Author's Note: Well, this is it, folks. Almost 6 years after I began this process, it is complete. I can't thank you enough for reading along, and for all of the lovely comments along the way. I hope you find the end satisfying; I am much better at starting things than ending them. Also – I find that I have become so attached to some of my original characters that I plan to recycle them in another work of fiction I am planning (not fan fiction this time).

In other news, things in the Jericho universe seem to be heating up. Again. They have announced a writing contest, and there seems to be increased traffic on the boards. Some postulate this points to a potential return of the show on CBS All Access? One can only hope. Although I kind of prefer Jake with Heather, and in my own little universe...

Chapter XVIII: Epilogue

May, 2053

Bombs + 47 Years

Heather and Jake sat on lounge chairs in the back yard of the Ranch House watching the sun set over the pond. Their hands were clasped over the arms of their chairs. Many of their friends and family were gathering in Jericho to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary later that week; a circumstance that was both exciting and exhausting now that Jake was pushing 80 and Heather 74.

"Did you ever think we would live this long?" Heather asked, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the final rays of the sun on her face.

"I will admit, we had a rough few years; especially during the war," Jake responded reminiscently. "We had good leadership, though, and the good people of Jericho pulled together to blaze a trail for the rest of the country. First Grandpa, before the bombs and then Dad, once he figured out who was responsible for them. Jericho isn't known as the Birthplace of the New Republic for nothing."

"Hey," Heather interjected, punching him playfully in the shoulder, "Don't sell yourself short, Buddy. I think you played a role in it, too." She may have put on a number of years, but she was as feisty as ever, and her love for Jake had never wavered.

Jake had played a vital role in the Second American Civil Way, flying E.J.'s old crop duster the 750 miles from Jericho, Kansas to San Antonio, Texas in the spring of 2007 to deliver Mr. Hawkins and the remaining bomb to the nearest person claiming presidency. They had proven to the country that the attacks had been an inside job. Things had escalated rapidly from that point. There had been relatively few pitched battles and a great deal of siege warfare during the Second American Civil War, but by that point Jericho had facilitated a vast network of communication via HAM radio, and the Heartland communities were in possession of more goods and supplies than the folks in Cheyenne.

The troops of the Allied States of America had done their best to prevent trading between towns, but there were too many uncharted back roads known only to the locals, and trading flourished right under their noses. With no government regulation, the law of supply and demand set prices. Following in the lead set by Jericho, prices had reverted to one dollar for an hour of general labor. In the long run, the governmental alphabet soup agencies had been abolished in favor of a simple point of service tax that was enough to pay for basic services but lavish lifestyles for those too lazy to work were no longer funded. The medical system was revised such that all legal citizens were eligible to receive basic care and medication, and those who desired more extravagant care were welcome to fund it themselves. Each year the budget was considered, and the level considered 'basic' changed accordingly. Likewise, the education system taught the basics through 8th grade for all children, and through 12th grade to children who could pass a basic entrance exam for high school. Those not interested or capable of high school were encouraged to enter one of the many vocational programs now available. College education reverted to specific preparation for advanced fields rather than being the playground of those who wanted to postpone adulthood.

Jake came back from his reverie with a start. Heather was speaking to him. Apparently they had turned to reminiscing about the residents of Jericho.

". . . just because you are the oldest person in Jericho now. Well, except for Stanley. . ."

Jake hummed appropriately and his reverie took another direction. Indeed, all of the older generation had passed on. Rapidly at first, right after the bombs. Medication had been scarce, many had been exposed to radiation, and everyone had been getting used to the older ways of doing things. Then, the average life expectancy actually began to rise above pre-bomb levels. Enough of the CDC in Bethesda had been salvaged that a few courageous souls could retrieve the paper archives of this and many other topics of research. A branch of the prepared community was in that vicinity and helped with the gathering and processing of information so that some form of record keeping could continue. It surely wasn't perfect, but better than nothing, and had aided the new government in decision-making as they went forward.

At the local level, Johnston had remained Mayor of Jericho during the War, while Jake and Eric had taken on the roles of Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State respectively for the transitional government, each doing quite a bit of travel. When the War ended, Jake had become the next Mayor of Jericho, and Johnston gratefully retired to relax and spend time with his grandchildren. Jake, now retired himself many years, had passed the baton on to Chip. Zack Sommers had established a strong Ranger Cadet program, and had worked his way up within the Jericho Rangers to the point that he had been voted in as Sheriff when the War ended and the Rangers reverted to a voluntary service. He still served proudly in the office and was well loved in the community.

The sun had set, so Jake and Heather made their way into the house. Jake walked with a cane these days as a result of a bullet to the right knee during the war, but he didn't let it slow him down very much. Jake and Heather had occupied the downstairs bedroom for many years now, since the passing of Aunt Eleanor, who had grown even more beloved as the years went by. Chip had married Piper Bennett, forever joining the two families; they lived up stairs, and had raised their children in the Ranch House. Those children and many others were now arriving to celebrate the occasion.

0000000000000000000000000000

The following day was Friday. Even more friends and family had arrived in Jericho to celebrate the Golden Anniversary, as did the press, even though both Jake and Heather had tried to keep things quiet. Sadie Green, always the more volatile twin daughter, had never married. She had chosen instead a career in journalism, and flew in from where she worked in the nation's capital of Columbus. Her sister Abby had married Addison McCall, and together they had taken over Scout Ranch, expanding the B&B and restaurant while they raised their family.

After the War, Heather and Jake had gone on to have two more children. The first, Eric Jacob, was affectionately called E.J. for his Great Grandfather. He grew up to marry Betsy Richmond, one of Stanley and Mimi's children, forever joining those families. The final Green child was named Eleanor, and called Ellie. She was spoiled by her great aunt and namesake, as well as the rest of the family because she was the youngest. It didn't seem to affect her personality, however. She took after Heather and was as calm and good natured as she could be. She married Ben Young, son of Madelyn Young, who had taught with Heather so many years earlier. Ellie became a teacher herself and continued the family tradition in Jericho.

By Friday afternoon, the entire Green clan had assembled in the great room of the Ranch House. Even though they were always together for the Christmas holidays, this seemed different somehow. So many members of the older generation were starting to pass on. They had lost Eric to a major stroke a few years ago, and Mimi Richmond to cancer a few years before that. They mostly wanted to enjoy every minute of their time together. Stories were told and pictures were taken. Soon it was time to head over to the Bunk House for the Friday evening meal. Owen McCall had been in charge of the Ranch for many years and about to pass the reigns along to his eldest son Liam. Few things had changed about the traditional Friday evening dinners over the years, but the dining room had been enlarged a few decades back, and somewhere along the line, the idea of themes had taken root. The theme of this meal would be Italian, so lasagna was on the menu, along with garlic bread and homemade Italian ice-cream for dessert.

Jake and Heather found their way to their usual table in the corner, and were soon joined by Stanley, April, Hope and Gil Bennett. Owen McCall sat at the next table with his wife and Zack Sommers with his wife, Ellen McCall Sommers. It was a familiar scene that played itself out every week, but different since there were so many out-of-towners were here for the celebration.

"Good to see everyone together again," April observed contentedly. She had done remarkably well since the passing of Eric.

"But time just keep marching on," Stanley opined somewhat sourly. He, on the other hand, had not done well since Mimi had passed away. He continued to live at Richmond Ranch with his eldest son Clark and the family, but it was clear that a piece of him had been torn away forever. Who would have imagined that the ever jolly Stanley would have found in Mimi Clark his soul-mate, and that he would have had such trouble going on without her.

In an attempt to change the subject, Heather began the usual line of reminiscence they enjoyed of a Friday evening. "Can you believe how quickly the time has passed? It seems like yesterday that the town was under quarantine for the Hudson River Virus. Jennings and Rall wanted everyone to be immunized, but April advised quarantine instead, that word derived from the 17th century word quarantina, which means 40 days . So we put the word out via HAM radio, and all trading between towns stopped for 40 days. The Virus ran it's course in the few towns that were already infected, but very few people died, and we remained free of the clutches of J&R. They weren't at all happy with us after that, since we foiled them again."

"Yes, those were the days," April nodded in agreement.

"But these kids," Stanley interjected, the subterfuge having apparently worked, and his mood improved, "They're beginning to look like old people. How can they be in their 40's when we're still youngsters ourselves?"

Jake took up the conversation. "Wasn't it just last week that you were having a fit about Betsey going out on a date with young E.J.? And now their son Stan is old enough to date."

"You're a fine one to talk," Stanley rejoined with a laugh, "You insisted on going with Sadie and Abby to their first junior high school dance. I've never seen a more protective Father than you were, Jake."

"That was different," Jake argued, "It was right after the War. Anything could have happened."

"Umm, It was 5 years after the War ended, Dear," Heather helpfully pointed out. They had teased Jake for years about his overprotective tendencies with his daughters. He had been even worse with Ellie.

"And what about when Ellie was 6 and fell off the monkey bars during the Victory Day Picnic? You all teased me when I wanted to take her to the clinic, but when I did, April found she had cracked her spleen. Kenchy had to take her to emergency surgery to do a splenectomy. I wasn't being over protective then, was I?" This was a familiar line of logic, and the way Jake ended every similar conversation. They all agreed that Jake had done the right thing, and that Jake was a wonderful Father. They all laughed because they had covered the same material many times.

They were a close knit group that had lived through good and bad times together, shared births and deaths, war and peace. They had considered their own mortality with the passing of Mimi and Eric, and been at peace with lives well lived. They saw in their children and grandchildren as the fruit of their efforts, and felt content.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

By Saturday afternoon, the back yard of the Ranch House had been transformed into a bower of flowers. The brick decking had been re-done since their Celtic garden wedding five decades ago, but Hope and Heather had again worked during the spring so that the trees and flowers were just right. Young Ian, who had been the ring bearer at their wedding, had grown up and married Claire Sommers. He was stationed in a corner wearing a kilt and playing the fiddle in a Celtic band similar to the one his Grandfather had enjoyed 50 years prior. Ian's parents, Lauren and Travis, were visiting from Cedar Brook for the event.

The three flower girls, now in their 50's were present with their husbands. Megan Young had married Shep's son Lucas Cale, Julie McCall had married Jimmy's son Woody Taylor, and Bernadette McCall had married Seth Duncan. They all lived locally and had raised families in Jericho.

Other guests of note were Bonnie and Dale Turner, who had also remained in Jericho to raise their family. Roger Hammond came from New Bern, where he had become Mayor and raised a family Emily until her death in a car accident a few years prior. Sam Hawkins had flown in from New York with his wife, where he worked as an architect, helping to rebuild the country. Allison Hawkins had flown in from Columbus, where she was currently serving as Vice President of the United States.

Once most of the guests had gone through the buffet line and gotten settled, Chip Green clinked his spoon and asked for the attention of the group. "I understand the Irish Prayer was recited at the wedding reception of my parents, and I thought it would be nice to repeat it again here today. Please join me:

'May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

and the rains fall soft upon your fields,

and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of his hand.'"

Many voices joined in as Chip spoke, and clapped when the verse was done. He remained standing and began to speak again. "I don't know what it would have been like to have been raised in another family, or in another town. I do know what it was like to be raised a Green in Jericho, however. My parents were not only a shining example to me and my siblings growing up, they were a shining example for an entire nation who was rebuilding after one of the most catastrophic Civil Wars in history. My Mother was always present, calm and reassuring. My Father always took time with us kids. I remember a train set he put together for me when I was little, and how we would sneak away and spend time working on it together. Later, he was there to pitch a ball for me, to teach me how to to drive. No matter what was going on in the town or in the country, they always put us kids first. Thank you, Mom and Dad."

There was hardly a dry eye in the group as Stanley stood up to take his turn. "Well, thanks, Chip, that's a tough act to follow." The crowd laughed, and the mood transitioned back to one of celebration. "As most of you know, Jake and I have known each other our whole lives," Stanley continued. "We've gotten into trouble together, gone to War together, and raised our families together. He's closer than a brother to me. And Heather is like another sister to me. I just want to thank all of you for coming here today to help celebrate Jake and Heather's special day, and for making all of our lives special over the past 50 years."

Again, the crowd clapped. Jake and Heather looked at each other. "Our lives have been pretty special, haven't they, Mr. Green?" She asked him.

"They have, indeed, Mrs. Green," Jake happily agreed.