"We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Gabriella and Ricardo in marriage."

Ricardo and Gabi continued to gaze lovingly into each others eyes, holding their hands softly.

The Priest continued "Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace."

The entire Torres family held their breath. Carmen had looked down as soon as the question was asked by the priest. Gabi could not help but fall out of the daze she was in and slowly look over in Carmen's direction. Ricardo saw her look his mother's way and gently squeezed her hand. Gabi looked over at him and smiled once again, back in the daze Ricardo's glance would always put her in.

Carmen said nothing.

"Who is it that brings this woman to this man?"

This question brought some sadness to Gabi and Ricardo. No one was giving her away. The priest had made a mistake in asking the question. Gabi looked down a little in sadness as Ricardo tried to gain her attention to tell her it was going to be alright.

"Her sister does." A voice came from the back of the church.

Gabi and Ricardo looked back, shocked at who they saw. There stood Paula Stevens, looking over at her sister and the man she used to love. She walked up to the couple and smiled at both of them. Gabi and Ricardo's eyes were wide open. Paula simply placed her hands on both of their shoulders, to show them she was happy for them..….and that she blessed the union. Gabi caught on immediately and reached to hug her sister, who she had not seen in so long. They both cried as they pulled apart. Paula kissed Gabi on her forehead and smiled gently. She then looked over at Ricardo, who was still in shock at having Paula at his wedding to Gabi. Paula smiled at him and at that point, Ricardo smiled back. They seemed glad to see each other. Paula took a seat in the front pew, and looked on to watch her sister be married. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. And the priest continued with the ceremony.

"Gabi and Ricardo, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life." The words by the priest were like magic. Maria stared off in the direction of the man she loved. A man who was not Ben Evans. This man had been her salvation and she was happy to have him in her life. Antonio and Karen had been looking at each other through out the entire time the priest had been speaking. They felt the words in their souls and they knew, one day, those words would reference to them. Ricardo and Gabi gazed on to each other as the priest began their vows.

"Ricardo, do you take Gabriella, to be your Wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"

Ricardo held Gabi's hand tighter and a small tear edged its way from the corner of his eye. Gabi lifted her hand and gently brushed it away. Ricardo then said, "I do."

Gabriella, do you take Ricardo to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?"

Gabi was overwhelmed with emotion. "I do." She smiled lovingly at her future husband to be.

"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage. Please repeat your vows for each other as you place your newly formed symbol love onto each others hands."

Ricardo looked back to Antonio, who had the ring present on his pinky, pointing it in Ricardo's face and smiling mischieviosly again. In a low voice, he said "looking for this?" Ricardo laughed lightly and grabbed the ring. Antonio looked on, engrossed in their happiness…..and in his own.

Ricardo breathed in deeply as he took Gabi's left hand and gently placed the ring on her finger. He then looked directly at her. "Gabi, please accept this ring as a token of my love and fidelity, in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." He then brought her hand up to him and kissed it tenderly never once taking away his gaze from her.

Gabi reached over to take Ricardo's hand and gently placed the ring on his finger, adoringly gazing at him as she gave her vow to him. " Ricardo, please accept this ring as a token of my love and fidelity, in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." She had been crying through the entire ceremony and couldn't help but laugh happily now.

In the audience, everyone looked on. Many were clueless as to what Gabi and Ricardo had gone through to get there but all could see the love eminating from them and from their family.

"Gabriella and Ricardo, as he two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other."

The priests words hit home to everyone who had been involved in the tragedy of the Torres family. Antonio couldn't help but bring his head down and tear from having heard the priest just now. To be able to forgive and not hold grudges was something any human being would find almost impossible to do, especially after the betrayal he had created. But his brother had managed to do just that. Antonio closed his eyes and thought again how lucky he was to have a man as special as Ricardo in his life. He thanked God everyday since Ricardo had come home……he would continue to thank for the rest of his life. Gabi also lost a what little control she had maintained at hearing the priest's last words to the them. She touched Ricardo's face gently as he had looked away. They were both overcome by the power of words. They had overcome all odds and were now facing a lifetime together.

That was when Gabi noticed the figment standing in the corner in front of her. Her gaze was transfixed on this image, dressed in white. He had his arms crossed and was leaning against a pillar. He smiled upon her happily and Gabi couldn't help but smile deeply. Mark stood there, watching over her. Gabi looked his way for only a second before he disappeared in front of her eyes. She laughed gently as Ricardo looked a little bewildered at her reaction. Gabi simply smiled deeply and touched his face lovingly, thinking all the while how happy Mark looked.

As everyone was drying their eyes, Bette came up to the podium to read the prayer Gabi and Ricardo had requested. She was overwhelmed with emotion as well. As she reached the podium, she gave her trademark smile and made a light joke." Alright folks, no more crying…..Gabi's mascara is going to start to run and we can't have that now can we?" A light chuckle ran through church as Bette began the prayer.

"Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Gabi and Ricardo's wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage as we pray and walk beside Gabi and Ricardo throughout all of their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus's name; Amen"

Bette sat down and patted Paula on the shoulder as she walked by. Paula was fully engrossed in tears. She had never fully gotten over Ricardo but she was extremely happy for what her sister and Ricardo had discovered in each other. Their union was one that was meant to be and nothing could ever change that.

Ricardo and Gabriella, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife. Whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace."

The priest raised his hands. "Congratulations, you may kiss your bride."

Ricardo couldn't believe what he just heard. He looked at Gabi and they both laughed in unison, overwhelmed by the happiness they were feeling. He lifted Gabi's chin and gently kissed her. Their kiss grew more intense as they lost all sense of where they were. All that mattered was them. It had been all that had mattered all along. "It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. Ricardo Torres"

As Ricardo and Gabi ended their kiss, they hugged each other tightly, crying into the other's arms. Everyone had begun to stand and was clapping at the happy couple so obviously in love. They pulled apart and began walking down the aisle. Gabi stopped by her sister. Paula was consumed in tears and Gabi couldn't help but be consumed in her own tears. They looked at each other before Paula reached over to hug Gabi. In her ear, Paula very gently whispered, "Be happy hermanita." Paula pulled away from her as Gabi nodded through her tears. Then Ricardo grabbed Gabi's hand and lead her down the aisle. Ricardo looked at Paula one last time and smiled, as he escorted his wife out.

In the foyer, everyone was hugging and kissing them. Then Gabi and Antonio reached other and they stared lovingly into each other's eyes. Antonio had his head cocked slightly to the left as he smiled at Gabi. All he could do was reach for her and they hugged. They held each other, swaying slightly back and forth, thinking back to what they had all gone through. They pulled apart and before Gabi went to look for her new husband, she simply brought her fingers to her lips and then placed her fingers on Antonio's lips. As Antonio held her in his sight, she walked away. He would always love her but that pain was gone and it would never be relived again. He brought his head down and temporarily became sad. That quickly ended when he felt two hands covering his eyes. He swung around quickly and hugged her tightly, knowing exactly who it was. Karen looked at him adoringly and Antonio immediately forgot his previous encounter with Gabi. He smiled lovingly at this woman who had saved him from sadness. He was completely in love with her. As he planted a kiss on her lips, he marveled at the sensations she always made him feel. He pulled away from her and looked deeply into her eyes. " I love you Karen." The expression on his face was one of complete devotion.

" I love you too…..always." Karen repeated.

Antonio was happy. He had found his true love and he was never going to let it go.

Gabi walked outside, looking for Ricardo. He had disappeared for about five minutes and although everything was fine, Gabi couldn't help but feel a little nervous about not being with him. The out of the blue she was being scooped up and take to the corner of the church where the garden resided. She felt the ever familiar lips of the man she loved and she fell into the kiss, while wrapping her arms around his neck. They pulled apart slowly, with their eyes still closed, lost in the shear pleasure of the kiss. Ricardo then smiled at Gabi. "Are you happy?" He was searching in her eyes.

Gabi smiled at him and kissed him again, even more passionately to make sure to erase all doubts from his mind. Then she smiled a little devilishly. "Does that answer your question."

Ricardo was overcome with emotion. He would finally spend his life with the woman he loved. So much had happened and now he could enjoy her, he could enjoy them, without any reservations or doubts. He looked down a little pensively, wanting to say one more thing to her, "Gabi………I just want you to know that I feel like the luckiest man in the world……….After all we've been through……we have managed to love each other even more. Our love has been tested and we have overcome all odds. For that, I thank God and I always will. I want us to be happy, now and always. I love you Gabi. I will love you forever." He had tears in his eyes as he finished. He linked his hands around her waist and gently leaned his forehead against hers, still gazing into her eyes.

Gabi looked up at this man who had forgiven everything she had done and who had never wavered in his love for her. She would be eternally grateful to God for letting her love Ricardo. There was nothing else in the world she ever wanted more. "I love you. I will love you forever Ricardo Torres."

Gabi and Ricardo remained in each others arms, their foreheads touching, and slowly closed their eyes as they relished in their love……the love that had finally overcome all obstacles.