APOV
It's Friday. We're getting married tomorrow! I can't wait! I'm so excited.
The rest of the week went by fast and smooth. No bumps. Christian took the rest of the week off with me. We've meet Reverend Walsh. I had my last dress fitting. Kelly even made me a second dress I can change into for the reception if I wanted. The top is the exact same as my wedding gown, but the bottom in much shorter, knee length, and fans out. It doesn't cling to my body like my gown. It's super cute and I love it.
I've gotten Christian's cufflinks and a few other items for his groom gift. Christian told me he already got Kate and Mia's gift. Their gift is a joint gift. Fashion Week in NYC. They will stay at Christian's apartment while there. I didn't know he had an apartment in New York. I asked him if he had any other property's. He said we have a home in Aspen, as well. We got my dad and Elliot the same gift as well. Not joint, of course. I remember when we picked out their gifts. I thought Christian was buying it for me, when he said pick two. That was a fun day. And we got Carrick, Christian's father, a new built in barbeque grill, along with all the grill accessories. It was already installed so he can use it today for our rehearsal barbeque dinner.
I've packed an overnight bag because I will be staying at Bellevue with his parents tonight. Along with Kate and Mia. Christian, obviously wasn't happy about that, but it's tradition not to see your bride until she walks down the aisle. And I will walk down the aisle tomorrow. I grin, just thinking about it. I'm getting married to the man of my dreams tomorrow! I can't control my excitement. Is it too late to run to Vegas?
I come out of my thoughts, as Taylor pulls into the Grey's driveway. We're here! Sawyer pulls in behind us. Christian is holding my hand, running his thumb across my knuckles. He picks up my hand and kisses each knuckle, then my engagement ring. Taylor opens Christian's door. Christian gets out and holds his hand out for me. He helps me out and we walk hand-in-hand into the house. I'm surprised no one met us at the door, as they usually do. Christian leads us to the kitchen. His parents, Mia and Reverend Walsh are all in here waiting.
"Hi." I say to everyone.
"Oh, goodie." Mia bounces over to us. "You're here." She hugs me, then Christian. "You look adorable Ana."
"Thanks." I'm wearing a white summer dress with blue flats, to replicate my wedding attire.
Grace, Carrick and Reverend Walsh come over to us. Reverend Walsh shakes Christian's hand, then mine. Grace and Carrick hug me. I've forgiven him about the whole 'I think you're a gold digger, after my son's money' thing, but it still stings that he thought that of me.
"Elliot and Kate should arrive shortly." Grace tells us.
"My dad should be here soon, too."
"Let's all go outside while wait, shall we?"
We all go outside. There are two large tents set up. Grace tells us one is for the reception and the other is for the ceremony. Christian lets us know, his PR team has released a statement that Grace is having a family reunion on Sunday, to explain the tents so the media doesn't become suspicious. We're looking inside the tent we'll use for the ceremony, when we hear a loud truck pull down the drive. I turn around and see my dad's truck. I thought José fixed the loud sound.
"Daddy!" I yell, when he parks and gets out.
I run to him. He holds his arms open, waiting. I jump into my dad's embrace. He picks me up. I lift my legs and bend them back in the air. He kisses my head and sets me back on the ground.
"I thought you said José fixed your truck?"
"He did, this is a new problem he'll need to look at."
Christian snakes his arm around my waist. "Well maybe we can give you your father of the bride gift now." He hands my dad his new truck keys.
"We thought you could use a new truck for everything you've done." I explain further when my dad doesn't take the keys from Christian.
"Thank you. But I can't accept, it's too muc-"
"Of course, you can." I interrupt my dad. I take the keys from Christian and give them to my dad. "It's a gift to you from us. You'll get use to it." I giggle. Saying what everyone keeps telling me
My dad chuckles. "Well alright."
We all walk back to where everyone is waiting. I introduce my dad to everyone. I just now realized this is their first time meeting.
"Daddy, this is Christian's parents Grace and Carrick. His sister Mia. And this is Reverend Walsh. Everyone. This is my dad. Ray Steele."
They all shake hands and say hello.
"The party don't start til I walk in!" We all turn around hearing Elliot. He and Kate are walking toward us. "Hello mi familia! You're favorite child has arrived."
"I'm already here." Mia says. I giggle.
Kate introduces Ray and Elliot.
We get right to rehearsing. Christian's parents and Mia sit in the white chairs to watch. They're not involved in the ceremony. Christian and Elliot stand at the front with Reverend Walsh. Kate, my dad and I are in the back. We can see everyone now, but during the ceremony we'll be further back and out of sight. Kate walks down the aisle, she stands near the alter and waits for us. My dad leads me down the aisle.
We go through a rushed version of what will happen tomorrow.
"Then when I announce you as husband and wife," Reverend Walsh says. I'm looking at him listening intently. He looks at Christian. "I will let you know when you can seal the deal. I will say 'you may kiss the bride'."
I grin and look back to Christian. I'm thrown off-guard when Christian quickly dips me and kisses me chastely on my lips. He pulls me back upright. I giggle and everyone laughs.
"I thought I should practice that part, too." Christian grins and winks at me "I want to get it right."
"She's not pregnant yet." Elliot says. "Maybe you're doing it wrong." Grace and Mia slap Elliot's arm and head. He puts both his hands up in surrender. "Joke. It was a joke. I was only joking."
We all walk back to the patio to start the rehearsal barbeque. Carrick starts his new grill. He looks ridiculously funny in his chef's hat and Licensed to Grill apron Christian and I got him with his new grill. All the men gather around Carrick and the grill. Us girls help Grace with the sides. After we finished, we sit at the patio table. We're drinking spiked lemonade. It's delicious. The guys finish grilling the meat. We all get our plates and sit at the patio table to eat. We're all talking about tomorrow. Excited.
We've just finished our meal. Christian is holding my hand, his fingers are playing with my engagement ring. Reverend Walsh already left, saying he'll see us tomorrow. We're finishing up and clearing plates.
Elliot clears his throat and starts to stand. "I'd like to say a few words."
"No!" I giggle at the Grey's
"Elliot." Grace says in a warning tone. She sternly says. "You just sit yourself right back down. You're not saying anything. You've already said enough."
"Aw mom. That's no fun." I giggle. "Fine. I'll just wait for tomorrow when I make my best man speech." He grins mischievously.
"The only thing you're saying tomorrow, is how much you love your brother and how proud you are of him and to congratulation him and Ana. That's it." She continues.
"We'll see." He says quietly to himself, but I hear him. I giggle.
I can't wait to hear his speech. Maybe it would be better for him so speak tonight in front of close family instead of tomorrow in front of everyone.
"There should be speeches tonight." Mia says. "And I for one would love to hear Elliot's." Us girls giggle.
"Well since Kate and Elliot are making speeches tomorrow, why doesn't someone else make a speech tonight?" Christian suggests. "Mom?"
"Oh, no. I wont be able to get through the first sentence without becoming a blubbering mess. Carry you do it."
"Oh, that would be great!" Mia grins. "The dad's make the speeches tonight. Ana's and Christian's."
"Is that okay, dad?" I ask my dad. He just shrugs and nods.
"Alright." Grace says. "Carry, you start."
"Oh, boy. Where do I begin?" He stands up. "Christian may be 28. But he came into our lives 24 years ago. Grace and I adopted him when he was 4. He has always been self sufficient. I don't think I've said this enough, but I'm proud of you son. I may not have been very happy to find out you dropped out of Harvard. But you have certainly proven yourself. I may not approve of how fast you move in life. I'm still unsure of how fast this is happening. But everything you set your mind to, you put everything you have into doing it and doing it right. You set goals and achieve great accomplishments. I know, you will make a wonderful husband, Christian. Christian is a very determined, very capable, very bright young man. But between us all here tonight. It's seeing him like this. Carefree, acting his age. That is the real thrill for his mother and me. I believe we have Ana to thank for that. Ana, I haven't known you for very long or very well. But I've come to know you a little more these past few weeks and I truly believe you will make a wonder wife. Whatever you're doing, Ana, please don't stop. I see the way you are with my son. Look at the two of you right now. You both look so happy. Christian is a lucky man to have found someone as special as you. I'm happy you both have each other. Good luck with your journey through life together. Congratulations kids."
"Thank you." I say. Christian nods at his father.
We all cheers and take a drink. I kiss Christian and giggle. I look back to see my dad standing. It's his turn to make a speech. Oh, I hope I don't cry!
"This is my first time meeting you all. I'm Ray. Ana's father. She's not biologically mine, but I'm her dad non-the-less. Annie. You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day your mother introduced me to you and you gave me that wide toothless grin. I know the love of a father because of you baby girl." I blow my dad a kiss. "I gave her my name. And she'll change it tomorrow. She's asked me to give her away. I don't know how I'm going to do it. It's going to be the hardest thing I'll ever have to do. She'll always be daddy's little girl to me. I look at Annie today and all I can think is, how can that beautiful woman sitting there, be the same little girl that I knew. She told me, what feels like not very long ago, that I'd be the only man for her. That boys were 'yucky'." Everyone laughs. "I was okay with that. Although, I knew I wouldn't always be the only man in her life. And I knew that day we all went hiking, that it was only a matter of time before Christian asked me for Annie's hand... though, I thought I had longer." My dad chuckles. Everyone laughs. "I look at the two of you today and I can see the love you feel for each other. You look at each other, like there's nobody else in the room, anywhere you go. Christian, I prayed she'd find someone like you someday. Someone who loves her and will protect her, just as I do. But it's still hard to give her away. Someday you'll know what I'm going through. She means the world to me. So be careful when you hold my little girl. Congratulations Annie, Christian."
I wipe my eyes and get up to hug my dad. I wrap my arms around him and he holds me tight.
"I'll always be your little girl." I whisper in his ear what he told me all those years ago and kiss his cheek.
"And I will always be your daddy." He whispers back.
I smile at him. We go back to our seats. Now it's time to give everyone their gifts for helping us with the wedding.
"We wanted to get you all something for helping us put this wedding together so quickly." I say. I look at Christian. "Some people don't like waiting." I giggle.
"Are you giggle at me?" Christian asks with humor in his voice.
"I am, Mr. Grey." I bite lip.
Christian's eyes go straight to my lip, then back to my eyes. His eyes have darkened. I inhale sharply. We continue to stare at each other, completely ignoring our family.
Elliot clears his throat. "If you two love birds don't mind. We're all here and don't want a show." I blush.
"Lelliot!" Christian says, the same time his family and Kate say. "Elliot!"
"Since it seems impatience is a common trait the Grey brother's have, we'll give Elliot his gift first." I say.
"Alright!" He raises his hand to high-give people, moving on to the next when nobody shares his enthusiasm. I giggle
Christian shakes his head. We all get up and walk to the front of the house. Christian holds my hand as we walk, still messing with my engagement ring. Elliot guessing what it could be on our way to the front.
"Is it a boat? Is it a motorcycle? I know. It's a dirt bike." We don't answer. "What are we waiting for?"
We're all waiting near the driveway. The gates open and Sawyer drives Elliot's new truck towards us. It's grey and has a huge red ribbon on it. Elliot starts jumping up and down, like a fat kid waiting for cake. Then Taylor comes down in a steel colored truck with a huge red bow.
"I get two?!"
"No." I giggle. "Gray for Grey. Steel for Steele. The other one is for my dad."
"Thanks guys!" Elliot lifts me in a bear hug.
"Lelliot, put her down!" Christian growls.
Elliot puts me down and gives Christian a quick man hug. Then he runs to the gray truck, squealing like a little girl. Sawyer gets out and Elliot climbs in.
"Annie I thought you already gave me the keys?"
"We did. Taylor has the spare set."
"Thanks kiddo." My dad smiles grateful. "And thank you Christian."
"Thank you for raising the girl of my dreams." Christian shakes my dad's hand.
My dad looks at me. "I enjoyed every minute of it."
"Oh, dad..." I hug my dad tight.
"You'll make one helluva wife, Annie." He whispers in my ear. "I can't believe how fast you've grown up."
I pull away. Christian snakes his hand around my waist. My dad looks at Christian.
"Look after my little girl, son."
"I fully intend to."
"What'd you get us?" Mia asks bouncing over excitedly.
"A thank you card." Christian says seriously.
Mia's face falls. I giggle and hit Christian's arm.
"Behave." I tell him. "Kate!" I wave her over. She runs to us and stands next to Mia. "Christian and I couldn't thank you enough for all your help. So we thought we would get you an all expense paid week in New York." Kate and Mia hold each other blindly, still looking me. They wait for me to continue. "For Fashion Week-"
I barely finish my sentence before they start squealing and screaming, jumping up and down. I giggle at their excitement.
"You'll be staying at our New York apartment while you're there." Christian continues.
They stop jumping and screaming and run to us. Kate hugs me tight. Mia hugs Christian and quickly pulls away. Grace comes over to see what the excitement is all about.
"What on earth is going on over here?"
"FASHION! WEEK!" Mia and Kate squeal in excitement again.
They each grab one of Grace's arms and start jumping around again. They let her go and start doing crazy dances. They look like they've just scored a touchdown, winning the Superbowl. Grace just shakes her head. Christian and I leave his siblings and Kate in the front and we walk back to the patio with our parents. I go to my purse and pull out Grace's gift. I hand it to her.
"Thank you, for raising the man of my dreams."
"Oh, darling." She opens the small jewelry box and gasps, seeing the infinity necklace we got her.
It's from both Christian and I but I've written her a little note, it's inside, on the box's lid. She takes out the note to read it.
Mama Grey,
I promise to love your son for the rest of my life, with my whole heart, for all of eternity.
Love Always, Ana
"Ana." She whispers. "I'm speechless." She looks at me with tears in her eyes. "Thank you." She hugs me. "Thank you, you sweet, sweet girl."
"Thank you." I tell her.
She takes out her infinity necklace and I help her put it on.
"I'll wear it tomorrow." I smile at her.
I sit back down next to Christian.
"Baby?" I look at Christian. He hands me a small box.
I open it. Inside is a beautiful watch. "It's beautiful Christian. Thank you."
He takes it out and turns it over. It's inscribed. It says.
-Anastasia-
You are My More
My Love My Life.
-Christian-
"Oh, Christian." I kiss him.
We start to deepen our kiss.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" We pull apart hearing Elliot. "Save that for the honeymoon."
Elliot, Kate, and Mia join us again.
I get Christian's gift out of my bag and hand it to him. "I hope you like it."
He opens the small box. Inside are his cufflinks with our initials intertwined together. A&C
"I love them, baby." He kisses me. It's a much more appropriate kiss, mindful of the others.
We all sit around talking about tomorrow again.
It's getting late. And it's time for Christian to leave. He doesn't want to go. I let him know I'll meet him at the alter. We kiss and he's gone.
Kate, Mia and I are putting together the inside of the tents how we like. I brought the thick dark grey ribbon with me. We start wrapping it around the chairs in the reception tent. The chairs already have a white slip over them. We put the table center pieces on the tables. We set everything up for tomorrow. We wont have time to do this tomorrow before the ceremony, since we'll be inside getting ready. We're halfway done when my dad walks in.
"Annie. Stop fussing with that. Let Kate and Christian's sister do that. You come with me."
I walk over to my dad.
"We're are going?"
"It's a surprise."
A/N: Yes ,I was listening to 'I Loved Her First' when I wrote Ray's speech and yes, parts of that song made it in his speech. ;)