Fifty Shades After

Chapter 48

Ana POV

Mia is directing the hair stylist on how best my hair should look. She has decided for and up down style with curls cascading down my back. She is making me look very angelic and serene. The make-up is minimal just how I like it, I love the natural look. Kate and Mia look more super model, full make up fake eyelashes and the lot. Grace is similar to me but a little more and Gail has done her own. I gave Gail her gift and she was deeply touched. She has assured me that everything is in place for the reception and the cake has arrived. It is a 4 tier cake. The first tier will be saved traditionally for our first anniversary. We had a combination icing cupcakes for those who didn't want the cake or if we run out of cake. There is a sweets bar with candy and treats for when guests have they have something to take home. Gail is a miracle worker and if I didn't enjoy what she did at my home, I would strongly suggest she become a party planner or a caterer.

It is time to put my dress on and I am getting anxious and nervous. My jewelry and garter has been placed on me Mia Kate and Gail help me step into my dress. Grace helps me zip the dress and pictures are being taken as this happens. Grace helping place my veil, which matches my dress but was Grace's from her wedding and I an touched she is letting me use this. "Ana you look absolutely gorgeous, Christian won't be able to keep his eyes off of you tonight. I am so happy to have you as my daughter. Take care of my boy...he needs you to look after him and now I give him to you". I nod and give her a kiss on her cheek, "I will take care of him and I know he will take care of me.....he is the yin to my yang". All of us gather for a group hug, check our make up once before we leave to begin taking pictures.

We take multiple poses Mia and Grace directing us around. Dad comes over to take father daughter pictures which makes me weepy. I find I am extremely emotional today no surprise. Gail walks over to me and hands me one of Christians handkerchiefs and it smells just like him. I take it and dab my tears away while inhaling Christians sweet scent. We progress through pictures quicker than I thought and the wedding planner calls us to our places the wedding march is about to begin. 

We are lined up in the living room in order of how we are walking down the aisle. Kate is first and she looks at me and smiles giving me encouragement, Mia is next and she hugs me before she starts down after Kate. We wait until Mia gets into her place and Dad takes my arm whispering "Are you ready Annie"? "Yes daddy just don't let me fall please". "Never Annie never". I turn to kiss his cheek before we begin our walk down the aisle. 

Christian POV

We finish getting ready at Escala and we migrate to my mothers to start pictures and get into our places for the ceremony. We have had a photographer here with us taking candids as we get ready, me getting Ted ready pictures of us before we left. Mia suggested this to have a more personal wedding album. I agree to looking less staged. We reach Bellevue and everything looks completely different from last night. The area for the ceremony is draped in beautiful white roses with columbine bell flowers and iris's. Everything smelled and looked beautiful. I look around and see guests milling around and I greet many as I wait for my cue the ceremony is starting. 

As I am talking to my grandparents the minister moves to the alter and I am given my cue to follow suit. I stand in my place, Elliott behind me as I watch mom and dad walk down the aisle to their seats. Then comes Kate looking beautiful walking as a casual pace followed by Mia. Mia smiles at me and I cant help but smile back. The music changes and the wedding march begins. Everyone rises and looks towards the back for the bride.....and what a sight she is to behold. She is wearing a white dress that gathers under her breasts then flows so beautifully that unless you knew, you wouldn't suspect she was pregnant. She looks like an angel, her hair in curls around her shoulders and it seems some of it is in some sort of up-do as well. Her make-up is typical Ana, light and natural. She is taking my breath away and to think she is all mine. Ray and Ana arrive at the alter and I step down and her hand is placed in mine after Ray lifts her veil and kisses her cheek. 

The minister seats everyone and begins the service. I am so mesmerized my the creature besides me I don't hear much until I am asked for my vows. "Christian and Anastasia have decided to write their own vows. Christian".

" I solemnly vow that I will safeguard and hold dear and deep in my heart our union and you...I promise to love you faithfully, forsaking all others, through the good times and the bad, in sickness and health, regardless of where life takes us. I will protect you, trust you, and respect you. I will share your joys and sorrows and comfort you in times of need. I promise to cherish you and uphold your hopes and dreams and keep you safe at my side. All that is mine is now yours. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love from this moment on for as long as we both shall live."

I see Ana's eyes glazed over in tears as we did not previously share what our vows would be. "Anastasia your vows" the minister asked.

"I give you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, to stand by your side in good times and in bad, to share your joy as well as your sorrow...I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals and dreams, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, to share my hopes and dreams with you, and bring you solace in times of need... And to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

I hear her promise to me and I feel emotions I never thought to feel fill my chest. The minister continues "After hearing the promises made to one another if any of you has reasons why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." I look towards the audience hoping no one objects. The minister continues "Do you Christian take Anastasia Rose to be your lawfully wedded wife"? "I do" "Do you Anastasia Rose take Christian as your lawfully wedded husband"? "I do"  The minister ask "May I have the rings"? I look to Elliott for Ana's ring as she looks to Mia for mine. 

"May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. 

These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.

Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness.

May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn.

May they grow in understanding and in compassion.

May the home, which they establish together, be such a place of sanctuary that many will find there a friend.

May these rings, on their fingers, symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in the heart. Christian repeat after me : With this right I thee wed and pledge to thee my troth" I take Ana's left hand and place the ring at the start of her finger as I say this pledge "With this ring I thee wed and pledge to thee my troth" as I finish I place the ring right next to her engagement ring. "Anastasia repeat after me : with this ring I thee wed and pledge to thee my troth" Ana takes my left hand and placing the ring where my finger begins "With this ring I thee wed and pledge to thee my troth" as she places the ring on my finger.

"Today, as your two hearts unite, may God enter into your holy union and consecrate the love that brings you here.

Any may you build together a lasting home, not of wood and stone and glass, but a mansion made of many rooms, filled with shared experience and furnished with shared love.

And in your house of many rooms, remember to keep a place apart for thinking private thoughts, and dreaming private dreams; a place where each of you can grow and share with God a private you in contemplation and prayer.

And from this day until forever may the Lord remain with you always, to keep your love eternally young, and your faith forever strong. Amen. By the power vested in me by the state of Washington I have the honor to present to you Mr and Mrs Christian Trevelyan-Grey, you may kiss your bride". I look at Ana, take her into my arms and kiss her like there is no tomorrow. I hear applause and we break away from our kiss and look back to our gathered guests. I take her hand and we leave to sign the license and finish our pictures. As we walk away I whisper to Ana "Finally your mine, completely". 

Authors Note

I want to make it known that I did not write the vows that Ana and Christian wrote to each other. They are part of the beautiful works and genius of E L James. I borrowed them from the Fifty Shades Freed to lend authenticity to the story.