Passion In The Game 2

Forever

"You look beautiful, Mom." Ivy said.

"Doesn't she? And here I was saying that she could only get one dream wedding and she gets another one." Alexis said fluffing Rayna's dress.

Rayna glared over herself in the mirror. She was a bit nervous but, she was ready to walk down the aisle to marry Anthony for the second and last time. Their happiness was going to be, for lack of a better term, forever.

"Fun fact, boys. Your old man has never been able to tie his own damn tie. Your mother always did it." Terry said helping Anthony with his bow tie.

"Yeah, Mom or Ivy always had to help us." Sawyer said tying his shoe.

"I can't count the times Mom tried to teach me how to do a tie." Junior said fiddling with his own.

Once Anthony was done, he went up to the mirror and did a once over of himself. He was going to do it. By the grace of God, Anthony was getting a second chance and he was going to make it count.

"You know Dad would be proud of you if he could be here." Allen Junior said. In the past two years since Anthony has been in Texas, Allen Sr. died from complications of his liver. It was a hit to everyone especially, Anthony. Rayna and the kids were there for Anthony and the Steele family. It was heavy for everyone but, eventually everyone could carry on in happiness.

"Yeah. He would be." Anthony said.

Everything was in place. Anthony took in the scenery. It was a nice day in Houston. Not a cloud in the sky, a great day to get married. He watched as people took their seats. He felt the moment nearing and he was more than ready.

"Rayna, honey. You okay?" Tyra asked.

"Yes." Rayna said shakingly.

"You better not cry and ruin my masterpiece make-up. Wait until a little letter for that." Alexis said.

Rayna giggled. "Oh, I just want to get this over with."

"Ready for that honeymoon." Alexis teased.

"Uh, Aunt Alexis." Ivy said teasing.

"Don't worry, Ivy. Your aunt has always been like this." Rayna said.

"Yes, I have and I won't stop." Alexis said proudly.

Terry, Sawyer and Junior came around the corner with Maya. They all took their places with Terry and Alexis in the front like the first time. Then it was Sawyer and Ivy walking together and after them were Junior and Maya. Tyra was going to walk Rayna in place of Quinton since he had passed away.

Rayna blinked and all of a sudden it was time for her to walk. Everyone looked down to the walkway to see her.

"Are you ready?" Tyra said.

"Yes." Rayna said taking a breath and taking the first step with her mother. Anthony watched Rayna walk towards him. It was like a movie in slow motion. Rayna looked so beautiful that it didn't matter if she took forever to get to the altar. Anthony loved looking at her in her stunning mermaid style wedding dress. Rayna stopped at the atlar.

Anthony extended his hand to help Rayna up onto the altar. Tyra took her seat. "Dearly beloved, we are gather here today to marry Anthony Lamont Steele and Rayna Harleen Trinity Clarke in matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly and solemnly. Into this - these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together - let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

There was a silence indicating that no one could nor would have a reason to stop the union.

"In marriage, some see it as the peak of two people's love for one another. However, we all know that for Anthony and Rayna, this is not their first rodeo." the officiant said earning a laugh from the crowd. "Regardless, if they have been married once, twice, three times or a hundred before, the light of God has brought them to this very moment. May God shine his light on them and their love for each other. May they never separate or stray from the path of love. May blessings come to this couple and my God walk with them. Amen."

"Amen." the crowd said.

"Now, it is time for the couple to exchange their vows." the officiant said.

Anthony took a breath and it felt like he was marrying Rayna for the first time. The first time he had to give his vows, Anthony almost didn't finish. This time however, he was going to get it right.

"Rayna, I think about you and the happiness you bring me overwhelms me. You are the only woman that has captivated my heart. I know I left and was gone for a long time but, I came back. You helped me when I was down. You built me back up when I was at my lowest. No one else has shown me the kind of love you have. The love of my life is an understatement for what you are to me. I am the luckiest soul on this earth to have ever know love from you. I've never smiled, laughed or loved with anyone else how I have with you. Rayna, I don't know how to repay your love with anything. But, we'll have forever. And I am looking forward to it." Anthony said.

Rayna smiled as the audience clapped at Anthony's words. At their first wedding, they went with the traditional vows so, this coming from Anthony was like words floating off the pages of a fairy tale story book. It was absolutely amazing and Rayna almost couldn't even start her vows.

"Anthony, I know the vows say 'til death do us part'. That won't be the case for us. We've always been together and we'll stay together. It's true. You did hurt me, you've put me through a lot. Though, it doesn't stop my love you you. You are my first and you will be my only. Our love is eternal and nothing is going to get in the way this time. No matter what happens from here on out, we'll go through it together. If we have each other, we can survive anything that is thrown our way. Regardless of anything, I'll always love you. And, I'm looking forward to that forever, too."

The audience clapped once again. There was so much love in the room that it was almost unbearable.

"The rings, please." the officiant said.

Terry passed to Anthony Rayna's ring and Alexis handed Rayna the ring for Anthony. Anthony kept Rayna's old ring and made a few additions to it. Anthony's ring was a simple men's wedding band with an engraving of his initials on the inside much like the one inside Rayna's engagement ring.

"I, Anthony, give you, Rayna, this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you." Anthony said as he slid the ring onto Rayna's left ring finger.

"I, Rayna, give you, Anthony, this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you." Rayna said as she put his ring on his left ring finger.

"In closing, Rayna and Anthony, I would like to give you these final words. It's a poem that I believe not only you but, everyone can enjoy and relate to. 'May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding. May you always need one another -- not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete. The valley does not make the mountain less, but more. And the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you entice one another, but not compel one another. May you embrace one another, but not out encircle one another. May you succeed in all-important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces. May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults. If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back. May you enter into the mystery that is the awareness of one another's presence -- no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it loving one another.' May the both of you find happiness, love, and prosper in your years to come." the officiant said.

"Now, by the power vested in me by the great State of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Anthony and Rayna shared a passionate kiss, sealing the ultimate deal. "Ladies and gentlemen, It is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lamont Steele."

Again, they were bound by God and love. They were going to do it right this time.