Chapter 65


    The general buzz of the congregation changes to an expectant hush. Dad scuttles back to his seat


    behind us as the string quartet breaks into “Chasing Cars.”


    Of course, Snow Patrol. One of Ana’s favorite bands.


    She loves this song.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Mia is walking down the central aisle, dressed in a pale pink explosion of tulle. Behind her, Kate


    Kavanagh looks sleek and elegant in a pale pink silk gown.


    Ana.


    My mouth dries.


    She’s stunning.


    She’s in a fitted whitece dress, her shoulders bare but for a gossamer-thin veil. Her hair is pinned in


    an updo with a few tendrils framing her beautiful face. Her bridal bouquet is intricate—made of pink and


    white roses woven together. Ray walks by her side, his hand covering hers as she grips his arm, and


    it’s obvious he’s holding back his tears.


    Oh shit. The knot tightens in my throat.


    Ana’s eyes meet mine, and beneath her veil her face lights up like a summer’s day, her smile


    electrifying.


    Oh, baby.


    They walk up beside us and Ana passes her bouquet to Kate, who stands with Mia. Ray raises Ana’s


    veil and kisses her cheek. “I love you, Annie,” I hear him say, his voice hoarse, and, turning to me, he


    gives me Ana’s hand. Our eyes meet, his glistening, and I have to look away because his expression


    may be my undoing.


    “Hi,” I say to my bride, because that’s all I’m capable of right now.


    “Hi,” she replies, and squeezes my hand.


    “You look lovely.”


    “So do you.” She grins, and all my nerves melt away, as does the music, and it’s just Ana and me and


    Reverend Michael. He clears his throat,manding everybody’s attention, and the wedding begins.


    “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining in matrimony of Christian Trevelyan-


    Grey and Anastasia Rose Steele.” The good reverend smiles benevolently down at both of us, and I


    tighten my hold on Ana’s hand.


    He asks the congregation if anyone knows of any impediment to our marriage. Elena’s text flits through


    my mind, and I’m annoyed with myself that I let it. Fortunately, Ana distracts me by ncing back at the


    crowd. When no one says anything, a collective sigh of relief flutters through the gathering, followed by


    muffled chuckles and titters. Ana peeks up at me, her eyes sparkling in amusement.


    “Phew,” I mouth.


    Ana stifles her smile.


    Reverend Michael asks us each in turn to dere that there’s no legal reason why we can’t be joined in


    marriage.


    As he addresses us about the seriousness of ourmitment to each other, the burning sensation


    returns to my throat. Ana watches him, absorbed, and I notice she’s wearing elegant drop pearl


    earrings I’ve not seen before. I wonder if they are a present from her folks.


    “And now I invite both of you to offer your vows to each other.” He looks encouragingly at me.


    “Christian?”


    I take a deep breath, and gazing at the love of my life, I recite my vows from memory, my words ringing


    out over the throng: “I, Christian Trevelyan-Grey, do take thee, Anastasia Rose Steele, to be my


    union and you. I promise to love you faithfully, forsaking all others, through the good times and the bad,


    in sickness and in health, regardless of where life takes us. I will protect you, trust you, and respect


    you.”


    Tears glimmer in Ana’s eyes and the tip of her nose turns a fetching pink.


    “I will share your joys and sorrows, andfort 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.”


    Ana wipes a tear from her eye, and I take a deep breath, relieved that I’ve remembered the words.


    “Ana?” the good reverend prompts her. From beneath her sleeve she takes a small slip of pink paper


    and reads:


    “I, Anastasia Rose Steele, do take thee, Christian Trevelyan-Grey, to be mywfully wedded husband. 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.” She gazes up at me and continues


    her vows without reading, and I stop breathing. “I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in


    your goals and dreams, to honor and respect you, tough with you and cry with you, to share my


    hopes and dreams with you, and bring you sce in times of need. And to cherish you for as long as


    we both shall live.” She blinks back her tears, and I fight mine.


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