Chapter 36

APOV

As a little girl I once dreamed of marrying a prince after watching all those Disney movies, imagining myself in a big white dress and tiara, well I found my prince, only he didn't come riding on a white horse, he didn't rescue me from an evil queen so to speak, but we have rescued each other in different ways.

Life doesn't always go as planned or how you imagine it would be. You don't think about pain you may endure or the things that can go wrong, or even about heartache and loss as you're growing up, believing life will always be rosy and stay the same but things happen to make you stronger and become the person you're meant to become, to learn from events and tragedies. I will never take a single day for granted again and make each day count and make sure it is a happy one for both Christian and our baby, our family. I'm not naive to anticipate that it will always be rainbows and sunshine, there will be dark clouds at times however together our love is strong enough to get us through whatever storms may come our way.

Today is the start of the rest of our lives together as husband and wife. My stomach fills with excited butterflies as the time to leave and head over to the church gets closer. I can't help but keep checking the time on the clock hanging on the wall.

I have spent a crazy morning getting ready at Escala with hair and makeup artists everywhere, non-alcoholic champagne has been flowing while making sure all last minute details have been taken care of while Christian is at his parent's house having spent last night there, he's probably having a relaxed morning not having to do anything other than dress and show up. Everyone has asked me whether I'm nervous but the truth is that I'm not, I have never been more certain of anything. Last night was my last night here, after our honeymoon we'll be moving straight into our new house. I cannot wait to truly turn it into a home filled with happy memories.

Christian and I spoke on the phone briefly as I got into our bed alone for the last time as a single woman. He calmed me down assuring me that nothing was going to go wrong and that even if it did who really cares as long as we end up married in the end. He was right of course. The last thing I heard before falling asleep was "I'll be waiting for you at the alter baby. Sweet dreams."

Kate and Mia dressed in their lilac one shoulder dresses have been fussing around me for the last hour ensuring there's not a hair out of place or a single wrinkle in my dress. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to use the bathroom due to the combination of excitement, drinks and the tiny human sitting on my bladder.

I now stand alone in front of the large mirror in my bedroom in my white dress, it has a small train trailing on the ground behind me with sweetheart neckline, a row of pearl buttons running down my back, it flares out at my waist as it runs down in flowing layers like the petals of a rose and helps conceal my popped out stomach. The Swarovski crystal belt on my waist sparkles as the sun hits it with my veil hanging down reaching the top of my buttocks. I hardly recognise myself. I feel like a princess. Isn't that what every bride should feel like on her wedding day?

After a soft knock on the door it opens up revealing my mother. She comes in and over to me taking hold of my hand with hers, a large smile on her face.

"Wow, look at you! You look beautiful." She gushes. "You look absolutely stunning, that groom of yours won't be able to take his eyes off you."

"Thanks mum."

She gives me a warm and long hug then moves back cupping my face with her hands, wiping a stray tear away. As happy as I am today I miss the presence of a certain person acutely and she can sense it.

"Hey, no tears today. I know you miss him, so do I, especially today."

"I can't help but wonder what his reaction would have been to seeing me dressed like this today or what he would have told Christian before handing me over."

"I know, your father loved you and he would have been sad to see his little girl all grown up but he also would have been happy because you're happy and marrying a good man. Christian loves you so much, anyone with eyes can see it and I know you will be happy together. I love you, Anastasia and couldn't have asked for a better daughter. I am so proud of you."

We're all in the limousine riding over to the church. I stare out the window at the passing scenery as I fidget with the diamond and pearl drop earrings I'm wearing, they were a gift from Christian, he asked Mia to give them to me when she arrived at Escala together with a beautiful note which read "On this day, I give you my heart, my promise, that I will walk with you, hand in hand, wherever our journey leads us, living, learning, loving, together, forever." Damn that man can be so romantic and thoughtful when he wants to be. My gift to him was a silver and gold watch inscribed on the back with the word 'mine' and our wedding date. I packed it in his bag yesterday before he left, it's right on top so he should find it as soon as he opens his bag up.

Finally I'm standing in the vestibule with my mother before the closed inner doors of the church ready to go in as Kate and Mia have just started making their way down. My hands are sweaty as I grip onto my bouquet of white and pink flowers. I take in and let out a deep breath.

"I know that both Frank and Ray are looking down proudly today baby girl. Just know that this precious baby you're having already has two guardian angels watching over them. This is it. I can't believe my baby is getting married and having a baby. You have so many wonderful things to look forward to, Ana. You and Christian enjoy every second of it."

I've lost the ability to talk so I nod at her.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

The ushers pull open the wooden doors. I take my mother's arm and begin walking down the red carpeted aisle. I quickly look around the church, at our guests, at the variety of white flowers which have been tied along the pews, at the sunlight streaming in through the windows, I take it all in in one glance because my eyes are drawn to the man standing at the end waiting for me to join him.

Once my eyes land on Christian at the end in his black tux and bowtie my heart speeds up. He has never looked more handsome to me. We smile at each other and any nerves instantly disappear. I see Elliot nudge him with his elbow as he stands beside him.

Reaching him he takes my hand in his, brings it to his lips kissing my knuckles and pulls me closer to stand before him. He's wearing the watch. We smile stupidly at each other before the priest, our friends and family.

"Wow!" He says to me.

"Hi."

I have mostly blocked out what the priest has said, too busy lost in my soon to be husband's eyes until it's time for us to present our vows to each other.

"Christian, you came into my life in a most unexpected way at a time when I was trying to find a reason to be happy again. You have given me your heart and so much more. You make me a better person and are the reason I wake up smiling each and every day. I consider myself lucky to have found my soul mate so quickly in life. I believe in you, the person you will grow to be and the couple we will be together. With my whole heart, I take you as my husband, acknowledging and accepting your faults and strengths, as you do mine. I promise to be faithful and supportive and to always make our family's love and happiness my priority. I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph. I will dream with you, celebrate with you and walk beside you through whatever our lives may bring. You are my person, my love and my life, today and always."

With shaky hands I place his wedding band on him.

"Anastasia my life and future looked bleak then we crossed paths and you changed everything. You brought light and laughter and love. You brought me to life and I will never be able to thank you enough. You are my other half that was missing. Everything I am and have is now yours. I promise to encourage your compassion because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines.
I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole. Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."

With a kiss to my wedding band Christian slides the ring on my finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest announces.

Christian's hands grab my face and pulls it towards his own. Our lips attaching to each other in a deep, slow and soft kiss, commemorating this moment as cheers are heard all around us.

"Mine." He breathes against my lips.

"Yours." I agree.

After numerous photos taken on the picturesque grounds of the church by the lake we head over to the hotel where our reception is being held. Entering the room felt as if I was in my own fairy tale, it was perfect. The lighting, candles and flowers combined with the chair covers and tablecloths giving it a magical feel.

Two hours later our reception is in full swing, sounds of laughter and joy reverberating around the room, I have been hugged, kissed and congratulated so many times.

When the announcement is made for our first dance as husband and wife Christian leads me to the centre of the dance floor. The lights dim, a spotlight is shone on us and the opening notes of Lonestar's Amazed starts. We are standing so close to each other, his arms around my waist as I hold on to his neck, I giggle when he starts to sing to me, I forget about everyone who is watching us as we twirl around the floor.

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby, when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me
Baby, you surround me
Touch every place in my heart
And it feels like the first time every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes

"I love you, Mrs Grey."

"I love you so much, Mr Grey. Thank you for loving me and making me so happy."

"I know you're missing your father and wishing he was here to dance with you today but he is, sort of. He's right here with us, baby."

Christian reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out a small photo of Ray.

I gasp as I stare at my father's face. A mixture of happy and sad tears appear.

"I made a promise to myself that he would be a part of our special day for you and I kept it."

I lean my head on his shoulder pulling him closer to me.

"Where did you get that?"

"Your mother helped me."

"Thank you."

I lift my head and chin up to meet his lips.

"Getting taken with you was both the worst and best thing to ever happen to me." He says.

"How did I get so lucky to have you in my life, to love me and care for me?"

"I should be the one asking that."

We continue holding each other swaying to the notes of the music. He amazes me making me fall in love with him so much more each and every day with little things he does that show me how much he loves me. I can't wait until tonight where we will be alone so I can show him what being his wife truly means to me.

One year later

CPOV

I find myself in the middle of the day seated in the rocking chair in my son's nursery, with him sound asleep in my arms, at our home by the sound as I look out the window at the perfectly still water.

The past year has been such a whirlwind between settling into our house, work, Ana giving birth and looking after a newborn. Boy was that a learning curve, I used to previously think I could function on little sleep but he had me so exhausted I had to sneak in naps at the office when I went back to work a month following his arrival.

After a perfect wedding day Ana and I had our honeymoon in Hawaii. We had a peaceful two weeks at the same resort we previously spent time at when we first started dating. The best part of it was feeling Teddy kick in his mother's stomach for the first time while we were there, it was an incredible experience and I would sit there with my hand over Ana's belly waiting for him to do it again. I would have loved to have taken Ana to Europe but I was afraid it would have been too tiring for her with such a long flight and traipsing around everywhere so I'm going to surprise her with that trip for our one year anniversary coming up very soon.

Concentrating on his little face I think back to the day of his birth. Teddy entered the world so quickly we barely made to the hospital in time, we thought we had plenty of time seeing as Ana's water never broke, but the pain was getting unbearable for her so we decided to head over to be checked out by a doctor. We were wrong and she almost had him in the back seat of the car. I recall Ana cursing me and the names I was being called, my sweet wife was nowhere to be found, she fucking almost broke my hand by crushing it. I felt helpless not being able to do anything to take her pain away but I don't think I had ever been more proud of her. His cry was the best thing I ever heard next to his mother's laugh. He looks like me except with Ana's blue eyes. Theodore Raymond Grey has us all wrapped around his tiny finger.

The only person my security had still been keeping an eye out for was Linc but then six months ago his house caught fire in the middle of the night where he unfortunately perished in the flames. No one knows if it was an accident or deliberate. I would like to assume that it truly was an accident and that he wasn't a great big coward taking the easy way out to escape his financial problems. I guess the answer to that question will remain a mystery.

Life at the moment could not possibly get any better. I'm happy, my family is safe and happy and GEH is growing. Unlike two years ago where I was an asshole and everything revolved around work I look forward to each and every day, everything is so perfect I'm afraid to say the words out loud in case I jinx it. I got back from a three day business trip to New York late last night. As tired as I know Ana must have been she waited up for me in our bed wearing black see through lingerie. Was I ever so happy to be home and see her.

"Hey, you." Ana finds me in the nursery holding our sleeping boy.

"Hey, Mrs Grey."

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just watching him. I missed him."

"I thought you were resting."

Ana comes and sits on the arm of the rocking chair, running her hand down our son's chest softly.

"I was but I had a weird dream then got up and came in here."

"Want to talk about it?"

"I can't really remember what I saw just the feelings I got from it of peace and joy and also I thought I could see a lady in the distance smiling at me and holding a baby."

"Oh no you don't, Grey. No baby talk. We agreed to wait until he was at least two before trying to have another."

I quietly laugh. When Teddy was a month old I told Ana I wanted to have another one as soon as possible. She almost cut my balls off there and then.

I gaze into her blue eyes which are sparkling. She is my home, my life, my love, my everything. She has given me everything I never knew I wanted or needed. Wrapping my free arm around my wife we sit in the quiet with love and light surrounding us. What I hold dear most in my heart is right here in this room with me.

We smile at each other, both leaning closer at the same time to share a kiss above our boy, careful not to disturb him.

I'm certainly looking forward to the next fifty years with her by my side and I cannot wait to see what they bring us.

THE END

AN: I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading and reviewing and sticking with me and this story. I started writing it one year ago with no idea of how it would end up or if it would have been any good at all. Thank you for all of your encouragement over the months.

Thank you to all the wonderful ladies on Facebook who I consider friends for your support.

I have many more story ideas to share with you in the future.

Hugs & Kisses Helen