"You two have five minutes to stop being adults and start being fun," Pearl declared, hands on her hips, with a picnic basket swinging at her side like a badge of honour.
Ava raised an eyebrow, sunglasses perched on her head, the lakeside breeze toying with her loose braid. "Define fun."
Pearl thrust a folded checkered blanket toward Alex. "Fun is where you pretend you're not old and tired."
Alex took the blanket with a grin. "Ouch."
They were standing by the lake, with the sun setting low and golden behind the trees. The water sparkled as ducks swam lazily by. The air was filled with the smells of fresh grass and peanut butter sandwiches.
Pearl had brought everything: homemade sandwiches, juice boxes, fruit skewers, and a neon-coloured kite she'd half-built herself. She'd also informed both adults, in separate texts, that today's picnic was mandatory.
Her mission? "Get Mom and Detective Dad to hug."
Neither Ava nor Alex had the heart—or energy—to argue.
