We were so excited when Brad (Austin Peck) and Katie (Terri Colombino) finally got together on "As the World Turns." And we had such high hopes for them after they tied the knot in a big splashy ceremony last month (on live TV, with three of Katie's exes in the wedding party!). Only now, it looks like they're not going to get their "happily ever after" after all.

It was complicated enough when Liberty turned out to be Brad's long-lost daughter, causing a serious case of honeymoonus interruptus. But these things happen ... especially in Oakdale. "Bratie" (yes, we just made that up) could have found a way to work together and adapt to the situation. Maybe raising a teenage daughter/stepdaughter would've actually made them stronger in the long run.

Then "Juicy" Janet -- Liberty's hot single mom who clearly has every intention of slinking her way back into Brad's bed -- showed up on their doorstep. To make matters worse, Brad isn't exactly kicking his sexy ex to the curb, even though he knows Janet's meddling is putting his relationship with Katie in jeopardy.

All of this adds up to a whole mess of trouble for our newlyweds, and we have to say we're pretty bummed about the whole thing. After so many months of build up, wondering "will they or won't they?," it seems like "Bratie" -- and their fans -- deserved the chance to enjoy a little wedded bliss for a while.

Let 'Em Be Happy!

Why do soaps insist on throwing obstacle after obstacle at their most popular pairs, keeping them apart even though everybody knows they're supposed to be together? Would it be so bad to allow a couple to fall in love, get married, and -- gasp -- stay that way? They'd still have life's inevitable challenges to face, but why couldn't they face them together in their own highly dramatic and entertaining way?

Maybe we're wrong. Maybe it wouldn't work. Maybe the stories would get stale, the performances bland. Maybe the soaps we love to watch would become one big snooze fest.

But maybe, just maybe, having a few happy couples to count on would make us fall in love with our shows all over again!

Would you like to see more soap couples stay together?