The last stop on the leg of the tour was Dubai. They had left South Africa just after the last show and arrived in Dubai a couple of days before the next show. The band was invited to a high-end party thrown by a Prince of Dubai the night before the show. It was a fancy masquerade ball. It took some convincing, but with the Prince's assurance that there would be no paparazzi there and no phones allowed, Harry had conjoled Julie into going. Amanda was in from the start. Niall had no problems getting her to agree to be his date. Harry and Niall were standing in the grand ballroom with the rest of the guys, some of their security, and other members of the party. The girls were whisked away by the Prince's team to get ready with the rest of what was considered VIP women guests. They were to get ready with everyone and have a grand entrance. Harry laughed to himself when he thought of Julie's reaction to being completely pampered and dressed up. Just by the looks of the room, he knew everything was extravagant. He couldn't wait to see what she looked like.

"Geez, they had the girls come this morning, the party started an hour ago, and we still haven't even heard anything." Niall said. "Do you think the Prince decided to keep them for himself?"

Harry laughed. "Well, I wouldn't blame him. I mean, we do have some hot girlfriends, but I think they are making this a grand entrance. But yeah, I'm starting to get a bit impatient myself." Harry looked around the room. It was an amazing sight. The money that must have been spent on this party was something even he didn't think he could dream of. Everyone was dressed in elegant attire and drinking expensive champagne. He looked down at his outfit of choice. Unlike the girls, they were on their own. He'd chosen all black. He didn't know what Julie would be wearing, so figured it would be safe. It was suggested to him that black would be best. His suit was a classic black two-piece suit from Saint Laurent. It was made of cotton-virgin wool blend with the jacket enhanced with a silk/satin shawl lapel, a two-button fastening, with a chest pocket, front flap pockets, long sleeved button cuffs, a rear central vent, full lining and a straight hem. The trousers featured a concealed front fastening, side slit pockets, a silk satin side stripe, regular length, and a tailored design. Under the suit jacket was a black chamisas rose mesh transparent shirt which remained unbuttoned to the chest so that only a hint of his butterfly tattoo was showing. His feet adorned with a pair of Saint Laurent boots made of Cordovan calf-skin leather with an extended throat and a subtly pointed toe and a stacked heel.

Niall's suit was an ultra slim fit grey mini-herringbone suit from Calvin Klein, made from virgin wool. The jacket featured peak lapels, a two-button closure and three front pockets, double vented, fully lined, and with four-button cuffs. The pants were also grey mini-herringbone with a zip fly, interior tab, extended button closure, front open pockets, back button pockets, tonal topstitching, and seaming details. His shirt was a regular fit dress shirt with tonal herringbone pattern, button front and cuffs, tonal topstitching, and seaming details. He finished his look with a plain scarlet red silk tie as was suggested by part of the party team. Niall completed the look with a pair of deep red leather Tibaldi derby shoes from Dolce and Gabbana featuring a textured leather detail, an almond toe, and a lace fastening. He felt semi-uncomfortable being so dressed up for a party of such caliber, but mostly he just wished Amanda would get here.

About 30 minutes later, an announcement was made that the women would be arriving and entering at the top of the grand staircase. They would be introduced and escorted down to their dates at the bottom of the stairs. They had waited through a lot of announcements and watched a lot of beautiful women in beautiful gowns walk down the stairs to meet their lucky dates. It just made them more excited and impatient to see Julie and Amanda. Their girlfriends.

When Niall heard the words, "Ms. Amanda," announced over the sound system, he walked slowly to the bottom of the stairs and looked up. He couldn't believe what he saw. She looked amazing. The dress was a scarlet red satin, sleeveless floor length ball gown with a full skirt and a brushed train. The bodice was intricately beaded with garnets, diamonds, and silver with a jewel neckline that gave the illusion of a garnet and diamond silver necklace. The skirt was full with a brush train and overlaid with scarlet red tulle that was sparsely enhanced with sparkling diamonds. Long matching red gloves went all the way up to her biceps and a large ring adorned her right ring finger. Her earrings were sparkling and beautiful. Her hair was in an up do with a beautiful diamond tiara. When he saw her pick up her skirt to walk down the stairs, he noted her shoes; they were striking gold-tone Romy pumps from Jimmy Choo. They sported a glittery crystal embellished finish with a high stiletto heel. A simple black masquerade mask over her eyes. He couldn't believe she was walking down those stairs into his arms. "Oh, my god, you definitely look like a Princess, love." He took her hand when her escort brought her to him. "You look amazing." He held her hand and looked her up and down. "Wow. And your hair is all blonde now."

Amanda smiled. "You look amazing, too. This is such an incredible experience. The things we got to do today. I could get used to this type of attention. And yes, all blonde, figured for this type of party, maybe it was time to go back to something less party, and more proper." She took his arm and walked with him over to the rest of, well what would be considered, the court. She knew JJ would be coming down next, so she stood holding Niall's arm and looked up the stairs.

When Harry heard, "Ms. Julie," it was his turn to walk towards the bottom of the stairs. When he saw her step to the top and wait for her escort, he smiled widely. He watched her look around the room and then her eyes settle on his. He saw her smile at him. She looked radiant. Her dress was a navy-blue satin sleeveless floor-length ball gown with a full shirt and brush train. The emphasis was on the bodice, which was navy blue satin, fitted, with a plunging neck line, but it was covered with navy blue lace and white hand-made lace appliques that created a high neck. The bodice was mesh which covered perfectly but allowed enough color of skin to show through. The back of the bodice continued the theme of the front but with a long oval opening that exposed the length of the back from shoulder blade to should blade. The skirt was full with a brush train that just touched the floor with the lace appliques continuing from the bodice to 1 ½ inches onto the skirt. The navy-blue satin of the skirt shimmered in the light. The navy-blue gloves she wore went almost to her shoulders. Her shoes which showed as she walked down the stairs were a high stiletto-heeled Pilina navy-blue pump from Manolo Blahnik. They had a classic cut out detail and a pointed toe. Her dark hair pulled up into a classic up do with a small diamond tiara. A beautiful white masquerade mask on her face contrasted nicely with her dark hair. He never took his eyes off her as she made her way down those stairs. "Baby, you look, stunning. Positively radiant."

"Thank you, it's been crazy. All of this is just so much." She said thanking her escort and then taking Harry's arm walking over to Amanda and Niall. "She looks amazing right, Niall?"

"She does." Niall said. "So, do you."

"Yeah, what he said." Amanda smiled. "You boys don't look so bad yourselves."

"Thanks." Harry said to her, but he still hadn't taken his eyes from Julie. "But nothing like you all."

"Right." Niall said his eyes wandering over Amanda again. "I wasn't expecting all this."

"Apparently, they don't do anything small around here." Julie said. "The experience of today was eye opening and exhausting."

"Oh, I loved all of it." Amanda said. "Especially the massage."

"The massage?" Niall asked.

"Oh, yes, nice strong hands all over. Was very relaxing." Amanda laughed.

"Really, now?" Harry asked Julie.

"Yes, really. My first full body massage, and well, my muscles never felt looser." Julie said to him.

"Full body?" Niall asked. "Well, let's not talk about that anymore." He said laughing a bit and looking at Amanda.

Amanda laughed. "Oh geez, Niall. Come on, it's time for our dance." She took his hand out to the middle of the floor. All the girls were to have the first dance with their dates.

Julie went out onto the floor with Harry, and when he went to pull her into his arms, she stepped back. "Nope, that's not how they do it in these parts." She put her right arm up and her left hand on his waist. "We are prim and proper right now." She started stepping back and forth and around with him.

"Prim and proper?" Harry chuckled.

"Yes, we were taught. Imagine trying to teach two Western cultured girls to act like a princess at a ball." She giggled and looked up into his eyes. Keeping her frame stiff as she was taught, waltzing around the room with Harry. He wasn't a dancer, but to her surprise, he kept up pretty well, even though she had to lead.

"Well, when do you get to be not so prim and proper again?" He asked. His eyes looking into hers and then scanning her body in the dress.

She laughed. "Hey, you wanted to come here. So, act the part. Although your shirt is as see through as the top part of my dress. And you forgot a few buttons again. I'm surprised they let you out like that."

"Yeah, well we're inside a private party. It's a little more relaxed. Besides, they wouldn't let you outside in a dress like that, but damn, babe. I hope you get to keep it." Harry licked his lips and leaned into kiss her, but he was stopped.

"Nope, none of that. You have to remember where you are." She tightened her frame. "Stay in your bubble, and I will stay in mine."

Harry was proud to be walking around with Julie on his arm the whole night. He was convinced he had the best-looking woman in the room. She also worked the room very well. She may have always said she felt out of place being the center of attention, but when she needed to, she did it well. He stepped up to Niall when the girls were asked to dance by the hosts of the party. "Well, hopefully they don't leave us for the Princes' of Dubai. They definitely have seemed to take a liking to our girls."

"Well, have you seen them?" Niall asked. "Of course, they have. There's no one who looks better or who works the room better than our girls. And don't tell me I'm biased."

"I wouldn't dare. I agree. They both have been amazing. Too bad there won't be any proof of this." Harry said.

Niall laughed. "It's like having a good first lady on our side."

"Yeah, we sure would win the masses of a presidential election, but remember whom we are dealing with." Harry laughed. It was better this was quiet. For many reasons.

"Yeah, I know, better for JJ." Niall said.

"Not only that, Niall. I mean obviously I don't want it to cause any troubles with Johnny, but even just everyone knowing. Seems like keeping it quiet is best right now. I'm surprised it's not more than a bit of chatter now, after Tahoe." Harry said.

"Are you sure she's the only one that wants to keep it quiet?" Niall chuckled. "You seem pretty dead set on it, too."

"Yeah, I dunno. I sort of like having this to myself." Harry said watching Julie laugh with the Prince. She gracefully curtsied to him as the song ended. "Well, she never wanted to a Princess, but she's damn good at it."

"Well, Amanda has always wanted to be one. So maybe I should go grab her quick before she runs off and becomes one." Niall said setting his drink down and walking over to Amanda. "May I have this dance?" He asked putting one hand behind his back and putting his other one out to her palm up slighting bowing to her.

"Of course, my love." She said curtsying to him as she had to the Prince when the song ended. She took his hand and stepped close to him. "This day, this night, this everything has been amazing. Like more than I could have ever dreamed about."

"Well, I just had to make sure that I came in and swept you off your feet now. I know how much you want to be a Princess, so I can't let you go off and become one without me." He moved around the room slowly with her. "I may not be a real Prince, but no one could love you more than I do."

"Oh, babe, if you weren't my Prince, then I don't want to be a Princess. I'm exactly where I belong when I'm in your arms. You are more than I could ever ask for." She touched his cheek quickly before dropping her hand. She didn't want to do anything she wasn't supposed to in Dubai. Separate set of rules here. "The only man I would ever run off with is you."

"Well, that's good, because I would fight for you; you're stuck with me now. There is no way I'm letting you go." He looked her directly in her eyes. "You're the only thing I'm sure of one hundred percent."

She smiled. "As you are with me. I love you more than I thought possible. And I've always hoped for a happy, romantic relationship. So that's saying a lot." She stayed in his arms romantically swaying across the room with her perfect boyfriend. What a life. And this party, getting pampered all day, and treated like a Princess only to end up with Niall at the end of the day. Perfect. Just perfect.

Harry reached his hand out to Julie when she walked closer to him. When she took his hand, he slowly spun her around so that he could check her out fully one more time. "This dress is amazing. It takes my breath away. You look truly like a Princess."

"What did I tell you about calling me a Princess?" Julie asked laughing.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But baby, you look amazing. They saved the best for last walking down that staircase." He laced his fingers through hers. "You have been amazing tonight. And I get to say to everyone watching you that, yep, she's mine."

"Stop. Seriously." She smiled into his eyes. They had spent the last couple of days in South Africa alone for the most part. They had talked, written quietly sitting on the couch together, watched movies together, laughed together, and just had a great time. She was completely comfortable. It was scary yet utterly fulfilling. She was happy. Happier than she could ever remember being. When they were alone together, everything wrong seemed forgotten. She missed Panda and Niall. But she felt she needed this time with Harry. "I'm sorta done with all this. Do you think we could go back to the room? Have we spent enough time here?"

Harry smiled. She did well. But just like at his birthday, he sensed she was done with the socializing. It's not like she didn't like it, or wasn't good at it; it's just she was still overwhelmed with a lot of attention. She liked to be alone. And by alone, he didn't really mean alone. She was ok with a smaller group. Him, or him, Niall, and Amanda. Even Liam and Louis. She was just more comfortable in a smaller group. The group dynamic was chaotic for her. He understood that about her. She liked at this point a little more control. She was opening up in this aspect as well though. "Yes, babe, it's like 3 am. I think we spent more than enough time here."

"Really? Wow.  I didn't realize it was so late."  Julie said taking his hand again as he led her over to say goodnight to the hosts.

Harry watched her smile and speak to them with such confidence and such grace. He shook their hands and listened to the kind words they had to say about her. He'd heard it all night. He was proud. She was his. Yes, possessive, but hearing how everyone else enjoyed her and her company made him proud. He got her. She'd come so far. She showed more of herself. He took her hand and walked her out of the ballroom. The best thing about this set up was that the hotel the Prince owned which held the ball was also the hotel where they stayed in. There wasn't far to go. He walked her across the corridor and to the elevator. When the door closed them in, he pulled her to him. "Thank god. I've been dying to kiss you all night." He leaned down and kissed her.

"Ah, yes, the restrictions of the local culture. No public displays of affection. I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did." She put her hands on his chest and looked up at him.

"So am I. Trust me." He said wrapping her in his arms. "I just wanted you in my arms. I just wanted to stand behind you and hold you as you charmed the pants off of the crowd. Including the Princes'." He said to her.

"The pants off them, huh?" Julie laughed at him. It always came back to her and pants.

He laughed at the realization of what he'd just said. "Yeah, well, we know how you are with pants. But I was glad to get you out of there. I was waiting for offers to buy you off of me. I was wondering how high I could get the offer."

She slapped at him. "Seriously? You were going to take the highest bid?"

"Never, baby." He kissed her again. "You...are...priceless." He kissed her deeply putting his hand on the side of her neck. When the elevator dinged, he reluctantly broke the kiss. There could be people in the hallway. He stepped back and cleared his throat. He took her hand and walked her to their room.

"You behave so well when you have to." She laughed as she followed him to the room. "These shoes are killing me. The heel is so small that I'm surprised I didn't fall multiple times tonight." She bent down and tried to move the full skirt to remove her shoes. It just kept getting in the way. She watched Harry go down onto his knee and help take the shoes off her feet. "Well, see, you are a prince. The only prince I want." She said to him as he stood up.

"Ok, now, I want to dance the proper way with my girlfriend in my arms." He pulled her close to him and played a slow song on his phone. He swayed slowly with her back and forth, their bodies touching the way he'd wanted them to all night.

"Babe, this is the only way I ever want it. All the rest of the stuff doesn't matter. It was an amazing experience. One I would have never experienced if it wasn't for you." She looked up into his eyes.

"You, seriously look incredible." He took the mask slowly from her face. "But I like seeing these eyes clearly. I like seeing you accept my love. I like seeing you look at me the way you do."

"Thank you, Harry, for showing me everything I would have never seen in life without you." She went further into his arms and laid her head on his chest. "I love you."

"I love you." He laid his head on hers and held her close. Experiencing these things with her was something he would always remember. Nights like this, with her by his side. Well he couldn't wait for more.

If you're a Niall fan you should check out aubmadison and her fanfic.  Great person! 😘😘 Thanks AB for reading faithfully doll!!

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