Cookies? My gosh, are you trying to get a tummy ache?

Shed been home for three days and had yet to tell Peter about the harder aspects of the case. Her moment in the river had been frightening and typically, whenever she felt her life had been in danger, she told Peter just so he was kept up to date. She looked out the window and saw him hooking the projector into his laptop on the picnic table. As she watched him work so diligently to put his daughters perfect night together, something both beautiful and frightening settled over Rachels heart. This was her family, everything she loved. She cared for these people and they cared for her. To keep such a massive secret from them was a betrayal of the special bond they shared. It would hurt, yes. But theyd hurt together. Theyd figure it out together.

Its time.

Hey, Paige, do you think you could go clean your room for a minute or two?

What? But the movie!

Well still watch it, you silly goose. This way you wont have to do it Saturday. And we have to wait until it gets dark anyway.

Paige considered this for a second and nodded. Cleaning my room on a Friday evening is weird. You and Daddy just need to have a grown-up talk, dont you?

Yes, we do.

Is it about Grandma Tate? Because I can hear that. Daddy told me, you know.

I know. And thats something were all going to talk about soonas a family, together. But for right now, I do need to have a talk with Daddy.

Okay. Can I come down to get the popcorn when its done?

Yes. But dont spill it all over your room.

Paige grinned and took off in the direction of the stairs. Rachel listened to her little footfalls thundering along on each step. She then heard one of the Twenty-One Pilots songs Paige had been obsessed with lately as she started cleaning her room.

When Rachel headed back outside, her heart felt like it weighed about ten tons, just floating around in a chaotic sea of nerves. She walked slowly down the stairs and to the picnic table. She sat down as Peter started to scroll through the Family selections on Disney Plus.

Did Her Highness tell you which movie well be watching? Peter asked.

No, not yet. Shes too focused on popcorn.

Ah, the priorities of a child.

Peter came around to the bench seat on her side of the picnic table and put his arm around her. You okay? he asked. I hope its okay to say so, but youve been a little off since you got back home. I figured it had something to do with that Alex Lynch creep calling me.