FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 12)

Steven and Alice finally married on September 24, 1971, more
than three years after they met at Walter and Lenore Curtin's
wedding reception.

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 6 June 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 11)

It was the Curtins who finally helped Alice put the ghost of Rachel's interference to rest. They invited her for the evening and gently explained that Steven had financed Ted out of love for HER and for their future together. Only by making sure that Rachel had no reason to come to him for money could he put her out of their lives, and there was nothing he wouldn't do to make sure that happened. Suddenly, for the first time in a year, it was clear to Alice. The problem wasn't Rachel or even Jamie, it was herself and her attitude toward their problems.

Alice quickly called Steven and he hurried to her. Eagerly she asked his forgiveness for misjudging his motives and his actions. She explained she now understood that while Jamie was an important part of his life, Rachel could only be as important as they let her be. If she and Steve had love and trust between them, Rachel was no longer a threat.

At that moment Steven's heart brimmed with joy. He was now sure that he and Alice had weathered the storm. As he took her into his arms he told her he had a wonderful surprise for her.

Steven Frame (George Reinholt) and
Alice Matthews (Jacqueline Courtney).

That weekend Steven took Alice for a drive and they stopped near an incredibly beautiful house set so perfectly in a grove of majestic trees it seemed destined to be there. It was there, not far from the lovely house, that Steven again asked Alice to marry him, to believe in him and have trust in his ability to protect her from ever being hurt again. And she said yes, now believing with all her heart that nothing could ever weaken the strong bond of their love.

Then Steven took her by the hand and led her up the walk to the house. Alice was enchanted with it but at first had no idea that Steven had brought her there intentionally. When she finally realized he had built the house for her without even knowing if she would ever return she was overwhelmed by the depth of his devotion. As she remembered the dream house she had created during his recovery she understood that each detail, each idea, had been lovingly translated into an enduring monument to his love for her. Alice turned to Steven with the brilliant light of love shining from her eyes and softly asked if they could be married right there, on the patio of their home. Steven delighted in granting her wish, insisting only that they make that day as soon as possible.

And just three weeks later Alice and Steven, in the company of her family and their closest friends, were married in that three-sheltered spot, sharing all the traditional vows and adding some special promises they had written themselves, binding themselves to each other for the rest of their lives.

Rachel, who had loudly declared her happiness for Steven and Alice when their impending marriage had been announced, watched Alice's wedding day dawn sunny and bright. Despite her firm contention that Ted meant everything to her and her desire to mean that honestly and completely, she couldn't help but remember the love for Steven that she tried to bury deep within herself. Is it fair, she wondered? I loved him so much and we have a child together. Is that all? No. Someday, Steven. Someday...

Continue reading Part 13 of a very detailed flashback series, Another World - The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice...

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