A/N: Dear readers, I have not forgotten about this story or all my special readers. I have been in between changing jobs and health issues so my time to write has been limited. Thank you for your continued support and patience with this story. It is far from over and I am not sure when it will end. I am currently finishing of my book Worthy of Love, so I will be busy for a couple weeks. I will try my best to update as soon as possible. As always I love to hear from you so feel free to PM me.

Regards

KM

Chapter 25

All the wedding plans are in place, Kate is finding it hard to deal with Mia, but what else is new. Kate's parents have arrived and with a week to go till the wedding everyone is walking on eggshells. Between Kate's emotions and Mia bossing everyone around, we have had enough, Grace has tasked me with speaking to Mia and I am on my way to Caroline Acton's to meet with Mia, we are going to finalize the bridesmaid dresses and Grace thought it was the perfect opportunity to speak to Mia. I arrive before Mia and wait for her, mentally planning how I will ask her to tone it down. Mia arrives and starts bombarding me with questions about Kate's likes and dislikes, together with the wedding she has decided to plan Kate's bridal shower, I didn't feel bad because I had enough to do with work and my mother being here.

"I am a little surprised Ana, Caroline is not usually this late." Mia says while pacing the floor in front of me.

"I am sure she has a valid reason, in any way I really needed to talk to you." I say just as Caroline enters.

"I am sorry ladies, I had a family emergency." Caroline says.

"It is ok Caroline, we understand." I say.

The dresses fit perfectly and I was really happy, Mia was just glad that it was ticked off her to do list.

"Mia, I can handle the bridal shower if you have too much on your plate." I say on the way home.

"Oh Ana that will be great but I have almost everything in order, I just need to collect a few things by Thursday."

"Mia, I needed to talk to you, do you mind toning it town with the instructions and bossing the family around. There is just no easy way to say it." I say feeling bad.

"Oh my word, I had no idea I was doing that, I just got so carried away."

Mia didn't seem at all upset as I imagined she would be, in fact she just brushed it off and said that she would try to tone down. She was sorry I could tell. Finally Mia gave in and asked me to help her collect the snacks and a few decorations for the bridal shower. She even decided to have the bridal shower at Kate and Elliot's new home, just so Kate would be more comfortable. I was impressed that Mia did not take it personally and by the end of the week I could see Kate feeling more excited and also grateful to Mia.

The bridal shower was arranged for Friday afternoon; with just a few ladies who Kate felt had meant something to her. Mia arranged for a photo slide show of Kate and Elliot since they had begun dating. It was rather emotional for Kate and she was in tears. As I watched the slide show I noticed that Christian and I were always in the background, always in an intense gaze. I tried to imagine what had happened at that exact moment when the picture was taken. I smiled to myself as I remembered some of those conversations and moments. I suddenly missed my Fifty; I pulled out my blackberry and typed him a message.

*Mr. Grey, I request an urgent appoint with you!*

Immediately I receive a response.

*Miss Steele, should I collect you immediately.*

*No, I will meet you at Escala in 2 hours.*

*This will be my longest 2 hours*

*I miss you Christian!*

*Ana, are you ok baby?*

I smile and I decide not to reply, for two reasons, one Kate and Mia is giving me their get a life look and my mother insists we play a game.

CPO

After 15min of waiting Ana does not reply and she knows I hate waiting, I look over to Elliot, he has changed so much. He refused to have a bachelor party, instead he decided we should play poker and drink lots of beer at Dads. After a couple of games, Elliot's mind is not on the game, I can see he looks lost, almost exactly the same as I feel. Finally I give up, I throw down my cards, I stand grab my keys and say,

"Let's go boys!"

"Where are we going?" Elliot asks.

I don't answer Elliot but he follows and I know that deep inside his heart he knows where I am going. Ethan is going on about how Mia will be really upset if we just show up, Dad on the other hand says that he also feels like something is missing and he would rather be with the ladies than hanging out with us sulking guys.

"Relax Ethan, I am her father and if she gets out of hand I will use the dad card." Dad says calmly, he is always so calm.

"What is the dad card?" Ethan asks confused.

"Remember when you and your father wanted to watch the game and Kate wanted to watch the shopping channel?" Dad asks a very confused Ethan.

"Yes, she got upset and tried to argue with dad."

"Then what did your father do?"

"I can't remember at this moment."

"When you remember, you will know what the dad card is." Dad says with a smirk.

We arrive at Elliot's and knock on the door, I anticipate a fight from Mia but to my luck it is mother that answers the door.

"What are you boys doing here?" Mum asks as if she didn't know already.

"Can we just sit in and watch the fun?" Elliot asks shyly.

"Come on in boys." Mum says.

"Thanks mother." I say.

Mia eyes us with evil eyes; Elliot has pushed me in front just so she does not have to deal with Mia. Before I can open my mouth Dad takes control and I watch in amazement how he handles Mia, before I know it Mia is smiling again and happily welcoming us to join the festivities.

"You have done an excellent job Mia, I am so impressed." Dad says, I smile and wink at Ana. She blushes and I feel the vibrations floating of her body to me, like her body is calling my body.

Absent mindedly I walk over to her, her smile warms my heart and as I lock eyes with her I just want to take her in my arms. I see the need in her eyes and I know she feels the same way I do; she takes my hand and locks her fingers with mine.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, after the boys rudely interrupted us, I just want to welcome them to our special party celebrating Kate. Now I think it is time to celebrate Elliott and Kate, so I toast to ElKat, may your marriage be blessed, filled with love, fun and family of course." Mia raised her glass and so did the rest of the ladies. I smiled at her because I felt her toast was very mature and in that moment I realized that my baby sister had grown up into a fine woman.

"Shall I get you a drink?" Ana asked me gently.

"No, I would rather get you out of here." I say.

"So would I." Ana responds to me with pleading eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you all would excuse myself and Ana, we will be heading home now."

"That's ok son, have a safe drive home, I think we should all head home, Kate needs some rest now." Mother says gently.

APOV

I can feel every muscle in my body twist as I sit next to Christian, after a hasty goodbye, we head home. I can see that he is brooding over something because he has not said a single word to me since we have left. As we approach Escala, I look over to him and he still seems in his own thoughts and I sigh wondering what it is.

"Ana, can I meet you upstairs in a few minutes; I just need to get something from my office." Christian says. I nod that it is ok and make my way upstairs. I go straight to the bath and fill up the tub with hot water and lavender bubble bath. I need to relax a bit and I am sure Christian will be a while, after retrieving a fluffy towel and placing it close to the bathtub I climb in, the water is hot and I feel it burn at the tension my body is feeling. I lay back and close my eyes, I'm not sure how long it has been, but I open my eye to the sound of Christian saying,

"Shit!"

My eye fly open and he is standing at the door, he looks shocked to see me in the bathtub and I look at him confused.

"What is wrong Christian?" I ask.

"Ana, i…. I needed to talk…I mean ask you something but….but you naked like that in the bath just makes me forget all that I want to say." He says and looks away, as if he is trying to gain his composure.

"Christian, I am sorry; I will be out in a second." I say and grab for the towel.

"No, wait." He says and comes closer.

He is close to the bathtub now and he sits down next to my towel, he looks scared, confused and fear creeps into my heart. What on earth could have Christian Grey so spooked, why would he look so terrified to talk to me?

"Christian, has something happened, you can talk to me about anything." I say. I feel my throat dry up but I want to remain strong.

"Ana, I have thought about this for a long while and I practiced many times to say these words to you but my words would never be enough to explain how I feel."

"Let me get out this bath and we can talk." I try to get up but he stops me.

"Ana…. I love you, deeply, with every breath that is within me, all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you, and so will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Christian Grey."

"Oh Christian… of course I will." I say, tears dripping down my face. The fear I felt moments ago fleeing and excitement replacing that horrid emotion. I hold Christian tightly, so many thoughts going throw my mind, I just can't believe it. Christian pulls away and digs into his pocket, he pulls out a ring, it's a beautiful exquisite ring and I can't believe my eyes. He places it on my finger and I stare at it.

"Christian, would you mind too much if we kept this too ourselves till after Kate and Elliot get married, I just wouldn't want to steal their lime light."

"Ana, you are such a selfless person, always thinking of everyone but yourself."

"It just feels weird, besides you know how Mia would react and then all focus will be on us."

"I don't mind, but now I want you in my bed, I'm going shower and you finish your bath."

So much has changed about Christian and I, even the way we make love, he is gentle and caring and so attentive to my needs. I feel barely conscious; my mind is on whirling through every moment since I have met Christian. Every moment since my life has changed forever. I look over to Christian, he is sound asleep, his arm draped around me, and he looks so at peace. I know I should be asleep because in a few hours I need to wake up and be Kate's maid of honor but I just cannot fall asleep. I look at my left had with my new engagement ring on, am I ready for this? Am I ready to be Mrs. Christian Grey?

"Come on Ana, we don't want to be late." Christian urges me to finish my final touches.

We arrive at the Grace's and everything looks beautiful, Christian takes my hand and we go inside, I go to the boat house to join the bridal party. Kate looks amazing and she seems emotional, I can understand why, she is about to become Mrs. Grey and I know she has never wanted to part with her own identity.

The ceremony is quick and simple, I feel so emotional and a few times I notice Christian staring at me, I wipe my tears away and smile at him and wonder if my special day will be anything like this.

Kate and Elliot are finally married and on their way to their honeymoon, after the reception Elliot wasted no time in taking his bride home. He was concerned that the strenuous day would take its toll on the baby and he wanted both mother and baby to be well rested.

"Ana, are you ready to go?" Christian asks me after the reception is over and Elliot and Kate have left.

"Yes I am."

"Ana?" Christian says as we drive home.

"Yes."

"I wonder if our special day would be anything like Elliot and Kate's."

I smiled at Christian as he takes my hand and plants a kiss on my fingers. It's been a long day and all I want is to curl up in my bed and pass out in the arms of my Fifty.