Chapter 62

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Saying good-bye to Khenda and Collins was a cluster of emotions. Though she hated the thought of leaving behind anyone she cared about in such a shattered place, Maddie was simply unable to hide the wholeness that came with returning to Harry's side.

"Any chance we could convince you to stay?" Collins teased; hugging her close after they unloaded at the airport.

"Not one single chance." Her voice was clear, firm; steady. "I am getting on that plane and I am going straight to him."

"Good answer," he grinned; kissing her cheeks. "We love you Doc."

"I love you too," she kissed him back. "Take care of Mama and baby, okay."

"No doubt," he smiled wide; already enamored with his growing family. Maddie moved to hug Khenda while Ella stepped into Collins' arms.

"You really should think about France," Maddie spoke into Khenda's ear. "Go where Collins goes, remember?"

"Ha!" Khenda laughed; recalling the time she sent Maddie away with similar advice.

"It also doesn't hurt that you would be miles closer to me."

"Yes, well, we'll keep you updated."

"Thank you," Maddie sighed as she stepped away from them. It was time to leave Bendal yet again. She couldn't help but notice that, as she took Ella's hand and moved towards the terminal, towards the plane...this time, when leaving Bendal, she felt not like she was leaving her home, but that she was on her way back to it.

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"I am unbelievably excited," Ella clapped her hands together as their descent into London began. The flight attendants had done their final check and were seated; they were almost there. "It's ridiculous really because I don't even know if Matt's going to pick me up or if I'm going to take a cab or..."

"You're not going to take a cab," Maddie rolled her eyes as she watched through the window as the ground grew closer and closer. She turned to Ella with a smirk on her face. "You really think Harry and I leave you at the airport to catch a cab?"

"No?" Ella raised her eyebrows.

"No." Maddie reached out to take her hand; inhaling deep, exhaling slowly.

"Nervous?" Ella nudged her lightly.

"A little."

"Why?" Ella's voice lowered; reading genuine anxiety in her friend's eyes.

"I don't know," Maddie sighed. "Maybe it's because I haven't seen him in two weeks. Maybe it's because when I talked to him on the phone after the quake all either of us did was cry..." She blinked back tears as she remembered. "Maybe I'm nervous he's going to see the bruises I have on my arms and freak out. Or it could be because I have this new, strange, glue-like attachment to him ...I don't know." Ella chuckled. "I don't know. It's just...when Collins pulled me out of the...pile, all I could think about was him. It was a bit unsettling, but I just wanted to be next to him; close to him. I wanted him to leave London and fly to Bendal to get me."

"I'm sure he would have," Ella laughed. "Did you ask?"

"No," Maddie shook her head. "Because he would have. He would have come down there and taken me home." It was such an outlandish thing to say, but Maddie was beyond convinced that she was right. Harry wouldn't think twice.

"Wow...see..." Ella leaned back in her seat. "That's the guy you marry. The one who will fly to a poverty stricken, twice shaken country at the drop of a hat, just to bring you home. That is the guy."

"That is the guy," Maddie agreed. Her eyes turned to the window as the plane bumped to the ground and came to a screeching halt. It wasn't long before the plane was navigated to the gate, the seatbelt light flashing off and people were rising from their seats.

"Ready to go see that guy?" Ella snickered as she stood, reaching into the overhead bin to pull out their bags.

"You have no idea," Maddie sighed; watching as the other passengers lined up, making their way off the plane. "Why did we sit near the back again?"

"We were the first on the plane," Ella shrugged. "And it was quieter."

"Mmm..." Maddie smiled sleepily; leaning against her seat. Maybe it was better to wait it out. "You really think Matt's not out there?"

"Ha!" Ella shrugged again. "I suppose he probably is." Maddie watched her friend for a moment, studied her expression—unsure about how Ella felt about Matt.

"You know..." She began, but was cut off by the flight attendant, a young man with a big smile, as he approached them from the front of the plane.

"Excuse me ladies, are you..." He read the paper in his hand. "Ella Marshall and Maddie Forrester?"

"Yes..." Ella was instantly leery.

"Fantastic!" He smiled. "Doctor Forrester?" Ella pointed to Maddie. "Great. There's been a bit of a problem with you paperwork. We're sorting it out, but in the meantime, would you mind staying on the plane for a moment?" The two looked at each other, confused.

"A problem with my paperwork? What paperwork?" Maddie raised her eyebrows to Ella who shrugged. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes ma'am. It will just take a minute," the young man nodded and looked to Ella. "And you must be Ms. Marshall?"

"Yes."

"This is for you," he held out a folded piece of paper; nice, sturdy cardstock. Even more confused, she opened it and read to herself.

"Welcome home.

Matt and a car are out here waiting for you. Give me a minute with Maddie?

Thanks love

~H"

A wide, warm grin spread across Ella's face.

"What is it?" Maddie leaned over, trying to take a look.

"Hmm..." She debated. Deciding to keep the secret, she shook her head and leaned to kiss Maddie. "Matt is out there waiting for me. You stay here and do whatever you need to do. I'll see you tomorrow for spa day?"

"What? I mean...yes. I'll see you tomorrow. But you're just going to...go?"

"Yes," Ella nodded; her smile deepening. "I'm going to go home and eat great food, take a hot shower and figure out what I'm going to do with Matt. You...you are going to do whatever they need you to do and then you're going to go meet up with Harry. And tomorrow we'll have a day of it."

"Okay," Maddie sighed, still confused. "I love you Ella."

"I love you too," Ella kissed her again. And, with one final contact of the eyes, Ella was moving away from her; at the end of a small line that was still exiting the plane.

"Is there any way you can tell me what this is all about?" Maddie leaned back against the chair, happy to be stretching her legs as the man moved around.

"It will all be cleared up in just a moment ma'am," he smiled at her; following the people as they left; clearing the aisles, checking for people and trash. Maddie stood there; propped back against the seat, her bag in the chair, her mind wandering. What was she doing on this plane? What could they possibly need from her? And what in the world could be wrong with her paperwork?

Maddie looked up, watching as the last passenger exited the plane. Soon, the pilot and co-pilot left, leaving only the two member flight crew. But when they smiled back at her and stepped to leave the plane, Maddie was absolutely confused.

"Wait! I..." She called out, slightly panicked as she took two steps. But, when she saw Jim step around the corner, her feet stalled and her heart thudded; she figured it out. There was nothing wrong with her paperwork.

This was him.

Jim, her personal favorite Security Officer, glanced around the cockpit area, into the bathrooms up front, before he moved past her. His eyes swept across the empty seats as he looked around back before passing by her again.

"Doctor Forester," he nodded with a smile. "It's good to see you again."

"Thank you Jim," she grinned; her body alive with anticipation. Jim moved back towards the galley of the plane and without another glance in her direction, disappeared towards the exit.

She knew exactly what was happening. But it didn't make the impact any less. When Harry stepped into view, her heart leapt in her chest and she felt tears prick at her eyes. All of the air rushed out of her lungs and all of her warmth into her heart.

"You really know how to make an entrance..." The corner of Maddie's mouth twitched up on its way to a smile.

"You really know how to make a man miss you." Harry took slow steps towards her.

"Yeah..." Her eyes welled up with tears and suddenly, there were no words. In actuality, there were so many words that there was room for none. She didn't know what to say, where to start. Thankfully, her body acted on instinct and before he could make a smart remark, before he could chastise her for making him worry, she was down the aisle and in his arms. Her feet left the floor and her soul felt at home.

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"You spoil me..." Maddie sighed into the bathtub full of hot water and bubbles. Once they had emerged from the plane, Harry had taken her hand protectively in his and had taken her back to his place—where he promptly fed her the pizza Bernard had made before he left, drew a bath, helped her wash her hair, and opened a bottle of champagne. He was doting, he was attentive; he was spoiling her rotten.

"Get used to it," Harry smiled down at her, his finger reaching out to pull a strand of wet hair from her forehead; his lips following behind.

"Mmmm..." Maddie grinned as he took a seat on the floor next to the tub facing her. "You were right. Coming to your place was genius."

"You like the tub."

"I love the tub. I love it. I am thinking of starting a love affair with your tub," she ran her hands along the slick surface.

"Ha!" He laughed. "Well...stick with me and the tub is yours anytime you want it."

"Sounds like a deal to me," she held her hand out to seal the deal. Taking her bubble soaked hand in his, Harry pulled it to his lips; kissing the top. As his eyes moved up her arm, he discovered her bruises, her wounds.

"Madeline..." He breathed; pulling her arm from the tub, looking her over with a shake of his head. He had known she was in the building. He had known it had crumbled around her. But for some reason, seeing the evidence of it in front of him, on her body, sucked away his breath for a moment.

"I'm okay," Maddie smiled tiredly. "I am. It's just...a little ceiling or wall I'm guessing. You should see the gash in Ella's arm." She watched as a range of emotions passed over his face before stopping on something close to gratitude and relief.

"You stood a little too close to disaster for me, love."

"For me too," her eyes were solemn when meeting his; not a trace of humor there. She knew this time had pushed him to the edge. "Don't worry. I'm no longer standing next to disaster. I'm right here with you Sunshine."

"We're really going to go with sunshine?" His eyes danced in the soft light.

"For a little bit. Do you mind?" Her eyebrows lifted lightly.

"No," he shook his head with a smile; feeling so calm, so at peace now that she was there with him that she could likely talk him into anything. "Would you like more champagne?"

"I would like more of you," she reached out, her wet fingers running into his hair.

"You have all of me..." He turned his face to kiss her hand; his voice low and heavy.

"Join me?" Her hand moved to the collar of his shirt, tugging at it lightly. Without hesitation, he nodded and rose from the floor. His hand grabbed for hers as he leaned closer, kissing her warm, wet lips. He was soft with her; slow—as though he was committing the moment to memory, mapping out the curves of her lips. Maddie let out a soft groan when he pulled away; her eyes lighting up as he tugged his shirt up and over his head, the rest of his clothes finding home in a pool on the floor. "That was easy," she giggled as he stepped into the water; bubbles splashing up around them.

"I'm easy," he smiled, sinking into the tub opposite her. His legs slid next to hers, skin slick from the water; her body perking at the sensation. Sitting up, Maddie moved closer to the middle of the tub, closer to him. Harry's hands were strong, guiding her legs around his waist, pulling her body closer to his. Her hands moved up his arms, over his shoulders, and around his neck; hugging him closer—their chests within inches of the other, their noses almost touching. Though Maddie could feel him, could tell that he wanted her as much as she wanted him, the intimacy she felt in that moment was more than just sexual—it was more than just desire. His eyes were open wide as he looked into hers; drawing for a deep connection, a place of understanding. It had been a long day for Maddie; traveling, the barrage of paparazzi at the airport, the settling down, washing herself clean from her time away—literally and metaphorically. Her mind, her body, and her soul had been wrapped up in coming down from that experience, in finding normal again. And now; clean, fed, quenched—now they were meeting on a different level.

"Hi..." Maddie whispered; her cheeks rosy from the heat, from his closeness.

"Hi," his fingers traced a path along her spine; causing her to arch closer to him in such a way that brought groans from the both of them. "Can I..." He cleared his throat, wanting to retain focus for just one moment longer. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"A favor?" She smiled; her fingers playing with the hair at the back of his neck.

"I..." He took a deep breath, gathering his courage; his nerve. "I hope you know how much I love your spirit and your independence and your stubborn nature. That I would never want to change those things about you..."

"I do," she breathed, her heart swelling.

"And I hope you know that I would never want you to be the kind of woman who would bow to my demands or let me walk all over you..."

"Yes..." Her eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Good," he nodded; moving to cup her face in his hands; his eyes holding hers with this intense gaze that made her lungs hitch. And when he spoke, his voice was pleading. "Please. Please, don't ever leave me like that again, Madeline. Ever." Maddie's eyes welled up as she watched his face change, twist into something that showed fear, concern and a whole lot of love. Though there was a part of her that wanted to be defiant, a part of her that wanted to balk at his request, the part of her that wanted to kiss away any hint of worry from his face won out. Blinking at the tears in her eyes, her hand reached up, a finger stroking his cheek.

"Okay," it was choked, but she said it; nodding. "Okay. I won't ever leave you like that again." Closing the small distance between them, Maddie sought his lips in comfort, in love, in lust. The words had all been said and now, now was the time to let their bodies reunite and love each other.

God she had missed him.

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"Collins and Khenda are having a baby?!" Harry's voice went high in surprise.

"They are," Maddie nodded with a wide grin; taking a bite from a strawberry. It was the next morning and they hadn't been awake long before Harry had called up a breakfast spread that would rival most restaurants. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, in his button down shirt, Maddie sipped coffee and picked at the food as she brought him up to date on the news from Bendal. The night with Harry had left her feeling rested, well loved, and refreshed. Her skin still felt warm with blush when she thought of him with her in the tub.

"That is amazing news," Harry shook his head, his heart full of love for his friends. His eyes were bright and his face seemed to shine.

"There you go," Maddie nodded at him. "That's the exact look I didn't want to miss over the phone." He winked at her and swallowed a bite.

"They are going to be wonderful parents."

"They are!" Maddie agreed wholeheartedly.

"And they are really thinking of moving to France?"

"Sure," she shrugged. "It's safer and Khenda lived there for some time when she was younger. And I've heard it's beautiful."

"You've never been?" Harry's forehead crinkled as he watched her.

"No," she shook her head. "I've never been."

"We'll have to fix that."

"You have?" She asked and then rolled her eyes; catching herself. "Never mind. Of course you've been to France."

"I have," he chuckled.

"And? Did you love it?"

"Hmmm," he leaned across the food on the bed to kiss her. "I think I'll love it more when I'm there with you."

"Smooth," she laughed. "Always so smooth."

"How long before you have to be back to work?" He grinned.

"What is today?"

"Wednesday."

"I have to be back on Monday. So...five days, counting today."

"What does your day look like?" His hand reached out; a finger running along her leg, over her knee, up her thigh.

"Well," Maddie shifted slightly under his touch. "My boyfriend has to go to work..."

"For only a few hours," he cut in, his hand disappearing up underneath the bottom of the shirt she was wearing.

"Hmmm..." She moaned; her face flushing as he teased her. "A few hours during which I am going to take Ella for a manicure and a pedicure and a long lunch....Harry..." She gasped as his hand traveled even higher; moving against the thin slip of fabric that was between his hand and her body.

"Can I have you for dinner?" He arched an eyebrow, leaning over to kiss her knee.

"You can have me for dinner," she breathed as his lips followed along the journey his fingers had just taken, moving up her thigh.

"Can I have you right now?" His breath was hot against her skin; sending a tremble throughout her body.

Though she was certain that her squeal of laughter could be heard by anyone near the cottage, as Harry moved up under her shirt with purpose in his fingers and warmth in his lips, she simply couldn't find it in herself to care.

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"I love your bed..." Maddie stretched out languorously, calling out to him as he emerged from the bathroom; freshly showered with a towel around his waist.

"Oh?" He grinned, running another towel over his wet head. "I almost lost you to the tub last night. Am I going to lose you to the bed this morning?"

"Possibly," she sighed. "Though I prefer both with you in it."

"Fair enough," he agreed; moving to sit on the edge of the bed, his face growing serious in thought. "Listen, I have something I need to tell you. Actually, two somethings."

"Okay," Maddie straightened up, turning her focus away from his body and back to his words. They had spent most of their time on Bendal, not even getting to what had gone on in England while she was away. "Go ahead."

"Good news? Bad news? What do you want first?" He held up two hands, as if judging two different weights.

"Bad news," she answered quickly. "I'm a bad news first kind of a gal."

"I'll note that," he took a breath; turning is body to face her. "Bad news. The paps are going to be on you more than they were before you left."

"What? Why?" Her face screwed up. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing new," he shook his head. "They just...they figured you out."

"Figured me out? They've know who I was for a long time, where I lived, where I worked...what else was there to figure out?" Maddie was confused.

"They dove into your time in Bendal."

"Okay. But I don't understand...they knew I was there with DWB before and that we met in Bendal and..." With purpose, Harry leaned closer. His hand reached out, sweeping the shirt from her shoulder; pressing a kiss to the scar that was a year old. His eyes moved to meet hers and she understood.

"They know that you took a bullet from a gun that was aimed at me."

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