And So I Ran - Complete

Chapter 52

I pulled Ana closer wrapping an arm around her from behind. Our closest family and friends were looking at us, and I smiled.

"In the past when I thought about my future, I never saw myself settling down. I had an empire to build, and that didn't leave time for insignificant things like love. And then I met Anastasia. I've heard people say that when love comes knocking, it won't take no for an answer – and that's certainly the way it's been for me. Meeting this woman has made me see life in an entirely different way and brought me a joy I didn't know was possible. The last time most of us stood in this room was for my birthday, and at that time I was already progressing with my plans to ask Anastasia Steele to be my bride. Well a few weeks ago I asked Anastasia to marry me, and she said yes!"

I paused here as Anastasia shyly pulled her hand from her pocket, holding it up so everyone could see the rock perched on her ring finger. My mother started squealing, and the rest of our announcement came close to being derailed.

"Mom, please!" I said, but with a grin. "I have more to say!"

"Sorry Christian, Ana!" she laughed, dabbing at her eyes. "I'm just so happy for you!"

"Something else happened the night of my birthday... That night Anastasia made me the happiest man alive when she told me that in March next year, Mia will cease to be the youngest member of the Grey family. Ana and I are having a baby!"

There was stunned silence in the room, and then Grace just couldn't contain herself.

"I'm going to be a grandmother! Oh, Christian! That's just wonderful darling! Can I raise a toast to the happy couple and their delightful news!"

Ana and I embraced as everyone toasted us. The reaction to our bombshell was overwhelmingly positive. Carla looked shocked but seemed to be ok with it; my grandparents were both grinning in delight, and Mia was actually jumping up and down on the spot. Even José smiled and seemed happy for us. I waited for the hubbub to subside, clearing my throat to continue.

"Ana and I have discussed it, and we want a very small, private wedding - so we've already set a date. Your calendars should already be clear because Ana and I are getting married this Saturday on her birthday!"

Again there was stunned silence, finally interrupted by my sister.

"What? You can't do that to us!" Mia wailed, turning to face Mom. "It takes months to plan a wedding!"

Mom and Carla both looked dismayed, and Dad's face was inscrutable, giving no clues about his thoughts.

"Not the sort of wedding we want, Mia," I said raising my eyebrows at her. "We've already made all the arrangements. We'll be announcing our engagement and the news about our baby later today once the guests have arrived, but we want to keep the news about our wedding quiet. No one will expect us to marry so soon, so we're hoping the press will not get wind of it. Only the people in this room and half a dozen others are invited, so we're relying on you, our closest family and friends, to keep this under wraps."

"Of course, Christian. We're all so happy for you! Come give me a hug you darling girl," Mom said, making a beeline for Ana. "I want to hear all about everything!"

The females of the party descended on Ana, admiring her engagement ring and firing off questions about the baby as well as the wedding plans. Ana was shyly handing out photos of blip and the wedding invites, answering Mom's volley of questions about her ante-natal care before moving onto details about the wedding.

"A baby? You could have fucking told me!" Elliot said, coming over and shaking my hand as my fiancée was all but dragged from my side by the females of our family. "Congrats, man. I guess now I know why you're buying the big house on the lake!"