Chapter 24: I do
AKA: … take you to be my 'yada, yada, yada.'
I will look at you across any room
and think you are the most beautiful person I've ever seen
for as long
as I
breath.
I stood next to Father Frank and my brother as I waited for Anastasia to walk down the aisle. I didn't feel nervous or anxious, but expectant and ready to take my angel as my wife. That would have to wait a few more hours, though, as this was the rehearsal of our wedding rather than the ceremony itself.
Anastasia looked like a beautiful angel in a new lacy white dress specially bought for the occasion. I couldn't wait to see her in her wedding dress. I had been instructed to put on a blue shirt to match the theme of the wedding.
I nearly swallowed my tongue when Anastasia finally began walking towards me. I wondered how much more affected I would be the following day, surrounded by all of our guests, in our own backyard instead of my parents'—who had been kind enough to offer us their home for the rehearsal—with the whole garden decorated to the nines in white and blue.
Mia and Father Frank had us go through the motions of the wedding until they were satisfied we'd do a proper job the following day. Then, it was finally time to celebrate our upcoming union with dinner, presents and cake.
Father Frank accompanied us for dinner but left right afterwards, allowing us to share this moment with our closest family members. Even if the wedding would be a small affair, there would still be colleagues and distant relatives present.
Joined by my parents and Anastasia's, my grandparents, Kate, Elliot, Mia, Ethan, Ros and Gwen, we settled down in the living room, where glasses of champagne had already been served to everyone. My fiancée and I remained standing up while everyone had found a comfortable place, and then we addressed the room.
"As you are aware, we will be leaving the speeches for tomorrow," I said. "But we wanted to thank you privately for all the running and organizing that you had to do the last five weeks. And for putting up with us during the last few decades."
"Excuse you!" Anastasia interrupted offended with an exclamation. "I was always a good girl!"
"Wouldn't get in trouble even once," agreed Carla, sounding playfully disapproving rather than thankful. If only she knew what kind of misbehaviour she got into as an adult.
"Alright, alright. Thanks for putting up with me during the last few decades. And as a token of our appreciation, we have gifts for our wedding party."
Eyes looked surprised as Anastasia produced a bag of presents from behind a couch.
She grabbed the gift we'd left at the top and addressed my mother: "Grace. We wanted to thank you for aiding us with the organization of the wedding, for lending us your home today, and for the advice you have given us in the past, as well as the one you will be giving us in the future.
"I also wanted to thank you for helping raise the man I am to marry tomorrow," continued Anastasia with a smile as my Mum shed a few tears, "who may be stubborn and taciturn, but who was also persistent enough to fight for us, and so loving I could do nothing but agree to spend the rest of my life with him.
"To show you our thanks, we wish to give you this present."
Grace stood up and hugged us both, muttering her thanks and congratulations.
"Thank you for being my mum," I whispered into her ear, "even when I was resistant to your love and affection."
When she stepped back, she had fresh tears in her eyes.
Then, Grace opened the rectangular jewellery box carefully to find the matching blue sapphire necklace and earrings Anastasia and I had purchased for her. We had decided to follow the theme of the wedding by giving our family and friends gifts that would remind them of this joyous occasion.
"Oh, thank you! They're so beautiful. I will wear them tomorrow."
It was then my turn to give the mother of the bride her gift.
"Carla," I said. "I want to thank you for raising the amazing woman I am to marry tomorrow. She is loving and unafraid to smile, let her hair down or speak her mind. She is perfect for me, and she wouldn't be who she is today if it weren't for you. Plus, she has your beautiful hair."
Anastasia and Carla chuckled with tears in their eyes.
"I want to thank you for being there for me always," said my girl then. "For being a good listener and never judging me. And for advising me to give Christian and me a chance, and cling to our love. I always will. Now let us give you this as a token of our thanks."
Carla threw her arms around Anastasia. After hugging her daughter tightly, she offered me her hand and shook it tightly. Luckily, she didn't try to hug me. Someone must have warned her, or maybe she'd noticed I was averse to receiving physical contact from anyone who wasn't Anastasia. As flighty as Carla could be, there was no denying her emotional intelligence.
She then unwrapped her present: a second necklace and earrings set in which the blue sapphires and diamonds had been arranged like a flower.
Next, we thanked my father for his home, love and advice with a white and yellow gold Rolex.
"Ray," was then my turn again, "thank you for trusting me with your daughter, and for raising her to be loving, down to earth, and unafraid to say 'no.'" Anastasia snorted as she handed her father a silver and black Rolex and a blue tie for the wedding. At the latter's back, she had added a patch that said, 'Dad, of all the walks we've taken, this one is my favourite. Annie 9.17.2011'
Then it was Mia's and Kate's turn. We'd be forever grateful for all the job Mia had done in the last five weeks, planning and organising the wedding, and making it possible for us to wed with such short notice. Also, she'd welcomed Anastasia with open arms before even meeting her and had been cheering on our relationship from a time in which we didn't believe ourselves to be in love. We gave Mia earrings with marquise-cut blue sapphires.
Anastasia then told Kate, "I want to thank you for the advice, encouragement and friendship you have given me all these years."
"And I," I added, "appreciate your great timing when it comes to getting sick. If it weren't for it, you would have come to interview me instead, and Anastasia and I would have never met." Well, met again.
We gifter Kate round blue sapphire earrings with a white gold intricate pattern.
I then thanked Ros for her hard work and constant support with a white and pink gold exquisite Rolex.
My brother was next, and to thank him for standing by my side, "both on our wedding day and when Christian is being antisocial and reclusive,"—Anastasia's words, not mine— we gifted him a white gold watch with a dark blue dial.
The last ones to receive a gift—matching Clive Christian cologne and perfume—were my grandparents, who would be acting as our Ring Bearer and Flower Grandma.
Once all the thanks and gifts had been given, it was time to cut the Groom's cake. Mia had baked for me a sailing-themed white and blue masterpiece. The middle layer had fondant rope wrapped around it, making Anastasia and me laugh.
It wasn't too late yet, so we played a fierce round of Pictionary. We young adults beat our parents and grandparents, earning three bottles of expensive whiskey for Mia and Ethan, Elliot and Kate, and Ros and Gwen.
My sister then insisted it was time for all of us to go to bed, as she wanted us well-rested for the big day. I could hardly believe twenty-four hours from then, I'd be a married man. Anastasia and I made sure to thank everyone once again before departing together, much to the other women's chagrin. They'd wanted us to spend the night apart because of some silly superstition, but we'd refused categorically. Not only did I not want to spend one more night without Anastasia by my side, but I also didn't want the night before my wedding to be plagued with nightmares because of her absence.
"This is my last night going to bed as Miss Steele," said Anastasia as we curled up under the covers. "I love you, Mr Grey."
"And I love you too, baby. Forever."
The alarm woke us up at 8 o'clock that morning. Anastasia took a couple of seconds to wake up, but when she did, she gave me a warm smile.
"Good morning, beautiful," I whispered before kissing her forehead, nose and cheekbones.
She kissed me back and said, "Mmm… Morning, handsome."
She guided me on my back and lain down on top of me, her warm thigh against my semi-erect dick.
"It's kind of funny this all started with a contract I didn't want to sign because of… the level of commitment, you could say," she spoke. "24/7? No, Sir. And now… now I can't wait to sign a contract that will bind us together forever."
"Me neither, love. In less than eight hours, you'll be mine to love and cherish for the rest of our lives."
I wanted to make love to her, but we were on a tight schedule, so it'd have to wait until we were married.
Married!
Also, I wanted her wild for me that night.
Gail was waiting for us in the kitchen with a delicious and filling breakfast. She usually had the weekends off, but we'd asked her to be around during the morning. That afternoon, she and Taylor would be guests at our wedding, although Taylor would also be coordinating the security personnel at his own insistence.
Like every Saturday, we climbed into the shower together, even if we hadn't gone running together that morning.
Anastasia's hands suddenly found themselves running down my abs. "Oh, no, baby. No sex," I interrupted her exploring before it would get heated. Her hands froze on my lower abdomen and she pouted. "I want you needy and horny tonight."
"I'm always needy and horny for you," she whined and I laughed.
"Such a dirty mouth, future Mrs Grey. Be patient, baby. I have two entire weeks to make it up to you."
Once we'd cleaned ourselves—without making each other dirty first—Anastasia got dressed for the day with a pale blue t-shirt that read 'Bride.' She then kissed me goodbye, promised me she'd be the one in white, and left with Sawyer to Bellevue, where the ladies would be getting their makeup and hair done. Things were easier for us men and Ros, as we were expected to be at our house by Washington Lake at 1:45—not later, nor much sooner, as the women would be arriving at the location at 1:30 to get dressed, and I was not allowed to see Anastasia then.
I had a few hours to kill before then. I tried working, playing the piano and reading, but nothing worked. I was beginning to regret rejecting Elliot's and Carrick's offer to spend the day with me. As if he'd read my mind, my brother texted me,
Gym at your place?
Sure.
I answered immediately. Ten minutes later, we were working out. I burned down some of my anxiety, being conscient not to tire out myself.
"How are you feeling, bro? Nervous?"
"Not exactly. I'm anxious. All this waiting is killing me. I can't wait for Anastasia to be my wife."
"Good, good… I think that as your Best Man, my job should be to tell you not to do this," he chuckled, "to tell you to live a little more… but you're more alive with Ana around."
"She's…" my angel. "She woke me up."
He laughed. "In more ways than one!" His lewd tone of voice suggested he meant my libido.
I rolled my eyes. I didn't mind being rude to my ass of a brother.
"I'm twenty-eight. Just because Anastasia is the only woman I've introduced you lot to, it doesn't mean she's the first woman I've been with, Lelliot."
My brother tripped on the treadmill.
"Careful there. If you hit your pretty face and bruise it, there'll be hell to pay with the ladies."
"You asshat, are you for real? You are. You've had girlfriends before?"
"I've had girls."
"I can't believe you, Mr High and Mighty, had fuck buddies instead of proper nice girlfriends… or inflatable dolls."
I snorted, hesitated, and confessed. "Even Anastasia wasn't my girlfriend when you thought she was my girlfriend."
It was oddly nice, to share this with Elliot. Even if the topic may not be the most appropriate for my wedding day.
"No! Sweet little Anastasia Steele?" Sweet, my ass. "But then why did you introduce her to us?"
"I didn't want to! You were there at the wrong place and time and then decided to fall for her roommate! And if it wasn't for you and your big mouth, she wouldn't have met Mum!" He snorted. "Well, it was only a matter of time before I fell in love with her and introduced her to the family, of course…"
"This is insane. You'll have to tell me the whole story someday. But for now, it's time for a shower and lunch, or we'll be late and Mia will murder us before you can meet your lady friend at the altar."
Taylor and I arrived promptly at 1:42 at Anastasia's and mine new house. Judging by the cars parked in the garage, the women were already home. I made it straight to the backyard, knowing I wouldn't be welcome inside the house. Everything looked perfect, just like it had the evening before when we'd checked on Mia and the decorations right before driving to Bellueve to the rehearsal.
In the middle of the yard, stood the tent. The 'roof' was transparent and the impermeable tarpaulin curtains had been opened to enjoy the nice day we'd been blessed with. From the centre of the plastic ceiling and to the sides hung white cloth liners.
Underneath, the tables and chairs were decorated in white and blue. On top of the tables, there were vases with white roses.
To my left, the pool had been covered with a resistant and transparent material to create the dance floor. Colourful led lights hidden underneath would be turned on for the party.
By the lake, white wooden chairs had been arranged in a half-circle around the aisle. On top of the wooden dock stood an arch, with white linen wrapped around it. Soon, Anastasia and I would be declared husband and wife there.
Elliot arrived a few minutes later, followed by my Dad and Ray, and then Ros and Gwen.
After most of the guests had arrived, Ray disappeared upstairs to meet up with Anastasia. Mia and Kate showed up soon afterwards, wearing blue dresses that matched the rest of the wedding party. My mother was close behind them in a lovely grey dress.
It was only a few minutes later that the guests were invited to take their seats, as the ceremony would be starting soon. Father Frank, my parents, siblings and grandparents, Carla, Ros and Kate stood behind the chairs in the formation Mia had drilled on us the day before.
At 2:25 on the dot, Father Frank began walking down the aisle by himself. The instant he'd made it to the archway, I began escorting my mother down the aisle. I wanted to run—the sooner we were all in front of our guests, the sooner Anastasia and I would be saying I do—but I allowed Grace to set the slow pace we had practised last evening.
I escorted my mother to her chair in the first row. She kissed my cheek and said, "I love you, my darling. I am so happy for you. Now, go marry your girl."
"Thank you, Mum. For everything." Thank you for choosing me when I was a broken little boy. "I love you, too." I kissed her cheek and went to stand by Father Frank.
Carrick then walked with Carla towards the lake. He escorted her to her chair before taking his place next to my mother giving me a warm smile. "I am so proud of you," he had already told me earlier, while we waited for the guest to arrive. "You have had a hard life, and I was worried that you'd never… dare to embrace love. I am glad you have found your Ana and you are joining her in holly matrimony today."
"Thank you for being such a great role model," I'd muttered back, embarrassed but knowing my father deserved to hear this. "You have shown me how to be a good husband… and father."
After them, came first Ros and then Mia, standing up on the right and left of Father Frank respectively. Then Elliot escorted Kate down the aisle. My Best Man stood next to me while Kate placed herself in front of us. Finally, my grandparents walked down the aisle as Grandma scattered white petals in front of her. As soon as they'd taken their seat, the wedding march began. I had already been standing straight and proud, but somehow, my back got even straighter, and I stood taller and prouder.
A second later, Ray and my Anastasia walked out of the house through the back door. Anastasia was a vision in white, the dress hugging her curves.
She was my angel.
My Goddess.
My life.
She was my kitty and my tiger, my nymph and my sunshine. She was stubborn and obstinate and had quite a temper. I loved every part of her, flaws and all, and soon I would be promising myself to her in front of our family and friends.
She had a warm smile on her lips and held a bouquet made of white, blue and silver satin roses in her hands.
It felt both like an eternity and a second later when Ray was handing over Anastasia to me. Her hand was soft and warm in mine. Who would have thought, the first time we'd touched, that we'd end up like this?
I'd been looking for a one-night fuck, but now I had a lifetime companion.
"We are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of Christian Trevelyan Grey and Anastasia Rose Steele in Holy Matrimony," Father Frank recited. "This is a day of great celebration, for a married life—a shared life—is a great blessing. As Christian and Anastasia embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that makes them better versions of themselves. Marriage is a garden we sow with love, and harvest in personal growth.
"Christian and Ana, on your journey together, keep your spouse in the space of the highest priority in your heart. The love that you share must be guarded and cherished forever, for it is your most valuable treasure.
"And now Christian and Ana have asked Christian's sister Mia to do a reading."
"Love is patient and kind," intonated my sister loudly and clearly. "Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
"Now Carrick, the father of the groom, will be reading the words of Jane Wells written in 1886."
"Let your love be stronger than your hate or anger.
"Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break.
"Believe the best rather than the worst.
"People have a way of living up or down to your opinion of them.
"Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship. The person you choose to marry is deserving of the courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.
"Please hand this down to your children and your children's children. The more things change the more they stay the same."
Father Frank smiled warmly at us before continuing: "Christian and Ana have chosen to write their own vows, so now they will express their binding promises to love, honour, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises, I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions."
Anastasia and I turned to look at each other. She tried to blink away her tears, but her eyes remained glistening.
I gave her my largest of smiles and recited my vows.
"When we first met, I had no idea you would be so important to me. We didn't have love at first sight, or second, or third… But with every fight and every challenge and every laugh, I fell more in love with you," I spoke clearly, my voice carrying to our guests. That mattered not, though, as my words were for Anastasia, who began crying in earnest.
"So on this day, I do take you to be my best friend, my lawful wife and my forever love. I promise to encourage you, inspire you and challenge you. I promise to take you on adventures and cuddle with you as we watch the romantic movies you love so much. And I promise to let you talk through every single one of them."
Anastasia laughed, and so did those among our guests who knew her well enough.
"I promise to listen to everything you have to say, even when I don't like it. But I also promise to be stubborn and bicker with you and compromise with you.
"And through it all, I promise to love you irrevocably and passionately, with all my heart and every cell of my body.
"I know that our love will never fade, that we will always find strength in one another, and that we will continue to grow side by side. Never forget that I belong with you, you belong with me, and I will always love you.
"I will always love you, too," whispered Anastasia before reciting her vows to me.
"When we first met, I had no plans of falling in love with you," she said with a playful smile. Her voice shook as happy tears rolled down her cheeks. "I didn't expect to get to know you, adore you and love you.
"Yet on this day, I do take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner and my one true love. I promise to encourage, support and believe in you. I promise to be your rock and your sunshine when you need me the most. I will laugh with you, cry with you and be stubborn with you. And I will compromise with you.
We chuckled. It was both unexpected and lovely how much our vows matched each other's. Sure, she had shared a few words of her vows with me, but not that many.
"I promise not to obey you, never to be docile and to keep you guessing as often as I can. I promise to frustrate you and challenge you. I promise with me, life will never be boring.
My shoulders shook as I tried not to laugh.
"But most importantly, I promise to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life. I promise to cherish you through good times and bad, in sickness and health, whether rich or poor.
"For you are everything I never expected, all I ever needed, more than I had ever imagined, and the only one I will ever want. I will love you forever and beyond.
"And I, you, beautiful," I answered.
"Thank you for sharing your vows with all of us," spoke Father Frank. "May I please have the rings?"
Elliot walked towards our grandfather, the ring bearer. He took the rings from his breast pocket and handed them to my brother. Elliot gave the rings to Father Frank, who said, "The rings you are about to place on each other's fingers are symbols of the love you expressed. They will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the eternal love that you have for one another."
He asked me to place Anastasia's wedding ring on her finger first. While I repeated after him, "I, Christian, give you Anastasia this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you," I grabbed Anastasia's warm hand and carefully slid her wedding band onto her finger.
Anastasia then slid my platinum wedding ring onto my finger as she shakily repeated the same words.
"By the power vested in me by the State of Washington and American Marriage Ministries," concluded Father Frank, and my heart started pounding. "I pronounce you Husband and Wife!
"You may now kiss your bride."
My bride! My Anastasia! My wife!
We both took a step forward like a pair of magnets that had been vibrating with unreleased tension. I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her. We poured all our love and passion into our first kiss as husband and wife, not caring about who was watching. The kiss started growing hotter, but before we could get out of hand, Elliot snickered and cleared his throat.
Anastasia took a step back with flaming cheeks.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honour to present for the first time, Mr and Mrs Grey!" exclaimed Father Frank as we turned to look at the cheerful crowd of our family and friends.
In small groups, they all approached to congratulate us. I kept my left hand on Anastasia's low back and shook hands with my right one. My eyes kept gravitating towards my wife—Wife! —and meeting her warm Adriatic blue sea eyes now and then.
Once everyone had got a chance to offer their congratulations and well wishes, the MC requested our guests to move to the tent for cocktails. Anastasia and I made a swift escape to the kitchen—new and recently renovated by Elliot and his team—where we got to spend some time by ourselves. From the large windows, we could see everyone congregate under the marquee. By the lake, a photographer was taking pictures of our wedding party, easily recognizable by their blue and silver attire.
"You look gorgeous. I can't wait to get you out of that dress, Mrs Grey."
"You make it sound much more fun than it actually is, handsome," she said before turning around. I wasn't sure what her point was, but her back looked exquisite covered only in thin white lace.
My angel.
My Anastasia.
My bride.
My hand was suddenly in front of me, my fingers caressing the soft lace.
"Those little buttons are a pain to deal with, love," she clarified.
"But nothing compares to you in white lace," I whispered in her ear after taking a step forward.
"I guess that's what the bridal underwear is for."
Fuck me.
"You're killing me here, baby," I moaned and pressed my front against her back, letting her feel my hard-on.
She chuckled and spun. I held her tighter against me as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"You can peel me off my going-away dress later. I promise."
"Alright," I muttered. So long as I got to have her naked and all alone, I didn't much care about the details.
I kissed her hard then, unable to wait any longer. Without Elliot there to interrupt us and a crowd to see us, I kissed her with all the love and passion I held for her. I was overwhelmed with positive feelings. Anastasia and I were now husband and wife, committed to loving each other for eternity. We were kissing in the kitchen of our new home for the first time of hundreds, thousands… I had found my life companion, and with our families and God as witnesses, we had sealed the deal.
"I love you," whispered Anastasia as we came out for air.
"I love you, too, beautiful. And I loved your vows." Her unconditional love and her promises to be by my side always… I had no words to describe the way they filled my heart.
"And I yours. They were perfect. People will think we wrote them together."
"We share the same history. It was reflected in our words."
"Good point, Mr Grey."
Alas, we were not alone at home yet, and all too soon Mia and Kate showed up to compel us back to the yard. Before we could join the party in our honour, we were dragged to take hundreds of pictures by the lake—albeit not until after Anastasia had reapplied her ruined lipstick—by ourselves, with our parents and with the wedding party.
Once Mia and the photographer were satisfied, we walked towards the dance floor, where our guests were now mingling. The MC asked them to make room for us and Elliot took over the mike.
"And here they come! Taking the dance floor for the first time as a married couple, welcome Mr and Mrs Grey!" my brother exclaimed and the crowd clapped cheerfully.
With her left hand in the crook of my right arm, Anastasia and I stepped into the enclosure and though the dance floor. The sunlight filtered through the glass roof and illuminated us with its golden light. As soon as we were in the middle of the dance floor, the classical Blue Danube Waltz began to play, and so Anastasia and I shared our first dance as husband and wife. The rest of the world seemed to disappear. We may have as well been dancing in the privacy of our apartment. We only had eyes for each other. But then the song changed, and Elliot invited our mother and the father of the bride to step into the floor. What followed was a string of different partners as our guests stepped into the dance floor to dance with us. It was unpleasant to change arms so often, but I could tolerate the touch of the waltz position and it wasn't my first time dancing with someone other than Anastasia, Grace or Mia.
I was relieved when the MC interrupted the dancing a few minutes later and asked everyone to return to the tent and take their assigned seats. I guided Anastasia to the central table, where we sat among our parents and wedding party.
As soon as everyone had been seated, Ray stood up in front of the small crowd and took the microphone from the MC. He was going to present the first round of speeches.
"Good afternoon everyone," he spoke hoarsely, probably unused to talking in front of so many people. "Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Raymond Steele and I am the bride's father." His face expression changed then as he smiled at his daughter with love.
"The first time I met Annie she was three months old. She had my heart from the time those blue eyes opened and looked right at me. The day she officially became my daughter was the happiest of my life, and she's spent the last two decades creating memories with me and making me so proud."
My eyes went from Ray to Anastasia as he spoke. My wife's eyes were focused on her father and glistened with fresh tears.
"The day I met Christian, I could tell how happy he made my little girl, but the thought of marriage didn't cross my mind." Nor mine, Ray. "Yet, a month and a half later we met again, and it was so easy to see my daughter had found the man who would remain at her side for the rest of her life.
"So today, Christian," he spoke and his eyes focused on me, "I welcome you officially to the family—even if, much like me, you've been Ana's from the day you first saw her eyes."
I smiled softly at that, remembering that day at my office. Sure, we had known each other for weeks by then, but the moment I saw her blue eyes, I was a goner. I sank into that warm ocean and settled down there, comfortable and happy.
"I'd also like to thank the guest who came from far away to join us on this wonderful day," he continued, referring to my paternal aunt and her family, as well as Anastasia's biological paternal uncle and his family.
"To my beautiful daughter and her husband, I hope 'May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.'… And may you give us beautiful grandchildren."
Jeez. My parents and Carla nodded around us. They'd have to wait a few more years.
Or not.
"Now it's my honour to propose a toast to the happy couple. Please pour some wine. May I ask you to stand up and raise your glasses to the bride and groom?" We all followed his instructions. Bob gave Ray a glass of wine—it was nice to see they got along—while I poured glasses for my girl and myself. As soon as our guests had risen their glasses towards us, Ray said, "May Annie and Christian live happily forever! Cheers."
"Cheers!"
Anastasia and I toasted each other first, and afterwards, Ray. I took the mike then.
"Thank you, Ray, for your beautiful words, and for giving me Ana's hand in marriage. I'd also like to thank you and Carla for raising the love of my life, my best friend, my wife," I continued as my father-in-law returned to his seat.
I held the microphone so Anastasia and I could take turns talking, as we'd agreed. She said, "I'd like to thank Grace and Carrick for giving Christian a loving home and helping to shape him into the man he has become. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives with open arms, and for helping us plan this wedding. Your experience and advice made this possible.
"We'd also like to thank my Maid of Honour, Kate, and my Bridesmaid and Christian's sister, Mia, without whom this day would have been impossible. Truly, they did more planning than my husband and I, but made sure to ask for my opinion and Christian's at every turn. We appreciate it."
I continued then, "I'd like to thank my Best Man and brother, Elliot, and my Groomswoman and right hand, Ros, for standing by my side, not only today but every time I needed them.
"We want to thank Elliot and Kate for planning our Bachelor/Bachelorette joint long weekend in Aspen, taking into account our likes and dislikes, and allowing Ana and I to hide away from our company whenever we were feeling like being reclusive." Chuckles could be heard from around the tent.
"Additionally, we'd like to thank Elliot for the job he and his team are doing in our future house, helping us turn it into a home.
"But my special thanks go to Kate," I finished with humour, "who had great timing for getting sick and allowing my path and Anastasia's to cross."
Kate gave me a wide honest smile and a thumbs up.
Then it was Anastasia's turn again. "We'd like to give a special thanks to those family members who came from all over the country to share this special day with us, and without a long notice to boot."
"Lastly," I concluded, "we'd like to thank all of you for your gift of donating whatever money you could to Coping Together. We truly appreciate it.
"Now, I'd like to thank you, Anastasia," I said, running to look at my wife, "for coming into my life like a storm and helping me become the man I was supposed to be. Thank you for putting my world right side up, and for loving me when I couldn't love myself. Thank you for remaining with me when it was the hardest to stand by my side—when I wouldn't listen, or I wouldn't give in."
"Thank you," she replied with tears, "for teaching me compromise is easy when the person is worth it. Thank you for taking me on adventures and showing me sights I've never seen before." I smirked and winked at her. Most of our adventures hadn't happened out in the world, but within the walls of our home, on top of a comfortable enough surface. "Thank you for loving me when I was too stubborn to realize I loved you, and for fighting for our blooming relationship when I felt like giving up. Thank you for being not the man of my dreams, but the love of my life. My perfect companion. My best friend. I love you."
"And I love you, baby. Forever."
Clapping thundered around us.
"Hooray for the happy couple!" exclaimed Elliot, lifting his glass.
"Hooray!"
"Kiss! Kiss!" chanted Kate, followed immediately by our gusts.
There was no need for them to beg as far as I was concerned. I turned to look at Anastasia and make sure she wasn't uncomfortable. Despite her deep blushing, she smiled shyly at me and shrugged.
I smirked, amused by the contraposition of the kitty standing in front of me and the tiger I knew I'd married.
I gave the crowed what they asked for, wrapping my arms around Anastasia's waist and kissing her passionately—not as much as in the privacy of the kitchen, but inappropriately considering we had witnesses.
Our guests had little sense of decorum too, whistling, howling and clapping in celebration as we kissed until we ran out of air.
We took our seats then, and the first course of dinner was served. The atmosphere was cheerful and relaxed as we chatted with our table. My hand and Anastasia's kept gravitating to each other. It was as if we were going through the honeymoon phase that we hadn't experienced when we'd first met.
We had a few months to make up for, but we overdid it a bit.
Decades later, we are still in our honeymoon phase.
After the plates had been cleared, the second round of toasts began: "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kate, and I am the Maid of Honour. I used to be the Bride's best friend until Christian usurped my place."
Damn right!
Our guests chuckled. Katherine Kavanagh knew how to captivate a crowd.
"Ana and I met nearly four years ago. We became roommates during our second semester at college. We were complete opposites, except for the fact that we were both studying Liberal Arts; but we became inseparable—excluding wherever I tried to get Ana to go clubbing with me." She winked.
"I've done my research for today… and I found that Zora Neale Hurston once said,'Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.' I've seen Ana come out of her shell after she met Christian. She smiles and laughs more… and behaves like a woman her age instead of an old maid.
"'Everyone admits that love is wonderful and necessary, yet no one agrees on just what it is,' said Diane Ackerman, but let me tell you that love is the way Ana and Christian look at each other, laugh with each other, and enjoy being reclusive, not alone, but with each other."
She smiled softly at Anastasia and my girl rested her head on my shoulder. I looked at her to find her blushing slightly.
"Rita Rudner said, 'I love being married. It's so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life,'" we all laughter at her words. Truer words hadn't been spoken. Hadn't Anastasia claimed she enjoyed making my eye twitch? "And let me tell you, that's Ana talking about Christian, all right. You've heard her vows. It doesn't get more real than that."
Anastasia giggled and looked up at me. Our eyes met and I winked at her.
"So on this day, I congratulate Mr and Mrs Grey for tying the knot with love in their eyes. Let this be the first happy memory you make in your future home. I'd like to make a toast for the happy memories to come!"
She rose her glass, and so did we.
"I love you, Ana, even if you only gave us five weeks to plan the wedding.
"I wish both of you the best."
My brother, my wife and I stood up then. Elliot freed Kate from the microphone and the girls hugged. I shook Kate's hand warmly and we returned to the table.
"For those of you who don't know me," began my brother, "my name's Elliot Grey.
"On my sixth birthday, my parents got me a brother… I had asked for a puppy," he said with an easy smile, making the guests laugh at his joke.
"Christian wasn't the easiest person to be around as a kid," that was an understatement, "and he got even worst as a teenager until he got his life on track. He went to college and graduated in two years like any normal person… And built a company from scratch.
"Well, technically speaking, I built Grey House, but that's a story for another day…
"GEH took a lot of Christian's time and dedication. He was busy more often than not, and became a true hermit… Until he met Ana.
"And a very smart woman said that love makes you… crawl out of your shell, or something like that," he added, gesturing at Kate with a dimpled smile. "And truly, we've seen more of Christian ever since he fell in love with his little bride. The change in him has been astounding: he smiles more, goes out more, and gets angry less often.
"On the other hand, those two have worked together to make fun of me, prank me, and beat me at games! That's not nice, guys!" he exclaimed, turning to look at us with a fake frown. I smirked at him. We probably wished he could take revenge now, but mother and Mia had made it perfectly clear to him that he was not to humiliate our family tonight.
"Anyway, I'm not much of a speeches guy—that's Christian's territory—and all the women in my life have insisted under no circumstances can I make embarrassing jokes about them, so allow me to make a toast for the newlyweds: I wish you find joy in each other and have a lifetime of happiness together!
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!" repeated the guests.
We thanked Elliot and the second course of dinner was served.
After dinner, we were encouraged to return to the dance floor. Anastasia replaced her white high heels with flat lacy shoes. We then shared our second dance as husband and wife and as the Lumineers sang, 'I belong with you, you belong with me. You're my sweetheart,' per my request.
As the music through the speakers, we spent the next hour and a half dancing and mingling with our guests. I introduced Anastasia to my father's family, my Head-of-Departments, Welch, Barney and Fred—my 'Tech Wizards.' Anastasia presented me to her uncle's family, her boss, Ben, and her co-workers, Angela and Seth.
Soon after we'd begun to tire, the MC invited us back to the tent. There, we found the cake in its place of honour in front of the main table. Mia had baked us a masterpiece. The four-tyres cake was covered in white fondant and decorated with blue satin and white edible roses. As the sun set behind us, Anastasia and I cut the cake as Maroon 5 sang 'Sugar.' We playfully smashed came in each other's faces and laughed merrily. Mia wasn't quite so amused and dragged Anastasia inside the house to fix her make-up.
After dessert, it was time for the bouquet toss. Anastasia hadn't wanted to give up her actual bouquet—what is more, she had had it made in satin instead of actual flowers, so they wouldn't wither. Therefore, what she tossed at the unmarried women was a blue t-shirt wrapped in the form of a large flower.
The women congregated behind Anastasia as the song called to all the single ladies and my girls tossed the fake bouquet. At the front of the group of women, stood Kate firmly. Predictably, Anastasia wasn't able to toss the bouquet very far, and it practically fell on the blonde's hands. Knowing what the rolled piece of clothes held, she unwrapped it immediately to show off to the crowd the blue t-shirt that read 'Future Wifey.' She winked at Elliot, and I was surprised my man-whore of a brother wasn't hiding in the crowd, but smiling at her. After Kate and Anastasia had taken a picture to commemorate the moment, it was my turn.
The MC called for the single men to congregate behind me as an upbeat song blasted through the speakers. The unmarried men weren't quite as enthusiastic as the ladies, and they reluctantly dragged their feet towards me. I was amused when Elliot caught the cardboard whiskey box I'd tossed at the crowd behind my back. Also in the know, he immediately opened the box to reveal the matching t-shirt that read 'Future Hubby.'
My brother and Kate were happy to put on their new T-shirts. They posed with each other and the two bottles of whiskey they had also won for catching the 'bouquet' and the empty box.
The second round of dancing started then and ran straight until 10:30, when the MC called for our guests to make room for Anastasia and me to share one last dance on the night of our wedding. Anastasia had been the one to choose this song. As a female singer intoned 'I have loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more,' my wife and I swayed under the moonlight. I forgot about the crowd of our family and friends as I hugged Anastasia to my body and she laid her head against my chest.
Once the song was over, I took over the microphone for a second to thank our guests for sharing the joyous occasion with us. Anastasia and I would be leaving for our honeymoon soon, but I invited our guests to keep dancing and partying. I wanted to be the one to help my wife out of her white lacy dress, but Kate insisted I could not be trusted around Anastasia, the delicate lace of the wedding dress and those damned tiny buttons. I was forced to watch as the blonde took my wife upstairs. It was nearly twenty minutes later that Anastasia returned with her hair down and a blue lacy dress.
I'd been waiting for her in the kitchen with a glass of cold water. She drank it quickly and then I asked her, "Ready to go?"
"Yes. I can't wait!"
I couldn't wait either. I was ready to undress her and take a look at the expected bridal lingerie. I couldn't wait to have her for the first time as my wife. I couldn't wait to be alone with her for the next two weeks.
I guided Anastasia back to the yard, where everyone was waiting to see us off. Goodbyes were exchanged with our family and closest friends. We then waved goodbye to our guests, and as we turned around, we were showered with rice.
"For fertility!" exclaimed Carla.
Anastasia and I hurried away before anyone could make another embarrassing comment and we met Sawyer at the front of the house, where he was waiting by a car that had a large sign that read 'Just Married.'
They said I do! I hope you've been enjoying this trip, but sadly we're close to the end. Only 2 chapters to go!