A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. The best part of my day is reading them.

Carricks POV for the CCU story will be coming up soon…I hope.

A special thank you to mrsdamon for sparking this story idea. I hope you enjoy.

I do not own the characters. They belong to E.L. James. This is just for fun

~~~~xxx~~~~~

The Anniversary – 20 years later

Ana's POV:

It's a shopping day with the two best shoppers Seattle has to offer…Mia Grey-Kavanagh and Phoebe Grace Grey. I don't know how I got suckered into this. I hate shopping.

After dragging me and poor Sawyer from one store to another, they decide it's time for lunch. Lunch I can do.

We're seated at a charming little café in the city. I'm glad the menu is limited. You can't give Phoebe too many choices; we'd be here for hours while she makes up her mind. We each order small salads and Panini sandwiches.

"So Ana, are you and Christian going to do anything to celebrate your anniversary? It is a big one." Mia asks.

"Honestly Mia, we haven't really discussed it. We've both been so busy. I suppose we'll probably just go away for a few days. Nothing crazy."

"Ana, you should have a party. Twenty years is a big deal"

"Yeah, Mom! Let's have a party!" Phoebe chimes in. My little girl sure likes to party.

"Oh, I don't know. I really don't have the time to plan a party. Get an invitation list together. Check with Teddy's schedule to make sure he can fly in. There's so much to do and I don't really have the time to do all of it" I tell them, hoping they'll drop it. But I know better. They may not be blood related, but they are most definitely cut from the same cloth.

"We'll help Mom. We'll do most of it. Won't we Aunt Mia?"

"You bet Pheebs. I love planning parties. Come on Ana. Let's do this. It can be very romantic. You and Christian can even renew your vows" Mia looks like she just won the lottery, she's so excited

Phoebe starts clapping and bouncing in her chair. I know that excited look. When Phoebe or Mia get excited about a project, they are unstoppable.

"Well, I guess a small intimate party might be nice. Something small, nothing over the top. Just family and a few close friends." Renewing our vows does sound romantic.

"Of course Ana. Whatever you want. Right Pheebs?" Mia looks over to Phoebe with a wink.

"Of course" Phoebe nods with a giant grin.

What have I got myself into?

~~~~xxxx~~~~~

"Christian, what do you think about having a small anniversary party?"

"I was hoping our "party "could be just you and I locked up in a hotel room somewhere for a few days with no interruptions."

"Stop kidding Christian! Be serious!"

"Who said I'm kidding?"

I roll my eyes. He raises an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth lifts up into a smirk

"Did I just see you roll your eyes at me Anastasia?"

"Oh, stow your twitching palm, Mr. Grey. I'm serious."

"So am I, baby. You seem to be tense tonight. A good spanking could relieve your tension. It would certainly relieve mine." He grins.

"Get those silver balls and I'm willing to consider your indecent proposal, Sir" I smirk back.

"That can be arranged baby"

"Can you be serious for a minute, Christian? Mia and Phoebe were asking me if we were going to have an Anniversary party. I mean, twenty years is quite a milestone"

"Baby, if you want a party. We'll have a party."

"Well, I was thinking it would be nice if we could renew our vows at the party maybe update them to make it about our relationship today."

He looks at me like I have three heads

"Ana, we said our vows twenty years ago. We meant them then and they mean the same now. Why do we have to do that all over again?"

"I thought it would be romantic"

"I'll get the silver balls and show you some romance"

"Christian, please"

"Ana. No. I said my vows once. Saying them again, isn't going to make them mean any more than the first time I said them. They're called wedding vows for a reason. They are for weddings. One marriage, one vow, one time. Done."

"Christian, you're being unreasonable"

"The only way I'll reconsider is if you add that you'll obey me in your vows"

"Christian, you know that is never going to happen"

"Well then, case closed. No vows again. I said them once, I meant them then. I still do. And I don't want this to turn into another argument about our vows like the last time"

Oh, the sulking and nightmares he had. It's just not worth the fight.

'Fine." I leave the room in a huff.

~~~~~~~~~xxxx~~~~~~~~~

Planning this "small intimate party" has turned into a three ring circus, thanks to Mia and Phoebe's enthusiasm.

"I was thinking of small bouquets of wild flowers on each table." I say to Phoebe and Mia, also known as the Planning Committee.

They look at each other then look at me like I'm crazy.

"Mom, you can't have wildflowers on the table. They're sooooo boring"

"But I like wildflowers. They're colorful and simple in their beauty"

"Ana, since this is an anniversary party, wouldn't you rather have roses on each table? It's classic and romantic" Mia asks

"Roses are lovely…but I was hoping to keep this more down to earth and representative of us and what we like."

"Mom, trust us, go with the roses." Phoebe is giving me her patented Grey do-as-I say stare.

Oh, what the hell… they're only flowers.

"Ok, fine…roses it is" I guess roses are nice.

"Excellent choice Ana. I just saw an arrangement with bright orange roses. It was amazing" Mia sure loves her bright colors.

"I don't know if we need anything so…vibrant" I was thinking maybe red or yellow.

"Mom, orange will stand out. You have to go with that" Phoebe is nodding in agreement with Mia.

I sigh. I know they're only trying to help.

"Ok ladies, bright orange roses it is". Christian is going to roll his eyes at that. He always notices the small details.

"Ana, I know this great DJ. He really gets people up and dancing. He has all sorts of glow in the dark whatnots he gives out and can really get people moving" Mia still loves a good loud beat and can dance all night.

"I was hoping to keep it more subdued, maybe just a cellist and a pianist. More like background music, so we can mingle and chat with our guests without screaming over any music. I think Christian would prefer that."

"Mom, Dad has nothing to do with this. His job is to show up. You can't have a party without dance music. It will be dull."

"Phoebe, I was going for intimate"

"Trust us Ana, the DJ is the way to go. I agree with Pheebs." Mia and Phoebe are most definitely in cahoots.

"Do you really think so?" Now I'm questioning my own judgment.

They both enthusiastically nod. Maybe I'm wrong.

"Ok. Call the DJ"

They both clap their hands and jump around like school girls. While Phoebe is technically a school girl, Mia is just young at heart.

I put my foot down at the balloon animals and artist to draw funny caricatures of the guests. Next thing you know, they'll be asking for pony rides and a dunk tank. I roll my eyes at the thought.

"Oh Pheebs…wouldn't purple table linens look awesome with the orange roses?"

"Way cool, Aunt Mia"

"It would look so Moroccan. Oh and we can get ostrich feathers and add them to the bouquets. Ana, you must get purple table linens and the feathers!"

Ostrich feathers? Purple linens? For a small intimate anniversary party? I don't think so.

"White table linens" I say

"Ana, trust us. Purple would look exotic" Mia begs.

"White." I stand my ground.

"Are you sure Ana?" Mia asks.

"Yes."

"Ok, it's your party. What about the feathers?"

"No feathers" I stand my ground again.

And there it is… my small victory. White table linens and no feathers.

The caterer had some wonderful ideas including tapas, an oyster bar, even sushi bar. Grace has used this caterer many times, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about. Thankfully, Mia was very agreeable with the menu. Phoebe tried to get pigs in a blanket on the menu, but I put my foot down.

At least we agreed on a tent in the yard. The tent rental company would set that up the day before as well as the luxury port-a-potties and dance floor.

Then it came to the guest list. It grew and grew. I don't know how just family and close friends spiraled into a hundred twenty person guest list.

"Are you going to renew your vows? We'll have to get someone to officiate that" Mia asks.

"No. Christian didn't want to" I tell them, trying to hide my disappointment

"Well, tell him he has no choice" Mia plainly states

"Look Mia, he was adamant that he had no intention of doing it. It's not a big deal. And not worth an argument. Really, it's fine." I hope I got them to believe me

"We can talk to him Mom" Phoebe offers.

"Thank you sweetheart but it's really not necessary. It's ok, really. It's not that important to me." It is…but I'm too exhausted from all of this party planning and work to make this an issue. I'll just have to live with it. If he doesn't want to do it, he doesn't want to do it.

~~~~~xxxx~~~~~

Christian was very hands off during the whole planning event, telling me I can do whatever I wanted and he'll show up when I tell him to. I know he's busy, but I could have used a little help. It is our anniversary. But then of course, he wanted to just go away and I'm the one who pushed for this. I know he's only doing this for me because he wants me happy. If it were up to him, we'd fly out to Paris or New York alone and never leave the hotel. Maybe I should have listened to him.

It's too late now. The invitations are out. Teddy has his flight scheduled. I'm in too deep.

I feel like I've totally lost control of this party. Now I know how Christian feels when he thinks he's losing control. I'm starting to resent my own party. This is not what I wanted. I let Phoebe and Mia take over. I can't blame them. I allowed it. But everyday closer we get to party day, I more I dread it.

~~~~~~xxxxx~~~~~~

It's the night before the party. I'm sitting at the kitchen island, playing with my food. It's hard to have an appetite when you're so miserable.

Teddy's home for the weekend and out with his friends. Phoebe is in her bedroom choosing what dress to wear tomorrow. She has it narrowed down to five choices.

I look out the window into the yard and see the tent set up for tomorrow's festivities. I let out a long sigh.

"Ana, what's wrong?" Christian asks.

"Oh, just a few things on my mind for tomorrow."

"It looks like more than a few things baby. What is it?"

And my tears start flowing.

"I'm sorry Christian, I'm being ridiculous. I'm just so overwhelmed. This party is nothing like I pictured. I wanted it to be a romantic and intimate but instead it's a three ring circus. The colors are not us. The flowers are not us. The music is not us."

I wipe my tears with the back of my hand and continue "There's no romance. There are no vows. It just doesn't feel like something that represents who we are and what we mean to each other."

"Baby, it's just a party. Don't over think this, Ana. Just enjoy it."

"Of course. You're right. I'm probably just over tired" I try but I know I don't sound convincing.

Christian cocks his head to one side, looking at me like he's trying to read me, but says nothing.

~~~~~~~xxxx~~~~~~~

I need to think. I walk out of the house, through our yard, over to the dock by the water. I take off my shoes and sit at the edge of the dock with my feet dangling over the water, swaying them back and forth. The moon is giving off a soft light. The stars are reflected on the water, like tiny beams of lights twinkling everywhere. It's so pretty here. It's peaceful and serene.

How did something that was supposed to be a happy celebration turn into this mess? I'm overwhelmed. This is not what I had envisioned. This is not what this celebration was supposed to be about. My own husband seems to have washed his hands of it.

Sigh. I just wanted this to be special it doesn't feel special anymore.

Suddenly I feel a presence behind me. I turn to look and Christian is standing on the dock next to me. He's holding two champagne glasses and a bottle of Bollinger.

He places the bottle and glasses down onto the dock. He takes off his shoes, rolls up his pant legs and sits next to me, dangling his legs over the dock. I lean my head on his shoulder and he wraps his arm around my waist. We sit quietly looking at the moon's reflection rippling in the water, one of my ankles intertwined in his, swaying in unison.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I look at him and frown.

"That bad, huh?"

I nod.

"Ana, if this anniversary party is too much for you, cancel it. I'll take you away, just the two of us. We don't need all this" he waves his hands in the air toward the tent set up in our yard.

"Christian, we have invited friends and family. We can't just cancel at the last minute"

"I don't give a fuck about that. It's our party; we can cancel it if we want"

"It was never my intention to have all this pomp and circumstance. I feel like our anniversary party has lost its meaning. I just wanted a small and intimate celebration. Something special, you know?. Like our wedding day." I shake my head and look down at the water.

"Baby, we need to remove ourselves from this insanity. Let's bring this occasion back to just us…like we were in our beginning, Just you and me… without all the craziness and obligations"

I let out a long sigh. "Our beginning" I smile fondly. "That would be nice"

He opens the Bollinger and pours us each a glass.

"Champagne, Miss Steele?" he smiles as he hands me a champagne glass

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Grey." I shyly smile.

"To our beginning, our present and our future." He toasts as we clink our glasses together and take a sip

He takes the glass out of my hand and places it back on the dock. He stands up and holds his hand out to me. I put my hand in his and stand. After all these years, I still feel that current that runs between us when we touch. Amazing.

He faces me and gazes deeply into my eyes. He moves a few strands of my hair that had fallen onto my face behind my ear. All see and all I feel is his love, basking in the moonlight. He holds both my hands in his as we face each other.

He begins to speak and what he says completely overwhelms me…

"Anastasia Rose Grey, My life began the day you fell into my office. You made me feel alive for the first time. You are my first love. You are my only love. You have given me love when I didn't think I was worthy of it. You have given me a family when I never thought that was in the realm of my reality. I love you more every single day.I promise I will continue to always protect you, trust you, and respect you. I'm not perfect and can be difficult, but you've never given up on me. I love that to this day, nothing you do is expected. Every time I see you I fall in love with you all over again.

Thank you for giving me twenty years of your smart mouth, honesty, kindness, patience, understanding and love.

You gave me a heart. You are the love of my life. I give you my solemn vow that I will love, honor and cherish you everyday until the day I die"

He lifts my hands to his lips and softly kisses each knuckle. He gently wipes the tears rolling down my cheeks with the back of his thumb. I take his hands in mine, looking directly in his beautiful gray eyes.

"Christian Trevelyan-Grey, You are my soul mate. You are my first love. You are my only love. You have made my life exciting and joyful. You have given me our beautiful family. I will always treasure what we share. I promise that I will continue to stand by your side in good times and in bad, to share your joy as well as your sorrow.

Thank you for twenty years of over protectiveness, unwavering love and devotion. Your passion, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be. I am so proud to be your wife. I am forever yours and you are forever my 'more'.

You are my heart and soul. You are the love of my life. I give you my solemn vow that I will love, honor and cherish you until the day I die"

He gives me his secret smile and holds me tight. That's all I needed. And just like that, I no longer care about tomorrow because all that matters was just said standing on this dock , under a moonlit sky, with the man I will spend the rest of my life loving.