A/N: I tried not to cry while typing this, but alas, it wasn't possible. When you spend so much time writing about the characters of a story and developing their lives, they become almost like family. You become attached and protective of them. Saying goodbye to them is difficult. I've completed other stories, yet it doesn't get easier writing that final chapter. It's been thanks to you all that I've kept going. Your support has meant a lot, and I thank you. Here's the epilogue of Wasting All These Tears.

Epilogue Five Years Later

"Good morning." I roll over and see Christian's smile. He presses his body against mine and kisses me. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept pretty good once I finally fell asleep." I waggle my brows, tracing my fingers down his chest. "How about you?"

"I slept like a baby." I'm about to kiss him again when we hear crying coming from the baby monitor. "Speaking of baby. It sounds like Taylor's awake. I'll get her."

Christian gets out of bed, looking hot as ever in just his pajama pants. He puts on the white tee shirt he had on last night and heads to the nursery where Taylor Marie is waiting. Our five month old baby girl has her daddy wrapped around her little fingers just like her brother Oliver and sister Morgan. After Morgan Rose was born five years ago we were content with two kids. Fate had other plans. My birth control shot failed, and I became pregnant with Taylor. The entire pregnancy was smooth. Both Oliver and Morgan were anxious for their sister to arrive. Taylor herself was so anxious she couldn't wait to be born in the hospital. When my labor started, Taylor drove the SUV while Christian sat in the back with me. We were halfway to the hospital when the realization struck that the baby was coming too fast. Taylor pulled over on the side of the road and helped Christian deliver our bundle of joy. The difficulty in picking out a name was no longer there as we knew Taylor was the perfect name.

I stretch my arms and ease out from the covers and on to the floor, pulling my robe on and going to check in on Christian and the kids. I stop in the nursery doorway and see the room empty. I then peer inside Oliver and Morgan's rooms, but they're also empty. I hear the faint sound of voices downstairs so I head to find them. My search ends in the kitchen where Christian's making pancakes at the stove. Taylor's watching his every move from her carrier while Morgan's sitting at the table. Oliver, though, is standing with a glare at Morgan.

"I was sitting there.", Oliver huffs at Morgan. She pays no mind to him and takes a drink of her milk. Oliver spots me padding into the kitchen. "Mom, I was sitting in that chair and got up to hand Daddy a plate, but I can't sit back down because Morgan has her doll in the chair."

"Sweetheart, there are more chairs at the table. Sit in one of those."

"But I wanted to sit in that one. Morgan's just being mean."

"I am not.", Morgan growls in response. "You're mean."

"All right. No one's mean.", Christian tells them. "Morgan, will you please move your doll so your brother can sit?" Morgan contemplates the request until she finally moves the doll and places it in her lap.

"I don't want to sit there anymore.", Oliver shrugs, sitting down in a chair at the opposite end of the table. I walk over to Taylor who smiles. Christian gives me a quick kiss and resumes flipping the pancakes.

"I didn't know you were going to make breakfast. I would've come down sooner and helped."

"I wanted you to let you rest a while longer. All right, who wants pancakes?"

"Me.", Oliver and Morgan chime in unison. Christian grabs and starts filling their plates while I fix myself a cup of tea.

"What time is that thing tonight?", Oliver asks, pouring a heaping amount of syrup on his pancakes.

"That thing is at seven, but we need to leave here about five thirty and no later." Christian's being honored tonight as the Seattle Times Man of the Year, an honor he insists he doesn't deserve although everyone around him disagrees. All of our loved ones are gathering for the event to show their support.

"I'm wearing my tiara.", Morgan says. I sit in the chair once occupied by her doll and raise a brow. "Please."

"Morgan, you can't wear your tiara." One of her favorite things is playing dress up, and one of her favorite accessories in doing so is the tiara we picked up at Toys R Us.

"But it's pink like my dress."

"That may be, but you're still not going to wear it."

"Ha ha.", Oliver laughs.

"Ana, I'm so sorry Daniel and I aren't going to be there tonight.", Audrey tells me from the other side of our phone call. "We'll have to celebrate when Daniel and I get back in town."

"You don't have to apologize. I'm pretty sure your honeymoon is a good reason for not being there." After dating for over six years, Audrey and Daniel finally tied the knot last week and are now in the middle of their European honeymoon.

"Is that Ana?", I hear Daniel ask in the background. Audrey puts the phone on speaker. "Ana, sorry we can't be there tonight."

"It's fine. If you're really sorry for not being here, you can make it up by having the best honeymoon possible."

"We've been having a great time even though we haven't ventured out of our room very much if you know what I mean."

"I'm sure Ana knows exactly what you mean.", Audrey giggles.

"That I do. I'll let the two of you get back to your fun.", I reply. "And about us getting together when you're back, we'll definitely have to do something. Bye guys." I end the call as Christian joins me. "Audrey and Daniel are sorry they won't be there tonight."

"They're on their honeymoon. They don't have to be sorry.", Christian shrugs. "Oliver and Morgan are watching a movie in the family room, and Taylor's napping. That gives us some free time to cuddle." He plops down next to me on the sofa and rubs circles on my back. "Do you think it would be bad if I didn't go tonight?"

"Considering the night is about you, yes."

"I'd much rather spend the evening at home with you and the kids. Besides, I still don't think I should be getting the award." I lightly elbow him in the side. "What was that for?"

"It was to wake you up and make you see what the rest of the world and me see. Christian, you're not only a successful businessman, you're also a generous philanthropist. It was thanks to you the new homeless shelter was built. You also helped many families have a memorable Christmas this year. Those are just two examples of your generousity."

"I only did what I felt was right in my heart."

"Damn we look good.", Kate giggles. She applies a fresh layer of lipstick and glances in the mirror while Olivia and I also check our makeup.

"I'm going to agree with you on that.", OIivia says. I step back and admire my two best friends. Kate's wearing a floor length sea foam green dress with beading at the top while Olivia's in a red dress which has an open back. I chose a black floor length dress that has lace overlay at the top. "I don't get dressed up much these days, but when I do, I make sure I look my best." Olivia and Sawyer are still very much in love and are now parents to five year old Joshua, three year old Sadie, and one year old Will. Kate and Elliot have married and have a two year old daughter Carson. Baby number two, a boy being named Evan, is due in a little over four months.

"It's wonderful all of us are here tonight.", I tell my two best friends. Kate stands on my right while Olivia gets on my left, both hooking an arm with mine. Kate opens the ladies room door, and we start back to the front of the banquet hall.

"We're one big family so of course we're going to be here to help celebrate Christian.", Olivia replies.

"I was wondering if we were going to have to send in the calvary.", Elliot laughs while holding Carson.

"We were only fixing our makeup.", Kate sighs, noticing Ethan and Max heading towards us. Ethan snaps a photo of his sister who rolls her eyes. "Don't you ever get tired of taking photos?"

"Not really. I want to capture every special moment on film.", Ethan says. He and Max sit down at the table next to ours. I catch the two of them whispering and smiling at each other. Like any couple they've had their share of ups and downs but have always come out stronger in the end.

Gradually the banquet hall begins filling up with more of our family and friends along with other guests. My mom and dad arrive along with Carrick and Grace. They're seated at the table with Christian, the kids, and me.

"Kids, you're even more adorable tonight.", my mom gushes. Like Christian, Oliver's dressed in a black suit while Morgan and Taylor are wearing matching pink dresses. I take a drink of my water and notice Morgan reaching into Taylor's diaper bag.

"Morgan, what are you doing?", I ask. She grins and pulls out her plastic tiara. "What are you doing with that?"

"Please let me wear it.", she pouts.

"Ok. You can wear it."

"I actually found Joshua sleeping in his Halloween costume a few weeks ago.", Sawyer sighs. "He said he wanted to know how a ninja turtle slept."

"Where are your kids tonight?", Grace asks Sawyer and Olivia.

"Joshua wanted to spend the night with Luke's mom who said she'd watch Sadie and Will as well.", Olivia answers as Mia and Nicholas join us. "Hey."

"Hi. One of my servers got sick so I had to find a replacement.", Mia murmurs. She and Nicholas recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary. Not only are they partners in life, they're also partners in the Fork in the Road which now includes a cafe along with the food truck.

"Aunt Mia, do you have any candy?", Oliver asks. Mia glances at me before checking in her purse. She's made it her goal to be the cool aunt, spoiling them with sweets and toys.

"I don't think your mom wants you to have any candy right now."

"I don't.", I say. "They're going to be serving dinner soon, and you don't want to ruin your appetite. Mia, thank you for holding off on giving him the candy that I know you've got in your purse."

"You're welcome. I've been doing some thinking and have realized that I might sometimes spoil the kids too much. It could possibly come back and bite me when Nicholas and I have kids."

"Which we're hoping is sooner rather than later.", Nicholas grins.

"We're going to try for a baby."

"Yay.", Kate giggles.

"Who or what are you looking for?", I ask Christian who keeps scanning the room.

"Taylor and Gail. I would've thought they be here by now. They're never late."

"I'm sure they'll be here soon." The bond between Taylor, Gail, and us is one that continues to grow stronger. Christian and I served as best man and maid of honor at their wedding almost four years ago. We're also godparents to Greyson, their seven month old son. Relief washes over Christian's face at the sight of the Taylors. "See."

"Hi. We couldn't find Greyson's other shoe.", Gail sighs.

"We finally decided to just get another pair.", Taylor laughs.

"We're happy you're here.", Christian smiles.

During the dinner portion of the night, everyone enjoys either steak or chicken while using the time to catch up. I take a bite of my chicken and feel contentment over seeing our family and friends who all found their happiness.

"Good evening everyone.", an older man says from the stage at the front of the room. "I'm George Hubert, the owner and chief editor of the Seattle Times. "I'd like to thank all of you for being here tonight as we honor this year's Man of the Year. This year's honoree is a man whose name is synonymous with volunteer work and fundraising. He's raises millions and millions of dollars for various charities not only in Seattle but around the world. Please help me in congratulating Christian Grey."

"That's your cue.", I whisper in Christian's ear. He blushes and stands, slowly walking to the stage where he accepts the plaque given to him.

"Man of the Year, wow.", Christian sighs, gripping his plaque. "This is a great honor. My life didn't start out the best. My memories of those early years aren't entirely clear, but I remember being hungry and feeling alone. A miracle came when I was adopted by Carrick and Grace Grey, two of the most selfless and loving people in the world. They taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to, and so I started GEH which has helped make it possible to give back to those in need." He looks out into the crowd, setting his eyes on me. "Ana, my beautiful wife, mother of my children, best friend, your love is another element in why I'm standing here tonight. I once thought love was nothing but a four letter word, but you came along. You opened my eyes and my heart. I can't tell you enough how thankful I am to you for being with me on this journey. I love you."

"I love you.", I mouth back to him.

"I'm a father to three amazing kids who I hope will see the power of volunteering." He sounds as if he's close to tears. "I thank you once again." He stands back from the podium as the crowd gives a standing ovation.

"Ana, are you ok?", Christian asks as he pads into the living room where I'm sitting after putting the kids to bed. "You've been crying."

"Only happy tears.", I shrug. "I was thinking about tonight and the pride I felt as you accepted your award. Then I got to thinking about how great it was to have all of our loved ones there. It's incredible how everyone has changed over the years. We've grown and become better people." He sits down next to me and nods. "You mentioned in your speech that you're thankful for me being on this journey with you. Well, I feel the same exact way. I've enjoyed every single second of it."

"Me too."

The End