Doug was already asleep when Jo joined him in bed that night. She snuggled up close to him and felt his arm tighten around her. She fell into a troubled sleep thinking of the things Randy had told her. If everything he'd said was true, then Doug had hurt his brother very deeply, and she couldn't blame Randy for still being a little angry about it, even after all these years.

Did Doug feel any sorrow or regret over what he'd done to his brother? She wanted to believe that her husband had matured enough over time that he felt terrible about what had happened.

Doug felt back to normal the next morning and was able to return to work, but Jo didn't really get a chance to discuss the issue with him until that evening after dinner.

"Randy called yesterday evening while you were asleep," she mentioned as they were cuddling together on the sofa.

"Oh, yeah?" Doug instantly came to life. "What did he say?"

"He said he'd like to get together with you soon. He also told me about you and Patty."

"Patty who? Oh yeah, that Patty." Doug laughed. "Randy dated her for awhile in high school. One day he invited her over for dinner, and later on she threw herself at me. I was a young, red-blooded kid with raging hormones. What else could I do?"

"Anyway, Randy found out about us and got his feelin's hurt. I felt kinda bad for him, but after all, I couldn't help it if she liked me better. It didn't last that long nohow. She met some dandy and dropped me like a hot potato."

"Randy told me they'd been planning to get married."

"I know he wanted to marry her, but I don't think she felt the same way about him. Look, it was a really long time ago. There's been a lot of water under the bridge since then. If Randy's still sore about somethin' that happened thirty years ago, that's just too bad for him."

The subject wasn't mentioned again for several days. Doug casually brought it up one evening after dinner. "I talked to Randy last night."

"How did that go?" asked Jo.

"Actually not too bad. I was kinda surprised. He seemed really concerned about the biopsy. He asked me a bunch of questions about you, Jamie, and Bethany too."

"That's nice," Jo replied. "I hope he does come to visit soon. I'd love to meet him."

One evening a couple of weeks later, Jo was preparing dinner when Doug picked her up from behind, spun her around, and kissed her cheek. "Guess who's cancer-free?"

"You got the results from the biopsy back?"

"Yep, and everything's completely normal!"

"That's wonderful!" Jo laughed as she hugged him, feeling relief flood over her. "I'm so happy!"

"Yeah, me too." Doug grinned.

"What's wonderful?" Jamie strolled into the room.

"Your Dad's biopsy results came back normal," Jo told her daughter.

"Oh yeah? That's great! I was really worried about that." She sighed. "I already lost one Dad."

Doug gave her a big hug and kissed the top of her head. "Don't you worry 'bout that, sweetie. I ain't goin' nowhere."

Easter soon arrived. "This is your first Easter, Bethany!" Jo told her daughter excitedly as she dressed her up in a crocheted white dress with a red rose of the front. The baby gurgled in response.

"Just look at you, all dressed up!" Doug, strikingly handsome himself in a grey pinstripe suit with a matching shirt and tie, said to Bethany. He held the baby's foot and kissed it.

"You look delicious," Jo told him.

He chuckled. "Try to control yourself, at least until we get back home, OK?" He winked at her and swatted her bottom, and she giggled.

The five of them arrived to find the church beautifully decorated with white lilies. "Oh, look, there's Blair!" Jo exclaimed joyfully as her friend entered the church a few minutes later, accompanied by Joe, Adam, and Alyssa.

Jo went to embrace Blair right away. "I'm so glad you could make it!" she exclaimed.

"I almost didn't come," the blonde replied. "Joe talked me into it." She giggled. "He's a good influence on me."

Together they celebrated the Easter mass, and Doug, Jo, Clay, and Jamie renewed their baptismal vows as Blair looked on, holding Bethany. After church it was back to Betty Hanadarko's home for the noon meal. Jo knew everyone better now so felt more at ease around them. Joe and Blair were there as well, with the children.

They returned home late in the afternoon, stuffed and drowsy. Jo nursed Bethany and settled her down for a nap and then joined her husband in bed, where both of them were asleep within minutes.