Chapter 66


    “You two will now exchange rings as a symbol of your abiding love for each other. A ring is a constant


    circle. It is unbroken and evesting, a symbol of perpetual unity. So, too, will be yourmitment to


    each other and to this marriage, from this day forth, until death do you part.


    “Christian, ce the ring on Anastasia’s finger.” Elliot hands me Ana’s ring and I position it at the tip of


    Ana’s left ring finger.


    “Repeat after me,” Reverend Michael says. “Anastasia, I give you this ring as a sign of our enduring


    faith in each other, our unity and our evesting love.”


    I repeat the words, loud and clear, and slip the ring fully onto Ana’s finger.


    “Anastasia, ce the ring on Christian’s finger,” Reverend Michael says. Elliot shes a grin at Ana and


    passes her my ring.


    “Repeat after me,” the reverend continues. “Christian, I give you this ring as a sign of our enduring faith


    in each other, our unity and our evesting love.”


    Ana’s words sound out sweetly for the rest of the congregation to hear, and she slips the ring onto my


    finger.


    Reverend Michael sps both of our hands in his and says in a booming voice to our audience, “Love


    is the reason we are here. Marriage is founded on love. These two young people have pledged their


    evesting love to each other. We honor them and wish them strength, courage, and trust to grow


    together, to learn from each other and to remain true to each other on the path that life takes them.


    “Christian and Anastasia, you two have agreed to be married and to live together in matrimony. You


    have dered your love for each other and promised to uphold that love with your vows. With the


    power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now dere you husband and wife.” He releases our


    hands and Ana beams up at me.


    Wife.


    Mine.


    My heart soars.


    “You may kiss the bride,” Reverend Michael says with a huge grin.


    “Finally, you’re mine,” I whisper, and pull her into my arms, flush against me, and nt a soft kiss on


    her lips. There are tiny buttons at the back of her dress and I fantasize about slowly undoing them. I


    ignore the cheers and apuse from our guests, as my bodyes alive. “You look beautiful, Ana.” I


    caress her face. “Don’t let anyone take that dress off but me, understand?” I gaze down at her, trying to


    convey a sensual promise. She nods, her eyes darkening with desire.


    Oh, Ana.


    I want to pick her up and carry her to my boyhood room and consummate our marriage. Now. But I’m


    sure I won’t get away with that.


    Get a grip, Grey.


    “Ready to party, Mrs. Grey?” I smile at my wife.


    “Ready as I’ll ever be.”


    I bask in the warmth of her smile. Taking her hand, I extend the other to Reverend Michael.


    “Thank you, Reverend. That was a lovely ceremony. And it was brief.”


    “I had my instructions,” he says, and shakes our hands in turn. “Congrattions, both of you.”


    I have to release Ana as Kate drags her into a hug, and Elliot wraps his arms around me. “Man, you did


    it. Congrattions.”


    “Christian!” Mia hollers, and barrels into my arms. “I love Ana! I love you!” she gushes, and crushes me.


    “Mia. Steady. I need my ribs intact.”


    So begins an endless round of congrattions, kisses, and hugs. I gird my loins to tolerate all the


    unnecessary touching I’m about to endure. It helps that I’m ted. When I turn to my mother, she’s


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    sobbing. I give her a brief hug, mindful of her makeup, while Carrick ps me on the back. Ca and


    Bob are next. Ray Steele shakes my hand, squeezing harder and harder.


    “Congrattions, Christian. You should know, if you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”


    “I’d expect no less, Ray.”


    “I’m d we understand each other.” He grins and releases my now throbbing hand and ps me on


    the back. I flex my fingers and remind myself that Raymond Steele is ex-army.


    Sipping a coupe of vintage Grande Année Rosé, I watch my beautiful wife as she makes her way


    toward me. We’ve justpleted what feels like a major photoshoot with the wedding photographers,


    and now I’m standing near our table in the hope of having a bite to eat—getting married has given me


    an appetite. Ana stops every so often to talk to our guests, weing them and graciously receiving


    their good wishes. Her light shines so bright, her smile bringing everyone she greets to life.


    She’s an extraordinary person. A stunning woman.


    And she’s mine.


    When she finally reaches me, I take her hand and pull it to my lips. “Hi,” I whisper. “I’ve missed you.”


    “Hi. I’ve missed you, too.”


    “You’ve dispensed with your veil. It was lovely.”


    “It was. But people kept treading on it!”


    I cringe. “That must have been annoying.”


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