I talk to Kate on Thursday to finalise the plans for the next day, I am actually so excited I can hardly contain myself. I can hear Kate is much the same. We talk about timings, flowers, dress, everything we have talked about previously but need to say again until each topic is thoroughly exhausted before wishing each other a nice day, good sleep and an almost frenetic 'see you tomorrow'.
I want to do some work but find myself feeling extremely fidgety and my concentration span is diminishing by the minute. I suddenly have a moment of panic, hair! I have no arrangements for anyone to do my hair! I slump on the chair and begin to softly weep. How could I forget that?
"Whatever is wrong Ana?" Gail's soft voice come's into the room. She sits beside me and takes my hand in hers.
"I forgot to arrange a hairdresser for tomorrow and it's not like I can just walk into a salon and ask for it to be done, can I?" I sob.
"Oh Ana, don't cry, listen, it's a long time since I tried these things but I used to do hairdressing so why don't we have a go at some styles and see what you think?" she suggests.
"Really?" I gaze in amazement at her as she hands me a tissue.
"Of course, now why don't you get me your hot brush, hair brush, some clips, pins and a mirror and we can see if we find anything you like" her calmness is so soothing. I rush to the bedroom and come back with everything Gail asked for.
"So do you want your hair up or down?" she asks.
"I think I would like it up but I am not sure" I admit.
"Don't worry Ana, we will find something. Let's try a few things to see if you like them" she begins by taking my hair out of the band holding it in a ponytail and then brushes it out before using the hot brush to produce ringlets at the sides whilst sweeping the rest into a chignon but we both pull a face at that style before laughing and saying we must be on the same wave length when it comes to my hair styles.
We spend an hour or so just trying different things before we finally hit on the right style.
"Thank you so much Gail, will you please do this again tomorrow?" I plead.
"It would be my pleasure" come's the reply and another tear escapes, rolling down my cheek and dropping off the side of my face onto my t-shirt.
I throw my arms around her and squeeze tight, I feel overwhelmed at her willingness to help in any way she can.
"Now, stop those tears, why don't you relax and I will bring in a light snack and a drink for us both and see if you have all the other things covered" she gently pushes me toward the sofa.
Approximately ten minutes later she comes back with a tray of chopped fruit, some Crue De Te and two cups of tea. We spend the next half an hour discussing make up, flowers and the rings. I feel a lot better and much more re assured after talking to Gail, I have remembered everything else…..except DAD!
Oh my goodness, he is flying in today at 4pm and its 3pm already. Gail signals she will prepare Taylor while I freshen up in the bathroom, put on my shoes and jacket, grab my purse and keys just as Taylor exits the elevator and tells me he is ready to go when I am ready.
Traffic is horrendous, a fender bender and a broken down semi add to the chaos, Dads flight will have landed and he's probably heading toward luggage collection. I hope he doesn't think we have forgotten him and I hastily dial his mobile. It goes straight to voicemail so I am hoping he picks up the message I leave.
Ten minutes later my phone rings and to my relief it's Dad.
"Hi Dad, I see you got my message" I say brightly.
"Hello sweetheart, yes I did, don't rush here, I will find a restaurant and have something decent to eat and drink, I will text you where I am, ok?" it's so good to hear his voice.
"Sure Dad, enjoy your food and see you soon" I extoll.
"Will do sweetie, bye" he says before the line goes quiet.
"How long before we are at the airport do you think?" I ask Taylor.
"At this rate I would say 30-45 minutes Miss Steele" I smile at his reference to me.
"Thank you" I reply and sit quietly, lost in my thoughts until Taylor's voice filters in to say we have arrived at the airport short stay parking lot.
I check my phone and see Dad is eating at Macdonald's and I let out a chuckle, Macdonald's wasn't my first choice for Dad to eat but perhaps everywhere is busy. Taylor and I walk into the terminal toward Macdonald's and I see Dad drinking coffee facing the door so he could see me coming.
He gets up, grabs his overnight bag and comes rushing over.
"Hey, look at you! You look wonderful sweetie" he compliments me as always. I am sure he would say I looked good wearing a trash bag.
"Thank you Daddy, you look great too" I return "You remember Taylor?"
"Hello Taylor"
"Hello Mr Steele, good to see you again" Taylor says "Shall we get going in case the traffic is still bad?"
"Of course, let's go" I slip my arm through Ray's and we walk back to the car. Dad and I chat away on the way back to Escala. I ask about Angie and how she is coping after losing her sister and Dad checks on Mom but he kind of knows the answer before asking. We talk a little about the babies and the wedding tomorrow, I know he is curious as to why now and in such a hurry.
"I just feel it's the right thing to do for the babies Dad, I don't know if that makes sense to you? It's a commitment to have children and I feel that getting married is our commitment to each other and them. Does that make sense?" I ask him.
"I know what you are trying to say sweetie" he leans over and kisses my cheek.
Christian is home when we get back, he and Dad greet each other with a warm smile and handshake.
"Good to see you again Ray; thanks for coming. It's very important to Ana and me that you have come to share our afternoon" awe bless, I could kiss Christian right now.
"My pleasure Christian, I wouldn't miss seeing my baby girl tying the knot" Dad beams.
"You are going to give me away though?" I glance nervously at Dad.
"Oh of course Ana, I just wasn't sure if that was part of the ceremony?" he says.
"Well the walk is not as long as in a church but still would like you too Dad" I tell him and he nods in agreement before we hug again.
"Have you eaten Ray?" Christian asks.
"If you can call Macdonald's eating then yes but I wouldn't say no to something a little less burger in it" and we all chuckle.
"Mrs Jones has prepared some Cajun Pork Sausage Stew for dinner if you would like to join us" Christian offers.
"Sounds delicious, count me in" Dad says with a hearty laugh that sets us off chuckling.
Over dinner we tell Dad the plan for tomorrow, about going to SIP for a last chat with my staff before my maternity leave starts and then heading down to Grace and Carrick's for a few days once we change clothes and pick up our overnight bags from Escala.
"I am sorry I can't stay for longer sweetheart but Angie's Niece is getting married on Saturday afternoon, we had already said we would both go and I don't like letting anyone down" he looks a little sad.
"It's ok Dad, we will have a proper party after the babies are born with more notice so we can arrange more time together" I reassure him.
"Yes more notice would be good" he smiles "but the other thing is I don't know what to give you as a gift, well I have an idea but couldn't get it sorted in time"
"Don't worry Dad" I say "it will be perfect whatever you choose"
"Scotch, Ray?" Christian asks "same one as last time"
"Ooh don't mind if I do" Dad's eyes light up, he was rather keen on that one the last time he came here.
"Let's go somewhere a little more comfy, shall we?" I prompt.
I start to clear the dishes but Gail ushers me away to go and join Christian and Dad despite my protests to help. I pour a glass of orange juice and go into the lounge. Dad and Christian are chatting away about everything and anything, the alcohol beginning to lighten them both up.
I put my feet up and revel in the relationship Christian is building with my Dad and feel a little saddened that Mom can't try the same as he does. I love my Mom but she has all the sensitivity of a muddy boot on a cream carpet and has the knack of making her problems seem ten times worse than anyone else's. Christian catches me and asks
"Hey baby, why the sad face?"
"I was just thinking it is a shame Mom can't be here, sitting with us, laughing and talking about the future" I admit, Christian kisses the back of my hand and Dad looks lost in thought before looking at me with a consolation smile.
Bedtime comes around quickly, I excuse myself but tell them to take their time and go to bed dreaming of becoming Mrs Christian Grey tomorrow afternoon.
"What do you mean he is not here yet? He is supposed to be here before me!"
"I am sorry Ana, he is not coming" she says
"What do you mean not coming?" I ask.
"He says he doesn't want marriage or a long term commitment and two children" she says.
"But that can't be true! Why would we get this far and then him not come? I don't understand" I sob.
"He said he will support you and the babies but just can't be in your life" she says.
"I am just passing on the message Ana, I haven't seen Mr Grey; I just received a faxed message" Marianne looks saddened.
"This is not happening, where's Kate?"
"She can't come either I am afraid"
"What! I need her here now" I sob harder, tears falling onto my wedding outfit.
"I am sorry Miss Steele but the time has passed for your ceremony so I have to ask you to leave as the next wedding party is waiting" Marianne ushers me toward the door.
"No, no, NO!" I shout.
"ANA, ANA baby wake up, WAKE UP!" A man's voice filters through, it's Christian I think but I thought he didn't want me anymore?
"What's made you shout and cry baby?" hmm definitely Christian, I reach my hand out to touch his face and realize it is actually him.
"Is it really you Christian?" I ask.
"That's a funny question, of course it's me" he replies.
"Help me up" I ask as sitting up unaided is no longer possible "You didn't come to the wedding, you said you didn't want me anymore"
"What?" he says "baby it's Friday morning, the ceremony isn't until this afternoon, you were dreaming"
I slump back and quietly sob; it felt so real and horrible.
"Come on now, stop crying please baby, you don't want puffy red eyes for our wedding pictures do you?" he chuckles and manages to provoke a smile from my lips.
"Why do I keep dreaming these horrible dreams?" I ask
"I don't know baby, stress perhaps?" he suggests
"Maybe, but just so I am clear, you are definitely coming this afternoon?" I poke my tongue out at him.
"I am not going to dignify that question with an answer except…."
The pillow fight lasts for approximately 5 minutes until the downy pillow explodes over Christians head giving him the appearance of a semi plucked turkey which renders me unable to move through laughing so hard. I get myself under control long enough to 'pluck' a few feathers from his hair before losing control again. Christian grabs a handful of feathers and throws them up in the air; they flutter down over the two of us while we share a passionate embrace…
"Of course I will be there, I love you; wild horses couldn't keep me from marrying you Ana"…
A/N Thank you for your support.