Tuesday morning

The alarm chirps. Chad sits up, but he doesn't slap the snooze button with his usual aggression. He looks at Cherie, who is still asleep, her hair fanned out across the pillow. He lingers for a second longer than usual, his mind hazy with the golden warmth of the dream. He doesn't see a "distraction"; he sees his wife.

He gets out of bed quietly. Downstairs, he finds Alexis already in the kitchen, leaning against the counter in a dangerously short silk robe, nursing a cup of coffee. Usually, he’d have a biting comment about her "indecency" or "idleness."

Instead, he just grunts a neutral, "Morning, Alexis." He pours himself a cup, and for the first time since the move, he doesn't check the countertop for dust.

"You're in a... tolerable mood," Alexis notes, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she senses the "softness" you’ve left behind in his aura.

"It's Tuesday," Chad says, adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror. "Big meeting at the firm. I don't have time for a headache. Just... make sure the house is in one piece when I get back. And Cherie?"

Cherie enters the kitchen, looking surprised to see him so calm. "Yes, Chad?"

"The, uh... the neighbors. If they're coming over for that project... just don't let them scratch the floors. Aside from that, do what you need to do."

He grabs his briefcase and heads out the door. The truck rumbles away.

The Sentinel has lowered the gate.

Tyler and Chloe (with Jessica still in tow) emerge from their rooms. The house is buzzing. It’s Tuesday. Lisa and Mike are scheduled to arrive in a couple hours for the first "official" shoot. Kenzie grabs a quick bite to eat and heads into the living room where she starts frantically arranging things to create the best scene.