Ok, so not how I wanted to wake up but after a shower and some breakfast I feel in control again. I don't have to rush to get ready as it is only 7.30am and we estimated we would have to leave at 1pm allowing some extra time for traffic being a Friday. Dad joins me at the breakfast bar.
"Morning Dad, sleep well?"
"Very good actually, that bed is most comfortable, I am tempted to buy one for home" he laughs.
"Breakfast? Ray" Gail offers him some cereal, toast or eggs, bacon and hash browns. I see his eyes light up and he nods when a cooked breakfast is mentioned.
"Where's Christian?"
Gail tells me Christian is in the office and has already eaten.
"He mentioned something about calling his parents and Elliot, probably to make sure they know the drill" we smile at each other.
"Is there anything you need me to do this morning sweetheart?" Dad asks.
"I don't think so but I do need you to make sure that all the men get there button hole flower when we get to the Civic Offices if that's alright?" I say to him.
"Consider it done and something else for you to stop thinking about" I kiss his cheek.
"What time shall I start your hair Ana? I estimate it will take me 30-40 minutes to do" Gail states "I would say no later than eleven just in case"
"That sounds good and right now it's what 8.30am? So I am going to chill out to some music in my room for a little while. You'll be ok Dad?"
"Of course, I have Gail for company but then I must go, get ready, brush my hair; powder my nose" he teases.
Gail and I both scoff playfully at his words before they both usher me away. I lean up against the headboard with my eyes shut listening to very beautiful soft and soothing tunes, only once letting myself worry about today before I silently scold myself into not being silly, it will all be fine.
I glance at the clock and am surprised to see it is 10am already. I walk over to my dresser, pull my hair into a pony tail and begin moisturising my face, once that is done I apply a layer of nail polish in pink and wait for a few minutes for both to dry, hmm another layer of nail polish should do it. A little foundation and concealer evens out my tone, add a splash of blusher, some eye shadow in pale pink with a hint of sparkles. I look at myself in the mirror to make sure I have applied evenly before continuing with eyeliner and mascara, not too much needed and then some lip liner and lipstick to complete me.
I undress and put on the sexiest lingerie I could find and fit into and wrap up in a bath robe before heading out to see Gail for her to do my hair.
I spot Christian in the kitchen talking to Gail and Dad.
"I am not coming over until you go away Christian" Oops, that didn't sound as I meant it too.
"Charming!" comes the response.
"I meant it's unlucky to see the bride on the day of the wedding" I gabble out.
"But Ana, I have already seen you this morning so that voids your statement" he chuckles with Dad.
"I MEAN, I don't want you to see me dressed up before we get to the Offices, I want to be a surprise" oh I am just not communicating well this morning.
"You are always a surprise to me baby" comes the response and I feel like really yelling right now.
"You know what I mean, please don't wind me up this morning" I plead.
"Ok, Ok I know when I am not wanted so I will go back to the office but I will need to leave in a little over an hour" he states.
"That's fine, I will be back in our room by then" I say before adding "Love you"
"Love you too soon to be Mrs Grey"
Gail hurries over and gives me the all clear to come out; I sit on a chair in the kitchen while Gail works her magic with my hair. Taylor comes into the apartment a few minutes later with some boxes and it takes me a moment to realise it's the flowers.
They are beautiful, I check all the flowers and it's exactly as I wanted, Gail reminds me of the time and I sit for her to finish and finally fixing the flower into my hair. I stand up to glance in the mirror and I am literally knocked sideways by how stunning my hair looks.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Gail, its perfect" I fling my arms around her.
"You look beautiful Ana, it's my pleasure but now you must go back to your bedroom as Taylor will be here to get Christian in a moment. At that moment Taylor comes into the room in a suit and tie, I mean I see him every day in a suit and tie but he looks different today and I smile to myself when I see Gail checking him out.
"You look really handsome Taylor" I blush as I say it and he turns crimson and coughs….
"Thank you Miss Steele; is Christian ready?" he asks still embarrassed.
"I am not sure but I am going to retreat out of sight so he doesn't catch a glimpse of me" I say as Taylor follows me toward the office and I disappear in to the bedroom to put on my dress. I hear voices as Christian and Taylor are leaving so I can move around freely again.
I slip my dress on carefully so as not to disturb my hair or makeup and spend a few moments just adjusting and checking how the dress is sitting over my bump. When I feel happy I go out to the kitchen where Dad and Gail are chatting with a cup of tea in hand.
I see Dad lower his mug slowly as I walk toward him and I think I see him welling up before coughing and coming over to where I have stopped.
"Ana sweetheart, you are truly beautiful, I want to hug you but I am scared I might crumple your dress" he says with a smile.
"Oh Ana, so lovely, you look perfect" Gail dabs her eyes with a hankie.
"I look ok?" I seem surprised by their reaction.
"Perfect" Gail repeats.
"I am so proud of you sweetie" Dad gently hugs me and I feel myself tearing up.
"Thank you Dad, thank you Gail, I am so glad you are both here" I sniff another tear back.
"Right, let's just complete you by putting the flowers in your hair Ana" Gail picks up the box and I sit down on the chair for easier access.
"Dad, don't forget your button hole flower!" I spot he hasn't got it in place yet.
"I'm doing it now sweetie" He fixes it in place.
"It's a long time since I have seen you in a suit Dad" I say.
"Long time since I have needed to wear one" comes the reply.
I check my hair and the small flowers have just enhanced my hair and face and I am really pleased with the choice.
"I have to go now Ana, Taylor will drop me off and come back to pick you and Ray up" Gail waves as she closes the door behind her leaving Dad and I alone for the first time. I feel as if I should be saying so much to Dad, thanking him for being there for me when I was little and now as well. For all the advice he gave me as a teenager in love and in angst. For the help with my studies, which career paths were possible and for his love. I want to apologize for my tantrums and troubles, for being mean and hurtful at times and mostly for my Mom, for how she was with him, how she hurt him and made him leave.
"Ana, a penny for your thoughts" Dads voice pulls me back.
"I feel I should be saying so much to you right now Dad but the words I have don't seem enough for everything you have done for me. I will say thank you and I love you" I have to stop there otherwise I will have to redo my makeup and Dad is swallowing hard to stop himself tearing up too.
"Sweet Ana, my being here with you today to give you away as my daughter is enough. I am the richest man in the world to have a daughter like you who even though she knew I wasn't her real father still accepted me and needed me as a father. As much as your mother and I couldn't stay together, I will be forever grateful to her for bringing you into my life and even when we divorced she didn't make things difficult for me to continue to see you"
I smile at how gracious my Dad is towards Mom for things even though I think she was pretty awful to him at times. Our conversation however is interrupted by Taylor coming back into the apartment.
"You look beautiful Miss Steele; Mr Grey is a very lucky man. Are you ready to go?" he smiles.
Dad and I nod together. "However, it appears the few die hard press people have possibly latched onto what's happening today so quickly and no comment, ok?"
"Oh fantastic" I sigh "ok quickly and quietly" as we walk out of the door. As we walk toward the exit I can see a small gathering of photographers.
"Wait just a moment" Taylor holds his hand up. We stop for a moment, Taylor returns with a lightweight but long coat to cover my dress with.
"We don't want anyone else to see the bride before the groom now do we?" bless Taylor.
Dad and Taylor gently cover me from the neck down and we steadily make our way to the car. I carefully get in ignoring the photographers shouting questions and clicking their camera's at us. Taylor smoothly pulls away and I look back at Escala for the last time as Miss Steele and will be returning as Mrs Christian Grey. The realisation hits me and the biggest smile lights up my face.
The traffic is heavy but we have left enough time even with this delay but I still grab Dad's hand and give it a squeeze, I get a reassuring squeeze back.
After what seems like forever we pull up outside the Civic Offices where a slightly larger throng of reporters have gathered. Taylor gets out after insisting we stay in the car until he signals. I see Sawyer, Peters and another man I don't think I have met before, stand together deep in discussion. Peters and The other go and stand in front of the reporters, Sawyer stands with Dad and Taylor opens the door for me to get out, Sawyer brings Dad around, he takes my arm protectively and we are flanked by Sawyer and Peters as we enter the building. Peters comes in after and the other man see's to the car. We all enter the elevator and head for the 3rd floor.
"You look lovely Miss Steele" comments Sawyer
"Thank you Sawyer" I smile.
The elevator comes to a stop and the doors open, Sawyer and Peters do a sweep of the corridor before we get out. It's all clear so Taylor walks ahead to the room to tell them we have arrived and because he is part of the wedding party. I loop my arm through Dad's again and we walk slowly towards the room. Sawyer and Peters stay a respectful distance behind and they are to stay outside the door ready for us to exit after the service.
We arrive at the door, turn to face it
"Are you ready sweetheart?" Dad says
I pause to take a deep breath to steady the nerves that have suddenly appeared
"Yes Dad, let's go in"
A/N: Yep. I may post a bonus wedding chapter for the weekend. Also a lot of people have made comment about CG's character. I have plans for him in later chapters along with plot lines so for people who think he is cold or not really loving... give him a chance. I can't really say much w/o giving away the plot. Just stay tuned.