Famous Five

Chapter 26

Ana

I stared at him in disbelief. He never blinked as he waited for my answer. I bring my hand and slap his arm playfully.

"Ow, what was that for?" he asked.

"You told me that when you were going to propose, it was going to be extravagant." I sarcastically remark and he chuckles.

"Yeah that wasn't very romantic, was it? Guess I got caught up in the moment." He sits up and I follow him. I slide my hand into his.

"I was joking. I don't care how you do it. Christian, when I first met you, I thought you were the most egotistical jerk in the world. How on earth did my brother become friends with you? Then I got to know you better. I got to know the real you. Now I can't imagine a day in my life without you." I take a moment and lean in closer to him. "I don't know if you're doing this as a spur of the moment thing but please know that I love you so much and I'll be ready when you are."

He smirks at me. "Anastasia Steele, you're going to be my wife, my beacon of light, my forever and always because I've never been more serious in my entire life than I am right now. I promise from this day forward that I'm going to spend every stinking minute of my life with you. I can't wait another day to do this so will you please put me out of my misery and marry me?"

I laugh as tears fill my eyes. "Yes," I nod and he seals it with a kiss. The next morning, Christian and I climb on the plane with the rest of our friends to head back to Seattle. We can't keep our hands off each other whether it was holding hands, sitting with our legs touching, a soft touch here and there, smiles thrown left and right, or little stolen kisses every occasionally.

We wanted to keep our engagement a secret. No need to get the media started or our families excited. We wanted to revel in the glow of our love. Also, Christian needed to get a ring. We land in Seattle for no longer than half an hour before Christian drops me off at Escala and leaves without saying anything.

I shrug it off, figuring he's heading to the office to check up on things. I was asleep on the couch, a little jet lag when Christian got home. He woke me up, placing measured little kisses around my face. I scrunch my nose up and squint through my tired eyes at my handsome fiancé.

"Hey baby," he murmurs placing a chaste kiss on my lips. I smile up at him.

"Hey, where did you go off to?" I ask and he pulls me up to a sitting position before plopping down next to me.

"Had to get some things done, how long were you asleep?"

"Not very long, maybe 30 minutes."

"Shit, I should have left you to sleep."

I shake my head and lean my head against his shoulder. "Nah, I rather liked your wake-up call." He kisses my forehead and grabs my hand in his.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Hmm…I do but how much?"

"More than anything in the world soon to be Mrs. Grey." I smirk at his comment and lean back to look up at him. I kiss him because I can't resist.

The next morning, I wake to a beautiful sight. A shirtless, sweaty Christian standing before the bed, stripping off his shirt. He must have just came in from a run. He turns to see me gazing at him and he smirks. "Morning baby." He spews before walking into the bathroom to shower.

A smile makes its way onto my face and I bounce out of the bed to join him. We spend more than our fair share of time in the shower before exiting and meeting Gail in the kitchen for breakfast. Christian and I are talking about the hotel and what we missed during our trip in New York.

I got up to grab more orange juice from the fridge and Christian leaned over to whisper something into Gail's ear. I tilt my head to the side in curiosity at what they can be conversing about. Gail smiles ear to ear and walks away. I lean against the counter holding my cup with one hand. "What was that about Mr. Grey?" I ask and he shrugs. "Nothing to worry about soon to be Mrs. Grey. What do you want to do today?"

"Hmm…good question. I don't know, any ideas?"

He nods. Now I'm curious. "Why don't you go put on a dress and we can go shopping and drop by the office before we go visit my parents at their place? We haven't seen them in a while."

"That's a great idea." I get up to return to our room but turn around. "Care to help me pick out a dress my love?" I smirk knowingly at him and he chuckles before following me to our bedroom.

We spend most of our day shopping, Christian buying me expensive things that I didn't need and then we dropped by the office for about two hours. We arrive outside Christian's parents' house around dawn. But instead of walking through the front doors, he leads me to walk around the house towards the backyard. What on earth is he doing?

I wasn't ready for what came next. A rose covered walkway appeared before us and I gasp at its beauty. I don't remember the backyard being this extravagant. Bushes of red and white roses lined a walkway towards the back of the house.

He keeps pulling me with him along the walkway and we find ourselves in front of the river. The trees lining the riverbank were covered in twinkling lights. Off to the side, a band starts playing soft romantic music and suddenly I knew what was going on.

A makeshift dancefloor was in the middle of it all and he pulls me towards it. He starts to sway us and I can't help but smile up at him. "Christian Grey, what are you up to?" I ask sweetly and he shrugs, giving me his signature smirk.

"Making good on my promise." He spins me around and I peer over his shoulder to find our friends and family standing by; even my parents who must have flew out here at some point. They're all smiling at us and Christian lets me go. He stands behind me and I look at our group standing there. The music dies down.

Jackson steps forward and walks over to me. He hugs me and kisses the top my head. "Well little sis, what can I say? I can't be happier for the both of you and I have done my brotherly duty and warn Christian that if he hurt you, I castrate him myself." He gives a sideways glance at Christian who chuckles from behind me. "Anyways, I hope you enjoy this."

He steps back in with the rest of the group and the music picks up again. Jackson stars singing.

I can't count the times I almost said what's on my mind but I didn't

Just the other day, I wrote down all the things I say but I couldn't, just couldn't

Baby, I know that you'd been wondering

Mhmm so here goes nothing

Our family and friends start harmonizing and tears start up in my eyes. I can't believe this is happening.

In case you didn't know, baby I'm crazy about yah

And I would be lying if I said that I could live this life without yah

Even though, I don't tell you all the time

You had my heart a long, long time ago

In case you didn't know

I stand there, my hands folded in front of me. I'm in complete awe. My heart is hammering against my chest, tears of joy start falling. I attempt to try and stop them.

The way you look tonight

The second glass of wine that did it, mhmm

There was something about that kiss, girl, it did me in

Got me thinking, I'm thinking

For all the things that I've been feeling,

Mhmm, it's time you hear them

In case you didn't know, baby I'm crazy about yah

And I would be lying if I said that I could live this life without yah

Even though, I don't tell you all the time

You had my heart a long, long time ago

In case you didn't know

The music goes solo and Jackson starts in on harmony with the group. My mom points behind me and I turn around to find Christian smiling down on me. He starts singing.

You've got all of me

I belong to you, yeah you're my everything

In case you didn't know, I'm crazy about yah

I would be lying if I said that I could live this life without you

Even though, I don't tell you all the time

You had my heart a long, long time ago

Yeah, you had my heart a long, long time ago, mhmm

He then kneels, and slips a little black box out of his pocket. "I know, I already asked you but I wanted to make it official. Anastasia Steele, you are the love of my life, my whole reason for living. I can't imagine a day without you by my side and I won't ever go a day without saying I love you. You are my chance at forever and I sure hope that you'll accept me as yours."

He opens the box and by this point, I'm surprised I'm not hyperventilating yet. I nod enthusiastically, at lost for words as he slips on the beautiful diamond ring. He stands up and I jump into his arms to kiss him. Our family and friends clap and cheer from behind me. He pulls away first and smiles at me. "To our future." He whispers and kisses my hand, right above the ring.