Where I Belong

It had been months since that moment in the rain. But that moment helped mend a broken relationship between Ellie and Harry. They forgave each other for all the wrong doings, the mistakes, everything. She surprised at herself; she never forgave men that easily, but Harry was different and it wasn’t because he was royalty. After all the time she had spent with him, she realized that he was truly different from what everyone seemed to envision him as. He cared about the country, the people, and those who were unfortunate. Harry had a big heart and Ellie was glad to even have the littlest bit of it. She admired his charity work and was always willing to help him out. For every charity event, she was there with him, like she always was, getting the chance to experience something so amazing and Harry was with her when she traveled back to Africa to spend time with the kids she loved. He supported her every step of the way.

The two had fallen so madly in love, it beyond obvious. Everywhere they went their hands were intertwined and if they pleased, their lips would brush against each other for the cameras, of course. They looked at each other so lovingly that even Kate and William were a little jealous, but it was all in good fun. The four spent countless days and nights spending time with each other, soaking in every minute because sooner or later it would all have to end.

Ellie had school to finish, philanthropy work that needed to be done, and her family that was starting to be neglected. Her grandmother had been spending so much time alone since her grandfather died and Ellie just couldn’t have that happen anymore. She was planning on telling Harry of her decisions sooner, but she didn’t want to ruin the moment. Ellie had planned on taking her grandmother with her back to Washington, away from Cardiff and London. She wanted her nain to see the beauty of the States, the wonderful structures and breathtaking lights that were displayed only at night. Ellie wanted her nain’s last few years to be memorable because everyone could see that she wasn’t going to be alive much longer. It was sad, but true.

So as the months wore on, the fairy tale for Ellie and Harry was slowly coming to a pause. He could tell that she was smiling less and that bags were developing underneath her eyes. Something was very wrong and he wasn’t sure he could make her feel any better.

(this part is a flashback-ish)

“What’s the matter,” he asked, holding her in his arms one night. The two had curled up together after a long day digging holes around the city. Another great charity-filled day for the two, but now they were exhausted.

Ellie sighed and bit down on her bottom lip. She didn’t want to just lay it on him. She didn’t want to have to tell him that she was leaving. She took a deep breath. “I-I’m leaving, Harry… with my grandmother… I-I’m taking both of us back to the States…”

Harry pulled away and gave her a look. “Y-You can’t be… you just got back here. I just got you back, Ellinor. Don’t you understand? You left me and I couldn’t live another day –”

“I think you’re being a little over exaggerating, Harry…” she said simply.

He shook his head. “No. Ellinor, you can’t go. Your grandmother can stay here with us. Then we’ll go get ourselves our own house… out in the countryside! You’ll like that right? I’m sure William can find us a nice hou-

“Harry, stop!”

Ellie pulled away and released herself from Harry’s hold. She sat back and scooted away from him, sitting at the edge of the bed. Harry stared at her, gulping softly, mouth half-opened. It was obvious that he wanted things that she clearly did not want.

“I’m leaving and you’re not going to stop me. The last time I left, yes, I wish you would have stopped me, but this time… no. I’m doing this for my grandmother. Ever since my grandfather passed away, I haven’t spent time with her! I’ve been here in London with you and your family! What kind of person am I to just leave my widowed grandmother back in Cardiff? I-I… I can’t believe what I’ve been doing… I feel horrible…” Ellie’s face fell into her hands, letting out the tears that she held in for so, so long.

Harry scooted closer to her and pulled her back into his arms. He began to rub her back soothingly, shushing her softly. “I understand, love. I-I just don’t want you to leave… I just got you back.”

“I-I k-know…” Ellie said in between sobs. She tugged on his night shirt and let the tears fall from her eyes, hitting his clothing. She was going to be leaving him once again and this time, she was unsure if she was going to come back.

I love you.

(/flashback done)

It’s been 9 and half months now and Ellie and her grandmother have been having a wonderful time in the States. Their journey to Washington was very safe considering the fact that the Royal family had let Ellie and her grandmother borrow their piece of aircraft. It was an honor and they truly felt like the family cared about them, which they did. Harry had stayed with the ladies for a good 2 weeks just to help unpack and sort everything out. And with Prince Harry in Washington helping Ellie and her grandmother, it was all over every kind of tabloid magazine, but of course the two were clearly used to it. But Ellie’s grandmother decided to bask in all of the attention.

With the help of Harry, the little house that Ellie had bought was looking its best. He helped repaint the shutters and clean out the gutters. That would have been something Ellie’s grandfather would have done if he was still with them and just seeing Harry do all that handy-man work brought a tear to the ladies’ eyes.

Ellie had not seen Harry since then.

Those last two weeks they spent together had been magical. It was as if he dropped his title as prince and went on to live a normal life. He seemed normal to everyone around, even the news reporters, magazine journalists and even the neighbors. Harry had worn jeans and t-shirts during those 2 weeks. He helped them all the time and he held Ellie in his arms every night while they sang her grandmother to sleep. But still, she was growing weaker…

They had made love for the very first time. It was special and something they would both remember for the rest of their lives.

But like all things, everything had to come to an end sooner or later. Harry left Ellie and her grandfather at the end of 2 weeks, bidding them goodbye and then he was gone. And she hadn’t seen him since.

10 months and counting…

“Ellie, dear, do you mind turning up the volume on the TV please?”

“Of course, nain,” she replied. Ellie stood up from the kitchen table and walked over to the television set in the living room to turn up the volume. She looked back at her grandmother who gave her a very weak thumbs-up. Ellie smiled softly and walked to her grandmother, placed a kiss on her cheek, and walked back to the kitchen table to study her psychology assignment. She was still studying; she was working on her Master’s degree now and she couldn’t be more excited. Ellie continued to be her studious self even after leaving her little Royal life behind. It was straight books after days filled with charity events and afternoon tea.

“It’s Harry…”

Ellie looked up from her textbook and turned towards the television. She had heard her grandmother the first time and there he was… on their tele… looking beautiful as ever. It had been a long 14 months now since she had seen him in person, magazine, picture, or even television. It was so strange; she wasn’t sure how to react. She knew she should be angry or upset because he never rang… not even a text… or email. But she couldn’t help but smile softly as she analyzed him. His facial features never changed. He still had that little curve at the start of his nose. His eyes were still beautiful and his lips still pouted as he spoke. The only difference now was facial hair. It suited him well and Ellie couldn’t help but grin.

If everyone that was a fan of Ellie and Harry saw the way she acted at that very moment, they wouldn’t understand. They would want her to be angry because Harry had stopped and broke all connection. They would want to see her cry because of how much she missed him. They would want to see her go a little crazy because she still loved him. But they wouldn’t understand. Ellie continued to smile at the television, and then looked down at her hand. Her grandmother turned to look her blushing granddaughter and knew exactly what she was smiling about.

“Just 3 more days, sweetie.”

Ellie looked up and nodded. “I know. I’m so excited.”

Her grandmother smiled softly and went back to watching television. Ellie looked back down at her source of all her smiles, giggles, and happiness. People would think she’s crazy or just doing this because she was upset or angry at Harry, but they didn’t know the whole story. They wouldn’t understand.

Ellie was engaged to be married.

But the thing was, she wasn’t engaged to Harry...