Chapter 19: Rehearse this!
Everyone was on pins and needles. This would be the first time that Ana and Christian would be together since she married Gideon Cross. Grace was so nervous that she chewed the skin from around her forefinger causing it to bleed and needed a band-aid. Kate made Elliot have a little talk with Christian about behaving and not ruining their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Ana stood with Mia and Kate talking as the wedding planner was placing people where they would be sitting for the ceremony. She asked for the Father-of-the-Bride to go to the back of the church and wait with the Bride.
"Places everyone." The Planner said. The Minister led Elliot and his groomsmen from a smaller room off the ballroom where they waited. The mothers were seated by the ushers and the music was cued. The sound of Bach's Air on G filled the ballroom that was turned into a wedding chapel. The first bridesmaid started down the aisle then after a count of eight Mia followed. Ana counted her eight then she started down the aisle. She kept her eyes on Gideon who sat on the Bride's side. Her smile radiated warmth that everyone could feel. Grace leaned over to Carrick whispering how beautiful their Ana was and that she looked happy with her new husband. When Ana reached her spot the music changed to the Wedding March and Kate with her Father started the walk down the aisle. Kate's eyes were locked on Elliot's. They smiled shyly at each other which made Ana laugh because they were basically living together.
Ana barely heard the rest of the rehearsal. Her thoughts were on Gideon, Tiffanie, and Christian. She knew she should put it out of her head because that was the past, but she wondered if Gideon was truly done with the lifestyle. Did he want that with her? Would he want to take her to those clubs? She stared through the minister as he explained the ceremony then her eyes was caught by grey eyes. Christian was staring at her like she was filet mignon and he was a very hungry man. Ana turned enough to catch a glimpse of Gideon who was watching her then his eyes shifted to Christian. She could tell by the way Gideon's jaw was twitching that he was angry. She looked up praying that this minister would hurry the hell up. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah. For over twenty minutes this man went on about the ceremony. Finally, it was over and the exit procession was to begin.
The Minister was smiling. "Now, after the kiss, I will announce the couple…Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Grey…at this time, the Matron of Honor will hand the Bride her bouquet, and the Bride and Groom will walk down the aisle with the music playing." He looked up and cued the musicians. The music began and Elliot hooked his arm with Kate's and they started down the aisle. "When the Bride and Groom have left the chapel, then the Matron of Honor and Best Man will follow with the rest of the party following." The Minister motioned Ana and Christian together. He offered his arm which she took. She refused to look at him as they made their way down the aisle. Ana also refused to look at her husband and kept her eyes toward the back of the room. When she crossed the threshold, Ana let go of Christian and moved away from him as fast as she could. Kate took Ana's hand and pulled her close.
"Are you alright?" The Bride-to-be asked worried.
"It's nothing, Kate. Gideon and I had a little tense discussion thanks to Christian." Ana waved it away as if it was nothing. She then smiled at her friend. "You are going to be a beautiful bride."
"Ana, you look a little pale. Are you feeling alright?" Kate raised her hand to feel Ana's forehead just as Ana fainted at her feet. "Oh, my God! Ana!"
Both Christian and Elliot raced to Ana. They were moved aside by a dark haired man who picked up his wife easily and carried her back into the ballroom. "Dr. Grey, please?" Gideon called out.
Grace was quick to get to Ana. She noticed how pale the girl was. "What happened? Put her down on the floor for now."
"She fainted." Kate said. She was worried that Ana had gotten stressed over being the Matron of Honor and being paired up with Christian.
"Ana." Grace said giving the girl firm pats on her cheeks. "Honey, wake up."
Ana slowly regained consciousness. She looked up into the warm caramel eyes of Grace Grey. "What happened?"
"You fainted, sweetheart. Now, just stay put until you feel a little bit better. Do you feel dizzy or sick?"
"I feel sick to my stomach." Ana whispered.
Grace gave her a reassuring smile. "I think we should take you to the hospital."
"No, I don't want to ruin Kate and Elliot's rehearsal dinner." She slowly got up but her head was spinning. She looked up to see her husband looking very worried. "Gideon can take me."
The ER was busy for a Friday night. Gideon and Ana waited for almost an hour before a Doctor could see her. She was probed and prodded for a few minutes then asked to give a urine sample. A few minutes later the Doctor came back smiling. "Mrs. Cross, you are pregnant."
Ana fainted again.
Gideon had been smiling ever since the ER doctor told them that they were having a baby. He held Ana close to him as their driver took them to the Mile High Club to join the Rehearsal Dinner. Everyone gathered around Ana asking what was wrong. She only smiled and said exhaustion. She wasn't ready to tell anyone that she and Gideon were expecting. She was still trying to accept this news. A baby? It just didn't make sense. She never missed a shot.
Gideon was ready to yell their news from the rooftops, but Ana, who was only about nine weeks pregnant said that couples didn't tell anyone until they achieved twelve weeks of pregnancy. He stayed close to her side holding her close in case she fainted again.
Christian watched the couple closely. Ana still looked very pale but Gideon looked like he had won the lottery. He noticed how Gideon hovered around Ana never leaving her alone and always touching her. When champagne was offered to Ana she declined and asked for a glass of iced tea. There was something wrong with Ana and they were not saying.
Gideon decided that champagne wasn't enough for him. He wanted a shot of bourbon. He made his way to the bar leaving Ana with Kate and Elliot. As he took a sip, he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Christian Grey.
"Grey." Gideon said with a deep voice.
"Cross." Christian's voice was just as deep. "Is she going to be alright?"
"My wife is fine." Gideon said smiling.
"She's to pale and she's fainted. There is something wrong with her." Christian was doing his best to keep his temper.
"There is nothing wrong with my wife that won't be rectified in seven months." Gideon declared with a big smile across his swarthy face.
Fuck! She's knocked up! The motherfucker knocked up Ana! Christian wanted to punch the bastard but this wasn't the place. "Congratulations."
"Thank you. Try not to tell anyone, Ana says couples don't tell until the twelfth week, but I knew you would want to know since you have deep feelings for her." Gideon's smile didn't reach his eyes. He was making sure that Christian knew that Ana was truly his now. She was having his baby. She was having a Cross baby!
Christian took a deep breath and motioned for the bartender to refill Gideon's drink and to give him one also. "Leave the bottle, Leo." He said as he bolted down the fiery liquid. He poured another shot of bourbon. "I guess you win Ana, too." Christian said lowly. "Are you going to kill her like you did Tiffanie?"
Gideon slowly placed his glass on the bar. "I never touched Tiffanie in violence. I wasn't the one who like to beat her with a cane." He threw a fifty dollar bill on the bar to pay for his drink. "And, the next time you tell my wife anything about me, make sure it's the fucking truth, Grey."
Christian only smiled into his glass as Gideon walked away. He turned to see Ana walk into Gideon's arms and they hugged. Gideon bent down to whisper something into Ana's ear and they both laughed. Ana smiled up her husband with those flirty eyes that meant only one thing, Ana was ready for bed, but not for sleep. Her arm went around his waist and they walked out of the Mile High Club and Christian's heart was broken once again.