Ray watched as Neela walked out. He looked at Sarah. "I'm sorry." He lifted her veil and kissed her cheek and, much to the dismay and delight of the wedding guests, ran after Neela. "NEELA!" He yelled.

She sat on the curb and looked up at him. "Aren't you supposed to be getting married?" Her words were sharp and short.

Ray sat next to her. "Why did you come?"

"Abby."

"I knew it." Ray laughed. "I have to apologize for…"

"Don't. I deserved to hear every word you said." She wiped a tear. "You need to get back inside before everyone thinks that I'm ruining your wedding."

"You already did."

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't…"

"When she walked down the aisle, it wasn't her that I saw, Neela. I saw you."

She turned and faced him. "Don't play with me, Ray Barnett." She stood up as the taxi she called pulled up. Ray watched once again as she stood in the door, looking at him, almost begging him to give her a reason to stay. "You said everything you needed to the other day."

"No, I didn't. Not really." He leaned on the door and looked at her. "You're the best friend I've ever had and I can't lose you. Not ever again." He stepped around the door and pulled her to him. "Damnit, Neela. You have always had this pronounced effect on me. I can't live life without you." He wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "You have my heart and you always will. I love you, Neela."

"Why now, Ray?" She stared deep in his eyes.

"Because I'm done pretending." His lips softly brushed hers. "I never stopped loving you. I'll never stop loving you." His mouth delicately embraced hers in a kiss.

"AHEM!" Ray heard a cough behind him.

He turned around and looked at Sarah standing there, arms crossed, crying. "Sarah. I'm so…"

"Why now, Ray? In front of our family? Our friends?" She wiped a tear.

"Look, Sarah. I'm sorry that…"

"Don't be. It's better now than after we're married." She looked at Neela. "I somehow knew he'd always run back to you. I hated you for that. I never had his full love. You always held his heart and…" She looked at Neela. "Take him, you tramp."

Ray looked hard at Sarah. "There's no need for that, Sarah."

"Isn't there? She appears on my wedding day and takes the man I love." Sarah's voice raised.

"I NEVER LOVED YOU!" Ray yelled back, surprised at the words that escaped his lips. Seeing Sarah's reaction, he hung his head. 'Jesus, Sarah. I'm sorry."

"Then why did you ask me to marry you? Am I some sort of booby prize? Second place? Why, Ray, if you never loved me, did you want to marry me?" Sarah's voice was hurt and Ray told himself she had every right to be.

"I never loved you the way you deserved to be loved." He looked as Sarah. "You were just settling. I know that's harsh to say and to hear, but it's true." Ray took a deep breath. "I really thought I did love you. I really thought I could build a life with you and be happy, but the truth is…it wouldn't have been fair to you. Every time I kissed you or made love to you, I only saw Neela's face."

Sarah held her chin up. "I'm sorry too, Ray. I would have made a better wife." She picked up her dress and headed inside.

Neela stood there, jaw on ground. She looked up at Ray. "You hurt her, Ray."

"Not as much as I hurt you." He enveloped her in his arms. "Jesus, Neela. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you and I never will." His lips enshrouded hers. The soft, airy kiss soon turned passionate and Ray gently backed Neela into the taxi. Briefly pulling himself from the kiss, he breathlessly told the taxi driver where to take them.


The End? Or should I see where the story wants to go next with Ray and Neela?