Do you wear the pants in decisions?

Try picking out a movie and see if your partner defaults to your choice. If you succeed put a point into the whipped category

Go for the trifecta and choose the restaurant and snacks also for bonus points. If you succeed put a point into the whipped category.

Maura Isles sat on the edge of the bed, her phone in hand, feeling a mix of excitement and amusement. She dialed her sister Cailin's number, eager to share her little experiment.

"Hey, Maura!" Cailin's cheerful voice greeted her from the other end of the line.

"Hi, Cailin. How are you?" Maura asked, smiling at the sound of her sister's voice.

"I'm good, just got back from a run. What's up?"

"Well, you remember that magazine article you sent me about those relationship tests?" Maura began, glancing at herself in the mirror one more time to make sure everything was perfect.

"Of course! Did you actually try one of them?" Cailin asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, I did, last week" Maura admitted, a hint of pride in her voice. "I decided to try the one about influencing your partner's outfit choices."

"No way! How did it go?" Cailin sounded eager to hear the details.

Maura chuckled softly. "It worked. Jane was getting ready for dinner, and I casually mentioned how nice she looks in the emerald shirt she wore last week. She ended up changing into a new outfit before we left."

Cailin laughed. "That's fantastic! I can't believe it actually worked. How did Jane react?"

"She didn't suspect a thing," Maura said, shaking her head with a smile. "She just took my suggestion and changed. It was a fun little experiment, but it also made me realize how much we influence each other in small ways."

"That's true. It's all about the little things in a relationship," Cailin agreed. "So, where are you two heading tonight?"

"We're going to the movies, I think I may try another test tonight" Maura said, feeling a flutter of excitement. "It's been a while since we had a nice night out."

"Well, you two deserve it. I'm glad you had fun with the test, Maura. But remember, it's all in good fun. Jane loves you just the way you are."

Maura smiled warmly. "I know, Cailin. And I love her just as she is. This was just a playful way to add a bit of excitement to our evening."

"I'm sure it will be a great night. Have fun, Maura, and give Jane my love," Cailin said.

"I will. Thanks, Cailin. Talk to you soon," Maura replied, feeling a sense of warmth and connection with her sister.

As she hung up the phone, Maura heard Jane's voice from downstairs. "Maura, are you ready? We don't want to be late!"

"Almost ready Jane!" Maura called back down

"We want to make dinner before the movie, if we don't get a move on it then we will miss the movie" Jane started to call out as she saw Maura emerging from the bedroom.

"Alright, let's go." Maura said stopping to kiss Jane at the bottom of the stairs. "I think we should eat at the little cafe by the theater."

"Really, I thought we could hit up Angelo's. It has been forever since we ate there and I am craving a calzone." Jane replied pouting a bit.

"Oh" Maura looked at her for a second then started "The cafe is so much closer to the theater."

Jane scowled for a second then replied "Fine, but next weekend your taking me to Angelo's"

Maura smiled and leaned in for a chaste kiss again "Deal"

As Maura and Jane sat at the small cafe finishing up their dinner they began discussing what movie they would see next at the theater. Jane had just finished her panini and was working on finishing her homemade chips. Maura was finishing her Cobb salad when she decided to propose a movie.

"I think we should see the Barbie movie tonight." Maura said glancing up at Jane as she took a bite.

It's just... Barbie?" Jane looked puzzled "I thought we could see Oppenheimer- it has history for you and blowing things up for me. Not to mention Emily Blunt is in it and she is one of both of our favorite actresses."

"That is true, but think about the message of empowerment from Barbie." Maura tried to argue.

"Maura, for real, I hate pink. I don't think I even owned a Barbie growing up." Jane rolled her eyes eating a chip.

"Jane, have you heard the fantastic reviews the Barbie movie is getting?" Maura said, her eyes bright with excitement as she continued to enjoy her salad. "It's supposed to be a wonderful blend of humor, nostalgia, and important social commentary and Kate McKinnon is in it and you think she is hilarious." Maura continued

"She is funny on Saturday Night Live." Jane spoke softly. Maura smiled at Jane and who was Jane kidding she had a hard time denying Maura anything. Jane took a few more bites and signaled the waiter for the ticket.

"So Barbie movie," Maura said.

"I mean, for real Maura, you really want to see that movie. Ughhhhh" Jane gasped "If you tell my mother I went to this movie I will never speak to you again."

The waiter walked over to the table with the check.

Maura started beaming she had really wanted to see the movie after reading reviews talking about the great message of positivity and inclusivity but she definitely never thought Jane would agree to go with her. The article flashed in her mind, and she felt a little guilt creep in again. She took a deep breath and then tried to reason with herself that this was a conversation that would have occurred with or without the article.

Jane grabbed her card back from the waiter and put it back in her wallet.

"Oh and another thing. If I do in fact agree to see the," Jane sighed "Barbie movie." Jane sighed again "Next weekend we eat at Angelo's and I don't have to do any shopping with you." Maura began to frown and Jane continued "Nope I get to watch ESPN and do nothing the rest of next weekend."

As they were headed out of the restaurant Jane reached out for Maura's hand. Maura grasped it bringing their hands to her mouth where she placed a kiss on the back of Jane's hand. "I can accept those terms." Maura replied.

Jane still couldn't believe she just bought tickets to the Barbie Movie. For a plot second she thought she must be dreaming or actually in a nightmare. She shook her head at herself and then headed off to the concessions to join Maura who had almost made it to the beginning of the line.

Maura ordered a pretzel, water and then looked over at Jane. "We really should just get pretzels and a small popcorn with no butter. These snacks are not the healthiest."

As Maura went to order for Jane also, Jane stepped in "Nope, hold on. If I have to spend the next who knows how long watching the Barbie movie, I am going to eat the snacks that I want."

Maura looked in a little bit of disbelief as Jane continued. "Large popcorn, with extra butter, Sour Patch kids, large Dr. Pepper, Oh and cookie dough bites." Jane continued looking at all of the selections and then glanced at Maura "What, the movie theater has the best snacks."

"And just a pretzel and water for me" Maura added to the attendant. She smiled and looked at Jane "You know none of this is healthy for you."

"And I know you will have me in yoga or an extra run or whatever you're planning." Jane smiled back with her eyes widening then continued "If I am going to this pink movie I am going to properly snack."

"Ok" Maura just smiled and shook her had at Jane.

As they found their seats, Maura couldn't help but notice the diverse audience. Families with children, groups of friends, and even some solo moviegoers filled the theater. She smiled, appreciating how a film could bring so many different people together.

"I can't believe this many people are here for a Barbie movie," Jane muttered.

Maura smiled. "That's part of the magic, Jane. It's resonating with so many people on different levels."

As the movie continued Maura could see Jane fidgeting more and more. She had finished most of her snacks but was still working on her popcorn. Maura reached over and grasped Jane's hand in hers and leaned her head on Jane's shoulder. This quieted Jane's movements for a bit.

Halfway through the movie, Jane glanced at Maura, who was completely engrossed, her eyes sparkling with delight. Seeing Maura so happy made Jane's own reluctance fade away. The film was funny and poignant, with moments that touched on deep themes in a lighthearted way.

A little while longer Maura felt Jane moving a bit. She began to feel a bit of guilt because she knew Jane would definitely enjoyed Oppenheimer more.

As the movie finished, they made their way out of the theater and dropped their trash fro their snacks at the door. Jane took Maura's hand and they walked out of the theater into the parking lot.

Jane looked up to see all of stars out in the night sky and then walked in silence to the car.

Once in the car Maura started "Ok, you can say it, you hated the movie. I could feel your squirming throughout the movie but I do appreciate you staying with me. I really did enjoy the movie and for once the reviews I read were correct. Ryan Gosling was perfect for the role of Ken. That was wonderful! I loved how they addressed both the fun and the deeper aspects of Barbie's legacy." Maura took a breath knowing she was beginning to rambling.

Jane looked over at Maura in the passenger seat and smiled, "It was ok"

"Ok" Maura said softly

"Yeah, well I definitely got lost in some parts of the movie and I stand by the fact there is need under any circumstance for thatch pink but it wasn't all bad." Jane smirked as she put the car into drive heading home.

"What was your favorite part?" Maura questioned

"Well duh, the Ken song," Jane laughed "It's jus so catchy."

Maura chuckled and then replied "I love you, Jane"

"I love you too Maura." Jane replied.

Maura's thoughts went back to the test, she had managed to get Jane to go to the movie of her choice but didn't succeed at the bonus points. She silently shook her head thinking that it was pretty fun to do these tests in the spirit of fun. She also couldn't wait to tell Jane about them when she completed them.