Breakfast

You drift through the room, your essence a warm, supportive presence as Cherie moves with a light, effortless grace she hasn’t felt in years. You nudge the temperature of the griddle, keeping it at a perfect, consistent heat, and help her find the vanilla extract in the back of the pantry without her even realizing she was looking for it.

Alexis is already there, leaning against the counter. She watches Cherie with a knowing, cat-like smirk.

"You're in a good mood," Alexis notes, sipping her coffee. "Did the 'Sentinel' actually manage to do his job last night, or did you just have a very vivid dream?"

Cherie flushes, but it’s not the frantic, guilty heat from before. It’s a soft, radiant glow. "I just... I feel relaxed, Alexis. Like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be." She turns as Tyler and Kenzie wander in, followed shortly by Chloe and Jessica.

Following the new protocol, Cherie wipes her hands on her apron and pulls Tyler into a warm, lingering hug. "Good morning, honey." She does the same for Kenzie and Chloe, but when she reaches Jessica, she doesn't hesitate. She pulls her daughter’s friend into a soft, maternal, yet surprisingly firm embrace. "It’s so good to have you here, Jessica. You're part of the family."

Jessica looks surprised but leans into the warmth, her eyes darting to Chloe.

The heavy tread of Chad’s boots signals the end of the peace. He enters the kitchen, looking rested and authoritative, until his eyes land on Alexis.

The memory of the vision—the image of his sister-in-law talking dirty to him while he lost control—slams into his mind with the **** of a physical blow. He stops mid-stride, his grip tightening on his phone. Alexis looks up, her gaze trailing over his polo shirt with a playful, predatory hunger that he now finds absolutely terrifying.

"Morning, Chad," Alexis purrs, her voice dropping an octave. "You look... stiff. Did you oversleep?"

Chad’s face goes a dangerous shade of mottled gray. "I'm fine," he grunts, moving toward the coffee pot and making a wide, conspicuous circle to avoid getting within three feet of her. "The golf... my back is just a bit tight."

"Maybe you need a massage," Alexis teases, her eyes dancing. "I’m sure Cherie wouldn't mind if I showed you a few techniques."

Chad nearly chokes on his first sip of coffee. "That won't be necessary!" He sits at the head of the table, burying his face in his digital paper, but his hands are noticeably trembling.

"So, Chloe," Tyler says, sliding into his chair and looking at his sister with a cool, appraisal. She’s wearing a very short, oversized t-shirt that barely covers her bikini bottoms. "Excited for the 'intimate editorial' session on Tuesday? I saw the mood board Lisa sent over. It’s... bold."

Chloe picks up a pancake, her movements deliberate and performative. "I think I can handle 'bold,' Tyler. After all, a star has to know how to work the camera, right?" She glances at Jessica, a secret, heavy look passing between them that reminds them both of the hot tub.

"I think you'll be great, Chlo," Kenzie adds, her sketchbook open next to her plate as she sketches the way the light hits the syrup. "I'm working on the set design. I want it to feel... ethereal. Like there's something hidden in the shadows."

Chad looks up from his paper, his brow furrowed. "Just make sure it's professional. I don't want anything... unseemly coming out of this house. We have a reputation in this neighborhood."

Cherie sets a fresh plate of pancakes in front of him, her hand lingering on his shoulder for a second. "Don't worry, Chad," she says, her voice smooth and comforting. "Everything is exactly as it should be. They're just being... creative."