LUCIEN’S POV

The blanket was spread out under the big oak tree, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and dancing across Adele’s hair. She’d packed everything—sandwiches, fruit, little juice boxes for Andrea, even a tiny picnic basket with a checkered cloth. Her idea, of course.

She said we needed a day like this, something normal and bright after all the darkness we’d walked through. She was right. Every time I looked at her, I felt the weight in my chest lighten just a little more.

Andrea was running in circles around us, his little legs pumping, bubble gun clutched in both hands like a weapon. He was giggling so hard...