A/N

This is the end, the epilogue. For those of you who managed to hang in there for the whole ride, God Bless You! My new tablet is great and I have an idea for a new story. I hope you enjoyed this story and look forward to my new story, FIFTY SHADES OF TOUCHED. Thank You all.

EPILOGUE

Christian sat alone at the breakfast bar, sipping a cup of coffee and nibbling on cold toast. Ana was still sleeping, and Gail and Taylor had the upcoming week off. Mia was here and promised to make the meals but apparently her kitchen didn't open until 10:00 am or so. The house felt empty, in a nice way. He had been astounded at first by the number of strangers and armed men roaming around his home.

It had been nice to see Elon, who everyone else knew as Ari, and meet General Brooks but it was nicer to say goodbye. Shelley would be safe, and was already looking forward to her next assignment.

Now, a week later, things were starting to get back to normal. His mother had spent two days in the hospital being treated for shock, exposure and dehydration. The bruises were ugly, but just bruises. Flynn had been devoting his entire practice to the Grey family, immediate and extended.

Christian could honestly say that for him, it was a life affirming series of events. He had learned a lot about himself, some good, some bad. He had learned his mother wasn't immortal. Flynn had pushed him hard on that and it had been painful as hell, but he was finally able to acknowledge that some day, hopefully in the far distant future, he would lose her. No one lives forever and thats why it was so important to make every day count. He had also learned to come to terms with his past. After everything he had been through the past year, he was finally able to grasp the concept that today is the only day that matters. The past is done and can't be changed; the future is unknown. Today is the only day that counts. Live each day like its your last and have no regrets, that was his new mantra.

His family would be by for dinner tonight, along with Ray. Hopefully, things would start to really quiet down. Welch said that Schneiderman was being interrogated by both the Russians and the Israelis. Once they were satisfied that he had no intelligence left to barter with, he would probably disappear and his corpse suddenly show up floating in some river; an unofficial message to all who knew him and who dealt with him.

The nuclear fusion material had actually been hidden away on the yacht. It had been stored in lead lined boxes that fit into the false bottoms of several statues located around the main dining hall. Three nuclear missiles were located in a storage unit in Germany and the rest of the material had been stored in a hidden underground room right outside Seattle. The General had also removed the illegal arms planted on a GEH tanker carrying grain to Africa.

Christian had arranged to take the upcoming week off. He had only one task he wanted to accomplish. Sawyer had helped with that. He looked up at the clock, 6:45 am, if Ana wasn't up by 7:00, he would awake her. At 9:00 am, he would be leaving for the airport with Ana.

They had discussed and decided they didn't want to spend another day without being legally bound to each other. Christian needed to know Ana would always be taken care of and garner the respect due his wife. They didn't need that piece of paper but the rest of the world did.

So, they had decided to flit down to Vegas and get the deed done. They would be home well before dinner and then celebrate with his family.

At five to seven, a sleepy Ana came out and greeted Christian. "No Mia?" She asked with a knowing grin.

Christian just grimaced. Ana grabbed the pitcher of fresh made orange juice and poured a glass. She poured hot filtered water from an electric teapot and grabbed a bag of breakfast tea from a canister. She sat beside Christian and sipped her tea quietly.

After a few moments she asked, "We're doing this casual, right?"

"Right."

"So, why are you dressed in a suit and tie?"

Christian sighed. "I'm comfortable in a suit and tie."

"Baby, a suit and tie isn't casual. You will be spotted in a hot minute. You need to change. Remember, we agreed casual. No one will know you in cut offs and a tee shirt. Add sun glasses and a baseball cap, not a Mariner cap and you'll be fine. Sawyer is going to be the only one with us and he's going casual too."

"I suppose you want me to wear sneakers?"

"Or sandals. Its Vegas, baby. Its going to be hot. Really hot. I'm wearing shorts and sandals."

Christian groaned at the thought of watching her long, sexy legs in shorts. Then he thought of all the other men who would be admiring her legs as well and groaned even louder. " You're killing me here, you know that, don't you?"

Ana just smiled and nodded, and asked "Pancakes and bacon okay for breakfast?"

"Okay," he said, "Let me get changed while you cook." He stood and dropped a quick kiss on her lips before heading to the bedroom.

At 8:30 am, a flustered Mia came running down the stairs, phone in hand. "I am so sorry, Christian. I completely forgot about breakfast. I have to run. Ryan is taking me to a job interview. Have a good day. I will see you guys for lunch, okay?"

Christian smiled and asked, "Where's the job interview?" Noting her Stella McCartney blue Mini dress with shimmering swarovski crystals and matching sky high heels dyed to match and sparkling with more crystals.

"I'll tell you later, don't jinx me!" She yelled over very her shoulder. Ryan followed her out and Christian swallowed a moment of anxiety. He picked up his phone to check his emails, but to his horror there weren't any.

Quickly he called Barney and was advised that all work emails were to be automatically forwarded to Ros per Taylor until further notice.

"Switch it back."

"But Taylor..."

"Who pays your salary, Barney? Does Taylor pay it?"

"No sir. You pay my salary ."

"Switch it back, Barney."

Barney heard Grey click him and sighed in relief. Then he immediately called Taylor.

As soon as Taylor answered Barney blurted out, "He wants his emails and he wants them now."

"Of course he does, Barney. Reading his email is a daily habit, it comforts him,

Let's him know everything is normal, but we both know, today is not normal and he is not

going to be able to hide in his email. Ryan and Mia are on their way to pick you and Andrea up.

If he calls again, tell him you're having a problem rerouting the mail. Tell him everything went to me. When he asks where the hell I am, tell him I took Gail camping and there's no cell signal.

"Taylor, he'll go wild if I say that!"

Taylor laughed out loud, then reassured Barney. "By then, you'll be on board and I promise once he sees me, he will forget all about you."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Taylor."

"Relax, Barney. I got this. All you need to do is be ready when Ryan gets there and let Mia do your tie."

"Okay, but everyone is going to look at me."

"Relax, Barney. This is family. "

"Taylor! I just got a text from Andrea. Ryan is five minutes out. I have to go."

"Okay, kid, see you in a few."

Christian looked around his home one last time. It felt strange and empty, knowing only Reynolds would be there. He was taking Sawyer and Ryan, Taylor and Gail were on vacation and it just seemed a little creepy.

Ana seemed to understand. "It feels lonely, doesn't it?"

Christian shook his head, as if he would ever agree to such a sentiment. He walked into the security office and found himself saying good bye to Reynolds and wishing him a quiet day with no surprises.

Reynolds looked up from his monitors with a peculiar expression on his face. Then he smiled and said, "You too, sir. I hope you have a quiet day with no surprises." His smile broke into a grin. Christian nodded his agreement and turned to leave to see Sawyer grinning as well.

"What are you grinning at?" Christian asked.

"Just thinking about how some people are going to be very surprised today, sir."

Christian grinned openly and replied, "Sawyer, you are so right!"

Once seated in the SUV with Ana beside him and Sawyer and Ryan up front, Christian let out a long sigh of relief. He tried not to show how nervous he was but he was sure Ana knew. Why the hell he was nervous puzzled him. Thinking about it made him more nervous. He whipped out his phone to check his email and growled audibly when he saw his in box still empty. He clicked on Barney's number as he felt his temper rise.

"Barney, where is my fucking mail?" He hissed loudly.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I am having a problem. It seems Taylor doesn't want you to have any emails. When I tried to reroute them from Ros to you, they automatically went back to Taylor. Taylor has a security alarm that if anyone but Taylor overrides, the mail is automatically destroyed. I tried to reach Taylor but I can't get him."

"What do you mean you can't get him? Where the hell is he?"

"He took Gail camping and there's no cell signal where he is."

"Has he lost his mind? What the hell is wrong with him? There must be a way around this, Barney, find it! I want my email and I want it now, god damn it."

Christian knew his face was red with anger as he gripped the phone as hard as he could. It was better than throwing it.

Then he felt Ana's hand cover his, as she commiserated, "No email, honey?"

"No. Can you believe it? First Taylor routes them to Ros and when Barney tries to route them back to me, the mail all went to Taylor and if he tries to route it back, they will be destroyed."

"Aww, poor baby. Does that mean you don't have five hundred some odd emails to read on your wedding day?"

"You're not siding with him, are you?"

Ana grinned, "Sounds like an early wedding present, Mr Grey. Since your nose isn't stuck in your phone, perhaps..." She replied in a soft, sultry whisper.

Christian looked at her and grinned back, "Perhaps, Ms Steele, perhaps. But if he loses any of those fucking emails, I swear..."

Ana giggled, then undid her seatbelt and slid across his lap till she was kneeling astride him. "This feels much better, don't you agree?"

Christian groaned in delight and then slowly and purposefully invaded her mouth while his hand wandered under her shorts.

Ana moaned in pleasure, not caring if Sawyer saw or heard what Christian was doing. Christian looked up at the rear view mirror. Sawyer was looking straight ahead, but his forehead had broken out into a sweat. Christian smiled.

He nuzzled Ana's ear and whispered, "Sawyers looking awful nervous. He's starting to sweat."

Ana turned and looked in the mirror, saw the beads of sweat on Sawyer's forehead and shoved her face into Christian's neck to muffle her giggles.

"You want to mess with him?" Christian asked mischievously.

"Oh yes! I love messing with him, he's so serious."

"Watch this!" Christian replied and loudly released his seat belt. He lifted Ana's tee shirt up over her head, then flipped her on her back and covered her with his body.

Sawyer heard the click of another seat belt being released and reluctantly glanced in the mirror to see Grey on top of Ana with her shirt half off. Sawyer silently cursed to himself. He did not want to see them fuck, plus it was a safety issue. Reluctantly, he cleared his throat, "Sir, Mame, I must remind you that seat belts need to be worn at all times."

There was a long silence filled with heavy breathing. Finally, Grey sat up and hunched forward until he was right beside Sawyers ear. "Thank you, Sawyer for the reminder, now shut the fuck up! Don't interrupt us again or you're fired! Understood?"

"Understood, sir." Sawyer replied with his eyes riveted on the road ahead.

"Oh, and Sawyer, keep your eyes out of the rear view mirror."

"Yes sir." Sawyer replied, sure of only one thing, he needed to get to the jet as fast as possible. He momentarily forgot how responsive the Audi was and slammed his foot down on the gas pedal. To his horror, Grey went flying. He heard the thud as Greg's body crashed into Ana's and the resulting moans, grunts and curses from each of them.

"Sawyer!" Grey roared.

"Sorry, sir." Sawyer replied apologetically, but pleased as he saw them both start to sit up with their clothes in place and begin to fasten their seat belts.

Ten minutes later and they were approaching the airport. Sawyer slowed as he made his way to runway. He passed through security and slowly eased up beside the GEH jet. Behind him Ryan, Kennedy and another new guy named Rivera slowed to a stop as well.

Sawyer got out and opened the door for Ms Steele. Grey slid across the seat and exited right after her. They stood together for a moment, looking at each other, smiling and then Grey picked her up and swung her in a circle as they both laughed.

"We did it!" Christian announced, victoriously.

"We did, didn't we?" Ana laughed as she walked up the stairs to the jet. "I can't believe it! We are going to be in so much trouble, Christian."

"We can have a more formal ceremony later. Right now, we need this." He grabbed her close and held her tight, then lowered his mouth to hers in a long, mind blowing kiss.

Ana moaned with pleasure, then started back up the steps, "Come on," she called tugging him after her. The flight attendant was standing at the doorway to greet them. Ana nodded at her and kept walking, as she turned towards the passenger cabin, she gasped and one hand flew to her mouth.

Christian was right behind her and said, "Ana, what is...oh my god!"

Then everyone in the cabin yelled surprise! Ana spotted her father and ran to him crying. Christian followed behind, more slowly. He accepted all the hugs and congratulations as he noticed how nicely everyone was dressed. No one was wearing shorts. Just then, Mia leaped up, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Oh, Christian, I am so happy for you. For Ana too, but for you, oh, Christian!" She cried as tears ran down her cheeks. Christian lifted her up in the air and balanced her on the top of an empty seat.

"Mia! Did you plan this?"

"Oh, no, Christian. I admit I did help a little, but I could never do this in so little time, plus I don't think we have the same taste." She giggled.

"Kate?" Christian asked.

Mia laughed, "No, but she helped."

"Mia," Christian growled, "who the fuck planned this?"

Behind Christian, the door to the guest bedroom opened. "You might want to ask him," Mia said softly. "He pretty much arranged everything, from your tux to a wedding gown for Ana."

Christian turned to see Taylor casually leaning against the doorway to the guest bedroom with a cocky grin on his face. Christian excused himself from Mia and headed towards Taylor.

"You crazy fucker! Where's my email?"

Taylor burst out laughing as the two men embraced. "Ros has them and assigned ten people to work on them."

"So, can you tell me what's happening?"

"You're getting married."

"In Vegas?"

"Hell, no."

"Jason!"

Taylor laughed, "Ana is right, you're such a control freak. Aspen. At sunset today. Stay in your shorts because you both need to go in person for the marriage license. There's no waiting period, so once you have the license your good to go. I have the applications here, all filled out. We just need the clerk to witness you both signing them. There's a second private jet that has Rev Walsh, Jose Rodriquez Sr, Flynn and his wife, the rest of your personal security team, Kate Kavanaugh's parents, Ethan ..."

"How? Why?"

Taylor shook his head from side to side and smiled. "She needed it and so do you. She needs her father to walk her down the aisle. She needs a beautiful wedding gown and photographs she will always treasure. You need to accept that you deserve this too, not some Vegas quickie wedding. Lastly, your family and friends deserve this too. It wouldn't be fair to your mother not to have her there. For everything we all went through the last year, we deserve to see the happy ending. I want to hear you say 'I do', I want to see the both of you have your dreams fulfilled. When times get tough, and they will you know, I want you to be able to remember this day, remember how much you both love each other, remember how painful life was when you were apart. She is so special, Christian. God, you're a lucky son of a bitch."

"I am, aren't I?" Christian grinned, certain he had never heard Taylor say so much.

In the master bedroom, Kate was showing Ana her wedding gown. To Ana's great shock, it looked exactly like her dream wedding gown, that she always imagined but never shopped for. Demure but sexy, elegant yet edgy. A dress people would be talking about for days. Ana hugged her friend so hard, they fell to the floor and Ana just kept sobbing tears of happiness.

"Kate, I didn't know. I swear I didn't know that this really mattered to me. What was I thinking?"

"Its okay kid. Taylor says when you two are together, all thinking and logic flies out the window."

Ana humphed, "Taylor better watch out or I'll make him be the ring bearer."

Kate burst out laughing. "Come on, let's go say hello to everyone."

"Okay. I want to see how Christian is doing anyway."

"Christian is doing just fine." Ana's fiance announced from the doorway.

Kate screeched in horror, jumping up to block what little Christian might have seen of Ana's bridal gown. "Out!" She ordered.

"But..."

"Out!" Both Ana and Kate demanded.

A disappointed Christian backed out of the room.

Later that afternoon, a small crowd of family and friends were seated on gorgeous white benches facing west as the sun started its descent. Rev. Walsh began the service by remarking as another day ends, a new life begins, that of Christian and Ana together.

It was a beautiful service. Christian was so thankful that Taylor got involved. Taylor was right. He needed this affirmation and so did Ana. When they turned around to be introduced as Mr and Mrs Grey, it was the best moment of his life. He looked down at his wife, giddy with pride, then looked out at the familiar faces. Everyone was happy. True, most of the women were crying, but every person out there was happy for them and supported them.

Christian had never felt so much love as it radiated back to him. He felt his eyes begin to water, than grabbed Ana and kissed her again, then he picked her up and twirled her causing everyone to laugh.

He grabbed the microphone then, desperate to share his happiness and love with all his friends.

"I don't think I'm supposed to do this now, but I can't wait. Thank you all, each and every one of you for coming and witnessing our marriage. Thank you all for everything you have done for us. We would not be here today without your love and support.

To the man who arranged this, Jason Taylor, what can I say? If you ever get tired of protecting me, you can go into the wedding planning business. Kate, the gown is magnificent. You are another miracle worker. Of course you are going out with my brother, and that's a miracle by itself.

Gail? Gail Jones?" He said peering into the faces. "You always saw the good in me, just like my mom, except you weren't my mom. It gave me hope. You always gave me hope."

"If Gail gave me hope, John Flynn gave me understanding. Without him in my corner, we wouldnt be gathered here today. Lastly, my family. My god, how did you ever put up with me?"

"It wasn't easy, bro." Elliot called out. Everyone laughed.

"I owe my parents everything, for rescuing me and giving me a chance. For putting up with all my crazy ways and still loving me. Thank you. I love you Mom. I love you Dad. Mia, you know I love you and Elliot, thank you for always being able to make me smile, even if I am the butt of most of your jokes.

If I haven't mentioned your name, I apologize. If you are here, know that you are very special to me and Ana. Very special. Thank you all for coming once again. Sawyer just whispered in my ear that the bar is open and appetizers are ready to be served.

Rev Walsh grabbed the microphone back and repeated enthusiastically, " Mr and Mrs Grey!"

Christian looked down at Ana and their linked hands, "Mrs Grey?" He asked.

Ana looked up, "Mr Grey?" She asked in return.

"Come, my beautiful wife. Its time to start our life together." Ana took his hand and husband and wife stepped forward together into the crowd, beginning their marriage with a love strong and true that would last forever.