In the months to come, Robert settled into life with Donna. He completely disregarded Jean, running by her when they were outside at the same time and rebuffing her usual wave and smile.

                                              He didn't really care how she felt. He was committed to his wife and his family now. That's how it had to stay, he told himself. Robert's new routine involved taking the kids to school, working, picking them up, and coming home to dinner on the table and Donna.

                                              He did it everyday like clockwork, and went to church with her every Sunday. For the time being Donna completely disregarded Beau. She never let him be alone with her and stepped back from most of Reverend Tom's family functions. This was working, or so Robert thought.

                                              Donna's birthday came and the family gathered at the farm to celebrate. Robert arrived with Donna and the kids, ready to celebrate nineteen years for his wife. The kids enjoyed cake with their adoptive mother, and the Beaumonts enjoyed conversation with the Reverend and his wife.

                                             Robert on the other hand, slipped around the house quietly, joking with the kids some moments and being called into a debate by Bill and Reverend Tom in others. It was all going so well, until he came in.

                                             Apparently Beau had come with his parents, and hung around the yard for the most part, before finally deciding to come in. When he entered, he locked eyes with Robert and instinctively crossed the room to stand beside him.

                                            "Why are you here?" Asked Robert, not looking at him.

                                            "My parents and the Beaumonts are good friends." He said, as if Robert didn't already know. "I was invited."

                                            "I suppose that's fair." Robert commented.

                                           "Look, I know you hate me because of my long-standing relationship with Donna." Said Beau.

                                           "You sent my wife flowers and asked her to leave me." Robert reminded.

                                           "I love her, Robert. I do. I know you married her, but I care for her too. And I only did what I thought I should do. Lay it all out on the line and let her make her decision. She chose you." He explained.

                                           Robert and Beau looked at each other, a mutual, begrudging respect between them. "Beau, are you down there?" Called Cathy.

                                           "Yeah, Mom. I'm here." Said Beau, never breaking his stare and heading up the stairs.

                                           Robert attempted to shrug off the bad thoughts Beau instilled in him, but the one thing he'll never be able to forget, is the moment towards the end of the night, when he went to look for Donna.

                                           He found her in the Beaumonts' bedroom, with music playing, and Beau's arms around her as they danced the time away.