A/N: Are we ready for their wedding? I have to warn you; the level of intimacy in this chapter might overwhelm you ;). I think eloping is one of the coolest things ever and if it wasn't for my parents and grandfather, I would've definitely married my husband somewhere far away. So, writing this was like writing my own little fantasy wedding. I hope it's like you envisioned it! I think it's totally Christian and Ana. Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts! xx

Chapter 55: Sí. Un milione di volte Sì.

Nine days. It has been nine days since I saw her again after ten years. The best nine days of my life, even though the chaos has never been bigger. She literally turned my whole life upside down, but I wouldn't have it any other way because with her beside me I can handle everything.

I thought that what I felt for her was strong, but these nine days made me realize that whatever I felt before was nothing. Nothing compared to what I'm feeling now. What I feel when I touch her or kiss her. What I feel when I simply listen to her. It's the most intense and all-consuming thing, something I can't place. And it has just been nine days.

May 19th was never a date that was special and it never was my intention to make it special either. It was just a date, a day in a year, nothing more. But since yesterday, May 19th is the date I will always remember. I still can't wrap my head around everything that happened, but I do know that May 19th will be the best day of my life.

May 19th, the day I'll marry Ana.

When I contacted the chapel yesterday, it didn't really go as planned. It turns out that you need to arrange a shitload of stuff before you can get married here in Italy. I'm talking testimonials, birth certificates, the whole Rambam. Since Ana and I didn't really plan or think this through, we don't have any of those things. Apparently, Italy isn't the first place where people elope.

But, after explaining our situation, really slowly and with many words, so the all-Italian Pastor understood somewhat, he agreed to meet us at the cliff to lead a ceremony. We won't be husband and wife legally, but other than that, he will do everything he normally does during a wedding.

Ana and I don't mind that it isn't legal, because this is for us. To us, this will count as our wedding and it's the day we will tell our kids about when they ask us how we got married. We agreed that when we get back, we go to the courthouse and make it official, without all the fuss.

I'm currently wandering around Piombino because my fiancé threw me out of our room an hour ago. She needed time to get ready and according to Ana, it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. The fact that that saying also counts for the night before the wedding didn't seem interesting to her.

So, I rented a car and drove here, promising her that I would pick her up around two since the Pastor will meet us at our cliff at two thirty. I'm curious why she wanted me out and how she will look, I'm sure she didn't think about bringing a wedding dress.

I'm wearing sand-colored pants with a white, short sleeved button down. It's the fanciest thing I brought along, for when we decided to go out, but I think it's perfect for a wedding on our cliff. Ana agreed as well, so I'm good.

I've just bought white lilies for Ana because a proper wedding always has flowers. And because I've never had the change to buy her flowers, so it seems right.

I only need one more thing now. Jewelry. I'm marrying the love of my life today and I want everyone to know that she said yes. So I need a ring. Or rings, I haven't decided yet.

I want to buy her a ring, one that I would've got for her if she just gave me a little more time to prepare a proposal, but now it seems weird to get her an engagement ring on our wedding day. So, I think I'm going for two matching rings, so everybody sees I'm hers as well. I think she would like that. I just fucking hope that they have our sizes.

After ten minutes of walking, I walk into the first jewelry store I pass and I'm immediately greeted by an old man who is sitting behind the desk.

"Buongiorno," he smiles, looking up form the paper he is reading.

"Buongiorno," I smile and nod, "do you speak English?"

"Oh, very little," he replies, "but I try, yes?"

I nod my head, "thank you. I'm looking for matching wedding bands."

He frowns, obviously not completely understanding me before he asks me to say it again. After three times of misunderstanding me, I grab my phone and use Google Translate to make myself clear.

"Ah, si, si!" He enthusiastically claps after reading what I'm looking for. "Come, come."

He beckons me to move to him as he grabs a box from a cabinet behind him. When he places the box on the desk and opens it, I'm met with all types of wedding bands. At least he's got them.

"Silver or gold or white gold?" He manages to get out, his friendly expression and excitement making me smile. He is really trying.

I think about what I want for a moment. I've never seen Ana wear gold, and I'm not really digging gold myself, so I think I should go for white gold.

"White gold," I tell him, and immediately see him pick out three types of rings.

'These is simple, yes," he says as he places a smooth, white gold wedding band in my hand.

"These is a little more bello, you know? For la tua ragazza," he winks and grabs another white gold ring, also smooth but the smaller one has a small diamond in the center.

"And these is very good as well. Is a little bit more, yes," he says, also giving me the last one. It has a structure and out of all three, it appeals the least to me.

My first thought is to get the second ring. Simple and smooth for me, a little bit more elegant with the small diamond for Ana. That way, I can still give her a diamond ring, to compensate for the lack of an engagement ring. It will look stunning on her, and I could keep it on during work since it's simple.

"This one," I point to the second one, "which sizes do you have? I'm looking for a size 7 and a 10,5 and I need them today."

His eyes widen and he takes his glasses off in surprise, "today?! Oggi? Mio Dio."

I have no idea what it means, but I'm guessing it's not good. I'm hoping he can help me though.

"Wait minuto," he says before taking the ring in question out of my hand and walking to the back. I fucking hope he has more rings there.

Minutes pass and I'm starting to get impatient. If he hasn't got them, I have to go to another shop and I don't really have much time left.

"Here," I hear the man say as he walks back through the door, a smaller box in his hand, "these is a little different but also nice and white gold, is good yes? And good size."

He gives me the small box and when I open it I find two matte finish, white gold wedding bands. Both of the rings have a line in the center, and on the smaller one, the line is filled with small diamonds. It's perfect, even better than the ones I picked first. This is again a sign that Ana and I are meant to get married here. Fuck.

"I'll take them," I tell him enthusiastically, making him laugh and clap his hands again.

"Eccellente!" At this point, he is almost jumping on the desk in front of him. It makes me laugh.

I pay for the rings, the price almost costing me a heart attack as well. Thank God I saved a good amount of money. Ana is worth it though, she is worth everything.

"After you said sí to the lady, you throw a glass vaso, yes? For matrimonio felice," the old man tells while shaking my hand.

I smile and nod my head. Throwing a glass vase on the floor for a happy marriage, I think. Got it. I thank him again before walking out of the shop and walking back to the car, picking up speed as I do. In thirty minutes, I have to pick up Ana.

I wasn't nervous, partly because this is something that we both want and it's just me and her, but while I drive back to the hotel, I do feel different. It's like I'm suddenly realizing how big this is. In just an hour, Ana will be my wife and that thought is really giving me all kinds of nerves.

On one hand, I feel a little bad that Elliot and Kate, and José and Mandy aren't here. I would almost forget after all the negativity surrounding us, but they were supportive and happy for us from the moment we've told them we'd found each other. I know they will be happy for us when we tell them what we did though, they won't be mad and I actually think they'll completely understand.

Before I know it, I'm back at the hotel, ten minutes before two. I take a deep breath before getting out of the car, rings in my pocket and flowers in my hand. I can't wait to see her, even though it has just been a little more than two hours ago since I last saw her.

To get some of the adrenaline out, I decide to take the stairs. Taking two steps at one go, I'm on the second floor in no time, not even remotely out of breath. I'm too excited. Too eager. Really, nothing has changed.

When I'm standing in front of the door, I will myself to calm down once again. I need to be here completely at this moment. When she opens the door, I want my full attention on her because I just know she will be gorgeous. She is always gorgeous, without even trying.

I knock on the door and wait while my heart almost beats out of my chest. I'm even fucking fumbling with the flowers I got for her. I suddenly am in desperate need of a drink and for a short moment, I think about what we have in the mini bar that can help me with that.

But then she opens the door, and everything I was thinking and feeling flies out of the window and is replaced by just one thing; Ana.

"Hi," her shy voice greets me while her cheeks turn pink as she sees me standing in the doorpost, mouth open, and eyes moving up and down to take her in.

I knew she would look gorgeous and the fact that she made work of it doesn't surprise me either since she threw me out but what I'm seeing now overrules every expectation.

Perfection. She is perfection.

She is wearing a light, soft blush-pink floor-length dress with thin straps and ruffled sleeves that hang over her shoulders. It's simple, has a beach look but still looks elegant as hell. Her hair falls in waves around her shoulders, one white flower on the left side behind her ear. Perfection, my bride.

"Christian? Are you okay?"

Her voice and her hand on my cheek pull me out of my intense stare, my eyes locking with hers. She is wearing a little make-up which makes her ocean blue eyes stand out more.

"Is this really happening?" I whisper without thinking, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

I feel her thumbs move over my cheeks, wiping away the tears. I can't help it. After all the shit, the lonely years without her, and even though the most important people in our life didn't want us together, we made it. We made it and we are about to get married.

A sweet smile forms Ana's lips and she nods her head, her eyes tearing up as well. "It is. It's real," she whispers.

"Fuck," I sigh before pulling her to me, my arms tightly around her waist while I bury my face in her neck, breathing her in. It's real.

When I've calmed down a bit and the emotions are somewhat under control, I pull back slightly so I can look at her.

"You look gorgeous. Stunning. Fuck, you're perfect," I try to use every word available to describe how she looks but it still doesn't cover it even remotely.

"Thank you," she smiles, her hands still on my cheeks, "It isn't really a wedding dress, but it was the closest thing I brought along. I actually almost didn't pack it because I didn't think I would wear it, but José and Mandy didn't agree."

"It's perfect, Ana. You look so beautiful, I can't even think straight." I move my eyes over her appearance again, still not over how amazing she looks.

She gives me a quick kiss before her hands drop to smooth out her dress. "Are you ready to marry me?" She asks, still looking at me.

"I am, are you ready?" I eagerly nod my head.

"I am," she smiles.

I give her the flowers I completely forgot about before grabbing her hand. When I look at the time on my phone, I see that we have twenty minutes to get to the cliff.

"Wait, we need a picture of this," Ana says just as I want to put my phone back into my pocket, "let's make a selfie."

"How very modern of you, baby," I chuckle before pulling her in front of me and opening the camera on my phone and holding it in front of us.

My cheek is leaning against her head and her bright blue eyes look happily into the camera. Thank fuck she suggested this, this picture will be my favorite picture ever. Me and her, on our wedding day.

"You look very giddy Mr. Grey," Ana smirks while I snap a few pictures.

"Can you blame me? Look at you. I can't wait to marry you."

"Let's get married then," she smiles.

Fuck yes.


Since we can't reach the cliff with the car, I park at the spot where we're meeting the Pastor so we can walk the last bit. The whole ride, Ana and I just talked about everything and nothing. The casual atmosphere between us confirms that this is how we both want it to be. Relaxed and just the two of us.

When we step out, another car approaches and given the fact that this is a very remote place, I think it's the Pastor. To my surprise though, he isn't alone. A young woman is driving the car, and the old man is sitting on the seat next to her.

When they've parked the car, the younger woman steps out first, a smile on her face as she walks towards Ana and me.

"Ciao coppia meravigliosa, my name is Julianne," she smiles, a light accent as she talks, "I assume you are Christian and Anastasia?"

I nod my head and squeeze Ana's hand at the same time, "Yeah."

"Great," she smiles and offers both Ana and me her hand before she continues, "Pastor Dimiceli is a family friend, and he called me to ask if I wanted to assist him during the ceremony, with your permission of course. English isn't his best language, so I would be there to translate, if necessary."

"Oh, of course, we don't mind," Ana replies immediately, "we are happy you are here."

"Perfect," Julianne smiles, "he can't drive anymore because his eyes let him down a little, so he needed me to bring him as well but he swears that that wasn't the main reason," she winks before walking to the car to help the old man out of it.

"You don't mind, do you?" Ana whispers as we watch the Pastor walk over to us, slowly and a bit unsteady. I actually feel bad about the fact that he needs to climb on top of a cliff now.

"Of course not, baby. If you're okay with it, I am too," I smile and kiss her.

"Buon pomeriggio," the old man's raspy voice says when he has reached us, "I Pastore Dimiceli and I marry you, ufficiosamente." He shakes our hands while Julianne tells us that he means unofficial with the last word.

"Grazie," Ana starts, "for coming here and doing this for us. We really appreciate it.''

I nod my head in agreement as I watch Julianne explain what Ana just said. He obviously really doesn't speak English at all and I'm sure now that I didn't talk to him when I called the chapel.

"You wanted to do the ceremony here?" Julianne asks, obviously on request of the Pastor, who is looking around with a huge frown on his face which makes Ana giggle quietly.

"No," I begin, "we actually wanted to do it on the cliff a few minutes from here. Is that possible?" I ask as I nod my head to the Pastor discreetly, making Julianne laugh.

"He'll manage," she nods, "it might take a little longer but he'll make it. Shall we go?"

Ana and I both nod our heads before starting our walk, Julianne and the Pastor following us with a little distance which I'm thankful for. It gives me the change to talk to Ana without them hearing it.

"When I walked here alone eight years ago, I never thought that I would come here again, let alone with you while you are wearing this," I lead her through the small path, making sure her dress doesn't get stuck in the twigs along the way.

She squeezes my hand, "I can't believe it's been ten years. Now that I walk here again, it seems like I was here yesterday. Probably because I have thought about this place a lot."

I smile and nod my head in agreement, completely understanding how she feels. "I know."

We walk up the cliff in comfortable silence, my hand holding hers. Sometimes I look behind me to see if the Pastor can keep up, and every time I do I see him look at the ground as if it is causing him a lot of energy. Julianne however, holds her thumbs up every time, so I guess he is okay.

After a short walk, we reach the cliff and my feelings go in overdrive. Ana's gasp next to me tells me she feels the same. It's unreal to be here, with here, on our cliff, the spot that means so much to both of us.

"It's even more beautiful than I remember," Ana's voice breaks the silence and again makes me realize that this is really happening.

She is looking at the harbor of Piombino, her whole face shining, obviously enjoying the view. I, however, can only look at her. How her hair shines in the light of the sun, how her dress flows around her because of the light breeze and how her eyes almost give me a heart attack. I need to make sure I can look at this exact image forever.

Without telling her so she keeps her focus on the view in front of her, I grab my phone and snap a few pictures of her. The pictures are stunning, but the real version of her standing here is out of this world. And in minutes she is going to be my wife.

At least, if the Pastor will make it to the top. I look behind me to see if he is almost here and just see him appear from behind the trees. He has sweat on his forehead and I can practically hear his gasps for air over here. Poor man.

He walks to the shade instantly and leans his back against the rocks, obviously trying to catch his breath before he'll start. Julianne stays with him for a moment before she walks over to Ana and me.

"He just needs a minute to catch his breath, don't worry," she smiles. "I was thinking, do you want me to take pictures or maybe film the ceremony?"

"Oh, that would be amazing!" Ana excitedly says.

Julianne smiles, "okay, do you want me to use my phone so that I can send it to you or should I use yours?"

"You can use mine," I tell her while giving her my phone, "please, film it."

She nods her, "I will, one more question before we start, do you wish to exchange rings?"

"Yes," I immediately say.

"What? We are?" Ana's surprised look is priceless. And so fucking cute.

"Yeah," I grin and pull the box out of my pocket before giving it to Julianne, not showing Ana the rings. I want it to be a surprise.

"How did you even..," she starts but is interrupted by Pastor Dimiceli.

"We can start?" He looks at Ana and me questioningly, his expression is friendly and obviously not as out of breath anymore.

We both nod our head, eager to get started. I can't wait.

"Oggi ti prometti reciprocamente fedeltà eterna e amore incondizionato," he starts when Ana and I stand across from each other, holding each others hands.

When he realizes that Ana and I have no idea what he is saying, he tries to explain it to us which doesn't really work before he looks at Julianne defeated. It's actually endearing.

"Today you promise to be faithful to each other and to love each other unconditionally for as long as you both shall live," Julianne explains, in her hand my phone.

Pastor Dimiceli starts talking again and after every sentence, Julianne translates what he is saying. I try to listen to them, but their voices seem to fade as I look at Ana, whose eyes are also on me.

Her eyes tell me everything I need to know and want to hear. They tell me that she will be there when things will be hard. That she will support me in everything I decide to do. She will love me, even when I'm acting like a huge asshole and she will address me on my mistakes. She will find me when I'm lost and she won't ever judge me. She loves me and she will cherish me for the rest of my life.

I let my eyes tell her the same and I promise myself right here, right now, that I will tell her every day how proud I am of her, how beautiful she is and how much she means to me. I vow that I will always make her laugh and I will give her everything her heart desires. I've got her back, always. And I will never let her fall asleep without telling her how much I love her.

The tears that fall down her cheeks, let me know that she hears me, without even saying it out loud. This is our moment, and it couldn't be more perfect.

"Gli anelli che scambi rappresentano l'unità che formerai per tutta la vita. la forma rotonda dell'anello rappresenta l'infinito del tuo amore," I hear the Pastor say while I see Julianne give him the box with our rings before she translates again.

"The rings that you exchange represent the unity that you will form throughout your life. The round shape of the ring represents the infinity of your love," she starts, the camera still focussed on Ana and me, "you can put on the ring and say a few words."

I nod my head and watch the Pastor open the box before taking Ana's ring out.

"Ana," I start, my voice shaking as I put the ring on her finger, "there are so many things I want to tell you and I promise I will tell you them whenever you want to hear them, but right now, I just want to tell you that I'm so proud to be your husband. I've loved you for ten years, and I promise to love you for a hundred more. Thank you. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive."

Tears are fully streaming down Ana's cheeks now, but she has a smile on her face as well.

"It's beautiful," she says after she has looked at the ring in awe, "thank you."

She reaches for the other ring and then looks at me "Christian," she starts, taking a deep breath right after to make sure she can make it through her speech, "being here with you again seems unreal. I never in a million years thought that this would be the place where we would marry, let alone now. But it's perfect. You are perfect. I owe you everything. You've made me strong, gave me the confidence that I needed to keep going and your love gives me so much courage. I'll spend the rest of my life thanking you for saving my life. I love you."

The last part comes out in heavy sobs, but I've heard her loud and clear, and all I want to do is kiss her and hold her in my arms. I'm seconds away from doing so when I'm reminded of the fact that Pastor Dimiceli and Julianne are still here.

"Christian Grey, prendi Anastasia Steele come tua moglie?" He asks me before looking at me expectantly.

"This is when you say 'sí'," Julianne winks, making Ana giggle.

"Right," I nod and look at Ana, my eyes locking with hers, "Sí."

The Pastor turns to Ana before asking, "Anastasia Steele, prendi Christian Grey come tuo marito?"

"Sí," she whispers, her head nodding rapidly and eagerly.

"Per il potere conferito in me e con Dio come testimone, ora pronuncio marito e moglie. Puoi congratularti a vicenda," he smiles. When he sees that both Ana and I are again looking at him because we don't understand him, he chuckles, "you can kiss."

He doesn't have to say that again. My hands move to Ana's face and my lips crash onto hers, desperate to let her feel how much this means to me. She is mine.

Our tongues tangle and our hands grope, very inappropriate considering the fact that Pastor Dimiceli is still standing here along with Julianne, but I don't give a shit right now. After all the chaos, heartache and shit, we are here and we are married. How it should be.

Only when Julianne lets out a small cough to indicate that we can't take it this far, our mouths separate. Ana's cheeks are bright red as she realizes what we did and I can't help but feel proud. I can make her forget about everything else around us and I intend to do that a lot during our marriage.

"Congratulations!" Julianne claps as she walks over to us. First, she gives Ana and me a hand before she says, "I'll take the first picture of you two as husband and wife."

Ana and I pose for her while she takes a few pictures, Pastor Dimiceli watching us with a smile on his face as she does. When she is done, she gives me my phone back before the Pastor also congratulates us.

"Thank you, again," Ana smiles, "grazie."

He nods, then turns around and walks to the path that leads to the car. He's giving us privacy and I appreciate it. Since I want to stay here with Ana for a little bit longer, I beckon Julianne over to us before she follows him down.

"Here," I say while giving her an envelope, "a gift for the chapel, to express our gratitude. We are really thankful you could make this happen."

She smiles, "thank you for letting us be a part of your special day, it was an honor."

Both Ana and I shake her hand again before she walks after the Pastor, leaving us alone.

"Oh my God, we just got married," Ana says while looking at her wedding band amazed, "I can't believe you got us rings."

"I can't believe you are my wife," I counter.

Her face lights up even more. "I'm your wife," she smiles, the look on her face shows me that she is only now realizing fully what just happened.

I kiss her again, enjoying it a little more now that I know there isn't anyone who can stop us. As always, Ana is just as enthusiastic.

"I love you so much," she whispers against my mouth when we come up for air, her hands in my hair holding me close.

"I love you. I've never loved anyone as intense as I love you."

We stand in each other's arms for a moment, enjoying the feeling of being close and letting everything that just happened sink in while we're looking out over the water and the harbor.

"What do you want to do next, wife?" I smile when I feel her eyes back on me.

"Besides growing old with you?"

"God, Ana. That's cheesy," I grin, making her giggle as well.

"Shut up, I'm allowed to be cheesy, it's my wedding day."

I peck her lips once, "okay."

"But," she smiles as her hands go from my neck to my chest, "I also want to celebrate."

Her eyes turn slightly darker and I know what she means instantly. Fuck, I want that too.

"Mrs. Grey, the things you are referring to usually don't happen until midnight. It's called a wedding night for a reason, you know."

Her huge grin matches my own. "I don't care. Usual isn't really our thing anyway. I want to eat our wedding dinner in bed while we are naked, and I don't want to leave our hotel room until we have to fly back home."

Fuck yes. My wife, people.

My. Fucking sexy. Gorgeous. Wife.


A/N: I've used Google Translate for the Italian sentences because I, unfortunately, don't speak Italian myself, so I hope it's all correct. Xx