Jared had brought Georgia out for a family picnic, hoping they could steal a moment of peace, just the five of them, no distractions.
"Here we are, darling," he said gently, spreading the blanket beneath a canopy of swaying trees. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting golden patterns over the soft grass.
Georgia stood still, arms crossed, eyes scanning the wide open field. "You didn't have to go through all this, Jared," she said, her tone a mixture of surprise and guarded warmth.
Beside them, a wicker basket sat open, revealing neatly wrapped sandwiches and bottles of lemonade dripping with condensation. The sound of the kids' laughter rang out as they ran through the grass, their joy echoing under the rustling leaves.
Jared looked at her, eyes steady and soft. "Ye
