The Well Child Awards had always been one of Harry's favorite to attend and after having attended them for the first time last fall, Maddie had quickly and easily become a fan. It didn't even matter to either of them that they would be spending their first anniversary working since the work they were doing was something they both enjoyed a great deal.

To begin their day, they slept in just as late as they possibly could and then shared a wonderful breakfast before Maddie was hurrying off to the shower so she could be ready when Tara showed up to pin up her hair. She was excited for the night. It was the first official function they had undertaken together since Harry's return and having moved dates this year, it was the beginning of the summer festivities instead of the end. Soon there would be Trooping the Color, the Royal Ascot, Polo. This was just the first of many.

As Maddie sat in her chair in a spare bathroom making small chat with Tara, there was a delivery made; a replica of her wedding bouquet, complete with a sprig of delphinium and a bottle of champagne in the vintage year she was born. Though her suave, cheeky husband was nowhere to be found, she brought the flowers to her nose for a sniff and asked that the champagne be put on ice. She couldn't show up to an event with children with champagne in her system. Plus, they had decided to celebrate their anniversary later that night after work was over. She would enjoy it with her husband later.

When Harry finally did waltz in, nearly an hour later when they were both dressed and ready to go, Maddie's cheeks were pink from the look of him; her heart speeding up in her chest. Though the time apart because of his deployment was in no way a gift to their relationship, it had certainly been a catalyst for weeks of amazing reunion sex. And for that, at least, she would be thankful.

"You look...tasty," Maddie whispered in his ear as they slid into the backseat of the car; the doors shutting around them.

"Tasty?" Harry chuckled under his breath. "That implies that you would like to..."

"I would," she met his gaze as the car set in motion. "Later. With the champagne you sent over."

"You're on fire tonight, love."

"Just you wait," she winked; feeling the excitement in the air between them, the happiness. Maddie could barely believe they had been married a year, it felt like last week that she had stepped into St. Paul's and took that long walk to meet him.

It felt like there's no way it could have been a year already and then in some ways it felt like there's no way it could have only been a year. They felt so much closer, so much stronger, so much more ingrained in this marriage, in this life they had created together.

"Well," Harry let out a breath and scooped her hand up into his. "I'll be happy to wait," he kissed her fingers. "Also, if I haven't told you already..."

"You have," she grinned.

"You look beautiful," he said it again anyway. "And..."

"And?" She wagged her eyebrows.

"And thank you."

"Thank me?" She tilted her head to the side. "For what?"

"For being not at all put out that we're spending our anniversary working instead of on a beach in Necker or the Maldives."

"No, no," Maddie shook her head, a wide, beautiful smile lighting up her face. "This is perfect. Absolutely perfect."

"Yeah?" He chuckled as their car pulled to a stop.

"Yes," she squeezed his fingers and dropped his hand as their doors were pulled open. "Trust me. This is exactly how we're supposed to be spending our night."

"Well, if you say so..." He nodded a look across to her, finding it difficult to tear his eyes away, before he turned and stepped from the car.

"Oh I do," Maddie smiled wide as she stepped from her own door, moving around the car to follow him.

They were greeted quickly and sweetly by a team of people ready with big smiles, bows and curtsies and then they were escorted inside.

This really was one of Maddie's favorite events; only a year in and she already knew the elements of a fun night. Harry and children; that was really the beginning and end of it all. It made her heart swell in her chest to watch him interact with the kids; to watch how his face lit up when they smiled. As she had done before in the US, Maddie had Libby bring along her balloons and pump and she spent the reception time following Harry around and making balloon animals at request while he charmed and joked and winked at her over young heads.

They really were quite the team and there was nobody there in that building that night who would ever say otherwise.

When the reception began to die down and everyone was being moved to their seats, Maddie turned her bag of tricks over to Libby and followed alongside Harry, his hand at her back as they entered the ballroom. The lighting was beautiful; the standard soft pinks and lavender that had always been associated with the group. As they were shown to their seats, Maddie could see him pat his suit coat just above the inside pocket where his speech was tucked. She watched as he smoothed his tie and turned to her, waiting for her to take her seat before he did.

With a deep breath to calm her oddly shaky nerves, Maddie sat down; smiling at those around her as Harry followed suit.

"Are you doing okay?" He whispered, his fingers grazing her knee as he looked her over quickly.

"I'm fine," she breathed; smile wide as she patted his hand. "Thank you. I'm fine." And just as he squeezed her knee, the lights dimmed and the program began.

The President of the Foundation was speaking, thanking guests and sponsors and Maddie knew that he was ramping up to introduce Harry. Leaning closer to him, she gestured for him to do the same, as though there were something she needed to tell him.

"Hey..." She smiled at him, her fingers reaching out to stroke his tie.

"Hey..." He grinned; his eyes watching her playfully; their back and forth from earlier having spilled over into the night. "You know I have to be up there in less than a minute."

"I do," she nodded and took a breath. "Do you remember just before I gave my first speech as the Duchess?"

"Yes," he let out a small chuckle, not sure why she was bringing it up but amused by it nonetheless.

"It was at the first Walking with the Women event and I was nervous and you leaned in and whispered the most inappropriate sexual thing you could think of...trying to throw me off..."

"I was...offering my support." He countered with a playful smirk.

"Sure..." She laughed; her cheeks stretching as she smiled.

"Listen, if you're trying to throw me off..." He warned; not at all easily fazed.

But Maddie shook her head, pulling at his tie as her lips moved to his ear. And very discreetly, so that nobody would be the wiser, she whispered the words that would stop his heart, "You're going to be a father."

"Ladies and Gentleman," The President's voice boomed out around the room. "His Royal Highness, The Duke of Sussex."

Harry pulled back from her slowly; his mind absolutely unraveling at her words. His eyes hit hers and for a beat she second guessed her decision; nervous that he was about to lose all of his finely-tuned control. His eyebrows arched just a fraction of an inch and her head nodded the tiniest of bobs. Trying to cover, she smoothed his tie before releasing him.

"You're up tiger." And though she was smiling, she was biting her lower lip to keep from crying tears of happiness. Joining in with the crowd, Maddie clapped her hands as she watched him rise to his feet, his hands moving to button his suit coat. Summoning everything he had learned over his last 30 plus years, he kept his face calm; a steep contrast to what was happening underneath. She watched him as he moved from their seats, nodding to other guests as he took the stage. She felt positively giddy; like a big mushy mess of a girl, ready to weep at the power of this moment she had just handed him. Those who were watching her face, saw pride and warmth and a deep, deep love for her husband.

Harry took to the stage with pep and life and when he stood at the podium and looked out at the room, his eyes first sought her.

"Wow..." He breathed; his voice cracking in a way only she noticed. His hands fell over his heart for just a moment before he cleared his throat and began.

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Five Weeks Earlier

When Maddie and Harry finally arrived back in London from Svalbard, they discreetly slipped out of the crowd and left the airport in an unmarked car. Deliberately wanting to separate themselves from the attention and spotlight the other trekkers were about to receive, they simply wanted to go home; to see family and be together in their space.

So they had hugged and said their good-byes on one side of the tunnel and they were on their way with nobody the wiser.

Their first stop? Clarence House.

Maddie and Harry were barely through the doors before Charles and Camilla were hugging them both; Charles with his hands on Maddie's cheeks, his arms wrapping around Harry and holding him tightly to him. He was so happy to have his kids back; so happy they had both made it through their journeys and had returned to them in nearly the same state they had left.

No sooner had Maddie stepped out of Camilla's arms, Will and Kate were coming down the stairs with a sleeping Arthur tucked away in a guest room.

Though Harry still had questions for his brother about what exactly had gone on in that hotel room before the call had come about the crash, Maddie had insisted he let it go and he had begrudgingly agreed. Even though...when William sat aside a lifetime of brotherly ribbing and instead pulled him tightly into his arms, Harry went and held on just as tight.

"Madeline," Kate smiled wide as she hugged her; kissing her cheeks. "My goodness, look at you. You look amazing..."

"Yeah?" Maddie laughed under Kate's gaze.

"Yes," the brunette nodded. "That fresh Arctic air did wonders for you. Look how happy you are!"

"Oh and I'm sure that had nothing to do with what was waiting for her at the airport in Norway," Harry groaned with narrowed eyes, laughing as he pulled Kate to him for a hug.

"Not a thing," Maddie shook her head playfully at him as she turned to hug Will.

"Welcome home sister," Will's voice was warm in her ear. "I'm really happy to have you back."

"Thank you," she smiled in return, kissing his cheek as she stepped out of his embrace.

"Now..." Camilla stepped forward, tucking her hand into her husband's arm as she looked at the lively group of children. "How about some champagne?"

With a smattering of applause and wholehearted agreement, they followed her into the sitting room; ready to celebrate Harry's return and Maddie's accomplishment.

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The night had been full of elation. They had drank champagne and had dinner and when Arthur woke up from his nap, Harry nearly fell over himself trying to get his hands on the little guy who seemed to only want Aunt Maddie.

"Don't worry Sussex," she teased him as she hugged their nephew. "I'll put in a good word for you."

"My God, he's grown so much," Harry shook his head as he looked him over. "I didn't think I was gone quite that long."

"It felt that long, didn't it Arthur," she kissed his cheeks. "It's good to have Uncle Harry home, isn't it?" And then, as if on cue, he started clapping his hands; bringing laughter from every one of them.

"God Maddie," Harry groaned, his hands smoothing over his nephews soft brown hair. "I want one."

"Me too," Maddie's eyes danced as she held his eyes. "And...if you take me home right now, we can start working on one..."

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The Well Child Awards

By the time Harry had finished his speech and they had moved on to handing out the awards, he had managed to pull it together enough to get through it all. He had found a way to pull his mind temporarily from the reality she had just handed him so that he could do what he was there to do.

But when the program ended and everyone began to gather for pictures, his will and resolve were not nearly as strong. Not when Maddie moved to stand next to him as they snapped away. Harry watched her closely as she climbed the few stairs to the stage and the wave of emotion he felt wash over him nearly knocked him off his feet.

"Right over here, Your Royal Highness," the photographer directed Maddie to Harry's side and she went; slightly nervous.

"Hi there," Maddie smiled at him.

"Hi there," he shook his head at her; still reeling from her announcement—trying his level best not to stare at her stomach, not to reach out and touch her there. As the staff continued to bring children to the stage, his hand moved around her waist, pulling her closer to him and he swore his heart was going to leap from his chest. "Tell me you weren't messing with me."

"What?" She was shocked. "Never. Never about this." They were speaking under their breath as everyone was being put into place.

"You're really..." His eyes were swimming with tears; his voice brimming with emotion.

"Yes," she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Okay," the photographer turned to them. "We'll have you two right over here..." She pointed and they followed.

They followed even though the only thing either of them wanted to do in that moment was run as far away from people as they possibly could. And celebrate.

And as the children moved around them, it took all Maddie had not to cry; watching him respond to the kids, knowing they were going to have one of their own; knowing that at that moment, inside of her, was one of their own. Pulling it together, she snapped her attention away from him and bent down. Crouching next to Harry she sighed as the kids pulled at their clothes, pulled at their attention; at their hearts.

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Four Weeks Earlier

"Buckie Bishop?!" Harry snickered as they walked up the path to Bishop and Ella's home. "You're joking!"

"I'm not!" Maddie exclaimed with a wild shake of her head. "I'll bet you right now."

"Bet me what?" He arched an eyebrow, looking her over appreciatively.

"Whatever you want Captain," she tossed out her own smug smirk and held out her hand. "I swear to you, in less than a minute you are going to meet the newest addition to the family...Buckie Bishop."

"Fine," he huffed, taking her hand in his with a firm shake. "But tell me...why in the hell would they call him Buckie?"

"Ha!" Maddie snickered and reached to knock on the door. "I'll pay you a thousand dollars if you make sure I'm there when they tell you."

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Three hours into their dinner with the newly expanded Bishop family and three things had happened.

One, Maddie had won her bet; Bishop had verified that they were in fact going to call his namesake and first born son, Buckie.

Two, Maddie owed Harry one thousand dollars because he had waited for her to return from helping Ella put Buckie down to bed before he asked Ella about her particular name choice. And when Maddie watched Harry nearly spit Scotch all over their living room, she decided it was worth every single dollar.

And three, they had finished off an entire bottle of Scotch.

As they sat around the living room toasting Buckie's arrival, Harry's safe return and Maddie's ass—which Ella had proclaimed was the most amazing ass to ever return from the Arctic—the three of them (minus Ella) got well and drunk.

Before they left, Harry was already flirting with her from across the table.

Before their car even left the drive, Maddie had her hands on him.

And before they could even kick off their shoes in their own foyer, Harry had his lips on her and was tugging at her clothes.

That night, drunk on Scotch and this desire they had for each other that only seemed to be getting stronger, they sank to that second stair Harry had been on the day he left and together, with half their clothes still on and the other half on the floor around them, they made a whole new memory there.

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The Well Child Awards

They smiled for photo after photo after photo; hugging the kids, laughing at their jokes, shaking their parents' hands. And finally, after it was all over, they were done. With a smile, their hostess for the night lead through the corridors towards the exit of the building. In truth, Maddie didn't know how much longer either of them would make it. When she had dropped this news on her husband, she hadn't accounted for just how much it was going to open up for her. She needed to be alone with him; needed to share this moment with him.

And he needed that too.

"I'm sorry," Harry smiled charmingly at their hostess as they passed an empty office; his hand resting on Maddie's arm to stall her. "Would it be okay if we stepped in here for just a moment? I need to place a phone call and..." He patted at the pocket of his suit coat with a shrug.

"Of course," the lady nodded, not at all put out by the request. "Not a problem at all."

"Love?" Harry looked to Maddie, standing to the side to let her walk past him into the office. He nodded his thanks to their hostess and followed her in; shutting the door behind him.

"Oh God, Harry, I'm sorry that I told you that way..." Maddie had no time to finish her thought before he had gathered her in his arms; his mouth moving against hers. "Oh..." She sighed into his mouth; surrendering to the moment, to him. Every single built up emotion he had held onto since the moment she had uttered those words, poured out of him and into her through that kiss. And when he finally pulled back from her, she was breathless and well kissed.

"Madeline..." He ducked own a bit to meet her eyes. "You're pregnant?" His voice was low, soft; full of hope. Maddie bit her lower lip, savored the look in his eyes, the smile on his face and she nodded.

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh my God..." He shook his head; his lips returning to hers. His hands slid over her body; over every curve, over every turn. "When?" He kissed her jaw. "How?" He kissed her neck.

"How?" Maddie laughed, her hands holding onto his shoulders for stability. "I think you know exactly how...daddy."

"Oh God," he pulled from her, his hand going to his heart and his eyes turning sweet on her. "Madeline...." He pushed her hair back from her face, cupping her cheeks. "When?"

"I don't know," she shook her head, wiping at the tears in her own eyes. "I mean...those two weeks after you got home all we did was..." She laughed as she remembered and he laughed with her; pulling her back into his arms with a fierce hug. "It could have been any of those."

"Jesus..." He was shocked; in the best way. "I...how long have you known? When did you find out? When did you suspect? My God..." He kissed her again. "I have so many questions."

"I know," she nodded, bringing her hands to his cheeks. "And I want to answer all of them. But can we...can we go home and be alone and change and..."

"Yes," he breathed. "Absolutely yes. We can...God Maddie. We can do anything you want to. Anything."

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One Week Earlier

Maddie would never