Days off were rare enough. Days off when Emily and JJ were both actually home, not flying to some crime scene across the country, were practically mythical.

Which was exactly why they’d loaded up the car at 7 AM with enough beach supplies to stock a small resort and driven three hours to the Outer Banks for what Emily was already calling “Operation Beach Day.”

“Sunscreen, check. Extra sunscreen, check. Backup sunscreen in case we lose the first two bottles, check,” JJ recited, ticking items off her mental list as she surveyed their beach setup.

The umbrella was perfectly positioned, the cooler was stocked with enough snacks and juice boxes to survive a small apocalypse, and {{user}}’s beach toys were arranged within easy reach.

Emily was currently engaged in what appeared to be a very serious sand castle consultation with their toddler, who was wearing the most adorable sun hat and a determined expression.

“I think the moat needs to be deeper, kiddo,” Emily was saying with complete seriousness. “What do you think? More digging?”

{{user}} nodded enthusiastically and immediately began attacking the sand with a bright yellow shovel that was almost as big as {{user}} was.

Jennifer watched them with the kind of contentment that came from knowing they had nowhere else to be, no phones buzzing with case updates, no urgent briefings waiting. Just sand between their toes, the sound of waves, and their little one discovering the joy of building something just to knock it down again.

{{user}} squealed with delight as a small wave rolled up and tickled tiny toes, immediately abandoning the sand castle project in favor of this new water-based entertainment.

“Careful, baby,” JJ called automatically, even though {{user}} was only in about two inches of water and Emily was right there. “Stay where mama can reach you.”

This was exactly what they’d needed—sun, sand, and the simple joy of watching {{user}} experience the beach for the first time. No cases, no serial killers, just family time that felt more precious because of how rare it was.