(*Humming, here comes the bride.*) Here's the proposal!
Inside the house. After Christian and Anastasia walk outside.
No POV
"What are those two doing? We're leaving soon." Grandmother Trevelyan asks Grace.
"Christian is going to ask Ana to marry him!" Mia shouts, unable to contain what she knows any longer, now that Ana's safely outside with Christian.
"What?!" Kate yells, shocked.
"Really?" Elliot asks, excited.
"Already?" Carrick asks, concerned.
"Yes. He's asking Ana, tonight. Right now, I presume. He called me this morning, to help him set up the boathouse for them. He's taking her out there to ask her." Grace tells everyone. "It looks breathtaking out there, I must say."
"Oh, how wonderful." Grandmother Trevelyan gushes. "Theo, we'll have to wait until the kids are back. I don't think I could sleep tonight without knowing her answer."
"Whatever you say m'dear." Grandfather Trevelyan says to his wife, getting comfortable on the chair he's sitting on.
Everyone sits around impatiently waiting for their return. Mia and Kate can barely contain their curiosity. It's not long until Mia gets up and walks out of the room. She goes into the kitchen and looks out the window towards the boathouse. She sees a faint, barely there, glow, coming from the boathouse. Kate, soon joins her. They are waiting and watching nothing. Grace and Grandmother Trevelyan come in next. They don't see anything more than Mia and Kate did.
"Do you think he's asked her yet?" Grandmother Trevelyan asks, nobody in general.
"I'm not sure." Mia answers.
"They've been out there quite awhile." Grace points out.
"Do you think she'll say yes?" Grandmother Trevelyan asks the group. They all turn as one, to look at her best friend, Kate.
Kate looks back at all them. "I honestly don't know." She says, shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders.
They all look back out the window, watching and waiting.
"You know they're probably out there fu- ah, I mean, they're probably being intimate with one another and if you guys don't stop starring, you'll probably see something you don't want to see." Elliot says, walking in to see all the women in his life huddled together, looking out the window at the boathouse.
"Elliot!" All the women chastise him. Again.
"Perhaps, she said no." Carrick chimes in. Coming in behind his father in-law. "It is rather sudden."
"Shhhh!" He gets hushed and waved away.
"How long does it take this boy to pop the question? 'Will you? Yes or no.' Bam, you're done. Someone go check on them." Grandfather Trevelyan says, getting as impatient as the ladies.
Nobody moves. Still watching. Still waiting. Still nothing.
After awhile longer of waiting, Carrick gets restless and leaves the kitchen. Grandfather Trevelyan follows. Elliot opens the refrigerator and starts snacking on food. All the women can't take their eyes away from the boathouse.
"What do you think they're doing? It's been couple hours." Mia asks the group.
"I told you." Elliot says with a mouth full of food. "If she said yes, Christian's getting lucky. Of course, if she said no, he's probably tied her up and wont let her leave until she agrees." He continues to eat.
"They're coming!" Kate and Mia shout, excited to see them.
"I bet they are." Elliot laughs.
"Elliot!" The ladies, once again, scold Elliot.
They watch the couple walking towards the house. Looking for any signs, any clue to what her answer was. It's too dark to see their faces and as they walk closer to the house, the ladies scatter and rush to the main sitting room, where Carrick and Grandfather Trevelyan are waiting.
"What's going on?"
"They're coming back."
"Elliot!" Mia yells, he's still eating in the kitchen.
"Yeah, yeah! I'll be right there." He takes one last bite and puts the food away. Then walks into the sitting room with everyone else.
They hear the kitchen door open and footsteps coming down the hall. All the ladies start fidgeting and getting excited with the anticipation of her answer. They quickly find something to do, that makes it seem they weren't spying and don't know what Christian and Ana were up to in the boathouse. They don't fool anyone. The couple stands in the entryway of the great room. Elliot says something that causes the women to look at the couple. They all look to Ana's left hand but don't see anything. Then to their impassive faces.
"Well?!" Mia shouts.
APOV
"Take a walk with me." He whispers in my ear.
I nod and take his hand, getting up to follow him. I hear Mia let out a tiny squeal and when I look in her direction to see what she's excited about, I see Grace quietly reprimanding her. They are both beaming blinding smiles. Christian scowls at them. I giggle. I wonder what they're talking about. Must be interesting.
We walk outside and I take my heels off, so I can walk along Christian in the grass. We walk down by the water, holding hands. It's so beautiful on the sound. It's quiet. The wind blows my hair and I tuck it behind my ear. We're getting further and further from the house. They live on a huge property.
"Anastasia." Christian says my name, getting my attention. I look at him as we walk. "I don't know much about relationships. (Neither do I.) I was never a hearts and flowers kind of man. I didn't do romance."
We reach a boathouse and he leads us inside and up the stairs. I want to ask, what he's going on about. Is he saying he doesn't want this anymore? Is he breaking up with me? I'm too afraid to ask. When he opens the door there are thousands of flameless candles and white Christmas lights, around the room. With white and pink rose pedals everywhere. I'm looking around the room in awe. Didn't do romance huh? I turn around and smile at him. He comes to stand in front of me. He puts a hand on my neck, his fingers, just behind my ear, his thumb in front. His other hand on my hip. He's looking so deep into my eyes.
"With you, I'm different. I feel like I've come alive since I met you. I want more. I want to be more. You have my heart and I would gladly give you all the flowers in the world just to see your beautiful smile everyday. I don't know what you're doing to me. Whatever it is. Please don't stop. I want you to be mine. Only mine. Forever. I'll regret this for the rest of my life if I don't ask you right now. Because I know in my heart. You're the only one for me."
He gets down on one knee and pulls a small box from his jacket pocket. I gasp. My eyes widen and my heart races. Oh my god! Oh my god!
"Anastasia. I've finally found the one person I want to spend the rest of my life with." He opens the box, revealing a beautiful diamond ring. My mouth drops open. He takes the ring out, holding it up and holds my hand. "Will you marry me?"
Oh my god! I cover my mouth with one hand. I would use both, but Christian has got a vice like grip on my left hand.
"Christian, are you sure? Because if you're not we can just go back inside."
He stands, still not releasing my hand. Probably afraid I'll run. I'm afraid I'll run. Marriage?!
"Baby-"
I cut him off. "Christian this has all been so fast. I need time to think this through. It's not a no but it's not a yes, either. I mean, I'm unable to give you BDSM. You've done that for years! I feel inadequate, that I'm unable to do that for you. Who's to say that one day you wont meet someone who likes doing what you do? And who's to say you wont fall for her? Someone much better suited for you. For your lifestyles. Your rich and kinky lifestyles. I can't be what you need. I'm not what you want." I shake my head, looking down, with tears in my eyes.
The thought of Christian with anyone else, sickens me.
He tilts my chin up with his free hand, still holding onto my left with his other, causing me to look into his eyes.
"You are everything I want. I don't need that. I need you. Anastasia, I have known several women who like doing what I do. None of them appealed to me the way you do. I've never had an emotional connection with any of them. Only you. It's only been you, Anastasia. And it will continue to always, only be you, baby."
"Because you never gave any of them a chance. It's always been a strictly Dom/Sub relationship. You don't want to marry me, Christian. I'm too damaged."
"So am I. I'm fifty shades of fucked-up."
"Don't. Don't say that." It hurts to hear him say that about himself.
"Then you don't, Anastasia. Why are you fighting this? What are you afraid of?"
I shake my head. He holds my head with both his hands, looking deep into my eyes. All I see in them, is the love this man has for me.
"Anastasia Rose Steele. I am completely and utterly in love with you. I fall more in love with you every single day. I love you more than I ever thought was possible. I know you feel the same. I want to love, cherish, and protect you for the rest of my life. Be mine. Always. Share my life with me. Say yes. Marry me." He says wholeheartedly.
"Okay." I whisper. Tears running down my face.
"Okay?" I've shocked him. "You'll marry me?" He asks unbelieving, looking stunned. I nod. "Say it." He slowly smiles a breathtaking smile.
"Yes." I whisper, smiling. "Yes! I will marry you!" I yell, grinning. He grins back, picking me up and spinning me around. We laugh. And I wrap my arms around his neck. He puts me back down and kisses me.
"I love you, Anastasia."
"I love you, Christian."
He kisses me again, this time more passionately and we end up on the floor. He reaches up my dress and grabs my panties from my hips pulling them off. He really didn't need to do that. Then he takes off my dress. He kneels up removing his shirt, then his pants and boxer briefs. He settles between my open legs and rubs his nose along mine. Kissing me again he slowly eases into me inch by deliciously incredible inch. It feels amazing, per usual. I arch my back and close my eyes. Christian kisses my neck, my jaw, my mouth, as he eases back and slowly thrusts into me again.
"Faster, Christian." I say breathlessly, wanting more.
"Oh no, baby. We're going to make love, this time." He kisses me sweetly and continues his slow, loving pace.
I meet his slow thrusts. It's so sweet and tender. Love making. I put my arms around him, holding him to me. He leans on his elbows and holds my head between his hands kissing me. I kiss him back. This beautiful man, who loves me, as I love him. My body climbs higher and higher. And soon I come around him, moaning my release.
"Ana." Christian breaths out my name into my mouth, as he lets go. Coming with me.
I can't believe it. Christian asked me to marry him. He wants me, forever. And I him. I will always be his and he will always be mine.
We are laying on the boathouse floor, wrapped in a blanket, cuddling naked in each others arms. Christian has one arm bent behind his head and I'm laying on his chest. He's rubbing my arm with his other hand. I'm playing with his happy trail. Christian kisses my head and reaches over. In his hand is the ring box. He opens and it's empty. I giggle.
"Shit, I forgot I took it out." He reaches for his pants and pulls the ring out of the pocket. "Anastasia. Will you be wife?"
I act as if I'm considering it, with my finger to my chin, even letting out a 'hmmm'. He narrows his eyes at me. "Yes. I will."
He slides the ring on my finger and brings it to his mouth kissing it.
"Soon you'll be mine."
"I already am."
"Legally. Mrs. Grey."
I smile a wide ecstatic smile at him. "I like that. Ana Grey. Anastasia Rose Grey."
"I love it. Mrs. Anastasia Grey. As I you."
After a long stretch of silence, Christian starts with wedding talk.
"Can we marry tomorrow?" He asks in a serious tone. I look up at him.
"Tomorrow?" Tomorrow?!
"Is that a yes?" He sounds hopeful.
"Um. That's a little soon, don't you think?"
"So that's a no?" He frowns. I lift my head to look at him, my chin resting on his chest. "We could get married in Vegas?" He suggests as he put a loose piece of my hair behind my ear.
He's serious. "I don't think our parents would appreciate that, Christian."
"What do you want? A big wedding with all the trimmings? Vegas tomorrow?" He grins, wiggling his eyebrows.
I giggle. Seems he has the date picked out already. "No to Vegas. And, not big. I wouldn't want a huge wedding. I'd like just family and friends if that's alright. I'd like it to be intimate. I don't want a bunch of people we don't even know there. Just our loved ones."
"Okay." He kisses me sweetly.
"What about you?" I ask.
"I want you. I want you to be my wife." He kisses my head.
I settle back and lay down against him again. He runs his hand up and down my bare back. The sheet wrapped around us covers his and my bottom, along with my top but my back and his chest are bare.
"Where do you want to get married?" I ask him.
"It doesn't matter, as long as you say I do and I get to kiss you as my wife." He kisses my head again.
"Could we do it here?" I ask him.
It's a very beautiful property. When I first saw this place, I thought of it as a castle in a fairytale. And the grounds are breathtaking. It would be so personal, getting married at his parents home.
"At my parents' house?"
"Yeah. It's very beautiful here. Would they mind?"
He snorts. "My mother would be in seventh heaven."
"Okay. We'll ask to be sure. But, here."
"Here." He kisses my head. "So we've established where, now the when. Since you don't want tomorrow." I giggle again.
"Can we have a long engagement? I mean, we've only been together for a month."
"No." He says serious. "A month. That's it. I want you too much to wait any longer."
"Christian you already have me. I'm already yours."
He pulls me closer. "Mine." He whispers and I can hear the emotion in his voice.
"We should probably get back inside. I'm sure everyone is wondering what we're doing. I'm surprised your grandparents haven't entered unannounced. Everyone else has, at one time or another." I giggle.
We get up and get dressed.
We walk back to the house, holding hands. I see, three or maybe four, I'm not sure could be more, bodies piled on top of each other in a window facing us. As we get closer they dissipate and run away from their lookout. I giggle.
"Does anyone know you planned to ask me?"
"My mother. She helped me set up the boathouse. That was my 'business' I had to take care of earlier today. I suspect she told my father and Mia. She might have told my grandmother, after we left for our 'walk'. And if Mia knows, everyone knows. They were all probably discussing it the whole time we were gone." He opens the door and we walk in.
We walk down the hall and into the main living area. Everyone of the girls are pretending to do something. Mia is looking at an upside down magazine. Kate is playing with her nails. Grace and Christian's grandmother are 'talking'. But, Carrick and Elliot are starring at us unashamed. Waiting.
"Dam-ang bro, what the hel-ah- heck were you two doing out there for hours?" I giggle at Elliot's attempt to cover his cursing in front of his mother and grandmother.
This causes all the ladies to give us their undivided attention. They all look at my left hand in unison. Although, this time, Christian is holding my hand so they can't see the huge diamond ring, I now wear.
"Well?!" Mia asks unable to wait any longer. Practically bouncing in her seat.
"Well, what?" Christian asks.
"Christian!" Grace, Mia, and Christian's grandmother yell.
He slowly smiles, it soon turns into his megawatt, full grin smile. I find myself doing the same.
Mia squeals, having figured it out. She jumps up. "She said yes?!"
"Yes. Anastasia has consented to be my wife. We're getting married!" He lifts my left hand that he's holding. Showing my ring.
There are squeals and hollers around the room. The men congratulate Christian and I am surrounded by the ladies.
"Let us see your ring!" I raise my left hand and they pull and tug passing my hand between them. I get gasps and oohs and aahs, they are all gushing over my ring. It really is very beautiful. Simple, yet extravagant.
After the congratulations settled down, the grandparents left. They only intended staying for dinner and planned on leaving shortly after having cake. However, they couldn't leave without hearing the news. I feel bad for having them stay longer just because Christian and I made love and cuddled after.
We're all in the main living area, discussing how he proposed. It really was, very sweet and romantic. Christian is sitting beside me with his arm around me.
"Mom, can we have the wedding here?"
"You want to get married here?" She looks between Christian and I with a dreamy look.
I smile and nod as Christian confirms. "Yes."
"Oh." She say, wiping away a tear. "Darling, that would be perfect. Of course, you can."
"When are you getting married? We have lots of planning to do?" Mia asks.
"July." Is all Christian says.
"Oh that's perfect. That will give us just over a year to pla-"
"A month."
Everyone's quiet and immediately stops what they are doing, after hearing Christian.
Finally, Mia says. "What?" Unbelieving.
"We're getting married next month. Four weeks. Not a year."
"A month?!" Kate and Mia squeal out together. Carrick looks worried and I don't think Grace knows what to think. Elliot looks to my stomach area.
"We can not get a wedding together in a month! That's unreasonable!" Mia shouts, like it's ridiculous.
"Why so soon, bro? Did ya knock her up?" If Grace wasn't in shock, I think she would have scolded Elliot. Although, I suspect she too, wants the answer to that question, without being the one to ask it.
"No." Christian growls out.
"Okay, next month. Let's let Christian and Ana discuss this more, in private before we all bring in our thoughts." Grace clamly settles everyone down, like the Mama she is.
We're just about to leave when Carrick asks to speak to Christian privately for a moment. Christian kisses my head and tells me he'll only be a moment. So I sit with Mia and Kate.
"Spill it, Steele. Why a month? Are you pregnant?" She whispers.
"No, Kate. Christian just doesn't want to wait. He'd fly us to Vegas this second, if I agreed and said he could."
"Really? But why the rush? You've only been together about a month, now you're marrying in a month?"
"We love each other."
"What do you think Ray will say?"
"I better call him now. Excuse me." I say and leave the room.
I walk out the front door so I have privacy when I tell my dad, Christian asked me to marry him and I said yes.
"Annie?"
I take a deep breath. "Hi daddy."
"Everything okay?"
"Yes. Everything's... great." There's silence between us. "Christian. He- he asked me to marry him."
"What did you say?"
"I said yes."
He's quiet for awhile and then begins. "You've not known him long, Annie. He's a nice, good guy, but so soon?"
"I know it's sudden and all, but... well. I love him. He loves me. He wants to marry me, and there will never be anyone else for me. He's the one I want to be with for the rest of my life."
"Marriage is a big step, baby girl. You're sure?"
"He's my everything. He's my happily ever after. And I'm his."
"Annie, Annie, Annie. It's only been a week since we all went hiking. Baby girl, just slow down. I knew it wouldn't be long before this day would come, you getting married and such. And when Christian asked me for your hand-"
"He asked you? You knew?!" Interrupting him.
"He did. Very traditional, that young man of yours. Have you told your mother, yet?"
"No. He's just asked me. I wanted to tell you first."
A door inside the house slams, causing me to jump, startled. Christian comes storming through the front door and past me, not stopping.
I immediately know, he's pissed off. Now what?
"Dad, I have to go."
"Alright, baby girl. Don't forget to call your mother. I thought you told her about your relationship and I made the mistake of mentioning it when she called the other day. I couldn't get the heifer off the line." I giggle.
"Daddy. Will you walk me down the aisle at the wedding? You'll give me away, right?" I ask quietly.
"Oh, honey." His voice cracks and he's quiet for a minute. "It will be hard but nothing would give me greater pleasure."
"Thank you daddy. I love you so very a whole lot much."
"You too, baby girl." I hear him beginning to get emotional, barely hanging in there.
We hung up.
"Let's go, Anastasia!" Christian growls out from the car as soon as he sees I've ended my call.
Oh gosh! What happened? He's furious.
I quickly run inside and say my, 'see you all laters' and rush out after him. He's waiting in his car. The passenger door wide open for me. I climb in and as soon as I shut the door and buckle, Christian guns it down the driveway and out on the main road, headed for the highway. His phone goes off a few times, but he ignores it.
"Christian?"
He ignores me and continues driving. I stay quiet. I don't want him upset with me after our beautiful moment earlier in the boathouse.
"He wants you to sign a fucking prenup!"
"Okay. I'll sign a prenup." What's the big deal? He quickly looks at me and then back to the road. "I'll sign anything you want." I let him know.
"No." He says like it's the most absurd thing ever.
"It's to protect you. You're very wealthy, and I'm bringing nothing into our marriage but my student loans."
"I said no, Anastasia!" I don't want to upset him further so I keep quiet.
After he's calm he says. "Baby, if you ever leave me, you might as well take everything I have. This subject is closed. No prenup. Not now. Not ever."
I just nod my head and stay quiet the rest of the ride home.
Christian has calmed during our long drive home and it's late. I almost fell asleep. Christian pulls into the underground parking garage of the building. After parking and turning off the engine he gets out. He walks around opening my door and we walk to the elevator together. When the doors open we walk in and as soon as the doors close Christian pounces.
He pushes me against the wall and kisses me with passion. He takes both my hands in one of his above my head, holding my chin up with the other. Then his hand travels slowly down my side and slips under my dress. He reaches around the back and grabs my ass, grinding his erection into me. His hand moves to the front and he sharply inhales, gasping in my mouth, finding the crotchless panties I'm wearing. He steps back.
"What the fuck are you wearing, Anastasia?" I blush. I'm wearing the ones with the bow, for his birthday. "Oh, this I have to see."
He hits the emergency stop button for the elevator, before it reaches the penthouse. He saunters back to me like I am his pray. He grabs the hem of my dress, pushing it up and around my hips.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Grey." I whisper and bite my lip. He looks at me with carnal desire in his eyes.
"Best. Fucking. Birthday. Ever!" He unzips his pants and smirks. "I guess I'll be getting that elevator sex I told you about for my birthday. "
I'm already panting. He picks me up and I wrap my legs and arms around him and in one swift move, he enters me. My body instinctively meets his. I tilt my head back and close my eyes. He pulls back and slams into me, again and again. Pounding into me. This is nothing like the slow, sweet, lovemaking, we did earlier. When we were in the boathouse. He groans when he goes deep inside me and starts circling his hips. I moan out. He thrusts into me again and again.
"Mine." His breathing ragged.
"Yours." I breath out, just as breathless.
"Oh, baby." Christian moans, his teeth grazing my jaw.
"Oh!" I come hard around him and he stills following, whispering my name like a prayer.
He holds me trying to catch his breath. I'm exhausted, I couldn't even move if I wanted to. He pulls out of me and sets me back on the ground. Then tucking himself back inside his pants. He gazes at my new found panties, before fixing my dress in it's rightful place.
"Where did you get those panties, baby? From now on, you wear those kind of panties."
I giggle. "I bought them for your birthday."
"Well, we'll have to get you more. Fuck. That was hot. I wasn't to rough, was I?" He asks as he starts the elevator back up.
"No. I liked it." The elevator door opens. "I'm so exhausted I do think I can make it to our bedroom."
He picks me up bridal style. "Let me assist you then, future Mrs. Grey."
I laugh. "Your suppose to carry me over the threshold after we wed, Mr. Grey."
"I'm practicing." He stops in his tracks just before we get to our room.
"What is it?"
He looks down at me with love and wonder in his eyes. "You said our bedroom."
"It's our room, is it not?"
"That's the first time I've heard you say, our, instead of, the or Christian's."
"Take me to our bedroom, future husband." He smiles and kisses me, continuing to walk to our room.
He puts me down in the middle of the room.
"I'll go get you a nightgown and some more comfortable panties to sleep in."
"Get me one of your T-shirts, please. I don't want to wear a nightgown." I slept in a tank top and shorts before Christian.
"You don't want a nightgown?" Since I've been with Christian, I usually sleep naked or wear his T-shirt.
"No. Your shirts comfort me and they are comfy to wear." I can smell him on his shirts. It makes me feel safe. Protected. Add that, to him holding me and it's my safe haven.
He kisses me and goes into our walk-in closet. I walk to the bed and pull the bedding back for us. He comes back out wearing his pajama bottoms, holding one of his T-shirts and a pair of my panties for me. And the wrapped photo album! He's looking at it. It's not open yet, so all he can see is the wrapped package. I feel all the blood drain from my face.
"Baby, what is this?"
A/N: If the proposal sounded familiar to you, it probably was.
It's a hodge-podge mix of ones I've seen in movies, read in books and my own imagination. And of course, from the source, FS-Darker. :)
I hope you liked it! She said, YES!
The "I love you, so, very, a whole lot, much." Is what I say to my kids. They think it's funny. ;)