Chris's POV-

I was scared.

I was standing near the grave of my ex-wife.Rayanna.

Rayanna Ivanna Petrova Crawford
Loving daughter,wife and mother.

"How am i supposed to do this?I met Faith's family today.They are so nice.All of them are.Our Raiya loves Faith.She talks about her all the time.I ..i miss you,Anna.This marriage is helping me to keep our daughter with me.Faith,she is like an angel who popped up just when everything was going wrong.But,i dont think i can love her.How can I?When i know that you are right here,in my heart.Its so difficult.You know,there is a 10 years of difference between us.She can get any guy she wants..her age.I feel so guilty.I cant offer her much and she knows it.."

I kept the yellow lilies on her grave.Her favourite flowers.

"Please,give me some strength to go through it.For our daughter.I love you,darling."

As i turned around,i felt some one whispering"Chances.."

It felt so real yet there was no one around.I closed my eyes and left the cemetary.

When i reached home i saw that Raiya and Tristan were playing video games and eating deep fried oily fries.Thats..just gross.

"Hey dude,glad to have you back.You want some?"
He offered me the box.

I cringed.

"No thanks.I am good."

He laughed loudly.

"OCD freak.All you eat is garden salad.Have some real food,dude.Raiya,your dad hates cheese buggers?Can you imagine?"

Raiya just frowned at him.

"You are already losing,Uncle Tristan.Atleast let me concentrate.Hie daddy."

She glanced at me and then went back to playing.

I smirked at Tris.He just rolled his eyes.

"Yep.Your kid takes after you.Real geek."

I slumped down on the couch next to them.

"You are such a jerk,dude."

Yep.Thats all i could say.

"Alright bitch.Anyway,i heard you proposed to Faith.Little brother will finally get some action.I am so proud of you though."

I glared at him.

"Get your mind of gutter.Its not always about getting laid or..never mind."

He looked at me with raised eyes brows.Tristan has a habit of acting all protective over me when he thinks i feel the angst.Thats what he calls me,angsty bitch.That jerk.

"I just visited Rayanna's grave,bro.I dont want to talk about..stuff."

"You know,that stuff is going to happen this Sunday.You cannot avoid the fact.You are getting married again,please talk to me if you have any doubts cause at this point,that would be just screwed up."

I looked at him,then Raiya.She seemed to be in her own world.

"I..i dont know what is happening.Its all so fast.Since Rayanna passed away,i have not been in a single serious relationship.I just could not.And now,i am supposed to get married again.To a girl who i met a month ago.She is my bestfriend's little sister too.Her folks trust me with her and i know..that i cant give her what she deserves.On top of that,i dont think i can even .."

I could not complete the sentence.

"Look Chris,its been over four years now.Faith is a lovely girl.I understand where you are coming from but you have to move on.You know it yourself.And not just for Raiya."

I knew he wanted me to get settled down again but how can i when all i could see was my ex wife.Us getting married.Us having Raiya and then... her suicide.

"Chris,trust me.I have a good feeling about this.The spark in Raiya's eyes,god that kid has been gushing about Faith since you guys came back from that lunch.She is so excited.I believe our Raiya will finally get to experience how a mother loves their kids.She does not remembers much of Rayanna,dude.Even you know it .."

I knew what he was saying.

"I know but Rayanna loved Raiya more than anyone.She will always be Raiya's mom."

Tristan glared at me.

"I am not denying that.Rayanna was a very good mother but now she is no more.Our Raiya needs a mom who loves her and you need a wife who can tolerate your bullshit.For some reason,i feel Faith is gonna fit right in.She is going to flip your world upside down,in a good way ofcourse.Mark my words,little brother."

I looked at him and he gave me a "i am telling you" look and went back to munch on his fries.

I got up and went to the fridge.I seriously need a beer right now.

4 days later-

"I did not really want to have this traditional marriage and everything.A simple court marriage would have been fine."

Nysa glared at me.

"You are such an asshole.I understand what you are going through but Faith deserves this alright.Its her first wedding even if the groom is a pain in the ass."

My daughter was running around with Faith's nephew,Lucas.They were the same age,Faith was very much in love with her nephew too.That kid is a character.As soon as he saw Faith,he had leaped and jumped right into her arms.

"You take care of my aunty or i will bite your arm.Like a doggie.I mean it."

First words exchanged between him and I.It was funny,everyone had laughed.Lucas was dead serious though.

"You clean up nicely,sweetheart.I am glad this is happening again.I have waited for this..this is such a happy moment."

Mom touched my cheek.I smiled at her.

"Dont cry,mom."

"Just..take one step at a time,ok?We are always there.Take care of the girl Chris,I mean it."

Dad looked at me.I just gave him a nod.

The ceremony was conducted in our backyard.Only family and close friends were present.It felt awkward doing this again but then, for some reason it did not feel wrong. This was natural. I guess that's a positive sign. And, Faith did look beautiful today.

Some of my collegues and Faith's friends had came from the school.Faith had to leave her job because it was against school policy.Our relationship.

She had applied in some places.I am sure she would ace it.That woman was sacrificing so much for us.

"Your bride is beautiful Chris.Where were you hiding her,man?We didnt even know you were dating anyone?"

Matt,one of my collegue's asked me.

"She is my sister.I introduced them and they just clicked right in."

James had answered for me.He knew i was in no condition to speak.

"I lost my chance,you know."
Tris sighed.I just rolled my eyes.Every body laughed.

"Hie guys,you see mom and dad have been asking for Chris.I am stealing the groom."

Nysa winked at them.What.

"Oh and Tris?James?You guys can come too.There is something i would like to speak."

She smiled and went back inside the house.I looked at James and Tristan.They just shrugged.

When we went inside,the view was ..well not at all expected.

Mom was bawling her eyes out and Faith was trying to calm her down.

"Mrs Crawford,please calm down.Its ok.Please.."
Faith was rubbing her back slowly.

"Mom!What the hell happened?"
Tristan and I rushed right beside her.

"Your mom is having an anxiety attack,Chris.She was talking to Faith about your ..umm..previous marriage,thanking her and then..well this."

Dad gave mom a glass of water.She kept crying but took the glass from him.

"Mom,calm down.See,Faith and I are married now.Things are going to get better.Please dont overthink.James here says that Raiya's custody will be 100% ours now.There is no doubt left.Look around,you wanted me to settle down again,right?I just got married.My wife is right beside us.See..Faith."

I looked at Faith.She took my mom's hand in hers.

"Julie,I am going to take care of Chris and Raiya.I promise you.You dont have to worry about anything.Things are getting sorted now.Its a new start.I am your daughter in law right?Well,i am thanking you because you are letting me become a part of your son's life.There is nothing i wont do for family.We are a family now.All of us."

She smiled at mom.I just kept looking at her and right then,i felt small.So small.

Mom kissed Faith's forhead.

"You really are something,sweetheart.Thank you.And, you look so pretty today. This dress of yours makes you look like a queen. "

(Faith's dress- simple, elegant and so pretty)

Faith smiled at her.

Then my mom looked at me and glared.

"You got lucky again.I will kick your ass if you mess it up with her.Mind you boy,i brought you in this world.I can very well take you out of it."

I just smiled at her lightly.

"Damn,that sentence ruined my entire childhood.Mom,you gotta stop saying that one.Scares the crap out of me,even today.It feels more surprising that you are using it on Chris.Thats just rare."

Tristan rolled his eyes.

"Yeah well because,you heard it more than these two.You know Faith,Chris was my shy,sweet and brave little boy.He was very well behaved and such a sweetheart.But Tris,that kid gave Henry and I a run for our money.He was restless and a complete troublemaker.And Nysa,god she was a little she devil.The most stubborn and whiny one of the lot.Tris and her were just brats."

"Mom!!,i was the cutest.Alright.Tris was an idiot,still is.Sure.But not me!"
Nysa huffed.

James looked at her.

"You still are."
This was really ..i dont even want to think what was going on.

"You shut up.Faith,how are you two even related?My god this is so surprising.Even Grace is such a sweetheart."

Faith just laughed.

"Yeah,i was the brat.You were just a witch,idiotic witch."
Tristan snickered at Nysa.

The chaos was over.Dad took mom for  some rest.All of us were tired.The guests slowly left.The kids were in bed.Faith and I were in my room.Our room now,I guess.She had currently went to change out of her wedding gown.

I was officially a married man again.

I looked at my ring finger and realised that i had a different ring now.

"Chris,i know this is difficult.We are doing this for Raiya.Right?I will never try to replace Rayanna.Never even think like that."

Faith said to me.She came out of the washroom in a simple white night gown.

"I know that.Anyway,um..you look tired.I will take the couch.You can sleep on the bed."

I looked at her and she just smiled at me.

"Chris,you are like a huge giant.That couch is gonna cause an enormous amount of back pain and all the kinds of body ache.We can share the bed.Lets act like adults ok.I will take the right side,by the way."

She shrugged and got into bed.I just smiled and shook my head.

Atleast,i dont have to think about the awkwardness of the situation now.

I think Faith really knows how to handle her stuff.I looked at her.

She was already covering herself in blankets.

I closed the lights and got into bed.

"Hey Chris?"

"Hmmm?"

"Good night."

"Good night,Faith."

And thats how we spent our wedding night.

Hey,these two got married.

Well lets see what life has in store for them and ofcourse our Raiya.

I will be updating more often now.Quarantine is giving me more motivation i guess.

Anyway,hope you like the chapter.Updated quickly for you all:).

Thanks for reading.
WimpieKid:)