1977 (#20) - Karen's reliance on Ron and Nancy and Chris' desperation

Nancy, reluctantly convinced by Ron to give up Karen, asks to see her daughter for the last time. Chris and Snapper gladly grant the visit, not without hiding a certain fear of Ron's possible actions. In the end, the meeting ends with a painful goodbye from Nancy to Karen, who this time is much sorrier, even though she doesn't recognize her mother this time either. This, however, is enough to convince Ron to try the legal way to regain custody of Karen. Nancy, on hearing the news, thanks Ron immensely and is excited to have her daughter back. At the hearing, Chris desperately tries to convince the judge that Karen's parents are unfit to raise a child, but when the judicial psychiatrist declares Ron and Nancy's condition to be perfectly compatible as parents, Chris' worst fears soon become reality. The judge doesn't resolve the custody issue, but decides to give Nancy and Ron some time to live with the little girl for a few months so they can prove they are really fit to raise Karen. After a while, so not only did Nancy and Ron fully pass the test of parenting, but they were able to fill Karen with love, who became more attached to the two than anyone could believe. It is Karen herself who persuaded the judge for custody of Nancy and Ron, saying that she loves her real parents. At these words, Chris burst into a never-ending cry. Devastated by the court's decision, the woman is inconsolable and the repercussions of the situation are so severe that even her marriage to Snapper is in crisis, since she decides to leave the city alone to find herself despite the objections of the man who would have liked to be close to his wife at this delicate moment. In the meantime, two very happy Nancy and Ron decide to leave Genoa City, taking both Marion and Karen with them to start a new family life all together.