Chapter 28
CPOV
I have a plan for my proposal to Anastasia. I've purchased a ring and will be putting everything together for it. She wanted hearts and flowers and I hope this is it.
I call the florist. They are shocked by my order but because of the amount of money I am spending, they will have the delivery tomorrow afternoon.
The following day I leave work early without telling Ana. I put my plan in motion by picking up the ring from Cartier. Next, I need to arrange the flowers and put out candles.
After about 3 hours, everything is put together and my plan is in place. This is it - my moment of truth.
APOV
I thought it was strange Christian wasn't in the car when I was picked up but Taylor said Christian had something important to attend to. I get off the elevator and the table in the foyer has candles lit and an envelope.
I get closer and the envelope has my name hand-written on the front. I have no clue what this is but I excitedly open it.
It is all in black and white
I move with sound and might
The key is sing on sight
The prize here does alight
Oh, a riddle. How fun! I read the clue a couple of times but I am pretty sure the answer is a piano. I wonder if it's some scavenger hunt.
I head to the piano and find another envelope. Inside it says:
A site of work and getting things done
Of piles of paper and not much fun
In the clash of desk and of chair
You will find the secret there
I read it a couple of times. That must be Christian's office. I feel strange going in there without him. I get to the room and the door is slightly open. I go into the room and head to his desk. The only thing on it is another envelope with my name. Another clue!
A pile of words
Jackets of hordes
Take a quick look
In the place of the book
I make my way to the library. The lights are off but there are a few lit candles to give it a subtle glow. I turn the lights on and am enchanted by what I am greeted with.
Wildflowers, there are wildflowers all over the room. It looks and smells as if I am in a beautiful garden. I have never seen anything like this. I am walking through the room looking at all the flowers and I see another envelope with my name on it.
This must be another clue. I open the envelope. It simply has one quote from Pride and Prejudice in it and nothing else.
"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
Just as I read the note, Christian walks into the room. His eyes are glowing beautifully and he looks… apprehensive.
I look at him and smile. He is so handsome.
He walks to me holding on to something. Suddenly, he bends down onto one knee. "Anastasia Steele. I love you. I want to love, cherish, and protect you for the rest of my life. Be mine. Always. Share my life with me. Marry me."
Oh my God. Christian just proposed to me. Is this for real? This is the man I love and he just asked me to marry him.
"Yes. Yes, Christian. I will marry you." I don't realize I am even crying until Christian stands up and gives me a gentle kiss and wipes my tears away with his thumbs.
"Really? You'll marry me?" Here is the broken man who is so unsure of his place in the world and who doesn't believe he is worthy of someone marrying him.
"Yes, Christian. I love you." He picks me up and swings me around.
"I am the happiest man in the entire universe right now!" His laughter and happiness are contagious and I start to laugh with him. He slips the beautiful engagement ring on my finger. The ring itself is exquisite. It has a vintage look to it and I know it is well made but at the same time it isn't ostentatious. I admire it for a few moments. "Do you like it?"
"I love it, Christian. You know, you once told me you didn't do hearts and flowers but you are one, big, fat liar." I kiss his nose as he still swings me around in his arms.
"I didn't. Until you…" He sets me down. "I have one more thing for you, Ana."
"There's more? This is already so wonderful." He gives me a box and inside of it is a beautiful bracelet engraved with, "You have bewitched me body and soul and I love, I love, I love you."
"Christian, you are definitely my Mr. Darcy. And, I love you for it."
"Well, you are my Lizzie Bennett and I did have to fight for you, however, you are well worth it."
Christian reaches behind one of the chairs and takes out a bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes. He opens the champagne with ease and pours us each a glass.
"To us, Anastasia Rose Steele."
"To us, Christian Trevelyan Grey."
"There's one more thing…" We go to walk out of the library and standing there is Ray, my mom, Bob, Grace, Carrick, Elliot, Kate, and Mia. I start crying once again. And run to hug each of them. "I wanted our family to share this moment with us."
Ray gives me a kiss on the cheek and whispers in my ear, "Congratulations, Annie. You're going to make one hell of a wife." I give him a huge hug. "Thank you, Daddy."
Grace hugs me next, "Welcome to the family, darling. And thank you for bringing Christian to life. You make him and us so happy."
I feel like I am dreaming. How did he do all this? Of course… he's Christian. "Oh, baby girl. I'm so happy for you." My mom is emotional as she hugs me.
Kate practically jumps me. "Ana! I'm so happy for you! If you had told me a year ago this would be happening I wouldn't have believed you!"
I'm laughing through tears of happiness. "Neither would I!"
Mia is jumping up and down with excitement. "This was so romantic! It should be a movie or something."
Christian reappears from the kitchen with more champagne and flutes. He passes champagne to everyone. "Thank you all for being here on such short notice. I just couldn't wait any longer. And I am happy to be sharing this special moment with family." At that moment he looks to Kate and gives her a smile. That is definitely a breakthrough.
Mia goes up to Christian and gives him a hug. "When are you going to have the wedding?"
Christian smiles and then gives her an eye roll and feigns exasperation. "Mia, I've just asked her. Plus, I want to have this little secret just for us before it becomes public."
We spend the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and sharing stories. The Greys head home and Ray, Mom, and Dad head to the Fairmont Olympic where Christian got them rooms. As the last of our guests leave, I look over at Christian. I don't think he stopped smiling all night. It is so good to see him like this.
"Christian, how did you do this?" He looks at me and gives me a wink.
"A magician never gives away his secrets." He turns to me, leans down, and kisses me lovingly, pouring all his love into this one act. His lips are soft and his arms are strong, holding me. This man will hold me in his arms forever. I am his and he is mine.
