I carefully make my way down the staircase at Escala, Taylor is waiting patiently at the bottom and I smile shyly at him as he beams at me.
"You look lovely, Ana" he murmurs and I hug him, careful not to crease my dress.
"Ready to go?" he asks, obviously embarrassed by my affection but I don't care. I'm very fond of Taylor and Christian knows that.
"Ready as I'll ever be." I reply.
Taylor, my mother, Kate and I make our way downstairs and the paparazzi are already waiting for us. Bright lights flash as Taylor sheilds me from their camara's in order to stop them from getting snaps of my dress before my husband-to-be has seen it.
I climb into the car and Taylor drives us to the church. I look out of the window at the residents of Seattle going about their business and here I am, on my way to marry my multi-millionaire fiancé. My heart thuds against my chest and suddenly Elena's words come back to haunt me "You can't give Christian what he needs." What if I can't? What if he gets bored and wants his old lifestyle back? No, I must not think like that. That woman won't ruin my big day!
Just then, the church comes into view and someone gives my hand a reasurring squeeze. It's Kate. I look at her and she beams, I can't help but return her smile. "Just think, this might be me and Elliott soon!" and I know she's right, Elliott and Kate are crazy about each other just as me and Christian are. Only Elliott doesn't have a Red Room of Pain like Christian does.
The car comes to a stop at the end of the driveway leading up to the church and Taylor is already opening my door.
"Thank you." I whisper as I step out onto the gravel. Mom and Kate straighten out my train and Ray greets us, ready to give me away.
"Oh Annie, you look lovely!" he gasps, wiping a tear away from his eye and its hard for me to contain my emotions.
"Right, lets get you married!" Ray laughs, tugging his suit jacket into place and I take his arm, inhale deeply and I'm ready.
We walk slowly up to the church doors, my mother and Kate make their way down the aisle and the wedding march starts, letting the congrigation know its time for my entrance.
The doors open swiftly, the band plays softly as Ray guides me down the aisle towards my husband-to-be. I catch Christian's gaze and there's no wiping the smile off his face. His gray eyes never leave my face and suddenly I can't hear the band anymore, I can't see the faces of our guests, its almost as if its just me and Christian in the room. My dress sways from side to side but my fiancé is the definition of gorgeous in his black tailored suit, grey waistcoat, crisp white shirt and a delicate white rose is carefully attached to his jacket.
Ray and I finally reach the front where he kisses my cheek, his stubble scratching my face slightly and I want to cry.
"Thank you, Dad. I love you."
"I love you too, Annie."
Kate takes my flowers and as I turn around, Christian is by my side.
"Ana, you look absolutely beautiful!" I blush and fiddle with my fingers as Christian takes my right hand in his left and the vicar begins the service.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
I gaze at the guests on my side, nothing but smiles and a few tears and then I turn my attention to Christian's side and I somehow manage to meet the gaze of Elena whose sat quietly at the back, trying to stay out of Grace's way no doubt. She doesn't speak, she doesn't smile. She just sits there and that will do for me.
The vicar goes on. "We are here today – before God – because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes – to witness the joining in marriage of Christian Trevelyan Grey and Anastasia Rose Steele. This occasion marks the celebration of love and commitment with which this man and this woman begin their life together. And now – through me – He joins you together in one of the holiest bonds.
Do you Christian Trevelyan Grey take Anastasia Rose Steele to be your wife – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." He grins.
"Do you Anastasia Rose Steele take Christian Trevelyan Grey to be your husband – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." I grin back.
Christian and I exchange rings and the vicar continues with the prayer.
"Christian and Anastasia have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. You may kiss the bride."
Christian kisses me passionately on the lips and our guests go wild. "Lets get to the reception, Mrs Grey." and before I know it, we're on our way.