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“What are you thinking about honey?” Holly placed her hands on Blake’s shoulders and smiled at her.

Blake put her hand on top of Holly’s and spoke, “I’m so glad that you’re here with me. I know how lucky I am to have yet another chance with Ross. I just…”

“What?”

Blake turned to face her mother, “I worry that I’ll screw it up. You know me and how I’m wired.”

“You’re doing exactly what I knew you would do,” Holly warned. “You’re worrying about Spaulding Enterprises and not focusing on what matters most today of all days Blake.”

“How can I not worry about that? Daddy left me his stocks for a reason and I’ve done nothing about it. I sat around doing nothing…”

“Don’t you dare Blake say something like that. You’ve hardly sat around doing nothing the last few months. You’ve raised your children, repaired a shattered marriage and well, let’s face it, you’ve kept me on the verge sanity.”

Blake kissed Holly’s cheek and thanked her for the kind words. “Speaking of which, do you think you’re going to be okay today?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“With Ed and his role in the wedding today.” Silence fell upon the room. “You haven’t seen him since that morning at Cedars. All that I’m saying is it is going to be difficult I think. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I have no intention of ruining your wedding day, if that’s what you’re asking Blake,” Holly assured her.

“You know good and well that is not what I was asking,” Blake paused. “I just know how I would feel if I saw Ross in a romantic setting like you’re going to see Ed in and well…if you say you’re going to be fine then you’ll be fine.”

Holly kissed Blake’s cheeks, “Thank you. Now let’s good you ready…” as she spoke the words there came a knock on the door.

“Blake!” Cassie called out, “Can we come in?”

“Just a second ladies,” Blake answered. “Not a word about the Spaulding shares Daddy left me. Okay?”

Holly shook her head yes and opened the door for a waiting Cassie and Harley!

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“Can I come in?” Ed peaked his head around the door of Ross’ suite at The Beacon?

“Get in here,” Ross held out his hand for Ed to shake but the men ended up in a tight hug. “This is really happening isn’t it? Blake and I…married…again. You know what my friend, this is going to be the last time that I make this trip with Blake, that’s for sure.”

“You know it seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before, but where?” Ed mocked his friend, “But I am happy for you Ross, very happy.”

“Thank you, that means a lot to me.” Ross noted, “Do you know how glad I am that you’re here to stand up for me today.”

“I’m glad to do it,” Ed finished clipping his tie. “I just wish Holly and I were on at least speaking terms, if nothing else.”

“These women,” Ross sighed. “You know the crazy road that Blake and I have traveled down to get here. If you just give it time then maybe that same road will lead you back to Holly.”

“Maybe. But I just don’t know how long I should wait.” Ed sighed heavily, “On one hand I know that she needs time to mourn Roger and she’s right none of us understand the love they shared.”

“And on the other hand? What does it tell you?”

“That we don’t have time to waste. I know from personal experience and tragedy that you have to live in the moment. That you should never put off tomorrow what can be done today.” Ed glanced down at his watch, “Look at me, going on and on about my problems when it’s you that we should be focusing on.”

Ross shook his head, “It’s what we do old friend. I want you to be just as happy as I am right now.”

Ed nodded his head in agreement, “I know you do. It’s just that sometimes I wonder…” he stopped mid-sentence, “but not today. Come on Mr. Marler, let’s get you married.”

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Beth sipped on a glass of champagne from the back of the ballroom, smiling and waving as onlookers passed by on their way to their seats. Lillian finally returned from the ladies room. “I don’t know why I allowed you to drag me to this event.”

“Well why on Earth wouldn’t you come Beth? You’ve known Ross for years.”

“Not to mention that I was married to his nephew for a majority of those years or the fact Blake and I never saw eye-to-eye on anything. The woman was a thorn in my side for years, always plotting and scheming and trying to win Phillip back.”

“All of that is water under the bridge. Besides, your children are here and I wanted you to come.” Lillian reminded as Phillip entered, alone.

“At least he had the good sense and taste to leave Olivia on the street corner from which she came.” Beth noted and finished off her second glass of champagne. “Excuse me Momma.”

“Where are you going?” Lillian questioned.

“To speak with Phillip,” she answered. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not going to cause a scene, you have me confused with the other women Phillip has bedded.”

Lillian rolled her eyes as she walked Beth walk across the ballroom.

“Phillip.” She spoke.

“Beth. It’s wonderful to see you here. How are you?”

“Fine, thank you. I came with Momma.”

“Good, good.” Phillip shook his head. “I was going to stop by Lillian’s after the wedding to pick up James, but I can…”

“Take him from here, that’s fine. I actually thought you might say that so I packed him a suitcase,” she paused awkwardly. “I got an email from the bursar at Springfield University this morning. Lizzie’s tuition is due at the end of next week.”

“Of course, yeah.” Phillip agreed. “I just thought when I saw you coming over here…”

“What? That I was going to throw myself at you or even apologize? You’re crazy.” Beth laughed, “Are we still on schedule for our meeting the first of next week?”

“Yes, I’ll have my secretary…” Phillip stopped as Alan spun him around.

“Where the hell is she Phillip?” Alan shouted at the top of his lungs, “Where is Olivia?”

“Alan!” Beth said sharply, “What are you doing?” She leaned in to whisper, “You won’t ever catch Blake and I having drinks or weekly shopping sprees but this is her wedding. Do not cause a scene.”

“What’s going on with those three?” Alexandra questioned as she made her entrance with her son on her arm. “Oh Lord…” she broke hold of Gus’ grip…

“Um, where do you think you’re going?” He asked.

“It’s a wedding darling. A wedding for Roger Thorpe’s daughter no less…” she pointed across the room at her brother, “he’s already causing a scene. I’m going to get a drink.”

Gus caught her arm and shook his head.

“Why are you doing that? No?” Alexandra questioned.

“Do you not remember the last time you got loaded at a very public event?”

“Awe I do…” a smile wiped across Alex’s face, “Roger’s funeral. That was a glorious day wasn’t it?”

“You also told the entire town I was your bastard love child. Not that glorious, no.” Gus held her arm a little tighter, “You’re going to go over there and stop the fighting between those two and then we’re going to sit down and enjoy the wedding.”

“Oh, all right.” Alex sighed as she took off across the ballroom.

“And if I catch you with a drink in your hand or anywhere near that bar today, I will sling you over my shoulder and cart you out of here.”

“That’s rich coming from you Beth,” Alan shot back. “Considering the scene you caused at the mansion awhile back.”

“And I just realized why I no longer have any desire to be apart of this family. Go ahead then, tear one another apart.” She threw her hands up in the air and headed for her seat.

“Where’s Olivia?” Alan asked again.

“I don’t know, she’s not my wife.”

“Right, just your little your whore,” Alan laughed. “Forgive me I forgot.”

“Beth’s right, don’t start with me here about this Alan.”

“Whatever, you just make sure Olivia knows that I’m ready to gamble and win! I’ve filed for divorce and when I’m done with that vindictive bitch she’s not going to have a dime to call her own.”

“Come on Alan,” Alexandra arrived. “We need to find our seat. Phillip the two of us will talk later.”

“What’s going on with those two?” Billy asked.

“Olivia,” Josh answered. “Was Wanda able to get a copy of the DVD?”

Billy shook his head, “Should be waiting for you at the house when you get home. Are you sure that you want to watch that tape? It could show you something that you don’t want to see.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of Billy and if does…”

“I got a sneaky feeling that you boys aren’t talking about flowers and wedding music,” she laughed. “Come on you two, Cassie just came down and said that Blake’s ready for this thing to get underway.”

“I’ll catch up with you later Billy,” Josh told him as Reva led him over to their seats.

“What was all that about?”

“Work stuff,” Josh kissed his wife, “Nothing for you to worry about.”

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Blake stood at the back of the ballroom and listened as the wedding march began to play. Ed appeared by her side and extended his arm for her.

“Thank you for doing this,” she smiled.

“And thank you for asking me,” Ed replied. “There’s no other place I would rather be.”

The music softened and Father Ray appeared. “It’s quite a crowd the two of you have assembled here this evening.”

The couple looked behind them and smiled, “We are very loved.” Blake said.

Father Ray smiled at them, “This is a happy time for the both of you. We have all gathered tonight here in the presence of this company and God, to celebrate the love that Ross and Blake have for one another. Marriage is scared union, one that should not be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. Should there be anyone here who could show just cause why these two should not be joined may they speak now or forever hold their peace.”

“I love you.” Blake whispered to Ross as he smiled.

“As we enter into this ceremony it is important to remember that love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful, it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” Ray spoke, “the verse comes from 1 Corinthians.”

“Ross, do you take this woman, Blake, to be your wedded wife, to share with her your life openly, to stand with her, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and to love, to forsake all others and keep only unto her, so as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“And you Blake, do you take this man, Ross, to be your wedded husband, to share with him your life openly, to stand with him, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and to love, to forsake all others and keep only unto her, so as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Blake smiled. “A thousand times over I do.”

“Ross and Blake have also written their own vows of commitment to one another. Ross…”

“If I had any doubts or reservations about this marriage prior to this moment, they vanished when you came through that door. You have never looked so beautiful or so radiant than you do right now. You and I lost faith in one another awhile back. I made mistakes, you made mistakes but now we’ve been given a second chance. I know that it takes a great deal of faith and trust to make a marriage work. Sadly we’ve failed in the past. I can’t promise you that there won’t be rough roads ahead, but I can promise you that I’ll have faith that we’ll overcome them together and we’ll be stronger than before. You and I know the reasons why nothing should ever go right between us and that we might look like fools standing here again, but I figure if Josh and Reva can do it again, so can we.” Laughter filled the ballroom. “We’re here because we believe in one another, in our love and we believe in the deep connection that we share. I know that whatever life may throw at me, whatever rough road I maybe forced to travel down, that I’ll be able to overcome it and learn from it, as long as you are by my side. I doubted your faith in me once before, never again will I do that. My dear, sweet girl, I love you more than words will ever be able to express. I will never take you for granted and I will thank God every night that he has given me this opportunity once again to call you my wife and the mother of my children. Our family is the greatest gift you could have ever given to me. I am honored to take you as my wife.

“Blake…” Father Ray spoke.

“You still know how to take a girl’s breath away don’t you? I love the fact that you mentioned our children, because Harley and Cassie kept asking me upstairs if it felt different marrying you this time. I told them yes and then I told them no. Yes, because we’re a little older and have been blessed with those beautiful, beautiful children. And then I say no, because, you’re more handsome today than you were yesterday, let alone thirteen years ago. And you’re right, we’ve been in this place just about as much as Josh and Reva have, and yet, thankfully, here we are making those same promises, the same commitments like before. We’ve learned so much about life, love, family and one another. We know how hard it is, how much work it takes to make this work. I know it won’t be easy to honor these vows we’re taking, it will take dedication and trust in one another, but we can make it work. And let’s face it, it takes a great and patient man to love me. I should know, half of my ex-husbands are in this very room. I trust you with my heart, my life and most importantly with the lives of our children. I commit to work everyday to do what needs to be done to love you day in and day out for the rest of my life. I commit to you here and now. I take you as my husband.” She paused and took his hand, “And just as that lighthouse on the edge of town guides ships into the harbor, you, Ross Marler, are my guiding light. I am honored for you to take me as your wife.”

The couple exchanged wedding bands as Ed’s eye caught Holly’s and they smiled at one another.

“By the authority given to me by the state of Illinois and the Catholic Church, I now pronounce you man and wife. Therefore what God hath joined together, may no man ever separate.” Father Ray smiled on the couple, “You may now kiss your bride.”

Ross leaned forward and taking pleasure in kissing his wife again, as other Springfield couples thought back to their own weddings and relationships: Josh and Reva to their own wedding at The Beacon…Phillip thought of Olivia and realized in that moment how much he did truly love her…Marah’s mind drifted to Danny as she kept her eyes trained toward Michelle and Bill…Cassie’s heart ached for a moment, missing Richard…

“I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ross Marler.” Ray’s announcement brought everyone back to reality and the ballroom erupted in clapping!

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Next on "The Guiding Light"

- Holly's shares a dance with the last person she ever thought!

- Josh confronts Shayne.

- Ed reads Roger's letter.

- A devestating blow is dealt to someone in Springfield!

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