The young woman blinked at the image of herself in the mirror. With a displeased scoff, she picked up her tube of foundation and gently began to apply it to her left cheek. After a minute, she stowed her makeup to look herself over in the mirror and noticed a figure leaning against the doorframe to her room. She jumped at the sudden appearance of the figure but relaxed. It was her mom. The young woman had not heard her coming.

Of course she didn't.

"Hey, mom," 17-year-old Cassie Rook said to the image of her mother in the mirror.

Jess Rook crossed her arms and grinned at her daughter.

"Lookin' hot," she said.

Cassie groaned and shook her head.

"Yeah. Sure," she dismissed as she scrutinized her eye makeup closer.

Jess crossed the length of the room to her daughter.

"Stop worrying!" she told her.

"I can't!" she whined.

"You look amazing. Seriously. You're thinking too hard about this. Go and get your shoes on before your boyfriend gets here."

Cassie frowned.

"He's… he's not my boyfriend!" she protested.

Jess grinned over her shoulder as she exited.

"Maybe not yet."

Cassie just sighed and got up from her seat, smoothing out the skirt of her white prom dress.

She carefully walked out of her room and out to the living room, where her brother and parents had convened.

It was prom season in Hope County, and the high school seniors of the county were gearing up for what they all hoped would be a night to remember. Many had been looking forward to this night, but when the date rolled around, many like Cassie were stressing out quite severely over it.

"Oh, look who decided to join us!" her dad said.

Sheriff Morgan Rook smiled at his daughter, who grinned weakly in reply.

Cassie shot a look at her brother, who seemed to be one of the few not going crazy in the moment.

Jack Rook was lacing up his shiny black shoes and looked up at Cassie.

"You figure it out yet, Cass?" he asked, grinning.

"Oh, shut up."

"Be nice. You're all in this together," Morgan said.

They both grumbled. Morgan looked over at Jess, who smiled back at him.

Although both of them might have been initially hesitant about this, both of them certainly felt that having children was indeed the right decision.

Cassie Rook was growing up to be a gorgeous young woman, with a head of long, flowing red hair and green eyes inherited from Morgan. Neither of her parents knew where the red hair came from, though. Something about genetics neither of them really understood. Either way, Cassie had also come to inherit a bit of her mother's personality- for better or for worse.

As Jack Rook grew, comparisons to his father became more common. He really was something of a spitting image of teenage Morgan, with his father's thick black hair but paired with his mother's teal eyes. He was certainly a bit more outgoing that Morgan at the same age, but like his father, was mindful of others and would generally be described as "a nice young man." He stayed out of more trouble than most teens did, just like his sister.

This was in part to the home they had been raised in. Being the children of the legendary master huntress and the hero of Hope County was quite a role to fill. Morgan and Jess were both determined to raise them right and make sure they grew into good people. Jess especially so, since she did not want to see her son and daughter go down the path she went when she was their age.

They were firm, but fair. At times Cassie and Jack resented them preventing any sort of stupid teenager behavior, but it would be worth it. The Rook kids were growing to be intelligent, kind, respectful, and responsible young adults. Jess had been determined to give her children the things she had never known growing up- a safe, loving, and stable home. With Morgan's help, she succeeded.

As for their parents, Morgan and Jess were both keeping busy in their mid 40s. Jess was still running her Survival School, but handed off most of the numerous classes it ran to the various instructors she had hired, all of whom she had personally vetted. She still taught several special classes herself, though. In fact, a week from today, she would be heading up to Alaska to teach twenty people how to survive in the Alaskan interior following a simulated plane crash.

Physically, Jess was starting to show her age. Her scars had mostly faded, but were still evident enough to stand out in the crowd. A few streaks of grey could be found through her hair. Despite all this, the brilliance of those teal eyes had not faded and Morgan told her she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon.

Jess liked to say that Morgan was aging like "fine wine." He was 45 now, but being a little older had hardly slowed him down. Jess liked the strands of silver that streaked through his dark hair now. Made him look wiser, she said. Morgan had to agree, although he hoped it was not an "older and wiser" look.

He had been Hope County's sheriff for about twelve years now after being elected in a landslide vote following Whitehorse's retirement five years after the war with Eden's Gate. Although the power his station afforded him initially took some getting used to, everyone would say Morgan carried out his job effectively and fairly.

Cassie was reexamining herself in a nearby mirror.

"I guess it'll have to do," she mumbled, turning her head to examine her cheeks.

"It'll do more than just do, baby. You look wonderful," Morgan assured her.

"You're just saying that," she replied.

"No, I'm not. If you didn't look good, I'd tell you."

Jack chuckled.

Cassie ignored him and smoothed out the folds of her dress.

"I don't look all… frumpy, do I?" she asked her family.

"I don't think you'd like my answer," her brother said.

"I wasn't asking you!"

Jess smiled.

"You look great. You're worrying too much."

"Am I?" Cassie sighed.

"Yeah," Jess said.

Cassie looked back in the mirror once and smiled at her reflection.

"Well, maybe I am."

A flash of grey fur came trotting out of the dining room and ended up at Cassie's feet, where it jumped up onto her thighs.

"Gus!" Cassie cried, laughing as she tried to get away from Augustus, their excitable one-month-old Blue Heeler puppy.

"Aw, he's just excited!" Morgan said as he walked over and picked up Augustus, who was wagging his tail furiously and licking Morgan's face.

"Yeah, excited to get hair all over my freaking dress," Cassie complained as she brushed away stray dog hair.

Morgan gently placed down Augustus, who ran over to Jack and received some pets for his efforts.

The doorbell rang, causing everyone to look in the direction of the door.

"Oh," Cassie said excitedly, "that must be him!"

She turned and jogged off to her room.

"I forgot my earrings- someone let him in!" she called over her shoulder.

"I got it," Morgan said.

Morgan walked over to the door and slowly opened it.

A dirty blonde teenage boy stood on the doormat, fiddling with a bouquet of multicolored flowers. He looked up to see the sheriff staring back at him. The boy's eyes widened.

It was Ezra Weston, son of Mary May Fairgrave-Weston.

"Oh, uh, hi, sheriff… I'm uh, here for, uh, Cassie, to you know, drive her… to the… thing…" Ezra managed to stammer out.

Morgan frowned severely.

"Who said you could take my daughter to the prom?" he asked in an interrogatory tone.

Ezra looked like he was about to faint.

"I, well…"

Cassie jogged out to the door, securing her last earring.

"Dad! Stop scaring him!" she chided.

Morgan dropped his displeased expression and smiled at Ezra.

"I'm kidding, Ezra. Come on in."

Ezra chuckled nervously and walked inside as Morgan stood aside to let him in. In truth, Morgan was fond of Mary's son. He had allowed Cassie to go with him to her prom because he knew Ezra was a good kid.

"Hey!" Cassie said to Ezra as she embraced him.

"Hey, Cass. I got you flowers," he said before handing her the bouquet.

Cassie grinned and gladly accepted his gift.

"You're the best. Mom!"

"I'll get a vase," Jess said before walking over to the kitchen.

"What's up, brother?" Jack greeted Ezra before extended his fist to give him a fist bump.

"I'm pretty good. You ready for this?" Ezra replied.

"Oh, yeah. Should be good!"

"You get here okay?" Morgan asked Ezra while Cassie sat on the sofa to pull on her shoes.

Ezra nodded.

"Yes, sir. The driveway was a kinda hidden, but I managed."

"Knew you'd figure it out," Cassie said before standing up.

"Okay, Ez. I'm ready when you are."

"Wait! I didn't even say hi to him!" Jess said, emerging from the kitchen.

"Oh, sorry, Mrs. Rook!" Ezra apologized.

"Don't worry, honey. I'm glad you got here okay," Jess responded, pulling Ezra into a quick hug.

"Okay, we won't keep you any longer. Get going guys," Morgan told his daughter and her date.

Cassie pulled Ezra's arm.

"Let's go!"

"Okay, okay, I'm going!"

"Later, Ezra, later Cass!" Morgan said.

"Cass," Jess called, "go show those basic bitches who's in charge!"

"What your mother is trying to say is 'have fun,'" Morgan said.

"I will!"

"Remember- no curfew, enjoy yourself, but don't be stupid. Okay?" Morgan reminded his daughter.

"Yeah, dad, I know. Don't worry," she reassured him.

Morgan smiled. He knew he could trust his daughter.

"Alright. Have fun."

"Bye!" Cassie said one last time.

"Alright, bro, I'll see you there!" Ezra called to Jack.

"You bet, man."

Cassie closed the door behind her and was on her way.

"Alright, well that's one of you out of here," Morgan commented.

Jack stood up and put on his suit jacket.

"I'll be out of here soon."

"Is Nikki ready?" Morgan asked.

"She should be when I get there."

"Now, you know what we're gonna say, right?" Jess spoke up.

Jack sighed and grinned slightly.

"I can probably figure that out."

"Don't be stupid. You know what we mean," Morgan told him.

"Yeah, dad, I know. Please, don't worry."

"We're not worrying. We know you'll be good. I just like to keep it in your mind."

Jack nodded.

"Yeah, I know… because Nick will kill you, right?"

Morgan chuckled.

"Oh, I'm not afraid of Nick. It's Kim that scares me."

Jack laughed.

"I figured."

Morgan nodded once.

"Well, I know you'll do the right thing. Get on out of here."

"I guess I'll take the Volkswagen," Jack started, referencing the family sedan Morgan and Jess were having their kids share for now as part of teaching them responsibility.

"Actually…" Morgan began before retrieving the keys to his Firebird. He lightly tossed the keys to Jack, who was so stunned at this turn of events he barely managed to catch them.

"Wait… really?" his son asked, somewhat incredulously.

Morgan grinned and nodded.

"Yes, really. Now get going before I come to my senses."

Jack laughed in disbelief once and walked over to hug his parents.

"Have fun, Jack," Morgan told him.

"Bye, sweetie," Jess said.

"I'll be good. Promise."

"We know. Just don't do anything I wouldn't do," Morgan advised.

Jack smiled one last time, said his final goodbyes, and headed out the door. A few moments later, Morgan and Jess heard the sound of a V8 engine roaring to life.

"Well," Jess began as the sound of the engine receded into the distance, "they're out. What do you want to do now?"

Morgan shrugged.

"Wanna watch a movie or something?"

Jess rounded around him and draped her arms around his neck. Morgan grinned as she planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"I think I have a few ideas of what to do tonight," she said in a tone that left little to suggestion.

"You know, I think I'll take you up on that. First… come watch the sunset with me."

Jess laughed.

"Oh, ain't you still the romantic?"

"You know me, babe."

Morgan took her by the hand and led her through the backdoor to the balcony. Together, they settled in a lounge chair just big enough to fit them both. Jess sighed gently and lay her head on his shoulder.

"This is nice," she said.

"The sunset? Yeah, it's really nice out tonight."

"No," Jess said with a shake of her head, "I'm talking about… all this. You. Us. The kids. Everything."

Morgan smiled and kissed her on the top of her head.

"It is."

"I love you, you know," Jess said.

Morgan looked down at her. She was grinning.

"Well, I'm still so in love with you. That's not gonna change. Ever," Morgan resolutely said.

Jess snuggled against him, more than happy with what she had now.

And so- the two of them watched the sun set, as they had for years now and would for many more.