SWNOVELS 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.
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 white lace 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, commanding 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 glancing 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 declare that there's no legal reason why we can't be joined in marriage.
As he addresses us about the seriousness of our commitment 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 lawfully wedded wife. 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 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, 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."
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 my lawfully 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, 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." She blinks back her tears, and I fight mine.
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