Author's Note: Hey everyone! So sorry this took so long to update, but I've had a busy summer. I'm switching majors, I've been working a lot, I had my wisdom teeth out so I'm recovering from that and (by some funny fluke) I'm also in a relationship. My writing muse hasn't been around often so in the little free time I did have, I didn't get much writing done. Anyway, here's the next chapter and I hope you all like it! I hope you've all had good summers!

Disclaimer: You know what I mean.

Jane glanced back at Melody suspiciously. She seemed different this morning. She seemed more mischievous than normal. Why, he wasn't quite sure yet but he was sure going to figure it out. Annabeth and Melody had bantered as was to be expected, but he felt like Melody was holding back. Was Annabeth upset and they were trying to cover it up by keeping up their banter? Was Melody hatching some insane prank on her older cousin? If the second was the case, he'd have to make the choice to tell Lisbon and stop the prank or let Melody play it out for her own and everyone else's amusement.

Breakfast was calm. At least by the standards of having Melody and Annabeth in the same room. Jane observed Annabeth, who seemed a little shy this morning. Odd. Shy was not a word he normally used to describe anyone in the Lisbon family.

Peter cleared his throat in the midst of the silence that had fallen over the table as everyone was finishing their food. "So, are we all still going to have that picnic at the park later? I was really looking forward to that. It sounds like fun."

"If you still want to go, I don't see why not." Lisbon said, gathering her used dishes and getting up to put them in the sink.

"Yeah, who doesn't love a good picnic?" Melody sent a sideways glance towards Annabeth, who didn't seem to notice.

Jane noticed, though.

Melody quickly finished her food and put her dishes in the sink as well and hurried upstairs.

"Yep." Jane thought. "Something is definitely going on here."

"So, do we have enough stuff for potato salad?" Peter continued. "I love potato salad. If we don't have the ingredients, I can run to the grocery store and get some."

"Depends on what recipe you're using." Lisbon shrugged. "You can take a look and see if we've got everything."

"Sure." Peter nodded and got up to look for his ingredients after placing his dishes in the sink.

"I'll head upstairs and take a shower." Annabeth said.

"If Melody hasn't already claimed it." Tommy chuckled.

"She better not use up all the hot water." Annabeth frowned.

"That's not a bet I'd take." Jane told her.

"I know. What a little brat." Annabeth rolled her eyes and headed out of the kitchen.

Jane waited until Tommy and Peter were both occupied before he went to Lisbon.

"Annie and Melody were acting strangely this morning." Lisbon whispered in his ear once he joined her at the sink to help clean the dishes.

"So, you noticed?"

"It's not like I'm a detective or anything." Lisbon said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Fair enough." Jane chuckled, taking a dish that she passed him to dry it off. "Do you have any theories?"

"I can't find any more potatoes." Peter said, appearing on the other side of Lisbon and making her jump a little.

"The ones in the bottom drawer of the fridge were all we had." Jane said, not missing a beat. "If you want to go out and get some I can give you the money."

"That's okay. You don't have to give me the money for them. I'll just go grab some more potatoes myself. Thanks for the offer." Peter headed towards the front door.

Lisbon huffed. "Why do they all do that? Melody does that. Annie does that. You do it. And now Peter? I swear I'm going to get you all bells or something."

Jane laughed and kissed her cheek affectionately. "You know, you do it as well."

"I have never startled you like that."

"Of course you have. I just don't react like you do."

"Yeah, right. Anyway. Back to what we were talking about."

"Right. What're your theories?"

"They're both hiding something. That's for sure." Lisbon said thoughtfully.

"I think so as well." Jane nodded.

"What is so important that they can't tell us?" Lisbon placed the dish she was cleaning gently back in the sink and turned her head to look at Jane. "I hate secrets."

"I know." Jane placed his hand gently on her back. "I'm sure they'll spill it soon. If they're already acting this differently because of it, I'm sure it won't stay a secret for long."

"But what is it that they're keeping from us? What happens when we finally find out?"

"You're assuming it's a bad secret."

"How many secrets have we come across that weren't?"

"That's a fair point." Jane conceded. "But neither of them seem upset. Annie seems a little distracted, but Melody seems kind of giddy. If it were a bad secret, don't you think they'd both be preoccupied and upset?"

"I guess that's true." Lisbon began cleaning the dishes again.

Jane leaned in to whisper jokingly into Lisbon's ear, "maybe Annie and Peter are secretly engaged and they didn't tell us about it but Melody found out. Wouldn't that just be scandalous?"

Lisbon shoved him with her shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous! They would have told us that. Tommy would have told us that. Why keep that a secret?"

"Why keep what a secret?" Melody asked as she sauntered into the kitchen, making Lisbon jump for the second time that morning. A little privacy in her own house, was that too much for Lisbon to ask for? Honestly.

"Those grades you got on your entrance exam that you won't tell us for that new high school you want to go to." Jane raised a brow at Melody.

"I told you, I didn't get them back yet."

"But they sent you a letter just a few days ago." Lisbon said.

"You know, I think one of my favourite shows might be on TV. I'm going to go check it out. Bye." Melody turned and quickly left the kitchen.

"All we have to do is mention school and she's gone." Jane chuckled.

"All we have to do is mention school and I can swear I see all motivation leave her in a puff of smoke."

"I think that's pretty accurate for most people."

Lisbon laughed.

"Anyway." Jane turned back to the dishes. "I'm sure we'll get it out of them, one way or another."

"I think by 'we' you really mean 'you'."

"I mean, Melody and I. Melody already knows something she's not telling us."

"Mhm." Lisbon nodded. "Something is definitely up."

-Mentalist-

Later that afternoon, the group all piled out of their cars and walked to the park, scouting for a nice place to set up their picnic. It was a nice sunny and warm California day, perfect for such activities. They managed to find a spot by some trees to give them some shade and set up their blanket.

"Can we play Frisbee before we eat?" Melody asked, digging around in the bag for the item in question.

"As long as you don't cheat or anything." Annabeth raised a brow.

"I don't know how you cheat at Frisbee, but apparently you do. So, who should we really have to worry about cheating?" Melody smirked at her older cousin.

"Fine, I won't play." Annabeth shrugged.

"You're no fun." Melody rolled her eyes and then muttered, "at least argue with me about it. Loser."

"Maybe I'll just take a nap." Annabeth shrugged and leaned back on her elbows.

"Adults are no fun. I never want to be one." Melody frowned.

"Come on." Lisbon said, standing up. "You and I can toss the Frisbee around for a little bit to warm up."

Melody huffed. "Okay." She got up and Lisbon passed her the Frisbee. They were soon joined by Peter and Tommy.

"Want a pre-picnic snack?" Jane offered Annabeth, holding out a granola bar.

"No thanks." Annabeth smiled politely and then returned to watching the Frisbee game that had currently turned into a wrestling match between Melody and Peter over the Frisbee.

"Haha!" Melody exclaimed, holding the Frisbee up over her head triumphantly before throwing it to Lisbon so Peter couldn't take it from her.

Jane sat down next to Annabeth to watch the match as well. It was far from professional…or structured, for that matter. The only structure it has was the teams. Lisbon and Melody vs Peter and Tommy.

"You don't want to join them?" Jane prodded. "Normally you and Melody would be the first two out there facing off."

Annabeth shrugged. "I've decided that it's a lazy day today."

Jane nodded. "Well, at least Peter is out there having fun. I'm sure he's playing for the two of you."

"Probably." Annabeth smiled.

"How long have you two been dating now?" Jane inquired, even though he knew the answer.

"Almost five years." Annabeth seemed a little nervous.

"You seem very happy. I'm happy for you." Jane smiled brightly.

"Thanks." Annabeth smiled and tried to diffuse Jane's question with a little humour. "It's a wonder he hung around so long considering he met Melody."

Jane laughed. "You and Melody are quite a pair. He handles your bickering well, though. I really like him. Teresa does as well."

"Thanks." Annabeth responded, shifting a little bit on the spot.

"Put me down!" Melody yelled as Peter picked her up and started running with her.

"I've got it!" Peter yelled. "I have the Frisbee!"

"This doesn't count!" Melody hollered.

Annabeth and Jane both laughed, watching Peter run while carrying Melody and the Frisbee before he plunked her down in the area that was designated the scoring zone. Peter and Tommy threw their hands in the air, making whooping noises and jumping around before coming together for high-fives.

"Teresa and I are still winning." Melody shook her head and rolled her eyes. "You guys are still down by three, even if this counted. Which it totally doesn't."

Jane and Annabeth were still laughing at Peter and Tommy made a huge show of a victory celebration.

"This family is crazy." Annabeth forced out between bouts of laughter.

"Well, Peter doesn't seem to mind. He's practically part of the family now." Jane watched Annabeth's reaction. His comment seemed to tone down her laughter and a worried blush started to form on her cheeks. He pretended not to notice as the other four rejoined them on the picnic blanket.

"What a great game." Tommy beamed.

"You guys lost." Melody informed him again.

"But the thing that's important is that we all had fun, right pipsqueak?" Peter teased, ruffling Melody's hair.

"Don't call me that." Melody fixed her hair.

Peter laughed again.

"How about some food now?" Tommy looked towards the packed basket. "I really worked up an appetite playing Frisbee."

"You're always hungry, Dad." Annabeth rolled her eyes.

Melody reached into the basket and pulled a wrapped egg salad sandwich. "As long as I get to eat, I don't care."

"Don't eat all the egg salad sandwiches!" Annabeth grabbed for the basket.

Lisbon placed her hand firmly on the basket. "You two are not fighting over the picnic basket."

"Can I please have an egg salad sandwich?" Annabeth asked her aunt.

"I don't know, can you?" Melody smirked with a mouthful of food.

"Yes, here you are." Lisbon handed Annabeth a sandwich before Annabeth could get out a retort.

Annabeth took the sandwich, thanking her aunt, and then unwrapped the food as she glared at Melody who only seemed too happy for the attention. The rest of the drinks and food were divided among everyone else and they ate happily, chatting away…with a few bouts of bickering from the two cousins.

-Mentalist-

By late afternoon, the group decided to pack up and head home. Jane, Lisbon, Tommy and Melody were sorting out the first group of items in the trunk as Annabeth and Peter folded up the picnic blanket. Jane glanced back at them just in time to see a worried look on Annabeth's face as she was talking to Peter. Odd. Unfortunately, he wasn't quite able to read her lips to see what was being said. He continued to watch them out of the corner of his eye as they made their way back to the car and they'd decided to play it cool with the group, hiding the expressions he'd seen before. The ride home was fairly quiet and Jane was honestly beginning to worry about what was going on between the young couple.

They all made quick work of putting everything back in its place once they were home.

"Boo!" Melody yelled from behind Annabeth who was in the process of searching for her misplaced phone.

"Ah!" Annabeth yelped as she pulled her hands out of her pockets in order to defend herself out of reflex.

Melody laughed. "Your face. Oh my god, you make it all too easy!"

"Melody!" Annabeth yelled.

"What is going on with you two this time?" Lisbon grumbled as she walked into the kitchen.

"Nothing new. Melody is just being a little brat."

"Well, you dropped something." Jane said as he walked in behind Lisbon and picked up the small gold ring that had fallen out of Annabeth's pocket. He stopped for a moment, looking at the ring and realised that it was an engagement ring. Jane raised a brow at Annabeth as he handed it back to her.

Lisbon had already approached to see what had caught Jane's eye on the floor. "Annie!" she gasped. "Is that…an engagement ring!?"

A dark blush spread over Annabeth's face as she looked down at the ring in her hand. "Yeah…" she said meekly.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Lisbon gaped. "Why didn't Tommy say anything…?"

"Dad…Dad didn't know, either." Annabeth told her.

"Didn't know what?" Tommy said, coming to see what was taking everyone so long in the kitchen.

"Your daughter is engaged." Lisbon blurted, still completely shocked.

"What!?" Tommy sputtered. "When?"

"Three weeks ago." Annabeth swallowed hard.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Jane asked.

"Because…I just…I don't know. I wasn't sure how to bring it up." Annabeth shifted on her feet, a little uncomfortable.

"Was it Peter?" Tommy narrowed his eyes. "Did Peter not want you to tell us?"

"No!" Annabeth defended. "He wanted me to tell you guys. He would have told you guys if I'd let him. Okay? Now you know the news. Peter and I are engaged and that's it. We'll keep you in the loop from now on."

"Good." Tommy said, still sounding offended. "You waited three weeks to tell us that you're engaged, it's the least you can do. We need to have a talk in the living room. Now."

Annabeth took a deep breath and followed her dad out of the kitchen to the living room, knowing that she was in for one hell of a conversation. Especially when Peter got back downstairs.

Melody clasped her hands behind her back and hoped to silently slip out of the kitchen.

"Not so fast." Jane said. "Put it in reverse and get your butt back here."

Melody froze, waiting a moment to decide on her course of action.

"Now." Lisbon added.

Melody slowly turned and faced her aunt and uncle.

"You didn't seem very surprised that Annabeth was engaged." Jane raised a brow.

"Why do I care if she's engaged?"

Jane and Lisbon shared a look.

"You live for that stuff." Lisbon stated. "Anything to tease Annabeth for, you'll take it. But you find out she's engaged for three weeks without telling us and nothing. You don't bat and eye."

"Relatively boring news, to be honest." Melody shrugged.

"You knew." Jane concluded.

"What? No."

"You did. You knew before we did. You just didn't want to rat her out."

"Melody, you did a nice thing for Annie." Lisbon grinned.

"Whoa, no. I don't do nice things for Annabeth."

"It was so sweet that you found out and you didn't tell everyone before she did. That's very mature."

"Does this mean I get an extra dessert tomorrow after dinner or…?"

"No, Melody. Sometimes doing nice things is their own reward." Lisbon told her.

"Okay, well that's not much incentive to do something nice for Annabeth again."

Lisbon just shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Someday you two will grow out of it. I hope."

Author's Note: And that's it for now. Hopefully I can have another chapter for Red Yearbook up soon and another chapter for this as well, but I'm very doubtful since there's lots of stuff left for me to do this summer. We will see, though! Don't worry, these stories will get finished. Leave a review to let me know what you thought.