Chapter 37…

1 year later

"Mom…you're here"

She laughs softly cupping my cheek and I lean into her hand embracing her touch, "Of course I'm here sweetheart, it's your big day, I wouldn't miss it for the world".

"I'm so nervous Mom"

She smiles gazing deeply into my eyes and giggles a little more.

"Everyone always is on their big day Ana, I promise you're not alone. You're making the right choice, I have no doubt that Christian is the man for you."

"What if I'm not enough for him? What if he gets bored of me?"

"Bored with you? Sweetheart…that man absolutely adores you, more than you'll ever even know. I see it in his eyes, in his smile. The way he watches you and makes sure you're always safe. He loves you"

I sigh and closes my eyes leaning further into her hand.

"I'm so glad you're here Mom…"

"Me too baby girl, me too"

I smile more as she moves her arms around me in a loving, motherly embrace.

"Come on, let's get you ready… so much to do, so little time" She claps her hands together and I sit in the chair as she curls my hair.

We laugh.

We joke.

We talk.

We laugh more.

"You look absolutely beautiful" She starts to cry and I gently wipe her tears away as I giggle starting to cry myself.

"Don't cry Mom, please…"

"I can't help it, I'm sorry…I just… I'm so proud of you. My baby girl is all grown up. My beautiful intelligent little Annie. Look at you… getting married to the love of your life. You make me so so proud to call you mine".

I cry softly and I hug her tightly.

"I love you, Mom…"

"I love you too" She smiles before heading towards the door. "Come on Ana….It's time" She stands in the doorway holding her hand out for me.

"Come on Ana…."

"Ana!"

"Ana!"

"Ana come on!"

Her voice slowly starts to fade away.

"Ana?"

"Mom? Mom!"

She slowly fades away, her voice leaving, my mind being replaced by Mia's squeals and Kate's determination.

"Ana!"

"Come on Ana! It's time! We have to start getting ready!"

It was just a dream.

A dream.

A dream of Mom.

I startle awake, jolting up in bed. I'm sweating. My breathing is a little rapid.

The anxiety of today spreading dreams through my mind.

Mom… I miss her. I do. I really do wish she was here today, but I know she's in a better place. I know she would be proud of me.

It took weeks for me to smile properly again. It took me weeks to feel anything.

I felt numb for what seemed like forever but with the help of everyone around me and my new amazing job, I started to cope.

I started to smile again.

I started to laugh again.

The best part? I finally stopped blaming myself.

She keeps popping up in my dreams when I'm feeling nervous and anxious or scared, but the dreams are never bad.

They're always the positive and loving side I remember of her. The good times. The good memories.

Christian, was so patient with me. He held me for hours while I cried, made me food when I wouldn't eat, took me out to try and take my mind away from the thoughtful pains.

He helped me get through. I owe him everything.

My job at SIP helped so much too, it is an incredible place and I can't thank Mr Roach enough for giving me the opportunity to work there. I have settled in wonderfully and I can see a bright and happy future there too.

I finally come back to the here and now with the excited squeals of the girls in front of me and Christian's Mom sitting at the bottom of my bed smiling brightly.

Kate and Mia squeal more when I finally come to myself and I smile feeling more awake.

"YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!" They both wrap their arms around me and we fall back against the bed all of us laughing together.

"I can't believe it" I smile excitedly.

I am truly so excited, but also nervous and anxious too.

I hate attention so I'm dreading walking down the aisle but it'll be worth it when I finally reach Christian at the end.

All of us females stayed in the Four Seasons hotel, with surprise spa treatments for all of us, provided by my amazing fiancé.

I am such a lucky girl.

While we were at the Hotel, the men stayed in our apartment.

After months and months of planning, we agreed to have a small affair, nothing too fancy, nothing too expensive. Just us and our family.

We have a small little set up located at a rooftop terrace with amazingly beautiful views and a function room located in the same building. Perfect and small enough for a maximum of 100 guests and a place to stay for Christian and me before we fly out to our honeymoon early in the morning. We have the honeymoon suite booked and after googling the pictures, I am beyond excited.

I still have absolutely no idea where we are going for the honeymoon, everyone is keeping it completely secret.

I'm totally surprised Kate or Mia haven't slipped up yet.

We start to get ready, Christian's Mom helps with the final finishing touches. She even hired a makeup and hair stylist to come and help. She has been beyond incredible and I can't thank her enough for everything she has done for me.

They start to get ready themselves and I couldn't choose a specific maid of honour, so Mia and Kate are both filling in the role.

They're dressed in beautiful salmon coloured dresses, cut off the shoulders.

Then I move to gaze at my dress bag.

This is it…

It's really happening.

I take a deep breath as I slowly unzip the bag revealing my gown.

I remove it from the bag and everyone gasps as they lay eyes on it.

"Ana…it's beautiful…"

"Wow, Ana….Christian is going to die seeing you in that"

My smile grows as my heart starts to race as time gets closer to the ceremony.

Christian, I truly hope he likes it.

I remove it from the hanger and I start to pull it over my body with the help of Christian's Mom. Mia and Kate pop open the champagne handing me a glass which I willingly take before slipping the dress over my nervous shaking body.

The lace embroidered strapless dress fits slimly around my curves, highlighting my entire body.

I gaze at my reflection in the mirror and I almost don't recognise myself.

The dress is truly beautiful, my makeup is flawless and my hair is simply wonderful.

Tears start to fill my eyes. Happy tears of course.

I still can't believe all of this is happening.

In the next 6 hours, I'm going to become Mrs Grey.

Everything I've ever dreamed of.

Kate and Mia start to take pictures of us before we soon make our way to the rooftop terrace.

Christian's Mom takes my hand smiling as we make our way and she's smiling brightly, "I just want to say thank you Ana for everything you've done for Christian. Being by his side, supporting him, loving him. I had awful worries about him, but since he has met you, he's become the incredible and loving man I knew he could be".

She starts to cry softly and my own eyes fill with tears.

"He's done the exact same for me, Grace… I love him with all of my heart. I want to thank you too, You've been like a second Mom to me and I couldn't have done any of this without you or Christian"

We both start to cry and I quick fan my eyes with my hands making sure my makeup doesn't run.

"Okay….ready?" I nod smiling taking a deep breath as I move behind the doors.

Christian is in there, ready and waiting for me to walk down the aisle to him.

My hands are shaking.

"Wow…Annie…You look amazing" My Dad says in pure surprise from seeing the dress for the very first time. He makes his way over to me ready to walk me down the aisle.

"Dad!" My smile grows and I move to hug him tightly.

"You look absolutely beautiful Annie… I can't believe you're getting married"

"Me neither" I laugh nervously smiling as I take a deep long breath.

The music inside starts to play announcing my arrival.

"Christian hasn't slept all night, he's worried you'd change your mind" He laughs.

"Seriously? although, I didn't sleep much either" I shake my head smiling.

Oh my Christian. So insecure.

"Ready to go?" Dad asks and I smile brightly nodding.

Grace squeezes my hand proudly before she makes her way out of the doors and down the aisle to her seat.

"Goodluck Ana, you look amazing" Kate smiles before walking down first with her bridesmaid bouquet.

"We'll be sister's soon" I giggle at her words as Mia winks smirking before she hugs me and makes her leave after Kate down the aisle.

"I have something for you before we walk…" My Dad pulls out a jewellery box from his pocket and I look curious.

"What's that…?"

"When your mother sent the letters, this came with it…It was addressed to me but it came with a note requesting I give this to you on the day of your wedding…" He smiles sadly.

My fingers start to shake.

Something from my Mom?

I look down at the box and my eyes fill with tears.

Stay strong Ana.

I carefully reach out for it opening the lid and my heart clenches. Inside is a beautiful, dainty and small heart-shaped locket on a necklace chain.

I look up at my Dad and my tears start to fall.

"Oh Ana…don't cry…" He carefully wipes my tears.

"I wish she was here Dad"

"I do too, but she would have been so proud of you…She loved you, Ana"

I nod in reply because that's all I can manage.

I carefully open the locket and inside is a baby picture of me and Mom, she's smiling. She's happy. I'm curled against her chest and I see the love and proudness in her eyes as she's gazing down at me. On the opposite side is a picture of a man. He's younger looking but very handsome. I notice his eyes, his dark hair.

It's my Dad.

My biological Dad.

Mom might not be able to be here in person, but she'll be here in memories and thoughts. I carefully put the necklace around my neck and my Dad moves to help clasp it at the back.

"Ready?" He smiles offering me his arm. I nod in response as my heart races faster and faster.

"Here it goes…." I whisper softly taking my Dad's arm and I swear his eyes are tearing up. I gently stroke his arm comfortingly and he squeezes my hand.

"I love you, Annie"

"I love you Dad"

The doors open and everyone turns looking at me.

The sun is beaming down on us and there's not a cloud in the sky.

It's the most magical and perfect day we could have hoped for.

How people have enormous weddings I will never know, this wedding is small compared to a normal wedding and I am completely hating everyone staring at me.

But I keep my focus, I gently hold my Dad's arm tighter as my lips curl into a smile.

There he is.

This is the day I marry my best friend, the one I laugh with, the one I dream with, the one I make memories with, the one I love.

He hasn't turned to look at me yet he's still facing forward.

The music continues to play as we continue to walk down the aisle. I look around seeing the pristine and beautiful decorations surrounding the terrace.

White and salmon coloured roses surrounding the entire place matching our colour scheme.

The chairs decorated in white satin, highlighted by the salmon roses. It's an absolutely beautiful setup and it's more than I could have ever dreamed of.

Rose petals neatly placed the whole way down the aisle as I make my way to my future husband.

One step closer and I see Christian visibly take a deep breath before he turns to face me. When his eyes finally find mine, his eyes widen, raking up and down my body and then landing back on my eyes. His eyes filled with love and lust, his smile wide and proud.

I watch as he swallows.

He licks his lip slightly as he gives the biggest smile.

It truly makes my heart melt and my Dad carefully takes my hand from his arm and offers it to Christian who takes it eagerly before my Dad moves off to the side, taking a seat.

Christian leans forward kissing the top of my head whispering, "You look beautiful".

It causes me to blush a bright red. It amazes me how he still has this effect on me.

I gently squeeze his hand and he laces our fingers.

"Please everyone take your seats as we begin the binding together of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele".

I look over my shoulder and everyone takes their seats.

All eyes on us.

My heart continues to race but with the help of holding Christian's hand, it slowly eases my beating heart.

"We are gathered here today to witness the marriage between these two soul mates…do we have the rings?"

Elliot grins standing and walks over as Christian's best man, he holds the rings up and because of his wide grin everyone giggles softly.

He's such an attention lover.

"If you'd like to say your vows…Christian if you could start".

He nods taking a deep breath.

"Ana… You have changed my life and turned it upside down and you have constantly surprised me with the way you've supported every decision I've made. When we first met I was horrible, I was angry, I was dark and I hated the world and everyone in it, but after meeting you, you became my light in the darkness, you made me want to be better… and I've never wanted to lose that light since. I never want to lose you, thank you for everything you've done and continue to do for me. I promise to love and cherish, honour and respect you, protect you and keep you safe and love you unconditionally until the day I die"

He slowly slides the ring onto my finger and my eyes fill with tears.

Don't cry, Don't cry, Don't cry.

"Ana…if you're ready"

I nod slightly as I try to compose myself and Christian spots the tear daring to fall and he laughs softly reaching up gently wiping it away and everyone in their seats 'awww'.

"Christian… I never thought I would find anyone to love me enough to give me the confidence and courage that you have. You have helped me in so many ways. I started to believe the love I read in my novels were a million miles from the truth, but since I've met you, you've shown me that true love exists and soul mates are real. I promise that no matter what happens I will love you forever and always, I will be your faithful partner and stand by your side. I promise to laugh with you, Respect you, share my hopes and dreams with you and bring you solace in times of need. I promise to love and cherish you until the day I die"

I carefully slip the ring onto his finger and he smiles brightly gently squeezing my hand.

"Christian, do you take Anastasia to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do"

"Anastasia, do you take Christian to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do"

"I now pronounce you man and wife….you may kiss the bride"

My smile grows and Christian gently cups my cheek leaning down pressing his lips to mine.

I gently rest my hand at the side of his neck holding him close to me as I kiss him back.

"Mrs Grey" He whispers against my lips smirking making me giggle.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that" I grin leaning up kissing him again.

Everyone cheers excitedly, standing and clapping at us as we kiss, the first time being man and wife.

Confetti being thrown, camera flashes being snapped and I smile against his lips.

I'm lost in his kiss.

In his touch.

In his embrace.

Our first kiss as man and wife.

It's been perfect.

I pull back and looks out to everyone, laughing nervously as all eyes are on us once again.

He holds me close letting people take the pictures before I grin and turn, I look over my shoulder before turning completely the other way and throwing my bouquet behind me.

I hear a ton of women's screams when I turn to look to find out who's caught it, Kate is standing there laughing nervously as she holds my bouquet in her hands. I see a sly wink exchange between Elliot and Christian and I'm hoping Elliot won't be long popping the question to her.

"Congratulations both, I'm so proud of you" Christian's Mom and Dad make their way over.

"Thanks, Mom…Thanks, Dad"Christian smile leaning down kissing her cheek then she moves hugging me.

"Annie sweetheart! Congratulations! Christian….welcome to the family son!" My Dad smiles brightly.

"Thanks dad!" I giggle hugging him and Christian laughs softly shaking his hand.

"Thanks, Ray".

We make our way down into the function where there's an open bar, a sit down 3-course meal, music and dancing, balloons, decorations.

It's a beautiful small little setup and it's absolutely perfect. The white and salmon delicate theme sticking true throughout the whole place.

The champagne being handed around and Christian and I start to make our way around the room to thank people for coming and make conversation.

"If we could invite the bride and groom to the dancefloor for their first dance"

I blush smiling and Christian looks across the room looking for me as I do the same with him, meeting him halfway onto the dancefloor.

James Bay - Us.

James Bay - Us starts to play and it's magical, it's perfect, my heart swells as I move forward.

I chose this song because it's such a good representation of us, what we've been through, what we've dealt with, but there's always been us. I smile as he offers me his hand and we slowly start to dance together.

Everyone surrounding the dancefloor in a circle watching us, taking picture and recording. I giggle softly as he twirls me and kisses me, sways me and holds me close.

I love this man with the whole of my being and now he's mine and I'm all his. Today has been incredible and I couldn't have asked or wished for anything better.

Surrounded by our family and friends, our loved ones. The most important people in our lives that have always supported us through everything.

"I'm looking forward to staying in the suite tonight" He grins nuzzling against my neck as we sway to the music.

His Mom and Dad move onto the dancefloor joining in the dance after a little while and then Kate and Elliot soon join in too.

"Mm…me too…Apparently, it has a jacuzzi" I grin.

"Oh, the things we could do"He pulls back smirking before he cups my cheek kissing me deeply.

We dance a few more dances together before I move to my Dad wanting to dance with him too.

"I can't believe my little Annie is all grown up and married"

I laugh softly smiling, "I can't believe it either"

"I'm so proud of you"

"Thank you for everything Dad, I can't thank you enough for the amazing things you've done for me…"

"It's been a pleasure, Ana, I promise, I have loved every moment watching you grow up into the incredible woman you've become" He leans forward kissing my forehead.

The day is almost over but it's been absolutely perfect. I don't want it to end.

Not a single thing went wrong.

Everyone laughed, everyone cried, everyone clapped, everyone cheered, everyone danced, everyone loved and most of all, I'm finally Mrs Grey.

"Mrs Grey?"

I hear the name and my lips curl into a smile turning to face my newly made husband.

"That's me…." I grin sipping my champagne.

"Yeah it is…" He grins, "You ready to..uh..head off? I'm tired of sharing you now, I want you all to myself"

I rest my hands on his chest smiling brightly as I lean up kissing him gently, "Yeah, I'm ready…".

We move to say our goodbyes to our parents, everyone else too drunk to even notice our leave.

We make our way to our honeymoon suite, hand in hand as husband and wife.

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