Adult-FanFiction.org : Celebrity

Desert Love	By : Krayzee_Aussie Category: Celebrities - Misc > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 4321 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction! I do not know Prince Harry of Wales, Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla Parker-Bowles or Prince Phillip, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC and I do not profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Desiree and Ryan sat in a car with Harry, on their way to the hotel.
“How are your injuries going, Des?” he asked curiously.
Desiree smiled wryly. “They’re fine, I’m already upgraded to MEC2, the only reason they aren’t upgrading me to MEC1 is because I need to wait for my annual medical before they can do it.”
“So the wheel chair was really only for show?” he asked with a tone of accusation.
Desiree shrugged, still with the same wry smile on her face. “Gotcha?”
Harry shook his head before looking at Ryan who nearly had his face stuck to the window it seemed. “How are you, Ryan?”
“This is so awesome! Mum, we have our own police escort! And look! There’s Big Ben!”
“He’s been looking forward to this trip since you left Australia. Even the teacher called me to ask if he was telling lies at school about going to England to hang out with Prince Harry.”
Harry laughed, smiling at Ryan as he finally sat back and looked back across at his mother and Harry.
Desiree was sitting between Harry and Ryan, her body in very close proximity to Harry. She could feel her cheeks warming as they went around corners, forcing her against him. Even through his suit and her uniform, she could feel the strength in his body, and it brought back to mind the night she had spent in the hospital in Afghanistan, when he had wrapped his arms around her. She turned to look out Ryan’s window, hoping to avoid Harry seeing her face.
They soon arrived at the hotel. Desiree reached for the handle to the door, but Harry stayed her hand, causing her to jump in surprise.
“Let him do his job, he gets knarky if you don’t,” Harry said in a low voice, looking apologetic. “I’ll see you guys at dinner tonight? Cars will be here to pick you up at 6?”
“You’re not coming out?” Desiree asked in surprise, quickly withdrawing her hand.
“I can’t, if I’m seen here and the media get wind of it, you’ll never have any peace,” Harry explained ruefully. “We will pick you all up tonight. Cocktail attire, okay? Do you need me to send stylists over?”
“Uh,” Desiree looked stunned for a moment, while Ryan bounced excitedly in the seat beside her.
“Yeah! Come on, mum! I only brought one suit for your medal ceremony!”
“I don’t really think you can get that many different suits for little boys, Ryan,” Desiree replied.
“I’ll send someone over,” Harry said with a wink to Ryan as Desiree sighed and clambered out of the car. “See you at six.”
                Desiree and Ryan were led to room on one of the upper most floors. Ryan was bouncing off the walls with excitement, while Desiree was already exhausted from the pomp and ceremony that she had received.
The concierge opened her door, where their bags were already waiting inside the room. The room was immaculate and very over the top in decor. They walked into a lounge room area, the room had floor to ceiling windows all along one side over-looking the city.
“Wow! Mum! Look at this place!”
Desiree sighed, it was much more sophisticated than what she was used to and it made her uncomfortable.
“Is everything alright, ma’am?” the concierge asked mistaking her sigh of weariness for contempt.
“Oh, everything is fine. This room is fantastic, thank you.”
“Please, allow me to give you the tour?” he asked.
“Thank you, no, we’ve had a very long flight, I just want to relax a while before I’m dragged out again tonight.”
The concierge looked at her with some concern on his face. “Are you sure, ma’am? Perhaps you would like me to send up one of our masseuse’ to see you? Complimentary, of course.”
“No, thank you. That is quite alright.”
“Well, perhaps you may be interested in the children’s club?” he asked pointedly, raising his eye brows as he looked to Ryan who was running from room to room, opening cupboards and doors. “It’s on the tenth floor. I’m happy to deliver him there for you, ma’am?”
Desiree was thoughtful for a moment. It was tempting, but he was in a new country and his excitement levels were huge right now. She wouldn’t put it past him to go wandering without her there to keep him in check. “Thank you, but he should probably unpack and calm down some first, before I consider letting him loose into the populace.”
The concierge laughed heartily. “Very well, ma’am. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call us, we are here to serve a great hero such as yourself, ma’am.”
With those final words of parting, the concierge left. Desiree scratched her head in frustration at his last words. “Urgh.”
“Mum! Look!” Ryan shouted, looking through the window and pointing.
“Ryan,” Desiree growled, as she began to move their luggage around. “Keep your voice at tolerable levels, remember your manners. Just because we are in another country doesn’t mean you were meant to leave your manners at home.”
Ryan looked sombre at his mother’s scolding. He began to help his mother move his luggage to his room and began to unpack.
                At three o’clock, there was a knock on the door. Desiree begrudgingly got up from her spot on the large, soft lounge and opened the door. She found two women and a man standing there, carrying black cases. “Yes?” she asked, immediately on her guard.
“Ma’am,” the first woman said, giving a bow of her head, the other two followed suit. “We were sent by the palace. We’re the stylist team.”
“Oh, right. I suppose you should come in then, do you need me to call my parents and brother here for you too?”
The trio began walking in, the male towing behind him a rack of clothes. “No, ma’am, another team has been allocated to them.”
Desiree raised her eye brows in surprise. “Oh, right. So I missed your names?”
“Apologies, my name is Jane, ma’am. I’m the make-up artist. This is Sonia, she’s the clothing stylist and this fine slab of Asian gentleman is Gabe, our hair stylist.”
“Pleasure, just call me Desiree though. I only get called ma’am at work.”
“Certainly, before we do anything, you should go shower as should your son. Sonia will start laying out clothes for the boy, you first though! We need to do your hair and make-up,” Gabe said, taking control of the room. The two girls went and started sorting out their gear while Desiree hurried to the bathroom.
When she returned, Gabe and Sonia were going through a selection of clothing with Ryan.
“I like this shirt,” Ryan said.
“If you wear that shirt, we will have to change your tie.”
“Oh, but I like them both.”
“They don’t match, young fellow,” Gabe argued.
“White shirt and black tie will be fine for him,” Desiree cut in, drying her hair as she walked into the lounge room in a bath robe. “Ryan, go shower please.”
“Yes, mum,” he said sulkily. Desiree narrowed her eyes at him, making him gulp before hurrying to his room to gather his things for a shower.
“How was your shower?” Gabe asked pleasantly.
“Fine, what’s first?” Desiree asked with a sigh.
“First, you choose clothes,” Sonia piped up excitedly. She motioned to the rack of clothes. “I was instructed to dress you for fine dining in cocktail attire. So your choices are of knee length to floor length dresses.”
Desiree looked at the clothes hanging on the rack. There were a few items that caught her eye. The colours varied from dark, shimmering material to bright and vibrant garments. She moved forward and began holding up the garments one by one.
“Anything in particular catch your eye?” Sonia asked, smiling brightly.
Desiree reached for a black dress, before handing it to Sonia. Desiree noticed a pang of disappointment appear across her face, but it was gone in an instant.
“Excellent, I’ll get some accessories together to go with that,” she said, beginning to go through her things, while Gabe whisked Desiree away.
“Right, now we do your hair. I’m thinking a simple, elegant high ponytail with your beautiful long hair, with a nice quif at the front. Sleek and sophisticated.” He sat her in a chair and set to work immediately.
Ryan soon appeared from the bathroom, his hair still slightly wet. “That bathroom is awesome!” he said before disappearing into his room. They all laughed at his enthusiasm.
                Two hours later, they were finished on Desiree and were finishing dressing Ryan. Desiree slipped her feet into some black high heels, doing the clasp up carefully. She stood up carefully. It had been a long time since she had worn heels.
“You look fantastic!” Jane said, clapping her hands excitedly. “Are the heels a good fit?”
“Yes, they’re fine,” Desiree replied, taking a few steps.
Gabe watched her carefully. “You’ve had proper catwalk training?” he asked after watching her for a few minutes.
Sonia looked up from tying Ryan’s shoes while Jane looked at Gabe in surprise then at Desiree.
“A long time ago,” Desiree replied, with a sigh.
“It shows, you walk amazingly in heels. Completely different.”
“Thank you,” Desiree replied, feeling her face get flushed at the compliment.
Sonia stood up, patting Ryan on the shoulder. “You’re done, young man. My, don’t you look spiffy?”
“He does indeed!” Jane added smiling brightly.
“It’s now five thirty, Desiree, it’s probably best you head down to the lobby.”
“Thank you, I’ll just go get a few things to take with me.”
“Oh! Here,” Sonia said, hastily hurrying to her bags and digging through a suitcase. She pulled out a black clutch with diamonds along the edges. “It should match the dress and shoes perfectly. That funky necklace you’re wearing is kind of clashing with the outfit though.”
“The necklace stays,” Desiree said firmly, putting a hand to it. “It’s my Buddhist Talisman.”
“Oh, apologies, of course,” Sonia said hastily, bowing her head slightly.
The stylist team packed up and left the room, while Desiree messaged her mother to see if they were ready. They were already waiting downstairs at the bar.
Desiree hurried Ryan from the room, hastening into the lift and downstairs. Her father, mother and Dan were waiting out the front of the bar.
“What took you so long?” her father asked immediately.
Dan scoffed and nudged his father. “Don’t you think that’s obvious, dad? When was the last time you saw her in heels?” Their father appraised her appearance for a moment, clearly trying to remember when he had last seen her in heels, while Dan walked up and put his arm around his sister’s shoulders. “You look good, Des. Doesn’t surprise me it took them three hours to make you look like that though.”
Desiree shot her elbow into her brother’s gut, causing him to groan. “Bugger off, brat.”
“Love you too,” he groaned, moving away.
“Oh, Ryan! Look how handsome you look!” their mother said and began fawning over her grandson. She pulled out her phone and thrust it into the Colonel’s hand. “Here, take a photo of us!”
He sighed and held up the phone, taking a quick photo. He handed the phone back to his wife as the concierge approached them.
“Sorry to interrupt, but your transport has arrived and is awaiting you out the front,” he said smiling. They thanked him and hurried to the front. The driver’s were awaiting them on the front steps.
“Major Kitana, you’re riding in the first car, ma’am.” He motioned for Ryan and her to follow him, opening the car door for them and closing it behind them.
After a half hour drive through London, they stopped out the front of a ritzy looking building. The driver opened the door for them. “Go on in, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” she said bashfully, taking Ryan’s hand and walking inside. They waited a moment for the family to join them.
“Man, would you check out this place,” Dan said as he walked in the door. He nodded his approval to Desiree with a goofy look on his face. She gave a little laugh. Her brother always knew when she was nervous or uncomfortable about something.
“You must be the Buchannan and Kitana group?” the maitre de asked expectantly.
“That’s us,” Desiree replied feeling her nerves beginning to pique, stepping forward.
“Right this way, ma’am.” He led them through the restaurant. The patrons all seemed to turn and look at her, but kept she looking straight ahead, keeping her eyes trained on the back of the maitre de’s head. He led them to a table in the back of the restaurant, in a secluded corner. When they rounded a screen of potted ferns she spotted the fiery red hair of Harry.
He smiled up at her brightly, standing up quickly. William and Kate stood too, welcoming them with bright smiles and cheerful hellos.
“Was there any trouble getting here?” Harry asked, shaking everyone’s hands but Desiree’s.
“Not at all,” the Colonel replied. “Fancy place though. I hope they can manage a simple steak and veg dinner, because that’s all I want.”
“Of course, sir,” the maitre de, answered with a slight air to his voice. Harry looked at him pointedly and the maitre de quickly stepped back and allowed the family to be seated.
Harry pulled out the chair next to him and offered it to Desiree. She felt her cheeks getting hot again as she accepted it, she looked down as she sat down. He put a warm hand on her bare shoulder and it sent goosebumps down her arm, a strange reaction to a touch, a sensation she had not experienced in a long time.
They settled into their seats, the waiters soon coming to give them menus and take their drinks orders.
“How is your hotel?” Kate asked pleasantly.
“Oh, it is fantastic!” Desiree’s mother answered excitedly. “Such exuberance, I can’t say I have ever experienced being taken care of so well!”
“That’s fantastic,” Kate replied, laughing pleasantly.
“How about you, Ryan?” William asked with a big smile at the small boy.
“It’s pretty cool,” Ryan said, shyly. “I can see Big Ben from our windows.”
“That is pretty cool,” William replied with a smile. “What else do you want to see while you’re here?”
“Um, the palace, the palace guards with the big hats, I want to ride the London eye, I want to go to the museum, the Tower Bridge and Madam Tussauds!”
“Wow, you do want to do a lot,” Harry said with a laugh. “I’m sure we can arrange all of that.” He winked at Desiree. She felt her face get hot and quickly looked back at Ryan.
“Really? Awesome! Did you hear that, mum?” he asked his mum excitedly.
“Yes, honey, that sounds like we are going to be very busy this next week.”
“Nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure,” Kate said with a smile. “I’ll be sure to join you guys for some of that, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” Desiree’s mother replied cheerfully. “The more the merrier, don’t they say? But just let it be known, we expect you to be getting involved in our happy snaps. I’m Asian, I take a lot of photos, much to the annoyance of my children.”
Both Desiree and Dan groaned loudly, causing laughter to abrupt around the table.
“Oh, I’m sure I can manage that,” Kate said with a wink.
*******
                Harry looked at Desiree in the corner of his eye. She looked stunning. As soon as she had arrived at their table, he had been shocked by the difference in her appearance. She wore a knee length, figure hugging, black dress, with high heels and her hair was tied up into a high sleek ponytail. When she walked, she appeared to glide throughout the room.
The dress hugged every one of her curves and showed the definition in her shoulders, arms and legs. The black colour of the dress made her olive skin colour stand out, making her seem more exotic. He had noticed on her arms, a few light scars here and there, but they weren’t something that jumped out at him. All he could notice was the difference in how she held herself, there was a different kind of confidence to what he was used to seeing from her. He could see glimpses of it when she didn’t seem uncomfortable.
She was perusing the menu at the moment, he noticed her cheeks seemed to be slightly pink, although she wore make up.
“How are you?” he murmured to her as everyone began to have their own conversations around the table.
She looked up at him in surprise, her light brown eyes wide. “I’m fine, why do you ask?”
He noticed she seemed a little rigid. “You seem tense, maybe uncomfortable even?”
She sighed, looking back to the menu. “I’m not so used to such pomp and flair,” she replied simply. She glanced back up at him, giving a small reassuring smile. “I’m fine though.”
He smiled back. “How was your hotel, was it okay?”
“Fantastic, far more than what was necessary.”
“Less than what you deserve,” he replied simply. He saw her cheeks become redder in colour.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she shot back, looking back at her menu. Harry couldn’t help but smile when her cheeks went so red.
The waiters soon returned and took their orders and brought their drinks.
“Have you been sent the itinerary for your visit yet?” Harry asked as he sipped his drink. He couldn’t help but notice Desiree had opted for a bourbon and coke as opposed to wine like her mother and father. He had expected it from her brother, he was a much more laid back person. He also noticed her brother watched his and her interactions, warily, from across the table.
“I received one prior to our departure from Australia,” she replied.
“They haven’t sent you a revised one? There are some meet and greets that they wanted to add to your itinerary with some of our British veterans.”
“That would be lovely,” Desiree replied with interest, looking up at him in surprise. “But why would they want to meet me?”
“You’re a VC recipient as well as a George Cross recipient, that’s a big deal, Des.”
“Well, if you say so,” she replied, a dubious look on her face.
*******
                Their meals were delivered and gradually Desiree began to relax a little. She realised that where they had been positioned, none of the other diners could see them without getting up and physically walking around the screen.
She was kind of getting sick of people creating a fuss over her. She knew her mother was loving it, she had always had high hopes for Desiree, more so in the world of modelling than in the military world, although always very supportive of her military career. All the children in the family knew that she just wanted one girly girl, and for at least ten years of Desiree’s life, that was her. Now, well, not so much.
She listened to William and Harry tell stories of their deployments overseas as well as their training in country.
“So, Desiree, have you got any good stories of how you and Harry met?” William asked, turning to look at Desiree with a look of keen interest.
Desiree looked around the table for a moment, anxiously, before looking back at Harry. He looked awkwardly back at her and was about to say something when Desiree answered. “I can tell you a little about it, but a lot of that is still classified.” Harry looked at her in surprise but she didn’t meet his gaze. “How about we discuss our first meeting?”
She saw Harry’s jaw drop in the corner of her eye, she was careful to keep her face as mutual as possible. It was a reaction she was used to getting from him. “Oh come on, that was an accident.”
“Oh, I really want to hear it now,” Kate said leaning forward a little, an expectant look on her face.
“In the FOB we were stationed in, officers and diggers eat together in the same mess. We have our own areas but often we choose to eat with our diggers, it’s better for morale. Anyway, I walk into the mess, grab my food, move to go and sit with my squad at the back of the mess and someone pushes a chair out in front of me, causing my juice to go all over my front.”
“Jesus, mate,” Dan piped up. Desiree turned to look at him. “She’s got a temper on her, you know?”
“Oh, I know that, now,” Harry replied with a laugh.
“Anyway,” Desiree continued. “If it wasn’t for my sergeant at the time, I would have socked him.”
“Should have,” William said slyly. Harry elbowed him causing everyone to laugh.
“Did he apologise?” Kate asked curiously.
“Oh, of course, but he certainly knows how to add insult to injury.” Desiree looked slyly at Harry, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head and rubbed his temples, making her smirk. “During briefing, where we found out the Brits were coming out onto patrol with us, this one stands up and has the hide to ask why I was in the briefing.”
“I didn’t know!” he cried, exasperated. Desiree laughed heartily, placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “We hadn’t been told that Australia had allowed women on the front line.”
“There, there, H. I forgive you.” She winked at him, still patting his shoulder. He looked sideways at her, his bright blue eyes smiling back at her. She suddenly became aware of how close she had gotten to him in the heat of the moment. She quickly withdrew her hand, still smiling but looking away from Harry to Ryan, who was sitting quietly eating his dessert. “How’s that cake?”
“It’s ok, but not as good as yours, mum,” he replied, cleaning his plate and pushing it away. “I’m tired. Will we be going home soon?”
“Yes, of course.” She looked up at Harry, William and Kate apologetically.
“Oh, poor little one. Of course, he’s had a big day today,” Kate said, smiling brightly at him.
“And don’t forget a stomach full of chocolate cake now,” William joked. Ryan gave a little laugh, rubbing his belly.
“Ok, we should get you guys home,” Harry said standing up quickly. He helped pull Desiree’s chair out for her and offered her a hand to her feet. She looked at him in confusion for a moment, before standing up easily herself. “You really seem at home in those heels.”
“Just because I wear combat boots everyday now, doesn’t mean I always have,” she replied, wrinkling her nose at his comment. She took Ryan’s hand and began to follow her mother, father, William and Kate from the table towards the front door. She was talking with her brother as they went to walk out the front door of the restaurant, all the patrons staring at Kate and William and then at Harry following her closely behind her.
As William opened the door for Kate, there was a flurry of flashing bulbs. William pulled Kate out the door, careful to keep her close, while their private security pushed back a big throng of photographers. Desiree’s father and mother quickly followed them out, carefully pushing photographer’s back to give Desiree and Ryan some room.
“What the hell?” Desiree growled, pulling Ryan in closer to her. Dan was on Ryan’s other side, ready to push back any photographer’s that got too close to the little boy.
Harry appeared at Desiree’s shoulder, putting his hand on the small of her back and startling her. “Sorry about this, someone in the restaurant must have seen us and passed on the word, I’ll get you out of here as quickly as possible,” he said, leaning in close to her ear so she could hear him over the throng of photographers yelling questions their way.
In him doing so, it appeared to excite the photographers and they seemed to push in harder towards them.
“Get back!” security officers shouted, trying to force the photographers back.
“Get away from my nephew,” Dan shouted to one photographer who was trying to force his way past him.
The flashing bulbs and shouting increased as they tried to move forward towards the cars. Desiree shied away from the flashing lights and shouting.
“Are you okay, Des?” Harry asked trying to keep her closer to him so she didn’t get knocked over. The flashing lights increased more and Desiree picked up Ryan.
“Screw this,” Desiree said, she turned and pushed past security and Harry, re-entering the restaurant. A security officer and Dan followed her. She put Ryan down and turned to the security officer. “Organise for a car to meet us out the back.” The security officer nodded and made a call.
Harry came back inside after her. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Fine, now. We’re going out the back, those bastards are going to crush Ryan if we keep going that way,” she said crankily.
“I understand, I’ll go out that way so they don’t go around the back. I’ll see you tomorrow sometime,” he said, ignoring the stares from the diners around them and placing his hand on her back again. She couldn’t ignore them though, dipping her head in embarrassment. She was stunned when she felt Harry’s lips brush her cheek gently. “I’ll text you tonight to check up on you.”
She looked up stunned, unable to say anything with such surprise on her face. He smiled and turned on his heel, his security opening the door for him and ushering him out.
Dan returned with a waiter looking at her expectantly. “This guy is going to lead us through the kitchens to the loading dock,” Dan said, taking Ryan up into his arms. “Let’s go.”
The security officer followed closely behind them as they hurried through the kitchens behind the waiter. The chefs all stood to one side to allow them access through, looking at her curiously.
They soon emerged out the back door to the loading dock, and there waiting was one of the cars and a security guard watching carefully by the door. “Hurry up, the motorcade is waiting for you guys to leave to keep the paparazzi busy.”
They hurried down the stairs and into the car, the two security guards getting into the driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat.
Desiree breathed a sigh of relief as they began to drive off. She looked to Ryan. “Are you okay, honey?”
“Yes, mum. I’m just tired, that’s all.”
“Are you okay?” Dan asked, putting his seatbelt on. “You seemed to react to the flashing bulbs.”
“Who wouldn’t? That shit was ridiculous,” she answered, sharply. Dan put his hands up as a show of innocence. Desiree sighed again. “Sorry, maybe it was a little tense with the lights and yelling.”
“Yeah, i figured you might have a little problem with it.”
“It wasn’t so much that though, it was the way they were rushing in and with Ryan there i was worried they would crush him.”
“That was bullshit, it better not happen again,” Dan said, loud enough for the security guards to hear.
“It won’t, sir, we will make sure of that. We will be increasing security on you guys from now on. Now that the paparazzi are going to be linking your family to the royals, they will no doubt be harassing you a lot. We will stay on top of it,” the security guard that had stayed with them said apologetically.
Desiree sighed, watching as the lights of the city sped by them. Ryan leaned up against her, and very soon she felt his body relax as he began to doze. She patted his head before reaching up and touching the cheek that Harry had kissed. What had that been all about?
“What’s up, Des?” Dan asked.
She turned to look at him in surprise, removing her hand quickly. “Nothing, apart from the obvious,” she said motioning back the way they had come.
“Oh really?” he said, a knowing smile appearing on his face. She looked at him suspiciously. “Oh, I saw it, Des. It wasn’t subtle.”
“What?” she asked feigning confusion, trying to play dumb.
“You can play dumb all you want, but mum is going to flip if she finds out,” Dan replied with a smirk.
“Boy, you better not be blackmailing me.”
“Nah, I just like seeing your face go red whenever I mention it,” he said with a laugh. “Just be careful, sis. This isn’t just some guy. What happened tonight is what comes with that territory.”
She wrinkled her nose at him, pretending to be perturbed by what he suggested, but truthfully, she didn’t know what to think.
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Desert Love