Ashley was waiting for Jack to join her for lunch at Gina's. She called Olivia and left a message that she planned to stop by the hospital and talk to her later. Jack arrived and she told him that her husband and daughter were number 1 in her life from now on. She had been too distant from Brad and he had been so good to her through the whole illness. Jack mentioned her talk with Victor -- she didn't know that Gina had told Jack and Brad about it the next morning. She left Jack behind and rushed home.

Ashley arrived home and Brad came downstairs. She apologized right away for talking to Victor and told him that she had made it clear that she didn't want to spend time with him any more. She was worried that Brad was upset about the whole thing, but he was calm. He felt better after he gave Victor a piece of his mind and he had something else on tap for the evening. The baby was with the sitter and he wanted to be close to his wife once again. She had taught him so much about intimacy and trust, he couldn't let that slip away. She wanted to be with him too. They walked up to their bedroom, kissed tenderly, then sat down on the bed. He asked her to take it off, she started unbuttoning her blouse. He meant her wig. He wanted her to show him that part of herself of which she was so ashamed. She didn't want to -- he told her that he loved HER, not her hair, her eyes, or her lips. He wanted to see her beauty as it was, naturally. She slowly removed the wig and he held her tenderly and lovingly. . .

Olivia couldn't help thinking about her kiss with Brad when Drucilla paid her sister a surprise visit. She didn't mince words about the questions in her mind about Olivia's relationship with Brad Carlton. Olivia resisted, then caved a bit -- she admitted that the two of them had become close in helping each other through Ashley's illness. Drucilla refused to believe that this was all in the past -- she could tell that her sister was far away in her mind when she walked in the door. Olivia demanded her to leave, but Dru refused. Olivia ended up admitting that she had fallen in love with her best friend's husband, that it was inappropriate, and that she was ashamed of herself. She said again, though, that it was OVER!!!

At the coffeehouse, Brittany couldn't believe that her mother was cutting her off from the family finances. Her father arrived and she was sure that he agreed with her -- he really didn't know what was going on. Brittany decided that she was better off without them and turned to go. She found Raul looking for her before she reached the door -- she fell into his arms.

Brittany told him about her problem and was sure that she could find a friend to room with until January -- no, that wouldn't work because her friends parents would side with her parents. She looked in the newspaper for an apartment. The one she found was low budget on the other side of town. Raul couldn't believe that she would consider such a place, but he went with her to check it out.

The place was old and nothing like Brittany was used to. She looked around and knew that it would have to be the answer in order for her to afford it until college and in order for the two of them to ever have hopes of spending time alone. Raul had to put his foot down -- he wasn't going to let her stay there alone. She became defensive and accused him of acting like her parents. He explained himself -- he was suggesting a roommate -- and the roommate would be him. She was overjoyed and worried about what his parents would say. He didn't care, they would be gone miles away in a few months and they may as well become independent sooner than later. . .

Brittany came back to the coffeehouse after Frederic had questioned his wife about her tactics with their daughter. Her mother was sure that Brittany would do an about-face as soon as she came to grips with reality. They both were sure that Brittany was back to ask for forgiveness, but they were wrong. She had her suitcase in tow and gave them back the house key -- something she would no longer be needing. . .

Larry Warton overheard Michael Baldwin ordering a stiff drink early in the morning at Crimson Lights. He asked what was up -- he had woman troubles of his own. Michael told Larry that his fiancé was attending a baptism in which she may not be welcome and Larry challenged him as to why he wasn't there at her side. The more Larry talked, the more Michael realized exactly where he should be at that moment. . .

Paul and Isabella were the first to arrive at the church. Paul was nervous, but they both agreed that they wanted the day to be special. Andy came next and tried to console his friend. He promised that he would make sure that everything went well. Paul wondered whether inviting Isabella's father had been a mistake, then Mary, Lynne, and Marisa arrived. Mary asked about Chris and Paul doubted that she was coming. Just then, Chris walked in the door.

Mary introduced Chris to the priest and welcomed her wholeheartedly. Andy took Paul aside to tell him that Isabella's father was there. Paul greeted his father-in-law, who wasn't sure that his daughter wanted to see him. The two entered the sanctuary and Paul announced Mr. Brana's arrival. Isabella's jaw dropped to the floor as all she could say was, "Papa!"

Mr. Brana and Isabella spoke privately for a moment about his being there and about them naming their baby after him. He was proud and happy about it. He met Mary Williams and thanked her graciously for what she had done for his daughter. Mary didn't quite know what to say about that.

The ceremony began after Lauren brought the baby to meet his grandpa and everyone had arrived. It was a beautiful ceremony, and, as it was completed, Michael Baldwin entered the church, standing back in the shadows to assess the situation. . . .

Diego came to Raul and Brittany's new apartment without realizing his brother intended to move in. He confirmed Raul's suspicion that it was the same place he'd lived when he came to town, where some guys had beaten him up. But he said those troublemakers had been evicted, so it was safe enough. He was shocked to find out that Raul intended to live there with Brittany, having been unaware that Raul had forgiven her for the car wreck. Raul worried that their parents were going to take all this news badly, and asked for Diego's support. Diego admitted that he was in the same place. He and Victoria had reconciled, and the Newmans were not happy about it. They agreed to help each other out and accept each other's girlfriends. Diego asked Raul how things were at home financially. Raul told him money was tight, as it had always been, but their parents were doing okay. Diego seemed to have something on his mind when he left.

Cody noticed Brittany's suitcase at Crimson Lights and asked if she was going away to college. Brittany told him not until January; until then, she was just moving out of her parents' house. J.T. overheard and questioned her about why she'd decided to move out. After all, she hadn't gotten along with her parents since she was twelve, so he didn't understand what prompted it. He finally guessed that she was moving in with Raul. After he taunted her about living with Raul's family and saying grace around the table, Brittany countered by asking him how and he Lolita were doing. J.T. didn't understand the reference, so Brittany said she'd heard Colleen had been grounded because of him. J.T. insisted they were just friends, and Brittany said he was a bad influence on their Junior Miss. When J.T. finally figured out that Brittany and Raul were getting their own place, he laughed and said she didn't know which end of a broom to use. Brittany said if he came to see them, she'd know where to put the handle. Later, she arrived at the apartment in a rainstorm and looked around with distaste at the dirt. But when Raul came in with bags of groceries, her mood changed. Though she'd never been in a grocery store before, and would miss shopping at boutiques, she told Raul that just seeing him come through the door looking like a kid at Christmas was the only thing that was important to her. Raul agreed that being together was all that mattered, and they hugged while rain streamed down the windows outside.

Dru continued to question Olivia about her involvement with Brad. Olivia admitted that she had developed very deep feelings for him. She knew that the distance between Brad and Ashley had started because of the cancer. But she'd accepted that they had since reconciled and their marriage was back on track. She then said that while what they'd done wasn't right, it wasn't completely unmotivated, though she refused to explain herself any further to Drucilla. Drucilla said she just wanted to see her sister happy and suggested that Olivia let her introduce her to some eligible men. Olivia said she wasn't interested. She admitted that one of the qualities about Brad that had drawn her to him was his loyalty to Ashley. She respected him for that.

Ashley and Brad talked comfortably in bed after they'd made love. She apologized for all the distance she had put between them, saying she didn't know how she could have acted that way and hoped he would forgive her. Brad believed that fighting the cancer had taken all of her energy; he understood and didn't feel that she had anything to apologize for. When she wondered if it had felt strange to him to make love to her when she had no hair, Brad told her how beautiful she was, and insisted their life together was even better than it had been before. Now they knew they were vulnerable, and would work harder to keep their relationship strong. He agreed to pick up Abby while Ashley went by the hospital to pick up a prescription. As lightning flashed and thunder rolled outside the hospital, Ashley approached Olivia's office, intending to pick up her tape from Olivia. Instead, she overheard Olivia telling Dru that because of Brad's strength and sensitivity toward others, she hadn't been able to keep herself from falling in love with him.

At the christening reception at Gina's, Christine watched as Marisa took pictures of Ricky with his parents and grandparents. Isabella deliberately made a show of kissing Paul so that Christine would have to watch. Lauren approached Christine and speculated on why she was there. Christine said she had simply accepted Isabella's invitation. When Isabella took Ricky upstairs to be watched over by one of the waitresses, Paul joined Christine. Christine suggested that Paul had begun to really despise her and noted that Isabella had kissed him so passionately to rub Christine's face in it. Paul admitted that might be true, but he denied despising Christine. Instead, he despised what Michael was turning her into.

Andy talked to Lauren at the christening, saying that Paul had been right. Lauren was still "one hot babe." Lauren was flattered that Paul had said that about her, and asked if Andy was aware of everything that was going on. Andy said he was, and he thought it was strange of Paul's ex-wife to be there. Lauren reminded him that he meant the "other ex-wife," Christine. Andy said that at least Michael hadn't shown up. Later, he saw Michael come into the restaurant and walk to Christine's side. He went to Paul and told him that Michael was there, but warned him to keep a grip on his emotions. Paul was furious, but kept his distance.

After Paul pointed out to Isabella that Michael was there, Isabella told Paul she'd get rid of him. Andy and Lauren were just telling Michael that he had no business being there when Isabella joined them. She asked to speak to Michael alone. They walked away from the others, and Isabella frantically informed Michael that Paul had surprised her by inviting her father to the christening. She warned him to leave before Mr. Brana saw him and exposed their secret past. Michael assured her that he would handle things. He sought out Mr. Brana, who remembered him and apologized to him. Michael said there was nothing to apologize for, but Mr. Brana said his family had treated Michael very rudely when Michael was handling Isabella's court case. Michael warned him that it would be best if he didn't bring up any of those things from the past, and Mr. Brana promised to keep his mouth shut. Neither of them was aware that Lauren was listening to their conversation.

When Michael returned to Christine, she expressed her distress that he'd come to Gina's and said she was ready to leave. Before they could walk out, Paul rushed across the room and began threatening to bodily throw Michael out of the place. Michael suggested that he take some anger management classes. As Paul's temper continued to flare, and Christine tried to get Michael out of there, Michael loudly told the entire group that he had an announcement to make. As Paul listened in horrified disbelief, Michael said that Christine had accepted his proposal that day and they were getting married.