Everything's FineAs the weather warmed up, Devon and Shannon slipped away for a quiet date night.
Shannon: "You know," she sighed, "I worry about Marissa. I don't think she's being very realistic about dating this Marisela girl."
Devon: "Nah, I wouldn't worry too much about it. She'll be fine."
Shannon: "That is, if a certain doting dad doesn't spoil her too much. You know," she smiled wryly. "I think she gets that care-free attitude from her father."
Devon: "Hey. Could've done a lot worse, right? I could've given her my masculine good looks."
He winked, and she just laughed. He had a way of doing that, of making problems just seem to disappear.
Shannon: "I wish we had more time together."
Devon: "Career's maxed. Just a couple more skill challenges and we'll have a world of time. Maybe we'll take that houseboat out for a get away."
Shannon: "Mm. Sounds nice."
Shannon: "And after that? After the dynasty's all over?"
Devon: "Let's have a whole mess of kids. After all, our little 'Rissa turned out pretty great."
Shannon: "She really is somethin', isn't she?"
Devon: "Yeah. We did good."
Shannon: "It's my birthday tomorrow, you know. I . . . I'm gonna be old."
Devon: "Is that what's got you all worried tonight? Relax. You'll be my smokin' hot silver-haired fox, then!"
Shannon: "Oh, Dev!" she giggled.
Devon: "Everything's going to be fine;
Marissa's going to be fine," he assured her.
"You'll see," he said, but not even his optimism could prevent what happened next.