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THE SUN hung high in the sky, casting dappled light through the sprawling branches of the oak trees in the park. A gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, blending with the laughter of children playing nearby. Jay and Charlie spread a vibrant picnic blanket on the soft, emerald grass, a patchwork of blues and yellows that contrasted beautifully with the greenery around them.
As they settled in, Jay pulled out a wicker basket brimming with homemade sandwiches, fresh fruit, and a couple of sparkling drinks.
Charlie watched him, a smile tugging at her lips as she marveled at how effortlessly he seemed to juggle everything.
"You really outdid yourself this time," she teased, her eyes sparkling with affection.
"Just trying to impress my picnic partner," Jay replied, grinning as he poured lemonade into two plastic cups.
They clinked their cups together, the sound of their laughter blending with the chirping of birds overhead.
As they enjoyed their meal, they began to people watch, weaving stories about the park-goers. Which had somehow become a very common thing for the pair whenever out in public.
An elderly couple sat on a nearby bench, feeding pigeons with crumbs from their sandwiches. "I bet they've been coming to this park for decades," Charlie mused. "Look at how comfortable they are with each other."
Jay chuckled, leaning back on his elbows. "And I bet he still thinks she's the most beautiful woman in the world." He not-so subtly stared at Charlie's side profile, his mind traveling far beyond this current moment.
A few moments of silence pass, both parties just looking at the people around them and being engulfed in the feeling of sonder while simultaneously trying to make up stories about them all.
"Remember that time we got lost trying to find that beach? I thought we'd never find our way back." Charlie suddenly speaks, seeing a family of five walking past in what looks to be swimwear.
"I still think it was the best wrong turn we ever took." Jay's smile tells her that he truly does mean that, which warms her heart deeply.
They had spent two hours making wrong turns and going in circles while freezing in wet swimsuits after a long day at the beach.
"Hey," Charlie says, lifting a hand to vaguely point, "Look at that dad. He's totally winging it."
There was a man with what looked to be his three children, looking disheveled and panicked when they weren't looking, but immediately put together and all-knowing when they were.
Charlie stares at Jay when he says this, the warm feeling in her chest not leaving and she swears she doesn't own any rose tinted glasses, but right now it feels like she's looking at him through a pair.
