Richard Cooper is a professor of economics who believes that careful planning and hard work can solve most problems. After inheriting a sizable sum from his late parents, he convinced Cynthia that buying a sprawling fixer-upper was the perfect way to create something meaningful for their family. For Richard, the house isn’t just a project—it’s a vision of the future, a chance to build a space where they can all grow closer. Every improvement, every repaired beam or newly painted wall, feels like an investment not just in the house, but in their family’s bond.
Kimberley, always eager to please her father, helps out whenever her busy schedule allows. Richard appreciates her enthusiasm, even if her visits to the work site are sporadic. Ralph, however, is another story entirely. He’s mouthy and dismissive about the whole project, making it clear that manual labor is beneath him. Richard, ever the pragmatist, chooses to take the path of least resistance. He doesn’t push Ralph to help, hoping that one day his son will come around, pick up a tool, and surprise him. Until then, Richard prefers to let the issue lie dormant rather than risk driving a deeper wedge between them.
When it comes to Cynthia, Richard enjoys the rhythm they’ve settled into. After a long day of lectures and research, there’s something comforting about coming home and getting his hands dirty—refinishing a banister or patching up a wall—while Cynthia gardens or curls up with a book nearby. To him, these quiet evenings are a reflection of their relationship: steady, comfortable, and mutually supportive. Even when they’re focused on different tasks, he feels they’re together, sharing a space and a life. The house, with all its imperfections and potential, is something they’re building side by side. Richard takes pride in their unspoken harmony, where words aren’t always necessary because they both know they’re working toward the same dream.