered and they shared a chuckle. "Come on love. I think we've been here longer than we're required." Harry's eyes rose and scanned the room; a tiny, slight nod to Thomas bringing their evening to a close.

"Harry..." She protested only slightly, her fingers grasping the cloth of his tuxedo jacket. But it was too late; things were in motion; Thomas was moving into action, Libby heading in her direction. And the protest slipped away. "Maybe a hot bath would be nice."

"Then let's get you that bath," he pulled her hand to his lips. "Let's get you out of those shoes and off your feet and..." His smile pulled wide as a small part of his mind drifted to a time in the future—hopefully the near future—when he would be looking out for a pregnant wife, a baby, a...He shook his head and focused. "What do you say?"

"Mmmm..." She leaned into his side as his arm wrapped around her. "I say you're speaking my language."

"Come on darling, let's go." And as Thomas stepped up to them, Libby right next to him, Harry tightened his hold on his wife and they began to make their exit.

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As soon as the door closed on their staff, as soon as they were in their suite, in privacy, Maddie's body slumped and she let out a groan. Harry chuckled softly as he looked her over.

"Bath time?" He raised his eyebrows, amused at the dramatics that came with her exhaustion.

"I can barely stand," she sighed. "I doubt I have it in me to take a bath." Harry felt a rumble of a chuckle in his chest as he dropped his tuxedo jacket to the back of the couch; his tie right behind it.

"Here...let me..." He moved to stand in front of her and, with a kiss to her forehead, he leaned over.

"What are you doing?" She laughed, her hands resting on his back as she felt his hands move under her dress to her legs. His touch was warm on her calves as he lifted one foot and then the other; slipping her shoes from her feet. Maddie couldn't help the relieved sigh that escaped her lips as he let her feet rest on the soft pile of the carpet. "That's much better, Harry. Thank you..." She could feel him move under her hands; rising from his spot under her dress. And as he moved, his hands slid up her legs; bringing the skirt of her dress higher and higher until his hands were at her waist, fabric bunched around them. "What are you doing?" She shook her head with a wide smile; she was exhausted but the way he was looking at her gave her pause.

"I'm..." His hands tightened at her waist and lifted her from the ground, moving her so that her legs wrapped around his waist. "I'm taking you to a hot bath."

"Oh?" She lifted her eyebrows, her arms loose around his shoulders, her fingers pushing into the thick red hair on his neck and she felt her heart swell. They must have looked quite the sight, in that moment; a haphazard collection of formal bunched around them, sleep and love in their eyes.

"Come on," he grinned wickedly and, adjusting her tighter to him, he began to move; walking them through their bedroom into their bathroom. "Here we go..." He sat her gently on the counter and moved away from her.

Maddie watched from her perch as he moved to the tub, rolling up his sleeves, turning on the faucets, testing the temperature before he plugged it and turned to her. "Which one of these bottles do you want me to pour in here?" He lifted two small ones from the edge of the tub.

"The pink one," she smiled; feeling warm and loved and much more awake than she had hours earlier.

"Done," he turned and drained the small bottle before he tossed it into the wastebasket. And then, with the water splashing behind him, he returned to her; reclaiming his spot between her legs.

"Harry..." Maddie breathed as his hands slid up the silk stockings on her thighs.

"Mmm?" He lifted his eyebrows without looking up to her; his eyes focused on the garter clasps at the top of her stockings.

"What are you doing?" Her nerves stood on end as he began to slowly roll her stockings down her legs; first one and then the other. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed them to the ground.

"I'm giving you a bath," he smiled lazily, his hands moving around her body; stepping closer so that he could work the zipper on the back of her dress. With his eyes trained on hers, his hands moved in a long, steady motion as he undid the back of her dress.

"Really?" Her voice squeaked just a tiny bit as his hot hands slid into her dress, pressing against her soft skin. "Because it feels like you might be trying to give me an or...."

"Shhh..." He cut in with a smug grin; his finger pressing to her lips before he kissed her. "I'm going to need you to stand up for a minute." He hugged her close and tight to his body as his moved her to her feet. Once she was standing, he released her and the flowy fabric of her dress slid to the ground. His face dropped to her shoulder; his lips hot on her skin as his hands moved to the clasp on her bra. And Maddie wanted to reciprocate, she did. She wanted to will her hands to work the buttons on his shirt, she wanted to force her hands to his belt and zipper and rid him of his clothes just as he was taking hers.

But she couldn't. The soft, warm way he was loving her, the lack of intentional seduction that came with his movements; it only worked to lull her into this place where Harry was taking care of her, where he was pushing away the stress from the day.

He tossed her bra to the side and, pulling strength from where he did not know, he made no attempt to arouse her to sex—he made no attempt to move this in any other direction but the warm, comfort of the tub she had asked for at the reception. And though his intentions were innocent and simple, when his hands moved to her small, lacy panties, the innocence that had passed between them seemed to fade. His eyes locked to hers and Maddie sucked in a breath. Harry leaned closer, pressing a kiss to her hip, and he tugged at the fabric and Maddie's hands fell to his shoulders; seeking strength and support.

And then she was naked; standing before her tuxedo-clad husband who looked her over with a bite to his lip and a reminder. This was about taking care of her—not sex.

"Come on," he scooped her hands into his and, moving backwards, led her to the tub. "You need help in or..."

"I think I can manage," she narrowed her eyes playfully; holding tight to his hand as she stepped into the hot, bubbly water. And it felt amazing; soothing and beckoning and absolutely everything she needed after the day. As she sank into the water, she could feel all of the tension pull from her body, from her mind. "Thank you..." She breathed, her eyes fluttering closed.

"You're welcome," he smiled down at her as he scooped her dress from the floor and laid it over a chair. He leaned back against the counter, his arms crossing over his chest as he watched her. "Can I get you anything? A drink or some food or..."

"You," she smiled and pulled her eyes open. "Harry..." Her hand lifted and extended out to him.

"Maddie?" He leaned forward, his fingertips grasping hers.

"Come in here," she tugged him lightly; finding that the only thing that was missing from this moment was him.

"In the tub?" He laughed, moving away from the counter and her eyes opened.

"Yes," she nodded, the tips of her hair wet, her skin warm and pink and she smiled wide. "In the tub."

"But you wanted to..." He began, wanting to maintain the intent of the bath for as long as he could but when her fingers dropped hold of his and grabbed instead for his wrist, his argument died on his lips. She wrapped her fingers around his arm and she tugged softly.

"What I want is you," she smiled wider as she leaned up; meeting him in the middle. Her hands were wet on his shirt as she bunched the white, crisp fabric in her hands and pulled. Her eyes flashed to his before they closed and her lips were on his.

It started there, with a small, closed mouth kiss; four lips pressing to each other in a move that was almost perfunctory. But in the very next breath, Maddie's lips parted and Harry's followed and the intensity in the room rose infinitely.