...you were wrong. Randall got the all clear once again.

...you were wrong. Randall informing you that both Dr. Kerry and Dr. Saunders gave you the all clear, and that his new body was functioning just as it should be.

You were of course relieved, chuckling as you apologized again for having doubted him. Assuming this news might have made him a little more upbeat than he had been on the weekend. Though he was slightly more talkative, he still wasn't quite his usual self, still appearing distracted as you spoke. Barely even paying attention when you told him about running into Allison again at school and the rather awkward little moment that followed.

Just how long does a woman's period last? you wondered, being far too embarrassed to actually ask him about it. Not really wanting to hear all the details and assuming that he probably wouldn't want to talk about it either. It was pretty darn personal after all.

With work keeping him busy over the next couple of days, you found yourself actually spending time with Danny and Chris outside of school. Heading out to the mall one evening and catching a movie on the Thursday night. You had an okay time admittedly, but it still wasn't quite as much of a laugh as you had usually had with Randall watching movies - the two of you sharing similar tastes and having a great time afterwards picking the movie completely apart. With the two of them, it just wasn't quite the same.

That night, after you'd returned home from the cinema, your dad came up to your room to have a word, surprising you with how he had spent his own day...

"So, I went to visit Randall this afternoon at his office," he told you, taking a seat on your bed.

"You... you did?"

"Yeah. It's been over three months since the accident now and I thought it was about time I stopped by. Really, I should have done it sooner, but you know... with your mom and everything..."

Nodding at this - your mom's feelings having been the very thing you'd tried to spare back when you'd first started going over to his apartment - you of course knew exactly where he was coming from.

Continuing on, seemingly very impressed by what he saw, your father told you, "He seems to be doing really good. Just like you said he was. So much so in fact, that when I first walked in there and saw him, I really did think it was Joan sitting behind that desk." You could definitely relate. Having felt the exact same way yourself, even though you'd spent over a month and a half with him as your Auntie prior. "It's amazing how well he's adapted to everything, to her life. I wasn't sure Randall had it in him, but boy did he surprise me."

"He surprised me too," you agreed. Still at times having difficulty fathoming how the hell he'd managed it.

Getting back to the matter of his visit though, curious to know your father's purpose, you then inquired, "So...uh, what did you guys talk about?"

"Well, as you know, your mom has being coping a lot better with everything this last month or so, and we got to talking... she feels like she might be ready to see him again. To see Randall."

"Really? Oh wow..." This was definitely big news.

"I know. It's a big step. But hearing you talk about how he is doing, and about how his parents just left him to fend for himself (having been keeping the both of them in the loop as much as possible over the last few weeks), I think she feels she's about ready to try and look past what's on the outside and see that little boy who pretty much grew up right inside this very house. He's your best friend. He shouldn't be made to feel unwelcome here anymore. It's... well, it's just not right."

This mirrored your own feelings exactly. Still feeling bad every time Randall had to pick you up or drop you off at a distance from the house, just in case your mom spotted him. He'd spent nearly every day of his life round at your overs the last ten or so years, and as much as he pretended he was cool with it, it really had to be somewhat depressing.

"What did Randall say when you told him this?" you then asked. Both curious about that, and about whether he was more his usual self again... or if indeed 'Aunt Flow' was still in town.

"He was surprised," your father responded. "I think he thought your mother would never get over the **** of her sister and somehow blame him for it. But that of course is nonsense. Your mom would never hold a grudge like that."

"So... so, is she gonna go see him?"

"I think so, yes. We've still to finalize the details. But Randall certainly seemed up for coming over. Maybe this weekend."

This weekend? That was fast work indeed.

"Would you be alright with that?" he then asked, wanting to make sure that you wouldn't be busy then. Hoping that the two of them would be able to work through things, but wanting you there as support for Randall just in case.

"No. No, sure. I'll be here. No problem," you replied, more than happy to do so. Everything else could wait if it meant Randall could be fully ingratiated back into your life. No more having to keep family and friend separated.

Glad that you were on board and telling you then that he'd need to go speak to your mother and siblings before anything could be properly arranged - your brother and sister being okay with it as well apparently (if a little nervous) - he then left you to it, giving you a fatherly little pat on the back and telling you that you'd been a real good friend these last few months.

"I'm sorry if I came off a little rough a while back," he said, referring of course to what he'd said about Randall perhaps needing a little bit of space. "He's really happy that you guys still get to hang out and everything seems to be working out fine so far." Adding with a wink and a chuckle, "Just goes to show huh? Your old man's not always right about everything."

Not everything perhaps, but Randall's social circle certainly had expanded, and you weren't seeing nearly as much of him as you had been back then.

Laughing this off though, you quickly set about giving your friend a call. Finally having some exciting news to share, and wanting to know just how he was feeling.

"...I'm fine," he told you. "A little bit nervous, sure... I mean, it was weird enough having your dad suddenly walk in on me in the middle of work, after all this time, but he seemed really cool and stuff. Kinda like old times. Hopefully your mom will feel just the same way."

"Yeah. Here's hoping. I'd be so awesome if things could go back to how they were before... Well, you know what I mean."

"Lets not jump the gun quite yet, dude," he warned, obviously being quite weary. He had been burned by his own parents after all. "We're only just meeting to talk. I don't wanna rush things."

"No, of course not. Totally," you said. Understanding this completely, but being unable to mask your excitement at the prospect.

Changing the subject then, you asked him, "So uh, how's everything else been with you?"

"I dunno. Same as ever," he replied, not really giving much away. "Why?"

"No reason." You'd actually been trying to subtly find out whether or not he was still on his period. But from that rather curt reaction it was plain to see that he was. Having since learned from a Google search that they can last anywhere from three to seven days.

"Anyway, sorry I can't talk for longer, but I gotta go," he then said, cutting the conversation short. "Got some proposals to finish before the weekend. I'll hopefully see you then though."

"Okay. Cool. Catch you later." And with that you hung up.

The following evening, at dinner, you and your family discussed the upcoming meeting. Your father having organized it with Randall for this Sunday, two days from now. Like your friend, your mom also seemed rather nervous and you had to assure her that everything would be okay and that although he looked just like Joan (and at times it even caught you out), he was still very much the same guy underneath. The same guy your family had know just as long as you had.

Despite this though, she was feeling positive, as were your siblings - who were continually asking stupid questions about how to act around him now and what to call him - which bode well for when they eventually got together.

Two days later then, and after a few words of encouragement to Randall through texts, the afternoon had finally arrived. Hearing a car pull up outside, followed by a knock on the door, your father announced, "That'll be him now", indicating then for you to go answer the door. Suspecting Randall would want to see you first to welcome him in.

"Hey there, Tim," he said as you opened it. Standing there nervously, dressed in a thin gray sweater, jeans and a dark coat. His hair loose and noticeably longer by a few inches (Randall having yet to get his hair cut). While in his hand he was clutching a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers, presumably for your mom.

"Come on in."