Friday

If Maddie's birthday was a representation of the small town, simple life she came from, Harry's was the exuberant opulence of his. As William and Bishop had planned, they would be spending the weekend, Friday through, off the coast of Greece on a large private chartered yacht. At the time Maddie had been so caught up in the nude photo catastrophe that it hadn't really set in just how crazy of a plan it was; how foreign, how elusive.

But that morning when Harry picked her up at her place in shorts, a t-shirt, and a wide smile that already told of a holiday, it started to sink in. And she kind of wished that Ella hadn't made plans to meet Matt's parents; then she would be coming too. But Harry was there and his mood was proving contagious. He was relaxed and casual as he took her bag from her and put in the trunk of the car; winking as she slid into the seat next to him letting out a long breath.

"You okay?"

"Nervous," she smiled with a shrug.

"Nervous?" Harry laughed. "You know everyone who's going to be there. You know them well. There's a captain so, you know...I won't be sailing the boat. That alone should make you feel better..." They both laughed at that. "And Jim will be there," Harry pointed to his officer.

"Hi Jim," Maddie waved.

"Doctor Forrester," he nodded his hello.

"What are you nervous about?" Harry held her hand in his. "I know you know how to swim..."

"I do," she sighed. "I don't know why I'm nervous. Maybe I'm just excited...don't worry about it," she squeezed his cheek lightly. "It'll pass."

"Okay," he agreed; leaning to kiss her. Maddie held tight to his hand as they made their way to the airport; to the waiting private chartered airplane.

It was funny; Maddie couldn't help but chuckle. All of this time she had known Harry, all of this time she had been with him; this was one of the first times when the disparity between her childhood and his hit her with full force. Their car drove right up next to the airplane that would take him and his closest family and friends off to a private, chartered yacht off the coast of Greece. For the weekend. It was a world of curtsies and bows and your royal highness. It was lush and grand and Maddie wanted to pinch herself; just to be sure she wasn't imagining things.

Boarding the plane took her breath away. It was large and luxurious and the onboard staff members were incredibly professional and helpful. Harry made his way casually around; dropping his on board bag next to a seat, tossing his hat onto a chair and moving to check out the bar.

"Drink?" He looked up to her.

"Sure," Maddie nodded, taking a deep breath; maybe it would help her relax. Just as Harry returned to her side with a glass in his hand and a kiss for her cheek, they heard Bishop's voice calling to them from the steps to the plane. When he stepped on, they both burst into laughter.

"Nice shirt," Maddie glared first at Bishop and then at Harry. "You really had to give him one?"

"I really did," Harry moved to hug Bishop.

"I think you wore that just to mess with me," Maddie nudged Bishop as he leaned to kiss her cheeks.

"I do most things to mess with you Doctor," he winked; leaning back out the door to take a bagged guitar from his driver. "Thank you." He smiled as he brought the instrument onto the plane.

"Hold on," Maddie looked to Harry. "Bishop plays the guitar?"

"Bishop plays the guitar." Harry nodded with a grin.

"Bishop does lots of things you have yet to discover love," Bishop grinned wickedly at her as he moved to a seat.

"This is going to be an amazing trip," Maddie giggled as Harry shook his head at his best friend.

Bishop was followed by Sean, Kiki, and Leo who arrived already slightly tipsy. Finally William and Kate and Eugenie and Jack arrived. It was a small but close contention of people; Harry's other cousins unable to attend. As everyone settled in their seats, drinks were passed to a few people here and there and, with a go-ahead from William, the plane was in the air.

The weekend had begun.

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In just under four hours they had arrived in Greece, taken a few cars to the coast and were walking down a loading dock towards a yacht; the likes of which Maddie had only seen on TV or the internet. The group was spirited, lively; laughing and joking—ready for a weekend of partying. Maddie held onto Harry's hand as they walked but her eyes were scanning everything around her; trying to commit it to memory—it was so beautiful; colors she had never seen before.

"Oh my God...look at the water. Look at the beach. Look at..."

"Something else, isn't it?" Harry chuckled lightly.

"Seriously. I almost feel bad for getting on a boat and leaving..." She shook her head with a grin on her face.

"Don't," Harry kissed the top of her hand before letting it go so he could step onboard. "We'll be back," with a wink he held his hand out to her. "Come on."

Reaching out, she took his hand and stepped onto the boat. Everyone initially dispersed to their rooms, settling in and preparing for their trip. Maddie was not ashamed to admit that the room she would share with Harry on that boat was nicer than where she lived in Bendal. As soon as everyone had settled into their suites and rooms, they set sail; full speed.

Intrigued, Maddie made her way as high as she could go on the boat; looking out over the sea, over the water. Bishop, drink already in hand, moved to stand next to her; holding tight to the rail as he looked out.

"You kind of want to yell King of the World, don't you?" He teased.

"What?" She laughed at him. "No, of course not."

"Go ahead," he nodded out towards the water. "I won't judge."

"Ha!" Maddie laughed as she shook her head. Though she would never admit it to anyone for as long as she lived, Bishop was kind of, a little bit, mostly right. Bishop stayed up top with her for a while, pointing out landmarks as they passed; telling her stories of him and Harry as children. By the time they stopped in the water, the sun was inching closer to the horizon and Maddie was almost in tears from laughter. As they made their way down to the main deck where everyone was lounging around; lazy and restful, as dinner was being brought out, Harry looked up from his spot around the edge of the boat and shook his head at Bishop.

"I'm not sure I like the way this looks," he wagged his finger with a grin as he pulled her to his side. "Join me for dinner?"

"Mmm yes. I'm starving!"

"Right this way."

Sitting on the deck of the boat with Harry's arm draped loosely behind her on the railing, Maddie dinned on fresh, succulent shellfish and drank glass after glass of the most amazing wine she had tasted in a long time. Though their friends were tranquil and cozy, the conversations were lively and spirited; full of laughter and great fun.

As dinner died down, Harry took her hand and gestured for her to follow him. Climbing back up to the top deck, the young couple moved to the comfortable bench that surrounded the perimeter and took a seat. And as the sun set over the sea, casting the most beautiful colors up into the sky and across the water, Maddie couldn't help but feel slightly emotional. Sighing, she leaned into the crook of Harry's arm, seeking his warmth, his closeness.

"Having fun?" His eyes were heavy as he leaned to kiss her bare shoulder.

"Mmmm..." She nodded. "It's perfect out here."

"It is..." Harry's fingers played in her hair. "You know, I have something in my pocket for you..."

"Harry!" Maddie gasped with a giggle; glancing around quickly. "On the deck? With all of those people right below us...you know your birthday isn't even until Sunday."

"Ha!" Harry laughed. "I was actually talking about your candy...but it's good to know where your head is at."

"Oh..." Maddie laughed; her face flushing slightly. "Well then..." She cleared her throat.

"Sorry, did you..." Harry straightened up and turned to her. "Did you mean that if it were Sunday you might consider..."

"Well," Maddie's eyelids lowered seductively. "You know Forrester Birthday rules..." Her hand ran teasingly down his chest. "Whatever you want."

"Oooooohhhhhh..." Harry breathed, moving to kiss her. His hand ran down her side, teasing at the hem of her sundress.

"Sunday, Wales. Sunday." Maddie giggled against his mouth and then, as she heard the first strums of a guitar from below, she pulled away. "I think Bishop is going to play."

"I think you're right," he nodded and sighed. "Want to go back down?"

"Can we?" With a nod, he stood and they made their way back down to the group.

Harry took a seat in a lounger, pulling Maddie down with him. Laying back against his chest, she wrapped his arms around her and they looked to Bishop as he began to play. Maddie was impressed; incredibly so. He actually knew how to play and, as the night wore on and the stars shone bright, he entertained them with song after song. Some Maddie knew, some they all sang along to, and some were just random musings that came from Bishop. But after every one ended, Maddie would lead a light round of applause in appreciation. Long after William and Kate had called it a night, just before Sean and Kiki would stand and retire, Maddie turned in Harry's arms so she could look up at him.

"I have a confession..." She smiled shyly as his hands ran down over her back.

"Hmmm?" Harry smiled lazily at her.

"I have a little bit of a crush on Bishop right now..." Maddie's eyes flashed in the direction of their friend who was laughing with Leo while his fingers continued to strum at the guitar.

"Shush your mouth!" He laughed at her; moving to cover her eyes with his hands. "And cover your eyes! And ears! Off with your senses..." In a fit of giggles, Maddie let him pull her tight to him; smothering her neck with kisses.

"Get a room!" Bishop called out to them.

And so they did. With hugs and kisses and good nights, they waved to their friends and went to their room. Though it was earlier than she normally went to bed, there was something about being on the water, being in the sun; the wine, the food, the laughter—it made her more tired than a normal day on land.

When Maddie stepped out of the bathroom and into their room, Harry looked up from where he sat on the edge of the bed; already dressed down for the night. A smug grin spread across his face as he took her in.

"Is that my shirt?"

"It's my shirt," she grinned; clearly tipsy as she moved to stand in front of him. "But your smell is wearing off. You need to take it back and make it smell like you again."

"Would you like me to take it back now?" His voice was rough as she cocked an eyebrow.

"...if you think that you can..." She shrugged; silently challenging him.

As he lunged for her, she only hoped that her giggles couldn't be heard all over the boat—though Harry couldn't bring himself to care if they could.

Saturday

Maddie woke the next morning to a Harry-less bed. In his place was a piece of candy and a note:

'Come up when you wake-H'

With a long stretch and a groan, she honestly contemplated rolling over and going back to sleep; wanting to luxuriate in the peaceful slumber just a bit longer. But she was sure the others were up and she wanted the chance to enjoy the sun and the water for as long as she could. So, she rose from bed, pulled on her suit and a sundress, a haphazard ponytail and sunglasses and made her way to the deck.

There were several moments over the course of the day that would stick with Maddie; moments that would ingrain themselves in her mind with permanence. The first of which was waiting for her at the breakfast table with Kiki and Eugenie and the most elaborate spread of breakfast foods Maddie had seen.

"Good Morning," Kiki was the first to spot her as she rounded the corner.

"Good morning," Eugenie turned to her with a wide smile.

"Good morning," Maddie smiled back. "Wow...look at all of this food."

"Help yourself," Eugenie waved at the table as Maddie took a seat. "The boys are fishing off the back." Maddie craned her neck to look; instantly spotting Harry's toned shoulders and back, wearing only trunks, fedora and glasses—memories from the night before flooding her mind. Her cheeks flushed. She wondered if her body would ever stop reacting with warmth and excitement at spotting him; she hoped not. Forcing her attention back to the table, she reached for a glass of juice and a plate.

"Where's Kate?" Maddie glanced around.

"They haven't come up yet," Eugenie offered, her eyes schooled on the magazine in her hand.

"Oh," Maddie reached for a croissant and looked at the stack of magazines between Kiki and Eugenie. "What are you looking through?"

"Wedding magazines," Eugenie grinned.

"Planning?" Maddie smiled sweetly. Though Eugenie nodded, Kiki groaned.

"Hoping," slightly embarrassed; she rolled her eyes at herself—the first of the three of them to chuckle at the expectant look on her face.

As Kate and William made their way up from below, a chorus of good mornings called out; inviting her to the table, directing him to the back of the boat. With a kiss to his wife and nod to the others, he did just that. Settling in her chair, Kate glanced around the table; her face lighting up at the magazines.

"You're planning," she smiled warmly at Eugenie. "Can I look?" With an enthusiastic nod, Eugenie handed her one.

"So..." Maddie sipped her juice. "What do you have planned so far?"

"Nothing, yet," Eugenie studied a page. "Though...I do kind of like this dress..."

"Let me see," Maddie reached for the magazine. "Oh wow. You would look amazing in something like that." Kate and Kiki nodded in agreement.

"Have you set a date yet?" Kate asked, gathering orange juice and a plate of fruit.

"No," Eugenie shook her head. "We're trying to decide that right now; before or after the holidays."

"Where are you going to do it?" Kiki asked. "Windsor?"

"Maybe. Probably." Eugenie shrugged; still at the very early planning stages of the whole thing.

"You're so lucky," Kate smiled wistfully. "You get to have so much more control over things."

"Definitely more than you and William," Eugenie nodded.

"That's for sure," Kate grinned; a light laughter rounded the table. "I'm so happy the wedding planning is over; now we're just...married."

"So far it hasn't been too bad," Eugenie sighed. "Of course we haven't decided on anything so..."

"I would love to be planning a wedding right now," Kiki admitted; her mind traveling to a place where she could be. "How about I help you; live vicariously through you?"

"Absolutely," Eugenie patted her hand sweetly. "You and Sean still talking about it?"

"Oh sure," she shrugged; having had this same discussion with their group of friends multiple times. "We've talked about it. We've been talking about it for over a year. You know, if much more time passes, I just may give into Bishop's monthly drunken proposals." Maddie about spit her drink from her mouth as laughter bubbled up; the table erupting in laughter again.

Spurred on by their laughter, Harry and Bishop approached the table; wet and curious. Spotting Maddie, Harry grinned wide and bent to kiss her. "Good Morning love."

"Good Morning," she smiled against his lips; inhaling his scent.

"What's going on at this table?" Bishop scanned the surface; pulling up a magazine. "Ah yes...wedding planning."

"You set a date yet?" Harry nodded to his cousin as he popped a piece of apple into his mouth; leaning against the arm of Maddie's chair.

"Not yet," she shook her head. "What do you think? Before or after Christmas?"

"Before," Harry shrugged. "Bring in the new year with a husband. How about you?" He looked to Kiki. "When is Sean going to man up and take you off the market? Or is Bishop going to outlast him?" Harry winked to Bishop.

"I could be so lucky," Bishop leaned to kiss Kiki's cheeks as she laughed out loud.

"Oh I don't know," Kiki sighed dramatically; patting Bishop's ass as he moved away from her. "You would have to ask him."

"I will," Harry laughed and put down his glass. "Come on Bishop, let's head back..." Leaning to Maddie, he tilted her chin up and pressed his cheek to hers; lowering his voice to speak in her ear so only she could hear him. "Just a warning; marrying me means it's going to be about a thousand times more stuffy than you had ever imagined..." He kissed her. "But I'll make up for it on the honeymoon." Maddie schooled her reaction; forcing a small smile to her face as she looked up to him.

"Sounds like a deal to me."

"Good," and with one last kiss to her lips, Harry and Bishop were off. Maddie took a deep breath and focused her attention back on the table where the ladies had already returned to the magazines, debating the merits of passed hours devours versus set stations.

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It was well into the night; deep into party mode. Maddie had spent the day enjoying all of the wonderful aspects of a weekend off the coast of Greece; swimming in the water with Kiki and Bishop until her legs were exhausted, reading a novel in the shade next to Kate who did the same and Leo, who caught up with the daily newspapers, and casting a few lines next to Harry—allowing him the enjoyment of teaching her a few tricks—though she clearly knew what she was doing.

The shellfish returned for dinner in a magnificent surf and turf spread that made Maddie nearly drool when she returned from changing out of her suit into a light melon colored chiffon dress. As Harry's birthday was the next day and they would be heading back, this night was destined to be the big brouhaha that Maddie had grown to expect from this crowd and they were all dressing up just a bit more than they had been.

Along with the mouthwatering food was bottle upon bottle of champagne; steel tubs full of beer and some mint leaf concoction that Kiki had insisted upon mixing.

"Hello..." Harry's voice was low as he came up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and dropping a kiss to her shoulder. "You look wonderful."

"Ha!" Maddie laughed; her hand moving up to tangle in his hair. "I think you've spent too much time in the sun today."

"Not a chance," he shook his head and turned her in his arms; kissing her full on the mouth. "You know we'll be celebrating my birthday this evening."

"I do know that," she sighed. "Does that mean you want your gift tonight or tomorrow?"

"Gift?" He seemed surprised. "I thought I told you my rule about gifts."

"Rule?" Her face screwed up; her finger tapping against her chin as she pretended to think about it. "I don't remember hearing any rules."

"That's because you have selective hearing, love."

"Ah, well...what can you do..." Maddie smiled up at him. "I'm a bit of a rule breaker I suppose."

"I suppose," he nodded; his eyes growing serious for a moment. "I'm not a big fan of gifts. I don't need anything. And everything I want is..."

"I know," she placed her fingers to his lips. "But I think you'll be happy with this. Just...trust me."

With a nod, he agreed. "Later then?"

"Later," she smiled. Taking his hand in hers, she lead him down to the main deck. As soon as they were spotted, a round of applause erupted with Bishop leading a raucous round of Happy Birthday. Blushing only slightly, Harry smiled and took it with ease. Maddie held tight to