A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Are you sure you don't want to sneak over here so we can spend some time together? You don't have to spend the night, just stay a while." I can't see the expression on Christian's face through the phone, but I sense he's wrestling with himself. With our wedding day tomorrow, we decided to spend the night apart. I'm staying at Escala with the women while Christian stays at his parents' with the guys.
"I'd like to jump in the car right now and go to you, but I'm going to be a good boy and keep to my word.", he replies. "Besides, the security team has been given strict orders to keep me away from there. They even have permission to remove me from the premises if I show up." He's taking this very serious! "Just think how it'll all be worth it tomorrow when our eyes meet at the altar. Hold on." I hear him pull the phone away briefly before moving back. "All right. I'm outside on the patio and wanted to make sure no one could hear me. "How's our little one?"
"Fine. I started feeling a little nauseous earlier, but I covered and said it was wedding anxiety." I'm now approximately ten weeks pregnant and have a tiny bump, but Christian and I are holding off until after the wedding to announce our news to everyone.
"Good save. Fuck, Elliot's on his way out here."
"I heard that!", Elliot shouts in the background. "Tell your bride I said hello and not to let the strippers get too handsy with her."
"Strippers!", Christian snarls as Elliot laughs.
"You didn't know? Kate hired some strippers who were told only to indulge Ana with their talents. Sorry bro. I thought you already knew."
"Christian, before you come over here to break up the fun and games, you should know Elliot's messing with you. There are no strippers lined up for tonight or any other night. All we're going to do is stay here and have some snacks."
"I'm going to kick your ass Elliot.", Christian mumbles.
"Ha ha. You should have seen your face. I was only teasing. Now say goodbye and I love you to your bride-to-be so we can go in and play some cards. It's been a while since I've won some of your money."
"You've never won against me in cards, but I'll give you a chance to try. Ana, I love baby and can't wait to see you tomorrow."
"I can't wait to see and marry you. I love you.", I tell him before ending the call. I stand with the phone to my heart for a few minutes.
"All of the bubble bottles are finished.", Mia announces while she, Kate, and Audrey come into the living room from the kitchen where they've been placing labels with Christian and Ana on small bottles of bubbles. Each guest at the ceremony will be given one so they can shower Christian and I with bubbles after the ceremony. "Where's the food?"
"I was about to ask the same thing.", Kate sighs. "All of that work made me hungry. Are Carla and Grace back yet?" My mom and Grace volunteered to go on a food run for us and should be returning any minute now.
"Did someone say food?", Grace asks, holding up two large bags. I'm not sure what they hold exactly, but the smell of burgers is flowing from at least one of them. "Since no one gave us a definitive answer when we asked what they wanted, Carla and I made pit stops at several places. We have burgers, tacos, and pizza." My mom nods to the two boxes in her hands.
"Mom, let me help you with those.", I tell her. She tries unsuccessfully to brush me away while I grab one of the pizza boxes.
"Have you heard from your dad or Rebecca?", my mom asks. My dad and Rebecca are going to be joining in on the pre-wedding night festivities once they arrive in Seattle. Although this is going to be the first time my mom and Rebecca meet, I'm sure they're going to get along well. The sound of feet approaching from the foyer sends all eyes forward. Rebecca soon enters the room with Reynolds behind her with her suitcase.
"Rebecca, you're here." Kate takes the pizza from me as I go to greet Rebecca. "Did my dad drop you off?"
"Yeah. He was going to come upstairs to say hi but didn't want to interrupt girl time." She stands awkwardly in front of the other women who seem eager to be introduced. I go through and introduce them one by one with my mom being the last.
"Rebecca, this is my mom Carla. Mom, this is Rebecca." My mom extends her hand to Rebecca and smiles.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Ana's said wonderful things about you."
"Thank you. It's nice to meet you as well.", Rebecca replies.
"Now that everyone knows everyone, let's eat.", Audrey laughs.
Once most of the food has been consumed, everyone takes a spot in the living room to recover from our food binge. Mia and Kate have opened a bottle of wine and started passing around glasses, but I passed.
"Ana, you're getting married tomorrow. How about some wine to celebrate?", Kate asks with her glass in the air.
"No. My stomach isn't feeling the best right now, and wine is the last thing I need. I'm going to stick to my ginger ale."
"I can't wait to see you in your dress.", Mia sighs. "Christian is going to be floored when he sees you." Keeping with my decision of not wanting an over the top gown, I chose a satin tea length sleeveless dress with French lace and organza. Small detailed petals cover the dress as well. Other than being beautiful, the dress does a good job at hiding my burgeoning baby bump. The bridesmaid dresses are also simple yet elegant. They're navy blue with lace overlapping the satin fabric.
"I hope he's not too floored. He has to be able to say his vows.", Grace jokes.
"Ok. I have a question for Ana. What about Christian made you fall in love with him?", Audrey asks before taking a sip of her wine.
"What about Christian made me fall in love with him? Hmm. I'd have to say everything. He's intelligent, dedicated, kind hearted, loving, supportive...I could go on and on. When he looks at me, it's as if there's no one else around. It's just us." Reading their minds, Rebecca reaches into her purse and hands my mom and Grace each a couple of tissues.
"Not only are you marrying a wonderful man, but he's marrying an amazing woman.", my mom says. "Ana, I'm so proud of the person you've become."
"Thanks Mom." I look around the room with a giddy grin on my face. "I can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow!"
"Couldn't sleep?", my mom asks while joining me in the kitchen. Along with everyone else, I went to bed two hours ago but couldn't fall asleep so I decided to get up for a glass of warm milk.
"My excitement is preventing sleep.", I pout. "How about you?"
"The same. The excitement over the wedding and the new life you're about to start is keeping me awake."
"Do you want some warm milk?"
"No thanks sweetheart. Tonight was a lot of fun. It was nice spending time with all the women."
"You and Rebecca seemed to be getting along."
"She's a very lovely woman who obviously is very smitten with Ray. It was nice hearing her talk about how much she cares for him. Ray's an incredible man who deserves nothing but happiness." She watches as I down the last of my milk and yawn. "It looks like the milk is working. How about we go and try that sleep thing one more time?", she asks.
"All right.", I yawn. "I need to look somewhat awake for the wedding." I put my glass in the sink and follow my mom out of the kitchen and to the guest room she's sharing with Grace. "Goodnight Mom. I love you."
"I love you too." We embrace briefly before saying goodnight one more time.
The milk is definitely kicking in by the time I get back to my room. I pad across the floor to the bed. Instinct tells me to check my phone which is placed on the nightstand. On the screen I see I have a text message from Christian.
*Goodnight Future Mrs. Grey and Baby Grey. I love you both.* Those words send my emotions spiraling. I quickly type back a text.
*Goodnight Mr. Grey. Baby Grey and I love you.*
"Ethan just texted and said he's going to be stationed by the door so he can capture you and your dad as you walk out.", Kate tells me as Mia's placing the finishing touches on my makeup.
"Knock knock.", Olivia says. She's standing in the doorway of Mia's bedroom where everyone's getting ready.
"Olivia, hurry up and shut the door before Christian walks by and sees Ana.", Audrey exclaims. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding." Olivia follows Audrey's advice and closes the door behind with giggle.
"All of the guys including Christian are already outside. Ana, you look beautiful."
"Thanks. Does Christian look nervous?"
"Not at all although he kept looking towards the house. I think he's just ready to see you walk down the aisle." A light tap hits the door. Kate slips her last shoe on and rushes to see who it is.
"Ana, it's your dad which means it's showtime. Ladies, let's go and get ready." She picks up her bouquet of white lilies and peonies. "Best friend of mine, we'll see you downstairs in a few minutes." The room clears except for me and my dad.
"I used to dream about the day I would get to walk you down the aisle. Now it's happening. I'm not a psychic, but I know you and Christian are going to have a happy marriage." I'm trying as hard as I can not to cry and ruin my makeup while he's fighting his own tears. "How about we get going before I turn into a blubbering mess?" I hook my arms in his and allow him to guide us out of the room, down the stairs, and to the backdoor where Kate, Mia, and Audrey are waiting. I raise myself up on my toes to see if I can get a glimpse of Christian. The moment I finally spot him in his dark gray suit. Elliot's saying something to him so he doesn't see me watching him. The sky behind is starting to darken. According to the weather, there was only a ten percent chance of rain today.
"It's going to rain.", I murmur as the music starts. The bridesmaids start making their way outside and down the aisle, but my body won't move.
"No rain is going to stop you from saying I do.", my dad says with a wink. "Relax Annie."
"You're right. Christian and I have been through too much to let rain interfere with our wedding. Let's do it." The music changes to "Wings" by Birdy while we make our way down the aisle, passing by smiling family and friends. Carrick and Grace are already in tears as is my mom. My attention then falls on only one person, Christian. Like I said last night, he's looking at me as if we're the only two people. That's what today is about, us. It's about our journey, our love.
"It looks like rain is on the way.", I whisper to Christian once we're standing face to face.
"Nothing can rain on our parade.", he laughs. Our minister for the ceremony Cal Hopkins takes his place at the front.
"Family and friends, we've gathered here today to celebrate the union of Christian Trevelyan Grey and Anastasia Rose Steele. Although they entered the ceremony as individuals, they will leave here as husband and wife and embark on the greatest adventure their lives. Who presents this woman to be married to this man?"
"We do, her mother and father.", my parents answer in unison. Christian smiles and mouths I love you.
"Christian and Ana will be reciting their own vows. Christian, at this time, you may say yours." With the wedding band Elliot handed him, Christian takes my left hand and starts sliding the finger on to my ring finger.
"Ana, I see these vows not as promises but as privileges. I get to laugh with you and cry with you; care for you and share with you. I get to run with you and walk with you; build with you and live with you. I get to be your husband.", Christian says. I keep my eyes on him but hear the sniffling from the seats behind us.
"And now Ana will say her vows." I turn and take Christian's wedding band from Kate.
"Christian, since we have been together, you've made me feel more complete and more alive. You've shown me the true meaning of happiness. I'm a better person with you by my side. I promise to laugh with you when times are good and endure with you when they're bad. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, completely and forever." The audience isn't the only crying now as both Christian and I are weeping. The rumble of thunder echoes in the sky. Almost there
"Christian and Ana have declared their love for each other with their words and the exchanging of the rings.
"Can I kiss her now?", Christian asks.
"Just a second. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Christian and I stare at each other before he pulls me to him and engulfs me in a deep, passionate kiss. "I give to you Mr. and Mrs. Christian Grey." Our well wishers start applauding as a light mist covers us, but our lips continue moving together.
"We're married Mrs. Grey."
"We certainly are Mr. Grey. Now let's go inside and have some cake."
Ana's dress and the bridesmaid dresses along with the song Wings are on the Wasting All These Tears Pinterest board. The link is on my profile page.