Chapter 97

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"Good Evening Captain Wales," just as Maddie had expected, her call had gone directly to Harry's voicemail. He had reported to base for Captain's Training with the Army earlier that week. But before he had left, he had made provisions. "I wanted to report successful delivery of your...tenth bouquet of flowers since you left five days ago. If we keep up at this rate for another five days..." She sighed and placed the flowers onto his vacant desk. "They are beautiful Harry; all of them. The delphinium was a nice touch. Was it from Highgrove? Probably not. Too cold..." She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and chuckled at the way she was having a conversation with his voicemail. "But it's been weeks since the bookstore and I'm running out of places to put them and maybe the flowers can stop? Who am I kidding? You're probably only going to increase it because it drives me nuts." She sighed. "They're beautiful Harry; particularly the purple ones that came today. I love them. I love you. See you soon."


Ending the phone call, Maddie took a look around the bottom floor of their place. There were flowers everywhere. Even before he had left, he had brought home a fresh bunch nightly. She had run out of vases long ago and, after Bernard caught her using a delicate crystal pitcher one afternoon, Harry's deliveries began to arrive with their own containers.

With a quick glance to the clock, she scooted the vase towards the center of Harry's desk and smiled. These would be there to greet him when he returned. Ella was on her way over for some quality girl time, something both ladies desperately needed, and there was still a bottle of wine to open.

Maddie had just enough time to uncork one of Ella's favorites and put pasta on the stove to reheat while she chopped up veggies for the salad. When the doorbell rang out, she was ready for her best friend.

"Ella!" She exclaimed, pulling the door open.

"Hi my darling," Ella stepped through the door and into Maddie's open arms; hugging tight.

"How are you?" Maddie spoke into her hair.

"Great," she smiled as she pulled back. "Though I have to tell you, getting in was significantly more difficult tonight than it was the last time I was here."

"Ah yes," Maddie nodded, leading her friend towards the kitchen. "You have one run in with a psychopath at a bookstore and it ruins the fun for everyone else." Ella paused for the slightest of moments, letting the reality of that statement settle before she chuckled and Maddie sighed with relief.

"Well," Ella sighed, shrugging her coat off and laying it on the back of a couch. "I'll let Peters feel me up any time he wants if it means you're safe."

"Thanks love," Maddie giggled. "Way to take one for the team."

"Okay but seriously Maddie," Ella looked around the house as they continued their journey; taking in vase after vase, bouquet after bouquet. "What in the hell is with all the flowers? You opening a greenhouse?"

"Yeah," Maddie smiled, her eyes shifting around the room, a pink flush to her cheeks. "It's Harry he..." She laughed, deciding Ella's option was the easiest to explain. "Yes. A greenhouse."

"Your back up plan?" Ella's smile grew smug; knowing it was something much more sappy and romantic than that.

"Yes. You know...in case the Duchess thing doesn't work out."

"Smart. Wise."

"You just never know," Maddie moved to stir the pasta. "Can I pour you some wine?" She called over her shoulder.

"Already on it," Ella typically made herself at home when she was there. "Do we still have your dress fitting tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes. You still able to make it?"

"Are you kidding?" Ella rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She took a sip and perched on a stool. "Listen. Maddie. There is something I need to tell you."

"Okay..." Maddie nodded, still focused on the food. "Shoot."

"Nope." Ella shook her head. "This is a turn around, drink wine, and forget dinner kind of conversation."

"Oh. Oh?" Maddie turned on her feet, her eyes immediately scanning her friend for a hint. "Okay. Well..." She wiped at her hands and reached for a glass of wine. "What's up?"

"Okay." Ella took a sip. "First. I need to talk to you about something and you're going to want to...fix it."

"Oh-kay..." Maddie smiled slightly.

"But I need you to not go into therapist mode and I need you to be my friend and...not try to fix it."

"Okay. Sure..." Maddie shrugged, moving to one of the high stools. "Go ahead."

"Go ahead?" Ella's face twisted into a smirk. "Really? Just like that? You can do that?"

"Yes. When you tell me ahead of time, I can do that."

"Okay." Ella took a long, slow drink from her glass, draining it before she sat it down and took a breath. "I'm thinking of breaking up with Bishop."

"What?!" Maddie nearly fell out of her chair. "I..."

"Shh!" Ella held up a finger with a warning glare. "You said you would be my friend and..."

"But Bishop..."

"You were my friend first." Maddie bit her lips between her teeth and looked down at her hands; taking a moment before she took a deep breath and looked up to Ella.

"Why?" Her voice was soft, eyes sympathetic. "I thought things were going well. I thought he was a great guy?"


"He is," Ella nodded, her eyes growing a bit teary. "Bishop is a great guy. And things are going well."

"Then..."

"It's me," Ella huffed into a laugh; eyes downcast. "I'm not sure I deserve to be with somebody like him."

"Ella..." Maddie's heart hurt.

"This is when your therapist mouth wants to run rampant," Ella cut her off with a friendly grin. "I know what you're going to tell me. I know that...voodoo you're going to try on me." She snapped her fingers and pointed at Maddie with narrowed eyes. "And you're right. I need to think...oh God...I need to think more highly of myself and I need to be able to accept that people love me and I need to..." Her smile faded as her voice grew shaky. "I need to let go of all of the shit with my father so that I can make room for something wonderful, someone wonderful. For somebody like Bishop."

Maddie blinked at the teariness that sprang to her own eyes and remained silent, letting Ella sort it out.

"I need to do all of those things." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm just not sure I can do them when I'm with Bishop...when I'm with anyone really."

"But you could..."

"Really lose him?" Ella finished the sentence, allowing a few tears to slip from her eyes before wiping at them and nodding. "I know." Maddie's hand reached out to squeeze Ella's. She took another breath and blew it out, forcing a smile. "Anyway. I don't know what I'm going to do, I just didn't want you to be...in the dark. I'm going to see somebody tomorrow."

"Somebody?"

"A therapist," Ella grinned. "One of you." They shared a light laugh. "I'll see how it goes. I just...I don't want to keep him hanging onto this mess..."

"You're not a mess, Ella."

"I don't want to keep him hanging onto this mess," Ella continued. "If I'm never going to be able to be the person he deserves."

"Ella..." Maddie began, wanting to tell her that all of this talk about deserving was ridiculous, that people could work through things together as a couple, that she was an amazing, wonderful, fantastic woman and that any man, Bishop included, would be lucky to have her. But Ella stopped her.

"Please Maddie," her eyes grew sad. "I don't want to argue with you about this. I didn't tell you this so that you would build me up. I just...I'm asking you for what I need and right now that's a lack of judgment, that's a supportive friend, that's...loving me in spite of my bad decisions, that's...a hug and more wine and..."

Maddie rose from her chair and wrapped her arms around Ella; squeezing tight. Both women edged towards tears, towards total breakdown and both edged back; sniffing and laughing. Maddie waited till Ella pulled back and then she leaned in, kissed her cheek and took a breath.

"More wine?" Ella's eyes met hers and they shared a look of undying friendship and love.

"More wine." Ella nodded.

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"Good Morning Captain Wales," Maddie's voice was low and rough as she spoke into the phone. Having woken only minutes before to accept the delivery, she had crawled right back into bed. "The Pincushion Hakea Plant was an inspired choice." She yawned and snuggled back into his pillow. "I'm having lunch with Kate today. Joan called to verify our time for tomorrow night and I have to say...Rehearsal at ten at night? Because you had officer training? That's some kind of pull you have there Captain. Anyway..." She frowned. "I miss you Harry. I can't wait to see you. Tomorrow. Thank you—for the flowers. They're beautiful and I know you're sending them now just to get at me...but the joke's on you. I love them and I have every intention of putting a significant dent in your fortune filling up our home with fresh flowers. Well played Wales. I love you." Maddie ended the call and tossed the phone to her side of the bed. With a sigh and a bit of a grumble, she sank down under the covers. She still had a few hours before she had to meet Kate and his pillow smelled faintly of him.

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"This is the first time we've gotten together since your...attempted kidnapping..." Kate's voice lowered as she popped a cherry tomato into her mouth. They were having lunch at Will and Kate's Kensington apartment. With great warmth she had hugged Maddie close and invited her in. Now they were seated at her dining room table eating an amazing salad, one of the few things the baby, growing and moving, approved of. Kate had been showing for a little while now and her sickness was finally starting to fade; leaving behind glowing cheeks and happy parents-to-be.

"Ugh." Maddie groaned into her iced tea. "Are we really calling it that?"

"That's what they all call it," Kate waved her hand and Maddie wasn't sure if she meant the world or the family. "Seriously though." Kate wiped her hands on the napkin, dainty and proper, before her eyes settled on Maddie. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay," Maddie smiled; her eyes blinking as she responded.

"Really?" Kate's eyes narrowed; nothing but love and concern.

"Yes. I promise. I went and saw an old boss of mine, Dr. Colvin. We talked a few times...I'm okay." This was the answer she gave to only very close friends and family.

"And how's Harry?"

"Harry is..." Maddie smiled softly and Kate knew. Maddie knew that she knew. Kate understood better than anyone. She had known the moment she had learned the details of the Code Black that had brought security descending around her as well. These brothers were protective, fiercely so. Kate had guessed Harry would circle the wagons; she knew Will would had it been her. Maddie took a breath and nodded. "Harry is doing better."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. He was pretty fazed that day but...he's come around. He's doing better."

"He lets you go to the loo on your own again?"

"Oh no," Maddie shook her head with a wink. "But he's never let me do that."

"Ha!" Kate chuckled at the irony of that statement; imagining it was closer to the truth than other people might think.

"But enough about me and my..."

"Attempted kidnapping," Kate offered with a smirk.

"Yes," Maddie rolled her eyes and looked Kate over; her smile warming. "Tell me. How is my little baby doing?"

"Fabulous," Kate's hand drifted to her rounding stomach. "Though Will says you have to stop calling it your baby."

"What? Why?"

"The tabloids, the press. You know...the whole thing." Kate rolled her eyes.

"He really thinks somebody is going to run with 'the baby is Maddie's'?"

"He's...strange."

"I guess." Maddie laughed. "Fine. That's fine. But honestly. If I have to stop calling the baby mine, Harry should have to stop too."

"Oh don't worry," Kate laughed. "Will's already on that one."

"Is it really so bad if we think of the little one as ours? It takes a village you know..." Maddie shrugged.

"I know," Kate smiled. And she did. It had been that way since the announcement; all of them taking ownership of the baby, creating a protective, nurturing bubble around the mommy-to-be and the little one. "And he knows. I think he's just...you know these boys. He's protective. He wants to be the only one to lay claim to the little guy..."

"Yeah. I suppose that..." Maddie's eyes grew wide, snapping up to meet Kate's. "Wait. Did you just say little..." Maddie's hand flew to her mouth as Kate's face registered shock.

"I..." Kate tried to walk it back but she was too late and Maddie was too quick.

"You did!" Maddie pointed at her. "Oh my God! Are you having a..."

"Shhh!" Kate waved her hand, slightly rattled. "Don't say it! Don't..." She took a breath. "I cannot believe I just..."

"Oh Kate," Maddie's eyes glossed over, her hands pressing into her chest as she looked over her friend, her sister. "Are you?"

"Yes," her voice was smile, but her excitement exuded from every pore of her body. Maddie clapped her hands with an enormous grin. "We just found out this week. You cannot tell a soul. Not a soul. Not even Harry. Will wants to tell Harry."

"I promise the words will not leave my lips!" Maddie vowed and Kate trusted. "Oh my..."

"I know," Kate sighed, feeling slightly relieved that the secret was out; that somebody she trusted finally knew.

"Are you...happy? Are you okay? Are you..." Maddie trailed off.

"Yes," Kate nodded, certain. "I am...unbelievably happy."

"Good. Great." Maddie sighed into her seat. "Good."

"How are wedding plans?" Kate shifted the attention away from herself, something Maddie wished the world could see about her. "Rehearsals start this week?"

"Yes," Maddie grinned. "Just the two of us and Joan at the cathedral tomorrow night. We'll add in others as it gets closer, but tomorrow we're getting acquainted with the building." She laughed at the wording Joan had used.

"Excited?"

"In all honesty..." Maddie sipped from her glass and met Kate's eyes. "I'm just really ready to be married to him. You know?"

"Hmm," Kate smiled. "I know exactly how you feel."

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Maddie giggled slightly as she settled the next in the long line of bouquets on the stand in their entry way. With a smile, she reached for her phone and dialed. "Captain Wales..." She sighed into the phone, smoothing her hands down over her skirt. "I'm dressed and waiting. We have a date in an hour and..."

Her ears perked up and she turned towards the door just as it swung open. "Never mind," she grinned. "You're here." And as she ended the call, Harry stepped into the entryway looking tired and rough for the wear, but delighted to see her.

"Hey there beautiful," he smiled wide; eyes running over her as he dropped his bag to the floor, laying his coat over it and reaching for her.

"Captain," her smile matched his as she moved into his arms; her hands moving up and around his neck, her nose nuzzling in to take in his scent. "You're later than I thought you would be."

"Yes, well," he kicked the door closed and adjusted her tighter to him. "I had to clear my voicemail inbox..." His eyes gleamed. "It took me forever."

"Strange..." She sighed, her eyes settling on his lips. "Hi."

"Hello," he whispered; putting lips to hers.

"You're still in camo," she muttered between kisses.

"Want to take it off of me?" His nose nuzzled into her neck.

"We only have an hour before we have to be at the Cathedral...you have to shower and..."

"Shower with me?" His hands clung to her then; convincingly.

"But my hair is..." She stopped short, laughing at herself. My hair? She shook her head at herself, disappointed, and slapped his ass. "You're on Captain."

"Yeah?" He smiled wide.

"I'll race you."

"Race me?" He laughed at her. "Please. I just came back from military training. I run every day and..." Her lips moved to his; slowly, sensually, pulling his thoughts to an end, leaving him breathless and, when she pulled away, she grinned wickedly.

"Go." And she was out of his arms and half way up the stairs before Harry had snapped back to the moment; bounding after her.

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"See..." Harry smiled at Maddie as they hurried down the stairs. "Plenty of time."

"Hmmm..." Maddie shrugged; even she couldn't argue that rushing around to re-dress and fix her hair hadn't been worth every second of that shower.

"And you thought we would be late," he checked the mirror as he pulled his jacket on over his sweater; adjusted his tie.

"No," she laughed, holding onto his waist for steadiness as she slipped on her heels. "I said that even if we were late, it would be worth it. I stand by that statement."

"Thank you love," he turned around to face her as she pulled her jacket on over her dress and reached for her coat.

"No, no," she moved to him, sliding her hands up his chest, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you."

"Mmm..." He grinned against the lips he bent to kiss. "Are you ready?"

"I am," she nodded, stepping regretfully away from him and sliding into the coat he held out for her. "I just need..." She hurried into their living room, lifting a paper plate and ribbon creation from the bookcase and hurrying back to him.

"What on Earth is that?" Harry eyed it.

"It's..." She chuckled. "Ella made it for me one night when she was here. Women...at the rehearsal, women use it to replicate the bouquet they'll be holding. You know..." She held it in front of her as she would were she walking that moment. "You know?"

"I do know," he nodded and, with that wicked Windsor smile of his, he leaned over to where his bag was still resting. When he rose, he pulled with him a small, beautiful bouquet in deep purple. "I just thought you could use this instead."

"Oh..." Maddie gasped, her eyes welling up. "Look at you."

"You said you liked the purple ones the best."

"I did," she sighed. "Good God, Harry. When you're on, you're on."

"Hmmm..." He held it to her. "You don't think Ella would mind, do you?"

"No," Maddie shook her head as she sat the paper version to the side and took his simple creation. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he accepted her kiss with humility and offered his arm. "Come on. Let's go get...fake married."

"Let's." Maddie grinned and slid her arm through his.

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It was really quite something, mind blowing even; having St. Paul's Cathedral to themselves, in the middle of the night. Maddie couldn't help but giggle as she looked around.

It was massive, elegant; and it was all theirs. Truly the only people inside were she and Harry, Joan, and their security officers—who wisely chose to station themselves at checkpoints throughout the sanctuary; going for zone coverage instead of man to man.

"I have to say," Joan looked around the vast opulence. "I've never been in here with quite so few people."

"No?" Maddie's voice was low, reverent.

"We usually do rehearsals in the afternoon," Joan smiled warmly at Maddie and Harry as everyone

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