Disclaimer: The majority of the characters used in this story belong to the Fifty Shades trilogy. They are and remain EL James's property. Infamouschelsea is in no way affiliated with James or her publishers. Any recognisable brands, places, persons, music or film are the property of their respectful owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
Lia – Thank you so much. It's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying the story. I hope you continue to like it! Much Love x
Viven – I love their banter too. It's one of my favourite things to write. :) Thank you! I'm glad you liked it and I hope you like this chapter, too. Much Love x
Bree – All is revealed below, my dear. ;) Thank you! Much Love x
Ina - Danke!. Ich bin froh, dass Sie das vorherige Kapitel, insbesondere das Geplänkel zwischen Ana und Christian gefiel. Danke noch einmal. Viel Liebe! (Ich hoffe, ich habe in Ordnung mit Übersetzung getan. Habe ich nicht, da deutsche Abitur studiert!) x
Ingridcaliber – They are already such a strong couple but with Blip's arrival on the horizon, I'm sure they will become a truly formidable force. Thank you! Much Love x
Ellie – Thank you, Ellie! So pleased you're still enjoying the story and it's helped you through some stressful times! That's wonderful to hear. :) I hope you like this one and it brings a smile to your face. Much Love! x
Dseiladmnd – Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! :) Much Love x
LA – I'm so glad you liked it! I must admit, I loved the ending too. :) It was a nice scene to write. Oh I have no intentions of abandoning our beloved couple. I'm not ready to leave them – in fact, I don't think I ever will be. I am, however, branching out into some original work which I might post on a blog at some point in the near future – if I do, I will keep you updated! :) Thank you again. I always love hearing from you! I hope everything is going well for you. Much Love x
SuzB – Thank you! Glad you liked it and were looking forward to this one. I hope you like it. :) Much Love x
Hello Lovelies,
I'm back! The laptop situation has been resolved - thank heavens for that!
I'm thrilled to see such a great reaction to the last chapter. As always your support - through reviews, follows, favourites or by simply clicking on a chapter - is mind-blowing. Thank you all so much.
I hope you like this chapter. Can I hear Wedding Bells? ;)
Much Love and Happy Readings,
Chelsea x
"Okay, I think we're done here."
The seamstress nodded as she rose to her feet and backed away from me. Her eyes roamed from my body. She stretched out her hand and helped me down from the stool I was standing on. Cautiously, I moved around, testing the fabric of my dress.
"How does it feel? Is it too tight?"
I slowly let out the breath I was holding, my stomach expanding a little further forward. No rips…
"It feels perfect," I grinned. "The length is just right with these heels." I lifted the hem and revealed my grey Louboutins to her. She smiled sweetly and began packing away her tools. "And thank you so much for leaving me until the last minute. I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem," she waved her heavily jewelled hand, her bracelets rattling loudly. "You were right about leaving it until today – you've gained weight since the last time we met."
I frowned at her admission, even though it's the truth. In just one week I've gained extra inches around my bust and waist. I knew it would happen. That's why I decided to wait until the morning of Kate's wedding to have the final adjustments made to my dress. I couldn't risk it not fitting me. Luckily, Beth was willing to accommodate my wishes, even if it did mean arriving here at seven o'clock on a Saturday morning. She saw to my dress first, pinning the fabric into place and readying it for her sewing machine before she looked over Kate's for any adjustments. Kate's weight hasn't fluctuated at all over the past few months, so her dress slid onto her body like a glove.
Beth quickly moved next door, to where Kate and the rest of the bridal party are. We have commandeered three of the upstairs bedrooms here at Bellevue, with everyone now gathering in the largest room for photographs. I stagger inside and come to a sudden halt at the sight of Kate in her wedding dress. She looks like a princess. Her ivory dress has been artfully tailored to hug her curves in all the right places, emphasising her envious silhouette. It's made from luxurious taffeta fabric, but she opted for a lace overlay to reside on top of it, bringing a softer, more romantic look to her ensemble. She twirled on her heels and flashed the back of the dress to me. The lace has created a deep V down her back, exposing her faultless skin. Around her waist sits a grey-ish purple satin sash with white detail on the front and a bow at the back, the excess material trailing down the length of the dress. I cried the first time I saw her in the dress but now, seeing her hair and makeup alongside it, I'm stunned into silence. She's breathtakingly beautiful… and so happy. A grin has barely left her face since she woke up this morning.
I was about to move over to her when there was a knock on the door. Being the closest to it, I shuffled backwards and checked who was there.
"Is it okay to come in?"
I opened the door ajar and found Christian in the hallway, a few steps away from the door. For possibly the first time since I've known him, his hair doesn't look dishevelled. Instead, his dark copper locks have been teased into a smart style not too dissimilar to his usual look – just less crazy and echoing that just fucked appearance. He stands with his hands crossed in front of him, wearing a medium grey, three-piece tuxedo with a purple orchid in his buttonhole. He flashed me a grin. I had almost forgotten just how sexy he looks in a tux…
I nodded and stepped aside, letting him into the bedroom.
"Christian?" Kate sounded his name rapidly and with worry. "What are you doing up here? Is something wrong?"
She took a step forward and noticing the concern over her brows, Christian pushed his hands up in objection.
"No, there's nothing wrong." He shook his head and smiled. "I'm here on a mission. Elliot wants me to give you this –"
From his pants pocket he pulled out a small, golden box. He stepped to her and placed it in her hand.
"He said it's your something old and new."
With shaking fingers she opened the box and gasped at a single glance of the inside.
"Oh my god…" she slapped her hand over her mouth. "They're beautiful."
She released a giddy laugh and waved me to her, showing off the contents to everyone in the room. Inside the box, on a white suede cushion, sits a pair of delicate droplet earrings. They're two-tiered – the top home to small pink diamonds and the bottom much larger turquoise stones.
"Wow…" I let out a long breath. "Kate, they're stunning."
"Oh… he gave you Ava's earrings." Grace appeared from the back of the group. She rested her hands on Kate's arm, grinning at her son's gift to his future wife. Everyone turned to her for further explanation. "They were his grandmother's earrings. She left them to him when she passed away. They had been in her family for generations."
"He's really giving them to me?" Kate looked to Christian for clarification. He nodded.
"He wants you to have them. They're his wedding gift to you."
"I can't believe this…" she started to well up but she expertly stopped herself, looking up at the ceiling and steadying her emotions.
"Carry looked after them until Elliot turned twenty-one. Since then, he's had them in storage." Grace rubbed her hand up Kate's arm, comforting her. "He was waiting to pass them onto someone special."
"Christian, can you pass on a message to Elliot?" Kate dropped her eyes and sought Christian's. She took a deep breath and within seconds, her beaming grin returned. "Just tell him… tell him I can't wait to finally become his wife."
"I will," he nodded curtly and gave her a gentle smile. "And you look beautiful, by the way. My brother is a very lucky man."
"Thank you." She teetered towards him and pressed a kiss to his cheek, resting her palm on his shoulder. "Is everything ready downstairs?"
"Everything is perfect," he nodded. "Everyone's ready for you. I wouldn't keep Elliot waiting too much longer, though. He's pretty nervous."
Kate laughed and turned her attention back to her bridal party comprising of various family members and old high school friends. Mia bounced around making conversation with everyone and just generally doing what she does best. She helped Kate put on her new earrings, replacing the diamond studs her parents gave her four years ago.
"Do you have a minute?" Christian brushed his hand over my elbow, bringing my attention to him. He gestured to the door. I followed him outside and closed the door behind me. He hauled me into his chest without warning, forcing his lips upon mine and stealing a passionate kiss.
"Whoa…" I breathed heavily when he pulled back. I swallowed hard. "What was that in aid of?"
"I missed you last night." He rubbed the tip of his nose against mine. His hands worked their way up and down my back.
"I missed you, too."
Last night Kate and I came here to Bellevue. We joined Mia and Grace, and had a girls' night in. While I was held up here, Christian stuck to his best man duties and took care of Elliot, joining him for his last night of freedom. Gratefully, both the bachelor and bachelorette parties were held earlier in the week – no hangovers today, thank God!
I haven't spoken to Christian since late last night, when he text me to say goodnight. He also gave me to brief rundown of their evening together. I was pleased to hear Ray, Carrick and Ethan joined them for a night of 'man talk'. I have a sneaky suspicion they mostly talked about baseball, not relationships and marriage.
"You look…" he leaned away from me and ran his eyes over my body, absorbing every inch of me. Though, he lingered on my chest for considerably longer than anywhere else. He smoothed his palms over the silhouette of my breasts, waist and hips, rounding my behind into a cupping motion. "Exquisite… Absolutely stunning…"
I blushed and broke into an all-teeth showing grin.
"Perfection…" he whispered, smothering his mouth over mine for another kiss. "Beautiful…"
"I feel beautiful," I quietly admitted.
As I looked in the mirror this morning, I hardly recognised the person staring back at me. Her hair was no longer tousled, now washed, cut and coiffed into a delicate style. Mia's hairstylist curled the ends of my hair and braided two pieces from either side of my head, pulling them around to the back of my head and pinning them into place. To top the style, he slid a dark pink flower into my hair, on the left side of my head, matching the colour to the accents in my dress. My makeup was kept to a minimum, with the artist complimenting me on my 'glowing' skin. She said pregnancy suits me and that I didn't need to be covered in the likes of foundation and concealer. Instead, she highlighted under my eyes and my cheekbones, added a pop of colour to my cheeks, and finished with a small amount of blended eyeliner and mascara. I opted for a nude coloured lipstick and came away looking and feeling reinvigorated. I don't feel like a sweaty pregnant mess; far from it, actually.
"I love this dress on you," he purred, running his tongue across his lip. "I definitely approve."
When Kate began looking at bridesmaid dresses, she gathered pictures of hundreds of gowns, all different styles and lengths. With some ideas in mind, we went searching for them in the many high-end department stores in the city. I don't think any of us anticipated just how difficult it would be to find a dress to compliment all three of our differing skin tones, frames and heights. We made eight separate shopping trips in the end, before we stumbled across a small boutique about two blocks away from Grey Publishing. Kate found it when she was out on lunch one afternoon and it's lucky she did. At the back of the store, on a headless mannequin, hung a beautiful, floor length dress that made my heart flutter with excitement.
It's the same grey-ish purple that matches the sash on Kate's dress, and equally matches the tie chosen for the groomsmen to wear. The detail on the dress is phenomenal: small peach blossom petals appear to be falling down the length of the dress, accumulating into full flowers at the hem. The empire waist helps to hide my stomach, skimming over my widest part in a subtle, discreet way. We added a thin sash around the waist, as a nod to Kate's dress. I looked down and realised why Christian likes it so much.
The plunging style and accent under my bust has resulted in an ample amount of cleavage on display. It's more than I would normally be comfortable with, and much more than Christian would usually approve of outside of our bedroom. But then, I've never really had a bust before. I didn't have much to play with before I fell pregnant. Now, I have two watermelons stuffed into my bra and, if I'm truly honest, I quite like the size of them. A part of me hopes they will stay this size after Blip arrives. Judging by the intrigue on Christian's face, I think he hopes so too.
"You're drooling," I shake my head at him and pull out of his hold, knowingly crossing my arms under my chest. He smirked and ran his fingers over his chin, still entranced and focussed.
"What I wouldn't give to have my head buried between them right now…" he shook his head and drew his lip between his teeth, biting down on it in a sinful way. He sucked in a deep breath before finally being able to lift his eyes to meet mine. "Thank God I'm walking you down the aisle."
"What? You're not walking me down the aisle," I tell him, certain of this detail. "Elliot's friend, Paul, is."
I've studied the order of processional a dozen times: first Kate's youngest cousins will walk, acting as flower girl and ring bearer – with them both under five, everyone decided to get their bit done as soon as possible in case any sudden outbursts happen; then, bridesmaids Lori and Mia will walk, accompanied by some guy called Tim and Ethan, respectively. Finally, I'll walk with Paul and then Kate and her father will follow behind. As best man, Christian's place is at Elliot's side.
"Did you coerce Paul out of walking with me?" I wondered. I wouldn't put it past him. It is the kind of thing he has been known to do.
"Nope, I had nothing to do with it." He shook his head. "He dropped something on his foot a couple days ago. He didn't think anything of it but the pain got worse, he went to the hospital, turns out he's fractured three bones. His foot is in a cast and he's on crutches. He can't walk properly."
"And no one else could possibly fill his place?"
"Come on, Ana. Best man and the matron-of-honour? It's the perfect combination." He took a step towards me, sealing the gap. He brought his hands to my face, cupping my jaw. "Isn't the best man supposed to hook up with one of the bridesmaids anyway?" He winked. I discreetly rolled my eyes and let it go. "Dad will take my place. He'll stand with Elliot until I get there. There's nothing to worry about. Elliot's fine with it."
"Okay, okay… there are worse people I could walk with." I feigned indifference as I opened myself to his chest, wrapping my arms around his back. "Is Ray downstairs?"
"Uh-huh, he's been helping people to their seats," he murmured.
"Is he still acting weird?" I ask, curious. "Did he go out again this morning?"
"7:30 on the dot," he told me. "Same time as yesterday."
"And the day before that."
Ray has been acting suspicious since he arrived. He's just not himself. Every morning he wakes up at the crack of dawn, showers, and heads out in the small Audi Christian has borrowed him. The first morning it happened he told me he was just out visiting some old friends for coffee, but surely he can't be meeting up with them every day? And it's not just the early morning trips – he's been overly attentive towards me. When he isn't checking his cell phone every fifteen minutes, his attention is devoted to me. He's sat with me as I dealt with wedding details; he even came shopping with me to pick up some things for my hospital bag. Ray Steele doesn't go shopping. Ray Steele doesn't willingly use a cell phone. It's got me worried.
"Listen, I need to head downstairs. I'll meet you in the lobby?" He pecked a kiss to my temple and gently pulled himself away.
I stared after him as he disappeared down the hallway, sauntering towards the staircase. My eyes, unashamedly, fell upon his behind. I'll have to send a thank you note to his tailor…
Gathering my inhibitions, I heard the raucous building downstairs. The string quartet is playing a cheerful melody.
The door clicked open behind me and Kate shuffled to my side. She looked down the length of the hallway and paused, a blank look on her face. Instinctively, I reached out with my hand and linked our fingers together. I gave her hand a squeeze and smiled.
"They're waiting for you," I told her in a quiet voice. "Are you almost ready?"
"Yeah, I am." She nodded.
"Nervous?"
"A little," she sighed and closed her eyes, bringing her light pink lips to a pout. "Is it normal to suddenly feel this anxious?"
"Don't you remember how nervous I was? I was shaking like a leaf the morning of my wedding." I reminded her. "You'll feel better when you see him. Trust me."
"Okay."
She wriggled her fingers against mine and opened her eyes slowly. A smile crept over her lips and she nodded.
"I'm ready."
Much to everybody's relief and sanity, the wedding went ahead without a single hitch. At just after four o'clock on Saturday 14th April, Katherine Agnes Kavanagh married Elliot Matthew Trevelyan Grey.
The ceremony took place in the great hall, the same room Christian and I married in. But the layout and décor couldn't have been further from what we had for our special day. The end of the aisle was moved to sit in front of the large French windows that overlook the grounds of Grace and Carrick's home, each adorned with heavy white drapes. The hall was made up of cream mostly, but was contrasted greatly with the summery, vivid colour scheme Kate and Elliot eventually settled on. The ornate flower chandeliers that hung from the ceiling brought the sudden burst of colour, full of all kinds of bloom: hot pink, cyan blue, sunset orange and several shades of purple – Kate's favourite colour and definitive request. Kate's bouquet was made up of similar colours, whereas mine and the bridesmaids were exclusively pink and purple, mostly English violets and orchids.
With the first glimpse of the setting sun peeking through the windows, golden rays lit up Kate and Elliot as they recited their personal vows. Kate made us 'oh' and 'ah' with her loving words; Elliot made everyone laugh with his comedic mannerism. I cried several times during the ceremony and by the time Reverend Walsh pronounced them husband and wife, I was blubbing like a baby. I choked on my own breath a few times, causing Christian to throw me a concerned glance from the other side of the room. As soon as the ceremony was over, he came to my side and slipped a handkerchief into my hand.
After the ceremony, everyone congregated on the lawns for formal photographs, before heading into the marquee erected for the reception. Kate always dreamt of having an outdoor wedding, but with the weather still temperamental it just wasn't feasible. But we were able to reach a suitable compromise. Elliot devised a plan to erect the marquee against the house, the entrance flush with the dining room and the double doors at the back of the room opening out into it. In an attempt to meet Kate's ideal, Elliot worked alongside wedding planners to have the room decorated with yet more flowers, woodland inspired adornments and delicate lighting. From the canopy hung millions of golden, twinkling lights and with the night drawing in, it looked like something out of a Disney movie. The ambient stream of lights brought a softer tone to the space, making it appear smaller and more intimate. I didn't think it was possible to make the marquee look small, especially as I witnessed them raise it yesterday morning. When we ordered it, I just imagined a big white tent. I was not expecting a mansion! It's effectively three enormous rooms combined, creating a T-shaped extravaganza. It allowed for all the tables necessary for the 170 guests, and more than enough room for dancing. Of which I did a lot. I danced my feet into an aching, red mess, having traded off between Christian, Ray, Carrick and Theo, Christian's grandfather.
Unable to stand for too much longer, I excused myself from the dance floor and made my way back to our table. I slumped into the first seat I came to, ignoring the seating plan, and kicked my shoes under the table. Heels and pregnancy do not mix. I leaned back into my chair and sighed, feeling some relief hit my spine. I've been on my feet for most of the day, and I just know I'll pay for such a crime tonight in bed. I grimaced at the thought of a restless night.
I waved one of the passing waitresses over to our table. I asked her for some water and my purse – Grace and Mia established a cloakroom service to keep everyone's belongings safe from damage or loss. Christian has our ticket but I memorised the number as soon as I saw it: 1806, his birthday. While she was gone, I took a few moments to appreciate the centre-pieces on each table. I helped Kate choose them: antique white birdcages, with candles atop a small platform inside and flowers woven through the wiring. Around them sit small vases filled with water and lilies.
The waitress returned with my purse and I began to take sips of the water, dehydration suddenly hitting me. I cracked open my purse and pulled out my cell phone, wanting to check the time. 10:49p.m. Kate and Elliot should be leaving soon.
Christian and I arranged their honeymoon as our wedding gift to them. We have given them the unlimited use of the GEH jet, and we've hired them the best private villa in Barbados. They were keen to return to the island where their love affair truly began. Kate was quick to object our gift, saying that helping with the wedding plans was more than enough, but we were insistent. We also bought them some Cristal Champagne flutes and wine glasses. Christian picked them out. I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for. My idea of teacups flew out of the window about as quick as my patience. I would much rather watch paint dry than searched through pages of glassware that all look achingly similar.
"You okay, Annie?"
I lifted my head and found Ray pulling out the chair next to me. He rubbed his hand over my shoulder and pressed a kiss to the top of my head before he sat down. He blew out a long breath, his dark eyes looking tired.
"Yeah, I'm fine… I just needed to sit down for a few minutes. My feet are beginning to hurt." I explained, slipping my phone back into my purse.
"I'm not surprised. I saw you dancing with Christian's grandfather. Shit, you two were darting around the room at lightning speed!" He snorted. "He can still move with the best of them. He's lighter on his feet than me!"
"Tell me about," I sighed with a smile. Theo is adorable and a true gentleman. He's escorted me to the bathroom several times this evening, refusing to leave my side - not in my condition.
"I've hardly seen you all evening." I commented.
"I've been with Christian's parents. They're a good pair, those two." He nodded his head towards Grace and Carrick, the two of them still in the middle of the dance floor. Carrick is holding Grace from behind, his arms around her waist and his head resting on her shoulder.
I caught Ray grabbing the attention of a different waitress, one with a tray full of drinks. He thanked her as he accepted a glass of vintage red. My brows furrowed. Wine? He's chosen wine over beer?
"Dad?" I pull his gaze to mine and studied his face for a moment. He smiled, fine lines building around his eyes and mouth. His cheeks look a little flushed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm great," he grinned and took another sip of his wine. He didn't grimace at the taste.
His eyes darted to the middle of the room as everyone erupted into a frenzy, the intro to Jimi Hendrix's 'Purple Haze' blasting through the air. The quartet from earlier have long gone, making their departure shortly after the speeches and the first few dances of the evening. In their place is one of the West Coast's most sort after DJ's, ready to rock the party through to the early hours of the morning. I found Christian at the far end of the room, a look of relief encompassing his face. Like me, he's spent the whole night on his feet, dancing with me, Grace, Mia, and Grandma Trevelyan. He dodged the partygoers and began to exit the floor. Unluckily for him, Grandma Trevelyan grabbed him before he could make his great escape. He rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath as she dragged him back for another dance. She wasn't going to take no for an answer. I giggled at the sight of him propping her up and swinging her around the floor, completely out of time and devoid of sudden movements. I think Grandma has had one too many glasses of Champagne.
When I drew my eyes back to the table, Ray had finished his glass, now placing it on the table and slouching back into his seat. I remained quiet for a few seconds before deeming him drunk enough to press for information. With a few drinks in him, Ray will tell you anything you want to know. It's a trait I unfortunately inherited.
"Dad, is something wrong? You know, with you?" I tested slowly, leaning into his ear to make sure he can hear me over the noise. His eyes widened and then narrowed, confused. "Only, you've been acting a bit… strange."
"Strange?"
"Strange," I nodded. "Something's happened and I can't work out what it is… You have gone out early every morning since you arrived and you brush it off whenever I ask you where you've been, you can't help checking your phone every five minutes of the day… Something's going on. I know it is... I'm really worried about you."
"Oh Annie…" he sighed my name and dropped his head forward. He brought his hand to the back of his neck and began rubbing it hard. He turned on his seat, moving to face me squarely. He reached out and took hold of my hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I was just waiting for the right time to tell you this… but you've been so busy helping out with the wedding and stuff, and I didn't want to drop a bomb on you."
I edged forward on my seat, apprehension rocketing through my veins. "You're not sick, are you?"
"Oh God, no! Really, nothing's wrong." He shook his head and attempted to dispel the worry marking my face. He rubbed his thumb over mine, squeezing my fingers tight. "Well, quite the opposite really… Things couldn't be better."
"But I don't –"
"I've met someone." He announced in a clear, certain voice.
"Huh?"
"I've met someone," he repeated.
"As in a female someone?" I narrowed my eyes. He nodded and, slowly, an embarrassed grin broke over his lips.
"Oh my God, you're dating?" I gasped and my mouth fell open in shock. His cheeks flushed hot pink as he nodded again. He looks like a nervous schoolboy whose first crush has just been revealed. "Are you serious? You're dating someone? For real?"
"I know this will be weird for you but –"
"Dad! This is incredible." I pounced forward, throwing my hands around his neck. I hauled him off his seat, forcing him into my arms. "I can't even… This is just amazing. My dad has a girlfriend… You have a girlfriend. Is she your girlfriend?"
"Well I haven't introduced her as that yet, but I guess so." He shrugged against me. "Don't you think I'm a little old to call someone my girlfriend though?"
"Not in the slightest," I squeezed my arms around his shoulders once more before retracting, allowing him to lean back and gather his breath again. "I have so many questions…" I shook my head, not knowing where to begin. "Is she, you know, the first person you've dated since mom left?"
He nodded. "I have gone out for drinks a couple times, but it's never amounted to anything."
"Who is she? What's she like?"
"Her name's Deborah," he began, squaring his shoulders. His throat bobbed as he gulped down. "I've known her for about five months now. I met her through my rehabilitation. She's a nurse and worked in the clinic. We just got to talking one afternoon and… it kind of escalated from there, really."
"Is she nice?"
"She's wonderful," he sighed. "I think you'll like her. She's really down-to-earth. And smart, too. She loves to read."
"You should've brought her with you! You had a plus-one invitation." I reminded him. "You could have introduced us."
"I wanted bring her but she had to work tonight." He informs me, rattling his fingers on the table. "She's just started a new job and she couldn't change her hours."
"Oh, right. I understand." A hint of disappointment crept into my voice. "Where does she work? In a hospital? The Providence? Legacy Emanuel?"
"Not quite…" he placed his hand flat on the table and pursed his lips. "Annie, the thing I wanted to tell you, well, it wasn't just about me dating someone new. It's a bit bigger than that." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Me and Debs are moving in together. Into a new house…"
"You're selling the Portland house?" I asked quietly. I grew up in that house…
"I've been thinking about it for a while now," he nodded. "It's time I moved on. For so long I've been clinging onto the life me and your mom had together, even though she wasn't in it any more... It doesn't feel right staying in that house, not with a new woman in my life. It feels disrespectful."
"I understand." I mumbled, nodding shyly. I can understand that maybe Deborah doesn't want to move into a house he shared with an ex. I had issues with the Escala apartment, thoughts of the fifteen often creeping into my mind as I wandered around the place. I glanced up at his face and realised there's something else he's hiding. I gulped. "You're not staying in Portland, are you?"
He shook his head.
"How far away are you moving?" I mumbled. I could feel tears burning in my eyes and a lump forming my throat. "A-Are you staying in Washington?"
A smirk appeared upon his face and he drew both of my hands into his, squeezing them hard and repeatedly.
"I'm coming to Seattle," he said excitedly. My heart stopped. "I'm moving here."
"W-What…?"
"I don't want to be stuck in Portland when my daughter and grandchild are here," he shook his head. "And when you told me how much you were missing me, that was the final push I needed. After I read that email, I called my realtor and put the house up for sale. I knew my baby girl needed me more than I needed Portland."
I tried to form some words but found that my throat had closed off, grown dry and inadequate. I just sat there, shaking my head, unable to process what he's telling me.
"Debs called an old friend of hers who works at the veteran's facility over on the Sound and managed to get an interview. They hired her on Monday and we've just closed escrow on a nice house over in Arbor Heights." He continued to rub my knuckles, grinning proudly at me. "It's in a really quiet cul-de-sac, and the house will be great for when Blip's older… The garden is a decent size, enough for some swings and maybe even a treehouse… That's where I've been every morning. I've been going over to the house and making a start on some repairs that need doing. Debs has been staying with her brother in Lynnwood, just until we finish packing up our things in Portland. We should have everything sorted by the end of next week... Once I explained about you and the baby, our realtor started to rush everything through for us. I told her straight, I need to be here before Blip arrives."
"But you hate the city." My voice split and the first of many tears pricked and began to fall from my eyes. "You're moving here for me?"
"Even if you and Christian moved to the other side of the world, I'd pack up and follow you." He smiled. "Nothing will ever come between me and you, kiddo. I'll walk to the ends of the earth for you."
"Oh Daddy…"
I rose off my seat and pulled at his hands, forcing him to his feet as well. I stepped into his arms and hugged him as close as my stomach would allow. He stiffened for a second and made a grunting noise, before placing his arms around me. I sniffed a couple times, overcome with emotion.
"In my defense, you weren't supposed to cry." He joked, resting his head against mine. "I love you, Annie."
"I love you too, Dad." I whimpered, leaning back to look up to him. Taking a glance at my sadness, he pulled a silly face and forced a laugh from me. He pinched my cheek and smirked. "I'm glad you've found someone. And I can't wait to meet Deborah."
"We'll work something out. Maybe we can go for dinner? You, me, Debs and Christian?"
"Sounds perfect," I smiled. The waitress from before circled around us, hovering with another tray full of drinks. I shook my head.
"No, thank you. I think I've had enough already." Ray smiled at her. He lifted his hand to his collar, undoing the top two buttons and loosening his dark blue tie. "I think it's probably time I called it a night."
"I'll get someone to drive you home." I looked frantically around me, searching for one of our security detail. I located Sawyer first, sitting three tables over from us. His eyes were already on me, and something tells me he's spent all evening observing my actions. I raised my hand to him, beckoning him over. He quickly joined us, buttoning up his jacket.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Sawyer, can you take my dad back to the house, please?"
"Of course," he nodded without hesitation. "Are you and Mr Grey returning now, too?"
"Um no, I think we're going to wait around a little longer." I told him. Sawyer acknowledged my answer and turned to Ray, extending his arm towards the exit.
"Mr Steele. After you, sir."
"Goodnight, baby girl." He pecked a kiss to my cheek and straightened himself. His eyes momentarily rolled into the back of his head, and he blinked hard to bring them forward again. The new Ray Steele, who has a girlfriend and is moving to the city, may now like wine, but wine still doesn't agree with him. I watched as he staggered towards the exit, Sawyer moving with ease closely behind him.
Giggling, I lowered back into my seat. I grappled with one of the monogramed napkins, frantically dabbing it under my eyes. I stole a few moments to myself. I feel happy, ecstatic at the news, but I can't stop myself from crying. What the hell is wrong with me?
Everyone continued to bounce and sway around the room, most of them coupled together. I scanned the crowd and found Kate dominating the centre. She's curled under Elliot's arm, his jacket draped casually around her shoulders. I felt like an intruder watching them, observing how every few seconds he'd lean into her and press his lips to hers. Several family members approached them, all of them wanting to pinch a minute with the happy couple. Neither of them have stopped grinning since they said 'I do'. Elliot quite literally looks like the cat that got the cream, hardly leaving his wife's side all evening.
"Hey…"
Resting his hand on my shoulder, Christian moved around me and dropped into the chair Ray vacated a moment before. He puffed his cheeks out several times, steadying his breath. He looks exhausted. His cheeks are red and a few beads of sweat have collected on his brow. He pushed his sleeves up a little higher, making sure they stay at his elbows. He lost his jacket a few hours ago, leaving him with just his shirt, vest and tie.
"Hi." I nodded, wiping my nose with my napkin. He twisted his head to me and frowned.
"Are you okay?" He reached out and ran the back of his fingers down my flushed cheek. "Have you been crying?"
I nodded and shrugged my shoulders.
"What's happened? I looked over a few minutes ago and you were fine." He thumbed my cheek and immediately pulled his chair closer to mine. "Why are you upset?"
"I'm not," I shook my head and smiled. "I'm not upset… These are happy tears."
"I'm not following…" his brows dropped around his eyes.
"It's Ray… he has a girlfriend –" his mouth fell open, his eyes widening too. "And he's moving here… permanently."
"Wow…" he let out in a long breath. It was all he could say in that moment. "That's fantastic news."
"I know," I shared in his astonishment. "He's moving for me and Blip…" I felt my bottom lip tremble as I said the words out loud. I shook my head and dropped my chin forward, hiding my tears as they made yet another appearance.
"Ana –" Christian slid his chair flush with mine and pulled me into his side, draping his arm around my shoulder. I nestled my head against his chest. "I don't think I've ever seen you cry as much as you have done today." He lifted my hand and brought it to his lap, slipping his fingers between mine.
"Everyone cries at weddings," I shrugged and tried to make sense of my scattered emotions. "It's totally normal."
"Of course it is," he shushed, massaging his fingers through my hair. He held me against him, keeping me company until I regained some sense of composure. I loved and appreciated that he didn't touch on the subject of pregnancy hormones being responsible for my emotive state. Over the past eight months, mood swings have been a perpetual part of my life. It's PMS times a hundred, always seconds away from some sort of outburst.
"I think Kate and Elliot are getting ready to leave," he whispered, bringing my head up from his chest. He rolled his thumb over my lip and kissed the tip of my nose. "Do you want to say goodbye to them?"
I nodded and rose to my feet, following him across the dance floor towards the newlyweds.
Kate giggled as her gaze landed on mine. Her hair and makeup have lasted well, hardly a smudge or imperfection in sight. She discarded her veil after the ceremony, giving it to her flower girl to play with – she wanted the bouquet but happily settled for the veil instead. Kate threw her bouquet during the group photographs. Christian and Elliot shared an irritated glance as Mia caught it, but it was nothing compared to the look of sheer horror on Ethan's face. I think it'll be a few years before there's any discussion of another Grey wedding.
Kate threw out her arms and accepted me into a tight hug. She bounced on the spot, pure exhilaration oozing from her body.
"I'm married," she squealed in my ear. "It happened. It really happened."
Since she and Elliot teetered on the brink of separation, she's been apprehensive that something would go wrong. Even though they resolved their dispute, I think there was a part of her that worried Elliot would change his mind closer to the day. Last night she was quieter than her usual self and this morning, the first thing she did was check her phone for a last minute message telling her he wasn't going to show up. I only saw her relax when we reached the aisle and she pocketed a look to the end, finding Elliot standing proud in his suit and slicked back hair.
"It happened," I repeated, palming my hands into her back. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you. For everything…" she rested her chin on my shoulder, dipping down a little to compensate for my lack of shoes. "I love you."
"I love you too." I leaned out of her hold and grinned. "Welcome to the married club."
"Do you have any words of wisdom?" She laughed.
"I've only been married for nine months! I doubt I have anything worth noting." I shook my head. Shit, have we only been married that long? It feels like we've been married for years.
"Come on, Ana. You guys have faced more in these past nine months than most couples do in a lifetime! You must have something to pass onto a newbie?"
I paused for a second and nodded. "Don't lock yourself in the bathroom if you have an argument. All it gets you is a sore butt and a pissed off husband."
"Ah Elliot's not into spanking," she winked at me and I felt my cheeks reddening. She giggled profusely at my embarrassment. Damn her for finding those pesky emails! "So I guess I'll see you in a few weeks?"
"I hope you enjoy the villa. Christian organised everything and he assures me it's the best one on the island. I expect to see a lot of pictures when you're back… Family friendly ones, please – nothing you wouldn't happily show your grandma!" I corrected myself, shaking the thought from my head. I can just about cope with hearing other people have sex; I draw the line at seeing anything explicit.
"Don't worry. I'll keep those pictures on a separate hard-drive." Kate threw me another wink and laughed incredulously, giving me a final hug before turning herself over to Christian. I twisted to Elliot as he approached me, offering him a smile.
"Sis –" he beamed, throwing his arms out and hauling me into his bear-like arms. "Thank you so much for everything you've done for us," he husked in my ear. "Today has been the best day of my life, and it's all thanks to you and my little bro over there."
"It's not all down to us," I shook my head.
"Yes, it is." He refused my humility. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you two."
"You would. You're meant to be together." I defied him again. He pulled back sharply and scowled.
"Will you just shut up and accept my offer of thanks? Seriously, it doesn't happen all that often so I'd make the most of it." The corner of his mouth rose, developing a smirk over his lipstick stained lips.
"Congratulations." I said, holding myself upright again. "I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks. I'm pretty damn happy, too." He beamed from ear to ear, his blue eyes full of love and animation. He gave me another hug, pecking a kiss to my cheek. "Don't worry - I'll look after her," he whispered, anticipating what I was just about to say to him. "Well, I'll try. You know Kate, she's a wild one."
"Oh I do. Good luck with that! You're definitely going to have your hands full." I laughed.
Kate's tenacity is enough to drive anyone crazy, couple that with her quick temper and sharp tongue and she's well and truly a nightmare to all humanity. But I wouldn't change her for the world. She's the most supportive and caring person I know. She doesn't show it every minute of the day, but all she wants is for those closest to her to be safe and happy. She fussed over my relationship with Christian because she knew he was hiding something. She just wanted the best for me and, slowly, she's accepted that Christian is the only man for me. I'm proud of how far their relationship has blossomed. They still clash, but they're civil and friendly to one another. I looked their way and saw them hugging, both with smiles on their faces.
Christian released Kate and she swayed back to Elliot's side. She dropped her cheek onto his arm.
"Are you ready for our honeymoon, Mr Grey?" She purred.
"Three weeks in Barbados with a beautiful, bikini wearing woman? I can't think of anything better, Mrs Grey…" Elliot sounded her new title slowly and with a proud smirk. He kissed her loudly and wrapped her under his arm. His eyes lingered on mine for a second. "And you - make sure you keep that baby in until we're back. I don't want to miss the arrival of my niece or nephew!"
"I'll squeeze my legs together," I giggled, patting my stomach lightly, waking Blip with a start. He hit out angrily.
I waved them off as they made a quick dash for the exit. Everyone followed them, cheering and rushing to see them off at the car. I'm too heavy and pregnant to join the masses of people trying to wager out of the tent and through the rest of the house.
Christian and I held back as the marquee cleared for all except us, the DJ and Taylor standing over at the bar. I turned on the spot and saw the DJ nod enthusiastically at Christian, quickly changing his records and fiddling with some buttons. I looked out the corner of my eye and saw Christian mouthing a thank you. Before I could ask what was happening, he slipped his arms around my waist and tugged me in front of him. He lifted my hands and placed one on his shoulder, my other firmly in his own tight grip. Out of the hopping bass of some auto tuned teen pop star, came a gentle lone piano piece that sent shivers through my entire body. Christian rested his hand on my hip, pressing his fingers through the material of my dress, keeping me close to him as he swayed us back and forth. The expert dancer he is, he didn't step on my naked toes or lose pace with the sweet music. Nor did he utter a word.
As the music reached its peak, he twirled me out of his hold, spinning me on the spot. I giggled and stumbled back into his chest, cocooning my arms around his sides. I dropped my head onto his chest.
"I wish I could have spent all night dancing with you." He mumbled, running his fingers through my hair. "You're such a beautiful dancer."
"And you're a terrible liar," I lifted my head. He smirked down at me and agreed. We both know I'm an awful dancer. His hand skimmed the length of my back, luring it to my neck. He smoothed his fingers over my jaw, cupping my face with his warm, devoted touch. "And I think your grandmother may have objected to me stealing her dance partner."
"For such a small lady, she is abnormally strong." His eyes widened. "I didn't think she was ever going to let me go."
"No woman wants to let you go," I corrected him. "You're quite the catch, Christian Grey. Even if you do fidget in your sleep and steal most of the comforter from me."
"I only steal the comforter because ninety percent of it is on your side in the first place." He reminded me. "And I fidget because you starfish in the middle of the bed. I'm lucky if I get a corner of the mattress to myself."
"Do you want me to get out a violin?" I arched my brow at his plea for sympathy. He smirked at my witty comment.
The idea of bed struck a chord within me, provoking a loud, mouth-open-wide yawn.
"I hope you're not too tired." He pouted, filling out his bottom lip. "I have plans for us."
"Plans?" I groaned. All I want to do is crawl into bed and sleep for the next week and a half. I explored his slate coloured eyes for an answer, one that doesn't involve too much exertion.
He retracted his hands and pushed them up to his neck. He tugged at his collar, unfastening the top button, and then proceeded to loosen his tie. He pulled at it slowly until it lay naked in his hands. He maintained my attention and pulled on the fabric twice, testing its strength.
"Plans…" he repeated, in a smooth caramel voice. He dropped his eyes to his hands. "You see, I'm quite fond of this tie. It's a nice colour. It looks wonderful against your skin." He uttered, glancing between the tie and my dress, the same shade of grey-ish purple. I smirked and lifted my finger, hooking it around the middle of the tie.
"It is a nice tie," I nodded. "But I think I prefer your silver one better."
He slowly began looping the tie around my wrist, knotting it tightly.
"I'm a man of means. I work with whatever I have to hand." He purred. He gave a sharp tug and yanked my hand closer to him. I could feel my pulse quicken. I shifted on the spot, trying to quell the throbbing between my thighs. I gulped.
He pulled on my wrist again, his dark gaze persistent on my own. Pleased with the reaction he's produced in me, he smirked and licked at his upper lip.
"Shall we go? Or would you like to stay for another dance?"
I shook my head. "Go… Take me home. Now."
He turned on his heel and led me out of the marquee. I hadn't noticed that he had secured the tie around his wrist too, binding the both of us together. The simple gesture spoke volumes and made my heart ache.
We finally staggered into our house just after one in the morning. I shushed him and swatted away his roaming hands as we crept through the house, eagerly making our way up to our bedroom. We tried to remain as quiet as possible, careful not to wake Ray as he sleeps downstairs. He's out cold but it simply wasn't worth the risk. He'll have a stroke if he hears us fooling around.
Christian and I grew very familiar with that grey-ish purple tie. It quickly became my second favourite – nothing will ever compare to the silver tie that leaves an imprint on my wrists.
Sated and completely spent, I panted and curled lazily onto my side. Christian folded himself around my back, weaving his legs between mine. His hand nestled under my bump, his lips pressed against my shoulder. He fell asleep rather quickly, but several glasses of Champagne will do that to a person. I lay still for a little while, just thinking the day over. I shed a few more tears before I joined Christian in slumber. The beauty of the day lingered with me, filling my dreams with exquisite thoughts. The only thing that could possibly make today any sweeter, would be our invader making his much longed for appearance.
We're waiting on you now, baby boy… Whenever you're ready…
NOTE: Pictures of Kate's and Ana's dresses can be found on my pinterest account, along with some other pictures I used as inspiration. (Details can be found on my profile.)
The song Ana and Christian dance to: 'Love Story' by Claude Debussy. It's difficult to find online but it's on the album 'Claire de Lune: Piano Music'. Beautiful piece of music and one of my favourites. Definitely worth a listen!
Hope you liked it!
Chelsea x
P.S: Blip is on his way! ;) xx